Faithful Friday: Blessed Assurance

Oh, how I have missed you all...

It's been a busy, topsy-turvy, two weeks.  Many joyful moments, of which I've failed to share.  And a few scary, uncertain ones as well.

My birthday was spent at the ER with Tim, complications with his injuries.  He's had a tough patch since being hurt at a house fire on Christmas.  How timely it was that I've been reading, "Praying for your Husband from Head to Toe," although I didn't know I'd be so focused on this foot!  And although it has been an ordeal, we were overjoyed to have him finally get to see a specialist today.  He still has a bit more healing to do but, step by step, he's making it through.

I've survived week two of my new job and it has been filled with blessings.  One of the most positive changes, no surprise, has been the Christian influence that surrounds me.  There is nothing quite like having weekly prayer requests come across my inbox.  This past week's ended so beautifully, I've shared it with many and wanted to post it here as well:

"Loving God, be merciful to those who are suffering
and also those you have called to eternal life. 
Give refreshment, rest, and peace to all whose faith is known to you alone. 

 Grant a peaceful waiting to those who have entered a period of healing. Amen."

This morning, I awoke to a 5 am text, knowing that meant school was closed due to snow.  After checking the weather and news though, I realized my own campus would remain open.  Anxiety quickly settled in, thinking of my hour commute. 

I despise driving in snow. Or even walking in it. It scares me.  And, coming from a career where the majority of the time I could work from home on snowy days, I have little practice doing so.

Nervous, I entered the shower, hoping the hot water would wash away my worries.  Tim, knowing my fears, offered to ride over with me as I was getting ready.  Both planning to drive over today anyway, he thought it'd be good practice for me.  Yet another ray of sunshine in the midst of the storm.

Before we headed out, I paused to read my devotion. 
And it had just the God-wink I needed to ease my concerns...

 "I asked the Lord for help, and he saved me from all my fears.

If you honor the Lord, his angel will protect you."  Psalm 34:4

 

 

Remember my "one word for 2014?" - ASSURANCE!

Having Tim in the passenger seat to calm me helped too.  As did the fact that, for the most part, the roads were relatively clear.  But here's hoping for an early spring!

It's good to be back, friends.  Have a JOY-filled weekend!!

No Snow, Snow Day

Ohio county is know to have taken a day off school for suspected snow, as weather predictions round here aren't aways accurate.  Usually you're better off to just to look out your window, if you want a true forecast.  Yet, we've known since Sunday there would be no school today and it had nothing to do with the sky. 

Unless you count the colors of the sky - typically blue and white.  Because, if you're an Eagles fan, you know those to be our school colors.  The kids were off today because the boys went to State.  And since it's over a three hour drive to Rupp arena, and most of our county bleeds blue, the school was smart to close for the day.

So, a random Wednesday turned out to be a bit of a holiday.  Tina went home with her Mamaw last night to spend the day with her sister, and Noah celebrated by playing a newly rented Xbox game well into this morning.  I was just happy to get thirty extra minutes of sleep, not having to send them off for school. 

It's the little things.

By the afternoon, all were awake and back home, hungry and ready for dinner.  With Tim, my picky eater, gone to a fire training, I opted for a treat I knew the kids would enjoy.  (Momma too.)  Chicken fried rice and egg rolls!

Before dinner though, we turned the couch around to face the computer screen and watched our home team.  The kids got a kick out of seeing familiar faces in the crowd - and on the court.  We even snuck in a concession stand favorite - hot buttered popcorn.  Our dogs didn't know what to think, with the living room turned upside down and kernels flying, but they had a good time cleaning up our mess.  Though we were sad to see the boys defeated, it was fun to experience some home town pride, all from the comfort of our couch.

The rest of the night was rather lazy and the kids got in bed much later than normal, but I figure they won't be the only ones sleepy tomorrow.  ...Maybe we'll luck out and wake up to snow!?