When bored went a little too far

There was a picture in a magazine and I showed it to the hairdresser... this was not it.

Hair today, gone tomorrow

I get bored with my hair.

Our Kids

Email we sent to various family and friends:

"How's it going? We hope all is well your way. We're good here. It's starting to feel like fall! We woke up this morning and Mitch finally had to kick the heat on (for about five minutes--oil prices are steep--or else the husband is cheap--that was a rhythm by Mitch, by the way). :)

Well, anyway, there's another reason we're writing besides the cost of heating a home and the beauty of autumn.

We've had a burden on our hearts these past few months. Even though we've only been here a short time, we've come to realize that family and friends really are an awfully long way away. It can get pretty lonely around here. Yet we know we can't move back right now; we really feel God wants us in this place, for some time, anyway. (Who knows, maybe next month, we'll be back around. Anyone have a spare room? Ha ha, just kidding.)

So....we've decided to take a big step. (Are you sitting down?) To get to the point, we have decided to adopt a boy and a girl.(!) After talking with a local agency, we visited Dixie and Neil (Cornelius) at their home this week. It went really well. They are so sweet! But it's a tough situation for them as well; their dad left and their mom has been raising them alone. We feel blessed to be able to help and to enlarge our own family by welcoming Dixie and Neil.

We realize this will be a big responsibility, and a financial commitment as well. Mitch still plans on finishing his education, but we feel (after much prayer) that this is the right time. Please don't feel that we are asking for any help, we just wanted to share our big news with you! They are going to be such a special addition to the family, and we hope you all can meet them soon. We'll call later with more details. For now, we would appreciate it if you would keep the situation in your prayers. Hey, does anyone know: should we feed them Iams or Purina?"

Pictures of our kids (the black one is Dixie; the other, Chloe):





Originally Dixie Rose and Clovis Cornelius, we changed Clovis/Neil's name to Chloe Cordelia (in honor of Anne of Green Gables). He's a girl!

Weekend Off

It's so quiet.

Last weekend, we had a group from Friday to Monday. Not much of a holiday, but we made sure our guests enjoyed theirs. ;) We had a large group (for us) and while it was rumored to be a crazy weekend, it really wasn't bad.

(Kristina's tale of the frizzy-hair girl reminds me of a Winnekeag story one of our old-timers told us. Seems there was this group who had appliances going in their tent--cookers or something?--by way of a plug connected to a bathhouse outlet. The ranger at the time unplugged the cord, but when he went back awhile later he found it plugged in again. This time he threw it out the bathhouse door. Still, the next time he came around, the cord had been plugged in again. This time he got smart. Before continuing his rounds, he took off the plug on the end of the cord, leaving wires dangling, and threw it out the bathhouse door. "This should do it," he thought, sauntering away. His final time by the bathhouse, however, he found that the camper--who was way more persistent/crazy than I'll ever be--had taken the bare wires and wired them into the outlet! Now, if this had been anything like the parable of the persistent widow, the ranger would have left things alone. "Ha ha!" he might have chuckled to himself. "Let these women [how does he know it was women?] have their power, they're so determined!" But no. Instead, the ranger took the outlet out of the wall!)

Anyway, this weekend is a nice change. We have a group staying in the lodge who is doing their own cooking, so our only duties this weekend are checking in on them every now and then and hanging around in case of emergency. They were going to take a jaunt around camp this afternoon, but it's been gray and rainy all day. Hopefully tomorrow will be a little nicer.

Mitch and I took a couple kayaks out on Thursday after work. First time I've been on the lake! Beautiful.

Potpourri

This week has been light; cleaning on Tuesday and then working at home. One of the cafe workers will stay with us this weekend, so it’s been extra motivation to get the guest room neater.

We talked with family some today. Sometimes we forget that we live on the east coast and can’t jump in the car and drive home.

Side note: Isn’t it funny how many homes you can have? There’s the home you grew up in, and the home where you went to school, and (after you get married) the home of your new family and (of course) your own home. And it can get quite confusing in conversation.

Anyway, family are doing well, overall.

