A rant. Still blessed!

Because of this post and this one by Sheila at To Love, Honor, and Vacuum, I feel like I can write this post. :)

I don't get sick often.  But when I do, I get sick.  I woke up in the middle of the night with, shall we say, digestive issues... which haven't entirely quit yet... and now the rest of my body is feeling like I've been tossed down about four flights of stairs.  And I'm pretty sure I have a fever.  I've been freezing cold but sweaty all day.

Why is it that it has to be both miseries at once?  Why not one or the other?

I guess on the upside, I'm killing two birds with one stone.  At least it's not two separate illnesses at two different times.  And I'm not the only one... this bug, or one like it, is all over campus.  At least three of my friends are sick today as well, and everyone knows that misery loves company!

But I tell ya what, I HATE stomach issues.  The, erm, regurgitation itself isn't so bad.  It's the anticipation thereof that's the worst.  Since I was little I've had a phobia of vomiting, which means that if I think I'm going to be sick, I get really worried and tense.  Once I actually get it over with, it's not so bad.

On the other hand, there's a lot to be thankful for about today.  My husband didn't have to be gone much so I haven't been alone hardly at all.  One of our two classes for today was cancelled anyway, and I could submit the homework for the other via email.  I've gotten to sleep a better part of the day.  I'm still in my pajamas and robe.  And the best part?  I haven't had to cook, clean, or do dishes all day-- and I don't even feel bad about it!  

Ideally, I'll be fine by tomorrow... I have plenty of things I'd like to do.  But I'm going to enjoy the rest while I have the opportunity to do so!  I think that sometimes God lets us get sick as a loud-and-clear message that we need to rest.  I'm going to listen to that message! :)

Rest (Five Minute Friday)

I love these writing prompts, thanks to Lisa-Jo.  It's like what we did in my writing classes starting freshman year of college--receive a word or phrase or idea, and just write on it for a few minutes.

Today, I'm writing for five minutes on this word:

REST.

Image Credit:  Dr Joseph Valks on freedigitalphotos.net

Resting is somewhat of a paradox for me.  I feel like I'm rather a lazy person-- I tend to waste time doing unproductive things like Bejeweled Blitz on Facebook or browsing Pinterest.  But I have a hard time really resting-- doing nothing at all, or doing something calming and productive, like reading a good book.  (I'm trying to get back into that habit, and have picked up Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts again, with great blessings resulting.)

My husband kind of needs to help me rest.  He makes me stop doing the dishes, stop cleaning house, and sit down with him and talk.  Or watch a movie.  Or just take a nap.

The best rest is when we're snuggled in bed together, with an extra blanket over me (I'm always cold at night), holding each other tight.  I feel like the world is perfect at those times.  And I'm completely calm and relaxed.  Something about my husband calms me like nothing else ever has.

But the real rest I crave is that from Jesus.  Jesus, who said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

That's the kind of rest I want--the rest that comes from turning my worries and troubles and stresses over to Jesus.  And taking on my shoulders the peace that comes from knowing he is my Savior, that he loves me unconditionally, that I have nothing to do for my salvation because Jesus has taken care of it all.

And it's so restful to know that even when I don't use my time well, even if I have a hard time resting physically, Jesus is so willing and glad to take from me the burdens that cause me unrest--and give me a spiritual rest, which is more refreshing than any other.


Linking up here, with Lisa-Jo Baker.

Of school and cooler weather...blessings abound

The seasons are changing...schedules are changing...routines will change.  It's that time of year, and it gives me so much to thank and praise God for!  It's good to be thankful...but it's essential to know to Who those thanks and praises go.  I am thankful to God my Father, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for all the blessings He gives me every day, and in this new season of school and cooler weather.

Today's post is really late...but I am so thankful for that because it means that today is the first day of our four-day weekend. :)  Joshua has two extra days off between his summer job, and school starting on Monday.

I am thankful for cooler weather!  We've had the windows open every night.  It's so wonderful.  I'm very ready for fall!

I am thankful that my friends are coming back to campus this weekend!  It's been a quiet summer...I'm so excited to see some very special people.

I'm so thankful for work.  I LOVE the people whose houses I clean.  I enjoy working catering at school.  And I'm so excited to get back to working at the library on Monday!!!

I'm thankful for financial blessings.  The bill for our schoolbooks this year was terrifying, but thanks to financial aid it's all covered!  We were even able to help out my brother-in-law with buying books for his freshman year.

I'm thankful for family!  In the last week my parents have celebrated their anniversary and both their birthdays, and my brother's birthday is tomorrow.  Plus we spent last weekend at Joshua's parents.  Our family is amazing.  I love them so much. <3

I am so thankful for the school we go to.  We have amazing professors, and it's such a blessing to be on a Christian campus.  I get to go to chapel every day this semester, and I am looking forward to that so much.  I'm also in three classes with Joshua and three with my best girlfriend, and that is an incredible blessing!

