waters

well. i should be asleep, but i'm just laying here thinking about all the changes my work wants me to create and implement.

everyone i've met has told me they're all so excited i'm there--and the kitchen really needs help--and they just really need me there.

which is amazing! but also kind of a lot of pressure...?

so anyway. i was just laying in bed thinking about all the ideas i've got to come up with (and then implement) when i ran across a scripture. (okay, so i was reading my daily scriptures as i was worrying. but to my credit, i've been in ezekiel for forever and it is NOT my favorite book of the bible. i finished it tonight and i am SO GLAD!) 

i digress. 

as i'm thinking about all of this i read, "Wherever the river flows, life will flourish—great schools of fish—because the river is turning the salt sea into fresh water. Where the river flows, life abounds." (47:9)

where the river flows, life abounds. 

i've got this.

I need to go on a run.

Yesh.

This is a big week for me.

1. I finally got cleared to start work! It's not quite in the way I thought, but God moved mountains to get me in there! I'll be working as a dietetic technician until my state license comes through. But I actually don't mind at all. One week will just be orientation. And then I feel like it will be low pressure for another week or two as I get acclimated and get to know patients and staff until I transition into my RD position--and it should give me time to really get to know the kitchen staff. I pray God gives me favor with them! I want to be someone they like working with--not the crazy dietitian who is going to change everything. (Although, I'm really nervous some things will need changing!)

2. Tomorrow, my sister moves here! It makes me SO happy! Even if she doesn't live here forever, it will still be awesome to share this culture and experiences and quality time together. I seriously feel so blessed she's coming.

3. It's the start of Loup Farms and our marketing campaign. Charlie's been planning this and dreaming about his farm for so long. I am so proud of his integrity. I am SO PROUD that he wants to be an honest business-man who gives people quality products. He definitely values quality and honesty over anything else. That's how I know he will be successful. You reap what you sow.

I'm struggling finding my place in Loup Farms. I am a dietitian--but I am not sure how to use that to help people. I really dislike (read: hate) over-sensationalized nutrition. I'm not going to exaggerate the effects of eating kale. Or that Charlie's minimally spraying. Or not using GMO (at all?) I can't tell people it's going to prevent cancer and change their health. Do I believe in fruits and vegetables? Absolutely. You should probably eat more :) I just... can't stretch what is known to be true. I hope I can find a way to benefit the farm without over-stepping my integrity--but still helping people! Agh! God, help me!

Relentless

God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It’s a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God. It’s a good thing when you’re young to stick it out through the hard times. When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don’t run from trouble. Take it full-face. The “worst” is never the worst. Why? Because the Master won’t ever walk out and fail to return. If he works severely, he also works tenderly. His stockpiles of loyal love are immense. He takes no pleasure in making life hard, in throwing roadblocks in the way: (Lamentations 3:25-33 MSG)

In Search of the Holy Spirit

My mind is being blown by Brennan Manning.

"Confronted with the radical demands of the Christian commitment, our natural response is fear, anguish, insecurity. But confronted with the lived truth of God's enveloping love, insecurity is swallowed up in the security of agape, anguish gives place to hope, fear to desire. The Christian has become aware that God's appeal for unlimited generosity from his People has been preceded from his side by limitless love, a love so intent upon a response that he has empowered us to respond through the gift of his own Holy Spirit."

-from Prophets and Lovers--In Search of the Holy Spirit

last one...

Just an update. Last Friday I took and passed my RD boards! It's a great feeling. A really great feeling.

Now I just need to get all the rest of my paperwork filed and I can start work! Which is very exciting. I'm ready to start living here! You know? I guess I'm taking this week as a little bit of a vacation, but I just want to start making our life here. I want to work and be involved in a church and KNOW people I go to church with and start building relationships and... all of that. If I'm going to live here I want to LIVE here!

We struck out at church a couple of weeks ago, but went to one we really liked on Sunday. We can both see ourselves going there and being involved there. It's out of New Roads, but there are two small groups that meet in New Roads. (That means there are other Christians here :))

We're also feeling settled into Glynnwood, including getting the mouse issue under control :) There's a lot of mice who have made this their home. Yep.It's fun living here. Much less creepy than you'd think. And it's beautiful!

Yay! I passed! I'm an RD!

EDIT: I just have to add to this one since Charlie already made crazy eyes at me for posting so much today. I'm just really happy right now.

I cleaned out the broom closet and front-entry-way dresser today. 

We put up more fall decorations, including a lovely fall wreath on the front door.

I blogged for the first time in a looong time (obviously).

I dug out an amazing old piece of art (huge.) from the attic. and hung it up. And it's amazing.

I made a corgi craft!! I'll post pictures later. Once Charlie figures out how to hang it.

Charlie also finished making our towl rack hanger for the bathroom.

it's just been such a lovely, productive day! 

(And I'm an RD :))

and Hello Louisiana!

Charlie was a packing-rock star. We had to stop a few times to readjust on the way home, but it was pretty amazing how he loaded everything up into an open trailer! 

Home, sweet home! We're both pretty humbled to be living here.

Morning views from our bedroom. Wow.

Rufus is adjusting pretty well to outdoor living. We are both amazed at how well he's doing... and really puzzled. Every once in a while he leaves (if he hasn't seen us for a while) and runs down the middle of the road to Charlie's parents' house. I guess looking for us? He's going to get hurt if he doesn't learn he can't stand in the middle of the road!!

amazing!!

Just in time for sugar-cane harvest

The courtyard

The ponds are filling up!

We've been thrown right back into the swing of things! Including birthday parties and showers! It's kind of fun knowing people again :)

County livin'

Punkin LOVES the banana trees!

The beginnings of Charlie's garden

Pop-Pop's birthday! 

A panoramic view of our bedroom! (from the bed)