Oregon-Bound.

Two days of work, then I'm off on a jet plane.
I will spend my days relaxing with my grandparents, making candy, crocheting, and spending time with my black uncle, Buddy the Dog.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

This year, I am most thankful to God for restored relationships. I am thankful that He is working in my life, making me more like Him and less like me, even when it hurts. And I am thankful that I can see that in others' lives.

I am thankful for parents who still allow me to live at home, without paying rent. I am thankful for parents who are still married, after 30 years, for brothers who tormented me growing up and with whom I am starting to have good relationships. I am very thankful for grandparents; both sets have been married or were married for over 50 years.

I am thankful today for the snow that fell overnight and continues to now. For a morning in bed, with the Lord. For being able to (mostly) start a fire in the wood stove. For a yummy breakfast burrito now and promises of good food later. For Christmas music on Pandora! Today it can officially start.

At Christmas, we celebrate the birth and at Easter we celebrate the resurrection.
Thanksgiving is the time to stop and just be THANKFUL that He came and did those things.

I am thankful that the God I serve is not wood, clay, or stone. He is alive and well, reigning on high, victorious over all.

Last night, when I knelt to pray in a different house (where I am housesitting), I had the thought of, "Oh! I'm somewhere new! Does God know where I am?" Then, undoubtably, I felt Him say, "Yes. I know where you are. Of course I do." Such joy and peace came over me. I am thankful that He knows me.

I am thankful that I do not have to guard my heart from Him. He is fully trustworthy and has all the best intentions in mind. I trust that. I trust Him.

So Happy Thanksgiving. Give thanks in all things. He is Risen Indeed.

Barn Dance.

The Barn Dance a few weeks ago = epic.

K and I choreographed a line dance, then taught it to some ladies.
I bought a picture.
Dad bought a bale of hay.
All the apple juice you could drink! "JUST ONE MORE!!!"

Oh yeah - they extended my teaching job until the end of the school year, assuming all the funds stay as they should.
I go to Oregon soon.
Chris was baptized today and his Mom met my parents for the first time.

Lessons.

I've been learning a lot lately... but am still feeling like I'm getting nowhere quickly!

Just because you forgive doesn't mean you have to automatically trust again.
Commitment can change a family or relationship.
Prayer is composing a love song to the Lord, pouring your heart out because you know He cares for every nook, crevice, and hidden spot therein.

Also, prayer means more when done on your knees. I'm testing it out this week.

Flaaaaat.

I got a flat tire at work today. FLAAAAT.

Like, Frozen flat so that when I attempted to drive away, the tire went "da da da THUMP da da da THUMP da da da THUMP."
I could literally SEE the car tilting to the right.

MTR came. Roland fixed it.
He had a truck with a CRUSHED front end on the back of his tow truck. My only thought? "Phew. Glad I wasn't that guy."

Yes, my afternoon plans were altered greatly. But I was able to just sit and be for a little while. I was not in an accident. I prayed. I stayed warm. I laughed at my inability to get the car jack out from under the seat.

All things work together for the good of those who love Him who are called according to His purpose.

Harry.

ABC Family has had Harry Potter weekend... and I am falling in love with it again.

Oh, Harry, you lucky... the Room of Requirement, an obvious future to destroy He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, and the ability to fly on broomstick. You never have to buy gasoline.

My favorite class at Hogwarts would probably be... Divination, because I would laugh a lot. Or maybe Ruins with Hermione.

I wonder if there were House Cheerleaders that didn't make the final edit into the book or movies.. I would do that, too. I would cheer for Ron. After all, Weasley is our king.

Fear.

I am scared. Dreadfully so.
But without taking chances, nothing good happens.

The testing of your faith develops perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character leads to hope.
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

My Day.

I have today off of work, which is so nice. I slept in, since I woke up with a sore throat. And now, though I really WANT to do homework - well, mostly - I have been distracted by "Say Yes to the Dress." I love it.

I stayed in my pajamas until 11:00am, which is something I haven't done in a LONG time.

Also, I have cookie dough cooling in the fridge: Chai Crescent Cookies. Mmmmm.

I Wrote Those A While Ago.

I started my new job. Last Monday. I’ve gotten to wear cute teacher clothes everyday and I love it. Absolutely love it.

My job is not what I expected. I am not teaching, traditional style. I am in a support role, mostly engaged in tutoring and scaffolding students who have fallen behind the rest of their classmates. They have IEPs, goals toward which they are working. My job is to make sure they reach their goals.

Some highlights:
- “THUNDERFEET!!! THUNDERFEET!!!”
- Bus 100 kids
- Teaching… before I was supposed to.
- When a student’s score improved from 70 to 120.
- Looking at a dinosaur book, being told I was an herbivore.

I was introduced to everyone at the staff meeting. People know who I am and why I am here now; hopefully I am no longer just some random girl in the building.

Hopefully I am finding my niche.


Today was my first day of teaching. I have seven different sessions, with a total of twelve students. I teach two programs: Read Naturally and Sonday. The programs are both scripted or entirely student-driven. This means that my opportunity for creativity is somewhat limited. As in, extremely limited.

I’m trying to find the balance between being a substitute… and being a substitute here for a month. What is required of me? I don’t fully understand my role yet. But I like it.

I like knowing that if I am not here, a student won’t be helped like they need to be.


Weary. Heavy-laden.

“Come to Me, you are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest. For My yoke is easy and My burden light.”