Simple Joys #3

Everyday I'm Grumblin x MWE Amp "Keep Me"

This song is a bit like a complaint/honest feelings toward God that echo my own heart. It cries for God to remind us that He keeps us in His grace. He holds us, keeps us, helps us "weather storms when we don't see good tidings".

I just got back my paper today that was a study of Paul through the book of Philippians. I'd like to say it was like being DISCIPLED BY PAUL! Paul’s life is one marked with seemingly obvious reasons for one to grumble. On the contrary, his life and words in Philippians reveal God’s hand and role in face of trial, resulting in rejoicing. He has gone from a place of status and comfort, to a life of spiritual and physical suffering caused by his faith. He is unexpectedly compassionate, humble, grateful, and joyful. You think, Paul, how are you rejoicing? Why weren't you complaining about the lack of support you had? Why did you think more of the jail keeper's life, than your own opportunity to escape prison?  Paul responds unnaturally to his circumstances not because they are not hard but because there is a greater truth that he holds.

Some insight from observing Paul's life:

• Where as once joy, confidence, and contentment were found in things outside of God, faith is believing that such things can only be found in God.

• Turning to God daily is a process of placing our confidence in God's word, not our initial feelings or desires.

•  Paul's fruit of faithfulness causes a ripple effect of ongoing fruit.
  In the situational pressures, he responds in steadfast faith. His compassion opens opportunities for a jail keeper to be saved. This ripples into the jail keeper's family, then on and on. Paul's ability to suffer well strengthens the early church to have such boldness and contentment. Paul's faithfulness left a legacy (of course all under God's plan) to encourage today's church.

That's Paul's life. Then back to mine. GRUMBLE GRUMBLE. No that ain't my stomach grumbling. (although it often is). It's my mouth, my complaints, my discontentment. The root issue: my heart. I feel entitled for things to go my way. I place myself above God's ordained plans that are working for good. I react with my initial feelings infected with selfish desires. I reap a vicious cycle of negative consequences that feed off of each other. I can't justify my circumstance as reason to grumble- clearly Paul didn't!

When I look at Paul, I'm encouraged to say no to me, and yes to God. 

How have you been responding to issues this week? Are you grumbling or rejoicing?

Do you believe that God is trustworthy?

Process

This life, therefore,

is not righteousness but growth in righteousness,

not health but healing,

not being but becoming,

not rest but exercise.

We are not yet what we shall be but we are growing toward it.

The process is not yet finished but it is going on.

This is not the end but it is the road.

All does not yet gleam in glory but all is being purified.                                                                                                              

                                    -Martin Luther

Lessons Learned from Ms. Park: "Class Class? YES YES!"

This Tuesday I had the privilege of chaperoning for a Walt Disney Concert Hall field trip for Jessica's 4th grade class. WOOHOO! It was my first time doing this, so it was definitely such a fun experience. Thought I should write down my thoughts before I forget them.

Things I enjoyed: 
Talking to kids that were not sick and simply being kids. 
      Here is a snippet of a silly conversation...
      "What is the difference between soap opera, and opera? "
      "One is a drama and one is singing."
      "Who is the person opera then?"
      " You mean Oprah? LOLLL"
LA Philharmonics  
Ohmygoodness. Can I just say, my ears were dancing? We were in an awkward seating of sitting behind the orchestra, so we had the conductor facing us. That finesse of his leadership carried through one swift baton was AMAZING! Made me miss orchestra a little bit.

Things I learned: 
Each moment is what you make of it.
Jessica is the type of teacher that makes every moment an opportunity for growth. She hasn't lost her sensitivity and awareness. What I mean by that is, most teachers will ignore the repetitive but small moments of misbehaving. Instead, she takes the time to correct her kids. She knows to intervene when necessary, because she cares for them. That was impressive to me.
Life lessons
She is not only a teacher in subjects, but even more so in life lessons. Three points she taught were: be safe, be respectful, be responsible. If only every 4th grader could nail these three points, they would be set for success. She's perfectly firm, yet lighthearted. Structured and warm. I could see that she took the time to notice the intricacies of her students through the way she processes/responds to each of them so differently. It's innate and organic. I highly doubt she even knows her teacher qualities of excellence. Her students respect and trust her. I DO TOO.

