There and Back Again

                 Two nights ago, I went to over to my parents house to hang out after finding out that I wouldn’t be able to see the movie that we had planned to see that night. My parents were sitting at the table, I was sitting on the floor by the sliding glass door holding one of the cats. My sister walked in the door with Martin a few minutes after I arrived and we were all being ridiculous as usual. My mom walked out of the room and a few minutes later walked back with her purse and asked if I was ready to go. “Ready to go? Go where?” I asked. “Oh no where.” She finally told me that we were going to go see The Proposal after she initially wouldn’t tell me. Well, the movie was hilarious and super great. My mom, my sister and I were probably the loudest people in the entire theater—what can I say---it was funny! Anyway, right before the movie started my mom got a text/phone call saying that my dad and Martin were going to see transformers again and that my little brother and sister would be seeing a different movie. So everyone was there---just in three different theaters---very amusing. After the movie, my mom put in the Kelly Clarkson CD and its rockin’ and so was my mom---she was playing the air drums and at one point we were coming up to a red light and my sister is like, “Mom, hands on the wheel!” And my mom’s response was, “I have to finish drumming!” We were all dancing and making fools of ourselves and being loud. I’m sure we were creeping out the neighboring drivers—WHAT GREAT FUN!
        Last night, went on a coffee date with Nicole. We both ordered our Vanilla Chai tea Lattes : ) Mmmmm. We chatted for a good 45 minutes about our lives and our boys, you know the typical girl stuff. Then we got into talking about the things that we are struggling with and what we need prayer for. It really was a time of encouragement. I always have a hard time waiting for the next time I’ll get to hang out with Nicole. She always makes me day :) 
          Since last Friday, Ellen and I have been working out. We usually go to her house to lift weights or when it is more convenient we meet at my house and do some conditioning/running. It’s been great. I’m already feeling a lot better and healthier. We started talking about the possibility of running in a 5k or two before she leaves for 11 months starting in January. It’s going to be fun, I’m excited. 
            Last night, I went to bed really discouraged, but this morning I woke up and prayed that the Lord would take my attitude and fix it for me and that he would just encourage me throughout the day. Well, he did. I made lunch and took it over to Wellington Christian for Daniel. He was working there for a few hours today so, we ate together and that was really nice. We had turkey and cheese sandwiches and some Sandies cookies. Afterwards I drove around for a little bit looking for a job. I drove through two or three plazas and didn’t see anything and then I went over to Kobosko’s Plaza where the Greenberries used to be. There is another coffee shop in there that is really nice. I walked around the plaza and went into all the places that would interest me and collected some business cards. One of the shops there was a bridal Salon, so I went in and looked around at the dresses, which were beautiful if I might add! My last stop was the coffee shop, I got a business card and just as I was heading out, I ran into a lady that taught me how to ride a donkey last December for the Singing Christmas tree. We sat there talking for a while and it was great to see her again! Just before she left she handed me a check for a really large amount of money----I wasn’t expecting it and I was really blown away. That was a real blessing and just another sign that the Lord is watching over me. I had some nice face to face conversations with some employers today, so I think I have a shot at some more job opportunities. Today was a good day---and I haven’t even been to choir rehearsal or ultimate Frisbee at Meyer Amphitheater yet!!! Wow! What a great day!
    When you ask God to encourage you, you better believe that he's gonna do it and blow you out of the water. People are not always very good at it, but God sure is! Thank God he uses people like us!