Blogging

I am enjoying blogging but cannot decide what colors to use. The layout is kind of boring... My new profile pic includes my doggie friend Abby who I got to live with and take care of for a week. She is a very nice dog and makes me miss Aspen just a little less.

Time changes things, God moves

God has brought me so far from this same day last year. I road a crotch rocket to the Saturday Parade last year, this year I am not even living in Michigan.

So many deep thoughts have been going through my mind these past few days: Where will God have me move next (in Fort Worth)? Who will he have me live with? Is God leading me towards a new job? A better paying job? A different career? Will I actually be able to go see my family in August or will I not be able to take the time off from work because other people have already requested off or I am just starting a new job? Will I ever meet my prince? (This question I have been asking for almost a decade now)

All the answers to these questions have already been answered and maybe not in the way I think they would be but only God knows. My hope is in Him.

My mom has been a tremendous help with my frustrations lately. She lets me call and just purge all my frustrations on her and tells me she is praying for me daily. I feel bad for venting to her all the time but it really helps just voicing my frustrations to someone who cares. Thank you Mom for helping once again through a hard time.

For those of you who know my mom you know what a wonderful person she is. In fact, I am crying now as I write this because sending her a card for Mother's Day just does not do my thankfulness justice. I wish I could be home to give her tons of hugs and spend all of Mother's Day with her. She has been my earthly strength while God has been my unearthly strength. Thank you Mom for caring about me so much that you continually listen to me vent and then always have something inspiring to say in response.

Happy Mother's Day Mom! I love you! I miss you!

Piggy Flu

Do not fear. So far I have been safe from the piggy flu. We already wash our hands and the kids' hands like crazy so hopefully no one at my work will get sick.

I have another name for you. Today one of the kindergartners called me "Mystery". I know I have heard him say it before but forgot to add it. When I tried to have him repeat my name after I said it he ended up saying "Miss Arie". I love it, they always make me smile.

Today was a record breaker. I was in six of the seven classrooms at one time or another today. That was the most in one day since I started working at La Petite. It just means I know all the kids in the center :)

Where God Leads

God has such an interesting way of teaching me lessons, all the time. I have finally gotten my car inspected, registered, and have two Texas plates (still need to figure out how to attach the front one but have not gotten the chance to ask yet) and hope to get my drivers license soon. The main reason why I do not have my drivers license is because I got completely and utterly LOST on my way to the public safety office I think is what they call it.

How was I supposed to know that when mapquest told me to take highway 183 it was the same as 121 and highway 820 kind of turned into. The directions were WAY easier on paper! That is the last time I get all independent and think I can travel some place in Texas without ask a local first. The ladies at work were so sympathetic and helpful when I got back from my wasted 2.5 hour break. It was only supposed to take me about 20-25 min to get there with traffic. And yes, I did finally find the place but who knows how I finally got there. God took care of me, even when I had not a clue where I was, where I had been, and where I was going. I have always wanted to be good with directions but it is really time that I stop thinking that and face reality:)

Starting last night I am taking a hiatus from my aunt and uncle's house to live at a friend's house. Her and her wonderful husband and sons are on vacation and I am loving the solitude and time with their lab, who reminds me a lot of my Aspen. This week alone came at just the right time. I have been needing some time all to myself to seek God and just have uninterrupted me time. This includes a longer drive to and from work and a house to myself. Believe it or not I am right in between being an extrovert and an introvert. In fact, sometimes I think people are offended by my spending a lot of time by myself but there are times when I really need it.

One of the big groups I have been attending at church sprouted a women's smaller group. We have met several times and the other women in the group are great. The purpose of the group is to work through stuff in our lives by great devotions, group time, and supporting each other. I am so thankful for this group and for God leading me there the first week I moved here. God is growing me and stretching me in so many ways.

Last Sunday was an exciting day. I was baptized by full immersion. Never thought I would become a Southern Baptist but I will be joining Harvest soon. So many people in my church family have mentioned standing up with me on Sunday as I have seen them this week. (When someone is baptized in the baptistery above the choir loft everyone who is a part of this person's life stands up in the audience during the baptism. The funny thing is there is a huge spot light on the person being baptized and the pastor baptizing them (my Adult Bible Fellowship teacher was the pastor who baptized me). So as I looked out on the huge sanctuary all I saw was darkness and a bunch of figures standing in the front row. Beyond that it was impossible to tell).

