10 Things

After reading my friend Leslie's top 10, I was inspired to write my own. Here are my top 10 things that make me happy in no particular order...

1. Time spent with my family...all of them. I.LOVE.FAMILY. My family are my closest friends. First, I can't tell you the joy I find in spending time with Jon and Ansley daily. They make me laugh and together we have purpose. Time with Jon, Ansley, my parents, my grandparents, my sister and her family, Jon's parents, and Jon's siblings and their families energizes me. We are all very close and share a love I believe few families ever come to know. We encourage one another, pray for one another, Skype each other, write long emails to one another, call each other often, make it a priority to visit one another and really truly enjoy spending time together!

2. Prayer and God's Word...every morning when I spend time reading the Bible and praying I find a renewed sense of purpose for the day and my life. My worries wash away, peace comes over me, and I am challenged to know Jesus more. I can honestly say that every morning when I come into school early, close my classroom door, read God's Word, and pray, it is time well spent. My days are more joyful and my frustrations seem to pale in comparison to His goodness. I also love praying with Jon and Ansley every day. It's my favorite part of the day. We haven't always done this as a couple but in the past two years it has really made our relationship grow.

3. Teaching/Learning... It is my passion. I enjoy training young people to influence their world. I especially love teaching Ansley and watching her learn new things from me and others. Of course, I love teaching my students. I thank God for the gift of teaching He has given me. It's hard work but it's rewarding work. Some people teach because they have to, I teach because it's what I was created for. I also love learning. I think that is a huge part of what makes a good teacher.

4. Reading...I love to curl up with my blanket and a good book or magazine. I love reading for information. Books on parenting, teaching, knowing God more, and marriage all make me happy. My life has been changed by the books I have read. I love sharing what I learn from books or magazines with others. You don't have to be around me long to hear me say "The other day I was reading..." or "I learned that from a magazine!" My family sometimes laughs at me because of this!

5. Eating out...yes this makes me very happy (just ask Jon). I love the atmosphere, seeing other people, relaxing, eating yummy food, and most of all not having to clean up the kitchen. If you add a sweet tea or Coke to the "eating out" that makes me extra happy!

6. Traveling...I love going places (especially new places). The worst part of traveling has to be unpacking your suitcase and heading back to the "real world". I love that my Mom and Dad instilled in me a love for traveling. Seeing God's creation upclose is a blessing. There is so much world to see and so little time to see it! I am so glad Jon and I share this love.

7. Babies and Kids...they make me really happy. They don't even have to be MINE. A lot of people find time with their own kids to be a treat but I love being with any kids. Kids teach you so much. They are funny, inquisitve and the world is a beautiful place because of their presence!

8. Organizing/Planning...to know things are orderly and everything is in its place makes me smile! I share this love with my Mom and sister. I am very organized at school and a little less organized at home. Planning ahead makes me very happy. I love seeing goals accomplished. I love seeing results. I love marking things off a list. I love seeing my calendar fill up with memory making moments and those things that just "have to be done". "Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance" is one quote I like.

9. Singing/Worship...Whose day is not better when they sing their way through it? I love to sing (in the car, shower, while walking, around the house, to Ansley and especially with other people in worship). Singing makes my heart happy.

10. Relaxing after working...Isn't this a wonderful feeling? I love lying down on the couch and looking around the house knowing things are clean, laundry is done, groceries are in the pantry, Ansley is fed and bathed, mail is sorted, dishes are put away, and for a short moment there is nothing that needs to be done!