God's Timing is Perfect!

There is freedom in knowing that God's timing is not flawed in the least bit. If you know me, you know I love to plan and organize things. At first, I was having some major issues with God not following my plans. You may think that sounds silly, but honestly, when you are used to being able to control everything and you are suddenly faced with something you cannot control, it can be a little rough. Over time I've realized that it's actually kinda nice that when it comes to God, I don't have to worry about him not getting things done by the deadline or not meeting my expectations because God's timing is totally perfect! That's doesn't mean I'll understand his timing, but I don't need to micromanage God because he has it all under his control and he never fails me. Never!

Busy Times

Things are crazy busy right now, so I'm pretty sure that getting my once a week post in for October is pretty much shot. Everything about my life is busy right now and here are the highlights. 1. Work - We are down from 4 tax preparers to 2 (I think, we aren't sure what treatment one of them will need, but it's looking like she is gonna be out for a while). We are also in the last month before our final deadline for the year, so saying the 2 of us left are busy is an understatement. I'm not blaming anyone and I know that life happens, I'm just telling you that this is what we are working with. I'm trying to work as much as possible and be as efficient as possible while I am working. I was really hoping to go to the Women's Retreat at church on Nov 6-7 and even paid for it, but I knew there was a possibility I wouldn't get to go because of the unpredictable work schedule. It's looking like it is pretty much out at this point, but that's okay. 2. Church - Next weekend is our fall festival at church and I am in charge of the games. I have looked online and found nothing that appeals to me. Our theme is popcorn, so I was trying to do large group games involving popcorn but can't find anything on the internet. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know. Even though they were supposed to be giving BJ Sunday's off, somehow, he got scheduled for next Sunday, so I am also in charge of getting the music set up outside and running it. That won't take very long, so I should be good to go, as soon as I can come up with games. 3. Other - I must finish the scrapbook I am doing for a friend. It's going pretty well, but I've got to get it finished by Sunday so she can have it by the 27th. 4. The Challenge - Life changes and Kim and I are no longer walking in the morning. That's fine and I totally understand that she has more time to walk in the evening so she is going to do her own exercising in the evenings. That being said, I have got to make myself get my exercising in. I was originally going to get up at 5 still and go walking or do something else by myself, but with work suddenly getting busier, I really need to get up at 5 and go to work. In the evenings I need to get on my Gazelle at least 3 days a week, which I can totally do, but its really nice to have my exercising done before the day starts. I'm not saying I have no free time, because that is totally not the case, but I just have some things I need to motivate myself to get done. BJ and I watch a bit of TV and I consider that my winding down time and I really enjoy it. It something we like to do together, even if it isn't really quality time. I'll leave you with a quote that is totally unrelated to my above post, but that I am really loving right now.

When our self image gets so wrapped up in God that we lose ourselves in the process, we're free. ~By: Stormie Omartian

Just Another Saturday Night

I know, I haven't updated in a while,but my life is a little crazy right now without having anything that all exciting to share with the world. Work is well, work. I worked 6 hours today to get one of the 2 tax returns finished that we will be getting out by Thursday. I don't really like working Saturdays, but who does? I know I could be working a lot more hours, so I'm thankful that I don't have to work Saturdays often. I did get a lot done today, so its nice to be going into a new week with one large thing off my plate, at least until it gets reviewed, again, and sent back to me, again. Yes, it will definitely reappear in my office sometime before Monday morning, but hopefully, most of the large issues are over. There are a few small things that I am still missing from the client. Ok, no one reads my blog to catch up on the status of my projects at work (unless you are really bored or as addicted to reading anything as long as it is an update as I am) so I'll move on. This week I took on a new project and I am very excited about it. I am working on making a 8 by 8 scrapbook for a friend at church. I think the project is a surprise for the recipients, so I won't share any pictures. I am making a book from my friend and her husband to her adopted grandkids. Their family has a lot of traditions, one of which includes giving a certain book to each of her grandchildren. The book is called "I loved you before you were born" and is about a grandmother that dreamed of the day when she would have her grandchild and imagined what they child would be like. The book doesn't really fit the situation for the two newest grandkids, since they were adopted when they were 6 and 7 or something like that, so I am making a similar book that better fits the situation. Anyway, I am getting to be crafty, which I love. After I got home from work today, I worked on it for a couple of hours and got 4 pages done. I think it looks great, if I do say so myself. My main concern is making the book not too girly since the adopted kids are brother and sister. So after I finish this project, I will move on to my scrapbook which needs some updating. I'm not sure what the last thing I scrapbooked actually is for myself. I don't have kids so I don't have that much going on really. I think I have to scrapbook a page for getting my CPA license, kitchen renovation, and then our vacation to Cozumel. I actually have a house renovation scrapbook, kinda. It has the house when we first bought it and all the changes we made before we moved in. I plan on putting the kitchen stuff in that scrapbook. I have had a little more time the past few Saturdays, even if I did work, because Nebraska hasn't played either day. 3.5 hours to watch a football game definitely makes my Saturday fly by. I love my Huskers and must watch them, it just makes the day go so much more quickly. BJ is now working on Saturdays, so I potentially have until 4 to do whatever I want or need to do. Somehow, I make it through the day without being as productive as I hoped, every week. I think my problem is that I keep telling myself it is Saturday and I should relax, so I end up doing more of that then actually being productive. Oh well, I'm sure everything will get done eventually. I actually made a long list of random projects last weekend. I think it has about 25 things that need to be done. It will take me forever if I only cross off one thing per weekend, but at least its getting crossed off, right? So this post has taken me about 30 minutes and it is now time to go to bed so we can get up tomorrow and start the busyness that is our Sundays. But I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Trusting