We have office furniture! Black. I nearly got a hernia helping Mitch lug it into the office. Maybe I’m exaggerating a little. Not much. But it is pretty and finally we will have all our paper junk organized, hopefully by Christmas. (Some sarcasm used here.)

And this girl cut my hair this afternoon.



Tomorrow, mini family camp begins!

Reflections

I haven't reached the 1000th post, not by a long shot. But I suppose it doesn't really matter. Today I read through old blogs and it was good. Remembering where God has been in the past, reflecting on friendships and growth experiences--it is always a good thing when it encourages you in the present.

Today I also created a new space for Mitch and I, where he can post if he wants to... That would be something new, too. :) No matter if he does or not, though, I wanted to make something for "us" and here's the result: gadventure.wordpress.com.

Take a moment to reflect: where God has led you?

Peace.

Band Camp

On the way home from work today I watched marching band practice. The leaders pushed, the kids responded, and the field was a mass of color and noise flowing into patterns. It inspired me and made me think, “There is hope.” Mostly because I feel we don’t ask enough from today’s youth, don’t give enough either. Sure, we give “freedom” and material goods and individuality, but what about our time? Our dependability? What about teaching kids to live as a team? Band camp gives me hope because I know that when kids are pursued by Christ followers, and when they decide to become true disciples themselves, there will be no stopping the Word of God. God is raising up an army of youth. He will raise us up if we simply take His hand, get to our feet, and start marching, too. Awesome.

TeeterTotter

I haven't blogged in awhile, but not really because I haven't had time. I just don't feel like it.

But you can't live life based on feelings. Even if I don't want to exercise, or clean a bathroom, or experience the sometimes awkwardness of new friendships, there are just some things I need to do.

This epiphany comes when things are new. It's a lesson God teaches me over and over, probably because I haven't ever learned it fully. Just when I congratulate myself on doing "well" something else comes along to remind me that, oh, maybe I could use some more work. Thankfully God doesn't give up.

Do you ever struggle between pride and inadequacy? I was thinking that today as I swept Headquarters' porch. I worry about fitting in here. I worry that I won't make the deep, close friendships I had in academy and college. I wonder if the academy kids who work in the kitchen will ever warm up. Will I warm up? Will I stop disliking this job? Do I have what it takes? Then, after a few sweeps, I actually started feeling puffed up as I watched the dirt fly. Obviously sweeping doesn't take too much--commitment, mostly--but I need that affirmation: I do have what it takes! Then God reminded me that my thoughts were way out of line...unbalanced. I didn't need to swing that far in either direction. First, I do have value--look what Jesus did for me! Second, without Him, I am helpless and hopeless...change my heart, oh God!

So that's where I am at, right now, in a nutshell--working in a beautiful place with Mitch, overwhelmed. Anyway, that's why I haven't felt like blogging. Every time I try to write, the blank space overwhelms me. I don't even know where to start.

But (five paragraphs later!) you can't always go by feelings.

Chili

Every Sabbath we make haystacks for lunch. Yesterday, the beans blew up in my face.

We have horrible can openers, me being one. I can never get a full lid open without leaving spots untouched by the ineffective can opener, which means that the lid remains stuck to the can in several places. I usually have to pry the lid open with my hand, or, if I’m trying to put safety first, a spoon or something. Even then the can’s contents hide inside.

Needless to say, the cans of beans were no exception. I was tugging at a lid with a spoon, hard, when–suddenly–it gave way. Beans took flight.

They splattered my apron and the shirt I was wearing, but I really didn’t notice that until after a quick trip to the bathroom to get beans off my face.

We are now in “our” home in Massachusetts, our first “together” home. Mitch no longer feels like leaving at 7:00 p.m. It’s a good thing. We like this.

Trees, trails, and a barn with hay surround the house, and inside… I have never unpacked this much stuff, ever. How much is needed?? I mean, really. I look at the piles of boxes and junk and yet, with all this, I can think of something else I “need” within the space of 5 minutes’ time. Honestly, it makes me somewhat queasy. People survive with a hundredth of what I own. Please, self, in 5 years, remember this: pack, pitch, and purge. Share with those who have less. There will always be the “something more” but… Self, remember the “but.”

