Mystery

"The Lord works in mysterious ways." 
I agree with that, but also know that sometimes there is nothing "mysterious" about it. I would make it simple and say "The Lord works". I've seen Him work in my life with no mystery at all.
The last three hours have been God working. Not only working, but leading.
REWIND to last night. I found out I did not get the job at San Gabriel. I was bummed. I expected to be "aw shucks" shoulder shrugging bummed, but not putting myself out there rejected. Then I felt bad for feeling that way because my prayer had been all along "God YOUR will, whatever door you open or close." I prayed as if both options to stay in AZ or move to CA were equal and when the CA door shut I was sad about it. I knew I wouldn't be jumping from rooftops, but if I truly trusted God to make a decision for me why was I feeling so extreme one way?
This thought process flowed over into volleyball (consistently a Thursday highlight) effecting my physical smile and game play, social interaction, and spiritual witness. I had a mind shift in the last game I played of two on two. Naturally, it is more difficult having two players. We were also playing in sand and someone turned on the sprinklers (I have my hunches who it was) mid game. My fellow warrior in battle and our opponents pressed on through "the elements" and kept playing. It felt so good to fight (not fist to fist). Fight for something I love. Every point we defending, dug, and got dirty for was my fight against the emotional quick sand hole I felt myself sinking in. I fought for my worth as a teacher and chose then and there covered in sweat and sand that no matter how I felt now I would not give up. I would give my all for that next "point" in life whether it be a high or low one.
As I rinsed my bruised, slightly bloody, dirt stained knees in the make shift outdoor shower I was reminded by two great people in my life that my feelings are natural, I wasn't made to ever feel rejected, and that yeah...a little more trust in God wouldn't hurt.
FAST FORWARD to today (more like the last 3 hours) . I had some new friends who have blessed me with food, fun, and kid rentals tell me I could use their garage to store my stuff. Then minutes later my Dad called saying there might be an opportunity for me to do some long term house sitting in the Phoenix area, and to look out for a call. He also helped me work out a much more affordable truck rental. I was already going at 4pm to look at a room on campus to live in for the summer and ended up being blessed by conversation and the ability to help others clean.
God is good! He has basically taken care of where my stuff will go, how it will get there, and a potential living arrangement. There is nothing mysterious about those ways. God works, all I have to do is "call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known." Jeremiah 33:3

Yes means No? Hurry up and Wait Waite.

Exactly three weeks ago today, I decided to pursue a masters in occupational therapy. I had been praying about this for a while. Through all the job offers and not offers, occupational therapy had been a constant interest in my mind. On Wednesday June 5, I felt God was asking me to make a decision and move in a direction. That night I went online and scheduled out my classes from July 1-December 13. All I had to do was hit the "pay now" (which I really didn't want to do) button.

The very next day I missed a call and a text with A LOT of exclamation marks from a friend about a PE job at San Gabriel Academy in San Gabriel (duh) CA. I had talked to him before and knew that he loved his job and the people he worked with. That same Friday (mind you one day after deciding to get my masters) I had a great conversation with the principal. The ball has been rolling towards the California coast ever since. It was as if God wanted me to make a decision so He could say "Nope, I'm not done with your teaching career yet." I've noticed at times when I say "yes" God says "no" or "let me tweak that plan for you and show you how it's REALLY done, I got you Jill (head nod/Godly wink included)."

Over Father's Day weekend I was going to be in Riverside anyway and traveled the hour (more like 10 1/2 in LA traffic) to San Gabriel to meet the principal and the athletic director face to face. A personnel committee meeting was also suppose to happen in person but was rescheduled. I left California with a clear mind knowing that God was not done with me yet. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11. And oh boy, He was not done.

Since my trip to California I have been waiting. I have gone from a whirlwind rush of phone interviews to a quick trip to visit family and face to face interview, and now I'm dropped. Dropped into a house piled with boxes (I hardly packed, many thanks to mom) and told to wait for a committee meeting that was happening who knows when. God was definitely not done teaching me about the power of patience and truly letting go and letting Him work in me and for me. 

