More than just trudging...

 

Look at this beauty!

I am so grateful that there are five great things even in every crumby day. And if we shared only the five blessings, the five moments of goodness, the five little moments that kept us going, it might sound to everyone else that our life is without struggle. 

No one's life is without struggle. 

Social media is a dangerous thing. 

One could post a great meal, an encounter with friends... a gift from a friend, an accomplishment at work, but still feel a lot of adversity, hardship, and pain.... it does not mean they are "faking" a great life. I believe it simply means they are finding JOY within or aside from the pain. 

Yesterday that was my day. The day had some hardship. I was criticized in several moments. I worried about family struggling, out of town. I felt concern for people I know and love who are sick.... but without ignoring that concern, I found ten moments in my day that I could be grateful for. 

I trudge through some days. I -and all of you- are certainly worth more than just trudging! I need to embrace life. I need to reach out to others, I need to care about myself. 

I am so excited for this weekend. I am not sure exactly what I have to be excited about, but if I anticipate good things, if I find little ways to bless people, if I turn to my Bible, if I turn to the Lord, it will be a good weekend.

Some days it feels like we have two choices, HOPE or DESPAIR 

I will choose HOPE every time. 

Thankful -

These two were SO much fun to trick or treat with last night! 

Oren and Ingrid

Lynden Beauty

 

Natasha! 

Feeling thankful, 

feeling grateful, 

feeling blessed 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN~! 

Hazel, Oren, and I got two days in Lynden! Pumpkin patch adventures were part of our get away. The weather could not have been more beautiful! Pictures to come! 

 We got home last night and I was pretty happy to see this guy! 

I LOVE OUR PEOPLE

 

Man this is fun! 

Good isn't easy

 We have had a challenging two weeks. My sister Natasha is dealing with a skin rash that is breaking my heart. Her legs are raw. I can't begin to understand why God allows so much pain and heartache in this girl's life. I saw her last weekend and it was overwhelming. She navigates this with grace and a patience that is truly unreal to me. It is beautiful.  I right away sent a prayer request to Positive Life Radio and I asked seven girlfriends to pray. 

Let me focus on the positive. Her new heart is good. 

Lesha has had a rough few weeks. There is hope in change and prayer matters. 

Merit has been faced with so many challenges. When I tell the fifth graders about him I can hear a pin drop. They are so interested in his adventures, hard times, the way he navigates it. I shared that with Merit last night. 

The thing about Merit is he rarely complains. But a mom knows. I also know those California beaches offer some therapy and I know Merit will meet great people, some things just take a little time. Baseball is going well. 

These fifth graders have my heart. I laugh, I nearly cry. Their learning is so, so cool. I lay awake teaching math lessons in my head. And I hurt for those who go home to a house with hardship.

I need to up my game in the classroom management arena and I am working at it. I also need to keep these kids engaged when the math is hard. I hope every single one of them knows that I care about their learning and I just plain care about them.

And in the heavy STUFF, I want to surround myself with people who speak kindly to me. But even more importantly, I want to be kind to people. This world is so heavy. I do want to be a light. Speaking of lights, OPJ IS a light! 

I read this a few weeks ago and good or bad, I repeat it five maybe ten times a day. 

People who love you want more FOR you, Not more FROM you. 

And sometimes you live with people or have a parent or sibling that does not take on this mantra, But whether they do or don't, you can. 

CHEER GOODNESS!!

I love seeing these girls in action! 

 

Full days!

THESE DAYS ARE FULL! 

 

Monday!

 Teaching fifth grade is challenging and so fun! Who knew a schedule would be so good for me! I feel blessed! There is so much learning happening. 

My photography is keeping me busy too and also challenging me! 

Oren, Hazel, and Willem are doing well. 

Vance had a fun Alaskan adventure over the weekend. 

We are pretty excited about the Hawks win tonight! 

We are soaking up this guy's senior year! 

thankful, grateful, blessed

These cheer girls are just adorable! 

I love watching them.

I took four senior's pics this weekend -- so fun! 

Teaching fifth grade ( a long term) is blessing my socks off. 

I have so enjoyed this weekend!