Christmas Came Early

My sister went to the doctor about 2 weeks ago. The woman is half dead. Okay - not really, but she drives me crazy. Between school, her 4 kids, finances, my mom, my dad, etc...she's at the end of her rope. It didn't surprise me that she had bronchitis. It also didn't surprise me that she had an complete emotional meltdown in her doctor's office. She's been pretty short with all the kids, me and my mom for a while now - I'm just glad the big one happened in the doctor's office.

She didn't give too much thought to the breakdown after that. School finally ended, she started feeling better and just preparing for Christmas and next semester. Until yesterday. Her doctor called her, well, it's actually the PA - but that's who she sees anyway. She left a message that she wanted to stop by and check on her. My sister wasn't home, but my nephew was...she dropped off 3 bags full of presents! There's a few things for each of the kids - all 4 of them!

It leaves me almost speechless. Normally - if my sister was having a rough year, financially, my parents would more than make up for what they lacked - or I would do my best. But this year is very different. It's been rough for all of us and while Christmas is certainly not about the presents - we always want to do something. And I know especially for my sister, it's been extremely difficult. Parents always want to do as much as they can for their children, and there have even been some 'needs' that have gone overlooked b/c the funds haven't been there.

As the aunt - it's been even more difficult to sit by and watch, knowing that #1 - I couldn't do anything about the situation they're in and #2 - I couldn't do very much in helping them out financially.

So, tonight, my heart is so thankful to my sister's doctor's office. It always blesses me when people see a need and fulfill it. It's so much more powerful and moving for it to affect you personally. I will never be able to thank her for what she's done - but wow - I can only imagine that it comes from the Lord. He is good and just and has mercy and grace for us - this is one of those times where I get to see it in action.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Just wanted to post a tiny update. Life is crazy in the fast lane. =) I so wish the pilgrims had decided to celebrate Thanksgiving in October...or September. That would have made the time between the two big holidays a little more spread out.

Life at home has been rough lately. Mom seems to have more and more meltdowns. I know some of it is because the real, actual, finality of the divorce is just around the corner. She's had a health scare - and she seems to be of the christian scientist persuasion that God will heal her supernaturally, or she will die and either way...it's God's plan.

Don't get me wrong...of course I believe that it's all God's plan. However...remember the story of the man stranded on his roof during a flood? A boat came by, a helicopter, etc...and he said no - my God will save me. And then he drowned. When he got to heaven, he asked God why he didn't save him...God said...I sent you a boat, helicopter, etc...

She's gotten into the threatening me to move out. Naturally at this moment I can't financially do that...so I just try to keep her at bay. But - I'm looking for something full-time, stable and with benefits. So - hope you'll pray for me. It looks like school will once again go on the back burner...

Interesting possibility though - my friend/former roommate - Erin may be buying a new home next year. And if she does it would probably all come together in late spring/early summer. That would be great for her current roommate Amy who will probably be getting married around then. But - the great thing about this house is it has a smaller 'apartment' out behind it. Since it will have been completely gutted, it could be super fun to live there. Anyway...it's a possibility.

I do start working for a tax company next month. I took a one week class (scary, I know) and will start working in January. What's sad...I actually make more money on unemployment than I will working 40 hrs a week with them. *sigh*

The Home Make Over is officially, finally over! YAY! It was amazing and you should check out the blog here. I do actually have some things to tweek and finish up.

Gift Wrap has taken over my life - and I can't wait for Christmas Eve to get here for more than one reason. =)

Spiritually...wow...can I say that God has been busy sifting? The way I think, the way I spend my time, who I spend my time with, what my passion is, and what my ultimate goals are. It has been far from easy. In fact, just this weekend I went through something very difficult/painful - consequences of that sifting - and while I'm still not done figuring it all out - I really do feel a weight lifted off of my shoulders and my heart.

Still praying about church...I do love the pastor - his messages have been dead-on for me. And - Katie likes going to the youth group - although with band/indoor she won't be able to go again until the late spring/summer. And I don't know that there's a place for me to serve...plus it's so far away that being really involved is difficult. So...continuing to pray about that.

Anyway, that's the short version of all of this. Christmas is just days away and thankfully we haven't been overly crazy. Although my sister is insisting on putting up a Christmas tree...just 2 days out from Christmas...so...for now...peace out.

Over-extension=Me

Yes - I am over-extended, and there's not anything I can do about it except figure out how to handle it.

Home Make Over has begun - check out the blog here. I'm in charge of PR, taking pictures and keeping up with the blog. So - until this project is over...there will be no blogs here. Keep up with us over there - If you can help - please let me know!

Also - in the midst of this crazy, quick renovation - I'm in charge of Katie's giftwrap fundraiser for the band. It runs Black Friday through Christmas Eve...if you need your packages wrapped, bring them by Cordova Mall and help support The Pride!

My cousins came in town Monday night for Thanksgiving. When I suggested they come - I didn't realize how crazy busy I would be. I hate that I haven't spent as much time with them - and even tonight I've spent most of it on this silly computer getting it all caught up. I'm so glad they came, because the original plan was for me to go to their house in Texas...not quite sure how that would have worked with HMO & Gift wrap...