I am thankful that I get to be in "advance" hand bells, and choir, this semester.  I love music, I love the directors, and I can't wait to be involved in our annual Christmas concert in December.  It's also one of my favorite ways to praise Jesus--through music!

I love all the new things that come with this new season.  It's a reminder of how good and great our God really is!!


Linking up to these lovely ladies:
black tag diaries; The Fontenot Four; Kate Says Stuff; First Day of My Life; Lovely Little Whimsy; Passionate and Creative Homemaking

thankful in all circumstances, past and present

Being home sick is one thing that opens my eyes to all I have to be thankful for!

In 1 Thessalonians, Paul wrote, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstance, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (5:16-18).  I just finished reading The Hiding Place, by Corrie ten Boom, a story about a Christian family in Holland during WWII who helped hide and rescue Jews.  Corrie, her family and many of their friends were eventually found out, arrested, and sent to concentration camps in Germany.  Miraculously, Corrie and her sister Betsie found each other and were able to be together in the worst of all the camps they had seen.  Upon their arrival at one camp, they realized the barracks was infested with fleas, besides being filthy and unsanitary.  Betsie in her prayers that night was thanking God even for the fleas, but Corrie protested.  "How can I be thankful for fleas?"  Betsie insisted, so they thanked God for fleas, but Corrie could not see how they would be a blessing.  A few weeks later, Betsie, who stayed in the barracks knitting because she was too ill and weak for any other work, had exciting news to share with her sister.  Betsie had been talking about Jesus and reading a smuggled-in Bible to the women around her, and yet had never been bothered by the guards.  She had discovered that day that her freedom to witness the Gospel was because of the fleas: the guards refused to enter the flea-infested dormitory.

Now, I am obviously in far better circumstances than Betsie and Corrie were.  God tells us to give thanks in all circumstances, however, and that includes mine!

Today I am thankful that I cleaned the house over the weekend so, although I haven't had energy to do much, the house is still in pretty good order.

I'm thankful for this time, in a quiet home, to rest.

I'm thankful for my grandpa, who brought me saltines, 7-up, some medicine and tissues with lotion in them!

I'm thankful for my husband, who works hard and who has been taking such good care of me while I've been ill.

I'm thankful for my mom and my friends, who I got to talk to on the phone today and yesterday.

I'm thankful that I'm feeling much better now than I have been, my energy is increasing, and I'm less tired.

I'm thankful that being sick happens to me much less often than being healthy!

I'm thankful especially that God is always faithful, always in control, never changes, and is always good.  His constancy is reassuring, in a world that is constantly changing.

linking up with other thankful and beautiful ladies today:

a day to Refresh, Regroup, Relax

Yesterday morning we woke up at 5:30 as usual.
Hubby wasn't feeling well and neither of us had gotten more than about 4 hours of sleep (you know when you're stressed/hot/worried/it's that time of the month?  All at once?).  So he emailed his boss and we both went back to bed.
For four hours.
It was bliss.

We've had an interesting week...a big stresser combined with some fantastic time with family and friends.  The stress part was starting to get to us.  We had a great day: watching TV shows (thank you Netflix; I am now nearly as addicted to old episodes of That 70's Show as my husband), watching a hilarious Dick van Dyke movie together, eating yummy food (homemade quesadillas made with homemade tortillas and homemade refried beans!), talking, laughing, and cuddling.

And we made plans to get figured out and worked out the things that are causing the stress.  We make a great team.
Last night he looked over at me from at his desk, looked me right in the eye, and said "We're stronger because of this."
Stress causes both of us to act in ways we really don't like acting.  But yesterday we really listened to each other, we made sure we understood each other, and we expressed a lot of love and respect to each other.  It's amazing how difficulties bring us closer together...and closer to God.
We've been faithful about doing devotions and praying together every morning.
We pray together every night before we go to sleep.
And I know I've been reading my Bible and praying more lately than I had been.

I'm so thankful for yesterday.  We had time to regroup...like a sports team coming together during a time-out and planning their next move, catching a breath, getting a drink, and cheering each other on.  We were refreshed...physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally.  We were able to relax...because we reminded each other and ourselves to rely on God, we figured out a solution to the problem, and we removed all our appointments and responsibilities for the day.

Sometimes a mid-week vacation is just the thing to get back on track.

thank you God

Thankful for work...and rest

When God created the world he set a pattern in place that he instructed Adam and Eve, and all future generations, to follow.  He worked for six days, making the entire universe.  On the seventh day, he rested.

God rested.

Now, we know that being God, he doesn't really get tired.  He's all-powerful; he wouldn't have to have rested.  But he did.  Why?  To set an example for us.  Work is good, and rest is good.

