While I wait.....

I can do lots of things.

While I wait, I can ....
pray... clean my office..... clean my room.... clean my bathroom.... pray some more.... exercise... walk the dog... watch a movie... go shopping.... work.... read a book....

There are so many things I can do while I wait. Wait for what? Wait until I decide to go to Spouts to get fruit and vegetables for next week - or wait until I see God's answer to some prayers.

Do I still believe God answers prayers? Absolutely. I believe that He wants to answer every prayer in which we ask - even when it is a stupid thing to ask for. He really does want to give us every answer - to heal every person we ask healing for. To bless every person that needs it. To give you all that you could ever want or need. Yes, I believe He wants to do that.

I believe in miracles.

I believe that when we go to God in sincerity and singleness of heart, He stops what He is doing and listens to what our request is. I believe that His eyes light up when we go to Him first, and not last. (Like, we are finally getting it!) I believe that when we covenant with others in prayer and fasting that God will not only answer their prayers, because you are praying with them, but also your prayers that you ask.

I have made the decision to covenant with a friend, starting today, and fast in prayer for her son. I don't need to go into details as to what the issues are, but I know her heart and mine are intertwined on this issue. Therefore, after she shared last Thursday that she is going to fast for 3 weeks - yes, 21 days - and pray specifically for her son, I felt like I needed to do this with her. I waited until today to share that with her.

I know what my friend has decided to fast from these three weeks and although I would love to do it exactly as she is, I am married and have someone else to consider, although he has also said he would fast with her. I need to be considerate of his thoughts of fasting and my thoughts, and our friends' thoughts are not all the same. Fasting does not require one to give up the same things. Fasting comes about when God puts it on your heart to fast.

Jesus has said that when you fast, do it unto the Lord, and not others. I'm not sharing on here with you to make you think I am anyone - I am not. I am sharing because it is a part of my life that I have decided to share. Perhaps the journey of it will encourage you to "try" even a one day fast. As many of you know, hubby and I, for the past two years, have fasted the first 21 days of the year. It does make it awkward on January 1 since I fix BBQ ribs and all, but it is something we choose to do. We want to give God the 'first fruits' of our year.

And God has blessed us already this year. Hubby received a check from an old, old account that we had given up hopes of ever receiving. I never asked for any of it; he did put $250 in my account, but I don't know what he did with the rest. And I don't care. It was his money. Well, not really, but I let him decide what to do with it. But what I am getting at is that God blessed us by getting that check to us when we had given up hope of ever getting it.

I have my "list" of things I bring before God and I am pulling things from that to specifically pray for. Fasting is never easy, but it is always rewarding. If you fast to lose weight - you are dieting, not fasting. Eating right to remove toxins from your body is still dieting. Eating healthy because you are giving things up unto the Lord, things that you like - like meat, peanut butter, processed foods, ice cream, chocolate, - those kinds of things - it is harder to give up. We went to Souper Salad for lunch so that we could make our own salad without meats, etc. I have to admit it was very difficult for me not to grab a brownie. And ice cream cone. A taco. A baked potato with oozing butter all over it. But I managed. Giving up some things means also don't load up on others because you can have them. It's ok to be hungry. That keeps your mind on the reason you are fasting.

Drink lots of water. My friend is also giving up caffeine. I have opted out of that - although I am giving up sodas. Hubby fixes me a cup of coffee every morning and it is his way of blessing me. I will not take that from him. I just won't have any more coffee after I get to work.

So - with all of the above being said... and I know I have started to ramble .. I wait. I (can't) wait to hear how God has answered my requests to Him, my friend's requests to Him. I (can't) wait to see how God is going to work in me, what is He going to tell me to do; to change.

I'm praying for each of my children and grandchildren. Some things specific and some not. I'm praying for my job. I'm praying for our home, our finances. I'm praying for damaged relationships. I'm praying for healthy relationships. I'm praying for health. I'm praying for reconciliation. There is ALWAYS someone or something to pray for.

So where are you in all this? I'm probably praying for you as well. And I wait, for God to answer. I have to be alert and watch cause sometimes He doesn't answer the way I ask - but in His way - and I don't want to miss His answer.

In the meantime, as I wait, I think I will head over to Sprouts and pick up fruit and veggies. What are you waiting for?

Blessings!

Living Positively!

Drama, Issues, Life itself - all can sometimes put a negative twist on things. You have things happen TO you; you have things you CAUSE yourself to happen, and sometimes you just get CAUGHT in the middle of things. How you react to each of these situations reflects on how you live your life.

