What a year!

What an evening. What a few weeks it's been! What a year!!!!

I look back over the year and think, "Wow!"

Then the recent blessings that has started to pour down on me.... "wow" again.

And I'm eternally thankful!

Since I got promoted for my job back in January this year, I have enjoyed working tremendously. My working relationship with my department and my supervisor has been really great. My annual review was like, if it was a report card, all A+'s with a couple A-'s.   That is probably the best employee evaluation I've ever had in my 22 years of service with the University. I'm still in awe.

The paycheck is nice.  But, for the longest time, we struggled with catching up on bills. In June, I had our cable & internet services cut off, just so we can get back on track and get our finances in order. I had a HUGE bill that I was still struggling to pay off. When that FINAL PAYMENT PAID IN FULL letter came, I rejoiced. I really, really, really did!  Eternally thankful to the Almighty God. Oh yes.

I lost a beloved Great-Aunt Lomie ....she passed away peacefully last month. I am sad, though, that her son wasn't such a loving son, but she should have peace knowing she had many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly and gave her a wonderful memorial service.

Had to deal with a serious family crisis.  With the intervention and help, we were able to get help for this person.  I'm just thankful that God had guided me through this very trying time, and I had such a wonderful group of friends & family who were my prayer warriors.  You know who you are!

Celebrated Thanksgiving with my baby sister and my middle sister at my baby  sister's house this year. And the house full of kids was just wonderful. Holding the 2 youngest nephews was just a blessing. By the way, brother-in-law, where is that picture you took of us?!?!  I want it!

Now, the holidays is upon us....and my schedule has gotten so busy, I am scrambling to make time for ME.  For my family.  And I remarked to my daughter that we will have a really good Christmas this year.

By the way, my daughter will be turning 16 next week! Whoa...time flies! 

So many things happening, and God has been with me every step of the way.  I have even made new friends, and I actually find myself enjoying and wanting to visit my church more---I honestly feel that it's happy now after years of many negativeness, struggles and issues.  But, with those out of the way, and a new Senior Pastor, I felt the church has become..."happy".  

I look forward to Christmas, to spend time with my family and friends.  And just relaxing. I have a lot of bad but also good things to remember about 2011.  I look forward to what 2012 will bring.

Busy...busy...

I know it's been a long while since I've blogged. Been so busy and being a full-time working mom/wife ...well, it really keeps me on my toes!

Still involved with my ministries, but scaling back on one of them, and planning to "take a break" from that particular ministry for a while.  The other one, I plan to stay with---my church's deaf ministry.  At least we have an excellent team of servant hearts, so it's really nothing to sneeze at.

The past few weeks have been very trying on this person (me)---and my heart did ache a lot with grief, but, at the same time, I've been extremely thankful to God that He does hear prayers! It works! Seriously!  The past week was the hardest on me, and the weekend....a happy ending.  God is good....all the time.

I'd write more today but...oh, I have so much to do, and hopefully in time I can get back into the habit of writing again and keeping you all posted on events and such.

Thanksgiving will be spent at my baby sister's house with the families and just have a nice, relaxing weekend. Also hoping to make-over my teen daughter's room---

And I'd like to start decorating my  house for Christmas.  Need dig out the Christmas stuff soon!

Anyway, I'd like to end this post with a fun clip.

Still Alive!

Don't worry, I'm still alive. Just been really extremely busy these days.

But I'm still alive.

His Eye is on the Sparrow

I signed "His Eye is on the Sparrow" last weekend at our Annual MIBCD Deaf Retreat, and I fell in love with Selah's version. So I shared this song as an invitational song.  I know there were few who enjoyed this song too.

Enjoy. 

What if I Stumble? A mother's song...

First Mission Trip....

My daughter, Ashley, is going on her first mission trip. She's heading out with 7 others from the local church here in my small town.....today.

I've had a lot of thoughts running around in my head. I look at my 15 1/2 year old daughter---who is a very determined person. I love her spunk, and her eagerness. I love that she isn't afraid to step up and do what she wants to do.

We spent all afternoon & evening together just bonding, packing her bag, chatting, watching OLD VHS movies...yes, VHS! 

