Wednesday, January 4, 2017

You Want What You Want and He Wants What He Wants, but God Does What He Wants

انت تريد وهو يريد والله يفعل ما يريد
(anta turiid wa-howa yuriid wallaah yaf3al ma yuriid)

"You Want What You Want and He Wants What He Wants, but God Does What He Wants"

Faith, Family,  Challenges, and New Beginnings ...


My how time flies and lives change. It's been quite a while since I've posted on the blog, almost 4 years sadly! But it's the start of a new year, and I've always loved to write and share my thoughts. So let's do this!

3 years ago yesterday (03 January),  my two biological sons and I moved into our new house. It was a decision I was nervous of, but one I made for the interest of my children. It was quite the jump - new suburb, new school district and schools, new friends, new financial commitments ... a lot to take on at once. I'm happy to say, thank God, that with all of the changes, it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. There were challenges of course, but life would be boring without difficulties, right?

Here's a quick summary of what's happened in my family since my last post...

☞ I started a new job where I had the opportunity to travel internationally.  Nervousness took over as I was taking on a role that required time away from the children for a week at a time every month in locations halfway across the world. Thankfully, it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Not only did I get to see parts of the world I've never been to before and was able to feed my passion for travel, but it ultimately led me to meet and marry the love of my life a little over a year ago, alhamdulillah (Thank God). My husband and I's families went from 3 to 6, and our new home in Dallas can comfortably house everyone when my husband and his children visit (we are a long-distance marriage at the moment!). 2016 was overall a wonderful year for us, allowing us to grow together as a couple and getting to know each other's children (we are still learning and growing! there's always growing pains). Unfortunately, my husband lost his mother last year, but I am blessed to have had the opportunity to see her,  spend some time with her, share some stories, hug her, and be a part of her life,  even though it was only for a short period of time. She will always remain within our hearts.  May God bless her soul.

☞ My older son Y started high school, plays on the high school soccer team as well as on a club team, officially became taller than me,  and built his first gaming computer. He's decided he's considering to pursue computer engineering in college (haha, more engineers in the house). The teen years are definitely kicking in - it's weird hearing a deep voice here and there, seeing more and more independence when it comes to school and friendships, and oh boy the attitude! He and I have had our rough patches especially since "sharing his mom" has been difficult to swallow, but I'm proud of his progressing maturity and our continuous developing relationship. Not only am I learning how to be a better parent, but also how to effectively communicate to ensure we as a family are all on the same page.

☞ My younger son Z developed a passion for baseball, started middle school,  and is first chair in band playing the euphonium. My recent marriage has been difficult on him as well as he never really experienced his mom having a husband staying in the same house, even if for a temporary amount of time. Interaction is sometimes awkward, but to my younger son's credit, he's been a trooper, being one of my biggest supporters for my happiness. Anger bouts (shouting, isolating himself in his room) appear here and there, but we're teaching him to express himself constructively.

The new house and job were changes I was afraid to make,  but I prayed for the best, put my faith in God and decided to move forward. I'm thankful for everything that has happened, and blessed to be surrounded by such a strong support system, especially my husband and extended family.

Lesson learned: 

  • Always keep your commitment to your faith and beliefs no matter the tests God gives you. God never burdens a soul more than it can handle.
  • Rise to challenges and don't let them conquer you.
  • Look beyond your comfort zone and try new things.
  • Be thankful for everything,  good and bad. Ultimately, good comes out of the bad, even if you don't see it immediately.

Definitely a busy few years, but we're looking forward to growing more as a family this year, looking beyond our comfort zones, learning new things, exploring the world, and becoming healthier people.

Indeed, it is amazing how God is the best of planners. Because as the saying goes, you want what you want, and he wants what he wants, but God does what he wants.