I feel like I'm always a day late and a dollar short!

 Once again this morning I have about 5 minutes before I need to get on the work computer.  See how it interrupts me all the time?  Work!  BLAH!!  But, here I am still sitting in my chair and not rushing to get out of it.  I have already brought the computer up, checked messages, and I'm good for the moment. I want to get this done - so what if I take an extra 10-15 minutes this morning, right?  After all, I only take lunch hours (lately) when I have to take hubby somewhere (like today) and I don't usually take an actual break... not that it matters.  I have no one watching me. Which is a good thing. They'd see how much time I have not doing anything while I'm waiting on two new bosses.  It's getting scary for they are interviewing!  

I did find out something yesterday - or the day before - which frustrated me, and yet, gave me hope.  They have taken the 4 board meetings I am somewhat associated with (although I only 'support' three) and since Brett left and Chuck was made president of these boards, then he has also retired August 31st, and it is a wise move, in my opinion.  They have divided up the 4 boards to other leaders.  Instead of one being involved in ALL of them, as president, they each have one to contend with.  Now I'm hoping that they will also remove ME from taking the minutes, setting up the powerpoint deck, etc., and give it to the admin who supports that leader.  Only fair, right?  I will probably end up keeping one or two of the boards even though my leaders are not included in that 'presidency'....  if they leave them that way.  Stay tuned on this one.   Which reminds me, I do need to check the upcoming board deck and make sure it is in order.

My shoulder and back are still pretty sore but at least I can move my arm more now. Did not go see my DIL but put some 'deep blue' ointment on it and it helped.  It's still sore, but at least I can move it.  Today I won't be doing much anyway.  Got to drive hubby back to Tempe to the dental lab to check the shading for his front crowns.  An hour's drive each way and maybe ten minutes there.  Yep - that includes my lunch hour. LOL  We will leave late morning so hopefully traffic won't be too bad. 

I don't know what I was (or wasn't) thinking when I went to bed last night!  I forgot to plug my phone in (it is plugged in and charging now) and get the copper bottle filled with water. Need my phone charged, the other isn't a big deal.  (see how I'm looking for something to write about quickly?  It's 7a)

Got my labs done yesterday - I am really 'anxious' (not really the right word but excited definitely isn't) about the inflammation test I paid for.  It will be interesting, for sure.  I need to find that first result and put it with this one when I go see Dr. Mark later this month.  Something needs to be done about my legs.  The pain is very intense but it doesn't last a long time - maybe twenty minutes, and if I get up and walk, it fades away.  I still say it is the scorpion bites or whatever bit me about 15 times on the inner thigh!  Something is causing the pain and I didn't have it before then.  I'm hoping I can get Dr. Mark to listen and act on my complaint.

I've started reading a couple books on prayer - some again for the third-fourth time.  I wanted to write for the hundredth time, but I haven't read it that many times.  I even have dug out a couple books I know that I read for the first time back about 1984-era.  Yeah, they are old, but they are still good classic books on prayer.  I've gotten bad (in my opinion) about praying.  I get so focused on praying for specific people and specific things, I have neglected just sitting and listening to what God wants to say back to me.  I run out of time, if you know what I mean.  A

Oh wow - apparently someone or something doesn't want me to talk about prayer - my computer screen just jumped to aol and I don't even have it up!  

I have filled my mornings with so much 'stuff' in the short time I have to do my quiet time (because some mornings I'm not getting up until 5a instead of my 4a... sigh.  I guess I need to go back to the 4a so that I can do all I want to do.  Anyway..... I've cut out a lot of reading, but I always want to read my Bible because it is through the Bible that God sometimes speaks to me.  But I can't just 'read' it. I need to read the scripture and meditate on it.  I also need to quit focusing on if I can get online and type in here, but take the time to just 'be' with God.  I have been writing out some of my prayers, and speaking some aloud.  But as mentioned, I tend to focus lately on 'needs' and 'wants' versus just desiring more of Him.  

