Tuesday Tidbits

So I find myself sitting at the computer completely bored because we have 9 guests in and nobody else coming in. So I figured I would catch you up on what is happening in Kalispell and Whitefish.

I applied for the Behavioral Specialist/Special Education Teacher for Whitefish Middle School. I haven't heard anything yet and probably won't for the next couple of days. I will definitely keep you up to date on the job. I was told when I dropped off my application that this is the most difficult position in the district...(a.k.a. lots of hours will be spent in meetings, dealing with parents, and doing what Summer does).

I was able to be outside all day Saturday, tightly bundled of course. I helped Betty Dustin with her garage sale. It has been quite a while since I have been outside for any length of time. I enjoyed the crisp fall weather immensely and even had my own personal heater. Jali, Cameron's sister's chihuhua, was with us so I just zipped her up in my coat to keep her warm.

Friday night I spent at the church for a dinner/auction to benefit the teens missions group. It was a blast and a hoot and all the fun sayings you can think of. My favorite part of the night was when one of the ladies sang a song about everything a mother says to her kids in a day to the tune of William Tell Overture. Another part I loved was one of the fathers telling his rules about a guy dating his daughter.
He had three:
1) Don't honk if you expect to pick anything up
2) Respect her curfew, have her back early
3) I respect your choice to have saggy pants down to your knees that are close to falling off, but please realize that in order to make sure they stay on while with my daughter I will be using the electric nail gun to attach them to you. (This made me think of a few of my students).

School has been crazy the last couple of weeks. Our schedules have been so off due to assemblies, people being gone & trying to cover their spots, meetings, testing, and unexpected interruptions. I guess it's just a taste of what the new job will be like if I get it. God is definitely teaching me new skills in my teaching.

Links to life

Okay, the much awaited pictures are here. There is a section in my side bar called "Links to Life" these are the links to the slide shows. Enjoy!

Things that make you think

So yesterday while flying to North Carolina there were some things that made me think...

Songs...
1. Leaving on a jet plane...
2. Fly like an eagle, to the sea...
3. Over the rainbow...(we saw a rainbow below us as we were flying through the clouds)

Movies...
1. Bull Durham (I flew into Raleigh/Durham)
2. October Sky
3. Carolina

Any you can think of to add to the list of songs and movies when you travel?

Other things I was thinking about...

Things I can't say I've never done anymore...yeah!
1. Been east of the Missouri River.
2. Been to a Piggly Wiggly.
3. Walked on Myrtle Beach in the moonlight.
4. Walked in the ocean in October without freezing my feet off.

God's Speed

Have you ever noticed when your life gets really busy and you don't take the time to slow down, God makes that time for you?

That's how this week has been for me. School was busy, hectic, and out of routine. I was ready just for a night at home, cleaning the house before I go to North and South Carolina, and getting everything ready for the next couple of weeks being non-stop. Well, God made sure I took that time today.

Last night on my way home my car decided it was going to break. The Tension Pulley (a very important piece of my car) fell completely off causing my Explorer to lose power steering, over heat, and the alternator to stop. Thankfully God also provides the rescue in these situations. I made it safely into the Lowe's parking lot, which is the place I needed to go to deposit my check also. I called John (Montana Dad) Dustin and he came to my aid. He hung out with me while I waited for AAA to tow the car and then took me home.

It's quite the story, because the car didn't get towed to the right place so I ended up having a friend follow me and I drove it the 2 miles to the correct shop. The slowing down part comes in the picture today. I was supposed to go watch one of my students from Great Falls swim in Whitefish. Unfortunately because the car was in the shop I didn't get to do it. Thankfully tomorrow I will still get a chance.

As I walked from 10:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., just wandering Kalispell, I realized that God wanted some personal time. I must admit I have been slacking big time. Why don't we ever learn that life is so much better when we keep Him #1? Why does it take Him to tell us to slow down and look towards Him? He showed me a beautiful and amazing sight today...His creation...that I never take the time to look at when I'm driving. But it is interesting what you see when you are on foot.

He sent another knight in shining armor to help me today. Cameron picked me up from my wandering so I could get my laundry done and then took me to pick up my car once it was finally done. God is amazing and has provided me with so many friends, sorry He had to slow me down to realize it. Thanks for being one of those friends!!

P.S. Mandi, the pictures are coming. In all the chaos this week, they are still sitting on my chair ready to be downloaded.

Friday Friskiness

Okay, I have no clue if I spelled that word right or not, and honestly don't care if I didn't. It has been an interesting week full of twists and turns, heart wrenching, and mind boggling. I'm ready for a relaxing weekend. That weekend will consist of vedging tonight and watching Smallville. Tomorrow helping the Dustins cut firewood. It's been a while since I have done firewood and believe it or not I am looking forward to it. It's amazing the difference from doing it to sell and doing it to be used personally, even though I won't be using it. And a relaxing day on Sunday of helping press apples for yummy apple cider...um, I can taste it now, guess I better go make a cup of hot cocoa since I don't have the cider yet. Some of my favorite things for this season, hot cocoa, spiced-apple cider, and fires.

Thoughtful Thursday

Today has been full of many thoughts. Some good, some bad, and some I'm not quite sure where to categorize them. So here they are, you can help with the organization of the chaos going on in my head.

1. "Ahhhhhhh!" (picture pounding heart and a big resounding scream of "NO please don't!" If you want further details you'll have to ask for an e-mail.

2. "God, you have created such beauty. Thank you so much for letting me experience it each day." The leaves are turning colors, there is snow on the mountain and it is so amazing to see the splendor He has painted.

3. I wish I was better at taking pictures and I wish I had a camera that could actually take the pictures that I see in my head. The scenery lately has been absolutely breath taking and I have no way to capture it. The camera I have doesn't do anything justice and I'm not the best picture taker to begin with. Where's Summer when you need her?

4. I get to go see my sister, Genna, in North Carolina! Our family has been hit with some major events this year and it's one of those times where I really need to hang out with her just as sisters.

5. Possible job opportunity - It hasn't been formally presented to me but has been alluded to by several people. It would be as a behavior specialist. This isn't a job that I ever have thought of before and really took me back today when it was suggested that I was being looked at for this position. I am interested but will have some major discussion happening with God about it. Pros - higher salary, working more 1-on-1 with a few students, expanding my experiences. Cons - it's a completely new position in the school, may only be part-time, I'm loving the job I'm in now, more responsibility after school hours, stepping into completely new territory, more legalistic and policies.

6. "God grant me a peace in my heart that is trembling with a little bit of anxiety and impatience."