Waking
up to the rays of the sun beaming bright against the Rockies. Finally having
our apartment pulled together and decorated in a homey fashion. Getting to know
wonderful people at church. Having many opportunities to explore the city and
surrounding area. Teaching in a classroom where I feel comfortable. Being part
of a professional choir with my husband. Experiencing God’s peace in life…
…these are all of the things I am thankful for since moving
to Colorado Springs.
I feel like I’m walking on a water bed sometimes…I keep
looking down at my feet hoping the next step won't send me flying off the
bed. I keep hoping my next decision, choice, or hope will land me on something
more solid. Sometimes it's fun walking on the water bed, and sometimes I just start
feeling sick to my stomach from the instability.
Moving away from home still has had its challenges. Josh and
I are feeling more and more comfortable every day we live here. It doesn't take
away the fact that I still love and want to know my family back in Idaho and
get to know Josh’s family better. Thank goodness for technology. If I had tried to do this 100 years ago with no Skype or cell phone, I would have quit a long time ago. Thank you, Lord, for useful technology!
Last week, we celebrated Thankgiving with family friends in
high prairie and mountains of Fairplay, CO. Josh’s sister, Joy, and
brother-in-law, Philip, were there as well. It was gorgeous up there, and so
relaxing. Being up at 10,000 feet altitude was also an adventure. I had the
worst headache of my life. Next time I will make sure to drink lots of water,
even if I’m not thirsty. Now only a few weeks until it will be Christmas break.
We will be taking a whirlwind trip to both Minnesota and Idaho during our
break. I am SO excited to see my family again. It has been WAY too long.
Student teaching has had many ins and outs as I get to know
the profession better. The dynamics of administration, teacher, and students
really help make up the character and reputation of the school. I still feel
like a novice when in comes to logistics in the teaching world. Teaching the
content is becoming more and more easy every day, but I often feel overwhelmed
with all of the office and administration work required of the teacher. I am
getting used to some of that, but I have a feeling my first year of teaching
will be a crash course in boring paperwork.
Every week is a bit tiring for both Josh and I. By Friday
all we want to do is relax. We usually borrow a movie from the library or
Redbox and have pizza. Oh, how I love those moments of peace and relaxation.
Every day seems like a battle to defeat the negative thoughts that Satan likes
to wiggle into my brain. Something may go wrong, but I’m learning to take it
as, “Wow…another piece of life fitting into the puzzle.” I have also learned
through this that I have a choice as to how I respond to problems or hard
times. I can either let it ruin my day, or I can turn the lemons into lemonade
(I might get a little more creative and add some strawberries to it and make it
strawberry lemonade). The point being, God has given me the tools, faith, and
grace to make it through each day, no matter how hard. Thankfully I have my
best friend by my side every day to help me through those tougher than tough
moments—love you, Josh! Thanks for being patient with me in these first few
months of marriage! It will be 4
months this week!
