Guess what! Bythelbs sent me something. Me! I got the adorable package in the mail this afternoon. It had muffin mix, recipe cards, gum (because she is AWESOME at reading the comments her fellow bloggers leave on her posts), and an amazing hand-made book mark with a quote by Jane Austen on it. Jane Austen! The best part? The tiny pictures of Mr. Tilney, Capt. Wentworth, and Mr. Darcy (Firth, of course). Be still, my heart!
How awesome is this girl!?
Needless to say, I think she's fabulous. And her writing is just as good as her gift-giving. So, go check out her blog!
Which reminds me! I think I'm going to start doing a weekly series (I know! The mind reels that I would actually do something organized on my blog. But hey, I did a give-a-way, why not start a series, eh?). I think I'll title it "Spotlight Sunday" and spotlight different bloggers that I love. Yeah. I think I'll do that. Maybe. I'll get back to you on that one...
---------------------------------------------------------------------
[Well, this is for The Wiz. Of course, if she actually used the internet for purposes other than getting pop-up viruses, then she'd know this already. :)]
For those of you who are wondering why Masterpiece Classic wasn't aired on Sunday night, please read the schedule here. Why they're skipping three weeks is beyond me, although now I wish I had taped the Jane Austen book documentary on Sunday night, if only for research purposes. Dang!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I feel really bad about something. My little family has been blessed beyond measure. Sure, we were out of work for what, 3 weeks? Sure, we had to look for a job. Sure, we had to live through the excruciating pain of "What now?" But then look what happened. We got a job. A great job. In less than 3 weeks. I feel guilty about this.
No, no. Don't get me wrong --I'm grateful! Oh, so grateful! My prayers are riddled with praise and thanksgiving, because I know we have been greatly blessed. I'm grateful that our short trial was...well...short. I'm humbled by it, to be honest. But the guilt I feel is because there are so many more people out there who need work and who need help. For example:
Amber's husband recently got laid off of his job. There are options; but they are, I'm sure, having a hard time with it.
Tracy M's husband also lost his job last month. She's doing the best she can --and if any of you are interested, this fabulous woman has an Etsy shop with her original art! You should check it out. And buy stuff!
Then my sister, the cute girl that she is --her husband, although very much employed, is searching for a job where he can jump-start his career, having just graduated from college. Searching is very difficult, especially when most of the opportunities are out of state.
See, these women are struggling. I, too, was struggling. But I'm not now. I wish I could do something for these fabulous women and their families...so, if you could please replace my name in the many prayers you have offered for me and my family with the names of these women? I know prayer works, and I know we all need our fair share of prayers offered in our behalf. Could you please do it? That would be great, dear reader, and I would love you forever if you could do it. You know, I might even put you in Spotlight Sunday...!
14 comments:
they will definitely be in my prayers.
It's the Spring Telethon thing for PBS so they can't show a whole 1 1/2 hour program. They would have to stop every 20 minutes and do their blurb. I thought the information was interesting last night.
It's interesting when we compare our trials with others. There are always people that have it worse off. It sure puts things into perspective. I'll say prayers for these wonderful ladies and their husbands.
Yay for surprise things in the mail!
Congratulations on the job. Don't feel guilty. I'm sure something bad will happen to you in the future. ;-) J/K!! I understand your angst about Utah. That would be tough! But at least you have a house there. What a smooth transition that will be!
Tracy M's art is definitly amazing! I hope that things start looking up for her and Amber.
Good mail days are the best. Glad that you had some!
When I see people around me who have such greater challenges and trials than I do - I used to feel guilty. Then someone pointed out to me that maybe our test was to see what we would do with our blessings.
When we were able to build a new home while most of our friends were barely paying rent or holding on to their homes paycheck by paycheck - my first reaction was guilt. But then I decided that my new home would be a home dedicated to missionary work. That we would feed the missionaries at every opportunity and that we would invite our neighbors over for Family Home Evening.
My husband is the operations manager of a large home builder here. The home building market is suffering and so many of our friends have lost their jobs with the same company - my husband still has his and recently got a large bonus to boot. We decided to secretly help some of these friends. It has been an even greater blessing in our life then the money ever will be.
I think that when we accept our blessings for what they are and then use them to bless others, we will be even more blessed. There is a reason that you found a job so quickly and that your move will be almost seamless, you will just have to figure out what Heavenly Father wants you to do with these gifts.
I love Jolene's insight. Maybe you're supposed to move back here so that B and I will have someone to go on a WW double date with! You will bless my life by making me feel like I'm not crazy all the time (only most of the time!). So excited!
Cheryl!
I love reading your blog - and your faithful posts. I get to mine about once a week if I'm lucky. I usually have nothing to say. :)
You are too sweet! Of course we'll be praying for everyone who is struggling. Hang in there girls! The one thing I've learned in my short life is that the Lord knows us and knows what's going on and that He's gonna make sure the right things happen in each of our lives.
Oh & thanks for all your kind comments on my blog. You don't know how much it helps and encourages me!
Survivor's guilt. Don't let it get to you. Just pay it forward.
And why would I look up anything Jane Austen when I can just come to you? :)
It's hard to watch our friends and the people we love go through trials. The best that we can do is offer our love and support and prayers. I'm always grateful to see people make it through their struggles even if I'm still in the middle of it myself--it gives me hope!
Thanks for your kind words, Cheryl. You deserve all of the blessings that come your way.
Thanks for the shout-out and CONGRATULATIONS on your good fortune! We have had two companies contact Hubby about coming on-board. And two companies that are waiting to secure financing from venture capitalists. Both are great opportunities but we are still waiting on both!
About your poll - when we moved we hired ABF to drive for us. They dropped the trailer off, we loaded it, they picked it up, drove to Oregon and dropped it off when we told them to. Definitely the best way to go. Driving in the van with all of us was much more relaxing that me driving the van with three rowdy kids while Bryan drove a huge moving truck 50 mph.
Amanda-
Yes! We're thinking about doing that one (I know I already emailed you about it, but I thought I'd comment here, too).
Amber-
Oh, that's awesome!! Good luck! I hope one works out soon.
bythelbs-
Thank you so much. You're just awesome, you know?
Wiz-
You flatter me! I'll take it. :)
lahansen-
You're right! He does know us and He knows what we need. It's easy to forget that sometimes.
brooke-
Ah, whatever! If there's anything I remember about my favorite piano competitor, it's that she has plenty excitement in her life! You'll find something to write about. :)
Ann-
You are quite possibly the bestest person in the world. Yes, I said bestest. ;)
Jolene-
Oh, thank you so much. Your words are so wise and I really appreciate your insight. I love your ideas of taking what we've been blessed with and passing it on --I know those ideas aren't new, it's just easy to forget, sometimes.
Rochelle-
Ha! But you're right! "It could always be worse..." :)
Jamie-
Oh, that makes sense. I figured it must have been a programming thing for a reason. I just kind of wish my TiVo would have recorded all things "Jane". I'll have to see what's on this Sunday...
Hillary-
Thank you!
Thanks for the kind words, Cheryl. We're doing ok, and we know things will work out...
We appreciate all the love and prayers coming in from all over. Thanks!
Post a Comment