Joy in the Trenches

My eyes hurt.  

They've hurt all week.  

It's just been one of those weeks. 

Yes, I'm still learning, growing and adjusting.  

Yet ...

I am so blessed.  

Every day this week I've had someone unexpected check in and say something that was just what I needed to keep my chin up.  

For instance, a comment by this person (who I admire more than she knows) ... just a random comment was all I needed one day this week when I seriously thought nothing I did was right and that I should just , well, as Richard would say "be France."   

This person also made a difference in my life, too, with a very kind gesture (and I'll be getting to that tomorrow ... sorry I've not as of yet!!)

And then there have been several others, too, who have just sort of "popped up" just at the right time.  Coincidence?  No.  I don't believe that for a minute.  

The girls and I have been listening to the Hymns for a Kid's Heart, volume two in the mornings while I clean up the kitchen and get things situated for the day.  

The first song is "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty."   

...

Praise to the Lord
Who o'er all things so wonderfully reigneth
Shelters thee under His wings
Yea, so gladly sustaineth
Hast thou not seen how thy desires e'er have been
Granted in what He ordaineth

Praise to the Lord
Who doth prosper they work and defend thee
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do
If with His love He befriend thee

...

This song has been in my head all week.  

I am sheltered under God's wings ... my desires are granted in Him ... He prospers my work and defends me and His goodness and mercy are present daily.

Yes there have been so many times this week, for whatever reason, that I've just felt DONE.  I've wanted to "be France," to quit.  God knows this and He is providing for all my needs.  I have been reminded this week that He surely does always provide and I am never tempted beyond that which I can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). 

SO now for a glimpse of joy in the trenches from today ... 

I promised Kate last night that today we'd have a tea party.  It was good for her to have that to look forward to. Kate really thrives on having things to look forward to.  It was cute to see her at the breakfast table talking to Hanson Ellis, who she said "is a nice friend," about the tea party.  "Maybe we can have it after lunch," she said, "that is a good idea!" (Kate also likes to have "good ideas") I enjoyed seeing her pick her outfit out and get things set up.  I brought the food up (and we were hurting for appropriate tea party food, but that's okay, Kate really didn't notice) and I let Kate put it on the plates.  Can you tell which was her plate and which was Olivia's?  

I think we need to work on "doing to others as you'd have them do unto you" a tad bit more. Thankfully, Olivia is a good team player and didn't notice.  

She was just happy she got invited.