792

For day #792, I have scheduled my Miller Analogy Test for Grad School.  I have been putting this last piece of the puzzle off for some time.  I am not sure why... negative opinions from others as to this calling/my abilities/the wisdom of it all.  I recently have completed some 'soul searching' work for a Bible Institute class that has one conclusion screaming at me...I want the rest of my life reflecting what I have always known deep down was the call on my life...helping others.  It's hard to explain, but it's almost like breathing for me.  I get no greater pleasure than being part of someones growth. So to start, I have to have the tools necessary to get to that place.  Funny thing...Jesus has been telling me all along that this is where He wants me and I've not heeded His guiding.  No wonder I've been miserable to a degree.

One other nugget for today...I recently challenged a friend to spend this week looking for ways the Lord has pursued her heart.  We commented how easy it can be to get caught up in the pursuit of a man and how tough it can be to appreciate that same pursuit from our Savior.  This morning He pursued me into a time of sweet, sweet prayer in such a cool God-Carla way.  You see, He knows how much I love His creation...especially animals.  I love to watch birds, butterflies, and I can even appreciate nasty snakes as a fascinating creature. Of course, Coco is nothing but a gift from Jesus to me!  After sleeping through a monstrous thunder/lightning storm last night, I was quietly awakened by the most amazing song bird sitting in the tree right outside of my bedroom this morning. It put a smile on my face instantly and started a wonderful time of thanking Him for all He does for me.  The Lord used that beautiful melody to draw my heart to His. All I can say is amazing love!

Time is Ticking....

793....26.04.....2.17....that's the break down for how many days, months, years until I turn 50.  In that span of time(if the Lord allows), I will have been on the earth for half of a century.  That sounds ancient.  However, I don't feel ancient.  Yeah, there are days that my body may ache a bit more than others...heck, it did that at 20!  There are times I just don't understand the latest fad, craze, technological advancement....but I didn't always pick up on/care about the latest trendy stuff when I was 25 years younger.  You see, I don't see aging as the enemy.  I see it as a blessing.  While I don't always like the effects aging can have, there are some definite perks.  I am abundantly wiser now than I was then.  It only takes a quick call to my Mom to verify that I thought I knew EVERYTHING when I was in my twenties.  It took a few knocks from life to show me I didn't know jack.  I am now wise enough to know that there is a lot I don't know.  Another blessing...I don't care about a lot of useless worldly garbage that I used to care about.  Shopping, material things, career, travel, politics, etc. have certainly lost their appeal as I have aged. As I explained to a pal of mine, it's just more junk to have to take care of!  While this 'stuff' has lost it's appeal, people have become more and more important to me.  Oh, I am not talking of having a gazillion Facebook 'friends'...but rather having a selection of really great people in my life that take it to a whole new level. It's been refreshing to travel, not necessarily for the location, but because of the people involved in the trip.  It's fun to have a home that people consider retreat-like because it blesses the souls of others.  I enjoy shopping so much more when I can treat someone instead of dragging more 'stuff' into my house.  Why do I bring this all up?

Well, I've decided to take the next 793 days/26.04 months/2.17 years to make some changes.  Most will be small and of significance to only me, some will be appreciated and noticed by most, and a few may be truly life changing.  Yep, think I am going to embrace this aging thing...stay tuned.