some exciting news...

For the discreteness of my friend, I will not use names...but I am excited that her husband got parole for a crime he did not do. Now the waiting for when the event will take place, could be 6wks...or maybe even 4 months. This has been a long process and I know that there will be challenges in this bitter sweet news! However, I will miss my friend & employee!!!  But the truth is yet revealed, in God's timing, He works all things out.  God is good!

verse to reflect on...

But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.
   - Deuteronomy 8:18

why?

I get asked this question frequently..."Why aren't you married?"


How do you answer that???  
I have tried, but every time it seems to fail.


I get told, "I never would have thought you were not married." or "You just seem like someone who would be married." or "Don't you want to be married?"


I wonder why it matters? I wonder why we put such importance on being married, like if you are you have truly accomplished something and if you are not, well then something is wrong with you.  Why???  


I know I was raised that getting married was THE Goal.  I mean this huge thing that you lived your entire childhood for.  I realize that God created men and women and the idea is for both to have their half, I get that.  I have no argument with the fact that is the design.  When that card is not in your hand, how are you expected to play something you haven't drawn from the deck of cards?  


I just wonder why people rate you on this factor.  We all know that being married is not going to make you happy.  If you are content in your life I believe finding your prince will only make your life that much happier, but if you are not and you are focused on marriage as the answer to your life problems, you will only be more miserable.  I have been told many times that if you are not happy being single you will never be happy being married.  So when we all know this, why do we "rate" people on whether they are married or not?  You might seem to think it is a crazy question, but I don't.  I think we focus on too many things that are not where are focus needs to be and consequently we make battles for other people more difficult then if we had the vision where it should be.  


God wants me to serve Him with my whole heart, married or not.


God wants me to be loving to everyone, not just the man in my life.


God wants me to share his light with everyone, not just show off the shinning light on my ring finger.


God wants me to be content, whether I have a special someone in my life or not.


God wants me to be grateful for all I have, even if that means no prince came to sweep me off my feet.


How can we help people realize that they are rating us on the wrong terms?  How can we let people know we are content being single because we are!  How can we let people know that the love you show to us means more in a day then the man we don't have to snuggle with at night?  How do you tell someone that though you have been proposed to (not by a guy you were actually trying to get to know on that level) and that is not what you want?  How do you explain these things?


I try.
I fail.
I try again.


Maybe there is no way to explain because the foundation of the focus and rating is all on the wrong terms and until they realize you can be happy single, they will not understand you.


Maybe.


I can still have you over to my casa to entertain you with lovely food and conversation...even if the man of the house is not home.  So, please, don't rate me on the marriage card.  It is missing in action and hasn't been found.

Quotes

It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that maters, not the end.  
- Ursula K LeGuin

my thanksgiving staycation

This year, my Thanksgiving weekend was spent at home.  It is the only Holiday that is not booked with other christian activities (typically camps) and though one of my cousins wanted to make a trip with me to see our Granma & Granpa, I opted to skip that and do what is called the "Staycation".  Initially, I wanted to take off Wednesday through Sunday, but with some current work demands and important phone calls on Wednesday, that didn't happen...however I did take a 4 day no work spell, completely no business related work, though there were other tasks that were "work".


Thursday I enjoyed lunch and the afternoon & evening with Gilbert & Connie, Weldon & Lorrianne, Ronald & Shandy and families.  We had yummy food...lots of laughter (which I desperately needed) and sitting in the chairs being couch potatoes.  


Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I stayed home...almost completely.  I had very few expectations out of myself.  I slept in.  I ate when I wanted.  I stayed in my pj's.  I didn't comb my hair, if I didn't want.  I worked on completing two knitting projects.  I did some filing.  Some shredding.  Some organizing.  Some blog reading.  Some napping.  Some thinking.  Some walks...long walks.  The problem is it nearly took 3 full days for me to get to the point that I was enjoying not working, not even thinking about work, and really in the mood of enjoying the time off.  I guess that means I have gone too long not taking a break???  Yup, I think that is what it means.  Time to change some bad habits.


Here is a list of items I wanted to complete during my staycation:

• file all out of pocket RX claims to health insurance policy
• write a letter again to The Genie Company regarding garage door opener that has not worked since February 2011
• write a letter to American Honda Finance Corporation
• update mileage log
• finish all Birthday Thank You notes
• do weekly search online
• get finances up to date in Quicken
• register all new Starbucks gift cards online
• clean up my clothes closet
• download all health insurance EOBs
• request refund from Lab on overpayment
• finish knitted blanket for Lee (Jill's baby)
• finish knitted blanket for Jordyn (Veronica's baby)
• do some shredding
• do some filing
• file all receipts
• read some of my favorite blogs

Here is a picture of me on Friday playing "The Queen" with Gracie. I stopped by to drop off some things and we spent about an hour or so having fun.

Gracie & Misty
(wish I had taken the keys out of my left pocket so it wasn't bulging like that - ugh!)

Later in the day, I went and had frozen yogurt with Michelle, making use of the one day Groupon special for $5 worth at the cost of $3 of delicious Tart Frozen Yogurt! (my favorite...all I do is vary the toppings between fruit, coconut and pecans)!!!  I was still hungry after that so we went to Rosa's and split Beef Fajita Nachos.


Saturday I went and bought printer ink cartridges at 10% supporting the Small Business Saturday event...though I needed them regardless of the event.  I also stopped in Cato for a few minutes and found a much needed black skirt.


