Yep. It sure has been. I can't believe that I am awake right now waiting for a load of laundry to be finished. The day started great (see my earlier blog), but it sure hasn't ended that way. It's amazing that when we are physically and mentally drained, our attitudes and emotions follow. Surely that's what happened today. I know that I had a great day yesterday, and Satan is not liking that at all. I cannot clearly define the way I feel right now. Mostly, I'm in a trance because it is after midnight.
On a positive note - We did get to rehearse with our swing band tonight and we had fun. Now that I'm writing this, God is reminding me just how powerful He is. I greatly enjoyed hearing my dear hubby play tonight. He has only been able to play for about a month. He had an amazing surgery that improved a hearing problem. It is a blessing to hear him play. God has truly anointed him with a gift. I pray that God continues to use him to minister to others through his musical talent. I love him!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Bonfires, Ice Cream, and Calories
I never will understand where people find all of the junk you need to build an enormous bonfire. You know the kind - huge mountain of pallets, furniture, firewood, demolished buildings - all for the fun of a high school homecoming week? When lit, it ignites into a huge fire that you can see for miles. What exactly is the purpose of that? I guess someone decided that we needed a day, once a year, to clean up everyone's backyards. And somehow, this is a sign of school spirit? Help me please!!!!!
After watching the mountain of everyone's junk go up into flames, we decided that we needed to treat ourselves to an ice cream treat from one of our local fast food eateries. For some reason, it never turns out like you think it will. We went to the establishment that we were craving and sat at the drive-thru ordering thing for an eternity. They never asked us for our order, so in frustration, we sped off. I was so disappointed. I rarely am in the mood for ice cream, but I was this time. Fortunately, there was another establishment close by that seemed to appreciate our business! Needless to say, I ate my ice cream and was well pleased.
I just want to end with one final thing. If you know me (and I know most of my readers do), then you will be proud of me. I actually got up this morning with dear hubby and we went to exercise. I burned the same number of calories as my weight. Believe me, even though that's a high number, it probably didn't even begin to equal the calories of my ice cream from last night. That being said... I still enjoyed the ice cream...
After watching the mountain of everyone's junk go up into flames, we decided that we needed to treat ourselves to an ice cream treat from one of our local fast food eateries. For some reason, it never turns out like you think it will. We went to the establishment that we were craving and sat at the drive-thru ordering thing for an eternity. They never asked us for our order, so in frustration, we sped off. I was so disappointed. I rarely am in the mood for ice cream, but I was this time. Fortunately, there was another establishment close by that seemed to appreciate our business! Needless to say, I ate my ice cream and was well pleased.
I just want to end with one final thing. If you know me (and I know most of my readers do), then you will be proud of me. I actually got up this morning with dear hubby and we went to exercise. I burned the same number of calories as my weight. Believe me, even though that's a high number, it probably didn't even begin to equal the calories of my ice cream from last night. That being said... I still enjoyed the ice cream...
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Amazing God, Amazing Day
Forgive me, this one's going to be long...
Okay, let me first admit something to my readers out there. I must confess that I did not make it to my third day of working out this morning. I know what you're thinking...Lazy!!! Well, actually, you'd be correct. Dear Hubby and I stayed up too late watching TV premiers and decided we'd sleep in. Of course, the fact that I had an early doctor's appointment helped persuade me to stay in bed for an extra hour and miss the workout. Fortunately for me, God loves me anyway. I will try harder to get up tomorrow!
Now, on to what I really wanted to say today! God is awesome. You know, every time I begin to get complacent or forget how truly miraculous God is, he does something to make me fall on my face to worship him (something I am learning more and more to do). Work has been so depressing for both of us this week. My husband and I are both passionate about what we do. Unfortunately, our students do not seem to show the same passion. It is hard to put your heart and soul into something and not get the results you desire. Not surprisingly, it has become much easier to leave school on time rather than spend extra hours there.
So where does the awesomeness of God come in?
It is amazing that even with the negative feelings we are both having about work, God allows us to experience wonderful joy in other aspects of our lives. For innumerable reasons, I am very excited about what God is doing. Despite the disappointment with the students' efforts, I love working with my husband and only working half of the day. I love that our evenings are no longer filled with telling each other about our day because we experienced it together. It is great to get to talk about other things. For the first time in our marriage, we are able to spend Friday nights together.
More awesome stuff: Because of my reduced work hours, I am able to see my doctor as often as I need to because of my current health issue. God is truly evident in the timing of what I'm experiencing right now. In fact, I had to go this morning to the doctor, and for the first time ever, I felt joy after leaving. Things could not have gone better. I was ecstatic. God is so wonderful. I have never left a doctor's office laughing and/or crying tears of joy until now.
