Over the last few days, I have been obviously, doing a lot of thinking and praying over this job stuff, and I am so grateful for all of my dear friends who have expressed such amazing guidance and wisdom to me over the last few days, sharing with me truths from God's Word, Bible Verses ,and just older Godly woman advice. Thank you for that. But as I was driving home tonight from work I was thanking the Lord for just providing me with this job that I currently have. some people don't even have A job at the moment -and I do, thats a blessing. I was thinking about all the blessings He has provided me at this job. Even though I have been there 5 years now, its not always been what I wanted to do, or where I wanted to be, its a job, and the Lord provided it for me. I have some amazing co-workers. We all get along pretty well and enjoy each others company and have many laughs together about some of the interesting people that walk through our doors, or just about life in general stuff. Another blessing is that the owners/my bosses are very understanding of my church commitments on Sundays and Wednesday nights. I have had every Sunday off the last 5 years. No questions asked. They also give me Wednesday nights off so that I am able to teach and be with the Middle School group that I enjoy so much. They are also very good about days off in the summer, and understanding of me taking time off for mission trips and youth activities. or just taking days off for my own vacations. My co-workers are also awesome at swapping shifts if need be, or taking hours if something comes up. All in all it is a pretty fun job, I meet some pretty fun people and some well lets just say entertaining people as well. The job has quite the perks too, I have gotten to taste MANY amazing ice cream flavors, eaten WAY to many DeRango's frozen pizza's, eaten to much popcorn over these last few years that I can hardly stand the stuff and had to many blue raspberry slushies. I love to see the smiles on the kids faces when they pick out, what they think is the coolest toy ever from out prize bins after they play the arcade games. And to be honest sometimes just going out on the driving range to collect those -feels -like- at- times-A MILLION, golf balls in the golf cart can be so fun- Driving that golf cart while you have your ipod in your ears listening to your favorite music. Good stuff.!! I have also had my fare share of blue dye all over myself, many bleached stained clothes, picking leaves, wrappers, gum, candy, green goop, sticks and golf balls out of ponds, which hasn't been so fun. I have also done my fare share of weeding these last 5 years as well. Its been a great job to have these last 5 years, pretty much guaranteed back every summer, and meeting some great people. I am so thankful that the Lord has provided this job for me over the last 5 years, As for what the future holds only the Lord knows, I am grateful for that, He is in control. I am ready to go back as Nanny Nie-Nie when/if that happens, but for now He has me there. So," grab your putters, your choice of colored ball, and take the back door, that will lead you to your first hole!"
I don't want to be Debbie Downer, but this night hasn't been the best. I didn't have the best of nights, One being I got "Laid Off" from my nanny job that I love so much tonight. Not because of anything that I have done, But the mom that I work for is a teacher, and schools are cutting back ;apparently for this upcoming school year, and since she was the last one hired on at the school, they had to let her go. Which then means I am also out of a job. She could get re-hired somewhere else in October or November- or even before hand , I guess you just never know. It has just thrown me for a loop when I got the news tonight. I was SO SO looking forward to going back in just a couple weeks--I LOVED being there, I loved being with the kids, and learning and growing with them. I don't know what the Lord has in store for me and what He is trying to teach me through all of this-- I do know this , HE IS GOOD. HE IS FAITHFUL. I must keep reminding myself of these truths, may this time of uncertainty draw me ever so closely to Him. But also in my head things are spinning, I just agreed to be in a wedding for a dear friend in PA over the holidays which means expenses of air fare and a dress, not to mention all the things that go with that. And also my health insurance and other things that need to be paid for. But I shall keep seeking the Lord through His word and I know the Lord shall provide for all of my needs. Pray that would keep my eyes fixed on Jesus; That things may be made clear to me.
Part of me is thinking right now, Do I start looking for another job? What happens if she gets hired in November and I am somewhere else? I'd wanna go back....I could stay at the mini golf course till the end of October when we close, but that wouldn't be my first choice. So I don't what to do or say or think at the moment.Please just keep me in your prayers......
What a great weekend. Wicked was incredible. I am just speechless, I absolutely LOVED it. The music was amazing, the actors/singers were awesome, and it was quite humerus.(I have even added some of the songs from the musical to my play list;). It was such a fun time, spending time with the brothers, and just hanging out. I wasn't able to get any pictures from that day, but it was lovely none the less. Then yesterday we had the golf tournament AND THE RESULT IS......We tied. Technically. Dan and I were ahead like the 1st 3 holes, and then we lost some steam towards the end, and it all came down to the last hole, and either I had to beat Amy or Dan had to beat Drew for us to take to cup. And we both tied both of them, so I guess they win cause they won last year??? I am not quite sure how that works, but whatever. It was close pretty much the whole round., And I didn't play as bad as I thought I would, which was nice. It was very hot out, but survived. Amy made these amazing team t-shirts, which were awesome, we looked so professional. It was a fun morning, then in the afternoon a friend and I were able to go help out a sweet friend who has 4 kids whose husband is away for 8 days, and just give her a break for awhile, it was a fun time, needless to say I was wiped last night, and now I am off to work for the evening, Hopefully it will go quickly.......