Sunday, I stayed home and in my pj's until almost 5pm...I went for my daily walk, very late and it was bitter cold.  I didn't accomplish much since I wasn't feeling well, but the knitted blankets for Lee and Jordyn are done!!! 


The weekend was needed.....and of the list of things I wanted to complete, I did nearly all of them but two...not too bad for wanting to do it at my own pace.


Now the important question...when will I schedule my next staycation?

Quotes

When you think about a problem over and over in your mind, it's called worry. When you think about God's Word over and over in your mind, it's called meditation. The more you meditate, the less you worry. 
- Rick Warren

be thankful...

Today is Thanksgiving...and though I believe we should be grateful and thankful every day in our hearts and express it, today is a day many take the time to really do just that.  At the prompting of a friend, I am going to write down 25 things I am thankful for:

• thankful for God being my friend, walking beside me and giving me the strength to face the trials, difficulties, hard times, and press on in life
• thankful for true friends, the ones that still call, write and want to spend time together even if I don't do my part to respond
• thankful for the fill-in family I have, the ones that truly know what it is like to not have "blood family" and treat you like such
• thankful for the doctors I can see to try to figure out what is happening to my body and how to make it better
• thankful for the nights I do get to sleep and the feeling of rest it creates the next day
• thankful for having my own little place to call mine
• thankful for my clients and the opportunity to serve them
• thankful for the abilities to work and make money to live
• thankful for my morning walks each day that give me a fresh perspective and energy to tackle the tasks of the day
• thankful for the skills my parents gave me in discipline and a good work ethic
• thankful for the chance to begin new each morning with God's mercies
• thankful for all those who reached out to me September 1997 and encouraged me, helped me, and supported me in starting a new life here in Texas
• thankful for the memories I have with girlfriends who got married and moved on to other places
• thankful for my salvation and all the Lord did to save me
• thankful for Facebook and all the people I can stay in touch with and connect with through this social media portal that I would not be able to connect with as regularly
• thankful that I don't live on a farm and have to grow and harvest my own food, I am a city girl
• thankful for transportation that gets me to where I need to go so I don't have to walk there
• thankful for all the great tasting food we get to enjoy
• thankful to be able to pray anytime day or night to an all knowing God
• thankful to have people who will listen to my struggles, provide thought and help me work through issues
• thankful for networking friends who believe in me and my services and wish to support my business
• thankful for a few days off because I am in need of a break
• thankful for understanding employees who know that I am going through a lot right now and being patient with the stress I am feeling
• thankful for a loving Granma who still is generous, loving and kind in spite of not understanding many things that have transpired in my family
• thankful for Gods love to me

I know there are many more things to be thankful for, but today...these are the things I am grateful for!

verse to reflect on...

The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you...
- 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Quotes

What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise.  
- Oscar Wilde

verse to reflect on...

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. 
- 1 Peter 1:8-9

Quotes

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless."

- Mother Teresa

song ~ my hope is in you

My Hope Is In You
by Aaron Shust

I meet with You and my soul sings out
As your word throws doubt far away
I sing to You and my heart cries
“Holy!
Hallelujah

Father, You’re near!”
My hope is in You, Lord
All the day long
I won’t be shaken by drought or storm
A peace that passes understanding is my song
And I sing
My hope is in You, Lord
I wait for You and my soul finds rest
In my selfishness, You show me grace
I worship You and my heart cries “Glory
Hallelujah
Father You’re here!”
My hope is in You, Lord
All the day long
I won’t be shaken by drought or storm
A peace that passes understanding is my song
And I sing
My hope is in You, Lord
I will wait on You
You are my refuge
I will wait on You
You are my refuge
My hope is in You, Lord
All the day long
I won’t be shaken by drought or storm
My hope is in You, Lord
All the day long
I won’t be shaken by drought or storm
A peace that passes understanding is my song
And I sing
My hope is in You, Lord
My hope is in You, Lord
Yeah
My hope is in You, Lord

thought for the day...

verse to reflect on...

In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. 
- Exodus 15:13

I'm Thankful today...for you!

today, I woke up very Thankful for you, your support and continuing to reach out and encourage me when you don't understand; for not labeling me and putting me in a box with a lid on it; for accepting the fact that I am not perfect though I try immensely to be super woman; for remembering that I have a horrific past that I am still working through...I say Thank You!

thought for the day...

The Kingdom of God is like a treasure hidden in a field. At every turn the field is piled high with disappointments, financial meltdowns, broken lives, discarded dreams, abandoned homes, and good-intentioned disasters. We pray for God to wipe the mess away, but he doesn't work that way. He begins there in the dump, with the mess, and reveals a treasure. He creates an unexpected wonder, something beyond imagination. He fashions "new life" in the middle of the mess.


- Looking for Treasure in Trash, by Ron Rose
Rons Faith Notes on 11.07.2011

Quotes

Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you. 

– Dr. Seuss

Quotes

As we end the week, choose to be exceptional, even in the ordinary details of life.
-Monday Morning Christianity

song ~ always

Always 
by Kristian Stanfill


My foes are many, they rise against me
But I will hold my ground
I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm
My help is on the way, my help is on the way

Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always

Troubles surround me, chaos abounding
My soul will rest in You
I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm
My help is on the way, my help is on the way

Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always

I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
From You Lord, from You Lord

Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always

Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always, always

lots of wishes received today...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes I received from Cancun Rivieramaya
(the resort I stayed at in 2009 when I attended Dave Ramsey's EntreLeadership Event)

verse to reflect on...

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later.
- Romans 8:18, NLT