What's new?

It's been a while since I've blogged.  Life's been busy, but not too much that's particularly interesting.

We went on vacation 2 weeks ago, on a Carnival cruise down the Mexican Riviera (Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas).  It was so much fun, and very relaxing.  We went with my sister and her husband, and my parents, for a family vacation.  It was much needed.  I felt refreshed afterward, although it was particularly difficult to start getting up at 5:30 again for work...

K and I are getting involved with the high school youth group A/V team at church.  My function is mainly to be a "producer" of the service, which means I'll be directing all the technical aspects, with a hand in a lot of different areas.  It's right up my alley and something I love doing.  K will be my backup... meaning he doesn't have a particular function and will support and lend a hand where needed. :-)  I'm looking forward to getting involved with the kids and the youth group, and getting to know some new people.

My church is offering a Pilates class on Tuesday nights, so starting tomorrow, I'll be working on strengthening my core... whatever that means. ;-)  I took a Pilates class in college for my kinesiolgy/health credit and enjoyed it then, so hopefully this will be good.  Maybe I'll have some good abs in a year... ha.  One of the girls from my (former) community group will be taking the class as well, so it will be nice to know someone. 

On that subject, it looks like our community group is dissolving.  We started out with 5 couples early this year and are now down to 2, due to various life situations.  So it looks like we're back to square one on finding a group to get connected with.  Maybe it's just as well... it seemed like we had to work too hard to keep this group together and consistent.  Don't get me wrong, I love the people, and will probably keep up with the one couple that lives closest to us.  It's just that we didn't seem to have much more in common besides going to the same church and loving the Lord.

Life is crazy and wearying.  I sometimes forget where my joy comes from in all the worries, distractions, and stress of living in this world: finding a job that I enjoy, figuring out budgets and funds, owning and supporting 2 houses on a self-employed income, trying to find time and energy after a long day's work and commute to take care of my husband, finding Christian fellowship, even the stress of trying to find someone to watch our dog while on vacation.  I forget to pray and seek God first.  I need to find a way to change my focus to an eternal perspective.  I need encouragement and accountability from fellow believers.  Most of all, I need to remember that the joy of the Lord is my strength.