The Quote that Changed My Thinking...

TOday while at church our Senior Pastor Phil Vance made a statement that really made sense to me. Phil said..."We are going to worship the Lord now, and we are going to be excited and have fun...do you know why?...because the Lord is not dull and boring...the Lord is exciting and fun." Isn't it true. There is a stereotipical image that is placed in the minds of people. That image is that God is boring and he doesn't allow any form of fun in life and he is against everything and full of rules. Yes, God does have rules...yes he does have limits for His people, but he is by no means...BORING!!! He is anything but...well at least that is my opinion. Everyone needs to form their own opinion. What's your opinion of God? Do you think He is boring?

The Last Year?!?!

I apologize in advance this is going to be a long post!! :) :) :)

Wow, ok so first HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!! It's really weird for me to look back at the last year it has been such a roller coaster of events. This time last year I had a 1 month old little girl that we were having a few tummy issues with, I was still on maternity leave and just loving being a Mommy. I has also started to help Garratt make final decisions in regards to which schools we were applying to. With scholorship deadlines, visit weekends, and application deadlines right around the corner we had to be right on the ball. My nephew Collin had just been born, my niece Layla was almost here and my niece Addison would be born tomorrow. Adien(my other nephew) had already turned 1 and Nevaeh (my other niece) was about to turn 1. How Fun!! So many cousins and all so close.

In October Garratt and I visited 2 schools. UC Davis and USC Pamona (sorry if that is misspelled). We eliminated Pamona, it just wasn't for us and that was obvious. UC Davis was still a possibility at this point.

In November Garratt decided that the Lord was really leading us out of California. We really didn't know where to but we knew that all Cali schools had to be eliminated. So back to the list we went. We eliminated the 2 school left from Cali and we were left with 3 schools to apply to...University of Missouri in Columbia, MO...University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill...and Washington State University in Pullman, WA. We decided to take it one application at a time.

December brought a lot of fun times, the babies (Collin, Layla, and Faith's) First's in the Christmas traditions. This included the Turlock Tree Lighting (actually in November), CHristmas Tree Lane, the Christmas Parade, Santa and Family Christmas time!!!

January brought the beginning of Garratt's final semester at MJC and the first application deadline, WSU. Garratt completed that and we were on our way.

February brought the fun of Garratt's birthday. We got our Family (whoever could go) to go play in the snow in Yosemite. That was great fun.

March was fairly slow.

April was exciting. Garratt recieved his acceptance letter for WSU.THe other applications were not due until May and July. At the end of April Garratt and I made the first trip 16 hours to Pullman, WA. It was Transfer Weekend and it was a lot of fun. The whole weekend was based around "Transfer Students." While here I was able to talk to some people and get some questions answered in regards to our particular situation, since we fall under the "NON-TRADITIONAL" Student category. After seeing the campus, talking to people and then getting to walk around by ourselves and see things we really just instantly fell in love with it. When we left Pullman, I told Garratt that I really felt like this was the place for us. We both agreed, but we also knew that if it was going to happen that is was going to be a GOD thing. When we got home we were shocked, although we shouldn't have been, at how quickly God began to work all the details into place so perfectly. A week later we were in full moving mode.

May brought a world wind of events. We moved our move date to the end of May (from the original beginning of July) Garratt worked his last day at Emanuel Medical Center on May 2, after working there for just over 11 years. We went to Tahoe for our anniversary. We worked out the financial situation for the move and school. Then I went into full stress out mode, I had just about 2 weeks to pack up everything, set up all the arangements for the move, and plan our Good-Bye party. As stressful as it all was it was fun at times too. We left Turlock on May 19 and arrived in Pullman on the 20th. My Mom, Garratt's Mom, My Sister (in-law) Manndi, My Niece Nevaeh and My Sister Steph all helped us move. We really could not have done it without them. Then on May 24th they left and headed home and left us by ourselves. For the first time ever in either of our lives we were completly by ourselves with no family and no friends near by. Where we ready? Well...that was to be determined.

The begining of June brought a road trip back to California. We drove down to be with my Brother for his birthday. It was really great. 3 days after getting home Faith and I drove Garratt to Spokane so he could catch a plane back to California. We did not realize at the time we reserved our moving van just how much stuff we had, so Garratt was going back to make a second trip with the rest of our stuff. At the end of June Garratt took off again to meet my parents in Reno and pick up my Sister Jenn. Jenn was coming up to spend a little time with us, I was really excited.

