Our taxing time

It's coming down to the wire at the tax office. Yesterday I worked the afternoon shift so Dawn could get to church, and she had already had a harried day. One woman was in tears because she had expected a refund and was owing this year. Another woman was stoic about the thousands she owed, even though her husband was in poor health.

Not only is it crunch time, but it seems people who owe money to the government are coming in late in the tax season, as they are in no hurry to find out or to pay what they may owe. Early on in the season, we could be givers of good news as people smiled at their refunds. Actually, coming out close to zero or owing a little bit is not bad news--it means the government had less of our money during the year to play with. But people seem to plan for big refunds and have projects or vacations on money they get back from Uncle Sam or the state they live in.

I hope that tax time reminds me to be a good steward of what we have--to pay to Caesar (Uncle Sam) what is Caesar and to God what is God's. Planning during the year is a good thing, so we can use our money wisely at that time and also to avoid paying a big sum to the government on April 15. (I speak as a member of a self-employed family who pays quarterly--so we really see how much and where our dollars go.

However, after all this talk in my blog, we have yet to sit down and prepare our own taxes. Tim's pretty good with money and has been careful to send in quarterly payments, so I'm hopeful things will turn out well. But, all things are in God's hands, and ultimately, he is the one we trust in. Whether we're getting refunds or writing a check on April 15--God is in control.

Till next time,


Suzi

It's raining!

I can't remember the last time it rained. Luckily Raven and I got outside before the heavens opened, but I'm enjoying hearing the sound of the rain on the roof and even the thunder and lightning that accompany it.

Though the snow has mostly melted, the grass is still brown and the trees haven't sprouted any leaves yet. Sand and salt still mound up at the curbside, sometimes irritating Raven's paws as we walk through the neighborhood.

With the rain comes new life and freshness. Too bad I can't enjoy it from indoors all day--I need to leave in a few minutes for my BSF class. But, I have my windshield wipers and my umbrella, so I shouldn't fare too badly. And maybe in a few days, or weeks at most, we'll see the greening of the earth.

Welcome, spring!

Till next time,


Suzi

Spring is in the air

This morning when we woke up Tim was hot. He threw open the window in our bedroom. He opened the front door and windows in the kitchen and living room. He complained that the thermostat read 77 degrees!

Hurray! Spring is really here!

Even though the kids had to get up early to go back to school after spring break, they were both in good moods. They got up without complaining, made their lunches, and even admitted they were happy today.

Yesterday I wore my winter coat, hat, gloves and boots on my morning walk with Raven. Today I just donned my sweats, stuffing my cell phone, iPod and plastic bags in my pocket. After all, it was almost 60 degrees!

A breeze was blowing, so I was a bit cool for the beginning of our walk, but by the end I was quite comfortable. Michael Card was singing in my ear--Celebrate the Child--and I couldn't help but sing along and lighten my step.

I don't have to work today, so I plan to enjoy the warmth of spring. It might rain tonight, but that won't dampen my spirits.

Till next time,


Suzi

Easter day, happy day

Our friend Carl doesn't like the word "Easter." I guess that word is a corruption of a pagan word that Christians adopted and changed slightly in the time of Constantine. So, we referred to yesterday's event as Resurrection Sunday.

Church was great--there was a time of sharing by many, including Tim, who talked about how God worked many amazing "coincidences" two years ago after his mother suffered a stroke. It is good to look back and see how God has brought us through difficult times in amazing ways. Tim ended up inviting Carl and another single man, Dale, over for Easter (Resurrection) dinner. He drove them around for a few minutes while I caught a ride home from Luke and Christina helped me do some last minute tidying up.

We had a lovely time, and Carl invited us to come see his performance as Mordecai in a Purim play about Esther last night as a Messianic congregation (Jews who believe that Jesus is the Messiah). It was an amazing production, with narration of the story, wonderful costumes, singing and noise makers that we used every time the bad guy's name was mentioned. (Haman-booooooooo). Read more about it in Esther in the Old Testament.

