Trying Something New

Hey Friends and Family and Blogland Readers-

Starting this weekend, I am doing something new. I am turning off the computer starting Friday at 6:00 pm and won't turn it on again until Monday at 9:00 am. I am telling you all this since many of you I talk to on a daily basis via email. Please feel free to call my cell phone or house phone during the weekend, I am just a phone call away. But I won't have access to the email on the weekends so if you need me, ring the tellie!

To some of you this may sound a bit over the top but like I think I have mentioned before I am trying to find balance in my daily life; letting go of the computer on the weekend is one of the ways I hope to obtain a bit of peace.

So with that being said, have a great weekend and I will catch you on the flip side.

Pray for me, letting go of the computer is like telling the crackhead to give up the good stuff cold turkey! No not really that bad, I just typed the first thing that popped into my head. LOL!

Maybe the next habit I need to break is thinking before I type or speak.

Slow down Susan, take it one habit at a time, don't get all carried away now.

Have a great weekend!

Song in My Head

Jeff quoted a song the other day that I just can't seem to get out of my head now.

Thanks Jeff.

Funny that he quoted this song just before we did our Fantasy Football Draft.

And now I can't seem to get it out of my head. So if you get this song stuck in your head today because of me, well, you're welcome!

Proof That God is In the Details

I have been worried about Granny the past few weeks. Her health is not good and she really needs to have someone with her to help her while my grandfather is at work. This summer sweet cousin Martha stayed over there and helped Granny with light housekeeping, laundry and meals. But more than anything, Martha was Granny's little buddy for the summer. Well, little cousin Martha went back to school this week so Granny was going to need help finding someone to stay with her.

The family has spent the past two weeks trying to locate someone by word of mouth and asking around to a few of our contacts in the area. Between my aunt, mom, brother and I we know quite a few people in the area someone was bound to show up.

Instead of worrying about it, I trusted that God was in the details of this situation, like it says in Psalms 37:23 (The New Living Translation)

"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives."

Anytime I started to doubt, I told myself that God delights in the details of our lives!

Sunday morning I woke up praying for God to direct us to someone that would be able to provide care for my sweet Granny. I thought of one person and told God that if so and so was supposed to be that person than bring them to church on Sunday so I can ask her face to face. She didn't come.

And so I continued to pray and trust God to iron out all the details. Today I called Granny to see if she needed anything picked up at the grocery store and to see how her doctor's appointment went yesterday.

Well the doctor's appointment was good y'all, real good.

She and my aunt had made an appointment to talk to her doctor about getting her approved for home health care. The doctor said, "Whatever you need-don't worry-I will set it up."

I asked Granny what the cost would be out of pocket. And she said "None, medicare covers it."

I asked when will it get started and she said by next week hopefully.

So see, no need to worry God is still in the details.

And as my great-grandmother MOM would saying PTL! PTL!

PTL stands for PRAISE THE LORD!

See...

God is still in the details!

5 Lessons I Am Learning Theses Days

They say that you never stop learning even after you finish school. In honor of many of my favorite little friends and nieces starting school this week I compiled a list of things I am learning these days.

1. I am learning what it means to have a gentle and quiet spirit when you are not typically a quiet person.

2. I am learning how to take time out for me and say no. I recently cleared off many items on my to-do list and I feel wonderful. I will post more about this later.

3. I have learned that my husband flourishes when I encourage him rather than nag.

Side note: Have you encouraged your spouse today? If you need help try the 30 Day challenge, it will be a huge blessing I gurantee it.

4. I am learning that when I am restless on what the future holds I tend to cover up these feelings with busyness. (See #2) Instead of the go, go, go mentality I am learning-slowly learning- how to rest in God's plan and relax heart, mind, soul.

5. I am learning that life is meant to be enjoyed one step at a time. I am learning what it means to be happy and content in the moment wheter than waiting on certain things to bring me happiness.

My Theme Song

Thankful Thursday

Yesterday I did not feel thankful but when I was talking to my friend who wrote the poem below, she reminded me of something I taught her a few months back. You see, I keep a prayer journal and in it I try to write at least one thing I am thankful for from time to time. Reading my words never fails to lift my spirits on my down days. I can always fall back on my written thoughts and realize how blessed I truly am.

Here is what I am thankful for today.

1. Christan community- I don't know how people can through the ups and downs of life without fellow believers around them. What a blessing it is to have people around us who can love us, encourage us, prayer with us in every season of our lives.

