Awesome weekend

We had our special meeting down in Salem yesterday. So many wonderful spiritual thoughts were shared that hit close to home.  One thing we heard is sometimes our Father lets things sit in the background until we're ready to deal with them. Then, when the time is right, something happens that brings that issue that we need to fix to light. That's what so many of our experiences in life are about. A chance to correct and grow spiritually through each experience. I'm so thankful for the years that He's kept me and been so patient with me. And simply keep the eyes focused ahead. Don't look down at the bumps in the road because it's when we look down and take our eyes off the goal that we tend to stumble and fall. Keep our eyes focused far ahead. One, of many things, I've learned this last year is that our Father is there every step of the way. I'm still in awe of the peace and comfort that can be found in such a bizarre and life changing event.

Good news on the job front too. I'm picking up new clients and this month is a feast month job wise. Money wise next month should be my best month yet. Networking is what's working for me but the trick is fitting it all in, networking, working, eating, doing laundry (forgot to finish that today), etc. Now my job is to learn how to be efficient.

New Year

So much to do and so much more change coming! I started thinking of all that needs to be done business wise, be done in my personal life, where I need to be financially and decided I was a lot better off leaving that in my Fathers hands!! Anxiety galore started building but with that decision has faded to much more manageable proportions! I LOVE the strength that is there for us! Special meetings are coming this next week and special guests tonight and tomorrow night! So an awesome week is on the way!!

My new year resolution.... Just be willing for whatever my Father wants me to do. Although the way may be rough at times, the comfort and peace are so amazing. BUT that only comes with willingness. 

Almost there!

Just about a year has now passed since our lives totally changed course, since my husband disappeared. Many good things have happened this year, many good realizations about myself have happened. I've learned how much comfort my Father can supply when I draw close to Him. I've learned to be more compassionate to others because you never know what is really going on in their lives. I'm learning what it is like to really truly have a growing business that will supply the income you need. (Getting there! 7 for sure new clients... maybe 8) And most of all I've learned that life goes on and you can indeed make a better life for yourself if you don't focus on the 'what could have been's', the 'what I wish hadn't happened',  and the 'life isn't fair, why did that happen?'. So this year the focus is on growing even more spiritually, helping my younger daughter through the bumps of this next year, being a new grandma (in April, older daughter) and continuing to grow my businesses. (I'm also starting an adult foster care placement business that will most likely tie in with my senior bookkeeping).

For those of you who really know me you know that I am NOT a real social person but all my new business has come from networking. So I'm learning to become more social! Who knows I may even try my hand at teaching some classes this next year!! That would be amazing but since I'm getting into the senior side of bookkeeping I can see where that might be a possibility and possibly bring in some extra income. Maybe even some classes about payroll... I've had some amazing help in getting over my fear of talking in groups where I know nobody, thank you Michelle Wirta!!!

For all who have helped us through this last year both spiritually and naturally THANK YOU!!!! I've got to say I'm looking forward to what this next year will bring! The different lives I'll have an opportunity to touch. I hope everybody has had a wonderful holiday weekend and my heart and prayers go out to those who are going through a year of  their own 'firsts'.

Holidays

One down, another to go and then it will have been a year. It's been a tough week. My parents being here has helped me to hold it together, also being really busy running everywhere helped as well earlier this week. The family was all split up this year on Thanksgiving Day. Erika's off on her own and is on to a new life, Dave's mom chose to simply stay home this year and do nothing. So we went to friends for Thanksgiving. (Love their property!) So very thankful for wonderful fellowship. There is just something about the holidays that makes it harder, I guess maybe it's because several days were spent together with family time where everything else over the year was just a day here or there.

As I just wrote someone, our Father's plan is perfect, but oh boy is it hard to see that at times. My prayer is that we can simply fall into line with what he has planned. That's where true peace is, true rest is. I need to keep reminding myself that it's a day at a time that pulls us through. Don't focus on the really big picture because that's way to overwhelming.  We're provided with what we NEED not what we WANT!!! With really tight finances it is becoming very clear the line between needs and wants.

But jobs are starting to filter in. It does seem like the small jobs are the ones I'm getting though. Every decent sized job has been a no go. Got to remind myself of my Father's plan each time a job falls through. I guess I can touch more lives if I have to take more smaller jobs! :)  So life goes on in the Mekvold household. And day by day we'll make it through.

