~Thursday Thanksgiving Thanks: Redemption Song~

"The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground, he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead....(BUT) the morning bring(s) me word of Your UNFAILING LOVE, for I have put my trust in you...to you I lift up my soul!"

Psalms 143:3,8

Today I am BURSTING with Thanksgiving! For this very special day set aside to give thanks, my heart is full of joy to the LORD! I am thankful because PRAISE the LORD, He does not leave His children as they are! Chained and burdened by sin and regret for past actions. Conniving and striving for self promotion and adoration. Lost and confused in a sea of choices. Broken, disappointed, prostituted by/for those people or things or achievements who were supposed to be love, security and salvation. Pursued, crushed to the ground, dwelling in darkness like those long dead....

BUT, the morning brings word of the LORD's unfailing love!!!!

"When I awake I am still with you Lord"~Ps. 139:18

"You hem me in, O LORD,-behind and before you have laid your hand on me."~Ps. 139:5

"I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For HE has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness"~Is. 61:10

"I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me for I HAVE REDEEMED YOU!"~Is. 44:22

"I, the LORD, will remove the names of the other gods from her lips..." Hos. 2:17

"...the LORD has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners...to bestow a crown of beauty for ashes, oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."~ Is. 61:3

"...Christ gave himself up for her (His People) to make her holy, cleansing her by washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as RADIANT, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, BUT HOLY and BLAMELESS." ~ Eph. 5:26,27

"We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler's snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth!"~Ps. 124:7,8

THANK YOU JESUS!

*I promise a fun and easy post with pictures and few words tomorrow-ha:)*

The Smell of Macy's

A couple of weeks ago- before I had found a job and life in Virginia was still feeling new and unsettled-I got up in the morning and declared to my sister, Jennifer, that I needed to go smell Macy's. I know that probably sounds SO weird-ha! But, I was being totally serious. Neither of us had any money to spend, but I just knew that a little trip to walk around Macy's would do our displaced selves a world of good. And, you know, I was totally right!

The smell of the mall will always have a special place in my heart. The Chick-fil-A competing with The Pretzel Shop and the required Candle Shop all mixed together with the scent of new merchandise just makes me happy, and NO place in the mall am I more comforted than in Macy's. There is something about the way the perfume counter's aromas mingle with the new shoes and clothes that speaks to me of a 1,000 childhood memories.

My very earliest memories of walking through Macy's are of annual Christmas shopping trips my sisters and I would take with my mom and her mother, my Grandmother Katherine. Not a Christmas season passed that did not find us walking through the old Northlake Mall in Atlanta, GA. I would walk hand-in-hand with my Grandmother as she would take me and my sisters to see the battery powered toy dogs walking and flipping and barking in the Toy Store, to check out the Santa sitting in the center of the mall's North Pole, to get Chick-fil-A nuggets in the food court, and always to stop by Macy's to pick-up some gift or another for a family member. To my little mind there could be NO place more awesome!

As the years have gone by, and the loss and gain of family members has changed our Christmas traditions, our Christmas Mall trips have remained constant for us girls and my mom. Even when there is not an abundance of money, we can be fully content to just walk around and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the season. In some ways it is a little remainder of my sweet grandmother, and in others it is a way to hold onto tradition in the merry-go-round of homes and people that time and marriage and divorce can bring to the holidays.

This year I am struck by the fact that it will be me and my sister's turn to hold little hands as we introduce Amelia and Penelope to the Christmas shopping experience. We will be the ones taking them by the toy store to check out the computer powered toy dogs walking and flipping and barking in the Toy Store window,to gaze at Santa Clause in his North Pole, to stop by Chick-fil-A for a lemonade and some waffle fries, and to-yes-go smell Macy's. My hope is that in years to come the girls' will also be able to walk into a Macy's and be flooded with a comfort that only the aroma of good memories can produce. And, that-like a good memory-despite the effect time and change may have on their Christmas traditions, the knowledge and joy of the love of their family in this season-no matter how confusing and crazy they may seem- will never fade. And, maybe one day their Aunt Michelle will have more money, and can actually buy them presents instead of just take them to look at where the presents come from-ha! Of course, the memories are more valuable and last longer than the toys!

"Pleasure is the flower that passes; remembrance the lasting perfume."

~Jean de Boufflers

~ Quotes from the Classroom: #3~

*I have spent ALOT of time taking care of children! I have been a nanny, a first grade teacher, and a preschool teacher. Throughout my experience I have been delighted to hear many hilarious quotes from children as they try to understand the world around them. Many times I have been able to take a little life lesson away for myself from their observations.

Today's quote was from a sweet little boy during free play. He was pretty shy, so I didn't get to get in on his observations very often. This, however, is PRECIOUS!

S: "Ms. Michelle! Did you know that I can turn off the lights USING ONLY MY EYES!?!?"

ME: "No, can I you show me!?!"

S: -closes his eyes for a moment, and then opens them-"DID YOU SEE IT!?! Sometimes I can turn them off and on REALLY FAST!!! I just have to blink my eyes, quick!"

How sweet is that!?! The lesson I came away with from this child's observation is this: sometimes I feel like I am stumbling around with out direction and in total darkness. Not always a deep, dark thing-sometimes just confusion as to what is going on in my life and the life of others. Then one day something happens and it's like "BOOM" it all makes sense! Often in these times my eyes have been closed to what God is doing, and when I open them-I find that the lights have been on the whole time!

A Day in Pictures: Relaxation

" How beautiful it is to do nothing, and then rest afterward."

