HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!

Well, it's been about 7 months since I last updated, but I'm getting into the writing spirit, so I thought I'd start up again.  We'll see how long this lasts.

A lot has happened since April.  Emily graduated high school, and is now settled in at Trinity.  We had planned to have her live at home and commute this first year, but it's funny how, while we're busy thinking we have it all worked out, the Lord sometimes has other plans.  Bill and I attended orientation with her, and really felt the Lord leading all three of us to realize that Emily really needed to live on campus.  We literally signed her up that day (three days after all the other freshmen had already moved in and started getting to know each other), and quickly got together everything she would need to live away from home.  She had a shaky start, trying to play catch-up, and watching some of her past relationships change, but we feel very confident that this was the best decision for her, and the Lord has blessed her with some new, incredible friendships that she probably would have missed out on had she remained a commuter.  She is studying Elementary Education, and has been able to get out into some classrooms (in the grade school she attended) for observations and such.  She absolutely loves it, and looks forward to having her own classroom one day.  She is still very much involved in music too--she is a member of Trinity's choir, and is hoping to become a member of the chapel worship team on campus next semester, as well as auditioning for the school musical in the spring.

With this new decision came much higher bills than we'd anticipated, but the Lord graciously orchestrated this whole area of our lives as well.  For many years I have told friends that I would one day like to work in the library, and a few years back I even interviewed for a job there, which I did not get.  In August, a job in our local library opened up, and this time I was hired!  Still, my regular hours would not be enough to cover all the new expenses of Emily living on campus, but once again, God reminded us of His goodness.  Since starting my new job in September, I have been able to fill in for others and obtain extra hours every single week!  I am working almost full time now, but I LOVE it!  This is the best job in the world, in my opinion.  I love being surrounded by books, and other book lovers.  My co-workers are a wonderful group of people, and I just really love the work.  I work at the circulation desk at both our main library and our branch, and I also get to call people who have items on hold, and do some shelving.  I also get first pick of the new books that come in!  Hee hee.  Shhhh...

Of the three of us, I think Bill probably misses CYT and the busyness of being involved in the productions most.  He did get to help out a little bit with putting up the drops for Pochahantas, and I know he would like to help out more in other ways in future productions, if just to maintain the special friendships we were blessed with through that organization.  It's harder on the men, I think, when phases of our lives must change, because they aren't as apt to pick up the phone and call friends as we women are.  But hey, I just mentioned to him today, that I realized with just a little bit of horror and much delight, that Emily could conceivably get married in 3 1/2 years~ and then we could maybe start the grandchildren phase!!  Okay, I'm jumping the gun a little bit here, but I can't help looking forward to those days too. 

Well, I just realized that I have to be at work in a half hour, so I guess I must go.  I hope to read many updates from all of you soon.  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with all of your families!

God bless.

Julie

Thank you to everyone who so generously agreed to send me a dollar or two each year while Emily is in college!  I am happy to say that I now only need to find about 19,990 more people willing to do the same.  What a great world we live in!!

Actually, what I would covet, more than your money, would be your prayers.  I have struggled, most of my married life, with very bad spending habits.  We've been in financial trouble on several occasions, because of me.  I've joked about it with some of you before, but now I'm "going public" with it, because I really feel that I need lots of prayer from God's warriors, and people who will keep me accountable.  I really want Emily to be able to go to Trinity, and we can do it if I could just stop spending money on whatever happens to strike my fancy at the moment.  Please don't be afraid to ask me if I've purchased more patterns or fabric, or whatever.  But most of all, pray that God would change my heart to desire a closer walk with Him, and that I would realize that He fulfills all my needs--not the next great thing that comes along that I must have to make me happy.

And pray for Bill too, because he really does put up with a lot, and still loves me.

EDIT*****Just to let you all know what you're up against, as soon as I finished typing this entry I went and ordered a pattern, because I was scared that once you all started praying, I wouldn't want it anymore.  I don't know whether to laugh or to cry.

AHHHHHH!!!!!

Sorry.......I'm a horrible Xanga-er.  I don't want to update.  I haven't been reading it much.  I much prefer corresponding face to face. 

Ummm......let's see.  Yesterday I made some real headway in attempting to start up a business on ebay making small quilt tops (which the buyer would finish into a quilt--I like to piece....not so fond of the actual quilting process).  I am planning to work at it at least 4 hours a day starting now through summer, and see if it's at all profitable.  If it isn't, I will have to get a real job to help pay for the tuition at Trinity, where Em is going in the fall.  Either that, or I will try to see if I can get 20,000 people to send me $1.00 a year for the next four years to pay for it.  Whaddya think??

Currently Reading The Covering By Hank Hanegraaff see related

Please, all of you, keep me accountable here:

"The Gospel of Peace leads us into the closest bonds of amity with our fellow believers, although alas, it is not always possible to prevent offenses arising, even with the best of them. If we cannot make all our brethren amiable, we are at least to be at peace, on our side; and if we succeed at this, no great disagreement can arise, for it always requires two to make a quarrel. It is good to go to bed every night feeling, 'I have no difference in my soul with any members of Christ's body; I wish all of them well and love, from my heart.'  This would enable us to travel royal style over fields that now are often stony with controversy and thorny with prejudice. Theological conflicts and squabbles would utterly disappear, if we were shod with the true spirit of the Gospel of Peace. An unwillingness to think badly of any Christian is a sandal most easy to the foot, protecting it from many a thorn. Wear it in the church; wear it in all holy service; wear it in all fellowship with Christians; and you will find your way among the brethren greatly smoothed. You will before long win their love and esteem, and avoid a world of jealousy and opposition that would otherwise have impeded your course. "  Charles Spurgeon