Faithful Fridays

This is a little late…but I always say better late than never! The last two days have been crazy! I just got back from Savannah, GA, which was extraordinary! So I haven’t had any time to blog in about a week or so.

So what is my Faithful Friday issue today?

Easy….Thank you GOD for safe traveling mercies through the flooding rain and storms. When we all left for the airport on Wednesday, we were concerned how we were going to get home. We knew most of us would have delayed flights. My flight connected in Cincinnati, OH where it was scheduled to leave at 8PM. Cincinnati had some local storms as well which left my co-worker and me sitting in the airport until after mid night due . At one point every person, already on planes, was instructed to evacuate their planes and  stay inside due to lightning. I fully expected rains in OKC, but never expected to have to wait out storms where I was connecting.

Most people in the terminal were obviously frustrated and audibly grumbling. I’m not saying I was immune to it! I was tired, from lack of sleep and travels…so the delays weren’t welcome ones, but at some point I had to give it over to God. I knew how much I had prayed for safe travels, as my family had been doing for me. So I turned to my new friends, as those all waiting on my flight had bonded quickly, and said, “There is obviously some reason to stay and wait it all out. I prayed to God for traveling mercies, so this is what must be!” A few nodded they’re heads. Some ignored it. But their grumbles became few and far between and the conversation started to be extremely pleasant. We all cracked out the air plane blankets and shared pictures of where we’d all traveled to that week, exchanged numbers, and relaxed for the duration of our wait.

We left a little after midnight and flew safely and smoothly home. With all the storms, we had zero turbulence! God has a wonderful way of delivering you some wonderful experiences, even through what could be very trying times.

I already received an email from one of those people on my flight inviting me to lunch this week. Sometimes God answers prayers…and gives you a few surprise gifts along the way. So as tired as I am…I’m so thankful for God’s faithfulness!

If you read last week’s blog, you’ll know some of my concerns. I needed to produce a certain amount to make my month. Although I didn’t hit the magic number, I did land a few last minute accounts that helped bulk up my measly numbers for the month. Sales are always cyclical, as anyone who’s been in sales knows.  You have a few good months and than a bad one. This was my bad one…but I’ll quickly ramp back up to better revenue soon. With my back troubles and my 4 day trip, it left little time left over to get work done.  Thanks be to God for giving me what little I had, as I wasn’t able to get much done this month.

On a side note:

Oklahoma has had 16 days of flooding rains. Today it rained so hard that it accumulated 3 inches of rain in one minute! Lakes are closed. Roads are over run with 6 inches of water or higher. Cars are getting stranded. It’s a little crazy here! AND mosquitoes are rampant!

Please keep our little state in your prayers. We need a little relief…especially when there are so many states out there that are in desperate need of water. Usually we’re the state that prays for rain….now I pray it moves on to other areas in need!

Before and After

We’re trying to improve our curb appeal as inexpensively as possible. We want to sell our home in a few years, and by then we’re relying on faith that I’ll have the income needed to build our next house. We moved into this one in a matter of a days.

My husband and I lived in a rental property after we were married. Unfortunately for us it became a sick house, full of mold that made my husband deathly ill. One key sign was the green gunk that began pouring out of our old pug’s eye sockets, when he’d sit over the floor vents to cool off.

The mold had saturated the vent system through out the entire place. There was a crack in the foundation, which water leaked into one winter. When the heat came one…it boiled it up and it became mold soup, as I refer to it. By the summer it had grown and multiplied. Our dog’s gunky eye balls became our first clue that something was wrong. My husband’s near death health was the next.

Our landlord refused to fix the foundation and clean up the mold problem. By October, we had no choice but to move and move quick. My husband wouldn’t survive the winter in a house, where the heat was essentially cooking the mold. We got pre-qualified in a day. The market was very slim, and we had few choices. Thankfully my dad is a realtor, and he knew the in’s and out’s of the system. He found the best of the best out there, for what we could afford…which wasn’t much. We found our new home in a week, and moved in quickly.

It was as if God had it held out there, waiting for us. The previous owners already had an offer on it, but we gave them the asking price…which happened to be exactly what we were pre-qualified for. Again…another blessing. The house was in immaculate condition. You know you’ve got a good one, when you look through the garage and the owner has his tools and power equipment spotless, organized, and labeled.

