"WE (heart) LAINIE"

This is what the poster read upon my entrance to work today.
It was my last day at Spicer Brothers Produce.

There were little blessings that occurred throughout my day today.
The poster.
A celebratory bowl of guacamole.
A juggling act of two.
These, among others, made me smile on my face and in my heart.

Thank you, Spicers team.
I (heart) you, too.

I am the CEO

A game of sorts was created at Spicer Brothers.

It has been played over the last month during lulls within the work day.

And I just won!

Allow me to briefly explain:

Forrest (a fellow college-age worker) created "The Upper Management", where he is the boss of a figurative company and we are his employees. As employees, we must do things to impress the boss in hopes of moving up the made-up corporate ladder. I have been a diligent participant in this game and have had a wonderfully successful career.

Today, I was promoted. I am now the CEO of "Upper Management".

Forrest stepped down from his position and gave me his office, which is on the top floor of the imaginary company building. 

I am so excited. I cheered and put both hands in the air!

At the end of the week, I will retire from this fictional company.

But until then, I will thoroughly enjoy my position as Boss Lady.

An Explanation

Who? What? When? Where? How? Why?
The standard six questions.
I have yet to answer all of them on this blog as they relate to my nearing future.
I will answer them now.

Who: Me. Lainie.
What: The Joshua Wilderness Institute (A missions internship/ Bible college program.)
When: September 2012 - August 2013
Where: Hume, California
How (I heard about it): My dad's co-workers son. He graduated from JWI a few years ago. I asked him about it/ his experience and he shared with me. That is where I first heard of the program.
Why: My interest wasn't in "going to college" right after I graduated from high school. I have been filled with fifteen years-worth of education and I want to apply it. College is still a very realistic plan; an opportunity for me to continue my learning and expand my knowledge. But that will be for my later future.
It came down to this: I want to go do something. I want to go do something now.
So I began to explore my options. There is a surprising and growing number of "gap year" programs encouraging newly-high-school-graduates to spend a year doing something. Traveling, volunteering, serving. It was during this time that I talked to Eric (see "How") and the Joshua Wilderness Institute was added to the list of options which I was exploring.
I put in my application. In January I went to a preview held for potential incoming-students. There, I had my interview. I got a view of the campus and the classes and the community and the life at the Joshua Wilderness Institute.
It was overwhelming.
I came home and put the idea of Joshua to the side. I had done what I had to do. If Joshua was where I needed to be, then that was where I would be. It was simple. And I was trusting.
So I proceeded in the stressful pattern of life that is common to a graduating senior. I continued to investigate future opportunities; still unable to answer the what-are-your-plans-after-high-school question when asked by others, and still unable to answer it when asked by myself.
Then in April, I received the email.
"Dear Elaina, Congratulations!!! After prayerful consideration and review of your application we are excited to extend an offer of admissions into the Joshua Wilderness Institute for the 2012-2013 program year. ..."
And that was it.

Who? What? When? Where? How? Why?
The standard six questions.
Now all answered.

Today's Activity

"Back-to-school" shopping day!
Mom, Maddie and I went to the Goodwill Superstore in Portland.
After approximately four hours and thirty minutes, we exited with triumph in our plastic shopping bags.
It was a long and successful afternoon.


The Pick-of-the-Day: An exquisite sweater for Mom. Made in Norway.

A humorous moment: Maddie was trying on skirts. She picked up a blue one with... legs. It turned out to be a blouse with a wide neck and the sleeves tucked in. She was bummed that it wasn't a skirt. I was bummed that it wasn't a skirt with legs.

Photos: Middle School Camp

Welcome to the Good Life

Sno cones and sunshine

Program Staff

Program Staff, et. al.

  

Receive mail =
Kiss taxidermied  mammal

(These shots were taken by a variety of talented photographers; 

including Emily, Kate, Mandi, and Gabriel.)

A Blast from the No-So-Long-Ago Past

I went back to middle school camp at Crestview. But this time, I was a leader!!
(I even got the official, green, "I'm a leader" bracelet.)
Being a camper at middle school camp remains among my fondest memories.
Time to give back.
Through a wonderful, unexpected opportunity, I was invited to join the program staff of the "Good Life Camp".

The High-Light: Food Fight, Water Fight, Mud Fight. Occurring consecutively. "Organized chaos" involving approximately 200 middle schoolers + leaders. Epic. Probably among the most epic activities in which I have participated.

The Low-Light: I don't feel well now. Camp wears me out.

Lainie: The Model

I am "the face of Spicer Brothers" today! Check it out on Facebook
( http://www.facebook.com/SpicerBrothersProduce )
or you can see the picture below.
Local sweet corn. Now in season.

Photo taken by Mr. Keith (Spicer)

...

The temperature reached approximately 103F today in Oregon City.
Warm.
I stood in the shade and sampled a slice of peach.
Delicious.
It was a most wonderful moment.