Living Like a Local

After 3 months living in Kalispell, I have finally found a church and....two awesome local health food stores! Boo yah! Yes, I know, it's sad when my weekend excitement comes from shopping at Mountain Valley Foods. But, when my grocery list starts to become a repeat offender each week, it always pumps me up to find new foods and new places to shop. I mean, how can you not like a store that plays with it's food like so:

My does he have some fine looking legs. 

Mountain Valley Foods is just a sweet little store full of incredible local produce, including squash and apples right now...a happy heart that makes for me. Their staff is also super friendly and helpful, but it probably helps when of their employees is one of your co-workers. No matter, they still rock and am so glad they are here in the valley. Plus, they sell seafood. And I mean real seafood..scallops and shrimp...mmmhhmmm.

Another fantabulous part of their store is their grab and go cold deli case. Zucchini pasta with olive oil and basil? Yes please!!! It may also include this item: 

Pumpkin Chia Pudding....I want to try this. And make this silly little face. Let's just say that I would have an overtly amount of fun working at this store. Those of you who know me are aware of my fetish for food presentation.....after I retire I think I'll just prep food and work in health food stores all day. Heck, maybe I'll do it this summer!

On another topic...last Friday night's worship service at New Hope Church...YOWZA. Jesus pretty much rocks and filled me with such Spirit that I never knew I could be encompassed with. From letting all things go to Him, forgiving and forgetting hurt,  to making more friends and becoming part of a young adult life group....I'm feeling pretty darn blessed right now.

And this weekend..... I get to experience my first ever swing dance workshop!!! My red dancing shoes are laced up and packed and I am so ready to learn solo dancing and lead/follow technique and swing outs and the Charleston and just dance. Plus, I get to shopping at the Good Food Store and eat Tandem Doughnuts and have dinner at The Depot with my parents. :) This is one weekend when Missoula is going to be sweet.

And now...off to bed. I get to teach 14 2nd graders how to estimate the size of paper bats with candy corn and watch The Magic School Bus Goes Batty tomorrow. Yep, Halloween on a Friday in 2nd grade with awesome little kids that make me laugh and fill me with pride.... doesn't get much better than that.

The Power of Fellowship

As I write this post on a Friday night, drinking a mug of Apple Cinnamon tea, relishing in this gorgeous fall weather, and watching the Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe I am beginning to be filled with a soothing peace. I am greatly enjoying my 4 day break from school just to get caught up on housework, cleaning, grocery shopping, and even a lunch date with my precious co-worker.

However, last night I attended a women's fellowship dinner with some amazing, loving and caring women from my new church. God's work was clearly evident as I came to find out that three of the women know my cardiologist and one of them works at Natural Grocers, my weekly shopping spot in town. Just another reminder that even when I feel like the sole leaf still clinging to the tree or the last snowflake to melt in the sun of spring, I am never alone and as my pastor back in Missoula said many times before: "God is always doing more than I can imagine and I am always going into a situation where God is already at work." While some days it might be difficult to remember, it is true.

My fellowship group also discussed taking time each day to count your blessings. While it may sound corny and like a line from a Hallmark movie, it is true as well. Thus, I created my own God's Gifts and Blessings Jar. Each day I will write down a blessing, no matter how small, date it, fold it, and place it in my jar. After a year, you are meant to take them all out and see how God has put together the pieces for you.

On another food note....today I had a lovely lunch with my co-worker and dear friend. We went to Bonelli's Bistro and it was such a relaxing, delicious and even elegant lunch. I ordered the Chicken Tarragon Salad with greens, candied pecans, cranberries, celery, sliced grapes, a pink champagne vinaigrette and rice chips that tasted homemade. That was my blessing for today, to converse over a satisfying and healthy meal with another wonderful woman that has entered my life, taken me under her wing and become a  trustworthy and kind friend and confidante in the world of education.

After lunch I went back to Colter Coffee and ordered my Americano and breakfast bar again. I swear, with coffee in hand I was able to plan for the coming week of school with more ease than usual ; )

I end tonight's post with a few pictures of the towering maple tree in my front yard that glimmered in the morning sun yesterday. A very good start to my fall break. 

Romans 15:13

 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Americano, a Breakfast Bar and Hope

Today on a gorgeous fall Sunday in the Flathead Valley I found hope, joy and the kindilings of new relationships and opportunities to serve. After attending a new church and indulging in an Americano and a gluten and dairy free breakfast bar at Colter Coffee, I was filled with hope and renewed with faith that I felt had abandoned me.

Walking into Hope Church this morning I felt a strength fill me and guide me to let it all go. When the pastor was speaking, he said he had a feeling that there would be a person at church this morning who felt ice cold, far from God, abandoned and alone. He then said he had a picture in his head of a sword coming down upon that ice and breaking it, letting the heat and love of God back into the human soul. He then asked that anyone feeling alone be brave and raise their hands, letting it be known that they were in need of prayer and hope.

I don't know how many other people raised their hands, but the pastor's description of feeling ice cold, away from the heat of God and alone was exactly how I felt. So, I was bold and raised my hand, my eyes spilling over with tears of release, hope and a renewing of my faith.

After I put my hand proudly in the air, I was suddenly surrounded by a group of women who placed their hands on me, praying for me...a complete stranger to their church but a daughter of God and sister in Christ. I was astounded though, for they didn't even know my name and yet they treated me like family. They told me that I was not there by accident and I fully believe that. One woman even told me she had a vision of Jesus wrapping His arms around me, filling me with God's love for me and my life. It was a very powerful experience that brought me to tears while I received warming hugs and words of comfort.

I am beyond grateful for the power God gave me to venture into a new church, just me and my brokenness, my yearning for relationships and my vacant heart. I hope to join their worship team as well, singing with a full and thankful heart.

Once again, my blog post has reached far beyond food, but my allergen free breakfast bar at Colter Coffee was so satisfying. Filled with oats, coconut, cranberries and chocolate chips it was the perfect addition to my steaming cup of coffee and lesson book as I planned for the next few weeks of school.

Yesterday I explored a book store in Whitefish and snapped a few photos of the fall colors there as well.

After the service, I spoke with the pastor's wife. She was so kind and welcoming and reminded me to just keep holding onto the words God spoke to me, the way He made me feel and the hope He gave me. Because it is easy to let the enemy squeeze between the cracks, but as difficult as it may be somedays, holding on with all your might and fighting for hope, a rich live and love is what will get you through.

I also took time to workout outside today and came upon this solitary leaf. A symbol perhaps of the loneliness we all feel, but it's bright golden color filled me with warmth, as it shone in the autumn sun, a reflection of the light back inside of me.