When do you look at your situation and say “enough”? When do you decide that you can go no further and return to a life that is familiar? Since moving here I have said that change is not for the faint of heart and that is still true. There have been many moments where I have felt like I could not go on any further. I have felt like I have taken steps backwards instead of forward. Never doubting that God brought me here for a reason, just wondering how long I would have to endure this season.
The tide always turns and the winds change course. And it’s happening in my life as well. I got a new job! Oh thank you Jesus! Today is my last day in the deli and Wednesday I start my new job. I’m so grateful that God has opened the doors. On another note, Michael and I have been busy working on information needed for our website. We now have a business phone number and cell phones for the new company. There is such an excitement about our business and look forward to our grand opening! God’s hand is upon this company and we will honor Him in all we do with it.
So when do you say “enough”? Well for those who know they cannot return to a life that wasn’t enough for them…we don’t. We may fall, stumble and have set backs but we never give up. Cause just when you’re not looking God comes in and opens a new door and your journey continues.
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow weary and tired, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grown weary, they will walk and not grow faint.” – Isaiah 40: 29-31
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Loving it!
I have so much to be grateful for…and I am. I can look at my life and see the needs that have not yet been met OR I can look to the Lord and keep moving forward. And that is what we are doing…were moving forward knowing that God is in control. This move has proven to be the best thing for all of us. I have been meeting so many people and there are so many things to do out here. There is just not enough time in a day. Our new company is moving along and the idea’s are flowing. Website to be up and going by January. Serena, my oldest daughter will be moving to Paris (Lord willing) later next year, working as an Au Pair. I’m so proud of her and how she is showing so much initiative and motivation. Children really do grow up right before you. Sarah has been taking Art Classes every Tuesday in downtown Chicago and she loves it. This city has many opportunities for her future writing education. I have refused to sit along and wait…I have jumped in with both feet and am getting involved. I have never felt more alive! I love it!!!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Still Standing
Have you ever felt like the responsibilities of life are more than you can bear at times? Lately I have. I noticed I was pulling away from people the past two days. I’m not one who can fake my emotions very well so when I feel uncertain I pull back. This is not a place I let myself stay for long but I needed to regroup.
Last week the Lord showed me that living here will be a place that I will call “The Lord Provides” and let me tell you that is no easy place to be. I think in this day and age we try to be self sufficient individuals and I was one of those people. But now I am in total dependency on the Lord. It has proven to be a struggle for me and when I find myself feeling frustrated, unsure or at a loss for any emotion I pull back.
This is what I know: The Lord is my provider! He is my way maker and He will never leave me nor forsake me.
“Be still and know that I am God”…
As a mother I see the needs of my home and children and automatically want to shift into gear to get things done. Make it happen! Out here I find the Lord not letting me. “Be still and know that I am God”. Is being still a form of an action Lord? Because I don’t feel like anything’s happening? Ahh but it is, God is moving on my behalf as I stand and trust Him to provide. When I have done all that I can I then sing His praises. I encourage myself in His word and stand on His promises. I release all that fills me and chokes my joy, and I let Him refresh my spirit.
Still Standing….
Last week the Lord showed me that living here will be a place that I will call “The Lord Provides” and let me tell you that is no easy place to be. I think in this day and age we try to be self sufficient individuals and I was one of those people. But now I am in total dependency on the Lord. It has proven to be a struggle for me and when I find myself feeling frustrated, unsure or at a loss for any emotion I pull back.
This is what I know: The Lord is my provider! He is my way maker and He will never leave me nor forsake me.
“Be still and know that I am God”…
As a mother I see the needs of my home and children and automatically want to shift into gear to get things done. Make it happen! Out here I find the Lord not letting me. “Be still and know that I am God”. Is being still a form of an action Lord? Because I don’t feel like anything’s happening? Ahh but it is, God is moving on my behalf as I stand and trust Him to provide. When I have done all that I can I then sing His praises. I encourage myself in His word and stand on His promises. I release all that fills me and chokes my joy, and I let Him refresh my spirit.
Still Standing….
Monday, October 12, 2009
Discovering
After my family left it took me a couple of days to get back on track. Emotionally I had a hard time letting them go and getting back to my life and moving forward. But I did and once again there is that excitement to accomplish all I set out to do.
So as of today Michael and I should be receiving our business cards this week. YES! Our company logo is done and now we are waiting for updates on the progress of our website. We both feel excited for what God has in store for this new business adventure. I’m still working in the deli department and even though I don’t enjoy this job I am grateful that I have it. Tomorrow I turn in an extensive background check application, and I was told the process can take from 2 to 4 weeks, Robert said its more common for just the two and I’m praying that to be true. This new job would be wonderful! Its what I use to do in California just on a grander scale, the pay and hours are better as well. I just need to hold on….to the hand of God.