July 8th Garratt, Faith, My Sister Jenn and I headed to Spokane. We spent the night there and caught a plane on the 9th to head to California. This time for 2 weeks...YEAH!! This was also Faith's first time on a Plane and she did great!! I was so proud of her, We didn't have any problems with the plane. We had a great time too. SHe was a little anxious towards the end but other than that she did great. While in Cali we tried to do A LOT. We spent time with both families, spent time with some friends (love you Jennie, Dave and Timmy), made a trip to Yosemite(of course), threw Faith a birthday party and attended Garratt's Dad's Wedding. All of which was a lot of fun. Just like so many things the fun eventually had to end and we headed back to WA on the 22nd of July. On the 28th we started Faith in day care, for the first time, at Pullman Christian Childcare Center. This place is so great.

On August 4th I went for an interview at WSU and got the job. I started the next day!! WHOOO HOOO!!! Finally, please note that I began looking in May as soon as we decided that we were definatly moving. 3 months....UGGGG!! On the 22nd we celebrated Faith's 1st Birthday, had the Unoversity Convocation, and the University All Campus Picnic. On the 25th Garratt began the first semester at WSU.

This month so far has been fun. The 4th was a Welcome Picnic for our Apartment Complex. The 7th we started attending church at Living Faith Fellowship, which we love!! The 12th was my Department Fall Picnic out at our Associate Directors house in Palouse. The 14th was the first meeting of the Small Group that we have connected with. It is a small group and they are all fun families with children. We meet everyother week right after the church service. We have a potluck followed by children going into a play room and Adult Bible Study time. It is really great. I have connected with the wife, Sherri. SHe has been so great and her and I have really hit it off. This week we have a book fair at PCCC and a potluck on Thursday at PCCC. That should be fun. Then Faith moves into the Toddler room on Monday!!!

Wow...what a year right. We have had some downs in there too...mostly financially and little bit emotionally too but that is to be expected with all that has happened. All in all I have to say that this has been a great year. I am so blessed to have such a support group of friends and family that I can always count on. I am also so happy that God has done so much in our lives. I can honestly say that God has placed us here for a reason and I cannot wait to see what he has planned for us. I am thankful for what he has already done for us and I thank him for how much Garratt and I have grown closer to eachother. Well...this year has ended(at least sorta) and a new one is beginning and I cannot wait to see what lies ahead.

Woo hoo and What the heck...

Today started out as a perfectly normal day. I got up showered, got Faith up and ready, made Faith's Lunch and headed out the door. I dropped Faith off at daycare and headed to work. I got to work and everything seemef fairly normal. That was until about 10 am when my boss recieved an email from the Dean of our department. This email was a forwarded message from the PROVOST of the University. It was informing us that the Provost was taking PERSONAL LEAVE effective immediatly. Now you may be thinking that this is fairly normal right? Well, in most cases taking personal leave is fairly normal but when you have only been on assignment as the PROVOST for 1 1/2 months it seems a little weird. About 30 mins later we got an email that the President of the University was on campus, he was not due to be here until tomorrow which is FERDINAN's (the campus owed and run creamery. MMMM) 60th Birthday...(on my birthday how cool...HA HA :) :)... Any who...turns out he was here to talk the Dean of Veterinary Medicine into taking over as Acting Provost while the current provost is gone. There is no anticipated time of return for our provost. The Deans office called my boss around 11 and told her that it seemed really fisshy and that there was talk that he went on leave because he was forced by "higher" powers. We all have our speculations both good and bad, but they are strictly speculation, WE KNOW NOTHING!! So that was the WHAT THE HECK news only because for the last month things have just been VERY VERY VERY weird around campus.

Now the WOO HOO...this is UNOFFICIAL NEWS...BUT...


