No focus today

With everything that has happened this week, I can't seem to stay focused on simple tasks. It seems my mind is constantly wandering. I have been reminded almost daily of funny things Grandpa and Grandma used to say or do. So, as I sit here--in a quiet house--and try to do my homework for Financial Peace University, I am overcome with memories. Not just memories of Grandpa and Grandma; I heard from my dear friend Callie that they have sold their house and my mind wanders to our past... all the silly things we did as teenagers and how God has restored our friendship to something way deeper than I could have ever hoped for. I am reflecting on the positive things that have resulted in the passing of both my grandparents: a healing in a relationship with my aunt and my cousin that has been troubling me for 15 years. I have known that God is good and He can change hearts and move mountains, but it is exciting to experience it first hand. Now, if only I could do the homework that I need to do before tomorrow evening!

Grandpa

Monday was the day I had been dreading. For four years, we have known that this day would come sooner than we wanted. Oh, we tried to prepare, but when you receive the call that a loved one has passed away, it doesn't make the news any easier to take.

My grandpa, William "Cowboy" Smith joined Grandma in heaven early Monday morning. He has missed her so much and wanted to be with her more than ever. I am glad he is where his heart is, even if it leaves those here on earth sad.

I will miss my grandpa's voice. It was deep and held conviction and love. He had a funny laugh that I can't describe to you, but it was a sound that I loved, even as a child. Grandpa had an amazing lap and "his" chair was wonderful. Whenever we would visit, we would find him in his chair. How fitting to hear that he took his last breath in "his" chair.

This picture was not a very good one, but it shows Grandpa with me and my girls. We were in Seattle to see the Nutcracker, so we stopped by Grandpa's afterwards.

We will miss you Grandpa, but we know you are rejoicing with Grandma... your beloved Ginnie.

Redirection

Let me start off by saying I firmly believe God has a sense of humor! I also think that when we make mistakes or try to do things our own way, He has a way of redirecting us. I can say now that this has happened to me twice within the past six months.

In April, I was offered a job at a company that felt like it would be okay. It used my skills and they were eager for someone that knew how to be organized and how to organize others. That would be me. Only after I accepted the position, which was on a Friday afternoon, I felt so sick all weekend. I could not shake the feeling that I had made a huge mistake. Finally after a lot of prayer, I felt God telling me I needed to decline the offer. I did and instantly felt peace.

Fast forward to the end of July. After many months of job searching, I interview and accepted a position with a company. Everything felt so right. But, obviously, God has a different plan for me because a position within the school district opened up. After 17 days of working at my new job, I resigned today. I will begin working as a secretary at Wenatchee High School.

As I type this, I don't regret anything that has happened to get me to this place. I learned a lot of new skills at the job I just left... skills that I hope will prove beneficial to me. It has always been my goal to me employed within the school district -- it provides so much for my family and gets me closer to my dream of becoming an elementary school teacher.