I am not an overly religious person. I don't regularly go to church. But I have found myself thinking more and more about God and his presence in my life. And how He has always known where to send me.
Even when I was younger and a regular church goer, I don't think I saw the church as anything more than an institution. A place where some people just went to see and be seen. I have always known that my beliefs come from deep within, and that I didn't have to be in a formal house to have a moment to talk to Him.
I have been blessed these last few years, especially since my life was spared from the about-to-burst aneurysm. I recognized it then, laying in the intensive care, listening to what was going on around me when they thought I was asleep. I knew He saved my life for a purpose, and I have been truly struggling to find out the real reason for it. I still haven't found out the total why, but I have found out what it is I should NOT worry about.
I took a job last year because I felt I was desperate for money. I had lots of bills to pay; the publishing of my book was expensive, and it ain't cheap living on an island here in the states. Taxes and insurance take a HUGE bite out of my income. But I didn't move here to be rich, just retired! However, I let the idea of needing more money dictate my sanity. And guess what? It didn't work! Instead, it began to take my soul.
That all changed for me in April. It was as if God, in His wisdom, gave me a peek at what my life would be like if he granted my wish of "comfortable money." The price would have been my sanity, and perhaps even my spirit. And even though my friends, every single one of them, told me regularly that something better would soon be coming my way, I found it hard to believe when I was asked to pull out my checkbook every day to pay a bill with money I barely had.
I was probably at my lowest when the phone rang. You know what happened - - I told the story in my last blog. What I am here to tell you is that it has been nothing but GOOD news every day since. And it just keeps piling on!
Since I got the news that I was hired, my medical situation has vastly improved. The meds the doctor put me on for my myalgia and arthritis has helped my physical and my mental mood. The heart doctor gave me a thumbs up. My colonoscopy was infinitely better than last year. I only had one precancerous polyp, and my diverticulosis was greatly improved. My regular doctor has officially taken me off my asthma maintenance medicine and my antidepressants. My blood pressure is good, and the weight has begun to again fall off.
I have prayed often and fervently for God to help me or show me what He wanted of me, that I was at my wit's end. But I think He wanted me to understand what it was I needed. I now feel I get it.
You see, I didn't need money, although He has given that to me. I didn't need the lot behind me. Someone else needed it, and they are building a house on it. And though it is close to my back yard, it didn't sell until my bird-of-paradise plant got big enough to block most of the view of me in my swimsuit in the pool! (I hope they appreciate all the money I put into watering and fertilizing that thing to spare them that...)
I didn't need money to help my niece and nephew. Got sent a buyer to their parents' ranch; they will be taken care of.
I didn't need to travel. All I have ever wanted is here, by the ocean. The smells, the views, the beauty of the flora and fauna. The only thing missing is my BFF, but even that is looking up!
What I needed was to be happy and feel useful. And now I am just that.
When you get older, and especially when you are alone, it is easy to get lonely and shut yourself away from the world. I did not want that, and I was beginning to feel it creep into my bones. And that was beginning to make me feel useless and wasted.
It took two really nice ladies and their daughter to take that away from me in just one day. I cannot begin to tell you how much I am enjoying my new job. Forgotten is all the "you're not what we are looking for" and the "don't call me; I'll call you" looks I had been getting. Gone is the waiting for the phone to ring, hoping it would be a job offer.
I am not sure why else God has sent me to this new place, but I sure am happy He has. And although I am a year behind in my weight loss goals, maybe this is the summer I will hit it. I am off some of my medicines, and I am inching downward in the weight. And when it is wet, my bathing suit is on the saggy side. I just have a feeling it is not going to be usable next year!
I was listening to Joel Osteen on television this morning, and his preaching was all about how when God closes one door, He opens the next. You may not know what is on the other side, but He DOES hope that you walk through it.
I have done that, and I am happily awaiting to see what is on the other side. I am sure there will be some detours and other doors to shut and open. But I am finally ready for that journey.
His Grace is indeed Endless!
