Things that make me happy today

1) Office is quiet. Can fight writer's block (by.... blogging? heh) and work on the newsletter

2) Reminiscing on a sweet conversation with Pastor Deo when helping him create his facebook account. It went something like this:

Me: So, Pastor Deo, you need to write about your interests and activities. What are the things you like to do the most?

Pastor: Praying. I love to pray... And I love to love people. I love to pray for people who need help and I love to help the poor mothers and children and people in prison. I love to read the Bible and pray.

Big Smiley Face :)

3) Have a fun week of good-byes with good friends ahead of me: Bishop John, Bible study going away party on Wednesday at my house, good-bye lunch at Guma my co-workers house, good-bye dinner with Claire's first Chinese restaurant experience, good-bye brunch at my favorite restaurant... and a big party coming up on Saturday evening.

4) In one week I'll be preparing to get on a plane to head home! YAY! Thoughts drift to sushi, mexican food, exercising, being able to walk around in shorts and tank tops, bath tubs, a comfortable bed, a shower with real water pressure, variety of toothpaste to choose from, healthy food, a personal ban on potatoes and pasta and rice. Lots of hummus and smoothies and tabouleh too.

5) Yesterday was a rough day. Lots of things happened out of my control and I was not a happy camper (um... I like... control. ouch, it hurts to admit it). Then, when my house was quiet and i was all alone at 6 p.m. (its dark at 6) the electricity went out. I sat on our porch, and since the electricity was out all over my neighborhood, the stars were incredibly bright. I lit a bunch of candles, brought my couch on the porch, and had a pretty wonderful conversation with God for about an hour. Talk about refreshment. God was like, "chill out. I've got things under control" (nutshell quotations).

6) Realizing that I am WAY more excited about the wedding than stressed. YES. Obviously, how it should be, but unfortunately it is not always the case with american brides. I think I'm saved by not being in the States for wedding planning (not sure if my mother would say the same...)

7) I was a little snippy with pfr co-workers the other day - a by product of ignoring my prayer time and therefore being selfish- and today in morning prayer - with complete grace and mercy, they all showered me with hugs, love, and prayed over me this morning.

8) I have TWO awesome volunteers taking over after I am gone at PFR. one is a short-termer for two months coming june-july and another is coming for minimum of 6 months in September. Needless to say, I am completely FREE because the pressure I've been putting on myself in terms of "the impact I will make" is gone. Now there are two highly capable young women continuing the work of empowering and equipping the staff.

9) De-clunking and de-junking my life. I am pretty much giving away all of my clothes to the street kids. It was amazing - at the basketball camp on Sunday, probably about 15 of the kids were wearing my sorority shirts, camp shirts, and such. It's awesome and made me realize how much i can do without in terms of the clothes I THINK I NEED (need! bah. want is a totally different ball game) - I love that I have a place to give my clothes and they are cherished (albeit way too big on these kids!). Plus... selfishly. it feels good to de-clutter. i love to de-clutter.

Yeah!

Love,

Rach