Sunday, May 29, 2011
Blessed Beyond Measure
I have come to the conclusion that I have truly been blessed beyond measure in my life, but more specifically in the past year. I am amazed at all the seemingly miniscule events that have been working together to make me someone I never imagined myself to be. I've shared a lot of them with you already, like when God gave me the chance to right a wrong, or when I began getting over my feelings of failure, and also the time God showed me how he was using a trial in my life to benefit me in the long run. I also have been blessed to realize the hold Rejection played in my life and God has used the smallest things to remind me of that. Also, just seeing how God has changed the number of people in my family (yay for nieces and nephews!), and seeing how that has changed all of our priorities and how we interact with each other. This post simply wouldn't be complete without mentioning how different my life is now that I have such a wonderful man as my boyfriend. I've never been in a relationship before, and so that has brought its own difficulties, in just not knowing how to handle some situations, but I am happy to say that I've grown a lot, and I'm excited to see where it all goes. So all this to say, I'm extraordinarily blessed.. :D
Friday, May 27, 2011
Making a Difference
I've been waiting to post until I could figure out some bug my blog had, but here I am at long last. I've just been impressed recently with a desire to make a difference in someone's life. To see a need and to meet it; to help when help is needed. I've continued volunteering at the nursing home, but sadly, in some instances, I've found myself not really enjoying myself anymore, and I'm not sure why.
One issue I had was being assigned a different task than I was expecting. You should know by now that I don't deal well with change. I like my plan and sticking to it. Anyway, I think that issue has been resolved now which is good.
I was there yesterday and was able to chat with one of my first friends there, and it was just sad. He doesn't want to be there; he wants to be at home. I think this nursing home is an excellent establishment, but I can't blame him for wanting to live with family. I think I've made at least a little difference in his life. I try to be a positive and balancing presence for him. What he really needs is his family.
I have one request of you all: if you have family or friends residing in a nursing home, please go visit them. They may be older or disabled, or what have you, but they are still people who need people. They still need to know they are loved or else they just might live out the rest of their days in misery, and I don't want that to happen.
There are so many ways each of us can make a difference in someone else's life, why don't we make an effort to do it more? Why don't we become a people known for our kindheartedness, our patience, our generousity; why don't we become a nation worth emulating ?
One issue I had was being assigned a different task than I was expecting. You should know by now that I don't deal well with change. I like my plan and sticking to it. Anyway, I think that issue has been resolved now which is good.
I was there yesterday and was able to chat with one of my first friends there, and it was just sad. He doesn't want to be there; he wants to be at home. I think this nursing home is an excellent establishment, but I can't blame him for wanting to live with family. I think I've made at least a little difference in his life. I try to be a positive and balancing presence for him. What he really needs is his family.
I have one request of you all: if you have family or friends residing in a nursing home, please go visit them. They may be older or disabled, or what have you, but they are still people who need people. They still need to know they are loved or else they just might live out the rest of their days in misery, and I don't want that to happen.
There are so many ways each of us can make a difference in someone else's life, why don't we make an effort to do it more? Why don't we become a people known for our kindheartedness, our patience, our generousity; why don't we become a nation worth emulating ?
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
A Busy Week
Work has been absolute madness lately!! Seriously, I've worked quite a bit more than usual. I'll usually eat for at least 10-15 minutes for each shift, but lately I've only had about 5 minutes. There's just so much to do! And on top of that, I usually have enough time to sit while frosting cookies, but it's been so busy that I can only frost a cookie or two at a time before having to help someone else. Despite the pressure all the standing has put on my back and neck, I'm feeling pretty good. I'm not as tired now as I was the beginning of last week, so hopefully I'm getting used to it a bit.
I'm surprised that I had to deal with this last summer immediately after being hired. How did I do it? One of the really great things about the current madness is that I've definitely seen how I've grown a lot in my job, and how I handle things much differently now. I don't take things as personally as I did before. And I've learned how to play around and not be serious all the time.
