Claiming Small Victories

Happy Sabbath

I had a few small successes this week and no matter how small they are, I am going to praise the Lord for them. 

I had a wonderful Sabbath today and am happy that I had the opportunity to stop by the church closest to my parent’s home.  A visiting pastor came from Maryland to share what I found to be a very powerful message to the youth and even though I don’t count myself in that crowd any more (I’m 34), I found some parts very useful for me in my walk and as a parent of a rambunctious and often defiant little boy.

I came in today and played for Sabbath school. but when I saw that the visiting pianist from another church came back today, I asked for her to do the service as I wanted to observe and learn the songs that are not written in the hymnal that they sing.  She played for a short stint before a pianist who came along with the group from MD took over.  I am glad to have this review before next week when it is my turn because I saw more that I missed when I was there the first and second time.  I had a chance to tape some of the audio so I will try to look for the music later this week and practice it before covering next Sabbath.

This week was a trying week for me.  I had a few set backs at work, but finished work on Friday strong.  I had the electric company come out and turn on my gas and electric on Thursday (a small success).  I had to reschedule my electrician because the electric company was taking too long to arrive (gave mea  window of 8am to 12pm).  Two plumbers came on Friday and I was hit with expensive surprises and frustration.  After all the work that my dad’s plumber friend did to replace the valves in the kitchen, he accidentally knicked the side pipe which showed up as a leak during the unannounced and costly air test the plumber threw out on me.  I was fortunately able to get my heating certificate, but my dad and his friend have to go back and make the repairs before I have the certified plumber come back out again and test on Tuesday morning (hopefully clearing me so I can dewinterize and pressurize the system).  I need to have all this information so I can send it the same day to my bank as they will not release the escrow funds if this is not completed.  My deadline was moved to July 31^st and I am expected to start paying my mortgage on August 1^st.  I sent in a payment to my mortgage company last week and I don’t know if they can extend the deadline any more.  The air test was $225.  The dewinterizing is $225.  Pressurizing the house is $225.  The heating certificate was $89.  I’m short on money and am praying for more help for this.  I will have to pay the electrician $200 to do his check over of systems.  So I am feeling a little discouraged by this, especially when I spoke to my dad about it multiple times and when the time comes when I need his help as I requested from the beginning, he acted like he didn’t know what I was talking about.  So yeah, something to pray for.  The house is looking good, I need the plumbing stuff to pass on Tuesday.

My mother told me that I have a beaver in my back yard.  I don’t know if it is the truth or not but there are way too many animals I have to contend with.  I have occasionally visiting peacocks (dad said he saw one come up the patio door).  I have a dove’s nest on that branch of the tree in the back yard I want to cut down since it is growing over a power line. I have a nest at the top of that very same tree that could be an eagle’s nest, hawk’s or perhaps that peacock’s nest (who knows).  I have a rabbit hole where the poison ivy patch is.  There is a hornet’s nest some where because I see them crossing my yard from time to time.  I am trying to develop an appreciation for God’s creation and all the wildlife that I never expected to have hanging out on what is supposed to be a fenced in lot. 

I had a delightful work appointment for one of my clients.  I met with them up at a farm on Tuesday this week and petted my first horse.  I had a badly facilitated meeting that same Tuesday and I had a great meeting on Friday. Claim those victories where ever they pop up.   I was able to turn around a disaster for one of my clients on Wednesday during a meet and greet scheduled.  Mr. Wannabe My Man was there and added a little awkwardness I made it through.  I watch so many inspirational people on youtube.  One young lady, Maha Maven, posted a video about her first date with her dream man.  It was such a great video.  She talked about how she came to God with this list with all the things she was looking for in a man and she met that man and went out with him and even though he met all the items on that long list of hers, she realized or seemed to convey to her audience that he wasn’t a perfect match for her anyway (or so I think, she might still be dating him so I'll watch for more videos).  God may have someone for you that doesn’t match everything on that list and those differences and items that are not what you are looking for can help you to grow in the person God wants you to be. 

