Life

Life has been full and crazy these past few months: being in a serious relationship, working at a new job, trying to get over the last job I lost, maintaining friendships, becoming more involved at my church and trying to navigate this thing called life. Now don't get me wrong, life has also been great. I have an amazing roommate who just makes life fun and I have an incredible network of friends who remind me to laugh often.

God has also been teaching me a ton lately and showing me that He needs to be my #1, no matter what comes my way. When this happens, everything just seems to fall into place and He truly takes care of everything. It is so easy to get distracted and wrapped up in the stress of everyday life and rely on other people more than God. This can become so dangerous and I have learned the hard way that this is not the way to go. People and things will let you down but God will always be there and be your biggest cheerleader. When my mind if focused more on God and what He has for me, life seems so much better.

A couple weeks ago as someone was sharing their testimony he said that, "God never wastes a hurt". I have thought about this a lot over the past few weeks as I have been reflecting on my life and what God has done. It is so great to know that nothing is wasted and that God can and will turn anything into something valuable. I am so thankful for this truth.

Here are a few pictures from the past few months:

Bowling with some of my favorite people, especially these two.

View of the sunset driving home from Tahoe at Christmastime.

Loving some auntie time in the snow.

I am looking forward to seeing how God uses this last year for His glory and also looking forward to life (hopefully) slowing down a bit.

Loving Fall

Has it really been over 4 months since I have updated this blog?!? Yikes! Life has been....well, interesting. I have been unemployed, not loving the idea that I do not have a full time job (I do teach 5 hours a week right now). I have started dating a wonderful guy who I can see a future with. I have seen my sweet sis move across the mountains. I graduated from my master's program at SPU. I was a part of a dear friend's wedding. I was involved in a small group full of amazing people who are now some of my closest friends. I have spent some time on the Oregon coast which has now become one of my favorite places. I have been able to enjoy some great books. I have had some good times with friends. Most importantly, I have had some time to reflect on life and deepen my relationship with God. Although these last few months have not been my favorite, I have learned so much about God and what He has for me.

Here are a few pictures from some of my favorite times over these last few months:

Enjoying a morning walk on Cannon Beach

Enjoying one of the many auntie/sister days of the summer.

Loving some Tillamook ice cream in Manzanita.

Spending the day with some of my favorite coworkers.


Micah and I baking some yummy goodness.

My best friend, Julie, who I spent a lot of treasured time with this summer! Love her!

Having fun bowling with some dear friends

Katriina, the beautiful bride!

Judy, I and the boys enjoying some fun during my graduation party.

Despite the whole job situation, life has been full and good. I am blessed!

More Sister and Auntie Time

I love having the best sisters and the cutest niece and nephews in the world! I love being a sister and an auntie!

Earlier this week, Heather and the boys came my way for a day of fun! We went to the Kirkland waterfront (one of my favorite areas around here) for some playground fun, a picnic and a walk on the pier. We then came back to my place and played and baked some cookies. It was such a fun day that went by way too fast!

Levi takes some of the best naps at my house! I love his little face!

Micah is such a great helper in the kitchen!

Cannon Beach

Last week, my coworker friend Suzie and I took a trip to Cannon Beach on the Oregon Coast. I LOVED every minute of this vacation! It was so relaxing, refreshing and full of laughter! It was great to spend some time with Suzie and just enjoy the ocean. I love being near the ocean, there is something so peaceful about that place. I am looking forward to heading back down there in a few days for my family vacation.

Each morning and evening I was able to take a walk along the beach. It was breathtakingly beautiful and a great way to spend some time praying and reflecting about all that has been going on lately. Here are a few shots from my walks.






Our week consisted of a lot of relaxing, reading, a trip to Tillamook, shopping, sight seeing and taking a few trips to Manzanita as the sun appeared to show up there more than at Cannon Beach!

