It's been a while since I've posted. A lot has happened since September of 2013. A lot. Starting in June I've had some life changing experiences that have, on the one hand, hardened my heart and on the other, has allowed God to do a mighty work in my life. There are blessings that have been heaped upon one another, and those are what I am going to focus on.
I have a husband who has stepped up and relieved what could have been a huge burden in my life. I have a God who gave me that husband, gave him the strength to stand beside me and take up what I cannot handle on my own and, in His own way, put other people to stand there beside me and support me -- people I didn't even know existed 16 months ago. To be able to look back and see God's hand in my life, putting things into place that I had no idea needed to be placed there . . . that's some awesome stuff right there.
I have friends who have stepped up their encouragement and support of me. New friends whom I met a few months ago. I have a support group of some wonderful women in a couple of Bible studies in which I am privileged to participate -- Godly women who can help encourage and support my walk with God. And I have some old friends who are still there beside me when I need them.
October brought some very interesting changes and additions to my life. My sister's son, Mario, has come to stay with us. (My sister passed away back in October of 2011.) He's 14 -- a few years (okay, SEVEN) years younger than my youngest son. I thought I was done with teenagers. I wouldn't trade the last two months for anything. He's brought laughter and a sense of "the world" into our lives. It's no longer just Ken and I. It's Ken and me and Mario . . . and Jake. Yeah, Jake didn't return to school this past Fall as he's pursuing a program in Diesel Mechanics and can take that locally while still living here at home -- lucky us. So -- did you do the math? Ken and I went from an empty nest to a suddenly full one again . . . (shaking my head and wondering, "just how did THAT happen?)
Christmastime is arriving as fast as it usually comes . . . ready or not. The changes in our house are slight -- Mario should be returning home to his dad by the 20th -- Jake starts school in January -- and Dan will be home to visit. (Wait -- did I miss something? Where is that EMPTY nest??) Things with the life changing events eluded to above haven't changed, but instead, have escalated. And I am learning to deal with stress without medication. Since having lost about 50 lbs, I have been off Prozac and learning to deal with life as it comes. Not easy. There are many days I want to bury myself in the nearest stack of pillows and blankies and just not come out. That doesn't get to happen. The alternative has been to embrace what pain these life changes have brought and to learn to move through them and passed them. I think I'm winning. Most days . . .
Next week should find things leveling out. I've been able to do some shopping and get some wrapping done. But I have to admit, I have an awesome husband (yeah, remember, I spoke of him way earlier in this blog) and he is taking me away over New Year's and again a couple of weeks later. When we get back, we'll be refreshed and renewed.
Just what blessings have been lurking in the shadows? Music -- that's an awesome, wonderful, stress relieving medium I am thankful to have discovered. New friends and old have come to light. God has made Himself very much visible and alive in my life -- and I am so grateful to not be alone in the mess that is threatening to suck me in . . .
I'm leaving it at this for right now. I'll try to revisit in January and see just what direction my life has taken and how I've dealt with it. One thing I know for sure -- I am not alone. God is with me. He has given me people in my life to help me through -- my husband, my friends and family that has stepped up to give me support when I've needed it most. I am blessed . . .