Life's a journey.....

In building my business I've done so much networking this last couple of months that technically I should be overflowing with work in another couple of months. Only problem is is that in this economy it takes a lot more work networking wise to get a business to the thriving point then it use to. People just aren't as willing to set aside money for even basic things like bookkeeping. But I really feel my Father's hand in guiding my life even business wise. It's amazing some of the connections I've made due to networking.  Even admist my now very busy life, there's still many times that I wonder where my husband is and what he's up to. Is he safe, is he well? I have a feeling that will pop up a lot over the years. I'm hoping it won't take that long for us to find out what happen though! Life is a journey but I have to say I feel like I've made a lifetime journey in one year this year!!

I also have the absolute best 16 year old daughter anyone could ask for! She's an awesome kid! She has her struggles without a doubt but she's so loving and caring. This has been rough year for her emotionally but she's pulling through. She's doing well in school and has found an outlet in art and painting. I think that art has really helped her this year. As for my older daughter... She's engaged now! More news on that front in a little bit! But she's doing really well. 

In sitting here and typing this I'm pondering the journey of this last year. It's so real to me that our Father has a purpose for each of us. It's up to us if we're willing for that purpose or not, He allows us to make that choice. But you know, our Father actually already knows what our decision is going to be. He knows our thoughts and the purpose in our heart. I can see where I was being prepared for Dave's decision. I was being made stronger, our minds were being prepared to accept what was going to happen. It sounds odd but looking back I can see where that happened. It's still been a very hard year but I believe having spiritual strength has made it a much easier journey when all is said and done. Our decisions effect those around us and I want to make sure I'm staying close to my Father so that the decisions I make would be according to his will and as result be a help and a comfort to those around me.

Exciting news... :)

I start a new job tomorrow. I'll be entering 2008-current financial information. And then it'll turn into a small monthly job. Also this week I have an expo that'll I'll be in since I just joined the Gresham Chamber. It's for all the new chamber members. I'm picturing a shoe box and a plastic grocery bag with receipts in them and then an organized folder system as my display. Not sure how you display bookkeeping!! I've got my regular business brochures now and senior bookkeeping brochures as well as business cards so I think I'm set! They're thinking that there could be as many as 400 people coming through. I hope I have enough brochures and cards! I also meet a possible new client tomorrow. Step by step it's looking up! We can get so impatient but our Father has perfect timing and I have to keep reminding myself of that!

Update on our life...

I've been wanting to write a post for a bit but never seem to have the time! Life is getting on a fairly even keel. I will say I'll be glad when the next couple of months are over and the 'first' are done! I've said this before but it's still amazing to me how your sub conscience is so aware and kicks anxiety in before your even consciencely aware of what's coming! We've heard absolutely nothing over the months. I believe he's alive but that's simply a personal belief with absolutely nothing to support it. We sure have appreciated the support and prayers!

I've been working very hard at getting my business up and going and am seeing some nibbles. Lots of networking is being done! I pretty much beat Christina out the door most mornings (at least 3 out of the 5) going to those networking meetings. And she's typically out by 7:20. But in the end that's what builds business! Then lots of one on one meetings with people I've met at the networking meetings. I'm a pretty reserved person naturally speaking so this has been quite a change for me! So with all of this, hopefully nibbles will turn into gobbles!! :)  For quite a while I struggled with what I was doing, was I headed in the right direction or not??? Should I keep pursuing my business or just find a 'job'?? I felt like God wanted me where I was but was getting pretty discouraged with what I saw as lack of progress. Right after our church conventions I had this 'AH HA' moment. I wanted to try and help seniors, I had a bookkeeping business, Help seniors with bookkeeping!! I did it for my grandma for years and am semi-helping my parents, I have the experience. Interestingly enough, ever since, it's felt like things are falling into line. Can't say I'm making the money yet but it really feels like i'm headed in the right direction. I love the assurance we get along the way from our Father. My biggest hope at this point is that those that I'm around when I'm networking and dong jobs will see our Fathers Spirit in me and as a result see something that they want. I don't believe in 'preaching' to everybody but I pray that the life I live will do that for me. If I keep Him first then everything WILL work together for good!

Erika is now engaged!!! She just gave me the news today. So sometime next year my oldest daughter will be married! Wow, so hard to believe!