Pressley Ridge

I thought I would write a quick blog to let everyone know that I am loving my new job at Pressley Ridge. I have been intimidated by the kids but at the same time I have already grown to truly care for these kids. They have been through so many things that I can't even imagine and I hope that my time spent here can help change them for the better. This week and most of next week are filled with training so I don't get to interact with the kids as much as I would like, but I will soon be on a steady shift were I can have a routine with the kids. Pray that I will have the strength to talk to these kids about my faith. Most of these kids are so far from God that they don't even know what it would be like to know Him. I hope I get the chance to show them. I'm heading into work tomorrow morning for some more training but I'll be back tomorrow night. Then I have a 3 1/2 day schedual next week where some of the day is in more training and the other part is with the kids. I'll be back Thursday evening so keep Cassandra and Steve in your prayers also.

Love Letters

Zach and I were concerned about losing a little bit of our connection because of the time we will be spending apart. We are so used to being with eachother constantly and we talk about EVERYTHING...probably too much talking sometimes. :) He also does not get cell phone service out at Pressley Ridge. Needless to say, much less talking than we are used to. So....to counter our lack of communication we are writing love letters. A couple weeks ago on Oprah there was a married couple that had been writing eachother love letters everyday since they were married. I took their idea and ran with it. We each have a notebook in which we write our letters to eachother while apart. There are 3 things that we address in our daily letters to eachother. 1. "I love you today because..." This statement is followed with a thing we appreciate about the other person. Whether it is the sacrifice he is making by being away to help support our family, for doing the dishes, or for his cute smile etc... 2. "God taught me today..." to be patient with Steve, to love a neighbor etc... 3. "I need to tell you what happened today.." This is basically anything I want to remember to tell him when he gets home. I've only written 3 letters so far because he has only been gone for 3 days, but already I can tell that I appreciate Zach more for specific reasons, not jsut generally speaking and it helps me look for what God is trying to teach me because I am aware that He's doing that in my life and I'm remembering what I've learned because I'm writing about it. It's a neat experience so far and I can't wait until he gets home tomorrow evening so we can share our letters. I miss my friend.

SOOOO....
Zach started his new grown-up job today.

He left this morning at 8am and he won't be home until about 5pm on WEDNESDAY! AHH!! I cleaned house a little today and ran some errands...but, it's 2 o'clock and I have nothing to do. I don't know what to do with myself. I'm looking for a good book to read to take up some time and do something other than watching foodnetwork. If anyone has any ideas of activities to fill some of my new free time, please let me know.
Bored and sad without my husband.

TEA IS COOL!

Zach got me a BEAUTIFUL glass tea press and cup set for Christmas.




I have been drooling over this tea press since I used it at Border's while studying for finals. I had an earl grey tea blend, and it was such a wonderful experience. I'm new at this teat thing, but I am so fascinated with the process and flavors that can be created. Let's just say I am smitten with tea. So, just like any person seeking information...I got online and found this WONDERFUL website called specialteas.com. We're waiting for Zach's first paycheck from his new job, but he said he'd like to buy me a tea sampler from this website. As I browsed the site I found cups, kettles, different tea concoctions called yerba mate and oolong. I LOVE IT! Something I found interesting...it might jsut be because I knew nothing about to tea, but did you know that ALL tea comes from the same plant, Camellia Senesis or Camellia Japonica.



What makes it different is the process it goes through before it is dried! NUTS, huh?! Here's a quick lesson on how different teas are made if you are at all interested.



Also, Zach and I will be moving to Arkansas in about 7 months and I am already daydreaming about how I want to decorate our next living space. I found this tea pot and cup set on this website that have a great simple pattern that I think I would like to freehand paint almost like a border around the kitchen, maybe a little more random than a border. The colors in the kitchen will be sage green and light brown.



Just a little too excited, huh?! ha!
Side note...I got new glasses while Zach and I visited my family in Little Rock over the Christmas break. Lindsay helped me pick and they came to me in the mail today. I really like them. I wanted something a little more grown-up looking than my old plastic frames. More importantly I hope my migraines will go away because of the new prescription. Also, notice the beaustiful opal earrings Zach's parents gave me for Chrsitmas. Thanks mama and papa!