You can look at the negativity of things (in whose opinion?) and focus on that - or you can choose to look on the positive side.

So you go to court over an issue. It doesn't go the way you plan. You can be angry and bitter, bad-mouthing the judge, the people. Or you can just suck it up and believe that part of your life is over and move on to another thing. Or perhaps it does go the way you want it to. You will obviously be happy; but be careful on how you show that happiness. It can back-fire on you as well. Most of all, be kind. The other person lost.

You have a disagreement with someone over a comment made, or a word spoken. You become offended and lash out at others - who may not even have realized something was said - and hold them accountable - instead of going to the source and saying, 'Hey, you said this and I was offended by it'. Work it out with the one you have an issue with - don't take it to others and complain and whine. Deal with it while it is still fresh in your mind. Don't let months go by and let it fester and then start complaining.

In fact, Jesus talks about that in Matthew 18:15 - "If a brother sins against you, go to him privately and confront him with his fault. If he listens and confesses it, you have won back a brother. But if not, then take one or two others with you and go back to him again, proving everything you say by these witnesses. If he still refuses to listen, then take your case to the church, and if the church's verdict favors you, but he won't accept it, then the church should excommunicate him. And I tell you this - whatever you bind on earth is bound in heaven, and whatever you free on earth will be freed in heaven. I also tell you this - if two of you agree down here on earth concerning anything you ask for, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together because they are mine. I will be right there among them."

Jesus also tells us in verse 21 of Matthew 18: "Then Peter came ot him and asked, "Sir, how often should I forgive a brother who sins against me? Seven times?" "No!" Jesus replied, "seventy times seven!"

And sometimes you just need to forgive even when it isn't asked for. When the apology isn't made. Most parents realize this - they forgive time and again when the children do things they shouldn't. Siblings should also forgive whether asked or not.

What happens when you don't forgive and forget? You can easily become a whiner, complainer, a disgruntled person who looks for the negative in every situation, in every word said. You will get wrinkles. :-) (That's enough to keep me from being negative! I have enough wrinkles just from everything else!) But even more importantly, people don't want to be around you when you have a negative attitude. Well, only people who think like you will hang around you, cause you can be negative together.

I choose to live my life positive. Yeah, I may slip up every once in awhile from being around negative people, but for the long haul, I want to be positive. I want to see the good in people, even when they hurt or offend me. I want to see the good in situations, whether I agree with the results or not. I want to live life with lots of positive friends surrounding me who look forward to living a long full life.

True, sometimes life throws rocks at you. But what are you going to do with those rocks? Pick them up and build a fence - or a dog house, or decorate your yard. Just don't gather them up around you and feel sorry for yourself. Don't throw the rocks back - you may do more damage than you really want to do.

Most of all - choose to live a life worthy of being a person. You are created in the image of God. He made you, He designed you, He loves you. He didn't design you to be negative and sour. He designed you to be positive and happy.

Choose this day what you will be. I choose to look for the positive, for the good, for the fun, for the better. Choose wisely. How you start the day may reflect on how it ends.

Blessings!

Sunday laziness....

After fixing a nice lunch today I decided to clean out my closets. I put in the movie 'Cinderella' and watched it as I went through things. I didn't get very far before I was curled up on the futon watching the movie, with Marley curled up right next to me.

Obviously I didn't get much done.

Just remembered tho that I do need to finish my lesson for class on Wednesday. Right now I'm enjoying the silence. Hubby has turned off the tv football games and has gone to his office. I don't want to drag out my computer and get to studying. I want to curl up either one of my good books and read.

Have chicken vegetable soup in the crockpot for dinner and for lunches next week. I like to fix food we can have a few meals. I'll save some and freeze some. I think I still have a couple packages of chicken and noodles enough for one meal, and Tuscany bean soup and maybe even taco soup. I do love my soup and am glad cooler weather is coming so that we will have soup more often.

I pulled some baked ziti from the freezer yesterday for us to have this weekend. Mmmm so good! Wanting to try some more recipes but I'm also trying to fix healthy things for us. I do love my sweets. As does hubby. I was craving my turtle pecan cluster blizzard last night so 'had to have it'. Soooo sooooo good.

We used to do a lot of cleaning on Sunday. I finally convinced hubby God says we are to rest one day. So he watches football and I do whatever I want.

