Every time the saxophone, piano, and drums come together...

                You know what really cheers me up? Michael Buble. Yes, I have my Pandora station set to “Michael Buble radio”. I don’t know what it is about his soothing voice…bringing the music of the swing era back to life! Every time the saxophone, piano, and drums come together, it takes me right back to four years ago when I was introduced to my college love: swing dancing. My first swing lesson took place in Tinsley hall with Jenn back in 2006. Soon after, I began attending some in Gillenwater, gradually easing my way into nights at Galaxy diner, the yoga center downtown, and private parties in homes. Gosh! The joy that comes along with having a guy twist you and turn you rapidly in directions you can never predict is so exciting! I remember my sophomore year when Rob positioned me on one side of the patio and stood on the other. He said, “Okay, now run at me and jump into my arms with your legs to one side.” Oh my goodness! I was terrified, yet exhilarated! I took my running start: heels, skirt and all. He grabbed me by the waist, swinging me to the right, back in the middle, then to the left and up. Of course later on that night, however, he ended up throwing me into a bookcase, causing a knot to be formed on my head! Swing music also takes me back to the many moments Kurtis and I have danced. He would do the pretzel with me (which we’ve pretty much mastered). Our parents even encouraged us to perform on the Hawaiian cruise we took a couple of years back. Of course swing eventually developed into salsa, followed by ballroom dancing. However, the enjoyment of swing will never fade in my mind, despite the fact that opportunities no longer arise for me to enjoy that side of life. Anyways, back to the beginning. Every day at 3:30, after the children return to their dorms, my Pandora is turned on and both accompanies and cheers me up until dinnertime as I work productively in my classroom.

                The last couple of weeks have been up and down. Tempers and frustrations have developed. However, good moments have occurred as well. Last Friday I was blessed with the opportunity to travel with three of the girls to Winslow for birthday shopping. They were each allotted $15 to purchase whatever their hearts desired. It was so much fun as the girls tried on dresses, sweatshirts, and shoes. They each ended up with a pair of shoes, along with other goodies. Andrea picked out a beautiful dress, and Jessica purchased a sparkly sweatshirt. (I of course did a little shopping of my own as well!) We went to McDonald’s afterwards for some happy meals and play time in the indoor play area. Ricky was so kind as to stop by and say hello. The girls loved him and all the attention he paid them. Upon arrival back at the dorm they spent the evening bragging to the other girls that they met Ms. Matheny’s boyfriend. A little later that evening, as I was sitting on the couch with Jessica (a 2^nd grader), she turns around randomly and looks into my eyes. “Ms. Matheny?” She states, “I wish your boyfriend was here. He’s funny.” It was so cute! “I wish he was too sweetie,” was my only response. We concluded our evening by building tent homes with mattresses, dressers, and blankets and, of course, taking a million pictures.

                Sadly, this past week we lost Jessica and her sister Andrea, as their family moved down to Tucson. It kind of breaks my heart, as those girls were really beginning to shine at Sun Valley. They were loved and adored. They still are of course, but we no longer get to have them around. I’m told that this is typical, as students come and go. I guess I should not allow myself to get too attached, although I still do. I am glad that Jessica and I at least received one last bonding moment before she left when we built our tent.

                This past weekend I spent time in my classroom prepping and getting myself far ahead of the game. I also received the opportunity to go to Pinetop with some other staff members here and eat at an amazing Chinese restaurant. It’s always a blessing to get off campus and be in fellowship.

I had an hour available as well on Saturday to work on my quilt. Yes- I am making a quilt. I have found several material scraps in the Home Economics room and have decided to compile them all into a quilt, with the help of Diane. It will be a constant reminder of my time here. I know it’s only October, but I already feel like I have been here forever, like I belong. It’s nice to have that, you know? I mean, I have felt belonging in other places as well, but Sun Valley is different. We’re a family here. I eat every meal with my brothers and sisters here. I worship God with them. I fellowship with them. I laugh, play, and joke around with them. Everyone smiles. Everyone’s cheerful. Everyone knows your business, and prays for you. Everyone is sincere and madly in love with our savior Jesus Christ! It’s wonderful…and hard. It’s hard when I don’t get a shower in the morning because there’s no water. It’s hard when I have to drive forty minutes to go to Wal-mart. It’s hard when I have to call people back five times in an hour long conversation because of lost calls (the reception out here is awful!). But you know what? We are spoiled in our world and Sun Valley is a reminder of that. I love the presence of God that I feel on this campus each and every day. Every sunset I get to enjoy, every hymn I sing, every smile the children give me, every time my students run to me, every star I see in the open, dark sky at night.

God blesses me both here at Sun Valley and outside. Every Sunday I am spoiled by Ricky. He takes me out to lunch with his incredible family and we go on adventures. From being stuck in the mud for several hours, to swimming in the stream, to canoeing down the creek, to taking the quad out for the day, I’m spoiled. He’s very encouraging in everything I do and has a wonderful listening ear. Ricky hears my stories every night, and never complains. I’m very grateful for his presence, his patience, and his gentleness.  Everything I do with him is enjoyable…from walking around Winslow at night to watching baseball on television to attending Winslow High’s homecoming assembly, this man is wonderful!

Now, as the clock approaches 10:45, I need to make my way to bed. Tomorrow I am taking my children to the city I claim as my own: Flagstaff. We will walk around Walnut Canyon to observe the Sinagua Indian cliff dwellings, followed by lunch in the park, bowling, and Sonic slushes at Happy Hour (My favorite!). At Sun Valley we have many opportunities not given in public schools, and I am grateful for those.

Please continue to pray for finances, as our faithful 5,000 letters are currently in the process of being mailed out. Also, as always, keep the children in your prayers, as they are the priority. We wish for each and every one of them to discover the love of Jesus for them. I thank you all for your continued support of both the school and myself here. I could not do God’s will here if it weren’t for your prayers. He is good all the time.