11 Days!

Wow!

Only 11 days

until Loading Day! 

Mixed emotions. Sad to be leaving friends and my home of 20 years. But excited to renew old friendships and create a new home. 

Help of a stranger

Yesterday:
Wow! God sent some great blessings. 
I needed a BIG box for some pictures/frames. I received an email for 10% off my purchase at Home Depot. So I went over and found a box that would work. As I was waiting to check out, a gentleman came up behind me with his hands full. I offered to let him go ahead of me, since I had a cart. He said, "No, it's not heavy." Then we chatted. As I was checking out, he then offered to help me get the box in my car. So, not only did he help me get the box in the car... well part of it.... he drove the other part home for me! 
Thank you, Lee for all your help! And thank you God for sending Lee to help me out today.

Sunday: 
As I was thanking God for the help of the stranger He sent yesterday, I had to stop and think about something.... 

Packing and getting things ready to sell, has been extremely difficult on my back. The pain level remains high as does the headache. Yesterday, when I went to the store to buy the BIG box, I was not feeling the greatest. As I waited in the only checkout line open with a person (they had self checkouts, but I really needed help with the box), each person in front of me had a problem with their items. What was going to be quick trip, had grown to 30 plus minutes and counting. 

As I stood there, I knew that I could be frustrated at everything taking so long, or I could make a choice to find something positive. That's when the gentleman with his arms full walked up behind me. I really didn't want to make my wait any longer, but I had a cart, he stood there holding all this stuff. So, God nudged me... and I asked if he'd like to go ahead of me. 

That question, opened the door for conversation as we waited. As I was checking out, he asked how I had planned to get the box in my car, I said that I think it will fit in the back seat. He offered to help me. And he did! 

Looking back on yesterday..... what if I had "put me first". Ignored the fact that the man had his arms full. What I had complained about the long wait? What if...... 

I'm thankful that God nudged me and that He continues to remind me that it's NOT about ME. I was able to share that God sends blessings at just the time I need them. And yesterday, Lee, was the blessing God sent. 

Another great reminder that no matter how I feel, I have a choice to be positive.... and usually when I choose the positive, God sends those extra blessings along... because that's when I'm most ready to accept them. 

Thanking God for His special blessings! 

Acting like a 2-year-old

I've said before that I'm not a good "waiter". I take a LONG time to make a decision, but once the decision is made, I want to go FULL-STEAM ahead. But God continues to teach me, that I have much to learn during the "waiting times." 

I've been talking with my Heavenly Father about moving South for years. Before my sister got sick, I had thought maybe I was to move to Macon to be near her and my parents. However, I was in the midst of surgeries and procedures here, so moving at that time just didn't make sense. 

Then after my sister died, Mom and Dad moved back to Florida. So, I continued praying about if and when I should move to Florida. However, God just didn't give me peace about it. 

Then after my last surgery in April of 2013, and some of the decisions regarding my pain and what could be done.... God started to prepare me for moving. After discussing it with a dear friend, just to make sure I was thinking clearly, and more prayer, I knew that it was now time to move. 

So, once that decision was made, I started working on where. Once that was decided, I then proceeded with the application process.... and waiting. 

I want to move NOW.... yet, I know that I have many things to that need to be taken care of BEFORE I can move. God is allowing this waiting time, so that I can accomplish tasks at a "slower-rate" so that I can handle the increase in pain. 

I know WHY I'm not moving THIS SECOND... but there is still part of me that wants to do it NOW. Sounds like a 2-year-old, I know... but that's how I feel. 

I'm so thankful that God has a PERFECT plan and that He is working out all the specifics as to where the exact apartment will be, and the exact date of the move. My responsibility is to do what I can each day to prepare for the move and the save as much money as possible to pay for move and the expenses associated with the move. 

I'm praying that I'll learn while "waiting" and that I won't rush ahead of God. For His timing is always the best. Very thankful that God is patient and knows that at times I act like a 2-year-old.... but He knows exactly how to handle a 2-year-old.... so I'm in very good hands.

Apartment on a Diet

I had the apartment all clean for the Moving Estimate, but as I continue to work to separate into "keep" and "sell" piles, it now looks like the apartment exploded. lol A friend is loaning me some tables, on which I can display the "sell items", that will help organize that stuff. 

Today, I need to re-organized the stuff in the bedroom so that I know what sells and what I'm keeping. Yesterday, I lightened the load by almost 150 pounds! YEAH! I wonder how many more pounds I can lose as I sort through things this weekend. 

Overall, I'm enjoying putting my apartment on a diet. lol Over 20 years, I've accumulated a lot of stuff. And since I had the place for it, I kept it. Back in 2010, when I moved out for the remodeling of the apartment, I downsized some, so that helps now. 

It will be fun when I learn what the actual weight of my move will be.... but first, I need to finish the "diet" and wait on the perfect place God has for me.   Last night I found myself once again praying for the person that is to move out, so that I can move in. I am wondering how long they've lived in that apartment and where they are moving to—is it close by, or out of state? 