It feels good to rest and do nothing. Not that I did a lot yesterday. I did take Marley for a 3 miles walk and then cleaned out the refrigerator. Then went to the grocery store. Funny thing is - I was really tired. We went to bed at 8:30 last night and slept until 6:30 this morning! Haven't done that before! Usually I'm up at 3:30AM the past couple weeks and still not to bed until 9-9:30PM! I guess God knew I needed the extra sleep. It felt good to wake up and realize I had slept all night.

After my quiet time I even cooked a big breakfast for us before getting ready for church. And hubby made some really good coffee this morning - it hit the spot!

So what do you like to fix and put in the freezer to have another time? I'm thinking of chili soon. Maybe more taco soup.

Reckon I do need to get out of my chair and do something. The day will be over soon and I will need to be thinking about work tomorrow. Oh joy. Will have to start new stuff. I've started to circle that a financial blessing would come so that I could do something else. I'm trying to figure out what my passion is now. I've buried my passions over the years for various reasons. Now my heart doesn't get excited as much....it does have remembrances of longings... But these are not in my future right now. Life is what you make it, right? You make your life....

Time to get Marley's dinner ready. She is so spoiled. I think she gets chicken or turkey in her food tonight. Yes, I heat the meat up for her.

Spoiled dog.

Hope you've had a good Sunday!

Blessings!

It's Friday!!

Here it is Friday - already - and I am so ready for it! I have another busy day scheduled, for sure. I have my regular work today, plus a meeting at 10:30AM and then training at 1:30PM. I am looking forward to learning how to do more authorizations - not that I will be doing them full time as I still have my regular work to do - but at least I can do some and help others keep caught up. Hopefully I can learn quickly and get myself up to speed soon enough. Right now is the time to learn - we are fairly current so it will not be panic mode to learn and do these.

And the weekend is ahead of us - don't have anything planned that I can think of. I always make plans to clean or get something done - but rarely do I accomplish what it is. Sometimes I wonder, why bother? - and then I think that if I don't plan, it definitely won't happen!

I missed my regular exit this morning. I was praying on the way in to work and was behind a truck - not that either of those is an excuse - and realized it as I was driving by the exit. I knew I could still go the way I was on so it wasn't a problem. Just more traffic to deal with. Still got to work in good time without mishap. I like to think that God distracted me so that I would miss an accident the other route. He does things like that, you know. I've even learned to be patient behind trucks and slow moving vehicles - I figure I'm there so that I will be protected from accidents.

Going through my devotions this morning I was reminded of JEJIT. Yes, I spelled it correctly. I've probably even written about it before, as I've gone through this book many times now. JEJIT. Just Enough Just In Time. That's sometimes how God works. We may expect more, we may want more, but He will always give us 'just enough, just in time'. I was reading in my journal how God has done that in providing me this job. Money isn't what we were used to, but He has provided enough, and He provided the job when I didn't have one. Just Enough,Just in Time.

Tuesday I was reminded of a familar saying - "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you always got." In fact, I have written that saying on my whiteboard here at work for now. I change it out periodically and put something else on there - but for now, that's what I have. Does it not make you stop and think? If I do the same thing over and over and don't like the results - as long as I keep doing the same things over and over, I won't ever like the results. I need to change what I do so that I will like the results. I've had to re-evaluate where I am in certain things. I've needed to work on changes. I've needed things brought to mind or to my attention, that either what I'm doing is not good, or there are some things I need to do to make it better. Make sense? Try thinking about that statement today and see what you need to change in your life. None of us are perfect, that's for sure!

It's nearly time to start work again so need to get off. Hope that you are planning an awesome weekend with your loved ones and have a great weekend. Enjoy our cooler weather in Arizona - it's beautiful out this morning!

May all you get is JEJIT.

Blessings!

It's been a crazy couple days....

Yes, it really has! Work has been really busy - must have been a full moon recently for we have received so many expedited requests - which I don't really mind them anymore, but they are so much more time consuming than our regular standard requests. I've gotten to where, when I fax the request back to the provider, I tell them that according to medicare guidelines, an expedited request is only when it is life-threatening or will cause loss of life or limb if they do not get the authorization within 72 hours. Yeah, that is the reason most offices will use the expedite box. They will check it because, 1) they want to get the request off their desk and although the appointment may not be until next months, they will mark it expedited. Or, 2) "they mark all their requests expedited" - even for CONTINUED home health visits, etc. or any more reason you want to come up with. With expedited requests we have to review and respond to the provider AND the member within 72 hours. That means I have to call the member and verbally give them, or their power of attorney, the approval or denial (after our nurse and/or medical director have reviewed the clinicals that are SUPPOSED to be attached to the request) within that 72 hours. The entire thing has to be completed AND notification made. AND if I can not get ahold of the member or the power of attorney, I have to then send the letter out Federal Express Overnight Priority delivery. However, if they send the request in as a standard request, then we have 14 days in which to respond - and currently we are running 5-9 days in getting these completed. Occasionally there may be a 10 day or even a 12 day - but at day 10 I can still send regular US Postal Service. But - oh well, it's all in a day's work!

