Where's Your Heart Tonight?

It's a simple question. Where's your heart tonight? What's consuming you? What are you dwelling on?

For me it's an easy answer. I'm beyond nervous about my new job. I only have 2 days left at my current job before starting my new job in the city. The nerves started setting in this past Monday and have been pretty constant. My head is swimming with worries, doubts, fears, insecurity. What if I show up and have absolutely no idea how to do anything? What if I don't connect with anyone? What if I don't like it? What if I've made a mistake leaving my current job?

I'm trying to keep my head focused but it's honestly been a challenge not to let the fears overwhelm me.

I'm not the type of person who gets nervous frequently but when I do...let's just say I'm a bit of a mess. I like to be in control and I like to know exactly how to do whatever task I'm suppose to do. And when I feel like I may not know how to do everything perfectly that is expected of me I don't handle it well : ) According to my mother I have always been like this, so at least I'm consistent!

So for tonight this is what I am trying to focus on:
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me,or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. " - Philippians 4:4-9

I love this verse because it's not just a suggestion or recommendation but it's a command "Do not be anxious about anything..." We are not to worry about what tomorrow may bring but have faith that God is sovereign and faithful to those who fear Him. He hears our prayers and is faithful to answer them. He is near to us and His peace will console our weak hearts. I have faith that the Lord has brought me to this new job according to His perfect will. & "...Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

I'm so thankful that we serve such a mighty and loving God, I'm so glad my life is about Him and not about me. So thankful for all His many blessings.

Love and miss you all!

Change in Perspective

I spent most of my day worrying about myself, my life, my job, my long commute (also yelling at other drivers who drove too slow for me)...everything had to do with me.
Then I came across this blog tonight and had a great change in perspective by the Lord.
How quickly my viewpoint changed. Please spend some time reading and praying for the people of Haiti tonight. I spent some time just looking through the pictures and praying for all the faces I saw. Pray specifically for my friend Katelyn's team that will be traveling to Haiti in the first part of November. Pray that God would use them in mighty ways, that they would share God's love and salvation to all those they encounter and that they would feel God's presence and spirit leading them each and every day. Please pray that MANY people would come to know our loving Father, that they may rest in his arms and feel the peace & comfort that is His love. Praying for you Kate, be safe and know we are praying for you!

http://beyondthismountain.blogspot.com/

Fun New Pics!

Here are a few fun pics from our recent adventures!

How is it already October?

I'm not sure where the time has gone but it is already mid-October and I can't remember the last time I updated our blog.

Here is a quick recap of what has been going on

1. On September 14th, my sweet Grandma Helen met Jesus. On August 22nd we discovered that she had an bleed in her brain, she immediately had surgery and made it through but never fully healed from the damage that had been done. My incredible mom, aunt, cousin and sister all stayed by her side day and night for the next weeks and tended to her every care. They showered her with love, grace and respect. They read scripture over her, sang hymns to her & my sister would wash her feet & rub them with lotion so she could be comfortable (can't help but think of when Jesus washed his disciples feet). It was amazing to hear how they would stay by her side, night and day and just love on her. It was extremely hard being far away & not being able to help take care of her but God provided supernatural strength and comfort to my family during this time. I know she felt their love and care during those final days. And ultimately I know that Lord welcomed her home, into a place where there are no tears, where there is joy that we can't imagine, and all the Heavenly Hosts are singing praises to the Him. I feel that this has been a season where the Lord is teaching me that all that is in this world is His. Through this season of loss I have felt the Lord pressing on my heart that even though we may lose people or things of this world, ultimately it doesn't matter - all that exists is His and this world is only a temporary stop before we spend eternity with our King. My aunt and mom asked that I read scripture at her service, they asked that I read Psalm 23 - The very next line after Psalm 23 is the first part of Psalm 24 and it reads "The earth is the Lord's, and all it contains" - what peace this scripture delivers, knowing that it's all His, it's all in His hands - what a wonderful perspective this is. I miss her so much but am so excited about where she is. I'm not sad for her (a little sad for us who are here without her) but very excited for the day when I get to see her again!

Also, I have been slightly obsessed with the below lyrics & YouTube link from Hillsong United.
This song just explains the beauty and majesty that we get to look forward to!

You Hold Me Now

VERSE 1:
On that day when I see
All that You have for me
When I see You face to face
There surrounded by Your grace
All my fears swept away
In the light of Your embrace
Where Your love is all I need
And forever I am free

PRE CHORUS 1:
Where the streets are made of gold
In Your presence healed and whole
Let the songs of heaven
Rise to You alone

CHORUS:
No weeping no hurt or pain
No suffering You hold me now
You hold me now
No darkness no sick or lame
No hiding You hold me now
You hold me now

VERSE 2:
In this life I will stand
Through my joy and my pain
Knowing there's a greater day
There's a hope that never fails
Where Your Name is lifted high
And forever praises rise
For the glory of Your Name
I'm believing for the day

PRE CHORUS 2:
Where the wars and violence cease
All creation lives in peace
Let the songs of heaven
Rise to You alone

BRIDGE:
For eternity
All my heart will give
All the glory to Your Name

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OT2v0NodZRs


2. I.turned.25.
Still not sure how I feel about this number but celebrating sure was fun!
It's hard being away from family and friends on my birthday but Sean did a great job making me feel special! We saw the Lion King this past weekend and it was a wonderful date! Very grateful for the fun adventures we get to have right now! I forgot how much I loved that movie and all the songs from it!

3. Sean and his Mom ran the Chicago marathon!
Let me just tell you, these 2 have so much more dedication than I ever will! I am so proud of them both. It was a hot day for the Chicago marathon and they both finished with great times! Sean took a short trip to the medical tent afterwards due to some dehydration and muscle cramping but after some Gatorade he was released! That part I could have done without but I had Bill and Michele there to keep me company while we waited for our brave and fast runner! I even got to hang out with one of my favorite people that day! Mrs. Brooke Robinson was in town watching Finley run the marathon and we happened to stumble upon each other before the race started! We got to play all day together while the boys were running their hearts out! I love her so much! Not only is she a brilliant photographer but she is so stinkin' fun! Also, please note that my mother-in-law got 7th place out of her age group! 7th place!! She is AMAZING! I'm not even sure if I could walk a marathon and she took 7th place! So proud of her!

4. I.Got.A.New.Job.
Still feels weird to say this but I got a new job this past week.
I'm excited and scared all at the same time. It's in the city so I will now be taking the train to work and won't have to be driving my car 10+ hours a week. It's just so surreal to think that I am old enough to be working in the city of Chicago. I'm from a town where our highway was a two-lane road and now I'm working in a HUGE city. It's a great next step in my career, I've got a lot to learn and I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store for me at this new company. It's sad to leave my friends at my current job, my current boss is my best friend that I have here so it's definitely going to be hard leaving her. Last Monday I pulled her aside and said I needed to talk to her as a friend & that a new opportunity had come up for me and I didn't know what to do. After I explained the details to her she immediately and without hesitation said "You have to go, Mik", "you have to go" - I couldn't ask for a better boss or friend. Even though she knew she would be losing a worker, she put me and my career before herself. You just don't find people like that very often.

I'm sure that there are more updates but these are the big ones! I'll post pictures soon too!
Love and miss you all!