Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I haven’t written in so long that I feel regretful, apologetic and rough around the blogging edges.

Where to begin?

We are thriving in Hoonah. I realize “thriving” is a relative term that many of you may take issue with, but from my perspective the spiritual growth is compounding in ways I could never imagine and God is staying true to his promise to work all things for good for those that love Him.

Steve is busier than ever. He pulled off an extraordinary school budget turn-around and has gained board support for many of his ideas. This combination makes for an intense and crucial time of growth, change and expectation. To say he is working over-time would be an understatement. His drive comes from an urgent place to save children from tragic abuse, poverty, and waste of potential. He works everyday to help children reach the destiny they deserve. He has incredible faith in authentic learning and the element of responsibility. He dedicates himself with diligence to creating a system that will help children for generations. I believe in him greatly and am so thrilled that Andrew has Steve as a role model to follow.

Steve still eats way too much butter, saves exercise for when he has saved the world and has taken to getting up at 4 am to work….other than that my sweet husband is thriving.

Andrew is doing amazingly well. He is growing so quickly, his legs appear longer and longer each day. He loves school and is succeeding in every subject.

Mr. Foreman, the new music teacher, after watching Andrew’s enthusiamsim in music class, has asked that Andrew learn the trumpet. This is an honor as most students have to wait until 6^th grade to play an instrument at school. Andrew was thrilled by this idea and has enjoyed every part of this new journey. After three lessons, Andrew has started to write his own melodies and figure out, on his own, how to play the first part of Amazing Grace. He loves showcasing his progress by calling Grandma and his Dad to give them over-the-phone concert. Andrew continues to play the piano as well, and his teacher gave him a lovely Bach prelude that fills the house with beautiful music.

Andrew was also asked to be in the Lego Robotics Club. This too was an honor, as members have to be 9 years old to participate and Andrew is just 8. They met twice a week to work on a specific challenge set by the state Lego Robotics League. Last weekend the team traveled to Juneau and competed against other teams in the Southeast. They did a great job and learned a lot. This is the Lego code of ethics….

Now that I am working full time, Andrew has experienced a new awareness of responsibility…little things like making his own healthy lunch, showering in the morning rather than long lengthy baths at night, chores done promptly, homework done by himself without prodding or assistance and a goodly amount of time after school to play with his friends on the playground or in the gym – without Mom watching every moves he makes.

This has been a good transition for both of us, but probably harder for me than for him. It has been of benefit for Andrew to see me contributing to the school and our financial situation, helping and caring for other children in addition to him and allowing him some space for him to succeed and fail on his own. He is a Godly boy and wants to do what is right. The sweetest time is in the evening when he bares his heart in prayer…sometimes it is only a prayer for a goodnight’s sleep but most often he selfishlessly asks for God to give to others because we have so much. He prays for his Grandma to not feel afraid because she lives alone or he asks God for a peaceful world where no child is hungry.

He still loves to cuddle, get piggyback rides down the stairs, throw snowballs and our evening reading time in sacred is his mind. He gets grounded now and then, he still bites his fingernails and oddly enough, I have to remind him to use soap in the shower, but he is an ever-changing miracle to me and a blessing in our lives. Andrew is definitely thriving.

Am I thriving?….some days I wonder…but in the quiet times of the morning or even in the quick momentum of a project, I have the deep inner sense that I am right where I am supposed to be.

I am working full-time: 7:30 to 5 or later, depending on if Andrew is in Karate class or not. Working full time on a set schedule is a foreign concept to me. I grew up with parents that owned their own businesses and worked according to their own schedule. As a child I just remember them always being home, though always being very busy. Before now, I have lived most of my life accordingly; on my own schedule and busy.

I was officially hired as a grant writer/fund-developer and interim Title 1 grant manager. Well, there were some growing pains in the beginning; long bouts of crying, singing opera solos at full voice in the office and the inability to separate myself from every school problem that arose. I have stopped crying and belting out in the office…but I still struggle with the last one.

One thing…ok, a few things I have learned about myself: 1. I want to fix everything and right now 2. I need an organized work environment to function (that means the entire school needs to be cleaned before I can work) 3. I possibly could be ADD 4. I deal mainly in crisis mode and in a school environment just wait a few seconds and somewhere there will be a crisis and 5. I think that communication can solve every problem.

So just imagine me as an employee…I clean rooms that aren’t mine. I am in everyone’s business. I want immediate results. I go from one unfinished emergency project to the next and I talk a lot!

Poor Steve.

But being the resourceful boss that he is, my job is slowly morphing to fit my strengths. There is a new Title 1 grant manger. I am still Grant writing but I am also in charge of many of the communication avenues and community laison duties. On the side I am going to drive the organization of five general use spaces and am looking into starting an afterschool children’s choir program and doing the yearbook.

I am learning so much about myself, my husband and about life. I wish I was singing more, writing more and working as a National Geographic photographer but who knows what will happen in the future.

I am currently in a play called, “Uh-Oh Here’s Christmas.” It is fun community theater experience and I have a beautiful song I am performing. I am sending my resume and headshot to Juneau Light Opera this week and look! I am writing an updated blog post. Progress.

I feel that we are on a remarkable journey and yesterday when Steve asked me what I was most grateful for, my gratitude stems from two concepts – consciousness and willingness. Without those two divine gifts I would never have the capacity to know true purpose, joy, love, faith, hope and the abundance of the life that I have been given. I am most grateful for consciousness and willingness.

From eating too much butter, to biting fingernails to talking too much, the Alaska Pines’ may struggle, but in God’s love and purpose, I believe we are right on track; growing closer to Him through our faults and learning of our spiritual potential through our meager attempts at worldly service.

During this Thanksgiving holiday we wish you all the best and we are very thankful for your friendship and love. Until next time…

Love Tricia, Steve and Andrew