Choose joy. (a.k.a. my life is not perfect.)

It has come to my attention recently that I've become quite good at portraying my life as absolutely wonderful via social media and even in my responses to "how are you?"/"How is life?"

I'm going to be honest with you all right now.

My life is not perfect.

I have doubts, fears, challenges, heartbreaks, sickness, sadness, and anger.
I feel intense loneliness, snap at people, cry my eyes out, worry about my life, and make major mistakes.

Daily.

but through all of this, I choose joy.

I make a conscious decision daily to choose joy. To focus on what is positive in my life and not to dwell on what is not going the way I'd like it. To look for the little things in life that can make me smile. To thank God for these little things. To put the joy before the frustration, hurt, sadness, etc.

Sometimes I definitely fail at choosing joy, but I believe that there is something positive to be found in all situations. While it may seem miniscule, there is always something beautiful to be found and to be thankful for.  I believe that God can make anything beautiful. That He takes something we perceive as ugly, horrific, degrading, frustrating, you name it, and can bring some sort of beauty out of it.

That is what I seek. To find the joy, the beauty, the laughter in life.

One thing that always makes me joyful, no matter what has transpired throughout the day:

A gorgeous sunset.
 

“I want a life that sizzles and pops and makes me laugh out loud. And I don't want to get to the end, or to tomorrow, even, and realize that my life is a collection of meetings and pop cans and errands and receipts and dirty dishes. I want to eat cold tangerines and sing out loud in the car with the windows open and wear pink shoes and stay up all night laughing and paint my walls the exact color of the sky right now. I want to sleep hard on clean white sheets and throw parties and eat ripe tomatoes and read books so good they make me jump up and down, and I want my everyday to make God belly laugh, glad that he gave life to someone who loves the gift.”

― Shauna Niequist, Cold Tangerines: Celebrating the Extraordinary Nature of Everyday Life

Rest.

Wow. Life flies when you're in grad school and working. Actually, I'm pretty sure it flies no matter what, but that's just what's making it fly for me these days.

I feel like this is the first time since August that I actually have time to write, let alone want to begin typing. Between sitting at a computer pretty much all day for my job (yes, I have a job now! I work 30hrs/week in the Registrar's office at my university and it's perfect for during grad school) and spending seemingly every waking minute out of class and work either reading grad school scholarly articles or writing papers, I just have no drive to write (or sadly, read) even for pleasure when I get a rare free moment!

That being said, I'm here. It's my Christmas break, and I'm lucky enough to have 2 weeks off of school and 10 days of being off of work, so I'm spending it at my parent's house.

As I am constantly being challenged in my program and just balancing work, school, and sanity, the word REST has been prominent in my mind recently. It's so essential to take a few moments (or hours, if you can spare them) and just rest. Whether that means literally taking a nap, watching mindless TV, or lounging with a good book, I have to find my time to rest.

A few weeks ago, I rested when I had a mound of papers and projects to finish. You see, it snowed quite heavily in Redding, and I was like a child in the snow. In the morning after it snowed all night, I took a walk through it down through some trails I normally run. It was absolutely breathtaking. The peace and serenity of the perfect, untouched snow was beautiful. At one point, I couldn't see anyone else. It was just me, the snow, and God. And it was wonderful. It was my way of resting.

I usually hate New Years resolutions because I tend to break them and feel guilty. But that is definitely one of my goals for this year. To take time to rest.

Currently, I'm sitting on the floor in front of a hot fire in the fireplace at my parents' while sipping hot tea.

Maybe it won't be as difficult as I had anticipated. ;)

When the going gets tough, run away.

I'm going to be honest.

Last week was rough. 

Real rough. 

I won't get into it all, but I cried myself to sleep, rocked a job interview but then decided to take the risk and turn down the job once it was offered to me, classes were challenging both academically, spiritually, and emotionally, and I just felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness. 

So you know what I did? I threw in the towel. I kept thinking: "Get me out of here" - so that's what I did. I grabbed a few things and headed up to Scott Valley for the weekend. Scott Valley is where Kidder Creek Orchard Camp is - the place that challenged me physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually for two summers. In the 36 hrs that I was there, I was able to bask in the natural beauty of the valley, reminisce about a formative time in my life, connect with a few friends that really know me (really. camp friends have seen you at your worst and your best!), eat the best blackberry pie, and just let the Lord renew my perspective and speak into my life.

