Grateful

 Another day of professional development is in the books.  This time I was smart enough to take my computer and I worked on the recess schedule and various other schedules on the sly (I don't know if it was truly on the sly).

It is good training for people who haven't taught the curriculum before and painful for those of us that have.

That is all.

I don't know if I'll blog tomorrow.  I have a leadership retreat today and tomorrow and it is overnight and I don't know what my time will be like.

One thing I've been thinking about all week and it can count for my grateful Friday post is that Adam and I visited Marie Louise and Kevin this week.  He's had such a hard time lately, just one health challenge after another.

I was blown away by their faith and courage in the face of adversity.  It was an inspiration to me.  It is pretty incredible what people can become as a result of trials if they are able to let them strengthen them.  It reminds me of the way that muscles tear before they get stronger.

I think it is the same with every facet of our lives.  We have to tear and feel broken before we truly get stronger.

Another thing I'm grateful about are my friends.  It has been way more palatable to be at my meetings with my friends.  Alissa plunked a cup of chocolates on the table.  I didn't end up eating any, but it was a comfort knowing they were there.  We gave each other side eye I'm so bored looks and chatted happily through our lunch and breaks.

Maren was with us Tuesday, but on Wednesday she wasn't.   She has been to Denmark a few times and loved it so I asked her what I shouldn't miss.

Wednesday she texted me a lengthy, information rich text of all the things she liked most.  This was maybe the best part of it: 

Oh! And my other favorite thing: there are silent cars on the trains. No talking no music. It's so quiet. The Danes are my people

And Maren is my people.