What Joy!

What joy is found in life here at Pine Ridge....

Hi again! When I begin a post, I generally like to frame my words with my current mood, and I would have to say I am blissful today. Yep, and peaceful amidst flurry (after all, I AM wearing my "be in peace" t-shirt). :)

The last week has been quite refreshing, and I believe a few reasons exist: 1. I have kept busy enough to occupy my mind- and when occupied, my mindset is generally positive. 2. I have had enough down-time and prayer-time to be able to focus on others rather than myself. 3. I have been enjoying the beautiful weather this spring has granted. Yep. I'm a happy girl, with a little sunshiny color on my face!

Enough about me, so what does the Red Cloud story pond have to offer today? Well, a few spectacular stories, I must say....

Last Friday, the drama club presented their play called "Three Greek Myths..." which was a contemporary look at the stories of King Midas, Echo and Narcissus, and another guy who played the guitar and fell in love w/ a lady, leading him to Hades. Ha, yeah- brilliantly played by Elliot, I must add. The play was fantastic, with cameos from various teachers who filled the roles of a girl who had to leave last-minute. They presented for the school on Friday afternoon (unfortunately attendance was down- silly senior skip day)... and again in the evening. I went to both performances, and took pictures during the evening (perhaps I'll post them soon, along with some pics from a recent pow-wow. I imagine that would be interesting to most parties in my reading audience). Back on track... besides being available to congratulate the performers, pass out cake, give encouraging hugs, and take pictures- I felt my presence was most useful to provide laughs which prompted the audience to laugh as well- (at the humorous parts which were slightly hidden by occasional lack of voice projection). :):)

So, the Friday adventure at Red Cloud does not end with the play- although sufficient enough to be a good story, I realize- NO, in fact, my excitement level quickly increased when I realized (during my walk back home) that the dining hall was occupied by none other than a Middle School Dance!!! Yes, that's right, Emily immediately sprinted to the door, only to find it locked, making it necessary to jog around the building to the 'paying participants' entrance. Okay, so I cannot exactly explain my excitement with this great phenomenon of a middle school dance, because for one, I don't even know the kids- however, I did know the DJ (a Jesuit) and one other chaperon... so I walk briskly into this strobe-lighted, music-thumping atmosphere- only to realize that no one, I mean NO ONE, was dancing. Granted, I'm not a shy person, but this is a DANCE! :):) Ha, well I only stayed long enough to re-live some of my middle school dance memories- and gosh I have a few distinct moments forever etched into my memory!!! (picture Emily dancing with boys a head shorter than her) :)

Saturday seemed pretty uneventful, but we had a spur-of-the-afternoon cook-out with the volunteers, during which we were able to converse with a couple who are significant contributors to the Red Cloud funding. They were great, and it gave them a chance to see us 'volunteers' in real life. :) Ha, that sounds funny to me.

Sunday I unfortunately did something funky with my alarm... because I woke up during the time church would have been about to the 2nd reading of the liturgy... dang! And I was really looking forward to going! I hate when my life choices are controlled by silly alarms. Oh yes, a majority of the day I spent editing my brother-in-law's book, which is awesomely DONE now. Whew! And I had a glorious 4 to 5 miles walk out behind our campus, a space I had never before explored! In fact, I was only a few miles from Pine Ridge- on a hill I could see both water towers and miles of highway before entering Pine Ridge. New goal: walk the entire way to Pine Ridge using the back road... (don't worry, Mom,- it will be with comrades).

...random... I am having a difficult time concentrating on typing, because a housemate of mine is having a skype conversation with his family... Yep-distracting... (but all part of the communal living experience!!!) :)

Okay, Sunday night after our weekly CommuniTea time (clever, I know)... I was about to head to bed, when I overheard Erin mentioning something about a bus run in the morning- and when I checked with her, a memory of some small note written in my planner about a substitute morning bus run came flooding to mind. Oh my goodness!!! I really did thank God for Erin mentioning that... because without that- I'll paint the picture of what would have occurred.... "6:45am- the first children begin appearing outside their houses, waiting on a bus that would never come..." Instead, I get into the bus on time, stop at the place I am told a girl resides whom will help me with the rest of the route... only to find she isn't riding that day...GREAT! so off I go, down the road to who knows where (remember, I am substituting for a route of which I do not know any stops) and see a car coming toward me. Promising, I think, so I stop- and sure enough three kids get on the bus from that car... one of which is able to help me with the route. Granted, he was a half-asleep sophomore, but he only missed one stop (and they caught up with the bus by car in about a mile, saying "You forgot us!" as they entered). :) I only smiled and said, "Oops! I don't know this route." Yep, all the joys (and occasional) stresses of driving bus.

This week now is crazy with getting prepared for prom (which is a much bigger load on my time than previously anticipated)... but all in all, I LOVE school... even being busy. I am taking down all the couples' names for the grand march, collecting permission slips for the post-prom at Evans Plunge (up to 70 students so far)... and desperately trying to find a fellow bus driver for the 5-6am shift back to Red Cloud.

Ah, such a long post- and still more to say! I have had an abundant amount of patience thus far this week, which has been such a blessing! I have heard affirming comments from many students, which helps (okay, and I was asked to the prom by three senior boys)- but mostly I really think it's because I have been in a prayer-full mood, something I was taught in college- to be contemplative in the midst of activity. And all I can say is God must be a God of humor~ :)

Okay- that' about it. I promise to post pics soon, but maybe I'll have one big post full of many pics- prom, pow-wow, etc... :):)

Prom is coming- in a whirlwind- but my excitement rises with every swirl!!! :)

Emanating peace and exuberant joy through The One Who Made Us (that's a shout out to my brother-in-law and his recently edited book!)

Emily