April Fools' Day - I was off work. I remember that. Evidently the "foolish" part was that I didn't remember to keep up with this "daily" update... So I'm going to assert (and this is true) that I'm thankful for Nine Lashes' newest album, "From Water to War" which I just recently began listening to...kinda a LOT... It is fabulous and fun and encouraging on so many levels!
April 2 - I returned to day shift today, and besides dragging with fatigue the whole day (expected), my spirits were bright. Because I still feel like this could be it - my last rotation before some new adventure (read: job) comes along. It's like a new start within an old game (my current job). Today was the start of a new chapter - I still feel it. And I'm thankful for that sense of "refreshment."
April 3 - The LAST bit of snow and ice for the winter (here's hoping)! IT was a bit of a fluke, but easier to overlook knowing it would melt right away the next day or two... Thankful more and more each day for the sweet promise of SPRING!
April 4 - Grateful for the new dresser/cabinet I was able to pick up today. It was a craigslist find, with an additional discount due to some broken drawers. With a little wood glue and TLC, it'll be practically new - and for a major bargain! I can't wait to figure out what I'll use it for....
Also, it should be noted that this is the first *large* purchase/investment towards me moving out in the next few months - and I'm also grateful for each little baby step of progress!
April 5 - Today was a Girls' Baking Day with Suz and Grace! We had a blast - licked the spoons even more than is probably advised. Completely botched the frosting. But we ate TONS of sugar, played Dominion, and genuinely enjoyed each other's company for an entire afternoon. Such a treasure it is to have time like that carved out, set aside, captured, and savored (savored like those 'black magic' cupcakes we made! Mmm-mmm!)
April 6 - Grateful for the medium of film, and the power of story and humanity and emotion and drama that it can convey so well! We went to see Noah today - undoubtedly a much-debated movie. So much emotion and controversy. I thought it was absolutely fabulous - it brought depth and humanity to a story that's been merely a cartoon mural on a nursery wall for SO long.... It was hard, Noah was hard, life was hard, God's judgment harsh. Kind of a depressing plot, really. But the filmmakers' and the actors' portrayal made me empathize in a way I never have before with that all-too-familiar story. And that journey of emotion was valuable. The tool that brought it about is valuable. And like the movie or not, I'm pretty sure God can handle it (and I'm very thankful for that too!) :)
April 7 - Received a phone call from Kayley today about a possible job opportunity!! She's putting me in touch with the company's owner to take steps from there! I'm thankful for the encouragement and hope and the feeling of forward motion (at long last)! Thank you, Jesus! You are faithful and good!
April 8 - Thankful for the speedy and relatively smooth first day of our software overhaul at work today. I'd feared it would be so much worse! I'm thankful for electricians and tech people, and especially my scale coworkers who worked to make it bearable - even enjoyable - at times in the middle of a hectic, strange, and demanding transition period.
April 9 - EXTREMELY thankful for the 70-degree weather we had today!!! I was able to get plenty of errands and to-do's done today, part of which included just spending a few hours OUTSIDE!! I can tell how sheltered and cooped up I've been by how all that fresh air just made me sleepy! But I adored every second that I was able to drink it in!! HOORAY - SPRING AT LAST!!
April 10 - Thankful for old friends and the promise of new opportunities! Met with Ellen (the old friend) at the St. Peter Food Co-op (a new experience for me) to talk about real estate (new opportunity, perhaps?). It was just so great to connect and remember the old, as well as talk and dream and wonder about the new. I'm thankful for the simplicity of this type of meeting with this type of relationship - very laid-back. No expectations, just exploration and enjoyment. No agenda, really. Not demanding. Not anxiety-inducing. Just BEING - in relationship, in the moment, in community. Again, I feel the inner sense of forward motion, and I don't really understand it, but I'm loving every bit of it, Father! Thank You for such a subtle-yet-strong and incredible gift!
April 11 - Thankful for a solo-day at work, with cooperative (mostly) new computer stuff, and the opportunity to dream up some new designs for my new cabinet. Such revelry in the creative is lovely - felt like it's been awhile since I've done so. So I'm thankful for the means and opportunity on this gorgeous spring-y day (and getting paid for it, besides!)