Today was crazy as well. Well, yesterday started it when my youngest went to the hospital with chest pains. We went up to see him last night and he was seemingly doing better. This morning I called him on my way to work - was almost to work 21 miles away - and he tells me that he is having a procedure done this morning at 9AM. So - when my director got to the office I requested time off - and I headed back to Phoenix and met up with hubby and we headed to the hospital. The procedure went well and the doctor was pleased with the results. And all that is for another day.

I finished up the day working from home. I'm so used to having two large screens at work - and trying to do my work off of one small laptop screen left a lot to be desired. However, I did get it all completed, although I am short some hours. That's ok - I was where I needed to be.

We cancelled our classes last night so that we could go to the hospital - and cancelled tonight because we weren't sure when he would be discharged and if he was still there we would go back up. However, he did get out a little bit ago so it worked out well.

So hubby and I went out to dinner. Tried Macayo's again - hadn't eaten there in years - and really enjoyed it. Getting there early evening helped with crowd noise that is always there. Food was absolutely wonderful - I had the Sonoran sampler and hubby had the Baja quesadilla. Both were good.

I think back on the goodness of God and how He answers our prayers. I didn't know hubby had put the son on the prayer chain at church. I know I had other people praying for him in some of the classes at church. The doctors didn't know what to think (with them not thinking how God answers prayer) as they could not find anything wrong with our son. Well, duh. Don't they know that God answered and removed anything that could cause a problem for him? I truly believe that God heard all the prayers on our son's behalf and answered. I praise God for answering and removing any problems.

I've sat and stared at this computer enough today my hubby says so guess I will get off and go watch another screen with him. It's time to start unwinding tonight. Back to the drive tomorrow and down to the office.

Hope that your week is going well and you are leaning into our Father for all your needs.

Blessings!

Anonymous says....

and says it rightly. My last post was about material things. Things that I kind of hold dear, and yet, if anyone is wanting them, I give them away. I think (and I hope implied) what I was leading to was that some times people, although the material items mean something to them because they came from someone they loved, (not referring to me, in this case, but my mother) they 'lose' them for various reasons. Was not meaning to admonish anyone, but just state what I was feeling, as I often do here.

My daughter, however, took the opportunity Saturday to take me out to lunch and we discussed what I had written. She quickly reminded me of a crosspoint she had worked on for my hubby's father was put in one of MY yard sales years ago. We talked about it. She still has it and gave it to her hubby. She took it from the yard sale and was angry with me I had put it in. Why? Because it said something dear about a father, and because my father in law had passed away before she got it completed. Not her fault, it is just what happened. She had finished it, and according to her, she had given it to my hubby. I don't remember that part, for had it belonged then to hubby, I guarantee you he would not have allowed it to go into the yard sale. Regardless, she was able to have her say, and I got a free lunch with my daughter.

Maybe I should write more things that stir up things so that I get free meals. :-) Just kidding!!

Anonymous gave the scripture in James of 'slow to anger, slow to speak'.... I know that scripture well. In fact, I have repeated it to myself many times, including 'Consider it pure joy when....' sometimes it's hard to do either of those. I'm writing out the book of James in a 'Journible'. It's something new - a book that you write out a book of the Bible and occasionally it was ask you a question or it gives you a page to write your thoughts. I have been taking my time with it and am enjoying it. I think I just finished chapter 4 this morning, as I only write a few scriptures a day so that I can think about what I've written.

Did you know that God said in Deuteronomy 17:18 (on which Journibles are based): "And when he has been crowned (the king of Israel) and sits upon his throne as king, then he must copy these laws from the book kept by the Levite-priests." (TLB) The kings of Israel were to copy every law that God had given so that they would know the law and be obedient to it.

In fact, it goes on to say that "the copy of the laws shall be his constant companion and he must read from it every day so that he will learn to respect the Lord his God by obeying all of his commands." And that command is even for us today. Not necessarily writing out the scriptures, but we are to read the Word every day and meditate upon them. Sometimes it is just what you need to hear at that moment, or some time during the day.

