December 12, 2013

   8 days people.  8.  Days.  I cannot contain my excitement!!!  It's not that I don't love it here.  I do.  But I am so excited to see my FAMILY!!!!!!

   I love this time of year, and it's been fun to spend it with my new friends and community.  We're planning to attend the Festival of Trees and make ginger bread houses this weekend.  Things are in full swing for our church Christmas program, and the town lights up every night from east to west.  It's really a beautiful little community...you'd have to see it to appreciate it, but it really will capture your heart.

   Lots has happened in the almost month since I last posted!  Here's just a little glimpse :)

Day 86: Cut Bank Festival of Lights Parade!!

the courthouse is TOTALLY decked out with lights!! : )

 Day 92: Midnight showing of Catching Fire!

Day 98: Thanksgiving!!  So much to be thankful for :)

Tyson and Melissa and their crew: our adopted family for Thanksgiving day <3

Black Friday bargain hunters!

Day 105: Did a little decorating :)

Day 106: Acquire the Fire in Billings, MT with out youth group.  What a terrific weekend of worship and growth for our teens, and us chaperones as well!

Gordon putting away a huge hot dog!

fun with the kids...ultimate photo bomb : )

most of our crew

Mike is new to town.  Came all the way from Texas!  This was his first snow angel EVER.

   That's all for now I suppose.  I'm so looking forward to seeing everyone very soon.  8 more days...I think I can, I think I can!!

Let 'er Buck!

November 15, 2013

   I don't know where the time is going!  Almost 3 months since I've been here in Cut Bank.  Lots of great things are happening, and I feel SO blessed.  Here's just a little glimpse of my recent adventures here in the wild west!

Day 67:  Snow!!  Funny, Montana weather is so bipolar.  One day we get slammed with 8 inches of snow, the next day we get what's called a Chinook (warm air coming from over the mountains) and it's 50 degrees out, and the snow is gone.  Kinda reminds me of New England, in that it's very unpredictable :)

Day 69: Dental screenings at the elementary school!  Screened over 200 kids...love my job!  It was so fun to see the kids bundle up for recess in the snow.

Nemo and Elliot, my trusty oral health education buddies

Day 70:  Since I arrived in August, my church has been working very hard on a live drama to be presented on Halloween night (picture like a live Nativity...that's what we were formatted as).  The basic story line was 4 teens who are killed in a drunk driving accident and where each one of them goes when he/she dies.  I was really excited to be a part of the "production".  However, Cut Bank being so small, I really didn't think we were going to have many people come.  It was an "O ye of little faith" moment when over 300 people attended and heard the Gospel clearly presented!

Day 72:  Our youth group put on a HUGE yard sale to raise money for our trip to Acquire the Fire next month.  Over $1600 raised! :)  I enjoyed my role as babysitter as people shopped for bargains.

someone got a little sleepy :)

Day 76: made the paper!!  Check out the article at http://cutbankpioneerpress.com/articles/2013/11/06/cut_bank_pioneer_press/news/doc527a6d0f41f13038982398.txt

   Tomorrow I'm looking forward to going to the Parade of Lights in town.  They've decked out the town with Christmas lights, and there will be floats and stuff.  Should be fun!  However, I think what I'm most excited about is the fact that in about a month I'll be with my family!!!! :)
   Love to all!

Let 'er Buck!

October 22, 2013

   Almost a month since my last post...the time is flying by!  I'm trying all sorts of new things, and really loving life here in the wild west.

Day 44:  Big purchase!  Got a pair of leather boots...everyone wears this style out here, and I'm not one to be left out.  I wear them ALL the time now!

Day...I'm not sure! : Got my official MT driver's license in the mail.  6 months before I am an official state resident, and can purchase hunting tags! :)

Day...not sure on this one either: Caught a mouse.  Guess you could consider this my first hunt.

Day 56: Babysitting horses for some friends from church.  Love this kind of work!

Day 57: Headed over the border to Lethbridge, Canada for some fun and shopping!

Day 58: First time ever in Scheel's...I'm officially hooked!! :)  Saving up for my own gun now...

Here are a few other pics of just random things...

gorgeous view of the moon while out feeding the horses!

"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors elk!"

made over 300 of these goodie bags for the kids!  We've enjoyed school screenings :)

rattlesnake!  had to try it of course...

fall in Big Sky Country!

an awesome gift from Mrs. Hilpert!  made some New England apple pies with them :)

my dear friends Ken and Betti Grimm...they've adopted me as their own while I'm out here.  very thankful for them!

   Things are going really well out here, and I'm so thankful for how God is blessing me.  He is so good.  You'll be happy to know my flight back home for Christmas is booked! :)  I'm really looking forward to seeing my family and friends back home.  Love to all!

Let 'er Buck!

