Bright Spot in a Gloomy Day..

A great reminder for me today...

Phillipians 4:6-7 (The Message)

"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."

A Look Back...

I was thinking about 2009 and everything that has occured. I decided to take a look back at old blogs to see what I was doing/thinking through the year. Here's a little recap...

In January, Mike and I were full-fledged newlyweds. And enjoying every bit of it. We were trying to make a home in Merrillville and find our place while trying to learn more about each other. My Notes From a Newlywed explains most of my feelings at this time in our marriage.

In February I didn't have as much to say, but the searching that was happening in me, says enough. At this time Mike and I started attending Bethel Church in Crown Point. We weren't sure if it was the right place for us. But now, almost a year later, I'm confident that we made the right decision. We've been so blessed with our small group of fellow believers and newly married couples. They have really been great role models for us.

March brought many mixed emotions and memories as I was reminded of the losses of two great men in my life. Each year brings back more memories. Yes, I believe time does heal, but you certainly never forget.

In April I headed to Florida with the Marshall women to help take care of Mike's grandma. I learned much more about his family and grew much closer to my sister-in-law. It was a great time for us and I learned alot about the values that I hold so close to my heart.

In May, I was reminded of the blessings of family. Mike's parents came to help us move into our new apartment on a night that I was so stressed out and felt like there was no way I could get everything done by myself (Mike was working long hours at the time). They came without question and helped me pack up and move our belongings. My parents then came that same weekend to help me paint and organize. May was a great reminder to me of how to minister to others by giving of your time and efforts.

During the summer months, we dealt with a possible big decision when Mike's job might take him to Texas. During this time I was also struggling alot with not being able to find a job. Looking back, I think I battled a little depression and it was tough to keep my eyes on God knowing He had a plan for us. He came through though, and I'm beginning to enjoy my job.

During the last few months it's been a whirlwind of job training, Mike working a few more hours, and lots of work hours for me as well. We've made it through though and we're excited for what 2010 will bring for us!

2010?

Really?! 2010? Doesn't it just seem like last year we were all freaking out about the Y2K scare? I still remember where I was.. Leah Harman's (Now Pippen) parents house for NYE. When the clock struck midnight, Leah's dad turned off all the lights and we all, for just a second, thought that Y2K was actually real! Haha. Then after that split second we realized the tv was still on so obviously the power wasn't out. We were just freshmen then! Now it's ten years later and Leah is married and living in Maryland. Some of our friends that were there that night have kids! One is pregnant and due in June. Are we really getting old enough for all of that? I turn 25 in January and I just can't seem to believe it. It just seems like yesterday.

Now, 2010 is upon us and as I look back on 2009 I can't help but feel so grateful for all that we've been given this year. We've survived our first year of firsts with marriage. We've moved into a new apartment, and we have made some amazing friends here in Merrillville in our small group. I've started a new job, that I'm really enjoying (now that the holidays are over!). And Mike has found his own niche at his store. Thank you Lord for all that You have given and continue to give. In 2010 we want to give more back to You and Your will.

Have a very happy New Year. Be safe tonight and enjoy!

I survived the holidays!! Merry Christmas to all of you! I hope that you were surrounded by loved ones and remembered that Jesus is the Reason!! It's so easy to forget the true meaning of Christmas with all of the stress and craziness around us.

Speaking of craziness, I made it through the hectic holiday season. From what I hear- we are going to feel like we're on vacation from now on. I'm really looking forward to that. Plus it will give me time to really get to know all aspects of the job and strengthen myself in some of the areas where I'm lacking confidence.

We had a great Christmas. We spent Christmas Eve with the Marshalls. We are so blessed with great families who really support us through everything! We were reminded of that this weekend. Today we spent the morning with my family and the afternoon with the Huber side. I have missed my cousin Andrew, so it was great to have him home from New Orleans! We left reminicing about some funny moments and feeling like there just wasn't enough time. We always seem to leave feeling that way. But I guess that's a sign of a great visit!!

Remember...

As you finish up your Christmas shopping this year (or start if you're a procrastinator like me..) and as you deal with hectic, stressful, and busy retail environments please remember that the people working at those retail stores are just as stressed as you are. Probably more. "Thank You" goes a very long way. And just remember that their job this time of year isn't easy. Dealing with the public never is.

Just a friendly reminder from an exhausted retail associate :)

I've been a little MIA. I have been working in the Merrillville studio for over a week now and I think I'm settling in pretty well. I have my days where I think "What did I get myself into!?" BUT most of that frustration comes from the fact that it's the holidays and we are CrAzY busy. Overall, I think that I'll really like this job. On Fridays I'm reminded of the fact that I have a good PAYING job and that gets me through the insane weekends :)

Mike has been AMAZING with helping out around the house while I'm at work. So far, our schedules haven't conflicted too much. The weekends are the worst part though- when he's off on Saturdays and I have to work all day. But it's not too bad.

Tomorrow is our 1st Anniversary!! I have to work, but I think afterwards we're going to go out for dinner or something. We both agreed- no gifts. We can't afford it and we don't need anything. Yes, I know it's our first anniversary, and Mike's boss has been giving him a hard time over it, but we decided last weekend that if we would do anything we would make it meaningful. At our wedding for our wedding favors we gave money to the AGC baby center in the names of our guests. So this year for our anniversary we're doing the same thing. That's a gift that helps others. What's better than that!? And those sweet babies deserve it more than we do. If you would like to help the babies in Kenya visit http://www.nmcandthebabycenter.blogspot.com/.

I survived!

My time in NC is almost over! I'm sitting in my hotel room by myself after a week with two terrific roommates and a hotel filled with stressed out/nervous Portrait Innovations trainees. Breakfast this morning wasn't the same with only two of us. I'm thankful that at least someone was still here though! I made some amazing friends and I'm so glad that we could all go through this program together. I know we'll all be texting each other Wednesday night after we have our first day in our own studios. I'm anxious to see how things go at the Merrillville studio and to meet everyone I'll be working with. It became so comfortable working with all the trainers and trainees this week, so now I have to do it all over again. But I'm excited.

I hope you all had a great week! I am going to enjoy having today and tomorrow off with my husband before I start work. I'm so grateful for this job. Please keep praying that we get adjusted and that I all of my other in-studio training goes well!