The other wonderful part of this week has been the way God has been evident in my relationship with one of my dearest friends. God's timing is perfect and I am so thankful that he laid a burden on my heart for this person this week. He knew that she was having a hard time and he urged me to reach out to her. Because I followed His will, I was blessed by the wonderful joy of her friendship. We spoke on the phone and it felt like old times. I was refreshed by the conversation and excited about my friend's new found joys. Needless to say, it did my heart tons of good.
I told you it would be a long post. I just had so much to say!
Okay, let me first admit something to my readers out there. I must confess that I did not make it to my third day of working out this morning. I know what you're thinking...Lazy!!! Well, actually, you'd be correct. Dear Hubby and I stayed up too late watching TV premiers and decided we'd sleep in. Of course, the fact that I had an early doctor's appointment helped persuade me to stay in bed for an extra hour and miss the workout. Fortunately for me, God loves me anyway. I will try harder to get up tomorrow!
Now, on to what I really wanted to say today! God is awesome. You know, every time I begin to get complacent or forget how truly miraculous God is, he does something to make me fall on my face to worship him (something I am learning more and more to do). Work has been so depressing for both of us this week. My husband and I are both passionate about what we do. Unfortunately, our students do not seem to show the same passion. It is hard to put your heart and soul into something and not get the results you desire. Not surprisingly, it has become much easier to leave school on time rather than spend extra hours there.
So where does the awesomeness of God come in?
It is amazing that even with the negative feelings we are both having about work, God allows us to experience wonderful joy in other aspects of our lives. For innumerable reasons, I am very excited about what God is doing. Despite the disappointment with the students' efforts, I love working with my husband and only working half of the day. I love that our evenings are no longer filled with telling each other about our day because we experienced it together. It is great to get to talk about other things. For the first time in our marriage, we are able to spend Friday nights together.
More awesome stuff: Because of my reduced work hours, I am able to see my doctor as often as I need to because of my current health issue. God is truly evident in the timing of what I'm experiencing right now. In fact, I had to go this morning to the doctor, and for the first time ever, I felt joy after leaving. Things could not have gone better. I was ecstatic. God is so wonderful. I have never left a doctor's office laughing and/or crying tears of joy until now.
The other wonderful part of this week has been the way God has been evident in my relationship with one of my dearest friends. God's timing is perfect and I am so thankful that he laid a burden on my heart for this person this week. He knew that she was having a hard time and he urged me to reach out to her. Because I followed His will, I was blessed by the wonderful joy of her friendship. We spoke on the phone and it felt like old times. I was refreshed by the conversation and excited about my friend's new found joys. Needless to say, it did my heart tons of good.
I told you it would be a long post. I just had so much to say!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
God's plan is always better...
You know, in my life I have made a lot of plans and decisions. I'm a list maker and a plan thinker. When I rely on my own opinions, I usually make the wrong decision. God is a much better planner. Thankfully, He has the power to change my plans and decisions.
Recently, I made up my mind that I was not going to reach out to someone because that person never reached back. I had decided that I wouldn't be rude, but I would not make any effort either. I planned to let things go. God knew that I was about to make one of the worst decisions in my life. He began to speak to me about the people He loves that don't love Him in return. He reminded me that He doesn't stop loving me when I spend less time in conversation with Him.
Isn't that wonderful? How many times have I written somebody off because he or she didn't behave in the manner I hoped? God used his infinite wisdom to convince me to continue reaching out. I took the first steps, and the result was truly God-breathed. It is hard...and probably going to get much harder. But, I know that if I am following God's plans, I will be more content and others will be blessed. I pray that God will open my heart to the relationships He has planned for my good. Knowing what I should do, and actually doing it, are two totally separate things. Actions take a lot more commitment than writing a blog.
I pray for God's strength!
Recently, I made up my mind that I was not going to reach out to someone because that person never reached back. I had decided that I wouldn't be rude, but I would not make any effort either. I planned to let things go. God knew that I was about to make one of the worst decisions in my life. He began to speak to me about the people He loves that don't love Him in return. He reminded me that He doesn't stop loving me when I spend less time in conversation with Him.
Isn't that wonderful? How many times have I written somebody off because he or she didn't behave in the manner I hoped? God used his infinite wisdom to convince me to continue reaching out. I took the first steps, and the result was truly God-breathed. It is hard...and probably going to get much harder. But, I know that if I am following God's plans, I will be more content and others will be blessed. I pray that God will open my heart to the relationships He has planned for my good. Knowing what I should do, and actually doing it, are two totally separate things. Actions take a lot more commitment than writing a blog.
