BaKiNg BrEaD

The first ahhhhhhhh! moment that I embraced as a celebration of  the completion of a long busy six months was....

 BaKiNg BrEaD! 

The dough groweth over!

Our dear friend (she is an amazing baker) posted a wonderful picture of her bread that she baked!

A few of us girls were inspired so we invited ourselves over to learn how to produce something so enticingly delicious!



THE INSPIRATION



It was a beautiful day!  The sun was shining and the birds were singing.

A day of connecting and spending time catching up! 

Making the perfect round shape!

A time of learning something new beyond a bread recipe! 

It was a time of children's laughter and the smell of Spring and freshness! 

 It was a day that represented "newness"! 

The end of one season and the beginning of another.

And what a better way to celebrate a new season of life than with wonderful women coming together to build relationships and enjoy each others company...

AND the bread was scrumpdeliciciosous! 

Fresh out of the oven with butter....who could ask for a better treat! 

Warm Buns...Melted Butter...YUM!

Hot, Fresh Homemade Buns

I am sure that other than our wonderful teacher....

Teaching the girls how to knead dough!

 none of us have baked bread since our bread baking lesson but the time we spent together was far more enriching than the flour we used!

History and Heritage Rekindled!

Roots of Change

Whew....
This journey is almost complete and what an adventure it has been.  It has changed me in the most amazing way.  Providence has prevailed and my roots have grown deeper into the soil that grounds me and feeds me.

My word DILIGENCE has served me well.
My support network has provided just that...SUPPORT!!

I miss writing.  Oh don't get me wrong I have been writing (typing) til my fingers tingle and loving what I have been learning but I miss writing and sharing on my blog and I can't wait to get back to this piece of me!

I have sooooo... many great adventures to share.

Words...What Are Those?

WoW!  The last time I connected with you beautiful and lovely friends was February 8th.....
Where does the time go?

Agghhh!!  I am a little rusty at this..  I could however write a behavior/treatment plan for you!

This year has been amazing and full.  As I started this year there were a few new endeavors I embarked on. 
I committed to pushing through the first six months of this year to finish my 2 year program in Child and Youth Care Work.  What this mean for me was 3 courses and 30 hours of practicum in an INTENSIVE Residential Treatment Home working with youth age12- 177/8.  This journey began in January and will be complete in June.

With this choice came sacrifice!  I had to set aside what I was doing and loved doing and follow in obedience to my calling.  Boy was that hard.  It has been tough.  It has challenged me on so many levels but most amazingly His hand has been on me through this entire experience.  I love providence...it is moving and encouraging.

In January as my dear friend Jodi and I were sharing our stories and ideas ( I love when that happens) she shared with me that she was choosing a word for the year.  I was inspired and chose a word as well....


Providence (No this was not my word if you can believe it) Moment....
At my practicum placement on my first day we participated in a team building activity.  We were to create a piece of art to represent the word (an ethic) that the therapist assigned us!  These pieces of art would be used in the treatment of the youth in our house.

The word I was assigned was the word I previously chose to be my word of the year....

This is my piece of Art that I created that hangs in the house where I am practicing changing lives.  It is a word that I hold dear to my heart because with out diligence I would not be where I am today.
This word is written in the top margin of my blackberry (an agenda with a black plastic cover..HEHE) as a reminder to be diligent in my calling knowing that I am on a journey that is far beyond myself. 

These are the creations of my colleagues....

It was amazing to see how each of us designed our pieces so differently.  I wallowed in the beauty of our difference as it reminded me that we are all created for a purpose and it is a celebration to embrace....

Providence

Providence according to the American Heritage Dictionary
1.  Care or preparation in advance;  foresight.  2.  Prudent management; economy.  3.  The care, guardianship , and control exercised by a deity;  divine direction.  4.  Providence. God

This season of my life is very busy.  My goal of posting once a week is taking a back burner as I move forward in my journey to impact the lives of troubled teens.  The day will come when this season is complete and a new season begins...

As I live out this adventure I can only say......PROVIDENCE.

As I make it through one more day...PROVIDENCE

As my friends and family support, feed and care for us....PROVIDENCE

As I walk with friends who are living out their desires......PROVIDENCE

As my husband and I talk about our hearts desires and see them coming to fruitation......PROVIDENCE

As I put one foot in front of the other moving toward my dreams and goals and it unfolds beautifully....  When I am so exhausted but answer the tug at my heart to write the message my heart is speaking ....
When I, through this season, balance the demands of full time school, friends who have needs, family demands and needs, and working with teens who need to be LOVED

and I make it through the day full of joy, thankful for what is ....PROVIDENCE

You Are Always on My Mind....

Blog sweet blog....oh how I miss you!  I remember the days of pondering and wallowing in thought of how wonderful life is and having the time to joyfully write and share with you!

Suddenly SCREEEEECHHHHH....January hit and life has changed!!!

I am a full time student working (for free) part time.

