Let's talk about yesterday.
It basically proved that I am ridiculously blessed.
It started off pretty terribly. I didn't get to sleep until 11:20 because my neighbor's baby was screeching. That was annoying. Then from about 3:oo until 5:30 another neighbor was having some security alarm malfunction and that was....loud. The baby didn't like it either. So I was up for good at 3. That sucks.
You know what didn't suck? Getting to have two hours of whatsapp chatting with Jillian because it was just evening time in America. That was pretty cool.
What else doesn't suck? Spending time exercising, reading, thinking, praying, knitting, painting my toenails, drinking coffee, and easing my way into the day.
I did all of this and still managed to get to work at 6:45.
Anyone who has ever known me knows that this is ridiculous.
And so I got to work and there was no power. That sucks.
But I randomly brought my battery powered speakers and a stack of cards I needed to write/mail AND stamps (productive morning, anyone?) and so I sang at the top of my lungs and got everything on my personal "to do" list done that I could without internet before the work day even began.
Work was a challenge without power, but one part of that was that we can't serve tea to our students. So I needed to go buy bread and juice and stuff. You know what this meant? It meant that I was able to stop by the post office, AND by the yarn shop. I had run out of orange mid blanket (every knitter's worst nightmare) and I had already bought out this lady's stock last Monday, but it was worth a shot.
It basically proved that I am ridiculously blessed.
It started off pretty terribly. I didn't get to sleep until 11:20 because my neighbor's baby was screeching. That was annoying. Then from about 3:oo until 5:30 another neighbor was having some security alarm malfunction and that was....loud. The baby didn't like it either. So I was up for good at 3. That sucks.
You know what didn't suck? Getting to have two hours of whatsapp chatting with Jillian because it was just evening time in America. That was pretty cool.
What else doesn't suck? Spending time exercising, reading, thinking, praying, knitting, painting my toenails, drinking coffee, and easing my way into the day.
I did all of this and still managed to get to work at 6:45.
Anyone who has ever known me knows that this is ridiculous.
And so I got to work and there was no power. That sucks.
But I randomly brought my battery powered speakers and a stack of cards I needed to write/mail AND stamps (productive morning, anyone?) and so I sang at the top of my lungs and got everything on my personal "to do" list done that I could without internet before the work day even began.
Work was a challenge without power, but one part of that was that we can't serve tea to our students. So I needed to go buy bread and juice and stuff. You know what this meant? It meant that I was able to stop by the post office, AND by the yarn shop. I had run out of orange mid blanket (every knitter's worst nightmare) and I had already bought out this lady's stock last Monday, but it was worth a shot.
Not only did she have some orange, but she also had the maroon I needed! And so I went back to work with a smile on my face. I sang all morning because there was nothing else to do, and we all left work at 3:30 because the students were done and there was nothing to do.
And that is when things got even worse. My thoughts? "Oh hey, I'll just stop by my mailbox, I'm sure nothing is there, and then I'll take a nap before my xhosa class!"
So I stop by the mailbox and what is there? TWO package claim slips and a letter from Heidi. I decide to dump my stuff in my flat and RUSH to the post office. Seemed sensible. I also decided that I am not going to respect my birthday, I am just going to enjoy love as it comes.
So let's start with Heidi's card. Probably the best birthday card I've ever gotten in my life. So much that it deserves - no, demands - 4 pictures.
And that is when things got even worse. My thoughts? "Oh hey, I'll just stop by my mailbox, I'm sure nothing is there, and then I'll take a nap before my xhosa class!"
So I stop by the mailbox and what is there? TWO package claim slips and a letter from Heidi. I decide to dump my stuff in my flat and RUSH to the post office. Seemed sensible. I also decided that I am not going to respect my birthday, I am just going to enjoy love as it comes.
So let's start with Heidi's card. Probably the best birthday card I've ever gotten in my life. So much that it deserves - no, demands - 4 pictures.
She's awesome. And I am expecting a youtube video birthday gift. It should be epic.
So I was literally beaming and laughing out loud (dude, the crab thing was funny) and on my way to get my packages and I thought "You know what, God, I'm sorry for complaining about this day, because this day is getting awesome"
As I was thinking this, I closed my door and realized my keys were still inside. That sucks.
I have no clue what I'm supposed to do. I was literally a homeless prisoner. I can't get into my flat, and I can't get out of my complex! And the post office closes in 30 minutes and I hate my life again. Seriously, God, what the flip?
(no, I refuse to believe this was my fault. I never lock myself out. ish. And it only happened because my whole brain is dead because I am getting no sleep whatsoever)
So I tried to get out. Fail. I tried another gate. Oh hey, next door neighbor with the baby is coming inside! She and I say hi, she lets me out, and she even said that I could buzz her and she'd come let me back in! Okay, that's a gift. I decided the packages were more important than my flat so I went to get them. Oh my gosh, the walk there was fine but the walk back was obnoxious. Why? Wait for it.
So I buzz this girl and she walked all the way out to the gate to let me in. She offered for me to come hang out with her and the baby. I told her I had to get down to business. I sat on the stoop and opened my packages (yes, that is business). I stuffed a package of cookies in my mouth. It was heavenly. I gave some to my new friend. She is a cookie monster, she says. I think we'll be friends if her baby starts letting me sleep.
Anyways, I stashed my stash in my car, locked it up tight, and chatted with Tim through the gate. Then I started walking back to another gate in hopes of getting back out to walk to my landlord's daughter's husband's mother's house to see if maybe she had a spare key. Well, I realized I no longer had my purse. Hmm....
Right. It was sitting on the front steps of my 70 flat complex. And nobody had touched it. This is Africa, man, so that was God.
