Three Things are Official...

(1) I finally caught that cold that I've been destinted to get the past month and a half.

(2) This is my last "normal" weekend in my apartment before I move after Thanksgiving.

(3) I need to do a better job of keeping in touch with my "old" friends. Hearing from me every two months is not enough. (Thanks to a couple of good friends who reminded me of that this week!)

Life is changing. Life is always changing. I've been thinking about a lot of random stuff lately. Reflecting on the past, enjoying the present, dreaming ahead to the future. I'm so glad to be in the middle of my season in Denver. Beginnings are never easy. Endings are usually sad. But the middle? Well, that is the best part.

I ran away from the Midwest as fast as I could after graduation. I ran away from everything about life as I knew it, and found opportunities in places so much unlike what I grew up with. I don't think I even realized it at the time. But that doesn't mean that I like it better.

Different? Yes.
Good different? Absolutely.
Better different? No.
Every season has its beauty; and every place has an intricate beauty that will go left undiscovered if you pass it by.

My eyes have been opened, but I don't think I've changed. At least not much. If anything, I've come to accept who I am instead of trying to change who I am to please others. I don't fit into a box. I wasn't made for a box. I'm okay with that now. This is a good feeling. I feel free. Free to be me.

Relationship Advice 101

Recess duty was a joy today (well, sort of). Surprises are always around the corner when it comes to one of my old students, so it shouldn't have been a surprise that he came up to me with such exuberance half way through recess. (At least I am happy to say that he no longer pesters me to go on a date with his big brother. Other than that, our relationship has not changed a lot this year.)

Out of nowhere he says, "Do you know of any websites that will help me get girls to like me?" I told him that he didn't need a website and that, furthermore, no one could really make anyone like them. Besides, he is a likable kid already. So he said, "I like Kaitlin, but she won't go out with me. What do I do? Will you help me? Should I buy her something nice? Like candy or chocolates? Or do I just go out and tell her that I like her like a fat boy likes cake."

Okay...first of all, I don't suggest that a boy (of any age) tell a girl that he likes her "like a fat boy likes cake." Nevertheless, this boy had the hugest crush on this poor girl all year last year and he still hasn't gotten over it. It was really cute, and nice to take the relationship attention off of me for a once. :) The whole thing made me laugh. What a weird kid.

Maybe there should be a course in 4th grade on relationships. At least my class this year is not year as boy-girl crazy...at least not yet!

Patience

I'm going to need patience this week. I don't have a drop of it right now.


P.S. As always, camp was awesome! A completely beautiful weekend at Crooked Creek surrounded by fluffy, crystal-like falling snow and endless mountain trees. I really do love living here!

Going to Camp!

I'm off to YL Snow/Winter Camp in just a few short hours. I am sooooo excited! If you know me well, you know that there are few things that I love more than being at camp. It is going to be a sweet weekend. I'm not going to sleep. I'm going to get even further behind on my school work. But I get to hang out with high school kids all weekend, talk about God, and be in creation. Awesome!

I'm listening to "Blessed Be the Name of the Lord" on the radio right now. One of my "life songs" that first became "mine" at camp in Michigan just a few years ago. It's cool how that song just happened to be on the radio when I turned it on, when I'm thinking about camp again. It was also cool to sing that song with Matt Redman (who wrote it) at a C. Tomlin/L. Giglio concert a few weeks ago.

May you be blessed today!

Church In a Corn Field

Perhaps nothing will ever be able to shake the country out of me. No matter how much time passes. No matter how much I enjoy the diversity and opportunities of the city. I'll always love cornfields more than traffic lights, and amber waves of grain just as much as rocky mountain majesty.

I love being in the field with my dad. I love seeing the ones I love in their element. I love having discussions about life and God and the church in the cornfield. I praise God for an excellent weekend at home a week ago: For the 50th surprise birthday party that my sister-in-law and I fabulously pulled off for my mom on Saturday night. For the chance to hang out at my older brother's house Friday night. For disking stalks with my dad on Monday morning. And for pizza at the Ranch with my younger brother right before I left for the airport on Monday afternoon.