SSMT Day

I had a longer post planned, but will just have to finish it tomorrow. It has been another tough day at our house. Seriously, I know God is doing his best to grow me somewhere. Maybe that's the problem... I'm just not getting it!!!!!!

Tough stuff on our list today:
1) Today would have been our Abby's 10th birthday.
2) My daddy is in a VA hospital for terrible leg and back pain along with depression.
3) Hubby just got another job rejection where he had made it to the final 3.

 I think my new verse is just the right one. Especially today.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary and what is unseen is eternal. 
~2 Corinthians 4:18

**I don't know why some of you are getting a message that your comments aren't getting to me. I will do my best to check it out tomorrow and hopefully fix it! I appreciate your comments too much to miss them.

Abby

She's the sweetest. She's one of the best presents I've ever received. She's been in our lives for 10 years. She's part of our family. And now...   She's sick.

Over the past 6 months there has been a lot of diarrhea and vomitting. Gross, I know, but when it is a "family member", all that kind of goes out the window. Especially if you are a parent and have already been through many a diaper change and toilet cleaning.

In the past few weeks, everything has gotten more intense. We have been to the vet numerous times for blood work, sonograms, meds, etc. Today, a new vet. A tumor has been found and a biopsy sent off. And so we wait. With heavy hearts. And pray for our sweet Abby Gail. For those of you that are not dog lovers, this may not make any sense. But, to us...
she is one of our fur babies and we love her very much.

Hello? 2011, are you out there?!

It's a new year and I am ready for some changes. Looking back at some pictures from high school and college, I am so glad I don't know "that girl" anymore. However, looking in the mirror, I don't think I like the woman that gazes back at me now. Why didn't I recognize the one I liked when I had her? Where is she now?

I know this difficult journey we have been on as a family has been for a reason. I obviously haven't been paying close enough attention. I certainly don't seem to have listened hard enough or gotten the message. We are still on the same journey. Nothing has changed in our situation. I don't think we have changed. I know that God allows changes to grow us. I'm afraid I haven't grown.

I have been pretty good at waiting patiently. I have learned that God's waiting room is quite full. There are many that wait. Some come and go. I am still here. Did I miss my number being called? I hope I didn't. I pray I didn't. I ask God on my knees to show me what I am missing. It is quiet. Maybe I just don't want to hear what He is trying to tell me...

Still Wandering Through Our Desert...

I thought I would give a quick update to those few of you that are wondering where I have disappeared to. We are still staying with family in Texas and still job searching. We thought that we were moving to Alabama and spent 6 weeks of prep, etc. but all that came to an abrupt and unpleasant end. The afternoon before moving we found out we weren't going. Even without all of the headaches it caused, it was an emotional upheaval. Kind of like a death in the family. Hard to explain and hope I don't ever have to go through it again.

We are learning to live in small town Texas again. Because our internet access is so limited, I haven't been able to keep up or catch up with any of you. I hope to be able to do that before too long. I feel like I have lost a part of me.

So, for now, we wait...

Hope you are all doing well and having a great  F
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Hot in July

Well, where should I begin? It's been so long since my last post, that I am not even sure I can remember what has happened... but there have definitely been some new experiences.

We were able to experience the 4th in small-town TEXAS. The drive down into my home state was a bit nostalgic. With  little fireworks stands scattered along the side of a 2-lane hilly road... just as the sun was beginning to set. Made me wish I was a photographer to catch small-town America.

We have been met with a few challenges... one shower for 6 people due to some plumbing issues, no cell phone service, no TV, and virtually no internet. Enough said. However, we have had gracious hosts as we wait for what God has planned. We know we are blessed to have somewhere to go.

Now, the girls and I are house sitting for a family member, and as I write, a conure sits on my shoulder bobbing up and down. "Skittles" has taken a shining to my James Avery necklace and is convinced he can take a bite out of it. Did you know that conures poop a lot? Even when sitting on your shoulder? Yep, when it is time to go, it is time to go. Ick! Not used to that. Never will be. At least he is a little thing.

Here, I am able to visit my aging parents. Normally it is only 2 - 3 times a year so this is a blessing. It is sad to see the changes in them. I know that it is all a part of this life, but to see their memories fade and their feebleness increase... well, it's a bit heartbreaking. So thankful for this time with them.

So, we are off to begin a new day here. One that won't be free from challenges I'm sure. (Did I say that it was hot-as-Hades down here?!) With God by our side, we will make it through. And will be stronger for it.

Bless you all~ 
I have missed you!

Sunny Saturday

The sun was shining brightly this morning... at 6:30 a.m.! I know that it is summertime and the days are getting longer, but I didn't realize that Mr. Sun arose so early. I was obviously oblivious :-) during those last days of school when we stumbled to our feet at 5:00 a.m.

