Friday, September 30, 2011

30 Day Challenge - Day 12

Bullet My Whole Day.

You've got to be kidding, right?  Who came up with this list!?

5:30 - Wake up with Barb Wire Man, pour first cup of coffee, make his lunch, and see him off to work.
5:45 - Shower, get dressed, pour second cup of coffee.
6:00 - Sit down to pray and read my Bible.
6:30 - Pour 3rd cup of coffee.  Wake Flower up to get ready for school.
6:30-7:00 straighten house while Flower gets dressed, make breakfast for her and Little Man
7:05 - First Day Care Kiddo arrives, with second soon to follow, Flower leaves with one of the mom's to go to school.
7:45 - 3rd and last Day Care Kiddo arrives.  Play time with the kids, drink first cup of caffeinated hot tea.
8:30 - "Learning Time" with the little ones.
9:00 - "Art Time" with the little ones.  I change their diapers/take them potty before they sit down to color.   While they color I usually pick up a little and get some laundry done. Make second cup of caffeinated hot tea.
9:00-10:00  Sesame Street Time.  It is the only show they sit down and watch, so I let them, and rest a bit.  I usually knit on the couch while they watch the show.
10:00-10:30  Outside play time.  Trust me.  Keeping 4 kids two and under all together is more difficult than it sounds.  Drink 1st cup of, yes, caffeinated iced tea.
10:30 Snack Time/Pick up Time.  Because by this time, every toy I own, and every book I own, is on the living room floor.
11:00 - Start cooking lunch while the kids play.
11:30-12:00 - lunch time!
12:30 - Nap time starts.  During nap time I drink tea, knit and watch TV.  Sometimes, I sleep too, because no amount of caffeine can compete with this much activity.  Of course, I also catch up on my blog at this time.
1-2 is when nap time usually ends.  Its different for each kid, so we usually have a period of time where the cartoons are on and I just sit and snuggle with each one as they wake up, and change diapers  That waking up business is hard to do!
2:00-3:00 - Snack time and free play time.  I'm usually on the floor during this time being used as a human jungle gym.  It really is a blast.  One day I should record what it sounds like so you can hear the laughter!
3:15 - Flower gets home from school, I help her with her homework, and start gathering up belongings for the Kiddos to take home.
3:45 - Time to change diapers once again, if needed, and put shoes on.
4:15 - Moms start showing up to take the Kiddos home.  Some days, I feel like asking if they will either take Little Man too, or, trade their kids for mine!

Here is where things are never, ever the same.

I clean up the house from the day, and get supper going as soon as the kids leave.

Barb Wire Man is usually home from work around 5:30 or so, and we eat supper when he gets home.

On Tuesdays, we immediately leave for Volleyball practice from 6-7.
On Wednesdays, it is church from 5-6.
On Thursdays I lead Girl Scouts from 5:30-6:30.
On Fridays, I crater onto the couch into a coma-like sleep.

Once we are home from those various activities, Flower showers and gets ready for bed while I clean supper mess.  Then I give Little Man his bath.  Then we try to sit and read our Bible as a family.  Then it is bedtime by 8:30.  At this point, Barb Wire Man usually looks at me sympathetically and says "Bobo, please come just sit down."  And I usually do because I don't have a single ounce of energy left.
Bedtime is at 10:00.  It takes me less than 2 minutes to fall asleep, and that is no exaggeration.  It really frustrates Barb Wire Man that I can fall asleep so fast.

Nothing in that list reflects my "to-do" lists.  I just do those things as I happen to have the time, if the kids are playing good, or during nap time.  If you didn't see the to-do lists, you can find them here and here.

Don't ask me how I do it, because really, I have no idea.  Some people tell me that it takes a special person to do what I do.  I'm starting to think they mean riding the short bus special!

Don't forget!  Today is GiveLove Friday!  Head over, and read my sweet friend Ashley's blog, then do something kind for another person today!  We are the church.  Be Jesus to someone today, and share his love by being an imitator of Him, and being  kind just for the sake of being kind!

Have a blessed day!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

30 Day Challenge - Day 11

Put my iPod on shuffle, and list the first 10 songs that pop up.