I know that because Friday I got 'nailed' on scripture I have read time and time again. But that is for another time to share.

I'm telling myself it won't be a long day.... but it may be. I was awakened at 3AM and could not go back to sleep. I have started setting my alarm for 3:30AM so that I can exercise a half hour before work (and still do my quiet time), but this morning it was earlier. Although I wanted to go back to sleep for that half hour, I knew that my mind was not going to let me - it was already running through things to think about. So I got up and did some exercises than went on to my quiet time. My prayer today is that God will help me to remember everything I need to do and I will do it correctly and timely. I pray my mind stays alert and doesn't go to 'sleep' on me!

With that, I leave you with this....

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24

Blessings!

Drama, Drama, Drama.....

Oh the agony of it all! So many people have so much drama in their lives! Either they cause it, or those they associate with cause it, or well, it can happen on its own, I guess, but there always seems to be a reason for it. Sometimes it seems it is just plain laziness, stupidity, irresponsibility, .. well, I guess you can find your own word for it.

And more often than not, it happens time and again to the same people. Do they not ever learn? Sigh..... No, I'm NOT talking about anyone in particular, but you know who you are.

I hear these things at work; I hear these things from friends; I hear these things from family members, and I just want to ask them 'what were you thinking? WHY do you allow yourself to get in these predicaments?' Not that they would have an answer for me, but it astounds me people do this consistently to themselves.

Not that I am perfect by any means. Satan was busy reminding me of my faults and stupid things I've done over and over. Yep, in my mind on the way to work I was reminded of stupid and naive things I've done over the years. Really stupid and naive. I shake my head at it now and thank God He took care of me and got me through it. Things could have been really different.

We all do stupid things in the name of "love". We all do stupid things when we don't stop to think through situations and recognize the consequences of our actions. We are not being real wise when we don't seek the counsel of those we know who can give good advise. Instead we either act on our own, or listen to those who are as vengeful as we are. Why not, it isn't going to affect them. Hello? Is anyone listening?

Sometimes I'd like to take these people, give them a good shaking, and hang them out to dry.

But inside my heart is crying for them, my emotions are in anguish for their difficulty. I don't like to hear of anyone having difficulties. I have enough of my own to deal with. Perhaps it is because I feel compassion for them.

And in some cases, it is partly because they will lose things that I treasured and gave to them. I know it is just material things, but I gave to them because I loved them, yet they don't seem to value them. It makes me want to step back and quit giving.

Reminds me why I quit going to my daughter's yard sales. I think it was at her request. And I'm laughing as I write this. I am sentimental, as I have shared before. But when I look for a long time for a special something for someone, or I spend more money than I really have for something because someone wants it, to find it in a yard sale causes hurt feelings to arise in me. Same as my giving things my mother made to my children and finding out they have been 'lost' or 'given away' or 'thrown away'. I would rather be given them back.

I remember my mother telling me one time that, after she had made each of us children a crochet bedspread, she went to a step-sibling's yard sale to see it had been placed in the yard sale for $5. Think alone of all the hours it took her to make it, not counting the cost involved. She bought it back. I have two of my mother's bedspreads. One is crochet with yarn, the other with the fine crochet thread. Sometime soon I think I may get one of them out and use it again. The sad part is that none of my children or grandchildren would treasure these like I do. They will probably get put in a yard sale after I'm gone. I'm sure there is some place that would understand the value of these; today they could bring a good price being handmade. Handmade quilts now are being sold for over $100. I don't know what a handmade bedspread would run now, but I would bet at least a couple hundred dollars. I don't know how many quilts I still have - I know I do have at least one my grandmother made, completely by hand. She would take old shirts and cut them into pieces and quilt them, piece by piece. For me, great memories of my grandmother, but to anyone else, just an old quilt.

Drama. Why do we allow so much of it in our life? Yeah, we allow it. We usually do something stupid to start it.

The scripture that I have on my desk for today is Colossians 3:13 (NLT) "Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others."

Ok - with that, I'm going to hush and get to work. Guess I have some things to deal with. Hope that you have a good day - the weekend is here!!

Blessings!

Silly Commercials make me cry sometimes....

Does that ever happen to you? You can watch a silly - or what some of us would call a really stupid commercial - and someone will have tears fill up in the eyes... I know you are just as guilty of it as I am.

