Blessings - on hold?

Ever go through this? I know I can't be alone here... What am I talking about? Just having to put things on hold - starting a family, buying a house, decorating your house now, losing weight, starting - or finishing projects? Some things don't need to be put on hold, but if I had a penny every time I was told or suggested to put something on hold, I may have a couple of dollars. Why don't we like putting things on hold? We like instant gratification, for the most part. Dig deep into your brain, and I bet you can see that it's about instant gratification. Our sermon last week @ Christ's Church was about contentment, and being content. One way to look at the definition of "contentment" is understanding that it's wanting what you have. It doesn't mean that you are striving or liking mediocrity, but rather that you're living and enjoying what God has blessed you with. Please understand that I sat in church going through things that I have and don't have, and found myself on the upside of content. I mean, we rent a 2/2, it has a yard and garage. One floor. Not a condo. It's attached on both sides, and yet we can't hear our neighbors. Our Coco has a yard to play in, fenced at that. Yes, I want a freestanding house, w/3 or 4 bedrooms, one floor, garage, yard, larger bathroom... but I'm so happy to be where I am. Knowing that my husband is just as happy there makes it even better. I'm very content with my marriage, my relationship with my husband and our life together. I do hope that we can have a family sooner than later, but this is one of the things that may be put on hold. God has a plan for everything - I don't question this, or why I experienced a miscarriage. His love and grace far surpasses going through this. For that, talk about being thankful! But maybe it means that we should wait a little longer. Why? Well, we're trying to look for a house, and we're not really finding anything we love. Every time that I have noted that I like a home, it's already been snatched up, or it's a short sale. (Sadly, we know how frustrating a short sale is, so we're not willing to pursue one.) The real estate market is going to bottom out again, so we've been told, and we can see how the economy is going. Why not wait? Something better may come along. I guess this is a blessing in disguise, this waiting game. I feel like I have gained so much patience, it's scary. I fear sometimes that God's setting me up for something big - Lord, please no twins or triplets!! I find myself being envious at times, of what people have. It could be a nicer, newer house, a nice bathroom, flooring, decor, shoes, clothes, babies, dogs, whatever. But when I really sit back and think about it, they don't have what I have. They aren't married to my wonderful husband (aww!) or have my sweet Coco. There's always going to be people with more than I have. Acceptance has been embraced. More house is more to clean. I would hope that if we won the lottery, and got a mansion, a housekeeper would come with it! haha. I kid, I kid! But seriously, I happily employ a housekeeper - I mean, we won the lottery right?!?! ;) Phillipians 3:7-8 is a nice piece of scripture for "things" that we may be wanting after. Kinda related, and it works.
On the flip side, maybe it's not a road block - these hiccups, but rather a way for us to be mindful and careful about decisions that we make, especially financial decisions. Another point in the sermon was to be "free from the weight of debt." Boy, this is one topic that I was dreading. I could almost feel the burn from Don's mind saying, "he's talking to you, Lara!!" He knows I like to shop... Little did he know that I had just placed an online order the day before for some items at Old Navy AND Jewelmint. Hey - they were on sale! But this right here just took a hold of me and drove into my mind that we have got to save. I have got to save. It's hard to cut myself off from purchasing fabulous nail polishes when essie puts out so many cute colors... but it must be done. I can do it. If we are free from debt, and can save $$, that's more money on a down payment. That and we are "free to live generously" when we are free from debt. John 10:10 says that Jesus came so we could live life abundantly. I want that!
So what I'm getting at is that sometimes we can't see the blessings right off b/c we are caught up in people telling us to wait, to put something on hold, or an opportunity may fall through. That's okay, b/c there's a blessing in there. Find your contentment, and embrace it.

xoxo

Because it's been a while.

Sweet Coco on Valentine's day.

Gels at home? I think so!

Picked up this gel kit I had been eyeballing for a while at my local Walmart.  I ran in for something totally unrelated and just had to skim the nail polish aisle, when it jumped out at me. I picked it up & tried to hide my glee when I saw that it came with it's very own UV light. I didn't buy it that day, but have had at least 2 gel manicures since, @ $25 a pop. This kit, including the base/top coat, a beautiful scarlet polish color, cleanser, wipes and UV light was just under $50. I just paid for two trips to the salon! So I tested it out on my thumb first and it truly was easy.  If you can polish your own nails like yours truly err um I mean a champ, this is worth it. There's a tutorial on nailene's website I watched at past midnight Friday, so Saturday it was time to take the plunge.  There are a bunch of colors to choose from, just under $10, and they're actually comparable to some opi colors. Plus I can always buy opi colors online or similar ones at ulta.  I'll be doing my other 9 digits today, so ask away if you're curious as to how it turned out. Oh, and if you're not brave enough to try it out, call me - I'll make house calls.
xoxo