Unpacking

Several years ago, when my Nana moved out of her home in Florida and into a much smaller apartment, my dad boxed up much of her china, into a sturdy wooden shipping container that has traveled around the world with oceanographic equipment. He also packed it into rubber maid footlockers when he ran out of space in the wooden box.

It sat in my parents' basement, waiting for me to have space for it, and for me to get married.

Then several years ago when I bought my house, it was all moved from my parents house in Michigan, to my basement and attic in Kentucky, and there it sat.
It sat boxed up, with the hope that one day, I would get married, because in my mind, single people don't have fine china. And if they do have it, they certainly don't have it out on display, or use it.

For 5 years it sat. Sometimes when I would go down into my basement to do laundry, I would look over at the large wooden box and wonder, what all was inside. I knew what my grandmother's china looked like, but I also knew that there had to be other things, based on the shear size and number of containers.

My mom would occasionally ask questions like "how many dinner plates are in that set of Nana's china?" or "what is the pattern number?"

I would say "Mom, I have no idea, it's all boxed up in the basement."

Over the course of last summer and fall, as God really worked on my heart and reminded me that the lies that had been fed to me about singleness were absolutely untrue, and holding me back from really living, I decided that it was time to unpack, both my life and my china.

While my parents were visiting in December we unpacked the actual China from the large wooden shipping crate.

We discovered that the china is one of the rare Noritake patterns with no number.

We even used them for our Christmas dinner

Over this past weekend, with some time off, I was able to organize the china on a small shelf that was given to me by Nana several years ago.

Then I started on the two footlockers in the attic. I had no idea what they contained, and I was curious. I have always loved my Nana's taste and style. Her things are always classic and timeless.

As I sat there unwrapping one piece after another, I realized that the act of taking the stuff out of the closet and unpacking it to enjoy was a quite good metaphor for how I had been living my life. If you had asked me 10 years ago where I would be today, what I would have described to you would have not in anyway looked like the life I am actually living. I had felt for a long time like there were so many things that I would like to be doing, but doing them alone just didn't seem like it was worth it. So sometimes, instead of enjoying the beauty of the life God has laid out for me, I was hiding it in a closet, where no one could see it. Though these lies were all my own, I don't think it helped at all that I had people in my life feeding it, but that is a story for another day.

I decided over a year ago to start unpacking my life, to start doing things I enjoy, even if it means doing them alone. I joined a triathlon club. I started going to a new church, which I had needed to do for a long time, but the thought of finding a new church alone, well it's not fun. I went on hikes by myself. I even went to a concert by myself, which let me just say, was HUGE. And yes people did stare at me at the concert of a popular Christian artist, one couple kept turning around, completely obvious, wondering when my friends or significant other would show up, so obvious they even asked.

And I decided this weekend that it was time to unpack the trunks in my attic. The ones I was sure contained beautiful things, that were sitting there untouched, waiting for my life to change, so that they could be enjoyed, the way society tells us we are suppose to enjoy them.

Yes the process of unpacking was messy. My Dad is an expert packer. There were bags and bags of tissue paper, packing paper, bubble wrap, and shredded paper. The shredded paper was hard to contain.
It was very similar to the process of unpacking my life. It was something that I absolutely had to do, but there was a lot of stuff that had to be taken off before the good stuff underneath could come out. And there were some things that had be taken out to the trash, or in other words eliminated. But in the end, it was totally worth it, because this is a small sampling of what was packed inside.

Thankful Thursdays 4/14/2011

better late than never
246 visors
247 the shot that makes the eczema go away and also helps my asthma for 3 months as an added side bonus
248 a really hard kick-boxing workout
249 red mountain church music
250 getting to help plan my BFFs bridal shower even though I live far away
251 the healthy delivery of a childhood friend's new son
252 God reminding me in a hilarious way that there are still good looking single guys out there
253 pictures of baby Lopez, who is not yet born
254 Facebook allowing me to communicate with friends and family who live far away
255 not having to set an alarm
256 having time to actually cook good healthy meals
257 actually having the time to fold and put away laundry
258 amazing running weather
259 being done with a yearly project that is sometimes frustrating
260 things written by Rick Reilly
261 that the Red Sox beat the Yankees
262 a friend thinking to ask if I wanted anything from Trader Joes
263 God giving me the opportunity to encourage a friend to continue to pursue Him
264 finding common interests with my sister in law
265 others encouraging me as I step out in faith to get involved serving at church
266 getting to go to church before leaving out on a trip with a team on a Sunday
267 driving home towards a beautiful sunset
268 farmers out in the fields getting them ready for planting, reminding me that God tills the soil of our hearts preparing them for His truths
269 a delicious salad
270 trying out new restaurants
271 hanging out with friends I haven't seen in a while
272 rain that knock pollen out of the air
273 driving by a man walking down the road carrying a giant cross
274 safe travels in a week that I had to drive a lot of miles
275 a diagnosis that was better than expected
276 getting to see my mom, even if it was just for a few hours
277 Finding out that in at least one instance Arwen is right about the facial hair thing, true story

Regrets

Recently I've been ready a mostly funny book. It's by Rick Reilly and it's called "Who's Your Caddy?"
In the book Reilly (who is one of my all time favorite sports writers) recounts his experiences caddying for all sorts of people from pro golfers like John Daly and Tom Lehman, to Donald Trump, to the worlds best gambling golfer.
In one chapter he recounts the tournament he caddied for professional golfer David Duval, it was a tournament in which PGA golfers where teamed up with golfers on the senior tour, and for the first time ever, David was paired with his dad.
Reilly shares about the relationship between the Duvals, which was shaped by the death of David's older brother when they were kids from a rare blood disorder. Bob, David's dad, had been a golf pro at a local club, struggled with alcoholism, divorced his wife, and after getting back on his feet, was encouraged by his son to try for the senior tour.

At the end of the chapter, Reilly says this "and, for just that second there, I got to thinking about my dad. And I got to thinking how great it would've been to play just one tournament with him. But even after he stopped drinking, I was still angry at him and, underneath that, scared of him too. And when I finally stopped being scared of him he was too old to play anymore. To bad too. He was good. He shot a 63 once on sand greens... I always wanted to go with him, but he never took me. Maybe I never asked."

"I'd love to go back and see my dad as just a guy, just like me, with his goodness and his faults." continues Reilly.

