water works, extra tools in the toolbelt, and algebra

Although it is only Sunday, and the week ended a day ago, I feel like it was already long ago, weeks past that this week actually happened. It was for some reason a long week. Overwhelmed by the amount to do for school, and adding on top the things to do for at home, I am feeling that my only approach is one thing at a time, conquer it, and move to the next.

My favorite part of the week that I just have to sit upon and enjoy, was going to the Americana in Glendale, a shopping/dining area where they have mini Bellagio fountains. As I sipped my strawberry green tea-tea latte from Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf out of a purple straw I sit there, memorized by the water shooting up and then large beads of water crashing down into the others exploding outwards. I could sit there for hours watching it all, my thoughts leaving all that has to be done behind and into a world of magical water displays. 

We spent this weeks lectures talking about Discipleship and mentoring and what that looks like, or should look like. Although, by the last day, my mind could not quite stay focused, it was good to hear, and can be easily applied to life. I have been for quite some time now, and not sure how it all started, a soundboard for a lot of people. (please note that I am okay with this). Friends, co-workers, etc will open up to me, and seek counsel or advice on whatever matter. I don't mind doing it, although sometimes, well most times I don't know why they think that I might be able to help them, however I try. I have always tried to see their perspective, hear them out, perhaps get another side to the story, and then through prayer give some sort of "advice" or way to handle or help mend a situation. Sometimes I am just there to listen, hear them out, and say little. This week has helped me in the sense that I feel like I might be able to continue to do this, but in a better more balanced way, and more in a way to empower the person and have them take responsibility over their own lives instead of having to push them to. I feel like my "tool belt" of knowledge in this area just got a little bigger. I am thankful for this, and feel slightly better about it all.

On Wednesdays and Fridays Marshall and I go and internship at an organization called Cloud & Fire, and it is for at risk youth. On Wednesdays we help in the learning center with tutoring and playing games with the kids and teenagers. I work with the elementary age kids, in which I am helping them with their math and reading. The reading has been so fun, to sit and listen to a child learn how to read, and help them sound out what they are trying to read is fun and oh so cute to listen to. This last Wednesday I listened to 3 different kids read to me, and each having their own way of reading, but one little boy just started to get slightly frustrated I think, and would guess what the next word was by the picture in the book, usually this meant he was way off with what the word was, but none the less it was super cute when I called him out on it and would cover the picture. The week before last I helped a girl with her algebra homework... oh boy was that a pride push asider. I had to ask her to give me a moment so I could go over the work, and then at one point had to ask another tutor who works there how to do something. Algebra has never been my strong suite...especially when you mix in word problems!

Well its Sunday, and tomorrow is a holiday, praise the Lord its another day off! Hello sleep, homework, more sleep, and time spent talking with loved ones back home, and hopefully a date night with the husband!