Right Now I'm...

Listening: Christmas music, of course! LOVING the Pandora station options! They literally have a Christmas station for every mood!

Watching: I started New Girl on Netflix the other day, and boy am I getting a giggle out of that!

Reading: A few months ago, I bought a book on Walter Cronkite, and I kinda forgot about it until a few days ago. I can't wait to dig in to it! I think it could have some really great, interesting things inside!

Working on: As it's getting cold once again, I've picked up my crochet work for the season. I make baby booties for a crisis pregnancy center in Des Moines, and it tends to be my winter project. It's a great ministry, and it's something I can do while snuggled up with a blanket watching Christmas movies or listening to audio books. Plus, it's fun!

Wishing: that there was a logical and treatable reason for why I get sick ALL. THE. TIME! Ear infection and sore throat again...

Needing: See previous answer. But also, with Christmas coming, I've been throwing out a lot of suggestions of things I could use... for instance: more fuzzy socks.

Rejoicing: They will be offering health insurance at my job!!! I didn't think that was going to do me much good considering the insane increase in my private health insurance, but it turns out, it will be significantly less expensive! This is a HUGE praise because maybe I'll be able to address some of these health issues and {hopefully} resolve them!

Reflecting on: A few months ago, pastor gave a sermon on the book of Esther. It has continued to stick with me and encourage me! God had a specific plan for Esther's life: it didn't look like Esther probably thought it should, and it wasn't easy, but God had a plan for her life. And I KNOW He has a plan for mine, too! Even when it doesn't look like I think it should.

Picturing: Two of my favorite people...

Right Now I'm...

Listening: Don't tell anyone, but the last station I played on Pandora was... Christmas music! I'm usually a "wait till November" kinda girl, but for some reason, it's hitting me a little early this year.

Watching: I'm about to finish up "Pan Am" for the millionth time, and Helen and I started watching the new show "Timeless" the other day, which is in it's debut season. It's pretty fantastic!

Reading: Cheap Kindle Quick Reads (nope... not an official title of an actual book, by the way). I have several books in my "I must read this!!" stack, but I just haven't felt like reading a long book for awhile. But I will... winter is coming, so there will be PLENTY of time!

Working on: I just finished a two-day project (took probably 4-6 hours) of sorting through ALL my scrapbooking/card making supplies. I weeded out more than HALF of my stuff to divide amongst my sisters. My "office" (aka the corner of my living room where my desk is) is feeling much less cluttered now!

Wishing: Not really wishing for anything at the moment, which is kind of awesome. Well... technically... I'm kinda wishing I'd thought to grab another gallon of Apple Cider from Aldi when we were there yesterday, but...

Needing: again... can't think of anything to put here at the moment, which I think is probably good!

Rejoicing: For the last three months, I've been working on an on-going issue at work, and today I FINALLY got to see the fruits of my labor! That was a HUGE relief and definite cause for a happy dance!

Reflecting on: The way God brings me encouragement at the exact moment I need it. Every. Single. Time. Some people might call that coincidence, but I just know its HIM giving me every good thing!

Picturing: These. From last years Senior Photo shoot with my baby sister...

Right Now I'm...

Listening: Rodeo is in a week, so that's put me in a bit of a Country mood... But also, Michael Buble has a new album coming out next month, so I've been on a Buble kick also. AND.... I ordered two tickets for my daddy and I to FINALLY go on our daddy/daughter date to see Celtic Thunder in a month (!!!!!!), so I've been rollin' the Irish, too. All the good listening material!

Watching: Quantico is on Netflix, in case anyone wondered, so I've been binge watching the first (and only, so far) season. Because it's SO GOOD!

Reading: At present? Nothing. Not. A. Thing. Unless text messages count.... HOWEVER, I'm...

Working on: putting together a Bible study group. So I'll be reading for that. Haven't quite decided on which study to do, but I'm leaning toward either a Proverbs 31 study or a James study. Decisions, decisions...

Wishing: That AUTUMN would hurry up and hit full-force! I can NOT wait for chilly days and sweaters and boots and warm bevereges and falling leaves and... all of it!

Needing: for this sinus headache to go away. I super hope it's just allergies... and that the meds I got kick in ASAPs!

Rejoicing: The few girls I've talked to are very interested in doing a Bible Study together!! I'm so glad! I wasn't sure if it would pick up or not, but I'm really excited about it!