They leave Friday - and I need to be back at the house Friday at 8am - not really sure that I'm going to make it - especially since it's their last morning here.

Today was INSANE - just a little bit of my schedule -

7:00 - up, coffee, left the Portofino, starbucks, pick up Katie, go to bandroom, load-up gift wrap boxes and supplies (filled a trailer that you pull, the back of a Durango and my backseat) headed to the mall, unloaded, organized, double checked with mall staff that we were set-up correctly for egress, etc. Headed to Erin's work to show her co-worker (who is the niece of the family who won the HMO) pictures of what we had done so far. Then off to the paint store to choose paint and pack it all up. Lunch (or breakfast...which was at about 3:00 - then to the HMO house, then to the cabinet people, to my house, to Wal-mart, the HMO house again, Katie's house, Krispy Kreme, Verizon, and then back to the Portofino where my cousins are staying.

I never did eat dinner...and now I'm feeling it...although it's 3:00am and I've been going nonstop for 20 hours...

Talk about a turkey coma - that's where I will spend tomorrow. I'm exhausted and feel it all in my back and my neck. :( God is faithful and I know He will take care of all of my needs, because I know He's called me to these other projects.

Anyway - catch you AFTER Dec. 6th! Please PRAY!!!! for all of us!!!!!

And for our new friend, Darnell, who had a seizure Tuesday night during worship - he had gotten saved on Monday night!!!! The docs released him last night at about 12:30am - couldn't find anything wrong with him.

Crazy...huh? Nope - that's God.

And yes - you seriously HAVE to check out the blog -

Really Quick Note...

Sometimes things happen. I have about 3 posts ready for me to finish up - but no time. The short story - last week I had an awful kidney stone attack. It came with a kidney infection - yay. I spent several hours at the ER - have no idea if it's going to be covered by my insurance - but at least I was feeling 'gooooood' by the time we left. I spent the next few days pretty sick. By Friday I was lots better and had a great weekend - pain free!

Being sick really put me behind. So yesterday I got the bright idea that I would stay up until I got everything caught up. I have a zillion things to work on for Katie and the band. I'm somehow 'in charge' of the gift wrapping fundraiser which is actually a lot of work. We start the day after thanksgiving and run through Christmas eve.

I updated the 'rules', scheduled a training session for the students. Drafted out the different shifts and am now in the process of making sure we have enough coverage for each day. (Anyone in the area that wants to help...you are more than welcome! ha!)

In addition to that, I'm the PR person for the Home Make Over. It was supposed to be 2 of us - but has turned into just me. Oh well. I had to research how to write a press release - and finished that up today - waiting on getting some changes and then I can finally send it out - and cross it off my list!

I had to take pictures of a LOT of stuff around the house that mom is finally ready to sell. Then I had to post it on craigslist. 36 different posts...ick.

I still hadn't unpacked from my weekend to destin - and then with being sick - my room and the kitchen were disasters! I finally got my room clean (until tonight) and the kitchen picked up. There's always more to do...and it awaits me...but at least I feel more organized and ready to work on these other projects.

I finally finished everything around 11:30 this morning. Yeah...so...I was awake yesterday at about 8:30...and didn't get to sleep until about noon. More than 24 hours - and I was exhausted! I took a 3 hour nap - got up - got ready and headed out to run a couple of errands and then seven22. I try to help out by making sure the slides with the songs are ready. Depending on how much Robert does - it can go quickly or slowly. Today he had it mostly done and I just went it and polished it up a bit.

Then...I ran to take Katie to church...the other church...the one that's on the complete other side of the world...(but I'm glad she's going). Then back to seven22. Great night of worship and a testimony. Things are changing...I am changing...there's so much...but no room for a post.

I ended up going to whataburger afterwards with 2 friends - Chris and I have known each other for years - we've been friends - but the hey, how ya doin, more like we knew who each other was - but not really knowing. He's going through a rough time - and like all of us it affects what He believes about God - and how much he's willing to Trust God...I hope I encouraged him a little. Josh was also there and he's another one of those - we've seen each other around - but haven't really 'known' each other. Good guy. It was nice getting to know him.

I headed over to Fridays to meet everyone else - (it was a lot cheaper at whataburger and they hadn't even gotten their food!) It was nice to see everyone there and catch up. Good conversation - still have things to be said though.

Through all of this I've been feeling fine. Great in fact - other than being a little sleepy. Several people have asked about my stone - and it hasn't been bothering me. That is - until I got about half way home - all of a sudden it's just causing some crazy pain. I can only attribute it to it moving down the path...but oh I just have no time for this!

I'm supposed to meet with someone to go over the inventory we have for gift wrap tomorrow. Then I have to finish up the press release. I also have the training session with the kids after school - and then the Home Make Over starts tomorrow afternoon.

