on trying so hard

I spent a good chunk of my Sunday at that bastion of commercialism, Mall of America. Granted, I had a really good excuse (finding shoes to get married in!) but 4 hours of speed-walking around strollers, tourists, and old slow people with nothing to show for it at the end was exhausting.

While in a certain upscale department store's dressing room, I overheard two little girls in the dressing room across from me. Let me clarify: they were likely about 12 years old. Now that I'm double their age, they qualify as little girls.

(What's that, you say? You thought I was shopping for shoes? Yeah, well, I found some dresses I wanted to try on. Not the point.)

So I can hear them in the dressing room. They're trying on dresses. Helping each other get zipped in. Chatting endlessly. And then I actually start eavesdropping listening.

They're trying so hard to talk like grown-up women.

Girl 1: I just have 2 dresses left to try on.
Girl 2: Yeah, me, too.
Girl 1: And then we can go try on teen dresses. I could tell you really wanted to try on teen dresses, but I just really wanted to try on these gowns.

(later)

Girl 1: You're so lucky you have a strapless bra.
Girl 2: I bought it from Victoria's Secret.
Girl 1: My mom doesn't let me buy fancy underwear or bras. She always asks me, "Who are you showing your underwear to?" Like, mom, I'm not showing it to anyone! I believe in a strong foundation.
Girl 2: I bought a bra once for $36. My mom told me I couldn't wear it to school. She said it wasn't appropriate. I was like, "Mom! I bought this with my hard earned money!"

(later)

Girl 1: Ooooooh this is like a wedding dress! I thought this store didn't sell wedding dresses!
Girl 2: You be the bride and I'll be the bridesmaid. Dum, dum, da-dum...
Girl 1: I can't wait til I get to go wedding dress shopping someday.

Oh, sweetie. It will be here before you know it.

As I was listening to their conversation, it struck me how anxious we are to grow up. How hard we try, even subconsciously, to sound older, more adult. How easily we mimic the words and phrases we hear adults use because that is the external indicator of adulthood. I say "we" because I'm confident it was me in that dressing room, 12 years ago, trying ever so hard to not be 12.

we actually did it.

Well, we pulled it off!

Yesterday 29 new students (and their parents, siblings, even a grandparent or two) moved onto campus as the newest class of our growing college. 1 more moves in this afternoon.

It was a blessed day. And it's been a crazy several months, weeks, and days leading up.

From scrubbing furniture to hanging pictures to setting up classrooms to organizing orientation schedules/folders/nametags it has been a constant stream of work for many months, growing ever-crazier by the day.

I am grateful, so overwhelmingly grateful, to be part of a team - this team - who loves God and loves students. It brings us to tears (quite literally - my boss choked up during Orientation) that parents would entrust their precious children to us to mold, disciple, shape, challenge and influence for 18 months. It is a weighty responsibility and a privilege. And I love my job.

A couple families pulled me aside yesterday and told me that I am the reason their child is at Rivendell. How humbling. How encouraging. And the truth is that this is so much more than a job for me; this is a calling. God has placed me here to help guide students through the process of transitioning to the next stage, to excellence, to better.

So thankful for a job that calls out my strengths and assembles a team that is strong where I'm not. So thankful for parents and students who are understanding, coworkers who are tireless and unflappable, and friends and family who are supportive -- even when I work 40 hours in 3 days.

Here's to our ever-growing "family" and all the richness therein.

Yep, therein.

life recently, by the numbers

Two years ago today, I accepted the position to teach in Nigeria.
One year ago today, I introduced Mrs. O and Mercy to my parents in Minneapolis.
11 months ago today, I started working at Rivendell Sanctuary in a job that fits me perfectly.
10.5 months ago, I went to Filet Friday Formal (on Saturday) and found a new community of friends.
9.5 months ago, I started dating Jon Keller.
9-7 months ago, I fell in love.
6 months ago, I pulled off my first Orientation Day for 25 students + parents.
3 months ago, I told Jon Keller I would marry him.
2 hours ago, I started training our brand new admin assistant (and thus secured my own sanity).
In 5 weeks, we will welcome 30-35 more students for our second Orientation Day.
In 95 days (13 weeks!) I will marry Jon Keller.
In 97 days, Jon and I leave for Tahiti, New Caledonia, New Zealand, and Australia.

three very special members of the class of 2011

(photo stolen shamelessly from Mercy)

There they are. My beautiful students from my homeroom last year, Grade 11 (minus Grace who is in Indonesia now). These 3 - they are incredible people. I can't fathom the ways they will contribute to this world and build the kingdom of God.

I am simultaneously consumed with pride for them and their accomplishments, and crushed knowing I wasn't able to be at their graduation ceremony today.

Chima, Tomi, Winston - go forth in the knowledge that you are loved fiercely, supported by a community (ICS!) who believes in you, and empowered to accomplish every good work God has prepared in advance for you to do. I miss you!
Love,
Miss Maggie
P.S. Just because she isn't in the picture doesn't mean I've forgotten that we were four last year! Miss you, too, Grace!!!

on photo-swooning

How is it possible that when I look at a photo of my handsome fiance, I absolutely melt? It's sure to happen every time. He's so darn good looking! (And I'm so darn lucky!)

Tell me how I was supposed to withstand these photos, the first 5 of from our engagement session (because let me tell ya, I was a goofy-grin, giggly mess when I saw these):

Gosh, I just love him.

I can't look at these pictures and have any other reaction but "Oh man, I get to marry him."

123 more days.



Photo credit to Jameson Bast Photography. We loved working with Jameson & Kristen!