Figuring It Out

Day 90

Well, no teens participated in either passive program for this month. I could be disappointed. But I have worked with too many “building” programs for children and teens. I’ve had many no-shows and no-participations. It took some time, but I learned to not take it personally, nor to become upset with the patrons for not coming. It’s just how it works. Especially right now where I’ve had teens used to not having anything for them. And teens whom I don’t really know very well. So everything I try is not only an experiment for me to see what they do and don’t like, or will or won’t do, but it’s also a way for them to get used to me and that I do want to offer programs to them which have not been before.

I’m grateful for every opportunity—successful or so-called unsuccessful—that helps me get to know who I’m trying to serve, and that the Lord brings that to me in not just work situations.

P.S. I was also extremely grateful to have 2 home teachers come to my home this evening. They provided a lesson (not a thought). They spoke with me. They laughed with me. They blessed my home with their presence.

Equality and Respect

Day 89

It sometimes surprised me to look around the table at one of our Librarian Meetings. Everyone is older. I’m surprised by the age. I’m surprised by the knowledge and wisdom and experience that surrounds me. In my last two libraries, I worked with a few who were older. However, I have worked with quite a few who were my age and in similar life situations as me. And now I look around and realize that all but one or two at this table are around my parents’ ages.

I come to realize how grateful I am for what they have to offer me as I grow in my career and in life as well. But I am also grateful that they treat me with respect and equality. It very much adds to my ability to feel confident and happy in my job and in my work.

Again and again, I say it, for it is so true—I am grateful the Lord led me to a place where I can find such fulfillment in what I do, and that is only added to by those around me.

I've Got Two Feet

Day 88

I’m part of a team at work for “March into May.” We’re tracking how many steps we walk for a month. We began yesterday. I figured this would be a great way to getting me back to walking during my lunch break. Last year I walked many a time during the winter months. But that’s because we didn’t have much by way of precipitation to worry about. Here, we do. And I may love rain, but I really don’t like rain when the temperature is cold. So with all of the snow, rain, and sleet I’ve had with this winter, I haven’t felt as excited about going out for a walk. Plus, I wasn’t quite sure of the neighborhood. But I’ve ventured a couple of times recently and feel confident at least with one route.

Thus, I took that route today. And oh my. It was a lovely day. Spring coming with the winter chill still in the air. Sunny with occasional cloudage. Sounds of children laughing and playing. Not too much traffic to worry about. Able to read during my walk. It all was wonderful. How I have missed my walks!!!

I’m so grateful the Lord has given me not only incentive to get back to something I love, but given me two working legs that help me simply do something that I love!

Talents...Again

Day 87

Another Talent Show. This time, for the entire Stake. New faces. New talents. New laughs. I thoroughly enjoyed myself...again. And I liked feeling ward pride, even if I’m still learning to fit in to this new ward.

I’m grateful that on occasion the Lord plays His hand in helping me attend such happy socializings.

(And playing with puppets in the morning wasn’t bad either!!)

Responsibility

Day 86

I fulfilled my calling today. I mean, I’m not done with it. but I finished my first task—and in the time frame I set for myself. It made me feel good to have something to do, that helps the ward, that needed to be done, and that is not beyond my capabilities but still takes a bit of wisdom and brain effort!

So while I’m grateful for a calling that helps others and makes me feel good about myself, my main gratitude is that this evening, I was able to just “veg.” Not that I wanted to be lazy. It had plans to write letters and family history and such. But a headache and subsequent stomach-ache prevented me from wanting to even more.

I’m grateful that it didn’t get worse, and that I had my wonderful couch which helped me repose more to ease the pain than any chair or bed can do.

Potato Time!

Day 85

I have my couch!!! I have hoping for ever so long to have a couch. Where I can stretch out my poor legs that need to constantly move because of the crooked knees, but also curl up when I want to. Where I can recline. Or where I can even sit-up! I had determined as soon as I was moving to my new life that I wanted to have a couch in it. In my first week I was already looking at the DI choices, for I knew I’d never be able to afford a new one. I was perfectly fine with that. But happy turn of events had my brother and his wife buying a new couch set, and offering me part of their wrap-around couch (which I remember them buying). The best second-hand stuff comes from people you know, and that you know how the stuff has been treated and cared for.

We finally figured out how to get the couch from there to here, and together my brother and home teacher carried the couch up the two flights of stairs.

I couldn’t be happier! You may think this is the silliest thing to be happy and grateful for. But you don’t know my knees. Or my back which has begun to ache. Or my inability to read and stay awake since laying down often induces the desire to sleep and I had no comfortable furniture for sitting up in. And my home just feels...like a real home. With my bed and my couch, I am a thrilled and happy person.

I’m grateful that the Lord knew how much this couch would mean to me, and that my brother and his wife were so kind to give it to me.

All Kinds Everywhere

Day 84

I got to visit a “work friend” after work today. She and I were at the same branch for a few weeks before she moved over to another branch. But we were what I like to think of as instant friends. A whole Anne and Diana kind of instant. I like that. We have a lot in common and she is always someone I enjoy conversing with. It has been sad to not see her at my branch, but I still get to see her at little meetings for the system. Still, it was nice to be able to see her away from work. And it was nice that she wanted to see me away from work! It is fun to have someone to talk to about work who understands. But to also have much in common outside of work that the conversation never dulls or dies.

I’m grateful to the Lord for sending us all kinds of friends.