Wednesday, October 22, 2008

More Adventures in WA & ID

So I just finished up my time in Idaho, my flight leaves later today, and I'm feeling much more refreshed from the busy day yesterday. I have been in Idaho for approximately....26 hours. And here is my life lesson learned since arriving, imagine that, a life lesson within 26 hours!
First, I was quite tired. I had a fair in Tacoma Monday night and drove to Portland after, stayed at the Lovely Dennis' house for about five hours and then got up at 4:30am to get ready and catch my flight to Idaho. I had two fairs in Idaho yesterday. So to prepare for these fairs, I figured I need to do the following:
1. Brush my teeth
2. Change my clothes
3. Eat
4. Get caffeine, preferably in the form of coffee
5. Go over at least a few times what I wanted to say, I really do want to represent the best that I can.
So I did just this. Since it was too early to check into a hotel I figured the best option would be to go to a restaruant, eat something and go over my "speech", read and relax and then change and freshen up. Good...good...this went well.
I headed to the school, but apparently I had the wrong address (they had moved buildings a couple of years ago and not all search pieces online are up todate). I got the street and cross street names and figured I'd just give it a go- I bet I could I find it, I'd been in the area for a couple of days about two and a half years ago and some things looked vaguely familiar. I was already early, so no worries. I completely lucked out! I saw a sign for the street I needed, I took it, followed gut instinct and got there with plenty of time to spare, even sat in my car and read for awhile. I was feeling pretty good about myself. For many who will take the time to read this blog know that in the past depth preception.....time.....distance....well a lot of things, gave me some trouble grasping. But, I think I can confidently say I am pretty good with directions now, have a great memory for streets and buildings if I've been there at least once, and have a decently strong internal since of direction . I chalked up my good fortune to my incredible navigating skills.
Humbling experiences often take us by surprise don't they? I'm in the high school in Nampa, ID, I've met with the career counselor and had a great chat, met some other admissions counselors from various colleges and been led to my room where I was to give three 25 minute speeches to sets of rotating students. It's a good thing my navigating skills are so great, it was an amazing opportunity to reach out to all of these students. While in my classroom, I sat and chatted again with the hosting teacher and another counselor, it was all good fun, while waiting for students to start arriving.
I found myself alone in the room, the teacher left to do something, all counselors proceded to their assigned room to wait for students to get let out and arrive, and I did the same, waited. While waiting, somehow! By chance. By pure unadultarated luck....I brushed the front of my black slacks with my hand and found that my fly was completely open. And I do mean completely, no attempt of any "zippage" had taken place, nada, nothing. Students were set to arrive within the minute. I literally heard the satifying sound of my pants finally being zipped up as the first student started walking through my doorway. Close call! Close call indeed. The worst part, it means my fly had been open since I ate lunch and went over notes, and talked with counselors, and the teacher....and the head of the fair....awesome.
I suddenly didn't feel quite as self satified with my navigating skills, I felt a little more humbled with the mere thought that I couldn't even manage to remember to zip my own pants up. It just goes to show that by grace we are truly saved, and that God reminds us His will and His way in some of the most surprising ways. :o)

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