While I Was Busy Making Lemonade...

We've all heard the old adage "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."

Six months ago, as some of you may know, I began looking for a new job.  There wasn't anything particularly wrong with working at the bank; I just knew I didn't want to look back in ten years and see that I was still there, doing the same ol' thing that was neither fulfilling nor rewarding.  So I put out dozens of resumes and had several interviews over the summer. But by the time vacation rolled around in August, nothing had panned out, and I was feeling quite discouraged. So while we were in Colorado, spending hours and hours in the car, I made the decision to stop looking for awhile. I decided to "make lemonade" and be happy at the bank. At least until next spring.

Shortly after we returned from vacation, a new job opportunity came up, and I interviewed for the job.  I even went so far as to initially accept the job, which I then turned down the next day. I simply had Z-E-R-O peace about taking it. I couldn't figure out why God was suddenly saying no, but I went with my gut (the lack of peace) and said "no."

That afternoon, my friend Michelle approached me about reading the Bible.  There was my answer. God wanted me to stay where I was because I needed a Bible reading buddy, and so did she.

So there I was, busy making lemonade, enjoying my life, when literally out of nowhere, God dropped a new job in my lap. My soon-to-be boss approached ME about working for her.  I wasn't even looking anymore, and THERE IT WAS! She (my soon-to-be boss) and I grabbed lunch a few days after she initially approached me, and by the end of our chat, she offered me a job at her State Farm location in Mt. Pleasant! Needless to say, I am ecstatic about this new opportunity! I begin October 1, and neither of us (my soon-to-be boss & me) can wait!

I know its going to be a LOT of work (I need to obtain four different licenses before I can really do what she wants me to do; I'll probably be working on those at LEAST through the end of this year), but I am confident this is where God wants me.  It also doesn't hurt that the benefits are incredible and the pay is significantly higher!

Sometimes God says "no" to what we want. Sometimes He says "wait."

And sometimes, while you're busy making lemonade, God says "YES!"

36/52 - Flag

One of my favorite parts of the Tri-State Rodeo...

35/52 - From Above

These are a few of the shots from the senior photo shoot I did this summer for my sister & my cousin. It was MASSIVELY hot in that church, but it was fun to climb up in the balcony and snap these! They weren't my favorite in terms of quality, but I do want to try this again, maybe with some better lighting.

34/52 - Cheer(leader)

Guess who decided to embrace her Senior year and give CHEERLEADING a try!!!

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)