Work continues to keep me busy. I work anywhere from 35-40 hours a week. Everyday is different but I always end up in the infant room for the last 3-4 hours. It is good to hear my boss tell me how much she trusts me and is thankful she can put me in any classroom and know I will be able to handle it. The class I was in the most this week was the Early Preschool Room, three-year-olds. One of the boys in the classroom can be a bit of a handful but not as bad as others. I have had the opportunity to talk with him one-on-one and connect a little more with him than other children though.

One of the things I like about this little guy is every once in awhile he will play with my hair while I read books. Who doesn't love having their hair played with? I always have mine in a ponytail because I know the younger kids love to pull hair. So anyway, I walked in the classroom one day this week and the first thing my buddy said was "Miss Marie I like your hair". It put a smile on my face because I had left my hair down and just pulled part of it back, very different from usual. Then later that day he played with my hair while I read books. I think he is going to be a stylist someday.

Another cute thing about the children at school is they all have different ways of trying to pronounce my name. Here are a few I can remember right now: Arie, Missery (Miss Marie), Re, Miss Mary. The other teachers always seem confused when the girl who calls me Miss Mary says my name. I explain to them I have tried to teach her how to say it correctly but it always comes out the same way. They then try to help her pronounce it and get the same results.

Even though I was trying not to apply for a job in child care again because I knew the pay was low I know God led me to this job for a reason...

God has led me to a job I enjoy, is hard work, and fulfilling. However, I am never going to make it on my current income. Please pray God will lead me to the right job at the right time. My hope is to finally rent a place on my own. At this point that is not even close to being an option and I do not know if that is God's plan for me.

Cowboy Baby

I figured y'all deserved an update on the real reason I moved to Texas (yeah right, we all know God led me here for some amazing things to happen, which have not yet happened). I have met several cowboys and lots of just guys here in Texas. However, the cowboys are all married, I think they all marry young, and the other guys are younger than me or just not the right one. That's it. Nothing else to report on that issue. The search continues...

p.s. I am getting baptised at church tomorrow, full immersion, and I am super excited! Then I will become a member of Harvest (a Southern Baptist church:).

Western Michigan Accent

I was pegged by my accent the other day at work. Besides getting a lot more used to the Texan accent I have forgotten that I have one too. One of the parents at work was telling me something and I said "gotcha" without even thinking about it. Immediately she asked me where I was from with my accent and "gotcha". I laughed and told her Michigan. Then the next day I was asking a fellow teacher where the baby's pipe was. She made me repeat the word and still looked very confused. I said "pacifier, nuky, pacy, pipe". She thought I was crazy for calling it a pipe and finally understood. Now that I think about it pipe is a very weird name for a pacifier.


I finally got my car in for inspection and it passed. Next I have to find the place where I will register my car. Mapquest says it is only a 20min drive but I know it will be more than with traffic and it is in an area I have not gone yet.

Today I found out I will have to move by June so my search begins again. You would think I would be good at searching for a place to live since I have lived in five places since college but it is never easy. Especially the trying to find a roommate part because I cannot afford to live alone. Prayers on this matter would be greatly appreciated!

I miss you all and wish you could be enjoying the nice weather and green trees with me.

Strength

That is what God has been teaching me this past week. I have leaned solely on him because now of mine is left. I have always been one of those people who "if it can happen to someone then it happens to me". The two things I have always struggled with: finances and health. When I think, great now I can pay off some more bills and start saving, I end up owing even more for something or an added expense pops up. I never sick per say but I always am battling my allergies and sinuses. Just when I have my allergies better under control I get a sinus infection that makes me sleep all week, except for when I am at work. Well, that is how my past week was wasted and it ended with another unexpected financial thing. God has allowed me to lean on his strength this week and helped me make it work each day. I know he will bless me soon for fighting Satan's numerous attacks.

One a more positive note I will be starting a women's study (on Thursdays) with two or three other women from my church. I have been waiting to be apart of a group like this since I started at Harvest. Monday nights I am apart of a great group of believers who struggles with some of the same things I do. Wednesday nights I go to a bible study which is currently all about parables. Fridays I will once again be able to connect with the group of people my age (go figure that the first meeting after over a month off and I am too tired/sick to attend). Sundays I am in an Adult Bible Fellowship group learning more about the book of Daniel before Sunday service. By surrounding myself with these various unique groups of people I am hoping to grow more in God with other believers and not just learn about Him and meet new people.

Being in active relation with other believers is so important to me and who I am. I am even lucky enough to have a woman at work who I work with for at least several hours everyday to talk about faith with. Yes, we do talk to the babies also but if they are falling asleep in our laps or drinking a bottle it is good to talk faith with the other caregiver in the room:)

I hope God is doing a good work in all of you also. Please e-mail me, text me, facebook me, or something. I miss hearing from all of you. God Bless!!!