Milano via Beatkitchen

This past weekend I went to a show.  It's been years since I attended a good ol' rock show.  Not much had changed, there was still an awe of the people on stage, too many people in one small hot room, not enough people dancing...I loved it.

There was something about being little me trying to see over the guys in front; watching the chubby Asian in the hipster glasses tap his toe to the music...I loved it.

Here is my miniature attempt at documenting the event.

My Little Marathon

This morning I went for a little run.

I listened to this little cd.

A man on the corner stopped his day to cheer me on.

I was (kinda) hit by a car.

(No major injuries to report; just a greater awareness cars coming out of alleys)

I ran through a major minor wind storm for a few blocks.

And I wound up home refreshed for the day.

Feeling one run closer to my desire to complete the Chicago Marathon in 2012

Chicago

Whenever I leave Montana I cry.  It's inevitable.  As I walk through the Bozeman airport I am filled with anger, sadness, and all things grumpy.  I make no eye contact with the pleasant security officers checking my carry on's.  I wipe my tears as the ticket agent takes my boarding pass on to the plane.

Once on the plane I'm not much more pleasant.  I don't want a drink.  I don't want to talk.  I just want to sulk.  So I bury my head in my sweatshirt and drift in and out of sleep.

This particular trip I had a layover in Salt Lake City.  Walking crankily through the airport I glanced outside and saw the mountains surrounding the airport.  To add to the beauty there was a pink sunrise pouring their color over the horizon.  I felt a little dumb for being so cranky, but I was not quite ready to let go of being sad.  

On the last leg of the journey I quickly put in my earphones and selfishly never even said a word to the lady sitting next to me (then again she did sleep most the trip).  I drifted in and out of sleep as I watched the clouds go by.

Once we were landed in Chicago, I gathered my luggage from the plane and walked into the airport.  It was in that moment - walking through O'Hare- that I thought, "Chicago's not so bad...I really do like it here..."  And from then on my spirit's were lifted.

The next morning as I was sitting at my little local Starbucks enjoying a soy misto and blueberry scone, I was reminded that I do like it here.  I actually love a lot about where I'm at.  The challenges, the familiarity, the friends...sometimes in the midst of pouting it's hard to see the light on the other end of the journey.  I'm glad the Lord gave me the grace to see the joy of what I have here, where He has called me.

Christmas via Bozeman

Some of my favorite pictures on my camera from the past week...

Christmas 2011 was a sweet and smashing success.

Candlelight Carols 2011

Firm Voice

Considering this is my first time as a professional teacher I feel as if I learn something new everyday about myself, teaching, my kids...it's a lot of learning.

Today I learned the power of my firm voice.

In my three short months as a pre-school teacher I have found with in me a voice I've only ever heard once or twice in my life.

It is this deep, firm, low, eye-contact accompanied voice that is very serious and tinted with anger.

Yes, anger.

I'm telling you, it's a whole new voice.

It is not a voice I ever used in my customer service years at Starbucks.

Nor did I this voice in my years as an administrative assistant.

...I did use it once or twice as a sister...

But never in the workplace, until now.

I talked to a friend at work about it.  There is a part of me that is not comfortable with being angry and using such a firm voice.  She encouraged me and said some of it is a strength rising up from inside that the Lord is loosening.

I like it.   It reminds me that I'm the one in charge.

It reminds me that I am the teacher.

Which reminds me that I'm the one to care for, love and teach these kids.  And sometimes that requires me doing things I'm not always "comfortable" doing, like using my firm voice.

There have been so many times the past three months I think "I DON"T WANT TO" in regards to some of my responsibilities.  It's in these moments humility and grace come hand in hand and teach me that it's not my job to make my life easier but to respect and honor God in the place He's put me.  Which right now is working with these awesome kids.

Sweet.

Power and the Glory

I realize I've been gone for awhile.

I had no idea how long I'd been gone until I logged on yesterday and began to read all my friends blogs.  I think it's been 29 days.  Which means yes, I've not been on all month.

With that aside, I've been thinking a lot this past week about the power and glory of God.

I've been working my way through Hebrews in the New Testament and was struck with the pictures it paints in chapter 12 about the power of God.

I thought "Man, I wish I could see the power and glory of God in my life"

And then this happened...

my handsome nephew was born on November 16th.  Over Thanksgiving I was able to hold him...

his beautiful big sister

and his handsome (even when pouty) big brother.

During the trip I was also able to see my other nephew born a mere 5 days later on November 21st after 35 hours of labor.  Not suprisingly, the little man had "transitional issues" and was kept in the hospital for another 5 days.

It was special to get to see him go from being in a hospital in cords to being in my arms at his house with no medical experts...just me, my sister and brother-in-law.

Baby safe at home with dad, mom & dog.

Now, I'm yet to be a full biblical research on the power and glory of God.

But in the past week of my life I've seen His power and glory in some very personal ways.