God is Good

You know, people say that God never closes one door without opening another. They also say that good things come to those who wait. Well, I'm here to tell you that both things are so true. The thing is, sometimes I think that God has to show you that things won't work and has to bring you way down before He knows you will drop it all, run to Him, and follow Him where ever He leads. That's what's happening now. I found out the other day that my chances of getting a job in this area due to budget cuts and other things are slim to none. I, needless to say, was crushed, but I immediately emailed Jake and basically said I give and I'm willing to go where ever. I accept the fact that some dreams have to end or be put on hold and the fact of the matter is that it does not matter what I spent 5 years in school for- if being a teacher is not what I am meant to do it won't happen. It's like I told Jake, my life may not ever amount to me being anything other than a good wife- but if that is all I will be I will take that with a smile on my face. If I can be a good wife I will be honored. I know that things do not always work out the way we want them to- but they do work out one way or another. Jake has one interview lined up soon and one that he has a strong possibility of interviewing with- and I will pick up and follow where ever. I started this whole thing by praying that God would lead us where we need to be. I prayed every night that if I didn't get a job that it would mean that Jake would get a job that he would love and it would lead us to bigger and better things. No, things have not turned out as I hoped, but I believe that one day we will look back on this and be thankful for the rough times because we will truly appreciate the wonderful things that lie ahead for us. No matter what happens, no matter where we end up we can look back on this and know that we made it through- with smiles on our faces and having built a stronger foundation for our family. I thank God for listening to me- for truly hearing my prayers. I thank Him for a husband who loves me. I thank Him for every little thing that has gone wrong. I will "prise Him in this storm" for He is the God who gives and takes away.

Dear Lord, Please give me ground or give me wings. Amen!

Chew on this...

Saw this quote today and it made me think...

Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.

Thinking Again

Well, you know what they say- if only we'd stop trying to be happy we might actually have a good time. You know, part of this whole being positive thing is just that. I've stopped trying to be happy and have decided to just "be". The more in the moment I am the less worried I have to be. Things are tough sometimes and there are times I don't know what I'll do about certain situations- but I've found that things have a way of working themselves out... and they always will. It will all be ok in the end. :)

Dear God, Give me ground or give me wings. Please!

A Few Churchy Thoughts

Jeff (my preacher) said this the other Sunday and it really stood out to me. He said to tell Satan, "Satan, you've advanced as far as you're going to in my life. I'm going to stop here and dig in. The war has already been won by Jesus. We just have to win our own individual battles."

He also said "Don't give up on that which Jesus gave His life for." So true. Jesus died for me... the LEAST I can do is LIVE for HIM.

He also said that "the life that we have is that which God has blessed us with." This really made me think- I know I have complained a lot about things in the last year or so, but God has a purpose for me and a reason I am dealing with all of this. He has not given me this to "get through" but rather blessed me with many people and things, opportunities and experiences. I am truly blessed.

Please come visit with us at Gold Hill Road Church of Christ!

Horrible Truth

Puppy Mills are horrible. that is the honest truth. Don't get me started on the awful abuse that happens. Please copy and paste the following link and read Starlet's story. Maybe then you will understand the importance of ending puppy mills. (Warning- it is sad.)

http://www.helpsaveone.org/starlets-story.html

Stepping On That Soap Box

Well, it's that time again- time for me to step up on my soap box and get something off my chest. It has come to my attention that someone I know has not been treating their animal the way it should be treated. I won't say who it is or what they have done as I don't feel it is appropriate to do so, however I will once again preach my sermon on pets.
1. A pet is a commitment. It is not something to be taken lightly, nor is it a spur of the moment decision.
2. Loving a pet is not enough. Is it important to love your pet? Of course. That animal loves you no matter what and you owe it to them to do the same- however, love (as we should all know) is never enough.
3. A pet needs basic essentials like food, shelter, and attention. Yes, attention is a basic necessity for an animal.
4. More than those things a pet needs someone who can put aside their wants and needs and make the best decision for that pet. They need someone who can be unselfish and make the right choices. No one likes to be inconvenienced, but, by golly, you may very well be if you have a pet. Their needs are just as important as your own and sometimes you have to put someone else first!
5. Sacrifice is sometimes the name of the game. If you can't sacrifice for that animal- you shouldn't have that animal. Sometimes you have to do without the new shoes so that you can pay the vet bill- too bad! It is important to get your pet quality care as well as things like flea and heart worm medication. It is also important that you take the time to find food that meets your pet's nutritional needs.
6. As that quote goes "your pet thinks you are the best person ever. you owe it to them to be worthy of such devotion."

