Strawberries and Children's books

So, you may be wondering the connection...well, i'll get to that in a second. First, i was writing this in a quick e-mail to a math major friend today (who reminded me today that i had accidentally stolen some of her notes...an entire semester ago); and i realized that it would give a little insight to you all...to my thoughts over the past few days...so, here's a little piece of it:

thank you for letting me in on some of your life! yes, graduation did go well, although i don't feel much different (even though everyone and their mother keeps asking me how it feels...strange question if you ask me). actually, i am currently going through some of what you were describing. even though i haven't been away for any long periods of time, i have filled much of my time with staying over in santa clarita longer than originally planned, driving with paige to northern california (i'd never been that far north before...it was SUCH a different world) and staying there a few days, visiting my sister and her husband for a few days, visiting a friend from ibex in ventura for a night, spending some time in camarillo...and then finally back home. so, i am still getting used to the whole home thing. this can be translated as...i am terribly missing consistent contact with friends and accountability; i am having to face some of the realities of home and what is ahead; i am constantly seeing my seemingly overwhelming weaknesses in pursuing my God, in serving Him by serving those around me, in devoting "my time" to quality prayer and reading of the Bible, in thanking God for all the blessings that He has given that i am frequently too stubborn to recognize, in remembering...applying all that i heard and realized in ibex. there is so much i want to do...so much i had, no, have resolved to do. and, yet it seems like time is slipping away. and, yet, to some extent...it is more my squandering my time. well, i cannot do everything i want...that is true. but, there is more i should be doing in some respects and less in others. i have been thinking over much of this for the past couple days. my lack in diligence in many different areas is finally catching up with me, and i am trying to face it. you are right, God's grace and mercy never cease to amaze...and i so want to be a better servant, a better child...

So, there's a sneak peek in some of my heart's wanderings. yesterday, i actively started on Todd's list of "trust verses." The one for the next few days is Psalms 84:11-12, "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withold from those who walk uprightly. (12) O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!" [for those of you who noticed...yes, that was in ESV...i'm trying out the whole not just stick to KJV thing...we'll see if i just end up confusing myself] i am praying for His help and guidance and strength...that i may walk uprightly and that i may trust in Him. Too easily i forget what a great God and Savior i serve.

Sorry, now back to other things. i began a realization a couple days ago that's actually kinda spread into even today--sometimes it is so nice just to be able to smile at the simple things in life.

toe socks and sandals = a simple thing that always makes me smile!

Let me give you some examples:

(1) On Memorial Day, my family went into a couple different bookstores while my sister and her husband were visiting. At a Borders, i wandered into the children's section to try to find an English version of a Dr. Seuss book i had bought in a used bookstore in Israel. And, i also found 2 of the cutest books i had ever seen. They made me smile. One was called Guess How Much I Love You (read the book synopsis) and the other was Won't You be My Hugaroo?. I know, they sound cheesy...but, really, it's one of those things you just can't help but go "Awww, shucks" to. Really, you need to try it next time you're near the children's section of a bookstore, go find those books. i would just give the little rhymes away...but, the illustrations help add to the overall effect. So, you'll have to find it out yourself ;)

(2) Later on that same day, we went to a used bookstore. i was a little bored, until i saw the ethnic studies section, where i poured over the Middle East section. Then, i remembered a certain book by Richard Halliburton ;)...so, i went up to the book guy and asked if he had it. he pointed me to the travel diaries section...and, guess what? i found another one of his books called "The Flying Carpet." and, it excited me to no end.

(3) Yesterday, i was riding my bike from my house to the school i grew up in, the one where i will be teaching next year, the one i want to ride my bike to every day next year to save on gas (yeh, we'll see how that goes)...but, anyway, so halfway through i was just started to get a little winded when i caught the smell of strawberries and looked over to realize that i was riding past one of the many fields in my town. And, it just made me smile and reminded me to try to look at and appreciate everything else i was riding by.

And, the list could go on from there...the gerber daisies i bought in Target yesterday to serve as a centerpiece for dinner (which my cat ate within 2 minutes of my setting them on the counter) , a birthday card i picked out to send to one of my best friends, the Matisyahu CD i bought that has the "Jerusalem!" song on it (that brought a smile and then a sigh), a date for coffee i have tomorrow morning with a friend who's getting married and moving away in two days, and talking on the phone today for a little while to a dear friend far away whom i've missed much...there are so many little blessings that God puts in my days. It's time i start taking a little more notice eh? yup, i agree! God is good, all the time!

a sunrise over Jerusalem...(from the rooftop of the Petra Hostel)