-273 All good things come to those who pray

Firstly, I kept you all waiting to hear my news. So sorry ! I was waiting for a few official things to be put into place in my real life and strangely I didn't want to jeopodise it by writing about it on here - even though I'm supposed to be incognito-like -with my Secret Identity! Lol ;)


A little recap....


So as far back as post -356 Thank God for Wii Boxing  & -355 Photo Montage I expressed that I was having difficulties at work. Basically my professional, personal and Church life were all mixed up together for years and until the past 12 months that didn't prove to be much of an issue. Until my relationship between myself and one particular person didn't so much as change rather I woke up to the fact it wasn't healthy nor did was it something that was enabling me to grow in any of those three areas of my life. Being the incredibly loyal person that I am - think Golden Retriever and you've got a good description! Lol !- I stuck it out until God pretty much told me enough was enough. Now I cannot say that I handled everything with 100% perfect emotional integrity nor can I say that I communicated my feelings to that particular person all the time and about everything ( history told me it was better not to ) but I did my best to stay accountable to God and to a select few people about what I was going through. When I did feel the overwhelming need to 'vent' or talk I tried to talk about events or how I was feeling about certain realisations rather than slamming that particular person. I listened to God's voice and stepped down from certain parts of my life that I loved and not only gave me purpose but a social outlet because it gave a distance between my personal and professional life. And I did what I could to preserve my friendship with those directly effected and caught in the middle.


So many times I have questioned myself over my integrity and had I gone too far in speaking to people ? Had I been too emotional ? Could I have done more to "fix the situation" ? Was I just being a plain old drama queen ? And was the medication making my reactions to this ongoing issue ( this had been going on for years ) worse ?  But it was the wise words of amazing people such as She Who Sparkles and some other amazing people ( some in Cast of Thousands some not mentioned yet ) that I realised that I was being too hard on myself and I needed to give myself a break.


Even since the beginning of this year I've given this person opportunity to start the year with me with a clean slate. To not have the misunderstandings of the past cloud the new year. And through more different understandings about what is right and appropriate my trust that I gave was once again lost.


Sounds bleak right ?


No, just another opportunity for God to show me that new things awaited me and it was ok to go. And that He had a path for me and I just needed a little nudge to get on it.


I've been applying for promotional positions and about 6 weeks ago didn't get the one that I was seeking but was offered a sideways step position. Although it was close to home I wavered, prayed about it and declined the offer. In the interim I may have felt a twinge of regret when things went a little askew in a the past few weeks again but I didn't feel convicted. Strangely enough despite still being frustrated I felt at peace. A couple of weeks ago I applied for two more promotional positions and after a flurry of "drama" on a partiular day I said to Marvelous Mum & Dependable Dad on the phone that if I didn't get these jobs and they by some miracle had that other job still open and offered it to me, I would take it.


Moral - be careful what you say out loud because God will hear you and green light His plans ! Lol !


That afternoon I got a call informing me that I didn't get the promotional jobs but they were offering me again the similar job as they offered previous. However this time they had added a few incentives and extra "non financial cherries on top" because they were impressed by my potential.


Of course I said "YES!"


*Happy Dance* began immediately!


Now technically this job is only offered for the next 12 weeks ( all jobs at the moment are ) but could be extended and made permanent. Praying it will be extended but if not at least they will have had an opportunity to get to know me and I won't just be a name on a piece of paper the next time I apply for a job in that part of town. :)


So much to do before I start but I honestly feel that God has restored ( in part ) what I have lost. And He has plans in the works for the rest.


I'm excited. :)


xMiss365

-315 Thai food & Long lazy chats ( Thursday 13th January 2011 )

Photo by Markuso

Tonight I got the chance to have dinner with an amazing woman that I get to not only get to 'do Church with' but also sing with most Sunday's on the worship team. And those weeks where one ( sometimes later I find out both ) of us are away for whatever reason I miss her. I've known her since the first week I started to sing on the team at this Church, about the third week I arrived. Long story. And just in case you are wondering - singing on a worship team after starting in a new Church generally does not happen that fast nor should it - extenuating God circumstances ;)

Tonight we ended up at a local Thai restaurant ( hence the title of the post ) and I got the opportunity to get to know this fabulous friend a little better. I say a little because in true Miss365 current fashion I did most of the talking. And I promise I didn't mean to. And I didn't mean to talk about the work stuff because I didn't want to put her in an awkward situation or compromise her loyalties. Or more importantly change or alter her view on any of our common acquaintances where my work/Church life still crosses over. But I did and I tried to mostly
explain the situations and events rather than just whinge or cry "poor little me". 


So by the time I had finished "blabbing" the restaurant was closing and my friend suggested I come over her place and we continue our chat. I warned her that she would need to kick me out when she had enough or wanted to go to bed because as you know I will choose talking over sleep, eating or almost anything given the opportunity. And I don't "see" hints. I need "Miss365 I'm going to have to kick you out now because it's almost 4 in the morning and I need to go to sleep".


