Awkward Hellos

While waiting for my train to come on a chilly afternoon, I notice a young guy with his head phones in -- looking kind of....awkward. As a train pulled in to the station, I noticed he became more tense and as the doors opened he pulled out his head phones, an extreme case of nervousness came over him with a goofy grin on his face - and embraced someone who I believed to be his girlfriend. It was an Awkward Hello.

Instantly it took me back to my time doing distance with Joe (my boyfriend of nearly 2 years). We have been doing distance for a fair chunk of our relationship, between New Zealand and England, with several stints of spending time together in between. It reminded me so much of the first time he came to NZ and that extreme sense of nervousness with butterflies crowding my tummy as I waited and watched to see him come through the international arrivals gate. That first embrace of do I even remember how to hug him, the thoughts of 'he looks different', what do I say...etc. As much as I was nervous -- hellos are the best part about goodbyes. They make up for the tears and the heartache by bringing so much joy and happiness in such a huge rush of emotions.

In life we come across situations or things such as smells, noises, or objectives that remind us of precious moments that have helped shape a certain experience or us as a person. These moments are what bring me back and help me remember how far I have come in life and also how far our relationship has come.

Everyday I try and look for the small things that make me smile and remind me of the past joy and of the joy to come.

"A moment last all of a second, but the memory lives on forever"

Arohanui & Blessings,
Anna

What defines a joyful noise...

What defines a joyful noise in your life?

A joyful noise in my life is the sound of...
- the piercing squeals of laughter coming from my nieces and nephews as they are being tickled.
- a hot summers day at the beach with the sound of waves lapping onto the shore.
- a tune playing over the radio that you can't just help but smile and sing a long.
- a SPLASH into a river or swimming pool
- a conversation with a close friend

These are just some of what define 'joyful noise' in my life, but one that stands out and one I am trying to live daily is "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord" from Psalm 100. Praise Him in all circumstances, sing a new song to Him.

Today the challenge is to figure out not only what the sound of joyful noise is, but also what do I do to make a joyful noise.

Arohanui and Blessings. Anna