Where Has Lacy Gone?

I'm sure my three faithful readers are wondering where on earth I've been the last six weeks.  I've been so good about updating regularly this year, and all of a sudden, I just hit a rut and blogged the same thing over and over again.

Well, while I still really like the "Right Now I'm..." blog format, I promise, I'm back for some real blogging.

The last six weeks have been C-R-A-Z-Y!  I've relocated, started a new job, celebrated Easter, and started regularly working out. I know... that doesn't sound very crazy, well at least not the last part, but I assure you- it's been nuts!

Relocating:

Moving home was the best decision I've made since I decided to move to Ankeny.  I know that sounds weird, but moving home has been really, really good for me! It's been so great to be with family again, and while I won't admit to it if asked in public, I've actually kind of enjoyed living in the country again.  I know.  You don't believe me.  Don't worry... I'm not sure I quite believe me either. The only glitch I've found so far is that I had to drive all the way to Burlington (50 miles one way!) to pick up the new Michael Buble cd on Tuesday!  Talk about a hardship!  (Yes, I'm smiling and laughing as I type this....)  And just in case you're wondering, it was TOTALLY worth it!  To Be Loved is Michael Buble's best album yet! :)

My New Job:

I started my new job at the bank five weeks ago, and I LOVE IT!  I started out at the main branch for a few days before moving on to Donnellson for my training.  I was hired to work in the Mt. Pleasant branch, and I was positively excited about that.

But...

Sometimes God answers the prayers we're scared to pray. When I applied to work at the bank, I had hoped to work in the Donnellson branch, but they weren't hiring at that location.  Then I went there for training, and I kind of just fell in love with it- my coworkers, the patrons, and the small-town way of life.  But, oh me of little faith, I didn't even ask God to let me stay because I didn't want to get too attached.  I knew I was moving on, so I didn't ask because I didn't want to face disappointment.

But...

Sometimes God answers the prayers we're scared to pray.  And while I was supposed to only spend two weeks in Donnellson, I've now been there for five weeks with no indication of being moved any time soon.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Easter:

Easter was great!  It was so fun to be able to go to church with my family and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord! After church, we spent the afternoon flying kites and hunting Easter eggs.  Nothing too exciting, but a sweet memory nonetheless.

Workin' Out:

One of the hazards of living at home is Mom's cooking.  The hazard isn't in the food itself, but in the availability of amazingly great home-cooking and it's direct effect on the waistline. YIKES!  I've only been home 6 weeks, and it didn't take much for me to realize that adding a work out routine into my schedule is REQUIRED.  I've just been doing a cardio workout video I found (where else?) on Pinterest and lots of sit-ups.  I'm trying really hard to make it a daily habit, but so far it's about an every other day kinda habit.  Oh well, a girl's gotta start somewhere, right?

Well, that's all I've got for now.  Stay tuned for more life!

Right Now I'm...

Listening: Michael Buble's new cd doesn't come out until April 23, but it was "pre-released" on yahoo music online, so I've been listening to that a LOT the last few days. Because it's his best album yet. And I LOVE IT!

Reading: Irene Hannon's latest novel "Vanished," which thus far has been pretty great!  She writes Christian suspense novels, and I'm a huge fan!

Eating: It's Saturday, so that means it's pizza night at the Vance house (my favorite!).  Also, my "rent" for living at my parents house is to make dessert for Sunday dinner, so I'll be baking a strawberry cake with strawberry frosting tonight! I'm not sure how that counts as "rent" since my mom bought all the 'gredients, but I won't complain!

Wishing: That spring was in full bloom. With warmer temps (All I'm asking for is steady 60-70 degree weather.  Is that really too much to ask?).  And sunshine.

Needing:  I would say a good lunch box.  This morning that's what I needed.  But Mom and I went grocery shopping today, and I ended up finding the perfect lunch box, so I no longer need one! Yay!

Rejoicing: I'm loving my new job at the bank!  It's exactly what I was looking for, and I love the people I work with.  It would be nice to know where I'll be for sure, but it's looking like there's a good possibility I might actually get to stay in Donnellson, which is where I wanted to be in the first place!

Indulging: Salt Water Taffy.  Mom picked up some today in town, and I tell you that stuff is addicting! I super love the banana kind, even though my family thinks I'm insane.

Loathing: Worms.  It's been rainy here, and I'm just dreading their arrival on the sidewalk.  Just the sight of them makes me gag... add the smell and I loose my breakfast. Gross.

Saying: Lots of funny and random stuff.  I came down with a HORRIBLE sinus infection last weekend, and so I've been on meds this week.  Apparently, I've been saying lots of rather hilarious things.  Like... more funny than normal.

Meditating: There's a Legacy Five song titled "Ask Me Why," and its basically all about the love of God.  And I really really love that song.  I heard it on the radio this morning at breakfast, and it's been in my head all day.

Picturing:  Easter two weeks ago.  I never did put up pictures, so for all my wondering readers, here's a quick glimpse of our day.  The only thing missing was Helen, who spent Easter in Ohio.

