Blessings #436 to 462

436.  Pictures of Colby and Calli flourishing at Niños de Mexico and hearing stories of how their love for one another was expressed during the trip

437.  Welcoming Calli home from Ninos de Mexico and listening to her, “I’m so tired...” turn into non-stop talking about the trip for more than two hours!

438.  Tears of sadness/tears of joy

439.  New children to sponsor - Brenda, Francisco, and Victor

440.  Two days with longtime friends - making up for too much time apart

441.  Good ideas for teaching better

442.  The opportunity to preach and a sermon well received.

443.  Dinner with the church leaders

444.  Hearing good stories about my kids at Ninos de Mexico - working and playing hard, and even better loving and being grateful for each other!

445.  Honesty, even when it is painful

446.  Working alongside a great group of men helping a brother and being able to be useful despite my lack of skills.

447.  Watching USA soccer with friends

448.  A growing garden

449.  Good neighbors who do what they say they will do

450.  Difficult conversations that go well

451.  A movie night with friends and realizing just how little time we spend “just being” with friends (most of the time we are together because something needs to be done!)

452.  A friend helping out with a financial expense to support Colby’s choice to spend his summer at Ninos de Mexico (and choosing to sacrifice summer income)

453.  Paying for my groceries to one former student while another former student bags them for me - a fun conversation with both of them and seeing that they are doing well.

454.  The chance to help with hiring a two new math teachers and a new vice principal

455.  Learning lessons from a tender hearted teenager - thank you Emily for showing a heart for forgiveness!

456.  Being on the “girls” team, and beating the small group boys in soccer!

457.  An encouraging email update from Colby that shows that his time in Mexico is having an impact on his heart.

458.  A cool basement on hot days

459.  The means to help friends

460.  A student from Salk, from at least 10 years ago, recognizing me and taking the time to re-introduce himself and say “hi” - it is a relatively simple thing, but it is one of the best parts of my job when it happens!

461.  Hanging out with friends half our age to watch soccer - thanks Nate, Claire, John and Chelsey for not making us feel old!

462.  Raspberries from the garden