Daily 5 - Year 2, Day 82

Today's Daily 5:

1. A grinning baby on the bus first thing this morning, smiling at his mommy
2. eating a banana for breakfast
3. reading that raises questions
4. A bus route that inspires prayer
5. apples
6. listening to quality teaching on the bus
7. magic bags draped across cold feet

Out

An update on some of the things going on in my life is long overdue.

But that will have to wait for later.

I'm off to engage again in the habit I picked up last weekend.  Riding the bus, reading and praying.  It's absolutely something that cannot be permanently added to my day, especially once I'm back at work (starting November 15th!).  But for now, for this week, and maybe next, those three hours have become precious time to pause.

When I get back, the plan is to sit at my computer and catch up on all sorts of items - everything from emails to blog posts.  I have a number of posts for here brewing in my head.  Things I'd like to get written today and ready for days when I need something to post and just can't quite come up with anything on the spot.

The sunshine we've had all week seems to be fading, and I'm recognizing again today that winter is on it's way, and soon.

And so, I'm off to take advantage of that little bit of sun, and sit and read and pray, touring the city.

Daily 5 - Year 2, Day 81

Today's Daily 5:

1. Waking up in time to catch the necessary bus, but not having to rush to do it
2. Skype with L in the UK
3. Apples and string cheese
4. a text message regarding chocolate that totally made me grin
5. another sunny day - not something to take for granted in Canada in November
6. finishing two different books today while reading on the bus
7. The perfect timing of the arrival of a kid's book (to be blogged about soon!) that a friend had insisted that I not only needed to read, I needed to own.  When it came today, it turned out to be perfect for the lesson I was in charge of leading at house church tonight!
8. Iced Passion Tea Lemonade from Starbucks
9. Having an option other than tuna casserole (which is what mom made) for dinner
10. gathering with loving friends at house church tonight

A Growing Confidence

I'm sitting on the bus writing this. For the fifth time in six days I hopped on a bus that takes about three hours to make a complete circuit, and spend time reading, thinking and praying. I'm grateful that I have the time and space in my life to do that right now.

My thoughts are quieter right now, and mostly not for public consumption. All the reading has been helpful.

I'm still living in limbo on so many fronts, but this week I am somehow managing to be more at peace with that. To live in that place and do more than simply exist.

I'm dreaming again - looking forward. Knowing in a way that somehow defies words that even if things don't work out as I hope and long and pray for them to, I'll be okay. More than okay, actually.

I'm being made new. Made whole. I'm walking out the journey of healing that I celebrated earlier this week, the journey that has spanned the last five years, in new ways. In ways that are deep and defy public explanation.

There is a deep and growing confidence within me that I am worthy, and that I am loved.

And that, I think, is a pretty special place to be living.

Daily 5 - Year 2, Day 80

Today's Daily 5:

1. 1 year, 80 days of making these lists
2. a long, hot shower
3. late night smiles
4. productivity
5. sunshine
6. green grapes
7. wearing a remembrance day poppy
8. eavesdropping on nursing students on the bus
9. taking time to read things I really enjoy
10. daydreaming about reading projects to come
11. feeling like there are things in life to enjoy and anticipate - that life is more than just something that beats me up day after day
12. needing sunglasses in November (even if I also needed to be wearing a jacket and down vest)
13. mini Kit Kat bar
14. catching sight of the mountains in the distance
15. "If you think about it, we'd all be millionaires if we, like, didn't have to pay any bills."
16. wearing a favorite colorful scarf
17. recognizing ways God was working when I least expected it
18. 10 minute yoga
19. perogies and farmer's sausage
20. encouraging emails at just the right moment
21. getting a ride home
22. sipping tea
23. sorting and planning
24. escapist television
25. melatonin that buys me some sleep most nights