I was reading that, and I thought about the regrets we all have in our lives. Not all of us have regrets about our parents. I am thankful for great relationships with both of my parents.

Some of us have regrets about past romantic relationships, or relationships with siblings, or relationships with friends.

Some of us have regrets about things we did, or didn't do. Some of us have regrets about things we said, or should have said.

The reality is that no matter how hard each of us tries to live without regrets, no matter how often we try to do the right thing, life doesn't always turn out how we expect it. Sometimes we make poor choices. Sometimes other people make poor choices. Sometimes nobody made a poor choice, it just didn't happen how we wished, or hoped.

No matter how hard I try to plan and schedule so that things happen the way I want them to, life happens, and it's not always going to go as I planned.

Yesterday I was on the phone with Arwen, I was telling her that I was worried about a potential situation that might or might not happen. She gently reminded me that I am only in control of my words, actions, and reactions. She told me to quit worrying about things I can't control.

Then after the thing I was worried about happening didn't happen, I was reminded of these verses.
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:25-34

Jesus here is talking about worrying about the future, but I think maybe it can be applied to the past also. Christ died for my sins, past, present, and future. When I came to know Him as Lord and Savior, He wiped my slate clean. And yet sometimes I still find myself wonder, what if. The exception to this of course is in instances where our actions hurt another person, which of course requires us to go to that person and ask forgiveness for the things we did.

And that is what I want to tell Rick Reilly. I'm sure it stinks that he didn't come to these realizations about his dad until it was too late, but there is nothing he can do about it now. All he can really do is put one foot in front of the other, and the next time he is faced with an opportunity to forgive and live without regrets, I hope he does.

ZUMBA!!!!

It's no secret to most people that working out is something I love to do. Whether it's a long run, or a kick boxing class, or a hike in the woods, or a swim, I am probably going to enjoy myself.

One of the keys to enjoying working out for me is that I occasionally need to switch things up a bit. Routine is good, but routine can get rather boring.

A few weeks ago I decided to tryout a zumba class
If you are wondering what on earth zumba is, here is a quick video


watch the lady in the neon green shirt and black pants in the back, that's pretty much how I looked the first couple times. I would like to also say that I quickly realized that though I am left handed, when doing dance moves to the right, I am incredibly more coordinated than when I do the same move to the left. WHO KNEW?

We are talking about the girl who used to skip dance lessons as a kid to get an extra swim practice in, much to the chagrin of my mother.

But I had a blast. For one how can you not have fun in a fitness class that involves disco ball lights, with the overhead lights turned off, and a bunch of women dancing around like fools? It was like a middle school dance, except without all the awkward boys.

And when I say women, I mean from college age to mid 50s. I have never been in a fitness class with such a wide range of age groups and fitness levels. And all of them were having a blast as they tried out their best hip hop moves, and salsa, and who knows what else. Some of the older women after every song look at each other and shake their heads and chuckle. It's so great.

And I sweat so much, I mean I was dripping in sweat.
And the day after my first class, I laughed at something and realized that my abs were incredibly sore. I had not done a single crunch, or Russian twist, or V up, but OH MY GOSH they were sore.

So I keep going back. It's like going to a club, without actually going to a club, no drunk people, no scummy guys, no one inappropriately dressed since everyone's wearing workout clothes.

If you are board in your fitness routine, or maybe you don't have a fitness routine and want to start but everything seems boring or intimidating to you, here is my encouragement, GO TRY SOMETHING NEW.

Thankful Thursdays 4/7/2011

210 a schedule
211 leftovers
212 an outlet for creativity
213 flip-flops
214 gift cards for massages
215 the movie Dan in Real Life
216 free movies at the public library
217 that the state department sent my old passport back with my new one

and all the memories it contains

218 that I have a valid passport and can travel, should the opportunity present itself
219 the opportunity to make someone elses day
220 hearing banter about cricket matches
221 talking about old Italian grandmothers and their food, with someone who has an old Italian grandmother
222 warm sun all day
223 someone hearing about my family and seeing pictures and reminding me they are beautiful
224 a good book
225 hugs at church
226 inspiration
227 not getting bad tan lines while sitting out at tennis
228 the Lord's supper
229 hearing people's testimonies
230 people sending messages to me that the blog has been insightful and encouraging
231 that there have been signs up in the dining hall for a week stating shoes are required in anticipation of a day without shoes
232 that I have shoes to wear
233 a new photo of my sponsor child

yes I took a photo of a photo, easier than scanning

234 hilarious coworkers
235 an amazing homemade burger
236 ice cream scoops for dishing out cookies and oreo balls
237 feet comparisons
238 old ladies at zumba cracking themselves up
239 the people who change my truck oil, they are honest, show me the air filters every time even if they don't need to be replaced, and always vacuum
240 seeing lightning hit the ground pretty much right in front of my truck
241 the man who swings his arms as he walks around the arena at 6am
242 the reactions of the people in my small town as they realized we finally had 3G
243 hearing someone tell their very first (and hilarious) joke in English
244 "Cate I gave blood yesterday and I didn't even pass out"
245 giant marshmallows in Kentucky, FINALLY

Sure, I can translate that

One time I was called over from my office to another one of our facilities, one of my graduate assistances couldn't understand a student athlete. The student athlete was trying hard to be understood, and the GA was trying hard to understand, but there was just nothing that was being conveyed on either end.

One time I was told "Cate for the first year I was here in the states, you were the only person who I ever really thought understood what I was saying."

One time I was handed the phone and told "translate"
Translate? Okay? I didn't know what to expect from the other end.
I found an English speaker, but not a native English speaker.

The other day I was spending time with a group of athletes I work with who speak Portuguese as their first language. One of them has been teaching me for several months. I can say exciting things like "hello how are you" and name parts of the body, and different articles of clothing. He even taught me "it's too hard." But fluent I am not.
So I was standing there with two of them, and watching as their teammate yelled at himself in Portuguese. And after every statement he made, I would give my translation.
"HIT THE BALL"
"HIS SERVE IS HORRIBLE"
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME"

The young man on the left was astonished. "Cate your Portuguese is so good! I can't believe it"

The one on the right was laughing so hard I think he was about to pee his pants "Dude she doesn't speak Portuguese, I swear." He is the one who has been teaching me, he knows the truth.

