Signs.

The rainy season in Northern California has officially begun.
It's the bone soaking kind of rain. The kind of rain that never ceases. The kind of rain that penetrates my rain layers. As was the happening today.
I started work at eight-thirty this morning and I just finished at seven-thirty, but the rain has yet to call it a day.
I was so wet while taking down the zip line trolley that I entertained the idea of just peeing my pants. I mean I had to go, and I was soaked anyway, so why not? Thankfully I did not follow through on this impulse, although it may have made for a better story. Well, actually it wouldn't have made for a better story. Because...I found myself, dripping like a bloated sponge atop the zip line platform, gazing out over the clouded distance, my hands numb and cold, the golf ball sized droplets hanging heavy on the end of the redwood branches and I could not have been more full of joy. The warmth I felt inside compensated for the cold, heaviness of my outer layer.

I had the privledge to work with a group of deaf students and faculty today outside in the pouring rain. I probably verbalized about 50 words today. But I spoke a whole lot. With my face and with my hands. And I heard volumes. It was such a blessing.
I was knocked off my soggy feet by bliss when a student, letting out stifled screams, illicited laughter from the adults and students behind me. Ah, laughter. It superceeds all languages and cultures. I absolutely, utterly, with all of my being loved laughing with this group of people today. How could you not burst into laughter when the most common, powerful form of communication is spreading wide your lips, exposing your teeth and bunching up your cheeks?
I learned how to say very 'brave', 'good job', 'hard', 'rain', 'wet' and 'cold'. I learned how to say 'switch' and 'next' and 'ready?' I learned what 'hungry' and 'joking' look like. I learned 'beautiful', 'warm' and 'you can do it'. I learned a bunch of names and the alphabet. It was an incredible day. And so, despite the possibly miserable conditions, I enjoyed every minute of it.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.