Doing What's Best

As I've previously mentioned, we have fleas. We have tried a number of things to get rid of them, many thing which probably seem like pure torture to our poor cats! We have given them baths (what an adventure!), put stuff on their necks, made them swallow things, and put them in cat carriers and made them sit outside while the house was being fogged. Since NONE of that worked, we are having the exterminator come spray the house today. Unfortunately this means the poor kitties have to go back in their carriers and be locked outside, sitting in the carport, until the man sprays and it is safe to re-enter. They don't like being in their carriers. Zoe Cat was particularly stressed this morning. She ran and hid under the bed in the guest room, inside the lining under the mattress. We had to turn the bed over and dig her out! As we drove away to work, looking at the poor babies sitting in their carriers, being left alone for approximately 6 hours, I definitely cried. Not just teary eyes...like full tears and sniffles. I had to pull myself together long enough to put my makeup on. It was rough.

They love bags! :)

Gus Gus and Zoe Cat...getting along for a minute!

Sweet snuggle kitties! :)

I was thinking about what the cats must think. They have no idea why we're doing all this to them. In their eyes, we may be punishing them, or just torturing them for fun (hopefully they don't actually have these complex thoughts!). But really we are HELPING them. We are doing what is best for them. And even though it's super unpleasant for them now, it will ultimately get rid of the fleas which are hurting them more in the long-run. But they don't know that's what we're doing, and we can't really communicate that to them. And they don't know that I was so upset that I was crying.

And all of that made me think about our own lives, and the part God plays in it. I talk a lot about God doing everything for our good and how we cannot always see it. I think this is a good portrayal of just that. We may be going through a lot in our lives. It may seem like torture. And we may be thinking...WHY is God doing this to me?? What did I do to deserve this type of treatment? But maybe he's just locking us up in a cat carrier while he gets rid of the fleas in our lives. Okay, it's a stretch when you say it like that! But seriously. Maybe what we're going through in that moment is just what has to happen to make another area better. And we are not God. We don't think like Him or do things like Him. So we may not understand. It may not make sense to us. Like the cats who can't see the bigger picture, sometimes neither can we. But I hope I can trust when things seem awful that God is still in control and has a purpose for all things in my life, and that the purpose is for my good.

And one last thought on this...is it possible God feels the way I do when he has to put us through things for our own good? Does He wish I could understand? Does He long to explain it and ease my suffering? Does He want to cry in despair even though He knows it is for the best? I don't know. But I know that He feels for us and cares for us, so I think in some way...yes. He does. And for me that is a very comforting thought.

God, I want to trust in you more. I want to accept all aspects of my life, without complaining, because I can trust that you care for me and are working all things together for my good. Thank you, God, for protecting me and caring for me, even when I am ungrateful. Even when my limited scope on the situation causes me to be angry and confused. I know you are doing what's best, and I appreciate that you do it even when it's hard...for me and maybe even for you. 

Love,
Christy

Things to Come...

A lot has happened and a lot is coming!

--> I gave up baked goods for the month of April, as a personal challenge. I was shocked how often I had to turn them down. I didn't realize they were offered to me so often! I did well with this challenge, and it even got to the point where I didn't feel as tempted each time. BUT I did not make it the entire month. On the 25th, 5 days before the end of the month, I had an AMAZING piece of chocolate cheesecake. I was at a luncheon for Administrative Professionals Day and they served it to us, right there in front of me, already sliced and on a plate, ready to eat. I suppose I could have turned it down. But I did not. So, I didn't make it the whole month, but pretty darn close! And now that it's May, I'm ready to enjoy some goodies! haha! First up? I'm trying out Diet Coke brownies!! Hey, at least they're low cal!

via Eat Yourself Skinny

--> I went to an airshow in Warner Robins with my husband, my best friend, and her awesome little boy Leland. We saw the Blue Angels! :) It was a really great show and we had a lot of fun. Too bad the day felt ruined by the time we finally got off base. It was a madhouse trying to catch a shuttle bus, waiting 1.5 hours in 100 degree weather, while buses kept passing our line by. It was awful. People were passing out around us from heat stroke. No kidding. And we had a 1-year old with us. It was a little stressful, to say the least. But we made it home safely with only a little sunburn, so I would still call it a successful day!

--> We booked our cruise! We're heading to The Bahamas in 4 weeks! :) Scott's family also booked a beach house on St. George Island for a week in July. So we officially have 2 vacations planned for the summer. Can't wait!! Here are a couple pictures from the cruise last time we went, and from St. George. 

--> We have attempted to kill the fleas in our house!! And we are certainly working under the good ol' saying, if at first you don't succeed, try and try again! We have been trying LOTS of different things. I'm sorry to say we still have them, but it's getting much better. Hopefully we can kill these vicious pests for good soon!

--> My niece is turning 3 next week! I can hardly believe it! And her precious little sister just turned 1. We are going up to visit them this Saturday. I'm so excited to spend the whole day with these little angels! :)

Other than all that exciting news, school is wrapping up for the semester. I just have one exam and one paper left to do. My internship will be over May 18th. I'll probably cry. I have loved working there so much, and I hate to leave. Hopefully I will remain close with all the people in the office and maybe one day I'll be back as a paid employee! You never know! I'm looking very much forward to the summer, though. I can't wait to only work 20 hours a week...have more time to do homework during the day instead of nights and weekends, and hopefully laying by the pool! :) 

What are you looking forward to?

~Christy~