Well, because I am stuck in the dark ages, I do not have an iPod.  I still use these box we used to call a radio, and these shiny silver things called CD's.  (Hey, at least I have moved on from the 90's mix tapes I grudgingly got rid of.)  But, I do have a ton of songs on my phone, so I will list the first ten that pop up there.


1.  Josh Turner, Me and God 
     Josh Turner's voice is just....yummy.
2.  Josh Abbot Band, She's Like Texas
     This song could have been written about me.
3.  Kevin Fowler, Hard Man to Love
     We played this a lot when Barb Wire Man and I were first together.  It is also the reason I call him Barb    
      Wire Man.
4.  Moron Tabernacle Choir, Be Thou My Vision
     One of the most beautiful hymns ever written.
5. David Crowder Band, Doxology
     I love this version, and I play it when I feel like belting out singing.
6.  Godsmack, I Stand Alone
     Ooops, I forgot to include this type of music in my guilty pleasure list.....
7.  Dan Folgerberg, Leader of the Band.
     This song that makes me think of my dad, and is his ringtone.
8.  Metallica, Nothing Else Matters
     Only the S&M version, though.
9.  The Cranberries, Zombie
     What!?  I loved the 90's....
10. Lynyrd Skynyrd, Simple Man
     This also happens to be my ring tone for Barb Wire Man


Music is such a part of who I am.  I'm actually working on something really cool for my anniversary blog using music.  Its not finished, and I have been working on it for a few months, but it should be neat!


A recent Facebook post got me to thinking about a few things the other day.  I'm so grateful to be able to say that I know who I am.  I know who I am as a person.  I know who I am in the Lord.  I'm thankful that I do not have to search for an identity.  I don't have to Google things I believe in order to find a theology, religion, or lifestyle that I fit into.  Instead, I know who I believe in.  I know that regardless, He will love me and transform me into who He wants me to be.  I'm not even certain I'm phrasing it correctly!


I don't have to be worried about whether or not who I am fits into a mold.  Rather, God knows I will never fit into His mold, and He calmly and lovingly forms me to fit it perfectly.


There but for the grace of God, right?


Be blessed everyone!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

30 Day Challenge - Day 10

Today's Challenge?  My guilty pleasure or pleasures....


Oh goodness...really?

OK, here goes.  A TV show that in no way reflects anything I believe.  Every Tuesday night I stay up late to watch Sons of Anarchy with Barb Wire Man.  It has horrid language, killing, drugs, and sex scenes that make me blush.  Frankly, the only thing that doesn't leave me with my jaw hitting the floor are the motorcycles.   I honestly don't know why I like watching it, but I do.  And until now, I haven't actually admitted to many people that I watch it...because really, it is pure filth.


I also hide candy.  I hide my favorite kind of candy from the rest of my family and sneak bites every now and then when no one is looking.  And if they smell the candy on my breath, and ask me about it, I pretend like I have no idea what they are talking about.


I think that is it.  I really am very much a "what you see is what you get" kind of person.  I was once told by a very wise person (that would be my mom)  that "If you feel the need to hide something, it must be wrong".


The daycare kiddos and I have been making "About me books for the last few days.  We started them last week, and should have them finished up in a few days.  Really, they aren't anything major, but they think they are fun.  On Tuesday, I helped them make their footprints, and on Monday they made their hand prints!  Little hands and feet are beautiful.  Since all the kids are 2, we are going to glue two of all type of things into the books.  Feathers, and sequins and beads, oh my!  It might get a little messy, but that is what water and soap are for, right?!


I also spent last night making fabric book covers for Flower's school books.   (Because purposefully growing mold in my kitchen isn't enough!)  They turned out pretty cool, except I learned a lesson (that I have learned before but forgotten):  do not continue sewing when you are sleepy.  I accidentally sewed the right side of one piece to the wrong side of the other piece.  So, when I turned it inside out, one side looked great, and the other side not so much!  Ooops.  Rookie mistake, but I was trying to hurry so she could have it this morning!  Barb Wire Man got a good laugh out of that one for sure.  I will post pictures....after I'm finished ripping out and resewing!


Have a blessed day everyone!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

30 Day Challenge - Day 9

If you had any job in the world, what would it be?


This one is so easy for me!


For as long as I can remember, even as a child, I only ever wanted to be a wife and a mommy (OK, all you feminists out there, go ahead and call me names!).  Well, that is what I am.


