A JOYFUL NOISE

So often, I am hammered with this question: "Am I truly relying on God or am I relying on myself or others?" This year alone has brought so many questions (and it's ONLY FEBRUARY!!). I've been sick 3 times since the beginning of the year and the stress level at work is only rising. And oh, did I mention that because of budget cuts w/in the agency (entirely have to do with the economy and state deficits), there has been numerous people laid off from work----one of which was a dear co-worker of mine?? Work is laying off peopole to help the agency's budget: they are consolidating work and workers. And...oh, to add to that, our Executive Director has announced that MORE people will be laid off between now and July; my bosses don't know who will be next..or at least they aren't saying out loud...It's like walking on a thin layer of ice---and underneath the ice is cold water. I feel like I'm drowning and freezing in a sea of emotions. I CAN...

Forewarning: long post, but bear w/ me; I'll get to my point at the end! Trying to lay the framework: Today while driving back from work, it was a little cloudy here and there. Yet the sun was peeping through the clouds. Ok, I wasn't driving, I was a passenger--Dad drove and I just enjoyed the ride home. Anyhow, back to where I was going with this. I was enjoying the ride home in the front seat, looking at all that was in front of me and looking at the sun peeping through the clouds and yet so bright that I had to put my sun glasses on my face. I gazed at the sky and right in between two clouds----there it was........A RAINBOW!! It was a tiny arch. I yelled "Daddy, look at the rainbow!!" (yes, I still at times call my dad, "daddy"). Dad replied "where...what rainbow, I don't see a rainbow". I pointed up and said "there....right in between the clouds!" Dad saw it and said "yah, I see it now". I though...

On top of being sick with the stomach bug for the two days this week, I have had a week of struggles. Struggles that can appear minute to many people or huge to some. For me, it's a huge struggle. A struggle that I had once thought was behind me, but now I face again. A struggle that is in need of prayers and reliance on God. As you all know, I once worked for a place in Harrisonburg that at first was great; then gradually declined as I saw felt the unfairness and prejudice in the workplace (among many other things which I will not go into detail). The job there was relentless......I began to dislike it so much, but at the advice of others, I pressed forward and trucked on, hoping and praying that something good will come out of it or that I will get a better job. The job affected my physical well being (lost 20 lbs), emoitonal well being (was on medication for anxiety) and spiritually well being. After 7 yrs working at the job, it was time for me to go.......I was in fac...

We all have rough days; today was one of many in my life. One of my many many many job description is to help protect the welfare of the clients that I serve. Sometimes I have to intercede between two clients to prevent something from happening. I've read of incident reports from my coworkers of some of my co-workers coming in between two clients and getting injured themselves. It's part of my job--to help them in many aspects of their lives, including protecting them (when you can and when it's safe) from harm. Today I witnessed a coworker of mine struggle to prevent a client from lashing out on another client. This coworker blocked this client and basically went in circles for about 15 sec (which is LONG psychological time when you are waiting for it to end). Thankfully, no one got hurt and everything is fine. It was amazing to me to see the dedication of my coworker and how he didn't think twice before stepping in.....he was willing to get hurt by ...

"wanna play with me?" "I got cornered playing tag with Yee yee" We started out the New Year in Richmond for Four Days: Wednesday afternoon-Sunday afternoon. It was so much fun to spend so much time with the girls. We got to visit Miranda's preschool and meet her teacher; it was cool! We got to spend a lot of time with my nieces which I'm sure gave my sister and bro-in-law a break. On Saturday, we went to eat some "dim-sum" at the Chinese Restaurant, then we went bowling. Miranda used the guard rail usually given to people in wheelchairs; she got a score of 86! My brother in law got a 89; my sister got a 66; and I won! Okay, well, I won in loosing..........haha! My score was so pitiful----I got a 17.......I know....laugh out loud now and get it out of your system! I haven't bowled in AGES so I have a good excuse, but the most important thing was that I was able to spend time with my sister and bro in law and niece in playing a game ...

Has it really been a MONTH since I updated this blog? Honestly, I've been more addicted to facebook than anything else recently--bad me. Life's been good and busy; My camera broke over three wks ago so don't expect much pictures until I decide to buy a new one. I can hardly believe that 2008 will be over soon. Soon it will be a brand new year; with new things to look forward to or endure. I've been thinking about things recently and I wanted to share some things. First off, I was reminded of God's graciousness and love to His people at my church's Christmas Eve service last week. We sang Silent Night; and as we were singing we lit on candle....which eventually lite every single candle in the sanctuary. It reminded me of how we are to be salt and light of the earth; we need to light our candle for the whole world to see and spread that light to the rest of the world. One flicker can do amazing things. As 2008 ends and a new year begins I want to a...

Despite my overwhelming busyness at work, I got a 5 day vacation from work to be able to go to NYC to visit my grandparents (one is in the nursing home, the other lives at home). I also got to see my uncles, aunts, and cousins. I LOVE NYC and enjoy each time I go there. We had Thanksgiving at my cousin Angeline's and Andy's house. They live in upper Manhattan (where all those movie star lives). Their Condo is gorgeous and it was a treat to visit such a spectacular area--it was near the harbor. My cousin was telling me stories of how they get to see certain movie stars (Leonardo Decaprio, Tyra Banks, etc) and how when my aunt visits them, she doesn't even know who these people are. Don't get me wrong, I don't particularly care if I ever met them when I visit my cousins, but I guess the thought of it is kinda cool. My cousin was telling me that it actually gets old sometimes and to see the paparazzi every day gets old too. Anyhow, we left at 1:00 AM Th...