I did have a very good birthday. We went to church, came home and changed clothes, then headed to out granddaughter's for 'lunner'. It was soooo good! And she even had a chocolate cake - which we think was Tres Leche - but whatever it was, it was so good, we brought some home with us (still debating on sharing with Ms. Vicky) - as well as leftover carne asada meat and tortillas. Our granddaughter was offering us all sorts of things to bring home with us. I left the jar of salsa I had taken over.... we had already eaten half of it, but hope they enjoyed the rest - it really was good. All the meal was good and I fixed myself TWO of the carne asadas! Along with pinto beans, spanish rice, and the grandson-in-law even fixed cut up cactus - and you know what - it wasn't bad! I put it in my tortilla along with the meat and other condiments - and it actually had a good taste. First time eating cactus that I'm aware of.
All in all, the meal was delicious, we had a good time visiting our granddaughter and her family. Our little one didn't come running with the "Oma I've missed you!" that I love, but she and I did play a couple games after we ate. Perhaps at nearly 6 years old, I am expecting too much? LOL I sure do love my grand and great-grand children!
I am to work only two days this week (oh, darn!) before we head off to another area of the state. I sure do hope it is cooler there! I'm debating on taking tomorrow off to prepare somewhat, but it is not really necessary I do so. I can get done whatever I need to while working. I got my laundry completed Friday morning, and of course yesterday hubby asked about my laundry, what did I need washed, etc. for he plans to do it today and tomorrow. I just told him "I'm ok". I'll dig out my bag sometime today and start putting things in it. I will be in t-shirts and jeans/shorts for the rest of the week for I have no plans for us to go out to eat at a fancy place; don't know of any nearby where we are staying anyway. In fact, I haven't looked at the AIRBNB for awhile - I don't even know what it looks like inside! I kind of wish I had looked more for a place, but frustration had set in and I wanted to keep the $ in line with what was leftover of our tax refund, so grabbed this one. Hopefully, it will be a nice quiet place.
My daughter sent me a gift that I received yesterday and it is really cute! I put it together when we got home yesterday. It's wooden, and it's on a stand and has 'books read this year' on it - and what I add is the number of books I've read. I could tell from Goodreads how many I have read (32 out of my 50 goal) and was able to put 032 on the numbers. Pretty cool - and fun to see and remind me to keep reading! I love a challenge, and this will keep me focused on it!
I want to go to the deli nearby for an early dinner tonight.... one couple at church we have met, she works as a manager there. I mentioned yesterday I was going to stop by and get my 'free cookie' - and so of course she asked when my birthday was... and when we were leaving, she came over and gave me a hug and said she hoped I made it over for my free cookie! It's nice to have a friend at church that I can possibly see elsewhere, even if it is their place of employment!
Hubby told me after church that one of the pastors, Pastor Josh, who is in charge of small groups, aka life groups, had pulled him over on our way out and asked if we would lead a life group table at the church starting in September. Hubby said he'd have to talk to me. We have our own life group that we got involved in last year, although we have broken up for the summer. We plan to meet back in September as well. I'm ok with saying 'yes', but will let hubby lead it. It doesn't take much work; just make sure you get the homework done, and ask the right questions and everyone else will do the talking. We do not have the same teaching style, and well, I'm not going to 'fight' him on this. I realized yesterday that we have never sat other the other's teaching (other than listening to the other preach). But, my 'preaching' starts back up in November so I'm ok with letting hubby take over the life group - if he wants to do it. If he says 'no' to leading it, I will consider it, for it will give us an opportunity to make new friends, and you know I want to meet more people in the church. BTW, it was a good message yesterday. Pastor John is back and he is doing a 4 week series on 'Seasons' and talked about how not only do we have weather seasons, but we have seasons of life that we go through.
Psalm 46:1 (NKJV): God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble.
I can't tell you how many times that I have cried out to God for help in specific situations. It doesn't matter whether if it is my broken heart that has been beaten up, or someone who is sick and I want healing for them, or even when I'm exercising and I have to cry out "Lord, HELP" just to get through that one 'lift'. It doesn't even matter if I'm prepared to deliver a 'message'.... I still have to pause and cry out to God to please help me not stumble over the words, to speak clearly, to be mindful, to - well, whatever. I am constantly (truly!) calling out to God to help me in any and every circumstance (even with work!) cause I know that I can depend on Him being my refuge and my strength.
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV): I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
I can't tell you how many times (a day, in most cases!) that I repeat THAT scripture! All things really means ALL things! It doesn't matter how small that 'thing' is, Christ is our source of strength for all of it! He truly does answer and even when the answer isn't what I want it to be, He makes all things good in His time. Hallelujah! What I want NOW may not happen until LATER, but even then, it is in His timing, not mine.
What are you depending on Jesus to do in your life? In someone else's life? Do you see needs in yourself, your spouse, your children, that you would like to see 'changed'? One thing I've learned is that changes that I want to happen, may not necessarily be the change that needs to be made. Sometimes that change needs to happen in ME, before it will happen in others. Something to think about.
I can't explain it, but in talking with my little sister last night, I realized (probably once again) that we are really different people. (In my opinion), she feels that if I'm doing something, she needs to be able to do it as well (think personal trainer at the gym). If I do something or get something, she feels that she deserves it too. But there is a big difference here... I am working still and she retired, along with her husband, several years ago. Instead of living within their means, she is always pushing the limit and then gets upset when she doesn't get what she wants. Does that make sense? I'm willing to make sacrifices to achieve a goal. (ok, let's not bring food in this) If I wasn't working right now, could we make it? I believe we can, but we both would need to be willing to cut back on some things. I'm willing to do that, but I don't believe hubby is there yet. He thinks he will not be able to go out with his friends and eat and all... but it really wouldn't eliminate that; just choose wiser.... I would need to quit shopping any time I want something.... and I'm willing to do that. I'm willing to 'declutter' and get rid of some things now! For some reason, most things are easier for me to let go of than for hubby! Talk about not liking change! LOL
Welp! Looks like I've overdone my time again - got to get off here and get the work computer on. Have an amazing day - do something fun for yourself!
Blessings!
