family gatherings

It's hard to describe the "Leonard Reunion" so people who aren't Leonards can actually understand the insanity. In simple words it's a long weekend of extended family time (between 50-75 people). We have been going to the same camp on Lake Erie for I think almost 20 years and having this reunion for over 40 years. This year's theme was Tresure Island. We play games, eat lots of good food, sit around campfires, pretend to be much more phycially fit than any of use actually are, and get reconnected. It's on my calendar for life.

wanting to learn again

Tonight as I sat and listened in on an adventure group I realized something...I want to learn. It was quite a revelation for me. I haven't had that genuine desire in a LONG time. Don't get me wrong, I have been motivated by deadlines, the need to impress and as a teacher the needs of my students but I cannot remember the last time I wanted to investigate and learn on my own.
What's on my mind you ask? The Leadership Challenge by Kouzes and Posner and the Johari window.

Leadership is: "The art of mobilizing others to want to struggle for
shared aspirations."--Kouzes and Posner

Hmmm...

Sweetly Broken

I learned this song(the words below) last week in church. I'd never really thought of brokenness as a sweet thing before but really being broken before God is pretty sweet--that's when I let go of the things making my life miserable. Coming to Indiana has been tricky for me on every level imaginable but mainly in my job. I have spent so much time thinking and rethinking and second guessing my every move that I was losing the joy in what I love doing. I had a good cry the other day and then a good talk with my supervisor. Both incredibly healing. I wouldn't say that I'm all better inside but I finally let go of some things that have been getting in the way. Today I worked with a group of college students and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of my time with them. It was one of my most fulfilling days since I moved to Indiana. And for that I am very thankful!

Jeremy Riddle - Sweetly Broken
To the cross I look, to the cross I cling
Of its suffering I do drink
Of its work I do sing
For on it my Savior both bruised and crushed
Showed that God is love
And God is just


At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered


What a priceless gift, undeserved life
Have I been given
Through Christ crucified
You’ve called me out of death
You’ve called me into life

And I was under Your wrath
Now through the cross I’m reconciled

In awe of the cross I must confess
How wondrous Your redeeming love and
How great is Your faithfulness

close your eyes and just listen

Everywhere I have lived I have had to adjust to the local "sounds".
In college it was the non-stop commotion.
At camp in Ligonier it was frogs, squirrels, Izzy shifting in her cage(my rabbit), birds, kids running around.
In town in Ligonier it was cars driving by, the old house settling, people walking their dogs.
In Guatemala it was the neighbors little dog yipping, firecrackers in the street between 5am & 6am, guns shots, roosters, lots of honking car horns.
Back at home it was mom playing the piano, dad watching politcal stuff on "his" tv, the phone ringing, and someone yelling "come quick, there are deer in the back yard"(even though this is a daily occurance).
Here at Bradford Woods it's the pileated woodpeckers, the coyotes, and small animals running through the dry leaves.

What kinds of things do you hear on a daily basis?

The Manna House Porch

Last week during training we were asked to think about our favorite place. We wrote some notes, drew pictures, and then wrote poems. I'm actually kind of proud of my poem. I know it's not a masterpiece but I like it so I thought I'd share.


In the still quiet of the night
I feel the comfort of being home
I sit on my porch in my hammock chair
I swing and I rock and take it all in
I watch the fog overtake the valley
I gaze at the stars shining so bright
I remember the sounds of the day gone by
People laughing, singing, shouting, and asking "on belay?"
I reflect on my day, letting go and breathing the fresh air in
I sit back, relax and settle in
A new day will soon begin

two sides to everything

We (the new staff I am in training with) went on a short and sweet night "hike" the other night. We were to walk alone and then find a place in the grass to relax and reflect for a bit. As I walked down the hill through the woods I initally thought about how much I hate walking alone in the woods at night. I'm not exactly sure what I'm afraid of...I don't really think someone/thing is going to jump out and eat me...I guess it's a fear of the unknown. Then I thought about how much I love caving. One of my goals in life is to spend the night in a cave...just to say I've done it. I like big caves and small caves, massive rooms and birth canal type tunnels. Generally I'm a happy, relaxed camper as soon as I enter a cave. I feel freedom in the security of the walls around me.

The flip side of this is the insecurity and frustration that the four walls of a classroom instill in me. I almost feel claustrophobic as a classroom teacher. My favorite teacher moments were reading stories or playing math fact games...outside and away from walls!

There has to be a balance...right?

This is the entrance to Bear Cave. The first cave I ever entered almost 15 years ago. My heart smiles just looking at it!

8 minutes and counting

I officially have 8 minutes left on my computer at the library BUT lots of people are asking how I'm doing in Indiana. I'm doing well. It's an adjustment on many levels--different place different style of programming and teaching, having guy roommates(not in my bedroom but everywhere else), no computer, no time for internet...or time to drive to town to get on the internet, christian bubble is for sure gone, church shopping again--regardless of all my adjustments I think I'm doing better than average. I'm making an effort not to spaz...which we all know is very hard for me!
Time's almost out...more later!