You laugh but I've heard that more than once. ;)


We chatted until about 3am about a huge range of things and I just fell in love with her sparkle, humour and heart even more. And yeah, I fall in love with friends ( in a different way to guys of course ) because once I "fall"  I have this insane sense of loyalty towards those that I do. Actually call me "Anne of Green Gables" - I  understand her search for  "kindred spirits". Some you have for a season, some you ride the waves of life with for years ( twelve and counting for some ).


What I mostly love about my friend is that she's been through something pretty huge in her life for the past couple of years, actually almost as long as I've known her, but that's just part of her puzzle. While she may see herself as different and she's used what she's been though in an awesome way I've always seen her as someone who just radiates the love and joy of God the whole time I've known her. Even when I didn't know what she was going through. I've never seen her as someone who ( and this is not specific to her just a general comment on reactions to people who have been through huge changes in their lives ) is more liked, or less liked, or more popular, or to be avoided, or to be looked after more, or to be left alone more, or to be rescued, or to be felt sorry for, or to be judged as to why they are going through such a hardship or why they aren't coming to Church every week, must be happy every week, or be prayed for all the time, or not at all or.....etc etc etc. She was just her. And I always thought it was horrid that she was going through what she was going through but I was intent on getting to know her "around" what she was going through. And she continued to radiate joy even when she didn't look like she felt it. She did.


And that's what I've wanted to be myself for such a long time - to be a person that has that 'thing' that extra something that people are drawn to that I KNOW is God and that I get to radiate Him. I was worried I lost that for most of last year, it felt buried, out of my control but thankfully God has given me some feedback in the form of a couple of people that I wouldn't have expected who didn't know what I was going through but still saw the love of God through me and in part because of that were drawn back to Him. *sigh* Thank you God. 


So back to my friend. Her alias was going to be about her hair now being curly instead of straight but I've been thinking that is not a reflection of her at all and does not do her justice. 


Tonight my Thai food patient friend shall be called....and it has nothing to do with baked goods....lol....

She Who Sparkles 

..because she does. She is covered in glitter ( blessings ) and she is constantly giving away glitter without realising it I'm sure. :)


xMiss365

-359 We don't have Thanksgiving (officially) in Australia but....

It's Saturday night and yes I am on my new lounge again but today was a busy one so it's a welcome blobbing night :)

Today God gently held my hand and led me on a treasure hunt of unexpected blessings that were sprinkled throughout my day like glitter. I love days like this but I love it more when I recognise them and I am smart enough to be thankful for them. ;)

My friend The Princess is married to American Boy and roasted her first Turkey for their first Aussie based Thanksgiving yesterday as a newly married couple ( yes a day late ). It apparently took a fair bit of work to roast a turkey in coming - into- summer 27degree Sydney weather for 5 or so hours but by all reports it looked amazing and tasted great. And everyone was thankful. :)

Now I didn't eat turkey tonight ( however I now know what a Turturkeykey is - thanks HIMYM! ) but today after the day God gave me I am blessed/thankful for :

• The sunlight that woke me up this morning and the promise of a migraine free day.
• The clothes I wore for my fabulous day today. New size. Feeling less of a disconnection bit by bit. 
• Walking into my Church for an unexpected worship team practice and loving the beautiful harmonies and vocals that were happening but most of all being so grateful to be part of a team that loves to worship God even when practicing.
• Chatting with L after practice and getting some good tips about dental plans. Seriously good tips :)
• Lunch with another L friend who just filled my soul with kind words, wisdom, laughter, support, a listening ear and blessed me by sneakily paying for lunch. I tried to outsmart her on that but she outsmarted me! I've been going through a hard time with something we have been connected with and to be told by her that she is proud of me for the way I have handled things and not let it destroy friendships, reputations or me in the process just felt like God was also letting me know that He was proud of me too. I've doubted at times if I've been a bit tough on people or not compassionate enough or too selfish. And then as we were leaving He ( through something L said ) gave me the prayer point I have been searching in order to pray for this person whom I have been hurt by. Blessed. Thankful. 
• That my 92 year old Grandmother came through her operation to have her broken wrist set and has stopped freaking out and is resting in hospital. And thankful that Marvelous Mum is finding her inner strength after all these years of thinking that she had none and couldn't deal with life outside of the house.

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 

Part of my definition of prayer is my personal communication with God. He speaks. I listen. He speaks more than I listen. He patiently repeats Himself until I listen. ;)

Photo by luigi diamanti

 I want to live a life where I am not oblivious to the blessings, both big and small and be thankful for them. The thing is - they are always there. Just like glitter. Use a glitter for any purpose at all and I guarantee you'll be finding bits of glitter in your hair, on your face, under your feet, in your bed for months later. 

As I write this I just looked down at my hands. I have not used glitter at all today, this week, this month ( that I recall ). Guess what I can see ? ;)

Glitter to the naked eye. But do you know what I see ? 

Blessings :)

xMiss365