I can also say the same for this story that I glanced over in this week's Sabbath school quarterly lesson.  The one for this week is called, "Converting a Girlfriend".  I looked at it in church today and now as I write this, I am thinking about what I was talking to God about last night.  In the story, Yamaji Hiroshi, a 25 year old pastor’s son was in love with this girl Sakiko who was not a Seventh Day Adventist.  She told him that she would never be a Christian.  He remembered a passage from Ellen White’s Messages to Young People that said for anyone who is contemplating marriage, they should pray four times a day when such a step is anticipated.  He started doing that during a retreat he took some where out in Japan where they have mountains or what ever and after doing all this with fasting and prayer AND accepting a job that put more distance between the two of them, a few weeks later, his girlfriend told him that she wanted to be baptized.  After she converted, they got married. Such a beautiful story.  Too bad it probably won't happen for me.

My hang-up for the man of my supposed dreams is that he is a Methodist and he admitted to me that there are two other women who are mother’s to his children who are not even living in America (none of them or so he claims).  I can’t get past that.  I know all things are possible with God, but even if He can show Him the truth about the Sabbath and much more, it doesn’t change that he had two strikes with two other women and came out with three children. I prayed that the person for me would have one child and in my heart at most two (so they don't want me to have any children as they already have enough...pregnancy is rough).  The faith part is something I cannot overlook. 

How can he be this successful, this handsome, so intelligent and yet be alone out here.  It’s suspicious to me.  I have to meet with him again on Tuesday next week.  I don’t know what to make of this guy. My list was not as long as Maha’s and I do like him, but unequally yoked is unequally yoked and I was not looking for anyone.  Something to throw back up to the Lord in prayer about or pray that I just forget about all this mess.  

Please pray for me about the plumbing issue and me staying committed to the Lord.  Those two are more important right now. 

Busy Sabbath

Happy Sabbath

A good week and a good day. 

Today was a little busy and I was not expecting it to be.  I headed to my church and as I was on my way, I missed a call from my friend from the other church.  I texted her and told her that I was heading to my church.  I got to my church to find that there was nothing really going on for the youth and only one other child was there.  A visitor brought her son and her son has the same name as my son so it was fun trying to get the correct one’s attention.  She said she looked at other churches and was disappointed because they didn’t have enough happening for the youth so when she saw our church online, she decided to come here.  Unfortunately, this week, the children were away so it wasn’t anything going on aside from Sabbath school. Hearing her say that really set it in stone for me and so I decided to stay for Sabbath school and play the piano for Sabbath school before heading over to the other church thinking they were having youth day today (what I assumed was the reason my friend tried to call to remind me about). I get there to find this is not the case and once again, I am sitting with my son who won’t sit still, but I was glad to connect with my friend, her family, and other people.  She was calling to see if I would bring some food over to the other church.  I had a nice sit down with my pastor who covers three churches and was able to hear some great news about another church sister and hear some testimony from another.  My pastor said he was over at my church this morning but I didn’t see him because I decided for the first time in a long time to go downstairs and stay down to watch my son and prepare to head out to the other church (where he ended up being for the service).  After having lunch with him and everyone, I heard he was headed back over to my church for a special presentation.  I had planned on going to my parent’s home but my friend’s mom asked if I would bring some food over to my church so then I took off back down the road to drop that off before coming back. 

This week was good and not complicated.  My mother returned from the funeral that was held Tuesday for my cousin and she had a good send off.  I was able to buy a new tub for my bathroom and get some paint for the washing room. 

I am thankful for the Lord’s timing.  I was waiting for a response to come back from the loan servicer and as I prepared to send another email, I saw a message from the mortgage company where they said that I passed my deadline to have the house de-winterized, and some other things addressed.  I was not even aware there was a deadline.  Prior to the email check, I was having a discussion with my parents and wanted to make more progress with my house repairs.  I wanted to have the electricity activated so I could get things moving and I’m glad that the email came because I actually needed to get those things done and they are giving me until 7/31/2018.  I scheduled a plumber to come out on Thursday morning.  I’m having an electrician also come to check the work my dad did and certify that the system is safe.  The electricity and gas will be turned on Thursday and I was informed by the water company that the water was already on, it was never shut off at the street.  I can turn it on by the main valve and if I need them, I can get them to help. 