Reflecting on: How God works in our lives. Sometimes it seems like all I do is W-A-I-T!! But I think God sometimes makes me wait because (1) He knows I'm not ready (2) I'll appreciate it more if I wait for it (3) He's preparing other people to participate in my life. But mostly, I think He makes me wait because what He has for me is SO MUCH BETTER than what I had planned for myself!

Picturing: Last year's Rodeo night... Looking forward to this year, even though this girl is gonna be a hundreds of miles away...

Right Now I'm...

Listening: I created a station on Pandora called "Beyond the Sea" and it's so great! All the greats like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin... very enjoyable!

Watching: Several of my regular shows had their season finale this week, and one even had its series finale (yes, I said goodbye to Castle this week). One show is still standing, with the season finale of Chicago P.D. airing next Wednesday.

Reading: Reading? HA! Does rehearsal music count? That's about all I have time for at the moment. (Side note: I realize I clearly have time to watch t.v., but 9 times out of 10, I also multi-task while I have the show playing in the background. Hard to multi-task while physically reading a book.) I started a free trial of Amazon AudioAudible about three weeks ago, and I'm almost finished with "Buried Secrets" by Irene Hannon. I'll probably finish it today while I clean house.

Working on: Well, I'm still doing the Jamberry thing. I totally meant to write an awesome informative blog post all about it, but clearly we can see what happened with that. I've also joined the Fairfield Area Community Theatre for their summer production of Beauty and the Beast, set to show in mid July. Oh! And I was volunteered to play the piano at my sister's High School graduation tomorrow (which will also be the FINAL graduation at Harmony High School, as they combine the HS with Van Buren next year). Busy, busy, busy!

Wishing: I knew what was next. Potential details to come later on that one. Other than that, I'm definitely wishing I was independently wealthy so I could never have to work again and could just travel the world!

Needing: An extra day between Saturday & Sunday... that would still be part of the weekend. Every single week. (this hasn't changed one word since April's post... because it's still ridiculously true!)

Rejoicing: My little Jamberry business isn't doing too bad. I'm not an overnight millionaire by any stretch, but I signed up to be able to support my Jamberry <addiction>, and so far, I've had decent commissions coming in, so that's A-W-E-S-O-M-E!

Reflecting on: Life moves too quickly. Things change, and we are personally grown and stretched in ways we didn't see coming, but that's OK! God is still in control, even when to us, our lives look a little more like a jumbled mess than a masterpiece.  

Picturing:

Alexxa's preschool graduation from Thursday. She would NOT look at the camera... she was too busy looking at... well... anything else!

Right Now I'm...

Listening: The new Adele album 25 is just wonderful! 

Watching: We spent the day at "the old home place" watching movies with the fam and our friend Maggie. We watched everything from Hilary Duff to Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

Reading: Still working on "Bed of Roses," but I also just ordered Candace Cameron Bure's book Reshaping It All (THANKS Amazon credit!)

Working on:  Two BIG things going on this month (stay tuned for blog post to follow soon): Changing my eating habits & JAMBERRY! I'm super excited about joining Jamberry, but I'm putting in a lot of work leading up to my Launch Party in a few weeks!

Wishing: to be successful. I know... it doesn't come over night. But I WISH it did!

Needing: An extra day between Saturday & Sunday... that would still be part of the weekend. Every single week. 

Rejoicing: I had a great month of bonuses at work, and I REALLY needed that! AND I'm already set to double that next month! WOO HOO!

Reflecting on: Life is full of choices, and for the most part every single one boils down to this: Do I choose ME or Do I choose Jesus? Talk about a slap in the face, but it's so true. 

Picturing:

This little teaser to my next post...

Right Now I'm...

Listening: I've had mostly Christian music playing for the last week or so. (1) It's helping me speak TRUTH to myself (2) It's helping set my focus for Easter (3) It just makes me FEEL better... starts my days off on the right foot.

Watching: Still have a season and a half till I'm done with Private Practice, but I had such a hankering the other day to watch Army Wives that I started that again, as well. Oh... and last night was the season finale of the Bachelor, so of course, I caught up on that today.

Reading: I finally finished Vision in White, so I've moved on to book 2, Bed of Roses. I also picked up a book during the thrift store outing with the church ladies last week entitled "Bad Women of the Bible," which sounds bad, but actually looks like it will be a very good read!

