One. Week One. Effective Immediately.

One

1.

Week One…Starting Over. One week ago today I was told I was being reappointed to a new position after 18 years, 3 months of working with very humble, caring and giving group of people who are known by many as servants. Saying good-bye to a program and people that I have grown to love and which I have invested so much in is difficult, especially since it was not by my choice. The news came unexpectedly and of all ways through an email from someone who sat only a few steps down the hall. Reassigned. New Supervisor. New work. Effective Immediately.

I am thankful.

I am, really. I may not agree with the reassignment. I may not agree with how I was informed, but…

I am ready.

At least I think I am ready. If I have learned one thing over the past two years it is God does not want me in places of comfort. When I am comfortable, I tend to forget the God of Comfort. When I am comfortable, I tend to get lazy. When I am comfortable, I get bored and I am boring!

The Lord has been preparing for me for such as times as these and I choose to trust Him. I will not live in the land of uncertainty and what ifs, because my God is a Solid Rock. He does not shift and waver like the ocean, He is faithful and does not change. His covenant is of life and peace. His thoughts toward me are thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give me a future and a hope. I choose to trust Him.

This first week was not even a full week since I was home sick the first three days with the stomach flu. Ugh, very flattering, I know! I really thought I was going to go meet my Jesus! My blood pressure dropped so low the first “hospital” didn’t want me, then my blood sugar spiked up, they could not find my pulse. I am so glad they did not start pounding on my chest. But thank you Jesus, I am alive! I thought I would never eat again; but my appetite came back like a tsunami. I do believe I am on my way to a full recovery.

The next two days (yesterday and today) was visible proof that I need to learn a lot of new things to be successful in this new job. One thing is MS Excel. I am praying for wisdom to the God who gives liberally and without reproach. I am praying for strength because I am already weary. I am praying for the LORD to show me new things that I do not yet know. I am praying to see the LORD magnified. Week one down.

“Your eyes shall see, And you shall say, ‘The LORD is magnified beyond the border of Israel.’” Malachi 1:5

Photo A Day/Writing Assignment 1/28-31/13

1.28.13 THROUGH

Through. Legs through the rails while tossing Gatorade down through the rails to a friend....and she catches it!! Thank goodness!

1.29.13 GROW

Grow.Spring storms growing in the January Oklahoma skies. In Oklahoma, we love severe weather.

1.30.13 DOWN

Down. Heading down south (well south and southwest) to Anadarko for a program review site visit in my little bug.

1.31.13 YOURSELF
 

Yourself. See my certificate for completing the government travel credit card training? And....finally Photo A Day/Writing Assignment for January complete. Whew.

Photo A Day/Writing Assignment 1-27-13

01.27.13 SUN

Sun. Mister Sun. Sun. Mister Golden Sun. Please shine down on me. Where was the sun today? It was hiding most of the day, at least here in Okie land. I even went outside to look for him.

I know he was there, but he was hiding behind these grey skies. I don't think I have told you but I have a friend who guilted me in to signing up to run in the 5K Color Me Rad. Notice I said guilted me in to signing up to run...doesn't mean I will accomplish the real act of running.

I personally think running should have a purpose, like running to sales on Black Friday - or - running because there is a dog chasing you; but running for fun never crossed my mind. I love this picture because it pretty much sums up how I feel.

Today started week two of the 5K training program I am wondering what was I thinking? I am thinking I should have started at week zero. Then maybe repeat week one two times, before going in to week two. Here I am gasping for air and I am going to be running and people are going to be throwing colored corn starch at me? Plus I am old! Well, I paid so now I have to get ready so I am slowly trying to run. The app on my phone tells me when to run and when to walk. It's like I have my own personal Jillian, except my app is much nicer. It's a good thing, because if I had to try to remember how many times I have ran/walked, I would totally forget because it takes all my brain power just to keep me moving. The goal of the app is to be able to run 30 minutes straight. My goal is not to die doing it.

In case you want to join us, you can join up with us under the team name Isaiah 40:31 at http://www.colormerad.com/races/oklahomacity.html I'd love for you to come "suffer" with me because misery loves company.

I can do the elliptical fine, but running on a new knee is totally different, but I am determined. At the end of the run....Mister Sun still hiding, but I am grateful that when I can't see the sun, I know it is still there. This is my niece Katy. She did the Color Me Rad last year, isn't she colorfully beautiful?

