My Wonderful Job

I actually have a very nice job as a leasing agent for a large apartment complex. Although its not what I always dreamed of as a child, its not too stressful, I have wonderful coworkers and I get to work with people... However, the thing about working with people, especially so close to their homes, is that you learn that everyone really is crazy and nothing is predictable.

This morning I went into the restroom of the clubhouse on my apartment complex. When I went to wash my hands I noticed that the sink, which is an old free standing basin style without any cabinetry, was loose and rocked away from the wall easily. When I looked underneath the sink to investigate the problem, I found an absolutely ginormous pair of beige granny panties wadded up and jammed between the pipes. How did this get here? Was this the souvenior of an passionate restroom tryst of magnificent-sink-breaking proportions? Did some Brigette Jones girl decide to forgo the giant undies for the tiny thong at the last minute? Or do we have a cross-dressing tenant who hides his "girl's best friend girdle" in a convenient place for a quick change before going out on the town? The possibilities are endless! And that's why this job is so much fun, (I'm trying to look on the brightside here.) You never know what you're going to find.

Life is a brilliant story. Who knows what plot twists are happening all around you at any given moment right?

Strange Dreams

Last night I actually got a full 7ish hours of uninterupted sleep. That never happens. Because my wonderful husband loves me, he went off to snore in another room and my little son stayed in his bed all night long. This perfect night should have resulted in utter peace and tranquility, but instead it resulted in a really strange dream.

I found myself on a large stage in front of about 5000 people. I was wearing a very tight black leotard and posed so that my spandex-clad booty was pointed out at the audience. Apparently, I was supposed to take part in a dance with my cell group girls from church, but I didn't know the dance and I didn't know what was going on, and I didn't know why I was dressed up like a burnt sausage. Our pastor was going to be interpretting our dance over the microphone, but he noticed my strange posterior posture and said, "Jody, why are you doing that?" I didn't move, but I said, "Morgan (my cell group leader) made me do it." Then Joy, one of the other girls from cell said, "Oh, I don't think you can blame that on Morgan." Suddenly, the music began and I was supposed to dance, but I didn't know what to do, so I began to spin around slowly with my arms out while Pastor Scott read strange statics like, "13% of Christians pray about what kind of toilet paper to buy." And "11% percent of Christians pray about their bathroom habits." And then fortunately, I woke up.

I've been wondering all day if this dream has any deep spiritual meaning.... hmm...

Slightly Burnt

Well, here I am sitting at my desk munching on a burned cookie. Here in Northern California everything is pretty much burned or covered in ash. I think I'm beginning to adapt to the smoky environment. That is why I'm eating this burned cookie instead of all the healthy fruits and vegetables I have in my lunch bag. I'd probably benefit greatly from some burned brownies or overbaked pie or maybe some charbroiled bbq of some kind. If you can't beat the weather use it as an excuse to not eat celery right?

Seriously though, this smoke is getting downright depressing. Lately, I keep coming across stories in the news about how something is ending or being destroyed and will either kill us or make us all miserable somehow. All of these doomsday prophecies combined with the whole world being singed, can make a lot of darkness in the heart. For the first time in a long time, I've been waking up at night so afraid of everything that I worried that I'm not going to feel hopeful and excited about life again. That's when I remembered the secret. Praise and thankfullness!

When I remember that God is in control and His eyes are not blind to the craziness going on in the world, I am somewhat comforted. But I still worry a little that I'm going to get lost or smashed in His ultimate plans that are too huge for me to even fathom. Yet, when I remember all the good He's done for me personally, I can really start to praise Him and get excited about the future because I know that He sees me, He loves me and I can trust Him. The Bible says fear not, it says He has plans to prosper me and that all things work together for good for those who love Him. I have clung to these words in the valley of the shadow of death before and I can tell you, there are always reasons to be thankful for His goodness. I thank Him that I don't live in pain and bitterness from my past, I thank Him that I have a great house and a good car, (things that I used to pray for everyday,) and I thank Him that I have good man for a husband and a beautiful son and an amazing stepdaughter. I also thank Him that today is Friday! Whoo-hoo! So tomorrow, I'm sleeping in and then, I'm making pancakes! I've got hope and joy for tomorrow and its covered in syrup hallelujah!

I'm keeping all of those folks who are losing their homes and properties in this big fire in my heart and my prayers, asking God to hold you in His hand and show His goodness to you even in times of trouble. Though the sorrow my last for the night, joy comes in the morning.