God's Grace Abounds

I can't believe I have been so lax in writing.  Life is very busy so maybe I don't have that hard of a time believing it but still I keep thinking I need to post and then just never getting inspired to actually write anything down.  So what has been happening in the Miller household these days? Well let's see here.  The renovation side of life has slowed down as we had to buy a new washer and dryer, fix a car, and spay a puppy.  But honestly that is one of the most wonderful things about owning your own home.  You can go at your own pace and as you can afford it.  Mark and I both have absolutely loved being able to get projects done as we get inspired.  There is no permission to ask. There is no landlord to warn.  There is no parent to ask!  We find ourselves spending most of our down time researching home improvement projects and watching HGTV and DIY network.  Thankfully we both love these channels! 

I have loved getting my sewing machine out and getting it broken in.  I have made curtains for our dining room so far.  I have plans for curtains in the guest rooms and our bedroom, the kitchen and laundry room as well.  But as I said as I find fabric that inspires I can make those.  It is slowly coming together and I really love how it is turning out.  It is great working on this project together.  

I am watching tomatoes come in.  We have about 20 actual tomatoes currently with about 12 more blooms waiting.  It is so exciting see actual fruit!  I can't wait to make fresh salsa and marinara this summer.  I can't wait to share them with anyone who wants them and I am so happy that I literally will have more tomatoes that I will ever know what to do with in order to do just that.

Work has been crazy as we let two employees in my department go.  It has been a relief having them gone as it made for a frustrating and uncomfortable work environment for everyone but with that comes many stresses and many challenges to keep up with the work load.  It has been exciting to see that I am a much harder worker than I ever thought I was.  And it is still a lot of fun and it is interesting learning about the business side of playgrounds.  I enjoy being challenged and I have great supervisors who are very encouraging and patient to answer my endless questions.  It is an enjoyable work environment and once we fill those open positions it will get a lot better.

I am so very thankful for awesome girlfriends that get together on Tuesday nights to have a book study.  It has been so wonderful, edifying, encouraging, and fun to get together with these dear women to learn more about God how to serve him better!  They challenge me and pray with and for me and they really are such a blessing and such a wonderful gift from God of deep community.

My Wednesday nights have freed up for the summer.  I have to say I miss my high school girls.  I still keep in touch with them and see them at church but its not quite the same as getting to pour into them weekly.  They taught me so much over the last school year and challenged me in many ways.  It was wonderful hearing their perspectives and it was so encouraging to hear such precious hearts explore God some in a deeper sense and some for the first time.  It was amazing seeing God at work in their lives.  

Mark is doing well.  We actually have some exciting ministry opportunities ahead of us.  Details will be coming as the processes continues. But I would ask you to be praying for patience and wisdom.  Also pray that we would be open to God's leading.  That we would be willing to be his vessels of service whether his plan leads us down expected paths or down completely unexpected paths.  We are very excited for the opportunities God brings to us.  And I wouldn't rather go through these adventure with anyone else! 

Betty Lou, the newest member of our family, is doing well.  She has settled in very well and is thankfully growing out of her "puppy-ness".  Meaning she doesn't destroy everything and 95% of the time she goes outside when she has to use the bathroom. She had her procedure done yesterday and she is healing well. She has been warned though that if she doesn't stop licking her sutures she will get the cone of shame. A part of me is hoping she doesn't stop because of the vast photo opportunities that would be afforded me.  

Well I think that is everything for right now. I want to get back to more spiritually minded posts again. Soon that will happen I am sure.  So hang in there! 

TTFN

Rachel

Confessions of a Grumbler

It is hard to believe that I am writing this blog from my the couch in the home that my husband and I own.  I mean seriously? Who saw that coming?!  I have lived in Chattanooga for year and a half and this is my life?! It feels like I have been here way longer thinking about everything that has been fit into my life in the last 18 months.

In the months since I last posted...yes months! I feel terrible about that by the way! We have been doing a lot.  First off we had to move.  Packing and packing and more packing.  My husband was a great help and encouragement throughout the process. Especially when I would be the most frustrated with moving.  Because let's be honest moving 8 times in 4 years can get a little old.  So while I should have been thankful for God's faithful provision I have to admit I was considerably less thankful and great bit more grumbly.  It wasn't in my plans.  It wasn't on my agenda.  My husband and I had it settled.  We had our idea of what the next year or so would look like.  We had worked together on and it made sense. It seemed wise.  I feel like a broken record, always having my apple cart upset and not being able to handle it.  I get so attached to my  own plan.  Even when God shows me time and time again that his plan is better.  His plan is simpler.  He is trustworthy.  My old heart still fights.  Thankfully I am the daughter of a patient and pursuing God who doesn't throw up his hands when I grumble.  He doesn't lash out when I whine one to many times. He loves. He teaches. He pursues.  This is the God that deserves my trust.  He proves himself time and time again and the extent of his faithfulness is not dependent on mine.  When people ask me why my faith matters, that is why.  How can I do any else.  And when I come to something that seems to big or to much.  My faithful God will show me just how much strength he has to get me through and bring me to the other side where I can praise him for what he continues to give me.  For the big things like moving to a completely different state or the small frustrations like being woken from a deep sleep by a puppy who just wants to make sure I am still there.  My life is so blessed I have nothing to complain about.  Pray that I remember that in the midst of my minor inconveniences.

More will be coming.  Lord willing I won't take this much time off again. I have a lot of things I want to write about so get ready y'all.  The Chatty Wife is back to her chatty self :)

TTFN

R