Carl, who is 79 years old, did an amazing job as Mordecai, and he has a lovely, strong tenor voice. Afterwards, the main cast members and stage crew received flowers. Carl gave me one of his dozen white roses. It's a reminder of God's preservation of his people, the Jews, and the purity of his sacrifice, Jesus, as he made a way to preserve us for eternity through the gift of his Son.

Today is back to work, but I'm going to enjoy the Easter--Resurrection day--afterglow for quite some time.


Till next time,


Suzi

He is risen!

Tomorrow is Easter. It is a day of hope in the midst of tragedy, a day or resurrection and life. Because Jesus lives, we too can live. Even when circumstances whirl out of control, when the pressures of life seem to cave in on us, we can have hope in Christ and know the joy that he is risen from the dead!

The power that rose Jesus from the grave can be ours. Resurrection power! Think of that! The power that causes the Son of God who died a cruel death on a cross, to leave a sealed tomb and walk again among people--that power is at our disposal.

Let's ask the Holy Spirit to live within us in power. Let his power be reflected in our compassion, our joy and our love for one another.

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Till next time,


Suzi

Good Friday

Today is Good Friday. The day Jesus suffered for our sins on the cross--taking on the burdens of all humanity, taking on the enormous weight of all that guilt and shame.

On that day an innocent man gave his life as the perfect sacrifice for us. Through his blood, we can be redeemed and reconciled to the Father. Jesus did not stay dead, but rose again on Easter Sunday and through him we can die to our own sins and live a new life through his resurrection power.

Today, an innocent woman--though sinful, for only Jesus was without sin--lies dying. Her feeding tube removed, she is receiving no nutrients. Her uncle described her condition as markedly different than before the tube was removed. She used to laugh and talk (I hadn't heard that one in the mainstream media) but now her voice is barely audible.

On the cross, Jesus thirsted as well. He knows the pain that Terri suffers, and he knows our pain as well. Today, let's remember his sacrifice, pray for Terri and her family, and thank God that he has conquered sin and death.

Till next time,


Suzi

Planning ahead

When you work too many hours, you can forget things. Last night, I was driving home from work about 7:15 when Tim called.

"Guess what I forgot?" I figured it had nothing to do with me, so I just waited for his answer.

"Our appointment with our financial planner at 7:30."

I had written the time on our calendar, but I had forgotten as well. I assumed I'd be home in plenty of time and it wouldn't be a problem to get there.

Tim had to run home to get some paper work to sign, then we met at the financial office. My brain was tired as we looked at projections and numbers and Tim talked about me working full-time once the kids have left home and how that money would be put toward our retirement income.

Today I'm reading in James and these words lept off the page (the internet, Biblegateway.com, actually): James 4--¹³Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” ¹⁴Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. ¹⁵Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. ¹⁷Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.

We were talking about how much money we would need if we were to retire at 70. If everything works out, we'll have enough money to live till 100. Otherwise, we might run out of funds at 80.

I know that it's good to plan--saving is prudent and wise. Investing is also prudent and wise. But I know we cannot carefully map out a financial strategy and expect things to go in an exact direction. And I know Tim and our financial adviser know this as well. Circumstances change, health deteriorates, things come up, etc.

God has our lives in his hands. As we plan, we also trust in him. If our plans fall apart, God is still God, and he is still our provider. I want to plan and be wise, but I want to have the wisdom from above as I seek to be practical too.

Till next time,


Suzi

Wednesday, work day this week

No Bible Study Fellowship this week, as is spring break. I'm using the time to work today instead of Thursday. That way I can be home two days this week in case Christina needs anything. Yesterday we went to the eye doctor, and although she could get by without glasses, she could use a slight correction in one eye, so we ordered them. It will help her when she eventually drives (EEEK!), especially at night, and to help see the board at school.

We did some shopping yesterday, too, and I basically crashed after that from the excursion and the exhaustion of a long day on Monday. Today Dawn and I will be at work together, so hopefully things will go smoothly and we'll both get out before 6.

Till next time,


Suzi

Another long day

When I got to work in the morning yesterday, I was already behind--there were messages to be returned, notes for me to write letters, filing to do, mail to sort, coffee to be made......... I felt like I was playing catch-up all day long. It was almost 8 pm before I dragged myself out of the office for home.

