Time With Famiy

Did you hear?

I have the best job ever!

I am enjoying, since high school (12 1/2 years ago), two weeks off for Christmas! My new job has some great perks, let me tell you. A week off for Thanksgiving, 2 for Christmas/New Year, 1 week for Spring Break, and a handful of holidays. I work with a great group of individuals who all love the Lord, pray for each other, and enjoy simple fellowship. I feel so blessed.

This week so far I have: read 2 books and am on #3, hit up the gym early in the day, visited with my mom and little brother, and today as a family we all went to the zoo.

Oh the zoo! My kids had a blast. The weather was perfect, not exactly wintery, but hey, I am not complaining. I love cold weather, but the temperatures today insured we spent several hours outside enjoying life!

My wonderful husband with our kiddos 

My little man and I. He is my cuddler and sweet boy.

Proof that they can be sweet to each other.

 We had such a great time petting the goats, avoiding the chickens and seeing the animals moving around. Due to the great weather not many were inside the enclosures. They were lounging in the sun, pacing back and forth. And since many people were working there was hardly anyone there. In past trips we have continually bumped into people - not this trip.

After a few hours we came home. My husband had a few clients lined up for the evening so he wanted to rest. I packed the kids up and went to Chick-fil-A. They got ice cream (we are in Texas) and I got coffee. And let me tell you, the customer service was fantastic! At 3:00 they still had coffee and I wasn't expecting fresh brewed. Well the server gave me my cup and I thought that was that. A few minutes later a manager came over and said she was brewing a fresh batch and would bring me some out shortly. I told her she didn't have to, but thank you. And sure enough, no longer after she swapped my cup out. That was some good coffee! Once the munchkins gobbled up their cones I let them play in the play area. They giggled, made new friends, and went up and down too many times to count. And once we got home I unleashed them and the dog into the back yard. Swings, imagination, tossing the stick for our dog Lady, and lady bugs! My goodness, close to 10 lady bugs around our play-scape. They were lovely and the kids kept trying to grab them. Of all the bugs in the world, those are my favorite and I was tickled pink to see so many!

After a day of much activity neither child argued about dinner - left overs.

Do you know that leftovers are a blessing? Think about it. Leftovers imply so much:

• You have food and the means to prepare it.
• You have enough food to go around and then some.
• You have the means to save (refrigerate) your food.

This year has been tight for us financially, actually the past few years. But through it all I have seen God's hand. He has always allowed us to eat: through food we have prepared, donated meals, gift cards given as gifts, parents/family inviting us over for meals. God takes care of his people. And those of us in America, we have it good. And I feel we take it for granted. I know for one that we throw away many of our leftovers because we get tired of eating the same thing and the fridge needs cleaning. I saw a video yesterday about a lady in Los Angeles who went a month trash free. She only had a handful of scraps at the end, but it was impressive. It takes an effort and work to not waste. It has given me a few things to ponder.

But tonight my kids who are not really picky didn't even blink at their plate of hodgepodge leftovers. And both pretty much cleaned their plates. Normally I get a negotiation about amounts or how many bites, but after a day full of activity dinner was quiet. Little man tuckered out right after 7. I checked on him a bit ago and sweet boy was about to fall out of his bed. Him not being a crib was a smoother transition then I expected.

Abigail and I had a wonderful evening of drawing and games - her homework. Yes, I have my 4 year old "do" homework. But honestly it is just fun. We color, we read, we play games, we create. Sheis learning and we are bonding.

Round 2 - she won the first round.

The memory game was a birthday gift that we finally opened. Abigail really impressed me and I am sure we will repeat this over the next two weeks. Still can't believe my 4 year old beat me.

This time with family has been refreshing. And we have so much more to do. Christmas itself, New Year's day, both of which have church services. There will be time with family, Brock and I will divide and conquer and have fun individually with each kid, and hopefully we will manage a date night sometime soon.

I am thankful for this new chapter in my life. God has given me an opportunity that I never imagined having.

Merry Christmas!

