I'm not shaken, I'm not letting go

I woke up this morning with a fretful heart and showered in a daze. True to my control freak nature, I've moved onto my next set of worries and fears, totally forgetting God's faithfulness (shown in thing like, I don't know, say...giving Dan a good job, providing us with an awesome house, giving us both health and happiness, etc.). I settled into work, and like every Monday morning did a quick blog check for any new updates. I came across the blog of a wife and mother of two (sorry, no names). Her situation, trials and incredible attitude put things totally into perspective for me. I feel humbled and a bit embarrassed in front of the Lord at how finicky my faith is, especially in light of other people's trials...which are actually real trials, not unreal fears which I struggle with.

Because it spoke to my heart this morning, I wanted to post an excerpt from Streams In The Desert that I read on January 1st. I often think about how much has changed for me and Dan from X date to X date, finding myself reeling at how much can change in so little time. My worry stems from "What will happen in 2011? Will things change for the better? Will we face huge trials? Where will we be next January?"

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"Today, dear friends, we stand upon the verge of the unknown. There lies before us the new year and we are going forth to possess it. Who can tell what we shall find? What new experiences, what changes shall come, what new needs shall arise? But here is the cheering, comforting, gladdening message from our heavenly Father, 'The Lord thy God careth for it.' 'His eyes are upon it away to the ending of the year.'

All our supply is to come from the Lord. Here are springs that shall never dry; here are fountains and streams that shall never be cut off. Here, anxious one, is the gracious pledge of the heavenly Father. If He be the source of our mercies they can never fail us. No heat, no drought can parch that river, 'the streams whereof make glad the city of God.'

We cannot tell what loss and sorrow and trial are doing. Trust only. The Father comes near to take our hand and lead us on our way today. It shall be a good, a blessed new year!"

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The day finally arrived! Nordic Track called on Thursday and our new treadmill has been ordered!! It should ship within five days, then take another 7-10 days to arrive. And there was MUCH rejoicing! However...since we found out the treadmill was out of stock and thought it would take much longer to get it, we took the plunge and decided to finish off the exercise room before the arrival of the tread. That means insulating, drywalling, mudding, painting, flooring, etc. Oh. My. Gosh.

We worked ALL weekend. Thursday we bought drywall, foam insulation, drywall tools, mud, masks, all the fixin's. Friday night we started prep work, stripping the old glue and drywall paper off the studs, marking an even 48 3/4" on the existing drywall, etc. I'm making sure to take a plethora of pictures to show progress. I'll post them when I get those pictures onto my computer. The long and short of it is, we might get the treadmill a few days before the room is done, but at least we'll have on completely finished room in the basement! Woo hoo! On the agenda tonight? Sanding and more mudding!

Sunday was exhaustive. In a good way, though. We got up at 7:30 to hit up Lowe's and Meijer for more supplies and grocery shopping. We got home and I unloaded groceries, cleaned bathrooms, vacuumed, made cookies, banana bread, lunch for the men (who were working tirelessly in the basement), homemade pretzel bread and lunches for Monday. then it was already supper time, and after that I went to the basement to help Dan mud some screws and seams.

At a whopping 8:00, I was in bed with the heated mattress pad on, watching the rest of Fellowship of the Ring as I drifted into sleep. I can safely say my favorite parts of FoTR are Rivendell and Lothlorien. I have a fascination with the elves. But hey, who doesn't? Then end is so sad though, when Boromir dies and Merry and Pippin are gone. But alas...it all ends well and Middle Earth is saved :)