Movies does that to me often, as well. We watched Courageous again the other night. Yep, that last part always gives me chills and brings tears to my eyes. When Adam is standing there and say 'I Will' ... 'I Will' ... (don't want to spoil it for those who haven't yet seen the movie) - it really gets to me.

This morning as I quickly skimmed through facebook - something I don't normally do in the mornings - I saw an Extra Gum commercial. I had to share it on FB as well. It really touched my sentimental heart. I guess that is why I hang on to so many things.... little things that mean nothing to anyone else,can touch my heart. I hold on to them so that I can relive the memory time and again.

Sometimes it is the Poloroid commercials from years back - remember those? They always made me choke up and cry. What is it about things like that - that touches us deep within and brings such longing and love and pain and happiness - all rolled up into one?

Can you honestly tell me you have never felt that way at anything?

Perhaps it was a school project your child did and you happened to read it and it was about something you did special with them.

Perhaps it was a note from your spouse that just said 'I'm thinking of you and wanting to wish you a good day'.

Perhaps you get a note - or a call - from a friend who just called to say 'hi'.

Maybe it's.... you feel in the blank. Do you recall that special feeling when....

The thought occurs to me that God could often tear up when we tell Him we care about Him. Tell Him that we love Him. Write Him love notes. Open our heart up to Him and just let Him visit with us for awhile. Reading His Word, He probably can't wait to show us something that we hadn't seen before.

I bet we bring great big smiles to our Heavenly Father when He gets our undivided attention. He can't wait to walk with us through today. He was with us yesterday, but sometimes we get so busy we forget. He has plans to be with us tomorrow, but many of us are busy planning our day without Him.

He's with you today. As you drive about town, as you go to the store, as you drive to work, as you hang out with those you love... He's with you. And those are probably tears of joy in His eyes that you stopped to include Him. Take some time to talk with Him. You will find life isn't so crazy when you include Him.

Stop and read or watch something that will tenderize your heart. You don't have to be a 'tough' person all the time. Sometimes it's ok to be tender. And it's ok for men to cry, as well as women. And boys. And girls. Emotions are a good thing - that is why God gave them to us.

Hope you have a tender and special day....

Blessings!

It's HUMP Day!

That commercial that is out now promoting Geico is really funny. It's a camel walking around an office and asking everyone what 'today' is - and of course, today being Wednesday, is HUMP day! I love that commercial and it brings a smile every time I see it.

My brother started off a text to me early this morning with 'Guess what day it is..... really, guess with day IT is....' Cracked me up and made me smile... and for me that is a miracle first thing in the morning. Luckily I had already had my coffee!! I of course replied, "It's HUMP Day!!"

And so it is. We have classes at church now on Wednesday evenings and I am facilitating in one. I only had one person come to class, but you know what, it only takes one person to start a revival! My topic in class is on starting a presonal revival within ourselves. Get ourselves straightened out and get our own fire lit. My flame went dim a long time ago and I'm trying very hard to get it going again. Life and its challenges has a way of doing that to you.

In spite of working some on Monday, Labor Day, I ended up working until nearly 7PM last night. It seems like all my work came in between 3-5PM and I had about 30 letters to go out. I'm afraid we may have missed some deadlines, but it wasn't my fault - not saying it was anyone's fault - but we need to re-look at how we task these so that we can make sure these deadlines don't hit us without things being completed. I sent an email to the director last night and just told her we may have missed the deadline on a couple letters - and hopefully she can come up with something to keep it from happening again. All these things happen BEFORE I get the letter - and I'm not exactly sure from time of conception where the authoriation goes. I know when it gets shelled, but not sure what happens between the shelling and the nurses processing it. Does it just sit in a folder? That shouldn't be - the nurses should be able to get these done faster. But then, I don't know how long the reviews take. I know some of them have to go to the medical director for review, so it sits in their folder for awhile. Then it will go back to the nurse. Then it comes to me. And I get the letters out and the members called, if necessary. I was going nuts last night - calling people at 6:30PM just to stay in compliance! Oh well, it's out of my hands.

Ever have one of those days that you wish you could just curl up with a good book in front of a roaring fire with a soft cool rain falling outside? Yeah, I'm in one of those moods. It's cloudy, but I don't know if it is going to actually rain. It's way too hot for a roaring fire unless you turn your air conditioner on full blast. I have lots of good books to read. It would be nice to just relax and have silence all about you, quiet, peaceful silence. Those of you who have it whenever you want it don't see it that way. You want noise. I prefer the silence because I'm around noise all the time. My time in my car to and from work is special - I rarely will play a CD or turn the radio on. I like the silence. That's also gotten to be my prayer time to and from work.