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Friday, May 18, 2012
Hallelujah, Part Three
This week has been one of the better weeks I have had the last few months. My biorhythms must be on the upswing. And, it couldn't have happened at a better time. I was getting pretty tired of the axiom about being darkest just before dawn. And that light at the end of the tunnel? The train was tootin' its horn telling me to get off those tracks.
I had been really upset about the lack of progress in the job search arena. I was determined not to cry, but my frustration was really growing. I found it hard to get out of bed, and all I wanted was junk food to nosh on. That's wrong in so many ways.
The final straw was getting three unexpected bills that were a collective $300. Not a lot under normal times, but a WHOLE bunch when you are jobless. I had gone to every employment/temp agency, and was applying to everything that the paper and Monster posted. And I was getting absolutely no calls. I spent my day doing puzzles and watching crime shows. And eating. If you read my Face Book post the other day, I commented on Blue Bell's Red Velvet Cake Ice Cream and how darn good it was. What I didn't say was that I found out how good it was very quickly. I ate a whole half gallon in two and a half days. I was VERY naughty!
But things started to slowly turn around. I had gotten a notice that my now annual colonoscopy was due, so I went ahead and scheduled it. The next day I got a call for a 3 day job. I took it, eager to have a little extra money. And the day the job ended, I drank that horrid clean out stuff you have to drink. It did the job and helped me lose the extra weight I had gained. It looked really good on the scale, even though I knew a lot would come back after I started eating.
I only had one polyp this time, and not the numerous ones I had last year. Good news! The procedure was painless, and no problems afterwards.
So, getting determined, this week I peppered the employment agencies with calls. One called me regularly. I went on an interview for a job I didn't get but really wanted, but now I realize God had a plan that he was about to share with me.
Wednesday was pivotal. I got numerous calls, and set up 2 interviews for Thursday. I drove across town for a 9AM interview with the city's solid waste department. It was only temporary, but would give me about a thousand bucks. I told them that I did have another interview that afternoon for a full time position, but that I needed to have some immediate income. They wanted a decision that day, and for the new hiree to start on Friday.
I went home feeling pretty good about that interview, and I was looking forward to the next one. At 11:30, the phone rings. It was my representative from the temp agency, telling me the city wanted me for the position. I explained what was going on, and promised to call her right after my next interview in a couple of hours.
Around noon, the phone rings again. It was a different agency. They wanted me to interview for yet another full time position. I explained again what was going on, and she said she would set something up for Friday.
Feeling pretty good by now, I was almost laughing when the phone rang again about 10 minutes later. The second agency was calling me back; the owner was coming into town from Robstown, and wanted to interview me that day. Apparently the agency told him that he needed to talk to me before I got "snatched up" by somebody else.
At 1:30 I went to the interview for a company I had applied for through the newspaper. Immediately upon walking through the door, I knew I wanted to work there. So after a very successful few minutes of talking, I told them that the city was pressing for an answer on their temporary job, and that the owner of the other business was coming into town just to interview me.
They asked if I could put them off for a few hours...
They like me. They really like me! Now I know how Sally Field felt when she won the Oscar!
I went over to a friend's house waiting for the 3rd interview. My phone rang at 2:25. The company wanted to hire me, and for more money than was originally discussed. I WAS ON A ROLL!!!!
Of course, I said no...
Just kidding! I couldn't accept fast enough! I called the temp agency to tell them that I was now employed, and to tell the city I wasn't coming in tomorrow. I called the other agency in hopes they could catch the Robstown guy before he drove all the way over.
And then I proceeded to tell everybody I could think of that I had a job!
My friends even took me out to eat and celebrate. It was sooooo good to be wanted!
Today is my 3 year anniversary of repairing the aneurysm that almost killed me. Twice! I was so lucky then, and I feel even luckier now. You forget that part when you are down. I thanked the Lord so many times already, I could almost hear Him saying "alright, already.... I got it!"
I celebrated my anniversary and my new job by going to Macy's. WITH COUPONS. I bought things. It was fun and totally guiltless. I told my friend I executed a total blitzkrieg on the store. I don't think the grin left my face.
And the best part? When I got home, still another employment agency called me regarding a position.
Yessiree, it is nice to be wanted.
