contentment and brokenness

In the recent weeks I came to a realization...I am more content in my job than I have ever been before. Granted I haven't been in my position very long but it's still an exciting realization. This all came to mind because I work with people who are discontent and my heart has been so broken for them that I almost feel guilty about being content. Ironic, right?
My heart also breaks because I know they don't share my freedom in Christ...and that's where it starts. Don't get me wrong I have been a christian and very discontent...but I have never been alone. I simply just don't know how it is that people make it through each day without that. Hmph.

balance

Life really is about finding some kind of balance, right? Balance between work and play, giving and receiving, moving and stopping. Its not easy. Since my "promotion" I have stayed late in the office more nights than not...though I have been told to go home. I just want to get settled in my space as well as with people. When I go home I just want to sleep or just sit and look at my freshly painted walls. One of these days I'll get settled...eventually I'll find a rythmn.

lilies

I love lilies, especially orange ones. Just like in my header. They have been popping up all over the place. I am sure they won't last long but you can be sure I will enjoy them as long as I can!

family gatherings

It's hard to describe the "Leonard Reunion" so people who aren't Leonards can actually understand the insanity. In simple words it's a long weekend of extended family time (between 50-75 people). We have been going to the same camp on Lake Erie for I think almost 20 years and having this reunion for over 40 years. This year's theme was Tresure Island. We play games, eat lots of good food, sit around campfires, pretend to be much more phycially fit than any of use actually are, and get reconnected. It's on my calendar for life.

wanting to learn again

Tonight as I sat and listened in on an adventure group I realized something...I want to learn. It was quite a revelation for me. I haven't had that genuine desire in a LONG time. Don't get me wrong, I have been motivated by deadlines, the need to impress and as a teacher the needs of my students but I cannot remember the last time I wanted to investigate and learn on my own.
What's on my mind you ask? The Leadership Challenge by Kouzes and Posner and the Johari window.

Leadership is: "The art of mobilizing others to want to struggle for
shared aspirations."--Kouzes and Posner

Hmmm...

Sweetly Broken

I learned this song(the words below) last week in church. I'd never really thought of brokenness as a sweet thing before but really being broken before God is pretty sweet--that's when I let go of the things making my life miserable. Coming to Indiana has been tricky for me on every level imaginable but mainly in my job. I have spent so much time thinking and rethinking and second guessing my every move that I was losing the joy in what I love doing. I had a good cry the other day and then a good talk with my supervisor. Both incredibly healing. I wouldn't say that I'm all better inside but I finally let go of some things that have been getting in the way. Today I worked with a group of college students and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of my time with them. It was one of my most fulfilling days since I moved to Indiana. And for that I am very thankful!

Jeremy Riddle - Sweetly Broken
To the cross I look, to the cross I cling
Of its suffering I do drink
Of its work I do sing
For on it my Savior both bruised and crushed
Showed that God is love
And God is just


At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered


What a priceless gift, undeserved life
Have I been given
Through Christ crucified
You’ve called me out of death
You’ve called me into life

And I was under Your wrath
Now through the cross I’m reconciled

In awe of the cross I must confess
How wondrous Your redeeming love and
How great is Your faithfulness

close your eyes and just listen

Everywhere I have lived I have had to adjust to the local "sounds".
In college it was the non-stop commotion.
At camp in Ligonier it was frogs, squirrels, Izzy shifting in her cage(my rabbit), birds, kids running around.
In town in Ligonier it was cars driving by, the old house settling, people walking their dogs.
In Guatemala it was the neighbors little dog yipping, firecrackers in the street between 5am & 6am, guns shots, roosters, lots of honking car horns.
Back at home it was mom playing the piano, dad watching politcal stuff on "his" tv, the phone ringing, and someone yelling "come quick, there are deer in the back yard"(even though this is a daily occurance).
Here at Bradford Woods it's the pileated woodpeckers, the coyotes, and small animals running through the dry leaves.

What kinds of things do you hear on a daily basis?