2. Growth-I am thankful for the growth in my husband. I am thankful for the growth in myself. I am thankful for the growth in our marriage.

3. Grace- I am thankful for friends and family who are willing to offer me grace when I fail them. I am thankful that God's grace is bigger than my humanness.

4. The Cross- This summer while doing the study A Woman's Heart, I was reminded again of the significance of God sending His Son to die on the cross. We are blessed to have this free gift given to us.

5. His Word- I love it when I sit down to read the bible and a scripture jumps out at me that is just what I needed for that moment. It just goes to show that there is truth in the scripture that says "Gods word is living and active."

To join in with your list see Iris at String My Heart.

And God Is There Yet Again

Emotions running high, I found myself on my knees early this morning. When the phone rings and a friend from church is on the other line, I tried to act happy but the minute she asked me how I was doing I cried.

Long story short, God used this woman to minister directly to me. Later in the day I receive an email from her with an original piece of poetry. Whether or not it was written for me is unclear but the verse she used at the end is the verse that I have been resting in over the past few months. I praise God for Christian community because it never fails when you need them someone is there. I deleted the author's name just in case she wants to remain anonymous but most of you from church (past or present) should recognize the writing style of this sweet, sweet woman.

Nestled Beneath God’s Wing

If only I were there with you,
You’d know how much I care;
But ‘til I am, I’ll lift you up
And whisper in my prayer. . .

“Give her, Lord, a glimpse of You
That she might understand,
While troubles press on every side,
She’s held within Your hands.

Embraced by You, and nestled close,
She’s tucked beneath Your wing;
Seeking refuge in Your arms,
Her Protector, Lord and King.

And then, Lord, in Your small still voice
Unlike she’s ever heard,
Encourage her with promises
Revealed within Your word.

So when in times she cannot feel
Your presence by her side,
She’ll find the grace to draw upon
Through faith that You provide.”

So every day I’ll pray for you
Whether near or far apart;
Lifting you up to our Lord
While I hold you in my heart.

Psalm 91:4

Sprucing Up the Blog

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Try it out and let me know I would love to see your blogs new look!

Happy Tuesday!

"Wheter you turn to the right or to the left your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying "this is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21

I am praying for God to come and guide me. I am praying for the right door to be opened so that there is no doubt that this is the direction in which Jeff and I need to move ahead.

Over the past two weeks, I have been tired, run down, moody and frustrated with life as a whole. I put God on a shelf for a bit because I choose to take out my frustrations on Him. I am tired of waiting and I am tired of being told no, not yet. I have been praying for God to release us from this season of our life but have been too terrified to move ahead.

This weekend I went away for a weekend of cropping (scrapbooking for those who don't know that term), chatter and food. When I left all I wanted from this weekend was a time of rest. I wanted to get away from all the craziness surrounding my life. It has been nuts not only on the outside but on the inside as well. Let's just say that God used Friday and Saturday to draw me closer to Him. I opened my journal on Friday and was reading a few of my past entries.

A few weeks ago when Jodi called to tell me about Baby Brooklyn I hung up the phone and immediately got on my knees to pray for my sweet friend and her unborn child. After I finished praying, I pulled out my bible and came across three verses. I remember reading them thinking man these are perfect for Jodi and David's situation. And yet when I read them this weekend I thought to myself man this is perfect for Jeff and my situation.

The first is written above.

The second is Isaiah 42: 16, "I will lead the blind by ways they have not know, unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them."

The third is Isaiah 58:8-9, "Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call and the Lord will answer, you will cry for help and he will say, "Here I am."

These verses reminded me that God is not only guiding us but He is near. It told me that when the dark days come that God will be there, He will not forsake me. And when I cry to Him for help he will answer, "Here I am."

I don't know about you but isn't that the epitome of a blessed assurance to know that God is near in good times and bad? After I read these verses, I had to just stop and praise God for His nearness. I praised God for Him faithfulness to me even though I distanced myself from Him for two weeks. I came away from this weekend with clear answers to the path that God is choosing and I am praying for the open doors so that there is no doubt in both Jeff and my mind that this is the way that we should go.

I will keep you posted.

Welcome to Procrasitnation Station

Should I be blogging right now? NO!

Instead I should be building a few catalogs, calling a few of my clients, entering an order or two, doing a few spreadsheets for the team meeting tomorrow and don't even get me started about the list of housework that is still needed to be done.