For the next six months many priorities will be different...

and so it leaves me thinking often of my blog and all of the fun stuff stuck in my head that I want to share.  I will eventually purge my brain with something other than Child and Youth Care Work information and  post something GOOD (although something good may come from my experience with these beautiful teenagers I am now working with)! 
I have a few thoughts sitting on the cusp of escape however I don't have enough time to do those thoughts justice and it just would not be fair to share in a hurry.  I prefer to savor the moment and share from the depths of my heart!

On an exciting note one week ago today I shared my LOVE story with a group of women.  It was an amazing story (even though I forgot the most important page) that I hope resonated in the hearts of the hearers.


The Pacific Ocean

Stay tuned my blogger followers...you never know when I am going to unleash the thoughts held captive in my head!

What is HE up to now????

As I find myself on the cusp of my 20 year class reunion I begin to reminisce and ponder.

 It was but a week ago that I was informed I had been added to the Facebook Group titled ....

Riverton High School Wolverines Class of 1991

Closed GroupMembers are public, content is private.

I was unsure how I felt about this as high school was not a great experience for me. 

I continued to reflect and determine whether I should exit the group or stay.  I am currently searching my heart and determining my motives as to leaving or staying as a part of this group. 

You see this group scratches deep hurts and betrayals.  Yes some say "That was 20 years ago....let it go."  This is part of the battle.  I am not sure just because 20 years has passed that the hurts have been healed or gone away.

I also wrestle with the idea of purposeful relationships.  For those of you who follow my blog and walk daily with me through life you will know I highly value relationships but I do not take them lightly.  From this group of classmates there is only one person whom I occasionally meet with when I return home.  I return home maybe once a year or once every two years.

Funny thing is my dad has never left that place and is easy to find (he is an icon, a hero..he is famous).  I suppose I could be easy to find if someone wanted to find me. 

One could argue the other way...why don't I look up people...well....I don't really see value in pursuing those relationships.  I tried to pursue a few after high school.  Life changes.  People marry, have children, divorce, change jobs, move, acquire new friends.  It is very difficult to cultivate relationships unless you are intentional.  With out intention from BOTH parties the relationship dies.  AND unfortunately some never really move beyond what was in high school, clinging on to the people we were and not seeing who we have become.

When this group notice came to me via Facebook I had a great time remembering.....

I remember Charlie. He was always so encouraging to me.  The day I wore make up for the first time (in grade 10) he gently told me it looked horrible and I should remove it.  He always seemed to be real and raw with me in those moments of silence and solitude. 

I remember Heather P.  She had a true genuine concern for my well being.  Thanks to Heather for trying to save me from myself.  It wasn't as successful at that time as you had hoped but I will forever be thankful to your family for their unconditional love at that time in my life.

I remember Connie (she was a mom).  She was always watching my back and doing it in good humor.  I will remember her all of my days because she passed on the day my first child was born.  I know the gift I was given that day was in return for the memory of  the gift she gave me.

I remember Mr. LeMasters and Mr. Befus and Mrs. Watne...they believed in me.  They gave me a chance. 

I remember Jerome.  He was my high school love.  Ah the things we do for high school love.

I remember Stacie and Nelson and my church friends.  I loved those Friday nights playing tetras or singing at the church.  I still love to sing (even though those around me cringe when I do)!

I remember leaving my grade 11 year and moving 2 hrs. away only to come back my grade 12 year.

I remember the mean girls.  YEP!  They were not nice.....

I remember being called names by the upper classmen volleyball players at volleyball practice each day.  They did not like me.

I remember Vanessa....We had so much fun walking before school, algebra class, and sleepovers.

I remember being ran over in the high school parking lot.

AHHH! The memories.....there are sooooo many good and bad....joy and angst.....

As I was meeting with my Maker this past week I was reminded of His providence.  I was reminded that my past does not define me.  I was reminded of Galatians 5:1  It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

 I was reminded that those people and all whom I walk through life with are the cast in my story.  Each one of them play a role.  Some played the lead role in My story.....the story that brings me to this beautiful place.  A place where His providence is evident.  Where I can see how His hand was on my life from the day in grade two when I gave it to HIM.  A place where I cry out to HIM and ask "Who am I Lord that you would bring me this far.....Who am I?"

And so as I continue to search deep in my heart regarding my true motives for staying a part of this group I will continue to remember.... He is the author of my life.  He is the Lover of my soul.  He delights in me.

I wonder what script He is writing now through this part of my journey?  I wonder what He is up to and how He will use this event to show me more of His providence.  I wonder how He will use this event to chasten me and make me whole.  I wonder how He will show me forgiveness and love through this!

I can't wait to see what HE is up to!!!

CH...ch....ch...changes!

As you can see there has been a few changes...I am working on my blog site.  I have felt called to do "something" more with my blog....not clear as to what the direction is but I have started by taking a step in that direction.  I am not finished.  My heart has been calling me in a different direction and I can't wait to see where we land together.

Stay connected!

Looking forward to continuing the journey with you!