Certifiable ;)

Its been a pretty crazy month! For the most part, I was busy studying for a certification for work. I'm very thankful to God to say I passed!! (to which Dad jokes that I'm certifiable...hmm haha) I've loved learning new things at work and feeling more a part of the team as I've taken on new roles. This will open some very exciting doors career-wise. I'm looking forward to what God has planned down the road!
To prepare for the certification exam, I was given the opportunity to stay with my parents while I attended a one-week class. It was wonderful to spend the week with them although all too short as I was in class 8 hrs/day and studying at night! We did get some family time in as I flew up a couple of days beforehand and stayed a couple extra days. We also had dinners as a family in the evenings. One of my favorite family events of the trip was having lunch at one of my favorite restaurants, PF Changs, to celebrate passing the certification exam. Dad and I also got to enjoy a "Daddy-Daughter Date" to see the new X-men movie (yes I do like action/sci-fi! great movie!!!)
I'll likely continue to attend classes and take certification exams in the next few months as I work towards more in-depth involvement in this field. I'm excited but soaking in this break. I've been thoroughly enjoying time with new friends and those who have moved to the area after college. I can see how God is working in my life; presenting new, exciting opportunities and teaching me more about His faithfulness as I learn to depend on Him more fully.

Beauty and Value

Quotes from a sermon I heard recently (taken from the church's fb page)

We all have shallow preoccupations about life, money, status, acceptance, etc and our emotional reward is worry. Worry shows we are not in a trusting relationship with God the way we should be; He is taking care of all of the things we need.

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
Wouldn't you rather live with peace than worry in your heart?

"Most of us don't provide God an opportunity to show us His greatness in our lives." Do you trust yourself more than you trust God?

"Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance"
Isaiah 40:12 ESV
Shouldn't we trust the same God who holds the water in his hand and weighs the mountains?

In America, especially with ladies, it's all about the outward beauty and people forget to look at the inside. America wants an outward transformation, while God values the inward transformation. Where are you focused?

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Philippians 1:6ESV
Aren't you glad it's not up to us to do the transforming, but that God will bring it to completion for us if we allow Him?

We are born wanting to be king over our kingdom (life). We feel stress and anxiety as we try to control every aspect of our lives. But when we accept Christ as our savior, we are called to live in such a way that we crawl off our thrones and invite Him to take the throne of our lives.

This message almost hurt with conviction but healed at the same time...
I know I don't trust God as I should and I pay an emotional price for it. Phil 1:6 is one of my favorite verses. Its so comforting to know that God is faithful. He has a plan for pursuing and growing me. He doesn't give up!

Do You Trust Me?

In this post, I shared about a lesson Pastor Steve gave on trusting God when you have no idea how He'll work in a situation. I have been reminded of this more lately....following Christ, trusting Him is challenged when we must do so by faith not by sight. In the times it seems God's quiet, He's working mightily, pushing me past comfort zones and safeguards to rely on Him alone.
I love this song by Jeremy Camp. Although it sounds like a lament its actually a victory cry. When I can't, God does.


Jeremy Camp- Healing Hand of God

I have seen the many faces of fear and of pain
I have watched the tears fall plenty from heartache and strain
So if life's journey has you weary and afraid
There's rest in the shadow of His wings

I have walked through the valleys, the mountains, and plains
I have held the hand of freedom that washes all my stains
If you feel weight of many trials and burdens from this world
There's freedom in the shelter of the Lord

And I have seen the healing hand of God
Reaching out and mending broken hearts
Taste and see the fullness of His peace
And hold on to what's being held out
The healing hand of God

And I have touched the scars upon His hands to see if they were real
He has walked the road before me, he knows just how I feel
When you feel that there's not anyone, who understands your pain
Just remember all of Jesus's suffering

'Cause I have seen the healing hand of God
Reaching out and mending broken hearts
Taste and see the fullness of His peace
And hold on to what's being held out

Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you
He's near to the broken and confused
By His stripes our spirit is renewed
So enter in the joy prepared for you

I have seen the healing hand of God
Reaching out and mending broken hearts
Taste and see the fullness of His peace
And hold on to what's being held out

The healing hand of God
The healing hand of God
The healing hand of God

And hold on to what's being held out
(Hold on)
And hold on to what's being held out
(Hold on)
The healing hand of God, oh, oh

S-H-E-N-A-N-I-G-A-N-S

Days in the office continue to be punctuated with humor and the recent addition of "shananigans". Another co-worker and my cube-mate have a bit of a minor prank war going on. They like to wait for the other person to step away from their desk then move or rearrange things on the person's desk. (some days just require a brief visit back to childhood.... it reduces stress ;) ) I've been the victim of shenanigans once (you don't realize how much of a creature of habit you are until "getting back to work" involves your hand hitting the desk where your mouse should be!) but, for the most part, I get to witness the planning, execution and discovery of the shenanigans.
Clay recently got pretty creative in the execution of his shenanigan....

Those are thumbtacks on Katie's chair! I did warn her not to sit down before she discovered it! haha

I'm starting to think a great sense of humor is a prerequisite to work in our department! One of the ladies, who sits at the main entrance to our section of the building, occasionally puts print-outs on the front desk. These were two of the most recent....





