Updates

My story. It's still a work in progress, but I'll get you caught up to the present. It's been a whirlwind for the last several years for us. Around the time that I graduated nursing school in 2004, Mike and I co-owned a new restaurant. We were more the silent partners as we both had full time jobs. At that time, Mike was working for Waste Management as a maintenance supervisor. Needless to say, the restaurant was not able to turn the corner so we closed the doors after a year. Financially, it sucked us dry, and we made lots of mistakes. Don't get me wrong, we made a lot of good decisions too, but financially, it really sunk us. To make matters worse, the following year, Waste Management decided to let Mike go after 27 years of service. No severance, no nothing. A lot of BS along the way. We talked to a lawyer who assured us that we had a good case against them, but the hard part was the cost it would be having it dragged through the court system. We decided to drop it. (you may want to grab a cup of coffee, the story doesn't end here) Three days after Mike was let go, he was pursuing another dream of his that he began the year earlier. He was going for his solo certification in sky diving. (yes, I even went on a tandem jump on our 20th wedding anniversary! It was so fun!) Anyways, as he was completing his landing, he caught an updraft of wind and ended up breaking his ankle in 3 places. He was not able to put any weight on it for 8 weeks. Not to mention, he couldn't even collect unemployment during that time, because he was not physically employable. We began to toy with ideas for businesses and decided that it would be good for him to go into consulting for heavy equipment. So, we launched MK Consulting Associates. (more about that later) Three months after his ankle and as he was able to walk with a cane, we went to a picnic for the 4th of July. I, not remembering that I was not as young as I used to be, decided to play a friendly game of volleyball. That ended up abruptly when my knee decided to give out. I ended up tearing my ACL, but not completely. I did have surgery on it and lots of rehab. I now have 20% of my ACL left, but it functions. Mike and I actually did rehab together. It was actually rather a funny sight! We have both healed since and continued to pursue our consulting business as I still worked as a nurse. We were also distributors for some of the products Mike endorsed through the business. We attended several trade shows and things were starting to pick up. Check out our website:
MK Consulting Associates/Home
During that time in 2006, we faced another emotional hurdle. We had to put down our oldest dog, Butch. He was 15 years old and he was Mike's best friend (dog). It was so hard for him as they had been through so much. This was a huge loss to Mike. Two years ago, we hit another bump in the road as it was discovered that I had thyroid cancer. Another surgery and a treatment of radioactive iodine has taken care of it. I just had my last scan in September and received a clean bill of health. Not something I wish for anyone, but I am grateful that there is a cure for it. In this past year however, with the economy slowing, so did our business. Mike has a real talent for understanding heavy equipment and maintenance, but nobody is looking to spend money, which in the long run could save money. (might want to top off that cup of coffee) Financially, we were sinking between the loss of the restaurant and several bills that still went with it, medical bills and not enough income, we finally decided to file for bankruptcy. We had done all we could for as long as we could. During the time of this process, Mike had been working with a job hunter and he received a call about this company in Texas. At first, Mike didn't want to consider it because of the location. Mike is a northern boy! He loves his snow and the thought of going to a hot climate did not resonate with him. After we looked at their website: Texas Disposal Systems we decided that they deserved a closer look. At first site, they described a company that has all the ideals that we so longed for in a business, and they were doing it. Mike agreed to an interview and they ended up sending both of us here, all expenses paid for two days to see the area and get to know the company. This all took place only 1 week after finalizing our bankruptcy. If you view their website, be sure to watch the video! They truly are everything they say they are. We told them everything I just told you and left nothing out. They couldn't be more excited to offer Mike the position of industrial maintenance supervisor. We accepted. That's how we landed here.
Now, don't think that Mike and I are exceptionally strong people, we aren't. We are strong in our faith and it has guided us and allowed us to walk through these situations.
So what have I learned in all of this?
1. There is a God
2. I'm not Him
3. He answers prayers
4. He never stops caring for us
We truly believe that God has a purpose for us in all of this and who are we to question Him? All we can do is serve Him with the talents and gifts that He has given to us, no matter where He calls us to do it.

24/7

24/7 prayer is going on at the church now. It started Sunday and goes until Easter. God is up to something!!!

Audience of One

One more day to go of isolation. Kinda wierd. So yes, there have been lots of "lessons" He is teaching me throughout all of this. What I thought were my "needs" often are my "wants". We have tried to teach this lesson to our children, that there is a difference between needs and wants. What I want is to be free to go wherever I want, to serve others, to have all of my family and friends see Jesus and fall in love with Him. What I need, however, is that He alone can fill my wants, and I have to totally depend on Him. Depend on His timing, not mine. Depend on His ordained opportunities, not my man-made grab-the-bull-by-its-horns gusto. Sometimes it is better to receive than give. That's a hard one for me.

I have received many cards, prayers, flowers,meals, goodie baskets and well-wishes from so many. My brother sent me 2 dozen roses! I was blown away. My son told me that he did love me, it's just his job to give me grief every now and then. It was still good to hear.

I read a couple of good books.

