Ready for the Weekend

So, it's FINALLY Friday and I'm really looking forward to the weekend. For whatever reason, this week seemed to drag on and thankfully it's time to relax and enjoy two days off. Josh and I have a friend coming into town this weekend and that gave us a reason to really clean our place, so that's how we finished off our week: cleaning the apartment. It felt good to get it done and it's always so much nicer to be in a clean place; too bad the clean, fresh scent doesn't stick around and clothes always seem to end up back on the floor.

Today we're going to finish out our work day and then I'll be meeting our friend for drinks and dinner and then after that, who knows what we'll be doing. Tomorrow night we'll be celebrating another friend's birthday, so that should be a good time.

Weekends are great, but they always go so quickly! Too bad we can't have a four day work week and a three day weekend...how nice would that be!?!?!

Trying Not to Complain

I attend a weekly Bible study that takes place on Monday nights and this last study was about how Miriam and Aaron spoke against their brother Moses as he was leading them to the Promised Land. Because of this "bad talk", God put leprousy on Miriam and she was banned to outside the camp for 7 days! It was also about how the Isrealites complained about the "lack of food" that they had in the desert. The cried out to Moses about how when they were in Egypt, they had a variety of fruit and vegatbles and fish to eat and that they were unhappy with the manna that God provided to them in the desert. What they didn't remember is that while they were in Egypt, sure they had good food, but they also slavery. Because of their complaining, God sent fire to the camp and that killed some people near the outside of the camp. He also sent them so much quail that it made them sick!

One thing that I took from the lecture part of the Bible study night was this: when we complain, we are complaining against God and his plans for us and he becomes angry. It has been hard, but since Monday night, I have really tried to focus on not complaining about things I should be thankful for such as my job and a place to live. God has brought me to this area and to this point in my life for a reason; it is all part of his plan. Sure, there are days where I am not all that excited to go to work, but I work for a Christian company with fellow believers; what a blessing that is! Yes, there are times where I totally dislike living in an apartment, but the apartment is nice and in a great area and it's a place to live, so I should be thankful. I also have times where I get down about not being able to buy a house because it's "just not working out", but I should focus on the fact that we are blessed to even have the capacity to buy a house once the Lord provides one for us and opens that door for us. Unfortunately, the things we complain about most of the time are just that: things. We want a better car, better paying job, nice house/place to live, but those are not the important things in life. We need to focus our hearts on what God wants for us and not complain about what we don't have, but rather, be thankful for what we do have!

Another lesson I learned is that when I am going through a struggle (because they will come), I should cry out to God rather than anyone else. God is the one with the answers and it is important to go to the source rather than do what the Israelites did and complain to another person. God is the one who can change situations, not people. Go to the One who brought you to where you are; ask him to help you through the difficult times. He will be there for you! God never gives you anything you can't handle.

prayer request

Today I am praying for my friend because her dad passed away this morning. Although they have been expecting this day for what seems to be an eternity, it still came as bit of a shock because they weren't expecting it right now. Her dad was an alcoholic and struggled with it for quite some time. He took a turn for the worse a few years ago and began to have times where he was always in and out of hosptials and rehab. He was checked into the hospital for the last time on Friday and while they were running blood work he had a stroke. They took him off the machines that were helping him breathe and hospice came in to make him comfortable. He had cancer for a while now, but they just found out it was Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He passed away at 2:30 this morning. Although it is a time of sadness, it is also a time of relief for his family as they do not have to worry about how he may try to hurt himself anymore. It is also relief for him; he is no longer in pain.

Simple Updates

Josh's team had a double-header on Saturday and won both games! They weren't sure how they were going to do or if they were even going to be able to play because of all the rain we've been getting, but it was a success. Tomorrow there is another double-header, so I'm happy I'll be able to see at least one of the games.

Also, on Saturday, I was able to go look at the house that we have the offer in on. Neither one of us had seen it in the day light, so I wanted to make sure I did that. There were things that I noticed that I did not remember from the previous visits, so I'm glad I went. We were supposed to hear something about the deal yesterday, but of course that didn't happen. So, maybe in the next few days? Such a waiting game!

Today, Josh and I will be going to the Little Big Town concert. The tickets were part of my Valentine's Day present! I am so excited because they are one of my favorite country bands.

This weekend will be fun. We are looking forward to having our friends from San Jose come visit and then we'll be going out for another friend's birthday. It's always a good time when friends get together to celebrate each other!

Today I had an awesome opportunity to be a part of a special version of the Bible that will be published. Zondervan (publishing company) is celebrating 30 years this year and to celebrate, they have a team of people that is driving all across the country, stopping at various locations having people at the locations handwrite one verse of the Bible. This will then be published and sold in stores and the original will be put into the Smithsonian. I am excited to see what it turns out like!

Other than that, nothing new and exciting going on with the Glynn's.

Thankful

Today, I took it upon myself to watch the slideshow Josh and I put together for our wedding. You know, one of those where you play pictures of individuals as they are growing up and then as a couple. Well, watching this reminded me of a few things.

One, that I am so thankful to my parents for bringing me up in the TRUTH and taught me to walk with Christ. It is my prayer that Josh and I can do that for our children. Although we are far apart from my family, they mean the world to me! They have made me who I am today and I am proud of that.

Two, I also am so thankful for Josh. God has blessed me so much by bringing us together! Josh always goes out of his way to make me happy and that was evident by our engagement when he SURPRISED me and flew down to Orlando to propose....it was amazing! It continues as our marriage goes on. He is a wonderful husband and my best friend. I couldn't have asked for anyone better!

With Valentine's Day coming tomorrow, I wanted to reflect on how much I love Josh and how much he means to me. I was also reminded this morning that love is a choice and an action; that we should work show love 365 days a year rather than focus on it one day out of the year. I hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day!!! Love always

*here is the link to our slideshow; it's long, but it's priceless http://www.vimeo.com/1268108

Something to Remember

With the economy being as weak as it is and with instability in all job markets, I think it is important to remember Jeremiah 29:11 " 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to propser you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' " Thankfully, we can rest in the fact that God has a plan for each one of our lives, but we just have to be willing to submit to his timing and let him control our lives.

Anniversary

Today marks 7 months of marriage for Josh and I!! It is so exciting to look back on what we've done and where we've come from and to see how much we've grown from these experiences. In the last 7 months we have:

1. Gotten married
2. Gone to Jamaica for our honeymoon
3. Been apart for a few days while Josh traveled to California to move our stuff
4. Drove across the country together
5. Personally, I have moved to a new town and learned my way around (Josh was already familiar with the area)
6. Started new jobs
7. Got a dog :)

It has been an eventful 7 months, but it has been a fun transition and I am so thankful to have been able to do it with Josh.

It is another week, which I am thankful for! Last week was a tough one for me because I was definitely missing my girl friends back home, but today is a new start and I am hoping that I can soon meet friends in my new home.

Because of my "funk" last week, I drove to San Jose after being invited to hang out with some friends. Typically, I would not have made the two hour drive alone, but I knew I could use some "girl time" and so did Josh, so he encouraged me to go. I am so glad I went because we had a great time going shopping and out for lunch. I definitely still miss having my Chicago friends close to me, but it was encouraging to me to be able to spend time with this other friend in San Jose.

This week marks 7 months that Josh and I have been married! I cannot believe how quickly it went! I thank God so much for Josh and the live we have been able to start together. It may not always be easy, but it's our life and I love it!
Psalm 145:18 "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth"