Still around :)

Hey there!

So I thought maybe it would be a good idea to actually update my blog a little. But I'm no tech junkie, so my sister is helping me with the facelift, and I promise you, it is coming! :) However a personal update is also due, I feel...

I am well aware that I don't have a lot of readers, but for anyone who does read my blog, I thought I'd catch you up on all things Madalee, and also let you know, that I am actually on blogger quite often. I have all these posts floating around in my head, just waiting to be written, but once I sit down to put those thoughts into words, it never happens as smoothly as I pictured, and I then end up wrestling with the post in draft for the next six weeks. Needless to say, blogging may not be my gift! I just have a lot to say and regardless of how often I use it...blogger is just my place to say it! :)

Right now, I'm simply learning...well "simply" nothing. I feel like a wet sponge. God seems to be showing my quite a bit and it all ties into each other. One thing is how His ways are not our ways. I have to keep reminding myself of that. That how He works, is not how I work, or my mom works, or Barak Obama works. HE works in a far different dimension than we do. A mindset we can't even understand. It's incredible. As how He works is different, so is His timing. He knows exactly the right moment for everything! I know these are simple truths, but things I feel He is helping me understand the most right now.

One of the other big things I think I'm learning is joy/contentment. Being %100 where I am, regardless of where that is, or how fabulous or drabbulous (<I'm being creative; work with me.) that may be. There's a verse in Psalms (Psalm 16:11) that talks about how there is FULLNESS of joy in His presence and how in HIM there are pleasures forevermore! (That means there's bliss for eternity in Him, and I find that rather a comfort!)

The last "big" lesson I'm under is by far the best! While all my friends are off to college to gain book learning for their desired occupation, I'm also studying for mine! :) My wonderful teacher is training me all day, every single day, seven days a week. Best part is, I'm not having to pay for my education, and it is PRICELESS! My wonderful mother is training me out of the goodness of her heart on Godly womanhood/single-hood/and preparing me for Godly wife-hood. She's helping me develop a keen eye for needs around the house that I can meet, and how to keep the house running smoothly no matter the circumstance. Most of what  I'm learning, I already knew (i.e. how to complete all the laundry and dishes in a  day and have dinner ready to eat, etc.) But now I'm being given opportunity to practice those. Kind of like dry-runs as momma for a few days! Only I get to share this task with my sisters, so it's not as stressful as total mom duties thrust upon me, which is nice, but presents its own challenges. However those challenges in themselves become lessons for us to learn how to accomplish goals with all different personality types. Although there are days where we each need our space, I wouldn't trade this time for anything! I love getting to work with my sisters every day! It's wonderful!

So although I am not in classes, or at a  university, my Father is proud of my obedience! :) That brings me comfort knowing I'm doing the right thing for me, even though it's different from the right thing for a lot of other people.

I'm currently babysitting for a family with two toddlers, and love those kiddos to pieces! They are wonderful, and so much fun! I don't work every week, so I'm looking into getting a part time job, just so I have enough to cover some expenses I'll hopefully have in the near future (car???) But for the mean time, it brings in enough, and I'm so blessed to be apart of their lives.

In the fall I'll be a substitute tutor for some refugees in our area. I'm super excited about it, but wish I had been able to a weekly thing. However, not knowing what my fall will look like, I was only able to commit to substitute for the time being. It's ok though, it keeps me open to be where God may need me to be!

In other current news, this week we're going to host a block party in the neighborhood that these students live. The neighborhood is super cool! There's a lot of cultures and languages. It's very diverse, and we'll be able to just connect with kids and teenagers at  a peer-like level and invest in that way. I'm also super excited about this, because both the American and Spanish churches I'm currently involved in are going to be ministering along side each other! And I get to help lead the worship, with the Spanish church with one of my good friends from the American church. Its such an honor for both of us, and we're super humbled and excited  for this opportunity!

Other than that, my family is busily preparing for our family vacation coming up in September. We're so ready for this! The beach is special for all of us, and we love our time there.

That's pretty much for all things me for the time being! I still enjoy my music and writing trivially when I get the chance.

"The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, (will) guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus our Lord!"

~Mal