Although thankful for this home, it’s not the house of my dreams. As a newly wed, when you’re supposed to be discovering the beauty of the relationship…..I was dealing with the ‘in sickness’ part of my vows way to early. Having to help him recover didn’t leave me much energy to pour into decorating inside or out. I was too overwhelmed to even think about it. Then we got pregnant and most out there now how that takes all your effort and energy…it did mine for 3 1/2 years.

Not that the house needed much. It was decorated well inside. It’s just not my taste. The outside however has lots to be desired, so we’re finally at the point to take care of it. We got some border stones for free, from a family member who was going to toss his if he couldn’t get someone to haul them off for him. We gladly volunteered. They’re nice heavy white stones, that are squared like bricks and textured.

My mom bought a lot of plants for my birthday present 2 weeks early. She only brought over 1/2 of them. The ground cover is to come. I plan on doing a lot of landscaping…bit by bit.

BEFORE: UGLY PRICKLY BUSHES THAT LEAVE PRICKLY BRANCHES EVERY WHERE! UGH! AND A BIG BUSH AT THE FRONT WHICH HID THE HOUSE.

AFTER:
The border stones are almost finished. We still have a few more flowers/plants to put in. It’s a little after season, but it’s been so wet and cool that it’ll still be okay. We also have to put mulch in as well.  Now you can see my home!

Faithful Fridays

Wow! It snuck up on me again..and I have the bags under my eyes to prove it! Although sunglasses will do a great job for covering them!

It’s easy to see how blessed I am this week. God provided traveling mercies for little ol’ me. 500 miles of rural boring driving, full of flooding, strangers, and long roads. And my engine light came on early morning on the second light of my trip. I had to drive 4 hours home to get it taken care of, but without a hitch. God is good! The last thing I would of wanted or needed, was to be stranded on the side of a 4 lane road with nothing in sight. I do have free road side assistance, but it would have taken hours to get at tow truck and it was HOT!

Although my work trip was necessary, it was a service to certain districts. My company was providing a free service and my job was to set as many companies up on it as I could, but use that open door to consult on other opportunities that would help their business, to make some profit. I wanted to make sure I helped as many businesses as I could receive a free service, but I also didn’t want leave empty handed.

The last three months at work has been a trial: Bronchitis 6 weeks starting in April, my son hospitalized in May, and my back (which is now in PT) went out this month. Needless to say my pipeline for this month was weak. God blessed my pipeline as it fell in place for April and May, but I didn’t have much left for June. I just kept praying God I know you’re going to bless my hard work this month.

I left with one contract from my two day road trip, which isn’t a big one…but it all adds up. If I can just make it to 6K for the month I will be happy, and I’m stating that I know God will bring me close if not fully there. Right now I’m at 2,800K. My faith will not be shaken!

Next week, I go on a 4 day trip (all expenses paid) for work. Great…but it leaves me no time for work when Im in GA and my client base is in OK. So I only have today and Friday the 29th to get it! God will help me make it happen…no doubt about it!

I ask that if you’re led to pray for me, that you do so. Thank you so much!

Pictures from Trip

Although you can check my flickr site to see my pictures from my road trip, I thought I’d post a couple. You can check out my story at wornoutwoman. All I feel like saying at the moment there was a lot of flooding and rain….is it’s good to be home!!!



The last pic I threw in for a laugh! Have a great night and I will post soon….tired tired tired…and need sleep!

Britains Got Talent – A Star Is Born

This gave me goose bumps. The most unassuming man walks on the stage and blows everyone away. This is the most inspirational video. Blessings to you all!

Hershey’s Big Adventure

Thank the Lord for His continued blessings. My husband was out until after 1 a.m. this morning, putting up 13 huge signs and scavenging the entire area with a flash light. I had to force him to come home and get some rest.

I just kept praying, “Lord please give Hershey’s guardian angel strength, so they he might lead our doggie home. I know he’s probably crashed in someone’s hallway some where, snoring, while I’m here worrying. So I give it over to you and I know you’ll take good care of Hershey.” I let go of it after mid night and tried calling my adorable and worried better half, to give him the same peace I felt. About an hour later, we both we in bed ready for the phone to start ringing the next day.

My son whimpered through his sleep, obviously upset from the whole ordeal. And I kept praying in my sleep, “Lord if you could please hold off on the rain until Hershey’s home, so that all those signs wouldn’t get wet…and the ink wouldn’t run.”

At 6:40 a.m. our phone rang for the first time, and we both bolted out of our sleep. My husband grabbed for his cell and his side of the conversation was music to my ears. Our old dog, wandered into a neighbor’s garage a block and a half away, where he stayed the night. They offered to bring him home to us.

