Tuesday, March 11, 2008
On the Road Again!
As I write this, all my bags are packed and I'm getting ready to leave beautiful VVR for a few months. Elisha and I are taking the grand road trip home. Today we drive to Utah to stay with her friends near Vegas, then spend some time checking out their area (Mt. Zion National Park!). From there, on to Arizona, where we will view the Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde and, thanks to Elisha, Wayne Newton in concert. On to southern California--Malibu, LA, up the coast to Elisha's hometown of Watsonville, Monterey to see Cannery Row and John Steinbeck memorabilia, San Francisco to see Anna and the sights there, back to Nevada so Elisha can scope out a future sight for her ranch ;), staying with Anita in Nebraska, and then HOME! I really can't wait to be there. I'm sure the trip will bring many interesting blogs along the way!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Come back home again real soon!
Top 5 Favorite Memories of Vista Verde:
1. Doing the dishes on New Year's Eve after the power outage in our pajamas and snow boots
2. A night drinking wine with Teresa and talking about boys, God, and what have you
3. Vegas, baby!
4. Wearing my cowboy boots down to dinner and slip-sliding all the way until Elisha practically had to carry me--the result was much laughter
5. Night snowshoe during orientation week--the first time I saw the amazing Colorado stars
1. Doing the dishes on New Year's Eve after the power outage in our pajamas and snow boots
2. A night drinking wine with Teresa and talking about boys, God, and what have you
3. Vegas, baby!
4. Wearing my cowboy boots down to dinner and slip-sliding all the way until Elisha practically had to carry me--the result was much laughter
5. Night snowshoe during orientation week--the first time I saw the amazing Colorado stars
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Hold on
Thanks to all you RVCers who warmly welcomed my sister last Sunday! She loved the service and the people and enjoyed the newcomers' pizza (thanks for talking her into it, Jonelly!)
We had our "end of the season bash" last night. It was a lot of fun. We had a slide show with lots of different pictures from the season. Ben thanked us and said a few "words," then opened it up to let anyone who wanted to say a few words. It was really great to hear people's takes on the season and things they had learned and observed. I have been doing a lot of pondering on what I've learned, too--probably a later post will emerge from that.
I got a really bad haircut today. I told the lady I wanted the same style, just trimmed up, and showed her a picture of Jessica Alba to show her what I wanted my bangs to look like. Suffice it to say, I do not look like Jessica Alba. She went way too short and went crazy with layers. Hopefully by the time I get home it will have reached a decent length.
Here is a song that I love by Steven Curtis Chapman that I have been thinking about lately:
I have come to this ocean
And the waves of fear are starting to grow
The doubts and questions are rising with the tide
So I'm clinging to the one sure thing I know
I will hold on to the hand of my Savior
And I will hold on with all my might
I will hold loosely to things that are fleeting
And hold on to Jesus
I will hold on to Jesus for life
I've tried to hold many treasures
They just keep slipping through my fingers like sand
But there's one treasure that means more than breath itself
So I'm clinging to it with everything I am
Like a child holding on to a promise
I will cling to His word and believe
As I press on to take hold of that
for which Christ Jesus took hold of me
Hold on for life
We had our "end of the season bash" last night. It was a lot of fun. We had a slide show with lots of different pictures from the season. Ben thanked us and said a few "words," then opened it up to let anyone who wanted to say a few words. It was really great to hear people's takes on the season and things they had learned and observed. I have been doing a lot of pondering on what I've learned, too--probably a later post will emerge from that.
I got a really bad haircut today. I told the lady I wanted the same style, just trimmed up, and showed her a picture of Jessica Alba to show her what I wanted my bangs to look like. Suffice it to say, I do not look like Jessica Alba. She went way too short and went crazy with layers. Hopefully by the time I get home it will have reached a decent length.
Here is a song that I love by Steven Curtis Chapman that I have been thinking about lately:
I have come to this ocean
And the waves of fear are starting to grow
The doubts and questions are rising with the tide
So I'm clinging to the one sure thing I know
I will hold on to the hand of my Savior
And I will hold on with all my might
I will hold loosely to things that are fleeting
And hold on to Jesus
I will hold on to Jesus for life
I've tried to hold many treasures
They just keep slipping through my fingers like sand
But there's one treasure that means more than breath itself
So I'm clinging to it with everything I am
Like a child holding on to a promise
I will cling to His word and believe
As I press on to take hold of that
for which Christ Jesus took hold of me
Hold on for life
Monday, March 3, 2008
Melodic Monday
When the dancers took to the promenade
My heart leapt high, and I was unafraid
Of the feelings I'd stifled for so many years
Tell me, how do you, how do you feel?
Well the band took their places and got all in tune
And then the caller's voice,
Well it rang out beneath the moon
And then the boys took their girls and they started to reel
And they were singin' how do you, how do you feel?
