Catching up...

I haven't blogged in a long time. So I thought I'd catch up since I have time now.

As most of you know, Nathan and I live in Sedalia, MO. Its been interesting all around. I was very unhappy at first. But things are better now.

I still look forward to our next adventure. But for now, we are here so I will trust that God has a purpose for us.

I have a job at an elementary school working with a special needs student. For the first time in my life I love going to school. Its been a blessing for sure.

We are now in Flordia with my family for the Holidays. I feel like I can breath here. We have done nothing and it feels so good. I love getting to see my parents and just hang out.

I hope everyone has a blessed Holiday.

In memory...

My good friend, Sarah, called today to tell me that her dad passed away last night.  I am so sorry and sad for her family.  I remember those feeling of shock, when someone passes away so suddenly.  People say that you feel numb at first.  Man is that true.  Thats a hard phase to get past.  I pray for her family and hope that peace settles in soon.

What I most remember about Sarah's dad is his name.  His real name is James Derwood Blake.  but I could never remember his middle name so I dubbed him Durwin.  He was a great BBQ master.  He always had the best recipes and we never left their house hungry.  Durwin was also a very gentle man.  He had a loving spirit.  It was really hard not to be happy around him.

Glenda, Sarah, and Katie, I will pray that you will have many people to hold you and give you peace. I wish I could be there to give you all a huge hug.  There is nothing to say besides, I am so sorry and I love you.  Keep your chin up.

Myra's Menu and anyone else can use it too.

MONDAY

Breakfast

Cereal

Lunch

Tuna sandwhich

Tuna, hard boiled eggs, celery, whole wheat bread, 

Dinner

Taco Salad

Add in this order

Spinach

tortilla chips

ground beef(with taco seasoning)

shredded cheese

tomatoes

onions

avocados

top with sour cream and salsa if you like

And I have to stop here because I have wanted everywhere.

Our new home

These are some pictures of our new house, known as Grandma's house around town.  

Its not a plan....its a pla and random thoughts

So we almost have our moving plans together. That is why I am calling it a pla not a plan.

Nathan's baseball team lost on Saturday so we will not being going to the State tournament.  I was totally hit with reality after the game that we really are moving.   I've had a ton of emotions about it lately.  Some good and some sad. 

 Right now I feel like there is so much I want to do before we leave.  Montana really is beautiful and I will surely miss the amazing scenery here.  

I've heard people say that they feel closer to God here.  I know what they mean now.  Its so easy to see God here in the mountains, rivers, and trees.  How can people not love Jesus here?  I know that I will find God in the mid-west. In a different way.  But I think if I am ever struggling there I will hike to the top of Mt. Sentinal in my mind.  Or walk along the Clark-Fork river. Maybe even sit in our old front yard and look all around,  just to have that feeling of God's creation again.  I have learned a lot about creation here.  For example, I've decided that God created mountains for those times in our lives that are hard.  I hear him saying, "yes, life stinks right now, but look at what I can do, listen to me, look up and see what I can do."  I'm pretty sure that should be a scripture. And it helps.

I have had many hard times here.  In the past 2 in a half years I have been through a lot. Sometimes I think maybe even too much hurt.  But God knew I could handle it.  Its a whole lot easier to hurt in a place this amazing.

I have also have had some of the greatest experiences ever here.  Missoula will always be special to me.  After all this is where I met my husband.  God really smiled on me with him. We have made some great relationships here too.  Its truly been a blessing.  

Now, on to our pla...

Monday we will be getting last minute stuff done.

Tue-Wed we are going to Glacier.

Thursday our moving truck will be here to pick up our stuff.

Friday we are going to a going away party hosted by Nathans baseball team.

Saturday we leave Missoula.

Then arrive in Missouri on Monday.

If you are still reading this, I am including a list of things that we would appreciate prayers for.

1. a safe trip to Missouri

2. that we will be able to say goodbye and show our love for those who have loved us here.