We found her favoritest movie, Happily Ever After. It's sort of a spin-off from Disney's Snow White....but it's NOT a Disney movie though. Instead of the usual 7 dwarves, this movie had the 7 dwarfelles.  They even had powers. But hers and mine favorite character is Thunderella!  She was voiced by Tracey Ullmann (my favorite comedian actress). 

Watching that movie last night, I was thinking, "how cheesy!" It was almost as if I was watching an old Scooby Doo show or something. But we had a wonderful trip down Memory Lane.

Soon, I must wake my missionary to prepare her for her first mission trip. 

I have to admit, I'm really proud of her and I love her very much. I have never been more proud of her than I am today.

My prayer for her today: Father, I give you all the praise and the thanks for my daughter, Ashley. I ask that You keep Your hand on her and others as they travel to WV today.  Be with them during the drive, be with them in their hearts and their minds, that You may use them as Your tool as they go forth. Let the people in WV be blessed with their presence and their time down there. Be with them during the week, and I ask that You protect them and keep them safe. And bring them home safely at the end of their week.  May they bless others through their servant hearts, and be an example to others.  Give Ashley all the guidance and the wisdom during the week. Let her see You at work, and what You can do for others. Let this be a wonderful learning experience for her, so that she grow in her relationship with you. Thank You for all You have done, and we thank You for Your son, Jesus Christ. In Jesus' precious name we pray, Amen.

Blessings, not Curses

Usually when something good happens, one should expect something "bad" to happen.

See, there was this HUGE bill I had been paying off. When I realized that it's paid off, I jumped with joy! I thought, "Now my life can get back to normal. I can stop struggling to pay the bills, the rent, for food, etc."....then Betty (my car) started to get sick. 

Ah!

It started out innocently. Just a quick flash of the Battery Light. I thought, "Oh, must've been when I went over the tracks too fast...it jiggled it a bit...." to the flashes becoming little more than usual. So, I took it to the local gas station with a garage.  And since they had to close up, they'd look at it in the morning and call me.  So, I left it there and walked 2 blocks home.  (nice perk of living downtown Tecumseh!)

Wrote my boss to excuse me from work, and informed my co-workers I wouldn't be in...as I'm the first person to be in the office. If they came in and not see me, I didn't want them to be alarmed.

So, it was cleared with the boss, and I got to sleep in a wee bit. Til the phone call came in, and I walked over to find out the verdict.  It is something they couldn't get to because of where it's located....the alternator!

*sigh*

So......I drove it home. Oh, it's drivable. Just gotta be careful with it.  Until I can get it fixed.

Well, you see, I'm supposed to go on this great Camping Adventure to Copper Harbor, MI this weekend with my best camping buddy, Jen and her kid, "Mo". Well, what am I gonna do?  So out of Jen's heart and kindness, "This trip is TOO SPECIAL, we'll make it happen!" and she rented a SUV and we'll take that SUV and HER car to drive that 11 hour trip up there.  So there.  Whoa. I'm so thrilled. I love her. 

Then, I was trying figure out who will fix my car? Fortunately, I contacted my son's best friend's step dad, and he is willing to replace the alternator for me!  So cool! 

Oh and it gets better....someone was so generous enough to send my son to a summer camp at the end of July, and already paid for his trip!  As a birthday/Christmas gift.  And wants to treat my daughter for something of same amount paid for my son's camping trip. Whoa!  My daughter will be going on a mission trip to VA so, a contribution towards that would be very nice.

All in all, day of blessings, and great friends that rallied around me today in prayers and encouragement....couldn't get any better than this.

Got lots to do, so little time. 

Happy 4th of July to everyone, and be safe!

The Frogs and the Tower

There once was a bunch of tiny frogs...

... who arranged a running competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower. A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants...

The race began...

Honestly, no one in the crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower. You heard statements such as:

"Oh, WAY too difficult!!"

"They will NEVER make it to the top".

"Not a chance that they will succeed. The tower is too high!"

The tiny frogs began collapsing. One by one...

... Except for those who in a fresh tempo were climbing higher and higher...

The crowd continued to yell

"It is too difficult!!! No one will make it!"

More tiny frogs got tired and gave up...

...But ONE continued higher and higher and higher...

This one wouldn't give up!

At the end, everyone else had given up climbing the tower. Except for the one tiny frog who, after a big effort, was the only one who reached the top!

THEN all of the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to know how this one frog managed to do it?

