Update to the Great Recession

We are fine, everyone, we’re fine.

I feel like I need to update The Great Recession post to add a few details.

First, we are fine now, we aren’t in desperate need. Do not worry over us. The worst is behind us (I hope!)

I wanted to write about how the Great Recession had affected us because I think our children and grandchildren deserve to know about how hard times can be blessed times, how the struggles of everyday life can make us better people, even when the slog through tires you to your core. You should write about it, too.

On the face of it, there’s nothing special about our journey. There are a thousand of you who read that post and nodded along because it was the same story as yours, not in the details, but in the belt-tightening, white-knuckling of daily life during these times. We are far from the only ones, and we are far from the worst of it. We are ordinary. Some of you struggle as single parents; some of you lost houses, cars, or more tragically, loved ones; some of you had trials that were awful, scary, and unbelievably difficult. I learned that no one gets out of this life without experiencing terrible things, that we would do well to be kinder to everyone because someone else’s journey can make yours seem like a ride on a carousel.

The flip side are the grousers who complained about the bright spots, that I got to go to Hawaii on a “vacation.” The truth is that I choose to call it a vacation. I was working, I was in meetings, interviews, and working the whole time. I spent 30 minutes with my feet in the ocean. I spent most of my time in the hotel room with Lulu. And guess what? I still call it a vacation, because I was in freakin' Hawaii; it was in a hotel room in Hawaii. I am GRATEFUL for the chance to work, even if it has to be in Hawaii. Comparison is the thief of joy, y’all.

Get ready, here come the squishy parts...

I believe in the power of tithing. We made a commitment to give back 10% of what we earned in tithes. I know that because we made that commitment, we were continually blessed. When things would get down to the last $40, we’d take a deep breath, and not worry. Something would always come in. A client would pay their invoice. I would be approached for more work. Those ends would always meet, eventually.

And you know what? It was a blessing to learn that if you are open to what the Lord would have you do, if you will try your best, and work really hard, eventually, things have a way of working themselves out. You just have to give the Lord space to work his miracles in his time. Sometimes it isn’t immediate, the route may be circuitous, or come in a way that you expect, but it just works. All things will work together for your good, y'all.

Finally, I have two really great employers right now, one of whom is TodaysMama. I need to publicly thank Rachael for her unceasingly hard work, her brilliant mind, and for the chance to work for her. She makes dreams come true (HAWAII.) The rest of the team I work with are so high-trust and outstanding, it’s wonderful to share the load. There are great things on the horizon for TodaysMama, and I can’t wait to share them with you.

It's been quite the journey, and it's not over. Love you all to pieces!

I haven’t even told you the Parable of the iPod yet, kids, but trust me, it’s a good one. Stock up on tissues.

Moist

Moist. Moist moist moist moist moist moist. Moist moist moist. Moist moist. Moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist.

Moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist. Moist moist moist moist moist. Moist
moist moist moist moist. Moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist.

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Moist moist moist moist moist. Moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist. Moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist moist.

Moist.