So, if I had to use a few words to describe last year, they might include, transitions, transient, packed, improvisation, and stretching. If the amount I’d been stretched as a person could be measured in actual inches, I’d probably have grown a foot or so. I actually could have guessed that 2010 was going to be that way. Payton and I actually anticipated it, knowing that by the end of it, all would be worth it because we’d be at NTBI and at least have started training. This year on the other hand seems to be developing a flavor of it’s own. I really have no clue what’s ahead. If I could even venture a guess, I’d use the combination of “zesty” and “whirling”. Which kind of sounds like our year will end up being salsa in a blender…hmmm…maybe I’ll just wait until the end of the year to name it.
As we were trying to savor the few remaining days of break, Payton and I headed to a state park nearby. The park ranger actually let us know that we didn’t have to pay for a park “passport” to hike if we just parked on the county roads and hiked in. Being poor bible school students, we could barely contain ourselves. We tromped through the snow for a good hour or so. I spotted the bird’s nest (above) that reminded me of an ice cream cone with a scoop of vanilla on top. We just enjoyed being in the solitude–seeing as how it was 27 F, there weren’t many people around. I can almost guarantee we’ll be driving those twenty minutes every chance we get.
Our snow adventure continued on the way back to the car, including a snow fight which mostly involved me getting massive amounts of snow all over my person. After returning to the car, Payton turns to me and says, “Where’s my ring?” Yup. His wedding ring was in fact missing. We concluded that the snow fight was the culprit as he had taken his gloves off once to fix his cuffs. We hiked back to the scene and began to brush around the four inches of snow on the ground. I stared into the sky and said, “God, I know you know where it is, could you please tell us?” I wandered around some more, scraping the snow all the way down to the grass and finally gave up. Payton gave it up as lost after about twenty minutes. But on his last sweep of his glove, it popped out of the snow! I jumped up and down and stared at the big, blue sky thanking God for its discovery. With much rejoicing we headed to Ann Arbor for the second part of our adventure where we used our lovely christmas gift cards at Borders and Panera. And he let me buy a pair of jeans at Platos closet if I promised to surrender my tattered and torn pairs that I keep mending and mending.
This is what happens when you blow the fuzz off of cattails in a Carhart jacket…
And another change in our semester plans included being asked to join the Student Leadership Team to fill in for another married couple who couldn’t be here this semester. It was all a little last minute, but we’re excited at the prospect. We’ll be supervising about 10 people, checking on work detail. There are about 8 of us on the team who will all have similar responsibilities. It will be good to help out in this way and get to know the staff and other students on a deeper level. Even though much work is in front of us, including homework and day to day tasks, I expect just as many adventures!
Carrie says
Love your updates, Grace!
Brad says
I didn't know you had a blog! Looks like I have some catching up to do. I don't think I would want to get in a snowball fight with Peyton – he would have no mercy! You guys are such a great couple, I love it.
Make Money At Home says
Thanks for keeping this blog! I really enjoy reading about your adventures. Love the story about Payton's wedding ring. I learned the same lesson as you – our Father always knows everything about us, so when you lose the keys (or anything else), ask Him and it will be found! Great story.