In my previous posts, I alluded to the busyness and chaos that this season and time in our life has brought us. Christmas was becoming a list of chores and things to do and check off from a list of the scatterbrained and overtaxed workaholics in this family. I was pretty discouraged by it all, and my heart was crying for some moment in time where I could enjoy what Christmas was really about. I just did not see how it was going to happen, and I feared it would soon be past and I would be left wishing I could have enjoyed it.
Tonight our church put on a Christmas program called The Cradle to the Crown. Words can't describe the depth of meaning and emotion that poured out of me tonight as I sat there in that hushed audience and watched the plot and storyline unfold. God heard my heart's cry and tonight I was able to capture that meaning and spirit of Christmas. It will make the actual day worth it all now that I have had this time of worship and praise to my Heavenly Father for His wondrous gift of salvation encased in the God-man, Jesus.
After coming home, James and I had our chance finally to share in our special tradition of blaring out our favorite Christmas carols and instrumentals and it just never seems complete without sharing that special quirk of ours. :)
My Christmas is already complete even before December 25th arrives.
It will be worth is all when we see Jesus...
What is it worth to you?
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
day by day
Gooood morning! There is an old hymn that really applies to this time of year for us.
Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find, to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best—
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
The rest of the hymn is great, and I hope you will look the rest of the words up for "Day by Day".
Each day, Ted and I sync up and make a list of everything that we need to take care of for work or Christmas. He is in a situation right now with one of his stores that is keeping him away from the family except for a few days here and there until after Christmas. Today, we are trying to finish the last of the shopping as one more thing to mark off our list. With my new job and his busy one there has really been no time to even reflect, relax, or relish the season this year. It has made this Christmas more of a chore then a pleasure, but there has been no other way. God knows this situation and is working it out in His good pleasure to bring glory to Himself.
On a great note of praise, the court case against James was dropped last weekend! He was to meet with an arbitrator today, but the plaintiffs have dropped their case. Praise our Wonderful Lord, each step of the way through this whole situation has shown forth God's mysterious ways of working.
Taking each day at a time...
Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find, to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best—
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.
The rest of the hymn is great, and I hope you will look the rest of the words up for "Day by Day".
Each day, Ted and I sync up and make a list of everything that we need to take care of for work or Christmas. He is in a situation right now with one of his stores that is keeping him away from the family except for a few days here and there until after Christmas. Today, we are trying to finish the last of the shopping as one more thing to mark off our list. With my new job and his busy one there has really been no time to even reflect, relax, or relish the season this year. It has made this Christmas more of a chore then a pleasure, but there has been no other way. God knows this situation and is working it out in His good pleasure to bring glory to Himself.
On a great note of praise, the court case against James was dropped last weekend! He was to meet with an arbitrator today, but the plaintiffs have dropped their case. Praise our Wonderful Lord, each step of the way through this whole situation has shown forth God's mysterious ways of working.
Taking each day at a time...
Friday, December 14, 2012
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Making History
OK so this title is about the only salute to the date or at least it was the date yesterday. I just realized that it's no longer 12/12/12. Oh well....
What am I doing up at this time of the night? I don't know either, I fully expected to be drooling and snoring by now.
My job- actually enjoying it for the most part, still challenging and always learning something new each time. Being on my feet for 5 hours straight is an adjustment physically. I thank God for my job, and my boss says she thinks I am the answer to her prayer. We are both cautiously taking that at face value since I am so new to this type of work. One of the other jobs I applied for earlier sent me the nicest rejection email. I think I should frame it!
Last Saturday I had my assistant teach our teen class about Cain and Abel. I left them with the thought -if God is still talking to us about Abel after 6000 years.... what would He tell others about Us?? How are we going down in history? Are we an example of Christ shining out to others, or are we nobodys that just wasted our days like a vapor? Then, our Preacher even mentioned Cain and Abel in his Sunday message.
My job allows me to be an active example of Christ to a lost world... I try to be very mindful of it. Then tonight, I was thinking back on all the people that I used to chat with online and wondered, after all this time, what sort of memory do they have of my testimony. Our Pastor talked about justification tonight and the thought struck me again, people remember every little wrong done to them, myself included... but when God justifies us through the blood of Jesus it's not just forgiven--its like it never happened! So many times I wonder if things could have been said or done differently for different situations throughout my life,but then I remember Jesus has buried my past.... it's time to let it go.
So, yesterday is now officially history, today is here, tomorrow may dawn in Heaven.... is our life something that God will mention in "His Story"?
What am I doing up at this time of the night? I don't know either, I fully expected to be drooling and snoring by now.