Things observed
Children have so much potential
I wish every kid could have their minds molded by people like Jessica. Molded to be little humans that grow to be great humans.
School buses now have seatbelts      
WUT.

Midweek encouragement : Norton Hall Band "How Firm A Foundation"

There's something about the night when the busyness of the day quells, and your thoughts settle, that you are found vulnerable. If you're like me, you may have zonked out within seconds. Or perhaps your mind has wandered to preoccupations and worries. I think it's those last minutes of your day that reveal where your heart is. Is your heart engaged with the Lord, or is it in murky waters of what you have to do tomorrow, next week, next year? Are you thinking about the stressors in your life? Yes, we get physical rest, but have our souls found rest in the Lord? Have the comforts of His Word been present this week? I think something about songs help words sink in, in a unique way. In light of that, here is a song that has been of comfort to me, helping me see God as my firm foundation.

 I love that vs 2-5 has God speaking the hymn to his people. He consoles and supports by reminding us who He is.

Fear not, I am with you, O be not dismayed,
for I am your God and will still give you aid;
I'll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand

When through the deep waters I call you to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be with you, your troubles to bless,
and sanctify to you your deepest distress. 

When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be your supply;
the flame shall not hurt you; I only design
your dross to consume, and your gold to refine.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no never, no never forsake.

Vertical and Horizontal Relationships

"When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now. In so far as I learn to love my earthly dearest at the expense of God and instead of God, I shall be moving towards the state in which I shall not love my earthly dearest at all. When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased."

                                                                                       -C.S. Lewis

Simple Joys #2

While I initially meant to do this one pic per week, I found myself taking multiple photos throughout the week of moments I was thankful for. Here is this weeks!

 

Being able to finish my paper past midnight in LA bc apparently no one sleeps in LA. I feel reassured by the fellow night owls who drive around at 3am. 

Going to run errands and enjoy free coffee + popcorn at the toyota dealership 

 

Thoughtful Gilbert who gave me this silly eye mask. Sleeping in daylight never was quite so fashionable HAHA

Getting a planner because life is hard to keep up with these days 

My favorite thing is finding out that someone has read the book I bought for them. Maybe it's because I put some thought into choosing the book? Or being able to share/experience the same aha moments as I did? Not sure, but it makes me so happy to hear back on what they thought about it:D

This is Christina. She's such a blessing! We got to work in the same wing this week, two days in a row. That NEVER happens. Not only that, she was willing to work with me an extra 4 hrs after our 12 hr shift....and GET BURRITOS on our 30 min break.

Where do all the stunt men go?

Took care of one of the cutest kids today. Having kids that aren't intubated/sedated/too young to have a conversation are uncommon. So, I cherish times when I can talk with my babies. Life would be so fun if adult conversations were as silly as the ones I have with kids.

Kid: "Do you meet celebrities here?
Me: "Not really, why?"
Kid: "Oh, where do all the stunt men who fall go?"
Me: "Hm....HAHAHA."

Me: "So do you still do karate?"
Kid:"No, karate is for young people"
Me: :"So you don't think you're young?"
Kid: "No, my liver tells me I'm not"
Me: "Why does it say that? I think you have a healthy liver"
Kid:"Because I need to take care of my body"
Me: "So, what does that look like?"
Kid: "I'm gonna find my quiet place...my chi! and meditate!"

Kid: You hid the lotion! You're meannnn
Me: Oh nooo will you forgive me?
Kid: Only if you give me ice
Me: So we can only be friends if I give you ice?
Kid: Yup


I wish I could express the feelings of this moment. Ah, it's one of those, "you had to be there". What a cute and intelligent kiddo WAHH