Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Fish Bowls, Field Trips, and Full bags of trash

I must start by explaining something:  I live in what I call a "fish bowl."  I do my best to be real, honest, and sincere...but sometimes I should just keep my mouth shut.  Sometimes I want to put blinds up in my fish bowl or hide under a rock (thanks for the metaphors, friend).  Sometimes living in my fish bowl is just difficult.  Now, hear me, I would NOT change it for the world.  I love my life, and more importantly I love MY GOD who gave me the bowl where I live.

All of that to say, I'm sorry if I was offensive in my last post about being overwhelmed.  I simply was trying to live open and honest.  Thanks for understanding.

Now, on to the real stories:

Last weekend was Love Shack (a Senior High retreat at church where we talk about love, sex, dating, and marriage - not in that order).  Thanks to my incredible in-laws (Nana and Pop) I was able to go for a while Friday evening to be with everyone...then I was able to lead the girls in a little discussion on Saturday morning.  I love these girls.  It was great to be with them. 

After enjoying them, Sveta and I drove to Greenwood.  We were able to hang out with Berea, Noah, and Jess...and our Russian friends.  Sveta and Andrusha played great together.  It was interesting to see her use some English and Russian with a little boy that is a Russian speaker.  He would give her something and she would say, "thank you."  CUTE.  We got to see Poppy (Jim) for a few minutes...long enough to ask him for candy...and then we stopped to see Baba (April) and Granny (Jo).  I think we brightened their difficult day...so I'm thankful for that.  Plus, I enjoyed seeing them!

Sunday was a day full of church.  Sveta and I went to Batesville, where she enjoyed the preschool class and singing songs.  Then it was time to just be at home for a bit before church in the evening.  Barry let me listen to the sermon, and he took Sveta to play with the other kids (for a bit).  Dinner was fabulous with the Porter family...Sveta really likes Pastor Jon.  She has him wrapped around her little finger too...he's kind of a sucker for little girls (he's got 3 you know). And, I have decided that Kate should come over this summer to just play with Sveta and let me get things done.  She's GREAT with her!

Yesterday was fabulous:  Sveta and I took Griffen for a walk in the morning, and when we got the mail upon our return, we received Sveta's certificate of citizenship.  I thought it would take a LOT longer.  YAY!!! Barry took the afternoon off, so we had a little bit to just be together while Sveta was asleep.  Then we all went and flew a kite and played at the playground.  We came home and Sveta and I made a casserole together.  She was a good helper.  TOO cute. 

Today is library day, and tomorrow is the day where I take Sveta to do something fun, or just out of the norm.  It's what I'm calling our "field trip day."  I need some ideas on where to go, or what to do.  Leave comments, give me ideas, help me out here!!  :)

One more thought::  If you make $35,000 in a year, you are in the top 4% of the world's WEALTHIEST people.  If you make $50,000 in a year, you are in the top 1% of the world's WEALTHIEST people.

So, when you are about to think that you don't have enough, or it isn't fair that you didn't __________.  Think about the 96%.  And, if you don't make that much, you probably make pretty close to that...so don't think you are poor either.  Cause, guess what, if you are reading this, it pretty much means you aren't poor.  At least in regard to the rest of the world. 

I've been pondering this a LOT, and after reading the book 7 by Jen Hatmaker, I have been struggling with the excess I have in my life.  And, trust me, there's a TON! Yesterday, was garbage day, and we had 3 trash bags.  What?  We used to only have 1.  How do we have so much trash all of a sudden?? EXCESS. 

So, if you think of it, be praying for us as we figure out how to tackle excess, AND, pray that God would show you how to handle yours.

Love to all.
Jessi

1 comment:

  1. Penguin Days at the Cincy Zoo! It's gonna be in the 60s and they have half price admission! My treat!

    Love you WWW!
    Momma

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