So this morning I asked God to give me more of Him.  That any spiritual gifts I have, they are from Him, and I ask that He give me boldness to use what He has given me.  When I've taken a spiritual gifts test, I've, in the past, of the top five have been intercession, faith, preaching, giving, and I forget - serving, I think.  I haven't taken one for awhile but I know I have a copy around here somewhere.  I've asked God to increase my faith.  I've asked Him to take away the distractions that keep me from focusing on Him.  I've asked Him to teach me to pray - not just for my wants and needs, but to draw closer to Him.

James 4:8  Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.

And that is what I'm praying.... that I will draw so close to Him that I can feel His breath when He turns my way.  I want to be so close to Jesus that the dust from His sandals gets all over me.

So where are you in all my ramblings?  Did the thought occur to you that Jesus wants YOU to draw near as well?  How He longs to gather us into His arms.  Just to love us. 

Take some time today to pause and think about your relationship with Jesus.  Who is He in your life today?  Do you need to get some things right with Him?  He's always waiting on us to draw near.  Today would be a good day.

Blessings!

I need to get on it....

 I sometimes do reviews in Amazon for some things that I purchase.... and I've gotten way behind in doing so.  I have it on my 'list', and I think about it... but I haven't done it for a couple months now.  So I need to just take the time and get some done - today if possible. Just because I don't like leaving things 'undone'. How often do you do reviews for things?  Every time, or just when they tick you off? Just curious. 

I slept good last night - and I should have - as I took an Advil before bed.  Now I am not one to take any medication not prescribed unless needed (i.e., aspirin, etc.).  So why did I take Advil?  My shoulder hurts.  I've tried to think what I could have done over the weekend to hurt it. All I could think of was sitting for 5-6 hours and crocheting; yes, I did take breaks, but I made two baby blankets in one afternoon so you know I was 'at it'.  Yesterday, when I went to the gym for my HIIT workout, I noticed my right shoulder was somewhat 'sore'.  I went ahead and did the exercises..... squat, pick up a 20# 'bag' by the straps with both hands, flip it up, stand up, drop it down, repeat.  Then on to a 12.6# dumbbell placed in the middle (on floor) and reach down with one hand and pull it over my head, then back down. Then the other hand.  Then this one was tough.... using a long (very long to me!) rope, pull the weighted sled (and I had Morgan take the weight off) down the length of the hallway, then pushing it all the way back, then doing squats with jump-ups.  Three sets.  I noticed the pain in my shoulder when I started pulling on the ropes.  I am thinking that I irritated the shoulder more by continuing to pull.  I sometimes push myself too much.    My arm I can move on its own pretty much, but can't raise it much.  I'm just thinking I have irritated it.  I took an Advil late afternoon, and again last night before bed.  I may have to pay my DIL a visit after she gets off work to have her confirm it is just irritation.... I don't think I tore anything; I can still use it.  Will see how it feels later.

I do go get my blood draws today.  TSH and T-4 for Dr. Mark because they were not in a good place in July's blood draw. He was concerned.  If they aren't back to normal today, he is concerned about a pituitary gland issue.  Hoping it is fine.  I also have my xx-CRW (can't remember the first two letters) testing that I am personally paying for - it measures inflammation.  If you recall from a previous post, I had that test when I did the Lifeline Screening, just out of curiosity because of my leg pain.  It was high.  So I have ordered the blood test again today at Sonora Quest (SQL).  I'm hoping it has gone down, but if not, I will be bringing that information to Dr. Mark when I go see him later this month.  I'll hear from his office, maybe by the end of the week, to get that appointment scheduled.  It should be for my physical.  Or wellness check, whatever you want to all it.  He will order a full test of blood work after that, but his concern at this time is the TSH and T-4.  I'm concerned about the inflammation.  My shoulder probably doesn't help with the testing today.