This song has been on my heart the past few days. God is teaching me to trust him. I know you are saying, what does that song have to do with trusting God, so here you have it. There are two lines that keep coming back to me. "When you call I won't refuse" and "When you call I won't delay." That is total trust: no delay in obeying what God says. Yesterday at church God spoke to me about some things he wanted me to do and my first response was total fear. It's been a while since I've felt that. I thought I was doing so good obeying and trusting and there was fear, rearing its ugly head. We all are afraid at times, but we have to learn to trust God completely. I picture a small child standing on a ledge of some sort and a parent saying jump. The child doesn't hesitate in the slightest, but jumps full force, knowing their parent will catch them. The parent won't let them fall or get hurt. That's what we have to learn to do. Jump full force, with total trust in our Heavenly Father who loves us and won't let us fall. Trust him, completely. With the innocence of a child.

None But Jesus

In the quiet In the stillness

I know that You are God

In the secret of Your presence I know there I am restored When You call I won't refuse Each new day again I'll choose

There is no one else for me None but Jesus Crucified to set me free Now I live to bring Him praise In the chaos in confusion I know You're sovereign still In the moment of my weakness You give me grace to do Your will When You call I won't delay This my song through all my days There is no one else for me None but Jesus Crucified to set me free Now I live to bring Him praise All my delight is in You Lord All of my hope All of my strength All my delight is in You Lord Forever more

Husker Football

Have I ever told you how much I LOVE college football and the Nebraska Cornhuskers? They are 2-0 so far this season and tomorrow they play Virginia Tech, who is ranked 13. I am really looking forward to a good game tomorrow afternoon. The past few weekends I've gone to my parents to watch the game, since it's been on pay-per-view and my dad always buys the games. The only thing that would make college football better would be a little cooler weather that actually feels like fall. Is anyone else excited that college football has begun?

The Challenge

So, I haven't posted much about the weight loss challenge I am currently doing, so for anyone who wants to know, here's how it's going. I've followed the rules: I have not had fried foods or sweets, I've drank the required water and usually don't even drink the 12 oz of soda I am allowed. I've exercised more times than required each week and used only an average number of cheats. We are on week 4 and I've used 4 of the 25 cheats allowed over 17 weeks. Results: There are none to speak of. My weight has fluctuated since I started the challenge and I am almost back down to my starting weight. It's a little frustrating, but I know that I am healthier and in better shape than I was before the challenge. And I'm starting to like running and/or my exercise time. I feel good to be doing something for me, even if there are no results in the numbers. My goal was to lose 10 pounds in 17 weeks, so I guess I could potentially still reach that, but I'm beginning to have my doubts. There are reasons to explain away my lack of results, none of which are related to me not being committed or cheating more than I will admit. The reasons are all legitimate, but I'm not here to make excuses for myself. I'm just here to give an update. So, if any of you other beauties are having issues, know that you are not alone. Just keep going! Even if you don't see the results you desire, know it is changing you and your life for the better.

Thank God for Alissa!

So normally you all get my to hear about my gripes and complaints. I try to stay upbeat or at least talk about some scripture after I vent so you are not left in a bad mood, but it doesn't always work that way. Well today, I'm just going to be thankful for a change. Today, I realized how thankful I am for Alissa. She is the girl who has been playing drums since Jill moved a month ago. Things could just be so much worse. Even a week before Jill left I was a little apprehensive about how everything would turn out. Things have all fallen into place so much quicker than I anticipated. She is growing as a drummer by leaps and bounds every week. We have not had to go a single service without drums and worship is going so great! Today I was just so relaxed during worship and it was so nice. I am still playing drums for the hymns, but that is becoming second nature to me and doesn't take much concentration for me either. Today I got to worship and it just felt so good. Thank you so much Alissa for stepping up and filling Jill's shoes. You are such a blessing and God is using you greatly! I know things aren't always perfect, but God always helps us when we step up to minister to others. You are such a blessing!