So I am happy that all these things could be done on Thursday.  I am happy I am making progress on this house and I am happy that things are settling into place.  I am happy for a busy Sabbath. 

God is good. 

Good byes

Happy Sabbath

I thank God for a good week this week.

I thank God for choosing what I am looking to be a good supervisor over me at work this week.  Since my first supervisor left after having her first child in June, I wondered at who would take her place.  I looked at one person who was there for 4-5 years but was a very mean spirited person who tried to discourage me and cause issues for a lot of people there.  Another person who was just as toxic joined up with her and I knew she possessed the ambition but a third person who was there for barely 2 years like her knew how to keep her mouth closed and she was very professional when she interacted with everyone.  Before July rolled around I noticed the person of 4-5 years walk into what was my former supervisor’s office.  The supervisor had been gone since March and no one ever stepped in there, so that made me think that she had her sights set on getting that room.   Then not too long after, I heard that she was leaving and I didn’t understand why.  She left and another person who got caught up in her mess left the same week with her.  Then this week, I learned that the two remaining people (all three of them were on my team and supervised by my former supervisor), the two were going to be supervisors.  The one who knows how to keep her mind on her own business is my supervisor. Not to sound petty but....

PRAISE THE LORD!!!

I don’t know how I would have done if the person of 4-5 years were mine or if the other toxic person were mine.  The person of 4-5 years was the only person I reported for poor behavior to my supervisor and I know that it affected her evaluation for two years in a row, but I never spoke on the other person.  The team that that toxic person over sees knows how she is because at least two of them are her friends, but it’s okay.  My team is now a team of my supervisor and I and we can start from scratch, filling in the four remaining slots that at different times held people. I suppose the person of 4-5 years was angry that they didn’t get the job because their poor behavior was witnessed by many over the years.  I keep to myself and focus on my work and will continue to do so when I’m in that office.  I wish her well but this field is definitely not for her. 

I am happy with my job and thank God for my job.  I am encouraged by the people who have worked there for 10-14 years and chosen to stay in the same role as they were in when they started.  I don’t want to be locked down to an office and have an unpredictable schedule.  When people quit or go on vacation, a supervisor is responsible for covering their caseload and that could be 30-80 or more people at any given time, all with different complex issues that cannot be solved in a day.  I like my job and I’m curious to see what my pay increase will be this Thursday. 

I thank God for the progress I have made with my house.  I’ve been spending a lot of time painting and disposing of cabinetry and dry wall and the house is coming along nicely.  I expect to pay another month storage fees as I work on the house and prepare for the township to come out for an inspection.  My dad in all his studying and apprenticeships has proven to be a surprise electrician and plumber and we are handling this.  I had the lawn mowed on Sunday and plan to mow every other Sunday to maintain it. 

I need to mention something sad that happened this week.  I said in a previous post that my aunt passed away from cancer less than a month ago.  Her daughter and son were left and a pastor and famous musician said she was going to take them in and my cousin's church and the pastor paid for the cost of my aunt’s funeral.  My cousin and her brother were staying with the pastor, but I learned on Tuesday this week that my cousin had a heart attack and passed away.  I know that family and others were talking to her about making sure she had a life insurance policy just to lessen the burden when her time would come, but she didn’t have one and being that she lost her mother less than a month ago, no one is really going to put in great effort to get a policy especially when you are not working and you are still grieving the loss of your mother. 

