Carey always makes fun of me when I'm watching movies because I cry, usually at all of them. It doesn't matter the theme. If it is a movie about love, it puts me into a romantic mood and so I'm here writing. I caught the end of letters to Juliet and as they found true love 50 years after they first met, I realized my true love is with me. He's not physically here now (he's working) but I know that he is my love. The only love I need..my true love. We will celebrate 5 years together (dating and marriage) this coming July and it feels the same as it did when we were "dating." You know what that means, when things are always happy and wonderful and easy. Fortunately for Carey and I it's always that way....easy. We talk things out, we pick at one another, we love!
I just love him and I told him via text just now and I'll tell him everyday forever.
Just wanted it to be written down.
Carey and Gwen
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Blame it on the rain....AGAIN.
It has been raining for quite some time now and it sucks. I have a head cold so I can't hear, smell, breathe (well), or taste much of anything. My girl Ashley is sleeping over b/c Carey is at training in Houston and I didn't want to sleep by myself...YES I'm a sissy. She and I went to the hospital to see Dad, b/c he's there again.
This Father's Day was very special, since we started the year in the ER with a tube down his throat and the chances for him to live, less than the opposite. I'm so glad to got to "celebrate" the day with my Dad this year and I dread the day that I don't have him (or Mom) on their special day. On Father's Day he laid on the couch in pain all day and slept. I didn't really get to even spend the day with him. I should have simply been grateful for having him around, b/c Sunday evening mom took him to the ER and then again on Monday. We spent the entire evening in the ER...brought back memories, but I would do this one all over again and the last visit...NOT IN A MILLION YEARS. I guess I need to be reminded how much I love my Dad and how much I take him for granted. I also take for granted how close we live. 35 minutes is not that far...I need to make an extra effort to spend more time over in Donaldsonville...why does it take crazy times like these to make me see what a wonderful thing I have in my parents.
Dad's potassium levels are still high and I'm anxiously awaiting his return home. I know it seems selfish but Mom only has a few days off left for this year and I don't want her to have to spend them in the hospital. Hopefully Dad gets better soon. Doctors said he almost went in acute renal failure again. I laid in the bed with him last night and hugged him. I love my Dad so much. I love Mom equally of course.
On a happier note, Carrie and Chris had a beautiful baby boy named Ethan Mark "Baby Goat" Wolfe. That is what I'm calling him. I could have bet my life she was having a girl, but thankfully I did not. I'm happy he's home and Mom and baby are doing SO well.
I started my new job on Monday, yes a new job. I can't believe it either, but I crossed over to private industry and so far, it's WONDERFUL. God truly had his hand in this move. Although I enjoyed working at DOTD, I met and worked with some great people, I feel like this is a great fit for me. I am already learning new things and I'm excited about them. My career is moving full speed ahead and I'm so excited to learn all of the things about compensation and other state rules and regulations. I would have never been able to do that working for the State. What an opportunity this is!
I love it. I pray that it only gets better. Granted there are things about it that are different and I don't have the million paid holidays, but I'll live. Next year will account for the first year EVER where I don't have off on Good Friday and Mardi Gras. :( I mean what kind of company does not give the employees off for Mardi Gras?
I'll save enough time so that one day I can take off those days...yeah right. Carey has finally agreed to ITALY....whoo hoo, so many next Spring we'll go. Easter in Rome? WOW, probably a million extra people there, but you never know.
This Father's Day was very special, since we started the year in the ER with a tube down his throat and the chances for him to live, less than the opposite. I'm so glad to got to "celebrate" the day with my Dad this year and I dread the day that I don't have him (or Mom) on their special day. On Father's Day he laid on the couch in pain all day and slept. I didn't really get to even spend the day with him. I should have simply been grateful for having him around, b/c Sunday evening mom took him to the ER and then again on Monday. We spent the entire evening in the ER...brought back memories, but I would do this one all over again and the last visit...NOT IN A MILLION YEARS. I guess I need to be reminded how much I love my Dad and how much I take him for granted. I also take for granted how close we live. 35 minutes is not that far...I need to make an extra effort to spend more time over in Donaldsonville...why does it take crazy times like these to make me see what a wonderful thing I have in my parents.
