Surprises

At 6:18 on Monday morning, Pete woke me up with these words, "Honey, you really should get up and come outside to see the bear in the neighbor's tree." Needless to say the Monday morning blues didn't get a chance to lull me into that "5-more-minutes" trap.
It would be an understatement to say that my husband likes to snag someone in his practical jokes, so of course I asked all the questions of a trusting wife who has been hoodwinked a few too many times, taking the tone of an interrogation on CSI. "What do you mean?"
"How do you know?"
"How can there be a bear in a tree in our neighborhood?"
(Important information - we live in the middle of a very populated, neighborhood with houses on small lots, no forests for miles - a racoon: yes, an occasional mis-guided deer: possibly, but a bear?)
It wasn't until he mentioned the police on the corner closing off the street that I decided to take a bite and go look. After I confirmed the police on the corner, I finally believed him.
So I grabbed the kids and the camera and we went as close as we felt we should to get the sighting recorded.
The particular tree that the bear was treed in is one that I walk under on my walking route. I wonder if he's ever been in that tree before. I certainly have never noticed him before, but I will be looking up in that tree before I get under it for the next few months, I'm sure!
Waking up to unexpected surprises is such a compelling way to start the day/week, it causes me to be looking for and finding more surprises! I think that somethimes what we're expecting is what we get. If we're expecting routine, that's more than likely what we'll encounter. When we're expecting surprises, the routine doesn't seem routine. Gets me wondering how many surprises I miss by staying in bed for five more minutes many mornings! Or how many I miss because I'm so focused on my own stuff. Or how I approach my bible reading/prayer time - routine or expectant?
Thinking about the guys who got to hang out with Jesus - I wonder if they ever had one ordinary, routine day. He was always doing such surprising things! Oh, wait! I've been invited to hang out with Jesus everyday, too. I better keep my ears and eyes open to His surprises.

POST SCRIPT: Almost more surprising to me that morning was the answer to my last query of my husband after I finally had gotten all my bear questions answered. "What were you doing out in the yard at 6:00?" Fertilizing the yard! What a honey-bear!
Photos are from my neighbor, Tanya!

Cinco Reasons our Teachers Deserve to be Honored

Uno: they love Jesus
Dos: they love kids
Tres: they come every Tuesday night to share their love for Jesus with the kids they love.
Quatro: they are willing to step out in faith - like Peter who got out of the boat not knowing what would happen - they step into their classrooms each week fully aware that what they have planned might sink! God loves risk takers and so do I!
Cinco: "A child first learns to love their teacher, and then they learn to love their teacher's God." God reveals Himself to kids through loving, willing, risk taking, gluey fingered, knee-hugged teachers.
What a fun night to celebrate our teachers at the Cinco de Mayo party.

God's Wrist Watch

What great privileges I had yesterday! The staff served lunch to the seniors of central. They were gathering to meet our new visitation Pastor - Larry Rehlander. So many faithful followers of Jesus all gathered together in one room! To reflect on the collective experiences they have had in their individual walks with Jesus is amazing.

Then in the evening, I got to serve pie to 12 different families who will be baptizing their babies soon. The oldest baby in the room was 11 months and the youngest, little Sadie, only 4 days old. We had families share their hopes and dreams for their children. To reflect on the collective ways that those 12 babies will have to experience Jesus in their individual walks is equally amazing. Just a glimpse into God's clock. No numbers or hands, no looking forward or backward - just a busy garden where lots of people are growing together!