On Friday, 13 2009 we were celebrating Valentine's Day at McConnell Elementary. Scott and I would be leaving in 2 days to meet our son in Taiwan. We had just received our invitation to travel on the previous Tuesday and had been frantically preparing ever since. My fourth grade students had secretly planned a baby shower to be combined with our class Valentine's Day party. I will always treasure the love, generosity and excitement that I experienced that day. The imminent travel and anticipation of the union with our baby boy combine with the classroom buzz of 4th graders celebrating with me made me bubble over with joy.
One year later, that Valentine's Day buzz once again flows throughout the classrooms and halls at McConnell Elementary on February 12, 2010. And again I find myself there to celebrate. This time Valentine's Day is coupled with another celebration. My niece Madeline has prepared a project on Taiwan for a grade-level culture festival. Instead of being showered with gifts for my son who was MILES away, we celebrate where he WAS as he frolics and plays among those who shared my joy and anticipation a year ago.
God has shown me great things...Big & Small. I am careful in my attempts to recognize his work, but I can't imagine what it would be like if we could see it all. My limited mind could not handle, nor comprehend, the grandeur of his unfolding plan.
