Busy Blessed Life

Goodness!  Busy times! It has been so long since I have visited the ole blog!  It seems like every free second I have I am trying to shove myself with nutrients so I can take another step to finish my next task!  All amazing blessings that we are busy with, but nonetheless...BUSY!

I do not even know where to begin to catch up most of you!

Clint started his new job the last week in August.  He is the Director of Hearts for Hero's and Director of Clergy Care for the Samaritan Counseling Center here in Shreveport, LA.  He is also still working as an MST (Multi-Systemic Therapist) for Louisiana Methodist Children's Home.  He is obviously busy working 2 jobs, however so blessed to have both.  We both feel that God has been preparing him for quite some time for his new job. (Still trying to get him on here to tell y'all what the new job is...)

I am still working as a Dietitian at Pierremont Healthcare Center.  I am still actively seeking employment elsewhere, but I am embracing where God has me right now and trying every day to be thankful that I have a job.  I am also trying every day to understand why I am there and making sure I try and impact those around me as much as possible.

We are blessed beyond belief with the Hopkins B-Group (Sunday School class) and our Bible Study.  We have met so many amazing people and we have a community of friends that I never thought was possible!  We asked for it and God has poured out loving people all around us.  This makes us busy every night of the week, but who can turn down amazing community support???  Not this couple!

We are LOVING having our Brother and Sister in law here!  (Clint's Sister).  We love being able to see our nieces at the drop of a hat.  They have gotten plugged into our church very quickly, made friends, and are fitting in wonderfully!

Addie celebrated her 7th birthday this week!  I cannot believe she is 7!  Blows my mind.  I have a SMALL INSIGNIFICANT glimpse of how quickly "children" grow up before your eyes. I feel like it was yesterday that I brought her home with me.  So strange!

Currently we are praying and challenging ourselves with being obedient to God.  Our church is raising money for an expansion to one of our worship centers.  Our church has been DEBT FREE since 2002!!  And they are going to continue to be debt free.  So, we have been asked to pray for 40 days, a series of prayers, and challenge ourselves as a family to give until it hurts.  Clint and I aren't sure what that looks like right now for us, but we are really praying and seeking God to show us/stretch us to be obedient to Him and what he wants us to give.  The campaign is called, "To All Generations".  All I can think about is: if just one person can feel as loved as I do right now with what we have been blessed with through this church, then I want to give until it hurts.  I want all generations to be able to come to this place of worship to feel loved, accepted, and learn more about Christ then go on to be missionaries and tell others about His love as well.

With all that being said, it is difficult.  I truly believe I want to give till it hurts, but there is also a little girl voice inside of me that really wants some chairs to go around my DR table...and some lamps....and a Master Bed...but all of those things will come.  And do I want it to come at a price of someone's possible salvation? We are stewards/borrowers of the money God has given us.  It is not ours; it is His.  He is trusting that we are doing the right thing with our money.  Does that mean we cannot have nice things?  No.  Not at all.  But it does mean to seek His provision and get your priorities in check.

So, that is where we are right now.  Trying to pray and see where God is leading us financially.  Such a great challenge God is bringing us through.

We have gotten to do some pretty amazing update to the house though!  Mom came the second weekend in September and MADE my kitchen and Den curtains.  4 FULL days of sewing from 8am-9/10PM!  Mother of the year award.  She worked her booty off for us!  (I will put up pictures soon!!)  It looks incredible.

Also, we are re-doing the front walk-way.  Clint and CJ have really been busting their booties on that.

Mr. Tracy (Clint's step-dad) is in the process of building us a built-in bench for the b'fast room and 2 built in bookcases for the den!  So, we have A LOT of projects going on!

Again, I will post picture probably late October/November!  Y'all have to remember I don't have a smart phone!!

PRAISES:

1. Dustin Wiley, Brother-in-law is CANCER FREE!!! WOOHOOOOO
2. Praises for an amazing community that God has blessed us with.
3. Praises for Pumpkin Spice Latte time!



PRAYER REQUESTS:

1. Clint's Dad had another heart attack last week.  Please pray for his recovery.
2. Continued prayers for my job situation.


That is my quick update for now!  Hopefully I will be able to add more sooner than later with some awesome pictures!!  Love to all!