a grateful disposition

Blessed, blessed, blessed...we just continue to have nothing to complain about!  An email from a friend the other day said something along the lines of, "The best is yet to come", and honestly, short of His return, I was able to say to myself..."Nope.  The best is today.  His presence, His calling, His work, His people.  I'm good."

Of course, part of this is because we have fantastic students and co-workers, several people here to help us (see photos below!), there are so many opportunities to minister to those around us, and He has given us several sweet and unmerited gifts: each other, Lily and Sofie, friends and family, good health, good work, more than enough food to eat and clean water to drink and shower.  And an Easter box full of candy from my aunt. (Candy, as if you haven't caught on by now, is a very major part of my personal culture:)

And is life borderline insane right now?  YES...with classes, finals, preparing for year's end, lots of visitors these past and future days, bottomless dirty dishes, newsletters and marketing, grading papers, cooking and laundry, crazy heat, a toddler...oh yeah, and 35 weeks pregnant.   I could be a grouch right now if it weren't for Him :)

But if He's truly given us His Son, and if there is nothing in this life that I am dealing with that He cannot understand and provide for (even peace...even energy...even unexplainable patience...even joy while pouring out thanklessly), and if He not only died for me, but raised for me, and gave me His Spirit for my day-to-day?  Then I'm good.  And grateful.

A disposition I continue to find in many of those around us who have far less materials but just the same amount of Him, the One Thing Needed...praise the Lord.

"The guys" working on the hardest part of the recent sidewalk project...a drainage system/bridge-thing.  Pictured: Jason (in tennis shoes 4 sizes too small...the biggest ones we could find), Maxi, Magloire, John, Jacob, Uncle Don and Abel.