an agglomeration of thoughts

There's a lot of thoughts swirling in my head right now and as this blog functions as a sort of online journal, I thought I'd take a moment to jot them down and keep of record of the internal rumblings that define "today". Riley is taking his morning nap, J is out for a quick bike ride and I have a few minutes before I need to get ready for a day of study at the library. Here goes...

The primary focus of my mind is my studies. After 4 months of giving up my weekends and holidays to absorb the knowledge that will make me a better Treasury Analyst, I've finally reached the end of the journey. My exam is scheduled for Monday at noon and I could use all the prayers I can get. The CTP (Certified Treasury Professional) is the only credential that is recognized in my field and it's necessary for me to obtain this certification in order to move forward in my career. This exam is tough -- it has an average passing rate of 50% and the majority of the people taking it have at least a business degree of some sort. Since I lack a business degree and have to work hard for any good grades I get, I didn't blow off the exam prep.

In spite of my hard work, I still worry about being able to pass this thing. Since the practice tests don't simulate the difficulty of the actual exam, it's hard to know how well I'm doing. Is 70% good enough? 80%? I know I understand all the concepts, but this being a crash course in finance, there's a LOT of information to absorb. So, I've been worried that all the sacrifices that I and my boys have made will be for naught. So, I ask that those of you who read this before Monday afternoon would say a prayer for me that I can do well enough to pass and be able to spend more time with my family and friends. I'm feeling socially empty at this point.

The thing that gives me hope that God will give me the ability to remember all that I've learned is what He's done for us in regards to our new home. Last night, we signed the purchase and sale agreement for the townhome (TH) and I wrote the largest check of my life. Now, we await the commitment letter from the lender and get ready for the closing on Feb 20. I look back and see how the God allowed a stress-inducing phone call from our landlord to motivate us to make an offer on the TH, which was a month before I wanted to start getting serious about buying. The house we are renting was being auctioned on Feb 12, so we had to get out.

Turns out, the TH had a sudden surge of interest -- three other couples were looking at it the same weekend so we quickly made an offer, knowing that there was no other home that suited our family as well. Though it appeared that the repair negotiations would be challenging, it was all worked out to our satisfaction within a week. To top it all off, lending rates plummeted and we locked in an incredibly good rate (5.375%) -- not bad for less than 20% down.

When I see how the Lord has given us our dream of homeownership and in the best circumstances I could have imagined, it gives me hope that passing the exam is not something that is unimportant to Him either. Not that God owes it to me to give me what I want, but that He enjoys giving good gifts to His children. I am reminding myself that whatever happens on Monday, He's going to take care of us as a family. He's proven it over and over again.

Did I mention that my company decided to pay out our annual bonuses last Friday and that they didn't dock me for my maternity leave? It was perfectly timed for paying the down payment. Another blessing and confirmation that we're being taken care of by our loving Father.

I don't know if I've mentioned this already, but I have a great husband who as taken up the slack for what has been the past year & a half (beginning with my pregnancy) and there's been no household duty that he's been unwilling to do. He's cooked, cleaned, done laundry and taken care of our boy like a pro and I'm very blessed to have a husband who enjoys helping others.

Well, I hear my sweet boy waking from his nap. I couldn't have imagined a better kid and if he's the only one we get, I'll be content. I look forward to spending more time with him and J in the coming weeks and months and to reconnecting with my friends, who I have missed dearly (you know who you are..).

Well, off to start the day...

Shelby