God's provision

While we don't have renters by February 1st, like we've been praying, God has provided in some other very creative ways for us to be able to pay our mortgage and rent this month. I've been keeping my eyes open for God's creativity after teaching my middle school students last week on Exodus 17 (go read it!). God certainly showed great creativity in providing for the Israelites, and it was a reminder to me that he may not provide in ways I think he should or would.

Creative way #1: Someone dear to me slipped me $200 the other day to help with the costs of our house. What a huge blessing- and very unexpected!

Creative way #2: The massage table that was left at our rental is sold! $300 coming our way tomorrow when she comes to pick it up.

Creative way #3: I went online to redeem some credit card rewards & we should be getting a $50 check in the mail any day now.

We're still short, but getting closer each day, and I am giving God praise for his provision for us in hard times. He is faithful!

Too tired to be thoughtful

A few updates on life in the Driesenga household:

* Marc is now in the full swing of his semester. Hoping this semester goes well for him! Last semester of classes!
* Marc has his student teaching placement for fall semester. He'll be teaching 11th & 12th grade American Lit & Brit Lit at Northpoite Christian.
* I start my class on Monday. I can't even remember what class I'm taking. Shows you how engaged I am so far, huh?
* As much as I love my ministry/job, I am really excited to have this Sunday off. It's the 5th Sunday of the month, so neither of my groups meet. I don't get many lazy Sundays during the year, so I'm going to put sweats on as soon as I get home from church & plop myself on the couch with my boys!
* I've been interceeding more for people in my life. There is so much need out there and I honestly think I could spend the better part of each day in prayer.
* Reading through the Psalms again. The varying emotions demonstrated in this book is so refreshing to me.
* Can't wait for warmer weather. I'm longing to go for walks outside, and in general, be outdoors with Isaac.b As I write this, I can hear the wind howling outside my house & the snow is blowing like crazy out my front window. :(
* Feeling the need to become more disciplined in my schedule. Mainly, in getting up at a consistant time each day, regardless of if I'm going in to the office or working from home. That also means going to bed at a consistant time. Why have I always been bad at this? Really, every since high school I've just sucked at doing this! Suggestions, anyone?
*Hoping we can sell this massage table & get renters at Quimby. God provide, please!

This is what I came home to tonight...

Loss

My heart is breaking for Rusty & Lynette Polinder. They lost their 4 month (I think) old daughter, Olive Hope, tonight after she was born prematurely in Thailand. They have been through so incredibly much over these last few months, and just a few days ago were hoping Olive would be discharged from the hospital.

Olive is now in Jesus' arms and has a whole, restored body.

http://rustylynette.blogspot.com/

Disappointed, but still a GREAT DAY

Well, I came in 2nd place for the Biggest Loser competition. :( I was really hoping to pull through & win, cause $120 would come in pretty handy right about now!

On a brighter note, our previous renters left a brand new massage table at our house & the retail value is $529. I'm hoping we can sell that & use it to pay off the credit card debt we've unfortunetly racked up with this whole Quimby thing.

On a MUCH brighter note, it's Isaac's 2nd birthday today! With Marc & I working opposite schedules, we will be celebrating more on Saturday, but I did take Isaac out for a Mickey Mouse sundae at Arnies with my mom, Auntie Al & Auntie Ker. And since I am done with the biggest loser challenge, I celebrated with a piece of Snickers Ice Cream Pie. Not sure that was smart, but it was sure good! Before we left for Arnies, Isaac decided to show off a little of this 'terrible two's' myth I've heard so much about. After we got home, though, we put on his new Thomas movie (thanks Auntie Al), he grabbed his blanket & elephant & said, "Cuddle?". Melt my heart! I love that my little guy loves to cuddle with me. I know it won't last forever, so I cherish everytime I hear him ask.

It's hard to imagine life before Isaac now. There is a part of me that is still not used to the lack of freedom being a mom, but of course I wouldn't trade that for anything. With our crazy schedules, it truly is 'taking a village' to raise Isaac. Thank you to my parents, my in-laws, my sister & sisters in law, my dear friends and my high school students who have all spent time shaping my son in different ways. Thank you for supporting Marc & I as we strive towards a 'normal' family life eventually.

Our 'normal' family life is in the horizon. Marc has started his LAST semester of classes, taking 3 at Cornerstone & 1 at CC. Next semester he will be student teaching and a 11 months from now, God willing, he will be completely done. He has a potential students teaching assignment at NorthPointe Christian and is in the process of figuring out all the details. Less than a year. Less than a year. Less than a year. This is my new mantra.

My ice cream sugar buzz is wearing off, thus time to sign off & head to bed!

Isaac's 2 year appointment

Isaac had his 2 year appointment today. He's a big boy...37inches tall (over 95%) and 31.6lbs (75%). According to the babycenter height predictor, he could be anywhere from 6'2-6'4 when he's all grown. It's crazy to think of my little boy as such a big man!

How'd I do?

Let's review last years hopes. I'm afraid to see how many I failed at...


Hopes for 2009
I have learned over the years (especially married years) that I can plan, but God usually has a different plan. I like to think about the future and start to dream about what may be, so I thought I would share some hopes and dreams for the next year. It'll be interesting to see a year from now what has happened.

* Pay off a few more debts & build up our Emergency fund Did both, however lost our ER fund & created more debt with our Quimby street house.
* Marc to get through 2 more semesters! Yes!
* Take a week long vacation with my family Had it planned & it all fell through. :(
* Have the conversation about baby #2 You all know about this one...
* Lose another 5lbs-10lbs lost about 6lbs, but over Christmas went up a couple again...
* Meet my niece or nephew, and several other playmates for Isaac My niece, Charlotte made her apperance in March! Jenna arrived, Kyler arrived and my nephew, Simon arrived as well!
* Try several new recipes and learn how to meal plan a bit better (thanks for the inspiration Tera!) so-so. Last spring was better than this fall. Why meal plan when it's just you & a 2 year old who only wants chicken nuggets & applesauce?
* Know God and his word more. Having to pass the Bible Knowledge exam helped tremendously here. Also, my class helped me learn quite a bit.
* faithfully exercise (have now done yoga 3 times since Jan 1) Pretty sure training for 3 full months counts as fulfilling this goal, however I've barely done anything since then.
* Say "good bye" to Tim & Jung in June :( and perhaps "hello" to another student in the fall Done
* Fight with Kerri's friends, Mary & Jamie, to keep her living with us and not them. I successfully had Kerri until June. Not too bad!
* Read more books. I have many on my 'to read' list. FAIL
* Take more pictures and explore that hobby a bit more FAIL
* Have the conversation about our future post-Marc's graduation. Have done & continue to do
* New renters or buyers next fall for our Quimby street house. Ugh - don't get me started.
* Drink more water & less Diet Coke. Yup!
* Deepen friendships - be intentional in my relationships. Need to work at this more
* Honor my husband more & better. Need to work at this more as well

Hmmm. Reading these is giving me ideas for this years list of Hopes. Stay tuned.