the smell of coffee brewing in the morning
a sense of smell to appreciate it
friends that can explain math
being done with homework

walking by the river while it’s warm enough to walk but the leaves aren’t out so I can see the river
naturally good grammar
a good night’s sleep
my small group
dear old friends that remain over time and miles

more gratitude for more grace

I-pod nano
and the docking station to play it
recipes that work
comfortable bed
clean house

The Grace of God

Sometimes when I see or hear about a situation I think, “There, but by the grace of God, go me.” I’m grateful that’s not just a saying but it’s really true that God’s grace holds me here every moment.

a kind math teacher
comfortable chairs
new shelves to organize
“Last Night’s Bagel’s” from Bruegger's

learning to cook Ethiopia shiro
quiet house
space heaters
lots of grant money for school

studying the Bible
discussions that make me think
familiar friends
rain that smells like Nairobi

more things I'm grateful for...

fresh juice
electricity
creative friends
cell phone texting

Cultivating Gratitude

I decided for lent that I would try to be more thankful and grateful for all the wonderful gifts in my life. I had just finished Ann Voskamp’s book, One Thousand Gifts and I was inspired by her journey. I started a list on the computer but then I never get back to it when I’m thinking of what I’m thankful for. So I thought I would try to journal some of them here. That may be all the blogging I can get to during these back-to-school days.

Here’s a few to get me started here…

old cars that run well
real and not contrived cultural diversity
sunshine even if it’s cold outside
wiggling babies that fall asleep on your shoulder
commercial free jazz
concentrated work time (getting things accomplished)

Ethiopian Baby Quilt – My First Ever Quilt

Here’s the baby quilt I made for little baby Toph! He’s a cutie pie. His mom loved the quilt so much she said she wasn’t going to let him use it. I sincerely hope she changes her mind since it was meant for use every day.

Here are some photos of the process of making the quilt. I started with a sketch (not a pattern).

First I pieced it together starting from the middle.

Then added backing before I could "quilt" it - sew through the layers.
Here's the finished product -

Crazy Life

Starting classes in a rush – as in registering on a Friday and starting on a Monday (that was the first day of Spring Break), my dear ‘family’ arriving from 2 months on the read, and starting a part-time weekend job all at once conspired to keep me from writing on the blog at all. I knew it’d be less often, but I didn’t know it’d be this long before I got back to this.

I have now survived a few of the math class sessions, although the first one was very emotional. I realized somewhat after the fact that I am still in a huge transition with very little routine in my life, not a good recipe for healthy mental living for me. But since I’m starting to get a handle on studying again after 20 years out of school (not counting last year’s truncated start) and having worked a tiny bit now, I’m starting to settle back down. My ‘family’ hit the road again, (poor things – all got hit with a horrible stomach bug half way to their sister’s wedding in GA) so what do I do? Party!

Don’t tell them.

I had my small group over for dinner last Thursday. It’s really a large group. Being shy a couple of kids and some adults didn’t seem to really make it a small group. I enjoyed every minute of it. I love entertaining! The best part about having a small group dinner is that it doesn’t have to be fancy. Unlike throwing a shower, which I’m doing this evening: that takes a clean house and some decorating, and in my case, making a baby gift too.

Next entry, I’ll show you what I made. Thanks for praying by the way.

Pulling the Trigger

I'm actually still undecided about where to attend school. However, one program has a class I need starting on Monday, so I'm going to register today! Still not sure I will be going there for the whole program, but I may as well start with 2 classes and 6 credits, right?

All this is to say, the blog might be a little slim pickins over the next few weeks as I get back into academia. The gray matter might be a little slow at booting up.

Thanks for your prayers.