Reflections

The last 12 months have been months of great reflection for me.  This post is me being very open and honest.  2012 was a journey of faith for me.  I saw some pretty dark days, some even in the last few weeks.  I did not get through this year by my strength.  God and I went through some battles.  I never want anyone to think this year was easy for me or that I never had bad days.  I asked a lot of unanswerable questions.  The biggest one was, "WHY?"  I don't understand why Steve and I were thrown into this battle.  We had just given our lives to join the mission field.  Why this?  Why now?  Some people believe that just the fact that pain and suffering exists in the world suggests that there is no God.  Could God remove all pain and suffering from the world if He wanted to?  I think He could, but would we still have our free will.  God could have created us as robots forcing us to love and follow Him, but He didn't.  He wants us to choose Him.

This year shook my faith to the core, but as hard as it was I think I'm getting better for it.  Don't misunderstand me, I'm angry and God and I have had some talks that would my mother cringe.  I don't think God is afraid of our angry when we don't understand.  In fact, I think he wants us to come to Him with those questions.  I hate the Christian platitude, "everything happens for a reason."  Whether that's true or not, platitudes like that are rarely helpful. 

I had a friend, that I've never met in person, described her relationship with God as "shaky."  She was searching and, who knows, she may have been almost there, but now she is even farther away. 
-->Her words "I will admit, mine was shaky before we lost our baby and that loss is really what put the final nail in the coffin for me."  Those words made me angry.  Not angry for what happened to us, but for what happened to her.  Why? Why did you take her perfect baby  when you could have used it to remove a nail, instead of giving her another one.  I don't understand.  God, please don't let her put that final nail in the coffin forever.  Even though I went through some angry, shaky times this year, when a nail was offered to me I somehow always gave it back.  I know that Satan would have loved it if I gave him the satisfaction of walking away from God.  How many other people around are putting that final nail in?  I don't have any answers for them.  I'm walking this same journey of life that they are. 

What conclusion have I come to for me?  There is so much hurt and evil in the world that I don't understand.  There are questions that I won't ever understand until I'm standing in front of Jesus.  I think God grieves with us.  He knows what it's like to lose a child.  I believe that if I walk away and give up my relationship with God He would grieve even more for that.  I am going to continue to cast my anxieties on God because I really believe that He cares for me.  I don't think I would have it through this year without that belief.

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Oh. What a Great Weekend

This weekend was a pretty relaxing weekend despite having a work both Friday and Saturday.  Work at YWCA is still pretty busy because I'm still trying to get caught up from being gone for 2 weeks in April.  After work on Friday, we were originally going to have some friends over and have homemade pizza, but they ended up not being able to make it.  :o(  So we ate the pizza anyway and went to the Greek Fest.  Yum... Baklava.

Saturday was work on day until 6.  After work, I went to Debbie Werbrouck's School of Dance's annual recital.  Both of my best friend girls were in it this year and also a young friend that my mom used to babysit for when she had her home day care.  It was Cadence's first year in dance and she did such a great job.  Kariana got an award for being a 6th year student.  Gracie got an award for 10 years.  They all did a great job.

Today, Steve is working on repairing the roof on our shed.  Our Homeowner's Insurance company gave us negative marks this fall because the shingles on the empty shed were falling off.  We also have to cut down the tree in the front yard or they have threatened to drop our coverage.  I really like that tree.  It keeps the front yard nice and cool.  Silver lining: Having the tree gone will mean less leaves to rake this fall.  We are now getting bids to get that done and it won't be cheap.  The tree is huge.  The picture above should give you an idea of just how big this tree is.  It actually is taller and wider than I could fit in the picture.

What a Great Weekend!

Even though I had to work Saturday, it was a great weekend.  Sunday was an absolutely beautiful day.  I woke up feeling rested and hopeful for the future.  I can see bright things ahead.  The sun was shining bright and we had our first Wycliffe presentation at church.  We were both pretty nervous, so I hope it went okay.  Our small group has been so supportive of us and feel privileged to be sent out by such a great group of people.  We have another small presentation with a pastor in Plymouth tomorrow.  Hopefully, that will go well too.

I actually didn't have to work after church.  Shocking, I know!  We spent the rest of the day just relaxing at home.  

