Life
It’s been a long weekend so far - but a good one. I managed to get most of the school’s grade books created, bought new art work for my room at the IHOP art show and gotten most of my room painted. (It’s becoming a pink so pale that its not really pink.) Hopefully pictures of my newly repainted and redecorated room will be available to put online later this week. I’ve had some real heart to hearts with my roommates and close friends - boy is it amazing to see each other in our weaknesses instead of in our strength.
Leah and I were speaking a couple nights ago about strength and weakness - and its effect on the ways we interact in the house. We both agreed that we are getting past the “let’s be nice” stage of roomming together and instead getting into the “let’s be weak around each other and see what God does” stage. We have gotten to the point that tears have flowed in front of each other, prayers are prayed for each other, and hugs are shared with each other.
A year ago I couldn’t have imagined this type of situation. I was so trapped by the thought of forever being stuck in my parents’ house and all that jazz. Now I’m living with three great girls, can go to the prayer room any time I want to go, working a dream job that sometimes stresses me out. This is a huge turn around for me.
Well, I need to get -I’m going to church this morning where Margaret youth pastors and I’m nowhere near ready to go.
An update from my so-called life
Life is crazy. I started teaching Monday and I’m still frantically trying to do all the things that should have been done this summer but didn’t get done because the school was under construction. I love my students and am constantly amazed in how they change my life. My respect for the Hispanic community and the Catholic church here in Kansas City has sky rocketed. I work with amazing men and women who consider teaching a blessing rather than something that must be done. A million times a day the words “work in progress” are said in reference to some aspect of school. My principal broke her foot coming out of the chapel last week but is still climbing all the stairs in the school multiple times a day to check in on everyone. In addition to my 17 class sessions I have picked up 2 extra “Power Hour” classes.” I’m stretched thin and ready for the weekend - and more thankful for my roommates than ever this week.
Here are a few quotes from last nights house dinner:
“True confessions of a land lord.” - Margaret
“One more noodle.” - Chelsea
“Margaret, where are you? We’re eating without you. I’m trying to keep Chelsea from eating your food.” - me
“I almost feel guilty not having a crazy schedule.” - Leah
And one quote from the other evening:
“I laugh at the Sermon on the Mount - hahaha - wash your own dishes.” - Margaret
Sometimes you just have to go to bed early
After a couple of eye opening conversations about my lack of boundaries and my lack of a real day off in almost a month, I changed into pj’s around seven in the evening and crawled into bed with a good book last night. I laid in bed for about half an hour reading and this deep sleepiness over took my more than exhausted body. Next thing I new my alarm was going off at four thirty in the morning. (Yes, I set if for that time on purpose.) I hurried and got ready for work, gathered all my stuff for the work day and headed over to the prayer room. After 20 or so minutes in the prayer room I went to work with a clear mind.
After yesterday, where I was just about ready to bite my coworkers’ heads off, today is a much different story. It was the little yes in my heart to get up early and spend time with the Lord, my willingness to (for once) put my health before my job, and the sweetest roommates who let me sleep like my body needed that has made the biggest difference in my day so far. I’m still exhausted though, and it will take me a week or two of good sleep and rest to make up for the way I have abused my body with so little sleep and so much work in the last few weeks.
My time in the prayer room was sweet this morning. I opened my Bible to the Psalms and read - letting the soothing words wash over me. It was water to my inmost parts. For twenty minutes my thoughts were not about what needs to be done at work, but instead my thoughts were focused on the Lord and who He is. Who He is is more important than how many computers I hook up today, how many cables I get sorted, or how many printers I get installed. What is most important is the fact that today He gives me breath and I can fellowship with Him in all that I do this day.