After the run, I went home to get ready to go to church. Each Sunday evening I have the privilege of teaching young girls about purity using the book "And the Bride Wore White" by Dannah Gresh and of course, the Word of God. I am thankful for this time, for the girls who attend and encourage me by their eagerness to learn, their willingness to read, ask questions and participate. The Lord humbles me each time he allows me to speak on purity and on His behalf. Then on the way to church, guess who came out to shine? Mister Sun...peeking behind those clouds.

Sunshine...Shine Son Shine...in and through me.

May we be found faithful, giving glory to God in all that we do.

The sun will come up tomorrow...and one day.... "the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb." - Rev 21:23...One day!

January Photo A Day/Writing Assignment 1-26-13

01.26.13 TOGETHER

Together. So happy together.What an easy word for the day and a perfect day for togetherness. The first event was a visit for Senor Harjo from Malachi. To get the full effect of this heart warming new friendship you have to see the picture.

See, you can see the excitement Senor Harjo had a visitor, I am pretty sure Senor Harjo grew about 5 inches, I know you can't tell from this angle on the photo but I am pretty sure he was almost a foot tall!

The second event of togetherness was a bitter sweet saying of "so long, see ya soon, we're praying for you" to a neighborhood friend that we've grown to love over the past eight years. We were first introduced to Reginald "RJ" Orr when we first moved to this neighborhood and Darya came home  announced to us that she had made a new friend and his name was"Original". He is moving to Houston and stopped by to say good bye. What a great kid, his positive spirit and smile will be missed. We are praying for you RJ, find you a good youth group to get plugged in to and remember, "Houston...we have a problem."

The third and final event of togetherness of the day was the celebration of Jenn's 30th Birthday. This is Jenn. She is wearing glasses with a big 30 on them. I know you wouldn't have figured that out unless I told you. She is one of the sweetest people I know and would do anything for anyone. She is just that type of person and has a really BIG heart!

This is her hubby Servando.

He is....well let's say....this next picture describes him...

I know what you are thinking, "that's mean".... no it's not. I didn't mean "Oh No He Big" I meant "Oh No He Big to Jennifer" See, now don't you feel bad? This picture definitely speaks of "togetherness". When you can have Arkansas, Texas and OU fans at one table and can still smile...usually means it's time to eat!

Because Craig is always so thoughtful to let me get in a pic too, you get to see one more group photo. Basically the same one, except I am sitting by my hubby and Isabelle is sticking her tongue out at the photo. Lovely I know. You can tell she loves to take photos.

 

Then it was time to flame the candles and load up on sugar.

But not until Jenn opened her gifts. She got some jewelry, a cross, a cupcake candle, some smell good and a gift card to a tattoo parlor. Not really on that last one. I don't want to be responsible for spreading rumors, but it sounded fun.

Meet Nat. Nat thought it would be cool to shave at the table. Not really. Nat was playing "Game Time" announcer with this monster microphone...let's get ready to rumble!!

Up first on the Speed of Light is Yamarie and Amy, they were popping and locking - knocking down those lights as the lit up and at lightening speed!

It was anyone's game...but Yamarie pulled out to a big lead and even drew a crowd of fans! Amazing. They truly are!

The next game took a lot of effort, in that you had to push one button! I know it was a difficult task but Servando managed to win a lot of tickets off this one game. He is coo-coo like that.

Then it was time for a four-way game of air hockey. The Arkansas folk (Ivan and Ariel) beat the Texas folk and it was ultimately Ariel that was crowned Air Hockey Queen!

Go big or go home! Darryl and Servando played this ginormous Connect 4 game.

Thumbs up for an overall successful afternoon. We all gave Servando our tickets because he really wanted the big Chuck E Cheese stuffed animal, then we told him we weren't at Chuck E Cheese but at Dave & Busters, then he begin to weep. Well, not really, but he couldn't get over how small this Dave & Busters was compared to Texas.

Then reality hit....it was time to go home and be parents again.

It was our first time to Dave & Busters. We're done...we are officially corrupted. I really feel bad about it. I do. So we ended the night with the bond of friendship. Togetherness. Well, except I am not sure what happened to Ivan and Ariel, they like disappeared. Could it be that a day out in the arcade pushed them back to their college days when they first met? Thanks Jen for inviting us to your birthday party to celebrate THIRTY years of life, we love you!

