ahora: September 2007

Tonight...

Friday, September 28, 2007

Lyncs vs. Nooksack...one of the arch rivals...
It's gonna be a good one!

Go Lyncs!

Things continue to go well over here in WA. I am still loving my job and am reassured that this is the right profession for me. I enjoy getting to know my students more little by little and enjoy finding out new ways to present curriculum to them. Of course, the challenges come right alongside the joys and I am doing my best to figure out how to handle various situations in my classroom. I pray for wisdom and discernment. I truly desire to show my students that I care about them as individuals...but at the same time, I want them to know where I stand in terms of expectations and consequences - the constant joy and struggle of teachers!

As for living away from home - it is still difficult for me...especially on the weekends. It is then that I become just that much more aware of the fact that I don't know very many people here and that my immediate family - with whom I am very close - is thousands of miles away from me.

Tomorrow, however, Kent and I will be going to Seattle with a couple cousins and some of their friends. I am very much looking forward to this as it will be an opportunity to get out of the small community where we live and hang out with and get to know some people our age. I pray that this is a fun (and safe) trip and that this can be the beginning of Kent and I finding a community to be a part of....

Tonight, Kent and I are going to the high school football game...and it's raining (Welcome to Washington). I guess the rainy season is starting a little early. :( Hopefully it's not to miserable for the players or for those watching!

A Glimpse of the Northwest

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Labor Day weekend, Kent and I went hiking with his parents on one of the many trails in WA mountains. It was a fairly chilly day - especially at the top of certain crests - but the sun still shone and it was beautiful. Although they don't do the scenes justice, here are a few pictures of that day and the beauty of God's creation we had the privilege to see.

Kent and I in front of Mt. Shukson

Mom and Dad H

Kent (and some others) leading the way

Some random - but fun - pictures of me and Kent :)

The majestic Mt. Baker

Some beautiful flowers and moss with some rain/dew drops that just sparkled like diamonds in the sun

I didn't know who this person was, but I needed to capture it on film - it looks like it should be on an inspirational calendar or something

As you can see, it is absolutely beautiful out here...and this is only a fraction of the amazing creation God has shaped and formed with his hands.

How great is our God!
Sing with me - how great is our God!
And all the world will see how great is our God!

Good-bye to a Good and Faithful Family Friend

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

This week, my family back home said good-bye to a faithful dog, McKensie. She was getting old and had bad arthritis and other things that ailed her. It was time to release her from her misery.

McKensie was adopted into my sister's family after a man handed a puppy over to some school kids during recess at the school in which Sonny was a 4th grade teacher. Sonny ended up taking the puppy home and the puppy - abused from her previous owners - grew into a very sweet, loving, protective and faithful companion. After Sonny and Mike had kids, McKensie would stand shaking between them and the ferocious vacuum cleaner to protect the girls from any harm the vacuum could cause. She had a loud bark that would scare anyone away who could potentially desire to enter in the house unwelcomed.

So, good-bye, McKensie...I wish I could have been there to say good-bye...

Missing Home...

Sunday, September 02, 2007

It has been a great first week of teaching. I have enjoyed getting to know my students and my fellow teachers, as well as getting the feel of my curriculum. I have a lot to learn yet, but am looking forward to going back on Tuesday (which, I think, is a really good thing at this point in the game!). :)

However, this does not mean that I don't still have a little pain in my heart from not being around my family and friends back home...especially my family. I miss them all VERY much!!! I guess that's one of the bittersweet joys/pains that comes from loving each other so much...

Anyway, here are some pictures of some of the most precious people in my life (taken my last week home before moving out West):

My mom and my sister...those who know me and my family would definitely know that we are related ;)

My beautiful niece, Bella Boo :)

The best dog in the entire world - my "puppy" Shadow (not quite a puppy anymore, but will always and forever be my puppy) - the most faithful and loving dog I will ever have...