Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?

As the last days of 2007 are drawing near, I sit and reflect on what the last year has meant to me. While the days are passing faster than ever before, it seems like a hundred years have passed since this time last year. I can see that my life has completely changed and God has been a faithful father to me even though I’ve not been as faithful a child to him. That’s the beauty of God’s love – never wavering and always kind.

I remember last December being a time of sadness:

         * I was in the most horrible job of my life at Intergraph

         * My great aunt Dot was in the hospital dying a little each day; finally giving up in January

         * My great uncle Ronnie was in and out of the hospital only to head home to heaven on Christmas Eve

         * I was so lonely and tired of not having a boyfriend for the holidays – it had been too long

         * Money was so tight that I felt my worry strangling me to the point of suffocation

         * Weight – let’s not even go there!

My dad has always looked at the year and summed up the type of year he was going to have based on the last 2 weeks of December and the 1st two weeks of January. So, I think I have unknowingly picked  up that horrible habit and I think God tries to show me that no matter what I think is going to happen - HE always KNOWS what is going to happen. If you look at my list above – you, like I – would have thought 2007 was going to be pretty bad. 

Well, on the contrary – I think it was pretty good. After the holidays I got back to my life and reassessed. I asked for help and help was provided. A light was given to my path and WOW! So many things led to where I am now that I don’t think I can recall them all.

To start with – because I was so consumed by my money issues, I didn’t eat. That was not helping my body or my mind so that is when I asked for help. My dad help set me up on a budget and off I went. It truly was the best thing that has ever happened to me. Now, I deal with budgets everyday of my life and I have for years. But, let’s keep in mind that these have been multi- million dollar budgets for projects and people that I may never see. The application of a budget to my life was life altering. I know, crazy.

In doing the budget I noticed that I was spending ridiculous amounts of $$ on food. Looking at me, I’m sure  you can all see that – but it was not registering in my mind until I saw it on that Excel spreadsheet each week. I also noticed how much I was spending on entertaining myself and others. Ok, looking at that I cut my food bill considerably and my entertainment became focused around what didn’t cost anything at all. Tennis became my renewed favorite past time. I got a pretty good group from church to get involved and it became a twice a week activity. Now, while that worked for a little while I was still restless with not seeing that huge of a difference with my “extra” money in my budget.

Next thing, get a 2nd job. This was not a new concept to me. I’ve pretty much done it my whole life and it had been about a year since I quit my last second job at Starbucks. So, I decide to try and get a job at Lowe’s. I knew they offered a discount and I had a ton of things to do on my house. 2nd job – done! I started working there on St. Patrick’s day and I had no idea how it would change my life in 2007. Not only did I get another income, but I made a few friends,  found a “huney” in the process and lost about 45 lbs. Working all the time left little time to reflect on how hungry I might have been. Also let me say, my relationship with Todd did not begin how I would have liked for it to, but looking back now – I see that it all had a purpose.

My summer was filled with drama, love, fun trips, drama, horrible job situations, drama and more fun trips. In Sept. another huge turning point in my life was about to take place. I got my dream job of working for NASA. WOOO HOOO!!! HUGE answered prayer and the best decision of my life! Thank you GOD! At the same time, things were really settling down for Todd and I. It was looking like we were really going to make it and have an adult relationship. Still a little drama from a psycho at Lowe’s, but I was able to quit the 2nd job and focus on my real career. My sister moves in and that’s another boost to the income.

The fall was beautiful and while my Alabama boys weren’t able to pull off a stellar season, there was hope and excitement in the air. At least I feel like we are on our way to becoming what we once were. It will be nice to back on top again and I truly believe we can do it! ROLL TIDE!

Now we are ending this year in a few days. I’m heading to the mountains with my parents and my boyfriend. Looking back at last New Year’s Eve, I could have never imagined I would have Todd to share my next New Year’s Eve with. I truly am thankful and humbled by God’s mercy and love that he has poured on me and my family this year. I’ve been blessed beyond comprehension.

I hope you are all able to look back on your 2007 and see what has happened. Have you been able to learn from the good times and the bad? Are you able to look at 2008 with anticipation of what God has in store for you this year? Nothing is certain and it will be interesting to look back at this post on December 28, 2008 and see what God has done throughout the year. You never know, but HE does.

Happy New Year!! Be safe and God Bless you all!!!

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