Grumpy and Grateful

Saturday my church went on famine relief. There were 20 of us who went. I really enjoyed it as usual. I didn’t take any pictures and I must say that was the best decision I could have made. It was nice to just enjoy the people of the church without worrying about pictures.

I was thankful that my day turned out to be good because it started off with me being pretty grumpy and ended with a splitting headache. I woke up at 3am and couldn’t seem to fall asleep again because my right arm and leg were in pain. Me without sleep is a disastrous combination. I took out my grumpiness on my passengers – yikes! On the way home one of them offered to drive for me and we started our trip that way and then about 5 minutes into the drive I thought to ask if she had her license and she did not. So I ended up driving home. I took medicine before leaving for home and I think it may have helped a little, but when I got home my head hurt so bad I was in tears. I went to bed around 7:30 that night (thankfully my exhaustion outweighed the pain).

So over the past few days I’ve really beaten myself up over my behavior. I was never really a sensitive person growing up that I can remember. There was a time in my life when it wouldn’t have mattered if I hurt another person’s feelings. Now I seem to rethink many things wondering what I could have done differently. I see this as a sign that the Lord is at work in me.

Yesterday I was teaching my students a missionary story. It turned out to be a pretty awesome lesson. I presented my students with a question that I try to tell myself all the time: In light of eternity will this matter? When we live with an eternal mindset it helps us to make the best decisions possible for God’s glory and not our own. I forget this many times but He is faithful to remind me.

People Section

Okay so sometimes I get stuck behind trucks filled with people. Also known as the 'people section'. When I say filled I mean they fit as many people into the back as possible. After work today I was behind one and three guys were staring at me. So I put my visor down and they were amused by that gesture. So they started pointing me out to all the other guys in the back of the truck. Within seconds the entire truck of men was staring at me. I kept mouthing for them to turn around but they just smiled and stared some more. Thankfully I found an opening and passed them as quickly as possible. Life here just never seems dull. :-)

Ranting!

So a little pet peeve of mine is that it irks me when I go to check out a person's blog and it's 3 pages (ok a little exaggeration) long. Seriously, do people really let activities build up and then write about them all at once? Daily entries or weekly short entries are best in my opinion. Okay I'm done ranting for now. Hee Hee!

Marriageable Age

Today has been a day for laughing and fun. I received a gift from a friend in the single ladies group at church in celebration of my birthday. On the envelope containing my birthday card this was written “In my African culture, when a lady reaches a marriageable age, she is given a BROOM as a symbol of readiness.” Sure enough inside the bag contained a small African broom! I can’t help but smile (and laugh) even writing this now. I love her! I told her she's a few years late. I reached that age several years ago. She said she hopes that will change soon. I assured her it’s not likely but I know not to put God in a box. He’s a creative God and can bring someone into my life any time He wishes. For now I’m enjoying serving Him alone. I believe that people should enjoy every stage of their lives and I try to enjoy each stage to its fullest.

birthdays and memories

The 2nd was my birthday and what a great day it was! It started off with me approaching my classroom to find a single rose in a glass jar awaiting me at the door. Then when my students came in I was thankful for the precious gifts they chose to give me. I am well loved! My bouquet of roses (my favorite flowers to receive!) is still on the kitchen counter smelling sweeter every day. That evening I felt even more cherished with the group of 13 for dinner at an amazing Italian restaurant called L'Arena. Overall I'd say it was a wonderful day!

Today marks 12 years since my dad passed away. It's been a long time but I can still remember the look on his face when he was proud of me. Or the way I'd sit beside him and put my arm in his and his first question would be "What do you want?" His eyes danced as he said it and I'd giggle back "Nothing, I just want to be near you." I miss watching the rodeo with him and each of us guessing how long each guy would stay on the bull. Watching the bull riding was our favorite thing to watch. In some ways each year becomes easier to accept his absence, but I will still always miss him.