No Santa...and other parenting differences.

"Abigail, are you ready for Santa to bring you presents?" Mrs. G. asked my 4 year old. Who in turn replied, "Mommy and daddy work hard, we don't get gifts from Santa."

The look on my friends face was one of horror.

We. Don't. Do. Santa.

My husband and I made the decision to not do: Santa, Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, or the Elf on the Shelf, before we ever conceived.

Now hear me out Christmas is my favorite holiday. My tree is up, I want a 2nd one even, I have wreaths up, Christmas oven mitts out, we bake Christmas cookies, and watch Christmas themed cartoons. I love the idea of Santa, even have a few ornaments on my tree of the jolly old guy. But, my husband and I do work hard, and if we give something to our children, we want them to know that it is because we worked for it.

Years ago I heard the story of Tim Tebow and his mom. She too did not do Santa, the Easter Bunny, etc. Her reason (and ours too): What happens when your child finds out the truth? Something inside them knows that you can lie to them, and to a 6 or 9 year old, being told Santa isn't real is earth shattering. That child will call into question what else have you lied about. And like Tim Tebow's mom, we don't want our kids to think that Jesus is a lie.

The look on my friends face is one I have seen before. I have had people look in me in the face and tell me I am mean, a Grinch, and that I have sucked all the joy out of the holiday's - just because my family has chosen to not do Santa.

Do I think my husband and I have taken all the joy out of the season? No. My children are excited, they have there 3 gifts from their parents under the tree. A box arrived from their great grandmother, and they cannot wait to open it. And just yesterday, our neighbor brought over a gift for each of the kids. The stash under the tree is growing. My kids are excited. And my four old will tell you, besides that we don't get presents from Santa, but that the reason we celebrate is Jesus.

This isn't just about the holidays, this is about different parenting styles. I have friends with grown children, grandchildren even, teenagers, elementary age, preschool age and even newborns. And not a single one of parents the same way. Some are fine with their 4 year old having a pacifier, others are mortified that their 1 year old still has one. Some are fine with their daughters having messages on their rear ends, not going to happen in my household. I have friends who have devoted their life to their children doing sports, all the sports you can imagine. They spend months with one team/one sport, then move onto the next. My daughter is 4 and will try t-ball in the Spring - after that, who knows. I have friends who on Sunday sleep in, eat a hot breakfast at home, and spend the day watching movies. My family is different. We wake, we dress then go to church for half the day essentially.

No matter the differences, there is one thing in common.

We are all doing the best we can, and believe we are doing what is best for our family, for our children. I might not understand why some of my friends do what they do, and I bet I confuse them at times with what we do. But at the heart of the matter, we do what we do because we love the little humans we have been blessed with.

So, when someone tells you "We don't do__________." Don't be mortified or feel you need to justify why you do "do ___________." Nod your head and say okay. And remember, life didn't come with a handbook (other than the Bible) and so for the most part, we are all winging life.

God bless!

Reflections going into the holiday's

Hello Sister Wife's,

I hope this post finds you doing well post Thanksgiving. The past few months have been a whirl wind and I am happy to say my Shuman's and I have begun to set into a routine finally.

I absolutely love my new job and responsibilities at the private school. God always knows what He is doing and He placed me in the right place. I was heading toward burn out, through no fault but my own. My personality and my last position could only couple for so long. The kids are still in the preschool and learning so much. Little man, his vocabulary is blossoming every day, or as much as it can for a 2 year old. Little miss is so bright and sassy, she has her best friend and her favorite teachers. Drop off has gradually gotten easier with time - I must confess, that has been the hardest thing for me. Not being with them all day. I now know what most parent's who utilize childcare have experienced.

But at the same time I have discovered a better sense of my self. Eventually both kids will join me at the Academy. But they rarely, if ever will see me, so I will still have anonymity while being with them. The morning commute to work and the afternoon commute to get them are cherished moments I have needed. In the afternoon's I have discovered a pastor out of Beaumont who preaches the word, teaches so Hebrew grammar and always has a message that hits the heart. Hearing that after a successful day at work is a great refresher before an evening at home with my littles.

