Friday, January 19, 2007

God, I don't understand...

I don't understand why good people who serve you faithfully are eatten up with cancer. I don't understand why teenagers are eatten up with cancer.

I know You say in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)

But God, I don't get it. I don't see what good there is in babies losing their mom or moms losing their babies.

God help me to understand or at least to have peace. Help me to give comfort to others during this time.

crafting...

crafting...
This is the easy entry.  I have another post to make that is much deeper and so wanted to do them separately.
 
Last Saturday, a couple friends and I went to Joanns.  I have a gift card that one of them gave me that was burning a hole in my pocket.  I figured paper is sale so I could get some more.  (Like I needed it? Right?)
 
Anyway, while I was there, I was wandering the stamp pad aisle and came upon a salesperson and a lady who was trying to find an "embossing buddy."  The salesperson didn't know what it was but I did.  I explained to them that several companies carried different versions of it and what it was used for.  Also that Hobby Lobby (HL) might carry one.
 
After the salesperson excused herself, I stood and talked with the lady for about 10 minutes or so.  She was also looking for an embossing pad.  I recommended a different type than what she had and told her that she could probably check HL for that one as well.  She asked if I would mind if she called me some time about stamping and maybe we could get together.  I told her yes and gave her my number and she gave me hers.  I also said maybe I'll see you at HL as well because we were headed there next.
 
It was nearly an hour before we got to HL.  I was wandering through the paint section when she came up and asked me if I would help her with the ink.  I pointed out a VersaMark pad which is what I use for embossing and watermark type stamping.  (They were on sale!  Yah!)
 
Anyway, I talked to her for a bit more and said goodbye and finished my shopping. 
 
Note to self:  I managed to make it through 2 craft stores and spent less than 10 bucks.  Now how strange is that but exciting at the same time to exercise that much restraint.  *s*
 
I called my new friend on Tuesday to see how things went with her embossing.  She said she had some trouble.  I told her that maybe we could get together in a couple weeks maybe we could get together.
 
Tuesday, I recieved an invite to a new military web site called TogetherWeServed.  Absolutely the best.  Ever.  In less than 24 hours, I located people who I have wondered about for years.  The members names are sorted alphabetically or you can search just through your rating, by NEC or duty station.  There are forums and messaging available.  The traffic is high it appears because the site is having a bit of difficulty keeping up this morning.  But as soon as I can afford it, I'm sending them a donation.  Best thing I've found for finding people in the military yet.  Yah!
 
 

Monday, January 08, 2007

My mom is out of surgery. She has about a 6" incision along her right shoulder. The doctor says she did well and she should be able to move her arm a little very soon. It took a plate and 4 screws to fix it.

When I walked in the room after she got out of recovery, she looked so bad. It scared me pretty bad. In fact, I'm pretty sure that she looked better after the heart attack and having a pacemaker put in!

Anyway, I am so grateful that she made it out of the surgery ok. She will stay overnight at the medical center and go home tomorrow. She'll be out of work for 6 weeks and then have to do physical therapy for a while.

Lord, thank you for my Mom and thank you for keeping her safe.

Sunday, January 07, 2007

There is a God who loves me...

who wraps me in His arms...
that is the place where I'm changed
and that's where I belong

take me to that place, Lord
to that secret place where
I can be with You
You can make me like You

wrap me in Your arms
wrap me in Your arms


And he's changing me. From glory to glory.

I realized this week that the kids and I have been back in the states for nearly 7 years even.

7 is a number of completion. A moving into new things.

I believe God is moving us to a new place, a new level of maturity, a new thing.

It is good. God is good!

-

Friday night was our first night to stay at our new home. As I crawled into bed, I looked at the wall opposite my bed and was startled. One of the kids had hung up a cross stitched picture I did for my Daddy before he passed away. It is a beautiful piece and has a short little poem about Dads. I'll have to write it down to put it here.

Also, my friend, Amanda, called. She said she had something she wanted to drop off at the house. The beautiful shelf that I had asked her to hold on Monday, then called earlier in the day to tell her to take off hold because I couldn't afford, she brought to me. She said she felt she was supposed to bless us. Blessed I am. She and I unloaded it and put it in the hallway. It's lovely.

After CR, the kids and I went to Walmart to buy food. There was only a turkey and a lasagna in the refrigerator/freezer.

And how did we inaugrate our new home? I picked up the bag holding the gallon of kosher dill pickles and promptly the bottom fell out of the bag. The jar shattered all over the kitchen/dining room floor. I didn't think I would ever get all the pickle juice and glass up.

Yesterday was the first day that we have spent at home for over 24 hours without leaving in over a year and a half. All day in the same place. Breezy and Chaz were not fighting. It was peaceful.

My sister and her two sons came to visit as well. We had fajitas for a late lunch and cheeseball and crackers for a snack.

We also had our first overnight guest. Chaz was so psyched. One of his best friends stayed with us and it was also one of the few times he got to spend the night somewhere other than home.

Today, we'll go home and cook that lasagna for lunch (Breezy will have chicken nuggets).

Thursday, January 04, 2007

I was thinking and reading my Bible this morning as I waited for the kids to wake up. And I realized that for the past several years, I've been living as if I don't deserve anything. I bought cheap plastic shelves to hold the vhs/dvd collection because I was living in a slum trailer and thought it (and I) didn't deserve any better.

A lot of the motions I've been going through and the things I've been doing have been because I didn't feel I was good enough.

