::oh boy::

To start off this post, I must say that Christmas was wonderful.  It was very low-key but it was good.  To start on Christmas Eve, we went downtown for dinner.  Then Christmas morning, I sleeeeeeeeept iiiiiiiiiiiiiin.  We are not an "early bird" family but we also don't sleep in much.  I was pleasantly surprised that no one had woke me up by 9:45am.  So I was the last one up.  We had devotions together, ate breakfast, opened our gifts, and got ready to go see my little Granny.  By this time, it was after 1pm.  We spent time there, had dinner at 4:30 and then just chilled.  It was great.

Yesterday, was my first day off in I-can't-remember-when.  If I'm not cleaning in the morning, I still have my nanny job. Well, I didn't have to work at all yesterday.  So I decided to finish making a second pillow to match the one I already had.  Well, a very, very long story made so very, very short is that I got a new sewing machine yesterday.  I used my Christmas money and an early birthday present from my parents.  [Very early.....squeak....we're weird like that!]

I didn't know a sewing machine could be so a-mazing.  As I left the quaint, little shop, the proprietor said, "Happy Sewing!"  I didn't know that was possible!  So I am thanking the Lord for His direction yesterday and praying for new opportunities to open!

::the whole she-bang::

 ::buttons::

 ::more buttons::

Happy Tuesday!

::Merry Christmas::

::can I really believe it::

This little "work-cation" happened so quickly for me there was little time for anticipation. Literally, Wednesday night at rehearsal practice for the Christmas concert this Tuesday, I was making a list of people to contact in regards to changing my schedule and filling a list of things to do. I am a list-maker. It suites my A-type personality well.



The weather people have been calling for snow for over a week now and we've only been rewarded with a dusting. Today, it sounds like it has been a blizzard and the public school kids have a two-hour delay [at present] for Monday morning school. Maybe it will turn into a snow day on Monday.



I just want to LAND in Chicago on Tuesday and get to WORK Tuesday afternoon. I'm a bit sad that I am missing the snow delay with Mr. Max and Miss Rachel tomorrow. Oh well, I'll have to hope for another snow day before the winter season is gone.



So to prove that this has been a "work-cation", here's a list:

--house cleaned from top to bottom

--except for the windows [hopefully Monday...]

--grocery shopping

--two different types of cookies made

--a 30 minute workout

--a book read cover to cover in one day [hasn't happened in a while]

--chiropractor visit tomorrow for my dear, aching Opa

AND

--maybe I'll get the car cleaned [bonus points]



I'll be back in the snowy Midwest Tuesday, Lord willing...

Rebecca

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

::blogging from the tarmac::

Yes, I am in Florida. It happened this quick.

With a Boom! and a Snap!

I had tickets to use up but they were going to cost an extreme amount to switch so my Dad got me free tickets with his frequent flier miles. It cost $5 and $25 for my checked bag. Not bad.

This is really a working vacation. I'm here to help my grandparents get settled for their 3 week stay down here between my grandma's radiation and chemo treatments.

Well, once I get off this plane and away from the OBNOXIOUS, gum-chewing 10 year old sitting next to me, this will be a fantastic Friday morning.

Later peeps,
Rebecca
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

::maybe you have already seen this online::

I just had to post this. I am so hoping this happens downtown Chicago somewhere and that I am present. Large, random singing groups in public places is becoming quite the popular thing to do. Did get the chills watching this? Oh my goodnes...I did!! Last year at our church's Christmas concert, the orchestra director gave the story behind the "Hallelujah Chorus" and the tradition that people stand for the singing of the song. The congregation stood while we played. It was amazing. Anyways, I just had to share this video with you this morning. I hope it makes your morning great!



PS...you'll notice that the people involved are wearing buttons.

::it is coming::

{sing-song-y-voice}

It's going to snow.

{When I say sing-song-y voice, I have in my mind a particular radio show host who imitates Oprah and her sing-song-y voice.}

If the snow is particularly catastrophic, I'll post pictures.

yeessssssssssss..........

::growing::

I've read two posts already tonight about blogging that hurts.  Being truthful and being real.

So to begin I want to say that I am not currently discouraged or melancholy but this is what has been on my heart for a few days.  It's intensifying and I know the Heavenly Father is working on me.

I feel tugged in so many different directions: God, family, work, church/ministries, cello.  Obviously, as a single girl, God is my main focus [I Corinthians 7:34].  Family is a very all-encompassing word.  It includes my responsibilities as a daughter, sister, and granddaughter.  Work sweeps through several spheres: being a nanny, cleaning houses, and my online shop + time to grow the shop [i.e. blogging and growing my crafting and sewing skills]. Church ministries include: the bus route [decorating, visuals, games], Junior church [different responsibilities from week to week], Master's Club [bulletin boards, lesson], and extra [flowers--helping a sweet saint maintain the flowers around the church property].  Cello--what can I say.  I love playing so much but how can I grow as a cellist if I don't practice daily?

I'm not writing this post to garner sympathy, I'm just being honest.  Of course, I realize that my "busy" is different than that of a student [thank goodness] or a mother.  But what do I put in order for my day?  Besides my personal time with the Heavenly Father, everything else seems to be on a level playing field.  I obviously have to work but if my needs are provided for [Philippians 4:19] then I can spend time doing work for the Lord [read I Corinthians 7:34 again].  But I don't want to live at home forever so obviously growing my online business and crafting skills is needful.

Rachel wrote a great post on what she does in Africa.  She said something that made me nod my head in agreement:

First, let me say that I am NOT at home just sitting around. There are a lot of negative connotation that can come with the term stay-at-home-daughter. Whatever your view on that (that is another whole post right there!), I can guarantee that I am not a stay-at-home-daughter that is just twiddling her thumbs waiting for the closest thing to a Prince Charming to come.

I'm not either.  Just because I don't have a regular 9 to 5'er job doesn't mean that I'm painting my nails and primping my hair twice a day.  Far from it!!

I am so thankful for this time of growth.  I just know that when my head hits the pillow at night and I review my day, I often ask the Lord for forgiveness in not managing my time properly [bang head against my pillow].  I resolve to do better the next day.  I awake and commit the day to Him but I am not perfect so of course I fail.

So, I chuckle to myself and thank the Heavenly Father for a reminder that my day is His and not mine.  I will strive to do my best and see each interruption, delay, and inconvenience as an appointment from Him.  I will seek His will and not my own.  I will follow the Holy Spirit as He leads me through my day.  I can obey.  Obedience to Him will lead me properly through my day and I will grow.  The Heavenly Father wants me to grow.  He wants me to be perfect.