But.....


There was something else I wanted to be as a child.  An Archaeologist.


As I've grown, that hasn't gone away, only expanded.  I'd still love to be an archaeologist, but specifically a Biblical Archaeologist. I'd take up permanent residence in the Holy Land.  I'd search for treasure that helped to prove that everything written in the Old Testament actually did occur.  I'd wait impatiently for permission to be granted to dig under the Temple Mount, under the ruins of King Solomon's Temple.
I'd be best friends with Simcha Jacobovici.
I'd be the next Kathleen Kenyon.
I'd open tombs with Dr. Zahi Hawass
I'd dedicate my life to proving the historical accuracy of the Bible.
I'd love every second of it!


But, alas, my path has landed me in Texas, far from any of that.  Maybe one of these days when my children are grown......


I know it has been awhile since I've written, so I thought I'd do a little catch up!


I'm currently growing mold in my kitchen.  Purposefully.  Oh, the things we do for our children.  Flower has entered both the school science fair, as well as the school history fair.  She decided to grow a mold garden, in order to find out if all foods grow the same type of mold, and if all molds are the same.  So, sitting in old sour cream containers, I have pieces of cantaloupe, tomato, plum, bread, yogurt peach and kiwi, all growing mold.  It is awesome.


And I am discovering that the older our children get, the busier we get.  We officially have only 2 free evenings during the week.  The rest are occupied by youth church, volleyball, and girl scouts.  And because I don't know how to say no to anything, I'm usually involved in them all.  I just remind myself that this is an investment in her future, and that makes it OK.


Little Man, well, he's still just hanging out, playing with his trucks.  He has started running up to me and yelling "HEY MAMA!!!!!"  I WUB YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"  It melts my heart every time!


Barb Wire Man has started a semi-new job.  He is still driving a truck, which he enjoys, but now working for a different person.  With much, much more potential.  And driving a much, much better truck.  I'll go so far as to say it was a definite answer to our prayers, and yet another way God has shown his faithfulness to Barb Wire Man and me.  


Oh, and I have to show you my new favorite thing in my house.


My friend Val, from CCWD, made this awesome sign for me!  I don't often have people just drop by to see me, and those who do know when not to come.  But there are a few people who just haven't learned (like the Schwan's Man).  So, I asked her to make me this sign, and I just got it yesterday!  I absolutely love it!!


I have to go for now.  It is nap time, and I have a huge knitting project I'd really like to get finished up soon.  I can't say what it is...at least for now!  I will post pictures later though!  Everyone have a blessed day!!

Monday, September 26, 2011

30 Day Challenge, Day 8

The moment you felt most satisfied with your life.


Well, if this isn't a loaded question!


I know it sounds silly, but really, this is the truth:  I'm always satisfied with where I'm at in my life.  The reason I am that way, is because I feel like God has me where He wants me at any given time.  I'm content.


But, if I were to narrow it down, I would have to say I was most content, and satisfied, with my life right after my son was born, right up until the present moment.  When I step back and observe my life, I see that have everything I ever wanted.


I have a wonderful husband who loves me despite all that is wrong with me.  I am more in love with him than when we married, despite all his quirks.


I have two of the most beautiful children in the world, and I am their mommy.  God blessed me with a daughter, who He will help me mold into a Godly woman.  He blessed me with a son, who, will be sought after by women everywhere!  That is, of course, assuming he survives his terrible two's, and learns to stop jumping off of high objects.


I have a home for protection, and vehicles that get me from point A to point B.


I'm blessed beyond measure, and am quite satisfied with all God has chosen to bless me with.  And I know, that with God, it only gets better!


I found out today that I am going to be doing a craft fair here in Hereford this weekend!  I am excited about it!  A little short notice, but most everything is craft show ready.  If you are in town, stop by!  It will be at my church (First United Methodist in Hereford), from 9-3 on Saturday!


I have been feeling much better, but the exhaustion and illness is what has kept me from writing too much.  It seems like the days I feel well are the days I am just so tired I can barely walk.  Today, I feel great!  No doubt it is from all the sleep I got last night, thanks to the night time cold and sinus medicine I took!  The good news is, they haven't found anything too majorly wrong with me.  The bad news is sometime in the near future I will be having to have surgery to take my gallbladder out.  I am not looking forward to that.  It isn't even the surgery I am dreading; its having to leave everything about the running of this home into the capable hands of my husband.  I know he can do it, but I don't deal well with handing my jobs over to someone else.  


