Tuesday, August 28, 2012

hittin the road...

this past weekend, we got out of town as we headed to salt lake city where one of luke's old roommates, levi rogers, got married to a gal named cat. it was a lovely wedding and a great chance to relax and reflect as i finished my time at kelly elementary and before i began at bridger. it was also a wonderful chance to connect with friends who we don't get to see all that often. my mind was free of worry and to do lists and it truly felt like a vacation, complete with camping, farmer's markets, incredible scenery, good car conversation, and listening to kelly joe phelps' new album. here are some highlights!
in eastern oregon, we took the wallowa tram up to the top of mt. howard for breathtaking views.
old buddies together on the morning of levi's wedding day: luke, brandon and levi.
cat and levi rogers! <3
they turn into middle school boys when they are together!
the view in northern utah, or idaho or eastern oregon. it all looks the same- golden fields and dull slopes.
up with the sun at our campsite on the snake river.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

what did i do to deserve this?

this is a question that has come up multiple times in the last few days. mainly, it has been posed by my dear husband (what have i done to deserve you? etc.) got me thinking. you didn't do a thing. i didn't do a thing. THAT IS WHAT WE CALL THE GRACE OF GOD. i believe in a God who showers me with so many things that i did nothing to deserve. and what else can i do, but sit back, receive, be grateful, and look to him to fulfill my needs, whatever they may be. here are some of the things in the last few days i feel especially undeserving of but am so grateful for.
my sister, bro in law, and niece and nephew are here from zambia and i got to spend the whole week with them running around being auntie kat. their little accents are just too much to take with a straight face, as we went to the clark county fair, camping, and capped it all off with a sleepover at our house last night. since i only get to see them once a year, i cherish each moment with them as i see how much the kids have grown and am able to relate to my sister as we grow our adult friendship. and jeremy- he keeps me on my toes with his south african vocab, saying things like "i'm going to go put on my longs, jersey and slops" (= pants, jacket and flip flops) or "put it in the boot" (= the trunk of a car). i accepted a job last week that will take me from kelly elementary back to a familiar place- bridger k-8 where i served as an americorps several years ago. i will no longer be the extended day activities coordinator, but the SUN site manager through Impact NW. i know it won't be without challenges, but am so looking forward to going back to many people, both parents and kids, who still have a special place in my heart. also, it's a spanish immersion school, so i will be using my spanish daily!
we harvested some from our garden today! there is no joy like seeing things grow from nothing to something that sustains us.
may i ever be with a grateful heart.