April 12 - Worked on the procedure manual at work today. Daunting, tedious, and definitely boring, it's a task I know I can do well. What's more, I'm thankful for the opportunity to contribute something truly helpful to my job - especially if I'm leaving soon. It's a way to give back - and to prepare the way for whoever is to follow me.
April 13 - Thankful for Brian on his birthday today! Such a faithful friend, dedicated husband to my Betsy, loving father of 5, servant to the community, and all-around wonderful human being! I have tremendous respect and admiration for him - he sets the bar pretty high! :) Happy Birthday - I'm proud to call you friend (and family!).
April 14 - Thankful to be done with taxes tonight! I'm also extremely thankful that Dad is able to do them for me. He's knowledgeable, caring, invested in the outcome - and he's cheaper than most other tax services providers! ;) I was pleasantly surprised to find out I might be getting a little refund after all. And I'm very thankful that it might be just the edge I needed to meet my debt-free goal of July 4th!!
April 15 - Today I met with a trainer again at the gym - mostly just to check my progress. Since I got the flu 2-3 weeks back and haven't been to the gym... I was really afraid that any progress I might have made in the first 3-4 weeks of membership would be lost. Come to find out I lost 5 fat lbs and gained 2 muscle lbs! Gained a 1/4" on my biceps and may have lost about the same on my thighs. That's HUGE news! And definitely the encouragement I needed to get back in the game, so to speak. #Imgonnafeelthisworkouttomorrow
April 16 - I'm thankful for time with family. Nothing special about today - I worked a busy one and so did Mom and Dad, but.... the ability to come home and simply relax - to NOT be buried in taxes or other extracurricular tasks and hobbies - that is a gift. Thank you God, for these times - I know they're not forever. Help me to be faithful in them, amen.
April 17 - After a full day at work (including more procedure manual updates), I worked on my resume when I got home. When I really dig into it, I can't help but be thankful for the experience, insight, and expertise I've been given in my short career thus far. I may not have a ton of experience (time-wise) but it is deep and broad, much of it very unique. Thank You, Lord, for all those experiences and tough times, missed opportunities, crazy and wild rollercoasters of emotion and responsibility. For my education, my connections (professional and otherwise). For all of those things (pleasant and hard) that helped lead me to where I am today. I'm even thankful for that - where I am today. Thank You for using all of those things to prepare me for the road ahead - you are Sovereign, righteous, and generous in the way you parent and guide me! Thank You for that immense and intricate love, Father!
April 18 - Good Friday. And a good Friday it was indeed! Ice cream and an almost-movie at the mall ("Heaven Is For Real" was sold out). A FANTASTIC meeting with a potential employer (interview set for this coming Wednesday!). Weather warming up some (almost 60 today, I think it was). And a beautiful service in honor of Good Friday, thanks in large part to this video.
Thank You, Father, for loving us - for loving Barabbas - and for sending Jesus. And thank You, Jesus, for being obedient in that love to such extraordinary ends. Your Grace IS enough. Jesus IS enough. May I remember it this Easter season and beyond - each and every day!
April 19 - Thankful for time with Nana & Papa today - the first time I've seen them in years. Nana appears to have reached a stage of life and/or dementia where she is truly uninhibited - for the first time ever! It was terribly strange to see her so happy, so spontaneous, carefree, without an ounce of criticism - I don't remember her EVER that way... Seems weird to be thankful for it, since it's a product of so much illness and abuse. But I'm thankful for the peaceful and even, dare I say?, FUN afternoon with our whole family and them. And I'm even more thankful for how happy Mom is for it all. She's soaking up every ounce of this functional relationship dynamic since she's been starved of it for decades. Thank You, Father, for peace. Your peace. For the gift of peace in this relationship this weekend. It is a blessed gift, indeed!
April 20 - Thankful for Easter. For a Father who loved me so much that He sacrificed His Son for terrible and beloved ole' me. Your grace is enough, Lord. More than enough - it is everything. Help me to live like I believe it! Amen.
