teach.run.pray.

Today, I spent some time reading through an old journal. I didn't realize I had this journal. And, as I was reading, I felt as though I was capturing fragments of my heart - of myself - that had been floating off in space. As I captured each floating fragment, I started making more sense to myself. It was like each fragment was a missing piece to the puzzle of who I am today. February 8, 1999, yes, nearly 20 years ago, I started a journal entry like this: Have you ever really sat down and asked yourself if there is really a God? I sit here and ask myself that every day. No matter how hard things get or what happens, I always get the same answer. There has to be a God if there are angels. And, I know there are angels because I have several of them watching after me every day. I wrote that three months before my 15th birthday. At age 34, I respond to my fourteen-year-old self by saying, "Yes, there is a God, and God dwells within you." Reading through old journals...

The first week of summer has been pretty great. Living life at my own pace with no alarm clock or schedule is a pretty good gig. In the weeks leading up to my summer break, I set some goals for myself. They look something like this: Help my husband build his business and get organized. Help with more projects around the house. Write more-attempt poetry again. Read more. Get to know my community better. Take an online communications course. Attempt at least one Toastmasters class. I've been busy getting a few of those rolling like helping Matt get organized and working in the yard to get things a little tidier and put together. Yesterday, I started a book a student recommended, and I'm awaiting a book I ordered by Sister Joan Chittister (it's about growing older gracefully...getting to my mid-30s has been slightly tough on me). I have plans to start the online course within the next two weeks, and here I am writing. Attempting the Toastmasters class is going to b...