I pray for God's strength!
Monday, September 24, 2007
Even Through The Sweat . . .
My husband and I actually got up this morning at 5:30 am and managed to crawl out of bed to go the the gym and workout. Needless to say, I just really didn't want to go. After all, my work day doesn't begin until 11:30 and I definitely know how to sleep in. But, knowing that I've have gained way too much weight in the past few years, I fought the urge to stay home. So, I snapped to and went to walk on the treadmill.
Okay, I know what you're thinking. Walking on the treadmill? There's know work in that... Well, let me tell you, when you are as out-of-shape as I am, anything more than sitting on the couch is a workout! So, I walked/jogged -mostly walked- for thirty minutes. And yes, I worked up a sweat. The funny thing is that I knew the whole time that God wanted me to take care of the body He gave me. I am just lazy and I've gotten good at making excuses. Hopefully this time, I'll keep it up. I cranked up "Mercy Me" on the MP3 player and got in the zone... I sang along (not out loud of course, there were others working out too!). Even though I felt tired from going, it struck me that I am so privileged to worship the God who created me even through the sweat! And what's more...He loves me even through my sweat, no matter my shape or size!
And I'll be totally honest... Instead of coming home and starting a day of productivity, I went back to bed for a while. More accurately, I fell asleep on the couch watching the morning news! How pathetic am I? Maybe I'll go to bed earlier tonight so that it's easier to get up tomorrow!
Hello, World! It's Monday!!!
Okay, I know what you're thinking. Walking on the treadmill? There's know work in that... Well, let me tell you, when you are as out-of-shape as I am, anything more than sitting on the couch is a workout! So, I walked/jogged -mostly walked- for thirty minutes. And yes, I worked up a sweat. The funny thing is that I knew the whole time that God wanted me to take care of the body He gave me. I am just lazy and I've gotten good at making excuses. Hopefully this time, I'll keep it up. I cranked up "Mercy Me" on the MP3 player and got in the zone... I sang along (not out loud of course, there were others working out too!). Even though I felt tired from going, it struck me that I am so privileged to worship the God who created me even through the sweat! And what's more...He loves me even through my sweat, no matter my shape or size!
And I'll be totally honest... Instead of coming home and starting a day of productivity, I went back to bed for a while. More accurately, I fell asleep on the couch watching the morning news! How pathetic am I? Maybe I'll go to bed earlier tonight so that it's easier to get up tomorrow!
Hello, World! It's Monday!!!
Saturday, September 22, 2007
4 Down, 6 to Go!!!!
Today is finally over. In my line of work, it's easy to have a love-hate relationship with Fridays. Yes, it means the school week is over, but it also brings a really long day during football season.
So, here I am...sitting at the desk trying to wind down from a stressful trip to an out-of-town game...the sounds of "Driver" being played by my husband nearby...
After a tiring trip, I find myself wondering how God used me tonight... Did I worship Him during the night? Did I do anything meaningful? One thing I know for sure - He has placed me here for a reason and at His perfect time. I praise Him for letting me work with my husband for the first time in our careers. I praise Him for giving my husband a heart for kids. Everybody questioned our sanity, but God always knows what He's doing!
So, here I am...sitting at the desk trying to wind down from a stressful trip to an out-of-town game...the sounds of "Driver" being played by my husband nearby...
After a tiring trip, I find myself wondering how God used me tonight... Did I worship Him during the night? Did I do anything meaningful? One thing I know for sure - He has placed me here for a reason and at His perfect time. I praise Him for letting me work with my husband for the first time in our careers. I praise Him for giving my husband a heart for kids. Everybody questioned our sanity, but God always knows what He's doing!
Friday, September 21, 2007
I Can't Believe It!
I finally gave in and followed the lead of many of my friends. I started a blog... I can't believe that I decided to put my thoughts out in cyberspace for the world to see. Okay, my friends and family will probably be the only ones reading, but that is beside the point.
I am not sure yet how I'll use my blog, but I know one thing... Everything in my life that I do or have is a gift from God. He made me to worship Him. Even though I am still growing in that fact, I know that I can worship in even the smallest areas of my life (i.e. internet use).
I am not sure yet how I'll use my blog, but I know one thing... Everything in my life that I do or have is a gift from God. He made me to worship Him. Even though I am still growing in that fact, I know that I can worship in even the smallest areas of my life (i.e. internet use).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)