I wonder who is praying to move into my place? Will my apartment be someone's answer to their prayers? That would be really cool to be an answer to someone's prayers. I hope the person(s) who move into my apartment, enjoy it as much as I have. 

Well, time to begin today's "Do list". Hope you each have a super Saturday. 

Lens

Yesterday, a moving company came to give me an estimate for moving all my stuff. I learned that it's all based on weight, not how much room it takes on the truck. That changes what I'll keep, and what I'll try to sell. 

I'm surveying the stuff I had planned to keep, but now I'm looking through a different "lens" . When I first sorted through the stuff, I was thinking, "Why not keep this, doesn't take up much room." 

However, now I'm looking through a "weight-lens". I am making choices now, not based on "I think I want that", but rather, "How much does it weigh? Is that weight worth this item?" 

As I thought through my "change of lenses", I came to realize, that I SHOULD do the same in life. When I look at things through my UNFILTERED Lens of Rhonda, I see what I want, often selfish and not the best choices.

However, if I put on God's Lenses and view things through His holiness, His righteousness, and His standards, then I choose different things. I need to remember that when I get up in the morning, I need to make sure I'm viewing my daily activities, attitude, words, actions, everything through God's lenses.

Viewing through God's lenses, is the only way that I can make sure that I see not only what I'm to do, but how I can reach out to others and share God's love with them. For if I am looking at those around me through "Rhonda's Lenses" I will see their sins, their wrongs, etc., but if I see them the way God does, I'll see someone who needs to know God loves them and forgives them. 

So, whose lenses do you have on today? 

Purging

All this sorting and cleaning out of files, closets, etc got me thinking. Yesterday, I came across receipts for oil changes from my 1995 Escort. Ok, there is NO need to keep those... I have had my new car for almost 2 years now! lol I find that I "just file" and don't take the time to clean the files. You never know when I MIGHT need that piece of paper. Or someday, I'll need.... whatever it is. It's all neatly tucked away, so it's out of sight, but it's there. Now if I ever needed some of those items, I'm not sure I'd be able to find them... BUT I know I have them!  lol 

I looked at this two ways.

A negative, is that I hang onto stuff that happens in my life, and Satan really likes to use the negative stuff to discourage me and fill my life with unimportant matters to distract me from what God is trying to accomplish. 

A positive, is that the more of God's Truth I have filed away, I can "dig them out" when a situation arrises. 

So, this brings me back to my purging. As I purge the apartment of "things", I need to also purge my life of anything which allows Satan to get a foothold into my life. How do I purge my life? That's a job which I need the help of Almighty God. Thankfully, He not only has the ability to do that job, He is ready and willing to do it... if I allow Him to have access. 

The Best

"The desires of good people lead straight to the best" Proverbs 11:23a (MSG)

I have this verse posted on a closet door. 

Desires: distinctly good sense

Good: righteous man 

Best: good = benefit 

"Trust the Lord, and do good things. Live in the land, and practice being faithful. Be happy with the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Entrust your ways to the Lord. Trust him, and he will act on your behalf." Psalm 37:3-5 (GW)

Trust the LORD: my trust is not in RHONDA.. but my trust, reliance is to be in God!

Do: accomplish

Good: rich, valuable in estimation

Happy (delight): take exquisite delight; to be soft or pliable

Desires: request, petition

Entrust: roll, roll away, remove

Ways: course of life, or action, undertakings

Trust: be bold confident, secure, sure, put confidence, make to hope

Act: absolute act, act with effect 

As I read these verses this morning, God reminded me that He wants what is BEST for me.... in order that I accomplish HIS will. It's not about "me", rather it's about me surrendering to God and allowing Him to work so that He receives glory and honor. 

As I prepare to move and make plans to move, I need to step back and remove "Rhonda" from the forefront. I'm to put my reliance in God so that He can accomplish good! 

I've always found the meaning of the word, "delight" interesting. To be soft and pliable. Reminds me of when I played with Play Dough. When the dough is kept in the tightly sealed jars, it was fun to take it out and play with it... it was soft and pliable and didn't take much work to form it into shapes. 

Yet, when I left the lid off, the dough became hard. It took a lot of effort to mold it, and often I'd just give up and throw it away. 

"Rhonda" means strong and powerful. Too often, I leave the "lid off" of my heart thinking I know best and can figure all the details of life out on my own. Yet, I soon realize, that being tough and hard, only makes it more difficult for God to work with me to create His masterpiece. 

If I'm soft and pliable, and I have the good sense to fully trust God, He will accomplish His will and purpose. He will lead me straight to the BEST!

The Future

Ever find yourself trying to guess the future? Last night as I was talking with God about this whole moving business, I was trying to figure out the "Doctor situation". The more I talked with Him, the more I wanted to KNOW NOW exactly what my doctors would be like and who they are. 

