Waiting...Learning...Loving

I can't express how blessed I feel to be able to have my days free of medical transcription, y'all.  Every morning when I return from school drop off I have time to sit down and actually read my bible...not just a chapter, two if I'm lucky, but actually read and study.  There's even a new passion to do my Sunday School "homework" whereas before I just plain ole didn't do it.  I'm in Romans right now and it's almost like I'm reading it for the first time even though I've read it hundreds of times over the years.  I'm working on my third entire consecutive read-through of the bible.  When I finish reading it all the way through I just start over and do it again.  I want to keep God's word fresh in my mind and forever in my heart.  There may come a day, sadly, when in America it's illegal to keep a bible or perhaps all bibles will be destroyed.  I want to have as many verses and scriptures stored safely in my heart where no one or no thing can ever take them away. 

So my embroidery business is going great these days.  I'm on the tail end of my biggest order ever and I am so grateful.  Just when I think I may run out of work, someone contacts me and has an order.  It's like manna from Heaven, I guess you could say.  God provides.  God will provide.  And, God's timing is perfect.  It's graduation season, Mother's Day season and I am thankful for all the jobs, big and small, that come my way.  This weekend, though, Miss Daisy is headed to the shop for a much needed cleaning and repair.  She's been operating on two out of her six needles and it's been super hard to make things work easy like that.  Like any good lady, she needs some rest and relaxation, so this weekend she'll go for her spa week in Benton.  She will be missed greatly until she returns, but hopefully she'll return afresh and anew! 

It's been an interesting few weeks, to say the least.  I embarked on a new adventure that didn't quite turn out the way I'd hoped, but when you pray for God's will, you pray with the understanding that it's HIS will you are seeking, not you own.  While perusing Facebook one afternoon I came across a post from a page I follow, Holly's Journey.  It's about the new life of a Chinese Crested girl, Holly, who was adopted to a loving home after a not-so-loving start in life.  She has landed a wonderful home with loving brothers and a loving human who has shown her that life is indeed beautiful.  Anyway, Holly's mom posted a photo of her foster baby, a Xolo dog, who had been through Hell in his short four years of life.  His last 11 days before rescue were nothing short of a horror story.  He'd spent the last 11 days before rescue in a pen with two other Xolos, out in the sun (they are a hairless breed so this is very dangerous) with no food or water in a cage.  His name was Chico.  It was love at first sight for me.  His eyes were so beautiful and were windows into his little soul.  He was looking for love and the life he never knew and I wanted to be the one to give it to him.  After discussing with my family and finding we were in agreement, I filled out the adoption application for Chico.  He was fostered in Fort Worth, Texas, a seven hour trip from home, and we were all prepared to make it.  Travis was looking into making arrangements to take off from work while we waited for the next step to begin.  And it did.  I had a phone interview with the rescue first, then an interview with Chico's foster.  It went well.  We were in the running with another couple who happened to be local to Fort Worth, but we had one small advantage.  The rescue and foster liked that our dog was a female because two females don't always get along, or two males, but when you mix the sexes, the transition just goes better.  Well, I'm sad to report that the other family won out in the end.  During the process I prayed for God to work it out according to His will and what was best for Chico.  This was just a prime example that God's plan and ours are not always the same, but I know that His perfect will is impartial and not biased whereas ours tends to be.  It's a win-win outcome, though.  Chico has a loving home and new brother, and I can tell others how God always works out things for His good.  Perhaps we will try another adoption one day, or perhaps I will just sit and listen to God to show me what I need to do.  All in all it was a journey I enjoyed.  It taught me that there's always room for love to grow in our home and that putting someone else's well-being ahead of mine is okay to do. 

Well, it's about time for me to start working on the last eight items in my colossal order.  It's a great feeling to know I'm almost done with it.  It's been a trying month, but I have learned a little patience goes a long way...praying for even little things is worth it...and God's timing is always best.  So, as I end this order and chapter of my business, I cannot wait to see what's in store for ABM next. 

"With God, all things are possible..."  Matthew 19:26