Living and Learning

     It's been a while since I last posted here in my blog, and this one will be brief, due to time constraints. However, I've been living my life here in the small town of 5,000 people, Holbrook. I moved from Sun Valley to Holbrook two months ago and joined the Holbrook Unified School District team. This was the best decision I could have made. Despite the fact that I did not get to move to my favorite place, the mountains of Colorado, I am enjoying every bit of my time here. AND- the benefit is that I get to go to Colorado quite frequently. I traveled to Durango a few weeks ago and will be in Denver, CO over the next three weeks.
     Holbrook has been great in many aspects. First of all, I'm all fully cared for as far as good pay, medical benefits (including dental and vision), paid leave (10 days), and retirement goes. I was also blessed with a beautiful two-bedroom apartment, newly tiled. I'm at peace here, and life is slow. I get a little anxious when I live a slow life, but it is just what I need.
     My mentor at school has been teaching me SOOOO much! I've learned classroom management of 22 six-year olds, templates, words mats, objectives, 100% engagement, etc. She came in unexpectedly last week and then sent me an e-mail stating that I have "withitness". This is because, as I walked around the room, she caught me correctly many things, such as the way a child held his pencil. Then, shortly after my principal came in to observe (she just comes- never announces) and wrote down that I had 100% engagement! She told my mentor that I was ON IT! It is so encouraging to get these compliments from professionals, especially as I am the youngest staff member, by several years!
      My classes for my Masters in Early Childhood Education have begun. My professor at NAU has been working with me, and it's so neat to communicate with other teachers through my class in different parts of the country. One of my group partners actually teaches first grade as well, where my parents live in Queen Creek! What a small world.
     A parent volunteer at my school wanted us to make a class scarecrow and submit it in the Navajo County Fair. It took a while and she put a lot of effort into it. BUT WE WON FIRST PLACE! You can see pictures on my facebook page. This scarecrow is now permanently  in my classroom.
     Life in a small town is fun. I ordered my first bountiful basket, which is a basket of SURPRISE fruits and vegetables! They come every other week and are so fun. I'm very excited as I figure out what to do with collards and 15 limes! I found a lime dessert online I might try, and red that you can wrap sandwiches in collard leaves instead of bread. This will be a fun week of lunches!
     Church is going well, as we just began our women's bible study. We are studying the book of Nehemiah and I wanted to quote a bit of Kelly Minter's bible study. She is a young Christian singer (probably in her thirties) who lives in Tennessee. This bit of her study really encouraged me. Here goes:

"As I think about Nehemiah's response to opposition, I think of my desperate need for God in all areas of my life. I don't write a lot about my singleness, at least not in the sense of it being and incomplete stage of life, or worse yet, a nonmedical disease. (Plus, it tends to set off a frantic alarm clock in women who suddenly have an unruly urge to set me up with their son, cousin, or uncle they haven't seen in 15 years, but who really loves the Lord. I write in love.) But in the last few months I have become very aware of how much I take care of myself.

My dream was never to do life without someone committed to walking alongside me until death do us part. I have friends who are as tight as family. My life is filled to the brim with joy and adventure, but only a man can fill the roll of a man in my life. Some days I wake up and say, 'Lord, be my husband, my father, my brother,' even though I have the best father and brother ever, they just don't live close enough to mow my lawn. I long for the faith of Nehemiah who looked the opposition in the eye and said, 'I've got God.' And by the way, He trumps everything."

     I completely relate with Kelly. My choice to live in Holbrook has pretty much eliminated any possibility of another boyfriend, or husband. But right now, I'm okay with that. My life is fun! I'm continuing in my Zumba classes, love my bible study, love my job, love continuing in my education online, travel frequently, enjoy my cute cat Luna, and am meeting new friends in Holbrook.

     I also relate to her when she speaks of taking care of herself. My toilet broke the other day and I learned all the parts of a toilet on the computer, and even fixed it!! (Sort of.) Let's just say it works for now. I even just figured out how to put new windshield wiper fluid in my new car, and picked out new tires by myself! Who knew there was so much to know about a tire! (I knew a lot about my CR-V, but had to start all over when I got my fit.) It is a small step, but I'm learning.

     Overall, I am doing well. I know this ended up not being that brief, but I type fast. I love this stage in my life and am going to drink it up while I can! :)