It became a joke, and so now every time I am out watching a match, they will say "Cate what did he just say?" and I will give my translation. Most of the time I am pretty accurate. On Sunday one of them said something to the other and I said "Let's go get some Quiznos." They started laughing, it's what they do.
"NO Cate, I said "let's go get our stuff""
I told him that I was close enough. Sandwiches from Quiznos, stuff, same difference.

The thing that has really struck me about it though, is that it's not that hard. For one, just look at the context. Look at the body language, body language is a large part of communication.

Sometimes when I am watching television, I find it very funny that they will put captions with a person who is not a native English speaker, I think to myself "Really? Is it that hard to understand him."

Sometimes when I am at a restaurant, and I hear someone trying to order in English, when they would much rather speak Urdu or Arabic or French, and the waitress is being impatient, I get frustrated. I want to get up and go over and say "seriously, it's not that hard, listen carefully and watch what she is saying. Quit being so lazy, and be a better communicator, they are trying really hard, they aren't the problem here."

I have even noticed lately that when I am around internationals, I change the way I speak. I slow way down, and I enunciate, and sometimes I add a bit of an accent. I don't really even realize I am doing it, it just happens.

I have had to recognize that from a young age, my ear has been trained to listen harder, to understand English with all sorts of different accents. Your average american has not had this experience, and I need to be patient with them.

So in the mean time, while they learn to listen better, I'd be happy to translate, your English into English.

Some Myths about this single life

Last night I was in my kitchen preparing some food for an event I have tonight, which requires bringing food. I really needed a food processor, but since I don't have one, I was trying to crush up oreos and mix in cream cheese with my potato masher. It was a struggle. As I was thinking about how nice it would be to have a food processor, I started thinking about some common myths that many married people have about single people. I thought I would share a few with you today.

Myth: Single people have more free time.

Truth: While it's true that single people don't have to consult anyone about how to spend their time, they definitely don't necessarily HAVE more of it. For one, most single people I know have full time jobs. They still have to cook, and clean, and do laundry. They still have to grocery shop, and go to the bank. They still have to mow the lawn. While married folk, especially if they have kids, might have more to do, married couples have 2 sets of hands to do the work, single people have to do it themselves. Adding to the fact that single people don't necessarily have more free time is the fact that most employers expect single people to spend more time at work, be willing to always step in when the married folk have family obligations, work holidays and weekends, etc... I actually have one friend who's boss has told her on several occasions that she is not allowed to take vacations because she is single, only long weekends, when she is married and has a family she will understand, or so they tell her.

Myth: Single people have more disposable income

Truth: Young married couples typically have 2 incomes and live off one, using the extra income to pay off debt, build savings, etc... Single people don't have that luxury. While the married folk are paying off their school loans quickly, or their credit card debt quickly, or whatever, the single folk are paying their loan payments, and their rent or mortgage, and what ever else off just 1 income. While single people have more freedom to choose how they spend their disposable income, they don't generally actually have more of it.
I actually got an angry email one time when I was told by a married individual that I would be participating financially in a group gift. I replied stating that I had already purchased a gift within my budget for the individual and that I would not be participating. The organizer got angry, stating that they had already counted my contribution and purchased the gift card, and they didn't understand why I couldn't just fork over more money, since I don't have anything better to spend it on.

Myth: single people get what they want when they want it

Truth: sort of related to the whole disposable income thing. While my married friends got their houses outfitted when they had those wedding showers, I'm still trying to catch up in a sense. I never had a party where people gave me whatever I wanted on a long list of things I wanted for my house. For this reason, I have asked for things like dishes for Christmas and birthdays. That stuff can add up pretty quickly. For the last two christmass I have actually put a food processor on the short list I send my mom. I think my family thinks it's a joke. That or they are tired of buying me stuff for my house. I mean, they have given me towels that match already. So while my married friends don't have to worry about dishes or towels or food processors, because they got all that when they got married, if it's something I need, I have to buy it myself or ask for it for Christmas and birthdays, when what I really want are a pair of Toms shoes, and a bike.

A Marriage Like Theirs

Recently a long time family friend, a lifelong mentor in my life, posted this in a Facebook note.

"It is harder to live the Christian life at home than elsewhere. Husbands can be more courteous to other women than their wives. Wives can give more deference to other men than their husbands. Familiarity breeds contempt or at least disrespect. We take each other for granted. The Christian home is the outpost of Christianity. God places us in this environment to represent him here on earth.
If someone asked me, "How much does Christ love the church?" could I point to you? Could I say, "look at how he loves his wife"? If someone asked me, "How does the church submit to Christ?" could I point to you? Could I say, "look at how she submits to her husband"?" - Mrs. Cindi

I am grateful for the examples passed down to me, from couples who have been a part of my life for longer than I can remember.

Even though I am not married yet, I have some definite ideals about what I want my marriage to look like and not look like, when and if God finally brings that into my life.

Most of those ideals come from examples that have been lived out in front of me, both the good, and the bad.

First of course are my parents, the hilarious people that they are. My parents are some of the most giving people I know, my mom is emotionally generous, whereas my dad is always willing to give of his hard work. Growing up he was always fixing something, or building something. My parents make a good team. For example, when my parents host events at their house (which they do often, and always have) my dad is the man behind the vacumm, cleaning and organizing, and putting up enough folding tables. My mom is the one in the kitchen, the mastermind behind the food (though my dad contributes to the cooking also). My mom is the creative one, who has ideals, my Dad is the organized one who has the plan to make it happen. As parents, they were a united front. It was a regular occurrence in our house that we kids would ask for permission to do or have something, and the response was "Go ask your mother/father." or "What did your mother/father say?" When they were making decisions about us kids, they typically made them together. This doesn't mean that they always agreed, or never had arguments, but to them it was important to be on the same page about things. My dad always, but especially since we have moved back to the states has been protective of my mom and her emotional well being, allowing her to be the emotionally generous. My mom is also the first one to point out the great things about my dad, like when he is hammering on a project in the basement at 5:30 in the morning and the rest of us would like to sleep. Like I said previously, my parents didn't always agree, but they typically had/have their disagreements behind closed doors, not in front of us kids or others who happen to be around.

Beyond my parents there were several other couples who shaped my view of marriage in a positive manner, all of them were involved in the fellowship I grew up in.