Fast forward to today. I was all lined up to Skype in at 6pm and interview with the committee, my web cam stopped working on my computer. STRESS. Enter little voice in my head "calm down, let go let God." Okay...now Skype is working on my iPad, but no word from the principal = no one to Skype with. STRESS. Little voice "Jill, let go" (and if you know me one of my pet peeves is my name being said with a comma/pause after it). By not I'm feeling like Samuel being called in the night. I give up "yes, Lord". Little voice "calm down and listen to Pandora". Two songs in...Skype call! 

The interview went great, questions were answers, and I even got them to laugh a few times :) 

Now the Linthwaite must must wait (I've always wanted to say that) 24 to 48 hours for an answer while other people are interviewed.

God is not done with me yet, I know for a fact He hasn't even begun. I know CA or AZ have amazing God-tunities (God + opportunities) for me to serve. Can't wait to see what He got for me! I'll keep you posted and you keep me in your prayers. (fair trade and I'll keep you in my prayers tambien :)

"stop...it's sharing time"

I had to stop everything to write after reading this quote:
"The best is always yet to be with God. Everything you have ever dreamed or longed for, will be." -Oswald Chambers
Those 19 words sum me up. Past, present, and future. In the past, I dreamed of what my career and life would look like, in the present I long for someone to share life with, and now know in the future it all will be WITH God. 
Next to having John 3:16 memorized, I've always known Phil. 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." There is even a song that goes something like "and with God all things are possible..." something about soaring on wings like eagles. ANYWAY, it wasn't until tonight, until ", will be." that I really got it. Everything that I've ever needed, thought I needed, stressed about, complained about, late night texted about, been lied to in movies about, WILL BE as long as (here's the key point) I am WITH God.
Such power in 19 words. When I was 19 I was in the midst of tragedy, thinking about past memories of those gone, trying to deal with the present, and not even wanting to think or know about the future. But it was through prayer, a silent packed car ride of 6 to the airport, and the love of a community that yanked me back into the present each day. God was with and will always be with me. I don't have to worry about all my "will be's" as long as I'm "with He."

Fellows on a Ship

I picture if a bunch of fellows were on a ship together (especially a small ship) there would be a plethora of secret handshakes, jokes, chest bumps and various bodily noises (not stereotyping at all).

What I'm trying to get at is, they would form a bond, a fellowship. Purpose Driven Life (PDL) focuses in on experiencing life together. "Fellowship" usually refers to casual conversation, socializing, food, and fun...real fellowship is more than just showing up at services. It's experiencing life together. It includes unselfish loving, honest sharing, practical serving, sacrificial giving, sympathetic comforting, and all the other "one another" commands found in the New Testament." (PDL p. 138)

I remember potluck Sabbaths in the "fellowship hall" at my home church growing up. They were the best, hands down. Even the suspicious Mr. Christoph dandelion leaf casserole and annoyingly constant shortage of Special K loaf made a mark in my memory. My friends and I would stake our claim on a round table and screeched as many metal chairs as we needed across the white tile floor while our parents (mostly moms) ran to and fro looking for that last woven pot holder to make the lengthy line of marker initialed Pyrex dishes complete. Us kids would eat as much (dessert) as we could and hang out as long we could. I could always tell how long we had been at potluck as to what articles of clothing my dad still had on. He would always start potluck with a complete suit and tie. Usually a black suit, white shirt, and a varying shade of red and mildly patterned tie. Most "de-clothed" I ever say him was minus jacket, tie, shirt untucked and top three buttons down (scandalous I know).

I loved the fellowship. As a little kid I needed that fellowship, time to run around with other kids (mostly boys) talk about what games or forts we were going to build after that dreaded "Sabbath nap" we all never took, but said we did, before the sun down game nights could begin. 

Now I need a different type of fellowship. I need an experience. I value the people in my life who I can have those open honest experiences with. It's a bond that doesn't need the "ship show" of chest bumps and arm pit fart noises. "Real fellowship happens when people get honest about who they are and what is happening in their lives." (PDL p.140)

I've found true fellowship with a small group of people and PDL agrees that small groups are the most  effective way (after all Jesus had 12 disciples). Even though I don't live in the same state as them anymore my fellowship is anchored on the east coast where I have had so many honest experiences and took time to invest in relationships, that even in distance hold strong. I am experiencing that in AZ now. The intentional relationships I'm forming can't be beat. I'm filling my "ship of fellows" with people that will not only lead me, but let me lead, build me up, and keep me grounded. These ship mates bring an authenticity that overflows into every part of my life. It guides and pushes my ship on a one way course to a closer relationship with God. This journey is going to be a great one.