April 21 - Thankful for time with Grandma and Grandpa- I know, I know, that was yesterday. But still. It was great to see them and eat with them. To share their home and the warmth that always resides there. To enjoy the ready laughter, the comforting touch, and the overall "homey-ness" of being there. It seems with every major holiday, fewer and fewer family members are able to make it; Grandma and Grandpa are slowing down and less able to take on the big gatherings. I know these traditions, despite the noblest of intentions, won't last forever. So I'm thankful for them now and want to soak them in while I can!
April 22 - Today I'm thankful for Your peace. For the conspicuous absence of anxiety as I anticipate this job interview tomorrow. I'm thankful for that I worked alone today (despite my original disappointment about it this week, with Jodi moving to nights to fill in for Gina and her broken foot), because I may have burst and talked incessantly about the upcoming job possibility - about my sooner-than-later time to quit. The anticipation and excitement is definitely building, but there are enough uncertainties yet to keep me from spinning out of control. On the other side of the spectrum, the fear and reticence I generally expect when facing change (and a big one!) has been quiet. Absent. And in its place? Peace. That's the only description for it. No hysteria - positive or negative. Just peace. That can only come from You, Father, and I am deeply grateful for such a gift!
This song/video has been #1 in my head the last couple days, and it seems quite fitting: "Please don't worry, Child... Heaven's got a plan for you...."
April 23 - Thankful for a successful interview (I thought). And for a leisurely, daydream-filled drive around new (to me) towns in south central MN. I drove around Sleepy Eye and Springfield after the interview, then made my way to Windom and Worthington. Dreaming of new beginnings and feeling the seeds of grace soaking in as I dwell on new possibilities. Such a beautiful sense of peaceful excitement and freedom. The -humbling sense of feeling small in the wide open spaces that also brings comfort and a unique assurance of being loved. For THAT I am most definitely grateful.
April 24 - I'm thankful for additional vegetable marker orders on Etsy, as well as a couple of requests for Garden Harvest Aprons! All with no marketing/promotions or effort whatsoever on my part. It's a welcome validation of my efforts as C3Studios and prove an important relaxation technique in the next couple weeks if my schedule gets crazy (with the new job possibility, etc)
April 25 - I broached the subject of my getting a different job with 2 of my coworkers today and was very pleased to get positive encouragement and feedback from both of them. I wasn't really worried, per say, but any little niggling doubts or worries were quickly washed away, leaving yet more peace and confidence in its place. Thank You, Jesus! I am thankful for your leading here - please continue to speak clearly so this slow student of Yours is sure to hear/learn!
April 26 - Toppers Pizza - a fantastic, funny, and fresh source of sustenance. I'm thankful for a great locally-owned company and for the available budget to splurge on it today!
April 27 - Thankful for the cleansing, persistent rain today. It still feels like an incredible relief to know it's not in danger of turning to snow. And to hear the thunder and see lightning really makes it feel like spring. The lawns are greening up beautifully, and even the gray damp of today seemed to fit with the general theme of late: a clean, fresh, new beginning. May it be so, Lord Jesus!
April 28 - day off, awaiting job news. Don't remember much from this day, but I will use this entry to say thanks for Pentatonix. I've been hooked on their "Aha!" cover (Imogen Heap) lately - so spunky and fun! Thankful for this group, their talent, energy, and the renewed interest in acapella music they bring to pop culture. :)
April 29 - Got the job offer today! The pay is more than I expected, but less than I'm making now. To plan mentally was one thing, to hear the final number from them and then go make a test budget is another. I had a bit of anxiety at first, thinking "how is this going to work?!" But then I was reminded that You are faithful, Father. I worked the numbers and was pleasantly surprised (and I shouldn't have been) that all my needs are met and then some! Even before my loans are paid off! Thank You, Lord, for this opportunity, and for the wonderful way you've provided it!
April 30 - bit of a blur. But I'm thankful once again for encouraging coworkers who are supportive and receptive when I gave Jodi and Ginnie the news. My other friends and family, too, were incredibly excited for me and supportive - I'm so thankful to feel like I have them behind me, as well!
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