I sat outside in the sun and read a book that I've been trying to read since January.  With all the crazy stress going on since the beginning of the year and working so much, I just haven't had the time or energy to sit and read.  I also decided on Sunday that my car was badly in need of a bath and yard looked thirsty.  So now my car is all clean and front yard has been watered.  Of course, because I did that it rained on Sunday night. :o( Oh well, now the back yard is watered too. Sunday evening, Steve and I used a gift card and went to see The Avengers in theater.  I actually liked the movie.  It was a little slow starting, but the end I thought was pretty well done.  It just proves that you can make a good movie without a bunch of foul language and unnecessary violence.

It was great to have a day to just to relax and forget all stress.  There are things that happen to you in life that make you realize what's really important.  This weekend, just a relaxing evening with Steve, was important.

This is what I know

I know: God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28

I know: God has a plan for each of us. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

I know: God knew each one of us and had a plan for us being we were even born. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. " Psalm 139:13-14

This is what I know, but sometimes I just don't understand.  I am holding on these promises because I don't have anything left.

He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.
Philippians 4:19

God Did Not Give Us a Spirit of Fear

We have pretty nerve racking things in store for in the next coming months and years.  This year so far has been filled with so many ups and downs.  I have been able to hold it together pretty good think considering everything that has gone on.  I'm looking forward to new adventures that we have in store, but I'm fighting the urge to get very nervous.  I know that no matter what happens that God's strength will get us through it.


For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7

60 days into 2012

So, we are now 60 days into 2012. This year so far has been quite a whirlwind of emotional ups and downs.

Habakkuk 3:18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Strong Enough by Matthew West

You must
You must think I'm strong
To give me what I'm going through
Well, forgive me
Forgive me if I'm wrong
But this looks like more than I can do
On my own

I know I'm not strong enough to be
Everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up
I'm not strong enough
Hands of mercy won't you cover me
Lord right now I'm asking you to be
Strong enough, strong enough
For both of us

Well maybe
Maybe that's the point
To reach the point of giving up
Cause when I'm finally
Finally at rock bottom
That's when I start looking up
And reaching out

I know I'm not strong enough to be
Everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up
I'm not strong enough
Hands of mercy won't you cover me
Lord right now I'm asking you to be
Strong enough, strong enough

Cause I'm broken down to nothing
But I'm still holding on to one thing
You are God and you are strong when
I am weak

I can do all things through Christ who
Gives me strength
And i don't have to be strong enough (2x)

I know I'm not strong enough to be
Everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up
I'm not strong enough
Hands of mercy won't you cover me
Lord right now I'm asking you to be
Strong enough, strong enough
(fade to end)
[- From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/m/matthew-west-lyrics/strong-enough-lyrics.html -]

Monsters Inc: Fighting the Monsters Within You

I have learned that when bad things happen to you, you have two choices. You can become bitter and angry at God and the world or you can become better and stronger. I choose to become better. There are monsters all around us that want to steal our joy: impatience, hurt, anger, envy, bitterness, greed, loneliness, guilt, etc. The trick is to call them out and find ways to combat them. I find that worship music, the old hymns, really helps me.

You have to tell the voices in your head, that seem so loud, to be quiet.  I wish it wasn't so hard. I find myself failing a lot. I have found that if you are not careful that impatience can turn into anger, angry can turn into bitterness, and bitterness turns into envy. Envy is a horrible emotion. Envy not only steals your joy, but it robs you of feeling joy for someone else.  Guilt speaks loudly in your ear when you are alone.  What did I do wrong?  You go through every moment in your mind and wonder what you could have done differently.  The Devil would love it if I gave in and let him win.  He would love it if I got anger at God and walked away from His love.

I have chosen to lean in to what God is teaching me. If we don't learn something during life's trials, then the situation was wasted. It had no purpose. What is God trying to teach me? I don't know that yet. Even when I feel alone and just want to scream, God is there. While I try and find an explanation, God is there telling me He has it under control. Have I hit the acceptance stage? Hardly. Do I feel better today than I did yesterday? Yes, so far.

I am choosing to become better. I am choosing to move forward and not live in the past.  I am choosing not to let the monsters steal my joy for one more day.