What you really want to know?? OK OK

The person that I have been filling in for put in her OFFICIAL resignation, effective TODAY!!! Now as far as my department, my boss, my director adn the Deans office are concerned the job is mine, but we still have to go through all the technicalities. Since we are in a hiring freeze We have to get approval from the "Provost" office to open the position for hiring. (WSU doesn't allow Direct Hiring into a position from a Temp position) Once we have the approval they will post the position on the Employmetn sight. I must at that point submitt an official application for the position. Then my boss has to do an official search. She then can inputr me based on the grounds that I am currently in the position and have already been trained. Once that is done I finish paper work and I am official, which means...BENEFITS, SICK LEAVE, and ANNUAL LEAVE. This process could take anywhere from 2 weeks- 1 month it all depends on how quickly the "provost" office responds and how quickly they get things posted...etc. I will let everyone know when it is official. I am very excited, This job has been so greaat for me and my boss is great and they have done a lot to help us. I am so thankful to GOD that he placed me in this position.

So, there you have it a fully balanced day. A little of the "WHAT THE HECK??" and a little "WOOHOO"

DOUBT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

What is doubt?
–verb (used with object) 1. to be uncertain about; consider questionable or unlikely; hesitate to believe.
2. to distrust.
3. Archaic. to fear; be apprehensive about.
–verb (used without object) 4. to be uncertain about something; be undecided in opinion or belief.
–noun 5. a feeling of uncertainty about the truth, reality, or nature of something.
6. distrust.
7. a state of affairs such as to occasion uncertainty.
8. Obsolete. fear; dread.

That is the dictionary version of doubt?

Matthew 14:31 (Whole Chapter)
Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

Matthew 21:21 (Whole Chapter)
Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen

This is what the bible says about doubt.

After reading the definition and 2 verses that I really like, I sit here and ponder why it is that I EVER DOUBT GOD'S Pover? Why do I ever doubt that he is going to take care of us? Everytime I even start to doubt HE does the one thing that HE should never have to do...HE PROVES HIMSELF YET AGAIN. As a human I find myself so easily falling into the same old routines of stressing out over the things that I cannot control, worring about the things that I cannot fix and doubting the ONE who can do it ALL!! Why is that? Why is it that nomatter how many times I read Matthew 14:31 I still DOUBT the POWER that MY GOD has? Why is that even though ever time ANY ONE IN MY FAMILY (which includes my friends, bcause all of my friends are my family too!!) IS IN NEED OR TROUBLE THAT GOD IS THERE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM YET THE SECOND THAT TROUBLE OR HEARTACHE HITS WE ALL FREAK OUT BEFORE WE TRUST. Don't misunderstand me, I know that a majority of my FAMILY, does eventually trust that GOD will take care of it all, but that initial momment of impact we forget to TRUSTR and we forget NOT TO DOUBT and that GOD has it all under control adn he is going to make sure that everything is ok? I guess there is only one answer to all of this...HUMAN NATURE, it's our own STUPID HUMAN SELF. Darn myself!!!!

The Birthday Question?

I am posting this blog only because I have been asked at least 4 times...WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY??? That is usually a very difficult question for me becaue I never know what I really want. This year it is easier. I know what I want. Gift Cards for Michaels is great, gift cards for Wal Mart are good and Money for work clothes would be great also. Those are the things that I really want. Anything of course would be greatly appriciated so don't think that my list is strict, it's not! Just remember...as much as I love Target, the closest one for me is in Spokane (1 1/2 hours away) and to use Target gift cards means ordering stuff online because we don't go to Spokane very often. Well, there you have it. My birthday list...and I am proud of myself it is out here in the open a week before my birthday...YEAH ME!


SIDE NOTE: I DO NOT EXPECT ANYTHING FROM ANYONE...(EXCEPT MAYBE MY HUSBAND :) :)

Mommy Moments

I can tell you from FACT that I LOVE MOMMY MOMENTS. You know those moments when you absolutly love being a Mom. When your child is sweet and loveable. Well, I had a Mommy moment last night. After Garratt got home from work at 9:00, he had some studing to do and he decided that it would be better for him to walk up to the Library, because then he wouldn't be distracted or easily tell himself he can go to bed. So off to the library he went. I headed to bed and just as I got comfortable and started to drift off I heard my daughter start to cry. I went in and picked her up and checked to make sure she was ok. She smiled at me and I knew that she was AWAKE! Not exactly what I had in mind for the night but ok...so down stairs we went. I got her some toys and a sippy cu with milk, and she played and played and played for about an hour then she grabbed her sippy cup and attempted to climb into Mommy's lap, so I picked her up and she laid in my arms drinking her sippy cup watching TV and talking and talking and talking. Finally just before 12 she began to get the glassed over look in her eyes that tells me she is ready to go back to bed so Mommy picks her up from her spot next to me on the couch, turned off the lights put her 1/2 full sippy cup in the fridge and headed back to bed. Faith was out withn seconds of me putting her in bed and I was not far behind. Having Faith at the stage where she just likes to sit with you and talk to you and do whatever you are doing is fun. I love when she looks at me and says.."Mommy...." and then proceeds to fill me in on all the details (most of which I never understand, but I listen anyways. :) :) There is nothing more special to me then these little moments in my daughters life.