Burt and Cindi are a few years younger than my parents, and were heavily involved in our youth activities. Burt is a helicopter pilot and Cindi stayed home with their three boys, and now currently with the three daughters that the Lord literally plopped in their laps, just when they thought they were done with parenting young ones. So they have 3 sons in or out of college, and three daughters who are not yet teenagers. Cindi and Burt have always been the go with the flow kind of couple, who love to have people stop by, the more the merrier, there are countless numbers of kids that grew up with their kids that count them as a second set of parents. Cindi and Burt are the kind of couple who view another person at the door as just another member to welcome to the family. At the same time, Cindi and Burt are unwavering in their commitment to the Lord. They are truly unashamed of the Gospel. They are willing and do share with anyone who will listen. I appreciate the prayerfulness with which Cindi approaches mentoring. I appreciate the transparency, just ask her how she came to know the Lord. It was frequent that she told me about decisions she made as a young adult that she wished she hadn't. I am thankful for the wisdom she imparted to me as a teenager and college student, and I still value the advice she gives today. The fall of my freshman year of college was a difficult one, at the end of the semester I got the news that the first of the 3 girls would be coming to live with Cindi and Burt, I knew that Cindi had always wanted a daughter. I arrived home just a few days after Cindi arrived home with the newborn. I vividly remember calling to ask if I could come meet the new princess, I would not stay long. I knew they were jet lagged, and exhausted, and having to quickly adjust to a huge life change, scrounge up baby supplies in a country where they were largely unavailable. "Yes" Cindi said, "I want to see you, please come, you didn't even need to call." I shouldn't have been surprised, and my mom shouldn't have been surprised when it was hours later that I ended up back at our house.

Dan and Pat are the cute couple that are so cute that you probably want to vomit, except that they are just so cute. Dan and Pat I have also known all my life. As long as I have known them Dan has always referred to his wife as Sunshine. Not "she is my sunshine" but literally he uses it instead of her name, as in "I don't know what Sunshine has planned, let me check with her first." To see Dan and Pat is to see them holding hands. Again, I know their life has not always been easy, they got married as teenagers, I think Pat was 16 and Dan was 18. They also didn't know the Lord when got married, that came later. Four daughters fairly close in age, including a set of twins, and 12? grandchildren later, they are still married, still totally in love, still completely grace filled. Pat is the kind of person who always makes sure to remind you that you are loved. I don't think I have ever been in her presence without her saying as we are parting ways, "Cate we love you." I have never ever ever ever heard a harsh word or tone ever come out of their mouths directed at each other. For that matter, I don't think I have ever heard a harsh tone come out of their mouth directed at anyone. I know there are things that they are passionate about, I know that there are things that make them angry, but never ever have I heard either of them criticize the other, not at church, not in small groups, not out to lunch with the ladies, not on a shopping trip. I have heard "oh Dan would love this" or "oh this would look good on Sunshine."

James and Cathy are the daughter and son-in-law to Pat and Dan. Cathy and her twin sister were occasionally my babysitters as a small child. Then James was my swim coach starting in about the 3rd grade. Cathy came to visit her parents when I was in the 5th grade. My friend Jennifer and I have very vivid memories of the moments they met at our swim meet. We as what, 12 year olds, got to watch James and Cathy court, fall in love, and eventually get married. James at the time was not a Christian, and I know at one point Cathy told him that she couldn't continue the relationship because of that, I know because she told me once when were having a lengthy discussion about dating several years later. I know that when James came to know the Lord, and started attending our fellowship, he didn't immediately tell Cathy, he wanted her to know that he really truly had made the decision because he was convicted of his need for salvation. I watched as they married, and were pregnant with their first child on the first anniversary. I spent a lot of time watching their kids and teaching them to swim on breaks from school when I was back at home. I have had the unbelievable opportunity through my high school and college years to watch as James has grown from a new Christian into the spiritual leader of their family. I have also had the immense opportunity to watch Cathy, an independent and strong woman, step aside and allow him to lead, and respect his decisions for their family. Cathy and James are the kind of people who lead a pretty fast paced life, always up for the next adventure, with their 5 kids in tow, and now as they have gotten older, sometimes leading the way.

Byron and Kay Taylor have also known me pretty much my whole life. And now I am fortunate enough to live just a few hours drive from them. Byron is the kind of husband who gets upset if his wife is doing some sort of physical labor that she should not be, like moving heavy objects. I'm not kidding, he will say "Kay leave that in the truck, I will do it." Last summer I was visiting them at their farm for a long weekend, Kay was talking about how the last days of Byron's mother's life, they all took turns sitting by her bedside. She told me how special that time was to her, especially because she got to spend time alone with Byron's mother, telling her what an amazing husband he has been to her, how blessed she has been to be his wife. I can't think of anything a dying mother would want to hear about than the praises of a son she has raised.

There are other couples, this isn't an exhaustive list.

None of these couples are the type to randomly or frequently make statements on Facebook (and they all have Facebook)about how wonderful their spouse is, for all the world to see and read. They don't need to do that, they live it.

On the other hand, there are countless numbers of couples I know, that I would not describe in these ways. I have seen and heard women loudly criticize their husbands, with and without them present at Bible studies and small groups. I have seen the look of complete disgust on the face of wives as they glare at their husband.

I am at that age were many of my married friends are at the point in their marriages where statistically, if they are going to get divorced, it's happening right now.

I shared Mrs. Cindi's comment with two friends this week. One of them said, "I'd rather be single for the rest of my life than not have a marriage where we are striving to represent Him here on earth.

I couldn't agree more.

Library Loser

Last summer I realized that my book collection was getting out of control, and that really after I had read them, most of them just sat on a shelf collecting dust. So I boxed up a whole bunch of good ones and shipped them off to my cousins, who are both missionaries overseas, but were in the states at the time. I also decided to start using the public library instead of buying so many books.
I will say that for the most part, I buy used books, so I wasn't spending hordes of money on them, but why not try the free option right?
So while I still occasionally bought used books, I also checked out several, and I checked out DVDs, since you know, they actually had movies I wanted but hadn't seen.

So now that work has slowed down a bit, I decided to hit up the library this week for some books and movies. I selected 2 books, and 2 movies, more on that later. I went to the check out desk, and low and behold, I HAD LATE FEES.

No biggie right.
Except that I had 9 DOLLARS IN LATE FEES.

Apparently last fall as things were starting to pick up, I had returned 2 DVDs 2 days late, and some books late also. I have no recollection of this, but the kind desk clerk printed off the details, and yes, they were books and DVDs that I had borrowed.