Praise Da Lord for PDL

Yesterday was so fun filled I couldn't even write about it last night. I've had a turn in events and mind shift from the last self center "I'm gonna watch movies" post to "I'm gonna make my life a movie."

Praise Da Lord for the Purpose Driven Life book. Once again God made it very clear how much He is involved in my life and instead of "just do it" I need to "just do Him." From the simple act of helping out at the Phoenix SDA Community Center. My friend Jac and I (yes she is the Jac to my Jill) worked in the processing room sorting the clothes donations. There is something kind of odd you need to know. I love cleaning, organization, sorting other peoples stuff. When it comes to my own stuff....a clean pile of clothes in the corner of my room will do.
I must rewind and talk about the car ride to the community center. I picked up where I should have never left off in the Purpose Driven Life (PDL). Chapter 16 is titled "What Matters Most" and that is love. Life is all about love and the best expression of love is time.
"If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, and even gave my body to be burned, but if I didn't love others, I would be of no value whatsoever." 1 Corinthians 13:3 (NLT)
"No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love". 1Corinthians 13:3 (MSG)

Here I was going to give of my time, working alongside a loving group of people, to help others that might consider themselves bankrupt. This revelation gave way to purpose to every hanger I moved, crinkly brown bag I unpacked, and infant onesie I (attempted) to fold.
It's not about me. Learning to love unselfishly is so humbling and uplifting at the same time. I can't even put into words the contagion I felt throughout my body. I had done community service projects before, but I always had a feeling of get in, get the job done, get out. Now the best part is giving of my time and combining that with an ever-flowing attitude of love. PDL says "my children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action (1 John 3:18) relationships take time and effort, and the best way to spell love is T-I-M-E. The essence of love is not what we think or do or provide for others, but how much we give of ourselves." p.127

The best part is this 6 paged chapter 16 was resounded and relevant the rest of the day. It will be with me for the rest of my life. Don't even get my started on chapter 17...

Watch. Read. Write.

I'm not going to apologize. I'm going to watch, read, and write.
Today marks the first day of the new way. My hand trembled the black and white polka dot iPhone 4S case as I wide eyed and grinning told my friend I felt that "summer" was finally  here. I say "summer" in the teacher lingo, meaning that students are gone, departments are cleaning, and sleep is restoring.
With another summer comes my watch. I planning on watching my way through "the classics" meaning I can get them free through the great network of web winding Scottsdale/Phoenix public libraries (which I have exercised my access to maybe 3 times in the last 2 years). I smile because it takes me back to college when Dad would call and not jokingly ask me if I had been to the library and if I knew where is was located. Strategically it was located directly behind the other place where everyone should go on a college campus, the cafeteria. Separated by a number of coordinated stairs, I still couldn't scavenger hunt my way there more then a dozen times over my super-senior 5 years of college. Anyway, I'm making up for it now in watching the classics, which can be freely (found for free) in a library.
After I watch, I write. I write right here. What I think, how it applies to me, and more and MOST importantly how does it show God or what does God have to show me. Two friends and I recently had a great talk about tunnel vision. How sometimes we tunnel in on one person, place, or thing. I've been in a tunnel, more like a roller coaster in a darkly dim tunnel. There have been fleeting moments of light, but for the most part my personal, professional, and spiritual tunnel has been dark.
That's why I'm switching it up (REMIX) and doing something I don't often do (other than make good use of libraries)...read. A light that started to illuminate my tunnel which I then hid (under a bushel NO) very right Sabbath school song...I should have let it shine; was reading "Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. Like my silver hair little old man doggie LB (Little Babe to you guys) comes to me while tail between legs when in trouble, I come back to my "Purpose Driven Life".  Then you get to hear (read) the mumbo jumbo non-sense I write about it on here (smile).
Like I've said this before I'm trying something new. Watch. Read. Write. I currently do WAY too much of Talk. Veg Out. Text. The goal is to Watch. Talk. Read. Veg. Write. Text. with GOD

1...2...3 T-BIRD!

