enjoy this moment, for this moment is your life

The namesake of this blog is the title that begins this journey.

I have never thought of starting a blog before. Do you know why? Who will read this thing? Me? My mother (hi, mom!)? Yup, in my assumption, that's about it. If you know me, I'm just normal. I'm a human, just like you. I'm just a girl from Washington. I've experienced highs and lows, good and bad moments, the best and worst food ever, had an "aha!" moment or two , been excited over a super-clearance deal on something awesome....see, just a human, normal...

But, in that normality, do you ever feel like this: "Okay, today was alright (good, horrible, spectacular, detestable, the worst ever), but I can't wait for tomorrow." Admit it, you've been there. I have. I'm ashamed to say how many times I've thought that. Now, I say "ashamed" because I can't really think of a better word...I don't actually sit around and shame myself for being excited for tomorrow. Being excited for a new day is a great thing. But what if that causes us (me) to miss the moments that are before us? For instance, it is literally dumping rain outside my window right now. Dumping. I walked down the stairs of my place and opened the front door and my welcome mat is under water, as is the cement walkway. In fact there is so much standing water with no where to go, it is beginning to look like a lake. Water is pouring out of my clogged gutters, like my own personal, beautiful waterfall. Yes, exiting my front door today will be an adventure. I am not exaggerating. This is a true story. It's a wet, muddy, pine needly, dirty day. If you're from Washington, I know you can feel my pain. If you're not from Washington, it's true, it rains here a lot. ANYHOW, my point being is this, I could hope for all the things that aren't happening today to happen tomorrow. In this case, sunny skies and no puddles. This is a customary way to think, "hopefully it will be better tomorrow!".  Right?

But, what if we think about the moment we are living in right now? What if we enjoyed this moment simply because it's our life and, after the moment passes we can never get that moment back?

So, to jump back to the beginning paragraph, I have a reason for starting a blog. (#1 for my mom to read, but you already know that). I have been given an opportunity for this moment in my life. At the perfect moment, I was offered an experience and adventure that I could not pass up. I am moving to Israel. I am leaving in less than three weeks. Here's what happened....

I have been working with children for many years. I love kids and believe in them. Being able to work with them is a true gift and, I believe, has big responsibility. I had a brief "intermission" from working with children, but do you know what happened to me? I missed them, all of them. Do you know why? I do. I am passionate about them and I have a heart for them. I am very thankful for that intermission and the adventure it took me on, but denying one's true desire is not healthy. Here's a little nutshell of "intermission" of late:  I was offered a job at a place that seemed promising and awesome. At the beginning, I was excited and inspired. I signed a contract and began. But, very quickly, I found that it was NOT a place for me. I will spare you of the details, but I can tell you that my heart was not at peace as I came and went from that workplace. So, I prayed about what to do (yup, I'm one of those. the praying-type). I knew what I had to do and had confirmation through those prayers. I had to quit. Now "quitting" is not in my vocabulary. I have never quit a job, especially one where I signed a contract with real ramifications if I did. So, as I set up the meeting with my boss, I had to walk by faith. With that faith I walked into the office on that Monday morning (of course, sweating through both layers I was wearing. I was wearing black, which I had planned, knowing my armpits as well as I do). I spoke honestly and truthfully. Guess what? I only had to pay $5,000.00 and write "I am a quitter!" on the office whiteboard 100 times to get out of the contract. Okay, not really.....here's what really happened: my boss just let me go. That's it, we shook hands and I just walked out the door. I was so thankful and relieved and KNEW I had done the right thing. You know, the right thing can't be defined by the label that may come along with it, i.e. "quitter", when you know it's the right thing.

In less than a week from that Monday morning, I received an email from a family I had known from one of my previous life experiences (jobs).  It was an invitation to be a part of their children's schooling, tutoring and teaching.  I knew in my heart that I was supposed to do it, and I was filled with excitement. Now, just like earlier, more praying ensued, because excitement is one thing but deciding what's best for a life decision has to be made with more than just feelings...So, without a doubt in my heart, my answer was yes. I was at peace about the decision to go.

Do you know what happens then after the decision has been made? You think about all the people you care about, all the people you'll miss and why AND what you'll miss. So, for all of you out there, this is for you. I can't possibly tell all of you all that I'll miss you dearly and how you've brought joy to my life, but you have.  Every moment that I've enjoyed has included you (whoever you are reading this).  So often we don't say the things we really mean to say, but why, why don't we do that? People are the most important and how will they know if we don't say it or tell them? So what better time to start than right now...please take this moment to enjoy a hug via this blog. Albeit cheesy, it is genuine.  If I could take you along, I would. But because I can't, I hope you'll join me as I enjoy this moment, for it truly is my life.