Where was I?

Ten years ago I was a sophomore in high school, sitting in journalism class. Life was scary because I had papers due, I didn't have many friends, and I didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up. Now, I am sitting in the home that I own with my husband that we were only able to afford because someone couldn't anymore because of the recession, and life is scary because those who "run" our country won't quit fighting, the media swings the vote instead of letting people know the true issues at hand, more people are living without jobs, more people are hungry, more people are bullied for what they believe, ways they act, and who they are. Life is scary because friends are fighting a never ending war against terrorists, cancer, against grief and loss and disease since 9-11-01, and against unseen dark forces that move in our world.  Please, God, let peace start now.

A thousand beautiful things: The beginning

So, another beginning in my life.  Another journey.  This one towards more joy and less stress.  More peace and less whining. 

#1. The telephone nook in our home  with pictures and memories of Sam and I and shells I have collected from the falls in Joplin.

#2. A hard worker who happens to look adorable in a baseball cap.

#3. A cat who loves crafting just as much as I do.

#4. Tie-dyed hands after a night spent teaching a friend.

Stolen from a friend who stole it from someone else.

One of my dearest and bestest friends in the world has taught me so much.  She has helped me through rough patches in my marriage, talked me down from countless anxiety attacks, taught me cooking secrets, and has joined me on a plethora of crafting adventures.  This summer she started a series entitled "A Thousand Beautiful Things." 

At first, I kind of laughed at her an thought to myself "A thousand things?  In this world? Probably not."  I kind of stuck with this mentality until last night at youth group.

For our fall schedule, we are walking the kids through the fruit of the Spirit.  Sam and Greg and I talked with them last night about what fruit they thought was the easiest for them and what they thought was the hardest.  As I sat there pondering their answers, I couldn't help but realize that I try really hard to be gentle and kind and I try to exhibit some semblance of self- control, but when it comes to joy and peace, I tend to run in the opposite direction.  Maybe, if I start focusing on the beauty that does truly exist in this world (yes, even in North Platte), maybe I will find some peace in my life and learn to feel joy in a way that I have ignored for so long.