Long Weekend Fun

Wow, this long weekend has been nice! The weather here has not been the greatest.. but I am surviving. (For all you in Iowa, expect to see a very white Rachel when you see me next!)

A couple neat things happened this weekend!
1. Bought my plane ticket back to IOWA!!! I will be going back on the 17th, ( of July) later at night (thank you to Josh for offering to go past his bed time to come get me!!) I am really excited to get to spend more time at home, but I am also very excited to get back to my hunny:D (and of course everyone else back there!) I decided that it would be easier to go back after Jill's wedding ( in July) to save money and to gain money while I am still here. It would have cost me a whole $400 more to fly back from Iowa to the wedding.. so this way I have an extra $400 for something else!!

2. I went to my old science teacher's retirement party. It was pretty neat to see a lot of my old classmates again, but it was also really awkward. I remember four years ago when I graduated from high school, I was practically best friends with everyone ( only 21 people in my class ;) ) and I really thought that I was not going to find better friends than them. However, now when I see them again, I realize how different we all are and how we don't have much in common anymore. Its alright, I still have a couple friends in that class. and even better friends that I met at Dordt!

3. Got to play with my nephews for a long while on Friday and Saturday! Now that I am working I don't get to see them too much. So when I do see them, it a nice treat for me! On Saturday, my sister and brother in law are going to Hawaii so Diane and I are going to get to stay at their house and be their parents! I can't wait.. this will be fun!

4. Went to Portland to go see my dads old church and a bunch of relatives that I never met (or remember meeting) that went to that church. We also were able to see my grandma, my aunt, uncle, and cousins, and my cousin's new baby, Blake.. who was born only a week ago! It was nice to see my grandma again... It's sad because her memory is fading fast.. however.. she is still quite entertaining.. She still has the spunk that we remember her having. It was good to see my aunt, uncle, and cousins because we don't often get to go down and see them. It was very fun to hold the newest Feucht relative.. Blake! He is a very cute baby!

This weekend Josh’s brother, Orey, graduated from high school! Congrats Orey (if you read this!) His mom sent some pictures and it made me miss Josh even more! I will just post them.. I hope he does not mind (even though I was not there!)





Sorry, but I do have a very handsome guy :) He is not only handsome but he is the sweetest guy too! Boy I am a lucky girl!


Well.. now it is back to work again! I got my first paycheck today, so that was exciting!! I am saving up to get a bed and furniture for my future apartment wherever that may be!

Hope you all are doing well and had a great 3 day weekend!!

very good song

Another thing! I know Diane (http://www.Dianefeucht.com) always has her weird song of the day so here is my
awesome song. We often sang at Dordt and it is pretty simple with a good message and reminder that in everything we have to remember that we should thank God in every situation and live our lives to his glory.. Now.. If you want you can listen to it!
http://tantannoodles.com/2006/10/18/what-can-i-do-by-paul-baloche/ has it on it !

Here are the words:
When I see the beauty
Of the sunset’s glory
Amazing artistry
Across the evening sky
When I feel the mystery
Of a distant galaxy
It awes and humbles me
To be loved by a God so high

What can I do but thank you
What can I do but give
My life to you
Hallelujah, hallelujah
What can I do but praise you
Every day make everything I do
A hallelujah, a hallelujah
Hallelujah

When I hear the story
Of a God of mercy
Who shared humanity
And suffered by our side
Of the cross they nailed you to
That could not hold you
Now you’re making all things new
By the power of your risen life

Summer time has been busy!

Wow, life has been BUSY!! I have started working for my dads office (well in the Urology office connected to his). It has been fun, I hear lots of stories about my dad .. and it makes me have higher respect of my dad. I mean.. not to brag, but who does not like hearing that their dad is one of the only reasons they can make it through the day! I see how much my dad is respected and can see how his Christian faith is a witness to everyone around him.

Well at work… I mostly do boring work.. like file papers, pull charts, make copies, enter things in the computer, and other things that the busy secretaries do not have time to do. It gets better every day, at first I was so sore from cranking my neck to see the files, but now it is getting better. It is also nice to see my dad!

