Lovely Day

 Last night, I went to bed at 2:00am.  I mean, went to bed for the first time all night!  This was because we had friends over and played a 4 hour game of Settlers of Catan--wonderful!  However, I didn't expect good things for this morning. 

But this morning came graciously, and I was able to sleep until 7:00.  

I made it to my Library Team meeting ON TIME, after stopping at Stewart's for rich-brew coffee and Kinney's for sign-making supplies.  (I really like to be on time or early...but if you know me you know the only reason I get anywhere on time is because of my hubby.  So this was a minor miracle.)  (We're out of creamer; hence the Stewart's coffee.  Also, this may be the first time in history that I have chosen, by preference, drip coffee at a gas station over cappuccino. This has been the Year of Learning to Love Coffee.  I've succumbed.)

Our meeting time together was wonderful, complete with chocolate chip banana bread, chit-chat about life, creative ideas and input all around, and productivity.

I had an encouraging conversation with my pastor in the middle of that meeting.  I thank the Lord for him just about every time he crosses my mind.  Papa Dan (as he's known by his grandkids and my boys) is the most thorough example of a FatherAndShepherdAndPastor's heart I've ever known.  He is such a testament to the grace and the power of Jesus At Work through a person.  

When I pulled in to our driveway, I noticed several pick-up trucks up the road at the house that burned last week.  The thought crossed my mind, "Go ask if they need anything: fresh coffee, somebody to watch the kids awhile, a kitchen table."  For one minute I argued against this thought, because, you know, that's uncomfortable.  But I knew deep down that this was not my own thought, but the Holy Spirit asking me to Go.  I've argued against His requests before, and it never ends well.  So, "Jesus, help me to be brave!"  And I went right up there and had a nice conversation with this neighbor that I'd not met yet but who's in the process of rebuilding his whole family's life. He didn't need anything right then, but whether "seeds were planted" or no, this was a big deal for me!  I heard the Holy Spirit ask something of me, and I obeyed Him, and I was Brave!  Thank the Lord for asking things of me again and again, despite all my years of stubbornness and fear.  

On the way inside, I opened the mailbox to find a wonderful note from a wonderful friend.  I opened the door to hear peals of laughter (almost shocking amounts of joyful laughter) from my older son and husband, wrestling together on the couch like it's their job.  Because it's Saturday, and that IS their job <3  

After lunch, I enjoyed a rare and wonderful cuddle with my hubby on the couch (usually these are interrupted by, say, Flying Lincolns).  

And then ALL the boys in the house went to sleep, and slept for three or more hours!

And I got to use that time to paint signs (posters) to celebrate the sermon series on Family that will begin tomorrow morning.  I love to put my art into action.  Even though my neck is all tight right now.  

After dinner, I drove back to church with my new signs and put the signs commissioned by Pastor on his desk, and the signs for the library door...on the library door.  I'm excited about them.  The library door now reads, "The family that READS together grows together!" 

This means that tomorrow can begin with less chaos than might have been expected.  We still don't have creamer, so it might also begin with a fresh cup of Stewart's rich-brew coffee.

(P.S. As when reading a good book, put your imagination to work dreaming up the pictures that should be illustrating this post.  Google can provide me with Catan and Stewart's pics, but not peals of laughter or library sign pics, and they're more important.  So I decided to skip the pics.)