When I moved to Senegal, we had a clothes washer, but not a dryer. Our clothes would hang outside and in the dirty Dakar air would become rather dingy. I was excited when I came back to the States and used my mom's dryer. Soft clothes that smelled good and were really clean (though the whites from Dakar forever lost their whiteness).

Then I moved to SC where my second year my roomie and I had a washer, but no dryer. Often we would hang them up outside or in the house...but there are some clothes that just needed the dryer. So I would take those to school or where ever I could to dry them. It was an ok system and often gave me a reprieve from studying.

When I moved into this place, I was overjoyed to have my own washer and dryer. Until today.

When I opened up the dryer this evening, I found a black piece of paper. I thought to myself, "This is not too odd since I work with kids, but I have a feeling that I'm going to find out what this was." No more than the thought crossed my mind was my answer realized. Crayon.

I checked my pants pockets before washing my clothes. I didn't check the pocket of my red hoodie. Every piece of clothing in that load is covered with melted black crayon that has worked its way into the fibers.

So now I have two dilemmas. One: How on earth do I get the crayon out of my clothes!? Two: How on earth do I get the rest of that crayon our of my dryer!?

As I sit here, my clothes from the second load are hanging all over my living room...and I have nothing to wear for my dinner with a friend that I have to leave for in 5 mintues. Life likes to keep me on my toes!

**UPDATE**

Have I mentioned what a rock star my mom is!? With her help as well as a few internet hints, we think the stains will come out. Maybe tomorrow I will have an additional update with that news! All may not be lost! :)

The 28th of March is here again...and with it comes the birthday of two of my favorite people in the whole wide world...my dad and my niece.

This year, however, we celebrated a week in advance...so I already have the incriminating pics to share with y'all. (Yes, I realize I am putting my life in jeopardy for this...but some things are worth it!) If you see Dad or B, wish them a big ol' HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! :)

Five years ago, I assistant taught at a preschool.
There was a little boy there who I adored.
He was newly adopted from Asia and had a hard time.
So each day, I worked with him.
It got to the point where he was my buddy.
He would be calm and focus when I was with him.
He made me laugh and we had fun together.
He had a special place in my heart.
I thought of him last week when I was working with my kids.
And I wondered how he was.

Only now did I connect the names.
Today, that precious boy was murdered.
Along with his mom and siblings.
And I am overcome with sorrow.
I can only hope that what he learned about Jesus stuck.

Please pray for the extended family...
As they grieve and seek to understand this heinous act.

Lord, help me to take advantage of every opportunity given me.

Someone once told me that my reality is God's grace.

Over the last week, I have given much thought to those words as they have weighed heavily on my heart in light of circumstances in my life. What is this thing called grace? And how do I live in it?

Friday night, after a very moving church service, I came home and watched The Passion...and wept. You see, at church, we had a "walk through" of that day when Christ died. There was a room that talked about when Jesus was praying in the garden...sweating drops of blood because of the weight of what was to come. Yet, despite that burden, He did not turn back - He moved forward. Then we saw models of the instruments used in His lashings. However, the one thing that caught my attention more than any other was the cross. Most of us look at the cross and remember what Jesus accomplished through this most cruel form of death. Friday night, we were challenged to "pick up the cross"...I bent down half-heartedly thinking I would be able to lift it. I could not.

I am overwhelmed at what Jesus took on that day. He literally had the weight of the world upon His shoulders. Then after being severely beaten, carried a cross to that hill. After trying to lift a cross myself, I realized that it was only by God's hand that Jesus was able to carry it any distance at all. A fact that reinforced that this whole thing was by a divine design, written about hundreds of years before it all happened.

Thinking back on what Jesus did that day - dying a death like that in my place...there is no response other than utter reverence and gratefulness. He endured so much pain on my behalf and on yours. If He was willing to come down from Heaven to do that, then I think it is safe to say He loves us with a fierce love that won't let go.

And that, my dear friends, is where the reality of grace makes its entrance. His death and resurrection make possible my hope and joy. Hope that one day I will be with Him and joy that He loves me enough to die for me. What else do I ever need apart from that?

Nothing...for His grace is sufficient.

He is risen...so rejoice!

It is too easy to come home only to find myself frustrated with certain situations in my life...therefore, I'm going to focus on the things I am thankful for...

