A Bend in the Road

I have now officially been touched by the economy. Due to budget cuts at the hospital, and a lack of seniority on my part, I find myself no longer employed. It's a very sad feeling. I'm really going to miss working, and most of my co-workers. The positive side of this situation is that now, my weekends are open! I'm most looking forward to going to church on Sunday morning. It's been a year and a half since I've been able to do that without taking a vacation day. It'll be nice to be able just to spend some time with my husband too. I'm going to look into some job opportunities that were presented to me by my previous employers, and we'll see what happens. There are very few rad tech jobs available right now. Keep me in your prayers for finding a new job. God gave me the one that I had, and I know He's got a plan for what I'll be doing next. I've just got to trust Him, and be patient as He leads me around this curve in the path of my life.

Super Bowl Time!

I have just finished up what preparations I can for our Super Bowl party tomorrow night after church. I made what is going to be hot pizza dip, and some ham delights, which are always a favorite. :-) I'm really hoping everything turns out as it should. Daniel was awesome and helped me by cleaning up the house. All that's left is to pick up the wings tomorrow afternoon, heat everything up, and party hardy with our friends! 'Sco Colts!!

Speaking of church tomorrow, we still don't know who will be preaching. The farewell fellowship we had for Pastor Byerly and Doug on Wednesday was both wonderful and poignant. Please say a special prayer for our church. Change has begun.

BRRR!

Just got back home from going sledding at the Prims! It's been years since I went sledding, and I must say I had forgotten exactly how cold you get when you do not have on proper winter attire. My frozen butt and toes are encouraging me to invest in some bibs and proper snow boots before going out to play in the snow again. Jeans, regardless of having 3 layers beneath, simply do not cut it when faced with a sea of frozen white powder. Now I'm drinking hot chocolate and thawing out.

Hooray!

I finally got a little table and chairs for the kitchen! Daniel put it together for me last night. I love my place mats too :-D Hooray for Daniel and World Market!

Church

This Sunday will be my pastor and assistant pastor's last Sunday at Freedom. I'm going to miss them both so much! Pastror Byerly is the only pastor I've ever had; and I could not have asked for better preaching to grow up under. Our church family is heartbroken and feeling a little apprehensive about the search for a new pastor. My grandpa has the huge responsibility of taking all the recommendations and calls from those who want the position and presenting them to the deacon board. He needs a lot of prayer right now. It's going to be sad going to church and not seeing Pastor Byerly and Doug. Our church has grown and been abundantly blessed under their leadership. I know that God has great plans for the future of our church. He already knows who the next pastor will be. We just have to trust Him fully, follow His leading, bond together as a church family, and not let Satan work his way in.

Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth all knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Now unto him that is able to do exeeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

~Ephesians 3:13-21

In an aside, I'm really excited about the new bible I ordered last night! I needed a new small one to use on Wed. nights. :-)

Ready?

Life doesn't always give you what you would consider ample time to adjust before plunging you headfirst into the "next big thing". When you find yourself about to enter the pool of change, there is nothing you can do but raise your arms and complete the dive gracefully. Depending on how prepared you were to hit the water will determine what kind of splash you make. Now, I wasn't prepared, so I'll be making waves; however, since I'm good at recovery, they will not be as big as they could have been. Nevertheless, I will most likely cause a disturbance in the water. There is nothing I could have done to prevent my being in this pool, and I couldn't come up thrashing and sputtering because of those in the pool prior to my arrival. I think I handled the state of affairs fairly well, considering. I took a deep breath and decided to play around a bit to make light of my floundering. When at last I made it to the shallows and was able to really take stock of my position, my heart broke and tears poured out. I clung to my float and prayed for help in understanding my new place. God handled everything beautifully, as His omniscience made unnecessary the need to adjust to anything. He gave me strength, hope, joy and peace; and helped me to find my feet; to stand. What's next? I think I'm ready.

Thankful

"In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Too often I take for granted the blessings heaped daily on my life. A family who loves me unconditionally. Friends with listening ears, laughing lips, and honest hearts. God, who made the ultimate sacrifice in His Son to provide eternal life and adoption into His royal family for all who will receive Him. A strong, healthy body to work and play. A mind to fill with vast amounts of knowledge, and the ability to retain information. A job to earn a living and to feed, house, and clothe myself and my family. Having the means to give gifts to others. Creation, so beautiful in its complexities that fill me with wonder.
So much of the world survives on so much less than we do here in America. Just last month I was witness to a slideshow given by some men at my church who had taken a trip to Honduras. The poverty evidenced in those photos is unimaginable to those who have not seen it. I have no right to complain about anything. I am richly blessed beyond anything I deserve, and I thank my heavenly Father for all He has done in my life.