My neck hurts...

...because I've been propped up here on the couch for the last hour watching The Amazing Race online.  You see, I went to bed a couple of hours ago, but a conversation with Jeff about our travel plans left him snoring and me tossing and turning.  I'm glad he's sleeping.  I really am.  But me...there was no sleep coming-only lists.  Many, many lists in my head.  Nothing like a little reality television to take your mind off of things.

Or not.  Because every time Hellman's Mayonaisse came on to tell me that it loves me (L-O-V-E, love, love, love, love!), my mind raced again.  How am I going to get everything done in the next 2 weeks that needs to get done?

I'm sure that if I read back over my blog from the last few years, I've asked that question many times.  The answer?  God always gives me what I need in order to finish what I need.  And He will again here, too.  But for now, I find myself in a bit of a paralysis, asking Him to get me moving again.

We're home.  And it feels soooooooooo good.  Can't even say how good.  But the dishwasher isn't quite working.  And I have half a dozen loads of laundry still to do.  And Beth is sick and on an antibiotic.  And we still haven't gotten our guardianship order.  And there is a bunch of drywall/plaster to repair on our house.  And we still need to get the rest of our shots.  And a stroller.  And a surgeon for Jag.  And our tickets.  And Rex's visa.

And I have to do placement for our interns in the next 2 weeks, too.  Oh, Lord, help me.  Don't allow my shortcomings to affect our interns.

There are 5 major categories that I see:  HOUSE ORDER, INTERN PLACEMENT, TRIP DETAILS, HOMECOMING PREP, and FAMILY LIFE.

And now, the first 3 things that come to mind in each category:

h.o.--
-get drywall/plaster repaired
-catch up on laundry
-move everything home from friends' house and put away

i.p.--
-sign up for intern kickoff weekend
-finalize status of remaining applicants
-set up phone interviews

t.d.--
-reserve hotel rooms for jeff
-buy tickets for rex and me
-contact driver and arrange for transportation to and from orphanage

h.p.--
-get all needed information so that we can be in best position to make decision about surgeon
-decide on jag's official name
-buy a double stroller to replace the one stolen with our van last summer

f.l.--
-go visit grandma again before trip
-get beth well
-write thank yous from florida trip

Okay, that doesn't even include the various duties that I have at the office related to non-intern ministry items.  Also doesn't include all things related to getting Rex's new room ready.

Oh goodness.

Pray for us, please.  I know that God is in control, and that truth sustains me. 

Go before me, Lord.  Order my steps as I seek what I should be doing with each minute of my day tomorrow.  I don't want to waste time, and I want to honor you with my attitudes and my actions as I go.  I confess that my attitudes have not always been God-honoring lately.  Stress is showing up in the way I speak to my children.  Lord God, you don't speak to me that way--ever.  Even in your discipline, there is gentleness and control.  May I be saturated by an awareness of your presence so that I walk in your way and model your love.  In Christ's name, I pray....Amen.