Along with the change in career, my spiritual life has been transformed. At the beginning of August or so of this year our pastor challenged people to join what the pastoral staff called, The Joshua Team. It stems from Exodus 33:11

¹¹ So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.

Our Pastor challenged those who wanted to join to commit to 30 minutes of prayer a day, with daily Bible Reading. It was a 40 day initiative. To start, there were 8 verses one was to read though to focus the mind. One was to read a Proverb (the date of the month) and a Psalm (day number of the initiative) and to work through 1 John (would read through it 8 times during the 40 days). The hope was that after the individual would have developed a lifelong habit. Our Pastor mentioned it through September and encouraged people to develop a plan for after and to come up with life verses to commit to memory. About 2 weeks in, over 500 people had signed up to participate.

Today was day 104 for me. I began my 40 days on my first day of my new job. I read Revelation twice after the first 40 days, which took me through day 84, and now I am 20 days into my 3rd 40 day set. I am working my way through the Gospel (will get me through most of the Spring semester). I have developed my 8 life verses I read every day.

And on top of that, starting in October I added scripture writing - which is amazing. So I read my 8 life verses, read my Proverb, Psalm and currently Gospel chapter (I am in Matthew), and then I work on writing scriptures. It being November, I found a thanksgiving writing plan. I will settle on my December one by Tuesday of this next week. It allows me to read a portion of verses (usually around 5), write them and think on them. The act of writing the verses makes them more real to me, I have to pay attention to the words.

On top of all this I am reading for pleasure. And trying to write more. I do want to be published by 33 and have several book ideas in my head, with one started on paper.

During this time....an election occurred. To say it was interesting would be an understatement. I have never been more excited for an election to be complete. It will be interesting to see how 2016 is recorded in the history books 30, 50, 75 years from now. So much hostility, friction, division, and animosity. People are still hurting, and probably will be for some time. There is denial and resentment, and smugness even from some. My thoughts on the whole thing are this:

• We as a country are divided. And we have done it to ourselves.
• We have put our hope in our politicians and elected leaders.
• We have stayed silent and sat back because it was easier.
• We have what we have because we deserve it.

Those are some hard truths to swallow. But we have given up our liberties for the illusion of security. And therefore we really have neither.

As a believer, this is what I hold true:

• This world is not my home.
• No man on earth can save me.
• My hope must rest in Jesus and His kingdom to come.
• As a believer, my life is to show fruits, and my actions show and grow those fruits.

Sister's (and any Brother's reading) we have to stop sitting back. We need to be harvesters in the field. We need to work. The Christian life is not meant to be a cushy position. It takes work, it takes sweat, it takes loss, and sacrifice. We are to be an example of Christ in this broken world. He came to serve not be served. Therefore, how are you serving? How are you helping? Give your time and talents. If you are tired of believers in the faith being persecuted stand up. If you are tired of being dismissed by the media, put your voice out there. If you are not being heard, it is because you are being silent. It might cost you, more than likely it will, but it is better to pay the price then be denied by Christ before the Father.

As we go into the holidays, with Christmas, New Year, and colder weather, lets focus on brotherly love. Let us help each other. Look for ways to lend a hand, give some cookies, or donate a blanket. Most churches have programs going, as do food banks and homeless shelters. We can all do something. And if you have little one's at home, take them with you. It will be hard, but they learn to live the Christian life by seeing you live it out.

We gathered with Thanksgiving in our hearts.

Patriotism, Politics & Faith

 



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Anytime my daughter sees anything red, white, and blue she yells, "Mommy, America!" Doesn't matter if it is the American flag, Texas flag, or even the Houston Texans flag, she associates red, white and blue with America.

It makes my heart happy.

I love that my daughter, even though she doesn't know why, loves her country. Her excitement is catching. It also makes her dad happy because his favorite holiday is Independence Day.

