Small updates, spring 2023 edition

It has been an interesting season (although, then again, when has it not?). Probably the biggest news (as it pertains to me, anyway) is this:

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/aep-liberty-utilities-terminate-kentucky-power-deal/647794/

Basically, an acquisition that was going to happen didn't. I was on the team communicating with suppliers in Kentucky putting together and negotiating contracts so that their work would continue uninterrupted after the deal closed. For proprietary and confidentiality reasons, I cannot really disclose any more than I just did. It's a bummer that it fell through, considering all the work we did together. But, for me anyway it was a good learning / "getting my feet wet" experience. I learned a lot in the process and look forward to building on it.

In other news, I found out this week that my second job, originally slated to contractually end at the end of May, will continue at least through the end of the summer, and likely will continue another year. Considering that this second ("second") job is praising God... I'm taking it to confidently mean that God is moving at the church I am playing at.

As soon as this semester ends, my love will commence studying for the CPA exam (I'm so proud of her!). She's already graduated with all the requisite certifications (with flying colors). The way she's set up her studying schedule, I'm finding it very plausible that she could be finished by almost this time next year. Praying and believing for God's favor on her all around for success.

And of course, as soon as she wraps that up, we can get married. 😁

I'm praying through what my workload needs to look like in the next year. I haven't made any changes yet, but am praying ahead of it so that when it is time to make those changes, it is because of God prompting me.

One thing that has been put in front of me is: is God first in my life? As in, actually first? He needs to be. I don't get anywhere or anything without Him, so it needs to follow that He is. So how do I make sure that He is? By spending time with Him, both in prayer and in Bible study. Praise and worship is also important, but without the other components, my grounding becomes a lot less solid. Over the last month, I've been using a Bible app each day for daily devotionals as well as a supplemental focus-theme devotion plan. It's working. But I still have far to go. One day last month, God convicted me during prayer time of having forgotten Him for at least a year leading up to that day. I've been working on repenting, but after going a year of not prioritizing Him, it takes that much extra time and effort to get my mindset and heart-set back to where it needs to be. But it's worth it, because the other choice (rejecting Him) leads to destruction.

I have had my typical bevy of cares and worries, but, the answer to all of it still is Jesus. Without Him, I cannot make heads or tails of all the different worries and thoughts that I'm constantly trying to sort through. But with Him, somehow it automatically makes everything a lot easier to deal with. The answers and roadmaps will come. But only if I make God first and walk that out in practice.

Three-plus years in, my sweetie pie is still as cute as ever. I praise God for her, today and every day. 😊

Encouragements

I happen to have a little extra time at the moment, so I thought I would use this to briefly and simply encourage those around me (in this context, anyone who happens to still read this blog) in their faith, especially those who might be struggling. I know I myself can easily forget the Lord (and I've been more firmly reminded of that since my last post), so I use this post to remind others in the faith of the Lord as well, and of one of His many promises:

Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. Isaiah 65:24, NIV

The above also happens to be my future mother-in-law's favorite verse. I will confess it's one that I haven't thought about much at all, but in receiving a text this morning from a friend of mine who has been overwhelmed with all sorts of huge life challenges all at once, I felt God bring this to mind. It's also a good and important reminder for myself as well, as I (like a lot of people) always seem to have a litany of prayers I want answered but still need to grow in my faith in this regard. For those who struggle with faith (especially in-the-moment) the following verse is another good thing one can pray:

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:24, NIV

Unbelief is a serious thing. But we can pray to the Father for Him to help us overcome our unbelief, for those of us who already have chosen to call on Jesus' name for salvation and receive Him as Savior, Lord, and King of our lives. But I also happen to know those who might call themselves "on the fence." Unfortunately, the bad news is, "on the fence" means "not saved" and "not in the family of God." You're either all-in or you're not. But, the good news can be found in the below verse:

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Romans 10:9-10, NIV

That's all you have to do. Praise God! Amen.