We jumped up and started getting our shoes on, as the phone rang a second time. Another neighbor saw a sign and said she had a Hershey sighting on her street as well. She told us she played ball with him for a few minutes. She said he was too sweet not to have an owner who was looking for him, so she told us she said a prayer for him and his safe return home. What a sweet feeling that was to hear her comforting words. As he was on the phone with the second neighbor, I heard my son, through the monitor, giggling in his sleep. It was as if he sense the sigh of relief we were feeling.

Many of my blog friends gave me comforting words, so thank you to all of you who responded so kindly. One sent me the sweetest message:

“Awe…bless your sweet little heart…You are not absurd at all..I have a 7lb Yorkiepoo that drives me nuts, but is my little loyal buddy and I would just be devasted if he went missing! He is so little that from time to time he slips out of the slats in my fence and everytime I find him out front, my heart does a flip flop..

I will lift your buddy up in prayer right now!

Father, we come to you with what would seem the smallest of request to many.. Hersey has wandered from home Lord and his owner is heartbroken…Lord guide his steps and bring him home safely to his family. We know Lord that what seems silly to most you count as all important because its close to our hearts. You know how many hairs are on our head, every detail. So we know Lord that you can return him, no problem.

We thank you Lord for caring for everything that brings us joy and happiness and we come to you believing in results very soon…We pray this in your son Jesus’ name! Amen.

Sweety…He will be back..get some sleep and you will see!

Keep us posted!”

Hershey is happily home and exhausted from his big adventure. He’s out cold in our hallway, sleeping peacefully. My son hugged him so tightly when he woke up. All is good in our home. Thank you Jesus for bringing our family pet home safe and with speed.

Thank you to all of you who lifted him up in prayer. I know losing a pet is nothing like the loss that thousands of families feel, when they lose a child. So I don’t even try to compare them…because it’s not. I have a little boy and it would be ten times worse. This just proved to me how much of a basket case I would be if anything happened to my baby. Thankfully it was just my beloved pet, and all of us are home safe.

PS…it just now started to thunder.  The rain held off just long enough.

My dog is missing!

I write this in utter sadness. My side kick, the one thing I could always count on….is missing! My 13 year old chocolate lab, Hershey, was let out of my yard tonight after I left home.

6:00 CST or any time after, someone opened our gate and let out my loyal companion. Here it is almost mid night and he’s not anywhere to be found. Hershey is obviously very old, but can’t get half a block without panting and straining. He usually has to turn back home, because he is too tired to go any further.

Currently his fur is shaved short for the summer. So he looks like a grey hound with brown fur, instead of a chocolate lab. He would never make it past my nieghbor’s house with out turning back for my porch. He would NEVER not come home.  He also needs his medication or he will get really sick.

We drove three neighborhoods, and I saw no signs of any animals in the road. No one claimed to see him. We called for hours with no response. It’s like someone opened our gate and …. took him.

My son learned his first lesson in sadness and fear tonight. He’d never seen him mommy sob. I really tried to fake it….you know….tell him that Hershey went to the neighbor’s for a sleep over. But I couldn’t hold it in very well. My son kept wiping my face with a towel to catch my tears.

Hershey is the most sensitive animal you’ve ever met. When I was sick, he broke out in hot spots. He was truly empathetic to anything I went through. When I was stressed or heart broken, he’d simply lay his head in my lap and lick my face when I cried.

I am scared that something bad has happened. My husband just made 13 poster signs to nail to all the street lights with in a mile’s radius. Tomorrow I will call the pound, and check with the local vets.

I know with all the children that go missing, that this post is absolutely absurd. But he was and is my best friend, and I’m scared. Please pray for my dog, that he returns safely home.

Happy Fathers Day

fa·ther (fä‘THər)
n.

1. 1. A male person whose sperm unites with an egg, resulting in the conception of a child.
   2. A man who adopts a child.
   3. A man who raises a child.
2. A male parent of an animal.
3. A male ancestor.
4. A man who creates, originates, or founds something: Chaucer is considered the father of English poetry.
5. An early form; a prototype.
6. Father Christianity.
   1. God.
   2. The first person of the Christian Trinity.
7. An elderly or venerable man. Used as a title of respect.
8. A member of the senate in ancient Rome.
9. One of the leading men, as of a city: the town fathers.
10. or Father A church father.
11. (Abbr. Fr.)
    1. A priest or clergyman in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches.
    2. Used as a title and form of address with or without the clergyman’s name.

v., -thered, -ther·ing, -thers. v.tr.