It wouldn't bother me so much - but these are commitments that I have and I hate not being able to keep them - or not even knowing if I CAN keep them. I have no idea how I will feel and I hate that people are counting on me. (there's a whole idea running here...for another day)

I've taken some meds...and they're helping a little...might take some more before I try to sleep. Pain is not fun. So - we'll see how this all turns out. I can definitely use some prayer - so if you're having trouble thinking of who to pray for - hope I come to the top of that list. =)

But seriously - there's just too much going on. Can someone ask God what his plan is.

Thanks...

Whew....

What a week...or two. It's been rough lately. It seems the devil has really been working on me - but I suppose that means that God is also working on me b/c satan doesn't usually bother with people who are doing nothing.

In the past few weeks I have gone through an emotional crisis (which is still not quite resolved), a physical crisis (which is definitely not resolved), a slight spiritual turmoil (which I haven't quite figured out) and just an overall brokeness.

I know that in brokeness we can grow the most - but I am not so sure that I enjoy the process. I had seriously planned on having everything figured out and back to normal - no later than Tuesday. And that's just when it all went haywire. A kidney stone and an infection - a killer one at that!

Praise the Lord I am on the mend. Seems my timetable is not the same as the Lord's.

In the midst of all this going on - we have people. People who are loved by God, and whom we're supposed to love. But why do they make it so difficult? And where do we draw the line between destruction and love? For me, I hate the feeling of trusting someone and then having them betray me. That is the unforgiveable sin, for me. Interestingly enough...that was part of the message my pastor gave on Sunday. Trust. Trusting God.

How is it that I relate my reluctance to trust people with whether or not I can trust God? He has never betrayed me.

There is definitely a lot more to be said, and fleshed out. I soooo wish I had this one done and checked off my list.

Thankfully I am feeling better and can start working on these little things. Tonight is the last football game of the season and I'm chaperoning the away game. Tomorrow is the wedding of one of my favorite people - we haven't even seen each other in over a year or two and I honestly couldn't be happier for her! I can't wait to celebrate her on this special day!

Saturday night I have plans with one of my other favorite people. I am super thankful for her friendship - God has really blessed me.

I also need to write a press release for the Home MakeOver that I'm kind of struggling with. It needs to be done ASAP (like yesterday!)

And...we'll go from there. :)

Random...

Random thought...

We need people in our lives who will keep us accountable. They're like the white and yellow lines on the road. We know we're supposed to stay in our own lanes - but they help remind us. :)

Lots to do!

I need to be snuggled down in my bed...quickly falling asleep...but alas...I'm not. I have an early meeting tomorrow about a fundraiser for Katie's band...somehow I've been 'volunteered' as a co-chair for the giftwrap service. We have a meeting with our contact at the mall tomorrow.

I also have a few errands to run after that and then I need to come home and try mowing the lawn some more...blah!

Tomorrow night we're celebrating Spencer's 17th birthday! Where does the time go? How did he go from the little chubby precious baby to this big, bright kid? I ordered a special cake from my friend, Brieanna - you should check out the cakes that she makes - she's really amazing. Spencer loves the taste of wedding cake and so, I've asked Brieanna to make a birthday/wedding cake. I'm excited to see how it turns out.

Then...I have to pack. How on earth did this creep up on me? On Friday I'm heading to Destin to spend a couple days with some friends. It should be interesting and hopefully really relaxing and peaceful.

I'm super proud of my mom. She has been doing pretty well lately, emotionally. She seems to have a little more vim and vigor. :) It's been difficult to get her to go to church or a bible study, but I did convince her to go to a local divorce recovery class. Unfortunately, it wasn't what she or I thought it would be. They just had a speaker talking about lawyers...we both thought that the class would be seeing divorce and relationships through God's eyes...but she did promise to go again the next time they have the class, just to double check.

We've come to the decision that she's going to move upstairs so that we can start to consolidate. With both of us living upstairs, we'll only be using the electricity upstairs, which will save money on the utilities.

To make that happen...Fred has to get the rest of his stuff out of his room and that room needs to be cleaned. We need to pack everything in my dad's office up and put it in Fred's room. My mom declared that she should do the packing...whatever...so...that's her project for this weekend. Hopefully, she'll be feeling well enough to do it while I'm gone.

Once my dad's office is cleaned out of the stuff, I will clean the room and mom is going to pick out a paint color. Then...if all is done by Monday...I'll start painting...we'll see if I can keep from falling off a ladder this time. Once it's painted, etc...we need to move her the things she wants in her bedroom upstairs. I might be enlisting the help of some friends for that.

Once she and the dogs are moved upstairs...we can then start working on arranging things downstairs so that it can all be sold! YAY!!!!! I think we'll keep her old room for items that we don't want to sell, but don't quite have room upstairs for.

We have quite a few big items upstairs that we're going to sell as well so my project is to take pictures of everything, look up approximate value online and then post on craigslist...etc.

So...there's a lot that we have got to get done. But I'm proud of my mom. Now...I have no doubt that she will change her mind, lose her initiative and we'll end up with a bigger mess than what we started with...but I can only pray.