When I got home, I heard the news that there was a tragic school shooting in northern Minnesota. It's a remote area, on an Indian reservation, hundreds of miles from here, but still in Minnesota. My long day didn't seem so bad. My children both arrived home safely.

This senseless act reminds us we live in a fallen world, which is a very scary place if you live without God. Sometimes I'm frightened even though I know God is ultimately in control. But I am glad I can come to him with my fears, place my life and the lives of those I love in his hands.

My long day is nothing compared to the day of those who lost loved ones in that shooting. I can pray for them, that they will find God's peace. And I can look forward to the day when there will be no more time, no more night--but only the light of God and peace in our hearts forever.

Till next time,


Suzi

It's Monday again

It's Monday, but it is the start of Holy Week and spring break for our kids and many others. It may be a lighter week at work, or it may not be. Traffic should be better today, I think--but we'll see.

It was a good weekend--I did a lot of reading of a book I've been continually renewing--Third Watch by Brock and Bodie Thoene. I have to finish it because I'm on the final renewal and it's due before tax season ends. So, it's my little spring break indulgence.

As I go through the week, I hope I can be reminded of Jesus and what he went through the week before his resurrection. In the midst of papers and phone calls, I hope to thank him for his sacrifice and pray for a humble heart.

Till next time,


Suzi

The snow did come

The snow did come. It came mostly in the south metro, where I was working. The employees of the company we share office space with went home early--many of them live in the southern suburbs. I was grateful for my Tundra truck with four wheel drive.

I watched the snow pile up. We had some older people coming to the office, and the two building owners who usually shovel were off yesterday, so Blaine from the shipping department took care of the front walk. In exchange, I gave him some stamps that came on tax returns in the mail. (He collects them, and didn't have the ones I gave him.)

The older people got down to their appointments all right. One was late and got lost, but another was early (they were coming from up north quite a ways, where there was no snow, but had heard about our storm.) So, it worked out to switch appointments.

In the afternoon a young lady came in who somehow got our address as a place where her car had been towed. Using switchboard.com I tried to help her locate her vehicle--finally we called the city police and found it that way. It was an usual interruption to the day, but hopefully a helpful one.

Don, our second accountant, called. It was good to hear from him--he is having some more tests on Monday, including some biopsies. There is a history of colon cancer in his family, so I'm hoping it's not that, but it's a possibility. He sounded good, and I told him not to worry, we were handling things and he should focus on getting well.

I hit the road around 5:45 or 6. When I went out to the truck, I had to push to get the back door of the office building open and wade through several inches of snow in the parking lot. The wind was whipping up a bit, so I tried to hurry as I brushed off snow from the windows, headlights and tail lights. I took some highways that had not looked to bad on the metro traffic map online, and actually things weren't too terrible. As I traveled farther north, the roads got better--not as snow packed, and closer to home the freeway was only wet. Side streets were rather snowy and a bit slippery, but I had no incidents and was thankful to arrive safely at home. I guess far northern suburbs got no snow at all, but south of the metro they had over a foot. Rochester, MN broke a record for the most snow in one day for their area--I think they had almost 15 inches in a 24-hour period.

Tomorrow is spring, but I think there is snow in the forecast for Monday. (I'm working, of course.) Ah, Minnesota. If you don't like the weather, just wait till tomorrow.....

Till next time,


Suzi

No snow yet

For the past few days all the local news reports have been talking about the big storm headed our way. It was supposed to start last night and go through today till tomorrow.

Well, I guess they are getting snow south of the Twin Cities, but as I write in the northern metro area at 6:45 am, we've got nothing. It may still come, but I don't think we'll have the accumulation they were talking about. Which is fine with me--Friday evening traffic is bad enough without weather problems (see the blog about last Friday!).

Meanwhile, we are working hard on managing without our second accountant at the office. Actually, things are going pretty well and yesterday was a pretty quiet day. He had less than a dozen clients on the calendar, and Gladys, whose clients they were originally, has called them and most have agreed to drop off their tax return instead of needing appointments. Now we just need to make sure Gladys doesn't get overworked and end up back in the hospital herself, but she has promised to pace herself.