Of course I miss my friends and family but I’m making new ones out here. I try to stay open to new opportunities and experiences. Yesterday my neighbors/friends had another BBQ, since its chilly outside we ate in doors. We listened to one friend share his “critical thinking” paper and shared our thoughts on that. As we ate we watched a movie and enjoyed each others company. I'm very grateful and blessed to have wonderful neighbors who look out for each other.
As I was praying yesterday I was filled with praise. I was first reading the Word and God had me read Genesis 22, I read about Abraham’s faith and how much he trusted the Lord, always knowing that He will provide. In Genesis 22:14 it says “So Abraham named that place The Lord Provides.” Then it hit me…Chicago is a place that I will call “The Lord Provides”….and then I broke. As I fell to my knees I was overwhelmed by the needs of my home and children. I was filled knowing that I’m teetering and NEED God to come through. With all of that filling me the only words that could come out were words of praise. I praise you Lord because you are worthy. Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty. I serve a faithful and just God and I give you all the honor and glory. You are my God, my King, a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path, you are my provider, my healer, my deliverer, my redeemer and you have set my feet upon a rock. I walk by faith and not by sight and I TRUST YOU MY LORD!
Psalm 146
“Praise the Lord! My whole being, praise the Lord. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praises to my God as long as I live.
Do not put your trust in princes or other people, who cannot save you. When people die, they are buried. Then all of their plans come to an end. Happy are those who are helped by the God of Jacob. Their hope is in the Lord their God. He made heaven and earth, the sea and everything in it. He remains loyal forever. He does what is fair for those who have been wronged. He gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free. The Lord gives sight to the blind. The Lord lifts up people who are in trouble. The Lord loves those who do right. The Lord protects the foreigners. He defends the orphans and widows, but he blocks the way of the wicked.
The Lord will be King forever. Jerusalem, your God is everlasting.
Praise the Lord!”
So as of today Michael and I should be receiving our business cards this week. YES! Our company logo is done and now we are waiting for updates on the progress of our website. We both feel excited for what God has in store for this new business adventure. I’m still working in the deli department and even though I don’t enjoy this job I am grateful that I have it. Tomorrow I turn in an extensive background check application, and I was told the process can take from 2 to 4 weeks, Robert said its more common for just the two and I’m praying that to be true. This new job would be wonderful! Its what I use to do in California just on a grander scale, the pay and hours are better as well. I just need to hold on….to the hand of God.
Of course I miss my friends and family but I’m making new ones out here. I try to stay open to new opportunities and experiences. Yesterday my neighbors/friends had another BBQ, since its chilly outside we ate in doors. We listened to one friend share his “critical thinking” paper and shared our thoughts on that. As we ate we watched a movie and enjoyed each others company. I'm very grateful and blessed to have wonderful neighbors who look out for each other.
As I was praying yesterday I was filled with praise. I was first reading the Word and God had me read Genesis 22, I read about Abraham’s faith and how much he trusted the Lord, always knowing that He will provide. In Genesis 22:14 it says “So Abraham named that place The Lord Provides.” Then it hit me…Chicago is a place that I will call “The Lord Provides”….and then I broke. As I fell to my knees I was overwhelmed by the needs of my home and children. I was filled knowing that I’m teetering and NEED God to come through. With all of that filling me the only words that could come out were words of praise. I praise you Lord because you are worthy. Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty. I serve a faithful and just God and I give you all the honor and glory. You are my God, my King, a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path, you are my provider, my healer, my deliverer, my redeemer and you have set my feet upon a rock. I walk by faith and not by sight and I TRUST YOU MY LORD!
Psalm 146
“Praise the Lord! My whole being, praise the Lord. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praises to my God as long as I live.
Do not put your trust in princes or other people, who cannot save you. When people die, they are buried. Then all of their plans come to an end. Happy are those who are helped by the God of Jacob. Their hope is in the Lord their God. He made heaven and earth, the sea and everything in it. He remains loyal forever. He does what is fair for those who have been wronged. He gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free. The Lord gives sight to the blind. The Lord lifts up people who are in trouble. The Lord loves those who do right. The Lord protects the foreigners. He defends the orphans and widows, but he blocks the way of the wicked.
The Lord will be King forever. Jerusalem, your God is everlasting.
Praise the Lord!”
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Happy Fall
Fall is officially here! There is so much that I love about this time of year. Now living in Chicago I was glad to say farewell to summer. The air is crisp and it has started to rain…and rain it has! I have already experienced getting soaked walking home from work one night, I missed my bus and my umbrella was leaking! Ugh! But I’m ready now; I have a new and larger umbrella and rain boots. Yay me! The radiator is on now in our apartment. Oh goodness we are so happy for that. Since we have no control of the heat and the weather has gotten colder we were all too pleased to have the heat filling our home. It’s the little things that make us happy out here. Ha-Ha! I was expecting all of us to get sick at least once this season since this weather is extremely different from California. And Sarah has started that process, she got sick the other day and little by little she is getting back on track.
