life

Water Walker…That’s Me

Ever been reading the Bible and thought “you stupid people why don’t you just do what God tells you to do?” or “If God says He is gonna do it, why don’t you believe He is gonna do it?” Well how bout…we are those “stupid people.” I know I am.  I’ve thought many times, “why don’t you cross the Jordan already!!!,” when in reality I’m the moron walking around in the desert for 40 years too scared to get my feet wet.

Well, I am now a “water walker.”  Yep, that’s me.  It only took a little pushing, shoving, screeching, crying, toe-dipping and breath-holding.  But once I did it man…I can’t tell you how glorious it felt to be walking across the water with Jesus instead of sinking deep into the water on my own.

I guess I should back up and fill you in on my adventure.  I have been working at The Walking Company for almost 8 months.  I LOVE the people I work with and the company is a great company to work for.  It just isn’t the job for me.  I had never tried sales before so I thought I’d give it a shot.  I guess I’m the kind of person that loves to always have something to do.  I’m more of an administrative person.  I like to organize and I love to help people.  So the helping people part was nice at The Walking Company but I just didn’t feel like it was the right place for me long term.

I began praying and reading.  I started to read “If You Want To Walk On Water, You’ve Got To Get Out Of The Boat” by John Ortberg.  It was a GREAT book.  It also made me think and even confused me a bit more.  Part of it talked about fully trusting in God and in essence “walking on water” and the other part talked about being patient and living in the moment you are in, all while trusting that God had you in the right place.  Imagine my struggle…do I stay or do I go (isn’t that a song?).  So I prayed and read some more (Bible too of course).  Then came a One Prayer service at GCC with Steven Furtick.  I blogged about this recently.  He spoke about how God doesn’t just want good things for you,  He wants bigger and better things for you.

So I struggled and prayed some more.  All while this feeling became stronger and stronger within me saying “walk on water,”  “trust me,” “JUMP already!” So after long deliberation and suffering within myself.  After the thoughts of not wanting to let Adam and Erin down.  I finally made the decision to put in my notice at The Walking Company.

That day was the longest and hardest for me.  But once I finally spit it out, I felt so much better.  I felt like it was the right thing.  I was thinking…wow, why didn’t I do that sooner.  So I pretty much just walked in circles in the desert for weeks when all I had to do was touch the water.  Isn’t it crazy what we humans,  in our human way of thinking, do to ourselves?

Wait…it gets better!  So I am at home a few days later, checking the usual job sites and nothing pops up.  Then that evening I pulled up Bethel College’s Human Resource site to show Justin that yet again nothing is available.  Then to my surprise,  there was a position posted for Assistant Manager of Bookstore at Bethel.  Now remember I checked this site earlier in the day.  I was shocked.  I leaned closer to the computer and began reading more.  This was the job I left in NC at Gardner-Webb.  This was my old job!  I immediately got Justin helping me adjust my resume and sent it in a little after midnight…on a weekend…knowing no one would check it until Monday but just couldn’t wait.

A few days later.  I received an email from the Manager at Bethel College.  He wanted to meet me for an interview.  I couldn’t believe it.  I went and had the interview and actually today, got back from a second interview for the position.  Now the job isn’t officially mine yet.  It seems like it will be from what I have heard but it’s not official.  It doesn’t have to be official for me to know that God had bigger and better things planned for me all along.  All I had to do was “walk on water” with Him.  Even if something happens and doesn’t work out with this job opportunity, I now know that I did the right thing and am SO excited to see what God has planned for lil ole me.

End of Novel

8/5/2009 by family life love 6

Gangsta’s Paradise

Well I realized I hadn’t blogged in awhile and that at some point I’m going to look back at this time and wonder what I didn’t blog about.

Recently…as in 2 days ago Justin and I were sound asleep and awakened to the sound of three bangs.  I know I was not fully awake but I remember asking Justin if it was gun shots.  We had recently been having issues with our power going on and off randomly so he said he thought it was something to do with the power.  We both quickly fell back to sleep.

We woke up and went about getting ready for work.  Justin left about 15 minutes or so before me.  I was running a few minutes behind schedule and already couldn’t find stuff I needed.  The District Manager was due to come to the store that day and I was the opener (not knowing when she was to arrive).  Frazzled, I finally set out the door for work.

