A New Path

This story really starts about a year ago, when our sweet Layla had to leave us.  At the time I was working as a Program Supervisor at a Childcare Center that offered care for homeless and transitional families....I liked the job, I love feeling like I'm making a difference, the problem was that the job was in Everett, and to get there I took "3 buses and a boat" to get there, which when you combine that with trying to run a "farm" and the stress of what that kind of job brings, I quickly began to realize I couldn't do both....and then when Layla got sick, and then when we had to let her go, and I was at work trying to run things and stay professional as our darling mamma was struggling, I lost it.  I had parked my car on "the other side" and walked over, so I could get home faster....and so after our vet came and did what he needed to do, I was left with the dilemma that my car would be towed because I parked in a spot where they tow you, and so of course I missed the boat and a bawled....I blamed Gordon for "making" me stay at a job where I was miserable.....and he was left, holding the bag...feeling like the "bad guy", when he was anything but....but he said that I needed to get a job on this side, on the Island where I could be closer to our "family" and I could better try to balance the farm and a job..h

And so I took a job in Coupeville.....a job that I despised.....but it was full time....and then I got a job offer with less hours, but it was in Langley and a place I loved....and so we decided that we could live frugally and I could work closer to home, less hours....the problem there was that I was sick a lot....which is easy when your classroom is in a basement and your have a freaky immune system anyway and you sometimes taste the coughs of kids who sit in your lap.  But I loved it.....but it didn't challenge me, and so I began to work harder on my dream of making botanical jellies....and then I got laid off from that job....and we were in crisis mode again....but it turned out that on unemployment I was taking home more than I was making at the other job because of my Program Supervisor Job....and so I pursued the "Jelly Dream" and grew some flowers and veggies for Gordon.

This Summer was an amazing Summer of exploration and discovering my passions.....I started spinning, I learned that there were more hoops to jump through than I first imagined for the jellies....but I worked on those....I wrote an article that got published.....I even ran a food cart for a day.....and then....and then.....the Youth Group at our church were taking a Missions Trip to Mt. Vernon to a Day Camp for Migrant Children.....and I decided to come with them....and as I planned and got ready the "helper" in me began to wake up again....and one thing I learned was that I am so incredibly blessed to be able to pursue so many passions....and to embrace the Maker within me, that I really need to give back, I need to find a job where I am helping....I can't continue to take, and so, although my dreams of making jellies and spinning aren't going anywhere, I also know that I need to be where I am "part of the solution"

And so, I have been given the opportunity to work as a Victim's Advocate at Citizens Against Domestic Violence and Abuse........CADA......and I am excited.....I have learned to find my passion....and I have....and through that I have blossomed and grown.....and I believe whole heartedly that I am on the Path I should be....and in the meantime I can still run our "farm" and be with my girls as they have their babies....that path hasn't changed, I just know in my heart that I have been blessed with all of those things and  husband who stands beside me throughout it all....I know I am happiest when I am making a difference....and so on this new path I thank God for all He's done for me....and the community that surrounds me....and I take another leap.....trying something I've never done before, but that I believe I can be good at.

A Beautiful Week

The youth at our church were taking  mini Missions Trip to Mt. Vernon to a work at a Day Camp for migrant children....this is a population that I have worked with in the past and who are in my heart.  So I asked the Director of Christian Formation at our church, who is also quickly becoming a very good friend if I could join them.....and so....last Sunday, the leader, one other adult and 6 teens all got into three cars and drove to Mt. Vernon.....not quite knowing what to expect.

And so the 8 of us....sometimes 9 all slept in the back of the sanctuary on the floor....we woke up early and worked in the kitchen, or classrooms, or just plugging ourselves in to jobs that needed to be done.  On Thursday we got up at 4:30 and went to work in the fields and that day did not end until 7:30 that night, myself, I was so tired that I was crying inside of my eyes....but these girls....these girls who were raised to care for other people....who all have beautiful hearts....did it....they said they were tired, but they kept on working....I have never been so proud of people, so impressed....anytime I saw them they were working or helping.....I have had conversations with people about how this generation seems to have such a sense of entitlement....they think they deserve what they have.....they don't imagine they have to work.....they don't think of other people's needs before their own.....I can't imagine being 14 and working as hard as these girls did....with smiles....sometimes exhausted smiles....but smiles.

And the kids we worked with....and the staff at the school.....I felt God's presence there......in the songs the kids sang.....their smiles...the Pastor's words.....God was there.

And so...in talking with the kids....in meeting their parents...in hearing their stories....in working in someone else's fields I learned....again....how blessed I am....to live in my little house with just my husband and our dogs....to care for just my goats.....to clean just my house.....to have the freedom to choose this life....and as I drove home and kissed my creatures.......I looked at the flowers I planted.....the "crops" I grew....my weeds and ate my very own tomato.....I thanked God....not only for what I have.....but for the girls I worked with who renewed my faith in the next generation.....for being an Episcopalian....and for the community I am part of....both on the Island....and now in the Skagit Valley.
Here's a video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVXZQzt7vM80