Six Months

Well it's my six month anniversary! I am so happy and giddy...ok well maybe that is an exaggeration...it's only that it has been six months since I have tried this blogging situation. Happy and giddy do not exactly describe my current emotions. I am so glad that I do not have to be defined by my emotions.
There is a very dramatic and somewhat odd phrase that has been running through my mind these past several months. Are you ready for it? Belly full of Tears What!? I know it is odd however, sometimes I am overwhelmed by the sad and icky stuff that plagues our world. It seems like these past six months have been made of the stuff that inspires the elderly in nursing homes to rock back and forth and say things like; "I'll never understand this, I'll never understand this."
In those moments that I want to be like Scarlet O'Hara and, put the back of my hand to my forehead I am glad for my Jesus. He understands it all! There is no need for discouragement. It is nice to be blissfully ignorant! The struggle for me does come in my inability (working on it though) to roll it all onto Jesus' very capable shoulders. I am so glad that He will supply all of my needs according to His riches! I want to cast all of my cares on Him moment by moment.
Thank you for your friendship and kind care and concern.
Much Love

To Count

Thought for this Day

I want to count and be counted. I mean really don't you? I want my life to be an attractive picture of my Jesus. This is were my success is bound up. If my life does not count for Jesus it does not matter where I am or what I'm up to (with in reason of course). I must count for Christ. If I am living every day for Him then I will not only count but, I will be counted in that astounding number of people gathered around His throne. Don't you want to be counted too?

Life in KS

• I finished my courses from Hobe Sound. I now have an accredited degree.
• We had a barn yard themed mystery dinner for the High School and Jr. High students...so very fun I recommend a mystery dinner to one and all!
• We had a really nice Women of Worth meeting this month. We talked about how friendship is like a quilt. So many different pieces make up a beautiful useful thing. We also talked about how Jesus is our the best friend of all.
• Among many other things I also was able to rake together 32.5 bags of leaves. Hoo-ray for the training at Mode Camp.

I love you friends! Have a wonderful day. Come see me any time. I have a guest bedroom you know ;).

Why Hello!

Hello who are you and just where did you come from? Just kidding you were there all of the time weren't you...I was the one missing. Well hello! I really hope you are doing fine. I am fine thanks for asking.

If I saw you while I was in Illinois please make this note to yourself...the pleasure was truly and deeply all mine. I am so thankful for friends who are will to see my faults and not kick me out in a melting snow drift. It was like a breath of fresh spring air to be around such lovely well rounded thoughtful folk...yes even you...especially you!

Life is just happening here. I mean really I can not think of anything to tremendously out of the ordinary to tell you. I do know that I am so grateful for all of the people I work with. They are all trying to get used to me and they are being very gracious in the process. I must continue to realize that I have not even been here very long. I just love the home that I am living in. I just wish I could get you to come and visit me. I do have a guest room you know. Further more I really just enjoy teaching art class. Every once in a while I catch a glimps of hope in the lives of my students. This makes me want to just weep. Their potential is out of this world...I hope I can help guide them to a life long love of Jesus.

You remember that snow drift you didn't kick me out into? Well I've been thinking about how much God cares for me. He really does. If He cares for me so much how can I do any less for those around me? No one is worthy of being tossed in a drift. I do not want to be a tosser. Thanks to all of you who don't toss me even when it's probably what I deserve. Thanks be to my Father who does not toss me either yet rather gently scoops me up into His very capable arms. What reality! What bliss!

A Kick For Me

Life has such a beautiful way of humbling us. Here are just a few humbling experiences of late:

Huffing and puffing up 296 steps to the top of the KS capitol dome...

Dropping food on my shirt nearly a daily experience...

Making a mistake while scoring a student's school work...

Typos...

Misspoken words...

So many other little things...

Then I observe those around me and realize we are all just humans; we make mistakes and missteps. Life happens...we can get all hung up and wallow or...there's always that other option...just pick up make correction were needed and laugh a little more.

This poem has helped me to put some things in perspective. I can not always change what others say or do but, I am defiantly in charge of my own actions, words, and food ;). I wish to mend my own plot with the help of my creator who really truly cares for me.

"Go back to thy garden-plot, sweetheart!

