A Time to be Thankful ~ Day 5 My Job

My Job

With the high rise of unemployment rates, I am VERY grateful to have my job.  I am also very honored and proud to be working in the space industry.  I work with many wonderful people, developers and testers, who create and maintain the PCS software.  This software is loaded on several laptops onboard the ISS (International Space Station). My job may not be as exciting as an astronaut, but I am still grateful to be a part of the NASA team.

Working with NASA was always  a dream of mine.  However, it took me a year or two to even get an interview.  I was fortunate enough to have a friend who worked with a contracting company with NASA. Because of him and his recommendations, I was considered for a position with another contracting company.  This April will make 10 years that I have worked at NASA, the longest time I have ever been at a job.  I am so thankful for the things I have learned and being part of all the changes.

Every job I have held has been a blessing in some form or another.  Some places were great learning experiences.  I sometimes miss those jobs, especially when I was helping people like at the hospital and counseling services. There are also a few jobs that I am sooo glad that are long gone (a.k.a Dairy Queen). 

Whatever the future holds, I hope and pray that I am happy at whatever job I am doing.  We may not have our dream job but our attitude makes a difference.  Be Thankful if you have a job!! :-)


  

A Time to be Thankful ~ Day 4 Spiritual Eyes

Spiritual Eyes

Back in 2010 I had Lasik surgery done to correct my vision. I am grateful for the surgery and being able to see.  I can't imagine not being able to see.  Being blessed with good eyesight truly is a gift but being blessed with spiritual eyes is an even better gift.

I never thought of spiritual eyes until I started listening to Joel Osteen back in early 2000.  I slowly began to understand that if I wanted to increase my faith and have peace with God, I had to correct the vision of my spiritual eyes. I had to trust and develop a stronger relationship with God.

Being in a toxic relationship distracted me from placing my time and trust in Christ.  My ex was my Savior. Whatever mood he was in determined my mood.  Whatever made him happy made me happy.  I was like a clone of his emotions.  I struggled to live for him. I depended on his attention and love for me to bring me joy and peace. I endured this lifestyle for so many years. I was drained, depressed, and disappointed countless times.  No one should be responsible for our emotions - good or bad.  Nor should we have to rely on any person to bring us that peace.  It is up to us to take control of our emotions and our lives.

I struggled to make our relationship work but my peace wouldn't come until I left that lifestyle.   My spiritual eyes would not improve until I placed God at the center of my life. 

At the end of 2008, my life seem shattered.  He and I had broken up for good.  Within a few weeks my dad was suddenly diagnosed with cancer. No matter how much I wanted to control things, I realized that I had no control over anyone's life, especially the two people I had cared for the most.  I couldn't change my ex and I couldn't heal my Dad.  

All I could do was let go and trust. I had to trust that this invisible being, this spirit, was walking with me.  I was overwhelmed with such fear and loneliness.  I wasn't sure what next step to take.  I cried out to the Lord.  Suddenly the peace came over me. I don't know how but I just knew my life would better.  I trusted that God would give me the strength and directions I needed, and He did. My spiritual eyes grew stronger.

I believe that all things happen for reason. My losses taught me that no matter what overwhelming struggle we may endure, God is always walking beside us.  All we need to do is call out to Him.  He will lead us. He will strengthen the vision of our spiritual eyes.

 

A Time to be Thankful ~ Day 3 My Uncle Andy

Family - Uncle Andy

Since I don't have siblings, I tend to relish in the moments that I get to spend with the family that I do have.  My mom, aunts, uncles, and lots of cousins make up my realm of family.  The majority reside in KY.  However, I am fortunate to have family here in Houston - my Aunt Donna, Uncle Wayne, and Uncle Andy.

 

Growing up with my Aunt Liz, Aunt Donna, and Uncle Wayne was like having siblings.  There is not a big difference in our ages.  They have always been there for me at the drop of a hat.  My Aunt Donna is one of the reasons I was able to come to Houston.

My Uncle Andy, who is closer in age to my mom, lived far away from KY when I was growing up. I rarely got to see him.  However, my mom shared so many stories about their childhood that I dreamed of hanging out with him.  When he did come to visit, I thought he was the coolest. His hair was long and he wore leather jackets with leather boots.  I knew the heaviness of those leather boots all to well.  He stomped on my hand once when I was trying to rescue a caterpillar from his terror. Naturally the caterpillar was squashed and my hand throbbed for days.

Uncle Wayne & Uncle Andy goofin!

It wasn't until I was living in Houston that Andy and I got to bond. We both moved to Houston around the same time. After hanging out with him, I was surprised to find that we had many alike.  Like me, it isn't easy to trust people and we are loyal to the friends we do have. We both like about the same type of music, movies, and love to be a recluse at times. Many of his similarities remind me of my Grandma Jean as well as my mom.  

These last few years haven't been the easiest.  Yet Uncle Andy takes everything in stride.  He keeps a positive outlook.  He can always make me laugh and be straight to the point.  Like my mom, he never sugar coats anything.

As I mature, I realize that nothing can replace memories we make with family.  We can hang on to baggage or we can choose to let it go and make some memories.  Nothing can change the past but we can strive for a better future. I love my Uncle Andy!