Sister and Auntie Time

A couple weeks ago, a made a trek over to eastern Washington to visit my sis, bro-in-law, niece and nephew. It was a short trip but oh so fun! My sister was able to go on a day trip with her best friend while I stayed and played with two of my favorite little people. We had a great time. We took a walk to a nearby park and enjoyed the sunny day. Here are a few pictures from the day:

Elias and Sydney enjoying some stroller time in the cool shade.

Love her!


I am pretty sure this is my favorite picture of Elias to date! Love his smile!

Elias is in love with Sydney's baby doll!

Loving Auntie time!

Sweet Summer Days!

Okay, I really am getting used to these lazy, spontaneous summer days! This week has truly been amazing and relaxing. I could get used to this! :) Amidst all of the fun times, I continue to look for a job and gear up for my last quarter of my master's program which starts on Monday!

Here are a few highlights from my week:

1) Having Heather and the boys over at my house to play and eat lunch together. I loved having them here and we will have to do that again.
2) Having a coffee date with a dear friend who seems to know me better than I know myself.
3) Having a nice dinner with Julie. I treasure these one-on-one times with my BFF because they are far too rare!
4) Shopping guilt free because of gift cards.
5) Getting a pedicure and my eye brows waxed...so refreshing!
6) Sitting the the backyard today with Julie: laughing, crying, reminiscing and sharing our hearts.
7) Waking up in the mornings with nowhere to go...enjoying a good breakfast and some coffee before I start the day.
8) Having a lunch date with some dear coworkers whom I already miss.
9) Being able to spend some quality, not rushed time with God.
10) Having time to read for pleasure.

I know this season will only last a short time and my goal is to look back on this summer with no regrets and to see growth (and find a job :).

Saying Goodbye...

Well I am officially checked out of my classroom at ECS. This has been a sad and painful goodbye as it was not my choice and this place has become my home over the last three years. I had the privilege of leading the staff in devotions last week and I shared with them this verse:

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I will always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident in this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:3-6

The staff that I have had the privilege of working with over the last three years is phenomenal. I truly feel like we are family and they will always be a part of me. I really appreciated what my dear friend Todd said in his closing prayer the other day about how those leaving would always feel a part of ECS and live in the knowledge that this will always be their home. That prayer helped me put things in perspective and realize that there are many people there that would love to see me from time to time and I am not going to let anything or anyone get in the way of me returning and visiting the people I call family.

As I have reflected on the last three years at ECS, I have been aware of the amount of growth that has taken place in my own life and I am truly grateful for that. I know that is because of the people God has placed in my life. Here is something else I shared with the staff:

Things I have Learned During My Time at ECS

• It is magical when you find someone to share cake with, one person who doesn't like frosting and the other person who doesn't like cake.
• Laughter truly is the best medicine. It's okay to snort and have an unusual/annoying laugh.
• The lunchoom is a place of letting your guard down and just being you.
• It is fun to make a fool of myself in front of my students and staff.
• It's okay to make mistakes, you live and you learn.
• It's okay to be myself (happy, sad, goofy, angry and frustrated) exactly in the moment and I shouldn't hide anything. I have to be honest with myself and others.
• God has gifted me as a teacher.
• I have truly come out of my shell. I am no longer this quiet, shy person. I have become comfortable with all of the staff. I am free to be goofy and speak my mind.
  
• I have found friends who celebrate me for who I am, not who they think I should be.
• God's grace and love is unconditional and complete.
• There is such a thing as having a family outside of your own.
  

It is hard packing up so many great memories (and SO much stuff) but I look forward to continuing the friendships I have started for a long time to come.

I will leave you with some pictures from the last week of school.

Some of my sweet kiddos who were celebrating their summer birthdays.

Me posing with the awesome kleenex box Julie gave me on the day I said goodbye to the staff.

Apparently I didn't get the memo that I needed to act sad for this picture, there sure were many tears after this though!

My "BFF" Julie. :) Love her!

Heather, Micah and Levi were so helpful in cleaning up and keeping me sane during one of the roughest times I have ever experienced!

I know that God has wonderful plans for me and I look forward to seeing what those are. In the meantime, I trust that He has me in the palm of His hand and will guide me to the perfect job.