marvel at my productivity

I have been ridiculously productive lately. I made this colossal to-do list with daunting tasks such as: call debt-collection agency and pay off my unknown about medical debt from 2005, cancel BCBS insurance and enroll in Student Insurance (they have maternity! whoo!), buy school books... etc. All very time consuming, very responsible grown-up things. The types of things I usually get overwhelmed by and can't finish. However, the list is growing steadily closer to completion.

What a weird time when school is ALMOST about to start, but isn't quite starting yet. UT starts on Wednesday. What is a MWF class? I haven't had one since January of 2005. And that, ladies and gents, is the honest truth.

I'm living with Mary Jane until Saturday morning. Always lovely. Maggie moved out this morning and I felt prompted to pray for her before she left. I immediately felt nervous and then when she did leave, it was sooner than I thought and I just forgot. It was, amnesia disobedience to the Holy Spirit. Sometimes I see Will Bibee in moments of intense conviction.. isn't that strange? Well, it probably wouldn't be if you knew Will Bibee.
I took Mary Jane swimming this morning. My stomach was feeling upset so I didn't get in. Instead I read at the end of the lane. Mary Jane swam for an HOUR! A half mile in distance. That's pretty intense for a 81 year old woman I feel. I was really proud of her.

I am reading A Simple Path (there is no underline option) by Mother Teresa. I read something that may have unalterably changed my life:

"Love is not patronizing and charity isn't about pity, it is about love. Charity and love are the same--with charity you give love, so don't just give money but reach out your hand instead. When I was in London, I went to see the homeless people where our sisters have a soup kitchen. One man, who was living in a cardboard box, held my hand and said, 'It's been a long time since I felt the warmth of a human hand.'"

I immediately thought of Matt and his ministry under the bridge. He was telling me about how upwards of 40 people hide in the shadows (the city is beginning to clear out areas of land which used to provide covering), all doing and selling cocaine (what IS this other life Matt leads!?) and he was thinking, "God, if you want me to give out water to these people send someone out!" Within minutes someone he knew (from his repeated times of service to these people) came out and ushered him in and walked him through the crowd of people. I have never felt any desire to go with him to these times, until I read the above. Maybe I'm being extreme. I have desired to see whats it like, but I truly felt convicted and compassion once I read Mother Teresa's testimony.(O compassion, how I have been tirelessly praying for you.)

I love reading about Mother Teresa. At Bethel we were supposed to give a report about one of the great evangelists in this book we were reading, mostly about healing evangelists who had huge followings. I wrote about Mother Teresa instead. She embodies the Christianity I wish I could live out. Sometimes I feel as though working at the nursing home is one teeny tiny step. I try to not become impatient or frustrated, even though at times people can drive you crazy. So many of my patients never have anyone visit them. And then there is loneliness in the staff as well. My co-workers have dramatic lives. Pray for them.

Matthew 6:
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.