We're Going to Chicago!!

We gave Kells Bells her present last night. We told her she was going to Chicago on a plane, and she says "by myself?" The girl is funny.

Yesterday's surprises were much fun. A kid at CFA that had an orange mohawk and a shirt with a bunch of different scriptures on it. I love it. When people think of Christian, they think of people like me. Khaki shorts, pony tail...When people find out I'm a Christian, they are just waiting for me to say "Gimme a J...gimme an E...gimme an SUS!" But this guy, he defied all expectations. And I LOVE it!

I also saw one of my cute little punkin children at CFA. He gave me a little shy wave. Love my AWANA kids! My friend Craig came to school to make copies, and brought his two boys with him, so I got a little Baby Ben cuddle, which was great as well.

I went to bed thinking my surprises were over for the day, but wasn't I wrong! I haven't been getting to sleep very easily lately, so I tossed and turned until 11pm. So, just as I get to sleep, I hear a snippet of one of my favorite songs. I look at Daisy, as if in the 20 minutes I'd been out she'd grown opposable thumbs and learned how to work my iHome, and realized she didn't do it, so I drifted back out. Then, I realize that it was my cell phone. I jump up to see what it is, because any cell phone noises after I go to bed equate to an emergency in my mind. I haven't been working with teenagers long enough for the freak-out reflex to wear off.

I look at my phone, still groggy, and realize that one of my newly senior girls has sent me a text message. I check the phone and the message is this: "Don't take this in any offensive way, but i was doing my QT and thought of you with this. 1 Corinthians 7.34,35."

Now, as much as I like to think I have mad Bible skills, I am lacking a little. It's now 11:35pm, and I am fumbling around in the Bible by my bed to figure out what I'm not supposed to take in an offensive way. Finding that scripture attached to that message was the biggest surprise yet.

"In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be more devoted to the Lord in body and in spirit, while the married woman must be concerned about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband. I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible." (emphasis mine)

She and I have had a couple of chats about my being single and whether or not I'm stressed out about not having a boyfriend or not being married. And this message made me realize she got it. It's in moments like this that I hear God saying "Well done, good and faithful servant."

When I get messages like this, it makes all of those boyfriend-less nights make sense.