This week has kicked my butt in every way. For one thing, I finished this book, Cross Cultural Servanthood by Duane Elmer. I have been doing a missions class at church with some ladies. This book was perspective changing, and I honestly recommend it to anyone. It's a pretty easy read and is filled with a lot of personal stories. But it has changed the way I see people. And convicted me of how I see people. As in, I'm wayy more judgemental than I thought I was. And I'm wayy less humble than I thought I was. And I have a whooollleee long way to go before I can honestly say I'm as much of a servant as Christ was. It's been good though because I have really seen how I am evaluating my interactions with people from a new filter- one that really desires to see them from the image of God. That's been awesome. I also understand myself more than I did, which is also good. Just my personality being what it is, and that its ok to be comfortable with the way God made me. I've always felt like there was something wrong with me because I was quiet. But this class made me see how being myself can be useful for Christ too. So I'm thankful for conviction and understanding and growing with community.
I am thankful that I get to watch this kiddo grow. This week he figured out how to do this jigsaw puzzles by himself. And he is so excited by this knowledge. It's been cool because its like he just figured it out overnight. He has shown almost 0 interest in these before. It was like this week he just realized 'bam! I can do this'. And he's been all over it since then.
This week was our annual field trip to Clear Creek Nature Center. Which basically for our purposes is just a large field. We study the prairie in Denton ISD during 2nd grade. As a rather large Laura Ingalls Wilder fan, this is one of my favorite units. I love being out there for the field trip too. Is there anything cuter than these little guys drawing their observations. No. However, not pictured are my little hoodlums who did anything BUT observe. If I could just take the studious ones, it'd be fab ;)
Quote of the afternoon belongs to the boy in the distance in the camo shirt. He told me when he grew up he was going to move to the country and only come into town for bricks. Why bricks I have no idea. But I thought it was adorable. He's actually just a straight up adorable kid though.
Thankful for 2nd grade, the prairie, field trips, and adorable children. And even the crazies who make me grow in my virtues of patience and grace.
Jude made me this for Mother's Day. In case you aren't a parent yet, I will just inform you that it is pretty much an instinct to be obsessed with anything that comes home with your child's hand or footprint on it. This will be saved for all of time.
Thankful that Jude made me a mother. And that his hands are still adorable and little.
I came home from Clear Creek and put my feet up like so. Jude ran around the backyard in a t shirt and underwear. Country boy don't care.
I am thankful for the cool spring weather. I am thankful for rest. I am thankful for my backporch and that I had enough money saved up to get it covered. I am thankful for porch furniture I can relax on. I am thankful for Robert Frost books from the library I can read while I am out there. I am thankful for a root beer from a coworker which I came home and poured over ice cream. It was divine.
I saw this yesterday on my way to work. I am thankful for rain. I am thankful for sunshine. I am thankful for rainbows. I am thankful for promises.
Jude and I went on a walk around our lake by our house yesterday. Actually we kind of ran around it together, which was great for me. I love being out there, especially in the spring. The thistles were right on the cusp of blooming. Actually, I saw some had bloomed today as I was driving. I will have to get back out there and take some pictures. In case you didn't figure it out, that's my favorite flower.
I am thankful for thistles. I am thankful for wide open spaces and grasses blowing in the wind. I am thankful for the rustling sound of the grass which sounds exactly like an ocean. I am thankful for pretty pink prairie primroses. I am thankful for big trees and little boys. I am thankful for the number of times Jude told me he loved me while we ran together. I am thankful for his giggles as we raced. I am thankful for the way he stopped and held my hand and walked. I am thankful for the way he was tired and asked me to carry him. I am thankful for the way he clung to me and snuggled in my arms as I held him.
I am thankful for my secret pal who has seriously spoiled me. And for the relaxing bath I had last night after a very good, but physically tiring week. And I plan on having another one tonight :)
What are you thankful for?
