Hodge Podge of Thoughts

Whew! It’s been a little nutso since we have come back from vacation – can be expected right :)? Dan and I tend to forget that life continues to go on here in St. Joseph even though we aren’t there – silly us! We get home and it feels like there is so much to do, but in a way, it’s good too because we LOVE what we do! And of course I get called in for jury duty and of course I get called to be on the panel for the case this week. So that is taking up lots of time, but hey, I will do that any day just so that we can live in a free country! Aren’t we blessed to live in the USA?

I knew this week would look a little different only because I am done cleaning at church, which I have been doing since 2008. I have wondered what God would fill in this extra time with? Well this week it is jury duty, but I have realized that God has blessed me with SO many opportunities to continue to build relationships with others. That is SUCH a HUGE passion of mine, so I am excited to see where this all goes. That to me is worth WAY more than making more money! When I was getting my bachelor’s of social work degree, one thing I knew, was that I did NOT want to sit in an office all day and counsel, though counseling was something that I love. Obviously I do not “counsel” now, but my passion is sitting and listening to people and their story. Now God has opened up a little time for me to do more of that – AND it’s a whole lot healthier for me!

Speaking of health, one frustrating thing I was reminded of on vacation was my heart. Dan and I have talked about how our summer may look different because I do not do as well in the heat as I used to. Well, we were mountain biking (on a difficult hill that was for experienced mountain bikers only), but I thought I could do it. We got to the top of one of the hills after I walked my bike up a hill and just bawled. It was SUCH a bittersweet moment for lack of better terms, even though tears just kept falling. I felt defeated – I cried “this isn’t me, Dan.” The old me would LOVE this mountain biking path. I am timid. I am scared. Dan kindly reminded me that I couldn’t help it. But as I looked out from atop the hill, I realized that even though I am on top of this big hill, I feel I am in the valley – BUT – God promises better days – even though I may not see them as “better” days. I just kept saying outloud, God has a bigger plan and this is His will! I just kept repeating that and those words soon sunk into my heart. I was reminded that yeah this isn’t “me”, but this is where GOD wants me to be, though I don’t always “get it.” Ever since that “mountain top” experience that day on vacation, it was a MUCH better week. I just hate that feeling of being “defeated.” I may be defeated physically, but I don’t want it to get to my heart – my soul/heart that is :).

As ridiculous as this may sound, I hope they say “you need surgery” because I am SO ready to get it over with. But God has it all planned out and I just have to be patient. Who knew someone would be excited for surgery – never thought that would be me :). Ya learn something new about yourself everyday I suppose!

Another thing we realized last week was that God has us right where He wants us. Trials are definitely present, but God conquers them all. God continues to bless us in ways we NEVER thought possible! On Sunday we were blessed in a way we never even dreamed of – God continues to work for the good and we are continually shocked by what comes our way. PRAISE GOD that we serve a God who unconditionally loves!