Yesterday morning, Chaz, Breezy, and I went to visit a friend at the flea market/antique shop she works at part time. I found a fabulous shelf thingie in her booth and a beautiful retro table in another booth. I asked her to hold the shelf thingie and talked with the owner about the table. I've no idea how I'll afford it but I'm definitely thinking about it. We've not had a kitchen table in nearly 4 years. Tv trays have been the order of business at our house.

And we are not preparing a house, we are preparing a home.

Just a few thoughts to go with everything else that is running through my mind this morning.

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." Romans 8:15
I was thinking and reading my Bible this morning as I waited for the kids to wake up. And I realized that for the past several years, I've been living as if I don't deserve anything. I bought cheap plastic shelves to hold the vhs/dvd collection because I was living in a slum trailer and thought it (and I) didn't deserve any better.

A lot of the motions I've been going through and the things I've been doing have been because I didn't feel I was good enough.

Yesterday morning, Chaz, Breezy, and I went to visit a friend at the flea market/antique shop she works at part time. I found a fabulous shelf thingie in her booth and a beautiful retro table in another booth. I asked her to hold the shelf thingie and talked with the owner about the table. I've no idea how I'll afford it but I'm definitely thinking about it. We've not had a kitchen table in nearly 4 years. Tv trays have been the order of business at our house.

And we are not preparing a house, we are preparing a home.

Just a few thoughts to go with everything else that is running through my mind this morning.

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." Romans 8:15

no nails...

My fingernails are soft because I've been doing dishes constantly for four days at the new place. I realized just how soft when they started shredding this morning. I've managed to shred all but the thumbs. Those are still thick and healthy. The worse part about shredding them is the tips of my fingers hurt where they are normally covered by the nail. duh.

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

insert foot here....

Located: all of the missing Japanese bowls/dishes.

Foot? I talked to M today. He asked if I was flirting with him. I told him no, if I was I would tell him.

The conversation ends. And as I'm thinking about the conversation afterwards, I realized I wasn't quite truthful. And so...

I called him back. And said...

I may not have been at that point flirting but it has definitely crossed my mind.

And he said...

"I'm flattered." And that was about it.

Insert foot, move over, make room for other foot.

I feel so stupid. What a way to start the new year. I feel like a fool.

And so... worship was good. And pastor stood up to pray afterward and said...

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. Psalm 46:1-2

The sermon is on "New Season." I could use a new season already. I know God is bigger than my mouth. I know He gives grace. I could use an extra dose today.

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

New Year Fun!

For New Year's Day, I did something I've never done before.... Got stuck in the mud. Up to the front axle of my van. In my sister's driveway!

It was a first for her as well. She says she's lived there for 14 years and no one has ever been stuck before. *sigh*

She had to have the neighbor bring his truck over and pull the van out using the rear bumper. It seems my van has nothing to hook a chain onto in the front. I'm grateful that her neighbor had a truck that was big enough to pull the van out!

The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. Standard black-eyed peas for "luck" with pork chops, rice, and corn bread. Yummy! Some cheese dip with chips. What more do you need to eat? Oh yeah, dessert. Tasty chocolate cake with chocolate icing and more chocolate for topping!

Sis and I played 13 games of 313. She stomped me 9 games. I don't think I've ever lost so bad at cards in my life.

Today we popped by the new house and I did a few dishes.

A trip by the Navy Exchange to exchange Breezy's shoes for the right size. After we left she discovered that she has two left shoes. I get to take that pair back. I must remind her that she needs to try on both shoes to ensure that this doesn't happen. Oh well.

I've managed to get an email out with our new mailing address. Updated our addy at the bank, Paypal, amazon, and ebay. Ordered an updated driver's license. oh yeah, my military pay thingie also. I need to contact everyone else to finish that up. The post office would be a good place to have started.

Drove by the old place. The former landlord, it appears, plans to rent it out again!!!! DMV says they can't do anything about it.

Anyway, guess I need to start figuring out what to feed the kids before they are starving.

Tomorrow's agenda? Unpacking!

Monday, January 01, 2007

Happy New Year!

The kids had a New Year's Eve party hosted by a couple who work the youth at church. There were about 12 kids. After midnight, they gave the boys a ride home and the girls got to spend the night.

I popped in to say hi, left with one of the other adults who picked up the college length twin bed that I had left beside the trailer when I moved out. Helped her get it loaded at the old place and unloaded it at her place.

Had dinner at Ruby Tuesday's. It's so nice to have a decent restaurant on this side of town. The soup and salad were great as always and the blondie brownie with coffee was yummy!

We finished getting moved out of the other place today. My neighbor who also goes to church with us took pictures of it in the event the landlord wants to be difficult. When we moved my bed frame, we discovered an opening about a foot long in the corner of the room that lets you see the siding from the trailer!!

I also walked around the trailer for the first time in forever. It's seriously leaning to the back left corner. I didn't even realize just how much until I started cleaning about 3 weeks ago and noticed a slant to the floor. But after getting the furniture out, it's like WHOA!

I plan on calling the DMV on Tuesday/Wednesday to report it. Did ya know that the DMV handles regulation of mobile homes? Neither did I until Friday.

As of today the kids will have new nicknames. Talia becomes Breezy and Skif becomes Chaz. Talia and Skif were names from my favorite books and as I no longer read the books and have gotten rid of them, I felt it was time for the kids to get new nicknames. Now all I have to do is remember them!

Later today, we'll be back at our new home unpacking. I'm so excited about finally being unpacked. I still can't get over the fact that I've not been completely unpacked since 1989!!! Mind boggling to say the least.

And did I say how grateful I am??? I am so grateful to the Lord for this new place and for my amazing children.

Happy New Year!