Dad's potassium levels are still high and I'm anxiously awaiting his return home. I know it seems selfish but Mom only has a few days off left for this year and I don't want her to have to spend them in the hospital. Hopefully Dad gets better soon. Doctors said he almost went in acute renal failure again. I laid in the bed with him last night and hugged him. I love my Dad so much. I love Mom equally of course.
On a happier note, Carrie and Chris had a beautiful baby boy named Ethan Mark "Baby Goat" Wolfe. That is what I'm calling him. I could have bet my life she was having a girl, but thankfully I did not. I'm happy he's home and Mom and baby are doing SO well.
I started my new job on Monday, yes a new job. I can't believe it either, but I crossed over to private industry and so far, it's WONDERFUL. God truly had his hand in this move. Although I enjoyed working at DOTD, I met and worked with some great people, I feel like this is a great fit for me. I am already learning new things and I'm excited about them. My career is moving full speed ahead and I'm so excited to learn all of the things about compensation and other state rules and regulations. I would have never been able to do that working for the State. What an opportunity this is!
I love it. I pray that it only gets better. Granted there are things about it that are different and I don't have the million paid holidays, but I'll live. Next year will account for the first year EVER where I don't have off on Good Friday and Mardi Gras. :( I mean what kind of company does not give the employees off for Mardi Gras?
I'll save enough time so that one day I can take off those days...yeah right. Carey has finally agreed to ITALY....whoo hoo, so many next Spring we'll go. Easter in Rome? WOW, probably a million extra people there, but you never know.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
I Make Plans
Well let me say that if you know me, you know I try to make plans and yet still believe that whatever God has planned for us will happen, so I try to be a bit flexible with my plans for lack of better words. Two days ago my devotion had this title.
James 4:14 - Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."
The important thing this particular devotion was saying focussed on the question "What is your life?" God expects us to use our talents to further His Kingdom to the best of our abilities and that is what we should be doing. Do I do that enough? Of course not, do I try my best to work for His Kingdom everyday? probably not. I want to, I pray for the Lord's guidance everyday to work diligently for Him.
I am starting a new job on June 20th and I'm beyond thrilled about it. Not something I planned, it "fell in my lap" so to speak. God showed it to me and with a subtle nudge, I applied and got it. My interview was amazing, I rocked it, although a bit nervous. I came out on top. Now I can say, this job was meant for me. This being the reason that the other job I had applied for didn't pan out. (Those were the only two jobs, I wasn't looking to leave DOTD.) Still it happened and a greater opportunity is in store for me. In the mean time we're still trying to sell our condo and I've had to lower the price again, :(. I know that God is leading us to the right buyer and I'm trusting in Him. I've said the novenas, put the St. Joseph statue in the ground, prayed to the Lord directly of course, listed the house - I've done my part. It is in God's hands now. Where are you buyer? Please come see my house? I have been contemplating how we would pay for a larger, more expensive house. I've been wondering where the larger bills will come from, now I see the new job will take that burden. This new job also pushes back our "baby" plans if there is such a thing for us. I'm OK with that. Carey has become the Godfather to Chad and Andrea's baby girl Kensley and so we have another "child" to buy for during holidays and such. I hope Carey opens his heart to the Lord and truly becomes a guide for Kensley to know her Father and be a child of God. Perhaps this is the additional tug on Carey's heart. My tugging has changed him a bit, but not enough. There is more room for God in our lives, that is a certainty.
Maybe that is my talent, or one of them; bringing God and His word to others. Guess I have a lot of studying of the Bible to do. Still I'm trying to do my part in this life and as always trusting that God will let everything fall into place, just as He always has.
So as I open my Bible, knowing that the verse I fall upon will be appropriate, I come to a few that don't really "mean" anything and then I see it. The Agony in the Garden and the words stick out "...still, not my will but your will be done." Luke 22:42 Does it get more obvious than that? It's all about trust, it's one of the hardest things to do in life.
James 4:14 - Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."
