He turned my sorrow into joy. He took away my mourning

Today was a chilly, snowy day, and fairly uneventful. I feel guilty a lot lately when I am eating a great meal or cuddling in my big bed thinking about all those in Haiti who have nothing. I have always been inspired by the young lady, Rachel Corrie, who was killed by a military Caterpillar bulldozer when she was trying to protect the homes and people of Israel from occupation. She would sit down to dinner with these wonderful people in disbelief that a massive machine was outside the window trying to kill them. I often wish I could do more and protect so many people who are in danger, but then God tells me that I can't be full of sorrow because of problems on the other side of the world because He has work for me to do right here. When my great friend, Erica, was in my class years ago, she taught me that we may not mean something to the world, but we may mean the world to someone. I have to allow Him to transform my mourning into meaningful, purposeful work among the people that surround me everyday. I need to get to know my students on a closer level, visit my neighbors more often, and tell people about their strengths and skills and make sure they leave me feeling validated and recognized. TJ is off at wrestling, and I hope that his coach is encouraging and supportive. I need to remember this hope in my every interaction with my 150 High School students whose parents are hoping that I give their children my utmost respect, patience, and kindness. Chloe, TJ, and Mara love their Christian school and come home and teach me about the fruits of the spirit and the gift of grace, and they remind me to sing songs of gratitude and joy. Children help us all to see things more clearly, to stop and really look at the new buds on our bush, the snowflakes on our window, and the cute way that our pet rats yawn. They enjoy the simple things, and that's something we can all learn from. I pray that my grandpa does ok in surgery on Thursday to get the hardware removed from his ankle. I pray for our friends, Christy, Joe, and Sarah. I pray that our friends, Dave and Kristine, have a wonderful married life full of adventure and simplicity, excitement and humility, companionship and independence, new experiences and old friends. I pray that John and I continue to feel like newlyweds even after twelve years of marriage and that we show our children how wonderful marriage is and how to treat your partner.