Important Reminders from God

I am a firm believer in divine intervention. God is everywhere, and He is always inserting his wisdom and guidance in to everyday life. I will be the first to admit that I am often oblivious to His daily teachings, but in the past week, He has made me aware of some pretty important lessons and reminders.

Lesson 1: Husband and I can handle bringing our daughter into the world. About a week ago, I had some symptoms that I knew I shouldn't ignore. I calmly alerted Husband that we should make a trip to the hospital to get things checked out. Bless his heart, Husband has a tendency to flip out in "crisis" situations, so I knew I had to remain calm to hopefully keep his reaction in check. Fortunately, we spent an hour and a half in labor and delivery and found out that everything was fine. However, we learned that when it's time to get to the hospital and we're home, we can handle it. We are prepared.

Lesson 2: We have a plan in place for tornado warnings. When we arrived home from the hospital around 11 p.m. that evening, we promptly crashed because we were so tired. At around 7:30 the following morning, our weather radio alerted us to a tornado warning for our area. We managed to get our cats into our safe place and kept checking the warnings via our phones until we knew things were safe (and fortunately, no tornado came through our area). This opened up a discussion of experiencing a tornado warning when our little one is here and what to do. It felt good to have this dialogue because often times, you don't have the opportunity to discuss what to do until it's too late.

The view from our apartment the night of the fire alarm.
Mad love for first responders.

Lesson 3: We have a plan in place for a fire alarm. A couple of days after the tornado warning, we experienced a fire alarm. We were both in bed, just about to fall asleep, when all of the fire alarms in our apartment building went off. It took us several seconds to realize that getting out of the apartment was a good idea, but I did a quick check of our own apartment to see if anything was amiss. When we went outside, we were greeted by all of our neighbors in our breezeway and everyone was questioning what was going on. The alarm was set off at the opposite end of our building, and fortunately, it appeared to be a false alarm. However, this was another instance of opening dialogue for a "what do we do?" situation. And we discussed in length what is necessary to getting out of our apartment safely in the event of a fire/fire alarm.

We had never bridged these topics, but with the little one on her way, I'm so thankful that we now have plans in place in the event of a tornado or fire or whatever force of nature comes our way. I genuinely don't think we would have had these discussions had it not been for these fortunate false alarms. My conclusion? God was opening our eyes to what we should prepare for - just in case - since we'll have a helpless little human relying on us to protect her. I take these lessons to heart.

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." 

- Isaiah 41:10

Big News!

Remember when I alluded to something pretty big back in July?

The cat's been out of the bag now for a few weeks (and by out of the bag, I mean we made sure everyone and their mother knew): We are expecting!

As I write this, I am 24 weeks pregnant with our daughter-to-be. Our little lady is scheduled to arrive in February. I'm excited, terrified, stressed, overwhelmed, and all-of-the-above in the emotions department.

This year (meaning 2013) has been a year for my husband and I to really let go and let God. As we have grown in our faith, we have really started to let our controlling natures go and put our trust in the Lord. It scares both of us because at our hearts, we are both planners and control freaks (although I take it to more extremes).

We purchased another vehicle earlier in the year (April), well before knowing that we would become parents in the immediate future. We celebrated six years of marriage (May). We found out we were expecting (June). We moved to accommodate our growing family (July). Of course, our focus now is preparing to go from a family of two to a family of three. We are feeling so incredibly blessed by these big life changes, and while the changes can be scary, we're embracing these new paths with the knowledge that God is right there at every step of the way.

Credit: superelahstic on tumblr

So that's the big news. I'm feeling energized to get things going around here; if nothing else, for a way to get lots of pregnancy thoughts out into the blogosphere. Pregnancy has made me crazy, and I know I can't be the only mama-to-be who feels like she's losing her mind.

Here's to life changes, big and small. My prayer is that we can handle it all.

(Like my sweet rhyme? Admit it, you do.)

End of June Update

Where in the world did June go?

I know where it went. If you know a youth librarian, you'll know that summer is (most likely) their busiest time of the year. Summer Reading just consumes you. We have six full weeks of programming, and I've survived the first three weeks. It's all downhill from here. It has been such a full and fun month of sharing books during story times, having special guests present their talents, and encouraging children to read, read, read. One of the best things about my job is interacting with the kids. There's one young man (I believe he's going into 6th grade) who shares book recommendations with me and just talks and talks about books. Seriously, is there anything better?

