Delight

Today I couldn't help but walk around with a smile on my face as equilibrium seemed to once again come into my life. I've adjusted to the idea that March will be tough, but right now is good. As I walked, I couldn't help but smile over the many little things that bring delight in my life.

A Bible so well worn that I constantly find flecks of leather in my bed, on my chair, and on the floor; making someone smile; a house which is generally clean, but has a lived in feel; finding a dollar in a pocket; a phone call from my parents; playing dominos with my grandparents; learning to dance; having formal dresses and occasions to wear them; letting my hair down and discovering it looks good even though its been thrown up in a clip all day; looking for red shoes...even if I never find ones in my budget the hunt is fun; talks with Melissa that seem like they only last 15 minutes...even though they lasted two hours; sharing your soul, your visions, and your hopes in life with someone; disagreeing with your Mom and it being o.k....it means i'm grown up; having someone say "you're the best teacher," a long run, a beautiful hike; anticipating the first snow; waking up in the middle of the night to the silence of snow falling; hearing monkeys play outside your window; finding a beautiful hybiscas flowering in Boise Idaho; watching a movie piled onto a small couch with friends; arches in architecture; daydreaming; having a crush; the hope of love; holding a friend's newborn for the first time; telling my sister I love you and I'm so thankful God didn't take you home just yet; hearing the stories of missionaries; driving on a long roadtrip; praying; writing; finding a good book...even if you don't have time to read it; reflecting on God's love; hearing jazz flow out of a local pizzeria everytime I walk home from class; complimenting the bruise of a little boy; anticipating rafting season; surviving cancer; receiving a wink...so old fashioned...yet flirtatious; singing an old hymn; finding an old friend; the smell of homemade cookies; knowing the answer to a trivial pursuit question; being complimented on your cooking; being complimented; thinking of all the ways I hope to delight my husband one day; having friends who know you so well that they know you make a funny noise when you swallow; scheming with Jana & Elicia; holding the secret knowledge of the MLVs; learning to water ski; reorganizing; car dancing; seeing a plumeria tree; singing and dancing to the perfect song on the radio...even if all the other cars are watching; learning to great someone in a different language; reading the thoughts of Jim & Elizabeth Elliot; Trustisng God whole heartedly with every aspect of my life; writing something as silly as this even though people may never read it!

Ahhhh...the infamous Valentine's week. I think I will remember this one for a while.

Mon: Teaching hormone crazed third graders
Tues: Teaching hormone crazed third graders on an unseasonably warm day and preparing for a sub since my co-worker would be gone.
Wes: Doc appointment. Found out that since I might be going overseas I need to have a thyroid scan. No big deal...until I find out that I have to go off my medication. The bloggers often term this hypo-hell. The last time I did this I stayed under a blanket it 110 degree weather for over a week. My daily goal was to make my bed...after doing so I would feel exhausted. How does this fit in with grad school, teaching, and trying to figure out what to do next???
Thurs: The big day! Had dinner and played nertz with a bunch of single friends. Yes...we are nerds...but we had so much fun.
Fri: Wrote a paper, had dinner with the parents
Sat: long run...way to much quiet time to think about the future...but God blessed it! Went to a baby shower and felt very out of place amoung all the other Moms and married women. Do baby's really need that much stuff???? LOTR in the evening..fell asleep soon after Rivendell.
Sun: Well, soon I'll have church and group. The thing I hate most about health issues is having to explain what's going on to everyone else. It's also hard knowing that it is impossible for others to understand the impact...they weren't there we I went through it the last time....it reminds me that I had cancer...a fact I forget most days...it reminds me that I have friends and family to help...but ultimately it is up to God and I to get through this. Right now I'm trying to work ahead and not dwell on the fears...fears I won't be able to teach because of feeling bad and ruining 26 kids third grade year...fear that something might be wrong...fear I won't be able to keep up with my graduate studies.

Thankfully I have a fear catcher. God catches them all and reminds me of the amazing things he has done in the past. I'm also reminded that for at least 6 months I had a TSH of 12-15 when it is supposed to be close to zero and I managed to keep up with everything. It will have to be 30 for the scan...but only for a short time. I think God allowed my levels to be off last year to show me I could do it. He provided the strength and will do so again.

Awesome post Melissa! I had to steal it!

The Lord opens doors, not simply for mission organizations and churches, but also for individual believers. A chance to do His will in any area of life must be taken seriously, as His opportunities always lead to the path He has designed for us. Some seem too good to be true, others are cloaked in hardship, and still others defy human reasoning. We need to know how to listen for and discern God's voice so that we can be certain when it is His hand opening a door.
- Dr. Charles Stanley

Isaiah 58:6-14

Words from a Kenyan artist....

I sit here in my art studio trying to find a way to focus on my work. But instead, the chaos going on in my country Kenya leaves me deeply saddened and hopeless. And the situation gets worse. Never did I imagine that in my lifetime or ever - my home country would go through something like this. I was born and raised in a remote village in central Kenya. People here were from different tribes and had lived in peace with each other- until now.


I feel these words run so closely to my own heart lately...for both the country I love and my internal thoughts regarding my future....my own tribes and thoughts warring against each other....fighting for my mind and my future.

Reading a recent e-mail from the Daniels broke my heart....pulling me there again...my question has become lately not whether to commit for a 3-5 year time period or a lifetime???

The pic? Mt. Kenya. This is what you see from one of the schools at the Daniels.