But God gently reminded me that He has that all taken care of too. Since God blessed me with an amazing team here—I have a wonderful Chiropractor and Pain Management Doctor—God will supply a new team when I relocate. 

Sometimes, I wish God would reveal the future to me. That would make planning so much easier on my part... I would have all the details worked out. HOWEVER, God knows that if I knew the future, 1. I wouldn't trust Him. 2. I would be overwhelmed with what He has planned. 3. It would take all the joy out of the surprises He has planned.

Therefore, I need to stop trying to guess what the future holds, and focus on the blessings God has planned for today. After all, God really does know the future... and He has all the details worked out. Isn't God amazing?!!

A Penny for Your Thoughts

Yesterday, while doing laundry, I found a shiny new penny in the dryer. I think this was God's way of saying, "A penny for your thoughts". 

I'm a planner.... I like everything in line, all my 't's" crossed, "i's" dotted, etc. I am learning, especially these past 13 years, that I can plan all I want, but God has His own plan and He likes to add twists and turns, just to make sure I'm FOLLOWING Him, and I don't take over the LEAD. 

I posted my poem, "What a day brings forth", the other day. A good reminder that God has a specific plan and purpose and will accomplish it all in HIS time. 

I talk with God often... yet at times, I find myself, "telling God" how I think things should happen. I know... like I know best!?? 

The shiny new penny was a reminder that I'm to share my thoughts, my desires, my concerns with God... but then I need to LISTEN and allow God to share His thoughts and plans with me. I need to take a step back and give God time to accomplish His plan. 

"A penny for your thoughts".... yes, I'll continue to share my thoughts with God... I only need to remember to allow God to share His thoughts with me too.

What a Day Brings Forth

I love God's timing. 

As I was cleaning out files yesterday and today, I came across several copies a poem I wrote on August 15, 2001... in several different files. 

I remember that day VERY well. I had an appointment downtown Chicago at a Rehab Institute for an evaluation on my back. I had planned for this appointment for weeks, gather all the necessary x-rays, medical records, etc. I had the train schedule almost memorized. That morning I woke up got ready and went to leave for the train station... only my car would not start. The battery was dead. Ok, that was NOT in my plans! I quickly called a few taxi companies until I found one that could come ASAP. I made it downtown in time for my appointment and a friend picked me up from the train station and brought me back home. 

On the train on the way into the City, I wrote this poem: 

What a Day Brings Forth—

No matter how well I prepare; 

no matter how well I plan;

What a day brings forth is not in my hands. 

Making phone calls, confirming dates; 

Copying records; checking the list;

What a day will bring forth —there is no way to predict. 

The unexpected can be a blessing in disguise.

Consider the adventure, and the surprise—

Instead of focusing on the whats and whys. 

I do know—beyond any doubt

What a day brings forth in not in my hands, 

But this day is EXACTLY what God has planned! 

-R.Sawtelle • August 15, 2001

Since God had me find this poem... several times, I guess He wants to remind me that He does have some surprises and a PERFECT plan as I prepare to move. Isn't God great?!!!

At the Right Time

As I was going through papers and shredding yesterday, I came across a piece of paper with this quote on it: 

“Great people are ready to help me, at the right time, in the right way, people I don’t even know yet. I promise I will never give up because I don’t have the help, but I will trust God to provide. God has resources to help you that you have not even considered. They are multiplied thousands of persons with all sorts of talents, skills, concerns, and contacts that God can bring into your life in order to fulfill His plans. So open your eyes and see the faces of people around you. Open your ears to hear what they are saying. Today, tomorrow, next week, you’ll meet someone, someone who is just the person you need. And that right person will come along to fill just the right place at just the right time. And you will marvel knowing God arranged it beautifully.” Rick Warren

Wow! God knew that this was exactly what I needed to be reminded of... as I work on the move. Looking forward to seeing all that God does and HOW He does it all. Excited!! 

How will it all work out?

As I was talking with God last night and this morning about this "moving adventure", I realized that I'm most excited to see His creativity in taking care of all the details. God continues to amaze me in how He takes care of me in such creative and unique ways. I'm looking forward to the little and big things He does to work out all the details.

New Adventure!

A New Adventure is beginning! 

After 20 years of living in IL, I believe that God is directing me to return to Florida. I've started the application process at an apartment complex in Winter Haven. God has MANY details to work out... but thankfully, He is a God of details! 

As for a time frame, that's totally up to God. When there is an available apartment that fits my needs, then I'll move. 

Please pray with me that I'll wait on God and let Him lead in this move. I have a tendency to want to go "full steam ahead" and in doing so, I often forget to talk things over with God and consult HIS plan. 

Thank you for your prayers as I continue on this new journey God has planned for me. I'm excited yet, part of me is nervous as I leave behind the familiar. But knowing that God is in this move, I'm mostly excited.