The changes that come with the seasons

It's been a while since I've posted anything..life has been good. God has provided us thus far with so many treasures! We bought a house in early July and love it! It was truly a blessing from God and I am thankful every time I walk in the door! I also got a job at River Source Family Center after I finished my internship this summer. I am an official college graduate and am finally done with the student loans! What a sweet release! Matt has been taking over the shop ever since his dad suffered a stroke about 9 months ago. Life has been crazy busy and things have been up and down with the business but God is in control. Well..I would continue but I need to go..more updates soon...

To Buy or Not to Buy...

My husband and I are debating on a big decision in our lives--whether or not to buy a house. This isn't just a random choice about whether to buy organic peanut butter vs. processed...it's a much bigger deal. As I was driving to school today I was listening to Dave Ramsey and he said not to buy a house if you are in debt. The only debt that we have is student loans but it is still debt.

What do you think?

Magazines..

I was just reading this post regarding homes. I thought it was really great. You should read it.

Our homes are to be neat and tidy but not perfect. I always think my house (or apartment at this time) needs to look perfect like the pictures in the magazines. BUT in reality, life doesn't work that way. Whew. Please read this post. You'll be glad you did.

The dreaded 9pm-7am....

Why can't I rejoice when I can get the opportunity to work an overnight shift? I always seem to grumble whenever I am called in to do a 10 hour shift.

Tonight I have to work an overnight shift at a nursing home...and I don't think I will be getting any sleep (we're allowed to sleep on our shifts). The man I am working with has a lot of pain, is restless throughout the night, and gets up frequently. I've never worked with him before and don't really know what to expect, which always seems to create fear and anxiety within my heart. Not only do I have fear while I am working an overnight shift but all the hours before I go to work. It seems like my day is eaten up with anxiety and distress, which is wasteful and prideful, due to my lack of trust in God. In scripture it says:

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts." Psalm 139:23

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

Why do I fear something that I have no control over? Why can't I rejoice in being able to serve others? At this current moment people in Haiti are going through much more immense struggles than we American's have experienced and people are working and serving so hard that some have not gotten sleep for days. Why am I so hesitant about sacrificing one night of sleep for another? Because I need a change of heart and attitude.

I am so blessed to be doing the work that I am--and I should be doing it joyfully whether or not I receive a paycheck at the end of the month. My heart can be so callous towards the needs of others and needs to be broken in order to humbly submit to God and His plans. I also need to be THANKFUL for all that I have been given and rejoice in the Lord, always.

Rather than grumbling I can look at this 10 hour shift as a time to pray and grow closer to the Lord as I serve someone whom He created, loves, and cherishes.

Please Lord change my heart. I love you so much and look forward to how I can use this situation as a learning experience rather than a drudgery.

Thank you Lord.

Finding a precious promise...

I am going to be memorizing a beautiful promise in scripture but haven't picked a verse out yet..Does anyone have any suggestions? It could be a passage as well, but I would love for suggestions from all of you wonderful people.

Having a morning routine so far has proved to be "ok." I will admit, getting up and doing something makes me feel a lot better, now I just have to get in the routine of setting time for daily devotions. I guess I thought I was the only one who struggled with getting up in the mornings but after reading this post, I was so encouraged about what I have started to do with my exercise routine. Other people struggle in getting themselves out of bed as well but doing it feels

WONDERFUL!!!

I am so excited to see how I will be feeling in the next few weeks and look forward to be renewed both spiritually and physically!

My Knight in Shining Armor....

Wednesday night, as my husband and I laid in bed to watch a movie, I ate a bunch of popcorn (like I do almost every night)--and then eventually went to bed, exhausted from all of the days activities. In the middle of the night, I woke up feeling hot and stuffy and couldn't fall asleep after that. Eventually, I started to feel cold and then hot and then a terrible feeling began to form in my stomach...nausea..of which I tried to ignore. I fell in and out of sleep for the next few hours and eventually woke up to use the bathroom. My husband was already up eating breakfast, and asked how I was doing. I told him "Yuck, I think I'm getting the flu...." his response was, "You don't know that yet.." I laid down in bed and then a few minutes later I ran to the bathroom and yes, I don't have to explain the rest of the story.... but I did have the flu; the worst kind in my opinion. As my head was over the toilet seat and tears were streaming down my face, my husband patiently stroked my back and kept saying, "It's ok."

How romantic huh?

I think so...although it may not be roses, a letter, or a nice dinner out, this kind gesture meant so much more. Yes, my husband does all of those things as well but he to help me when I'm sick is quite the sacrifice. I personally have a hard time being in the same room with someone who is throwing up, let alone being in the same house, but my husband is strong.

I am a very paranoid person when it comes to the stomach flu, which is something I have to learn to get over, especially when we have kids because I am sure they will get it at least once in their lifetime. I know we all have our own personal weaknesses but this weakness is something that can become a hindrance in serving others. Being a servant is not easy, especially when we are called to sacrifice our needs; including our health. Yet, our health is not the most important thing in this world, Christ is. Getting the stomach flu is nothing compared to what Christ went through.....ok, that was a very poor comparison but sometimes we get so hung up on certain things, like this.

Thank you Lord.

And I don't think I will be having popcorn for a very long time.....

The New Year..

As we welcome in the new year, I have begun some new changes. I don't always know how I feel about new years resolutions because many times good goals are made, but they don't always get done. Well, I never made any new goals for this year, rather I just fell into a few. One of them was exercising. I have never really had a regular exercising routine but decided that getting in shape this year would be a good way to feel better. Lately I have been having headaches and some other medical problems that haven't been resolved, although we've visited several doctors. My friend, Katie Wendt, leads a class called Body and Soul which is a ministry around the nation that incorporates spiritual and physical fitness. I have attended a few classes in the past but never really wanted to join, but for some reason I wanted to do it this year. Katie always tried to convince me in the past and now that she is expecting, she cannot teach the class anymore, but she is still attending in order to hold me accountable. I am not sure if I can going to do 2 days a week or 3 but I really do like it so far. I feel more energized and upbeat and I also feel like it gets me going in the mornings, even though I am not a morning person (just ask my husband). We'll see how it goes, hopefully well. I also want to start eating well and making healthier meals. I cannot wait to be done with school so that I can spend more time on making meals...

So I surprised myself this year.....really surprised myself..hopefully I will still end up loving the class, even when I have to wake up so early....(ok, 8:00 isn't that bad...lol)