Today I did not work in the kitchen. I enjoyed that. I did some ServSafe reading online, put some laundry in, goofed off a little, and put together a brochure for Cross Street Christian School. I had so much fun fitting the pictures and text together, matching the fonts, and finding stuff at stockxchange. There is so much I’ve lost, though, within a year’s time of teaching! I used InDesign, and I couldn’t remember how to wrap text! Horrible. Thankfully it comes back; thankfully there’s a “help!” engine.

6-29-08

I didn't think Iowa would worm its way into my heart, but it did. I really miss the drive to Lincoln.


I didn't think that a freshman IRR major would ever be more than an acquaintance. So much for that. ;)


And a year ago, I would have laughed if someone bet I'd be living in Massachusetts, working at a summer camp year round.

Isn't God cool.

It Was an Accident

So now that I know we're moving, and because our house looks like a storage unit, I haven't felt too inclined to cook dinner at home. Really, why go grocery shopping for food that I will have to throw out in a couple days? Especially when there is good food for the having right down the road.

Mitch and I can usually find a good excuse to run to The Nile or Panera Bread, but now we don't have to look for one. We just go. And while we were out this weekend, we saw something crazy.

We sat at a table outside Panera, talking and savoring our sandwiches and soup when it happened. A limo pulled into the parking lot. Long, black, stretch. It pulled into a space, then slowly crawled back out and started to turn, just a little too close to a shiny new SUV. Oh, you can guess what's coming.

SCCREEECCHHTTHCHH.

Can you imagine what the driver must have been thinking? Oh. No. Unemployment looms.

Mitch and I watched as the limo pulled away to reveal the SUV's crunched metal bumper hanging crazily to one side, as the limo driver got out, as she grinned in disbelief and called her boss. We never did figure out who owned the SUV.

Crazy. But I didn't think about it again until yesterday, when Mitch and I saw the limo pass us on the highway, dent and all. Same driver? Too dark to tell.

Sales

I usually dislike asking people for money. But at least today was for a good cause. The teachers drove around town, stopping at pre-planned (and very random) places to ask for t-shirt sponsors. Since the money will help community students with financial aid, I felt bold enough to ask. To smile. To share the pitch for funds.
Now I'm home, sitting on the floor, feeling thankful sales is not my full-time job. Still, it wasn't a bad day.

Working

The desk hides under sheaves of papers. It was my desk. Will be, I guess, until next week. Strange to think how I can spend a year at a place and then leave, the school still going on much as it had before. It's a good thing.
It was a good year. Not a great year, or an easy year, but a good year still. I look at the rows of textbooks on the shelves across from me and remember. I see my students trying to succeed, or sometimes even trying to get out of succeeding, and I hear their concerns and triumphs echoing in the almost-empty classroom. I will miss them.
It will be strange, this new work; no work to grade, no school programs to prepare for, no staff meetings every Wednesday. And yet, amidst the reluctance to leave teaching after only a year, I find my heart hopeful. Excited. Expectant.

Massachusetts

Yesterday afternoon Mitch called the school.
"What are you doing tonight?" he asked. "Would you like to go out for dinner?"
(These are words I love to hear.)
We ended up at the Nile, this tiny, incense-filled Greek restaurant that has amazing falafels and spanakopitas. While we were waiting for our food, Mitch pulled some papers from his pocket.
"I brought something for us to play," he said. "Do you want to play a game?"
(I am always up for games.)
"Okay. Each of these papers represent a sound," he explained.
Like a rebus, I thought, and looked at the first picture he laid out. The pope?
"No, but what do popes go to?"
"Mass?"
"Exactly."
The pictures he laid out were these: the Pope (Mass), a pouch of snuff or (chu)ing tobacco, and a (set) of tools. Massachusetts has been on my mind. Easy. Then he spread out the rest: tents (camp), a runner (win)ning a race, and (a keg) of beer. I hope that one never gets out. Here, honey, think of a beer keg. But honestly, how else could he have played it?
A couple months back, we applied for a job at Camp Winnekeag (assistant ranger and assistant cook). We visited near the end of April, and May 15 was the final decision date. Somewhat nervously we prayed for God's will. I was tempted to check Mitch's email yesterday, and almost did, but God asked me not to. "Let Mitch tell you himself," was the thought that came into my mind. Well, okay, I said, and closed the window.
Now here Mitchell was playing games, and when we hadn't heard yet!
Then, from his jacket pocket, he pulled out another piece of paper. It was white, with words typed in black. "We extend to you a welcome..."
God, what are You doing? I started to cry. Looking up, I saw tears in Mitch's eyes.
"Looks like we'll be heading east," he grinned.