With prayer, team players, and God at work, peace comes and life goes on. Thanks for praying.

Till next time,


Suzi

A taxing problem--an item for prayer

Last night I worked a couple of hours at the tax office so Dawn could leave early for church, since Tim or Luke couldn't make it by the time she needed to leave. Things were pretty quiet yesterday afternoon, so I mostly did filing and record keeping.

Tim arrived before I left to do some inputting of tax returns on the computer. When I got home, he called with some news. Apparently Don, Jeff's associate who has been taking many of Gladys's clients since her stroke two years ago, is going to be admitted to the hospital today. We're not sure of his prognosis or even the diagnosis--I know he's been pretty tired lately and picked up a couple of bugs. So, he won't be able to come back for the rest of tax season.

Please pray for Don and his wife, Diane. Please pray for us too, in wisdom in how to cover for Don in his absence. Gladys (Tim's mom) wants to take back many of the clients, but we worry that if she does too much, she may end up in the hospital again herself. We (Tim and myself) feel we are already stretched thin, but we may be asked to work more. Jeff and Dawn (Tim's brother and his wife who run the business) are really stretched and have two young children (8 and 4). Mark and Christina are ending the quarter tomorrow, and have tests and studying to do before break begins next week.

It's kind of a deja vu for me--when Tim's mom ended up in the hospital at the end of March two years ago, Tim stepped in and took over her business. I helped as best as I could--at that time we had four kids at home--including Luke and one exchange student. There were many nights when I didn't get home till after 10 pm.

I know things won't be that bad this time, but it looks like it will be tough. Please pray for everyone's health--Jeff has high blood pressure (which has been under control with meds) and Dawn has asthma. With God's help, we'll get through, and we know there's an ending to the stress on April 15--so that helps a lot. For now, we're living in a bit of a pressure cooker.

Thanks for reading my ramblings.

Till next time,


Suzi

A potentially crazy morning

Mark is sick today--with a sore throat. I think he's exhausted, too--he had a project due today that he stayed up late to work on because he had a band concert at school last night. I found out that he wasn't well at 7:20--and was scrambling to figure out how to get Christina to school.

Tim could take her, but he would have to take her late, because he needed to look at a job before 8. I could take her, but I hadn't walked Raven yet, and I needed to be at my Bible study 20 minutes away by 9:30.

Then Luke pulled up in the driveway. He had stopped by to pick up some tools for a job in the southwestern suburbs. Christina's school was on the way, and so he agreed to be chauffeur! Raven and I happily got a full walk in, though he seemed to scurry a bit more, perhaps sensing my urgency about getting on with the day. I almost slipped a couple of times--we had a light dusting of snow, but made it home in one piece.

While we were walking Christina called--she needs to be picked up from school at 5 after track practice. I think I'm going to have to work from 3-6 at the tax office--but maybe Mark will be well enough to pick her up by that time....we'll see........

Till next time,


Suzi

Computer blues

Turns out it was a good thing (or at least a productive thing) that I blogged from the office yesterday. The home computers were not connecting to the internet. At first I thought it was just one computer, but as I checked out the other two, I discovered none of them had internet connections.

I was about to give up in frustration, then remembered last time I called my ISP guy with this problem. He told me just to unplug the DSL box from the electrical outlet for about 5 seconds (I did it for 10 just in case). So, I did this again, then tried to reconnect. Nothing. But, about 30 seconds later, I did have internet access.

Meanwhile, Tim was out buying anti-virus/spyware software. Not a wasted trip, but it's funny how impatient we become with things sometimes and want to buy a replacement instead of taking the time to try to figure out the problem and fix it without buying something new.

Anyway, I'm glad the computer is back (for now!). Mark was able to finish his homework, although it turned out to be a late night for him as he surfed for information about Dante and his Inferno. For now, we can blog, chat, and surf without any problems.