One of the funniest things to happen this week was receiving my very first offer of marriage! My shop barters with the bar next door, we give them cream, they give us ice. So every morning I work, I have to go get a cooler of ice for the day. On Wednesday, I did this as normal, but as I went in, there was a guy standing around have some sort of drink, and he very suddenly began singing a song about me! It went something along the lines of "I'm wearing a black shirt (it's true, I was) , and i have shiny glasses, and I'm wearing an apron (also true), and I'm stealing the ice" then he looked at me and asked if I was stealing the ice, to which I of course said 'no'. Then he began a conversation with me...
Him : Are you from a business?
Me: Yes
Him: Well, you better not tell me where it is unless you want me to come visit you.
Me: Don't worry, my lips are sealed.
Then I don't remember what he said, but he was kinda chatting with me and with his friend at the same time. I was just trying to get out of there before I burst out laughing! But on my way out..
Him: Will you marry me?!?
Me: Nope!
And then I walked out. It was sooo funny. I seriously laughed so hard once I got back to work!
That was probably the funniest thing to happen at work this week. Other than that, I've had lots of new customers, which is always interesting and good. And I've had a chance to get to know my regulars even better! Plus, it's been a great time of encouragement from my bosses. So yay! I love my job. It makes me happy. :D
I'm surprised that I had to deal with this last summer immediately after being hired. How did I do it? One of the really great things about the current madness is that I've definitely seen how I've grown a lot in my job, and how I handle things much differently now. I don't take things as personally as I did before. And I've learned how to play around and not be serious all the time.
One of the funniest things to happen this week was receiving my very first offer of marriage! My shop barters with the bar next door, we give them cream, they give us ice. So every morning I work, I have to go get a cooler of ice for the day. On Wednesday, I did this as normal, but as I went in, there was a guy standing around have some sort of drink, and he very suddenly began singing a song about me! It went something along the lines of "I'm wearing a black shirt (it's true, I was) , and i have shiny glasses, and I'm wearing an apron (also true), and I'm stealing the ice" then he looked at me and asked if I was stealing the ice, to which I of course said 'no'. Then he began a conversation with me...
Him : Are you from a business?
Me: Yes
Him: Well, you better not tell me where it is unless you want me to come visit you.
Me: Don't worry, my lips are sealed.
Then I don't remember what he said, but he was kinda chatting with me and with his friend at the same time. I was just trying to get out of there before I burst out laughing! But on my way out..
Him: Will you marry me?!?
Me: Nope!
And then I walked out. It was sooo funny. I seriously laughed so hard once I got back to work!
That was probably the funniest thing to happen at work this week. Other than that, I've had lots of new customers, which is always interesting and good. And I've had a chance to get to know my regulars even better! Plus, it's been a great time of encouragement from my bosses. So yay! I love my job. It makes me happy. :D
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Thankful Saturday - Whoops!
Man, I can't believe I forgot again this week. That is just wrong. :P This week has been insanely busy, so I guess I'll cut myself some slack. Yesterday alone had enough interesting experiences to write a post on. :P My goodness, I'll have to save it for another day, I have too much to share from last weekend as well! I'll get right to it.
I told you last week how I got to go to the city to go dancing with M, but I don't remember if I told you about staying at a friend's house that weekend? I ended up hanging out with M most of Friday and then heading to my friend's house and there I had sooo much fun! I can't remember the last time I had such a refreshing weekend! God was completely the focus of every day, and thus we had some amazing conversations. We were able to visit a huge professionally landscaped garden, and we (plus one more friend) had a picnic there and just sat in the sun for like 2 hours. It was awesome! I also got to join my friend at her small group meeting, and it was a huge blessing. I even got to visit a really awesome church! And to top the weekend off, I got to ride home with M again and have a really great conversation.
