Blessings beyond measure

On Monday, I was officially offerred a job as a ninth grade English teacher, and I formally accepted. Since then, things have just gotten even sweeter.

--First, I was overwhelmed by the support and encouragement I got from friends and family. Sweet text messages, encouraging phone calls, and even a congratulations gift from a dear friend at church that was filled with all sorts of fun things a new teacher will need. I was going to take a picture of it, but my batteries are dead. I have just literally been tearing up thinking about how loved I feel--these dear friends truly know how to rejoice with those who rejoice. I just can't praise the Lord enough for them. A year ago, I felt completely alone, except for Andy, of course. I had left home, graduated college (where I lived with my most favorite people), gotten married, and moved to this small little town where I didn't know a soul. It was seriously one of the most difficult times of my life. I sat in our dark little apartment every day and cried while Andy was at work. And now, a year later to be experiencing this support, joy, love, and encouragement...it's just such a blessing.

--Second, I went to the school yesterday and got a tour of the building, and my materials (2 textbooks and 28 supplementary books) and such. My classroom is huge! One of the largest in the school. And, it will have a one-to-one computer lab installed so my students will have access to a computer from their very seats. Oh the writing we will do! My mentor teacher is my department chair, and her room is right next door. She has been tremendously helpful in letting me know what I'm going to need and what to do and such.

--Then, this is kind of an embarrassing story....I had to go to the superintendent's office to fill out some paperwork, and he wanted to greet me and welcome me to the corporation. Well, it was pouring down rain, possibly harder than I had ever seen in my life...and I had to race to my car with my box of books...then into the superintendent's office. I was dripping wet. Literally. I dripped on the rug. So...great first impression. He was very kind about it, though.

--And last night was Bible study at the church...and it was just so encouraging yet again. I'm sad we only have two weeks left. Four weeks is so short!

WOO-HOO!

I got the job!

And I'm thrilled!

This is what I need!

Tonight I got to spend a few hours with a group of wonderful ladies...and it was so perfect....except that it was for a moving away party. Exactly what I have been longing for. Female fellowship. I feel like I get so little of it these days, and I have so missed it. I was so bonded to my friends at Purdue...heck, I lived with my two best friends....it doesn't get any better than that. And then to move away from that, from everyone and everything I have known to a place where there really aren't people my age has just been a really difficult transition.

I have started to develop relationships with women here, but it's harder. A lot of times it seems like things stay at the surface level for so long. Most of them are mothers, and I am not. Many of them are already friends with each other. I am not naturally a very bold person...so asking people to do stuff is kind of difficult for me.

But after tonight, I know that I need it. I can feel the change in myself after having spent Wednesday with Linsey and Margo in Indy and then tonight at Michelle's party. I feel so much lighter, so much happier. I know that the Lord has blessed me with these relationships....I just need to be bold about pursuing them more! I need a friend who will get up in my bid-ness! Someone who will help me figure out this being a wife business....and someone who I know I can call for anything.

So that's what I'll be pursuing this summer.

If you need me, I'll be out pestering someone to be my friend.

My identity is my own

I think I finally got my whole banking situation figured out today. The money that was taken will be credited back to our account within 10 days and my credit report looks good. I have a new card, and I just need to activate it. Woohoo! I have access to money again! I was down to about 11 dollars in cash and we need groceries. Of course, I could have used Andy's card if we got really desperate. It's just been a really trying time. I've been praying a lot about it, though, because it has really revealed a lot about my heart. The anger and the frustration that I have felt have really shown me how much value I have placed on earthly things, and not on storing up treasures in heaven. It's amazing the things that God uses to teach us lessons and show us the state of our hearts.

We just started a ladies Precept study at our church tonight--and I am so crazy excited. I know that this study will bless all the women involved. So many have never had this experience before, and I am so thrilled for them. It's an immense undertaking...but the rewards are so incredible! It was the largest Bible study class I have seen since we started at the church (there have only been two....and they both had fewer than 10 ladies involved...there were nearly 30 there tonight!)

The earth is the Lord's...

Last night, Andy and I became explorers.

And we discovered a new world. Less than a mile from our home.

Well, not new new. Just new to us.

After dinner and the great ant killing spree of 08 we decided to go for a walk. Only this time, we didn't stick to around the block. We decided to make use of the wide open entrance to a state park that's literally three houses down. So we start out, at first just wondering along the paved roads and being goofy. Then we realize that we are literally a half-mile from the waterfalls that the park is named after.

So we wander down onto one of the trails, for one set of waterfalls (I think there are three) and instantly walk into one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. The falls are over 70 feet high, with huge cliffs and trees all around. It was absolutely stunning. And peaceful. And huge. And majestic. And perfect. And seriously a mile from our house. We could not believe it. We could not believe no one had told us about this! It was so beautiful! We're thinking about going back tonight and checking out one of the other falls. This time I'm not going to wear $3 Old Navy flip-flops. Some of the rock was really slippery and I was definitely not dressed appropriately. And I'm bringing my camera....because we need pictures of this! I have finally discovered something new that I like about Madison (it's been awhile...my last discoveries were a few shops downtown)

To Mom: You have to come and go for a hike. It'll make your science lesson on Clifty Falls so much better. Plus you can show your kids real pictures--"This is Mrs. Keller on the trail" and "This is Mrs. Keller falling down on the trail" and "This is Mrs. Keller punching Mr. Keller for laughing when she fell down" It'll be perfect. Seriously.