It was a beautiful day

 Yesterday was so beautiful outside.  Blue skies, and a cool breeze, and sitting in the shade outside in the fresh air was so nice.  Yes, I'm talking about the wedding yesterday.  We got there about 9AM as I was hoping to be of some help, and I did get to help a little.  I realized this morning that I/we 'forgot' to have the matron of honor stand up with the bride - I guess partially because there wasn't a lot of room where we were standing - we should have moved back more, perhaps.  The matron of honor sat on the front row and she was probably ok with that.  

The 'warming of the rings' is a new ritual in weddings and it always gets me - and yesterday as I asked the grandchildren and great-grandchildren to line up to 'warm the wedding rings', I got choked up.  Even just reading it, I get choked up.  What a blessing it is to not only include them in the wedding ceremony, but to have them kiss the wedding rings or say a blessing over the rings.  Thank You, Jesus, for - in my thinking - making the wedding ceremony meaningful and beautiful.  I am sure the couple felt blessed as well, as they did not know this part of the wedding was going to happen.   It was a beautiful day, a beautiful couple, and a beautiful wedding. Thank You, Jesus.

I received a nice surprise last night.  My granddaughter a bit south of us sent me photos of the great grandchildren - and a video of the baptism ceremony of the newest family member.  She told me that she knew I had the wedding yesterday so didn't invite us down, for then I'd be in turmoil over what to do!  I got to watch the ceremony and probably had a better view than if we had been there!  Looking forward to seeing this little family in a few weeks.

Today is Monday and it has come way too soon.  Hubby is just now leaving for the gym - he has a 7AM appointment that he has grumbled about all weekend.  Yeah, I grumble too when I have to leave at 6:30AM to get mentally and physically ready for a workout.  I go tonight at 4:30PM, plus I'm scheduled for 5:30PM on Wednesday and 5PM on Thursday.  I get three this week as Morgan had a cancellation.  The third finishes up the extra trainings I had purchased earlier.  Hubby still has five extra so she will start on those with him as she gets cancellations.

Speaking of trainings - I noticed my work emails shot up to about 21 messages yesterday.  Curious as to who might be working, I checked.  Sigh.  It's that time of year when all these trainings go out to every employee, including the President of the company to the janitor - and we all have to complete these 'trainings' for compliance, and other things - and if you don't do them, it is reason for termination.  Yeah, it is 'you will do all these trainings or you are terminated'.  Kind of like the covid shot thing.  I regret getting the covid shot - as I'm sure many people do.  But, the company said get the shot or be terminated.  Many 'retired' or left the company because they didn't want to get the shot.  I work in the office (and by then had been sent home to work) and have no contact with patients.  I shouldn't have been forced to get the shot.  I think it was wrong of the company to force us in order to keep our jobs. I have told hubby that if they ever force me to get another shot to keep my job, I'm resigning.  We were experimental models.  Luckily I have had no side effects that I'm aware of - but I have heard of some who have - and all these young people who have heart issues - well, it makes one think that the shot has caused it.  Seriously.  I've heard it has been proven, but I don't know. Hearsay.  I know people who did not get the shot and are grateful they didn't.  I sure wish I wasn't forced to.

And there I go - my mind went from one subject to another - but over the same thing. Being forced to do something by the company you work for - or be terminated.  And yes, that is a real threat.  I do get the flu shot yearly... reluctantly.  And it is also a mandatory thing. You have a certain date to get it - or be terminated, unless you turn in a religious paper thing - no, I can't do that.  My 'I don't want to put that drug in my body' paper doesn't hold up.  And let's leave it at that - I probably have put - and do put - a lot more dangerous stuff in my body that isn't considered pharmaceutical. And I'll leave that there. :-)

Isaiah 53:5-6 (NKJV):  But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Jesus took our sins - all of them - known and unknown sins - and carried them to the cross for us.  How could one not choose to follow Jesus when He did that for us?  He lived, and died, so that we could live in freedom.  His laws are not restrictions to keep us from having fun, they are laws to help us live life better and to the fullest.  Change your mindset if you think they are restrictions.  They aren't.  They are because we are so loved by our Heavenly Father that He gave us Jesus as an example of how to live.  Our goal in life should be to walk as Jesus walked.  Close to the Father of heaven and earth.

Well, it's that time again that I need to jump off and sign on to the work computer and begin my day.  I have about 20 trainings to get started on - even though they give us about 6 weeks to complete them, some take 45 minutes to complete - and they are all in areas that I have nothing to do with - so I have to read and reread and take the 'stupid' tests at the end of each one and many times retake them because I guess the wrong answer!  And I need to approve timecards today.  That might take 5 minutes - but now the 'rule' has come down that I can't approve if the employee hasn't approved - so that means I have to  send emails out to have them approve their timecard so that I can.  Always a pain.  Anyway - I'm off here - have a wonderful day!

Blessings!