So I look in my wallet, and I have $1 in cash.
The checkout guy says "If you pay it down to under $5 I can let you checkout the books"

Yes but I only have $1. So picture this, I am standing there with my 2 books and 2 DVDs and no money, and feeling like a total loser.
So I say "I'm sorry sir, but I can't check these out, I have no cash to pay the fines, I'll have to come back later."

I handed him the goods, and turned and walked out, my head down in shame.

I mean seriously, NINE DOLLARS, who has NINE DOLLARS in late fees at the public library?

And yes I went to the bank and got some cash, and returned to the library the next day where the two books and one of the DVDs were still available for checkout.

Unlikely friends

A year ago, if you had told me that Christi and I would be good friends, I probably would have chuckled. Not in a mean way, just a "huh, that would be weird" sort of manner.

But I think God knew that we would need each other.

A little background, Christi and I had been going to the same church for about 5ish years. We had been in the same small group for a while, I don't really even know, maybe 2 years. We were the 2 women in the group not married. We were the only 2 women working full time jobs. But we never really connected. I couldn't tell you why. We never hung out outside of church or the small group. We never arranged to meet up for lunch.

I couldn't tell you where Christi lived.
I couldn't tell you what her favorite foods were.
I couldn't even tell you if she liked chick flicks or not.
I couldn't even tell you when her birthday is without looking at facebook.

Pretty much all I could tell you about Christi was that we prayed a lot about her teeth, her brother and his wife had a daughter and live far away, and that she is an elementary school music teacher. The end.

And then I left that church.

And then I left that small group.

And I didn't spend a moment wondering what Christi was up to.

And then she sent me a message.
The message really. The very awkward message that said "Hey, I just broke up with my boyfriend, I'm sure you've heard. And I feel like a bad friend because I haven't talked to you since you left. But could you meet me to talk? If you think I'm a jerk and never want to talk to me again, that's fine too."

I was caught a little of guard, but I responded. I told her that I didn't think she was a jerk, I didn't know she had broken up with her boyfriend, and that sure we could meet for dinner, but it had to be short, I had to pack and leave for a trip, you know that whole work thing.

I was nervous, what did she want to talk to me about? Would we even have anything to talk about? I mean our lives were so different you know...
We go to different churches
We have different friends
She has dated 2 different guys in the last 5 years, I have dated no one
She is a music teacher and oboe player
I am an athletic trainer, and I like to run, and I like sports in general

Would we sit there in silence and stare at each other?

I didn't want to gossip, I didn't want to rant. I prayed "God, um, yeah, please give me wisdom, and please help me to say and not say the things that need to be said and not said." Beyond that I didn't know what else to pray. "oh and that God would comfort Christi through this breakup."

So we met for dinner, and she shared with me that she was going through some of the same awful things I had been through.

I think I told her something profound like "yeah I know, it sucks" If I remember correctly, we both shed a few tears.
And we stayed until we were pretty much kicked out of the restaurant because they were trying to close. Who needs clothing and a toothbrush on a road trip anyway right?

I invited Christi to come to my new church, and my new Sunday school class the following Sunday, I wanted her to know that I wasn't encouraging her to make the same choices as I was, but that sometimes perspective is good, and her ex boyfriend was scheduled to preach at her church, so you know, might be a good idea to take a week off.

A few days later I picked her up, at her house, yes I had to use my GPS to get there. Irony, I thought, considering that we'd been in the same small group for a long time.
We left church feeling like the sermon had been directly for us.

We started randomly texting each other things like "hey what are you doing tonight, want to watch chick flicks?"
Or "hey I know you were suppose to have a long day at work, how did it go."

And then one night we met up for dinner after work, and she told me the whole story of her adoption.
And all of a sudden I realized, "hey Christi and I are...friends"

And then my birthday came and we went out to lunch.

And then her birthday came and she invited me to a dinner party thrown in her honor by one of her former coworkers. It was a blast, and I laughed so hard I cried, for over an hour. I also learned that she loves pineapples.

I feel that I would be leaving something out of this story if I left out the part about the fact that it has been awesome to have someone to encourage me in my faith, some one I can send random quotes or Bible verses that I have read that encouraged me, to a person lives in my same small town, and understands my life.
It's awesome to have a friend to get together with who wants to talk about a really good sermon they heard, or how important it is for us as the body of Christ to actually pray for each other.

And when I think about the fact that Christi and I are friends, I think about the fact that God knows what we need, and always delivers, not necessarily in the way we expected.

Thankful Thursdays 3/31/2011

182 the greenness of the fields in early spring
183 working with awesome parents
184 long underwear
185 hand warmers
186 rainy afternoons in bed reading and napping
187 good analogies
188 dinner on a Friday night with a friend
189 getting to go in to work late enough to make coffee at home
190 a most delicious mango for breakfast
191 an amazing dinner involving mango and pork
192 living in a country where it is legal to buy pork
193 getting a lot accomplished
194 awesome meal
195 a longer skype conversation with my nephew
196 talking with a former student athlete who has always just been a good friend
197 the Blueletter Bible app
198 hearing that some good friends are pregnant for the first time!!! Don't ask, I can't tell you
199 the pink trees this time of year on the drive to work

200 being called "Cate my sweet chinchilla"
201 realizing summer is only a month away
202 lavender spray that helps the sleep come
203 celebrating a coworker's birthday
204 amazing cake
205 a laid back day without a long list of things to do
206 getting to swim with other people
207 nana's spaghetti sauce in the freezer
208 Good coffee without having to leave the building
209 change

Thankful Thursdays 3/24/11

144 My own bed
145 sleeping incredibly deeply
146 talking to my mom on her birthday
147 dunkin donuts coffee
148 finally finding a good thinking spot here

149 laughing with friends
150 stopping to pick flowers on the side of the road

151 watching the sunset while driving

152 remembering Kim
153 skypeing with Nana
154 good deep thought provoking conversations
155 finding the bliss stone in a pocket at the end of a really great day
156 naps
157 the movie The Village
158 funny things my Sunday School teacher says
159 thought provoking sermons
160 being able to help a friend out
161 "it's like the final puss that oozed of a zit before it exploded"
162 other people getting excited over little things
163 a great morning run with friends
164 getting home from work before dark
165 celebrating a friend's birthday
166 meeting new people
167 a good homemade meal I didn't have to cook or eat by myself
168 hospitality
169 laughing so hard I can't stop crying
170 wisdom from old ladies
171 giving gifts
172 really good cake
173 coworkers who work together well
174 wearing clothes that aren't athletic apparel
175 having time to watch a movie
176 encouragement from my boss
177 long talks with Arwen
178 confirmation that a really hard choice was the right one
179 kickboxing
180 encouraging news about a friend with cancer
181 encouraging report on a friend with a debilitating mystery illness

Why my Mom is amazing

In honor of her birthday, which was a few days ago.

