Blessings...

God has been putting amazing things in my path lately. Wonderful Bible verses for encouragement. A vindication at work. A long-awaited vacation. Amazing friends. And, one amazing Mom! (Not in that order, of course!)

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This week I'm in Texas--that long-awaited vacation I was talking about. I am visiting people that I used to babysit for who have morphed into friends...more like family. They have become like my sister and brother-in-law and my nieces and nephews! I love them oh so much. I am in complete disbelief that I am here with them, but I am ecstatic! A 10 hour drive was soooo worth it! I will post pictures when I get back. I can't believe that they are so big. The youngest was a newborn when I started watching them. And by newborn, I don't mean a couple of months old...I mean they were in the hospital having him when they called me. I was there when they brought him home from the hospital. It's been almost 5 and a half years. It absolutely blows my mind that they are (almost) 15, 9, 7, and (almost) 5 and a half. Yes, there are 4 of them! I love all the chaos that goes on! It's almost hard for me to believe that I've been out of that chaos for a year. It's sad at the same time, because, oddly, I've missed it.

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More pictures will be here later...but here's a little preview!

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Restoration

My mood is just terrible. And I'm not sure why. I'm not missing my dad, I mean, I'm always missing him, but it's not why I'm in a bad mood. I haven't been able to take a joke for 2 days now. I feel terrible for the people around me who have to endure this.

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I'm over at a friend's house right now. She is so sweet, making me laugh and such. She is just so so incredible. Her kids make me laugh so much and I love that.

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I'm also going to TX a week from tomorrow to visit friends who I haven't seen in a year. I cannot wait. I've been counting down the days and waiting and saving. I couldn't be happier.

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Except that I could be happier. I've just been getting back into a regular Bible study after an embarrassing 4+ year abstain from it. I have been so tired and drained lately. So tired and drained in fact that last night I didn't feel like getting my daily dose of wisdom from my Father. And the other fact of the matter was that I only got just a teaspoons worth of wisdom. I woke up and was late to work this morning...4 minutes, but still. It turned out okay though because I stayed late and made up for my missed minutes. :)

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I'm coming out of it even as we speak. Thank God!

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"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth,

for the first heaven and the first earth

had passed away,

and there was no longer any sea.

I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem

coming out of heaven from God,

prepared as a bride beautifully

dressed for her husband.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

'Now the dwelling of God is with men,

and he will live with them.

They will be his people,

and God himself will be with them

and be their God.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes.

There will be no more death or mourning

or crying or pain,

for the old order of things has passed away.'

He who was seated on the throne said,

'I am making everything new!'

Then he said, 'Write this down,

for these words are trustworthy and true.'"

--Revelation 21:1-5

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I pray I get out of this bad mood, and fast. It's already happening. :) Thanks, friends.

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-katie