Working on:  This week? My attitude. And being honest with important people in my life. I've done a very good job of hiding some difficult things from... well... everyone (including myself), and Sunday afternoon while talking with my mom, I kind of just lost it. And let it all out. Which was good for me, but definitely showed me that I can't "LIFE" alone... I need my support system. But they can't support me if I'm not honest and upfront and open. I'm working on that. I'm also working on trying to find other ways (besides going to the doctor all the time) to improve my health. Because let's face it: I can't keep being sick all the time!

Wishing: That change was easy. That change didn't require so much hard work and dedication. And that someone could find a way to make me never get sick again (or at the very least, not as often).

Needing: Clear direction from God. And the continued need to speak TRUTH to myself.

Rejoicing: Spring is a mere 5 days away! But as excited as that has me, I'm so THANKFUL for my mom. Sometimes I find it hard to talk to her because I'm afraid of disappointing her. I know she prays for me, and I know that she loves me unconditionally, but having moments like Sunday make me really appreciate the encouragement she is to me. 

Reflecting on: I've said it several times in this post, but I've been really trying hard to speak TRUTH to myself. One of those ways is by reminding myself of God's Word and Promises. Helen and I started dedicating one hour a week as "Bible Time" because we both felt like we needed that encouragement from one another. We shoot for Mondays from 7-8 (ish), but so far, that's only worked out once. This week, we went with Tuesday from 7:30-8:30 because that's what worked. Anyway, I'm studying 1 John. Tonight was 1 John 1:5-10. TRUTH: God has cleansed me from ALL my sin. TRUTH: God is always ready to forgive and restore our relationship when I screw up. TRUTH: I must CHOOSE to walk in the light.

Picturing: I can't wait for consistently warm weather, but maybe not THIS warm. I can't look at this picture without feeling all sticky with sweat. It was like 100+ degrees out this day and the humidity was off the charts.... SO HOT!! But fun!

Right Now I'm...

Listening: It IS February, so I've had a little bit of a Love Songs groove going. But I've also been on a huge late 90's/early 2000's kick: Backstreet Boys, N'Sync, S Club 7, and so on. It's never quiet in our house!

Watching: I'm a huge Grey's Anatomy fan, but I've never gotten into Private Practice (the Grey's spin-off). I tried it once, and just didn't get into it. So... now that I live with Helen, who has Netflix, which just happens to have all of Private Practice available, I've decided to give it another try. And so far, I'm quite enjoying it.

Reading: I'm about 2/3 finished with Vision in White, but that's because I took a time-out to read Kyle & Kelsey Kupecky's book The Chase, which was AMAZING! I highly recommend it for any single teen-adult gal still waiting for her Prince Charming. Super good!

Working on:  I started a daily journaling project at the end of January, and I did great for about a week, and then kinda bombed. But I REALLY enjoyed it for the week I did it, so I'm determined to catch up and keep going. I love writing, and this is one way I can write a little every day.

Wishing: That I knew what other people were thinking sometimes. It would sure take all the uncertainty and guessing out of complicating my life.

Needing: Still, a shelf for my closet. And it wouldn't hurt to have a real Valentine... but alas, there's always hope for next year.

Rejoicing: That there are only 35 days till SPRING! I can not WAIT for this icky winter coldness to be G-O-N-E!

Reflecting on: I made Helen a mix CD the other day entitled "Flawless Love" for our Sunday Morning drives to church. It has several wonderful songs about God's forgiveness on it, and I am such a dirty rotten sinner that desperately needs a Savior, and these songs give me so much hope! I love being reminded that God's love goes deeper and wider than all the drops in the ocean! God's forgiveness extends to the deepest, darkest parts of my sinful heart, and for that, I am BEYOND grateful!

Picturing: This... last year at the Valentine's Banquet at church

Right Now I'm...

Listening: I've been on a Carpenters kick this week... love me some Karen Carpenter!  This collection is my current jam:

Watching: Helen and I just finished watching the one and only season of Pan Am this week (she'd never seen it before), and it's Bachelor time again. So I've been watching that as well.  I know... it's ridiculous. And a little crazy.  But I just enjoy it. Since tomorrow is going to be a stay-inside-Saturday, I'm sure we'll either have a movie marathon or a tv marathon.  Because... it's fun.

Reading: Vision in White by Nora Roberts.  This is book one in a four-book series. I'm not usually a huge Nora Roberts fan, but this one series I definitely love! I mean... I think this is only my 5th time reading through them? 