January Photo A Day/Writing Assignment - 1/23-25/2013

01.23.13 ELECTRIC

 

 

 

Electric. Adjective - very tense, exciting, emotionally charged. I attended a presentation on Wednesday in Oklahoma City and discovered a very familiar face. It was Michelle! I met Michelle when I was working on my Masters degree in 1991! I went to work on the federal side and she works locally on the county side and twenty-one years later our paths crossed again! I was so excited to see her, I can't wait to meet up with her again to catch up on the past 21 years.

 

 

The presentation was webcasted around the state to about 38 sites. The large picture on the top left was at the Wes Watkins Vo-Tech Center and that is a co-worker standing in the red shirt. He asked what I thought was a very simple, clear question; but, it obviously stumped the doctor or she didn't want to answer it because she sure ignored and disregarded answering it. Quite interesting and comical in my opinion. Good job Scott!

 

01.24.13 STRIPES

 

 

Strips. Chevron strips on this girl's shirt who was auditioning for American Idol. I know I am pushing the envelope a bit, but hey it's stripes! She was the one that was in the room when the judges got in an argument and Nicki Minaji walked out. What an awkward moment for her I am sure. I am not really a fan of the new judges, but I love watching people who think they can sing and dance try!

 

01.25.13 LANDSCAPE

 

 

Landscape. a picture representing a view of natural inland scenery. I pretty much failed this day. I had dreams and hopes of going out at dusk and capturing a beautiful photograph of Oklahoma's great plains, then life happened. So instead Senor Harjo and I drove north to see a monument of him and some other famous people.

 

 

So I didn't totally fail, because I did snap this on the way home. I love my City. Big open skies. Tall skyscrapers. Bricktown. THUNDER. Theater. Olympic River Sports. Which reminds me did you see the video on YouTube of our Great City? If not, I have it here for you. Check it out! Sure, makes me proud to be an Okie!

 

 

January Photo A Day/Writing Assignment 1/20-22/2013

1.20.13 SOMETHING YOU SAW

Something you saw. Godly men humbling themselves before the Lord in prayer beginning our Sunday service off.

Something you saw. Brothers-in-Christ living life together and cooking us some MEAT!

Something you saw. An adult man (left of picture) playing a toddler iPhone game.

Something you saw. A teenage boy, possibly Nathanael, sitting under a fig tree. Well it probably isn't a fig tree, but I can dream.

Something you saw. My daughter looking like a fish.

Something you saw. Well I didn't see this, but I experienced it...fellowship with some young chicks!

Something you saw. Sisters-in-Christ and really good friends sharing a meal.

Something you saw. My life flash before my eyes!

Something you saw. Great friends and believers shining for Jesus.

Something you saw. My Senor Harjo betraying me for a younger chick!

Something you saw. That Taco Mayo loves my Jesus too! "My cup runneth over" Psalm 23:5 It's right there on the cup! January 20, 2013 was certainly a full day!

1.21.13 SOMETHING YOU DO

Something you do. Spending time in the Word and prayer with my husband. I love holidays, weekends, and days off because it means unhindered time together learning more about our Lord and Savior together.

1.22.13 CORNER

Corner. No, they aren't sitting in the corner because they are in trouble; but the opposite. They are sitting in the corner celebrating 11 years of marriage. They have persevered through the good, the bad and the ugly, as we have too, and tonight we celebrated this milestone and prayed for many more years together. Happy 11th Anniversary Servando and Jenn!

January Photo A Day/Writing Assignment 1/18-19/2013

01.18.13 SHADOW

Shadow. Senor casting the shadow of a Meerkat. I know we have a talented dog and we are really considering taking his show on the road. He told us, "When small dogs begin to cast big shadows, it means that the sun is about to set." Wise words right here on the blog.

01.19.13 DELICIOUS
 

Delicious. Gaye, Rebekah and I went out treasure hunting on Saturday. We didn't really find any great treasures; but we did visit the new Mexican Supermarket in Moore "Supermercado Morelos". We discoverd some fresh delicious sweet corn tamales placed strategically at the register and at an awesome price, add to that three hunger chicas and that equals SALE! Then we needed some sauce to go with it so we ordered some of this green tomatillo salsa that is to die for! Do you see that death look she is giving me? It was so good we bought some to go! The store has a bakery and a cafe in it too. I think we will be going back for lunch or dinner sometime!