Living ~ is there more?

 

I am feeling dissatisfied and I do not know why. I have a job, a home, a daughter, parents, siblings, co-workers/friends, brothers, and sisters-in-Christ.

I do realize that feelings are of this world and do not mean much in the large scheme of things.

I am blessed with so much that even saying I am feeling dissatisfied seems wrong.

This is a rambling of sorts; however, sometimes rattling stuff off helps to discard the feelings whatever they may be.

Being proactive may be the answer. I am volunteering more at church and hope to join a Bible-study small group. I know these will strengthen my faith and enrich my life.

My daughter and I are also continuing to work on our front yard-landscaping project with thoughts of new projects all the time. Very exciting, yet daunting, as well.

Life is full of ups and downs and this moment appears to be on the lower end of the slide.

My faith is in the Lord and I know He is always with me, especially when I feel “down in the dumps.”

Teaching Update

Teacher positions are few and far between.  I need a full-time position and none are to be found.  I know the Lord has a plan.  I am continuing to listen and wait; only He knows the path I am to follow.  Maybe a full-time teaching position isn't where I am to be; maybe using my degree and passion for reading in another arena...time will tell :-)

Passion

I continue to hear the Lord calling me to serve.  I went to school and got my teaching degree because I listened to Him.  I taught in a wonderful private Christian school due to His grace.  I left my teaching post under pressure from an abusive head-of-household.  I am currently not using my degree and miss teaching (I always have missed it!).

I am actively pursuing a teaching position.  I know that if I listen and obey, God will provide and lead me to the right place.

He is good and I am blessed!

Memorial Day

My daughter asked me about the meaning of Memorial Day.  A tradition our family has is taking flowers to the cemetery of those we love; however, those we love did not serve in the military.

Memorial Day is in honor of those in service presently, past and deceased.  It was first celebrated on May 5, 1868 for Union soldiers who had died in battle.  Throughout the years, the tradition gained popularity; however, it was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967. On June 28, 1968, the Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill which moved three holidays from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend. The holidays included Washington's Birthday, Veterans Day, and Memorial Day. The change moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May. The law took effect at the federal level in 1971.

My family will continue our special tradition; however, my daughter's question was a great reminder of our "3-day weekend" and what it really means.

R.I.P.

Sadness abounds in my heart. As I ponder the inevitability of death, I am overwhelmed with emotions ranging from abandonment to confusion to peace. My Auntie Ruth had a full life, she was in her early 90s and was married to a wonderful man, had loving children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. My grandmother’s best friend will be missed by many; family and friends alike.


Death is a familiar word these days. My office has had sadness after sadness: a co-worker’s friend’s husband, a co-worker’s husband, a co-worker’s cousin and now my great aunt. The horror of these deaths is that they have all been within the span of six weeks.

As a Christian, I know that there is life after death. I do not know the spiritual walk of any of those that have recently passed away. My prayer is that they all knew the Lord and believed in Him.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

Life



A friend of mine just lost her husband due to a freak accident. He was only 47 and they had only been married since August, 2008.

I am mentioning this because it has great impact on me. Life is too short for nonsense. There are things I do without thinking of the effect it will have on others or me as time goes on. I do not want to live like that anymore.


I am not looking to have a “crazy, wild time” ~ actually,  just the opposite. I want to surround myself with the things that matter in the long run; family, faith, volunteering…

Hanging with friends is fun and gives a dose of laughter; however, I find that my focus has drifted from the important aspects of life.

I am not looking to be remembered for whom I am or what I did. I want to be remembered as one who shared the light of the Lord by who I was and what I did through Him.

Gonzaga

My daughter has now confirmed her acceptance into Gonzaga University for Fall, 2011.  Right on!  I am one proud mom.  She is transferring from a 2 year college and is currently debt-free.  I am very impressed with her motivation, thoughtfulness and persistence in moving her education forward.

She just finished finals and is on spring break.  After Spring quarter, she is even taking a class in the summer to get a bit ahead of the game for next school year.  She has chosen to live at home and I am all for that.  It is easing me into the "empty nester" season of life.  Even though she is living here, she is busy with school, work and her boyfriend.