Family, Friends, and God

This week has been wonderful! Other than I can't seem to get in bed early enough!

Monday I went to town and spent the afternoon with Jess and her boys. She told me Dylan was asking which Hannah they were going to have lunch with. I'm the only Hannah they know. And then he asks, 'Did she drive a car, a truck, or a motorcycle?' Kids are just too funny! We had lunch at the park and played with the ducks. There were SO many ducklings! And then we went shopping. Not really an easy task for 2 little boys, but it was a good time nevertheless!

Addi is back from vacation. After not seeing her for 10 days, I was definitely excited on Tuesday morning and expecting a great big hug and smile. Little Booger couldn't have cared less to see me! The week before she went on vacation, she was climbing up the stairs so much that I couldn't keep up with her. So I put these chairs in the way to keep her from going up when she didn't need to be, and she comes back this week and discovers how to move them just enough so that she can climb up!

Wednesday, of course, was class. I always look forward to class. I must say having the opportunity to teach isn't the easiest thing to do, but it's definitely a good growing experience. I love that we can have fun and in the same moment be serious about God. And I love that even when I don't do a good job (from my perspective) God can still turn it around and use it.

Thursday night, Derek and I stopped by the store to pick up snacks for the weekend with the youth group. When I got home, I had a conversation with one of my cousins that was such a blessing. I don't have the words to express how it touched my heart. In so many ways. And was just another great reminder that God can do anything, at any time.

Friday, I was invited to have dinner with some friends. I turned them down because I had committed to having the youth group come over and hang out. I was fine with that, because again, I love them. Later my brother called to let me know my family was going out for my mom's birthday. I told him we couldn't go because of the youth group plans. Anyway, it worked out where all the kids ended up coming later in the night so we did get to eat dinner with family. (Also got my haircut before dinner!)

{And I have THE BEST family. Truly. Life throws things at us and no matter how difficult circumstances get, we find a way to pull through it. Even though we may not agree on everything, we know that God calls us to love each other. It doesn't matter what mistake we've made, He still says LOVE. "Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails..." (1 Corinthians 13:7, 8) And though loving sometimes doesn't come easy, we rely on God to help us do it. And to forgive. "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:15) And forgiveness is hard, too. But you have to be able to love to forgive. I thank God for my family. I am so grateful for the time I get to spend with them and the fun and laughter we share.}
So after dinner, we came home and the kids came over. We spent time just talking and playing games. Of course, we stayed up late. Too late for me!

Today, (a Saturday) I was up at 7:45am! Our plan was to leave the house by 8:30. We had been asked to help a church friend paint her house. It was 9:00 before we left our house. So we got there and it only took us 2 hours to finish! How is it that painting could be fun? I really enjoyed my time there. After we finished we went to lunch at Hubba Bubba Subz (owned by some other church friends) in Elkins and had a good time there, too! God is just so good!! After lunch we came back to the house and talked for a while. After the kids left, I took a nice long nap!! Derek and I got in the pool for a bit after the sun went down. Even just a few minutes is great.

I just felt the need to recount my week and praise God for His goodness in my life. I'm grateful that He opens my eyes to appreciate what He's given me. He knows that I'm not perfect and yet loves me anyway. And even though I don't come close to giving Him the praise He deserves, He still pours out His love and mercy and blessings.