Patience is...

Patience is...Calm endurance.

I'm learning a thing or two about being patient in all sorts of areas in my life. 

...It's one thing to be patient with others.

But a complete different endeavour to be patient with myself.

I've been sick today. 

Nothing serious, just a little sickness caught from the school children. I've spent a few days resting on and off, but today it hit me hard. I literally had to lay in my bed all day long (which is very hard for me)...

especially on Sunday, my favourite day. I spent the day reading, catching up with old friends (mostly my main man sleep) and watching Kate and Leopold among other favourites.

I had lots of time to think. Many times today I started to remember and eventually miss some of those I love dearly. I missed them so much it made my heart began to ache.

...So, I got up. Lysol-ed the apartment and ate some ice cream.

Then I remembered that it's okay to rest. 

It's okay to miss.

It's okay to wait.

 But it's very best

to live in the moment and remember those who are here right now, too.

As the sunset, the doorbell rang and

a box of oranges, a book, chocolates, water, and brand new lysol arrived at my door.

Patience. 

Patience is...calm endurance. 

Guest Posting!

I'm over at "a mile in her shoes" today!

Feel free to 

come on over!

One Week.

It's hard to believe it's mid-January, I've been here for one whole week of teaching and that I live minutes from Temple Square.  Our school is full of bright-eyed children who come from all sorts of homes. In one week I've learned that I'm not just teaching children, I am advocating for them.

I'm caring for them.
And names of little ones have been added to my prayers.

I guess I've always known that part of my role, but this week, I've been able to put that realization into action.

A little boy sat alone at the lunch table...

I'm in my orange vest on duty.

We sat and talked. 

He said, 

"I don't like girls. 

But I sure like you."

We see another student crying in the hall.

 He lost his backpack,

 "Over the fence, in the tree, by the church." 

So, we trek through the wintry, 

snowy field and search.

Our teacher shoes fill with snow.

And by the time we get home, 

it's 6pm 

and we are all very seriously contemplating going to bed.

But we carry on-lesson planning, cutting felt stories and even saving egg cartons and other beautiful junk...

just in case we'll need it. 

It's a busy life, but a good life.

Outfit: Cardi-Walmart, Boots-Weekend Adventure, Dress-Room mates! 

10, 9, 8...

The most exciting 10 seconds of the year must be prior to midnight New Years Eve.

 Party hats, noise makers and the excitement to hug and kiss those you love...

 Everyone is so excited for the new year in those seconds. No one is thinking of the hard thing they have to do tomorrow or the next day. No one is thinking of that trials may come. They are celebrating exactly what it is, no strings attached. 

Purely a new, fresh start. 

So, here I am waiting for my plane to Salt Lake City where I begin my adventure Student Teaching tomorrow. 

I can't help but think those customs guys at the airport must see at least 95% of those who come through crying. 

It's completely contagious.

 And as I wait at my gate everyone is talking about their "cabin on the lake," and their wonderful Canadian holidays. 

And it makes my heart swell a bit.

 In the meantime, 

2012 taught me much more than I have ever imagined.

It was good and very hard. 

Actually, the hardest yet.

I'm certainly not the same lady as before.

So, here's to 2013. 

And making those 10 seconds last.