7 Quick Takes Friday (Take 9)

It’s Friday again!  Which means it’s time for another 7 Quick Takes:

1)  If you haven’t discovered My Soul Proclaims yet, check it out!  In it’s own words, it is a “web-based video ministry that seeks to share the joy of all vocations through the testimonies of priests, deacons, brothers, sisters and married men and women.”  AWESOME!

2)  I started my new job on Monday as an aide in an alternative program for middle schoolers.  It’s been a tumultuous week, but I think that’s typical when a new adult gets thrown in the mix.  The kids were eager to test me.  So eager in fact, that one student threatened to slap me and was subsequently expelled and arrested by a police officer who works for the school district.  Not the optimal situation, especially since these are the kids that need to be in school and not running around town all day, but I think it sent a message and they will be better behaved in the future.  It’s important for them to realize that there are consequences to their actions and that threatening school staff is not accepted behavior.  Once things settle down, I think I’m really going to enjoy this job.

3)  The most difficult things are often the most rewarding. I enjoy working with difficult students because they need the help the most and when you do get through to a kid, it’s incredibly worth it.  I need to remember that this applies to other areas of my life as well.  I tend to accentuate the negative so much that I often forget about the bigger picture.  I went through the hardest time of my life, a time which included depression and a very abusive relationship, right before I met my husband, but those very experiences were the ones that not only led me to him, but prepared me for him and for marriage.  Since I know the Lord is able to help me through anything, no matter how difficult, I should stop concentrating on the negative (wallowing in pity isn’t going to help anyway) and start looking for the lessons to be learned.  And I need to remember that this applies to EVERYTHING (big and small).

4)  I finally finished the book I’ve been reading since August.  It feels like an incredible accomplishment (and even greater book).  I used to read a few books a week, but those days are long gone.  My next book: Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (Wicked Years).  Not really my style, but I picked it up a while ago at a used book sale and I decided and going to read the books I haven’t read yet in my own collection (then I can figure out if they are “keepers” or I can get rid of them and have a few less things to pack!).

5)  My husband and I were dogsitting for a friend of mine this week.  It brought so much joy and liveliness to our home to have a dog here.  I miss cuddling up with my dog.  I couldn’t bring her with me, because she’s too old for a major move, so she’s still at my parents.  We can’t afford to have a dog right now, but as soon as we can, we are going to rescue a furry friend.

6)  We have a full weekend ahead of us.  To top it off, my brother-in-law is coming in tomorrow to go to a basketball game with my husband on Sunday (I was informed that this would be a “man event” and my presence is not requested, so I will have a little alone time).  It’s nice to be socially busy for a change!

7)  A lot of people have been discussing their preparations for Lent lately.  To be honest, I’ve never done much for Lent except give up some treat or another.  This year, my husband and I want to make it a very special prayerful time, so we are going to be turning off our TV and internet for the entire Lenten season.  We are also going to be clearing our house of sweets.  For me, these things won’t be that difficult - I’m much better at “taking away” things than “adding” things (such as prayer, reading the Bible, etc.).  Any suggestions on what we can add to our lives during Lent, or how to effectively do that?