What I am happy to report is that there are real Christians out there who were willing to help with even her funeral.  The same pastor who spoke and sang at her mother’s funeral will speak at hers and she will be buried directly next to her mother.  My mom was saying it is virtually unheard of for people who don’t plan for their plots or other funeral expenses to be able to get a plot close to a family member, let alone right next to one.  They said when they were going to toss in flowers for my aunt, my cousin had pivoted and almost fell in, but the undertaker, and 2-3 other people caught her (she was a heavy set woman).  I’m happy that people are rallying to support the family.  My cousin was a sweet heart and such a gentle and kind soul. She had her 50^th birthday on June 27^th, the day before my dad’s birthday.  She died on July 11^th.  She was the one that God had directed to text me when I prayed that prayer about going to NC and I went and was given a wonderful tour by my late aunt and now my late cousin. 

Even though they didn’t believe as I did, I feel that God does have a place for them.  Her mother had a big heart and really cared about other people.  I hope one day to see them again. 

I was over at my house on Thursday afternoon breaking down items with a sledge hammer and bagging it all up to put on the trash for Friday.  I was not wearing a mask and did breathe in dust particles (probably mold, mildew, and who knows what else).  Friday morning, my son said he was sick and when he said he was, then I felt like I was, but I thought it was psychological.  It wasn’t until I was in the car driving to my first of two appointments that I knew I was sick.  When I started my second appointment, I had chills and a fever throughout the entire two hours of us threshing through my client’s plan review.  I headed to my house to retrieve my trash can from the curb and went back to my parent’s house to finish my notes.  I fought feelings of nausea, and preferred to sit in a hot car, and hot room because of the chills and didn’t sweat.  I am thankful that it was a 24 hour bug because I wanted to go to church today and I have not been to my church in 2 weeks.  When I got to church, an elder handed me an envelope from a member who was visiting, but had moved out of town.  She gave me a gift to purchase something for my house.  I need to get her email to thank her and I have it in mind to purchase a super large vase or some other statement piece I can find for the living room.

God is good.  Even in tragedy, God makes a way and can bring a smile on our faces.  I pray that those who were left behind with my cousin’s and aunt’s family will be comforted and have the closure they need to move forward.  They were good people and God knew their heart.  When it’s our time, He will make it so.  We need to focus on getting and staying right with the Lord and we will have nothing to worry about.  God has us.

Pianos, Paint, and Peacocks

Happy Sabbath

It’s been a good HOT week but I'm thankful the Lord brought me through.  I returned back home on Sunday night and my family returned on Thursday night this week. My AC in my car went out on Monday morning in the middle of this heat wave. On Monday afternoon, I went to the post office because they tried to deliver a letter (I assumed it was the house title) but no one was at my parent's home to receive it.  I picked it up to discover it was a security deposit refund from my apartment.  I immediately said I would use it for my car but then decided to hold off because I broke my tooth filling last week when eating some hard veggie chips.  I'm sure they will require me to get a root canal because the filling was put in when I was around 10 years old and they take out so much of the tooth that it's inevitable I'll need a crown.  I don't have money for that right now. I put the check in the bank and decided to sit on it.

For the house, I was able to go get supplies on Monday evening and start painting on Tuesday afternoon.  On Monday, I put a lot of energy into mowing the lawn in a ridiculous outfit that almost gave me heat stroke in the middle of 107 degree weather. Now on Tuesday night before some storms came through, I heard this strange but familiar bird call.  I was not sure what it was and continued painting my son’s room and began my bedroom. I painted for at least 10 hours straight on July 4^th.  That morning on my way over to my house, I encountered a male peacock in the middle of the road.  The strange call was from the peacock (I heard it’s call when I was at the zoo last year). I grew up in this town and had never before seen wild peacocks and thought they only ran wild in India or some other tropical place. I thought it belonged to someone so I pulled over and was about to get out of my car, looking at doors that I would have to knock on and wondering if it flew too far away from home.  Thankfully, another driver was behind me and told me that they are wild in these parts so there was no need for me to embarrass myself trying to find an owner.  I should also mention that Tuesday night I was looking at random youtube videos and one was about this girl cooking an ostrich egg.  You shouldn’t eat ostrich eggs and as I was looking at content related to fowl, I was watching videos about peacocks/peafowl and learning about them.  So random but related in the weirdest way. 