I am very excited for these next 2 days. I just get so giddy and excited thinking about it. Tomorrow is the day that I have been waiting for since December. I get to go see the play WICKED. Dan and Pete bought me the tickets for Christmas, for the 3 of us to go together and spend some time together as well. I love musicals and plays, and I love spending time with my brothers, even though it usually turns into a "Lets pick on Nie-Nie" session. Oh well, what are brothers for anyways right? It will be a stellar time. I haven't seen the play before, Dan has, and says I will thoroughly enjoy it. Which I am sure I will.
And then Friday is the 3rd annual Papiller Cup. Yep, a golf tournament. I suck at golf. Which is probably why we've lost the last 2 years. My brother Dan, me and Drew & Amy Papillon go out to Raymond Heights golf course and play some golf. It gets intense. But its way fun. I like the time that the 4 of us get together. I am hoping Dan and I get to take the cup this year. I will hopefully post some pics if I am able to get some. Wish me luck.:)
Once again my time with the Lord was rich & revealed once again that I am nothing and deserve nothing and that He is everything, and showed me just how much He loves me,- and the things He does to show that He loves me is just incredible. I was studying and meditating on John 17 a lot over the past few days, It struck me as I was studying this how cool is it that we get to read just a glimpse of the intimate moment between Father and Son. Its awesome. I studied this chapter for a few weeks back when I was at Bible School 5 years ago, I learned a lot then, now it just seems so much richer. I encourage you to look at John 17 this week and see what the Lord reveals to you, it is so rich. Just a few things he showed me,( and also my study guide ;) ;He is saying so clearly in this chapter FATHER I LOVE THEM.!!!, He is confessing His love for His own people.!!
--He reveals us to the Father
--He prays for us
--protects
--Sanctifies Himself
--Places us in Him
--Makes the father known to us
--He desires for us to be with Him and to see His glory!!!!!!
His love for us is beyond my comprehension, I just don't fully grasp it, But I am so, so thankful that He loves me so much. May you be just as excited about John 15 (or/and other passages :) as I am, as you seek, dwell and meditate on His Word this week. Happy Meditating!
Recently, In my personal time with the Lord He has been teaching me what it mean to LOVE others, I mean really love others, I was studying 1st Corinthians 13, I have always loved that chapter, maybe because I am a huge fan of love :), But as I have been meditating and reflecting on it, I feel like I have such a deeper understanding of what it means. Loving the unlovable with kindness, patience, it does not envy, it does not boast, It is not easily angered, it is not rude. I want these things to reflect in my life as I am with others. This is how Christ loves me, this is what I need to show to others; even though it maybe the toughest thing in the world.
I've arrived at a conclusion, maybe one of life's rare finds
that there's not a lot worth salvaging within this heart of mine.
Its ever ready to destruct and lie above all things...It tends to laugh when it
should cry-- and mourn when it should sing.
I've wasted countless hours begging, "Fix this heart, Lord, Please!"
while it stomps its feet, demands its way and floods with sin's disease.
At last You're able to get through and lay it on the line: "You must give up that heart of yours, and trade it in for mine."
So I cry out with the psalmist, create within me Lord a new heart crystal clear that only Calvary could afford.
A heart which pounds the rhythm of heavens metronome and issues forth a boundless love and beats for you alone.
I want to love that which You love, despising what you hate and see myself as least of these oh Lord, retaliate.
The efforts of the evil one who seeks to make my plea that of his own, "I'll make no move til I've considered me."
Peel away my fingers, finally make me understand the power to love and please You can't be found within a man.
So, My Lord, I bring this offering; a stubborn heart of stone and ask You, in its absence, please exchange it for Your own.
Beth Moore
Just got back from Counseling 3-5th graders at Camp Ripley for a week. It was a really fun and good week. I felt as though I wasn't as prepared for this trip as I should have been, Between my grandpas death, funeral, family reunion, Missouri Mission Trip, home to work for a week, and do laundry, and then we left, It just all went so fast, and this trip was kinda a last minute decision for me, so I felt a bit ill prepared, but the Lord gave me strength and it went awesome, I had a great time counseling with Corrie and enjoyed our cabin of 4 girls. The week was filled with beautiful ;perfect weather, challenge circles, swimming in the nasty lake, capture the flag, s'mores, hobo dinners, and a renaissance fair, which was my favorite part. The word was so clearly preached by the male counselors and staff, about humility--Which I also so desperately needed to hear. So overall, such a great trip, and awesome time with fellow counselors and staff. I didn't take any pictures while I was there, so these are pics from Ripley back in like 2004.
