Oh Life...

O how we praise God for His goodness to us. Through trials and good we consider them all good. God we know that good does not always mean fun. So thank you Father for all you have done and are doing in the Hodge home! We thank you that You are sovereign over all of creation. Amen-

Hey Friends and Family!

Here's whats new:

I have been recently thinking and praying through my role as a wife. I found that I had a big picture view of being the "helper". This verse has caught my eyes:

Genesis 2:18
The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."

So i asked Tyler what I could do to help him more. And we came up with a list of things that will help him out more. Then God began to press on my heart just the question of work? Is that where God wanted me to be? Is working, helping Tyler out? Why do I go to work? These are shocking questions to me because well I feel like that is what I am suppose to do.

About 4-5 weeks ago I went into my work place and told them that I was able to come back to work. ( I was out of work because of my surgery for about 9 weeks) There was some confusion. They didn't schedule me and then two weeks later I went back to tell them I was available to go back on the schedule. I wanted less hours than before, only 15. But I was then told there wasn't much room for me... which confused me because I was told my spot would be there for me when I returned. This situation only brought up more questions to God: " Do you want me to work?"

So...

Last week a co-worker came to me asked if I could cover a shift for him and after a long time of thinking about it I said I would. I was constantly asking the question "God what do you want me to do?" I then went to tell my boss that I would be covering for a co-worker and she told me that she did not think I should cover that shift. That I was not ready.

I truly feel that the Holy Spirit prompted me to ask, "Well, what is your thoughts on me coming back?" She then proceed to tell me that my availability is the exact opposite of what shifts she needed to fill. I just began crying. I felt at that point that God had given me my answer. I was not meant to go back to this job. When my work conflicted with my number one role of being a helper to my husband than that job is not for me. I hated leaving there because I loved working there so much. But at the same time I was so thankful that God had made it so clear.

Since all of this really is fresh Im still processing this. But at this point I am content to be praying and learning more about my roles... and executing them as the become more and more written on my heart. So I am currently trying to become a better helper, through waking up earlier to help Tyler get up, cleaning the apartment while he is gone for the day, reading my bible more consistantly and reading " Womanly Dominion" by Mark Chanski. Please pray for me to keep a good, joyful, and loving heart! (I need the prayer)

Also, Tyler is leaving to go on a school trip to D.C.. He is leaving Saturday April, 10th and he will be back on Wed the 13th. So if you get some free time I will be in Cookeville,TN all by my lonesome for a few days.

Just to update you on his schooling, things are going well. For him this semester is just creeping by and its been difficult and at times it seems that way to me too. BUT... He is almost done! What a blessing! He is doing a great job and is working so hard at work, school, and at home. He is super-husband. If you get time please pray for Him to finish this semester with excellence and to keep a joyful spirit.

So thats our lives right now! Thanks for taking the time to read our not so exciting lives!

Love,

The Hodge's