I pray everyone has a blessed Monday!

Monday, September 19, 2011

30 Day Challenge - Day 7

What were your favorite childhood toys?

Oh, well this one is easy!

When I was forced by nature to stay inside, I played with Barbies, or read.

But I spent most of my childhood playing outside.  I loved being outside then, and I still love it!  I rode the wheels off my bikes, and my roller skates.  And yes, they were actual roller skates until I was in high school!

I had a very active imagination, as I do now, and could make a toy out of anything.  Got a stick, a some water and a hole in the ground?  Poof....all the makings to pretend like I was some pioneer out in the wide open spaces.  Just ask my sister!

What were some of your favorite toys?

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

30 Day Challenge - Day 6

My Zodiac sign, and does it fit my personality....

Well, to be completely honest with you, I'm going to have to go google what my Zodiac sign is......

....OK I'm back.  Apparently I'm a Libra.  Supposedly, I'm diplomatic, charming, easy going, idealistic, sociable and charming and peaceable.  I'm also apparently indecisive, gullible, easily influenced, and self-indulgent.  From what I read, its the most desirable of all zodiac signs.

Well, that is all news to me.  I've never have paid much attention to what my horoscope says, or anything like that.  There's some debate as to whether the Zodiac is acceptable for Christians, and I've even heard some say that it actually can reflect the gospel.

I can see how they came to that conclusion, but I don't put a lot of stock in it.  The Bible does tell us to stay away from soothsayers, etc.

I'm very diplomatic, easy going, and sociable.  I'm not at all indecisive or easily influenced.  And I'm not self indulgent in any way!  Personally, I don't want a 3-line blurb in the new paper predicting how my day will go, simply because of the day and month I was born.  Especially when that blurb is so vague it could almost apply to anyone, anywhere!

So, I'd rather just trust that my day and life is the Hands of God, who controls everything!

Monday, September 12, 2011

30 Day Challenge - Day 5

Today's question is: What are your favorite comfort foods, and why?

To make a long story short, my favorite comfort food is food.

It really depends on what the situation I'm needing comfort from is!

You know those days when you just want to go back to being a kid, sitting at home, without a worry in the world?  Well, those days call for chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, homemade gravy, a salad and rolls...with a giant glass of sweet iced tea.  (So I'm from the south.  I can't help it!)

On cold winter days, its stew.  Now, every single person,besides me, in my immediate family hates stew.  Like, really, really hates it.  But I really, really don't care!  I make it about once a week during the winter!

Colds and sore throats call for potato soup.

Saturday afternoons when I'm cleaning, I love to eat cold meatloaf sandwiches.

But really, I just love food!

Friday, September 9, 2011

30 Day Challenge - Day 4

So, you want to know my views on religion?

This may shock you.

I hate it.  Yep, I hate religion.

Religion is cold, stuffy and legalistic.

Religion tells you what you can't do and what you must do.

Religion pushes people away.

Religion makes you look arrogant and holier than those around you.

But a relationship with with a loving God, who sent His Son to die for me?  Now that is a different story.

I'm a born again Christian, saved through grace.  I believe in God Almighty, the maker of heaven and earth.  I believe in his son, Jesus Christ, and that He sacrificed Himself on the cross for my sins.  I believe He was raised from the dead, and sits at the right hand of his Father.

I believer I am the chiefest of sinners, but have forgiveness through the blood of Jesus.  I know I will continue to fail throughout this life, but that God will continue love me.

I believe that everything I have has been given to me from the Lord, and that the purpose of my life is to live  in a way that will glorify Him.

Religion is dead.  But a relationship with God?  It gets better every day.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

30 Day Challenge - Day 3

Its day 3 of my 30 day challenge, and a topic I do love to talk about.

My Top 5 Pet Peeves.

I am a little peeved that I must limit it to 5, but here goes.

1. When people interrupt while I am talking.  Or when anyone interrupts anyone else for that matter.  It is just so rude.  Its like the person interrupting thinks what they have to say is such much more important than the first person that it just can't wait.  Its highly annoying, and makes me want to turn around and walk off when it is their turn to talk.

