Sunday, January 24, 2010

Preparing ourselves for Jesus

Pr. Randy had the most simplistic message today - and, yet it spoke to me in a great way.

In reality we know that Jesus is returning...any day, but I'm not totally sure that I'm ready for that yet. I love the thought of Heaven and spending eternity with Jesus...but, I'm so not ready to give up seeing Cole grow up, experiencing the joys of having more children, and, growing old with Jason. It's a crazy fine line between being a "good" Christian and praying for that day to come, and, being a real human Mom and thinking that I might be sad to not see my family grow up. God is really challenging me with this. And, honestly - if I let myself stop & think about -- I can get wrapped up thinking about ONLY this -- which I know is not where he wants me to be.

Today's message was based off of Romans 13:11-14. In the simplest, clearest message. Pr. Randy helped us interpret this scripture of how we are to prepare ourselves for the day we meet Jesus face to face.

1. Wake Up! (vs. 11) I know I walk around with blinders on..seeing only what my day planner has in store for me. I need to wake up..Jesus is coming! "our day of Salvation is nearer now than when we first believed".
2. Clean Up! (vs. 12 & 13) We can't keep living as if there is always more time. Our lives need to be clean & pure. Even our Best is not good enough...we must look to the Lord for help cleaning up the mess we have made.
3. Grow Up! (vs. 14) Man, this is a hard one. Am I dressed spiritually in my best? I doubt it. Do I monitor what "goes in" so that I'm only putting in what will bring out the best in me? Nope. Do I think first of His gratification and not my own? Definitely not.

Maybe if I can focus my attention on getting myself ready...God will ease my earthly fears that exist. I have a lot of work to do -- I think it's time to let go of the stuff that keeps me from working on myself, and, start making up for lost time :)

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Schedule Change

I'm a little down today because our annual "CP girls" get-together was postponed today because one of the kiddos is sick. It's a bummer because we usually only see each other once or twice a year -- but, we will reschedule :)

So..we are headed to Springfield with Jason's Parents today to stock up on groceries at SAMS and maybe go out to lunch. It won't be the great time I had hoped for with my girls...but, being with the boys is always good.

Jason is only home for 2 more weeks, so I'm hoping to make the best of it!!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Last week was my first week back to work, and, Cole's first week back to school. We both got some unexpected extra time at home with Snow Days Thursday & Friday. Although we didn't do much, just being home with Jason & Cole is always nice in my book :)

God continues to provide the financial blessings we need to get us through this time while Jason is off work. We finalized a few things Friday that set our journey to financial freedom on the fast track. Our plan is 19-25 months to be debt free (except the house) from the time Jason goes back to work. Now we just need our 100K+ mile cars to last that long too!!! I know that it will be a challenge to stay on target...but we are both beyond fed up, so hopefully that will help this time :)

Jason sees the Dr. on Thursday, which we expect him to be released to the shoe only; aka: walking without crutches. He's been cheating a lot over the past 2 weeks, so, I really hope the foot is still on it's healing tack. I can understand how hard it was for him to be on those crutches though. He has said for 2 weeks it feels much better now, so he's frustrated that he's not working. We are fairly certain the Dr. will clear him to walk in the shoe on Friday, so, if that is the case -- as long as Schwan's says it's OK for him to drive & work in the shoe...he will be back at work next week. (the latter, i'm a bit more nervous about - Jason is certain he's going back to work, I'm not sure how HR will feel about him doing his job in that shoe)

This week will be crazy busy both at work & home for me. Tomorrow morning we have our first IEP meeting of 2010, good thing I don't expect it to be a big deal!

Monday, January 4, 2010

Back to normal?

Getting back into a routine is always a good thing at our house. Our house operates on routines (for everything, literally), I thrive with my routines, Jason is driven crazy with them - he like spontaneity. So...to say that I love normal is an understatement. I pray for normal!!! Today I was challenged in my morning devotion by this statement..."God never intended his people to be ordinary". Maybe ordinary & normal isn't what God's intentions for me is at all....am I closing doors on God's Best for me & my family by the pursuit of ordinary?

So today my vacation ended & I had to work again today. Luckily it was a work at home day, because I didn't leave my desk from 7a-5p, except for a bathroom run - it was the craziest, busiest, WAH day I have had in awhile. Of course Jason was home in the afternoon to take care of Cole - so that helped. Tomorrow I head back to Carlinville for a day full of meetings, and, Cole heads back to school to try to get back into his routine. Poor Jason is left at home, by himself again. I know it's hard for him - but, hopefully he will be back at work soon.

All of that sounds pretty "normal" to me. Maybe we will get to shake it up a bit later this week :) Or maybe God will surprise us a bit with the extraordinary. I hope my day planner can handle it!

Friday, January 1, 2010

We Welcome 2010!

I have a list of New Year's Resolutions a mile long this year!

I haven't made many in the past, not necessarily because I wouldn't stick to them -- but more so because I didn't want to change much. I was pretty happy with my life. This year however, God has opened my eyes to so much -- I am seeking him more than ever now, and, my hope is that 2010 will be a growing year for our family!!

So, that being said...I'm blogging my resolutions (in no certain order). Hey- maybe one of you out there will remember & ask me someday. Accountability is key :)

1. Matthew 6: 25-34. My whole life I have worried about tomorrow & the next day, even weeks to come - I'm trying hard to trust Jesus for NOW and let him handle the future :)

2. Financial Peace! While we have been on & off of our Dave Ramsey plan for a few years now, we have finally reached a place (God placed of course!) where we must make it happen. It's may be a long 2 years - but our lives will be so much better because of it :)

3. Time with my husband a priority! We get so busy, his schedule - my schedule, we very seldom spend time alone. Again, God has given us an opportunity over the last 6 weeks to spend time together like we never have before. I'm scared for when he goes back to work - I know we will have to work really hard to make time, but, I now know why it's so important :)

Well - there are many other things...I would love to finally read through my whole bible in one year, oh yeah...and, loose 40 pounds, exercise daily, eat better....but for now we are going to start here & see where it goes :)

From our Family to Yours....Wishing you God's Blessings in 2010!!