Can you spot the 2 deer??

My amazing (ly hilarious) friend Theresa let me sleep on her couch. 

We went on a hike and ended up WAY farther up than we had intended. It was so worth it.

 Rain is best in the mountains.

 Kidder is nestled cozily back in those mountains.

 Scott Valley. My happy place. (well the one near here) 

Sometimes I can't believe that this gorgeous place was my home for two summers!

Visiting Jen and Craig Thompson at Rockside Ranch!

On a whim, I had left all of my academic reading but had thrown in my Bible and journal (something I haven't written in in over a year). Late Saturday night, I was able to just spend some time pouring my heart out to God through writing - curled up under a sleeping bag in an old ranch house with the sound of the horse pasture/apple orchard sprinklers as the soundtrack. It was so needed. 

Sometimes its so necessary for us to just run away from our problems. We can't run away for forever, but we can run away with the purpose of viewing them from a different angle, a different purpose, or a different plan of attack. I have attacked this week with a renewed vigor, appreciation for this challenge, and overall purpose. I needed that time away to see things from a new light.

On a related/unrelated note, you don't know what you'll experience when you do "run away." I was afraid that returning to Kidder Creek after a span of 3 years would make me feel even more lonely as I know it is just so different from when I was there (and I'm different too!). BUT I wrote this in my journal and I stand by it.

 "While so much is different, one thing remains: God is fully present in this place. There is brokenness and change, but Kidder Creek and Scott Valley are still places of challenge, restoration, and most importantly, renewed hope."

So if you're overwhelmed with life, run to a place that brings you joy. Just make sure that once you're there, you look back at your issue with the new perspective - because you can't run forever.

Welcome to my new mini-casa!! - New Apartment Video Tour

Hey all, for those of you who've been waiting to see my apartment, wait no longer! Here is a wonderfully crafted video tour complete with unintentional witty (and not-so witty) commentary!

I think I can, I think I can...

Can't.

I hate that word. Well, that contraction, because really, it's two words put together. Obviously all of my English teaching/tutoring has taken over my life. Anyway, I hate it. Can't that is, not English. 

The words can not generally imply that you are not capable. Often, we use them as substitutes for "you are not allowed" etc. but if you really look into it, it means that that person/thing is not capable.

Switching gears a bit, I have great parents.  One thing they never did was to tell me that I "can't" do something. They may have used the phrase in connection with "not allowed" - for example, "No Rachel, you can't eat ALL of the cookie dough." or "Rachel, you simply can't come to the dinner table after spending all day horseback riding without washing your hands!" However, in connection with the true meaning, even from a young age, I don't ever remember them telling me that I was incapable of something. I was encouraged to try and they were and still are my greatest supporters.

Here's a prime example: Obviously those logs are just small enough not to smash my feet too bad when I inevitably drop one on my toes...but they are letting me try (or just enjoying the free child labor)

Time and time again, they've told me "Rachel, if you want to do this, we have no doubt that you can." Whether it be undergrad, study abroad, teaching in South Korea, or moving to Redding for grad school, they've been the best support.

And as I've just completed my first week of classes in my Masters in Counseling Psychology program at Simpson University and am overwhelmed and still scared out of my mind, they are still reminding me that if I really want this (and Lord knows that I do), that I can.

One analogy I like to think about in regards to this is a child reaching on their tiptoes for something: maybe a cookie jar or in this society, mom or dad's cell phone on the table.  It might seem impossible at first, and maybe at that moment they genuinely aren't capable of reaching it, but if they keep trying as they grow, they will eventually will be able to reach the object.  On the contrary, if they give up and do not try anymore, they will never know when they are capable.

So because I decided that completing my first week of classes called for a celebratory glass of red wine, CHEERS to knowing that whatever in life that we set our minds to, we can.

                    

“Without difficulties, life would be like a stream without rocks and curves – about as interesting as concrete. Without problems, there can be no personal growth, no group achievement, no progress of humanity. But what mattes about problems is what one does with them.” 
― Benjamin Hoff, The Te Of Piglet

(and I PROMISE the next post will have a tour of my apartment!)

The "What if" conundrum.

I am a "what if?" kind of person.

Sometimes "what if"s can be fun:
"What if chocolate made us lose weight?"
"What if I won the lottery (and didn't even have to pay taxes on it?!)?"
"What if the everyone decided to genuinely care for others?"
"What if I just bought a one-way ticket to some far off land?"