Isaiah 40:31: They will walk and not become weary

* Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31

CONTENT; CONTENTMENT
kon-tent', kon-tent'-ment (ya`al; arkeo): To be free from care because of satisfaction with what is already one's own. The Hebrew means simply "to be pleased." The Greek brings out the full force of the word in 1 Timothy 6:8 Hebrews 13:5. Contentment (1 Timothy 6:6) is more inward than satisfaction; the former is a habit or permanent state of mind, the latter has to do with some particular occurrence or object.

* But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:6-8

* I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13

Birthdays and Fun with Friends

Today is my best friend's birthday.  I hope she has an exceptional day.

It definitely been some crazy weeks for Steve and I.  I'm waiting for life to slow down a little.  I don't have any major complaints though.  Life is pretty good right now.  I feel really busy but I'm happy.

I have been feeling kind of lost for the past few years since switching churches.  I like Gospel Center but it didn't feel the same as Granger Community.  At Granger, I had friends and connections.  There was a real family atmosphere, even though it was so big.  Last week, I watched some old sermons and videos to reminisce.  Gospel Center is much smaller, but it seems to be taking longer for me to feel connected.  Steve felt connected pretty quick, but he started attending before I did.  Steve and I have started attending a small group at Gospel Center and I think that has helped me feel like I belong more.  I've actually been praying for opportunities to connect and I was invited to help with AWANA this year.  This is my first experience with AWANA.   AWANA is definitely different than Oasis.  I am working with Cubbies.  Cubbies are three and four year olds.  They have so much energy.  It's fun though.  I wish there was something fun like that for kids when I was little.  The kiddoes are so much fun. 

Last night after work, I met some friends to watch the Ohio State game and Steve met us after he got off.  The time with friends was great, but the game was a little disappointing.  There is always next week, right? :o)

Tonight, Steve and I are having dinner with some other members of the church as part of the Dinners For Eight event.  It should be fun and a relaxing way to end the week. 

Telling My Story

As part of the Wycliffe application process, I thought I would write out my "My Story" of how I started my Christian walk.

Here is my story.  It's not great, but it's mine:

I grew up with Christian parents and we went to church every week. We prayed before meals and I knew all the Bible stories from Vacation Bible Schools and my children’s Bible. I knew there was a God but I didn’t understand then what a personal relationship with him was like. My dad worked for trucking company that transferred him to different cities throughout my childhood. By the time I was ten, we had moved eight times. When we arrived in Mishawaka, at the beginning of fifth grade, I had decided that I didn’t want to make friends. It wasn’t that I couldn’t make friends, but I didn’t want to because I “knew” we would be moving again and I was tired of saying goodbye to good friends. This caused me to be somewhat of an outcast in my class because I avoided people. I actually preferred that people not like me because then I wouldn’t care when I moved away from them. My classmates thought I was just shy and I probably was a little and instead of trying to break through the walls that I had built up they just gave me more reasons to not like them. I figured if I didn’t let anyone get to near me than they couldn’t hurt me. My fifth and sixth grade and Junior High years were pretty lonely. God did protect me from getting into anything too destructive because with my negative attitude I probably could have. I have found though that most often when kids find themselves hanging out with the wrong crowd, it’s because they are searching for friends and a need for acceptance. I wasn’t searching for friends; I was avoiding them for the most part. I got pretty good at being nice to people, but not forming really deep friendships.

It wasn’t until High School that I started to feel safe making friends. During my sophomore year of High School, some friends that I had made invited me a youth ministry event at their church. I decided to go and once I got there I looked around and was shocked at how many people that I knew there. There was something different about the people in the room and I wasn’t sure what it was at first. I started going every week with them and I realized that I starved for connection and relationships. I realized that even though I thought I was avoiding friendships for the past five years that I had some great friends anyway. These friends actually seemed to genuinely care about me. For the first time in my life I learned that God actually desired a personal relationship with me. I felt like every week the youth pastor was speaking directly to me. I recommitted my life to Christ surrounded by some of my closest friends. My high school small group was very supportive of me and helped me to break down some of the walls I had built up. It is interesting when I look back and realize that some of the closest, dearest friends that I still have now I met during those tough Junior High years. I wouldn’t trade those friendships for the world.

