Letting Go and Loving Life

"I’m letting go...it feels like I’m falling and that’s what it’s like to believe...Trusting and trying to embrace The fear of the unknown, Beyond my comfort zone...Knowing You are holding me, I’m not afraid..."

And because I'm not afraid, I'm free to live and love life:

372. Catching up with co-workers - they're all awesome!
373. Garden goodies from friends - yummy!
374. Cooking dinner with my mom
375. Gramps' Funny Faces - I laughed so hard! He looks(and acts) more and more like Papa every day!
376. Friendly "feuding" family card games
377. Gazing at my husband across the table as he grins, smiles, and laughs
378. Laughing the night away with my parents and my love
379. Sunshine, blue skies, and cooler weather
380. Leisurely shopping
381. People Watching: Elderly couples shopping side by side as they steadied themselves by the cart, a dad carrying his son, a granddaughter, walking hand in hand with her grandpa, a mother and daughter who looked like best friends, a family of four all dressed up for something special
382. Seeing people you know in unexpected places
383. Being able to wish someone "Happy Birthday" in person after being clued in by Facebook :)
384. Installing new technology and having it work! YAY!
385. Being "helpmate" to a wonderful man

 "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”

Finding Wings

As a parent, my goal was to raise my children to be responsible, independent adults who love God with all their heart and live to serve Him and His people. As the time came to nudge them out of the nest, my protective nature took over, and it became clear this "letting go" was going to be much more difficult than I had anticipated. This weekend, God allowed me to witness the strength of their wings and the wind beneath them. He also gave me peace to unfold my own wings, which will allow me to soar to the new heights and new adventures He has been preparing for me.

Today, I'm thanking Him for these gifts:

362. Seeing my kids maturing and flourishing as they spread their wings and begin to fly; Thankful for the opportunities God is providing for each one of them.

363. An uneventful college road trip and caravan to Alabama (UAH) and South Carolina (CSU).

364. A gracious and helpful Holiday Inn Express Hotel manager who remedied my booking mistake with a smile.

365. Spending a couple hours with both “kids” and listening to the familiar “banter” between them.

366. Aunt Carol’s gracious hospitality offering a drop in room for the night with a goody bag of healthy fruit and muffins for the road.

367. The gift of a loaf of fresh home(dorm)-baked bread from Chad as we said goodbyes for another 3 months.

368. Hanging out with Cristin’s roommates in their awesome Super Senior Suite while they unpacked and shared stories of summer.

369. Safe, uneventful flights to a wonderful husband waiting to whisk me home.

370. An understanding boss.

371. The flexibility of working online and off-site.

It's time to move on to the new adventures God has planned for all of us. I'm finally ready!

“Remember not the former things,
nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:18-19

Riding the Roller Coaster of Life

Since Friday morning, I have been riding a roller coaster of emotions. The highs are exhilarating; the lows...not so much. But still, I look to find whatever..."whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Philippians 4:8

352. News that Chad got the RA job for next year at UAH. Lots of other encouraging talk.

353. Picked up my NEW GM EMPLOYEE ID! It worked - YAY! Looking forward to beginning a new chapter in my life, back to work as a Materials Engineer at General Motors on Monday.

354. Got a flat tire as we were merging onto I-75 during Friday morning rush hour. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

355. Was rear-ended by a semi-truck while stopped for a red light after replacing all tires. So discouraged that our "best" vehicle (though it is a '98 with 150,000 miles) has a buckled trunk, bumper, and broken taillights. Very thankful that it was still driveable for our weekend getaway.

356. Sad to pack up my Warren office - I'll miss my awesome Materials Lab co-workers! Thankful I will have many opportunities to continue to work with them as their "customer".

357. Connected with Craig's college friends and their family, then with my college roommate and her husband who hosted us at their Bed & Breakfast.

Melanie & Tony Barnard

358. An opportunity to catch a couple of salmon on Lake Michigan. Yummy!

359. Waking to a rainy Saturday - perfect weather for Craig to enjoy.

360. More vehicle issues - Thankfully, Dad arrived to the rescue, just in time to fix the brakes.

We had the WHOLE cabin to ourselves!

360. Hanging out with Cristin and getting a private trail ride to the outback. Getting to play euchre with Cristin and her friend. (AND got beat!)

Cristin leads with Dexter

Cristin gets Dad situated on Rowdy while Mom and Red watch.

Waiting to worship.

361. Coming home to find my faithful friend, Lucky dog, rapidly deteriorating healthwise...not looking forward to what the next couple days will require. :-(     

I'm focusing on the great memories of my faithful shadow - a great dog!

....Still I will PRAISE Him!