As I was walking to the car I noticed a large dark spot on the back right side window.  I thought a huge bird had chosen to…well…you know, on my car so I went for a closer look.  That’s when I found that my back, side window was shattered yet still in tact and there was a big hole in my car door.  I looked closer and it appeared to be a bullet hole.

I called Justin in a panic, surprisingly not because of the car but because I needed him to come get me so I could get to work and not be late in case the DM was there waiting for me (not a good way to make a first impression..being late).

When Justin arrived he confirmed it was a large caliber gunshot hole.  Luckily for me I have an awesome husband who took me to work and then returned home to clean up and deal with insurance and the police.

After work Justin picked me up and we came home to investigate some more.  Then we found three 40 caliber bullet casings in the driveway (confirming the three bangs heard in the middle of the night).  Justin called the police back and in about 30 minutes a police car appeared taking his statement and the casings for our case.

I know that the person who did this will most likely not be found but Justin and I found ourselves praying for this person.   In prior years, we would have just been angry but God has shown us so much even in the 7.5 years we have been together.  We know God is good ALL the time.   We are praising God for knowing all situations even before they arise.  Just days before this we received some unexpected money that I’m confident will be just what we need to fix my car.  Some would say it’s a coincidence but I just don’t believe in coincidences.  God was there, God is there, and God will always be there.  I’m overjoyed to know Jesus as my Savior and couldn’t imagine going through life without Him.

I have also been learning from God lately that even when I’m in the valleys of life…when things are not going my way, that God knows what He is doing and He not only wants good for me, He wants BETTER for me.  A few weeks ago in Steven Furtick’s One Prayer message he was talking about when he was little he really badly wanted to get atari.  He prayed and prayed and just hoped that on Christmas morning he would have atari like all his friends.  On Christmas morning he didn’t get atari but the NEW and BETTER Nintendo! And so while he was focusing on what he thought he should have, someone was thinking of bigger and better things for him just like God does for us.  That message has stuck with me.  I am now always waiting and wondering, even when I don’t think things can get better, I’m wondering what God will do next.  Just AWESOME!

Here are pictures of my car.

7/11/2009 by life 2

Happy Birthday Megan!

Today is Megan Lucas’ last birthday as Megan Lucas.  Soon she will be married with a new last name.  I hope today will be the best…last single birthday.  Have a great day Megan and Happy Birthday!

6/16/2009 by family life 0

The Day After

Wow, getting your wisdom teeth out all at once is quite an experience.  I thought I’d blog about it so I could look back and remember and laugh.  I was quite nervous yesterday morning on the way to the oral surgeon.  When I’m nervous I’m extra goofy.  I just try to laugh my way through awkwardness.  Everyone was so nice there.  We watched a 10 minute video about all the bad things that can happen (comforting) and then met Dr. Heath.  He explained everything to me and then before I knew it Justin was swept away to the waiting room and the ladies were setting me up for surgery.  They were so nice and I think the best thing they did was not tell me much.  I was expecting someone to tell me “ok, now count backwards from 10 and you will be out soon” but instead they put the oxygen on me and told me I would feel burning (which I did).  I remember sitting there vaguely seeing a girl put something in my IV and wondering if that was it and how long it would take until I felt sleepy.  Next thing I know I hear a friendly woman’s voice saying “Bonnie, time to wake up”.  I just couldn’t believe it was over.  I don’t remember how I got my jacket on or walking to the car.  They took me out some side entrance where Justin pulled up and met me. Then we went to Walmart (I think) to get the Vicodin.  I remember touching my bottom lip and asking, as Justin puts it “Is dis ma tong?” (is this my tongue).  He said I asked him that at least 3 separate times.  I asked all sorts of things a million times apparently.  He got quite a kick out of it.  I remember thinking it was funny about my tongue, but I don’t remember asking a lot.

Then when we got home I tried to take the Vicodin and 3 ibuprofen.  The Doc told me to take it as soon as possible before the numbness went away so it would overlap and I’d be happier.  Well…easier said than done.  I couldn’t feel my tongue and had no control over my mouth/lips at all.  I tried and tried and eventually got 2 ibuprofen down.  Several attempts I thought I swallowed it and Justin found it under my tongue haha.  There was no way I could get the Vicodin down that soon.

