Staying the Course

I know I've posted in the past about how I'm struggling with work.  I'd like to say this is a post about how things have turned around and I'm just totally happy and content with my job, well its not that kind of post. 

 Things are still not good.  There is still pressure to extend patients in order to keep revenue coming in and on top of that I have a caseload full of drug users who, yep you guessed, found a way to use drugs while in treatment.  Its fantastic!  For those of you who don't know me well, that last comment was pure sarcasm.  I keep praying that God would continue to give me the strength to do what I do.  But I can't help ignore the fact that my heart just isn't in it anymore.  That's not to say that I don't have moments when the old fire is there, but those are rare these days.  

I'm saying all of this because while all of this is true I was reminded in church today that God calls us to do things and while He uses our gifts in these situations, He also calls us to make sacrifices.  So, I know that this is only a season, and that other things are around the corner, so I need prayer to stay the course.  As each Monday approaches I feel a sense of doom, starting tomorrow I'm going to try to approach each week with gratitude for a job.  Jake and I are really focusing on getting out of debt, with my salary we can do that faster.  So, for now I sacrifice so that in the future Jake and I can have a worry free life.  And truthfully that is totally worth any sacrifice I might have to make.

Renewal

As much as I love Christmas and the holiday season and as much as I enjoy the cold weather something happens to me when its cold out.  I start feeling stuffy and closed in, things that I normally pay close attention to are let go....like my little toes.  Pedicures aren't quite a priority when its cold out, not sure who made that rule or more importantly why I'm following it but I do.  But I got a pedicure this weekend and I feel renewed.  Maybe it was the facial that went along with it or maybe it was the company(one of our best ideas yet Lees), but I feel fresh this week.  Some other things have changed as well, most of you will probably fall out of your chairs when I say this but I'm going on 2 weeks, that's right 14 days without Coke.  I miss it dearly, its a true treat that I enjoy, but this was one change that I've never been able to make, in the past I've always stopped drinking Coke and started drinking Coke Zero or Diet...YUCK!  But not this time.  Only ice tea, no soda.  Oh, how I miss it.  But I'm also pretty proud of myself, I really didn't think I could do it, but apparently I can...yea Me!  

So, not only did my outside get an early spring spruce up, so did my insides.  So, now since we are having a bit of a warming trend this week I can wear my flip flops proudly and my toes are pretty!  

I've made sure to let Jake know that from now on pedicures need to find a place into the budget because they are so fabulous! 

A New Year

Its hard to believe that this time last year I was anxiously awaiting our Wedding.  It seems just like yesterday that the preparations began, but truthfully its been almost a year.  Crazy!  

Our new year started off quietly since both of us were under the weather.  I'm not sure I would have done anything differently even if we were feeling better.  As most of you know Vince died New years day, so new years is just one of those days for me.  This year I had been rather quiet about Vince but my sweet husband was on top of it.  When I got home from work New years eve a beautiful vase of roses was waiting for me.  It was a wonderfully thoughtful act, one that I'll admit I did not expect.  I guess that even though he lost a brother as well, I never expect him to be thinking about it as much as I do.  But I know he does.  It is things like that that bring me to my knees and thank God everyday for the precious man he sent me.

Last year our lives were centered around the wedding, this year we are excited to continue to work on getting out of debt and getting back in shape.  There is always a ton of talk about the freshman 15, but no one warns you about the newlywed black hole.  All this bliss can do a number on your figure :)  I wouldn't trade it though, a few extra pounds is a small price to pay for the happiness I'm experiencing.   We are also branching out and joining a community group at our church.  This is a stretch for us, but we are committed and want to get connected in church not just show up on Sundays.  

So, as we begin the 2nd week of the new year we look forward to all the exciting things God has in store and the new people we will meet.  The other thing I'm doing right now is reading The Shack.  Its such a great book and truthfully I wish I had it after Vince died.  It definitely makes you think.  I'm not even half through and its difficult to put it down, its been a while since a book has held my attention like that.  

Well, I know this has been a rambling post, but what better way to start a new year of blogging:)