Life in the PNW

And just like that, September is over. It flew by. Gone are the sunny, cool days and the newness of school. Now begins the gloomy, rainy, muddy weather for the next 7-8 months. Boots, scarves, jackets, hats, hot coffee, baking while it's raining out, pumpkin everything... I am overflowing with joy for these months.

Reflecting on the last few weeks, I am amazed at how good God is. I've been learning 2 Corinthians 12:9 first hand...

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

I have very few moments to myself, and they are usually spent sleeping. Otherwise I am working at Fox Hollow, making coffee for all the lovely faces of Orting. Or watching Ashton and playing with trucks and books and trains. Or doing endless homework and studying for Psychology and Apologetics. Or working at the high school, doing office work and talking to students and wishing it were my real job right now. Or running Maschhoff children somewhere... gymnastics, karate, school, Fox Hollow. :) I love all of these things, but there is absolutely no way I could do all of this on my own.

A couple of weeks ago, we had a worship night at Fox Hollow. It was the last time Mary, Sarah and I all worked together... bittersweet. :) I am so thankful for them in my life! We all went to high school together, each a year apart. I probably wouldn't have been close with them if it weren't for Fox Hollow, but now I can't imagine life without them! [Super cheesy, I know.] I used to think Mary was shy, but I know different now. She is honestly one of the funniest people I know. And Sarah is just plain wonderful. I will miss working with both of them, but I'm not worried about not seeing them. We all love crafting too much to stay apart. ;)

Speaking of crafting and September, I have been dying to have Scrabble magnets. I think they are the coolest thing ever. Well... Mary and Sarah made me a set for my birthday! I was so surprised and so happy! I went to Ikea with Gram like I do every year for my birthday, and I bought a white magnetic board for the letters. The verse I have up on it in the picture is Psalm 27:14. :)

Lastly, a picture of my sweet hometown. Pam makes fun of me because I am always in awe of Mt. Rainier. It is so beautiful! This picture is like a perfect fall day. Cloudy and cool but the mountain is peeking out! I love it!

Fall Nights

At first, I thought I would be so bummed when the new football stadium was built.

What? No muddy field? EVERYONE will be able to sit down? The seats are covered? Where will all the middle schoolers walk around? I don't know about this...

It didn't take long to change my mind. In fact, I loved the new stadium from the very first game I went to last fall. I took this picture on Friday at Orting's game against White River. Is this not the most beautiful view? To the west, an orange-y pink sunset. To the east, Mt. Rainier set in a purple sky. When I hear the Orting fight song, this is the view that comes to mind. I love it!

I think the thing I love most about the new stadium, and the old stadium, is that the entire town is at the football game. I was talking with my friend Jessica, who I also happen to nanny for, about this. If you want to be a part of the community, you have to be at the games. Its where you meet everyone from Orting. Not that there are THAT many people to meet ;)

Being a YoungLife leader makes the games even more fun. We have kids on the field, in the band, on cheer and dance, and just hanging out watching the game. Never a dull moment. I love our tiny town.

What the hail?

No really, its hailing right now. Thankfully I'm nice and cozy indoors with my coke zero and h&m sweater. Others may complain, but I love rainy spring days. I've said it before and I will say it again... true Washingtonian right here.

ANYWAY... its obvious that once again I have failed as a blogger. I let yet another month go buy without even the teeniest, tiniest post. But I have good reasons. Great reasons actually. I've been making coffee, working at the high school, doing YoungLife and hiking every chance in between.

Fox Hollow is seriously wonderful. As a barista, it continues to amaze me how little my job has to do with making coffee and how much it has to do with relationships. At Starbucks and Forza, the job was so fast paced that it was hard to authentically interact with customers. It's like constantly being on stage... cheery and outgoing, but no real depth. At Fox Hollow it is much more laid back. While I pray continually that business picks up, its still pretty slow and we have lots of time to really get to know customers. And gosh, do we have amazing customers.

People battling cancer, children battling cancer. People who have lost jobs, houses and family members. People with passions for students, dog parks and hiking. Mechanics, entrepreneurs, pastors, students, teachers, moms, grandparents, restaurant owners, bikers and bicyclists [not to be confused with one another :)], hikers, runners, coaches, hair stylists, bus drivers... the list goes on. Some of them I am able to encourage, and all end up encouraging me. It sounds cheesy, I know. But their stories amaze me daily.

I could go on forever about our customers. But instead, come in... get some coffee and hang out. :)

I've also been working at the high school, which I love more and more everyday. Since I am going to school to be a high school counselor [or middle school? or elementary?], I started volunteering at my old high school. I am getting a TON of hands on experience working with students and other counselors, on top of building my resume. :) I talk with seniors who are endanger of failing a class they need to graduate [not the fun part, but still part of the job]. I discuss other seniors plans after graduation [so interesting to hear all the different plans!]. I spend time with the other counselors, listening in on meetings with parents, students and staff... discussing running start, problems at home and school politics. I really love it all.

Lets see... YoungLife. I tried it once and swore I would never be a YoungLife leader again. I know it sounds harsh, but it was a terrible experience. Students, leaders, everything. No need to go into detail, but I was SO over it and never going back. Fast forward almost 4 years... here I am again. Its funny how when you tell God that you never want to do something/go somewhere/talk to someone, He right away reminds you who is really in charge. But I am so so so thankful! Through my friend Jordyn, I met Heide, the YoungLife leader in Orting. [Did I also mention that I told God I didn't want to be back in Orting ever again? Ha... ha... ha......] Jordyn met Heide through our college pastor and introduced her to me while I was making coffee one day. I made her a white chocolate americano and we became best friends. Okay, not really. But she did say I should come be a YoungLife leader. Yeah, good joke, I thought. I told her I'd check it out but I do not give into peer pressure [true statement]. She laughed. I went to check it out. Now I am stuck doing it again. ;)

There's more to the story, and I really love the Orting kids. And Orting YoungLife. And Heide! I am so thankful that God placed her in my life. His timing is PERFECT. As always. Shoulda known, right? Hah.

Is this post weird because it has no pictures and lots of words? Sorry. If you don't like reading, come back in a couple weeks. I might have pictures. ;)

Moving on... hiking. How many more things can I claim to love in one blog post? One more? Okay good because I LOVE HIKING. Best way to exercise EVER. Doesn't really even feel like regular exercising until the day after when you can't move your legs. Okay, just joking. But I really do love hiking. Mt. Peak has been conquered. Sarah, Mary and I are moving onto Mt. Si. And about 18367 other trails found in a 1980's hiking book one of our loyal customers at the Hollow let me borrow. I am so extremely excited and will most definitely post pictures soon!

I feel like this post has been a little high energy. Maybe its the coke zero? Oh well, until next time, have a lovely day!

:)