The first was "The Call" by Rick Joyner. It's about visions/dreams he has experienced about the Lord's return. But more important, it's about the state of the church and what we need to do to prepare for His return. I was struck by the way he describes worship from Jesus,
"When even the most humble church sings to My Father with true love in their hears He silences all of heaven to listen to them. He knows that one cannot help but to worship when they are beholding His glory here, but when those who are living in such darkness and difficulty sing with true hearts to Him, it touches Him more than all of the myriads of heaven can. Many times, the broken notes from earth caused all of heaven to weep with joy as they beheld My Father being touched. A few holy ones struggling to express their adoration for Him has many times caused Him to weep. Every time I see My brethren touch Him with true worship, it makes the pain and grief I knew on the cross seem like a small price to pay. Nothing brings Me more joy than when you worship My Father. I went to the cross so that you could worship Him through Me. It is in this worship that you, the Father and I are all one."

The other one was a fictional novel about religious persecution in China. It was based on much fact, but fictional characters. I won't give away the whole story, but there is a character who becomes a martyr for Christ. The book describes the reuniting of him to Christ in heaven and entitles Christ as "The Audience of One." This about blew me away. Back in December, I wrote a song with the same title:

Standing at the foot of your throne

I am an audience of one.

No performance

Just you and me, Lord

Oh, to dance and sing in your presence exhilarates me!

Your pureness and passion for us

draws me to my knees,

where I kneel before you,

an audience of one.

Sometimes, God just blows me away!

cells

So lots of things have happened since I last posted. OK, confession time, I lost my password and finally found it today. Can't say that it's a good excuse, but it's mine for now. Lots have happened to us lately. It wasn't bad enough that Mike broke his ankle nearly a year ago, had to spend 8 weeks in a cast. It wasn't bad enough that on the 4th of July I tore my tendon in my knee and ended up undergoing surgery for that and about 6 weeks out of work. Actually, all the horrible events in our lives have made us a bit physically weaker, but more spiritually stronger. I am truly greatful for the lessons that the Lord is teaching us about depencency. He taught me about true dependency on Him for my life's circumstances. Next lesson: being alone in His presence.

I thought I really knew what it was like to be alone. I hate being alone. I usually waste alone time with "fillers" or sleep. Just over a month ago, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Not very easy for me to swallow or admit. I felt totally out of control. OK, He's in control not me. At least, that's what I would keep saying. I want to be mad. I want to have a pity party. I want to be stoic. I want to let Him take care of it. I want to hide in bed.

I didn't have much choice about what I could do. So I made appointments. I had tests. I had surgery. I rearranged my schedule. I finally gave it to Him. It sucked. But at least I had peace. I can't explain how, but I had peace. I had lots of people praying for me also. I found out that it is hard for me to ask for prayer. I don't like to be needy. I don't like to be weak. I had no choice, well, actualy I did.

The next step now is a bit harder I admit. After surgery, I had to undergo ablation by radioactive iodine. 3 days of complete home isolation, and a total of 2 weeks isolation no closer that 6 feet to human contact. Small price to pay for inhilation of any remaining cancer cells. But it still sucks. I love to hug. It's what I do. Well, not for 9 more days. I'll survive.

Lessons: coming soon to a blog near you

ramblings

So, it's been quite some time. I'm still not used to this "blogging" thing. Life's been crazy busy still. It's amazing. Sometimes it seems to take forever to "recover" only to realize that I'm right in the midst of the next situation. I'm feeling pretty good though. The Lord is good. Been reading the Bible more lately and I am facinated every time I read it. Seems like I was hoping for more time, I got it and then didn't do the things I was hoping to do with it. God has an amazing way of keeping things in perspective though. I'm starting to get a better understanding of what Kingdom theology is all about. Ok, maybe not ALL about, but it's making lots more sence to me, which is really freeing. Too tired to blog about it, but it is worth mentioning. Love to chat about it over coffee sometime. Did I mention how much I love coffee???? I have a mug at work. It's a great coffee mug. It says, "Queen of Caffine" on it. I feel the royalty every time I drink it. People know where I sit because of it. Life is good, but time for sleep

Time

Overtime....time-out...recovery time....wasted time...extra time....timeless....need time...take time....make time...whew! I could go into a rendition of Turn, Turn, Turn and Ecclesiastics! Seems like I never have enough time. Time has been such an interesting concept to me lately. I have been working a lot of overtime, but it seems that I never have enough time for what I think I really want to do. When I do have time on my hands, it seems like I'm too tired to do all the things I wish I could do, if only I had the time. It gets a bit frustrating. I've been trying to be faithful in reading the Bible in a year. As I looked at it today, I realized that I've fallen a few days behind. Guess it's time for catch up. I also realized that I am so grateful because God lives outside the boundaries of time. "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." -Lam 3:23 What a great thing to realize. It is NEW, EVERY morning. God wakes up with us, everyday and it is NEW to Him. There is redemption in Him. God always has time for me, I need to keep making time for Him.

Trying something new

I guess I've waited long enough and am now trying to join the rest of the blogging world. Don't know how long this will last or how well I'll keep up, but I will sure try. Life has been interesting. Lots going on and lots left to do. Sometimes I feel its all I can do to keep up. I know that God is trying to teach me to remain focused, even in the midst of a lot of activity. I am learning that it is best to focus on one task before going on to the next. I caught myself when cleaning up the other day. Same old story. I started cleaning one area, found some dirty dishes, brought them to the sink, then realized that I should load the diswasher. I had a vase in the dishwasher that needed to be put away, then I realized that my china cabinet was dusty, so here comes the dusting cloth. Then I realized that the table needed a good dusting and polishing. I think you know how the story goes. Good news, I did stop there and then proceeded to continue with my first task until completion. I still need to vaccum though. I guess I'll get to it when I can focus on it. Lesson of the day: multitasking is fine, provided my full attention is on the task at hand.