This time of year always puts me in the best of moods. Here is a list of my favorite things about this time.
Fall scented candles
Pumpkin carving and attempting to bake the seeds
Wearing sweatshirts
Decorating
Colorful leaves
Making Halloween goodies which include popcorn balls, rice crispy treats and caramel apples
Watching Charlie Brown movies
Soups, Soups and more Soups
Going trick-or-treating with my sister and the younger kids
Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks
Wrapping myself with a big blanket reading a book
Watching movies with my daughters and dog Bubba
So here are some reasons I love fall…I’m sure you have some of your own….what are some of your family traditions that you love about this time of year?
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Don’t know…
I never really knew what I had until it was gone. My family (Mom, Sister and Aunt) came from California to visit me and my daughters and my cousin Michael, they were here for only 3 days but I loved it!
I was so nervous knowing that they were going to come to my new “home”. What were they going to think? Would they think that I made a huge mistake? Would they not like the city and feel I made a bad decision? I was so nervous.
But of course I was completely wrong. They came and just loved on me and my girls. My mother cooked, made my home smell wonderful, and filled my new home with familiar scents that warmed my heart. My home had what I didn’t realized I missed so much…the laughter of familiar voices….the voices that I love, my family! We didn’t do too much exploring because what little time we did have we just wanted to spend it with each other. Catching up on things and they wanted me to show them what my day to day life consist of. The first night at my place my Aunt Martha brought a bag of Mexican sweetbread. I wanted to cry because that was one thing I missed about my family back home in California. I missed us sitting around talking, drinking coffee, laughing and eating sweetbread.
My sister brought her camera and took pictures of me and my daughters around town so that I can make my Christmas card. The weather didn’t cooperate but that just added to the fun of the experience.
All the while I realized that my family won’t be with me for the holidays. My mother has always made the holidays a special time…and I won’t have them this year. Much too quickly our time was coming to an end. My family celebrated Serena’s 17th birthday with us and we all had a great time.
My mother brought us warm blankets, sweatshirts, thick socks and pj’s for the girls. She also bought me a pair of rain boots and my sister bought me a large umbrella. You have no idea how much those things were needed and how we appreciate all that they did for us.
Sunday morning came to fast and my family was off. As I hugged each one I didn’t want to let go. You can’t leave me yet. I feel strong and safe when I am wrapped with their love. I didn’t want them to leave my home. I couldn’t stop crying as they drove away. That’s my family!
Then it hit me. You never fully realize what you have until it’s gone. You just don’t know. Thank you for coming to visit us. Thank you for the laughter, encouragement and love that you poured on me and my daughters. I love you more than words can say….
I was so nervous knowing that they were going to come to my new “home”. What were they going to think? Would they think that I made a huge mistake? Would they not like the city and feel I made a bad decision? I was so nervous.
But of course I was completely wrong. They came and just loved on me and my girls. My mother cooked, made my home smell wonderful, and filled my new home with familiar scents that warmed my heart. My home had what I didn’t realized I missed so much…the laughter of familiar voices….the voices that I love, my family! We didn’t do too much exploring because what little time we did have we just wanted to spend it with each other. Catching up on things and they wanted me to show them what my day to day life consist of. The first night at my place my Aunt Martha brought a bag of Mexican sweetbread. I wanted to cry because that was one thing I missed about my family back home in California. I missed us sitting around talking, drinking coffee, laughing and eating sweetbread.
My sister brought her camera and took pictures of me and my daughters around town so that I can make my Christmas card. The weather didn’t cooperate but that just added to the fun of the experience.
All the while I realized that my family won’t be with me for the holidays. My mother has always made the holidays a special time…and I won’t have them this year. Much too quickly our time was coming to an end. My family celebrated Serena’s 17th birthday with us and we all had a great time.
My mother brought us warm blankets, sweatshirts, thick socks and pj’s for the girls. She also bought me a pair of rain boots and my sister bought me a large umbrella. You have no idea how much those things were needed and how we appreciate all that they did for us.
Sunday morning came to fast and my family was off. As I hugged each one I didn’t want to let go. You can’t leave me yet. I feel strong and safe when I am wrapped with their love. I didn’t want them to leave my home. I couldn’t stop crying as they drove away. That’s my family!
Then it hit me. You never fully realize what you have until it’s gone. You just don’t know. Thank you for coming to visit us. Thank you for the laughter, encouragement and love that you poured on me and my daughters. I love you more than words can say….
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