My Saturday Afternoon

So, today I sit with Marie once again. She is an elderly woman with whom I sit a couple times a month. It gives me good time to read, catch up on work, news, and my blogs. And today, I am trying to figure out what the next few months will be like for me. I am trying to figure out my budget.

This is always a stressful exercise for me. I know it is necessary, but it is something that always frustrates me that I have to go through this alone. Math was never my specialty...I can do it - but it takes so much energy for me. As I sit here and list my expenses and try to make sure everything balances, I wish I could fast-forward 12 months and see the improvement that I know will come. But it is a slow process, month-by-month, to see the positive changes in my finances.

I cannot deny that even though things are tight, and I'm not sure what all is going to come the next few months, I am confident in one thing. God has always taken care of me. So, even when I get frustrated or worrisome, I know that ultimately God will provide.

So, now, I will stop distracting myself with all the fun things to do online, and get back to the hard work before me...math, blah...

A New Season

The past few weeks I've tried to decide if I had anything worth sharing in a blog. I guess the answer was always no. I've felt very spiritually dry the past month. I think December did me in more than I realized. And the start of a new year has been good in that way. But I've felt like I've been spinning my wheels until this past week.

There are some very cool things going on in my life right now, and I feel like I'm making that turn toward a new season in my life. First off, I have found a renewed joy and calling to my job at the church. There isn't anywhere else I could see myself right now. God is doing some amazing things in our midst, and I am thrilled to be here to witness them. But we are also looking to start a Sunday night service, which I would love! And I get to be a driving force behind that. The thought completely terrifies and excites me all at the same time.

Secondly, I have a relationship in my life that is teaching me so much about patience, and God's goodness to me. My time with this person has grown my faith in leaps and bounds. I know prayer is just a phone call away when I need it. Or if I need to vent or cry or rejoice, he is the first person I call. I should just put the number on speed dial.

And finally, I feel like I have moved on from the pain and hurt from last year...or I guess more accurately, I'm moving on. I am shocked at how long this has taken. And I'm still scared to rush into anything new too fast. But for the first time in about 6 months I feel like I'm making steps forward. And that is a good feeling.

I lived in my cool Broncos shirt

Happy New Year! This morning I sit on my couch, the TV squawking in the background. I have taken more time off to relax in the past five days than I have probably all year. It started Christmas Eve night. After a wonderful Christmas in a Stable, I realized I could finally relax and release the tension I had felt for the many, many weeks leading up to Christmas Eve. I spent the next three days sleeping and enjoying conversation with my family and good friend TC. There were a couple of nights that we "kids" stayed up till the early hours of the morning, talking about everything important, and even the frivolous things in our lives.

I learned how important it is to take the time to forget about everything else and spend time with those I love the most. And take care of myself. Catch up on sleep, relax, enjoy good times and good food. But I must admit, I am anxious to get back to work and start the new year. But it was great to live in my Broncos t-shirt and yoga pants for a few days.











Momma, Sarah, & Cody

















This was Cody's idea.















Casie, TC, Sarah & Cody....late Christmas night