Decison made

It has been awhile.  Some of you have been asking if this blog died.  No, not at all.  I just wanted to wait until I had something really good to post.  

Snow day hike.  Woodland ninja set up.

Seeing as we have had three snow days this week, and my decisions and commitments have been made, I thought it was time. 

 I spent the last couple of months teaching (which has definitely been more effective this second semester, though still at times pretty intense).  I also spent the last couple months applying to five different graduate programs in Applied Economics.  My plan when I came out here, and for a long time before that, was to head to grad school right after undergrad, and earn an advanced degree in economics, with emphasis on development.  The application ended up being quite a lot of effort, but I learned a lot too.

In the end, applying to grad school couldn't have gone better.  All of the schools on my list accepted me, and in fact most of them offered me a full ride plus a paycheck to go there.  Which was pretty cool of them.    Me and Copper went on an out west trip a few weeks back to visit some of these schools and do interviews.  Copper enjoyed hiking the most.  I liked climbing stops and coffee shops just as much.  We posted up in the back of the subaru all week, which was really fun.  All the schools we visited were beautiful, super welcoming, and mountainous (mountains were a criteria in my list). 

However, I cannot go to grad school.  At least not right now.  The reason is that I have some things to do here first.  Through a series of events, the Boys and Girls Club of Rosebud ended up last week offering me the position as director of their biggest site, in Mission.  I am excited to say, I accepted this offer.  Right now, the organization is doing a lot less than what they want to, and much less than they could.  The job involves helping to set some good structures and programs in place for youth and restructuring the set up of the building itself so it can much better serve its purpose.  It will also include working to achieve a more sustainable financial structure (more inflow, well-managed outflow).  I could say way more, but if you want to hear more about it, just ask.

So, planning awesome stuff for kids, setting up a sweet place for them to come to, and good measure of flexibility in how I operate to do it.......... I'm excited for the possibilities!  This has opened up a ton of potential.  I hope I can be faithful in making the most of it, and inspiring others toward the same.  

It could be that this is the reason for which I have become connected with this place.  It seems I will be staying out here for quite some time now.

Jedidiah

 In other news, the good Lord has seen fit to grant me another dog.  This is Jed.  I found him a few weeks ago, almost starved to death, wandering in Parmelee.  We took him home, and things have been getting better ever since.  He has gained about 20 pounds in the last few weeks, and I think he likes his new routine of food, warmth, and shelter.  He's super affectionate and happy now.  He's a purebred German Shorthair Pointer.  We're learning fetch.  So, together with Copper, I figure I have a good hunting dynasty going.

Copper is still going strong.  Here he is, sinking in snow this morning on snow day #3.

Thanks for caring to read everyone.  Hope to stay in better touch with you guys.  

O that the God of grace may succeed my poor labors in this place.

Cheers,

Glen

Can't even handle it

Hello blog,

  I am very blessed and have an awesome life.  And, definitely a year ago I would not have predicted that I would be where I am now.  School can still be really stressful sometimes, and so can other stuff, but really....  I have much purpose and much legit encouragement.

  Me and some friends have been doing Bible school in Parmelee again this semester, and we amped it up a little bit, with more of a program.  Now we sing songs every time, Copper comes, we have a story, and we do a coloring page.  Kids  It's the best :)  have been really excited to come, which is sooo cool.

I posted this on facebook, then took it off.. some stuff is just too beautiful for the whole world to see.

  This last week when I showed up to bible school JC and some other kids had made me some are like this.  It kind of encouraged me a lot, and also just blew me away.  I don't even know how to handle this stuff... such valuable, loving, awesome, beautiful kids, and the opportunity and responsibility of being some part of their lives hits me deep.  I'm grateful for whatever small good part I can play in their lives.  

  I've been feeling kind of sick lately, and it's been a great opportunity to slow down in the evenings.  I have an oil lamp, and it's awesome.  Electric light numbs the soul...  I've been having sweet times of listening, confessing, and praying.  

  To be alone, in love, with God.  What more can there be than this.

Thanks for the love everyone.

Glen

Life Lessons

 Hello All

  It’s been a very long time.  Sorry, blog family!  The end of fall semester ended up being a pretty busy time and stress was abundant.  I got to come home for Christmas break (an awesome part of teaching) and that has been very refreshing.  It was a great to chance to stop and breathe and think about life.  I had time to read, to drink coffee, to sleep, to walk Copper, and to see a lot of people I love.  I’m super blessed to have a break and also to have an awesome community to return to... and to have a family that welcomes Spaniels.

  We had some good times since I posted last.  I have the awesome opportunity of hanging out with some super cool kids.  Some of those times looked like this...

At church, we had a birthday cake for Jesus.  We couldn't fit 2013 candles... he got 24, which is how many were in the box.  Pretty much the best birthday party.

Judd, mastering choc chip pancakes at my house.

  So, a few weeks ago I was in many ways very burned out on teaching and even on living where I do.  The long hours, stress, and lack of recreation wore a hole into my soul.  Not that I didn’t have very many things to be thankful for, cause I do, but I got really tired.  For a long time I was sort of living in such a way as to pour 100% of my energy into whatever I was doing, and I have realized that just isn’t sustainable.  Nope, I can’t do it all… and I shouldn’t act like it.

 Like a branch on a vine, I need to be filled up from somewhere… or I fall off and die.  Luckily, a vine is available.  Jesus said he was it, and I’m going to believe him.  He also said that we will receive whatever we ask him, if we abide in him.  I really want to realize this situation of getting my strength for life from a source bigger than myself.  Cause I can’t do it.  But the power of God can.  By “it” I mean I really want to see better things come.  Better things for where I live, for the people I know, and even for me.  The better things are mostly Jesus Christ, and the unbelievable new way of life he talked about.  

  So the cool thing guys, is he says that I can maybe not totally burn myself out, and he will still use my small efforts to spread the ‘better thing’ that is God’s kingdom.  For real, I think it comes from living to please one person.  Whatever job any of us has, or whatever else we’re trying to do, we need to remember who all of it is for.  And he said

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”  (Matthew 18, Message Bible)

  So I dunno.   This next semester, and on, I am going to try to live my life in a little bit healthier way.  Eat better, sleep better, do a few things well, all that good wisdom.  Giving 100%, but in a sustainable way.  Cause I don’t want to fall off the vine and DIE.  Key to sustainability…  abiding in time with Christ.  Keeping a pure conscience before him, and only him.  And also.. not always burning the candle at both ends.  Candles die too.

  I am excited for next semester.  New students, and one new class, economics.  Should be a whole new adventure!  It will be a lot better, I think, starting on day one.  Last time I parachuted in after things were rolling, and had no idea what was ahead.  This time, it’s a different situation.  Besides my ramble above about how I want to live, I want to spend more time in town (in Parmelee) with friends and kids there.  Copper and I want to go on more runs, and cook more.  And I’m going to start a lifting club at school.  In spite of the hours, I love my school… the staff there is the best you could ask for.  

This is probably a long enough blog post.  More to follow…  Hope you enjoyed reading, everyone.

Cheers,

Glen

I took this one evening out front of our place.  One of Copper's favorite pastimes is chasing cats onto and around this dumpster.