Roger Bennett's Midnight Meditations

Short, but Sweet

Well, if you blink twice, you may miss where I am these days. I have said often that most of my life is "Plan B", and here we go again.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Houston. I have loved my job, and just as I was really getting into the swing of things, and looking for houses, etc., I am changing directions - yet again. Last weekend, I had an honest conversation with my mother, and found that health issues there are not very good at the moment. That was one of the struggles I had in accepting a position in Houston: not being free to go to my parents if I was needed. It seems I am needed, and I am more than happy to be able to assist them, even if it does mean giving up my time here. On one hand, I hate to leave, and on the other hand, I am glad I will have the time to be with my folks. I do not regret having the opportunity to spend time with them. If there is anything I have learned, it's that life is short and unpredictable. We need to seize every chance we get to show our loved ones how much they mean to us. I would ask that you keep my parents in your prayers, and I will keep you updated on things as they progress.

My last day of work was Wednesday, and it was a bit sad for me. I didn't realize how many friends I had made, until I was saying goodbye to them. I hope that my short time working at MD Anderson made a small difference. I know it made me feel good to be able to help, and give back a little. I will truly miss it.

So, I have been packing and loading today, and tomorrow I set off for home (in the rain, if the weather maps are accurate). I will unload the car, repack it, and head to AR to assess the situation there, and determine how I can be of the most help. JB and Isaiah will go to AR with me, and I am sure I will put his handyman skills to work while we are there!

Thank you for all of your prayers, your kind comments, and your wishes (particularly on the 17th - the 4 year anniversary of Roger's Homegoing....it was difficult for me this year). I promise I do not set out to make my life complicated - it just seems that things change more rapidly than I would wish sometimes. I am grateful for my season in Houston, if for no other reason, than to gain some perspective and plan for the future. I have been blessed with good friendships and Godly fellowship, as well, and you can't put a price on that!

OK, off to sweat a little more as I finish loading up.......I had better enjoy it, though, since it's not looking too warm in TN right now.....sigh....Oh well, no matter where I am, I know I am always

In His Grip!

Debbie

Hello from Houston!

I am sure you were thinking that I didn't really go to Houston, but dropped off the face of the earth instead! I can only say that, yes, I have been incredibly busy, getting acclimated to a VERY different lifestyle. I know you CAN teach an old dog new tricks, but that old dog is pretty tired at the end of the day!

Tomorrow I finish my 4th week at work, and I can't believe it has been that long already. There has been so much to learn, and I have spent days in classes, with more to come. I appreciate the opportunity to learn so much, but, as I considered that the last time I worked a full-time job outside of the home was when Jordan was two (and he's 24 now........), it has really been an adjustment for me. Couple that with the fact that although I know the emotional and practical side of the situation the patients in our clinic face, the technical side is a whole new ballgame. But, I love it, and it is a very rewarding job. The days fly by, probably because we have little time to catch our breath. I am staying with a very dear friend who lives on the north side of Houston, and we have a bus that takes us to and fro, but the commute plus the work day mean that I am gone from home 13 hours every day, Monday through Friday. It's exhausting. By the time I get home, eat dinner, and get ready for the next day, it's bed time again. If I stay here (and I am still seeking direction there), I will definitely move in closer to work, so I have more free time. Meanwhile, though, I am enjoying where I am.

JB and Isaiah came down for a long weekend last weekend, and it was so good to have them visit. It was heartbreaking seeing them go back, but we are working toward resolving that situation as soon as we can. There are a lot of loose ends I need to tie up "back home" but for now, we are making the best of the situation we have.

I will admit that my job has been a bit more emotionally draining than I had anticipated. Actually, though, I knew it would either be very cathartic for me, or be very difficult. It kind of falls in the middle. Today being Roger's birthday was a bit hard, but like one person said, March is a pretty tough month, and next week won't be any better. I know, however, that he is in a better place, and I am so grateful that he is not suffering anymore.

I promise I will try to write more often, and I still don't feel God leading me to close this blog yet, so I will just say that if my posts or my situation in life bothers you, there are plenty of other blogs out there that may be more to your liking. I don't intend to stir up controversy, and if that ever becomes my plan, I will know I am not in God's Will. My goal, as always, is just to share a life that is full of blessings and trials, and let you know that even when life gets messy or rough, The One Who brought us to this place will certainly be The One Who will lead us out. After all, He is keeping us daily

In His Grip!

Debbie