Sorry for the delay fans. Guess what? I live in Arizona now! The funniest thing happened yesterday. I was on facebook and it showed me a post I had put exactly one year ago. The status update read “First Sabbath at camp…going for a hike” It’s mind blowing to think that only a year ago I was hiking it up in Oregon and now a Sabbath one year later I’m an Athletic Director, PE/Health, class sponsor, and volleyball coach. Mind-blowing! I even have a new name (not that kind of name change, still single) students call me Miss L or Coach. Second mind blow!

I can’t remember if I blogged about my birthday this past February, but I remember talking with someone about how 24 was my year. I could just feel it. Not simply because it’s my favorite number (GO Gordon) I just had a feeling. The feeling has turned into new opportunities, leaps of faith, tears, smiles, frustration, and utter joy.

Thunderbird (T-Bird) Adventist Academy is where I reside now. I love that Thunderbirds nickname is T-Bird because it makes me feel like I’m living in the movie Grease. I should be walking around in a Pink Ladies jacket singing, “You’re the one that I want” or racing Grease Lightening.

Now that the musical is over, I really am having a once in a lifetime experience here. It feels like only 10 days ago I drove Olga the Oldsmobile over the speed bumps and made a left onto the celery green doored campus. Oh wait; it has only been 10 days! Lol Since day one the staff have been so supportive and understanding. Seems like 10 is the number around here because that’s the number of new staff. It helps that I knew some people. The Chaplain/Bible teacher went to Southern with me, and the English teacher is a family friend from Massachusetts. They have been my questions answerer people, support, mentor, and vocabulary bank for the boarding school lingo. I’d never heard words “social” “split schedule” or  “supervision team”. As far as I was concerned “social” meant being a social person and talking to people. It means the exact opposite to be “on social”. “Split schedule” to me was not having class everyday, nope, I have classes’ everyday, and a “supervision team” was something required at a mosh pit to make sure people didn’t kill each other. (I wouldn’t know because I’ve never moshed but it makes sense).

One thing I do know for sure is that I will finally…excuse me FINALLY FINALLY have my own place. I have to wait 30 days but it will totally be worth it. I’m going to be living in a 2 bed 1 bath duplex a hop, skip, and a jump away from T-Bird in faculty housing. Which in itself is awesome because mostly all the staff lives in faculty housing. I hope to have game nights and people over for dinner. There are so many staff kids I’m thinking of starting a babysitting service in the summer when school is out. Back to the best part that I will have my OWN PLACE! It’s been a long time coming. I’ll catch you guys up that don’t know my housing history. Went to Southern, lived in dorm for 2 years, lived in Southern Village (still college housing) 2 years. Then I moved off campus the last year but didn’t even put pictures on the walls I shard with 4 other girls because I knew I was graduating and leaving. My internship in Oregon had me living between a room in the director’s house in Stayton, to a cabin at camp. NOW present day, I’m living in the dorm again. WOW lol that was anticlimactic, looks like I’m back where I started…but I’m SO not. Living in the dorm isn’t the worst. I really like and get along with the Girls Dean (which is nice because originally she was suppose to be my boss), and I get to know the girls better because I see them in and out of class. The only thing I don’t want them to see me in is my towel. It’s become a stealth mission for me to get out of the shower room and down the hall to #102 without hearing a “morning Miss L”. The thought of me traumatizing a poor freshman girl because she saw her PE teacher in a towel on more then one occasion is frightening even to me, and I’m the one in the towel!

In all seriousness, life is good and more than that GOD IS GOOD. He knew I needed a job, He knew I needed to be supported by my bosses, and that I needed to be challenged. I’ve been all those things and much more. Even though it’s be hard and probably the most scary experience of my life, I wouldn’t change a thing. I wouldn’t even change the time I asked a Hispanic student if he had left his Spanish book in the gym. (He is clearly fluent in Spanish). But that’s a story for another time.

I will write again soon, if the heat doesn’t roast, toast, and burn me to the sidewalk first. 