• The man that stands on the side of the road and waves to everyone who goes by each morning.
• The little boy in my classroom who charms me by giving me lots of hugs and smiles, even if he is a terror the second I put him down.
• My friend involved in espionage on my behalf. ;)
• My warm, cozy bed that I hate getting out of in the mornings.
• New opportunities, or hopes thereof.
• Mom's roast with potatoes and carrots...yum!
• Rain instead of snow.
• My phone and beloved friends who make it ring.
• My nickname of "Zaza", given by an 19 month old girl who is a ray of sunshine in my life.
• Moleskin notebooks.
• Getting in touch with old friends.
• Dreams that I hope will become reality.
• Jack Johnson and his "beach" music that takes me back to a place I love.
• Being on the verge of spring.
• Honeycombs.
• Edy's creamy coconut ice cream bars.
• Fresh air.
• Sore muscles from "jogging".
• Laughter.
  

I've had two realizations in the past two days.

1) I have the best mom in the world. Yesterday after a long day (week!) of work, I came home knowing my house was in shambles and my kitchen in particular was looking hopeless. However, when I walked in the door, I saw the happiest bouquet of daffodils on my counter along with my favorite Easter candy...and my kitchen was clean! Slightly embarrassed that my mom had seen my house in said condition, I called her to thank her...she's the best. :)

2) It is really hard to search for a new job when you have no idea what you are looking for. I am hoping to move back out to the southeast US, and am sure that when I see "that job" I'll know...but in the meanwhile...it's a long, frustrating search that keeps coming up empty. I know what I don't want to do...but not exactly what I want to do. Time will tell...right?

I have a black thumb of death when it comes to plants. It is a well known fact amongst my friends and family. I try, but I inevitably kill everything I try to grow. When you come from a family such as mine, it is really quite sad because I am the only one with said thumb.

Tonight I somehow got it in my head that because I am now 30 (and therefore a "real grown up", though I'm not one for playing that part), this will change. So tonight at 9:30 (when no one could see me), armed with a kitchen tablespoon and some daffodil bulbs that my mom left out over winter, I tackled the decorative barrel outside my front door. I dug holes, roughly 6 inches deep and 6 inches apart and threw those bulbs in, pointy side up. Supposedly within the next couple months the truth will be known...black thumb or green thumb. I have a feeling I know which way this is going to go...but it's worth a shot.

If this works, I think I am going to try tulips next year...regardless of where I live. :)

1) A new baby!

The little girl on my last post just had a baby sister this week. Her dad is practically my brother, so doesn't that in some way make me practically her aunt? I think so. Funny thing - as you can see, K has very light features like her dad. The new baby M has dark features like her Lebanese mom. I love when things like that happen!

2) Painting again!

These were the pics I was going to post...but this week in the midst of baby chaos, I painted my folks' spare bedroom. Instead of boring white, it is now "Sea Salt"...so their guests can lay there and feel like they are at a relaxing beach - that is if they can ignore the freezer feeling of the guest room.

3) Job hunting...still!

Yes, I have a job. However, after suffering through one of the worst winters Iowa has seen in years as well as through some difficult circumstances with friends...I have decided that I would like to move back East. I miss the beach...I miss my friends there...I miss the mountains. I am having problems getting any leads, but am spending some serious time job hunting every day. If that perfect job opens up (or even just one that I might enjoy a little), hopefully I'll see it. So if you have any ideas for me - I am looking for positions in SC, NC, TN, and GA.

4) I have an awesome niece!

As you may have read, my cat, Cheza, died a few weeks back. Well, the Saturday after, my niece brought me a new kitten. I wasn't very excited about it, but promised her I would give it one week before I decided if I would keep it. After two weeks, I decided not to keep the kitty - yes, she was a bit psycho, but she started to grow on me. I just didn't want to be tied down in any way. So I took her back yesterday...but I have to say that I really do just have the most wonderful niece in the world. She was looking out for me. :)

5) Moving forward!

After a really rough last few weeks and coming near to giving up on a lot of things...Someone told me to "move forward"...it was music to my ears. After a long time of looking back with regrets - it really is time to move forward. I think a lot has happened that had to happen, but now I'm excited to move forward with my life. :)

In case you can't understand the utter adorableness...

Sara: "K, tell me where you live."
K: "Iowa."