Happy Birthday

That's right, today is Lennox's First birthday!!!! He has been a great part of the McCorkindale House. Two pics of him (the first from last fall when we Got him, and the 2nd from just a few days ago.)

What to write about?

Writers block. Does it every happen to you where you really want to update your blog because you're tired of always seeing the same title sitting there but you never know what to write about? That's me.

Random fact: I used to use "writers block" as an excuse to sit and talk to friends all through creative writing class. It worked.

Anyway, so...what did I do today? Well, I came to the church (my only internet access) this morning at 8:30 and signed up to be a Creative Memories consultant. ("YEAH!") I'm pretty excited about it. My kit should be here by Monday. I'm excited to look through it. It's kinda crazy though how people spend so much money on "celebrating memories" when really they could spend a bunch of that money on actually making the memories. I like scrapbooking, but there is a line. I always say, "If I can't carry everything I need to scrapbook for an evening in one load, it's too much stuff. Makes me think about materialism. The speaker at a retreat we were recently at mentioned how North American churches have values that talk about materialism...churches in Africa shake their heads because that just isn't even an issue to them. They talk about other things that we don't even think about. Our culture is so materialistic. Some days I am actually interested in giving everything up and living simply. It would be interesting, wouldn't it, at least for a while?

I had a busy afternoon at work today. I was asked to work a couple extra shifts this week as soon as I walked in. Then, a couple seconds later, I was asked to work an extra shift next week. Then, partway through the afternoon, I was asked to work two additional shifts next week. Plus, for the whole month of April I will be working four mornings a week instead of three afternoons. I accepted all the shifts offered me, of course, because I can handle busy-ness, if I can see the end. At least that's what I tell myself... That, and Nathan and I are saving up for a something. So anyway, all these extra shifts were making me think $$$ (I know, completely counters my materialistic comments earlier) and then, at the end of the day, I was called into my supervisors office and she told me that I'd earned a raise! Whoo-hoo! So that had me pretty excited. It's been a good day. And now, I get to go home to my wonderful husband and watch some Lost (Season 2). Mmm...I love my life some days...

Some news and CONGRATULATIONS!!!

So, even though in my title "congratulations" came second, I must start with that. Congratulations to all my friends with exciting news in these past few days/weeks. Congratulations to my Marsha who is getting MARRIED!!! Congratulations to my friends Tim and Erica who are also getting MARRIED!!! Congratulations to those of you who are expecting (I can count five pregnancies just off the top of my head). Congratulations to those of you who have news that I just haven't heard yet! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

And now, for my news! Drumrole, please...

Actually, it's not that exciting. Forget the drumrole. Maybe just applause at the end...

I think I've finally found my "dream" job! I'll be working from home...whatever hours I want... I can have summers off...I can continue once we have kids...it's got great benefits (though not medical, and I don't think retirement either...)...

I am going to be a Creative Memories consultant! Whoo-hoo!

I must ask, does the beautiful, spring-like weather make anyone else super happy?

Where have I been?

These past couple weeks have been very busy. I checked my blog two days ago, and realized that I haven't updated since February! Now, I realize that some of you are thinking, "So what's the big deal? I haven't updated since January!" And that's no problem! No problem at all... I on the other hand have no kids to use for an excuse.

So what's been keeping me busy? Well, youth has been a big part of it. We were doing a pizza fundraiser (selling pizzas) and two evenings were full with making pizzas along with some of the youth. You can see some pictures on Nate's blog (follow link on the right side of my blog). On top of that, we have youth two days a week. Then, this past weekend was a church leadership retreat at Camp Arnes. It was really good. I came back spiritually refreshed, but not terribly rested. You know? I'm still working three afternoons a week, which is perfect. And other than that, I really have no excuses. I guess being busy all the time just makes me tired. : )

But today is a day of rest!!! And on my day of rest, I am baking buns and bread (both white and brown), doing laundry, cleaning the house, and doing some reading for a class we're taking at SBC next weekend! Sounds relaxing, doesn't it? I just can't sit still if there's work staring me in the face. You all know how it works when there's stuff that needs to get done but won't get done if you don't do it, right? I can't just sit and do nothing one day if I know the next day I'll pay for it!

Amidst this busy-ness, the importance of being still and knowing that HE is God has been made very real. I was having my quiet time the other morning and was watching the trees in our front yard and a verse came to me about God not being in the wind and earthquakes and fire, but in the gentle whisper. When there is such a gentle breeze that the tree branches barely move, it always makes me think of God being right there with me. This particular morning, this specific verse came to mind. When I found it in my Bible, I was surprised to find that it was in the chunk of Bible that I was going to be reading that morning! 1 Kings 19! I always love when things like that happen. It's like God is saying, "See, I am right here. I do love you. Please just be still and know that I am here." Mmmm...ok daddy.