VACATION!!!!

I don't think I could possibly be more excited!!! I get to go on a real vacation...to Homer, Alaska...to visit one of my bestest girlfriends (and her family) ever! And I'm sitting here, at work...trying to work...it's not working too well though. So I'll post some pictures of them and of Alaska instead!











I'll be sure to take lots of pictures while I'm there and post them if I can. I'm video taping it too because it's H's first vacation also and I don't know when we'll be going up there again. So I'm taping it so she can 'remember'.

Anyway, I'm praying that she travels well because it's a long journey there and back. I'm also praying for patience for me if she doesn't do well, that I would know how to help her have a better time.

A moment to brag

I must say that I honestly believe I have the cutest little girl in the whole world! I know that you may think I am biased but really take a look and then tell me I'm wrong!



She's doing so many new things, it's as though she's trying to conquer the world in the month of May. She's been sitting by herself since she was 5 months; she's about to crawl-the coordination thing has taken a while; she's sitting herself up from laying down/crawling!!!; she got her first tooth on Sunday; she's pulling herself up all by herself now; making attempts at walking; in a big girl car seat although still rear-facing; and she even helps me clip coupons for shopping!!!



I love her soooooo much and so I couldn't help but brag on her for a moment. However, all the credit goes to God cuz He made her just the way she is! I know He's proud of her too!!

PS31

I'm obviously not talking about the newest version of Play Station but rather the Proverbs 31 woman.

10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Does anyone else feel like they take two steps forward and one step backwards? I wish that transformation had taken place the moment I gave my life to Christ but [sigh], it did not and so just like everyone else I must go through the journey.

I do hope that someday I will be a woman of noble character, clothed with strength and dignity, speaking with wisdom and faithful instruction. I do know that it's not by my own strength but by the Lord's and that all of the following comes through/by fear of the Lord.

I don't like how my flesh/the old me rises up in some circumstances and reacts. It's ugly and unbecoming and unlovely. Lord, please change me and make me into the woman you want me to be. I want to live my life for You and I also want H to see You in me and want to be just like that. I want her to, one day, rise up and call me blessed not for my own glory but Yours Lord.

Legacy

I am so moved by music as I'm sure most everyone else in the world is, at times it can bring me to tears. So yesterday I was driving home and listening to the country station, don't knock it unless you've tried it, and an artist was singing a song about his wife! I loved it and it made me want to live my life so that someone will write a song about me. I know, kind of self-centered huh?! But deep down, I do want someone to write a song about me, I think that's so romantic. Hearing how you're appreciated and cherished for even the littlest things is so sweet. Maybe I'm a sentimental goof but oh well!

I want to live my life to impact others for the kingdom of Christ. I want to leave a legacy, just like that song says (see below). I want the Lord to use me in ways that will bless others starting with my little family first. And I think I've discovered that I'm a lot more of a romantic than I thought I was. So, in saying all that...even if no one here on Earth ever writes a song about me I was remembering in the Bible where it says that the Lord sings over me.

He, God, Almighty, King of Kings and Lord of Lords sings over me. And maybe, just maybe, He's singing about how much He loves the littlest things about me...just like He does for you too!

Nichole Nordeman \ Legacy

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...

Cub foods parking lot

So, last night H and I were on our way home from Cub foods and by "on our way" I mean safely buckled up and slowly backing out of our parking spot, slowly as in 0 mph, when SLAM!!!! You got it, somehow I'd backed up into a car heading up the aisle. I say somehow because, I was very carefully backing out because of all the kids in the parking lot at that time. I'd just looked over my right shoulder and turned to look over my left shoulder and in an instant there she was!

I, personally, think she was racing down the aisle and not paying attention because later when I asked her why she didn't honk she replied, "I didn't see you". Which is not possible because I was slowly backing out and was two feet beyond the cars on either side of me. She just plain wasn't paying attention. And then she decided to be a jerk about it even after I'd given her ALL my info minus SS# and birthday AND started the filing of my claim on the after hours service. AND H had started crying by now and she still didn't want me to leave. Her car has two little dents in the passenger side doors, it's not like I'd totaled it!!!

Anyway, I finally told her I was leaving, she has all my info and if she needs anything else she can call my insurance company. To which she replied, "Well, I want them to know that you backed out into me". And I said, "Well, I think that's pretty obvious, it couldn't have happened any other way" (meaning someone picking up the rear end of the car and smashing it into a 'T' formation with my tail end.) Yep, that only happens in cartoons my friends!