The bleeding took right at 4 hours to stop.  We kept gauzing it up which was painful and uncomfortable especially when swallowing.  It kept moving around in my mouth.  Eventually I was able to take the Vicodin which I really couldn’t take until after I ate.  I had 2 yogurts and some jello I think.  Then about 2 hours after I took the Vicodin I was out.  That seems to be how it works.  It takes two hours and then I’m really sleepy.  Like right now..it’s at the 2 hour mark and I’m getting sleeeepy.

I slept pretty well last night for sitting straight up to sleep like they recommend.  I had scrambled eggs and a banana today for breakfast.  I feel pretty good other than just being uncomfortable.  I even took Java for a walk.  Now I’m going to lay down and let this Vicodin do it’s thing.

Thank you all for your prayers.  I felt them definitely.  Only God could have given me this calmness.  I even felt Lori’s prayer from Russia.  It is so awesome the power of God no matter where we are.

4/9/2009 by life 4

Seeking Wisdom….Teeth

Tomorrow morning I will be getting all four of my wisdom teeth out.  I am quite nervous about it. I’ve never been one to go to the doctor much and so for me, this is a big deal.  I opted for the “put me to sleep” option during the surgery.  I am REALLY nervous about that but think it will be better than being awake.  Please pray for me if you will.  My appointment is at 9:30am.  Justin has been sweet enough to work from home tomorrow so he can watch over me while I’m out of it.  I read somewhere recently that in your late 20s is when your jaw hardens so it can be harder and longer during the healing process.  Let’s hope that’s not true 🙂

Thank you for your prayers 🙂

4/7/2009 by life 1

Beans and Rice…Rice and Beans

Two days ago Justin and I were able to PAY OFF HIS STUDENT LOAN WOOO HOOOO!  We are so excited and even more motivated now to keep going and finish paying off my student loan.  Hopefully if we keep on track and do as Dave Ramsey says, we can be done with mine by the end of this year.  God has blessed us so much in our obedience to get out of debt.  Sometimes it may seem hard to do but we have definitely been learning in our efforts to get out of debt as well as our move to Indiana, that obedience is key.  If you can stay obedient to God and what He wants for you, the rest will work out just fine 🙂

If you guys have any questions or want to hear more about our journey to get out of debt, we’d be more than glad to help out 🙂

4/1/2009 by bookstore life 0

Quiet

I haven’t had a whole lot to say lately…shocker huh? I have just been kinda quiet online.  I’m not sure why but I believe God is trying to teach me something.  I need to revisit being still and knowing God is God.

I did learn the other day while Justin was in Texas (by reading some of his old blog entries) that he was originally considering naming our black cat Java.  Interesting…wonder what Java would have been named if her name was already taken. We took her to the vet today for her rabies shot. She did so good.

Just wanted to let you know I’m still here…just being still 🙂

3/9/2009 by General life 0

Seven Years

My husband has beaten me to the punch, but this day seven years ago God declared to be the day Justin and I met. I will always be in amazement that we didn’t ever meet until then seeing as we were at a small University and both had many of the same friends. It just goes to show how awesome God is and His timing and His plan. I also believe that it was around this time that I told God that I didn’t think I would ever find someone at GWU for me. Well you know what happens when you try to tell God something that just isn’t in His plan. I’m enormously happy that I was wrong. It was the one and only time I was wrong (right honey?) but I’ll gladly admit it 😉

So as Justin was saying, we met in Nikki and Heather’s dorm room on January 20, 2002 to celebrate Nikki’s birthday (her birthday was the 19th). I went and I’m pretty sure I was bummin it with some sweat pants and pony tail. I wasn’t really expecting to see anyone I didn’t already know. I walked in and was immediately embarrassed about my choice of attire. There was this totally hot guy in there and I looked “rough”. Luckily he didn’t let that distract him haha. Again the following week I returned to celebrate Heather’s birthday also hoping that this guy would be back. To my delight he was.

We started hanging out more and more at basketball games and talking online until the wee hours of the morning (my roommate didn’t appreciate the key clacking I’m sure). It all seems like just a year or two ago that it began and I’m sure that the time will just go by faster and faster but there is no one else I would rather do life with. I love you Justin!

1/20/2009 by life love 1

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