fall madness

the fall is off to a great start here in the eastern most part of the state!  the temperature is dropping and the leaves are falling -- in brilliant, beautiful colors!  this is by far my favorite season.  when Craig and I do get to see each other we tear up the town...we are unstoppable!  there has been so much madness already and it's only October!  our time together this semester is even fewer and farther apart than last year.  i did get a new job which i had planned to relieve me in the evenings, but i was wrong.  it has cluttered my evenings that much more.  but that is a-okay because i am really loving my position at the middle school.  each day i go and supervise the 7th and 8th grade lunch and then get to go do some work in the library, which i love!  it is such a peaceful place after being in the lunchroom :)  i'm in my second week and i am still getting funny looks and glares because i am a brand new face AND i am coming in a month into the school year.  but daily i pray on the way to work and on the way home that God will soften the student's hearts and keep my smiling!  i can foresee me really enjoying this job once i get to know the students.  this past tuesday i subbed all day for a para who works in the lower level math and english classes and this tuesday i will be subbing half day for a secretary in the front office!  and quite possibly, this wednesday (on my birthday!) i might be subbing in the DLC classroom...special needs...half day!  God is so good!  He brings things in and out of our lives and His perfect timing.

Mountaidside Middle School "Mountain Lions"

update:  two weeks ago now (shameful i know) molly and mom came to visit!!!  it was one of the best weekends ever.  we tore up the town like 3 "christian" bandits.

clearly, our adventures do not need words or descriptions.  just know that you should wish you were there.

as i am sitting here, sipping my morning coffee, watching the sunrise, i can't help but wonder what God has in store for us today.  probably one of the only things i have been able to take away from this fall's Bible study is that God's mercies are new every morning.  we need to do our part by waking up and going to God first thing.  just like the israelites...when they were in the dessert for 40 years they had to wake up early to go out and collect the manna that God was providing for them.  if they decided to sleep in they missed the opportunity to collect what God was faithfully providing.  the same goes for my everyday life.  if i don't start the day off by going to God, reading the word, or simply reciting a scripture, i am not collecting what God is willingly holding out in His hands for me to take.  it seems a bit crazy that i completely disregard that most days.  He provides, but if we don't collect, it's our loss, not His.  and He aches for our greetings each and every morning.  thank you beth moore for that insight!

Lamentations 3:22-23

New International Version (NIV)

 ²² Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
   for his compassions never fail.
²³ They are new every morning;
   great is your faithfulness.

update: i don't know if you have discovered my "running" page that i created about a month ago but here is an update on my progress.  last month, september, i ran 64.69 miles.  at a $0.50 rate, that is roughly $32.50 going to an organization or person of my choosing.  my mileage really picked up after i set this goal for myself.  in fact, i picked up mileage so quickly that i developed a bit of a pain in my right heel.  i did some research and discovered it is called plantar fasciitis, which is common in runners who instantly increase speed or mileage.  so, with that said, i had to slow down a bit AND now i need to spend some extra pennies on a different pair of running shoes.  but it hasn't stopped me from running yet.  this month i have ran 32.55 miles...a bit of a decrease from where i was last month.  but that is still $8 going to a person in need!  so it has been neat to run with a purpose.  and in seasons like this one, where i can't run as much, i can still rest in knowing that i am raising money for someone...instead of focusing on and dwelling on the fact that i can't run as much as i did last month!  yay!!!  

stay tuned...