So here I am- lounging in my oversized jet black sliding desk chair, sipping on my latest discovery- dark chocolate almond milk! Yes, believe it or not, dark chocolate almond milk exists. I truly believe it was created with me in mind. Being lactose intolerant, I haven’t been able to drink regular milk for a while…so I miss out on my favorite drink of all time- chocolate milk. Then tonight, while at Safeway, right ahead of me she sat: dark chocolate milk! I was so thrilled, I grabbed that half- gallon container, refusing to even look at the price. Luckily, it was on sale…another excitement. So now I am thoroughly pleased as I have all of my work done for the night, Colbie Caillat on the radio, my laptop in front of me, and my milk at the side.
Life at Sun Valley is always a blessing, yet sometimes not an enjoyable time. To be honest, last week was the most difficult so far. I feel that every time things go wrong, they all go wrong at once. I called my grandpa in North Carolina tonight and he said, “Well, as they say- when it rains, it pours.” That definitely put a smile on my face. Last Sunday night two of my boys snuck out their window late at night and the police found them two miles down the highway at the Hopi truck stop. So, as a result of that incident, they were both suspended for a portion of last week, putting a slight strain on me. Last Tuesday we discovered lice in my classroom (the joys of an elementary school teacher!), allowing me to experience the pleasure that comes along with treating all my pillows, carpet, and bean bags, as well as my own head. Wednesday was challenging in itself for reasons I would rather not discuss, and Thursday at the cross country meet in Show Low I had an incident with one of the boys not following directions, resulting in a meeting with the administrator on Friday. I then found bed bugs in my apartment and a four-inch centipede in my sink. By Friday night I about lost it. That’s when I hit the road for Flagstaff, only to get pulled over on the way because of a burnt out headlight.
The Osorio family has always been a blessing in my life. They gladly accepted me into their home for the weekend, despite their not feeling well. They provided me with one of the most comfortable queen-sized beds I’ve ever slept in, allowing me to sleep a total of about 18 hours over two nights. I certainly needed that! I was able to lounge around, watch movies, run in the forest, and hike up Mount Eldon with my friend Bre. Eri listened patiently to me as I described some trials in my life and gave me her motherly advice. Jacob was the typical “brother”- headlocking me in the car on Sunday, sitting on me on the couch, and in general torturing me as usual…it was nice to be “home”. Bethany told me all about her experiences the week prior to in Camp Colton, and Adam was incredible by helping me fix my headlight and going with me to Wal-mart to purchase a lice treatment kit. I am truly blessed by that family and I’m glad they are still only an hour and a half drive away.
On Sunday I was able to stop by Winslow to see Ricky. He had just returned from a U of A game in Tucson, and was generous enough to allow me to use his oven to make one of my students brownies for her birthday. It’s always relaxing to lay on the grass in his backyard, or walk through the city at night with him, hand in hand. He’s been very encouraging and I love it when he tells me he is proud of what I am doing, even though we are a forty minute drive from eachother.
In church yesterday the pastor was talking about John 16:33, which reads, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Two things spoke to me in that verse. First of all, He wants us to have peace in Him! That’s such a great feeling! Peace- wow. Just think about that word…the meaning. Webster’s defines it as, “a state of tranquility or quiet.” Quiet…Quiet… Quiet. That is something I need to incorporate back into my life. Quiet.
Second, John discussed that there will be tribulations (as obviously seen throughout my past week), but we must be of good cheer! I am rarely of good cheer during tribulations in my life. Be of good cheer- imagine that. Joy in the midst of a storm. Joy and cheer because “I have overcome the world”. Gosh- I really cannot wait to run into the arms of Jesus! HE’S OVERCOME THE WHOLE WORLD! Now THAT is what brings me peace… knowing that in the end, my Father wins.
So, I take a deep breath, I rest a while, I drink a fruit smoothie in the morning, and I walk to class, knowing that the day will probably be difficult, but through it all I remember to delight in the little things, because I have a Father who loves me guiding me and directing me through this life on earth, only to bring me home in His own timing.
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