Hey guys,
        You know how you are just reading along in your bible, kind of
thinking, "same old, same old," and then, you have one of those great
moments when something leaps out at you?  Actually, I have those a
lot.  I do really enjoy reading scripture, but I have read Jeremiah
so much that I was kind of taking it for granted when, all of a
sudden, one of those moments struck.  I just felt like sharing
it.  It may not speak to you, but when I shared it with Greg, he got
the point as well.  Just think about our situation with Chris and I
think that you'll see what I mean.

        This is what the Lord says:  "Restrain your voice from weeping and
your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded," declares the
Lord.  "They will return from the land of the enemy.  so there is
hope for your future," declares the Lord.  "Your children will return
to their own land."
        "I have surely heard Ephraim's moaning:  "You disciplined me like an
unruly calf, and I have been disciplined.   Restore me, and I will
return, because you are the Lord my God.  After I strayed, I
repented; after I came to understand, I beat my breast.  I was
ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth."  Is
not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight?  Though I often
speak against him, I still remember him.  Therefore my heart yearns
for him; I have great compassion for him," declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 31:16-20

I hope that you can get the gyst of this with all of the quotes and
stuff.  I'm sorry that screen readers don't really do the passage
justice.  I felt like, instead of God speaking about Ephraim, this
passage could have been me talking about Chris.  The great thing, for
me at least, is the hope offered in this passage.  I really need
that.  Chris desperately wants to  move out.  We had tried to put
three conditions on his release from our home.  We asked him to pay
us what he owes us, save up $1,000 for a cushion, and wait to talk to
his probation officer.  Yesterday, however, thanks to the help of
Nicki's grand mother, Chris has found an empty efficiency in her
building.  The land lord is willing to negotiate the deposit and rent
and Chris is acting like it's a done deal without meeting our
conditions or receiving our approval.  I'd be more than happy to just
let him go except that we are still legally responsible for him for
another 66 days and I don't want to do anything without the blessing
of the probation officer.  Anyway, If you see this passage about
Chris instead of Ephraim, the land of the enemy is pretty obvious
and, I pray that home means his return to Jesus.  What I did
appreciate, however is remembering once again how God really does
know and empethize with our struggle.
God bless,
Kathy