Till next time,


Suzi

Monday morning

Monday morning has hit full force after a fun, but busy weekend. I'm blogging from work about 10:20 because I made the mistake of lying back down after taking Raven for his walk. Mark was not feeling great, so I was worried I might have to drive Christina to school, but he got up and about--he had a bit of a headache so hopefully a couple of Advil will do the trick.

Things are hopping down here at the tax office, so I'll sign off now--the mail just arrived and I need to sort!

Till next time,


Suzi

The Long and Winding Road

Yesterday at work, I looked through the window to see the snow swirling around. Great. Friday night traffic is usually bad anyway, and snow flakes would not help anything. But the snow seemed to be sticking only to the grass, and those coming in the office said it wasn't too bad out there. Yet.

As the time of my departure neared, I checked the internet for a map of traffic. The interstate I usually took was jammed, as well as other highways. So, with the help of Jeff, my brother-in-law and boss, and Tim, my husband, I planned an alternate route on side streets.

I was feeling very smug as I crossed I-494 and looked down my nose at stopped or crawling traffic. I felt even more self-satisfied as I cruised down four lane streets, crossing yet another highway. The roads were fine and I thought I'd be able to meet Tim for dinner in no time.

Well, the streets got narrower and more residential, but I was still moving along pretty well, and I wasn't lost. Then I arrived at the parkway--the one that goes around the lakes in Minneapolis. I've driven there before (and gotten lost before), so I thought this time I could handle it.

Well, I made about three wrong turns. At one point, I encircled an entire lake at least once before I talked to Tim on the phone and figured out how to get off the merry-go-round. And, the roads were starting to get icy. And, they were pretty, but they were also winding and a bit hilly.

Finally, I made it to the road to the restaurant where I was to join Tim and his parents for dinner. Just as I was about 1 mile away, I came to an accident scene--police with flares, and glare ice on a hill. Fortunately, I had slowed to less than ten miles an hour. I thought it probably would have been me in the accident if there were not all the flashing lights and warnings.

I arrived at the restaurant. There was a line in the bathroom, so I went on a search for the booth where Tim was seated. I had called Tim to ask him to order the French onion soup and the salad bar and hot tea. Well, they no longer had French onion soup, and I didn't have any silverware or tea. After a bit, though, I ordered Wild Rice Soup (not a bad substitute) and got my silverware for the salad bar. Oh yes, I made it to the bathroom, too.

Anyway, we got home with no problems. Mark and Christina were both out last night, but they made it home safely, too. I will be so glad for spring and the promise of temperatures above freezing. And the end of tax season with the promise of no more long commutes.

Till next time,


Suzi

Party weekend

This weekend I will take a break from work at the tax office and enjoy partying with some friends. Now, this will not be the rowdy, hard drinking kind of partying--I have never participated in that kind of revelry or had any desire to do so. This will be gathering with old friends to celebrate the transitions of life.

On Saturday we are invited to a birthday brunch with our friend Mark who will be 51 or so, I think. It will be good to connect and enjoy a friendship that has spanned decades.

On Sunday, I'm going to a bridal shower. I guess I'm at a point in my life where my friend's children are getting married. The young lady who is the guest of honor at the shower is graduating from a Christian college and has been a great example of leadership and faithfulness. We met her in our old church, so it will be great to see many people who I have not seen for many months, or even a couple of years.

Somewhere in there, I will try to do some housecleaning and of course, catch a nap or two........

Till next time,


Suzi

Winter is back

It's only March 10, so it's no surprise to native Minnesotans that winter isn't over. Sure, we were tempted to believe spring had sprung when temperatures soard to 60 degrees on Sunday. But an Alberta clipper came rushing down with wind and cold and on Monday the temperatures plummeted back below freezing.

Now it has snowed again. A soft blanket of white is here, hiding slippery spots underneath it. Raven and I enjoyed the sights of snow, but on more than one occasion I almost fell--thankful that I had a firm grasp on the leash and that Raven's body weight steadied me. However, I almost panicked again when I spied another dog owner walking toward us, and Raven pulled and barked and he attempted to greet a new friend. Somehow we made it past the owner and pet, and managed to get home in one piece.