The important thing this particular devotion was saying focussed on the question "What is your life?" God expects us to use our talents to further His Kingdom to the best of our abilities and that is what we should be doing. Do I do that enough? Of course not, do I try my best to work for His Kingdom everyday? probably not. I want to, I pray for the Lord's guidance everyday to work diligently for Him.
I am starting a new job on June 20th and I'm beyond thrilled about it. Not something I planned, it "fell in my lap" so to speak. God showed it to me and with a subtle nudge, I applied and got it. My interview was amazing, I rocked it, although a bit nervous. I came out on top. Now I can say, this job was meant for me. This being the reason that the other job I had applied for didn't pan out. (Those were the only two jobs, I wasn't looking to leave DOTD.) Still it happened and a greater opportunity is in store for me. In the mean time we're still trying to sell our condo and I've had to lower the price again, :(. I know that God is leading us to the right buyer and I'm trusting in Him. I've said the novenas, put the St. Joseph statue in the ground, prayed to the Lord directly of course, listed the house - I've done my part. It is in God's hands now. Where are you buyer? Please come see my house? I have been contemplating how we would pay for a larger, more expensive house. I've been wondering where the larger bills will come from, now I see the new job will take that burden. This new job also pushes back our "baby" plans if there is such a thing for us. I'm OK with that. Carey has become the Godfather to Chad and Andrea's baby girl Kensley and so we have another "child" to buy for during holidays and such. I hope Carey opens his heart to the Lord and truly becomes a guide for Kensley to know her Father and be a child of God. Perhaps this is the additional tug on Carey's heart. My tugging has changed him a bit, but not enough. There is more room for God in our lives, that is a certainty.
Maybe that is my talent, or one of them; bringing God and His word to others. Guess I have a lot of studying of the Bible to do. Still I'm trying to do my part in this life and as always trusting that God will let everything fall into place, just as He always has.
So as I open my Bible, knowing that the verse I fall upon will be appropriate, I come to a few that don't really "mean" anything and then I see it. The Agony in the Garden and the words stick out "...still, not my will but your will be done." Luke 22:42 Does it get more obvious than that? It's all about trust, it's one of the hardest things to do in life.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Walk in HIS ways, Not mine
I cannot tell a lie. This is not my blog today. I go searching every now and again for blogs and for whatever reason I stumbled upon this one. I have no idea who she is or where she lives, I didn't even get that far. Her post this particular day reminded me of the Title, as my friend Faye often reminds me...."His ways, Not our own."
Today especially as I am anxious about various things, I have to remember to just walk in God's light and know that His path for me and His timing is utterly PERFECT. No other explanation is needed. Thought you might like to read this post as well.
Over the past 10 months, I have had a lot of ah-ha moments... about myself, my faith, motherhood, ministry work and more. It's amazing to me that God is always at work. Even in the mundane things like going to the grocery store I find that when I am open to what God is trying to show me, I walk away blessed and humbled.
Last week I ran to Kroger after dropping off a co-worker after a lunch meeting. I was doing the typical working-mom thing where I had a list and wanted to run in and run out with as little distraction as possible (well technically I FORGOT my list and my darling husband emailed it to me). See, I was on a mission.
In.
Out.
Done. With as little human interaction as possible.
Once inside I ran into a long time friend whom I hardly ever have the pleasure of catching up with ---- it was a welcome distraction and we planned a coffee date. It put a little pep in my step and forced me to breathe for a moment, recalculate what was "really important" and finish my shopping at a normal speed, not a mad-woman speed. I finished my shopping with a smile and calm spirit.
So after I shopped and got out to my car is when it happened. The moment that God needed me for. I got in my car and took a deep breath and started to check my email on my phone because it had been dinging like crazy the whole time I was in the store. I felt a little overwhelmed and put my phone in my lap and just sat there in the parking lot. One row over I watched a man trying to push his grocery cart and then load his car. He was missing an arm and one leg was in a soft cast from his toes to his mid-thigh.
"I should go help him." I thought.
God said to wait.
His cart rolled away from him while was loading the car and I unbuckled my seatbelt.
God said wait.
"Ok I'll wait .... but I should offer to put his cart away."
God said, "yes - go now."
