"Return to me the joy of Thy salvation..."

I'm sitting here this morning sipping my hot chocolate and getting ready to begin my day. I should be pretty tired--I only had about 3 hours of sleep-- but I'm doing OK right now. The reason that I was up so late was that I was reading. Usually that is a bad habit of mine that results in little sleep and an unproductive day the next day. Last night was different, though. As I was finishing my book, God used it to speak directly to my heart. In the midst of our struggles over the past couple of years (job changes, bad job situations, infertility, lack of church fellowship), I had allowed my joy in the Lord to completely slip away. It was almost to the point of not being there at all. I had moments in which I was joyful but it wasn't that abiding joy that the Lord puts deep within us. Last night, God used an allergory of the book of Hosea to return the joy of His salvation. As I meditated on the love that the Lord has for us, I couldn't help but let the tears fall. He loves us with an everlasting love. He loves me with an everlasting love. How can I not be joyful? How can I not completely trust Him with my life, with my future, with my desires?

An update on my life

I finally have a chance to sit down and update you all on what has been going on with me. The biggest thing in our life right now is that Keith was offered a new job (Praise the Lord!) and we are now living in Virginia. The Lord has blessed us so much by moving us up here; not only do we have a beautiful home with a mountain (!) view from the backyard but Keith's new job is a "promotion" of sorts (but with a different company) and is much less stressful. Plus his commute is only 25 minutes one way! (That's much better than an hour!) My sweetie is now home every day by 5:30!!! It is wonderful.

We just moved up here the first week of October, so I am still unpacking boxes and organizing. These tasks do not come easy for me so I would appreciate your prayers that I am diligent to keep at them and not allow myself to become distracted by TV, the computer, or just plain laziness.

Something that is *very* exciting to me about living in Virginia is that this "Deep South Southern Belle" will experience snow for the very first time! Sure, I enjoyed the (very) occasional flurries while living most of my life in Georgia but this is my first time living in an area that gets snow every winter! I'm both excited and anxious! (And I need some winter clothes! LOL)

We are still praying that the Lord will open my womb. At this time, we are not pursuing fertility treatments. Keith believes that the Lord will cause us to conceive "naturally" so that is why we are waiting for now. This is HARD for me. I don't mind not pursuing treatments--I was never gung ho on that in the first place--but waiting on the Lord is something that I have never really learned to do. I realize that I cannot make this happen on my own but waiting quietly for Him to work? Not me; unfortunately, my controlling personality wants to rant and rave at Him for not giving me what I want. This is truly the ultimate test. I'm trying to praise Him, despite not receiving a baby yet.

I need to get going. Keith is working hard, trying to organize the garage so that we can park our cars inside. After all, cold weather is coming! I have laundry--and a host of other things--calling my name! Have a great Saturday and a restful Lord's Day!

P.S. Another prayer request: We are visiting churches. Please pray that we will be discerning and seek the Lord's guidance in finding the one for us.

I'm back!!!

I doubt anyone even checks this blog anymore but just wanted to let everyone know that I am back. I don't have much time to post now but just wanted to stop in and say hello. Another post to follow later! :)