A contestant asked the tiny frog how the one who succeeded had found the strength to reach the goal?

It turned out...

That the winner was deaf.

-----

The moral of the story is that, if we listen to other people who want to tear us down and discourage us, they will succeed and we won't. However, if we listen and follow God, we will succeed. Jesus said "With God, all things are possible." So keep your eyes and your heart on Him and you can do anything.
 
*Thank you, Brenda Bienlein, for sharing this. Love it!

Empty Arms...

Last week a 2 year old boy died. I am not sure how it happened but I noticed that many of my friends on Facebook were deeply affected by the loss. And it just was so sad to hear about any loss of any child.

After spending a glorious afternoon yesterday with 5 nieces and 4 nephews, 2 of them being the newest nephews, Nathan (3 mos) and Jacob (5 weeks), I was informed of a 18 mo. old girl's passing from complications of her leukemia.

One thing we know is that she got to wake up in Jesus' arms. 

BUT....the mother's arms are empty.  The dad's arms are empty. Without that child to hold and hug and comfort.

Empty.

I know exactly how that feels. I may have all my nieces and nephews to hold and hug and comfort. I may have all my friends' children who comes to be held or hugged or comforted. I may have my children's friends come up to me be to be held, hugged or comforted.

But I am missing my Rachel.

It is really hard to describe the feeling....and my heart grieves for those who have lost their little ones.

After losing Rachel, I did not want to be hugged or touched. I did not want to be around children. Then one night a friend asked me if I could watch her girls. They were very close to Rachel. At first, I wasn't too sure about that, but she promised me they'd go to bed soon, and I wouldn't have to do much with them. Just need a grown-up in the house.  So, when I got there, the little girl, Alisha, being 2 or 3 years old at that time, made me get down to her eye level and told me straight, "Rachel want you know it's okay" and she hugged me. I froze at first, but then I found my arms wrapping around her and hugging her back. (Thanks, Alisha, I love you.)

My arms are empty of Rachel, but not empty of my children and all the people I love and hold dear. And I can't wait to fill my arms with Rachel, my mother, and all those I love and hold dear again in Heaven.

Giving up Snow for Lent...

Late this morning, I stepped into my former department, hoping to snag a mug of coffee. None has been brewed. Nobody made a pot. Of. Coffee.

One gave up Coffee for Lent.

Huh. Okay. So I brewed half a pot....and enjoyed that. For some reason, it felt really good to drink something hot and soothing my throat that somehow needed some soothing. No, I'm not sick nor do I have a sore throat. But just the same, coffee...good. Yum.

I had noticed the past few days, people were giving things up for Lent. One gave up Facebook for Lent. That, I'll be watching out for her and see if she is serious about it. So far, so good.

Some gave up sweets or food-related things.  Some gave up tv programs or little pleasures.

I decided on....giving up Snow for Lent.

I've just had it with the weary, I mean, very weary Winter.  I love snow and everything but to be constantly slammed with ice and snow all the time is just wearing me down.  C'mon Spring, come on! You can do it! Come on out.  Bring the sun with you.

Other exciting news...we have a Pastor nominee visiting us this weekend, and my church will have an open house this weekend. I'm looking forward to meeting him and see if this is the Pastor God wants him to be for our church.

AND....my middle sister, Hollie, is gonna have her 2nd baby either tonight or on Monday. By express delivery (c-section).  I am looking forward to meeting my newest nephew soon.  I wonder how big brother Andrew will handle it.  He will be in for the shock of his life!

Other than that, really nothing earth-shattering events are happening in my life at the moment.  Enjoying my new job, and having the time of my life. Kids are happy and healthy, if they're not killing each other first.  Life is good, so far. And God is good. All the time.

The Knots Prayer

Dear God,

Please untie the knots that are in my mind, my heart and my life.
Remove the have nots, the can nots and the do nots that I have in my mind.
Erase the will nots, may nots, might nots that may find a home in my heart.
Release me from the could nots, would nots, and should nots that obstruct my life.
And most of all, Dear God, I ask that you remove from my mind, my heart, and my life all of the "am nots" that I have allowed to hold me back, especially the thought that I am not good enough.

Amen


Author known to God

I've climbed the ladder....

What a week!

Started my new job...or new position...wait, promotion. *scratch head*....whatever, you know what I mean!

