Suzanne Seeks....

2011- what a year!

2012-01-01T15:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Just sitting down to reflect on all that has happened over the past year. In January, I took a supervisor position at work, that required a great deal of travel. I have learned to pack quickly and light, and met with sales reps and clients in 14 states. It has been pretty stressful, but I have learned many new things and have also seen a lot of pretty scenery, that I would like to go back to enjoy when I am not working. In May, Lige and I celebrated 25 yrs of marriage- this man has been through so much with me and I don't express my love and appreciation enough. In June my youngest son, Matthew, married Hannah, a wonderful young woman. Looking forward to see where God leads them together. In August, my daughter Kaitlin started her first teaching job- 5th grade math and science. This has been a challenging year so far, but I know she is making a positive impact on the kids! In September, Lige and I took our first real vacation alone together ( since our honeymoon, that was not camping), visiting Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. Definately planning to do things like this more often while we are still young and healthy enough to walk that much, and can take advantage of the airline miles and hotel points I am earning with all this travel for work. After celebrating Christmas together, my sons Lige and Matthew, Hannah and their friends, Elliot, Melissa and Sean headed to Gabriel House ( an orphanage for special needs children in Mexico), to continue working on a documentary they started filming last year, and to help with the kids and some renovations to the facility. Praying they complete the work they started and travel home safely next week. They are hoping to get the film on JCTV ( they have someone that has said they will look at it) and would love to start a series. I was also able to take a trip to New Orleans last week with Kaitlin and my niece Libby, and sister-in-law Elsa. Had a fun time and feel so rested and unstressed now! Hoping I can keep this feeling when I go back to work this week; looking forward to what 2012 brings!

Fast Forward to 2011

2011-10-24T20:10:00.000-07:00

Fast forward two years later- I am still reading blogs instead of doing what I need to be doing ( this time it is folding laundry and going to bed at a decent hour). Thought I would take a look at the last thing I posted, and things are different, yet the same. I actually had oatmeal this weekend, steel cut oats, made in a crockpot at the ladies retreat, and had commented to a friend on how I really liked it better than "instant". My last post mentions an upcoming job change ( which I enjoyed and was a rich learning experience). I have since been promoted, but wouldn't you know, as soon as I am finally feeling settled in and seem to be making progress with my sales team, I feel change coming again. The theme of the retreat this weekend was "Shine Your Light" and during our alone time, I had a chance to sit quietly in a wooded area and make some observations while conversing quietly with God. Some of things I was reminded of were how not only is Jesus the "light", but that God uses light to reveal truth to us ( though sometimes it is too bright to look at head on, and we may need sunglasses until we are ready), He leads us with light, shining it on the path before us, showing the way we should go. Sometimes light is temporarily hidden for a time; we may be in a dark place, hiding from God, or be listening to someone else ( or our negative selves), that keep us from hearing or seeing His will for us. It could be though, while the sun is less intense, that He is letting us rest in the place of contentment for a while, to recover from the last storm, preparing us for the future. When the wind picks up again, and the sun comes out from behind the clouds again, it is time to follow Him to a new place again....

Oatmeal and Rice....

2009-06-21T11:46:00.000-07:00

The other night I was lying in bed, thinking about how the brown rice I had for dinner did not taste as good as usual. Then I realized that I had bought the “instant” version. I reminded myself that I don’t like instant oatmeal either. I prefer the chewiness of original brown rice and old fashion oatmeal, and I think they have a better flavor too. In my opinion, the quick cook types are mushy and watered- down. They do take longer to make, but to me, the results are worth it. I think these late night random thoughts are God’s way of trying to remind to not be in such a hurry all the time, always looking towards the future and expecting immediate results any time I make even the slightest change in my behavior. Next week I am finally transferring to a new position at work; one that I have wanted for a long time; one that finally feels right. I have had many interviews within my company in the two years since my supervisor job was eliminated, but none of them worked out, some for no apparent reason. Sometimes I think God puts roadblocks in place to keep us from jumping ahead and making the mistake of doing something out of his timing. For the past year and a half I have been feverishly trying to finish my Associates of Arts degree (that I started 25 years ago). I was looking forward to taking my final class this summer, but the class did not make due to not enough people signed up. I have also been struggling with whether I should spend the time a money transferring to UTD to complete my bachelor’s degree. Again, I think these circumstances were put in place by God, who knows so much more what I need, than what I think I desire. Now I will have a couple of months free to focus on learning a new job and be able to come home and relax instead of going to class or doing homework. It also allows me to spend some much-needed time with my husband, who also has a lighter schedule for a few months, due the training program he is in. I’m sure I will still be acclimating to my new job in the fall, since it is a big change, so taking only one class, at a normal pace will be a nice change. This schedule will also give me a few more months to work on our finances and decide if I should continue with school or not. It has been nice break form school, the last few weeks, but in reality I am bored. I have realized how accustomed I have become to filling every minute with activity, leaving little time for God or relationships with friends and family. I am slowing learning to slow down and enjoy life; the old- fashioned, original version that God had planned for me, not my “instant – I want change now” way of life. I am learning to enjoy the journey, or the “climb” as it is put in the Miley Cyrus song, learning what God wants to teach me along the way and to trust where he is leading me, not demanding to know what the future holds, or trying to create it myself.

Happy New Year!

2009-06-16T18:28:00.000-07:00

I know this is a little late, but the year is getting happier. Some of you know that a few days after I made my first blog post, my mother was put in the hospital, and passed away 3 weeks later. It has been a tough six months, but is getting better. I have so much I need to write about.... having formulated stories of my experiences in my head over the past few months. I've just been busy with school and also could never get around to finding my password to blog..... I'm taking a break from school this summer, so I have plenty of free time on my hands. Stay tuned!

Let me introduce myself...

2008-12-05T18:48:00.000-08:00

Some of you know me, but not well. Here are a few things you should know....

1) Sometimes I don't smile or speak up enough- I am a thoughtful observer.

2) I have an off-beat sense of humour and tend to be sarcastic ....so please don't be offended. 3) I may seem quiet, but I am really goofy once you get to know me....it just takes a while to get me loosened up. Just ask my children how weird I am....

3) I am way too self-conscious and care too much what other people think of me... I am trying to get over that.

4) My favorite kind of day would be spent outdoors with birds and pine trees, visiting somewhere historical or at home in my pajamas all day reading a book, drinking coffee or peach iced tea, and listening to music.

5) My favorite meal to go out for is breakfast or italian. I also love black licorice, black jellybeans, dark chocolate, caramel and coconut and cheesecake. I hate sushi, red licorice and green apple flavor. I try all the new flavors of ice cream....my husband always wants vanilla.... After 23 years I am still telling him that vanilla is boring and is not really a flavor.... I love fresh flowers on my counter and in my garden. I like to bake banana bread and cookies.

6) I am a perfectionist and neat freak, which has led to me being a procrastinator and a little slobby..... since I can never do it right, I sometimes don't try at all; I just get stressed out about it. I am trying to work on that too.... I've been saying for almost a year now, that I was going to start blogging; instead I have become a blog stalker. I am usually reading blogs when I procrastinating about doing my Algebra homework.

7) I am a seeker; one who searches for, endeavors to obtain or reach, one who trys.