Anyway, I left and went home after 20 minutes of being harassed and that is how my pretty good day turned poopy for a while...cuz then my mom came over and it was great from there.

"Hi, I'm a...shhh don't tell...PC"

My computer is poopy! My PC at home is at least so that is why I'm pining away for a Mac. We use them at work and I love them, not only that but I use it so often then I'm forgetting how to use my PC which is ok because it needs to go to the doctor soon anyway. It's kind of like the computer cart PC on the commercials, to see what I'm talking about go to: http://www.apple.com/getamac/ads/

Computer cart explains my PC, poor thing...

When the timing's right I'll be putting my PC 'to sleep' and taking things to a whole new level! But that time is not now and so alas, I wait till the day that I can use my computer without issues.

Aside from that, all is well...

William Congreve

"Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned / Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned." ~William Congreve

So I've been thinking about this quote for a little while and oh it's so true. However, I've been doing a lot better with the whole anger issue until...this morning...on a whim...I decided to....

do a people search and whaddya know...2 contacts showed up, one in NY and the other in GA...so now here's my dilemna, do I try to contact them? I don't want to be the one to call cuz I don't want to talk to him, in case it is him. I doubt that it is him because the name is pretty common and the locations are pretty full of Senegalese Wolof peoples.

Anyway, I am no longer full of rage nor am I furious with him. What he's done is done and it is what it is. I know ultimately what I am going to do and have prayed about it and have peace about it too. I am no longer going to live my life in fear and worry about all the 'what ifs'.

So, I was reminded of this quote because I'm such a girl...obviously but, I mean it in another sense too. I am so curious and want answers and do so many things to get answers. Sometimes I need to just leave well enough alone.

Once again my prayer for today is that I would leave things in the Lord's hands and let Him do what needs to be done and lead me in His footsteps...and that I would follow instead of trying to see what's out there on those other pathways...a.k.a. my imagination etc.

That's all folks!

SUMMER!!!!

I LOVE SUMMER!!!! The word alone brings so many pleasant thoughts to mind...sun, warm, swimming, beaches, long long days, vacations, sprinklers, bar-b-ques, parks, sleeping in (well, if you're on summer break), water parks, VACATIONS, camping, fishing, hiking, flowers, picnics, the Farmer's Market, and did I mention my favorite...vacations!?!

I am sitting at work looking at my calendar and feeling a bit overwhelmed because I have something(s) extra going on every day up to the day I leave on my vacation...aaaagggghhhhh.

Ok, I can handle this, I just need to make it to May 25th and then I can relax for a while.

Even though I'm crazy busy I'm so excited about this summer. H finally gets to experience what it's like being warm without wearing 5 layers of clothes, ok slight exaggeration...when it was really cold out she'd wear about 4 layers. We're going to have so much fun together and that's what I'm most excited about for this summer. All her firsts. I hope she likes the pool.

Anyway, it should be good times..."sunny day sweaping the clouds away, I'm on my way to...."

A tribute to women and mothers!

Someone sent this 'story' to me recently and it made me smile so I decided to post it especially since Mother's Day is coming up!

To my girlfriends, sista-friends and all the women I treasure in my life...this is for you!

One Flaw In Women

By the time the Lord made woman,
He was into his sixth day of working overtime.
An angel appeared and said, "Why are you spending so much time on this one?"
And the Lord answered, "Have you seen my spec sheet on her?"

She has to be completely washable, but not plastic, have over 200 movable parts, all replaceable and able to run on diet coke and leftovers, have a lap that can hold four children at one time, have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart-and she will do everything with only two hands."

The angel was astounded at the requirements.
"Only two hands!? No way! And that's just on the standard model? That's too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish."

"But I won't," the Lord protested. "I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she is sick AND can work 18 hour days."

The angel moved closer and touched the woman.
"But you have made her so soft, Lord."

"She is soft," the Lord agreed, "but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish."

"Will she be able to think?" asked the angel.

The Lord replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason and negotiate."

The angel then noticed something, and reaching out, touched the woman's cheek. "Oops, it looks like you have a leak in this model. I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one."

"That's not a leak," the Lord corrected, "that's a tear!"

"What's the tear for?" the angel asked.

The Lord said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her pain, her disappointment, her love, her loneliness, her grief and her pride."