Right Now I'm...

Ok, so I'm obviously stuck in a little blogging rut, but I kinda like it.  I like blogging in this format for right now because it suits my needs and keeps people up to date on little areas of my life. :)

Listening: The Pitch Perfect soundtrack... because it's awesome.  Also the new Glee songs from last night's episode.  Because they, too, are awesome.

Reading: Full Disclosure by Dee Henderson.  GREAT book!

Eating: Real food.  That's what happens when you move home! (It's fabulous, by the way!)

Wishing: That spring would show up in full force ASAP.  I'm sick of winter and cold and snow.

Needing: At this moment, I can't think of a single thing to put here.  That's a good thing though, right?

Rejoicing: I'm home!  It took me 12 hours from the time I started packing boxes in Ankeny to the time I finished unpacking boxes at home.  Go me!

Indulging: Home Cooking. I don't plan to feast forever, but the next few days, I'm just enjoying my mama's good eats!

Enjoying: Being at home. Spending time with my family. 

Loathing: My stupidity.  I totally should have taken a week break between jobs.  My grandparents will be here next week, and my family has half a week off from school.  I definitely wasn't thinking when I said I could start March 25.  Oh well...

Saying: Lots of conversation with my family.  Mostly with my mom, since she's been the only one looking alive and alert today.   

Meditating: On Easter.  The death, burial, and resurrection of my Savior.

Picturing: My final days in Ankeny & my move.  Great stuff!

Right Now I'm...

Listening: All sorts of great new stuff!  Michael Buble's new song It's a Beautiful Day is fantastic!  Also Because We Can by Bon Jovi and Pink's new song (with the Fun. guy) Just Give Me a Reason are both great! Basically, I'm listening to happy music!

Reading: "Coming Attractions" by Robin Jones Gunn.  I'm reading through her Katie Weldon series for the third time. Great books!

Eating: I've been on a huge Peanut M&M kick lately.  I have no idea why, but seriously!  I can't leave those little guys alone!

Wishing: that I knew what to say to help people who are struggling.  People turn to me, and I usually have no idea what to say, but I want to help!  I also wish that life was easier for all of my friends.

Needing: A visit to the chiropractor... desperately! Can't wait to see her tomorrow!

Rejoicing: God's provision of a new job!  Also for His strength and wisdom.  And for good friends who are always there for me when I'm busy being there for others.

Indulging: I think I answered this in my "Eating" category, but I've also been on a Mt. Dew kick too. I think it's the stress of life circumstances at the moment.  It's been a pretty eventful past couple of weeks!

Enjoying: making last minute memories with my family in Des Moines.  We've gone to the movies, to church, and out to eat twice in the past week.  We always have fun!

Loathing: Satan's lies.  He is so good at filling our minds with untruths and convincing us that they're true.  I just hate how easy it is to fall prey to his lies!

Saying: lots of encouraging words to friends in need of love.   

Meditating: On God's strength and sustaining power.  God is my rock and my fortress!

Picturing: Celebrating dad's 50th birthday this past week.  I have the best dad in the whole entire world, and I'm thankful that I was able to be home for his birthday!

It's Time

As many of you may know, I've decided to move home.  And as promised, here are a few more details on the subject:

A year and 4 months ago, I moved back to Ankeny to take a job at which I am currently no longer employed. I came back to see if living here was something I really wanted to do or not.

I still love the "big city," and I loved having my sister and cousins right down the street.  I love my church family at Trinity, and I love the close-knit family I have found there.  I have made many friendships and relationships that have changed my life in the 16 months I've been here.

In December, Helen transferred to Cedarville in Ohio, and April moved back home.  Suddenly I realized that part of the reason I liked living here so much was because two of my best friends were here too.  Now that they're gone, I miss my family even more than I did before. I started thinking about moving home at the end of last summer, and after several key events that happened in the two short months of 2013, I realized that the time had indeed come to move home.

So I began searching for a job.  And as only God can provide, I found a great job!  After two almost disastrous (due to weather) interviews, God provided an open door to begin working at Pilot Grove Savings Bank!  The job comes with great pay and benefits, as well as some pretty great people to work with! I begin on March 25.

I'm hoping and praying that this will be the job I keep long term; that it will be something I deeply enjoy and can be passionate about.  I'm praying that this will be the job that helps me get settled into a life routine.  I'm getting tired of searching for a job that brings both happiness AND a sense of accomplishment.  I think this job will meet both of those requirements!

The hardest part about moving home is leaving people behind.  I have made some pretty strong connections up here, and it will be hard to say goodbye.  I'm thankful for things like Facebook and texting that will allow me to stay connected to these wonderful people.  And I'm thankful that it's only 2 1/2 hours away, so I can get in my car and come up for a visit whenever I feel like it.

I know that this is the right thing for me, and I'm excited to embrace this new life.  I will be moving home (literally HOME, as in my parents' house) on March 21/22.

I'm so thankful for God's leading in my life, and this time, I'm thankful that His leading is leading me to right where I want to be:

Home.