Patience and good days

This week I've been learning a lot about patience. It's something that I constantly struggle with. I want to be more patient with my dogs, with cars that are going too slow in front of me, with the clock at work, and just with life in general. It seems that I'm always looking forward to that next step instead of just enjoying where I am. And I want things to happen on MY time! Of course, feeling this way, I just happened to read this verse this on Wednesday:

"...but those who WAIT for the Lord shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not be faint."
-Isaiah 40:31

Isn't it awesome when you hear the exact words that you really needed? I also think it's amazing that whenever I want something to happen and it doesn't, I usually cry first, but then when I give it up and resign myself to God's plan, things occur just as they should! And usually even better than I could have imagined! I'm in awe!

I've also been thinking about what makes a day good. You know how sometimes your days just seem to all run together? Especially now that I'm out of school, it seems like I easily forget whether it's fall or summer or Tuesday or Thursday! I mean, when you just get up and go to work every day, there's often not much to distinguish one day from the next. But every once in a while I feel like I have a really good day. Of course, every weekend day is usually good, but here's what makes a week day good:

1. When a friend that I haven't talked to in a long time calls me out of the blue or sends an email.
2. When I have a lot of meetings and I'm really busy. Strange, but true. I like to busy and I rarely am!
3. When I go for a really good run, something challenging that makes me feel like I've pushed myself to the limit.
4. A trip to Cold Stone Creamery for some ice cream! My favorite is the Berry, Berry, Berry Good creation: Sweet Cream ice cream with raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries.
5. When I make some kind of contact with a random person that I've never talked to before... like an old lady who's wandering around the hospital and asks me for directions. It always feels good to help someone.
6. When it's someone's birthday at work and we all take time out to eat cake and just laugh and hang out for a while.
7. When Eric and I go out to dinner on a weeknight or someone comes over. I really like having friends or family over any time, especially because they all live at least half an hour away. This really makes my day!

In other news, I'm very happy to say that my sister Jessica got married today! I'm a little sad that I couldn't be there but there will be a larger ceremony and reception later on that I'll be a part of. But I'm really so excited for her and Joe, who I think is a great guy! Congratulations!!!

Also, my precious niece Abbie has just earned her junior orange belt in karate! She's amazing!! Here's a picture: