The heart to serve.

God is developing in me a heart to serve. I have always had the heart to serve "young people," and of course I love to serve, but I have never really had the absolute yearning to serve people in need. I had a blast packing and serving food for the Harlem community on choir tour (Snack Crew '11!). Serving is SO FUN, it makes you feel great, and it truly reveals the image of Christ.

Last week, as I was driving my nephew downtown for SPARC rehearsal, I saw two drivers give homeless people money. Now, I typically never see people give money. I had the urge to give a man my bag of cheese-itz, but for lame reasons like time and the fact that I had my nephews in the car, I did not. (although we did have a convo about giving homeless people food). The whole fact is that I am seeing more and more God placing that desire in my heart.

I randomly watched an episode of Kate Plus 8 (yeah, I know, you can laugh), and they were serving the Food Bank. That place is awesome, by the way. They feed thousands of hungry people all by donations and volunteering. It was awesome to see not only Kate serving, but teaching her 8 little ones what it means to serve and how blessed they truly are. Again, God was tugging at my heart.

This seems silly, but on my way home today, while driving into the neighborhood, I was stopped by a road worker. The right lane was closed up ahead, so all drivers had to go back and enter into the other neighborhood entrance in order to get home. The man directed me, and I politely said with a smile, alright, no problem, I'll go into the other entrance. He was inspired by my positive response. He thanked me for not cussing him out, and I assured him that it's really no big deal, and I understand it was just his job. I then asked him if he needed any water since it was like 800 degrees out today, he replied "yes," so I ran to Ride-Aid to get him some waters and a Gatorade. Although this seems silly, it really felt so great to share the love of Christ with him, be a positive, joyful face, and give him some water. I just hope he remembers that for the rest of the day. While I was going into the other entrance, I saw another worker, offered him some water, he complied, and I went home, grabbed some water, and brought it back. He too was filled with gratitude. I ended both instances with "Have a blessed day," (although that seems cowardly because I should have more openly shared God's love with them... still workin' on that one.)

All this to say, I'm not trying to sound like Miss America, but it truly does feel great to bless people with the blessings God has given me. I'm pumped for CARITAS tonight!

Thank you Lord for the ability and resources to serve.

i heart

The teal/red combo.

overwhelming stress and anxiety.. often for no good reason!

I frequently freak out when I don't need to. For instance, today... We had a little dance thing at a church way out far South Side this morning, and ten minutes before leaving, I realize my precious black chord is no where to be found. SO I call John, during a minor panic attack, breathing heavily and on the verge of tears (like the show wouldn't go on without MY chord). So of course, as always, he calms me down and reassures me that we can just run to Target to buy another one. Worthless panic attack #1.

On my way home, I get a phone call from the Passport Headquarters that I do not have the right picture for my Passport (I gave them my old passport photo because the man said it was fine)... Minor freak out... Let's just say I went to CVS for the photo, got some tour shopping done, and my cousin hooked me up with overnight shipping all in a matter of 30 minutes. Worthless panic attack #2.

Also on the way home, I freaked out because I left my beloved teal travel cup at the forever far away church. John reassured me that I can find a cup like that anywhere, and he would gladly buy me another one. Worthless panic attack #3.

I wish I didn't do this so often. I shouldn't. I need to be more confident that the God who created the heavens and the earth can take care of my very miniscule problems.

With all that said, I am leaving this post with the confidence that He will help me get all of these things finished:

Classroom management plan

Additions to First Week of School lesson plans

3 Article Hand-outs

Sunday School

Youth Group

Choir Tour Devotions

Choir Tour Week Prayer List

Booklet Games

Bus Games

Packing

Please God help me get through this week. Love you.

All I want to do...

...is decorate.

I know I've said it before, but with John moving into a new house (and the perception that I will probably one day live there) I just want to decorate...

Ok, ok, I'll admit it, I went on another shopping spree today (ugh). At the end of the year Tuckahoe Middle School Bible Breakfast this morning, I received a Bed Bath and Beyond gift card... how could I resist?? Alright, so I went there.... and a few other places, but whatevs, I got some deals

My purchases:

-A kitchen mat

-"K" napkin rings (ok now that is obsessive... but they were cute and cheap!)

-two wall decorative pieces

-white sheer curtains ($4 at Ross!)

-citronella candles

Meanwhile, I dream of living in a house like this...

feeling like...

A bad student... My books have no come in, which is partially my fault because I have never taken summer school, and I was not in the right mindset to order book RIGHT after my last semester of undergrad (woop woop!). School began, and I realized I had no books. Silly me went ahead and ordered them online because they are way cheaper... I probs shoulda just sucked it up and bought them at a terrible price at the bookstore, but I didn't and now it's too late. SO I await my textbooks... So far, I've been able to get by... finding things online and snagging other people's books, BUT I feel like a delinquent. Of course this is the first time that EVERYONE has come to class prepared with their books, marked up, and annotated.. and I sit there with no book. Today I will go to Barnes and Noble and see if they have it there, so I can just sit and read what I need to for today's class. Fortunately, my much needed text book is in transit and should be here today... we hope.