Time for a Checkup

Happy New Year! Did you make any resolutions? If so, I hope you stick with them!

I despise cold weather. Like, seriously. It makes me angry. I know that my sister enjoys fall and the crispness in the air, and the occasional snow shower. Me? No thank you. Give me 80 degrees and sun and I'm a happy girl.

I used to think that seasonal depression was something made up, but I totally understand it now. When you get up and go to work in the dark, and come home in the dark, you didn't get your sunlight. Sunlight = vitamin D. Makes you happy!

Anyway. I plan to run another 5k this spring! Hopefully my girls at church will run it with me again! If not all of them, maybe one or two ;)

I'm also planning another trip to Chicago in the very near future. I'm very happy to say that Leslee and Adam are moving back HOME to North Carolina this summer, but that means I have one more chance to visit them in the Big City.

Lauren and Brad are engaged! We get to go look at dresses this weekend! Lauren told me that I wasn't allowed to move to Fayetteville because she needed me in town to help her plan.

Chance of snow on Friday. NC law- you must bombard Food Lion to get your milk, eggs, and bread. Stay warm, everyone!

Just an Update

Well, I didn't get the job in Fayetteville, so I'm staying here. Which is fine with me :)

We've made it through the end of the semester at work, so we're just finishing up exams. Which means that we can slow down just a little bit (I hope). We had been running at full speed since the Monday after Thanksgiving.

Cantata is finished! Whew. It was lovely, but I'm glad its over. Gives me an extra hour on my Sunday afternoon (possibly for naps).

A few weeks ago, we had a guy from Hospice Ministries come and talk on Sunday night. I didn't get to hear him, because I was in the nursery. They're having some kind of service at my church on Thursday night, and they were looking for volunteers to help direct people. I figured since Hospice was used for my grandfather before he passed away last summer, I can volunteer and help out a little. Give a little bit back.

12 days til Christmas. Wow!

Blessings right in front of my face

I am thankful that I have a job. Some days it makes me crazy, but what job doesn't?

I am thankful for my health.

I am thankful for my family and my friends. I am thankful for my church family. Even if some of my "family" isn't blood-related.

The ones who get tore up about even the *thought* of me leaving. The ones who I can email and ask to pray in a moment's notice. The ones who lift each other up and cry together. The ones who say, "It'll all be alright".

I am thankful for Jesus, because without Him I wouldn't have any of this.

I am thankful to live in a country where I have the freedom to follow Jesus. I am thankful for the men and women who fought and died to give me that freedom.

It makes me tear up to know that I am so blessed.

Patience

It's out of my hands now. Now we pray, and wait and see.

If its right, let it fall into place.
If its wrong, shut the door.

Opportunities and Decisions

So within the last two weeks, I've been presented with a new work opportunity outside of my industry (like, someone literally asked me if I wanted the job) and a higher position within my company became available.


I'm talking with my boss tomorrow about the open spot. Just talking. Not saying yes, not saying no. I just would like some more information, to see if that's where I need to be.

And if it's not, then that door will be shut.

So if you're in a praying mood sometime between 11am-7pm on Monday, please do so :)

Time for Christmas already?

Can you believe that it's almost time for Christmas (again)? Didn't we *just* have Easter? Have you started your list? What are you going to get for those you love?

If I may, I'd like to make a few suggestions for your holiday donations.

Samaritan's Purse/Operation Christmas Child
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/

My church (here in Greenville and in Jacksonville) fills up shoe boxes of toys and goodies like coloring books, crayons, small stuffed animals for needy children in other countries. I was blessed to grow up in a family where I never had to go without toys. It's simple. Get a shoebox and fill it up with toys.

Don't get me wrong, I'm still going to get presents for my nieces, but I'm also going to fill up a shoebox or two for OCC. We're so blessed in this country, and sometimes we forget about others.

If you don't want to fill up a shoebox, you can donate online.


Give to The Troops
http://www.give2thetroops.org/

I was born and raised in a military town, and I'm very proud of my country, and my military. My grandfather, uncles and father were different parts of the military. So yeah, it's pretty close to me.

This organization sends care packages to deployed U.S. troops. We know they're "over there", but sometimes a care package can be the physical reminder that we support them. Little pieces of home, to let them know that we care.

My church is filling up Christmas stockings to send! (We actually donate throughout the year, but Christmas is always a good time). If you're not sure what to send, they have a list of requested items on their website.


So as we approach this very hectic time of year, please remember those who are less fortunate than us, and those who have volunteered to keep us safe.


~Erin

Prayer

Lord, I don't understand. I know there's a purpose, I'm just not sure what it is. Please give me peace while I try to figure it out (if you want me to figure it out). If I'm not meant to understand, then just let me know that I need to leave it alone. In the meantime, please give me the right words, at the right time.