I'm back with another Simple Woman's Daybook! (Check out my first one from April and my second one from June)
I'm linking this up to the TSW Daybook blog hop. Maybe you'd like to give it a try too? It's SIMPLE! I'm just following the prompts! I must confess, though, that I have rearranged the sections due to what I'm writing about and how each part connects with the others this time around.
For Today...
Looking out my window...
I am thinking...
Last time I mused that the summer can slip by so easily... And it has! School starts again in just a month, and I need to register my youngest daughter for 7th grade. It's going to be a big transition from home school to public school for her. But for now, the immediate need is for me to gather test scores, residency documents, and shot records. Which means she needs shots. No fun. She's getting them this week.
One of my favorite things...
Or three.
The "do more of what makes you happy" dish was a gift from one of my daughters, and looking at it makes me happy.
I bought the little blue vase on the night I realized I needed to go to seminary. It is kind of like a memorial stone for me. I chose the silk peony for it since it's my favorite flower, even though I've never grown any. I always love seeing pictures of peonies on Facebook.
All of these are on my bedside table - the first thing I see when I wake up, the last thing I see before I go to sleep.
I am wearing...
I'm wearing an soft-textured dark-colored floral pullover and a pair of loose silky black pants. I haven't changed out of my office clothes for the day since they are so comfortable!
I also ordered a new swimsuit from Amazon, since I was having a hard time finding my size locally. It's not 100% perfect fit, but as good as I'm going to get. It's black and white, and I plan to wear a black cami under it for better coverage. I was trying it on to see if it fit, and then got a long phone call, so I had it on for quite a while. Comfortable enough!
I am thankful...
I am thankful for my new job at Heart of Florida United Way 2-1-1. I had been looking for a part-time job for a while, after over 30 year of being a (mostly) stay-at-home mom. I knew about a big job fair downtown, but that morning was super busy and I was taking my daughter somewhere in the afternoon. I balked at going, but at the last minute, I tweaked and printed my resume, put on some business clothes, packed my brief case, and went!
I'm glad I did, because United Way was the first booth I visited, and I knew when they handed me the job description that it was exactly what I wanted. I applied and did a mini-interview on the spot, and was hired less than a week later to work about 17 hours a week. The job is answering crisis and referral calls, which could be anything from someone needing help with their electric bill to someone contemplating suicide. That, of course, takes some special training, which starts in two weeks. So for the past two weeks, I have been reading training manuals and doing outgoing follow-up calls. I check to see if our clients have received the assistance they were requesting, and if they were satisfied with the 2-1-1 service. Today I talked to a precious 94 year old lady who is lovingly caring for her husband of 73 years, even though he has dementia. She is so thankful for the referral to Meals on Wheels. I love my job!
I am creating...
I'm still working on my newest blog, a multi-faceted devotional Bible study called Wisdom from James. Two chapters down, three to go!
I am listening...
Even when the dark comes crashing through
When you need a friend to carry you
When you're broken on the ground
You will be found
So let the sun come streaming in
'Cause you'll reach up and you'll rise again
If you only look around
You will be found
And when our children tell their story
You will be found
They'll tell the story of tonight
Oh, no matter what they tell you
Tomorrow there'll be more of us
Telling the story of tonight
The story of tonight
"Found Tonight" is an amazing mash-up of "The Story Of Tonight" by Lin-Manuel Miranda from "Hamilton" and "You Will Be Found" by Ben Platt from "Dear Evan Hansen". The two songs go together so well, and it's my absolute favorite song to listen to while driving to work since it helps me think of the people I will be serving on the phone.
A snippet of the lyrics...
When you need a friend to carry you
When you're broken on the ground
You will be found
So let the sun come streaming in
'Cause you'll reach up and you'll rise again
If you only look around
You will be found
And when our children tell their story
You will be found
They'll tell the story of tonight
Oh, no matter what they tell you
Tomorrow there'll be more of us
Telling the story of tonight
The story of tonight
I am hoping...
Like so many of you, I've been glued to the news of the boys' soccer team trapped in a water-filled cave in Thailand. As of now, eight boys have been rescued by expert divers, and there are four more boys and their coach waiting for rescue. The whole world is hoping that they will be brought to safety and that all of them will make a full recovery after over two weeks of hunger, darkness, and fear. It's what makes the song "Found Tonight" even more poignant.
When you need a friend to carry you
When you're broken on the ground
You will be found
At the same time, I remember that these are not the only children in Thailand who need rescue. "Thailand is a major source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor." Find out more here: Destiny Rescue / Thailand.
I am learning...
However, related to this, I'm still trying to learn to make the best use of my time, especially since I am starting three classes at seminary in September. I already bought all of my textbooks. One of the recent arrivals for my Church History class is The Rule of St. Benedict. I knew already that it has much to say about living an orderly life, but after skimming through it, I'll just say I'm really glad I don't live in a Benedictine monastery. So many rules! Such a rigid schedule! Eek! I just don't function that way.
In my kitchen...
A little cooking inspiration? I think I'm going to try some of these ideas to replace my sandwich when I pack lunches for work!
Post script...
This is the part of the daybook where we're encouraged to pass along a favorite link. So this month, it's my new employer, Heart of Florida United Way. Please check out what we do, and how you can participate!
Shared quote...
Since I'm featuring United Way today, I have to share a poem that is on an award plaque from City Year. It's one I often included in my literature unit studies when I taught home school co-op classes. I'm glad to see it each day as I step off the elevator at work.
The Bridge Builder
An old man going a lone highway,
Came, at the evening cold and gray,
To a chasm vast and deep and wide.
Through which was flowing a sullen tide
The old man crossed in the twilight dim,
The sullen stream had no fear for him;
But he turned when safe on the other side
And built a bridge to span the tide.
“Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim near,
“You are wasting your strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day,
You never again will pass this way;
You’ve crossed the chasm, deep and wide,
Why build this bridge at evening tide?”
The builder lifted his old gray head;
“Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said,
“There followed after me to-day
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm that has been as naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be;
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him!”
A moment from my day
A dear friend - the one who inspired me to go to seminary - called to check in on me. Yesterday, she drove 14 hours up to Asbury Seminary's main campus in Wilmore, Kentucky. She's taking her last class, a week-long intensive in Christian leadership, for her MDiv degree. It was so good to talk with her about a bunch of different things. I am so thankful for her friendship. Please pray for Patricia as she discerns what is her own path in ministry in the days, months, and years to come. And for me too, as I start at Asbury's Orlando campus.
Closing notes
This moment. Right now. I'm thinking now of those who will read my blog. I hope your life is going well now, and that you will reach out for help if it's not.
No matter where we are or what is going on in our lives, may we all be Bridge Builders.
Grace and peace,
Virginia Knowles