Today's a work day, so traffic will be a challenge. Ah well, spring will be here soon enough. Then we'll be dealing with mud and brown grass--and eventually flowers and sunshine!

Till next time,


Suzi

Not too much to say

Don't have a lot to say today--it's been a bit of a frustrating week, workwise, for Tim and me. Misunderstandings about scheduling at my work and misunderstandings about what homeowners want for Tim. But, in the long run, it doesn't stack up to enough to worry about for too long. Life is short, so we must put things into an eternal perspective!

Meanwhile, I'm still enjoying reading of my nephew's adventures on his mission trip blog--he'll be returning from Peru in just a couple of days. My dad has started yet another blog--I'm having a hard time keeping up with him, but enjoying reading about his younger days. My sister has been blogging sporadically, and I've also enjoyed reading of the adventures of a new blogging Aussie friend who is writing of his biking mission trip in India.

Now I'm off to BSF and then our fellowship luncheon, then possibly to work if Luke or Tim can't make it down to the tax office. The world is getting smaller, days are busy, my life is full. Happy reading on the blogosphere!

Till next time,


Suzi

Skanking with the kids

Yesterday was Monday, so it was a typical busy day and a long one. I got home around seven, and Tim wasn't home yet--he had stopped at his mom's to do tax work and then at the bank to refinance the loan on his truck. Christina had helped herself to the meatballs and rice I had in the crockpot, and Tim, Mark and I sat down to eat some also.

Later in the evening, I discovered Mark and Christina in the office, studying together. Christina was reading to Mark for his American literature class. I found this a very touching scene, as Mark is usually the one helping his sister with things like this. They were getting along so well, and seemed content even though they were both tired and it was getting late.

I don't know how this came about, but before I knew it, we were talking about "skanking"--a kind of dance you do to punk or ska music (I think). Without any music, Mark and Christina got up and corrected my attempts to skank. We were laughing and I realized how out of shape I am and uncoordinated to boot.

Now when we go to Cornerstone festival in July, I'll be able to skank with the best of them, right along with my kids. (NOT) Well, at least I enjoyed a few moments of it on a cold March evening.

Till next time,


Suzi

My dad has blogged again!

My sister and brother-in-law are visiting my parents in Tennessee, so I assumed my dad would be blogging during their visit, and that Cheri would help dad with any difficulties he had posting, since she herself is a daily blogger. But even though I checked his site daily, I couldn't find any new posts.

Well, that was because he has written under yet another blog. Same name and format as the most recent one, but a different web address. He's writing about his childhood on the farm with the cows and also about his young adult years living on an 84 cents an hour salary. He even records his monthly car payment in dollars and cents. You can read all about it here.

It's fun to read about the early years of my dad's life and see how these times have shaped him. I'm grateful for the way he and my mom shaped my early years, and hope I have lived up to their legacy, even a little bit, as I watch my children grow into young adults.

Blog on, Dad! Now we just need to get Mom writing about growing up in that big/little town of Metropolis!

Till next time,


Suzi

Saturday, sleep day

Wow. I went to bed shortly after 10 pm last night, woke up this morning about 7:45, got up to do the bathroom routine, fell back asleep and didn't wake up till 10:15. Poor Raven! He seemed okay that our walk was hours later than usual, but was very happy to be outside.

It was a relatively quiet walk for a Saturday morning. I did see a couple of people heading out on a lake to do some ice fishing. (All ice houses had to be off the lakes around here by Feb 28, but people can still fish out in the open.) Raven noisily greeted two dogs--one was across the street and another behind a fence. For some reason my lower back ached on our entire walk. Maybe too much time spent in bed or else too many hours in a chair behind a desk at the office.

I guess I needed the sleep. I've been getting up at 5 or so and getting to bed around 11. For some people that may be a luxury, but I don't do too well on little sleep. I'm grateful for weekends and times to relax.

Now, if I could just get-away somewhere south for a week or so--visit a nice beach or even the mountains of Tennessee.....

