Random Thoughts

It actually feels like early Fall today instead of Winter. Had a great time at a Women's Worship Night last night and I'm taking a break from running errands right now. Michael's been out hunting since yesterday morning - ducks, geese and 1 pheasant that I know of so far. I've been kind of emotional this weekend for unknown reasons; I hope that passes soon because it's exhausting! Been doing some shopping for Michael's birthday (keeping my eye out for Christmas ideas, too). I'm enjoying choir rehearsals for the Living Christmas Tree (it's been so long!) and can't wait to see Michael's family in Texas for Christmas. We're trying to finish up our adoption paperwork and getting ready to start work on a nursery. Please pray for us for patience (I know, we're not supposed to pray for that) as we wait for God to show us what he has next for us. We know we're doing what we should be doing right now but also know that it is not our end destination. That's all I've got for now. Love you all.

Gratitude

It's not just a feeling. It can be cultivated even in tough circumstances; it can be a product of a conscious effort of the mind and heart. I have seen this demonstrated so much in Michael these past few weeks. He likes driving the bus and working in the chemical building at the fireworks plant, but the days he has to work in other building he does kind of mindless, unchallenging assembly line work which makes him think things like "what am I doing here, I have a Master's degree." He is very careful to repent of thoughts like these on the spot and remind himself that a month ago he didn't have a job. It our times of prayer he has never failed to thank God for the work He has provided; and his thanks is with a genuinely thankful and humble heart. The leader of a Bible study I am in told us a few weeks ago about how she intentionally thanks her husband several times a week for going to work to provide for their family; she tells him what a blessing that is to her. I've tried to start doing the same thing - especially as he is currently working at jobs that would not be his top pick. I'm hoping that it is an encouragement to him like his gratitude is an encouragement to me.

Weather Wiplash Again

So, we've been hotter than Atlanta for over a week now, temps reaching 89 last week. We cooled off a little over the weekend and into Monday in the mid-70s. Back up t0 80-something on Tuesday. And today? High of 48 and raining a constant drizzle! I heard a rumor that the high on Monday will be 26, but I'll have to see it to believe it. I'll keep you posted. Hope you all are enjoying the Fall weather wherever you are. Love you.

WORK

Yeah, Michael has at least one job, maybe two. He will start his own bus route on Tuesday and hopefully the pyrotechnics plant in town will work around his schedule and he will be able to work in between driving the bus. This avoids the dreaded drive back and forth to Billings to work (nothing really would have paid enough to make it worth it with the gas and all.) Michael is looking forward to helping with the income and having some of the pressure off so we can focus on what God wants next. Thanks, Lord. And thanks for all your prayers.

Church

We've been invited and are excited to stay at the church where we've been helping out with music this summer. We are looking forward to getting involved. I've also started praying that God will plant a church in our hearts - maybe it's this one, maybe it's one that isn't even started yet, but I'm praying that God will start preparing us for where He will have us minister next.

Psalms Revelation

I've had issues with the book of Psalms in the past. Weird, I know. I obviously love the happy, praising ones but have had a hard time wrapping myself around all the "death and destruction to my enemies" ones. It doesn't seem very New Testament "love your enemies" to me. As I was reading the other day, though, I received a new perspective. The Israelites were God's chosen people. David was God's chosen leader, a man after God's own heart. Perhaps he identified himself so totally with this position that he considered any affront to himself and attack on God's purposes and therefore was seeking the destruction of God's enemies as he asked God for the destruction of his own enemies. Are you following me?

So then, how might that apply to my life. I'm sure there are many applications, but the first one I came up with concerns a job for Michael. Michael is a man of God. He is known in our community as a pastor (currently without church). So I am praying for God to provide him a job where he can continue to minister in this community but also to provide in such a way that the community can see that God is taking care of us - that he does not let His people go un-provided-for. Pretty much a "bless us for the sake of Your Name" deal. It's very biblical - read Psalms. I have a new joy in reading them myself now that I have this new perspective.

Let me know what you think.

Love you.

God is SO good!

As Michael continues to look for a job, I was looking forward to the day when I would be able to thank and praise God on this blog for His faithfulness in providing a job for Michael. Then I realized that God is good even when Michael doesn't have a job. God is faithful and is providing and is loving and is good. These are who He is and these things are true about Him despite our circumstances. I am still looking forward to being able to share the news of a job with you all, but I didn't want to fail to praise God for WHO He is even while we wait.

Hoping you are learning more about God and loving Him more every day,
Christina