1. She is the most giving person I know. She gives and gives and gives, even when giving means enduring hardship herself. She would give you the shoes on her feet if you needed them. She once took my roommate, whom she had never met before, out shopping for a bed skirt, because every girl needs a bed skirt, or so she said.

2. She is incredibly hospitable. She is always volunteering to host events at my parents' house, throw teas, etc...
When I was in grad school and living at home, I would occasionally have classmates over to study or work on projects. She always insisted on making popcorn, or cookies, or a hot chocolate.

3. She gives lots of her time to causes that are important to her that she cares about. She doesn't just talk about helping, she actually does it. She spends months preparing and planning for an outreach in her town that provides mittens, hats, and such for low income families every year. She helps organize a monthly food truck that provides food for people who are struggling financially. She has donated countless hours to a local family crisis center. Growing up, she worked year round on craft projects with her friends that they sold every December to raise money for things like orphanages in India.

4. She is a perfectionist. It may take her a while to get a job done, and but it will be done well, especially if it is a sewing or quilting project. She is an unbelievable paint stripper too, as noted by the job she did on the my stairs.

5. She was brave and traveled halfway around the world when my dad got a really great job opportunity back in 1982.

6. She is willing to offer advice and help, but is not offended if you chose not to take it. For example she was not a big fan of me getting a truck, she gave me a list of reasons to consider not getting a truck, but when I chose to buy a truck, she didn't criticize the decision.

7. She isn't afraid to admit when she is wrong. For a long time she was not a fan of the idea of her only daughter becoming an athletic trainer. Then one day she needed help doing some rehab after a shoulder surgery. My dad was at sea so I had to help her. She said "you are way better at this than your father" I said "I know mom, this is why I want to be an athletic trainer" That was my freshman year of college. A few hours later she said "I realize that this is what you want to do, and that you are good at it." And she has fully supported my career choice ever since.

8. She is a great gift giver. It is not a rare occasion that I get a random package in the mail with assorted goodies, like candy bars I love that are hard to find here in the states, a random pair of socks she thought I would like, a book she thought I would like to read, and ice cream scoops to use to portion out the right amount of cookie dough for different sizes of cookies.

9. She is a great listener.

10. She is an unbelievable cook

11. She still thinks the Colts are in Baltimore.

Thankful Thursdays 3/17/11

96 Wild turkeys running across the road, reminding me the give thanks
97 applying sunscreen
98 "sleeping in" it's a relative term
99 an awesome running route
100 a peaceful morning run

101 snuggies
102 celebrating a collegue/friends' team having an amazing post season
103 Matthew 26-28 in my reading plan the week Lent starts
104 Sweet time with the Lord in the van, headed down the road
105 good talks with my mom
106 being given the opportunity to encourage student athletes in their faith
107 amazing salad at Jason's deli
108 incredible generosity of student athletes' parents
109 amazing place to stay
110 watching the sunset at dinner

111 getting a swim workout (or 2) in while on the road
112 heated bathrooms
113 the opportunity to bless others by cooking and doing laundry
114 some quiet time alone for a personal retreat
115 watching student athletes compete the way they can
116 riding bikes on the beach toward the sunset

117 the harbor at sunset
118 getting kicked out of my lane because it belongs to an 81 yearold woman and she is ready to swim
119 getting to help roll off the pool covers
120 running on the beach
121 good books
122 chats with funny old men
123 laying out on the beach
124 peaceful boat rides late in the afternoon
125 dolphins playing
126 enjoying the breeze off the ocean late in the afternoon
127 girls still getting along and laughing after 6 days together
128 wearing skirts
129 getting dressed up to go to dinner
130 tall palm trees
131 the shoes episode of Sex and The City (I would just like to state that I don't general view or agree with the show)
132 smiling faces at 5:30 am
133 ice coffee
134 swimming, biking, and running all in the same day
135 going to check on the laundry right as the spin cycle is ending
136 Hampton Inn beds
137 the recipe for hotel coffee success, no matter what
138 pomelo, the fruit
139 hilarious text messages that make me laugh so hard I cry
140 sitting in rocking chairs with old me discussing life
141 luggage carts
142 amazing lemonade with honey and cayenne pepper
143 good fresh seafood

Rest

Just over a year ago my parents came down, collected me, and made me take an actual vacation. We went to Branson. I was so wound up that I had a hard time relaxing. I take after my dad a lot in this area but also there had been so much stress in my life that I just couldn't even laugh really.

I know that I have a tendency to be a workaholic. Part of that is my personality and upbringing, and part of that is my job description.

One thing I have really struggled with as a single woman is what to do with time off. Lots of my vacation time is taken up visiting family who live far away. While I love visiting them, it's not really rest and vacation.

Married friends, with or without kids, tend to take trips together to fun places just to enjoy each other, the sights, and relax.

Maybe because I am just naturally a fairly social individual, or maybe because I am insecure about my singleness in a few sets of circumstances, I have forgone actual vacation to fun, exciting, and relaxing destinations to do things I like to do.

The one exception is that my brother has a tendency, due to the nature of his job, to always be living near a beach, so visiting him is like a vacation.

Several weeks ago, maybe even over a month ago, I was asked if I wanted to take a trip for work over spring break.
I immediately agreed.

Then I spent the next week wondering if that was a good idea.

There was lots of stuff that I really need to get done at my house that has been neglected during basketball season.

It would be really nice to spend the week folding laundry and vacuuming, I thought.

I could go out to LBL and hike a little by myself, enjoy some quiet time.

I really needed to get back into a regular workout schedule, not that I hadn't been working out, I had, my workouts had just been incredibly varied and inconsistent in content.

But I had committed, and the trip did involve the beach. I knew that I would be working, some, but the thought of waking up early to watch the sunrise was exciting to me.

And so just a week after getting back from the last basketball trip of the season, I packed my bags and loaded up to head out on a trip with another team.