My struggle this morning was focusing on God. This is what my brain was like during my prayer time:

"Good Morning, God. Thank you so much for the beautiful sun this morning. (Thoughts that interrupted prayer... Boy, I wish it wasn't going to get so hot today, though. I am going to be sweating-something-fierce going through and getting rid of stuff before our move. Oh poo. I have to clean up and go to the library today. When would be the best time for that?)
Forgive me, God, for being so distracted. I do want to ask for your forgiveness of my sins. (Let's see... did I overeat yesterday? Oh yeah. I had too many cookies.)  Forgive me for allowing fear, anxiety, and worry overcome me. I know that You are here for me and that You will take care of me and my family. (Now which verses was I going to remember for today? I wish that dog would quit scratching. I sure am sleepy.)"

And so it went. Until I woke up enough to realize that I was WAY TOO distracted and needed a "do-over".  Please, somebody tell me that you have done the same thing!

Anyway, after a bit more focus and quiet time, I made my way upstairs to catch up on a few blogs before the crew woke up. First, I checked in on Amber at Stolen Moments to see what she had been creating lately. Guess what? I am mentioned on her Friday post. Actually, she was giving examples of her blog designs. Still... too fun! (Thanks again, Amber!)

Jumping around to look for inspiration, I stopped by to visit at All Thingz Related. Bridgette and Rebekah always have fun ideas to share and get me excited about creating something. They just did their 9th Anything Related post this past Tuesday and there are over 90 ideas that people sent in just this week alone. Ladies, this will get your creative juices flowing! You must go by and check them out and hop around from there. Let me know if you find something or a new blog you love.
Let the creativity begin!

Woe's and Armor

It's been almost a week since I stared at this screen waiting for just the right words to come. I try not to read back over any old posts, but at the end of last week, I was looking for something in particular. That is when it hit me. It seems like all I have posted other than tips are "woe is me" words. Yikes! Apologies to the masses. Well, all 16 of you. :-)

Indulge me for a moment if you will. If you are a regular reader, you know that my family is going through a season of change. Better yet... a season of uncertainty. Today marks the 4 week countdown to having to be out of our home. Hubby's job and the closing on the sale of our home are 4 weeks from tomorrow. We DO NOT believe in coincidences and know that it has all been orchestrated by God. We know without a doubt what a HUGE blessing it is to be able to sell a home right now. And, to close on the last day of a job? NO COINCIDENCE.

So, where do we go from here? That is something that God has not yet revealed. We would appreciate your prayers as we begin to pack up our belongings. Prayers that we will never waiver in our faith that God will provide. Prayers that we as a family will allow His peace and comfort to be felt at every turn. And that His plan will be revealed very soon. Thank you so much to those of you who will join us in these prayers!!!!

Before closing, I decided that I would share with you the ways that satan has been on the attack. We were making a quick trip to Dallas to celebrate a niece that graduated from high school the night before. Only one hour away from our destination, our truck broke down on the interstate. Not a comfy place to be when the Texas temps are soaring for this time of year. Fortunately there were huge shade trees across the feeder road where we waited for almost an hour to be towed.

We piled into the rescue truck with the lovely scent of old dirty sweat (of one) and newly acquired sweat of four. Not pleasant to say the least. After about a 15 minute ride, we rounded the corner to feast our eyes on something out of "Deliverance". No, I am not kidding one iota. It was a sea of broken down vehicles. The "shop" as you might call it, had employees crawling out of the woodwork like cockroaches looking for food. The food they spied were my 2 beautiful teens. It was CREEPY AND DISTURBING. If I were a betting woman, I would almost bet there were more teeth in my 2 girls' mouthes than in the sum of all of theirs.

The good news was that hubby's truck could easily be fixed and that it shouldn't take more than an hour and a half. "Bubba" had to go get a burger first. Seriously. So, the girls and I looked for shade to stand under and to get out of the line of sight. The only shade to be found (other than under the trees with the 5 "Deliverance" dogs in a pen) was across the street. We retreated to the shade and soon realized it was like being on stage. The girls were easily ogled from there and even began to get honks and waves from passersby. If it wasn't so comical, I would have been vomiting. VIOLENTLY.

Fortunately, Hubby had called the father-in-law and he had driven the hour to retrieve us. We left with him in the comfort of the air-conditioned car in search of food. Upon returning, Hubby's truck was fixed and we were on the road to civilization. And none too soon.

The night went well and we enjoyed celebrating the niece's accomplishment and being with extended family. The next day, we experienced downtown Dallas through the eyes of our girls. Hubby and I used to work there but many things have changed. I will post on our findings and pics tomorrow. We had a good time.

The next attack came upon returning home. My debit card was denied when I went to pick up our beloved fur babies. After being embarrassed and VERY UNHAPPY at the vet, Hubby found out that someone had stolen my card # and put almost $700 dollars on it! In Virginia at Waly world. They didn't just use my #, they actually made a fake card that was able to be swiped. GRRRRR. Hubby is at the bank this a.m. getting it taken care of. At least the company was suspicious and deactivated the card so that these hoodlums (I am restraining myself...) couldn't do any more damage to us.

Needless to say, satan sees that we are vulnerable right now and is doing his best to break us. But he is mistaken. We are strapping on the armor of God and WILL NOT let him win!

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.   ~Ephesians 6:10-11