Well, it's getting that time where I need to start getting my work out and get things ready to get busy. My director just came by in response to my email. She said she thinks it was just a quirk we ran close or directly on the due date - she thought we were ok now and now that everyone is back to work from vacations and holidays, we should be able to keep up on things. I told her I just wanted to alert her to what I faced yesterday. It was nice that she came by to explain it versus just shooting me an email.

Hope that you have a quiet / noisy day - which ever you want! For me, I just want to get my work completed! Have a good day!

Blessings!!

Time to Re-Focus!

For the past few weeks I have been "bad". By that I mean that I have been eating many, many things that I should not be eating. Things like potato chips. Ice cream. Dip. Potatoes. Cookies. FRIED foods. I have been soooooo bad. And my waistline is showing how bad I've been. Plus my emotional feeling. By that I mean I "feel" fat. I "feel" lazy. I just don't want to do anything but sit around.... and that is what I have been doing as well. And because I have been eating things I shouldn't be eating, and have, because of having no energy to do things with all the junk and garbage in my system, I am starting to spread. And it ain't pretty.

So this morning I am shaking off the depression of getting fat and plan to do something about it! I brought one egg and one slice of Ezekiel bread in with me this morning for breakfast. I have about 2 cups of my homemade Tuscany soup (made with beans, tomatoes, carrots, kale, onions, celery, and turkey kiebasa)for lunch, and a cup of berries for snack and an apple for this afternoon snack. I had a salad prepared to take and I just couldn't bring myself to put it in my lunchbox. I've eaten so much salad lately. But, I can have it tonight for dinner with some chicken or some other protein.

My key issue is exercise. In my mind I tell myself to go do it. I need to stop telling myself and make myself. I always feel better after a good walk. Maybe I will get out on my lunch hour today. Naw, it's still too hot. I just need to quit focusing on others and focus on myself and just get it done. It will also help with the heaviness I feel if I'm able to work it out of my system.

This is a short note today - need to get busy for have a lot to do this morning in spite of working about an hour yesterday. I did what had deadlines yesterday; today is my daily work. Time to get my coffee and get busy.

Have a good day today - what are you doing?

Blessings!!

I've started circling again....

Since our 4 Sunday services this month will be on The Circle Maker, I have decided to read the book again. For, I think, the third or fourth time.  I love that book.  I especially love the 'Draw The Circle' devotional Mark Batterson put out as well.  I think I have been through that one about 4 times.  I may do that one again as well.  I get something new out of it each time I read it.

Sorta like reading the Bible over and over - each time God shows me something new, something different. Unfortunately, it is usually something I need to work on.  Lately I've been reading in James about taming the tongue.  Do I ever fail miserably on that one!  Not so much at home, but, confession time, believe it or not, it is so hard at work to control the tongue.  Many times when I hear people say things or do things, I want to go (and some times do) "are you kidding me? are you that stupid?"  Ok - sometimes I think the second part of that, but many times I want to say it under my breath!

I reviewed my "list" of circles I created back in January 2012 when I first read The Circle Maker and noted which ones I needed to update that my prayers were answered, where did I need to be a bit more specific, and where did I need to really continue to pray.  I need to start focusing on my prayer circles again.

Do I believe that God will answer my prayers?  Absolutely.  There isn't a doubt in my mind.  However, I also know that He doesn't always answer the way I ask for the answer.   I want each of my children to be blessed and have all that they need (I'm writing this without being specific right now), but sometimes I want to scream at them what they are doing or what is going on in their lives is NOT where I see God working.  I want harmony within the family.  Putting others before blood is wrong and is NOT what I pray for, is NOT what God wants.  Being self-centered (yes, I have to work on this one too) is wrong.  Being Christ centered is right.  Being open and honest is right.  Being open, honest and cruel, is wrong.  You know what I'm saying.

I pray over our finances - each one of the children - our church - and even us.  Finances are tough for all of us.  I know I have done my part in making things tighter for us, but, I need to start focusing on how I can help get us out of debt.  With Christmas less than 4 months away, I have a struggle within me.  But, each one knows that I love them dearly.  It isn't about the gift; it is about the value - and I don't mean monetary.  I need to write down things as I think about them so that I can follow through on what I think will bring joy to each one.  I know each one understands.  For me, it is more important that they take care of their family first.