September 28, 2013

   Yesterday was Deerfield Fair day back home.  This year is the first in many that I haven't gone.  I was really missing being there with my family.  Fall colors, caramel apples, cotton candy, fried dough, cheesy fries, livestock, military, soup in a bread bowl...notice a pattern here?  What can I say?  I love food.  And the horse show of course!  That's always a favorite fair activity.  For each class, we all pick the horse we think is going to be the winner...it's kind of a tradition.  As much as I missed it, I'm thankful God provided things to do : )
   
Well exciting things have transpired since I last posted!

Day 29: Registered my Jeep and got my Montana plates

Day 30:  Learned how to swing an ax and chop firewood.  Spent the day is Kalispell at an AWANA conference.  I'm excited about the opportunity to be game coordinator for our church AWANA club!

Day 31 - 1 month in Cut Bank:  Best.  Day.  Ever.  Dream come true.  Whatever you wanna call it.  Got to go horse back riding with a friend church.  Literally went galloping across the prairie, something I've wanted to do for a very long time!

   It's starting to get a little chilly out here...and windy!  People tell me it's an Indian summer though, so we're lucky there's no snow yet.  I hope y'all are enjoying the New England fall, I miss the colors!  And I miss you all!

Let 'er Buck!

September 15, 2013

     Obviously, there is not much to update since yesterday.  However, I came across my diary entries from back in March when I came out here for my interview.  For a moment, and just sat there and was like, wow...look at everything that's happened since then!  It makes me thankful for how God has led me all the way.  It's a little personal, but I wanted to share these entries with you, as well as a song that kinda sums everything up.

Chris Tomlin - All The Way my Savior Leads Me

3/8/13

Dear Diary,

   Exciting days ahead!

   I leave for Montana tomorrow.

   Excited and scared!  All of a sudden I wonder if I'm doing the right thing.

   Please give me guidance Lord.  I need Your wisdom.  This is huge, and I can't do it alone.

3/21/13

Dear Diary,

   Still playing the waiting game, but from what I gather after a few conversations, I expect to be getting a job offer in the near future.

   It's funny, cuz who woulda thought this would happen?  It's nothing I ever would've seen happening to me.  Something only God could come up with.  So I know, it's gonna be good!

   I've been doing much thinking/praying over this.  Sometimes it helps to write my thoughts out.  This whole time, I've been praying that if God wanted me to do this, He would open the doors.  So each step in this process, that's how I've prayed.  So it only makes sense that if I get offered the job, I should take it.

   Now, if I'd been praying purely cuz I wanted it, so bad (similar to how I've prayed for things in the past), it would be different.  I would need to know whether it was my desire or God's desire.

   In this case, I feel like I've prayed for either way.  So I knew if He said yes, it was yes.  Coupled with the fact that I kinda want it!

   Therefore, I think I can honestly say, Montana is where God's leading me.

   Wow.

September 14, 2013

     It sure is a nice feeling to see your first ever, official, professional career pay check sitting there in your bank account!  What a great two weeks of work I've had.  I'm so thankful for how smoothly things have gone on the new job.  I can honestly say I love it.  The patients I've seen are fun to visit with and get to know, and the more I work, the more comfortable I feel in the office environment.  It's funny too, cuz on occasion I've seen some of my patients out and about.  Just another example of small town life : )

     Other than work, things haven't been to busy.  I'm thankful that our church ministries are starting up again for the fall.  I've really enjoyed getting involved in the youth ministries.  Every Thursday, my friend Mandy hosts what's called Thursday lunches.  From 11-12, the junior high students (any and all that would like to) walk over from school to the youth center for a yummy lunch that Mandy provides.  From 12-1, the senior high kids do the same.  It's a really great way to get to the know the kids, as well as reach out to them and show them Jesus' love.

     I've also enjoyed attending the high school football games in town.  With this past week being homecoming, last night's game was a BIG deal.  It was a close game, but unfortunately, we weren't able to pull it off.  Still, it was fun to be there none the less.  Also this past weekend, most of our office staff was able to attend a conference consisting of dental professionals from all over the state who also run Community Health Centers (similar to ours).  It was a great opportunity, for me especially, to be able to network with other hygienists and hear about how they do things.  It's obvious that each one of them really has a focus on meeting the needs of their under served communities.

     I don't have a lot of pictures to show this time, cuz I've been mostly busy with work.  I'm so thankful for how God continues to bless me with great friends, things to do, good days at work, beautiful weather.  I hope all of you are enjoying the beautiful New England fall...I miss it!  Love to all!

Let 'er Buck!

new Troll beads from Mom - far right and 4th from right

HUGE rain storm, including hail that hit last week.

