Unexpected Blessings

Soooo.....I got home from work today, and there was a letter from the company who took care of our 401k at my last job. I had cashed it out when I quit working there. Well, apparently there was some money that hadn't been taken into account or was lagging behind or SOMETHING. So, they sent me a check in April, and I didn't even know that. Well, about two months or so ago I had a run-in with Josh and Shannon's garage door....now it's crinkled It is not a happy time to remember. Well, it's been floating around in the back of my mind that I have NO IDEA where the money to fix it is going to come from, especially if I am going to be moving. What an answer to prayer....it's like free money!! J and S are still waiting on the quote...the guy came and did an estimate about a month ago. So, hopefully we will be able to get this stuff squared away quickly.


On another note, today is my sister's birthday. Dare I tell how old she is? Naw....I'd better not. I did make her a set of REALLY cute cards, though....so I thought I'd share.

I hope you are having a wonderful day!!
Hugs!!
Melinda

Stamping the Day Away

Well....I got to spend my ENTIRE day stamping....well, not my WHOLE day. I had to go to a funeral this morning. So -- here is the card I made.

Supplies: Close as a Memory Stamp Set, Leaf Prints wheel, Paisley Background set, Oval Punch, Crafters Tool Kit (for paper piercing), Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, and River Rock cardstock and ink.

I also made several other cards. Here is one that I made for some of the Splitcoast Stampers challenges. This card combines the Color Challenge and Sketch Challenge for this week. I looove the way it turned out!!

Supplies: Bundled in Love stamp set, Sweet Stars Jumbo Wheel, Organdy ribbon, Cameo Coral, Blue Bayou, and Soft Sky cardstock and ink, Very Vanilla cardstock.

I made several other cards as well, but they are all for Splitcoast Stamper's Virtual Stamp Night, which is being held Sept. 7 - 8. It is sooo much fun. If you don't know what VSN is, then I would HIGHLY suggest you ---> CHECK IT OUT <------- I am hostessing one of the challenges, and as I hostess I am privy to all of the challenges, but I can't reveal anything until the challenge is announced. I hope you will play....it's ever so much fun!!

Well, it's late, and I should head to bed. Have a wonderful evening.

Hugs!

Melinda

In Everything Give Thanks

"In EVERYTHING give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus conerning you."
I Thessalonians 5:18

Does that mean EVERYTHING?? Why, yes. It does.
Does that mean EVEN THE STUFF THAT HURTS US?? Why yes, it does.

So, I decided to make a list of things I'm thankful for....including the "bad" ones:

• My family -- it is so nice that we live so close together, because we won't always
• My Mom -- she is such a caring, giving person
• My Brother-In-Law -- even though he doesn't always use the most tact, I am pretty sure he is just trying to help me become a better person.....
• The Migraines -- I have learned a lot about pain during the past couple of years. Having a severe headache or migraine every day can be trying....but, it feels sooo nice during the rare days I don't have any. I am also thankful that the Lord has allowed me to have them, so I can understand just a little bit about how people who live in severe, chronic pain feel.
• The interviews that didn't work out, especially the one at Baptist Mid-Missions -- I am thankful that the Lord has a perfect plan for my life, and that He will provide the best job for me in His perfect timing.
• The job I have now -- even though it is sooo tiring and tedious, it is what the Lord provided for me, and something is always better than nothing. AND it could be worse!
• MOST IMPORTANTLY, I am thankful for my salvation!!! Wow -- it is so amazing! God sent his Son to die on the cross for ME! I certianly don't deserve that kind of love!! "Behold what manner of love the Father has given unto us....that we should be called the sons of God." That's part of a song I remember singing growing up. How true it is!!

So....those are just a few of the things I'm thankful for. Now, I want to challenge each of you who reads this -- think of one "good" thing you are thankful for and one "bad" thing you are thankful for. I'd love to see everyone post here....please!!

Waiting...waiting....waiting....

....for the people in Maryland to call me back.
This is not an easy task!
I am not a patient person!
My family is SHOCKED to hear this!

SO, I've been at work thinking about the job/interview and beginning to become anxious about it. Then I think "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil:4:6,7 Then, I feel better for a while. Then I start becoming anxious again, and I think "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge HIM and HE shall direct thy paths" Prov. 3:5-6.
....AND so it goes. Mom says I haven't learned the patience lesson yet. But, I keep praying and I know that the Lord will provide just the right job in just the right timing. It's a sin to worry, so I can't do that.

I appreciate your prayers that Mr. Bandy and Pastor Washburn will have wisdom to make the best decsion about whether or not I should be employed at the school. If that's not where the Lord wants me, then I don't want to be there....but I really want to be there. Yes, I know....my logic is astounding.

And so....I'm off to bed. Have a great night!!

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity-Jig!!

Well, I got home about 1:30 last night. It was such a loooong few days, and packed with stuff. I had a really good time, though. I think the interviews went well, but I'm not going to try and make a call one way or the other about whether or not I got the job. I am praying that the Lord will give the people at the school wisdom and direction.

On Saturday, I got to visit Washington, D.C. That was lots and lots of fun....and lots and lots of hot! I got to go with three teachers from the school:

Trudy -- 4th grade teacher (she's the one i'm staying with)

Tammy -- Middle School English (how fun!!!)

Brian -- Middle School History (he's the new guy....)

It was sooo much fun to spend some time with other Christian "young people" who are all in the same age group. Yay!! How refreshing. Plus, I got to do something I've never done before, and have wanted to do for quite a while. What we saw today was just a drop in the bucket, but hey....ya have to start somewhere. Here's what we did:

Arlington National Cemetary -- and the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which was my favorite part of the whole day

Natural History Museum

Smithsonian Art Museum

Capital Building, and we got to watch some Representatives debating an ammendment to some bill. That was pretty cool!!

Blogging from Baltimore

Well, I made it here safe and sound last night. No flight delays -- I am DELIGHTED with this news!!! So far, I've had an interview with the pastor of the church and I've toured around the school some. The 4th grade teacher picked me up form the airport and I'm staying with her. Tonight, we went to downtown Annapolis. That was fun....we saw lots of old buildings in the dark, but it was good. Tomorrow, I'M GOING TO WASHINGTON, D. C. !!!!!!!!!
In case you may not have noticed, I am very excited about this!!

And, I'm off to bed. LOOONG day tomorrow, and not much internet time.

Oh yeah....I'm having dinner with the HighSchool principal and his wife on Sunday. That is when my other interview will be.

CIAO!

I'll Fly Away

Well, it's 'bout that time again. I will be leaving tomorrow evening and heading out to Baltimore, MD, for a job interview at Calvary Baptist Church Academy. They are considering me for either their High School Secretary or Accounts Receivable/Payable Staff. I appreciate your prayers for safety as I travel. Please pray with me that the Lord will continue to guide me as I look for a job.

Mark is also leaving on Friday for a job interview in Newport News, VA. If he gets that job and I get the one I'm going for, then we would live about four hours from each other. That may be kinda nice.....at least that's what I think. Don't ask Mark. LOL!!!

I will keep all y'all updated on the status of things. Hopefully, I won't have QUITE as many travel adventures as when I went to Cleveland. But, as long as I get there and back in one piece, it's all good...and don't worry...I'm NOT going in a hot air balloon!