Outside of work, life has been just as full. With R not working over the summer, he has committed himself to serving in our church over the summer. Our church participates in a government program to feed children over the summer, and he has been dedicated to taking on a leadership role in that work. God is also guiding us to some big changes that will be happening in a few weeks. I'm looking forward to sharing updates when we have more assurance that the direction we're headed in is the right one.

Tell me something good in your life right now.

Psalm 145:5

A new day

An afternoon drive

Early evening rainbow and showers

 

On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

- Psalm 145:5



Reflecting on Six Years of Marriage

When I was a teenager, I told my mom that I never wanted to get married. I had it set in my mind that once I graduated from high school I would go through college and focus on my career. I miss those rose-shaded glasses of youth sometimes - you know, the ones where everything works out how you plan things.

And then the real world comes along.

I never dated in high school. I couldn't be bothered. I was also a plus-sized teenager (who is still a plus-sized woman, but a smaller version!) who had a lot of body issues. No one dated the fat girl, and I was OK with that. I knew there were better opportunities outside of high school and my hometown, and I was excited to find out what the world offered. When I moved away for college, I started dating. I had two very unsuccessful "relationships" that I can't help but laugh about now. After the second relationship ended and I went on a couple of bad first dates, I just stopped playing the dating game and went back to worrying about me and my education.

One day, Richie came in to the picture.

I love to tell Our Story, but I'd rather wait another time to go into all the cute and sweet details. But he came into my life when I was 19. He was different. I was sick one week after we made things official, and he took care of me - no questions asked. I can't tell you how many times I almost wet myself because he would make me laugh so hard. He was readily accepted by my family and friends. He supported my desires to do what I wanted to do in my professional life. He was The One. We both knew almost one month into dating that we would get married. We just knew.

It always happens when you least expect it, right?

On Memorial Day this year, we will celebrate six years of marriage. Around this time, we always reflect back on our first few months ago. It is clear to me now that this was who God had chosen for me. Richie was to be the man that I would partner with to take on this world. I couldn't have picked a better husband if I tried, and I'm so thankful I didn't choose anyone else. Richie takes care of me and our families. He works hard to provide for our family of us and two cats. He still makes me laugh. He never misses an opportunity to tell me I'm beautiful.

Reflecting back makes me get all mushy, but it also leads me to pray for my girlfriends and other women. Every woman should feel as treasured and beautiful as my husband makes me. My prayer for single women is that God brings them to that person, but you have to be patient. Wait and pray. Don't go in to marriage on your own timing - wait for God's timing. It's so absolutely worth it.

Faith: Good Choices

This past Christmas, I received a devotional collection from my mother-in-law. A few years ago, I would have thought the gift was a waste. My testimony of faith is colorful (I think), but it wasn't until a year ago next month that I started regularly attending church. I started opening my Bible again. I was reintroduced to Him. 

And let me tell you, it has been wild. 

I pick up this devotional collection every morning. If I skip a morning or two, I feel as if my whole day is off. I try to hang on to sometime from each reading for the day because my mind gets cluttered and crazy very quickly. About a week ago, I read one devotional that just stuck. 

As focused and motivated as I can be, I do stray from the task at hand. When I'm tired or worn out, I will not do what I should be doing. I feel like I shut down and throw an inner temper tantrum at what needs to be done. I'll start working on one thing, get distracted, think about the million other things on my to-do list, freak out, and then I'm left with nothing accomplished. Once I've hit this stage, I beat myself up over the choices I've made and the time I've wasted.

Then I read that morning's devotional and this line hit me.

I love Hello Kitty. And pink pens. 

That Hello Kitty post-it is on the center of our refrigerator. It reminds me to stop, breathe, and think it all through. Because at the end of the day, I don't want to regret the way I used the time God has gifted me. I want to spend that time doing whatever it is I am meant to do... and I'm pretty sure throwing myself a pity party over what I haven't accomplished isn't in His plan for me.

Turning Off Autopilot

Is anyone else sick of winter?

This is the first winter where I have had a serious case of the winter blues. I have had little to no motivation to accomplish anything on my to-do lists. Anything that has to be accomplished is done as efficiently as possible. Life feels like it is on autopilot right now.

