Thursday Thirteen #15

13 Things that stress me out!

I often wonder why I get worn out and run down. My doctor told me that the eczema I had on on my hands all winter was stressed induced, and the allergic reaction I have now (itching ALL over!) was probably due to the fact that my defenses are down. Hmm, think I need a break? Calgon...take me away! So...with that said, here are 13 reasons I'm stressed.

1. I've been caring for my Dad for a long time now, and even though he recently moved into a nursing home, the stress is still there!! It's a huge responsibility!!!! We are the only ones that visit him which is very sad...so the burden is quite heavy.

2. My grandmother (Dad's mother) is also alive - she turned 100 last month and I was told that she wasn't doing well. Just one more person under my care due to the fact that I'm the only family member around who seems to care. My Dad had Power of Attorney over her and now that he's in a home himself and I have POA over him, I am having to deal with her too. It's amazing how the rest of the family has abandoned her...very sad.

3. I'm the leader of a homeschool group. I love it, but it's a lot of work. I began the group over 6 years ago with a dear friend, and although there is now a board, my job is still full which keeps me busy. It's like a full time job!

4. I homeschool my children. Pure joy? Not all the time, but the rewards are priceless!!! I wouldn't trade it for anything...they're my world and I love them so much!

5. I need to lose weight. I have in the past and yet with the stresses, it makes it so much harder to keep it off. I don't even over eat like you'd think, I just eat the wrong things when I'm stressed out - which seems to be all the time.

6. Our dog, although he is now adjusting to our family, has taken a lot of work. He does bring joy into our home and we all adore him.

7. Bills. Enough said? With gas prices soaring up over $4. a gallon, it seems like going out to do activities with my kids is less feasible. Oil has gone sky high too, and now with summer coming, we will need to use our air conditioners, so the electric bills will skyrocket. Ugh! Does it ever end? My husband doesn't get a raise every time something else goes up in cost! God will provide for what we need though, we're counting on it and are depending fully on Him!

8. Sleep, or lack thereof. I don't sleep as well as I used to. When Dad lived with us I lost a LOT of sleep...but it's getting better a little at a time. He lived in our home but in a separate in-law we built onto our existing home. The few times I had to rush down to care for him after he either fell or had seizures were during the night or very early in the morning. I still think I hear him sometimes during the night...which is obviously my mind running in circles from the stress of when he was here.

9. Household responsibilities. Sometimes they are too much for me on top of all the other stuff I have to deal with. We try to keep our home fairly neat and tidy, but it's so hard. My husband is a huge blessing in the fact that he has taken on so much more than most husbands ever would! He not only is the sole bread winner in our home, but he also does all the outside yard work and then does a lot inside as well. He knows that my plate is full right now and he is helping to ease that burden. I love him SO much!

10. Friendships. I have several friends, but only three truly good friends who I am very thankful for (you know who you are!!!) I find it hard to maintain friends like I used to be able to. When I was younger I had a ton of friends, but now that my life is so busy, keeping the few good ones is enough. I hope to never lose contact with them, even if I ever move away. On the up-side...I have one dear cousin who is like a sister to me, only she lives too far away!!!! You're the best - and you know who you are too!! = ) Hopefully we'll be closer in a few years which brings me to my next one...

11. We want to move out of state. Things here are very expensive and life is so fast paced. We want a slower way of life, not only for us, but for our children. We would like to move so my husband could keep his current job, just in a different state, but we aren't sure that is possible. With the way the economy is, he could move and then lose his job is any people are laid off. That would be scary! We also can't move until my Dad passes away. Only God knows the plans He has for us, we just have to wait, but in the mean time it's hard...and stressful!!!

12. Violin. Lionel has been taking lessons from a wonderful teacher, but now we found out that the company where the teacher is hired out of, is closing. So...we're not sure if we will still have a teacher for him or not. The great part (besides the fact that he's an awesome teacher) is that he comes to the house to teach! He lives over an hour away, so we're not sure if he'll want to keep coming on his own, with gas prices and all. I hope so, otherwise it will be a HUGE let-down for Lionel, and for us. We will have to find someone else. I loved that his teacher was also a Christian and the recitals were wonderful.

13. Dance. Now that Lionel's teacher is iffy (is that a word?!?), we have decided to change dance schools for Sweet-Pea. Her dance studio, although professional, is not professional enough. We would like her to take from some place that shows their professionalism. She has even been discouraged about this current place, but not dance, so we need to find a good studio before her passion wears thin! She's been very passionate about dancing until recently, but we feel that it's not her, it's the studio she's at. Ugh...one more thing!

Through all of these trials and struggles, we look to God for answers, comfort and peace. We know that things happen for a reason, and that they are only for a season in our lives. A few verses that do give me comfort:

Psalm 37:5 "Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass."

Psalm 145:18-19 "The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them."

Isa 40.28-31 "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."

John 14.27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you : not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Rom 8.28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God to those who are the called according to His purpose."