But more often than not, the "what if"s in life get me in trouble.  And by trouble, I don't mean police coming after me - more of an internal trouble.  I'm a doubter.  I tend to have more, "what if I should have told him what I really thought" "What if I should NOT have told him what I really thought" "What if I never find a full time job and live in my polka-dotted room at my parents' house for foreverrrr?" and the latest, plaguing one: "What if I made a huge mistake by picking Simpson University in Redding for grad school?!"

It's been this nagging question that I perpetuate by continuously comparing it to the schools in San Diego, Fresno, and Turlock.  Did I really make the right decision??

The answer is yes. The past couple weeks, I've had so many distinct reassurances that Redding is where I'm supposed to be for at least the next 2 years.

A few weeks ago, I had the joy of horseback riding with my best friend around her and her husband's cattle ranch.  I have grown up riding with her and while we've had our adventures while riding (there has been a bee swarm incident and a jumping bareback incident that I will save for another time), it is always so refreshing and rejuvenating.  This time while we were riding (for almost 3 hrs I might add!), in addition to just loving being back in the saddle because I hadn't ridden in almost a year, I was able to really verbally process the changes that will happen the next few months. She lives on acres and acres of beautiful land and I remember thinking, "THIS is the type of living I love." Instead of continuing the "What if?"s, I drove away from her house feeling at peace with the decision to move to Redding and quite a bit sore from riding for so long, but that's beside the point.  I am a country girl, plain a simple.  I love nature, being outdoors, and relishing in the natural beauty God so graciously surrounded us with. God is calling me to Redding to allow that appreciation to flourish, I'm sure of it.

Then, about a week later, I was finishing lunch with a few friends when we saw a mutual friend who happened to have attended Simpson for a bit in undergrad and who happened to be with her best friend who STILL lives in Redding! She introduced us, and the friend was instantly encouraging - saying I will need to come over for dinner when I get settled and meet her roommates. I was enveloped in a sense that I will be able to find a solid group of friends in yet another city. Blessing numero dos.

Best "Summer Salad" at Dust Bowl!

Lastly, I've been working on getting housing situated for a few months; I pretty much decided on a particular apartment complex, had been in contact with the property manager, and was waiting to see if the type of apartment I desired would become available.  Well, I was getting a little nervous because the timing necessary for someone to put in notice, move out, have the apartment cleaned, etc. and was even resigning myself to being willing to pay extra for a 2 bedroom if the apartment I wanted didn't come available.  However, Judy (the property manager who's like my best friend now) to the rescue!! She called saying that someone had just put in notice to vacate the type of apartment I wanted, AND it would be ready the exact weekend I was hoping to move in.  God. is. Good.

So, I've decided to hang up my "what if" hat. At least concerning my decision to move to Redding and attend Simpson.  I've questioned it, I've been reassured, and I am just beating my head against a wall if I keep questioning.  Plus, I just signed my life away for loans to Simpson, so I'm stuck. ;) But really, I'm excited. Redding is where I'm supposed to be.

“There is something beautiful about a billion stars held steady by a God who knows what He is doing.” 
― Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality

Life Lessons and Hilarities of Being a Substitute Teacher.

Never in a million years would I have imagined that I would be a substitute teacher for a year, especially at my former junior high and high school. However, I was, and it was phenomenal.  Yes, I know that is crazy talk. Substitute teaching is supposed to be terrible - attempting to wrangle those crazy kids into some semblance of productivity while they are thinking, "while the teacher is away, the children will play." While some days they did drive me absolutely insane (mostly the junior highers), overall, I loved it. I laughed a ton and always walked away from a day of subbing with a ridiculous story to share with friends and family. Going into it, I thought, "This is going to be a piece of cake because of teaching in South Korea. I mean, I can actually communicate so much better on a daily basis and they'll know what I want them to do!" While the teaching experience helped, there was SO much to subbing that I couldn't have imagined.

While subbing, I learned so much.

At the junior high...

