An Update on My Life (Raquel)
I’m not sure where to start. The quick version would be to say that no, Theresa hasn’t gone into labor yet and the Ben-Ezra’s new house is coming along slowly.
 Somehow this doesn’t quite capture the feel of last week. Last week, I intently multi-tasked over dinner, determined not to let the vegetables overcook this time. I plodded down to the Ben-Ezra’s new house with Gabrielle, wondering if I should have worn a thicker coat. I tapped laminate flooring into place, trying not to look as dumb as I felt, while the conversation wandered aimlessly over familiar ground. Gabrielle and I once again noted the distinction in our painting styles as she slopped paint across the wall and I edged slowly along the trim. And eventually we walked back, this time on the creepy side of the street, because Seth was walking with us so it was okay. We stood in front of my house, and I didn’t want to think about getting up in seven or eight hours to do it all again (unless, of course, Theresa went into labor first). I just wanted to stand under the stars and let life feel like it was back to where it should be.
 Last week was long and hard and tiring, and I can’t explain why it all felt so right. I was on the edge of being too tired to actually be useful. I was on the edge of frustration that all I can be is an extra pair of hands, because I have no particular skills at anything that needs to be done. But last week was an answer to a prayer that went something like this, “Lord, I’m not asking for life to be easy, but this time could You give me something to handle that I’m actually good at?”
 I’m still pondering exactly how that fits together with the week that I got. All I know is that something about last week made it the easiest kind of hard for me to deal with. It’s an odd kind of blessing to be grateful for, but I am. I’m even tempted to feel bad that I got the ‘easy’ week when nearly everyone around me is some combination of hurting, tired, and stressed. Instead, I will just glad for the week I got, and hope God grants me the grace to handle this week as well, no matter what it brings.