But in this day and age, I have to wonder what has happened to our country. With the way things are going, is there going to be anything for her to be proud of in regards to this country when she is an adult.

I have been interested in politics since my senior year of high school when I took Government AP with Mr. James. He made people think, the work was hard, the class a challenge. If you said you stood for something, or believed in something, you had to have a reason. And because it was what you were raised to believe, or how your parent's believed was not enough for him. He challenged every student to think for themselves and form their own opinions. To do research. Now if after studying, and reflecting you still held the same beliefs and opinions he would leave you be. But you had to put effort into what you thought.

I vote - every election that I can - I vote. As the years have gone by I have done more and more research and feel that with every elections I am more and more informed. I have matured in my voting knowledge and skill. Some elections I have felt at a loss, unsure of who to truly vote for. Other elections I have felt confident with whom I voted for. In fact, in order to make sure I get my vote in I always early vote (missed it once and had to vote on election day and it was horrible!). And, odd as it sounds, I always take my children with me. I have taken them with strollers, wrapped in my Moby, and clinging to my legs. I want them to know about voting and if they have questions, mostly my daughter, I get to explain what I am doing and why it is important.

Then there is this election.

I was flabbergasted that there were 17 nominees for the Republican ticket last year. Now I loved that Ted Cruz was in the running, and I threw my hat behind him. I was more than a bit disappointed when he dropped out. There were a few other candidates that I was okay with if they were the eventual nominee. All that to say - none of them, even Ted Cruz, are perfect, they are all flawed individuals. but I was willing to go along with the party platform for almost any of the nominees.

I will confess, I thought Donald Trump running was a publicity stunt. I did not fathom that he was serious about running. So when he became the Republican nominee....well, I was floored. I never cared for his show, or for him. He has always been rash, rude and crude in my opinion.  And to think that he is who was selected, it has had me thinking, praying, and researching for months.

I will say, without a doubt, I will not vote for Hillary Clinton. That woman is deplorable, and minus being a woman and from America, in my opinion embodies all the characteristics of the anti-Christ. Through over a year of study in the Book of Revelation I know she is not the anti-Christ, but the Bible does tell of people embodying characteristics of the anti-Christ, but as bad as they are, they are not The Anti-Christ. Mrs. Clinton is a liar, does not care about others, has no regard for life (unborn or soldiers), and believes she can do what she wants. In fact, she does do what she wants, and those who can do anything about her corruption have let her get away with it all.

So, many would naturally assume that since I will not vote for Mrs. Clinton I must be voting for Trump. After Ted Cruz dropped out I was really convicted on being held accountable for my vote to God. I have hated voting "the lesser of two evils" for so many years past, and had hoped this year I would be able to vote in good conscience. But with the options presented...there is no lesser evil. It is evil vs. evil and America is the loser. I cannot vote Trump. For about a month I thought that I could swallow my indignation and cast my vote for him, but I cannot deny what he is: a lost man, a philanderer, a chauvinist, disregarder of personal rights, rude, crude...he is deplorable. Not his voters, he himself is the deplorable.

Now, what am I going to do? I have heard it preached from the mountain tops that if I don't cast my vote for Trump I am giving my vote to Hillary. And vice versa. I am contemplating leaving that section of my election ballot blank. I just recently was made aware of  Darrell Castle. I am doing my research, so maybe, just maybe I can "vote" for someone. But I have resolved that I will not vote for Trump or Clinton. And I know people will be upset saying am giving my vote away, that I am part of the problem. No people. The problem is our world is broken and needs Jesus. Too many individuals are putting their faith in flawed individuals and not in Jesus. No matter who wins this election (if Trump or Clinton I believe America loses for the next four years), Jesus is who my faith is in. And when I get to heaven and have to give an account for my actions, I will in good peace say I did not vote for either.