Working on:  My 2015 Shutterfly yearbook. I started doing this several years ago instead of "manual scrapbooking" which takes a LOT of time, effort, creativity, and money. Shutterfly books are NOT cheap, but since I'm a Kelloggs rewards member, they send me a $20 Shutterfly coupon for my birthday every year, so that makes it almost cheap! (this hasn't changed since last month. I've since gotten an additional $20 credit for being a Shutterfly customer, but both expire soon.  Hence the stay-inside-Saturday scheduled for tomorrow.)

Wishing: Haha... the things I could put here. Mostly I'm wishing I was Bahamas-bound right now like I was this time last year.  Man that sounds good right now!

Needing: A shelf for my closet. Gotta talk to the lumber guy about that....  And also I'm desperately needing to figure out a good time to designate every single day to read my Bible/Journal. Oh. And I'm needing to bring my exercise trampoline to my place from my parents' place.  So I can add running to my daily routine, along with the Bible reading. 

Rejoicing: Helen and I are LOVING our new apartment!  I'm overflowing with (re)joy(cing)! Wonderful new apartment, amazing new(ish) job, and other exciting things in the works!

Reflecting on: the sovereignty of God.  I'm so glad He knows what's going on in my life because He sees the big picture even though all I can see right now is a speck on the canvas. He knows exactly what will happen, who will walk in/out of my life, and the exact timing of it all! So really... I don't need to worry!

Picturing: This... a year ago.  If only I had a time machine...

Right Now I'm... {Christmas Edition}

Listening: I've heard this song many, many times, but never before this year has it resonated with me. I can't pinpoint exactly why I find it so emotionally connective this year, but Karen Carpenter's "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" is my new favorite! If you haven't heard it... here ya go:

Watching: Christmas movies, of course! One of my favorite Christmas sets is The Santa Clause trilogy. But "It's a Wonderful Life" is also a holiday must!

Reading: Obviously, Christmas books.  Most of those are kid books though. I recently purchased two new books to add to my collection: An Otis Christmas & The First Christmas Night.

I'm also, as per usual, going to grab my copy of "Starry Night" (book 8/Christmas book 2 in the Christy Miller series by Robin Jones Gunn). It's a juvenile fiction book, but I just love it.

Working on:  My 2015 Shutterfly yearbook. I started doing this several years ago instead of "manual scrapbooking" which takes a LOT of time, effort, creativity, and money. Shutterfly books are NOT cheap, but since I'm a Kelloggs rewards member, they send me a $20 Shutterfly coupon for my birthday every year, so that makes it almost cheap!

Wishing: Several things... (1) that Waterloo wasn't so far away. My friend showed me a promo for their Christmas program showing this coming weekend, and it looks amazing, but alas, I'm not sure I have the time or desire to drive several hours to see it. (2) That December 18 would hurry up and get here so HELEN WILL BE HOME!!! (3) That I could snap my fingers and instantly be amazingly successful at my new job, but once again... takes time. (4) That any major snowfall will wait until AFTER January 2, so I can move in to my new apartment and not have to deal with sloppy, snowy nastiness.

Needing: Some furniture for my new place.  And money to fund said furniture purchases. 

Rejoicing: That even when I am weak, my God strongly works through me! Yesterday was my birthday, and sadly, I woke up not feeling all too well, but I had piano duties at church, and who wants to be sick on their birthday, so I just skipped breakfast and didn't tell anyone. Thankfully it passed, and by Sunday School time, I was feeling better.  However, ten seconds in to the morning worship service, I was hit with another wave of bleh. God brought me through though, and by mid service, I was feeling fine again. I think I just have something out in my back & hip, so going to the chiropractor should fix that right up! Oh... and also rejoicing that my boss texted me this morning and told me to take the day off in honor of my birthday!

Reflecting on: the goodness of God over the past year.  Birthdays are a good time for reflection (both my birthday and Jesus'). God has brought me to, through, and beyond so many things over the past 12 months, and I'm so thankful for His continued work in my life!

Picturing: This... in 11 days!

Right Now I'm...

Listening: Well it IS October, so... the Celtic Thunder has been my go-to music lately! I also happened upon a Pandora station called "Film Scores," which has made for some fabulous study music.

Watching: I'm working my way through Revenge again. I'm kind of glad that it ended last season; now I can watch it all the way through and know how it ends!

Reading: At the moment, I'm reading a nice big book called "Life & Health Study Manual." Talk about intrigue. So many twists and turns... (haha)!

Working on: (1) Making my baby booties in a larger size to accommodate babies in my life who aren't exactly newborn size (2) wedding music for this weekends ceremony. 

