God's Plan NOT My Plan

Well, life is quite different these days, since I started back to work full time, as a permanent employee for the NEW General Motors. This wasn't in my plan - it wasn't in my wildest dreams - to be back to work as a Materials Engineer for a large company after 20 years as a stay-at-home mom. No, it wasn't my plan, it was God's plan, and I am beginning to see some of the work He has prepared for me;
     it's scary,
          it's exciting,
               it's exhausting,
                    it's humbling,
                         it's challenging,
                              it's overwhelming
                                   it's in HIS hands!

"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." Proverbs 19:21

I can't begin to relate all the blessings I've experienced these past few months, but here are a few...

386. All expense paid travel to places I've never been.
387. Experiencing restaurants I would never step in on my own - the price tag would keep me at a distance.
388. A dinner cruise around Manhattan.
389. The awe of seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time...and then again all lit up at night.
390. The beauty of the New York Skyline lit up at night, understanding how it got it's nickname, "the city that never sleeps" (and being Glad that I don't live there!).
391. Meeting fun people from all over the world - everyone say, "We're GLOBAL!"
392. Feeling those "professional" skills starting to come back.
393. Confidence building.
394. Helpful suppliers.
395. Coming home to dinner on the table. (Role reversal!)
396.  Awed anew by blazing fall colors against a clear blue sky.
397. Coming home from a long week away on business to find a cozy fire, dinner cooking, and open arms waiting for me!
398. Having an opportunity to get to know my co-worker who comes from a very different culture and has very different beliefs than me.
399.  "Knowing that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

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!

Precious Memories

Memories - reliving old and making new - are opportunities to thank God. These are just a few of the blessings this week.:


335.  Our summer vacation beginning at the Knable Kottage with Nonna and Gramps.

336.  Two of my very favorite men (Hubby and Gramps) working together most of the day Friday troubleshooting the trailer wiring, repairing the problem, and cleaning up. Thankful for the wisdom we glean from working with an older generation.

337.  Nonna and I having the "chore" of "snail hunting" along the lakeshore and soaking in lots of vitamin D! It was a gorgeous day at Bear Lake and I always enjoy our conversations while we "work".

338. A Friday morning bike ride with Gramps, joining him during the second half of his ride. Time spent with my family is so precious to me, and I thank God for the relationship I have with mine.

339. A leisurely drive up and over the Mackinac Bridge. It was so neat to see the roadside packed with parked cars and the sandy Lake Huron beaches scattered with families enjoying the sunny day together. Thanking Him for families and fun times together!

340.  Arriving safely on Drummond Island after hauling a 30' trailer behind a truck with a 14' boat on top.

341. More "older generation" wisdom and advice from Uncle Carl as we continued to learn new things about RV camping. :)

342. Thankful to be able to "catch up" with good friends, Annette and Lynn.

343. Thankful for the USA, and the show of patriotism at the parade.

344.  Spectacular fireworks! It gave me a new understanding to, "the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air"!

345.  Reliving precious memories of days past with Grandma Julie and Grandpa Dale.

346.  Spotting an eagle and watching it soar.

347.  Getting up close to an eagle, and a family of loons. Oh, they were so pretty, but I wasn't able to capture them on my camera.

348.  Catching the first fish of vacation! We spent two hours scouting for fish, avoiding the floatilla of fisherman, until we finally gave in and joined them. I no sooner had my line down, and was receiving instruction, when I interjected, "Like that?!"  - my bobber disappeared from view and my line was taking off away from me! We were all laughing so hard as I worked to get the first one in the boat. YAY! We had to stop 3 short of our limit of 48 herring/whitefish because there was a smoker full that needed to get checked.

349.  Fun with friends and a good laugh.

350.  Health to bike around the island and a beautiful evening to do it.

351.  Appreciating God's beautiful handiwork in creation - flora and fauna. I startled a deer as I passed her on the side of the road and she startled me!

352.  Playing "Pied Piper" to the campground labs...They were just like little children playing in the sand and water.

353.  Enjoying the chatter of my friend's 2 1/2 year old granddaughter, Sarah - so precious!

354.  A boat ride with Craig and Lucky - It was another beautiful evening.

355.  Playing cards until midnight and laughing with friends. :-D

 O Lord My God, You Are Very Great!

Growing in Grace and Knowledge

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." 2Peter 3:18

Over the last several months, I worked through Chuck Swindoll's book and study, "The Grace Awakening" with my Ladies' LIFE group. As I walked through these lessons, I was convicted that I too, have been the rigid, critical, self-righteous, judgmental "grace killer" that Chuck describes, and it grieved me. In the past year, I, and several people I care about, have been "attacked" by "grace killers". It has been a stretching, growing, and sometimes painful year of discipleship, struggling with moving myself and others to grow in righteousness and holiness, while always speaking and acting with overwhelming grace flowing from the grace poured into me by my Savior, Jesus Christ.

I followed the study by reading Beth Moore's, "When Godly People Do Ungodly Things". It reinforced being a grace receiver and grace giver. We have an adversary who wants to destroy us, the church, and the work of God. Much grace is needed, not only in reaching out to those who need God's redeeming grace, but also to help restore our fallen "brothers" and "sisters". I am often reminded of the saying, "But by the grace of God, there go I." In the name of God and His righteousness, we beat up the brethren when they fail to meet our expectations, whether they are valid or not. We judge their hearts and intentions, best left for God since He alone knows the heart. *sigh* I have been on both sides of this, as well.

I am forever changed by the Truth I learned as I stumbled through these two books.There are so many broken people in the world. I am so thankful that God is full of grace and mercy for all who cry out to him. I am forever grateful to my God for rescuing me, and His patience as He is faithful to complete the work He began in me.

While I have been singing so many "Hallelujahs!"  to God, lately, this song has really touched me, knowing that "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." 

 Sometimes, there are things better than a "Hallelujah!"

Lord,

   Help me to continually, day by day, grow in the grace and knowledge of you, and allow that grace and knowledge to flow freely and extravagantly onto those I come into contact with.

Having the Right Perspective on Getting Older

Thanks to my friend, Dawn for sending me this!

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I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love .... I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.

So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).

MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!