I walked up and said, "man, I was in a walking boot for an entire year and it was miserable, I commend you for making it all the way out here and getting your groceries loaded --- and I would love to bless you by putting your cart away for you."
His smile said it all. He needed someone to care for him, not feel pity for him. If I would've rushed to his side immediately, it would've been because I would've "felt bad" for him and his situation. Winded, he thanked me and said that it would be crazy helpful to put his cart away. As he was getting into his car he said, "the arm happened a long time ago in a war, but the leg has been an ongoing issue for months and months - the tissue is diseased and I'm praying it doesn't take my life."
I asked him if I could pray for him - and he said he would much appreciate me praying for him. I got his first name, and as I walked away I fervently prayed for this man who clearly still wanted to be dependent but just needed a friend.
Makes me wonder how many times I've rushed through my day, missing God moments left and right because I'm on my path and not His.
Deuteronomy 11:22
For if you will be careful to do all this commandment that I command you to do, loving the Lord your God, walking in all his ways, and holding fast to him,
Let today be a reminder to take it easy. Not to rush through the wonderful gift this day is to us and remember that God's way is the only way. And He will take care of us. That promise He has already made.
Listen to walk God is telling you...I know I need to.
Today especially as I am anxious about various things, I have to remember to just walk in God's light and know that His path for me and His timing is utterly PERFECT. No other explanation is needed. Thought you might like to read this post as well.
Over the past 10 months, I have had a lot of ah-ha moments... about myself, my faith, motherhood, ministry work and more. It's amazing to me that God is always at work. Even in the mundane things like going to the grocery store I find that when I am open to what God is trying to show me, I walk away blessed and humbled.
Last week I ran to Kroger after dropping off a co-worker after a lunch meeting. I was doing the typical working-mom thing where I had a list and wanted to run in and run out with as little distraction as possible (well technically I FORGOT my list and my darling husband emailed it to me). See, I was on a mission.
In.
Out.
Done. With as little human interaction as possible.
Once inside I ran into a long time friend whom I hardly ever have the pleasure of catching up with ---- it was a welcome distraction and we planned a coffee date. It put a little pep in my step and forced me to breathe for a moment, recalculate what was "really important" and finish my shopping at a normal speed, not a mad-woman speed. I finished my shopping with a smile and calm spirit.
So after I shopped and got out to my car is when it happened. The moment that God needed me for. I got in my car and took a deep breath and started to check my email on my phone because it had been dinging like crazy the whole time I was in the store. I felt a little overwhelmed and put my phone in my lap and just sat there in the parking lot. One row over I watched a man trying to push his grocery cart and then load his car. He was missing an arm and one leg was in a soft cast from his toes to his mid-thigh.
"I should go help him." I thought.
God said to wait.
His cart rolled away from him while was loading the car and I unbuckled my seatbelt.
God said wait.
"Ok I'll wait .... but I should offer to put his cart away."
God said, "yes - go now."
I walked up and said, "man, I was in a walking boot for an entire year and it was miserable, I commend you for making it all the way out here and getting your groceries loaded --- and I would love to bless you by putting your cart away for you."
His smile said it all. He needed someone to care for him, not feel pity for him. If I would've rushed to his side immediately, it would've been because I would've "felt bad" for him and his situation. Winded, he thanked me and said that it would be crazy helpful to put his cart away. As he was getting into his car he said, "the arm happened a long time ago in a war, but the leg has been an ongoing issue for months and months - the tissue is diseased and I'm praying it doesn't take my life."
I asked him if I could pray for him - and he said he would much appreciate me praying for him. I got his first name, and as I walked away I fervently prayed for this man who clearly still wanted to be dependent but just needed a friend.
Makes me wonder how many times I've rushed through my day, missing God moments left and right because I'm on my path and not His.
Deuteronomy 11:22
For if you will be careful to do all this commandment that I command you to do, loving the Lord your God, walking in all his ways, and holding fast to him,
Let today be a reminder to take it easy. Not to rush through the wonderful gift this day is to us and remember that God's way is the only way. And He will take care of us. That promise He has already made.
Listen to walk God is telling you...I know I need to.
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