birthday blessings

A Poem for You

"The class loves you,

And parents do too.

We love you

Oh, so very much!"

Dear Mrs. Beverly,

"You're as silly as a seal,

as cool as a penguin,

crafty as a fox,

as thoughtful as an owl,

and so much more."

being treated to a birthday burrito,

picking out my birthday present,

a home made birthday meal from his parents,

birthday cards in the mailbox,

February 9 in rare form: sunny and warm,

him getting up early to make a warm birthday breakfast,

each student greeting me with a flower,

my aide providing a birthday treat,

popcorn and a movie,

walking with mom on a beautiful day,

so many birthday wishes: in person, online, or over the phone,

my choice for dinner,

relaxing in pj's,

watching our favorite shows,

a birthday breakfast date,

trying a new restaurant to celebrate with my family,

hugs from loved ones,

feeling loved and special.

the sounds from downstairs

I used to loathe, despise the sounds that came from downstairs. The sounds of a 13-going-on-21 year old girl who loved to sing karaoke - off key. The sounds of a mother yelling in espanol for them to move faster. The sounds of big and small girls arguing over the computer or what channel to watch. It was so hard not to 'give it right back' - hard not to scream and stomp around. It was hard not to be angry ... let alone find joy in that.


But God is good. He knows how much we can handle! We could not be happier with our new neighbors. Yes, the floorboards are thin and we hear each other's mistakes. (Remember the banana bread incident?) I'm sure they don't love hearing my 6:30 alarm. But now, many of the sounds from downstairs do bring joy. Hearing them laugh together. Hearing his strumming of the guitar and singing sweet worship tunes. Hearing their footsteps and feeling safe knowing they are home when my other half is not. 


I hope they stick around for a while.


(And yes, I can be joyful that our previous tenants are happy in a new home -- just down the street and out of ear-shot!)

yes, there's joy even in the mess

Just last week, I wrote about finding joy everywhere, in everything ...


but yesterday morning it was difficult to find joy in the midst of my chaos and frustration.


Maybe you've had a moment like mine?


... when the pot holder slips and you drop a not-quite-done banana bread, spilling the pan's contents all over the open oven and kitchen floor?


For some reason, it's mistakes while baking that bring out my greatest rage. Throwing pot holders across the kitchen, storming out of the room, and of course some not so nice words that I am almost positive our neighbors could hear loud and clear.


Can there really be joy in moments like these?

In that moment, I was anything but joyful ... and it took me a little while to come around ...

• it took a husband getting on his hands and knees with me to clean up the mess
• it took a lot of multi-surface spray and half a roll of paper towels
• it took finding the right kitchen utensil to get the batter out of each oven crack without burning ourselves
• it took him leaning against the oven when we were done, saying I'm still a good baker
• it took us putting the ruined bread back in the oven and hoping for the best
• it took a stream of silly text messages from mom to make me laugh about it all

... but I guess, in the end, I can see how even the spilled mess of a banana bread can be a gift. As I reflect on yesterday's moments of weakness, I can now thank God for laughter and help in cleaning the chaos.

I can also thank God that I happened to make a double batch, and the other banana bread turned out just fine.

joy can be found everywhere

at home ...

• a prized date night with my love
• out for dinner, in for a movie
• playing on the iPad, finding fun apps for kids
• the whole family together to watch a big game
• making them laugh with our silly shirts
• a great day for them - her getting a job, him making a sale
• lost mittens now found
• her care for me, buying me vitamins
• devouring chips and salsa with a good friend after school
• her calling in at just the right time, putting her on speaker phone
• the ways we can communicate with far-away college friends
• trying new recipes
• making progress on my scrapbook, spending the day crafting with a friend
• delicious meals at mom & dad's
• Grandma's dark chocolate chip brownies
• discovering we can go to Florida for Spring Break!

at school ...

• their prayers to ask Jesus into their hearts
• a secretary so willing to fill in and make copies
• report cards complete, earlier than they had to be
• kids with no jackets at recess
• having her all to myself
• parent meetings going smoothly
• bucket filler certificates stuffed in with each report
• a bus (and driver) available to take us on our field trip
• how their faces lit up seeing the inside of a police car
• the officer's appropriate answers to their questions

at church ...

• a good message from a guest pastor, leading to possibilities
• singing on the music team
• helping in Disciple Land
• both of us feeling more involved and connected

all around ...

• snow for them to shovel (extra income!)
• a white blanket covering
• watching the savings add up while checking out at the grocery store
• trying out a local gym, for free
• selling my camera for a great price
• his big hug when he saw me unexpectedly

a full-of-blessings week in 2JB

• a Monday that feels like a Saturday
• being treated to a pedicure with mom and sister
• helping her shop for curtains
• finding time to catch up with a friend
• looking for potential getaways
• him making dinner for me, a few nights in a row
• the first snow we've seen in a while
• "My Brother Martin," hearing their own dreams and ideas

"I have a dream that everyone will have enough money. I can work toward my goal by earning money and giving it to others." 

"I have a dream that people from different countries will have fresher water. I can work toward my dream by building a water tower with a filter inside." 

"I have a dream that everyone can have a car. I can work toward my dream by building Lego cars and then building real ones when I grow up."

• changing the hallway display
• strawberry cake, with fresh berries
• free samples
• iPads arrived!
• a package in the mail that will make our lives easier
• another visiting student, who didn't want to leave
• the smell of fresh air
• the way they listen attentively during story time
• their excitement for international show and tell
• moms who came in to help with our baking project
• putting together our own 3-D town

• how cute they looked in their pj's
• an excuse to wear footie pajamas to school
• a half day, time to make huge progress on report cards
• breaking out my scrapbook gear
• well done pizza
• an all-school movie to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• so many sweets to choose from
• sharing pictures with others
• getting some answers

• hearing he made it safely
• friends and/or family to keep me company every night while he was away
• convincing a friend to walk with me after school
• being able to attend staff devotions
• sleeping in the middle of the bed
• warm, gooey brownies
• getting our money back
• finding out that trial iPads are on the way
• embracing community, collecting items for ditto
• hearing his voice on the phone at the end of another day
• possibilities at The Depot
• His holding out the rain so we could still go on our field trip
• walking alongside them, laughing and talking like friends
• "The Help" On Demand
• a 3 day weekend
• camera shopping
• his return to New Jersey
• free personal pizza
• a larger and warmer home for the week, getting paid to live in it!
• surprising her with a birthday cake

an escape from reality

• a relaxing weekend getaway in Vermont
• gathering around the table with family
• amazing views of the mountains
• seeing their beautiful home, the best "bed & breakfast" in town

• hiking through the woods, snow crackling with each step
• water rippling, creating a path through the snow
• laughing at ourselves when the icy patches took us out
• not hurting ourselves more seriously!
• enjoying the hot tub on cold nights

• a trip into town, finding good deals at the outlet stores
• an early birthday present
• "lake-style" happy hour
• starting a new book, reading for pleasure
• getting home with time to spare, resisting the impulse to work