Today it was really funny.. he came in and asked if I wanted to see him operate and at first I was like .. ummm.. not really today. I told him to come back again another day, plus I was just kinda scared to see him cut into someone's belly. After that, he had a nurse come in and ask me again if I wanted to, so I finally gave in and said yes. Besides, who else really gets a chance to see an operation and it would be fun to see what my dad does (besides the office work I am used to seeing him do in the office!)

So I scrubbed up and went in to the operating room! It was a lady who was having an appendicitis and the surgery was not a big open surgery... it consisted of three small incisions, and the rest was seen on the tv screen! Here is a picture I found online of what it looked like:

I hope you can kind of get the idea from that picture. But it was really cool, I got to see the intestines, liver, ovaries, stomach and other body parts! I kind of got a little anatomy tour .. but it all looked the same to me, not like they have in the books!

Another, piece of news.. sad to some.. happy for others..some don't care the least bit but ... I think am going to stay here in Washington until July 16th. I have a wedding I have to be in, which is in Salem OR, so it will just make sense if I stayed here so I don’t need to buy another plane ticket to go to that. I was originally planning to come back June 12... but I guess that wont work out anymore:(
It will be good to see my family longer... maybe get a hiking trip in with my dad and see a lot more of my nephews! I probably won't be back until Nov. or Dec. so I can see my new baby nephew or niece !!! (www.flanaganclan.com) !!! For all that don't know.. I AM GOING TO BE AN AUNT AGAIN!!!!!!!! So I will be back to see the new child and maybe Josh will come out with me!
I am very sad I won't get to see Josh and everyone back in Iowa for a while, but in the meanwhile I am earning money, saving money, and spending quality time with my family!
Well that’s about it for now.. I hope everyone is doing well! Here are a couple pictures.. the first few are the view of Mount Rainer from the front porch of the house that I was housesitting. I am going to miss this part of Washington.. it is SO pretty!!!! ( not that Iowa corn fields are not pretty....
The second is... of course.. my little boy Sammy!!!

lucky man

Well...it is about time I post again. Sorry its been a while, been kinda busy moving/settling in to the new place and starting my new job!
Heres a rundown of my first day at work

5:45 - time to get up,shower and get my lunch ready
7-8 - sign a bunch of forms about benefits
8-5 pm - I dont remember much; just kinda kept busy working in receiving in the warehouse. They will have me working in the warehouse for a few weeks; training and learning how the company works.
5:30 10- get home, have some supper, do some dishes, write this blog, get ready to do it all over again.

well, that almost sounds depressing, but you know what, its really not,
"I'm a Lucky Man"

I have days where I hate my job
This little town and the whole world too
Last Sunday when the Twins lost
Lord it put me in a bad mood

I have moments when I curse the rain
Then complain when the sun's too hot
I look around at what everyone has
And I forget about all I've got

But I know I'm a lucky man
God's given me a [very] fair hand
Got an [apartment] and a [full time job]
A few dollars in a coffee can
My old [taurus] still running good
My ticker's ticking like they say it should
I got supper in the [microwave] oven, a good woman's liking
And one more day to make my friends and family proud
Lord, knows I'm a lucky man

Got some family who would be here fast
I could call em any time of day
Got a brother who's got my back
Got a mama and papa who I swear are saints
Got a brand new driver and putter
Got half a week off this year
Got a perfectly sweet girlfriend
A regular paycheck, not much debt,
and the future is looking pretty awesome


But I know I'm a lucky man
God's given me a [very] fair hand
Got an [apartment] and a [full time job]
A few dollars in a coffee can
My old [taurus] still running good
My ticker's ticking like they say it should
I got supper in the [microwave] oven, a good woman's liking
And one more day to make my friends and family proud
Lord, knows I'm a lucky man

My old [taurus] still running good
My ticker's ticking like they say it should
I got supper in the [microwave] oven, a good woman's liking
And one more day to make my friends and family proud
Lord, knows I'm a lucky man


ok...so that was a terrible song, but the original was on the radio a lot today at work, and everytime it came on, I thought to myself how blessed I really am. I wouldn't change anything if I could, life is awesome.

