Flat tires and other things.

Oh. my. goodness. My life and God's grace never cease to amaze me. "My life" I say with sarcasm. "God's grace" I'm saying with all sincerity.  Things have been pretty interesting around here...

For starters, I have without a doubt reached my yearly quota for flat tires this week. Last Tuesday I was driving through Starbucks on my way to work when the guy at the drive-through window pointed out that my back left tire was extremely flat. Like riding on the rim flat. Luke's best friend Jay came to the rescue and helped me put the spare on. I got that tire patched a couple of days later. Then today I walked out of my apartment to find my back right tire completely flat. WTH?! I didn't get into work until 11am today because the tire people had to air up my tire at the apartment and then I drove to the shop to have them patch this second tire. Jeez louise...I'm over flat tires.

On the upside, decorating my apartment is coming along. I wish I had pictures to show you all, but I don't. Hopefully I'll be able to take some soon. A couple of weekends ago, Aubrey, Claire, and I took a day trip up to Round Rock to take on the giant better known as IKEA. I'd like to think that I did some damage:) I'm super pumped about my new duvet cover and both my bedroom and living room curtains. I also got a few decorative things. It's all coming together slowly, but surely.

The new puppy is growing up so quickly! Brooklyn has a ridiculous amount of personality and she's already trying to defy me. When I talk sassy to her, she barks right back. I feel like it's that whole concept of when you're a punk kid, God then gives you your own punk kid to pay you back. Yup, Brooklyn gives right back to me the drama I gave my mom. We're a pretty ridiculous duo, but I already love that dog more than anything!

As for my job, today is my last day with McLeod Creative. It's sort of a long story, but in the end, it's all worked out for the best. I really loved the people I worked with and I'm sad to say goodbye, but I know that God has a plan for everything and I'm excited for what the future holds. In the meantime, I'm meeting with a couple of people up at TAMUCC to talk about master's programs and doing a little freelance work on the side. Freelancing gives me the chance to get into what I think I really want to do, which is PR and marketing for non-profit or Christian ministries. I just met with a client in Victoria yesterday about a couple of projects that I'm really excited to get started on. Yay for freelancing!!

Luke and I are doing really well. I still don't get to see him very often because he's working like a crazy person out at camp, but I cherish every second I get to spend with him on the weekends. It's crazy to think that after August comes and goes, Luke and I will spend the fall together. And the winter. And the spring. This has never happened before. I'm excited for this:)

Now that I've gone on and on about the craziness that is my life, let's talk about God's grace. He created me and gave me the characteristics that are mine. He knew who I was and who I will be down the road. No one knows my heart like my Heavenly Father. The thing is, I know I wear Him out. Well, I guess I don't really know that for sure, but I know I'm a handful for Him to deal with. I'm constantly pulling away from Him, trying to make my own plans. I like to decide what I'm going to do with my life, when Luke and I will finally settle on a new wedding date, and many other big decisions. And daily, hourly, momently (yup. made that word up) He is pulling me back to Him and reminding me that He is in control, that His timing is perfect. I just happen to be at a place in my life where I think His timing sort of sucks. I know this may sound disrespectful, but I think it makes God laugh to hear me say this. One time when I was extremely angry about a situation in high school, I told my mother that I was mad at God. She told me that it was ok, God's had plenty of people mad at Him. She said, "Yell at Him. He's heard worse. And He still loves you very much. Just because you're mad doesn't mean He is going to stop loving you with everything that He is. He knows that we don't always understand His reasoning for the way things work out. But in the end, all things will work out for His glory." I'm not mad at God at this point in my life, I'm just telling Him daily that I wish He would follow my time line. Sometimes I say this jokingly, sometimes I'm a little more serious. But in the end, I sort of picture me sitting at His feet and He's leaning over saying to me, "Oh my sweet little Sara. Listen to me. Be patient. Let me give you the best you could possibly have. Chase after me and I'll give you the world. I love you so much, more than you'll ever know." And I cry. Not all the time, but sometimes I just find myself crying. Life has been tough the last couple of months, but God is good. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose." God--I know you've called me according to your purpose. Help me to be still.

Yup, this is my life in a nutshell. It's pretty amusing...well, from my perspective anyway. But I'm still loving it no matter what! Has your life felt a little harder the last couple of months? Is there something I can pray for for you? If there is, just let me know. I'd love to do this for you:)