Because of those friends and the ministry of that church, I decided to go to Bethel College. While at Bethel College, I got involved with my church’s middle school ministry. Sometimes I wonder why God brings things into your life, but when I look back I think that maybe God was preparing me to do ministry to students just like me. I also met my husband at Bethel College. Sometimes when we don’t understand why something is happening, we just have to remember that God might a bigger purpose. If I hadn’t started attending the youth ministry in High School, I wouldn’t have made some of the amazing friends that I have now and I’m not sure that I would have wanted to go to Christian college. If I wouldn’t have moved around so much as a child, I don’t think I would have wanted to stay in the same city for college. I was finally in a place that I felt I could call home and I didn’t want to leave. If I hadn’t gone to Bethel, I wouldn’t have been invited to join the middle school ministry team at church, which taught me so much and helped me grow in my walk with Christ and I wouldn’t have met my husband, who is my best friend.

I continue to learn and grow in my Christian walk everyday. I don’t think I am where I need to be, but I’m on the journey. I still struggle sometimes with feelings of unworthiness and sometimes I will still shy away when meeting new people because I am not really sure if I want to let them in or not. I have learned that during those times I can lean on God and He will be my comfort. There is no feeling like the feeling of knowing the God desires to my friend.

I Survived Turning 30

I turned 30 over the weekend on Saturday.  It was a beautiful weekend.  Steve and I went out for my birthday dinner on Friday night after I got off work.  We decided to try somewhere that we had never been before.  We tried The Flat Top Grill in Mishawaka.  It was pretty good.  Basically, they give you a bowl and you fill it up with all the veggies and meat that you want and pour some sauce on top and they stir-fry it all up for you.  I actually decided to live a little and get strawberry lemonade, instead of my normal water.  Hey, you only turn 30 once. :o)
Since we were in the mall, we walked around Barnes and Noble and looked at the clearance tables and see if there are any books that we want to read.   I wanted to try the new yogurt shop in Granger, but it wasn't open yet.

Friday and Saturday was my parent's neighborhood garage sale.  Friday I sat at my parent's in the morning, but then I had to go to work at Sears until 7.  Saturday, I requested off from Sears so I sat at the sale all day with my mom and our friend, Sue.  Steve and I love to go garage saleing.  We were pretty successful at our sale.  We seemed busier on Friday, then on Saturday but Steve and I sold a bunch of stuff.  My mom said between all the families involved in our sale we made over $400.  Steve and I walked around the blocks to see what everyone else was sellling.  We didn't find much to buy, but Steve did find some tools.  It was a beautiful weekend for a garage sale.  We heard that it rained in other areas on Mishawaka, but it didn't rain at all in Reverewood.

Sunday was Father's Day.  Since I took Saturday off work for the garage sale, I had to work on Sunday.  We were kind of busy with shoppers, possible some last minute Father's Day presents.  I got off work at 4 and when I got home Steve was doing yard work.  Then we went over to my parent's for Father's Day dinner.  I love having such a tight-nit family that live so close to each other, so we can get together so often.  I saw my family on Thursday when I was bringing things over for the garage sale, Friday and Saturday during the sale, and on Sunday for Father's Day.  I will see them tonight at Trivia Night too.
I'm looking forward to the next decade.  It should full of new and exciting adventures.  Bring it on!

Can God Really Be Trusted?

I know that God has promised to provide all our needs.  This year just seems to have been filled with so many set backs when it comes to our financial goals.  With all the job losses, car repairs, and such similar events it seems like every time we were getting ahead something happened to set us back.  Even with all these things setbacks, God has been providing for us at every turn.  We finally, after a lot of hard work, have gotten to our "Break Even Point" where when we sell the house we will be debt free.  That is exciting for us because now we can make the necessary plans to move to Texas and join Wycliffe completely debt free.  There is an application process and some classes that we have to take and then once we get accepted we can make plans to sell the house, create our support team, and move to Texas.  It's a process that can take some time, but it's exciting that now can start.  And it also means that each debt payment that we make from this point until we move is just gravy.  The more I think about the question above, the more I realize that the answer is an absolute "Yes."  He may not always provide in the speed that I expect or in the way I expect, but He will always provide all our needs.

