Lists

I love lists...I have them everywhere. To Do...To Go...To See Lists written on the pages of my daily planner. Grocery Lists hanging on the fridge with a magnet. Remember Lists on post-it notes in my scrapbook room, or on the bathroom mirror, the dashboard of my car - any place I need to 'remember' something. More than making lists, I love checking things off my lists. There is something so satisfying. There is a sense of accomplishment and achievement. It's proof you did something with your time. Maybe not what you really wanted to do, but something anyway. As I go along in my blogging, I'll add more lists ... today's list included adding a picture to my blog. One more thing checked off my list! Ta-da...

The perfect house

I'm planning to get married you know (or maybe you don't)... much depends on the ability to find adequate - meaning big enough - yet, affordable - meaning cheap - housing. Not an easy undertaking in Southern California. But today I found the perfect house, in the perfect location, for the perfect price...but it's too soon, I still have a lease on my current abode... I don't have the money yet, either (you know the whole first and last thing) ...and so, I'm afraid my perfect house will be rented by someone else within a few days. And I'm bummed about that - when I first heard about the house from the Sunday School teacher where my boyfriend attends, I thought to myself "does God answer prayers that quickly?" (we had just asked for prayers about our future and the need for housing) The answer is 'yes.' It's just I didn't tell God - not yet, in a few more months. (tee-hee). But, oh this house was perfect for me! Curb appeal on the outside, beautiful double entry doors, a large living room, with recessed lighting on dimmers, a fireplace and high ceilings. Oh, to cuddle up on the couch, a fire burning, wine glass in hand, enjoying a relaxing evening with my honey. A girl can dream, right... The kitchen had tons of storage and a window looking out at the sidewalk - you can see who's come to call. And it opened up to a good sized dining room, plus a counter bar area, which openend up to the patio. The long wall might have worked well for my temporary scrapbooking area - since my perfect house only has three bedrooms. But eventually, when the kids start leaving home....the first bedroom would be perfect for my scrapbook room. Double doors led from the kitchen to this room, which had a window overlooking the patio. Down the hall was the laundry closet (a bit awkward in the narrow hallway, but it was doable.) Another bedroom, then the Master bedroom, with its own bathroom, and door to the patio. And 2, count them, 2 closets - not walk-ins, but plenty of space anyway. At the end of the hallway was the main bathroom, and the door to the garage - which, because this house was the model at one time, was finished in pine, indoor/outdoor carpet, and air-conditioned! Access to the attic, which is big enough to stand up in... well, except for the aforementioned problems - I was home! So, pray along with me, that God will bring another 'perfect' house our way, when the time is perfect, too...

Perspective

It really is all about perspective. For instance...this past week I've been worried (freaking out is more like it) about my car breaking down, how much it was going to cost to fix it, could it even be fixed at all...and how all of that was going to impact my desire to get married in a few months (and already wondering how to pay for it). Then while I'm wallowing (yes, wallowing) in self-pity - I am made aware that things really could be worse.

The first thing that happened was I heard about an acquaintance whose husband had been home from Iraq for the holidays and while on his way back to the base to return to Iraq, he's killed. I mean he survives Iraq and he's killed on the way to the base?!...leaving behind his young wife (I can't remember now if they had children, but I think they did have a infant/toddler). Talk about life not being fair...it was a vivid and sobering reminder how thankful I should be for my health, the health and well-being of my kids, grandkids, boyfriend, and his kids... to never take one moment for granted... to plan for the future, but live in the moment.

The second incident was today a friend told me he had just found out his best friend had been having an affair with his secretary. Someone found out (or suspected) confronted the guy and now he's disappeared - just run away - leaving behind a big mess. The ripples from his actions will go on for a long time. Impacting not only his family, and the family of the woman he was involved with, but his church, everyone connected to that church and countless others. This rippling effect is not new to me...I know from personal experience the many ways this sin destroys lives. But, still, it was another reminder to be thankful for the wonderful man I have in my life now and to the best of my ability and with God's help and guidance - to always treat him with kindness and respect...

You know it's only been a little over a week since Christmas and the whole season which focuses on others and generally brings out the best in people - and like so many others, I had already slipped back into the 'old' ways - focusing on myself and my problems - when really compared to the shattering events these two families have suffered this week, I've got nothing to worry about and everything to be thankful for...

by the way, my car is fixed and for a lot less than I expected. Though I wonder if I deserve the mercy and grace God has given me in this, I am thankful for it.