I'd like to thank everyone for their support and prayers throughout my college years and now as I'm beginning the next stage in my life. They are greatly appreciated, and I thank you for them!

Well, time to get tomorrow's lunch ready!

Working MAN

Josh started his new job today!! He is offically now a working man until he retires ( or unless something else comes up...)! Hopefully he will write an update about how it went! :)


CONGRATS JOSH!!

Weird...

HEY!
Today I have been having weird feelings about things…

1. While I was doing my hair this morning I was thinking about what I needed to do, and was asking myself what sort of homework I needed to do. Then I realized I AM OUT OF SCHOOL! It was such a great feeling. Well, I guess I am not out for a long time... come August I will be back in class, but it will be classes I am very interested in, since it will all deal with physical therapy.

2. While I was driving to my parent’s house, I realized I am not scared of driving anymore!!! I could not believe it! Driving is kinda fun and I now do not dread having to drive places anymore. For all who did not know about my little fear, ever since I learned how to drive, I've hated it. I would be in tears when my dad would make me drive with him when I was learning. Then it became even worse when I got into a minor car accident when someone rear ended me on the freeway. Ever since then, I have only driven a couple times at home and few times at school. When I get my own car in Iowa, I think it is going to be fun.. not as much traffic and I'll have my OWN car!

3. I am looking to move back to Iowa soon, so I was looking for airline tickets. It was SO weird pressing the one-way button, knowing that I do not have a set time to come back. I will miss my family a lot :( too bad Iowa and Washington were not closer. Mom and Dad? Want to move to Iowa?? please!!!!


Well that's about it for now. I am still watching the King boys. They are very good so I don't have to do too much!
Hope you all are doing well!

Rejected.

Wow... that last post was very long, sorry about that! It just is so weird to be done with Dordt and trying to figure out my life.
Along with figuring out my life ( A JOB) comes two things I hate most in life: failure and rejection. I just got a call today saying that I did not get a job. It was one that I really did not even want, nor did I really try hard to get to. I didn't even expect to get it. However, after the call I was a little downcast... why did they not want to choose me? Am I not good enough? What did I do wrong? I did not even WANT the job, but the rejection of the job just made me SAD! However, I realized, as well put by the movie The Sound of Music, "When God shuts a door he opens a window." I just keep looking everyday online to see if a new job opens in Iowa that I might be able to take. I know God will provide for me eventually but it is hard waiting and being so uncertain of what the future will bring. Making money should not be a huge priority in my life, but it seems like everything I need involves money, which I do not have.

Other than that, I am staying at my dad's partner’s gorgeous house, watching their two boys. They are both in junior/ high school, so I do not need to do much for them, but make sure they are at and picked up from school in time, have meals, and are behaving. They are good boys so I really don't worry so much about them. I also get to drive around their 2007 Honda Accord, so that is nice to have a car available for me to use!

I am also having the dilemma of what to do!! I don't know how soon I can find a job in Iowa, if I should just settle in Washington and get a job, or should I wait just in case something opens up? Diane just got a job at Target, the DAY she applied, so I think I might just work there or the YMCA for a while. I'll have to see....I wish jobs were that easy to get in Iowa…

Other than that.. it is weird to have graduated!!!! It all worked out... I got a signed diploma! Here are some pictures from grad...





Now I get to spend time with my little boys and family. It has been so nice to get to see them, and see how much Patrick and Sammy have grown up!
Here are some pictures of my sweethearts!





Well, I guess the last one is not a nephew, but he is a sweetheart. I miss him like crazy:(

Well, that’s all for now. Please pray for me, I just feel overwhelmed and rejected.. well, I am not that bad but prayer would be helpful for me!

It is finished!

I can't believe it. I am DONE! Well, not all the way done with school, but I am done with DORDT!

