Allison's Wedding

Us with our hair all done
Getting the Bride's makeup done

Me trying to walk not too slow, not too fast



Mr. and Mrs. Luke Strait

Yesterday I went to (or rather participated in) the most beautiful wedding God ever ordained. . .
It was held outside on a hill out in Yacolt with the most beautiful view of God's creation, and the sun shining down on us with a slight, refreshing breeze.
I am so happy for Allison and Luke. I am confident that they will bring the Lord glory with their marriage. . .
I have never seen Allison so happy.

It makes me look forward to the day that I will marry. . . God willing.

A New School Year

Well, the beginning of my second (and last) year of Dental Hygiene school has been a time of "firsts":
For the first time I felt completely inadequate in being a dental hygienist.
For the first time I cried during clinic.
For the first time I feel like I'm truly on information overload.

Life is changing. . . And all I know is that God is in control even when it seems like life is difficult. . . That gives me comfort.

Trout Lake Trip

"Big Tree" . . . Obviously.


My family and I recently went to Trout Lake for a few days while I was on break from school. We stayed in a cute little cabin. It was so peaceful out in woods, with Mt. Adams as big as life in front of you. Even in the midst of screaming boys the air was calm and peaceful.
Sunday Dad, Grandpa, Seth, Jesh, and I went driving on the old forest roads. I just love being in the woods and feeling the crisp breeze, and hearing God's peacefulness in the silence therein.
Oh how wonderful it is to be with family and relax in God's creation!!

My Little Karate Man

Seth is such a blessing in my life. . . and all of our lives for that matter. He is such a considerate little gentleman and I love him so much.

He is so helpful. A few weeks ago the boys were in the dining room by themselves and all of a sudden mom heard Seth say, "Oh no!" She rushed into the room to find flour all over the floor, Jeshua looking very guilty, and Seth getting the hand broom out to sweep up the mess. Seth said, "Mom, I'm sorry this is so hard for you," as he tracked flour all over the kitchen while trying to clean up that very mess.

He is so brave. I've never been one who likes needles, but he has to give himself a shot every night. I don't think I could have done that when I was his age. . . or even now for that matter!

He is so loving. Seth is always willing to give his favorite sister a hug.

He is very protective. Seth is always on the look out for Jeshua, which is a good thing considering Jeshua has the tendency to get himself into trouble.
And he is also very protective of me. . . Seth is always ready, willing, and able to use his new-found karate skills to defend his sister.

I love my little karate gentleman : )

Situational Verses

How often it is that I hear people talk about their "life verse." A few years ago I myself went on a quest for my own life verse. . . however, I didn't come upon a verse that really "spoke" to me to the point where I thought it could be my life verse.
Throughout the last year or so I've come upon several verses that meant so much to me at the time I read them, and indeed still speak comfort to me now.
I have decided that instead of a single life verse that I have different "situational verses."
Here are some of my favorite situational verses:
"My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
For indeed, those who are far from You perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.
But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works." Psalm 73:26-28

"I cried to Him with my mouth, and He was extolled with my tongue.
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.
But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer.
Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me!"
Psalm 66:17-20
My path is set, my future sure, and God is in control. . .
What more could a girl ask for?

God's Goodness and a Little History

As I thought about what I should "label" my blog, I decided on "Rest in Him" because that seems to be the most difficult thing for me to do presently. . . How often I get caught up in the insane pace of my school life, that I forget that God is in control. I find myself constantly asking the Lord to forgive me of this, but without fail I eventually fall into this pit again. . .
I suppose that someday I will learn.

In my faithlessness I sometimes wonder "Why in heaven's name am I going to (or rather going thru) dental hygiene school?" It is the hardest thing in my entire life (which I guess isn't saying very much). . . The high-level stress is constant, the work is taxing especially mentally, I have little to no time to spend with my family, and it's just out-right hard. . .
But then I look back to when I first began the Running Start program at Clark College. I was only half way through Algebra 2 and the entrance test for Running Start had a math section with a significant amount of college algebra on it! Before I even took the test I told the Lord that if He wanted me to continue of the path of Dental Hygiene that He would allow me to pass the math section. . . and that is exactly what happened. I passed that section with one point to spare. Oh how the Lord can have a sense of humor!

Next was my first quarter ever in a public school setting. . . Boy was I nervous! I will never forget my English 101 instructor, Mr. Kim Matthews. He was such a blessing! I remember the first little essay I wrote in class. . . I was so worried that it was horrible that I actually set up a time with him to go over it to make sure I was on the right track! Mr. Matthews was always available to read over my papers and help me make changes to them. I really appreciated that.

Then getting into the Anatomy & Physiology (A&P) series was literally a miracle. There is a lengthy wait-list to get into that class, but never underestimate the power of the Lord. I spoke to my Dental Hygiene advisor about what classes I needed to take next, and she pointed out that it would be ideal for me to get started on the
A&P classes as soon as possible. . . however, getting in would be extremely difficult. My advisor spoke with the head A&P instructor about my situation, and he actually allowed me to get into his next class, by-passing the waitlist! Getting into the A&P series while in the Running Start program is almost unheard of, but "with God, all things are possible."

Throughout my entire two years as a Running Start student, the Lord blessed with with a 4.0 GPA. Granted I only took 10 credits per quarter, but I firmly believe the Lord has had His hand on me throughout my education.

The next adventure in my life was the Dental Hygiene orientation where I would take the ASSET test and interview with the dental hygiene instructors at Clark. I was so nervous that day. . . I interviewed with Brenda Walstead, the head first year instructor, and she was so nice! She put my mind to ease in a heartbeat.
Later that year, April 21 to be exact, I received my letter of acceptance in the Clark College Dental Hygiene program. How my family and I rejoiced and praised God for answering our prayers! For my dad, nothing would have been a better birthday present than that.

The Lord has truly blessed me abundantly, though I am not deserving of his infinite love and mercy.
How dare I question His hand in my life? How dare I lose faith in my God?

All of my little struggles have reminded me of the importance of remembering the past works of God in my life. As I continue on the path the Lord has placed my feet on, I am confident that His hand will continue to lead me. . .
"If God is for me, who can be against me?" Romans 8:31