2.  Arrogance.  I don't care if you graduated at the top of the dean's list, or if you dropped out of high school. I don't care if you are worth 10 billion dollars, or ten bucks.  I don't care if you are the Pope, the president, the Queen of England, or the janitor, I will treat you with respect.  But, if you act like you are God's gift to humanity and deserve to be treated as such, I most likely won't give you the time of day, let alone my respect.  Every person in this world puts their pants (or skirts!) on the same way every morning, and everyone takes them off the same way to go potty.  Even you, Mr. I-Think-I'm-So-Much-Better-Than-You.  Yes, you know.

3.   People who don't use their turn signals.  I mean, really.  How stinkin' hard is it to turn your blinker on!?

4.  Parents who do not make their children obey.  Now, I'm not talking about the mom who's child didn't get a nap one day and is being a little fussy.  No, that I can understand.  I'm talking about the mother who takes her 6+ year old children to the store and allows them to run around like hellians.  It isn't cute...not even in the least.  In the words of Rodney Carrington, "Ding ding!  Whoop your kids!"

5.  Poor customer service.  I realize that working at a place like Taco Bell, or McDonald's, or a convenience store might not be the best job in the world.  In fact, I can see where it would be really hard.  But it is your job, and you get paid to do it.   So do the best job you can!  I was once told "This might be the 70th time you have helped customers with the same exact problem, but it is probably the first time they have had this problem.  Treat them like they are important, not like you are sick of doing the same thing."  And for goodness sake, buy a turtleneck if you insist on coming to work with hickies.


I've got to say, limiting my list of pet peeves down to five is difficult.  I do have a lot.  But the more I think about it, I think they all come down to the same thing.  Lack of common sense.  It doesn't take a rocket scientist!

So, what are some of your pet peeves!?

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

30 Day Challenge - Day Two

Day Two: Where I'd like to be in ten years?


I think I'd like to be in a retirement village, where I could pay to have someone do everything for me.

No, seriously, 10 years is an awful long way away.
Flower will be 18.
Little Man will be almost 13.
Barb Wire Man will be (hehe) almost 43.
I will be....ohmalawd, 39.

Hopefully, I will be watching my oldest start her college career, while getting my youngest ready for middle school.
I'd love to have a house out in the country, where Barb Wire Man and I could sit on the front porch in the evenings and talk in the quiet without the noise of loud, drunk, neighbors who trash their yard.
I would love to see Barb Wire Man have fulfilled his dream of owning his own Peterbilt, and maybe even get to travel with him some!
I'd want exactly what I want now: for my family to walk in a relationship with the Lord, and to serve Him.

I'm quite a content person.  I can be happy in just about any situation.  But truly, as long as my children are healthy, my husband is healthy, I'm healthy, then all will be well!

And, speaking of healthy, I can finally say that all these years, my weird stomach pains were not in my head!  And to all the doctors who told my mom I had gas or indigestion...you were wrong!  I do have gallbladder problems, just as I suspected.  I think there is more going on, but we are going to take one thing at a time.  Looks like I'll be going in for surgery soon!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Thirty Day Challenge: Day One - My Relationship Status

Good Tuesday Morning!  I hope everyone had a nice, relaxing Memorial Day!


I've seen this floating around the blogosphere, and because I've been so out of it lately, thought I might give it a try.  Maybe it will help the creative writing juices in my head start flowing again, so here it goes:


The Thirty Day Blogging Challenge: Day One


Your current relationship status


Well, anyone who has read this knows I'm married.  I'm very happily married to a perfectly imperfect man whom I call Barb Wire Man.  We got married in November of 2006, so we are coming up on our 6 year anniversary.
He went from being the epitome of college bachelor to wonderful husband and step-daddy overnight.


He is a rough and tough man.
My Daddy loves him, and that really is all that matters, right?
He does whatever he must to make something happen.
He wears Harley Davidson T-shirts, blue jeans, and boots every single day.
He enjoys drinking a few cold beers with his buddies, sometimes a little too much.
He makes driving a semi-truck look hot.


He has an awesome go-tee, which would be 3 inches longer had I not accidentally lit it on fire once.
He shoots straight, and his word is the gospel truth...unless he is trying to tease you.  He has successfully convinced me of many things that are not true.
He will never place anything in this world above me, Flower, or Little Man.


