What Now?

Last Friday, October 24, 2008, I took my final level exam for certification in my job. After 7 years, 14 classes, and 4 complicated level exams, I am done and double certified. I am now a Registered Texas Tax Assessor/Collector and a Registered Professional Appraiser. Wow. I feel great about what I have accomplished. But, I feel as if I have reached the end of something. I have worked so hard to learn all I needed to know for these long exams and to do my job, and now I am done and certified. What now? What's next? This can't be the end of the learning era in this field in which I work...could it?

I have always been the type of person who wanted to excel in "achieving things." Perhaps God has a new direction in mind for me. Maybe my season of learning tax-related information has come to an end and I will get to pour my attention into another field of study. Oh, if that would be true! No, I am not quitting my job at the Appraisal District, but I am thrilled at the thought that God may be allowing me to enter into a new topic of study. Maybe something biblical to further my work for the Kingdom...Maybe a new project the HE wants me to do for His Glory! Oh, the thought of that is so exciting! Or maybe, I will finally get to enter a season of rest where I can get some R&R to be ready for the new task God wants me to do later on. I don't know for sure, but I trust that God will reveal His intentions to me in His perfect timing. Rest would be great (and I need it desperately), but I am always eager to do what God asks of me. If you will, please pray for God's will to be carried out in my life as well as the lives of my kids and wonderful husband. God Bless!

County Food Show Victory!

That bread looks pretty tasty, huh? Jordan competed in the 4-H Foods and Nutrition County Food Show today. She made and entered Hawaiian Banana Nut Bread. The contestants are not only judged on the dish that they prepare, but also are asked a battery of questions dealing with nutrition. The kids have to know how each ingredient in their dish contributes to a healthy diet, the food pyramid, food safety procedures, etc. They all really learn quite a bit about healthy eating habits as well as various kitchen techniques and safety issues. Jordan did an excellent job preparing her dish (yes, she did it all on her own under my supervision), but the judges were also very impressed with her oral presentation and her knowledge of the specific nutrients in her dish. She placed 1st in her division--Intermediate Age Division in Breads & Cereals and got a blue ribbon as well as some casserole dishes and a few cooking utensils. Jordan moved up to the Intermediate age group this year, so she was competing against older kids. There was probably about 20 entries at the county level today. We will go on to the District competition Nov. 22. Seth and I are so proud of Jordan and how well she is learning out good nutrition. It is so important to learn that early, don't you think?

Anyway, enjoy the pics and wish me luck, too. I am leaving tomorrow for Austin, TX to take a review class all week to get ready for a major 8 hr exam on Friday. It is my final exam for my Professional Tax Appraiser Certification. I am a little nervous, but I have taken 3 exams prior to this, so I know what to expect. I would appreciate everyone's prayers this Friday while I am taking the exam. Also, pray for Seth and the kids while I am away that they get everything accomplished peacefully without me there. Bless you all!

The Pumpkin Patch

Fall is here! Here we are at the pumpkin patch at Sliger's Produce. They always have a really large selection of pumpkins in a nice arrangement. We took the kids and got some great pictures after Hunter's football game. The weather was cool and cloudy. It definitely felt fall-ish outside--a perfect day to visit the pumpkin patch! The only thing missing was a hot cup of apple cider...maybe next time.

Kialie (my niece), Calan (my nephew), Hunter and Jordan

Kialie and Hunter