Before leaving I emailed a Master's swim team in one of the places we would be to see if I could swim with them, and low and behold, they were excited to have me join them at 5:30 in the mornings!

And I am grateful that I agreed to what was God's plan to force me into some rest, and laughter, and sun, and sand, and excessive picture taking.

Before we were even out of the state of Kentucky there was much laughter going on.

God's loving hand has been written all over this trip for me from the first morning, when the hotel desk person recommended this path for a quiet peaceful run.

One thing that has been different about this trip, when compared with trips I normally go on for work, is that this team likes to eat food that I like to eat. They are all about some California Pizza kitchen, and good organic salads, and smoothies with ginseng. I have really enjoyed that.

The second place we went was to one of my favorite cities in the south, and again an awesome run, this time through an unbelievably beautiful campus and down a well maintained city running and biking path that was busy, but again great.

It was about this time that I realized, unlike most trips, there wasn't going to be a moment when a caterer didn't show up on time, or a hotel messed something up, and I was going to have to deal with the high stress situation, because I am not in charge of any of that for this team.

The next stop landed us, in large part due to the extreme generosity of some parents, on Hilton Head Island.

These were taken from the roof of our condo building.

While I have had to work some, we have also gotten to play a bunch too.

I swam two morning with a group of master's swimmers.
I ran on the beach one morning for about 4.5 miles.

We road bikes into the sunset one evening.

We took a boat ride.

We ate dinner outside at twilight, twice.

I sat in a rocking chair talking with some old men about life as the team was practicing.

I have eaten all of the seafoods that I love.

And I ran some more. In fact I have worked out so much, because it's been so beautiful, and because to me, there is no better time to spend with the Lord than running or swimming as I pray, that I have had to do laundry, twice. Oh and yes there was free washer and dryer, no need for quarters, another gift.

I have had many quiet times with the Lord, reading His Word, and wondering at His creation.

I was talking to my dad on the phone and he said "I'm glad you are having such a great time. You deserve it."
While I don't think I necessarily deserve all the blessing that this week has been, I definitely am grateful to a loving God, who has in a sense reached down His arms and embraced me and kissed me on the forehead, and whispered in my ear to go ahead and rest this week.

I was reading the book I have been reading for a couple weeks now this afternoon. I was sitting out on the deck of one of the rooms, intermittently reading, napping, and basking in the sun. When I read this quote:

"Years of Christian discipleship, Bible study, churchgoing had been about me thinking about God; practicing eucharisteo (thanksgiving) was the very first I had really considered at length what God thought of me -- this ridiculous and relentlessly pursuing love, so bold. Everywhere, everything, Love!"

It's Ann Voskamp, yes the same author and book that inspired me to start listing things I'm thankful for. To be totally honest, I think I might have overlooked some of the blessings this trip has been, had I not been constantly adding the the running list I have going on my iphone. For example, there is a heated lamp thing in the bathroom, so when you get out of the shower, it's warm. Small and seemingly insignificant, but none the less a blessing.

As I was half napping, have reading, I came to this section in the book:
"He chooses His children to fully live! Fully live the fullest life: the astonished gratitude, the awed joy, the flying and the free. The discipline of giving thanks, of unwrapping one thousand gifts, unwraps God's heart bare: I choose you. Live!"

My friend sent me a message this week. She told me she had made plans to go on a trip, that she was really enjoying the freedom that she has to do that. I thought, you know what, she is starting to fully live, single or not. Am I? Or am I sitting here waiting for God to show up, all the while He is right there, I just haven't taken the time to notice?

Am I willing to embrace this full life that He is given me? And by full life, I don't just mean the good times when I am laying out enjoying the smell of the ocean on the breeze and my hair is curling nicely and in a uniform manner. I mean the bad times too, when I am frustrated, or hurt, or disappointed, because He is there too.

I finished reading today with this: "I can't simply ignore his serenade because I'm unsure, uncomfortable, uninterested, thinking I've claimed Christ as my Savior already anyways. God is relationship and He woos us to relationship and there is nothing with God if there is no relationship."

I want that relationship, not that I don't or haven't had it before, but like any relationship, you have to grow, you can't just stay where you are. I want to grow in my relationship with Christ, I want to fully live, not just when I'm running on the beach, but when I'm at home too, folding laundry and vacuuming.

Thankful Thursdays 3/10/2011

49 Stopping in the moment to pray
50 delicious salad
51 having face to face heart to heart talks with my best friend
52 wedding shoe shopping at discount name brand shoes, ha
53 dunkin donuts
54 quiet time alone in prayer while driving down the highway
55 former students who have become friends
56 tractors
57 men who remind me that good men do exist
58 books that make me think
59 leftovers
60 fixed dryer
61 messages from friends who have known me my whole life
62 hearing a friend who has been through really hard times and continues to walk through the desert say that they had a sweet time with the Lord
63 songs that really speak to me
64 tulips starting to pop out of the ground
65 funny moments with coworkers
66 a hard swim early in the morning
67 funny youtube videos
68 cute old people in Dr office waiting rooms
69 frozen blackberries from last summer
70 being forced to workout with people I would not on my own choose to hangout with
71 the smell of ocean potion sunscreen
72 working on rehabs
73 not feeling exhausted when my alarm goes off
74 pictures of my niece and nephew skiing and snowboarding

75 getting the last available spot in kickboxing class on a day that I really want to punch things
76 harmless practical jokes
77 throwing things together and coming out with something good to eat
78 being able to sit-down and catch up with a coworker
79 the little thing that makes my ipod into a radio station
80 Warm clothes when I have to stand outside on a cold day
81 getting a lot of tasks accomplished
82 starting the morning with a good swim
83 pictures of sunsets

84 God answering prayers
85 living in a small town with a variety of good ethnic food restaurants
86 people willing to watch my dog for me when I travel
87 God showing me areas of my character that He wants to work on
88 a very comfortable mattress
89 listening to student athletes laugh
90 eating in restaurants we don't have in our little town
91 making it, barely on time, but on time after rushing around
92 a really hard workout of climbing hills on a spin bike
93 the way downtown Nashville looks through fog
94 doing treatments to myself
95 Other people getting excited over little things. "Cate feel how soft this towel is!!! Oh my gosh it's amazing!!!!"