I'm just feeling blah. Can you tell by the little activity here lately?

Beautiful, blue skies on our way to church Sunday morning.
If you can't tell, I was in the passenger seat taking this.

This past weekend was the first taste of spring for us. It was glorious. Blue skies, warm temperatures, a nice breeze. Perfection. And as I write this? Gray, rainy, and thunder. My mother-in-law reminds me often that the beautiful days should be savored whenever we have them. If each day was filled with sunshine and perfect temperatures, could we truly appreciate the beauty?

Winter has been a reminder to me to savor the good days and learn from the bad. We experienced some rough things in this season within our families, but things are turning around in more positive directions. I'm turning off the autopilot features and giving the controls back to God.

"Moses asked God, 'Teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” Why would he ask such a thing? Because we all know if we aren’t paying attention, days slip into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years. The momentum is in His hands, but He loves us faithfully and gives us the choice." - Jason Stasyszen

When Pigs Fly, Miracles Happen

A young lady named Danielle* came up to me one afternoon while I was working the circulation desk to see if I could print out different coloring sheets for my coloring table. She wasn't too jazzed about the winter-themed pages that were currently stocked in the coloring basket, and many of my regular children know that I will print out whatever they want if they ask nicely. I had never talked to Danielle before, so I was impressed with her forwardness to ask me for something different.

However, she didn't give me something specific to work with. After a few questions and ideas, she told me she liked pigs and flowers. I told her I could make that happen and said I would bring her the coloring pages once I printed them out. She thanked me and returned to the coloring table.

I found this page of pigs, along with a few other pages I thought would be fun. I printed up a batch and hand-delivered them to Danielle, who was looking through a picture book. I sat down the page of pigs and asked her if she liked it, and I'm telling you, you could feel the happiness radiating off of her.

Danielle then shared her story with me. As she told me her story, I got goosebumps from her optimism and zeal.

Danielle is around 18 years old and confined in a wheelchair. She was in a car accident that she shouldn't have survived. Her doctors told her mother that she would most likely not recover her basic capabilities. Her mother's response? "When pigs fly, miracles happens." Danielle was tickled by the coloring page because it looked like flying pigs. She told me that ever since she was released from the hospital, she sees pigs all the time. And what were the odds I would find her a coloring page with pigs that look like they were flying?

Danielle has recovered most of her speech capabilities. She has good function of her arms. And she was able to tell me her story, give me a hug, and ask her caretaker to bring her to the library more often. Danielle is a miracle. After she shared her story with me, I walked away changed. Because it's not every day you meet a miracle.

*Name has been changed.

Revelation Song

I have had this song stuck in my head for days. Our church band performs it regularly, and I love the Phillips, Craig & Dead version. When I turned on the radio this morning, it just started playing. I love when that happens.

Merry Christmas

I'm not in the Christmas spirit this year. My mom has been ill during her visit here - so ill that we took her to the ER Saturday morning. Later that day, we learned of a passing in our family. We missed church on Sunday and that dampened my mood a bit more.

But I am thankful this Christmas. I am so very thankful that my mom's health is improving. I have a warm home to sleep in and a stocked pantry. I have family who have blessed me with Christmas gifts that are necessary and useful. I have friends who offer prayer and encouragement during the good and the bad. I am in good health. I am incredibly blessed, and I am so thankful this Christmas for the abundance around me.

Merry Christmas.

Philippians 4:19

A very good reminder from this week's church sermon.

"My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Jesus Christ."
- Philippians 4:19

Jeremiah 17:5-8

My church started a new message series this morning for the Christmas season. This is the first holiday season since I was in elementary school that I have been in church. Sad, isn't it? My pastor discussed the hype of Christianity that drains the hope out of Christians. The hope was drained out of me as a teenager and in my early 20s. This year, that hope was restored thanks to this church, and I feel so blessed to have found a church home that nurtures my faith.

But I digress.

My pastor shared the following verses in his message this morning.

This is what the Lord says:

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
who draws strength from mere flesh
and whose heart turns away from the Lord.
That person will be like a bush in the wastelands;
they will not see prosperity when it comes.
They will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
in a salt land where no one lives.

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”

- Jeremiah 17:5-8

 

Because my hope is not in this world. My hope is in Jesus.