• I learned that seating charts are the bane of junior highers' existence and telling students to stay in them will cause lots of whining.
• I learned that it's not impossible to have this exchange with a group of 7th grade boys:
• Them  (holding their shirts out in front of them) - "Miss Milhous, do you know what Icy-Hot is?" 
• Me (nervously) - "uhhh yes..."
• Them - "Well we put it on our nipples! it BURNS!"
• I learned that in every class where you feel like you are resisting pulling the fire alarm to get you out of this class without killing them, there is always a sweet one in there somewhere.
• There is one 6th grade period class that is absolutely horrible behavior-wise. After my 2nd day in that class within one week and at the end of my rope, it all was remedied when the sweetest, little soft spoken girl comes up to me after class and says, "Miss Milhous, thank you for subbing for us today. I hope you have a great weekend." Made it all worth it.
• I learned that a nickname for me can be "Miss MilFUN!"
• I learned that it may be necessary to say things that seem ridiculous. I once had to say to a 7th grade boy - "No, do NOT put that ruler down your pants!"
• I learned that in every class, there will be a kid that physically cannot stay in his or her seat for more than a few minutes. Whether he/she is getting water, asking to use the restroom, trying to be sly and move by his friends, or just bugging other students, he/she will always be up.
• I learned that while junior highers are awkward in general, they are especially awkward when they run. It's like those growth spurts and awkward feelings translate into flying limbs and a non-smooth gait.
• I learned patience. Well, I tried to learn patience.

And my favorite..at the high school...

• I learned that high school boys think they are really cool.
• I learned that if you act like you think they're cool too, they'll tell you, "Miss Milhous, we've got your back." and then will yell at the class to be quiet so you can talk. It's great.
• I learned that subbing at a rural school means it's not weird to look around during class and see  a hilarious high school boy wearing Wranglers and boots picking hay flakes off of the other Wrangler and boots wearing kid in front of him because they were working in the field across the street last period.
• I learned that it's impossible to call former teachers by their first name. They will ALWAYS be Mr. or Mrs. So-and-So.
• I learned the opposite of that also - some former teachers will never stop seeing you (and treating you) as a student...and that is frustrating.
• I learned that high school girls are just as catty and drama-filled as I remember.
• I learned (well was affirmed) that taking the time to simply listen earnestly to a student can change his or her life.
• I learned that it's possible to teach an entire Advanced Algebra lesson/concept even when you don't think you remember how to do it yourself.
• I learned that if you act confident, it works.
• student - "Miss Milhous, do we need to fill out this paper and when is it due?"
• me - "uhhhh" (looks on sub plan and there's nothing about it...)
• me - "yes, you sure do have to do that. And this worksheet should be ready to turn in at the beginning of class tomorrow." 
• I learned that going back to my alma mater where I have some of my most cherished memories of Hughson will cause you to have constant flashbacks.
• I also learned that these flashbacks will make you deal with past hurts and frustrations from high school.
• I learned that it is possible to walk on campus and see a student in gym shorts, cowboy boots, and a track jersey riding a skateboard. (and it's really hard to hide your joy at this combo)
• I learned that things you did in high school will come full circle when you come back as a student - like when you write "Milhous was here" underneath posters and it's discovered while you are subbing 10 yrs later.

It's weird as a substitute teacher who subs frequently for small schools.  You pour into these students' lives random day after random day, and yet you don't really get to claim them as your students.  I'm so glad that I had the chance to genuinely get to know many of them and that they felt comfortable with me; It's crazy how many students I have seen outside of school now and they have always acknowledged me, and I have heard more than once as I walk away from them explaining to whoever they are with, "That's Miss Milhous; she's my favorite sub!"It always brings a smile to my face.

But for now, Miss Milhous (or Miss MilFUN as the 7th graders call me), is hanging up her teacher hat and picking up the student hat.

Found my picture still on the Physical Education
Wall of Fame in the Junior High gym!

Back to the classroom after my vacation
to Chicago and the East Coast.
You can tell how I felt about that.

A high school classroom's pet hamster, Ted!

Lining up ALL the 8th graders for a photo.

One day I was a 7th grade science teacher,
and I lead a Leaf Lab.

Another day, I was a high school Advanced Algebra teacher.
That was MUCH more difficult.

Kicking my feet up at lunch
in aforementioned Advanced Algebra class 

High School ASB Speeches

Signs in the staff bathroom that had me rolling in laughter.
Jokesters, those teachers.

You know, just across the street from the High School.

Some of my favorite 8th Graders
 (but I seriously loved the entire 8th grade class!!)

I sure am.

by the way, I'm moving to Redding, CA in about 2 months!! ahhh!!