But I don't want to do any of these things and so I have turned off the box that flashes in the corner of my screen to let me know when an email is coming through and have turned off my ringer for a spell. Not to mention hiding the phone under a load of paperwork so that I wouldn't have to see the blinking light saying, "Incoming Call! Incoming Call! Incoming Call!"

And people wonder why I don't answer the phone after 6 pm or on weekends?

It has been nuts, friends! Nuts.

And the truth is I have no reason to post expect for the part where I am trying to avoid everything that looks, smells or feels like work or house work. I know I am not the only one who chooses blogging over housework and such.


Did you know that I have posted 500 posts? Yes that's right...five.hundred!

That's a lot of chatter if you ask me.

Maybe I should change the blog name to Procrastination Station. Nah! And do you want to know why I won't change the name? Well, it is truly random and not particularly spiritual so be warned. But sometimes when I comment or what not my blog name will get abbreviated and only show a portion of my full title..."Blessed Ass" So that is why I will never change my blog name.

And on that note, I close my 500Th post!

Thanks for reading 500 of these crazy things.

I realize that most are random and make no sense and aren't really all that funny be/c they fall under the you had to be there category but you came, your read and you probably never will come back again.

Oh well, can't win them all.

Now have a blessed day!

~Signed-Blessed Ass

Happy Thoughts

Life has been a little crazy lately. I have found myself being more frustrated than joyful the last few days.

In an effort to change my thought process I decided to complie a list of happy thoughts.

1. I am going away for a girls weekend in three days. I love time away with my girlfriends and I love the fact that I have a husband who encourages me to go.
2. Yesterday after being out of town the past two Sundays, our church was full of hugs and glad to see ya's when we walked in the door. I love being a part of a church that feels like an extension of my family.
3. The Olympic success-makes me proud to be American
4. Good friends who pray together in good times and bad.
5. an upcoming weekend get away with the Hubs
6. Charger football coming soon
7. Fall weather in general (I will be ready for cooler weather)
8. The new Eddie Bauer catalog came in the mail last week. I love this store!
9. Hubs and I are also finally discussing moving plans. I am almost afraid that by mentioning it I will somehow cause us to hit the pause button yet again but things are finally falling together. I continue to pray that the Lord will release us from this phase of our life.
10. When I find myself getting down on the waiting period, I turn to 1 Cor. 4:16-18 and remind myself that all that is going on right now is only temporary and working a bigger purpose that I can't see. Reminding myself of this gives me hope for tomorrow and allows me to keep pushing ahead.

8-8-08

Today is a good day. Today is the day that I look forward to every four years...the Summer Olympics

Here are the things that I look forward to:

1. Melissa singing on the opening ceremony stage...I am so proud of that girl!
2. Today Show coverage of the events.
3. Swimming
4. Diving
5. Gymnastics (I am bummed that the Hamm brothers are out, poor guys)
6. all the fun back stories that they play between events
7. Men's Basketball
8. The parade of nations.

What are you looking forward to? I could list a bunch more but I am sticking with the number 8.

Whoops!

I have been known to say the wrong word in a sentence from time to time. Most times I don't even catch it until someone processes what I just said and says, "Did you just say....?"

And usually my reply is, "Was that wrong?"

Which leads to Jeff giving me the proper word that I meant to use and explains the definition of the other word that I said incorrectly.

Well...

When we were at NASA the other day they had a flight simulator that you could ride to experience what an astronaut feels when they launch. But for the longest time I did not say it correctly nor did I catch myself saying it wrong until both hubby and his brother said, "Did you just say Flight stimulator!"

"What?! That's not correct?!"

Oh how we all laughed when I realized my mistake.

Jeff even said, "You better put THAT on the blog!"

So there you go, hope you had a good laugh at my expense!

:)

Florida Pictures

Naval Museum:


Epcot:
Nasa:
Magic Kingdom:
Animal Kingdom:
Animal Kingdom after the rain cleared, Matt & Meredith decided to go to Magic Kingdom instead
A Day at the Beach: Notice Jeff and Meredith's preggo picture

exhausted

We had a great time in Florida. It was a fun bonding experience for all of us and well now I am pooped and my sides hurt from laughing so hard. Truly God blessed us with a great bonding experience.

I tried to blog about the trip while on the road but I had to pay to use the internet and we never had time to blog, it was go-go-go from start to finish. We got home today at 3 in the morning. And yes, I had to work today.

I am trying hard to get pictures loaded to the Road Trip blog but I think blogger is pooped too because so far, I've got nothing.

I will try at a later time for now, I am off to bed.