The week has begun

* Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), galbladder attacks, and heart attacks can present with very similar pain in the chest. That's what brought me to the ER yesterday morning. I woke up thinking I was having a heart attack, but after 5 hours in the hospital, it was concluded that I either have GERD or am having galbladder attacks.
* Potato soup is NOT a clear liquid.
* My sweet friend Heather created a "Pray for Japan" button which you can get here.
* The PRAXIS exam for speech language pathology is not easy. Many of the questions asked contained information that I am quite sure was never covered in the course of my college education.
* Flea markets are wonderful! I found a wrought iron dinner bell with a lighthouse on it for only $7 at a flea market a few weeks ago. Whenever I ring it, Stella will stand completely still and stare at it for 10 minutes. Love it!

  

My blessings list:
21. A church family that prays and cares for its members.
22. A Mamaw and Papaw who are willing to wake up at any hour and pray with a scared girl.
23. A long list of missed calls, sweet voice mails, and loving hugs from friends.
24. Crackers and Gatorade. Means of nourishment that do not cause pain.
25. Visiting minister, Tom Harmon, and his practical knowledge of scripture and life.
26. Soft, off-brand snuggies, and even more thanks for the precious family that gave me one for Christmas.
27. That same family brought tears to my eyes with the kindness they showed to me yesterday, each and every one of them did something special on my behalf--when I am the last person deserving of their sweet kindness. I don't think I could ever thank God enough for them!
28. Getting to go to the CSO performance Saturday night with three gentlemen from Ross house. Even if they were a handful to keep up with, what with cutting in line during intermission, knocking over the punch bowl, pouring juice on the carpet in the foyer, taking pictures and calling people on their cell phones that should have been turned off, and talking out loud to themselves at a normal speech level during the performance. It was still an experience I wouldn't have traded for the world. I sure love those fellas.
29. Getting to know a classmate better on Saturday.
30. Thankful for a nice doctor and nurse at the hospital, and the good news that the pain was NOT my heart!

A Good Day

Today has been a good day. Here's the beauty of it from start to now. Every moment was brimming with goodness! This list is more for my own memory's sake. Someday I will read back over this and reminisce of this good day.
* Wake up to doggy kisses on my hand.
* Contagious smiles from a sweet client.
* Enjoying Wii memory games with said client.
* Encouragement from a supervisor worth a million dollars.
* The relief of printing the last report, knowing I'll have a short break before they are returned for corrections.
* Giggling after the Weekly meeting because I couldn't understand our director's instructions. I finally got it right.
* A cheap lunch at a good place. I was thinking Arby's.
* The smell of sugar cookies in the oven.
* A little girl's face light up when I pulled out an enormous sugar cookie.
* Playing a simple game to win "cookie decor"
* Licking sticky fingers and showing off our goodies around the clinic.
* Reconciliation with a sister I haven't been able to talk to since Christmas.
* Finding out said sister is engaged to be married--to the father of my two precious neices!
* The VERY long delay getting off the exit ramp of the interstate on my way to church, allowing me time to read the material for the lesson--just one more time.
* Sweet faces full of excitement and eagerness to share the Word of God.
* Hugs from little arms.
* Hearing my name 1000 or more times by such strong voices for such little people.
* Watching miniature "statues" outsmart the game director.
* Knowing a prayer was being answered in me as I walked to the front to share the lesson with the kids.
* Little tears pocketing the corner of my eyes as a sweet, tiny girl wrapped her arms around me and whispered so sweetly, "Thank you for your speech."
* Being able to bless a visitor anonymously on his birthday with my little treasure box.
* Chatting with a couple of good friends in the cold wind, but not caring about the weather when in good company.
* Digging through forgotten treasures in a friend's living room while taking a break from schoolwork.
* Taking a deep breath as I hit the "submit" button--30 minutes before the assignment was due.
* Smiling inside and outside as I type up these memories.

You make me smile.

Me: "Did you do anything special on your birthday?"
--: "I go chuch. My cousin go there too."
Me: "That's great, --! Did you learn anything new?"
--: "I got to know God. Yep, God. Do you know God, Miss Kwistina?"
Me: "Why, yes, --, I do."
--: "He's great, Miss Kwistina!"
Me: "Yes, He is. I help teach at my church on Wednesdays."
--: "Weally? You teach kids?"
Me: "Yep!"
--: [big, big, beautiful smile that says it all] "You teach me, too!"

--, you make me smile. Every. single. day.

Thank you, Lord, for the precious people you have allowed to cross my path, especially these young ones with such child-like faith and sweet innocence!

I love my job, even if I don't get paid for it.