God loves us just as we are but He also loves us too much to allow us to stay that way

By now you have read Bigdoc's blog telling about his retirement.  Seems no one wanted to hire him at age 63;  well, I'm 60 and no one wants me either.  I admit I didn't look as hard as he did, but I did have 2 serious interviews, filled out two job applications, and, alas, no one has hired me.  A part-time "something" would be great where I would not have to be on my feet for hours at a time, just a little money to pay for a few girl-type things such as a monthly pedicure, occasional lunches out with friends, the beauty shop (I'll still need to get hair cuts but will begin coloring it myself), an occasional craft show, etc.  Guess I will be patient, keep looking from time to time and see what happens. 

The funny thing is that I really love having Bigdoc around all the time.  My sister said once that she would not like her husband to ever retire and be home 24/7 because he would drive her nuts!  I said I would love having mine home, and it is true;  I love having him around.  He's not perfect, you understand, but he's perfect for me.  So we will just go on into this next phase of life and see where God leads us.  God is SO GOOD.       

Today I filled out the first job application in over 25 years.  It was eye opening.  I could see that I was not prepared for all the questions, and since my background is in Human Resources and search positions, I should have been prepared!  What was I thinking?  That they would see my "good looks" (for an old gal, that is) and fine attitude and not need certain information?  When I was doing the hiring, I looked for many of those same questions to be filled out that I, today, did not have the information in hand to complete my application. 

Well, I know it will not be easy, but I will find a job some fine day and then all this angst will be out the window!  Then I will worry about doing the job properly and getting to work on time, whether I can still take proper care of Bigdoc, etc.  All we have is one day at a time:  I will praise God today for the experience of filling out a job application.  Now, just remember to fill out that info next time!   

It has been a roller-coaster ride around here since just before Thanksgiving when Bigdoc's company decided to close it's door.  We have considered moving to Mexico to live cheaply, been out there to look for work, continue to look for work, gone over our budget time and again, considered retiring early, etc.  We do not know what the future holds, all we have is today.  But I have hope for the future, know that our futre is totally in God's hands and that He is faithful!  I know that wherever we are, Bigdoc and I will be there together.  I may or may not need to work, we shall see if the doors are opened for me.  I am finally at peace for whatever God has in mind here.  HE IS SO GOOD!      

Just a quick note to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas.  May the celebration of the birth of the Lord Jesus fill your hearts with love and joy and peace.  I pray that you will come to know Him as your personal Savior if you do not yet know Him.  And I pray you will not just see Him as that baby in a manger in Bethlehem, but understand that He was born that you might have life, life more abundantly.  I pray you will know He gave his all so that you might live forever in glory with Him, and not spend eternity in hell, separated from God forever.

So when you are opening your gifts today or tomorrow remember you can also receive God's greatest Gift of all!  It leads me to the song "O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the LORD!  

Today is our 18th wedding anniversary. Wow! Never thought I wold be married more than 10 years to anyone -- first mariage 10 years, second marriage 5 years -- but today Bigdoc and I celebrate 18 years of marriage. They have been good years, not perfect years, but happy years growing together, more in love every day! I often tell him he is not perfect, but he is perfect for me. We had our out-for dinner celebration yesterday after church, and tonight I will make dinner at home. We will give each other a mushy card and he will write really lovely things in mine -- he is very good at that kind of thing (course you already knew that, right?). No gifts since last Friday we learned that the company he works for announced they will close their doors within a few months, so we are not going to spend extra money. Pray he will find profitable work for the next 3 years when he can retire at full social security and our mortgage will be paid off, OK?

Today I will watch the video tape of our wedding -- we were younger and thinner in those days, It was a small wedding, maybe 40 people, with a reception at our house. Bigdoc, who tends to be shy, wanted to stand in the back and shout out "I do" when necessary, but he acquiesed to being up front with me and the minister and our witnesses. I know Bigdoc was a gift of God into my life -- I am so blessed!

Today I went with my sister to the semi-annual Arts & Craft Fair.  It is always at Canterbury Downs race track in Shakopee, MN.  This particular craft fair is the best there is.  I am continually amazed at the variety of items and the quality of the crafters.  I did not wonder why the booth with the summer furniture was devoid of shoppers -- this is November in Minnesota.  I always wonder why there are so many booths selling jewelry, and why so many people love them -- they look like junk to me -- I prefer precious and semi-precious stones myself.  

We always arrive in the parking lot about an hour before the fair opens, sit in the car for a while, then go into the tent where tickets are sold and join in with the accumulating crowd.  We look at everything, always have pizza for our lunch, then we have a home made, fresh squeezed lemonade before we leave.  I always look for something for our daughters-in-law, of whom we have 4 right now, but one is not on my Christmas list since her husband, my middle son, is the one who hasn't spoken to me for more than 10 years -- I only buy gifts for their son.  This year I found a booth with lovely decorative pottery, and chose a unique plate for the three on my list.  I always feel like this is a really special item for them, but I don't know if they think so.  They will get a few other goodies also, but for me, this item is the best part.  

The best part of the craft fair, for me personally, is going there with my sister.  I really love her lots and love being with her.  We both bought fun hats at a booth with a great salesman!  Tonight my feet and legs ache, but it is worth it!  A fun day.   

Today is Bigdoc's birthday.  I am excited because I am SO GLAD that he was born, and SO BLESSED that the Lord brought him into my life, and so blessed that the Lord saved his life during his two heart attacks!  Now we will have rib eyes for dinner and home made cherry pie for dessert, both favorites of his.  I am  blessed to have a husband who loves me as Christ loved the church and gave up His life for her.  And Bigdoc is funny, cute and cuddly, kind and gentle.  But he doesn't want anyone to know he is such a nice guy, so don't tell him I told you, ok?  It will be a quiet night tonight, just the two of us, just like we like it.