Let the Craziness Commence!

I'm sitting here, about to fall asleep, munching on Olive Oil/Cracked Pepper Triscuits trying to stay awake...If it's possible, life is about to get just a little crazier! BAH! Don't get me wrong, it's all stuff I'm excited about. I just hope I have a chance to breathe :)

Chris' brother was here this weekend and it was really great to see him. He and his wife moved to Italy this summer...we have missed having them around. This coming weekend, Chris' aunt and uncle are coming all the way from Montana! I am super excited to see them and catch up on life. They are an amazing couple who truly love people and love the Lord! Such an encouragement!

Also, this week marks the beginning of a new start for our church's youth group. Up until now, we have had middle/high schoolers together every week. Starting on Tuesday, they are split up! I still have mixed feelings about the split, but God knows what He's doing and He has given us an amazing youth pastor that I completely trust. Chris and I, along with 2 other couples, are leading the middle schoolers. So, if you get a chance, pray for patience :)

A good friend and I are also starting up our high school girls small group this week. This is probably one of the highlights of my week. And I am SO stoked for what we are going to be studying. I love being with the girls, building relationships, loving them, and pushing each other closer to Christ.

It is so easy when we are busy to miss out on life. It's happening all around us and when we are busy we don't take the chance to notice. It's my hope and goal that in this busy season, I continue to take time first for Christ, for my husband, for my family, for my friends, and for me. That I take the chance to notice all the life that is happening and ENJOY it. That I don't get caught up in just the DOING. But that in all of these things, it is about more than just doing them...I desire to glorify my Savior in all of these activities! SO. Here is to a busy season. Lord, may you be glorified in everything!

Ladedadeda.....

Compared to the last time I posted, this week has been relatively SLOW....I have to wait for these specific test results....and the waiting is definitely testing my patience! Those of you who know me well are aware - I'm not the patient, wait around type. I'm a "get it done" girl. So, even at work, the Lord is teaching me how to be more like Him.

I've been looking around, and already trees are changing and leaves are falling, and I'm resisting with everything in me! Don't get me wrong, I like fall. The cool, crisp air...sweaters and scarves...the beautiful trees....extra hot coffee....the start of a new season of The Office...But the start of fall also brings the end of summer.

This summer is the first time I've really had a summer "off." Either I've been in school, or working at Trout Creek. I still did a few camps this summer, but neither of them were "work." Both were such a blessing. I've had a chance this summer to learn new things, meet new people, get to know some people better, try new recipes and just basically chill out. It has been an incredible summer full of so many blessings and I'm not quite ready for it to end!! Oh well...new season, new opportunities, right? Lord, help me to notice and take advantage of those opportunities!!

On a different note, something has been weighing heavy on my heart, and I know on the hearts of so many people this week. Last weekend, Ron Ringbom drowned on the Columbia River. His oldest son was with him at the time. He left behind a wife and 3 children. He was a believer (praise God!), but it is still heavy on my heart. I can't even imagine being in those shoes...no warning, no chance to say goodbye. He's just gone. Wow. So I implore you...if you read my blog, PLEASE take just a minute and pray for the Ringbom family. For some peace in the midst of all of this. That they would turn TO God, not away from Him. I know God is a good God...and that everything has a purpose and is in His plan, but I just don't understand His ways sometimes.

Anyway. Please take some time and devote it to praying for this family, whether you know them or not. Hug your loved ones and tell them how important they are to you. Show them you love them, because you'll never know what tomorrow will hold.

YIKES!!

It's been a while since I've posted...sorry :( Life has been incredibly, incredibly busy! My new job is in full swing and it is good...but INSANE! There is SO much random information floating about in my brain, and I don't know what to do with all of it yet. Hopefully in a week or two, the air will clear, by head will feel like there is room in it again, and I will be able to breathe.

If there is one thing I've been reflecting on recently, it's the incredible goodness of my Savior. Sometimes, I can get so easily caught up in the American culture of MORE and BETTER...when really, my God has given me SO much NOW. I have an amazing husband who loves me. I have a home. I have a wonderful, loving, supportive family. I have a church body that is such an incredible gift to me. I have a job. I am healthy. It is so easy to just keep pressing forward and looking for the "next thing." When really, all I have to do is stop, take a deep breath, and praise my Lord and Savior for the HERE and NOW. Delight myself in my Redeemer, in His incredible love and faithfulness. Be content. Love. These are the thoughts floating through my busy brain.

SO, if you have a second, take a breath with me. Ponder all of the AMAZING blessings in your life. I guarantee that, even if life looks tough and intimidating right now, you can find something that is an amazing gift! God is SO good...and that doesn't even begin to cover it :)

Bittersweet Weekend

This weekend, Chris and I drove up to Seattle to spend the weekend with some dear friends of ours. We hot tubbed, built a bonfire, ate s'mores, wandered Pikes and the Seattle waterfront...and just basically had an awesome time! The weather couldn't have been more perfect! Also, I think we made it into a few tourist pictures :)

Are you starting to wonder where the "bitter" part of the weekend was? Well, it was partly the hole in our air mattress :) I woke up to a "whooshing" sound...I thought it was the air mattress, but it really was just the sprinklers. BUT, when we woke up, we were just a bit closer to the ground then when we started...it seems Chris and I are cursed when it comes to air mattresses. Although this was a sad event, there is an event that pulls at my heartstrings more.

As some of you know, our dear friend Nathan Danger joined the Army around Christmas time...He went through basic and has been back in the area. It has been SO good to have him around again! But, here in a little bit, Nate gets shipped out to serve his country. This weekend was our "see ya later" weekend with him....So, if any of you hear any news about the war, see a soldier, think about the Middle East - PLEASE take a minute to pray for our friend. Pray for his safety - physically, mentally, and spiritually. Pray that our Lord will use him in mighty ways while he is gone. Pray that he grows in the Lord.

So, Nate - we love you. Thank you for serving our country. We will be thinking about you and praying for you. We miss you. And we look forward to seeing you when you return. Love you man!

Too Much!! Too Much!!

So, I've been in training for the last few days. My brain is SCREAMING at me! Looking at data, analyzing the data, setting realistic goals based on the data...did I mention data?? My brain is ready for a break. Although, there were some things that really made me excited to start the school year. Which is good...because I haven't been too excited yet.

We did this really spiffy activity at one of my schools called True Colors. I'll post more on it later when I have the info in front of me. But it was REALLY interesting! Basically, there are five colors and everyone has parts of all of them, but some colors are WAY brighter than others. This activity was designed to help us figure out which color/s were more dominant in us and then how to work with the other colors! It was really fun and super interesting. Like I said, I'll post more on each color later...then maybe you can guess my color ranking..oohh....that would be fun :)

Ok. Now it's time for breakfast before I head off to more training! Hopefully there's not as much data today!! :)

Kiteboarding!

Today, on this beautiful Sunday, Chris and I rode the motorcycle down to Willow Grove. (a local beach on the Columbia River for those of you out of towners!) Chris' cousin Steve lent us a kiteboarding trainer! We were looking for some consistent wind - and we found it! It was the CRAZIEST thing! SOOOOOO much fun... It definitely gave my arms a workout. It was SO nuts how strong the pull of the kite was. There were a few times that I thought it was going to pull me right into the air! BUT - I only crashed it once! YAY!! Thank you Lord for an amazing Sunday worshipping you and enjoying your creation!

Tomorrow starts training for my new job...dum dum dum....

Here are some pics from our day with the kite! Sorry if the quality is poor...we only had our iPhone...

A Picture is Worth...

These are all pictures I've taken in the last year or so...