I got a lot of painting work done this week and plan to go tomorrow to finish mowing the front and the back yard and am enlisting my dad’s help because of the poison ivy issue and because that hill is formidable.  

I was paid a bonus from work on Thursday and noticed my pay increase was not included for my regular pay and HR told me it would be in effect on 7/19/18.  So I'll wait until then to see how much more I will be able to take in and put aside.  So the bonus money went into the bank and I told myself to hold off on doing anything car or tooth related.  I need to build up my emergency savings again.

Friday morning, I headed off to work and it wasn't long that my tire pressure sensor went off.  I filled up the tire with air for a second time last week and was shocked that it required air again so soon.  I knew it had to be a nail but I cannot keep filling up air in the tire.  I decided to head to pep boys to see if they would replace the tire.  I have road side hazard warranty on them so I was preparing myself to pay for the difference and as I headed over there, I was having trouble breathing since it was so hot, so I was also determined to get the AC fixed in that moment.  I go in and they give me a quote for over $1000 but I decided not to fix the sway bar links, and some of the other things I was advised to do by my personal mechanic (I got that nail in the tire from his shop).  They told me that the two front tires were getting worn on the inside and it didn't make sense to replace only three tires.  They patched the tire that had the nail and recharged the AC.  If I were to do an AC full on repair, they'd have to take apart the dashboard and the cost for the service alone would be around $1200 of which I was not going to pay.  I ended up paying only $176 and left with what I know is a temporary AC situation and no tire pressure issues.  When I go back, I will likely have to purchase a set of tires and do road side hazard again and have an alignment.  I thank God that they were able to help me, even though temporarily.  I need to get to my mechanic to get the AC really fixed, the sway bars, and the valve cover replaced so my car stops leaking oil. 

I received a text from the Sabbath school teacher who wanted to know what happened to my son and I last Sabbath and I told her we went down to NC, but my son was not back (didn’t know he was coming back on Thursday) so I told her I was going to go to my home church alone. She told me she was going out of town this weekend so even if he was back, no one would be available to work with him if he came.   When my son returned, I played around with some ideas and decided last minute this morning to visit the mission church that is two houses down from my parents house where I’m staying while I fix up my own house.  My childhood classmate told me they always have something for children so I thought it was a good move. We walked over and I had it in my mind to find a nice seat, listen to a great sermon and sing praises to the Lord without having to do anything piano related.  You know, just be a visitor.

When they started song service, I noticed there was no accompaniment so I asked to play at least for that until the main person arrived.  I do this at my home church weekly, and have done it when I was in NC during a three day tour of Raleigh, Cary, and Chapel Hill during a Wednesday night prayer meeting many years ago and if there is a way I can contribute to the worship ceremony and there is a lack, I always want to help.  I played for the Sabbath school and thought the lady said someone was coming in to play for the main service so I merrily returned to my seat with my son. 

I didn’t expect to be called to play for the entire service. 

After the service I learned that they don’t have a full time pianist and there is one lady who comes on the second Sabbath of each month to play.  I agreed to play for the first Sabbath since I had already planned on making regular visits to this church since it’s in my home town and it’s so close.  This church reminds me of the church I used to go to, the second on I transferred membership to.  That church was a missionary church and I really liked the type of work that they did.  This church goes out in the community and they are really doing some great work.  It has the same pastor as my other church (he covers three churches for now).  It is also held in the building that I first started going to church when I was a child (Methodist).  I am also an assistant primary Sabbath school teacher at the other church but only fill in when the main teacher is out and she hasn’t contacted me lately to fill in even when I offer to help. 

So you go where help is needed and help is needed at this missionary church.  My son is a handful and all over the place but I see nothing wrong with committing one or two Sabbaths over there…perhaps the first and third Sabbath.  I’m glad I went. 

So if you go to the same church week in and week out, I encourage you to go try another location.  You never know the friends you can make, the testimonies you will hear, and what the Lord will have you do.  I pray that you are blessed, continue to do the Lord’s work and have a great week.