1. To procreate (offspring) as the male parent.
2. To act or serve as a father to (a child).
3. To create, found, or originate.
4. To acknowledge responsibility for.
5. 1. To attribute the paternity, creation, or origin of.
   2. To assign falsely or unjustly; foist.

v.intr. To act or serve as a father.

****************

What defines a good father?  We all can look up the definition.  It’s there above my post for your reading pleasure.  However when I think of my life, my defining moment when I knew my wonderful husband would transition into a loving father was the moment my son was born.

As the doctor handed me my child and laid him on my chest, I looked to my husband.  As a brand new parent you never know what your going to feel or experience when it dawns on you that this little bundle, just delivered and handed over, is your responsibility.  I looked to see if he would look into my eyes with adoration or smile lovingly at me and his new son.

He was however sobbing while his mom held him.  He was a new father and it hit him how special that was.  Most reading this probably think he was crying out of anxiety or exhaustion, but it was out of pure amazement over the prospect of guiding this child through the world.  It was his responsibility, and although overwhelming it was one he took very seriously.  My husband has such a sensitive heart and spirit….it was no surprise to me that it would hit him that hard.  At that exact moment, I knew what a very special father he would become.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY SWEETHEART….I LOVE YOU!

A favorite spot from home

My brother in law is getting ready to get married to the most wonderful girl. She already seems like family, and to me, like a sister. They plan on getting married in Hawaii, but haven’t pinned down the final date or destination yet.

Of course it should be all about where they want to wed, and which island. However the selfish side of me wants them to get married on Oahu, where I was raised. I haven’t seen my ʻOhana since 1995. I figure my husband and son could fly to Oahu a few days early to visit and catch up with my anties and uncles and all my cousins. My parents and sister are hoping that they choose Oahu too, so they can fly back with me and stay for a visit. After a few days, then my hubbie and me could get a hotel and start the wedding celebration when his family flies in.

I know they’ll probably want to wed on the beach somewhere, but I sent them a link to one of my favorite places on the island, Haiku Gardens. I spent time there in Kindergarten on a field trip and fell in love with it. We went there often and would see locals and tourists wed, in a romantic little spot in the middle of the lush tropics. I even thought it would be cool to re-create a picture my parents took of me with my son, since he’ll be the same age I was when it was taken.
Keep your fingers crossed for me!!! Here’s the pic:

Faithful Fridays

Ever wonder why me? What does something always happen to me or someone in my family?

My mom and I had a conversation this morning that reminded me of the story of Job. Job, a man who had everything, and praised God with his whole heart. Then each and every blessing he had was taken away. Did Job suffer? Yes! Did he turn his heart from God? No! And in the end, God blessed him with twice as much as he had before.

Seems lately something has happened to each and everyone of my family members. I was sick with bronchitis for 6 weeks. My son was hospitalized. I am now struggling with a bad back, which is why I’m starting physical therapy. My mom and dad have had financial hit after hit lately, as my sister has. There are other things that I won’t list…but I think you get the point.

This morning my mom said, “I told your dad….something is wrong! Something is really wrong! Something has plagued our entire family in the last month or two. Each and everyone of us has had something really bad happen to us.” I replied, “Well mom, than I guess you’ll have to do more praying.”

I think when I talk to her next, I will remind her of Job and his faith. I didn’t think to earlier, as I wasn’t fully awake. I think I’ve always had the same mind of Job though…even as a child. Bad things continue to happen to us as long as Satan is in the world. It’s how we handle them that counts. Most choose to blame God and get angry. Well to be honest….that’s their right! God gave them the free will to choose their path. But for me and my family, I will continue to stress how important it is to thank God for our blessings especially through the bad times.

Just look at my last post about my son. God had it completely under control and I felt His divine intervention. Through the scary bad stuff, it is paramount to cling to our faith than ever before.

My faith for my family today? I have faith that God will bring my family through their troubles with flying colors. I believe He has us in the center of His will, right where we belong. And I have faith that He will show my family what their blessings are, instead of focusing on their troubles and sorrows. That’s my job to remind them of that too!

Please remember Faithful Fridays! After a long week’s work, no matter what your profession, please take a second to glimpse back at what God has done for you. It will help bolster your faith. It will carry you through to the next week. It will remind you to give thanks instead of grumble.

I encourage everyone one of you reading this to post your own Faithful Fridays, and link it back to my page so that I can read about your faith as well.

May God bless all of your endeavors today!