Go back till the evening falls,

And bind thy lilies and train thy vines,

Till for thee the Master calls

Go make thy garden fair as thou canst,

Thou workest never alone;

Perhaps he whose plot is next to thine

Will see it and mend his own."

From: Mrs Charles E. Cowman in Streams in the Desert

His

I said, "Let me walk in the fields.
He said, "No; walk in the town."
I said, "There are no flowers there.
He said, "No flowers but a crown."

I said, "But the skies are black,
There is nothing but noise and din."
And He wept as He sent me back;
"There is more," He said. "There is sin."

I said, "But the air is thick,
And fogs are veiling the sun."
He answered, "Yet souls are sick,
And souls in the dark undone."

I said, "I shall miss the light,
And friends will miss me, they say."
He answered, "Choose tonight
If I am to miss you, or they."

I pleaded for time to be given.
He said, "Is it hard to decide?
It will not seem hard in Heaven
To have followed the steps of your Guide."

I cast one look at the fields,
Then set my face to the town.
He said, "My child, do you yield?
Will you leave the flowers for a crown?"

Then into His hand went mine;
And into my heart came He;
And I walked in a light divine,
The path I had feared to see.
-George MacDonald

Hello...etc.

Dear Friends,

Hello! There have been no reports of tornado activity so...I think I am still here. Perhaps the swirling winds of a tornado could give you a bit of a picture of what life has turned out to be here. I felt busy in Florida however, this is a whole new pace. Here is a small break down of a few things that I have been up to...

1. Mode camp! I just love that place and it would be lovely to live there always, (maybe heaven will be a bit like Mode Camp?) except for the out house thing...

2. Things really began to get a bit crazy when I returned to Kansas. I think that there was a solid two week period when I was at the church every day for some reason.

3. School happened, by this I mean started...wow! I do not know if I am doing that much however, the hats seem to be many (think highlighters and keys ;) some of you will get that). I am teaching 4 art classes (mosaic unit here we come!), I help with the Jr. High and High School PE class, I am trying very weakly to get an after school Bible club off the ground, I help in the 1-5 grade room most of the time however, right now I am teaching Kindergarten in the mornings (ba- ba- ba- ba- ba- I'm lovin' it!).

4. We had a revival meeting in a barn (shocking but true)!

5. I moved twice camper trailer style to a two bed room home (hard wood floors...pictures soon I hope).

These days have been hectic days but Jesus has been working on me and helping me to grow. I want to be close to Him. I miss all of you friendly people very much. I trust that you are doing well. Thank you for every kind letter and thought in this direction. I should go and finish putting away the last few things in the home...

love ya!

Farmers, Art, and Cows

This weekend was just lovely. I am sort of missing the settled feeling while I am waiting to move into a more permanent place, however, I am discovering that nice things can happen even in Kansas (Thank you Mr. Apostle Paul)! It is such a privilege to live close to two of my cousins. They are very sweet girls who have a heart for God and a lot of love flows. I am also privileged to live near two people that were in college while I was. They have been so wonderful to invite me over and make me feel extra special welcome here. Here is a run down of what I did this weekend:

Friday evening I was invited to play games with the college friends (and their sweet 2 month old baby who will know me as aunt Rachel ...loven' it!)

Saturday morning those two friends and the sweet baby and I made the 40 min. trip to Ks City. There we met my cousins and spent some time at a huge farmers market. Very happy! I am now the proud owner of 2 zucchini (...bread anyone?).

After we finished at the market we went to yummy Taco Bell (cheap, yet tasty)! Then, we proceeded onward to an art museum. Nice, interesting, air conditioned!

Then the two friends and I made our way back to Ottawa (we stopped for ice cream, and we went to a huge Joann fabric store).

There is a family in the church who operate a huge dairy farm. It was time for milking when we arrived in town so, we went out to see the operation. It was so very interesting. I hope to be able to help there some time soon. They milk 240 cows twice a day. It is amazing to smell that many cows in one place! :)

Would you believe it I actually was able to get some of my class work done and some cleaning too? It was an invigorating weekend. I am thankful to Jesus for being with me all of the time, everywhere!

I still miss everyone at home in an intense way. I am looking forward to seeing you very soon.