Can anyone else relate?? haha

Be careful what you pray for....encountering God's power

I'm in a season of finding out more about God and His power.... His power over pain, His power over the future, His power as protector, friend and Father. Its a trying season that's left me drained and, most of the time, at a loss for words.
God is stripping me of fears, of my plans, of my reliance on myself... (be careful what you pray for! He answers!!!) I can see how He's answered prayer, just in ways that may not have been my first choice... I'm seeing him strip out the selfishness I add into the desires He places on my heart. (subconsciously saying: "sure God, that's a great desire, but lets add this to give me something out of it") This leaves me with the choice of turning away in a frustrated, childish hissy fit or turning to my God in surrender. I'm sure anyone can guess which I'm prone to!
He's SO faithful. Even when I'm crying out that I'm angry, hurt and confused, He sends little gifts of grace to remind me that He loves me and that He's the gardener, pruning diseased branches to make me stronger. One sweet gift of grace came in the form of a surprise visit from a sister who lives a couple of hours away. Just when I needed to be prayed over and hear truth, she was literally waiting for me when I got home from work. She reminded me that God sympathizes with every hurt, every emotion, every tear, EVERYTHING. He loves me as a daddy. An example I heard recently from a new mom: Even as the child is giving a parent a look of betrayal and hurt, the parent must allow them to get immunizations. I, as God's daughter, so often look at Him as being responsible for my pain. What I forget is that He knows what's on the other side. He knows whats best for me. He allows the pain knowing His arms are ready and waiting for me to crawl into them.
Although, sometimes retrospectively, I can see God's hand in each situation, each test, each leap of faith. Finding Him is becoming easier. He's blessed me with an amazing, sustaining peace over some of the more confusing situations and He's opening my eyes to find Him when, at first, I cant see how something could possibly turn out for the best. Though, my idea of "the best" isn't God's. His is better! As a sister recently reminded me, this life, this commitment to take up my cross and follow Jesus isn't for my glory; its for God's. Our obedience leads to God's glory which brings us joy! This walk does involve sorrows and trial but I don't have to carry the burdens that seem to be mounting! He allows trials but He does desire that I have His joy!

Update

I know I haven't had much activity here... Once again, I've thought about it but either I don't have time or don't have energy.
There's a line to a song... I can't even remember how long ago I heard it! For the longest time, all I could remember was the one line: "When I cannot see your hand, I'll trust your heart"
I recently found the rest of the lyrics: Jeff Anderson- Paralyzed

You have paralyzed all that is inside,
All that is the heart of this desperate man.
I will celebrate the coming of your love.
I can hardly wait for that glorious day.
Though I can’t see you. Though I can’t touch you.
I know that you are reaching out your hand.
I will always walk in your beauty.
When I cannot see your hand I’ll trust your heart.
I can barely breath. I can hardly speak.
I can only close my eyes I can’t even think.
You’re all around me. You’re all that I can see.
The closer that I get the more I am free.
Though I can’t see you. Though I can’t touch you.
I know that you are reaching out your hand.
I will always walk in your beauty.
When I cannot see your hand I’ll trust your heart.
I believe in miracles.
I believe in the God that saved the Universe.
To live this life without you, I could think of nothing worse.
Though I can’t see you. Though I can’t touch you.
I know that you are reaching out your hand.
I will always walk in your beauty.
When I cannot see your hand I’ll trust your heart.

When I can't see God's hand, when I don't understand how something could end well, I must trust God's heart, trust His track record. He's never failed me. Anything I've turned over to Him has turned out better than I could have imagined.

Quotes from the Cube Farm 2

Days at the office continue to be filled with the usual busyness that characterizes everyone's work load.... Thankfully, I'm still surrounded by some of the most light-hearted, down-to-earth people I've had the pleasure of knowing. Its certainly puts things into perspective when you spend a few minutes calling a co-worker (in another building) to tell them to come get the last doughnut someone brought in because their Facebook status that morning said they wanted one... (yes, it happened...HA!)

Coworker "C": Hah, not guilty
Me: Just this once
"C" and only once I wont make it a habit
Me: Exactly You used your one free card for the year
"C" haha doh
Me: You're taking over for "Coworker B" as office mischief maker Everything is now your fault
"C": and working hard at it
Coworker "B": Dont worry, I'll make regular visits to keep them on their toes. I'm harder to handle when I come in large random bursts



Coworker "T": They are going to lump some newbies under me, I will train them
Me: Oh dear... they're going to let you mold fresh, young minds....
"T": yes
Me: Should I preorder the damage control? :P
"T": please Psychiatric Health
Me: with some counseling....just in case...might be traumatized
"T": exactly



"J"'s favorite phrase: Is it Tracey's fault?
Me: I take no responsibility for anything...ever!
"J": She's learning too quickly!
Yes, my upbringing by one of your fellow "geeks" has taught me well. To (a few of my coworkers): I've been trained well. Underestimation could prove dangerous! (The fun-sized one is on my team!)
"J" Be careful, you know what they say..... "once you go geek, you don't go back" .... You are running dangerously close to full geekdom, it's expensive and you must spend lots of time in Best Buy and computer related websites hunting for toys.


My cube-mate: I'm not surprised you know the back route (into the cafeteria) We just rigged a golf cart!
She's (me) now proved herself as the MacGyver of the office!!
(In our defense....someone forgot to return the key!....so we might have improvised...with a house key.... 0:) )

My cube-mate: I'm part of the team now
Coworker "K": Til death do us part
cube-mate: Or until the contract funds run out...