I am in no way saying that I am the perfect pet owner. There are days when Milly and Shelby and I don't get along. There are times when I raise my voice at them (though I know that it is wrong to raise your voice to an animal and I always feel horrible after I do that). There are times when I would love to buy a new pair of shoes instead of heart worm meds and there are times I wish that I could go out to dinner and the movies instead of pay for Milly and Shelby to eat expensive dog food... however, I know that heart worms can be deadly and are 100% preventable. I also know that Milly requires certain food due to her allergies and would rather do without than see her suffer. I know that when Jake and I took MilShelb into our homes we also took them into our hearts and we promised to do right by them no matter what. Do I always want to walk them? No. But I do. Do I always want to sleep in awkward positions so that all 4 of us can fit in the bed? No. But I do anyhow. The point is, all pets, not just MilShelb, deserve the best you have to give. So, give it to them. Be the person they believe you are. Don't yell at them. Don't hit them. Don't neglect them. Be there for them. Be a good pet owner and make the right choices for them.

(I'm now stepping off my soap box. ;))

Stuck in a Rut

I feel like I am stuck in a rut. I don't even know if that is how you spell rut. haha! I just feel like I am getting no where fast on this job search. The thing about teaching is that once the school year starts it is very difficult to find a job, once the second semester starts it is nearly impossible, and add to that the horrible financial problems of this country and you've got yourself a BIG MESS. Mom showed me this quote today and I'm glad she did. It said : Hard things are put in our way, not to stop us, but to call out our courage and strength. I do feel that these obstacles have made me a stronger person. They have forced me to become positive, because, let's face it- if I got upset every single time something went wrong in the last year I'd be a very unhappy person. I do feel that I am much more capable of handling things that come my way and often can take things in stride when others are wondering why I did not have a fit over it. The fact of the matter is that life is just too short to get upset over every little thing. I have found, however, that life is not too short to rejoice in all the little tiny victories. I even celebrate little things like finding my shoes in the morning without spending 5 minutes looking for them. haha.
Though I am trying my best to "roll with the punches" there are days where I feel very bruised. Luckily, I share my life with 2 wonderful little four-legged creatures who know when I need them most and stick by my side to show their support. They may not have the words to say what they think (thank goodness) but they show their support through their actions- which truly speak louder than words. I am so lucky to be a MilShelb Mom. You know what they say- my little dog, a heartbeat at my feet. :)

This year I am trying to be more positive. I really don't want things to get to me. I am better than that and my GOD is bigger than any problem I may have. He will see me through this. I just know it. I'm praying to You, dear Lord: Give me ground or give me wings.

Being a More Positive Person in 2010

My new year's resolution is to be more positive. I looked up some quotes on being positive and wanted to share some of my favorites with you.

The difference between can and cannot are only three letters. Three letters that determine your life's direction.
Being positive or negative are habits of thoughts that have a very strong influence on life.
Riches, mediocrity and poverty begin in the mind.
Positive thoughts are not enough. There have to be positive feelings and positive actions.
Being resolute, decisive and courageous in small matters and in big ones is being positive.
Happy thoughts attract happy people into your life.
When you have control over your thoughts, you have control over your life.
When you change your habitual thoughts, it is like changing the direction of a train.
http://www.successconsciousness.com/index_000033.htm

The Invitation

Saw this awesome poem on a friend's facebook info and thought I'd pass it along...

The Invitation by Oriah

It doesn’t interest me
what you do for a living.
I want to know
what you ache for
and if you dare to dream
of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me
how old you are.
I want to know
if you will risk
looking like a fool
for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me
what planets are
squaring your moon...
I want to know
if you have touched
the centre of your own sorrow
if you have been opened
by life’s betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain.

I want to know
if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.

I want to know
if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you
to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us
to be careful
to be realistic
to remember the limitations
of being human.

It doesn’t interest me
if the story you are telling me
is true.
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.

If you can bear
the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.

I want to know
if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
“Yes.”

It doesn’t interest me
to know where you live
or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after the night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.

It doesn’t interest me
who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the centre of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me
where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know
what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.
I want to know
if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like
the company you keep
in the empty moments.

By Oriah © Mountain Dreaming,
from the book The Invitation
published by HarperONE, San Francisco,
1999 All rights reserved

Books To Share

Let me know if you're interested in reading any of these... please contact me via facebook. :)

Pat Conroy- The Water is Wide
William Young- The Shack
Nicholas Sparks- Message in a Bottle
Nicholas Sparks- Dear John
Sophie Kinsella- Confessions of a Shopaholic
Nicholas Sparks- A Walk to Remember
James Patterson- Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas
Michelle Richmond- The Year of Fog
John Grogan- Marley and Me

Let me know who is interested! First one to claim it gets it.

Reminder

Every now and then I have to post something depressing as a reminder. I want to remind you that there are dogs who do not have homes. They live in shelters until they are put to sleep. They are in these shelters due to careless owners. They do not deserve this fate. Please read this poem and think about it... a pet is a commitment. It is not something to be taken lightly. If you have ever taken an animal to the pound- SHAME on you! (ps- You do not have to agree with me or like what I am saying. If it makes you feel uncomfortable- GOOD. That's the point. Don't read my blog if you don't like what I'm saying. No one is forcing you to be here.)