Sunrise, Sunset

I love to watch the sunrise. I love it when I'm out for a run that is timed right, and the sun comes up as I'm running. I love to watch the sunset as I am driving over the lakes near my house.
I take lots of pictures of sunsets.

This is the sun setting over a farm in Missouri that belongs to family friends.

Sunrise on a hiking trip in the White Mountains of New Hampshire

Sunset over the pacific ocean in San Diego, CA

Sunset while driving over Kentucky Lake

Sunset over Hematite Lake in LBL on a winter hike.

Sunrise over Wallis Sands beach, Rye, New Hampshire



There is just something peaceful to me about watching the sun come up, or go down, it's even better over water. Some people have a spot or a place that they go when they need to find some solace or do some deep thinking. I don't necessarily have a specific spot, and I don't even have to be alone.

Sometimes I will randomly stop as I'm loading groceries into my car, and look up at the sky

Like this.

Once I took a whole series of photos of these clouds, and the sun reflecting off them at a baseball game



Maybe it's because I grew up watching this

And maybe it's why I am very very excited to have some potential time this coming week to wake-up early, and watch the sunrise, potentially over a large body of water, otherwise known as the ocean!!!

Scene Safety

The first thing you always learn when taking an emergency responder class, no matter if it's basic first aid, or paramedic, is that the first thing you always do in a crisis is check to make sure the scene is safe.

If you are at the scene of a crime, you wait until police have cleared the scene first.

If you are at a traffic accident, you check to make sure that the oncoming traffic is sufficiently stopped and/or slowed down before you get out to help the victims.

When you respond to an emergency the first thing you do is prevent yourself from becoming another victim. If you are injured also, you will not be able to help those in need, and you will add to the crisis.

The second thing you always do is body substance isolation. You always put on your gloves, sometimes you put on goggles, mask, and gown also. You have to protect yourself against pathogens that the patient may have, that you don't know about. When you are responding to an emergency it's going to get messy, you are going to be covered in stuff, it's a given, so you protect yourself first.

Always survey the scene, body substance isolation, and then begin evaluating the patient. Always in that order, no matter what. And always you at least wash your hands afterward, normally you shower.

I think the same principles can be applied when it comes to relationships with people.
We miss it though. I definitely do sometimes.

Several years ago, a person I worked with made a statement, he said "there are some people in this world that are givers, and there are some people in this world that are takers, which are you?" To some degree I agree with him, but I also think he missed the mark a little, there should be a balance between giving and taking. I should not always be taking emotionally from others, and I should not always be giving. In healthy relationships there should be balance, there will be times when I am in need, and times when it is my turn to give.

This past Sunday my Sunday school teacher gave his definition of a friend. He said "a true friend is a person you can call in the middle of the night and they don't ask what's wrong, they ask where are you, so they can come and help you."

As I have been thinking about this, I realized that just as I protect myself when I am taking care of someone who has been in an accident, I also need to protect myself when dealing with emotionally unhealthy people.

I think sometimes we have this wrong idea that we are suppose to always listen to people around us, let them talk. I know that I do it, I give and give and give. I say "well she is going through a really hard time right now", I justify the behavior. I allow them to cross emotional boundaries that I shouldn't.

I'm not saying that when a friend is going through a hard time you shouldn't be there for them, that when they call in the middle of the night, you shouldn't go and be with them.

What I am saying though, is that sometimes what they need is more than I can give.
Sometimes what they need is professional help that I don't have to offer. Sometimes what they need is to go and be alone with the Lord. By always being there, by always answering the phone, I am enabling them to manipulate me, and I am enabling them to stay where they are at instead of seeking the help they really need, that I can't offer. I also realized that by enabling them, I am actually preventing them from deeper communion with the Lord. What I mean by that, is that if I am always there to listen to everything they need to get off their chest, am I allowing them to forgo taking that to the Lord.

I once had a conversation with a friend who after a lot of prayer and persevering decided to step away from some relationships that were really unhealthy. These were friendships that had brought a lot of guilt and condemnation to her life. We were talking about the fact that she had communicated real needs, and that those needs had been completely ignored, she felt like she shouldn't have to be petty and dramatic in order for the body of Christ to come along side her and walk through a really hard time with her. I told her that she was right, she shouldn't have to be petty and dramatic. At the same time, she had repeatedly given of herself, over and over again.

She had raced into crisis without surveying the scene or putting on her BSI. As a result she had become another victim. I can relate, I've done the same thing. In failing to take a broader look at circumstances, I have allowed unhealthy people to manipulate me, project their unhappiness and discontentment onto me.
In failing to get down on my hands and knees and pray, get into God's Word like I should, I have not put on my personal protection, allowing myself to be vulnerable to things I shouldn't.

Proverbs 4:23 says "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Often this verse is quoted in the context of dating. But does it apply to other types of relationships as well? Does it apply to relationships with people we go to church with, people we engage in small groups with? Where is the boundary line between being a good friend by being there and being a good friend by encouraging professional help and getting into God's Word? Do the boundaries change from one relationship to another? Do the boundaries change with different circumstances over the course of the relationship?

These are all questions I have been contemplating.

Thankful Thursdays 3/3/2011

A day late, but here it is...

12 Excitement of Arwen and Susie coming
13 students
14 anticipation of my summer CSA
15 pictures of mountains I have climbed

16 Brady

17 cousins with third culture kids
18 new running shoes
19 friends, near and far

20 my nebulizer
21 coworkers who recognize a stressful day and volunteer to help out
22 Murray State catering Mac and cheese
23 The guy at Murray State catering who makes the mac and cheese
24 awkward conversations with new friends
25 facebook birthday messages
26 meeting early in the morning to workout
27 heavy eyelids reading before bed
28 hearing and speaking truth with good friends
29 being able to relate to people
30 being able to laugh with people
31 funny text messages that make me LAUGH OUT LOUD
32 emails from old friends about how they are serving the Lord, and what they are doing in their ministries

33 contentment
34 good directions!!!
35 being greeted with a smile!
36 hearing "thank you"
37 letters from my sponsor child
38 Sunday School lessons and church sermons that fit together, when it wasn't planned.
39 rain at night
40 hugs from people for no reason when I run into them in places I don't normally see them
41 finding lost keys
42 driving in the rain
43 sweet new babies

44 tulips, 30 of them

45 fellowshipping with other believers
46 Susie eating room service
47 Arwen and Cate having matching bathroom bags
48 restaurant managers who take time to go over a very large and confusing bill