It is very bittersweet. Dordt has been my home for 4 years, the place where I have grown to be the person I am now. God has blessed me greatly as I have been tried and tested and molded into the girl I am. I am SO thankful for the friends I have made and how they have all helped me and encouraged me through the years.

Here Is a little run through, with a some pictures starting from Freshman year!
FRESHMAN- I came to Dordt, not knowing anyone, but eager to make lots of new friends. I also had too much energy and probably was known as that crazy freshman girl who would not shut up!!!!!

Here is my dad and me on my first day at Dordt:



Then my first (AND LAST) roommates at Dordt
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My friend Hope who was more hyper than me.. and we were best friends.. I tell you .. it was a little too crazy



This was my friends at the corn maze



I had my first farm experience on Hope's farm in Wisconsin



I learned how to ice skate (note the bruises!!)




Second semester I branched out a little and found my roommates for the next year:



And started the pipe smoking club




And with that year comes a lot of other embarrassing pictures that I am going to spare you from seeing!

Sophomore year: Lived in West Hall again.. became more serious about school, switched majors from Special Ed. to Pre physical therapy and calmed down a bit. I made many different friends after all my other ones dropped out!!! One of the most exciting things of this year was that I became an aunt to my little nephew Patrick Thomas!

Patrick only a couple days old ( WOW has he changed!)


For some reason I lost most pictures for this year too... but here are a couple from the end of the year that year:






That summer Diane and I traveled to Germany for two months and had one of best experiences of our lives. We started off knowing no German whatsoever, but then we learned quickly in our German language school. We then were able to meet many people from around he world, which was an exciting experience.

This is a picture of many of the people on our Germany trip:

This is most of my german class, the one guy with the pony tail being my teacher:

This was most of my german class, the first on the right was my teacher



Then came junior year. It was a lot nicer because many of the under classmen restrictions, like open hours, were gone!! I roomed with 2 of my original freshman roommates. It was a really good year..


All of us going to a hockey game in Lincoln because we loved hockey so much!!


WE went to visit Jessica's family in Wisconsin for Tri state:


Went Car hooding for the first time :



Went to Pam’s house in Ontario for Thanksgiving-- this is her sister and nephew Tyler




I went to Texas to visit my aunt, uncle, and cousins for spring break, which was SO much fun!

Under the water in the pool:


My first time to a driving range ( Josh would have been proud!)


My aunt and I



WE also got to go to Six Flags ! ( scary roller coaster in the background)



Then that summer, I lived with 5 of my best girl friends and worked at Dordt. It was one of the BEST times of my life!
WE:

sat by the pool all day:


Got to ride in boats a lot, kinda learn how to wakeboard/ water ski!



And had just some fun times with my girls:



We all smoked hookah a lot so that we could spend time together.. but I also started hanging around this Josh Fey guy... who will come up later in the year!



On July 24th I had yet ANOTHER nephew, Samuel Jacob was born!





Then came the last year.:( We got to live in the nicest of all apartment complexes at Dordt, so we were very happy. This was a very good year for three reasons: 1. I became a lot closer with many of my friends 2. I realized how much I have grown in character and I have learned to trust God more to guide my life. 3. Of course, I started dating Josh :)


I had some formal hookah parties:





Went to Emo, Ontario to my friend's cabin for Tri State:




Went to Thunder Bay Ontario for Thanksgiving to Judy's house, where we made gouda cheese!





Then, to top off the ultimate college experience: Josh and I started to date!


He came to my house for spring break and met my family and nephews!




We also have been able to hang out with Josh's little nephew Caleb, who is now 3 and a half months!
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Also this year two of my good friends got engaged in the same week! (the middle girl is not really engaged!)




We got end of the year pictures with the girls so that we could remember each other :



And we all finally graduated:






Now we have all graduated and are done with Dordt.. I look back on these years and see how blessed I am to have great friends, parents, and now a great boyfriend. Thank you everyone for all you have given me during these four years!!!!