Happenings

Last night, I finally finished my Union classwork!
(Yes, it's true that I marched down the isle almost a year ago this month and finished my internship in July. But just the end was in sight, I found out I needed to complete several more things before grades and diploma could arrive.)
So... now I hope to see proof of a degree in the mail!

Thoughts of Union bring nostalgia and the desire for fellowship like I remember it. Don't you think heaven will be something like Union? Or, for those alum of other institutes, just like college in general. That is, I mean, learning and growing with friends and family. Not to idealize college in any way. But that part of it I loved, and I miss it now.

Regarding the last posting, I have nothing to add and probably won't for another couple of weeks. Prayer is good.

Meanwhile, I prepare for class trip (Chicago!) this Thursday, and 8th grade graduation in just two weeks from tomorrow! My "lone ranger" graduate chose black and silver for his colors, and we're working to put together videos, speeches, and special music for the occasion.

Then it's off to Michigan for Eric's academy graduation. College already? Eric, here's to you. Congratulations, little brother!

Sparrow

I saw this picture of a little sparrow singing his heart out while around him a storm threatened to blow off his wing feathers. Right now I feel a bit of the storm. Life is somewhat unsettling, and it's only by remembering that spunky sparrow that I'm not discouraged. I'm thankful for a God who keeps our hearts calm if we ask and choose to sing the song He puts on our lips.
Anyway, I know this is cryptic. :) It's meant to be, a little. And meanwhile, I am enjoying the spring weather and the thought of only three more full weeks of school and the anticipation of a trip out of town this weekend! I love fresh starts, all kinds: newly sharpened pencils, a just-filled glass of water, the way a soft-serve ice cream cone has that little swirled tip at the top. So spring and a different routine and new places are great.
God just reminded me of those things, and now I have more to sing about. Isn't He good?

Hat Thief

Here's something amusing from school today:
N (to G, his "special friend"): You've taken my hat like thirty times today!
G: No I haven't! Only five.
J: Well, five times six is thirty!
C: Where'd you get six?!
(My thoughts exactly, as I tried to pretend that my giggles came from the work I was reading.)
J (mumbling, looking confused): I don't know. (His face clears.) She stole it six times yesterday, I think.
Truly, my students' logic astounds me. :)

The Library

The Anderson library inspires me. When I lack creativity or feel like a sole-less shoe after a long day of teaching, a walk through the doors of the library is a breath of fresh air. I think it's the knowledge of all the knowledge inside. Redundant. But for a recovering sick-ee, it's about all I've got. Which is why I'm returning to the library. Tonight. Plus, two overdue books are putting pressure on my spleen.

My Favorite Picture

Updates

Downstairs, Mitch relaxes in dreamland. Upstairs, I sit in the "spare" bedroom full of junk and sunshine.

Time for an update. At the very least, I'll have this to look back on in five years...if the Internet does not implode.

In the last year, much has happened. New job, church, and home. New roommate. New name! Much has been amazing. Some not so great. I think of family who are sick, out of work, discouraged. Yet joy lurks, and the space around the darkest shadows shines. Life is not colorless.

Best events of 2007:
Communication & design learning at Union
Graduation weekend (again)
Guide internship
Finishing the first semester of teaching
Gettin' hitched!

Ah, the wedding weekend and its overwhelming emotions: stress, joy at seeing loved ones and friends, awe as you stand before the one you love and promise your lives to each other, shock when it is over and regret for the moments you missed with others.

And then, the honeymoon...

Hail, the conquering hero comes!


On the beach by the lodge.



And on Christmas morning!


More later.