Cut Bank Wolves

September 5, 2013

   I've officially completed my first week of work at my new job.  I'm really thankful to say it actually went pretty well!  I might be the only one beating up on myself for stuff, everyone else is very understanding.  There are many adjustments and lots of questions.  It's hard to get comfortable in a new office when you're still trying to get comfortable in your new skin as a health care professional.  But people here are so nice...I've enjoyed meeting lots of patients, including a lot of kids : )  I think things are going to work out just fine.  Although I must admit, I'm enjoying the fact that it's the weekend.  Sitting here, watching NFL kickoff...the only downside is that I'm doing it by myself.  It's moments like these I miss my friends back home!

   Like I mentioned earlier, I joined my pastor, along with his wife and sister for a Labor Day hike.  Turns out what I thought was a little 10 mile hike was actually a grueling 11.6 miles...the first 4 of which were uphill...and I do mean uphill.  Man, it was intense!  But the views were breathtaking, and we saw some wildlife up close!

   It's funny, cuz I'm starting to realize how different small town life is.  Just to illustrate, while at the bank on lunch break, I ran into someone from church.  Later that afternoon, I was looking out the window, and saw someone else from church riding their bike.  I mean, what are the chances of seeing people you know like that?  Last week I saw the lady from the DMV at the high school volleyball game.

   In other news, I avoided my second home crisis the other night (my first being when my washer leaked all over the floor on the 2nd load of laundry).  Anyways, I dropped a small bottle of blemish remover down the drain in my bathroom sink.  It was a perfect fit!  Yeah...no.  So I had to unload everything from under the sink, unscrew the pipes, drain them, and pull out the bottle.  Crisis averted!

   Well, I guess that's all my news for now.  Tomorrow will be a good day to run some errands, and I'm looking forward to my first high school football game!

Let 'er Buck!

 September 1, 2013
     Well, I caved.  I decided to get a blog.  I figured it was a good way to keep in touch with people who may not have facebook.  Also, it's a great way to tell stories : )  I don't consider myself a writer, so bear with me, but I hope this blog will be just enough to give you a glimpse of my life here in Big Sky Country.

     Now if I was really on the ball, I would've started blogging the day I left.  Buuut unfortunately, I'm not that on top of things.  So let me back up and give you some highlights:

     Our last few days together as a family were special.  We spent a lot of time together, just enjoying each other's company.  We even hit up the mini golf course!  Dad and Grampy arrived back in Boston around 10:30 Monday night, and Mom and I flew out of Boston at 6 am Tuesday morning.  I already knew goodbyes are no fun, but this one was the worst.

     After a long 5 hour flight, we arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Why Utah, you ask?  Well, I needed to take a regional board exam in order to be certified to give local anesthesia in Montana.  Wednesday morning was my scheduled exam, at the Utah College of Dental Hygiene in Orem, UT.  Long story short, I was planning on my Mom being my patient.  But it wasn't until orientation that I realized, Mom would not qualify because she was missing a tooth (that's putting it in lay terms : ).  PANIC.  I didn't know what I was going to do.  But I'm thankful that God provides...I had been visiting with another student at orientation, and in desperation, I asked her if she would be willing to sit as my patient.  She was!  And even cooler, when her exam time rolled around later that day, her patient bailed, so I was able to sit for her!  It's such a neat story, and I'm thankful for how God works things out the way he does.  Not only did I have a patient, but I made a new friend.

     Salt Lake City is beautiful, and Mom and I had a great time exploring, seeing the sights, eating at Ruth's Chris steak house, and visiting the zoo!

     When we arrived in Great Falls on Thursday, my Aunt Lisa was ready and waiting for us.  We spent the following days giving the house a make over.  It was hard work, but we had a lot of fun doing it.  Sunday after church, we headed west to Glacier National Park.  Words can't really describe how beautiful this country is.  You kinda have to see if for yourself...but until you come visit me, these pictures will have to suffice : )

     After Aunt Lisa left, Mom and I spent a couple days together.  We mostly hung around the house, but I also went into my new office to start prepping for work (I start Tuesday).  It was nice to have those days together, but bringing Mom to the airport was tough.  I'm thankful that God has already blessed me with friends here in Cut Bank.  Mandy Swenson, farmer's wife and mom of 3, reached out to me that night and invited me to the girls volleyball game.  It was a great way to pass the time and get involved in the community.  Yesterday, I joined her and her family on their farm to see how they harvest.  I love trying new things, so getting to ride the combine was really exciting for me!

     I've been here a little over a week now.  I think I can say I've officially settled into my new home...there are just a few details here and there to finish up (if you're interested in a virtual tour, check out my facebook profile).  There is a local Bible church in town, which I've been attending.  It's a fairly small group, but they are growing, and there are lots of ways to get involved.  I've already been asked to join a financial class as well as a drama coming up in October.  Tomorrow I'm going on a 10 mile hike with my pastor and his wife.  As time goes on, I'm looking forward to getting to know people, as well as starting my job on Tuesday.

     I'll try to post as much as possible to keep you updated.  Thanks to all who have been praying for me!

Let 'er Buck!