~Spanish Proverb~

The above-save a little exercise and a quick run to Walmart-is where I spent most of my day! This is what I call my "Squishy" Chair. It was given to me by a guy I was dating, and-despite the very overly dramatic break-up;)-I would do the relationship all over again if in the end I got this chair-ha!

I spent some time doing a little of this....

....and reading a little of this. I first read the Love Comes Softly series when I was 12yrs. old. I LOVED it then, and I LOVE it now almost 18yrs later! It is a comfortable, easy read-just right for today ( I did NOT like the movies based on this series, but I think it's just cause I loved the books so much).

It was a very nice, lazy Saturday after a first week of work that included a almost 10 hour day and a couple of almost nine hour days!

~Thursday Thanks: Long Week~

Today I am thankful that it is Thursday-ha!

The first weeks of work are always the hardest. Trying to figure out what all you are supposed to be doing, making mistakes, asking LOTS of questions, and getting your rhythm with the people around you. So far things have gone pretty well. They are kind of creating a new position for me as they go-I will be around to do jobs these super busy people just can't get to. Plus, helping out as much as I can with the phones and cashiering. Since there isn't really a designated spot for me, I have found myself at loose ends a couple of times-BUT, I know with time we will figure it out, and it will all run smoothly!

Anyways, all this to say-I am glad it is Thursday! The first week is almost over, and hopefully next week will go even better! I am looking forward to the weekend to kind of sit down with myself and process the days (I am SUCH a girl-ha-I have to review and organize my thoughts or they will never quiet!). I think it goes without saying, that I am SO thankful for this job. I am SO thankful to be tired, and looking forward to the weekend:)! I feel blessed to have this job, and just continue to pray that the LORD will be honored through me in this. I usually have viewed jobs only as a means to pay MY bills and to serve MY needs. After this time of unemployment, I am really seeing what a gift this job is, and my prayer is to really see the people I am working with/for. I really hope to be able to serve them. So far my nerves and pride have been winning my days:(, but the morning is new-and it's just another reason I am thankful today is Thursday, tomorrow is Friday, and then it is WEEKEND time!

All-in-all, I think this week has been difficult. I have struggled more with myself -anxiety, desire to be well liked, temptation to seek attention(oh, yes, that is still a battle I have to PRAY about;), FEAR of being disliked or unsuitable for the job, etc...-more than I have struggled with the actual job, but I am glad for this:

"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions NEVER fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness(oh, LORD)."

Lamentations 3:21-23

I Have a Job! YAY!

So, I started work today! YAY! Let me tell you there have definitely been moments over the past couple of months that made me wonder if this day would EVER come-ha!

I began to prepare for my big day last night-you know cause I think I am going to iron my clothes and make my lunch the night before for about ONE day, and then I am back to rushing in the mornings-ha! I made sure I had my outfit planned. When I was hired, the only thing the man would tell me about my attire was to be professionally casual, wear slacks, and make sure I had on COMFORTABLE shoes-ha! I guess he wasn't too impressed with the stilettos I wore in my interview. Thus, I decided that neat and tidy over fashionable and done up would be the best bet for the first day on the job (ex: super cool outfit in awesome picture-ha). Anyways, I had it all planned out and ready to go by 8pm, watched a little Duggars special on TLC, and was lights out by 9pm.-had to get good sleep, and Im pretty much a granny-ha!

I knew I was in trouble when the first hour of being in bed was spent battling nerves. I NEVER do well walking into new situations....I am in my heart a shy person, and it just makes me SO anxious. Then there was a baby who decided last night from 1am-3am would be optimum SCREAMING time-ha! When I was first woken up with screaming, I had very kind thoughts of maybe spending the time in prayer (for poor Jen and Micah rocking that baby, plus other things)-this lasted about half an hour. Around two I was in PLEADING mode that Amelia Please. Go. To. Sleep! And, by 2:30 when a dog began to go ballistic just as it seemed Amelia was quieting-I have to be honest-was bumped up to the cuss word mode!

Thankfully, I was finally able to rest, and woke up on time and ready to start my first day here.

The GLORIOUS Honda dealership! I must say, for the most part the day went well. I really like my boss, and felt comfortable with the tasks I was given. I don't have it all down by ANY means, but I can tell with a little practice I will be just fine:). The people were nice as well. I am working in the service department, so it is alot of maintenance guys and just a couple of girls. I liked everyone, and just hope that they are not thinking-who let this prissy girl in here!-ha! I think the highlight of my day came at lunch. I share a break room with the guys, so it was just me, one other lady, and about six guys. Lets just say there was some mustard spreading on cold pizza and-no lie- some dip spitting at the table-hah!

Either way, today I have a job, and that makes me....

HAPPY!

*these were a couple of verses I read while I was in the unemployment phase-they just encouraged me so much to persevere even when I wanted to give up, and that the LORD would see me through! *

"...Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings of eagles; they will run(job hunt;) and not grow weary, they will walk (work) and not grow faint."

Is. 40:31

Quotes from the Classroom: #2

(this is a picture of a picture-sorry it's a little blurry. I still couldn't find my preschool pics :(, but could not bring myself to use stranger preschooler pic again-ha!)

Today's quote from the classroom took place during after school care. I was watching one of my sweet girls as she worked on a particularly complicated (for a four year old) craft project. I was impressed with her ability to accomplish the task that the other kids had needed help on. This little girl did not come from the best background, and I often feared that time and environment would take its toll on this child's potential and sweet disposition. It was with this in mind that I tried to encourage her every chance I got!

ME: "You know ~N~ you are so smart you could be anything when you grow up! A teacher or a doctor or....."

N:"or..or a BUTTERFLY!?!?!"

Oh, for this little girl who has all odds against her-that she could break out and be that butterfly that God would have her to be!!!

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
"17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! "