The kids were done with their school work including CC review, 5 pages of math, writing their history sentence three times and reading by 10:00 AM. It was a very good thing, with the car being tied up taking me to work for the next six days, we had some errands to run. We had to pick up some documents that we had printed at Office Depot then on to Appleton Medical Center to pay for my PALS class and pick up a book. I’m so glad that they are letting me borrow one because I wasn’t going to be able to get one in the mail quick enough. Then we found a McDs (it is the easiest way to access internet here.) Chad was able to download the CC cycle three app. I retook the PALS pretest, because the test repetition helps me to learn easier than with just reading the book. We were also able to use the time to make Dr. appointments. An appointment for Eve up at Doernbecher, well child checks and Salem Pediatric Clinic for all three kids, and a call to the dentist to see what we can work out there. We were able to do some more research on the hospitals sent to me for consideration for our next assignment, and believe me we checked C/S rates and deliveries/month because I don’t feel like managers are overly honest about those numbers in the telephone interviews. We are also starting the wheels turning on a Christmas project. We are hoping to get shoes to Uganda hopefully we can save up enough to send over 50 pairs. the shoe that grows
Well I don’t at all feel rested enough or prepared for the next six days. I am reminded that God is more concerned about my obedience than my happiness (although I’m sure he is delighted to see me happy. As a parent he wants me to see the big picture and not be so focused on myself). (And the good news is I am happy and have so much to be thankful for) I was reading back through my sermon notes from Farmington, and was especially struck with how God’s word meets us exactly where we are at when I stumbled on this. (These are notes so it’s going to be fragmented)
• In this world you will have trouble but take heart for I have overcome the world.
• God does not explain the why’s and how’s
• Character is built in the valleys
• Not my will but yours be done
• He is good and faithful and just to forgive
• Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
• Be not wise in your own eyes
• God will not overlook the fact that we have failed to trust in him, he will not overlook that we are doing what we choose to do over his plans for us.
• Break the pattern of trusting in our selves
Hebrews 12:1-2New International Version (NIV)
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
These things have been on my mind, strangely, and although they do not make me feel more rested they do assure me that I’m where I am supposed to be, doing what I’m supposed to do, and God will do the rest. He doesn’t ask me to have all the right answers or to be perfect, just to be willing and obedient.
This afternoon when we finally got back to our apartment there was a card in the mail from a friend with this verse.
1 Corinthians 15:58New International Version (NIV)
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
This verse and a chance to talk to my favorite MIL may have been just what I needed.
Owens Endeavors 