Friday, December 21, 2012

Looking back!


It's been a while since I've posted anything though I've thought about it many times.  I don't really have anything profound to post, but as the year comes to a close and a new one is about to begin, I've decided to summarize my year. 
 
After withdrawing from school in January, I was able to spend 2 weeks with my family at home before starting work at a hospital in the Kansas City area.  I was able to get time off for a quick trip home to surprise my mom for Mother's Day which was a huge success!  I returned home again for a few weeks in the summer to celebrate some family birthdays including my nephew's 2nd on the 4th of July which was a blast!!!  Time at home is always so good but always goes by way too fast!!!!!  I am enjoying my time back in Texas to celebrate Christmas with my family! 


In March, I made the move to Missouri official by changing my address, getting new tags on the car and a new driver's license.  I also started the process of joining the International House of Prayer (IHOP-KC) as part-time staff.  For several months, I enjoyed serving with Exodus Cry (www.exoduscry.com - a prayer movement to end human slavery) and Hannah's Dream Adoptions (a wonderful agency that closed in August).  I kept a busy schedule which was a bit of an escape from the wrestling in my heart over why I was in Kansas City when I wasn't continuing as a student.  In time, as I kept sensing that this is to be a time of preparation and training, I finally realized that receiving training does not necessitate being a "student".  I decided to start auditing classes at IHOPU and switched from part-time to prayer room staff at IHOP-KC in August.  Over the summer, I had the opportunity to take some voice lessons and hope to resume music lessons in January, planning to take both voice and piano. It was really good to be back in the classroom this fall and I hope to take a couple more classes in the spring! I was able to take "Life of David", "Paul and His Epistles", "Song of Songs" and a class on the Book of Isaiah which were all SO good.  I also volunteered to transcribe some of the class sessions for a leader at IHOPU which gives me access to additional teachings that I am enjoying. I'm trying to absorb as much as I can of the Word through personal study, classes and time in the prayer room.
 
I have enjoyed returning to work at a hospital and picked up a lot of extra shifts whenever I could as I hoped for a full-time position to open up.  After waiting several months, I finally decided to find another part-time position for an increase in income.  I started working at a Once Upon A Child store (resales gently used kids clothes and stuff) nearby when it opened in October which was a pretty fun job with some really great people!  One week after starting, I was offered a full-time position at the hospital so I gave my notice at the store but didn't want to leave them hanging so agreed to stay on for a while working weekends to help out.  I began to transition to working 1 full-time job being able to enjoy weekends off just before heading home for 3 weeks.  It is amazing to me how fast this year has flown by, but I look forward to what lies ahead in the New Year!!!

Thursday, May 17, 2012

The Littles

These are the littles that hold my heart back home - Batman joined our family when he was 8 months old and has been such a source of joy ever since!!!  He was followed a few months later by his sister, our very first (and for the moment, only) little Princess!  She arrived just 3 days old and so tiny, but she has been a beautiful little firecracker from the start!!!  Mr. Happy was the next to become one of ours, joining us the week of Thanksgiving at just a couple months old.  I love hearing him call my name and wanting me to "look...watch...see"!!!  And then there's Little Man, who made his debut in the wee hours of the morning on the 4th of July almost 2 years ago!  Hearing his voice and/or seeing his smile melts my heart every time!!!!    

It's hard to believe that it's been 5 years since we had our first baby added to the family.  We've been blessed with 4 of the cutest sweethearts in the world (not that I'm biased or anything)!!!  No matter what is going on in my life, these faces will brighten my day every time!!!  Love them each SO much!!!!!



Friday, January 27, 2012

Change of plans...AGAIN!!!

School started this week and it seems like it would have been a challenging semester.  However, I had to withdraw today so it's not going to be the kind of challenge I'd expected.  I believe I am supposed to be in Kansas City, but not sure why if I'm not in school!  I was blessed with a really good part-time job that starts in a couple weeks that will allow me to continue to be in the prayer room, but I still feel puzzled by this turn of events.  Another thing to be thankful for tonight is the unexpected gift of a plane ticket!  Someone paid my way home to spend the next couple weeks with my family before I start my new job!!!