I found a lady to let me out (I met so many neighbors today, and although they all think I'm an American idiot, they all seemed to like me enough). I walked to the house and failed to find anyone. I walked back to my flat and thought about scaling the fence, laying down in a garden, and declaring myself homeless. Instead, I found my old lady friend walking home. She let me in and found me another lady who could open the gate to get my CAR free. WOOHOO!!!!
So I drove around town feeling sorry for myself. I bought a sundae and meal from McDonalds but was too sad to eat them. What? Seriously. They are in my trashcan.
This is a really long post, yo. Sorry. I'm almost done.
Long story....less long - Tim got Eugene's brother to go to his mother's house to dig around and find a spare key, went and got the spare key and got into my flat, found my keys, took the spare back where it belonged, and basically fixed my life while I had a great time at my xhosa class.
I got home and got to open and appreciate two amazing gifts from three amazing people. Wanna see?
So I was literally beaming and laughing out loud (dude, the crab thing was funny) and on my way to get my packages and I thought "You know what, God, I'm sorry for complaining about this day, because this day is getting awesome"
As I was thinking this, I closed my door and realized my keys were still inside. That sucks.
I have no clue what I'm supposed to do. I was literally a homeless prisoner. I can't get into my flat, and I can't get out of my complex! And the post office closes in 30 minutes and I hate my life again. Seriously, God, what the flip?
(no, I refuse to believe this was my fault. I never lock myself out. ish. And it only happened because my whole brain is dead because I am getting no sleep whatsoever)
So I tried to get out. Fail. I tried another gate. Oh hey, next door neighbor with the baby is coming inside! She and I say hi, she lets me out, and she even said that I could buzz her and she'd come let me back in! Okay, that's a gift. I decided the packages were more important than my flat so I went to get them. Oh my gosh, the walk there was fine but the walk back was obnoxious. Why? Wait for it.
So I buzz this girl and she walked all the way out to the gate to let me in. She offered for me to come hang out with her and the baby. I told her I had to get down to business. I sat on the stoop and opened my packages (yes, that is business). I stuffed a package of cookies in my mouth. It was heavenly. I gave some to my new friend. She is a cookie monster, she says. I think we'll be friends if her baby starts letting me sleep.
Anyways, I stashed my stash in my car, locked it up tight, and chatted with Tim through the gate. Then I started walking back to another gate in hopes of getting back out to walk to my landlord's daughter's husband's mother's house to see if maybe she had a spare key. Well, I realized I no longer had my purse. Hmm....
Right. It was sitting on the front steps of my 70 flat complex. And nobody had touched it. This is Africa, man, so that was God.
I found a lady to let me out (I met so many neighbors today, and although they all think I'm an American idiot, they all seemed to like me enough). I walked to the house and failed to find anyone. I walked back to my flat and thought about scaling the fence, laying down in a garden, and declaring myself homeless. Instead, I found my old lady friend walking home. She let me in and found me another lady who could open the gate to get my CAR free. WOOHOO!!!!
So I drove around town feeling sorry for myself. I bought a sundae and meal from McDonalds but was too sad to eat them. What? Seriously. They are in my trashcan.
This is a really long post, yo. Sorry. I'm almost done.
Long story....less long - Tim got Eugene's brother to go to his mother's house to dig around and find a spare key, went and got the spare key and got into my flat, found my keys, took the spare back where it belonged, and basically fixed my life while I had a great time at my xhosa class.
I got home and got to open and appreciate two amazing gifts from three amazing people. Wanna see?
Yes, Chris made me a hammock. I don't know what I'll do with it, but that "A" means it's mine.
And at the end of the night, I sat down with a bowl of lucky charms and was amazed at how very loved and cared for I am. Even on a day that felt miserable, I can't help but notice that the good overpowers the bad. God loves me, and He really doesn't give me more than I can bear. He brings me huge blessings - like a card from a beloved sister, treats from two of the wisest smartest most awesomest people I've ever known (even if they did choose CA over Blacksburg...), a time intensive gift from a friend who truly cares for me, the right color of yarn, quiet mornings of rejuvenation....and even an opportunity to meet my neighbors.
In 5 years, I won't remember waking up too early. I will remember locking myself out of my house because I am proud and it was embarrassing, but I will also recall that Tim and Mark, a guy I don't even know, went out of their way to save the day for me.
This doesn't suck. None of it. (well, the headache really does)
The night before I had begged God to show me that he actually loves ME. I thought He'd completely dropped the ball, but at the end of the day I'm overwhelmed by the proof He's given.
Again, not the way I wish He'd shown it, but seems to have worked perfectly.
And at the end of the night, I sat down with a bowl of lucky charms and was amazed at how very loved and cared for I am. Even on a day that felt miserable, I can't help but notice that the good overpowers the bad. God loves me, and He really doesn't give me more than I can bear. He brings me huge blessings - like a card from a beloved sister, treats from two of the wisest smartest most awesomest people I've ever known (even if they did choose CA over Blacksburg...), a time intensive gift from a friend who truly cares for me, the right color of yarn, quiet mornings of rejuvenation....and even an opportunity to meet my neighbors.
In 5 years, I won't remember waking up too early. I will remember locking myself out of my house because I am proud and it was embarrassing, but I will also recall that Tim and Mark, a guy I don't even know, went out of their way to save the day for me.
This doesn't suck. None of it. (well, the headache really does)
The night before I had begged God to show me that he actually loves ME. I thought He'd completely dropped the ball, but at the end of the day I'm overwhelmed by the proof He's given.
Again, not the way I wish He'd shown it, but seems to have worked perfectly.