Whoa! Too Long!

Whoa, been way too long since my last post and I do apologize! Quick break down of the last few weeks:
1. Drama/complications with hubby and family...God's gonna deal with it and get glory from it. Not my battle any longer.
2. Hit the 2 month mark for being smoke free. If it weren't for me having to think about the quit date, wouldn't even cross my mind.
3. Hallelujah!!! I survived and completed my first (and probably only) half marathon! Right about 3 hours to finish. Good note, my lovely ladies and I are thinking about getting a group to do the Turkey Trot 5k this Thanksgiving.
4. I got a job!!!!!

Yes, you read that correctly. I was blessed with employment this past Friday! How very exciting and amazing. Here's the story:

Laura Oliver has been helping me with submitting, writing, tweaking, etc. my resume since August 2009 (yes, that long) and finally it paid off. I was unaware that her father knew I needed a position and was blown away when my name came to his mind when a friend of his needed a position filled. Within a few days, I was shuffled through applications, an interview, a test (BTW, it reminded me how much I hate Algebra, logic, etc ;-) ), and a few more emails and finally corporate approval/paperwork. And within a week, I was given details on pay and benefits and offered the position.

Here are some things that are stellar and details I would never had thought about:

1. I get to set my own hours; therefore the immediate need for childcare has been lifted and is being addressed by prayer, petition, and God's will. (Please keep this aspect of life in your prayers as well)
2. The company (Advanced Technology Institute) is growing rapidly in this starving economy and that, by itself, speaks volumes!
3. During the interview, I had been informed that the goal of the position for which I was being hired was that said individual, me, within a year would be training people for the position I would be assuming upon hiring. Um, nothing but moving up in sight!
4. It's a quick commute.
5. It's a predictive job. I will be working in the Financial Aid Office helping students get money affairs in order. (Nothing but black and white)
6. No weekends required and I'm done by 4 on Fridays!

I am sure there are many more that I am overlooking or failing to mention, but it doesn't matter...I have a job! With "career potential" written all over it!

I will never be able to say this enough, but THANK YOU. For your prayers, kind words, love, support, encouragement, etc. You will never know how much it means to me to know that I have a support system that is extremely strong and I have a family numbering in the 100's. Thank you!

I start Thursday...so, please pray that Brooklyn and I adjust well and that I am mentally prepared for this new journey I will be embarking on!

Haha, yeah....

Irony at its finest:
Chinese fortune tonight:

Avert misunderstanding by calm, poise, and balance...

With that said, I've almost busted my behind TWICE in front of our talented artist, Kevin Mac. All I can do is chuckle at myself and appreciate the humor.

On to the update part...this evening I was lucky enough to see this gentleman perform his first single live.  I caught "Ready to Be Your Man" on 97.3 The Eagle earlier today and was instantly delighted. He is so very blessed with the abilities to not only sing and play, but to write lyrics as well. Even with the joy it was to hear it on the radio, nothing beats watching someone perform a piece they've put their heart and soul into. This is the first step of many that he will take on this path he has now ventured down.

I urge you, seek out this single that has now hit the music waves in Hampton Roads. And, I encourage you, invest some time to watch Kevin Mac use his skills in a venue live. You will not be disappointed.

Who is Gonna Go With Me!?

Soul Mate?

"...Your problem is you don't understand what that word means. People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that's holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then they leave. And thank God for it..."

How profound and elegantly revisited by Elizabeth Gilbert in Eat, Pray, Love. At this moment of her story, she's sharing an intimate conversation she was having with a fellow companion in an Ashram in India. Pouring her heart out over a lost love, it triggered a whirlwind of emotions regarding a dear friend of mine. Prior to reading this book, our friendship had finally reached the point of no-return for reasons still unclear to either of us--until I began reading this book. I have numerous friends who are also reading and we giggle at the similarities throughout her story (even down to the names of those in her life--including her own) to that of my own story. It is a fantastic parallel between our lives, one that I am grateful for since, had it not been a gift, I would not have picked up, or purchased, said book.

This segment though...this "soul mate" conversation is one that rings loud and clear in my own mind. It's the nickname my friend and I shared; one that summed up the intimacy and delicacy that our friendship contained--the coexisting in the moment that I didn't even share with my husband. She was my soul mate. And I don't even like using the past tense because I know that she will always hold that place in my heart and be that person to me. But, what Elizabeth's dear friend had said was entirely true. She was my mirror and I, hers. And even though it was never our intent to hurt one another--our friendship was painful. Not merely because of things that we did to one another (mostly unintentional and non-malicious), but because the paths God had taken us down were ones that were difficult. The choices we made also lead to consequences that were less that "pleasing."

With that said, I do "thank God" for every moment she and I shared together. More often than not, she was the sister that I didn't have. More often than not, she was the ear that I needed to "yell in" at all hours of the day. More often than not, she was the one who held me to standards higher than I was holding myself to.

Even still, more often than not, it was "too painful" because we could damage one another beyond repair. And sometimes...we did. Regardless, God placed us together that day we met and allowed us to cultivate a relationship for an eternity (we are sisters-in-Christ after all) because He was/is going to get the glory out of our friendship.

I believe He has.

Wednesday Night

For those who don't know, I have started helping with the middle school ministry. I'm very excited, but I did feel a little sad when I realized I wouldn't be at the church prayer meetings on Wednesday nights. With that said, I was so swept away by the moving of the Holy Spirit last night as I watched the hearts of those children cry out for Christ.

Watching outstretched arms, closed eyes, and the sounds of their lips was an experience that I wouldn't trade for the world. I felt privileged to be in the presence of God working in the lives of such precious little ones. I cannot wait to see what God is going to do as I become more involved in the ministry.

I now know what others have meant when they claimed I would get so much more from it than I would ever anticipate; that my involvement is as much for me as it is for them.