A Short Game Of "Catch-Up"

Life seems to be going by faster than I can keep track of. On June 15th I started working again (Thank You Jesus!) at Michael's Arts & Crafts. It's been a good thing for me, not without some challenges, but I am very grateful to have a job. I have to admit Berean has turned out to be a tough act to follow. I have come to learn that I was spoiled with co-workers that were friends; people that genuinely cared about me. I miss that. I love arts and crafts though so that makes it lots of fun :) I know that this job is a gift from God, I prayed that I would get it and I did. I have yet to figure out what His purpose is in placing me here. So for now I just want to be salt and light. Sometimes its a challenge ;) haha.

Last week my family and I had the pleasure of having some really good friends visit from up north. It was some much needed fun. It went by too fast, but it was really a great time :) That same week I said goodbye to my car. I wasn't sad about, more relieved than anything. It was kinda a mess... reason #823 I'm glad God is God and I'm not. I saw my car as beyond repair and worth more to me gone than in my possession exact opposite of how God sees us haha. Yes, thank you God for your grace! :) I wasn't incredibly attached to my car, not the way some people are at least. But it was my first car, and minus its constant mood swings, it was a great car. We had a good 4 years :)

Summer has just about reached its half-way point, and while I have complained about recent heatwaves I will miss it when its gone. I really love summertime. Working in retail again makes me feel like my year is gone already. Today we got our first shipment of Christmas product. And all the Fall product has been out for a few weeks already.

I just try to remind myself that my year is far from over. Being "busy" again gives me that much more motivation to always make time to take in the "small things". And I encourage you to do the same. :)

A Letter To Hope

Here is a little something I wrote tonight; praying it reminds you (as it did for me) that hope is not lost. Much Love. ~Leslie Danielle

Dear Hope, Is it true what I've heard?
Are you really lost?
I always thought that with God's help I would never lose you,
But I am searching way down deep within;
Here and there, both near and far.
I've watched every hour's news broadcast
And it seems they're not even mentioning you're gone.
Yet between each and every line they read
I hear their desperate need for you.
Is it in my future to see you again soon?
When you're around me I find it easier to breathe.
Getting out of bed in the morning,
You give me faith in what I do not see.
Without you around, I too, feel lost
Won't you please return to me soon?
I'm begging God down on my knees
To please return my dear friend hope back again to me.
But until that day I will pray
"For today God I place my hope in you"
Only to find that's where you were all along
I realize that my hope was never really lost.
It seems my mind was clouded with worry
That made me easily forget;
From where I start to where I end
My hope always is, and always will be forever found
Resting in God's arms.

"Be brave. Be strong. Don't give up. Expect God to get here soon."

Psalm 31:24 (The Message)