During the summer Joshua works more than I do.  He's got a seven-to-four, five-day-a-week job (which I love, really; he's home well before suppertime every day).  I am so thankful for the job he has: healthy physical labor, fantastic coworkers, bosses he likes and respects.  Plus, he gets to point out to me nearly ever floor on campus and say, "I cleaned that."  And then I say, "Wow, that looks fantastic," because it does--he does a great job.

During the summer most of my work is at home.  (And I keep busy around here.  Cooking, cleaning, keeping things organized and tidy, and blogging fill a lot of my days.  I love it!)  I applied for a few jobs this summer, but haven't heard from any of them.  But guess what...I still have jobs.
-I houseclean for an older couple every other week.  I love it; I chat with the lady while I'm cleaning, plus they have a beautiful home that's a delight to clean.  And she inspires me to go home and clean my own apartment!
-I sub at the campus library when the regular summer workers need a day off or some vacation.
-I work with the catering business on campus for special events over the summer.

Today I'm doing housecleaning, tomorrow I'm working catering for twelve hours, and Monday I'm doing housecleaning for a new client.  I'm super-excited.  I might turn this into a business.  We'll see.

God is providing in so many ways.  We're so blessed to be able to use the gifts and abilities he's given us.

I am thankful for work, but I'm also thankful for rest...
-a nap on our comfy couch under a colorful, crocheted-by-my-Aunt-Erin afghan
-cuddling with my husband while we watch a movie or Smallville episode
-listening to him snore a little on the couch as he snoozes while I make supper
-snuggling in bed at night in our fuzzy flannel sheets
-reading together in the living room

God knew what we would need.  He gave us a drive to work, to be productive, to provide for our loved ones--but he also gave us opportunities to rest and refresh our bodies and minds, so that we would be better able to do our work to his glory.

So, this beautiful summer Thursday, I'm thankful that I and my husband get to work...and I'm thankful (really thankful) for the time we have to rest.

lovely linkup ladies:

Rest in Him

Sometimes I find it hard to really rest.  Have you ever felt like that?
My mind is constantly in motion, thinking of everything I want to do and especially everything I need to do.  Right now it's a variety of cleaning and organizing projects that I want to get done, and every time I sit down that what I'm thinking about: I could be cleaning out the cupboards right now.

My friend Sara and I were talking about this just yesterday, in anticipation of the upcoming school year.  Both of us have a bad habit of over-scheduling ourselves and then we get to busy with the things we have to do that we don't have as much time for the things we want to do--especially rest.

"Sleep is overrated," we say jokingly, but sadly enough, we often believe it.

It's one thing to rest my body, but it can be so much harder to rest my mind.  Even when I'm not doing things, I'm thinking about things, and stressing about finances, future, scheduling, meal planning!

This weekend we're going on a short getaway for our anniversary.  I know how important it is to take time to get away, to focus on our marriage and our friendship, to just spend some time out of the house.  We've done this a few times in the last year, one of them being on our Thanksgiving trip to see family.  Another time was during Christmas break, when we escaped to a cute little bed-and-breakfast just a couple blocks from home!

My sweet husband reminded me yesterday that sometimes I need to rest my mind, too--clear my head, not think about things that cause me stress, and to focus on the good things, instead.  I know that when I think about everything that God does for me, it's much harder to be worried, stressed and anxious.  Blessings cancel out stress and worry.

Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience posted a link to this prayer today.  The sentence that hit me the hardest was this:

"Help me live this day at the pace of grace—no faster or slower."

 The pace of grace.  I love that.  I take it to mean that we should make the most of each moment, and take each moment as it comes.  We shouldn't spend so much time focusing on the past or the future, but on how God is showing his grace to us in every hour, every minute.

God is eternal.  He is past, present, and future.

We're not.

When I focus on what God is blessing me with--in every moment of every day--worry has no room to be in this busy head of mine.

I can rest in Him.

My soul finds rest in God alone,

my salvation comes from him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation;

he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

Psalm 62:1-2

image found here

Blissful relaxation

Hubby and I are in a hotel tonight, on our way to Minnesota to be with family for Thanksgiving.

I'm almost giddy.  It's great to be alone, in a place where there are no dishes to do, no cooking to accomplish, no housework to get done, no homework hanging over my head (basically).  Where I can feel perfectly justified in literally laying around and doing nothing.

It's great. :)

I think times like this are absolutely essential: in marriage, in our relationships with God, in life in general.  Times with minimal distractions, times to rest, rejuvenate, to be still and know that He is God, and He is good.

Especially at this time of year, this is a good opportunity to reflect on all that He has given us, all the blessings we have, all that we have to be thankful for: which is everything.

I might not post much in the next few days, and then, maybe I will.  But this weekend, may God open your eyes to see all the gifts He's poured out on you, and may He fill your life with peace and joy.