The story of the little lost brown hamster

Sometime Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning, our little brown hamster(who has yet to be named) went missing. It was discovered Wednesday morning -- so the kids began the hunt for the hamster with no luck.

Throughout the day, periodically one or more of the kids would look under things or in the closet or do a hunt for any clues that the hamster had been there. Still no signs of her.

By bedtime on Wednesday evening, the hamster was still not found. Knowing that it was the hamsters active time, we stayed up and tried to listen for it. Still nothing. It was a bit disconcerting to think of the hamster running around while we were sleeping. Not to mention the 4 stalking cats that live in this house.

So as we went to bed, I prayed outloud that we find the hamster. Andrew reminded that being specific was important. Stories of a friend praying for a deer and finding a dead one and the "mini" van that God provided us came to mind. So I literally prayed that God would help us to find the little brown hamster that we purchased alive. And within minutes there was a ruckus in the boys room. So I went to investigate and my cat Murky had found it. It was in a toy firemans helmet and making some serious screeching as Murky was trying to figure out how to get it out from under the straps.

Talk about answered prayer! God doesnt always answer immediately but the times he does its a powerful reminder that he cares for us even in the little things of our lives! Im reminded once again to let him handle the details and leave the worrying up to him!

God is good alll the time!

MJ

portion control, prayer and ponderings

I often think about blogging but somehow the desire doesnt actually turn into reality. Sometimes the baby needs to eat or Gideon is getting into something or Zemirah needs a drink of water -- other times it just is difficult to form the words into a post.

I have finally gotten to the point where Im ready to work on losing some weight. I havent liked my size for quite some time but the mental willpower just wasnt there. Andrews 20 yr class renunion is coming up this fall, and I would like to be looking thinner by then! That was the catalyst i think, but I mostly want to do it for me, so I feel better bout myself.

So I'm primarily starting with portion control. Not measuring things out exactly most of the time but being aware of how many calories are in things, having one smaller portion, watching how much "extra" I'm taking in. I do plan to get more active as well but moreso in trips to the park or hiking with the family rather than a daily workout. Im not cutting out one food or another, just trying to make more reasonable choices with what and how much Im eating.

Im coupling this with prayer and honestly I think that is how Ive managed to make such a good start this week. Ive been asking God to help me recognize when Im full and help me to make reasonable healthy choices.

As for the ponderings, Im considering going back to college. I'm pretty sure I want to go back to school at some point. The question is more in the timing. I already have an associates degree, which is basically a transfer degree. The college nearby that Im considering has a returning adult program one night a week. So that part is already in place. Im just trying to determine when the best timing is -- should I wait for all the little kids to be in school or do i want my degree by then? Im probably not looking for full time work in either case, since I feel its just as important to be here for the big kids as it is for the little kids. Im considering getting my elementary teaching degree and then subbing. That would give me the freedom to pick and choose timing of working to some degree.

Ezekiel starts kidnergarten this fall, Zemirah the next fall and Gideon 3 yrs from now(unless we enroll him in preschool for his special needs, not sure on that). Thinking it will likely take me 3 yrs to finish anyway, would now be a good time to start. Im trying to weigh all the considerations, the extra stress on the family, missing out on events such as concerts and sporting events, the opportunity to talk with other adults :), keeping my brain from turing to mush, etc.

Well thats all for now folks, God is good ... all the time!

MJ