And then the people in the town said that they'd call the police
If we didn't keep down all this disturbin' their peace
And Officer Black, you know he answered their pleas
And he ran up on the hill just to see
Well, he hid in the bushes just a stone's throw away
And then we all saw this change comin' over his face
He was bouncin' to the beat and hoppin' on his heels
Singin' how do you do, how do you feel?"
And then the townspeople asked him if he'd make some arrests
Could they find peace and quiet so they could go back to bed?
He said, "If it's peace that you want, you're gonna find it on the hill
But the silence that you keep, it's the silence that kills."
So the townspeople all got so uptight and mad
You know, they fired him on the spot
And then they threw away his badge
Then they asked him to leave, and he said, "Gladly I will."
They said, "Tell us now - how do you feel?"
He said, "When the dancers took to the promenade,
My heart leapt high, and I was unafraid
Of the feeling I'd stifled for so many years
Tell me, how do you, how do you feel?"
- Rich Mullins
My heart leapt high, and I was unafraid
Of the feelings I'd stifled for so many years
Tell me, how do you, how do you feel?
Well the band took their places and got all in tune
And then the caller's voice,
Well it rang out beneath the moon
And then the boys took their girls and they started to reel
And they were singin' how do you, how do you feel?
And then the people in the town said that they'd call the police
If we didn't keep down all this disturbin' their peace
And Officer Black, you know he answered their pleas
And he ran up on the hill just to see
Well, he hid in the bushes just a stone's throw away
And then we all saw this change comin' over his face
He was bouncin' to the beat and hoppin' on his heels
Singin' how do you do, how do you feel?"
And then the townspeople asked him if he'd make some arrests
Could they find peace and quiet so they could go back to bed?
He said, "If it's peace that you want, you're gonna find it on the hill
But the silence that you keep, it's the silence that kills."
So the townspeople all got so uptight and mad
You know, they fired him on the spot
And then they threw away his badge
Then they asked him to leave, and he said, "Gladly I will."
They said, "Tell us now - how do you feel?"
He said, "When the dancers took to the promenade,
My heart leapt high, and I was unafraid
Of the feeling I'd stifled for so many years
Tell me, how do you, how do you feel?"
- Rich Mullins
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Pendulum
I finally tracked down Dace yesterday. It's officially confirmed--I'm coming back as a server this summer. I am a little disappointed about not being a kid wrangler. Dace made the comment, "Bekah values having you in the dining room because you're a good learner. It might take you longer, but once you finally do learn something, you get it." Thanks, Dace; why don't you just call me slow and stupid? I think a big part of why I have been so slow to learn is that I'm not a detail person, and our job is an endless litany of tiny details. Also, everything is so black and white (including our ugly man uniforms). I'm all about improvisation and creativity, and there just isn't room for that in the dining room. I understand that there needs to be uniformity, but I feel so constricted by it. Kids are one of my passions and what makes me really come alive. Making sure the coffee cup handles are at 4 o'clock does not light my fire. I'm tired of catering to stupid whims like people wanting half-caf soy lattes and demanding chopped parsley with their salad.
I talked to Dace again about it just to let him know that if a kid wrangler position opens up, I am really interested. It was a little frustrating because I think he thinks it's just about what I want. It is what I want, but it's also about my passions and abilities combining to be of the greatest benefit to the ranch. And I don't think that will happen as a server. I just don't care enough about straight tablecloths and what the correct appetizer utensil is.
Overall, though, I just want to be here for the summer. I told Dace I would do anything, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I was thinking about it more this morning, and the thought popped into my head, "I'm not detail-oriented enough to be a server. I'll never be good enough as a server." How many times is this "good enough" issue going to keep coming up? I think it's licked, and then it crops up again. I do feel like I've made strides in it since coming here, but not as far as I had hoped. I feel like I keep doing this big pendulum swing: "I have to get it perfect!" and then I realize my worth doesn't come from performance, and then I slide back into slacking on detail and punctuality and feel like I have to achieve perfection again. Back and forth. I guess the good thing about pendulums is that the swing gets less every time and continually gravitates toward the middle.
Lord, teach me how to find contentment in You, not in what I do or how well I do it. Show me how I can serve You this summer in the position You've placed me in.
I talked to Dace again about it just to let him know that if a kid wrangler position opens up, I am really interested. It was a little frustrating because I think he thinks it's just about what I want. It is what I want, but it's also about my passions and abilities combining to be of the greatest benefit to the ranch. And I don't think that will happen as a server. I just don't care enough about straight tablecloths and what the correct appetizer utensil is.
Overall, though, I just want to be here for the summer. I told Dace I would do anything, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I was thinking about it more this morning, and the thought popped into my head, "I'm not detail-oriented enough to be a server. I'll never be good enough as a server." How many times is this "good enough" issue going to keep coming up? I think it's licked, and then it crops up again. I do feel like I've made strides in it since coming here, but not as far as I had hoped. I feel like I keep doing this big pendulum swing: "I have to get it perfect!" and then I realize my worth doesn't come from performance, and then I slide back into slacking on detail and punctuality and feel like I have to achieve perfection again. Back and forth. I guess the good thing about pendulums is that the swing gets less every time and continually gravitates toward the middle.