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:25-33

I love Summer!

Steve and I had a somewhat productive weekend.  We both had to work Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  We don't usually work on Sunday, so it was strange that we were both scheduled.  I like the extra hours though.  Saturday, I also helped a friend move after work.  Sunday, I was pretty sore after that.

We did manage to get some stuff done around the house this weekend though.  The weather was just beautiful this weekend.  It was hot and sunny and I like that much more than cold and rainy.  Summer is very close to my favorite season and it looks like summer is here finally.  We actually broke down and turned the air conditioning on in the house this weekend.  The fans just weren't cutting it with the humidity.

Steve used the great weather to get the garage cleaned up and organized.  It looks great.  I turned the sprinkler on to water the flowers in our backyard that my amazing mom planted and then decided since the water was on I might as well wash my car.  I even vacuumed it out.  It looks very nice. 

I'm still working on getting garage sale stuff together.  I have filled my car up twice now and am starting to bring stuff over to my parent's house.  I have tried to advertise in all free places I can think of.  I am hoping for a very successful sale because our Emergency Fund took a big hit last week when we took my car into the shop.  It was making some weird noises and shaking really hard when we were driving on the bypass.  So now the Focus has some brand new tires, a new tire rod, and a few other things were done.  Overall, it was a relaxing and productive weekend.

My New Job Starts Tomorrow

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I get to start my new part time job tomorrow.  Who knew that I could be unfairly fired from the Sears in the mall, then go work for the Sears Homestore in South Bend?  I'm excited about it though.  I already have some knowledge about the stuff I will be selling and it's a family-owned business.  They close at 7pm during the weeks, so I will only be working on the Friday and Saturdays, and possibly some Sundays but not many. It's a pretty new store and they don't feel like the have the business yet for me to be on commission like I was at the mall, so I will be hourly instead.  I don't know yet what the hourly amount will be, but I trust it will be fair.  The new location is on Michigan St, just north of Ireland.  The Grand Opening is April 9th, so I hope all my friends and family can make it to support me and the new store.

I have a second interview next Tuesday for a part time job that would be Monday-Thursday evenings and Saturdays for 20 hours a week.  It's for 4-C's in South Bend and it's a data entry job that feels like it will be very similar to what I'm doing at the YWCA now and they even said I could work some from home.  My mom used to have an at-home day care with 4-C's and the lady I had my first interview with actually remembered my mom.  I feel a little overwhelmed at the thought of potentially working three jobs.  I will definitely have to get my time organized, so I don't work myself to death. 

Am I crazy? Possibly, but I don't see it as my life forever.  I figure if I work like a crazy person now when Steve and I start a family, I won't have to work as much.  I really want to be able to stay home for as long as I can after the child is born.  I also really want to pay off our debt.
I was so stressed and angry when I lost my job at Sears, but it seems like things are really coming together.  It's been a long few weeks, but I'm ready for the next adventure.

A Busy Week!



Moments after this picture was taken, she snuggled up with Steve and said, "Is it bedtime yet?"

We have had a busy week this week.  Last weekend, we babysat on Friday.  We played some Wii games and I lost at Connect 4 to a 4 year old three times in a row.  Saturday, I went to a dinner get together and a family friend's house and played some more Wii games.   I had never played the dance game before, but it was really fun.  It felt good to be out with friends since I had been so down all week.  I really needed a good pick me up.  I have spent the last week applying for jobs online for a new part time job.  I have gotten a few calls, so we will have to wait and see what happens.  My old Fazoli's manager is still managing at Taco Bell and he said I could go and work for him. I'm not sure if I want to go back to minimum wage food service, but I'd be willing to do if I have to for the short-term.  It was nice to be home all week to spend time with Steve.  Things are starting to look up.
Wednesday, Steve's mom and step dad came into town, so we went to dinner with them to Red Lobster.  Cheddar Biscuits = yummy.
This weekend is going to busy again because we are babysitting again on Friday and Saturday.  The girls are actually having a sleepover at the Pitney's on Friday night.  That should be loads of fun.  Our friend Sarah is coming to visit us on Saturday until next Wednesday, so Steve will be driving to Chicago on Saturday to pick her up.  So that means, I'll be watching the girls all day all myself on Saturday.  