I merely just moved across the hall from one department to the next. From the exciting world of Interlibrary Loan to Cataloging!

A big difference from my former position. And...I made it. To. Today. As. In. Friday!

Monday was where they were welcoming me, and going over the basics of what I'd be doing. There will be 3 stages of training...leading up to 90 days.  And, the first stage is doing easy stuff, until I am comfortable in the saddle and going at a steady pace.  Each day, my horse goes little faster, and I'm improving and remembering the stuff I used to do back in 2007. Giddyup!

Even though technology changes constantly, and newer, quicker, better, faster ways of making the work go faster, easier, smoother, etc (take your pick)....I find myself slipping into old habits from 2007...and sometimes sub-consciously, my hand or finger will reach a key that should not be touched, but out of habit. 

Anyway, other than that, having a great week, and as one of my collegues in that department stated today to my supervisor, Captain Awesome, that I whip through the books so fast, it took her a while to realize that I am doing more than they expected me to be doing. So, that's progress, right?  Having me onboard really relieved a lot of the stress and the workload on those 2.

We did have a snow day this week! From work! WOW!  That's a rare treat, and I really do like our University's President...looking out for our best interest.  Wednesday was a snow day, and I am glad, because that was my bad migraine, fall down the stairs kind of day.

In spite of all the drama of starting my new position/promotion/job and a Snow Day and migraine/fallingdownthestairs week, I have been truly, I mean TRULY blessed. This is where I want to reach up to God and give Him a big bear hug. Seriously. Lord, come on down. I want to hug You so badly!


Thank you, Lord, for all You've done for me this week. It has truly been a blessing, and a big honor to have the wonderful opportunity that has happened to me this week. Thank You for protecting me when I fell down the stairs, and giving me the comfort during my migraine bout.  Also, I want to thank You for the financial blessings as well. And, of course, thank You for sending the angels who out of their servant heart, felt the need to share some groceries with us. We WILL pay forward....we will bless someone else in need. 

Let Go

Let Go

To let go means I can't do it for someone else.

To let go means I cannot control another.

To let go is to allow learning from natural consequences.

To let go is to admit powerlessness, the outcome is not in my hands.

To let go is not to try to change or blame another.

To let go is not to care for but to care about.

To let go is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being.

To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes, but to allow others to affect their own identities.

To let go is not to be protective, it is to permit another to face reality.

To let go is not to nag, scold, or argue, but instead to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.

To let go is not to adjust everything to my desires, but to take each day as it comes and cherish myself in it.

To let go is not to criticize and regulate anybody, but to try to become what I dream I can do.

To let go is not to regret the past, but to grow and live for the future.

To let go is to fear less and love more.

Writer unknown.

First week of 2011

The first week of 2011 came in fast, but ended slowly at work yesterday.

It was one of those moments where I wanted to hurry up the clocks up to 4:00 pm just so that some of us could leave.

And go home.

A couple of us were not feeling good all week. While we did have a great Christmas Break (mine was little wild...death of G'pa John and nephew Nathan's birth within a 24 hour frame), sometimes a bug will find ya.

Last night a deaf couple came over. The guy wanted some help in how to start up a web page or perhaps a blog site.  While my husband isn't a blogger, I am.  Towards the end of the evening, I took over, because, this blogger, me, knows almost everything about blogging. So I helped him set it up. I loved seeing the smile on his face when we opened a blog account for him.  He smiled. He's not much of a smiler. A very serious person, and I made him smile.

He is going to be flying from New Jersey all the way to California sometime this summer, and wants to chronicle his adventures. And he's one of the few deaf pilots, so it'll be very interesting!  I'm really happy for him.  And has asked me to be his team member on his blog to update it whenever he can't. Sure, I'd love to!

(psst...as soon as he puts more stuff in it, and ready to share, I'll share the link with you guys)

That just made my evening. I sincerely hope that my husband and I will see more of them, and to grow in our new friendship.

Woke up this morning, I'm just feeling very ICKY. Like, my throat hurts, my body aches and I'm cold or not cold. I probably will just stay home and stay in bed. And sleep.

Have a wonderful weekend, and if anyone is sick, FEEL BETTER! If you have something exciting going on, HAVE FUN! And....if nothing going on, but just chillin' out, have a great weekend!