Joy is our Strength
I've had a phenomenal weekend. It's literally been one of "those" weekends, where everything seemed as it should ... and nothing but joy and blessing fell over me. Aside from getting a tad sunburnt on Saturday, hanging with some good friends on Sunday, here is the highlight:
On Friday evening we got word from our bank that we were officially "pre-approved" for a mortage (!!!) Can you stand it? I still can't really believe it ... it seems too good to be true. Coming from the mindset of a couple years ago that I'd prob. buy my first house when someone passed away and left us an inheritance of somekind ... to being exactly where we are in history right now. With the whole crumbling down of the economy, those of us who are blessed enough to still have work and nothing else, are all of a sudden in the drivers seat in so many ways. We had no money before and therefore lost nothing with all the Wall street hoo-haa, and now, with our meager savings and a housing environment where prices have come down so low that we can actually afford to buy something, it's ridiculous really. In an amazing way. We have another appointment this week to get our official "approval" in writing and to figure out the best way to go about buying ... we're thinking we want to live in about the same area we are now, to be close to our jobs and stuff ... we're praying a lot because you know God's going to make the best decision for us.
Not that I'm making a list (but I guess I sort of am) here are my wish list items, in no particular importance: Garden/Greenspace, palm trees or fruit trees if applicable (and ofcourse plants and flowers ... I can't even begin to describe but I'm really paying attention to yards now), newer appliances and granite counter tops in the kitchen, a gas stove, an area in the kitchen where we can have bar-stools, at least two bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, an attached garage for Jay (and whatever he wants to put in there). I have a cute as a button little house in mind, but I know a house holds so much responsibility, and I don't want to be "house-poor") as my father-in-law stated, so we're proceeding with caution, though inside, I am elated at the possibility of something that is ours, esp. here!! ... I've never had such a blessing before.
OK, enough of that rant ~ life otherwise is going pretty well. I've had some minor "personnel" hiccups at work, which I won't go into, but I saw a sermon on Sunday that spoke directly to me (funny how that happens) And the main essence of it was that when we have JOY, IT is our strength. Fear and anger makes us weak (which is so true when you think about it) but when we carry joy inside, it gives us strength for all of our battles. It's a hard act to follow sometimes I know. But that's why its' called a "Sacrifice of Praise". Those statements totally tweaked my previous understanding of those phrases.
This morning I went running on the beach and saw nature's glory at it's absolute finest. I am carrying that image in my mind today.
Have a wonderful week! Till next blog ~ love, a.
On Friday evening we got word from our bank that we were officially "pre-approved" for a mortage (!!!) Can you stand it? I still can't really believe it ... it seems too good to be true. Coming from the mindset of a couple years ago that I'd prob. buy my first house when someone passed away and left us an inheritance of somekind ... to being exactly where we are in history right now. With the whole crumbling down of the economy, those of us who are blessed enough to still have work and nothing else, are all of a sudden in the drivers seat in so many ways. We had no money before and therefore lost nothing with all the Wall street hoo-haa, and now, with our meager savings and a housing environment where prices have come down so low that we can actually afford to buy something, it's ridiculous really. In an amazing way. We have another appointment this week to get our official "approval" in writing and to figure out the best way to go about buying ... we're thinking we want to live in about the same area we are now, to be close to our jobs and stuff ... we're praying a lot because you know God's going to make the best decision for us.
Not that I'm making a list (but I guess I sort of am) here are my wish list items, in no particular importance: Garden/Greenspace, palm trees or fruit trees if applicable (and ofcourse plants and flowers ... I can't even begin to describe but I'm really paying attention to yards now), newer appliances and granite counter tops in the kitchen, a gas stove, an area in the kitchen where we can have bar-stools, at least two bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, an attached garage for Jay (and whatever he wants to put in there). I have a cute as a button little house in mind, but I know a house holds so much responsibility, and I don't want to be "house-poor") as my father-in-law stated, so we're proceeding with caution, though inside, I am elated at the possibility of something that is ours, esp. here!! ... I've never had such a blessing before.
OK, enough of that rant ~ life otherwise is going pretty well. I've had some minor "personnel" hiccups at work, which I won't go into, but I saw a sermon on Sunday that spoke directly to me (funny how that happens) And the main essence of it was that when we have JOY, IT is our strength. Fear and anger makes us weak (which is so true when you think about it) but when we carry joy inside, it gives us strength for all of our battles. It's a hard act to follow sometimes I know. But that's why its' called a "Sacrifice of Praise". Those statements totally tweaked my previous understanding of those phrases.
This morning I went running on the beach and saw nature's glory at it's absolute finest. I am carrying that image in my mind today.
Have a wonderful week! Till next blog ~ love, a.
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