Take You Back

"You'll take me back always. And even when my fight is over now.  Even when my fight is over now, You'll take me back always.  And even when my pain is coming through, even when my pain is coming through, You'll take me back always." -Jeremy Camp.

I'm a little late on this post and for that I apologize. Seems it's been a long month this week. In my trying to keep on top of my studies and personal life, I'm now paying the price.  I have bronchitis.

Monday was a long day but ended up with a wonderful time sharing with my small group.  We finished up our study in Philippians brought to us by Craig Groeschel via Internet.  If you have a chance, check it out @ www.lifechurch.tv.  This last chapter, chapter four, was about giving all your worries to God...and not taking them back.  Sure, everyone has things they worry about, but why do we worry so much?  Some things we can make an effort to change but most things are completely out of our control.  After learning about this, I'm thinking of making (or getting) a "God box"...a box where I can write down what I'm worried about, place it in the box, and pray about it instead of worrying about it.  Once the worry is placed in the box, there's no way to take it back (or get it out of the box).  How awesome is this?

Tuesday through Wednesday found me trying to write an essay for English.  It's been so long since I've written anything in an essay form. It got me a little stressed out.  Yes, I prayed about it.  It's not that I was worried but I guess I just wanted it to be perfect.  After a few hours into it, I knew it wouldn't be perfect.  I also know that I did my best and that makes being perfect not important.  The important aspect was that I turned in a finished essay on time.  Now comes the waiting for the grade...but no worries.

Thursday went by so fast that I can hardly remember what happened so I'll skip to Friday.  I had a dentist appointment that seemed to go pretty well.  Then it was off to get a new "do".  Yep, it was time.  My hair was getting to the awkward point where I started wearing a hat everyday.  As much as I try to grow it out, once this stage hits, all I want to do is cut it off.  So, back to the faux-hawk for me. I'm certainly no stylist but I can rock the faux-hawk.

By Saturday, I was pretty exhausted but managed to go find some new jeans for winter at the mall.  I despise the mall...any mall.  I suppose I'm the type that wants to get in and get out.  I haven't found a mall yet that would accommodate me with this.  Seriously, if the mall had stores that had a self-checkout, I'd be there all the time. The experience wasn't completely tragic, although, I did hit a minor snag.  When I tried on my soon to be new jeans, I'd taken my phone and keys out of my pockets.  After choosing which pairs I wanted, I put my old jeans back on and went to pay for my prize.  I got checked out fairly quickly even though the sales clerk was trying to push a credit card at me.  I decided then to see about finding a NY Giants shirt for me and a Jets shirt for Sara.  After going to the other end of the mall, I didn't see a darn thing that would work.  I guess that's what happens when you live in a state that loves their Redskins, Cowboys, and Steelers. What's a girl to do?  I wandered back to the store I'd parked in front of and reached for my keys.  Uh....keys...where did I put my....NO!!!!  I'd left them in the dressing room.  So there I went at a frantic speed-walking pace back to JC Penny praying to God that my keys were still there.  Upon a breathless arrival, someone had occupied the dressing room I had used previously.  I took a few deep breaths pondering what to do.  I decided to check with Guest Services to see what they might have.  What do ya know?  My keys were sitting right there on the counter.  Whew!  I picked them up and jingled them a bit to get the clerks attention.  She looked at me and said, "Yep, I knew she'd be back. Can't get very far with out those now can ya?"  Haha..I suppose it's funny now but at the time I felt like coming over the counter and yelling, "Look lady, I have been all over this place today and I haven't eaten in about seven hours.  You do not want to mess with me right now."  But, I just thanked her and made my way back to my car.

Later in the afternoon, we drove out to Blackstone to celebrate Sara's brother's birthday. Ever since the "loosing my keys incident", I'd developed a bad headache.  But I didn't want to miss out on the redneck volleyball games and all the delicious food that has fattened me up since moving here.  This is most likely when the bronchitis was about to attack.  After sitting out in the cold all night in shorts and a t-shirt and watching the antics of Binghamville volleyball, my headache started to dissipate but my chest began hurting. I figured I'd just need to get warmed up and get some sleep.

Sunday, it hit...hard...with a fury.  I couldn't breathe, my chest felt as if someone was sitting on me, my head hurt a little, my body ached, and my nose was stuffy.  I was upset that I'd miss church for the third week in a row but I didn't want to chance getting anyone sick.  I tried to relax on the couch and drink plenty of water.  Relaxing is hard to do when you're drinking so much.  Every time I got back to the couch, I'd have to get right back up to use the bathroom.  Anyway, Sara when off to hang out with some co-workers and watch football so I had the place to myself.  I was okay until the chills set in. By that time, Sara walked through the door with a variety of soups and Gatorade. That's my girl!  When she realized it was hot in the apartment and I was wrapped in a blanket, she knew it was serious.  I'm always too hot and very rarely cold (it's an Arizona thing). She got me to eat some soup, take a shower, and then get dressed to go to Patient First.  I can't stand that place but I knew it was serious enough that I needed to get some medication.  I'll spare you all the details of the visit but I came out with a basket full of medicines and they even let us take a box of Kleenex.

That brings me to today, Monday again.  I'm bummed that I had to stay home from classes but I know that I needed the rest.  I hope I feel well enough to go tomorrow. There's Math and Spanish that I really don't want to miss.

I think God may be telling me to slow down and I'm going to try and be thankful for the time off.  He does make all things work together for my good. Romans 8:28

"I can only speak with a grateful heart, as I'm pierced by the gift of Your love.  I will always bring an offering.  I can never thank You enough."  Jeremy Camp