Wishing: Hmmm... not sure there's anything I'm really wishing for at the moment. Just trying to be content & happy with what I have.

Needing: A photographic brain.  It would make this studying stuff way easier!

Rejoicing: I passed the first set of tests for my new job on the first try! I take the second set next week, so I'm hoping (and studying, too) that I pass these on the first try as well!

Reflecting on: This is a little deep (and when things get too deep, people drown), but in yesterday's Bible reading (which was actually Sunday's reading because I somehow ended up a day behind...) I came across a verse in Jeremiah that says something along the lines of (Vance paraphrase) "God has forgiven you sins in their entirety, and He is choosing to never again recall them." WOW! What an encouragement! Sometimes I get so bogged down by my past sins, that I start feeling as though God will eventually give up on me.  BUT... He has chosen to never again remember my sins!  So maybe, I should learn from them, and then take my cue from The Redeemer: stop dwelling on my past sins!

Picturing: This girl... from this weekend's shoot.  Also, I had trouble choosing just ONE... Love her!

Right Now I'm...

Listening: Don't get mad... or do. I don't care. I've been listening to CHRISTMAS music when I get ready in the morning! It won't last long, as I generally don't go full-on Christmas till mid November, but this little preview has been delightful! 

Watching: YAY for the return of ALL the Fall shows! PLUS a few newbies, too! The one I'm most looking forward to is probably Chicago PD... or Chicago Fire. Or maybe it's TGIT (Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder). Or Once Upon a Time. Or...

Reading: The only book I've made sure to read lately has been the Bible I mentioned last month. Michelle & I are still reading it and LOVING it!

Working on: Branding. Establishing a photography business on the side. I absolutely love taking pictures, but I'm still a little hesitant as to whether or not I truly have the talent. So maybe I'm also working on a little self-confidence, as well.

Wishing: For Autumn to show her true colors! Both literal colors and the chilly weather!

Needing: A new pair of jeans that I can really, truly say were worth the money.  And none of that skinny nonsense either. I have one pair of those and that is more than enough.

Rejoicing: I start my new job in TWO DAYS!  Yikes! And YAY!

Reflecting on: Life. In general.  And also on how genius it is to have peppermint coffee AND peppermint creamer. How's that for deep thoughts?!

Picturing: This lovely moment from a year ago this coming weekend....how I wish Slappy and I could hop in the car and go see Helen for her birthday this year...

Right Now I'm...

Listening: With just a hint of AUTUMN in the air, I've been inspired to pull out my Josh Groban collection. I LOVE his newest album "Stages," which I mentioned a few months ago. But I still love his very first Album (the self titled) "Josh Groban" and every album in between! 

Watching: I JUST finished catching up on last season's Once Upon A Time (Season 4), and What an ENDING!  I have been a faithful "Oncer" since Season 1, Episode 1, but about five shows in, I got bored this season. All that "Frozen" nonsense. Turns out, I quit watching just as it was about to get good! I'm pumped for Season 5 to start up next month!

Reading: A few weekends ago, I went to Iowa City to see my nephew, who was in the hospital due to complications from birth. Anyhow, while I was up there, I HAD to go to the mall, right? So I ended up killing at least an hour in Barnes & Noble.  I walked out with three new books (and by walked out, I mean I purchased them... not just walked out with them LOL): two about the Kennedy assassination and one about the wives of the first American astronauts. I'm just about to finish the first of the three books, "Five Days in November," by Clint Hill, who was Mrs. Kennedy's Secret Service Agent. Excellent account of the events as told by an eye-witness!

Working on: This might be silly, but I'm working on organizing my new "ipod." I resurrected one of my old smart phones this weekend to use as an mp3 player, and since it's NOT an ipod, it's not quite as user friendly. But it's serving it's purpose, and I'm LOVING it!

Wishing: Hmmmm.... I can't say I'm really wishing for anything. Life is pretty good right now. I guess if we want to be "in the moment," I'm wishing this sinus-type headache would go away. It's not one of those full-blown "I can't see straight" kind of headaches, but it's been there all day. Yuck.

Needing: I was about to say "more money," but perhaps I'm just needing to better budget what I have. Hmmm...

Rejoicing: My friend Michelle and I have new Bibles headed our way! We're both excited to start our "read through the Bible in a year" gig, and this One Year Bible I found seems to be just what we needed to get us on the right track! SOOOO excited to start this journey with her! We've chosen to start September 1 (and I'm hoping our Bibles get here in time). Can't wait!