If he enjoys something, he becomes passionate about it.  He is an all or nothing type of man.
He has the most awesome smile, which he passed on to Little Man.  They can both melt me with their smiles.


He is very intelligent.
He has figured out that he will never figure me out, and for that, I am grateful.
He loves the weird things about me, or at least pretends not to notice.
He lets me speak my mind, and knows I'm incredibly independent.
He teaches my children how to appreciate the good things in life, like, AC/DC, Guns N Roses, Metallica, and anything else that is considered "hair band". (As I write this, they are in there listening to "Never Let You Go", by Steelheart, while he explains to Flower that it is indeed a man singing.)
He also knows when it is time for me to shut up, and I know what "that look" means.
He works hard for our family to provide the life we have.
He knows how to have a good time.
He makes me proud to be his wife.
He flips the camera off almost every time I try to take a picture of him, simply because he knows it make me mad.


He loves me like the dickens.
He is going to chew my butt out for putting these pictures of him on here when he gets home from work.  He might even call me from work and chew me out.
There's an awful lot about him that drives me nuts, too.  Mostly, all the things I listed above!  But, I love him.  I love him dearly, and as long as I grow old with him, everything will be OK.
He is my best friend.



Monday, September 5, 2011

...His Mercies Never End.

Hello again, world.  I'm ba-aaack! At least for now, anyhow.  I'm feeling much better for the most part, and am now just waiting on test results.  I'm praying these results will tell us what in the world is going on with my body, because frankly, I don't want any more tests!

I made it to church yesterday!  Praise God!  The pastor's message went hand in hand with the things I have been reading, thinking, and feeling.   Thursday night, I was hurting pretty badly, and just not feeling well at all.  I couldn't sleep, and figured I was probably keeping Barb Wire Man up, too.  As I was lying there, my mind wandered and I thought, "OK, God.  I'm in pain.  I feel like all 18 wheel's of Barb Wire Man's truck have just run over me.  I've prayed, and prayed and prayed, and honestly, I don't know where in the heck you are.  I'm starting to get really frustrated.  I feel like I do my best to serve you and honor you, but here lately, I'm not feeling like you care anymore.  Is it even worth it?!  I'm scared something is really wrong with me, and where are you God?!"

The next morning, I didn't even feel like reading my Bible like usual.  I just grabbed it, and opened it up, not even really caring where it landed.  It was Lamentations 3.  I thought "Really?!  Lamentations!?  A book that is 5 whole chapters long, out of 66 books in the Bible!?  What are the chances...."

Until I got to verses 21&22:
"Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope:  because of Yahweh's faithful love, we do not perish, for His mercies never end.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!  I say, "Yahweh is my portion, therefore, I put my hope in Him."

Hmm.

Skip forward to Sunday morning.  I took Flower to Sunday School, but came back home to finish getting myself and Little Man ready.  Natalie Grant's new Song Your Great Name came on, and I drove around until it finished playing.  I loved the line: Every fear has no place, at the sound of your great name.  The enemy, he has to leave, at the sound of your great name!  It gave me chills!


The first song we sang in church was the old hymn Great is They Faithfulness.  Indeed.  At his point, I was thinking "OK, God.  I totally get it now.  I'm listening!"  Then would you believe the sermon was based on Lamentations 3:21-26?!  NO JOKE!  I darn near fell out of the pew.

The first point of his sermon was that God's faithfulness is evident despite the trials of life.  Why am I going through trials?  Because of sin.  Because God made us in His perfect will, but we chose to leave that path, and sickness is just one of the repercussions of that very first sin.  God's mercies are new every morning, yet they are unchanging.  He loves us.  He is faithful to see us through our trials.

I'm not putting my hope in doctors figuring out what is wrong.  I'm not putting my hope in finding which pill is going to make me feel better.  I'm not putting my hope in a surgery.

I am putting my hope in my God who loves me and wants the best for me.  I am putting my hope in Him, that He will guide the doctors to help me make the best decisions.  I am putting my hope in Him, that he will use this time in my life as a testimony and witness to those around me, just as He has every other trial in my life.  Why?  Because He is faithful, and therefore, I have hope.