Changes Abound in 2018

2018 is going to be a year of changes for my family.

With a beloved member diagnosed with Dementia last year, we are looking to make things more manageable until long-term care is needed.  This will include some minor fixes to a home that has been lived in for 40 years, sorting through items collected over 40+ years and purchasing a residence with minimal stairs; quite possible a duplex or a single family dwelling with a ‘mother-in-law’ set-up.  A younger family member will be selling their current home to be the other duplex dweller or living in the mother-in-law set-up.  There was no coercion or guilt applied to the younger member – it was a love-decision.

There have been many family meetings and the conversations have been open and loving.  This is a huge change for all involved; however, everyone is on board to make the transitions happen as smoothly as possible.

I am praying for the entire family – the three members in the middle and those supporting them.  I know my daughter is praying, as well.

Of course, life continues to move forward and I know that there will be many life-moments this year that have nothing to do with the above noted change.

Jeremiah 29:11 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.

Windstorm 2015

We had a massive windstorm yesterday afternoon/evening with gusts over 70 mph.  Most of Spokane is out of power (yep, I'm included in that group).  Lifting up prayers of safety for all during this time of power outage and cleanup.

The Lord is with us!

New Job

I am so thrilled with my new position.  I applied for an Administrative Specialist 2 position in early May.  I started on May 22nd - working mornings at my Customer Accounting Specialist 2 job and afternoons at my new position.  I will continue along those lines until I have trained someone for my CAS2 job.  The posting closes this afternoon so hopefully someone will be hired next week.

I have been praying about my work environment for quite some time and I believe this was God's answer for me.  Thank you, Lord!

This isn't a pay increase, not even a lateral move; however, the slight (very) decrease in pay is worth it's weight in gold for the change in environment and co-workers' attitudes.  That is not to say that I won't miss working closely with some of the people that will be left behind; however, they know who they are and that I will still be nearby.

Summer Heat

(taken within the last 24 hours)

Whew ~ extremely warm temperatures for the Pacific Northwest.  Mid to Upper 90s going on two weeks.  I am not a fan of the summer heat; hence, I do my best not to complain of the cold, snow and rain we get the rest of the year.  Currently, there are some fires around the area and the air is smoke-filled which is bad news for those with asthma and other respiratory illnesses.  My prayers go out to those near the wildfires, all the firefighters and those affected by the fires.

Other news, I recently went on a mini-vacation to visit family in Oregon (near Portland).  It is always so relaxing and enjoyable.  I helped with some yard work and outside organizing (they are on a couple of acres) in the mornings and visiting in the afternoons.

Work

Work has been crazy over the last month with people on vacation, having surgery or out with colds/flu.  I enjoy my job when I can actually do my duties.  Filling in for others and not getting any of my own work (or little) done got a tad frustrating.

Sometimes I wonder if this is where I am supposed to be.  Is there something else out there for me?  I have to admit that I have not been praying about this; therefore, I haven’t received any answer.

Being unmarried doesn’t afford a woman to be a homemaker or work part-time or even volunteer instead of work-for-pay.  I may be in the minority, but I feel like I am missing out.  I am past the time of having more children (have a lovely 23 year old daughter); however, that doesn’t mean I am over-the-hill or meant to be an old spinster, or does it??

Praying to the Lord for guidance in all things is something I don’t always do.  Sometimes He seems so big and far away and my daily life seems so inconsequential.  I give thanks daily for His mercy and grace and need to give thanks for His guiding hand in all areas of my life.

Goodness, it is time to get on my knees and pray J

Bring in the New Year

I just reviewed my resolution blog from 2013 and see that I was able to keep some of them :~)

I am not stressing over resolutions for 2014.  However, I am excited to see where the Lord will direct my path this year!

My prayer for each of you this new calendar year is to follow God’s leading in your life!

It's been too long

I haven’t blogged in a few weeks so I am trying to get back on track.

My small group just started a new study.  We are reading the book “Bad Girls of the Bible” by Liz Curtis Higgs.  There are study questions at the end of each chapter.  It is an easy read and Liz does a great job of bringing the ladies to life.  Since we are all sinners, it can be easier to relate to those that fall from grace versus the people that are (or seem to be) beyond reproach.

I am also going to participate in a Thursday evening study with my daughter.  It is using the workbook entitled Faithful, Abundant, True featuring Kay Arthur, Priscilla Shirer, and Beth Moore.

Lately I have been wondering what God’s plan is for me.  I know I need to be in prayer and also listening to His quiet voice.  Sometimes I wish that His voice would boom J

Today I request to be added to each of your prayer lists for specifically gleaning where the Lord would have me be and what He would have me do.

