Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Checking In

I'm off the grid for a while--meaning I have been and will continue to be. Life is swirling at triple speed for a couple weeks. My main focus right now is our church's women's retreat this weekend. Last year I agreed to be on the 3 person planning committee. We're averaging about 30 emails a day on the organization part. Then this summer I was asked to be one of the speakers at the retreat. "What a scary, fun honor! Sure I can do both!" In hindsight that might not have been the wisest move to wear both hats, but I know that God will honor this weekend and I'm excited about it.

If you're the praying kind, and I hope you are, I'd love your prayers specifically on Saturday night, when I'll be giving the main portion of my msg. I especially need prayers to keep my emotions in check, b/c I'm sharing a very personal and emotional story about my pregnancy with Carson and how 5 of my friends had late-term miscarriages during that time. I want to share about how Satan really used those tragedies to mess with my mind, but what I learned from that and how FAITHFUL God is--through my friends, to my friends and to me. BUT, it's still a really painful topic for me, and though I feel the holy spirit leading me to share it, I would love if He would also help me get through it without falling apart! It's one thing to get a little teary, but I've been known to bust out the "ugly cry" on stage, and that's just not really helping anyone.

On to further updates, I finally heard back about a job I was technically hired for in September. It's a 2 day a week tutoring job in the afternoons, and in theory it sounds like it will be a good fit for me. However, I hadn't heard anything for weeks, then yesterday I got a call that I start next Monday (the day after the retreat is over and when I already took a sub job) and need to be available for training this Friday. Well, I'm leaving for the retreat tomorrow, so that didn't work. So, cram it all in next week, training, starting a new job, finding childcare, etc. Yikes! Again--it's all good, it's just a lot happening at once.

Another thing that I've been hesitating blogging about is my grandparents' health. My mom's folks live locally, and neither of them are doing well. It seems they are facing one health crisis after another, and my heart is just aching for them. They are both in their late-80's, and I know they don't want their last few years on earth to be dealing with pain, discomfort and stress. It is unknown how long they will be able to live together and independently, but it is not an easy decision to make. You can be praying for them, but also for my mom and her siblings, as they are having to make many sacrifices and adjustments to their lives to care for the gparents, as well as carrying the load of decision making. We could use some calm and peace in that whole situation.

And in better news, really some of the best news I could possibly share: SYDNEY IS POTTY TRAINED! I'm not even kidding you. We honestly just kind of stumbled onto a miracle, b/c I wasn't working at it very hard at all--I was just letting her wear undies at home and then putting diapers on when we left the house. She started getting used to the feel of undies and didn't like pull-ups or diapers. But she was still having accidents! Ugh. So it was a battle every time to put a diaper on her. THEN? We got a bunch of Halloween candy. Bingo! Yes, I'm not ashamed to say that Tootsie Rolls and Skittles are to thank for my daughter being out of diapers. And I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Sydney and her little bladder have caught amazingly quickly and she hasn't had an accident in days. She still wears a dipe at night, and we're still in the exhausting urgency of being in public with a newly trained toddler. But I'm thrilled about having maybe 18 months or so of no daily diapers! Woohoo!

So that's the news update around here. Not sure when I'll be checking in again. Have a great weekend!

10 comments:

Becky said...

I've already been praying for you at retreat and I so look forward to you speaking. You are going to be great and if you are allowing the holy spirit to lead you, it will go exactly how it is supposed to. Even if the ugly cry does come out. I look forward to the subject, I'll explain more later. Try to get some rest and as little stress (Ha!) as possible. See you on Friday!

woosterweester said...

I wish I was gonna hear you speak! Wow! Sounds like it is going to be one amazing weekend. Will be praying for you and all the things heaped on your plate right now. Deep breath. One step and one day at a time. Blessings on you sweet friend! (Will you be able to post your talk? Or can we get a CD?:))

Nina said...

I will be in prayer for you . He will greatly use you I know. I love when the holy spirit takes over and blesses our efforts.

My heart understands this season in your families life. I have been praying so much for all of you. You know how much I love each one.

Hooray for you Sydney!! You are such a big girl in your undies. It's a big present to Daddy and Mommy(=

Proud of you in this great news for your new job. You will do well and be a blessing I know!!!

Jess said...

Love you Jen and praying for you! And I reallly wish I could hear your speech :) You are an amazing writer and I'm sure you're an amazing presenter as well...ugly car and all!

Jess said...

oops...I meant cry :)

Jo B. said...

I'm praying for you, Dearest Daughter. Know that while you are speaking there will be many praying for you. And if you happen to go to the big-ugly-cry place it will truly be okay. God can use even our pink swollen faces and smeared mascara if we are available to Him.
Love you so much,
Mom

butters said...

I feel a sense of emotion rising in me as I just read your blog. Know that if the Lord brings on those emotions, He's at work in the hearts of those listening as well. I love you sweet friend. I so wish I could be a fly on the wall. I will look forward to an update and hopefully a playdate (or better yet, a girls night out) when your world slows down a little. I miss ya! And yay for Syd... does she want to come over and tutor Ike?!! Oh please. (:

Anonymous said...

Praying for you and for the entire retreat this weekend...

Steph said...

I love you friend!!! And a big high five to Syd! Henry ate his weight in jelly beans when he was being potty trained. :)

Scuba Wife Life said...

I am so thankful and blessed that you were one of our speakers this year! You did a fabulous job! The things that you said touched my heart. I am so glad that I was able to hear the wonderful wisdom that you shared for my age bracket. I can't tell you how much it means to me. It was funny because when you were talking about friends who are utterly different made me think of my best friend (and her of me) while you were in the middle of sharing. It made me realize that we really can have a long and lasting friendship despite all the differences as long as we remain ourselves. Thank you so, so much!