I had been really upset about the lack of progress in the job search arena. I was determined not to cry, but my frustration was really growing. I found it hard to get out of bed, and all I wanted was junk food to nosh on. That's wrong in so many ways.
The final straw was getting three unexpected bills that were a collective $300. Not a lot under normal times, but a WHOLE bunch when you are jobless. I had gone to every employment/temp agency, and was applying to everything that the paper and Monster posted. And I was getting absolutely no calls. I spent my day doing puzzles and watching crime shows. And eating. If you read my Face Book post the other day, I commented on Blue Bell's Red Velvet Cake Ice Cream and how darn good it was. What I didn't say was that I found out how good it was very quickly. I ate a whole half gallon in two and a half days. I was VERY naughty!
But things started to slowly turn around. I had gotten a notice that my now annual colonoscopy was due, so I went ahead and scheduled it. The next day I got a call for a 3 day job. I took it, eager to have a little extra money. And the day the job ended, I drank that horrid clean out stuff you have to drink. It did the job and helped me lose the extra weight I had gained. It looked really good on the scale, even though I knew a lot would come back after I started eating.
I only had one polyp this time, and not the numerous ones I had last year. Good news! The procedure was painless, and no problems afterwards.
So, getting determined, this week I peppered the employment agencies with calls. One called me regularly. I went on an interview for a job I didn't get but really wanted, but now I realize God had a plan that he was about to share with me.
Wednesday was pivotal. I got numerous calls, and set up 2 interviews for Thursday. I drove across town for a 9AM interview with the city's solid waste department. It was only temporary, but would give me about a thousand bucks. I told them that I did have another interview that afternoon for a full time position, but that I needed to have some immediate income. They wanted a decision that day, and for the new hiree to start on Friday.
I went home feeling pretty good about that interview, and I was looking forward to the next one. At 11:30, the phone rings. It was my representative from the temp agency, telling me the city wanted me for the position. I explained what was going on, and promised to call her right after my next interview in a couple of hours.
Around noon, the phone rings again. It was a different agency. They wanted me to interview for yet another full time position. I explained again what was going on, and she said she would set something up for Friday.
Feeling pretty good by now, I was almost laughing when the phone rang again about 10 minutes later. The second agency was calling me back; the owner was coming into town from Robstown, and wanted to interview me that day. Apparently the agency told him that he needed to talk to me before I got "snatched up" by somebody else.
At 1:30 I went to the interview for a company I had applied for through the newspaper. Immediately upon walking through the door, I knew I wanted to work there. So after a very successful few minutes of talking, I told them that the city was pressing for an answer on their temporary job, and that the owner of the other business was coming into town just to interview me.
They asked if I could put them off for a few hours...
They like me. They really like me! Now I know how Sally Field felt when she won the Oscar!
I went over to a friend's house waiting for the 3rd interview. My phone rang at 2:25. The company wanted to hire me, and for more money than was originally discussed. I WAS ON A ROLL!!!!
Of course, I said no...
Just kidding! I couldn't accept fast enough! I called the temp agency to tell them that I was now employed, and to tell the city I wasn't coming in tomorrow. I called the other agency in hopes they could catch the Robstown guy before he drove all the way over.
And then I proceeded to tell everybody I could think of that I had a job!
My friends even took me out to eat and celebrate. It was sooooo good to be wanted!
Today is my 3 year anniversary of repairing the aneurysm that almost killed me. Twice! I was so lucky then, and I feel even luckier now. You forget that part when you are down. I thanked the Lord so many times already, I could almost hear Him saying "alright, already.... I got it!"
I celebrated my anniversary and my new job by going to Macy's. WITH COUPONS. I bought things. It was fun and totally guiltless. I told my friend I executed a total blitzkrieg on the store. I don't think the grin left my face.
And the best part? When I got home, still another employment agency called me regarding a position.
Yessiree, it is nice to be wanted.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Quick Update
Hi, Friends! I am woefully behind mostly because of my recent inability to think past the next five minutes, so today, I am using the blog to catch everybody up on what is going on. Just the usual Cindy Drama!
