Three weeks from this night I will be in Flagstaff, preparing for my journey to Honolulu on the 2nd of June. It’s crazy to think that in a mere 23 days I will be there- in my bedroom overlooking Ala Moana beach park on the 48th floor. I will be there- in the humidity. My hair will no longer be able to be straightened. I will be hot, compared to the winter coat I have on now (yes, in Arizona in May). My classroom will be packed up. My third and fourth graders will be sent home. My bags will be packed for the summer.
I have not written much over these past couple months, as relationships and much activity have used up most of my time and energy. However, it has been everything but uneventful. All creatures have found joy on this campus, from 30 new chicks being donated to a few bulls finding home on our campus. In fact, one morning, as I was running, I turned the corner facing the back of the gym only to spot three full-size black bulls, beginning to rise and stretch in the early morning sunrise. I quickly glanced down. “Phew! I’m wearing my blue outfit…not the red,” I think to myself. The last think I need is to be a running target. This is not Spain. Those bulls were eventually led off-campus and returned to their owners. Multiple snakes have been slithering around as well. I’ve almost tripped over two this past week! We are never alone.
The students have had a wonderful past two months. Sun Valley Indian School hosted an academic meet here in late April. Four schools were in attendance, competing against one another in music, art, bible memory, and academic quizzing. Five of my ten students received awards placing in either first, second, or third! I was so proud as they were called up to the stage. They’re brilliant! J
Spring break brought a relaxing time for me to spend with my brother in Denver. I flew up there out of Albuquerque for nine days. Throughout that time, Kurtis and I attended a Cubs v. Rockies game, hung out with various crowds of people, visited the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Focus on the Family center in Colorado Springs, spent a day soaking in Hot Springs, played cards at Applebees, and hosted an Easter feast! It was a wonderful week in which I was able to get much training in for my half-marathon, including a random night of Zumba at 24-hour fitness.
This past Saturday my New Year’s resolution became a reality. I set a goal back in January to run a half-marathon, the Shiprock half-marathon to be exact. Five months ago I could run few more than three miles. Since then I have run the Snowman Stampede 5-miler in Littleton, CO with Steve, an 8K at NAU with Bethany and Marie, and this past weekend- the Shiprock Half-Marathon (13.1 miles) in 2 hours and 31 minutes! This was a non-stop running experience. I did not need to walk at all. As I approached the halfway point of that race (mile 6), the aid station containing water displayed a large sign, “The miracle is not that you finished, but rather that you had the courage to start.” Five months ago when I set this goal, I wrote that EXACT quote on a piece of paper and taped it to my kitchen cabinet. This was a huge encouragement and, as I took it, a sign that I was meant to run this race. Upon crossing that finish line, I almost cried in joy. I did it! I was successful! I didn’t fail! It was an incredible adrenaline moment. Just today I registered for my next race: The Coconut Chase 8K in Honolulu. This, I believe, could potentially become a life-long hobby of mine.
So, getting back to Sun Valley, as I prepare to go from this 2010-2011 school year, I have received the calling from God to return next year. Did I want to return? Not exactly. In March I took a test in Phoenix- the PRAXIS. This was the last step in acquiring my Colorado teaching license. My plan was to move there this summer, being closer to my brother and in a big city. All arrangements were set and a moving date was decided. However, as the time approached closer and closer I kept hearing a small voice saying, “Be still. Just be still.” Dang it! Really? I’m always anxious to what is coming next in my life. I’m always looking forward to the next big thing- the next place I’m going to live, the next experience I am going to have. With much thoughtful prayer and consideration, I have decided (thankfully) to follow God’s call to just be still until He makes it known that I am to leave. Yes, that means I am here indefinitely, until the day when God tells me to move.
I’m beginning to love this place. Last week I lay in the green grass at the park in Holbrook, reading my book and watching young boys practice baseball. I recently discovered that Zumba is held at the fitness center here. I will begin this week (hopefully). The librarians in this small town know me by name, as do the cashiers at Safeway. Everything is simple. There is a small bowling alley, a one-room theater, and a darn-good Mexican restaurant. I found a cute spring dress at Alco last week for only $10! Who would have ever thought I would find something cute to wear in Holbrook? This town is simple. Life is simple, and I am not lost in the crowd here.
Bethany came to visit today. We were discussing the fact that she is planning on getting married in September or October. She asked me to be a bridesmaid and I thought to myself, “If I had moved to Denver this summer, I would not be able to help with this wedding!” God’s timing is perfect.
Bethany also observed my class. By the end of the day, she commented, “I’m tired- and I didn’t even teach!”
Tonight as I was grading papers, I came across a crumpled one, with sloppy handwriting (typical). It read, “Dear Ms. Matheny, please be the fith graders teacher next year. Your best teacher ever. Signed fourth grader student”.
I read it. I think: there is hope. Next year will be good. I smile. I am content...and I am still.
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