happy MLKJ day!

yesterday was a good day for work-the best in a long time.

since i work on the weekdays and have the weekends off, i don't see the girls i nanny for very often because of school and afternoon activities. it was an unexpectedly delightful day with them.

the eleven-year-old, let's call her Sasha, was uncharacteristically lighthearted and helpful with me. this is a shock considering the first (and only) time i tried to hug her, she responded with "who died?" it was such a relief to laugh and joke around with her, without dreading to tell her to turn off the tv or put her dishes away.

i also got to spend some time with the 16-year-old, let's call her Penny, when we went out to run some errands. we actually had conversations that didn't consist of me telling her i refilled her prescription or her asking me to fix her computer. i had never felt so relaxed around her. now, here's the kicker. in the cab on the way home, she very deliberately and sincerely apologized for not treating me nicely since i've been here. she said she did not make my transition here from texas any easier and that she was truly sorry. i honestly was blown away by her maturity and humility in the situation. she didn't want to be let off the hook one inch. i was impressed, to say the least.

to top off a great day, my boss, we'll call her Jackie, exclaimed with a real smile how cute i looked in my "new york clothes." considering she only wears Prada, and i almost never receive compliments, i took this one to store for a time of need.

i'm marking this day as a turning point in this journey i'm on. the Lord has shown favor upon my prayers and given me joy in a job that has been bland and lonely. i only pray that my joy will daily be evident to this family, so that they may one day turn and praise my father in heaven!