My job- actually enjoying it for the most part, still challenging and always learning something new each time. Being on my feet for 5 hours straight is an adjustment physically. I thank God for my job, and my boss says she thinks I am the answer to her prayer. We are both cautiously taking that at face value since I am so new to this type of work. One of the other jobs I applied for earlier sent me the nicest rejection email. I think I should frame it!
Last Saturday I had my assistant teach our teen class about Cain and Abel. I left them with the thought -if God is still talking to us about Abel after 6000 years.... what would He tell others about Us?? How are we going down in history? Are we an example of Christ shining out to others, or are we nobodys that just wasted our days like a vapor? Then, our Preacher even mentioned Cain and Abel in his Sunday message.
My job allows me to be an active example of Christ to a lost world... I try to be very mindful of it. Then tonight, I was thinking back on all the people that I used to chat with online and wondered, after all this time, what sort of memory do they have of my testimony. Our Pastor talked about justification tonight and the thought struck me again, people remember every little wrong done to them, myself included... but when God justifies us through the blood of Jesus it's not just forgiven--its like it never happened! So many times I wonder if things could have been said or done differently for different situations throughout my life,but then I remember Jesus has buried my past.... it's time to let it go.
So, yesterday is now officially history, today is here, tomorrow may dawn in Heaven.... is our life something that God will mention in "His Story"?
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Green Christmas
Living in North Carolina especially during the Christmas and winter seasons, one would think global warming was a real problem. I just took a moment to gaze out my front window and realized the grass really should be mowed. Today is December 1st and my yard needs mowing.... in NY that would have been unbelievable! A heavy frost is usually the extent of what Carolina snow looks like in our region. Occasionally, we will get some snow or ice, but it never sticks around very long.
Today is the day I usually start decorating the house and yard for Christmas. I must confess that with 2 sick boys and a wore out husband it doesn't motivate me to start decorating.
This morning, I finished the preliminary computer work necessary to start my new job. Yes! God answered my prayers and I have a part time job!!! It will be revisiting a skill set that I haven't used in many years! So our Christmas season will be a little "greener" then we had hoped.
Well, before I start a mini project that has been nagging to be finished, let me leave you a sneak peak of my Sweet 16 niece from the photo shoot we did for her birthday.
Today is the day I usually start decorating the house and yard for Christmas. I must confess that with 2 sick boys and a wore out husband it doesn't motivate me to start decorating.
This morning, I finished the preliminary computer work necessary to start my new job. Yes! God answered my prayers and I have a part time job!!! It will be revisiting a skill set that I haven't used in many years! So our Christmas season will be a little "greener" then we had hoped.
Well, before I start a mini project that has been nagging to be finished, let me leave you a sneak peak of my Sweet 16 niece from the photo shoot we did for her birthday.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Butterfly Vomit
What a "lovely" title to this post, eh? I have been sort of dragging my feet about job hunting. In the past, it seemed that God just dropped a job into my lap. I have been spoiled in the sense that I haven't had to go out and hunt a job like most people do at frequent points in their lives. I put in some applications online, with hopes and a prayer, but it seems God is testing my trust even further.
Tuesday, I climbed into my truck and headed for south of the border. At my first stop, I was so scared, that my butterflies started vomiting in my stomach. I walked into the place and nearly panicked, after wandering around trying to gather courage and failing miserably I found a familiar face from church. This unexpected surprise calmed me enough to ask for an application from her. I went back out to the truck to fill it out. The butterflies in my stomach "ramped up" full force again, and bile rose in my mouth. I was scared sick! I finished by sheer will power and walked back in and turned my application into the office. Then I drove as fast as I could to a nearby shop where a friend works. I sorely needed another friendly face. My stop there lead to putting in an application with her and having an interview! I knew I couldn't handle any more, and I went home where I spent the rest of that day and night wishing that the butterflies in my stomach would migrate to the tropics! Wednesday, I cowardly spent the day at home until church time.
Today, I girded my loins and went to the places that I had still on my list. The first place wants someone for breakfast hostess at 4:30am!!!!! I probably would have had an interview there but the inspector was coming and everyone was in panic mode. Oddly enough, I think my butterflies metamorphosed into them instead. I then stopped at my next place. I was greeted so pleasantly and the atmosphere was very calming and pleasant. While there, God sent another unexpected employee that I knew to chat with me, and she was thrilled to see me! I had prayed for her for years, and she finally got back into church. Now it seems that maybe she needs my prayers again. She was verbally recommending me to her manager as he walked by us. I finished the application and was able to have a brief interview with another manager standing there who was going to pass it along to the department I applied for. I might have to get a job the normal way, but through it all God has given me friendly faces to make things easier. I don't know what job He wants me to have, and I earnestly desire to do His will.
I think they should bottle butterfly vomit and sell it as a home defense weapon. That stuff is debilitating and toxic!