A Shelter Dog asks God...

Author: Joan C. Fremo
Published on: July 29, 2001
Dear God,
What is "Time"?
I hear the sadness in the voices of workers here.
They say my "Time is up",
that they have to make room for yet another dog.

My "Time" is up. I don't know what that means, God.
I only know that my new friends are so sad, and the more I wag my tail---
the harder I try to make them feel better---
the sadder they become.

I know I have heard that word "Time" before, but I don't understand.
When I was younger, my people would say "Time to play!"
They would throw the ball, and I would run fast.
Sometimes I brought it back to them, but other times we'd end up chasing each other having fun.

I remember "Time to eat". My people would put down a bowl of food,
and I would enjoy dinner, wagging my tail in joy.
There was also "Time for your walk".
My boy would put my leash on, and we would go walking together, visiting the neighborhood and enjoying each other's company.

When I was younger I thought "Time" meant fun. Or maybe Love?

I don't understand.
"Time" must mean something else, but how can it change, God?
Before I came here, I heard my people say,
"No time to feed you now, boy. Later, when I get home."
Sometimes my family would forget, and there was no food in my bowl.
Does "Time" mean when my belly hurts?

My people said there was no time for walks.
I tried to hold it all day long-- but God, I just couldn't anymore.
When I finally had to go, it made my family very angry.
Does "Time" means anger? Or maybe Loneliness?

My family said they didn't have "Time".
They didn't have time to play, or time to take me to the vet, or time to go for walks.
They didn't have "Time", so they brought me here.

Maybe I was right... They said they didn't have time,
and if "Time" means Love, how did they lose it?
Did I do something wrong?

God, I think my new friends are sending me to you.
Do you have "Time"?
May I sit on the couch?

Am I a good Dog, God?
Is it "Time"?

The End

One of the most important things we can give our Pets is "Time".
The time to love them, care for them, and train them.
Animal Shelters and Humane Societies across the country are filled
with Pets whose families didn't have "Time".
Every year, the "Time is up" for 12 million companion Pets.
Do you have the "Time" to make a difference?
http://www.usshihtzurescue.com/shelterdog.html

Please remember to spay/neuter your pet. And remember "if you can't pay the vet- don't get a pet."

New Year's Resolution

Well, it's that time of year again... the time when we make those silly resolutions that we normally fail to keep by about the second month of the year... however, I am making one this year (again) to improve my outlook. I have decided that though I try very hard to be a positive person, I am not giving it my all... so, my goal is, yet again, to be a more positive person.
I am, again, struggling with the whole job thing. As the second semester of the year begins my hopes of finding a job this year are dwindling. I keep wishing something would fall in my lap- at the same time I am checking websites, emailing people, and doing everything I know to do. God has blessed me with a second long-term sub position this school year, which is wonderful, and though I am trying to be grateful, I cannot help but think that come March 1st I will, yet again, be unemployed. I pray and pray that He leads me to the right place. I pray and pray that He will bless Jake with a wonderful job. I keep thinking that maybe Jake is going to get a great offer soon and we will have to move and that is why I have not been able to find something... but I just never know if that is wishful thinking, me going crazy, or actually a possibility. The idea of being solely responsible for paying the bills for the next month or so scares me to death. Never before have I been in a position where when there's no more there really truly is NO MORE. Yikes! I know in my heart that God will provide for us. I know that He provides for everyone who puts their trust in Him. I also know that it is only in the darkest time that you can truly see dawn. I'm just wondering what God considers hitting rock bottom... when will that come??? Has it not already happened? Who knows. This is not very positive talk for someone who is supposed to be working on being a positive person... but I am really struggling with that.
I ask a favor of you. I ask that you pray for me, as I do every day that he will give me ground or give me wings... because that tunnel is coming to an end and I am scared to death.

How sweet it is...

How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

I needed the shelter of someone's arms, there you were
I needed someone to understand my ups and downs, there you were
With sweet love and devotion
Deeply touching my emotion
I want to stop and thank you baby
I want to stop and thank you baby (yes I do)

How sweet it is to be loved by you (feel so fine)
How sweet it is to be loved by you

I close my eyes at night
Wondering where would I be without you in my life
Everything I did was just a bore
Everywhere I went it seems I'd been there before
But you brighten up for me all of my days
With a love so sweet in so many ways
I want to stop and thank you baby
I just want to stop and thank you baby (woah, yeah)

How sweet it is to be loved by you (it's just like sugar sometimes)
How sweet it is to be loved by you

(Woah, yeah)

You were better to me than I was to myself
For me, there's you and there ain't nobody else
I want to stop and thank you baby
I just want to stop and thank you baby (woah, yes)

How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you (woah, now)
How sweet it is to be loved by you (it's like jelly, baby, woah now)
How sweet it is to be loved by you (just like honey to the bee babe, yeah now)
How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you