LIFE, assorted

I've been a bad blogger. I didn't even write about my trip to Alabama, which has come and gone (way too quickly). We had a wonderful time, just enjoying the little things about being together- going to Target, eating dinner together, we even braved the beach on a rather windy day. I don't have many pictures (in fact, I have no pictures, Andy has them all). Now it's back to the grind of trying to start a life together, apart.

I've been keeping busy teaching and learning, and learning to teach, and learning how NOT to teach. I'm taking two classes right now (one just started and the other is ending) that are really challenging me in my teaching. It always sounds nice to be challenged in something, but the fact is that it's much nicer once you are done being challenged.

Wedding preparations are also keeping me on my toes. I'm working on a slide show for after the ceremony (to keep all of you busy while the Andy and I are taking pictures). Looking through old photos does make me question the authority my parents had over me- why in the world did they let me out of the house looking like that?

We're also working on our invitations and will be sending them out in a couple of weeks- yay!

Sorry, no exciting pictures this time. Maybe next time.

count down central

3 days until I arrive in Alabama for the third time in my life. To see the man I will marry in 103 days. Whom I have not seen for 71 days. We'll spend 10 days together, and then 82 days apart. And then we'll be together forever.

And I can't wait.

spring in o-re-gone

I've been thinking lately that Spring is God's way of congratulating us for making it through the winter. I've also been thinking that I have a very different appreciation for seasons than I did before I lived outside of the US for two years. One more thing I've been thinking is that it is good to appreciate the small stuff in life. Like daffodils and cherry blossoms. And refried beans from a can.

Anyway, just wanted to share some pictures I took while walking the monster...I mean, dog...that I live with.

teaser

On Thursday my dad and I went to the beach. We brought the puppy along. It was a nice day- no wind and not too cold. I like the big puffy clouds. They are much nicer than the solid sheet of gray that covers the Oregon sky in the winter months.

Here's Baxter. He likes seashells, but does not like being on the leash.

What were we doing at the beach, you ask? My dad was catching these guys. Razor clams. You watch for their holes when the water goes out, and then you dig for them. Or so I'm told. I don't go in the water. I sit in the truck and read my book while he digs.
Then it's time for my job- preparing clams. I've never even eaten them before, much less cooked them. Flour, egg, crushed saltine crackers.
Here they are, all battered and beautiful. Then you fry them. They stink really bad when you fry them. They don't taste that great either, in my opinion. Kind of like calamari or something chewy. Eh, I could take it or leave it.

Well, there's a little glimpse into life here in Oregon. And a little teaser for those of you who are coming to visit in June! We're planning a big beach trip for all out of town guests on Thursday, June 24th. I can't wait!!!

Life decisions

Andy and I are praying a lot (and worrying more than we should) about our future. You can join us in praying, if you'd like. We'd appreciate it. We have a few different options in mind. I know what I'd like to tell God I want. But I'm slowly learning not to tell God my plan.

Today we're spending our first Valentine's Day together, apart. Oh the irony of our atypical relationship. I did, however, get a beautiful bouquet of red roses delivered to my front door. I'm one blessed girl. Andy just got a card. And by got, I mean, will get. For some reason mail can't travel 3,000 miles in two days, even in America. Oops. It's handmade, does that make up for it's lateness? Maybe.

Meeting with the wedding coordinator from the church today. Wishing my fiance could come with me, but thankful that my mom will be there.

One foot in front of the other...one day at a time...

waiting...

...is something I'm really bad at. I hate waiting for the light to turn green. I hate waiting on hold. I hate waiting for the next time I get to see Andy. I hate waiting for our wedding. I hate waiting to see where I'll be working and living next year. Right now I'm waiting for Andy to call and I hate that too (in case you didn't catch the part where I hate waiting).

BUT, while I was waiting for my phone to ring, this is what I read:

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord;
O Lord, hear my voice,
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.

If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness;
therefore you are feared.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.

O Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sin.

Psalm 130

I don't think Israel probably liked waiting all that much either. They were waiting to be delivered from their captivity. From Babylon back to Jerusalem. Kind of like we are waiting to be delivered from earth to heaven. I don't think waiting is ever easy. But at least we have Someone to hope in, someone who has fully redeemed us.

people, places and things

So much going on, and so much to look forward to. My blog has kind of taken a back seat. Mostly because I don't have that much to say! My days consist of 1. being in a long distance relationship (translation: talking on the phone, skype, and texting A LOT), 2. working part time, 3. budgeting with a part time income, 4. planning a wedding.

Here's the update on wedding planning:
• June 26, 2010 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sherwood. We'll be getting married outside (hopefully....God, did you hear that? Nice weather, please?!) under gigantic evergreen trees. Our wedding website is: millerandpasswater.weddings.com
• I have my dress!! Kind of...I have it, but it's not the right size so I have to return it for a different size. Hopefully it will just have to be hemmed (believe it or not, they don't make dresses the right length for a 5'2" bride...jerks)
• The McDonalds are coming!! Sam is officiating and the girls are flower girls!
• The Robbins are coming!! Eli is our ring bearer.
• I'm working on organizing food and/or cake inexpensively. Taking suggestions...
• Mulling around a few decorating ideas....I know that we'll have splashes of Africa throughout and gerbera daisies to brighten things up!

I'm struggling to enjoy where I am right now. I have so many exciting things coming up that it's difficult to remain HERE fully. I just can't wait until Andy and I are together, it's hard to enjoy and glorify God now, in the moment.

And the journey continues...