So, 20 years from now, when my daughter is in her mid-20's, what will she have to be proud of in regards to her country? I don't know. But I do know that because of the circus this election has become, more people are registering to vote, and more people appear to be getting engaged. Liberalism and progressivism have chipped away at the foundation that started our country. As I grew up I never imagined the issues (social, political, spiritual)that we are currently facing. Covergirl has their first male spokesman, Christian bakers are shut down for not wanting to make a "wedding" cake for a lesbian couple, communities are destroying themselves because cops defend themselves from someone shooting at them, and a known liar and a t.v. personality are running for president. I don't know if to cry, laugh or both. Right now I am still in shock.

So how can we make sure that my daughter, and the all generations to come are proud of America when they get older? the Bible holds the answer:

2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)
¹⁴ if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

America was founded with a person's faith in mind. People, we must pray. We need to return to our first love God. We need to develop our relationship with him. We need to serve him, seek him, and live for him. And while many people may proclaim to be believers, they have no fruit to show for it. We are known by the fruits we produce:

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Matthew 7:15-20 (ESV)
¹⁵ “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. ¹⁶ You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

America is rotting. We are not longer producing spiritual fruit. If we want our children to grow up and have a country they can love, we need to get our knees and pray. We need to do as the Prophet Isaiah told us:
Isaiah 55:6 (NKJV)

⁶ Seek the Lord while He may be found,
Call upon Him while He is near.

 

There will come a time when he will no longer hear us. I pray that it is not too late.

 

Amen

Hearing

I had an opportunity this morning that I am extremely grateful for.

For the past year or so I have had the privilege to take Precept Bible Study. It is a very in depth study of the Bible, using the Bible to study the Bible. I am now in my 3rd semester on the Book of Revelation. It has been an amazing journey, and one I am glad I decided to take.

At the revival I was saved at, the night in particular the message was out of Revelation. And since that night about 17 years ago, the Book of Revelation has been a favorite of mine. The lady leading the precept class is amazing, Linda Munsart. She is a wellspring of information. The cross references she just produces when people asks questions is amazing. She is a living, breathing Bible Google.

I have learned so much in the past year from her. I have read some commentaries in years past on Revelation that were insightful. My pastor even did an almost year long study of Revelation on Wednesday nights a few years back. I have all my notes from that. When I lost my Bible earlier this year I was so frustrated because of all the notes I had in it, and because of personal revelations I had written in the Book of Revelation. But the insights I have garnered from studying under Linda Munsart can never be underappreciated. I have done the homework, the readings, I have thought over the lessons for the past year - and there are times none of it has made sense. Then I get to class, and for an hour to almost an hour and a half for 12 Sunday's in a row I am blown away. She brings it all together. She makes the picture make sense.

Linda is married to a man by the name of Harvey Munsart. He is a delight to study with, as he is in his wife's precept class. He sits front row, and I sit behind him. That is how we have done it into this 3rd semester. He has added wonderful insights into her teachings as he has an interesting perspective. He is a messianic Jew.

A messianic Jew, or fulfilled Jew or a Jewish believer is one who has accepted that Jesus is the Messiah. This morning I had the privilege to hear his testimony as he shared it with the secondary students during chapel at the academy I work at. I heard him Sunday night mention that he had the opportunity to share and was looking forward to doing it. I asked my boss first thing Monday morning if I could attend chapel to hear the testimony.  Mr. Munsart came to faith in Jesus only through the Old Testament. His heart was opened to Jesus by spending months going through Old Testament scriptures and seeing the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus. And on February 12, 2002 he became a fulfilled Jew.

His testimony was amazing, and his perspective on Jewish tradition/culture very enlightening. He has written a book (I received it last year) on his testimony and his in-depth study of the Old Testament scriptures. After I complete the Revelation Precept I plan on reading his book. As I have discovered (from in class and this morning's chapel experience) he is a man of detail, so I want to give his book the time it deserves.

Thank you

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Thank you! My last post, my testimony of God working in my life to bring me to my new job, has been read 99 times. That is the most views/readings other than my post: America is Judah.

Thank you for sharing and caring enough to read my writings. Please share with me your thoughts, ideas, or any questions you might you have.

God Bless!

