What did I get to say? "Where is my daughter when I need her?" Why did I 'need' her? Actually, I didn't 'need her', I needed her former house as a parking place! I got on the work computer and all was well... and then the internet shut down. I couldn't get into my folders or into certain programs. Once I figured it out - and had hubby call Cox Communications to hear the recording that the internet in our area was definitely 'down' and would be for 3-4 or more hours, it was confirmed. Since my daughter has moved, I thought I'd head to Starbucks - but then, it would be hard to work there for me as my company is real strict on confidentiality, although I don't work with that part of the business. Besides, I'd have to have a scone (or two), coffee, etc. :-) And if I had to go to the bathroom, I'd have to take my computer and all my things with me - and then probably lose my table. So - I checked with my youngest to see if their internet was up - and it was. So I packed my things up and headed over there and was there - 3 hours maybe? Hubby called at 11:30AM to let me know our internet was back up - interpretation: so get yourself back home. I went home shortly afterwards and got back on work. I appreciate so much my son and daughter-in-law letting me park there and work while our internet was down. At least they are close by. But I did call my daughter on the way there and asked her "Where is my daughter when I need her?"!
So that was most of yesterday, dealing with all that. I was able to get some meetings scheduled while I was at my son's and even more when I got back home. Still have some things to do that I totally forgot about. That's what happens when there are distractions in the day; I forget things I need to do.
I still haven't tried my new outside grill yet, and thought about trying it yesterday, but I didn't. Pulled out the large George Foreman grill I have and put the tomahawk steak on it and you know what - it was so juicy and so good. No, we didn't eat all of it. Enough there for at least one more meal for both of us. Or more. Hubby will get it for dinner tonight; I'm not a big meat eater so now I'm ready to move on to something else. But it was good. Think a very thick ribeye steak. Yeah, juicy and good. And I still haven't used my outdoor grill. I should use it and tell my youngest son (who has a more expensive grill new that he has never used) that I beat him! LOL
Ms. Vicky called me last night as we finished dinner and asked me to come over for awhile, so I did. I got to hear how lonely she gets on weekends, and that she decided to call me to see if I'd come over for awhile. I stayed about an hour before heading back home. That was pretty much my evening as another hour passed and I went to bed. I still need to drag out my 'tax box' in which I have thrown a bunch of receipts and start going through them - as well as going through my bank and credit card statements - to see what medical I've paid. I put them all on a credit card as a rule. I earn points for free rooms and have a place where I can keep all my receipts. Hubby keeps track of his own things unless we have to put on my credit card. But I pay off the credit card before it's due so I'm not charged interest. That interest gets a lot of people in trouble. They think they can pay the minimum and be fine - but it just keeps adding up.
I think I've mentioned before that we have wanted to meet all our pastors and get to know them. Occasionally they have 'coffee with the pastors' or something like that and anyone who wants to come, meets at Pastor John and Lindsey's home and and they meet all the pastors there. In talking with Pastor Josh, who is so fun and we really like him and he is so easy to talk to - I asked him about the next one as it hasn't been scheduled. The last two we were unable to go. When he told us that they keep running out of room and it's like 9:30PM before they get to hear everyone's story, I paused. 9:30PM is getting late on a weeknight for us. Sunday afternoon I had a novel thought! At least I think it is. I mentioned it to hubby and he thought it was a great idea. Until yesterday morning.
What was my idea? Invite our senior pastor and for this first one, Pastor Josh and his family, over to our house and I'll fix dinner. We can meet each pastor and their family one on one and not have to share with several other people. We can hear their stories of how they got into ministry and get acquainted with them. You know I like knowing our pastors and who they are. Well, yesterday morning hubby comes to me and says that when he got up, the thought came to his mind - 'is it really a good idea? would the pastors think we are trying to get them to do something with the congregation'? I told him that I didn't think they would think that and we had no such agenda. And I told him that perhaps it was the devil just telling him that to keep us from doing it! I just would like to know when I see someone if they are one of the pastors or not. I don't know how many pastors there are - 4-6 I'm thinking (not including spouses who are involved in things as well). Besides, we can't do it until my oven and stove are working again, so there may be a couple more weeks involved. And I plan to do it - I'm thinking after the first week of March to pick out a Monday and invite them over. I like having a relationship with our pastors and being able to pick them out of a crowd. And, meeting one on one (or two on two) this way, we find out what area they are involved in and think of ways we can become involved with them in the back scenes I love being involved in the church and it makes me feel more a part of it. I just want to know the people first.
Jeremiah 29:13-15 (NIV): For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to proper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Many of us have heard that scripture so many times that we really don't 'hear' it anymore. But do we believe it? Do we really believe that the Lord who knows us better than we know ourselves, has plans to prosper us? If that is so - why is it we are in the places we are? Why is it that.... but then we pause and think - just because we are in places we don't (probably) want to be in, doesn't mean that the Lord didn't know that is where we would end up - or that He didn't care that we are there. Many times our circumstances are of our own choosing. I've mentioned many times the mistakes I've made over the years, many I wish I didn't make, but the Lord took those mistakes and brought me back to Him. Seriously.
If I had not remarried. If I had not moved away from family. I don't know if I would know Jesus as I do now. In fact, I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't. It took difficulties in my marriage to cause me to run back to Jesus. And I've never looked back. Yes, I've gone through some very difficult times that I will never speak of to anyone - but God. I've still made mistakes that I am ashamed or disappointed in myself about. But one thing I know. The Lord knows what is going to happen long before I even think of doing something. He knows the good that will come from it, and He knows the bad that it will cause. And you know what? He loves me - He loves you - anyway.
More important than correcting our mistakes, healing our bodies, or restoring relationships - is coming to Jesus with all of our heart, all of our mind, and all of our strength - and surrendering completely to Him and allowing Him to work in us and through us. Salvation is the key to life. Salvation and surrender to the One who loves me more than anyone else - is why I am still here today. He is my strength and shield. He is the One I choose to obey and follow. Do I still make mistakes? Absolutely. But I also know that when I confess to Him and surrender my will to His, I am forgiven - not forsaken. And so are you. Where are you at today with Jesus? Are you on a 'first name basis' or do you still stand back in the back of the crowd, afraid to come near? Don't be afraid. Jesus loves you. He is waiting for you. Run to Him. It will be the best thing you have ever done.
Blessings!