I picked up a couple more pairs of boots for fall, winter, and spring (but they aren’t ‘snow’ boots).  Now I have brown, grey and black :~)

The weather has finally started to cool down.  I love all four seasons but my favorite is Autumn!  Cool nights, warm days and beautiful colors – thank you, Lord!

Daily Devotional E-Mails

"Spirit Brought Blessings" — SpiritFire for 08/07/2013

They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. — Romans 15:27 tniv

Key Thought

The Spirit guided the people of God and brought God's message and God's blessings. This difficult path through history and the treacherous times of human failings was completed because of the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of God's leaders and his chosen people. The blessings, and even more, the blessing of the Holy Spirit, are now ours. But we must remember those from whom we've received them and continue to pass these blessings along.

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, you know the future and I do not. You know who is good and bad. Yet I trust you because I see how you worked through your Holy Spirit to bring us to today. Now I ask that you work in us and through us to bring your blessing to the world today. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayers for SpiritFire are written by Phil Ware. You can email questions or comments to phil@heartlight.org.
© 1998-2013, Heartlight Inc.

I get the above as a daily e-mail.  I felt this one needed to go on my blog.  I have a group of beautiful ladies that I forward these on to with a thought of my own.  This is what I said about the above:

Through God’s grace we have been redeemed.

I am looking at the prayer portion of today’s email and am reminded again that I am not to judge others.  In my work environment, it is difficult not to get frustrated with co-workers who circumvent the system creating extra work for a few employees (especially when the boss is away).  I continue to work on focusing on the Lord and knowing that I need to do my best in all things and NOT worry about others ~ whew.

With that crankiness said, I am thankful to know that I have the Holy Spirit guiding me in my daily life and continue to pray for guidance in all things.

Family Reunion Time

I am excited for our “Chase” family reunion next week!  It’s been three years; although, most everyone was together last year for my daughter’s wedding.

I was checking out the 10 day forecast and it is going to be extremely hot!  I don’t do well in warm weather as I don’t sweat; just look like a red tomato (sorry if that was TMI).  I will be staying hydrated and doing any outside work early in the day.

Happy Fourth of July – tidbit of history; the Declaration of Independence was not signed all at once.  It took months for all of the delegates to sign it because of the travel time ~ so don't believe the 'portrait' showing all the delegates around the table for the signing :~)

Prayers for our country’s leaders and thanksgiving for my blessings – Thank you, Lord!

"Appearance" Update

It has been four months since I began my modest dressing by wearing headcoverings and ‘skirts/dresses’ only.  There was a very small adjustment period and no looking back.  I find I am most comfortable with my scarf-type headcoverings versus the three caps I have.  I always feel as if the caps were going to come off.  The freedom I feel with the skirts is wonderful.  I don’t feel ‘on display’ and worrying about how my bottom half looks to others.

I am thankful for the support of family and friends during this ‘appearance change’ and know that I would do it regardless just because I have felt led by the Lord to do so.

I am feeling restless about life and not sure why.  The Lord’s ear is probably tired of my wonderings and I need to turn my ear towards Him to hear where/what He is leading me to do.

I was reading an Amish series this week and the first book had this Amish proverb which struck me as wunderbaar (wonderful):  “Happiness is the inner joy that can be sought or caught, but never taught or bought.”  How true that is!  The Lord’s joy is elusive yet attainable by prayer and thanksgiving at all times.

Thank you Heavenly Father!

Gardening/Yard Work -- Lack of Action

I have been having difficulty motivating myself to do ANY yard work.  I have the following from Heartlight printed and posted in my cubicle at work.  I am going to print in for home as well.

To my shame, I need to acknowledge the attitude of laziness with regard to my yard.  I had e-mailed the following request to my small group and would request prayers from you as well.

This will sound like a silly request; however, will you pray for me in my perseverance in yard work and that God gives me delight in it.  Currently, it is the VERY last thing I want to do EVER and I need the Lord’s strength and life-changing touch for this attitude adjustment.

I appreciate your prayers very, very much!

Today's Verse for 10/18/2012

If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks. — Ecclesiastes 10:18

Thought

Laziness is not just an attitude, it is a lack of action. It is a choice to let important matters suffer neglect. While the results of this choice may not always be evident, over the passage of time, the basic results of idleness are borne out by the accumulating signs of decay and destruction.

Prayer

Stir in me, dear Heavenly Father, a passion to do what is true and good and righteous. Convict my heart when I neglect what is important. Please help me discern the difference between laziness and a genuine need for rest and to balance my life between my many responsibilities. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
The Thoughts and Prayers for Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware. You can email questions or comments to phil@heartlight.org.

Today's Verse Illustrated

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© 1998-2012, Heartlight Inc.