I'm candy and he's ice cream....

Today was punctuated by excel spreadsheeting, printing (hot off the press) my newest brochure on prayer labyrinths, apples and peanut butter at 2:00 for lunch, and most of all... taking JoVeta's grandson Levi out for shopping and dinner. I fell in love again. There's something so uncomplicated about little boys... that I wish translated when they got older. He had me holding him by the hand and dragging him through the bookstore before the night was over. It went something like this....

I was bent over looking at some books and he pops up. "There you are! I was looking all over for you. I went back there... and then I came back here and it was like... there you were" (He talks very fast)

JoVeta "Ok come on... we need to go."
Me still looking at books.
Levi "Are you coming???"
Me "Yeah... I told you I liked books. You're going to have to drag me out"
Levi "DRAG ME!"



After that our conversation took a turn for the goofy. We were waiting in line for JoVeta to purchase some books and Levi saw candy. Then he started pointing at everything and calling it candy.

*Points at chocolate* Candy!
Yup...
*Points at a bag* Candy!
Maybe for holding candy... I amend
*Points at sunglasses* Candy!
For looking at candy I say...
*Points at the huge plastic divider in the entrance of the store* BIG Candy...
I laugh.

So when we walked out of the store... I point at him and say, "CANDY!!! Watch out... I'm going to eat you!" And pull some silly pose like I am going to grab him and stuff him in my mouth. He giggles like crazy and then pulls the same trick on me. *Points at me* ICE CREAM! Ice cream is apparently both of our favorite food. Quote - It's my favorite food, my favorite dessert, my favorite snack - End quote. (And according to Arielle it also functions as a vegetable. I think we're in business)

I'm doing better at stress. Today's biggest stress was what kind of creative gift can we make for the parish nurse conference (150 people) that relates to servant leadership. It's a lot harder than you would think... especially when there are about 12 crafts that have already been used. Bookmarks are out, seeds are out, nail crosses out, little medicine bottles with slips of "daily" scripture... out, magnets are out, keychains out... well you get the picture. So finally, I used an idea from Barnabas training. In the beginning, we had a service where we received small vials of olive oil with which we were anointed. For this case, I will write up a note reminding everyone of the way Mary anointed Jesus with oil/perfume. As servants we are to pour out what is most precious to us before the Lord - our time, our talents, our inheritance - you name it. And we are to be a fragrance of life and hope to others. I think it's a beautiful little reminder. Plus, it's actually useful. You can always pull it out and anoint someone who's having a really difficult time and say... this is a reminder of how the Lord of Heaven and Earth gave himself up for us... and He is faithful.

I also got one lovely email from Deanna, one snail mail letter from my grandparents, and one treasured phone callf rom Sarah. Today was yet another day of special gifts. :)

Love you all
Katie