Jet setting Echoing ping pong balls

Sorry for the distance my blogger family but the Internet has been under stress with all the recent activity of new people from far off places using it's bandwidth. Quite frankly it crumbled under the pressure and has been trying to recover for the past couple of days. 
Since we last chatted some new friends have entered my life. Echo is from North Carolina and we connected right off the bat. It was an interesting meeting at first. I walked up introduced myself and then she proceeded to tell me that her family are pig farmers. They are a finishing farm and have 6 houses with about 600 pigs total. That wasn't evening the interesting part, she then told me that you really CAN get rid of a dead body by cutting it up into quarters and feeding them to the pigs. They will eat it all. Did I mention this was all done with a smile and the sweet sound of southern charm in her voice? Needless to say I knew I didn't want to get on her bad side! lol Just joking, Echo has the sweetest heart and a kind spirit. We've had some deep heart to hearts and I know she will be a great friend for years to come. And gentlemen...yes she is single.
Then there is Jet. The Aussie that literally jetted up to me at the airport and we haven't really stopped talking or laughing since. The fun started when we had to stop on the side of the road for deer and she was fascinated that deer actually existed. She likened them to Santa Claus, some mystical thing that only lived in stories and fairy tales. Her name Jet came from Jet-Setter, she has traveled LOTS of places and seen a lot, Jet-Lag from her trip from Australia. I'm convinced her sleep pattern is still off. I've never met anyone that is so open, honest, and willing to learn. Because of the complications with certifications and test dates she was not able to be certified as a nurse in Oregon. But in kangaroo land and other parts of the world she's traveled delivering babies in remote villages and stitching up broken limbs she is registered nurse. On her way to be a surgeon. I'm hooked on her personality, free spirit, and love of life. She also said I could get tons of guys in Australia based solely on my American accent. Apparently they eat it up with a spoon for breakfast. And yes all the guys look like Hugh Jackman and that yummy blonde Thor guy. I'm sold. AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE OI OI OI!
Father's Day is tomorrow and I'd like to give big ups to my Dad and brother for playing game after game of ping pong in the basement because I am ROCKING people in ping pong. They are convinced that I put spin on the ball, but I just played a lot (back in the day). Sshh don't tell. Also a big thanks to all the people I beat along the way. Your loss has been my gain as I continue to beat opponents on a daily basis. lol
More funny camp stories to come! Filled with tales of Bolivians, Mexicans, Aussies, and a Trinidadian roommate. You'd think I'm on cultural tour of the world for the summer. Nope, at about 3,000 ft. in Oregon. Who woulda thunk?

Run Like a Mother

I felt like a little kid lost at an amusement park looking for my Mommy. Technically I was at an amusement part and there were a lot of kids and it was on Mothers Day, so I guess that was about right. The feelings are probably close to right on as well because I couldn't find the start line and I was missing my Mom because it was an all women Mothers Day 5K.

I also got to the 5K WAY too early, probably due to my nerves, and found myself sitting on the creaky bench of a half rotted picnic table. This 5K turned into a family event with Dad's toting around their little tikes and cheering on their wives as they stretched and chatted at the start line. Grandma and Grandpas lined the cement of the small family friendly amusement park staking out the best spots to view the finish line. I just sat. No cell phone on me and my car key in my sports bra (hopefully it didn't jiggle itself out) waiting for the race to start. A girl looking to be about my age, but with long blond hair, and skinnier then I sat kind of diagonal from me on the opposing picnic table. I figured this was her gajillionth race because she had a Nike running hat on and earphones (that's know you know their hardcore). I decided to say hi because she was sitting alone and I figured that was one thing we had in common. Come to find out this was her first 5K. Automatically feeling like the "veteran" having run only one more 5K then her, I shared what my first 5K experience was like (see blog "5K NO WAY"). In turn she shared her own story. In the last 2 years she had lost 70 pounds! Instantly being knocked off my high horse I asked her to share some tips and explained my own weight loss journey and troubles.