3. that God will provide relationships for us in Sedalia.  I am really wanting to find people who       love Jesus and are excited to serve, as we did here.

4. that I(Lana) will find a job and a purpose there

5. that Nathan will love his job and not feel too overwhelmed.

6. that God will provide many opportunities to serve there.

7. that we will find a place to live

I'm sure there is more but for now that is what is on my heart.  We will be updating and keeping in touch with everyone.

Fun with the Stewillars

Here is some fun and recent times with the Stewarts.  Jason, Amber and I went back to Skookum Butte and found a door that was perfect for sledding on some left over snow.  

When we got back to their house, Jason had made this carpet art for Nathan.  Its so cool!

Mt. Sentinal Fire

Here are pictures in order from the fire on Sentinal that is still burning.  The one of a girl is someone who lives across the street and thought she needed to be in her towel for this.  I have never seen this much traffic in Missoula!  Everyone was taking pictures and sitting outside watching it.  

For those of you who have been here it is the mountain with the M on it.

Check out my Slide Show!

Check out my Slide Show!

Skookum Butte Part 2

I had to add more pictures of Skookum Butte, it is truely the most beautiful place I have been to.

Its also a really fun hike even though we got kinda lost.

Blue Mt. lookout and Skookum Butte lookout and hike

Picnic with the Partains and Cook out with the Canhams

We celebrated the 4th with our friends in Lolo.  I love how Cooper is pulling up his shorts just in case the puddle reaches them.  

Then we went to the Canhams were they were very festive.  I love the Canhams and will really miss them.  At night we enjoyed fire works from the Stewarts/Williams deck.  

We also did two amazing hikes this weekend which I will post after I take a nap!

Pictures to PUMP you up

Here is the start of our trip. We took the kids to Multanomah falls.  Its so beautiful even with 5 million people there.  

There is also some shots of our decorations.We taught about endurance so we have a man running around the world.  

The last one is of Katelyn wearing the armor of God.  She is the cutest kid...she reminds me of my sister when she was little.

More to come...

We've been PUMPed!

Nathan and i just returned from a week long mission trip in Portland.  We took our youth group to PUMP...Portland Urban Ministry Project.  The kids experienced more new things in a week than they have in a life time.  I feel like they exceeded my expectations of working hard on this trip.  The teens did an amazing job of jumping right in and making the most of every opportunity.

For me this trip was so refreshing.  It seems like we were constantly around people who all shared the same goal.  They all wanted to be better in their spiritual lives.  They were all passionate about Jesus and wanted to know him more.  I had almost forgotten how great that feels to be around a family of God.  Its gotten me thinking more about serving and how important it is.  Nathan told parents when we returned that if you say yes to God it can only be good.  How true that is.  

I hope to someday make it back to PUMP.  I have always been a huge fan of inner city ministries and hope to get the opportunity to do more soon.  

Now we start packing and are making plans to move soon.  So many life changes lately.

I will post some pictures soon of PUMP.

A visit with Morgandy

A got to visit Mo for a week.  We had a great time playing, she is so cute.

I'm puttin' the Christmas tree back up! Winter is back and summer hasn't even started!

I think we missed our summer here in Montana. This is what is left of our snow storm we had Tuesday night.  I am so thankful to get to go to Austin tomorrow!

The Mo Family in Montana...

Our family from Missouri came to see us this past week. Here is just the beginning of a great week. We went to the park after some pizza, and rolled down a great hill. I only did it once...that is not something that old people do. We also took them to Glacier National park and hiked up to Avalanche Lake. It turned out to be a perfect day with family, and God's amazing wonders. More to come in a few days...

A weekend in Portland...

This was my first weekend to be away from Nathan, thats why his face is not happy here.  I went to Portland, OR to see my family.  We had a great time and I am so grateful that I got to see some of my favorite people.  I am also very glad to be back here with my favorite person ever!