Out of time... hang on, got to turn on the work computer and I'll finish this there.  Ok, I'm back.  I have found how hard it is to get dressed with a sore shoulder!  I feel like a sloth in using my right arm!  Use it v-e-r-y  s-l-o-w-l-y.  And either I slept on my back or the exercises I moved the wrong way - my lower back is hurting too!  Glad I have a chiropractor appointment already scheduled on Thursday morning!  He will shoot me straight. :-)

After our first week of meals using the Tovala oven, I'm quite happy with it.  Hubby wasn't wild about the fish tacos (using Hake) but I've enjoyed the ones I've fixed for me.  No, he hasn't cooked in it yet, but he did say he wanted me to show him how. The instructions are so simple - you open the container, follow the instructions on removing the plastic over the metal container (I'm keeping these to use for treats for Christmas!) and add whatever it says to.  They even include a container to put the meat in (in a sealed bag).  Anyway - put it together, put the meat in the other container.  Put the two containers in the Tovala oven, hit 'scan' on the board, and hold up the QR code on the instructions - it reads it, sets the temperature and timer.  When it's done, I get a notification on my phone/watch that says the meal is finished, and the oven shuts off.  Nifty, huh!  The only drawback is the food is fresh and you need to use it within 3-4 days.  Glad I only get six meals (three each) a week.  It sounds like we may be spending a lot of money for six meals a week.... $94 this first week, BUT.... you consider when we go eat out we easily spend $50 at a restaurant or at least $35 at fast food..... for one meal each!  If this causes us to eat at home more (and it will, for I don't want to waste the food!) we can save a little bit.  And after six orders, my oven is free  (if I cancel before six weeks, I will have to pay for it) and I can use the oven for other things, setting the temp and timer manually.  It's an air fryer as well, but I haven't used that yet. I love that the meals require little preparation.  Ok - enough promoting.... I'm really just filling up space, right?

Today is my first day without Sue.  She is so sweet; she text'd me on my phone around 4:30p and reminded me we will be getting together and texting and calling each other - meaning, we won't just walk away from our 35+ years of friendship because she retired.  She's the best.  

Do you remember tuning forks?  I bought one some time ago but have not read the instructions on how to use it.  You may NOT remember them.... but think back to the old days, say 75-100 years ago.  Doctors used tuning forks to stop headaches, and other aches as well.  Perhaps today I can bring up the company and read how it says to use it.  Yes, of course I bought one.  I don't remember much about how it was used, but I remember it was used 'way back when' when I watched TV as a child. LOL  Yes, a long time ago.  I wonder if a tuning fork could help my shoulder.  I use it (my shoulder) a lot more than I would have thought!  Getting dressed this morning was fun.

There is a scene in The Chosen (if you haven't watched it from front to finish, you should!) that is on my mind this morning.  Yes, it is fiction but it does have a lot of truth in it as well. I refused to watch it for a long time; mainly because that was all my sister talked about in every conversation, pushing me to watch it, and I kept resisting just because I didn't want to be 'told' what to do.  And besides that, I pretty much stick to the Bible as to what is truth, and I didn't want fiction messing that up.  But it does make it more clear.  But I am off track.  Again.

The scene.  Jesus is talking with Judas and asked him what his name meant.  Judas responded "God is praised" (can't remember exact words) and Jesus asked Judas, if he will praise God.  To which Judas said, "Every day."  Jesus then looked at Judas and said, "Follow me".  

Is that us?  Do we praise God every day, and then when things don't go the way we want them to, we turn our back on Him?  Do we betray Jesus?  Or even in our darkest moments, do we continue to praise Him?  Not for what He can do for us.  Not for material gain.  Not even for healing.  Will we continue to praise God, praise Jesus, praise the Holy Spirit - because of WHO He is...... 

I have been through some very dark nights and my only reason I came through them is because Jesus never let go of me.  He didn't heal some that I prayed for.  He didn't make right the wrongs done to me and those I love.  He didn't change things like I asked Him to.  But through it all, He loved me with a love that no one else can give.  How could I not continue to praise Him for everything, even for the dark night of the soul?

Psalm 42:5 (NIV):  Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.

Psalm 63:4 (NIV):  I will praise you as long as I live, and in Your Name I will lift up my hands.

Amen and Amen....

Praying you will have an AMAZING day - go through this day knowing you have the blessing of our Father upon you.

Blessings!