Moses, Joshua, & Ruth - Still Impacting Believing Women in 2016

God is amazing. Do you know that sister? Do you know how amazing He is? Have you experienced his omnipotent power personally?

One of the greatest blessings of being a believer is we can boldly come before the throne of the Heavenly Father and make our petitions known to Him. And the closer you draw to Him, the more aware you will be.

I have heard it said that if your testimony doesn't have a current accounting of God impacting your life, maybe you have drifted apart from Him. There might be a smidge of truth to this. I have several small events that I know are of God, I also know of the biggest one in my life (calling off my first engagement/wedding). But now, now I have an even better story of God working in my life, a story that is 8 years in the making.

~*~*~*~

Eight years ago, I moved from Corpus Christi, Texas to Pasadena, Texas (just outside of Houston, Texas). Within about a two week period I found the church I wanted to join and be apart of. Only after that did I find a job. (God is wonderful! He makes sure you have your priorities in line). The church I was blessed to find was First Baptist Church of Pasadena, Texas.

I love how I found it to, I got stuck at a traffic light (Red Bluff and Fairmont). I sat there for well over 10 minutes. Back in2008 there was a brick wall with a digital running message. That night, as I got stuck at that light, I eventually read the message: the times for service. I made a mental note to myself to come that Sunday. And finally the light turned green.

I joined during my 2nd Sunday visit, and over time I have become more and more involved. First I was in a Sunday School class, then I taught (Jr. High on Saturday night, 1st grade on Sunday mornings), now I help with admin stuff in my ladies class and I sing in choir. I have over the years attended as often as I could: Tuesday Bible Lunch, Wednesday night service, and every opportunity on Sunday. I had someone once ask me if I was there every time the doors opened.

My answer then was not that much, but close.

Now, I have not set my church up as an idol, or the staff. I just  love the feeling of the place. I have always felt welcomed, challenged, motivated and inspired . The people there are all sinners in need of a Savior, and the welcome all who thirst for the living water. Since 2008 the church has grown (building size and congregation wise), the school that is attached to the church has grown, there are new staff members, and so much more. The leadership of the church is always pushing the members to live harder for Christ - they are pushing us to draw closer to Jesus, prayer more, and reach out to lost.

I love being around the people at the church - they have hearts that are set on serving.

And semi-secretly, I have wanted to work there for 8 years. That has been a secret desire of my heart.

Not many have known of this desire, just a few.

Now, fast forward to about 3 weeks ago.

I had cooking club with some lovely ladies from church. We have been working our way through Ree Drummond's (aka The Pioneer Woman) first cook book. It has been a great experience and has us all cooking more for our families. Well when we met this last time I put forth a prayer request. Brock and I have been considering our future and how best to provide for our little family and accomplish what God has set on our hearts. The other thing I mentioned was that God had placed on my heart that my time at Strawberry Fields of Learning was coming to an end.

I told the ladies I wasn't sure what that meant or even the time line. Remember God told Abraham and Sarah they would have a child and it took 25 years for Issac to be born. 25 years! I have a hard time waiting 5 minutes in the drive thru for my breakfast, heaven help me if I had to wait 25 years. But, I have learned lately that time is not of importance to God, but timing is of the utmost importance. So, when God laid this on my heart, He also laid on me to do nothing but wait and say nothing. That was May of this year (2016).

God knows us, He created us. He knew to tell me to be patient and wait. To pray. Because the flesh/worldly side of me would have started job hunting - I would have gone into fix it mode instead of waiting. So I have waited. I have said nothing. I have prayed. And I have worked. I have worked on the projects that I normally do during the summer. I have gone forward at my job as Director as though I would be in that position for many years to come.

That night at cooking club I felt compelled to share my prayer request. So while we were wrapping up I laid it out there. Now this wonderful group of ladies are mostly teachers (only one other besides myself is not a teacher). And once I made my request known they agreed to pray for me. (Sister's if you do not have a group of ladies in your corner, get some! They will help keep you sane). But they also had an idea. It was suggested to me that I apply for a job with a local school district to be a secretary: great benefits, better pay than many think, holidays/summer off, etc. I must admit, that sounded very enticing. I told them I would think on it.