BEING SICK BITES

I am not a person who handles being sick. I don't mind colds they are ok because I can still function and work and take care of Faith. WHat I don't like is what I have today...the nauseous, feel like I am going to throw up, head hurts, and achy body. THE FEELING THAT YUOU HAVE BEEN HIT BY A MAC TRUCK. That is what I DO NOT like. But inevitably that is what I have. I calle din Sick to work today and Garratt stayed home from class to take care of me and Faith (we decided to keep her home so that I didn't have to worry about going out to pick her up later.) Garratt is still planning on going to his research class (12-1) because he has a huge assignment due and then he is planning on going to work tonight (4-8ish) so hioefully Faith and I will be ok. We will make it work...cause we are good like that, sick or not. Iam done on the computer I am going back to the couch to lay down and watch TV and probably take a nap.

WHY NOT???

As most of you remember about a month aga I was faced with the decision of picking between two different jobs. I decided to stay at WSU for various reasons. Well, last night I got a phone call from the job that I turned down. They had sired the alternate girl and she did not work out at all. They fired her yesturday. They apparently decided that I was the one they wanted (again) and called to see if I am available. By now most of you have had the answer NO go through your head...well I didnt instead my head went straight into...ok GOD what is this? I told the girl that I was a temp currently (which I am) and that I would have to talk to my husband and my boss and find out where this situation stands. All night I worried about weather or not this was a God thing not. I know that I Love my job at WSU, I also know that the pay is right at the bottom end of where I need it, I know that the hours are great for being able to take care of my daughter and work around Garratts schedule, and I know that there is no idea as too what is going to happen with my position, and I know that if I were made permanent that I would be very happy staying here as long as I needed to. I also know that the other job pays a lot less (which aparently is now NEGOTIABLE), I know the hours are not as flexible and that I would barly if at all make it to pick up my daughter on time from daycare 3-4 nights a week, I know that it is furthur away (in Moscow), I know that it would be permanent and that unless it just did not work out that I would probably stay there. So, what do I do. Well, first I told Garratt about it then I asked God what to do...then I went to work this morning and told my boss what was going on. Once I did that she decided to do a little digging to find out what was going on...turns out that the paperwork for the person I am filling in for is due back by the 16th of September. This will tell us what her situation is. So by the end of next week we should have a better idea of what is going on. Also, if she doesn't get her paperwork turned in by Tuesday then that is considered uncooperative and would result in termination which then opens the job for ME! Either way I should have a clearer idea of what is going to become of this poition by the end of next week, possibly sooner depending on how quickly HRS gets back to my boss. So, for now I will wait. If the other people call again I will tell them that I will know by the end of next week if they can wait, because I feel I have an obligation to my department and my boss to stay at least until the other girl returns, If she returns, and I will tell the other company that if they cannot wait that I understand but I cannot leave my current job just yet. That is the only thing that seems to work and I know that my not be the most diplomatic approach but its my approach at this point. What else can I do?