I'm Waiting for my Crown of Life

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

I don't feel very blessed today.  This week has just been one trial after another.  My spirit feels very deflated right now.  I don't feel thankful and I don't really want to rejoice.  I think I have the right to be angry for a little while.  I'm angry and frustrated.  Sometimes I feel like whenever I start to feel good about myself or when I think good things are going to happen something bad happens.  It doesn't feel fair what happened.

I know that I can find another job and the next job could possibly be much better than the one I had.  I have no ill will towards Sears, my boss, or my co-workers.  They were all just doing their job and what they thought was right.  I unfortunately got blamed for something that I didn't do. 

I'm trying to hard to live by the verses above, but this life is hard.  I can't help always feel like something bad is waiting for me right around the corner.  I have struggled my whole life with that voice in my head telling me that I will never measure up.  That Little voice that tells me that I shouldn't bother even trying because I'm never going achieve what I want.  I know that I have to ignore the voices and rebuke them with scripture, but they get so loud sometimes.

So what do I do now?  I have to lift myself back up, ignore the voices in my head, try to remember all the things I have to be thankful for and move on with my life to, hopefully, bigger and better things.  It's not as easy as it sounds.  Life is a journey filled with stress, disapointments, joys, and laughter.  We have to live life one day at a time until we reach our final destination, our ultimate purpose.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

I'm Evicting Mickey!

Mickey has decided that he wants to raise his family in our garage.  Actually, there are three empty houses on our street and Steve thinks Mickey's family lives in one of those houses.  Our neighbors all have dogs, so they like to come to our house for dinner.  I am so grossed out by this.  We have tried putting traps and poison in the garage to catch them, but that seems to only discourage them temporarily.  I would think the sight of their dead family members would discourage them from coming back.  I read online that mice do not like the smell of Ammonia, because it smells like the urine of their enemies, so I have been using Ammonia to clean the kitchen.  It does not smell very good at all and it only seems to work if I clean the kitchen every night and spray it around the doors.  I'm not sure how effective it's going to be long term though.  We haven't figured out yet how they are getting in.  I need a good way to make them leave forever.  I am officially giving Mickey and his family an eviction notice.  Please raise your family and find your food in a different house, preferably one very far away.  If anyone has any mouse evicting tips, I am willing to try just about anything at this point.

Blizzard Warning Issued

So, all over the news they are threatening that we are going to get another big snowstorm over the next few days.  I've heard anywhere from 6-8 inches to two feet.  Good thing I went grocery shopping yesterday.

News Story

"Storm seen as worst since '99"
I remember the storm in 1999. That was my Senior year of High School and we got an extra week of Christmas Vacation.  All the other grades had to make up the days, but we didn't because we were graduating. :o) 

"The weather service said the storm, expected to arrive Tuesday afternoon over much of northern Illinois and Northwest Indiana, could be "dangerous, multifaceted and potentially life-threatening."
All told, forecasters expect at least a foot of snow over much of the warning area. White-out conditions are expected at times Tuesday night, with snowfall rates of at least 2 to 3 inches per hour possible with northeast winds of 25 to 40 mph and even stronger gusts."

Well,  we may be stuck inside for the next few days.

God's Promise!

“God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.”



Budget Cuts

The YWCA is having to cut back the budget again due to the loss of some grant money, so that means my hours are being cut again.  Starting this week, I will be getting off at noon on Fridays, so I will go from 40 hours a week to 36 hours a week.  I still will be considered Full Time and my benefits will not affected, so praise God for that.  Luckily, so far Steve's hours have not been affected.  Praise God for that too.  The last time the YWCA had to cut staff hours, Steve lost 8 hours a week, so I'm thankful that has not happened yet.
I trust that God is going to get us through this temporary set back in the budget.  Hopefully, the YWCA will get some new private donors, so we will not have to rely on government funding so much.
We are going to make some changes to our budget in the coming months and that will probably mean that we will have to slow down a little on our debt snowball, but I believe that we will make it work.  God has always provided for us in the past and I am trusting that He will continue to do so.