Take the Name of Jesus With You Into 2018

Happy Sabbath,

It is a beautiful afternoon and I had a nice time at church today.  I had a good week and am looking forward to a whole new year if the Lord permits.  

The Lord allowed for my son and I to enjoy many great moments together this year. From zoos and parks, to museums, race car driving, and the beach, I am happy with the way 2017 has gone for us and look forward to doing more with him in the new year.  In the new year, it seems my family is starting a new tradition which will require me to drive 10-12 hours for the summer and other holiday events.  I have not taken my car out for longer than 2.5-3 hours so this should be interesting but I am thankful that I have homes away from home where I can go to do this.  

I expect to go on a ski trip with my son and church family in 2018 and am excited for that.  I want to give my son a fun birthday in January but most of all, I want to see us in our own house.  

I really have to depend on the Lord for this and if it is His will, we will have a house in May 2018.  There are knowns that make me nervous about going forward with this and there are so many unknowns that make me want to hold off.  All I know is I do not want to be in another apartment.  I returned home one sabbath months ago to see the apartments across from me go up in flames. At this hour, I can still look straight through in the burned out property and 6 units were evacuated.  The rent will continue to go up and up and up and I’m certain I can find a mortgage for much less than what I am paying now.  If I get the house in May, my parents will take my son away on vacation for the rest of the summer and I will be alone working on the house during the summer.  I am all for diy work and learning carpentry and electrical skills, but I am nervous to be doing this on my own.  I don’t know where the Lord will put us.  I have income that I wish was double what it is and as a single parent not getting any major discounts, section 8, or other savings offers, I feel like I could be making a big mistake, but I want a house.  I don’t want a condo, a town house, an apartment, or a row home.  I want a stand alone home with at least 3 bedrooms, a wood fenced yard and space enough to have a green house in the back (which because of the township I’m looking at, I’m sure I’ll have to pay for a bunch of permits for that and more that I want to do).  You have to get a permit for everything.  

I want a grand piano in my living room and to teach music in my home to more students.  I want my son to have his own bedroom and to have an office for a future business I of course will ponder as I decorate the space.  I want my own bathroom.  I want to be able to invite friends over without being concerned about having enough space or dealing with neighbors putting ears to the wall.  I don’t want to have to worry about someone else’s pest problem coming through my walls.  I want a lot of things but God is the only one who can say I should have them.  These are things I want.  I will say my son needs to have his own room.  He is going to be 5 years old and he needs more privacy as do I.  He needs space and room to run and play without me constantly shouting at him to be quiet and not disturb a neighbor downstairs or next door.

He needs space to grow and where we currently are, it is stifling although it is the biggest apartment I’ve ever rented.  This is the main reason I say I need a house.  

I pray that 2018 will bring the changes I need in my relationship with Jesus and that I am used more for His glory.  I pray to be more honest and less selfish. To have more temperance, better health, and be less inclined to anger and more to depend on God to calm me and give me clearness of mind when I am upset or confused about any given situation.  

I hope you all are ready for the new year. Remember to take the name of Jesus with you for each day of it.  Happy New Year and Happy Sabbath :)