Now for this week. Every day I've worked this week has been insanely busy, and it has been fun, but slightly overwhelming. I have to work today as well, so I'm really looking forward to having the day off tomorrow to recover. A lot of really great things have happened at work. I had a conversation with my boss that was completely encouraging to me. I've gotten some really funny stories. I've been able to build my relationship with my regular customers as well. And tips have been amazing too. God has definitely been blessing my job, and I know he will continue to do so. I feel like I'm missing so much, but I'll just fill you in on those later if I remember them. :)
I told you last week how I got to go to the city to go dancing with M, but I don't remember if I told you about staying at a friend's house that weekend? I ended up hanging out with M most of Friday and then heading to my friend's house and there I had sooo much fun! I can't remember the last time I had such a refreshing weekend! God was completely the focus of every day, and thus we had some amazing conversations. We were able to visit a huge professionally landscaped garden, and we (plus one more friend) had a picnic there and just sat in the sun for like 2 hours. It was awesome! I also got to join my friend at her small group meeting, and it was a huge blessing. I even got to visit a really awesome church! And to top the weekend off, I got to ride home with M again and have a really great conversation.
Now for this week. Every day I've worked this week has been insanely busy, and it has been fun, but slightly overwhelming. I have to work today as well, so I'm really looking forward to having the day off tomorrow to recover. A lot of really great things have happened at work. I had a conversation with my boss that was completely encouraging to me. I've gotten some really funny stories. I've been able to build my relationship with my regular customers as well. And tips have been amazing too. God has definitely been blessing my job, and I know he will continue to do so. I feel like I'm missing so much, but I'll just fill you in on those later if I remember them. :)
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Failure is NOT an option
Something that has been huge for me lately is getting over my fear of failure and my, somewhat overwhelming, feelings of failure, and so I was given a challenge to write down things I have succeeded in every day and writing more and more each day. I didn't know if it would make much of a difference, but now I think it has. I think the biggest thing I realized is that while the huge successes are amazing, the little successes are still incredibly important. It's more the small things that I base my self opinion on. So, I felt like sharing some of my small successes with you, and showing you how important they actually are!
~ I succeeded in jumping off a swing.
That sounds strange, doesn't it? Well, I used to jump off swings all the time when I was little, but one day I jumped and hurt myself. I never jumped again, until Friday. It took me a little while to work up the nerve, but I did it! I even did it twice! Shockingly simple, huh? :)
~ I succeeded in crossing an old railroad bridge.
I promise it was safe. It was quite wide, and the wooden boards were pretty close together. Despite that fact, I was petrified. This venture combined three of my biggest fears; heights, large amounts of water, and bridges. I only made it across because M held my hand the whole way; but I did it! I'm very proud of myself for that.
~ I succeeded in not taking a nap.
I have had sleeping issues for quite some time for various reasons, but I've always found it easier to take naps than to get enough sleep at night. It's on the days when I open that I really feel the need for a nap, but I know and understand that I will sleep better that night if I don't take a nap. It is always a struggle, and I'm happy to say I am doing well with limiting my naps!
~ I succeeded in falling back asleep.
Waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to fall back asleep is a big part of my sleeping issues. It has become so normal to me that many times I don't even try to fall back asleep right away, but will get up and read my book or something. This last time I woke up though, I told myself that I had to try to fall asleep for at least an hour, and if I was still awake, only then could I get up and read. I fell asleep before my hour was up, and I am happy I didn't give up on sleep for that night.
I realize that these may seem trivial (as I already said), but they truly meant something to me. I found myself thinking about them often and rejoicing in the small victories that God has helped me achieve! I can only look forward to how He's going to continue bringing me victories.
~ I succeeded in jumping off a swing.
That sounds strange, doesn't it? Well, I used to jump off swings all the time when I was little, but one day I jumped and hurt myself. I never jumped again, until Friday. It took me a little while to work up the nerve, but I did it! I even did it twice! Shockingly simple, huh? :)
~ I succeeded in crossing an old railroad bridge.
