This is the man who taught me to fish :). Notice the bluegill on the line? *grin* That was probably the first fish I ever caught. Everything about this picture is adorable to me - the Reebok tennis shoes with the black socks - those familiar slacks that he would wear - the huge glasses to help with the sunlight in his eyes, the trucker's hat - and above all - the pocket protector in his shirt pocket for his pens and his glasses. This man, not perfect by any means, is the reason why so much in my life is right today. My mother had an even greater deal to do with it, with all of her praying and striving to keep me out of trouble :). But I saw this picture, and after thinking about so many things tonight, I am reminded once again of just how good God really is. Time and time again I find myself getting worried about situations - what's going to happen next, am I making the right decision, have I really ruined my life - and so many times, God must be looking down at me and shaking his head - frustrated, maybe, but a longing gentle smile on his face - "My child, why do you worry and plan what I've already worked out with my own loving hand?"
And that's what tonight has been for me - a remembrance, a reminder - of how all the times I've made horrible decisions, the Lord has been true to his word and worked them out for my good. I can look back in so many different situations and see how God has worked - even when I didn't deserve it - and still taken care of things for me. Who am I to worry?
How humbling, but how PEACEFUL it is to realize that He truly has everything in his hands - my job really is to sit back and simply enjoy the ride as best as I can - waiting on him and not trying to force things myself. I know others may have the exact opposite problem, needing God to make them take a move - but I've always gone ahead, trying to orchestrate things that really didn't need my help at all *grin*.
So tonight I write because I feel such a peace - such a happiness about my wonderful Savior - I'm not saying I have things worked out - that I won't stop worrying, but I'm going to try to keep this remembrance, like the Israelites did with the 12 stones, I believe, when the red sea parted, so that I am always reminded of God's provision and his ability to make things work out for my good.
And just as a side note, here is Link now - I can't believe how big he's gotten in such a short time! But he's still just as cute as ever. He's extremely smart, and he's usually a very quiet dog, except here in Dublin he's been quite vocal to my family *grin*. He's so adorable, though. This is one of the best decisions I've made in a long time, because he's so precious. They tell me he's not going to get much bigger, but he's only 4 months old, so I have a hard time believing he's not going to get some bigger. But he is about a foot tall. Well, just wanted to post a photo of my favorite puppy. I found the picture of when we first brought him home and I thought an update would be nice. More photos to come, I'm sure!
Christmas 2007 - Jess, me, Meals, and Dianna - the weekend in Pigeon Forge. And it was so good to see them again. I miss them.
Jess is now hangin' in Cyprus, Meals is somewhere in NOVA crackin' down on some lawyers, and Dianna is kickin' it ghetto style in New York. But for one brief weekend, we were all in the same place, having an amazing time together.
Jess cracks me up with her model gorgeous self and the planned smiles she gives in every picture *grin*. Not that she's not having fun, because she's not faking it in the least - but you can tell she knows how to work a camera *grin*. She always has that "come hither" smile *grin*.
Tonight I am sitting on my mother's couch in Dublin, contemplating the conversations of the day, especially the one from Dr. Moffett's class about how this culture is technologically advanced beyond amazement, but how it is a selfish, "me-focused" generation that is immature. I fall into that category, and I can't really lie about it. I can try to cover it up, but the fact of the matter is, my checkbook screams of my immaturity.
Aaah...my favorite picture. I have managed to capture my amazing boyfriend in the middle of his signature move. We were in Alabama helping my cousin and her family move into their new house. Good times as usual. But my cuz is working hard and losing weight - she's amazing in her resolve - and I wish I knew why I can't seem to muster up the same thing. But again, I'm tired of getting into the huge weight conversations and then never doing anything about it.
So I'm in ye ole Dublin tonight, enjoying the gentle (or not so gentle) sounds of my mother snoring *grin*. It's gotten better since her surgery, but she's still pretty bad. So bad, in fact, that I'm probably going to have to go get the ear plugs out of the car. I was hoping to avoid it, tho, because it's cold outside and I just flat out don't feel like going back out.
Well, March Madness is in full swing, and I have no clue how I'm going to do because I really think I picked some crazy dud-like picks. But that's okay - I do it just for the fun :D. I wish I had the time to watch some of the games - hopefully tomorrow I will be able to for a bit.
Well, I think that's about it for now. Just thought I'd drop in and say a few things, although there's nothing really all that profound right now :). I'll be back in again soon :).
