As promised, a new day and a new blog and in it I hope to include all of the new and exciting things that have graced my life in recent weeks.

Let's start with the occupations.  At the wonderful Ranch I am the recreational coordinator which is a fancy title for someone that plans the fun events that the boys get to do on their time off from school (holidays, weekends, etc.)  I've been at this since September and it has been challenging and fun.  Although I absolutely love working with the boys, seeing their shiny faces, hearing their stories, I will be resigning from this position in February.  I have requested to do direct care only, which entales me working with the boys in a residential setting only and no longer planning the recreations.

I also have a new second job! I am the new church secretary for a local Lutheran church the next town over.  God is so funny, I have had connections with this church in the past via the Ranch, and in fact my boss at the Ranch is the one who recommended me for the job to the pastor.  Wonders never cease as my grandmother would say, or rather, "wondas neva cease" as per her Brooklyn accent that I so loved and still can hear.

Back at the Ranch - we have new residents (aka new boys.)  We were told by "the powers that be" of the state that we would not be receiving another new resident untill well after the holidays.  This dark news meant budget cuts, lay offs, and a general sense of disappointment and fear lingered at the Ranch.  Yet, in our staff meeting, our Executive Director (aka my boss) reminded us that we are commanded to "be thankful in all things."  Thus, I thanked God for the boys that we had, the opportunity to pour into their lives, and for the great blessing that the Ranch has been to my life - all the while pleading with God that I wouldn't be the next to be let go.

For the past few months the words of David have been on my heart, "The Lord is gracious, slow to anger, rich in love, He is Good to all."  The words at this very moment have the power to render tears down my face.  Through this verse I have been praying that God would impliment these characteristics into my daily actions.  Since those discouraging words from the state we have received five new residents; all Glory, Honor, and Praise to God!

This time of year at the Ranch is very exciting; we decorate for the holiday season, shop for gifts for the boys, and play secret santa! Christmas has always felt really special for me but I have always had a yearn to share it with others who have less than I do; God gave me that opportunity beginning at my hire date of November 2009 at the Ranch.  Last week our secret santa began; for those of you who don't know what that is, you pick a name of a person out of a hat and buy them small gifts throughout the week followed by one big gift on the last day.  We play staff vs. residents at the Ranch, I chose one of my absolute favorite kids and have had fun picking out little things I hope he'll love.  Isn't Jesus fun? He truly knows the desires of our hearts.

Touching on that topic, I have always always always wanted to go to Montana and ride horses.  Recently I went to Las Vegas with a friend for her 40th birthday and had a blast! She has had "ride a mechanical bull in Vegas" on her bucket list and thus, we travelled there on her birthday.  It got me thinking about my own bucket list . . . what do I want to do before I die? Inspired by my friend's actions I spent most of the weekend thinking about it . . . it seems so odd . . . I've never been someone that likes to think about what I can do for myself, I get more joy doing things for others.  But yes, I suppose in the inner recesses of my heart there are things that I would like to do for me.  Thus, my next vacation I am going to go on a cattle drive in Montana; the real deal.  I mentioned this to a dear friend from college who now lives in Oregon, we haven't seen eachother in a few years and she shares the same dream as I; she will be coming along with me.

I hope that you are encouraged to continue dreaming for yourself and expand to what you can do to help other's dreams come true.  Remember, no matter your circumstance, in all things give thanks.  :-)

Baby it's cold outside

I begin by stating that I will probably add more to this later.  I only have a few moments to spare but I suddenly realized, in my (very rare) free moments, that I have completely neglected my blog.

It's DECEMBER already! Oh my goodness! God is doing new things everywhere and in everything in my life.  So lest I forget for later, things to mention when I have more time to type:  new job, new residential blessings, secret santa, new position at old job, Montana, Las Vegas, and more!

For now I will simply state that in this topsy-turvy world, I feel incredibly stable in knowing this:  my Jesus, the one constant in my life, is simply good.

Oh! And I started writing again - if you're interested, check out an excerpt from my latest creation on my facebook (it's my most recent status update.)  More from the missing pages of my life later.  Be blessed so that you may be a blessing!