A Wonderful Life

This morning I hardly did any work. I wrote a few checks and checked a few accounts online, to make sure everything is on the up and up. And the rest of the morning I spent on me... This definately isn't something I do on any sort of regular basis, but this morning, I felt like I just needed a little time to myself. My dad/boss is out of town on business, and I'm the only one at the shop, what more opportune time could there be? I know there's a lot of work that needs to be done by the end of the day tomorrow, for the quarter end. But I knew not doing it this morning would be ok. I took the wonderful opportunity to write and read some emails, talk to a friend about her upcoming wedding, read a devotional and just rest my brain and my heart. It has been a week full of adventure, as my husband and I have been house and dog sitting for one of my mom's friends. We have two dogs to care for and a lovely home to enjoy - and take care of as well. We've really been having f...

Have you ever wondered what in the world is going on with you... Like everything you're more clumsy than normal, and you're especially prone to hurting yourself, no matter how hard you try to avoid it? Well that's how the last week has been for me. First I got a bladder infection. Then I conked my head on the fridge at least 3 times putting away one set of groceries. Then I bumped my head pretty hard at work, just picking something small off the floor to throw it away. Lastly, while I was driving, I took a drink of pop (which I rarely have, because I was just that desperate for a little caffiene) I drop the cap and try to catch it, but instead gouge several pieces of skin out of my right hand. How is this possible? Well, maybe it's because I'm an imperfect human. Maybe because God's given me opportunities to laugh at life. It's then my choice to laugh or not. Why is it so hard to laugh at all this? Maybe because it's painful to my body. And my pr...

I'm married. Wow. I can't believe it's been so many months since I wrote my thoughts here, yet again it's been a pretty busy time in life. I love being married!!! I'm learning a ton about myself in these first few months, and my appreciation for my wonderful husband grows every day - Louie's an awesome husband! I'm working hard at my dad's car place and Louie's working hard at G. Mtn. We're also in youth ministy at a small church, youth pastors of sorts. And we're about to (finally) send in our applications for CCC Staff, which is a relief and really exciting. We're both learning how to balance the daily, weekly and monthly things that come with being newly-weds and living with family and work, faith and fun time too. Those are daily lessons for me. It's been a great journey so far, and I can't wait to see God lead us! I just wanted to at least put the basics out there, those of you who even read this probably know more than this,...

I'm sitting here at the library attempting to write one of the last papers of my college career and put together slides for one of my last "school-related" powerpoint presentations. I have been challenged within myself to consider what it is that I'm living for. Is it to graduate? To be done here at SCSU? To get married? Or is it to live for God first and foremost and rely on Him in and through all of those things? I hope that it's the last option, but in reality I do find myself sick with spring fever and the desire to be done with college already a bit overwhelming and a common thought. I hope that it is comforting to know that you're not the only one feeling this way, it is for me. I hope the Lord helps us all rely on Him and strive to please Him more than our group members or professors (although those are important for this time too). Keep on trusting Him, I tell myself, His plans are the best. And so I pray that He strengthens me to perservere and finish...

Here's the fun story of how we got engaged, for all those who are wondering... There is a big hill by our school which is near the Mississippi River where kids go sledding whenever they can (Riverside Park for those of you from the area). Tuesday morning was my last final and Louie called me and asked me if I'd like to go sledding. Of course I went! So, we went down the hill about 6-8 times at which point I requested to take a break and make snow angels instead. After that, we went and sat on the granite wall that runs parallel to the river (where we've previously watched many sunsets) and chatted. He noticed something on my face, and had to take off his gloves to remove it. He "dropped" his gloves (though I don't really remember this particular piece, he filled me in) and I realized it was taking him an awfully long time to stand up again so I looked down at him. I realized that he was on one knee and wasn't getting up, in fact he was searching for the ri...

SO... Last night I was exhausted and unmotivated to do much of anything. I got called to cover the check-in table until one of the Night Supes got in and agreed (anything but doing homework sounded good). Shortly after the night supe arrived, I taught a girl how to knit, which was really fun. Then Louis came over on a surprise visit, and we decided to play games in the lobby and order a pizza (which I had a coupon to receive for FREE!). So he picked out Operation, cuz he had never played before. I picked Sorry. We started with Operation, which only had to of the pieces for "removal" - the piece of toast/bread and the wishbone. So we took turns, and then put those pieces in other slots to increase the difficulty :) That lasted maybe ten minutes. But it was funny because everytime we touched the sides of the slots and the buzzer went of, we jumped or gasped.... Then on to Sorry. Louis got like two Sorry's in a row after I had advanced some of my pieces from the home start. ...

So, by far, I think my favorite week in the whole year is the first week or 10 days of October. The leaves are all still on the trees, but they are the most vibrant oranges and yellows and reds your heart could imagine. Every fall, the Lord takes my breath away by His beauty in the trees. (Light bulb occuring as I type...) He seems to like to remind me that it's perfectly normal to experience a lot of change in a short period of time and that it will be easiest for me if I just let Him determine how, what, when, where and how that change will occur in my life. If only it were as easy as just being a leaf on a tree, but it's a bit more complex than that. In the Bible, in John chapter 15, it talks about in detail how we are the branches on the vine of Christ. We are to abide in Him and be obedient to His commands, and that He is our true source of life and nourishment. John even records Jesus' words that we cannot do anything of eternal value without Him. I wish I were better...