Circling prayers.  Getting out of debt is one of my prayers.  Each of my children become surrendered to Jesus Christ is another.  Another circle is that each one of my children will become debt-free.  And yet another is that each of the grandchildren will know Jesus as Lord.  Another is that we can be truly a family; without pretense, without tolerance, but with complete love and forgiveness and acceptance.

I have a lot of other circles, and I've even created a bucket list.  I really need to revise it.  Some things just won't happen on my bucket list.  Some I need to put in bold, to keep me focused.  Some are just dreams that maybe some day....

I'm starting to mellow out so guess I'll hush.... potato salad is made, lettuce salad is made - we're soon going to head to the daughter's for the day.  Got a text earlier that Annabelle, our princess' dog, wanted to know if Marley was coming to visit.  I think Marley is looking forward to seeing her new friend.  It looks really cloudy out so there may not be much pool time today.

Oh well, I have to work some this afternoon.  Taking my computer and printer with me, as I mentioned in yesterday's blog.  It wasn't necessarily a 'volunteer' to work today; for me, it is mandatory.  We have crucial deadlines to meet and severe penalties if we are out of compliance.  I don't want to lose my job over not being in compliance; I'll work a few hours this afternoon to keep it from happening.  If it rains we'll be watching a movie on TV anyway so I won't even be missed.

Need to check on some other things so guess I need to get off here.  Hope you have a good and safe Labor Day and enjoy spending the extra day with family.

Blessings!

Labor Day weekend.....

Yesterday (Saturday) was a fun day - well, it started out that way, anyway.  I met up with my best friend at the Tempe Marketplace and we had breakfast together and then did a few hours of shopping.  It was nice to get away just the two of us and talk and play.  Didn't buy that much, which is probably a good thing.

Church this morning was awesome.  Worship was good, and Pastor Jim Davey did an awesome message on the first of the series on The Circle Maker.  I have commented a few times over the past several months on things that I got out of the The Circle Maker.     This Thursday starts our group classes again and we will also be doing the study that goes along with the videos for the book.  Looking forward to our group getting back together again - we took a break this summer.

Yogurtini around 4PM this afternoon to help support Women's Ministry at church.  From 4-7PM Yogurtini donates 10% of all sales (or is it 20%) to support our Women's Ministry, so we always try to go.  Yes, that is the only reason we go.  :-)

I made kale chips this afternoon.  First time ever - not bad, but one does need to like kale, I think, although it doesn't have a strong flavor.  I can eat these and not worry about all the preservatives getting in my body that is in the chips.  ICK!

And yes, I'm rambling.

Tomorrow is pool time at the daughter's place.  Middle child and family aren't going this year - I remembered yesterday that Labor Day was when we celebrated the September birthdays - but since he and his daughter are only two in September, I guess we can do it later.  Our son-in-law's birthday is in a couple weeks.  According to my daughter, it is the first time in 18 years they haven't attended .... but I'm sure they want to start their own traditions.... as all the kids tend to start doing eventually.  Soon it will be the grandchildren that will be starting their own traditions. I've learned I have to let go - it's not easy - but cut the apron strings I/we must!!

I still need to get potatoes to make potato salad to take tomorrow.  Only 2-3 even eat it so I'm not going to make a lot.  I am to bring a regular salad too.... will need to pick up fresh lettuce when we stop at the store. Since my son and his family won't be there, that cuts down on a large volume of that too.  But I'd rather have them there - but understand completely.

Guess I need to work on my Wednesday night class material and the Thursday night group material - yep - teaching both nights - at least this month.  Need to get things done.  I have to work some tomorrow - yep, it is Labor Day, but have been asked to work in the afternoon.  I can work from home so plan to take my computer and my printer (since it is connected to my computer) to my daughter's tomorrow and I can work from there for awhile.  I don't expect to have to do much, but need to do some.  The nurse will text me when she has some work for me to do.  Or I will just jump online and get on it.  I checked a little bit ago and nothing is there - hopefully we won't get anything major in.  It's not even overtime, although the boss said it was overtime - you have to work 40 hours (the 8 hours off for Labor day doesn't count as working as it's a holiday) before you get overtime pay.  However, I will get holiday pay, which comes out to the same thing.  I could probably wait until late afternoon and just do them all - but I'll start when I get their text.

Guess I'll hush and get off here - need to do something - or is that s-o-m-e-t-h-i-n-g..... :-)  Lazy day weekends.

Hope you are having a good one.

Blessings!