I promise it was safe. It was quite wide, and the wooden boards were pretty close together. Despite that fact, I was petrified. This venture combined three of my biggest fears; heights, large amounts of water, and bridges. I only made it across because M held my hand the whole way; but I did it! I'm very proud of myself for that.
~ I succeeded in not taking a nap.
I have had sleeping issues for quite some time for various reasons, but I've always found it easier to take naps than to get enough sleep at night. It's on the days when I open that I really feel the need for a nap, but I know and understand that I will sleep better that night if I don't take a nap. It is always a struggle, and I'm happy to say I am doing well with limiting my naps!
~ I succeeded in falling back asleep.
Waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to fall back asleep is a big part of my sleeping issues. It has become so normal to me that many times I don't even try to fall back asleep right away, but will get up and read my book or something. This last time I woke up though, I told myself that I had to try to fall asleep for at least an hour, and if I was still awake, only then could I get up and read. I fell asleep before my hour was up, and I am happy I didn't give up on sleep for that night.
I realize that these may seem trivial (as I already said), but they truly meant something to me. I found myself thinking about them often and rejoicing in the small victories that God has helped me achieve! I can only look forward to how He's going to continue bringing me victories.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Thankful Thursday - A Day Late
So, I wasn't able to write a post last night because I was too busy dancing until 1:30am! M and I drove to the city yesterday to go dancing at this really awesome social dance studio. It was so much fun!! I danced with a ton of new guys, and some of them were just brilliant! Sometimes it was hard because they were so much better than me, and I'd feel bad for making dance with me. But then I kinda got over that and just enjoyed the time! Woot! Anyway....
~I'm thankful for the opportunity to visit my sister and her family in Denver this past weekend. It was so wonderful to see most of my family again.
~ I learned in Denver that my other sister is pregnant!! Super thankful for that!
~ It was a huge relief to get both flights home on Sunday, and I even made it in time for some of church!
~ On Monday, my original supper plan (which did not include me cooking) didn't work out, and so I had to figure something else pretty fast, and I'm happy to say I succeeded in making a very nice meal! Yay for success!
~ Tuesday was a busy day! I had a great time talking to my grandma and a great friend, playing piano at the church, working at the nursing home, and then I got my oil changed in my car, had a birthday party, and went to a new small group! I'm thankful I got through the day!
~ I'm especially thankful for that small group. It was an incredible blessing, and it completely changed my day's attitude to what it should have been. So excited to continue this study!
~ I'm thankful for improved sleep!
~ And as I mentioned before, I'm really thankful to have been able to come dancing last night!
~ God was very good to me last night (as He always is) and reminded me of the important things.
I really couldn't be more thankful for how God has been working in my life, and all the wonderful opportunities I've been given lately. Life is Awesome!
~I'm thankful for the opportunity to visit my sister and her family in Denver this past weekend. It was so wonderful to see most of my family again.
~ I learned in Denver that my other sister is pregnant!! Super thankful for that!
~ It was a huge relief to get both flights home on Sunday, and I even made it in time for some of church!
~ On Monday, my original supper plan (which did not include me cooking) didn't work out, and so I had to figure something else pretty fast, and I'm happy to say I succeeded in making a very nice meal! Yay for success!
~ Tuesday was a busy day! I had a great time talking to my grandma and a great friend, playing piano at the church, working at the nursing home, and then I got my oil changed in my car, had a birthday party, and went to a new small group! I'm thankful I got through the day!
~ I'm especially thankful for that small group. It was an incredible blessing, and it completely changed my day's attitude to what it should have been. So excited to continue this study!
~ I'm thankful for improved sleep!
~ And as I mentioned before, I'm really thankful to have been able to come dancing last night!
~ God was very good to me last night (as He always is) and reminded me of the important things.
I really couldn't be more thankful for how God has been working in my life, and all the wonderful opportunities I've been given lately. Life is Awesome!
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