Reflecting on: God's plan. Sometimes we don't get to know why He does what He does, and sometimes He tells us in neon flashing signs why He does it.  I love that, either way, I can rest assured that He has a plan, and He will carry it out for my good and His glory!

Picturing: This cutie from Sunday's newborn session (yes... my photography IS a work in progress)

Right Now I'm...

Listening: I discovered JUST TODAY a song called "You Part 2" by a new (I'm assuming since I've never heard of her before) Country artist Olivia Lane. It's my new jam! 

Watching: I started watching "When Calls the Heart" from the Hallmark channel. We watched the movie the other night, and so I decided to check out the TV show. Quite good... and completely outside my usual TV choices.

Reading: I think I'm going to take my copy of "Killing Kennedy" with me on vacation in a few days.  Either that or one of my giant Twilight books. Or a good Nicholas Sparks selection. I haven't decided....

Working on: I just {almost} finished my "Cameras & Canvas" project for Prairie Cherie. The fundraiser will be in late August with the proceeds going to the Salem library, I believe. Anyway... it's another chance to display my photography AND help a good cause, so why not!?

Wishing: honestly? I think I'm wishing for nothing. There are many things I could wish for, but I'm really trying to focus hard on enjoying the NOW and the HERE.  Stop waiting for things and start embracing the life I have!

Needing: An extra day off between now and vacation? Haha... can you even ask for that? I mean... I just feel like I have a handful of things that still need done, but I DID make quite a bit of headway tonight... hence taking the time to "play" on the internet for a few minutes.

Rejoicing: I was SO encouraged Sunday evening when my pastor texted me to let me know that his 5-year-old daughter could recite to him the Fruits of the Spirit! We've spent 9+ weeks in Children's church learning the 9 Fruits (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, & self-control), and I'm beyond ecstatic that the youngest children's church goer (that was present for all 9 weeks) can say them without help!! How rewarding! Still praising God for that!

Reflecting on: the fact that no matter what happens in my life I can be assured that (1) it didn't take God by surprise (2) it's for MY best, even when it hurts and (3) God has a plan for what's next. So comforting amidst the turmoil that life sometimes throws at us!

Picturing: Vacation. In 3 days. We won't be going the same place, but... here's a snapshot of what we did LAST year...

Right Now I'm...

Listening: I'm on quite the country kick lately.  There's a new song out by Kelsea Ballerini called "Love Me Like You Mean It," and I'm loving it!  I shared it with my sister, and she loves it too!

Watching: At this very moment? I have The Phantom of the Opera cued up and ready to start just as soon as I'm done here.  TV wise, though, I've been on a Chicago Fire run. I randomly started watching it a month ago, and I LOVE it! 

Reading: Dee Henderson's book The Protector, which is about Chicago firefighter Jack O'Malley. I forget how much I love the O'Malley series until I pick it up again.

Working on: my tan?  We all know how I feel about the outdoors, but I do like to get a little sun in the summer. 
Indulging: Summer is here, so my indulgence of choice lately has been ice-cream.  I'm a huge fan of vanilla shakes, oreo blizzards, and rootbeer floats, just in case anyone feels the need to bring one by the bank....

Wishing: right now? I'm just wishing I can hold on to this feeling of happiness. It's been a good month. What can I say?

Needing: Absolutely nothing. I'm good for the moment.  God has everything in control, so I don't even "need" answers right now.  I'm just working on trusting Him.

Rejoicing: That I got to spend Father's Day with my incredible daddy.  I know so many children who missed their fathers on Sunday; I also know some fathers who missed being with their children.  I forget, sometimes, how blessed I am to spend time with my father whenever I want, not to mention the fact that I'm lucky enough to still live at home! Such a blessing!

Reflecting on: We're talking about the fruit of the spirit in children's church on Sundays, and the second fruit is JOY. I explained to the children that the difference between joy and happiness is that one is a feeling based on your circumstances. My joy is not dependent upon my circumstances.  I've been really convicted about that over the last six or so weeks we've been talking about the fruit of the spirit. I can be joyful at all times. Even when life is crazy or isn't going the way or the pace I think it should. God is in control, and that itself is reason enough for me to be joyful!

Picturing: Sunday. With Slappy. I was "slapped in the face" with the reminder that she'll be a SENIOR this year.  Time goes too fast; life is short. Cherish the moments and make memories when the opportunities arise.