Happy Birthday to Me =)

So, I had a good day......and a good Birthday weekend. Lots of time spent with those most important to me. My life is good. This was definitely a better birthday than last year. I didn't spend this one shut in my bedroom all day being depressed. And, I'm okay with being 27. I think whatever lies ahead, my future is in God's hands. It doesn't matter how old I am and what, by human standards, I may not have accomplished by this point. I have accomplished a lot....maybe things only God and I know about. "Once Again I thank You. Once Again I pour out my life." Happy Birthday to Me!!!

I must admit, it has been a trying week. But, I heard this song by Casting Crowns last weekend, that is awesome. God is always there, even in times when life is like a storm. This is the song...

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I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen"
and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God
Who gives and takes away

(Chorus)
I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God
Who gives and takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
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I also had a wonderful evening with Derek last night, which took my mind off of everything. Thank you. =)

Bonnie's dad passed away this morning. I can't imagine going through losing both of your parents at our age. It is a great comfort to know, however that both Bill and Sheila are with our Heavenly Father. Bon and so many others prayed for their salvation and God was faithful in bringing the both of them home to Him. It's funny how when someone passes away, you try to remember the last time you saw them. Of course, I saw Bill Friday night in the hospital, but he wasn't able to talk to any of us. But, before that, I saw him at church a couple of weeks ago. We had a potluck after church and I sat with Bill, Bonnie, Skyler, Philip and Sherry. He was chatting away...asking me all kinds of questions about what is going on in my life. I feel bad that I can't remember much of the conversation. I was too wrapped up in the fact that my house was on tour that day and all kinds of other stuff going on in my life . I really should have paid more attention. I should pay more attention all the time to people and little things, like conversations at potlucks. But, Bill and Sheila are very dear to my heart and I will see them again someday, so we can get back to that conversation. =) And, Bon, I love you. You are one of the strongest people I know.

Here is a quote from the book (Captivating) us ladies are reading for Bible Study: "Every woman knows that she is not what she was meant to be. And she fears that soon it will be known - if it hasn't already been discovered - and that she will be abandoned." I could totally relate to the whole chapter we read this week, but that part sums it up. It is so hard not to fear being abandoned by others, when it has happened to you before. And I do try to cover up my insides by trying to make my outside pretty, or else by keeping myself so busy that I don't have time to think about what is going on inside. And I know that God will never abandon me, but being the ignorant person that I am, I also care what people think. I don't want people leaving me or not liking me because they find out what I'm really like. Because what I'm really like can be messy and confusing and totally NOT in control. I am a total control freak with things I CAN control, but those other things that I can't, I try to ignore. And my being in control means that I don't trust God. That's rough. There are definite things that I need to give over to Him.

I hope everyone has a good week! I plan on trying to survive another crazy one. God bless!

My day at work was definitely interesting. Our morning was interrupted by a meeting, called by Dee, in which EVERYONE in all departments attended. It was strange. All of us were down in the tool room standing around in a circle, waiting for Dee to get there and I was like, "Is there a bomb in this room?" Haha.....CLOSE. So, the bomb was that UCI will be aquiring water pump manufacturer - ASC. To quote the memo, "ASC will become the company's Center of Excellence for water pump production". The faces on those in Water Pump Engineering turned somber. If any of you don't know, this is my department. Now, technically, I work for Water Pump AND Fuel Pump Engineering - Fuel Pump will remain the "Center of Excellence" at Fairfield. Although the process could take months, basically what this tells us is that WP Eng. will not stay at Fairfield. No one is actually SAYING that, but it makes no sense for the department to stay here. The higher ups tell us that they don't know anything for certain at this point. Bull. Guess I'm a little angry with the corporate doublespeak. And I have more of a chance of keeping my job than the Engineers and Drafters, because a lot of the work I do is for Fuel Pump. But, there are two of us doing my job, so who is to say they won't get rid of one of us. I know, I don't need to worry about any of this. I can handle whatever is thrown at me, because I have Someone Greater on my side. But, it is something for me to think about....ya know, what will I do if I lose my job? And, mostly, it upsets me because there are great people in that department that really DO need they're jobs. I just hope it doesn't pan out like we think. Prayers, please.

Susie

Just wanted you to all meet my new Aunt Susie. =) My grandparents have a new baby and I went to visit her tonight. She's so sweet!!!



























I know dad doesn't LOOK happy, but he really likes her. =P

I went to visit my roommate this weekend!!! Big city girl Kristen, with her own apartment and cool job downtown. It was great hanging out again. We went out to eat at this little diner Friday night...cute place. Then it was late enough that we just went back to Kristen's place and watched tv. Saturday we went to the Galleria and didn't buy a thing!!! I guess we weren't in the shopping mood or something. But, it was fun.














I spent Saturday evening at Michelle & Geoff's, reading my "Captivating" book and watching a girl-movie with my sister (since Geoff was working on his sermon and sis never gets to watch chic flicks). I went to church with them in Chandler this morning. The rents came over and took us out to eat for Michelle's "Birthday Weekend". Her B-day is tomorrow. Happy Birthday Sister!