Till next time,


Suzi

I'm tired, but I'm thankful

It's Friday, and I'm tired. Friends of mine are getting ready to go on a trip to Italy, sponsored by the local Christian radio station. Other friends are traveling, getting away from winter for awhile--some are going on cruises to relax in the sun and enjoy the ocean and the amazing food I've heard about on cruises. My own sister and her husband are taking a rare getaway together to visit my folks in Tennessee. They'll also see my brother and his family, including my new niece Emilee, who by now must be about six weeks old!

I find myself marking off the calendar days, waiting till the end of tax season. Lent is not my time of preparation for Easter, my days of anticipation are for April 15. Something is wrong with this picture.

As I go to work, as I live my life at home, I will try to put my focus in the right place. We should be anticipating Easter--the greatest celebration of the year! And more than that, we should anticipate the return of Jesus to earth to make all things right. I should live every day as if it were my last--perhaps Jesus will come to take us to himself--if that is through natural death or his Second Coming. Each day here is a gift, not to be wasted, crossed off with eager anticipation of something better on earth.

I know I'm glad it's Friday. But I hope I can rejoice in the Mondays of life, too, and be glad that God is my strength, no matter where I find myself in life--in the snow in Minnesota or vacationing elsewhere in the summer. Today is the day to live for the Lord--let's rejoice and be glad in it!

It's Funny How People Are....

It's interesting to see people's different reactions to see the outcome of their tax return. I know one person was thrilled to only be owing $5000 to the government when he thought it would be $10,000. Recently, however, a woman practically had a temper tantrum when she found her estimated outcome would be a $1000 refund when she had been expecting $4000.

Refunds are nice, yes--but it is more beneficial to have the money during the year rather than let government keep it interest free till tax filing time. It's funny how we seem to feel entitled to different things. There was a huge rally at our state capitol the other day--for education. Even though spending for education has increased every year--it never seems to be enough.

As a Christian, I know I should be satisfied with what I have--but I often want more. I may be able to tell people to buck up when their tax outcome isn't what they expected, but if I were in their shoes, I'd probably react the same way. We need to be grateful for all the Lord has given us instead of thinking we're owed big time.

For many of us, money has become our god. I'm hoping to put God back on the throne in my life and ask him to help us be wise stewards of what he blesses us with.

Another full day

Today will be another full day--Bible Study Fellowship in the morning and then later this afternoon I need to work for Luke at the office. Luke's plan was to work 3-6 to learn some accounting first hand and also to help Jeff and Dawn, as Dawn needs to leave on Wednesdays by 3 so she can pick up the kids and help out at church on Wednesday nights. But the last few weeks Luke has been busy at drywall--so I've filled in for him once and Tim has once too.

I'm grateful we don't have a lot scheduled in the evenings during the week. I need that time to recuperate and catch up with the kids (not to mention Tim). Tomorrow and Friday will be full days at work, so I'm cherishing the hours I have at home while I can!

Till next time,


Suzi

Back to reality

After enjoying a relatively quiet week at work, where I was able to get caught up on filing and record-keeping, Monday came in like a tornado. I was running late anyway, but pleased to see when I did arrive at the officed that there were no messages and that coffee was already made. My brother-in-law's associate, Don, had made coffee and had picked up messages before I got there. Little did I know there were 14 saved messages waiting for responses. There were stacks and stacks of files to be put away, and people calling, coming in, dropping off and picking up tax stuff all day long. It was 7 pm before I dragged myself away from my desk and out the door.

Fortunately, I did not have car trouble this week, but I did need to drop off something at my mother-in-law's. I got home and found 5 meatballs were waiting for me in the crockpot. Well, I was glad my family enjoyed the other few dozen or so. Then Tim got a call and needed to run to his mom's to print a tax return that I had just mailed that morning. His client needed information by midnight last night to file for the FAFSA--financial aid for student something.....

I wished Mark a happy birthday again last night and this morning too. The great thing about being a leap year baby is that on the off years, you can party for two days (or more!). Today I'll be home to fix supper--so they won't have to eat out of the crockpot and I can see that there's plenty for me, too.

I love Tuesdays. Time to rest up, reflect, and read. Speaking of which, I've gotta catch up on my Bible study.....

Till next time,


Suzi