Learning Patience

So I've been cat sitting for the Hazell's this past week for there "teenage kitty" Cierra. Man oh my is she trouble maker. She is soooo cute... but sooo bad. She loves to walk in front of me and try to trip me. She chews on anything she can fit in her mouth, like a dog. She runs off with my socks in her mouth. She ran off with my toothbrush. She loves to wake me up by chewing on my fingers and toes in the morning. She'll hide behind the couch and when I look down at her, she'll jump up and bat at my head. The other day I came home to a potted plant that had been knocked on the floor, and dirt all over the place. Cleaning it up was even more fun as she danced around in it spreading it everywhere. She gets so excited over her food when I bring it over to her bowl, you'd think I hadn't fed her for days. She practically knocks the scoop out of my hand. Nevertheless, it's been a fun week watching her. She is good entertainment. Tomorrow I pack up and move out.

I'm taking a day off work at the senior center. I had to work last Saturday, so I have comp time I have to use up before I leave for my trip to the DR. I am way excited to get away for a week and all, but it's a lot like winging it, b/c how much planning can you do when the team can't meet on a regular basis. I know it will work out ok.

Last night marked the first session of the summer program at CrossRoads. It was crowded again with all the college age kids again. I saw a bunch of familiar faces. Vince and Heather announced their engagement. Charles Deza will be leading worship for the summer. We began to study the book of Proverbs and it's main theme is to get wisdom. Scott challenged us to think about what areas we need wisdom in. I know I need wisdom in many areas. It made me think, and I spend the rest of the night processing things and again recognizing how self-involved I am with myself.
God moved last night and, yes, you definatly have to watch what you ask for! There is this one particular person who came last night that I just don't particularly care for. I don't have any good reason not to like this person, but I find her to be annoying or I just don't jive well. So during the closing worship I found myself to be distracted from worship, and I glared at her as I began to place judgement trying to figure out what was wrong with this person. Immediatly after, I wondered what was wrong with me and confessed to God that I didn't think I could love this person on my own merit and asked him to help me to see her as He does, and to show her love somehow. So guess what, afterward she stirkes up a conversation with me. It wasn't easy to give her my attention, but I listened. Well I had decided to go out with everyone to Applebees and someone volunteered me to give her a ride there and back home. I didn't want to, but I knew that I didn't have any good reason not to and would look like a jerk if I said no, so I was pressured into being her ride. It wasn't soo bad. I did get a chance to get to know her a little better and although I can't see myself becomming best friends...ever...I can tolerate her. God definatly did give me that opportunity to do what I had asked for. I just wish He'd answer the prayer that is closest to my heart that fast. But all in good timing. I know his timing is perfect, even if I find that I have to remind myself that every now and again.

hello again

I must apoligize for being a lazy bum. I know this is how I get. One thing leads to another going from job A to job B, seemingly always being on the run, and I find myself too busy for daily, or even weekly reflection. (I guess I'm aiming for monthly) I haven't even written in my personal journal for a while. Man, things have been crazy.
I feel so out of the loop. I do get to have social time with people yet I still feel like I have no clue what is happening in anyone's life. Things are just passing me by. I'm not complaining really. I like being busy more than bored with nothing to do.
I am back at Eastern wasting time before another DR trip meeting. It seems as if this is the only time I ever find myself at a computer, just once a week. I am excited to go back. Praise GOD all my funding has arrived and my trip has been paid for!!!! thanks to those people who were lead to give. It makes me realize how blessed I truely am. I avoided asking my closest friends for donations because I know how tight money is for all of us. Yet somehow God provided for everything and it my trust for Him is renewed and strengthed all the more.
Things are good.
I wonder how God will use this trip to change or redirect me. I really think that the people I serve give to me so much more than I could ever offer them. They have so little, yet they have so much love and trust and hope. It really is amazing.
I can't wait to get out out the daily hum-drum and take a breath of fresh air when I get to the DR; not to be fixated on the ol' watch, not move around from one thing to the next like a monotonous robot, but to really experince a day of real work, important work, work to better the kingdom just a little inch at a time.
I'm not saying that my job here is not important. I just lose sight of the importance sometimes. I get weighed down by this or that and my heart needs rejuvination.
It's good to have a break, and it's also good to be back.