Tuesday, I climbed into my truck and headed for south of the border. At my first stop, I was so scared, that my butterflies started vomiting in my stomach. I walked into the place and nearly panicked, after wandering around trying to gather courage and failing miserably I found a familiar face from church. This unexpected surprise calmed me enough to ask for an application from her. I went back out to the truck to fill it out. The butterflies in my stomach "ramped up" full force again, and bile rose in my mouth. I was scared sick! I finished by sheer will power and walked back in and turned my application into the office. Then I drove as fast as I could to a nearby shop where a friend works. I sorely needed another friendly face. My stop there lead to putting in an application with her and having an interview! I knew I couldn't handle any more, and I went home where I spent the rest of that day and night wishing that the butterflies in my stomach would migrate to the tropics! Wednesday, I cowardly spent the day at home until church time.
Today, I girded my loins and went to the places that I had still on my list. The first place wants someone for breakfast hostess at 4:30am!!!!! I probably would have had an interview there but the inspector was coming and everyone was in panic mode. Oddly enough, I think my butterflies metamorphosed into them instead. I then stopped at my next place. I was greeted so pleasantly and the atmosphere was very calming and pleasant. While there, God sent another unexpected employee that I knew to chat with me, and she was thrilled to see me! I had prayed for her for years, and she finally got back into church. Now it seems that maybe she needs my prayers again. She was verbally recommending me to her manager as he walked by us. I finished the application and was able to have a brief interview with another manager standing there who was going to pass it along to the department I applied for. I might have to get a job the normal way, but through it all God has given me friendly faces to make things easier. I don't know what job He wants me to have, and I earnestly desire to do His will.
I think they should bottle butterfly vomit and sell it as a home defense weapon. That stuff is debilitating and toxic!
Sunday, November 25, 2012
His Life for Mine
Many thoughts have run through my mind for this blog post. This is a month of Thanksgiving where we emphasize the blessings that God has provided and bestowed. Due to a strange turn of events that still leaves me baffled, I resigned from my job. This spiritual journey of totally trusting God is even more amplified as now I seek another job- one that He wants me to have. The weeks spent agonizing over this decision brought Ted and I so close to the Lord. Now, it seems we are just waiting to see what else He will do in our lives. I find myself distracted but eagerly anticipating each new day, wondering if this will be the day He shows me the job where He wants me to serve Him.
We spent Thanksgiving with Tim and Jen and our Kountry Kudzu family vine. What a blessing each family member is as we draw closer to each other. Black Friday was spent moving Mark and Amy and Ronn and Gayle as they switched houses. Saturday was a special day devoted to my niece who turned Sweet Sixteen. Every year since she turned 13, I have made it a point to take her out for a special day for her birthday. She looks forward to it all year long, and I put alot of effort into it each year to make it memorable. What a sweet girl she is and yearns to serve our Lord. What alot of fun and laughs we had yesterday as we got her hair done, had a mini photo shoot, and then went out for supper together. It's hard to believe that the little tot that Ted's sister adopted so many years ago is now 16!!!
Today, our Sunday school class gathered for a lunch of yummy crockpot soups and a time spent making old fashioned Christmas decorations for the upcoming season.
James is hoping to hear tomorrow if he was hired for a second job in the same plaza that he works in now. Justin is doing well on his third shift job. Ted stays busy with his position for his company.
We are so blessed, but more so because without Christ giving His life for ours, we wouldn't even be able to face another day.
Will you pray with us that God will show me the job He wants me to have and still be able to be the wife and mother that He wants me to be?
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
We spent Thanksgiving with Tim and Jen and our Kountry Kudzu family vine. What a blessing each family member is as we draw closer to each other. Black Friday was spent moving Mark and Amy and Ronn and Gayle as they switched houses. Saturday was a special day devoted to my niece who turned Sweet Sixteen. Every year since she turned 13, I have made it a point to take her out for a special day for her birthday. She looks forward to it all year long, and I put alot of effort into it each year to make it memorable. What a sweet girl she is and yearns to serve our Lord. What alot of fun and laughs we had yesterday as we got her hair done, had a mini photo shoot, and then went out for supper together. It's hard to believe that the little tot that Ted's sister adopted so many years ago is now 16!!!
Today, our Sunday school class gathered for a lunch of yummy crockpot soups and a time spent making old fashioned Christmas decorations for the upcoming season.
James is hoping to hear tomorrow if he was hired for a second job in the same plaza that he works in now. Justin is doing well on his third shift job. Ted stays busy with his position for his company.
We are so blessed, but more so because without Christ giving His life for ours, we wouldn't even be able to face another day.
Will you pray with us that God will show me the job He wants me to have and still be able to be the wife and mother that He wants me to be?
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
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