Lord, teach me how to find contentment in You, not in what I do or how well I do it. Show me how I can serve You this summer in the position You've placed me in.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
I'm back!
Back in the land of the living! I feel like I've been somewhere else the past few days. They have been absolutely crazy.
I already posted about Charissa's grandma. Holly and Bekah were in Denver for a merchandise mart when the news came, which meant we didn't have Bekah's managerial stability or Holly's emotional comfort and support. Charissa is supposed to be second in command when Bekah's gone, but needless to say, she wasn't quite able to step up. I understand that losing a loved one is a really rough thing in life, but it doesn't mean that you can stop living. Anyway, Teresa and I were trying to manage, and I started feeling sick Saturday night. I could not imagine worse timing--Teresa was off and I knew Charissa was not stable enough to do anything by herself, and Bekah was still out of town. So I worked Saturday night and Sunday morning, but Teresa was back Sunday afternoon, so I took off. To make a long story short, I spent Sunday night throwing up and Monday lying on the couch, trying to recover. It was so miserable, though--people were always in and out of the bunkhouse and anything like peace or solitude (or sleep!) was impossible. Charissa's best friend flew in to visit, so that was added chaos house-wise, but really good for Charissa.
Anyhow, I was woken up at 7 this morning when people started getting ready for work, but I feel a lot better. I'm really tired, but I can function again. I have to go back to the chiropractor today, so I went into town a little early and had lunch (yay for eating!), and I'm writing this in a cute little coffee shop called the Steamin' Bean. My favorite coffee shop, Off the Beaten Path, is closed for a while for relocation. I'm really sad that they're relocating--their location was my favorite part of them! But the Steamin' Bean is good, too.
It's times like this that I feel like I can't stand communal living for another season. I am SO ready for my own place and my own kitchen and some respect for privacy. I think the summer will be better, though, because I will always have the option of going outside. I anticipate long hikes to journaling spots and prayer walks along the river, or even just sitting out on the porch. I CAN'T WAIT until the snow's gone. I am so ready for spring!!
Please pray that no one else will get sick and that I'll be able to sleep long and soundly tonight!
I already posted about Charissa's grandma. Holly and Bekah were in Denver for a merchandise mart when the news came, which meant we didn't have Bekah's managerial stability or Holly's emotional comfort and support. Charissa is supposed to be second in command when Bekah's gone, but needless to say, she wasn't quite able to step up. I understand that losing a loved one is a really rough thing in life, but it doesn't mean that you can stop living. Anyway, Teresa and I were trying to manage, and I started feeling sick Saturday night. I could not imagine worse timing--Teresa was off and I knew Charissa was not stable enough to do anything by herself, and Bekah was still out of town. So I worked Saturday night and Sunday morning, but Teresa was back Sunday afternoon, so I took off. To make a long story short, I spent Sunday night throwing up and Monday lying on the couch, trying to recover. It was so miserable, though--people were always in and out of the bunkhouse and anything like peace or solitude (or sleep!) was impossible. Charissa's best friend flew in to visit, so that was added chaos house-wise, but really good for Charissa.
Anyhow, I was woken up at 7 this morning when people started getting ready for work, but I feel a lot better. I'm really tired, but I can function again. I have to go back to the chiropractor today, so I went into town a little early and had lunch (yay for eating!), and I'm writing this in a cute little coffee shop called the Steamin' Bean. My favorite coffee shop, Off the Beaten Path, is closed for a while for relocation. I'm really sad that they're relocating--their location was my favorite part of them! But the Steamin' Bean is good, too.
It's times like this that I feel like I can't stand communal living for another season. I am SO ready for my own place and my own kitchen and some respect for privacy. I think the summer will be better, though, because I will always have the option of going outside. I anticipate long hikes to journaling spots and prayer walks along the river, or even just sitting out on the porch. I CAN'T WAIT until the snow's gone. I am so ready for spring!!
Please pray that no one else will get sick and that I'll be able to sleep long and soundly tonight!
Friday, February 22, 2008
Prayer request
I wanted to post a quick prayer request. Charissa just found out tonight that her grandmother passed away. She was in good health and her death was completely unexpected. Apparently she had a bowel obstruction and someone found her throwing up this morning, but she didn't make it. I don't know all the details. Charissa and her family are believers. Please pray for them to know Jesus' comfort and peace through this, and for His truth to prevail over Satan's lies in their hearts. She will probably be going home as soon as possible, but it's so hard for her being away right now and not able to be with family. Please also pray that I'll be able to show Jesus' boundless love towards her and sensitivity to her needs. Thanks so much--your prayers mean the world to me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