As I left, I felt upon my heart to call my mother in love and run the entire issue by her. She wasn't at home but would be soon. I was just around the corner, so I met her and my father in love within minutes. I ran the idea by her and she agreed that it did sound great, and that I would be qualified. Then she gave me a but,

Her boss was in need of an assistant, and right away. She works for the private school that is a ministry of our church. His current assistant was transferring over to the church asap. I let her know that if he was willing to interview me, I would love to apply. Within minutes I had a Monday morning interview set up. Before I left, she prayed over me with my father in love.

If you have read the story of Ruth you know that Ruth respected and loved Naomi. I am blessed to have a wonderful mother in law and she is such a great example. The story of Ruth is such a wonderful story. It is possible to have a good relationship with your mother in law. Strive for it!

During this I had communicated with Brock what was going on, and why I wasn't home yet. When I got home, I went into more detail and he backed my decision.

Sunday I shared with my Sunday School class what had happened the night prior and what was to come the next day. That day I prayed, and prayed often. During evening service, our Pastor called for a time of prayer. Brock and I went down to the altar and prayed together.

The next morning, I went to work and took care of business. I made sure all was covered and went for my interview.

I went with 2 mindsets: if I got the job, it was all God and if I did not get the job, then it was a test from God on if I would be obedient.

The interview was amazing and extensive. A personality profile, 3 individuals sat in on the interview, and I was asked questions that I had me truly evaluating my walk. Who were my hero's, what books was I reading, had I led anyone to Christ, what was my testimony. Just to give you an idea. I was told by Friday I would be told if the job was mine.

I went back to work and did what I needed to do.

The next morning before 9:00am I was given an offer for employment.

I called Brock and told him the news. We had ironed out a few details prior on things that would have to happen if I was going to be able to accept the job. I then had to make the phone call to my boss. All she knew was that the day prior I had business to take care of.

I called her and let her know everything, going back all the way to May and what God and put on my heart. Her and I ironed out a few details and I effectively gave my notice. I called my future new boss and accepted the job.

We had to keep mum for over a week as the owner of the preschool (my boss) was on vacation and she wanted to announce in person to the staff. So for a week O worked hard getting life squared away and ready for me to be gone. People wondered what was going on, but things were kept under wrap.

Last Wednesday she came back to town and we told the staff. There were tears, a few "No ma-am's" and plenty of hugs to go around. That day we drafted a letter that informed the parents of the change that was to come. This past Friday I ended my 5 years of employment at Strawberry Fields of Learning. I was given a great send off - cake, balloons, flowers, gifts and much love.

During the past few weeks I have read about the transition that happened from Moses to Joshua. Moses was banned from entering the Promise Land because he disobeyed God when he struck the rock with his staff (Numbers 20). And because of that Moses only got to see a glimpse of the Promise Land before joining his ancestors. Joshua was selected to lead Israel into the Promise Land.

This history from the Bible has stuck with me. If you know me personally, you know life at work the past year has been a rough journey. But over the past 6 months life has been better, we have seen glimpses of our own promise land. And so I have likened myself to Moses, and that God has allowed me a glimpse of what is to come, but that I can go no further with tribe I had been entrusted to guide and lead.

I have pondered what my disobedience was, and I have summarized is that I hired the wrong person. On paper she was fabulous, and I jumped on the opportunity. But I didn't look deeper, didn't pray/think over it. Within days of hiring the lady, numerous applicants that could have been better came through my door. But I hired her in fear of not having a teacher.

And now that the school is in a good position, God has removed me and is letting someone else lead that wonderful group of ladies into a brighter future.

But I have no regrets. Today was day 2 at my new job, and I am loving it. I am loving the environment, the opportunity, and the people. I have my dream job, it took 8 years, and many trials, but I have my hearts desire and cannot wait to see what is to come.