One Hurdle...Church

So, Garratt and I all too easily fell into the "WE'LL GO NEXT WEEK" mode. We said we would go to church. I would lookinto diferent churches then we would let minor little things stop us from going. It started with Mel won't go by herself...yes Miss Indenpendent refusses to do much without her husband by her side. Then it was well, we need to get things done so that everything is unpacked before we go to CALI. Then we got back from CA and it was wel we need to recoup. Then it was what I would consider a somewhat ligit to a point excuse and that was Faith got sick and wasn't getting over it and I thought that it was because she was at daycare 5 days a week and I didn't want to put her in a Nursery with other kids and more germs plus her germs and blah blah everyone knows how that excuse goes. Then it happened there was nothing stopping us. Faith was still not completly better but she was ok enough to go into a nursery. So, yesturday we went. We visited the church that has caught our attention most of the time that we have been here. Living Faith Fellowship. This church is structually big but congregationally fairly small from what we can tell. But WE fell in love with it almost instantly. The people were very friendly and open. They greeted us multiple times and helped us find things. We also happened to visit on the day of SMALL GROUP RALLY SUNDAY. Basically it is there way of introducing all the Small groups that are available for the year. It was great. We found out that yes they have a Sunday School hour, but that is not were they put their focus. They are all about getting connected with a Small Group. So, after looking around and having met one of the Young Married Small Group leaders earlier in the morning we signed up to try his and his wifes Small Group. We are very excited. They meet every other week right after church. They do ao potluck at their house and everyone eats (kids are welcome)for about an hour then the kids go play in the playroom or if they are smaller they can play right there in the room with the adults, and they do an hour + long bible study. We are very excited to see what it is like. It starts next week so I will be sure to fill you in. As for the service itself...WOW!!! I don't think I have been so overwhelmed by worship like I was at this service. They are very open...they have the kids in with the parents during worship time. The kids are allowed to dance around, people all over were dancing and singing no one was shy because they couldn't sing. It was great. They did some modern music and a little old hymns stuff. It was done very well. Garratt and I both walked away wwith a great feeling about the worship. Then there was the sermon. WOW!!! I cannot remember the last sermon that I really enjoyed throughout the whole thing. This Senior Pastor is very interactive with the congregation. He knows when he can be loud and passionate and he also knows when to tone down and be serious. None of his jokes were forced or scripted they just came out along the way. Garratt and I both felt like we walked away with something from the sermon and that has not happened in a long time. We are going to stay at LFF for awhile and see how it goes. We both just really felt comfortable and very acceppted by everyone and Faith had a great time singing and dancing with us during the worship time and then playing and having a snack in the nursery during the sermon time. Plus, the nursery staff was very sweet and I just felt completly comfortable leaving her up there. The church structure is very different. I will try to explain hopefully it makes sense. Most churches you walk into the hallways are open and go off into different directions and the Sanctuary is closed off with a "LOBBY" area out in front. Not at LFF. LFF has an OPEN sanctuary. You walk into the building to an information desk lobby area, then you walk into the main lobby which is completly open and connected to the sanctuary. Everything else is behind hallways off of the sanctuary. It is really kinda cool. It sounds like it would be distracting behind you to have an open lobby but it wasn't at all. It was wonderful. So that was the WE SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS SOONER experience and now we have a church and we are eally happy about it. We cannot wait to get fully connected and start making friends. I am really missing having friends!!!!! I NEED SOMEONE OTHER THAN GARRATT TO HANG OUT WITH! (No offense my love!!) Well, if you have any questions in regards to our new church just leave a comment and I will answer any questions yoou have!!! Talk to all soon!!!

HMMM>>>PONDER

One of the professors in the department that I work for at WSU sent me an e-mail regarding yet another change for a seminar I am tring to get set-up for later in the semester, he included a 1-liner at the beginning of the e-mail that said it all...


NOTHING IS AS CONSISTENT AS CHANGE!!!



I will leave it at that becaue I really think that says it all!!

Yakama Picnic

On Thursday our Apartment complex had a welcome picnic. It was kinda fun. We got to see people from the OTHER side of the complex. Also, they had the Pullman Firedepartment there for the kids. The kids got to climb around push some buttons and ask the firefighters ALL the questions they wanted. We left kinda early bcause we were just sitting there and Faith was a little grump she had refused to nap at daycare that day. All in all though it was pretty fun. Enjoy the pictures. By the way the gold plated cougar that is in one of the pictures is actually imprinted on the Pullman Firedepartment Trucks.

One car down one to go

We went last week and got the plates changed for the Buick. YEAH...one car is officially registered in WA. Next is the Dodge. We will get that one done next week. It is so weird. THey actually handed us our plated right there at the Department of Licensing, no waiting. SO Garratt finally had a chance to put them on the car the other night...wooo hooo!! Notice the cool...COUGARS plate cover on the back plates!!!