We talked till a few minutes before the race and I asked her if she wanted to run together. I felt like I was asking someone to prom which was weird because I never attended prom. She said yes and waved to her Grandma who was their to support and also offered to hold my lone car key so the "twins" wouldn't fight over it and lose it during the race. I realized once I handed over my key to my (newly) loan paid off car that I had no idea who this Granny was, and maybe this was the ploy of my new friend and her and her Granny had targeted me from the time I pulled in the parking lot. I just shrugged my shoulders and said to myself "oh well, I can run faster then her anyway."

The race started and my new friend and I were off. Out of the amusement park and into the neighborhood of Sellwood, which is just south of Portland, OR. I brought my purple Wal-Mart watch that doesn't time me after 30 minutes of running just to keep some variables the same from my last successful race (I'm not superstitious...well kinda). I was trying to stick to the same strategy as before and was going to walk at 10 minutes. When the time came my friend turned to me and say "no let's keep going." At first I thought "wow Miss I just met you bossy pants!" Then I was like " no, Jill you can run stop crying and GO!" I'm glad I did because before I knew we were at the 1.5 mile mark. A new goal for me, I ran a whole 1.5 mile without stopping YIPPIE! Then I needed to walk. I was getting very winded and tired from my insides cheering and leaping for joy (or was that the Goldfish crackers I had for breakfast?) Anyway, I finished strong in 33 minutes and 33 seconds, (Larry Birds number twice...I'm just saying thought that was pretty fitting and lucky) and wearing race number 242 (24 is my favorite number and my current age. Coincidence? I think not) My friend ran the whole thing the whole time and if i remember right finished in about 31 and something minutes?

Either way it was a great race with an amazing supportive atmosphere. After the race every woman received a carnation in honor of Mothers Day and everyone was walking around saying Happy Mothers Day. Oh yeah, even better then that IT DIDN'T RAIN! Always a success in Oregon.
Can't wait for my next!

Rook...Enough Said

I can't believe it's been over a month since I blogged! I know my vast following of fans and readers must be deprived like dangling a piece of white wedding cake in front of a fat kid. I heard your demands and am here again to feed your hungry appetites. I won't spill everything that has happened in the month. You will have to wait in anticipation for each blog. (Plus it looks way cooler to have many small blog posts then just one really long one.)
In the middle of April, Mom and Kyle flew to California as they often do when I'm not able to join. This time the whole family decided to road trip it up the west coast to see me. Fearlessly traveling in the silver bullet of a van was Grandma Coral, Grandpa Vernon, Mom, Kyle, and Uncle Jon (I think he said he wants his nick name to be "Uncie" ? not sure...or am I sure if that is how you spell it?) anyway...They stayed at the Oregon Gardens in Silverton, Oregon. I thought Grandma would especially like this place because she is into flowers, birds, trees, all of nature in general. It also was one of the closest places to where I lived. I got 2 days off of work and was able to hang out with them.
They arrived on a Monday and we went straight from my work to camp. I felt very proud to be able to show them around. They really liked camp in general. The bunkhouse wasn't the most luxurious smelling place but I told them that your nose just gets use to it.
The other 2 days were filled with hiking at Silver Falls, flower looking at-ting, and each night was capped off with game after game of Rook. I capitalize Rook because I didn't want to tell my family this, but I was SUPER looking forward to playing Rook. Grandpa Vernon taught me how to play and to say that this game was a family game is an understatement, it is a lifestyle, a legacy, Rook might as well be the Scheffel family crest. Don't get me wrong, I loved seeing my family and were so glad they took the time to come see me. But the fun we have playing Rook, eating bags of black licorice, and diet drinks at a not so good hour of the night is priceless to me.
When we weren't playing Rook, looking at waterfalls, and meeting a cousin of Grandma Corals we had never met before, we explored the little town of Silverton. There are many cool shops, and we found a restaurant that has an outdoor decks that looks over a river. The highlight of my lunch was throwing ice cubes from my Diet Coke over the railing and watch them plop into the water like bungee jumpers whose cords broke. The little splashes were so cool to watch!
Well the long and short of it is that the 2 days went by way too fast! I wish they could have stayed, or even better, I could have jumped in a suitcase and gone with them. Because let's be real...I live in Oregon where the sun can shine and it still be raining, and southern California is boringly always a sunny 70 degrees. Still sun never the less.
I miss my family and love them more then they know...even more then Rook (and that's saying something)