About jolly ducks and other reasons for joy

Today I had some hours between work and classes and great plans for this time. I wanted to get gifts for my friends in Bolivia, check some things with my bank, look for mosquito repellent and stuff... Well, I just forgot that I was in the South (of Germany) and that they cared more about "Fasching" (the German carnival) than the eastern part where I'm originally from. All the stores and banks were closed and I even wondered if we had class (but we did). No gifts, no mosquito repellent - instead I got to walk 20min because public transportation didn't work properly anymore, I got wet since it was raining and I took some pictures. This little jolly duck was one of them.

Actually, it was an American duck and it wasn't easy to get it because it was a pretty hyperactive one, too. Trying to fly, chasing her older sister, hiding behind her Mom, falling, getting up and starting all over again. I watched her for a while. It was so cute. A happy, furry, bouncing, yellow-orange something in the midst of a grey and rainy scenery. Normally, I don't like rain that much because it makes everything look so... yeah... grey! Especially in towns. As a kid though, I guess I liked rainy days a lot better. Jumping into the puddles and getting all dirty was fun. I mean it wasn't me who had to worry about getting those clothes clean again...

Sometimes I wish I could be a carefree child again, forgetting about all the sorrows and burdens of adult life. Today though, I didn't envy that little girl. I felt pretty content and happy myself, despite of being wet and a bit tired. I just stood there, enjoying the scene and watching her having fun. It was actually last night that I realized that 5 of my 7 finals were already over and I hadn't gone through a panic-depression phase yet. I remember my last finals in July... I couldn't get myself to study, called people instead and was more frustrated afterwards than I had been before. Finally, I wrote an email to a friend I knew I could just write what was on my mind. Chatting with that very same friend last night, I realized that I actually felt more energetic and happy than before my finals had started. Wow!! That's not typical for me! I think I already wrote in one of my first postings that I'm not a very organized learner and I would lie if I would say that I've changed yet... but... anyways: THANK YOU LORD!!

I've really felt Him guiding and strenghtening me during the past two weeks. There was this Spanish translation exam last Wednesday, for example. We got 4 German short stories a week ahead and were allowed to prepare them. For the exam - we were told - we would get one of the 4 texts. When I was translating them, sweating over funny sounding Spanish constructions, I had the feeling we would get that one particular story. It wasn't my favourite one, but I just had this strange feeling without any rational reason for it. I prepared all 4 texts but paid special attention to that particular one. For the exam, our teacher put the sheets upside down, mixed all 4 texts and made each one of us take one. Lotto!? I assume you can guess which one I got... THANK YOU LORD!!

January is over and it feels like my "Goal for 2008" already has a positive impact on me. It's not the first time, but one of my favourite passages in the Bible became alive again. "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let you gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer an petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:4-7, NIV) Oh... and because I was talking about the little jolly girl, here another one, "And he [Jesus] said: 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3, NIV)

Anyone wants to join me checking out how high the puddle water can splash?
Rejoce!
maria

PS: Billy is back from his week in the wilderness! Here you go: Billy's blog