The last week of March I received a much needed raise which was going to help my finances considerably. I had to buy a new phone with a bigger data plan, so the raise would help in getting that paid off.
On Easter Sunday, my big TV went kaput. And since I had the raise in my pocket, I replaced it with a really nice Smart TV, planning ahead with technology instead of always being 2 steps behind and getting the model that was going out of style.
Right before that, I had severe edema in my hands and legs/ankles. I happened to be at the lap-band doctor that day so he said that was a sign of severe protein deficiency or, and I quote, "when was the last time you visited your cardiologist?" as that is a sign of heart problems. Whoop-te-doo!
Protein is fine, regular doctor thinks my heart is fine. (I do have my regular check up with the cardiologist in a couple of weeks.) That left sodium and stress. I have tried to be careful with the sodium, but the stress had been more than a little off the charts lately.
Last week, business did not pick up as intended. There were several discussions and meetings, lots of hurt feelings, and some things were said that should not have been said by the powers that be. I was trying to figure out how to manage without this job while getting back into the hunt again, neither of which sounded very appetizing. I think God took care if it for me.
Monday morning, we were on the tail end of the storm lines that brought so much havoc elsewhere. We had several tornadoes in the area, hail, and a whole lot of rain. The severe, flooding, with lots of lightning kind of rain storm. Lightning struck our office building and shorted out the server. I couldn't help later to think of the movie Michael when the evil bank got smoted....
We were sent home and later that afternoon I received a phone call basically telling me my services were no longer needed. Amazingly, I wasn't even upset; I was more than ready to move on, and was glad the decision had been made. Of course it happened BEFORE the so-called big bonus was going to be paid out, but I had pretty much figured out that I would be on the short end of that, too!
So, after the "smoting" of the server, I picked up my things and my last check and began the search.
I have a couple of possibilities I am waiting to hear about, and several friends are putting out some additional feelers here and there. I will survive, I will get another job. Things will work out, and I will get to keep my new fancy dancy TV.
Michael done smoted the evil bank...
I will update you on my next adventure ASAP.
The last week of March I received a much needed raise which was going to help my finances considerably. I had to buy a new phone with a bigger data plan, so the raise would help in getting that paid off.
On Easter Sunday, my big TV went kaput. And since I had the raise in my pocket, I replaced it with a really nice Smart TV, planning ahead with technology instead of always being 2 steps behind and getting the model that was going out of style.
Right before that, I had severe edema in my hands and legs/ankles. I happened to be at the lap-band doctor that day so he said that was a sign of severe protein deficiency or, and I quote, "when was the last time you visited your cardiologist?" as that is a sign of heart problems. Whoop-te-doo!
Protein is fine, regular doctor thinks my heart is fine. (I do have my regular check up with the cardiologist in a couple of weeks.) That left sodium and stress. I have tried to be careful with the sodium, but the stress had been more than a little off the charts lately.
Last week, business did not pick up as intended. There were several discussions and meetings, lots of hurt feelings, and some things were said that should not have been said by the powers that be. I was trying to figure out how to manage without this job while getting back into the hunt again, neither of which sounded very appetizing. I think God took care if it for me.
Monday morning, we were on the tail end of the storm lines that brought so much havoc elsewhere. We had several tornadoes in the area, hail, and a whole lot of rain. The severe, flooding, with lots of lightning kind of rain storm. Lightning struck our office building and shorted out the server. I couldn't help later to think of the movie Michael when the evil bank got smoted....
We were sent home and later that afternoon I received a phone call basically telling me my services were no longer needed. Amazingly, I wasn't even upset; I was more than ready to move on, and was glad the decision had been made. Of course it happened BEFORE the so-called big bonus was going to be paid out, but I had pretty much figured out that I would be on the short end of that, too!
So, after the "smoting" of the server, I picked up my things and my last check and began the search.
I have a couple of possibilities I am waiting to hear about, and several friends are putting out some additional feelers here and there. I will survive, I will get another job. Things will work out, and I will get to keep my new fancy dancy TV.
Michael done smoted the evil bank...
I will update you on my next adventure ASAP.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)