Right now I should be writing a paper for school. I am choosing to put it off however, to write a little something on here. I know I will regret it later when I am busting my butt rushing about trying to put the finishing touches on my 1,800-word homework assignment. No matter, I so much enjoy writing whatever I want with no expectations as to word count, source types, and direct quotes that I think procrastination for the sake of blogging is kind of worth it.

So, let's see. I have been having an extremely busy week, and have an extremely busy week ahead. Here is my "To Do" list (Seth makes fun of me for making so many of these lists, but it is a nice little game I like to play with myself - the more things I cross off the more accomplished I feel)

To Do:
Doctor on Wednesday (glucose test - so NO sugar)
Read 150 pages before my Literature test on Monday
Finish up my itunes U lectures
Write an analytical response to "The Secret Sharer" - (my a fore mentioned 1,800 word burden)
finish 19 essay tests for World History by next Wednesday
Double check my classes for next semester
Finish up my lesson and Calendar devotions for the pre-teen class by Sunday
Make any last minute preparations before convention on Friday (charge camera, get directions, fill van, get all paperwork together, contact students, etc.)
Pack all of our things for convention
Clean the house (laundry, vacuum, dishes, bathroom, etc.)
finish registering for baby items
Schedule a doctor's appointment for Mollie

I look at this list and feel overwhelmed, I have had weeks like this before and survived, but I always seem to wonder if I can survive it again.

I don't really know if there is a point to what I'm saying or if I am just using this as an outlet to vent :), whatever the reason, I plan on having a very thankful Thanksgiving despite my "To Do" list, because God can give me the joy and the strength that I need to get me through!

Now, back to that paper.

Today is...

"Today is the DAY you have made, I will rejoice and be GLAD in it!"

...enough said.

Favorites from the Book of God: Psalm 121

"I lift up my eyes to the hills."

Worry has been beating me up again during the last few months. He comes right when I think I have everything worked out and BOOM! He hits me over the head with an unexpected bill. PLUNGE! He stabs me with the reminder of all of the tasks that need to be done and are continually moved to the back burner. OUCH! He wounds me with thoughts of future events which are out of my hands. Worry is a heartless enemy and a ruthless attacker, with weapons ranging from small, blunt outbursts "You will never get dinner done before they get here" to strong sharp statements, meant to destroy "Your husband doesn't seem to love you as much as he used to," or "Are you sure you are going to be able to take care of another baby? You don't really seem capable of that kind of challenge."

"Where does my help come from?"

So many changes have come my way, financially, physically, etc. and many, many more changes are about to come within the next year: A new baby, a very busy schedule, less (meaning zero) sleep, financial obligations, changes to our extended family, etc. It seems like this is the perfect opportunity for Worry to launch his assault. Unfortunately, during some battles, he wins, and I hobble off the battle field wounded, exhausted, and feeling very beaten. I, however, have a secret weapon, which I sometimes forget about, and when I remember it's power - Worry shudders and is forced to surrender. My weapon is this:

"My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let [my] foot slip -

He who watches over [me] will not slumber."

And when Worry gains enough courage for a second siege:

"The Lord watches over [me] -

The Lord is [my] shade at [my] right hand;

The sun will not harm [me] by day,

Nor the moon by night."

and if Worry happens to recover from that blow, I go in for the kill:

"The Lord will keep [me] from all harm -

HE WILL WATCH OVER [MY] LIFE;

The Lord will watch over [my] coming and going."

Worry doesn't stand a chance against my Lord, HE will always win,

"Both NOW and FOREVERMORE!"

Thank you Lord.