The angel was impressed. "You are a genius, Lord.
You thought of everything! Woman is truly amazing."

And she is!

Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideals.
They give moral support to their family and friends.
Women have vital things to say and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

Remember that your worth is in the Lord and what He has done for you, not in what others say or think about you. You are loved with an everlasting love!

Crawling...kind of & other stuff

H is hilarious! She is 6 months old now and learning how to crawl, the only problem is she won't move her arms. She's got the leg part down I'm just not sure if she doesn't trust herself not to fall on her face, but she just won't move them! It's really quite a sight and makes me laugh hysterically and then she turns and looks at me and squeals, she's rather funny.

People ask me all the time if she's always "this happy" and she is. She makes my job so easy, she's such a joy to take care of. So even though I don't get to take naps whenever I want to or sleep in anymore I really don't mind. I love this life the Lord has blessed me with. Even though it is difficult being a single mom (all the bags to carry ;-))I wouldn't trade her for the world.

I am blessed.

Sometimes I wonder where he is and have emailed him, but he never responds. I know he's reading the messages but he chooses to keep silent. So, I tried...many times but I'm done. I am not supposed to be the pursuer anyway and was 'giving it a go' for...maybe some closure but I'm satisfied with the closure I have...no reply kind of says it all huh? Besides I'm not going to sit around pining away, I have a life to live and a daughter to raise and we have so many wonderful things ahead of us. I do and will always pray for him cuz that's all I can do. If you think of it please do so too, he needs it.

Sovereign

He is holy and sovereign.

I have been through and seen/walked alongside so many people that have been through a lot of tough stuff in the past few years and have come to the conclusion that He IS holy and He IS sovereign and He IS with us-Emmanuel.

There is nothing else that can help me explain the sense of trust and peace that I have at the moment especially since I just found out that a wonderful woman that I know pretty well has just found out that she "most-likely" has cancer (she's going through all the testing tomorrow). This woman is an incredible prayer warrior and an amazing woman of God and faith. She's a mother, grandmother, friend and so much more. I can't imagine what she is going through and how it is going to affect her in the moments, days, weeks, years to come but I do know that God IS holy and sovereign no matter the circumstances.

I don't say this lightly either because I know that cancer is such a 'scary' disease because of what it does to your body but having been through what I feel was 'hell on earth' and back again I know that we can trust Him and entrust ourselves to Him.

Please pray with me for Sharon as she is just in the beginning stages of discovery and pray that the Lord would heal her & walk her through the most difficult times.

If you are going through a difficult time right now remember to grab on to God and hold on and don't let go. He'll grab ahold of you too and take you on a journey you'll never forget. One that will ultimately glorify His name. And if music ministers to your heart like it does mine check out the song "Holy" by either Kim Hill or Rita Springer.

Love, me

Consumed

"Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion", says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!"
The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." Lamentations 3:22-26**

As I read Lamentations 1-3 this morning I was encouraged and excited and hopeful. Even though circumstances in my life don't seem to be fair and can at times even seem devastating-I have hope just like Jeremiah and Zion (God's people) did!! I know that the Lord is planning my steps and He is leading me where He wants me and my little family to be. I really am rather excited about the prospects and what He has in store for our future!

I also know that what the devil meant for evil the Lord will use for good-His good and His glory! Therefore, I am not consumed by evil or the circumstances of my life but I am completely consumed by my Maker!!!

Just the beginning...

So, here I am entering the blogging world and I am a bit nervous...possibly because I'm not sure if anyone will even be interested in reading about my thoughts...

However, it's a great outlet for me personally and even if no one reads it I'm still gonna do it...for me, myself and I and of course for my Saviour.

Let me quickly explain my 'header', just in case one doesn't get it right away. 'A' stands for Arika and well 'musings' stands for just that. And just cuz I consider myself to be kind of amusing (some may say silly) I thought it was kind of fun that it could also say 'amusing S', which also works because my last name starts with 'S'. Anyway, as someone famous once said, "He [or she] who is able to laugh at himself will never cease to be amused." So thankfully, I will always be amused!

The other thing I liked about my blog name is the meaning of the word musings, "a product of contemplation: an elegant tapestry of quotations, musings, aphorisms and autobiographical reflections." I mostly liked it for the "elegant tapestry" part, because I hope and believe that that is what the Lord is making of my life. I hope that when he's done with me people will be able to see the amazing/elegant work he's done with this tapestry-me.