Good Read

Read this book a couple of weeks ago. Very inspiring! It is by the author of the nieniedialogues. She burned 80% of her body in a plane crash in 2008. The story is about her family and life prior to the accident, the accident, and afterwards. Truley an incredible story and miracle. I would encourage strongly urge you all to read it, I couldn't put it down. I would love to meet the author someday and tell her thank you for sharing her story, faith and passion for life and being a wife and mother. She tells the story in there about dating her husband and telling him that she just wants to be a mom- I can relate. I have not found anything in life that moves me as much as my desire to be a wife and mother. Anyways, stop reading my blog and go read it. :)
Justin and Ruth Blazzard

Multnomah Falls- This time we hiked

Just a few pics from the beautiful Multnomah Falls. It is a paved trail most of the way and if the sun is out, which it was it = GORGEOUS! It is a huge tourist area and we probably heard 5 different languages on our way up the hill. The waterfalls there are huge and keep things cooled off pretty well.

What are your favorite things about hikes? Justin and Ruth Blazzard

Red Velvet Sheet Cake

Made my first ever cake that wasn't a disaster. It was also my first ever red velvet cake. I made it for a Relief Society activity, which is also my new calling: Relief Society Activity Committee. It was quite the thrill when it all came out of the pan in one piece. I got the idea from the Pioneer Woman blog.

Justin and Ruth Blazzard

Cars

We bought our first car together a couple of weeks ago. Meet the new (to us) blue Ford taurus. It has black leather interior and only 37,000 miles. We got a great deal on it and are very excited to have it for all of the road trips we take to visit our families. It has big shoes to fill.

The red Chevrolet blazer was practically part of the family. A guy Justin works with bought it from us for his teenage daughter to drive. I have to admit I was slightly sad to see it go. It never once led me stranded and we traveled many miles (100,000) together.

Can't wait to take the taurus on a road trip. Justin and Ruth Blazzard

Distracting

I should be reading... but I don't want to go distract myself that way right now. Distracting from what? The thought of Justin being gone. His new job has required more travel then we are used to. It is fine, I just have to not let my thoughts about burglers and crazies get the better of me when the sun goes down. All will be well in the morning. Off to try reading. Good night. Justin and Ruth Blazzard

No Job....

These last 8 weeks are the first time in a very long time that I have been without employment. It has been strange, frustrating, fun, hard and just what I needed for the time being. The first week we were here I was relaxed and happy with where we were at in life. My husband just got a job of his dreams and we had a whole new adventure before us.

As the second week rolled around I anxiously awaited the arrival of our internet package so I could begin the job hunt. Once the internet did arrive, it was overwhelming how many jobs there are to choose from. Most of the jobs I wasn't even interested in. Praying and hoping that one would appear out of thin air, I continued to browse Craigs List and the Oregon Employment Department site daily.

I then got the idea to just start subbing. They make pretty good money in Oregon and I could do that for the rest of the school year. I called the school district, they directed me another state office where I was informed they only hire subs in June and July for the following school year. Also, if I want to get signed up to sub I am going to have to get an Oregon teaching license which is a small fee of about $200. Wait a second, I want to make money- not spend it. Well, check that one off my list for now.

Continue praying and hoping, and even applied for a few jobs here or there. No response, nothing. Had the feeling to wait for the Oregon FFA State Convention. Went to it and had a fabulous time! Did some networking and made some connections for two possible job opportunities. As soon as I returned home I pursued more information about them. Both ended up being dead ends for now.

Questions keep coming here and there, "So do you work? What do you do with your time? Aren't you going crazy just being at home? Or telling people what my degree was in their response is, not many jobs like that around here."

This is where I started to get really angry and scared. What if I never find a job? What if I am never able to have kids? Great, I will just be a person who has no future and no ambition.(Crazy thoughts that aren't true, but that is what I was thinking).

You know that quote by President Monson, "Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, “I’ll try again tomorrow.” Over the past couple of weeks I have implemented that on multiple days. Finally, through scripture study, prayers, encouragement and wisdom of others, and because of my dear sweet husband, I have come to realize my worth does not come from my work. My worth comes because I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father who has blessed me with specific atrributes and abilities.He knows where I am at right now and knows who he needs to be. Be patient and trust Him.

I am still hunting for a job, but am finding so much joy in being able to serve my husband, my family, and those around me. Being able to learn about things I am interested in and being able to index names and cook and sew and build my abilities to present myself as a skilled person with many abilities to employers.

My prayers have changed from, "Please help me to find a job," to rather, "Please bless me with the abilities I need to be able to find a job." I can say my back has been strengthened to endure this little challenge in life and my hope has increased.

There has been days that I have wondered why I got my degree in Agricultural Education? I have felt recently that the word agriculture can be a turn off to many outside of the agriculture profession. However, I know that I made the right decision while in college. I was taught by the best and while my education is in agriculture, my work skills reach far beyond that industry.

I have a friend in my ward who has helped me network with some people in her company. I am hoping all goes well with this application, but if not I know I will still be ok and to keep pressing forward with hope and joy in my life right now.

I truley am so blessed in my life and this little discomfort is so much easier to go through than what so many around me are experiencing right now. There is much joy in the journey, but sometimes I believe it is a journey just to find it, but always well worth it if we will put forth the effort.


Justin and Ruth Blazzard

First Hike

Last weekend was our first weekend in a very long time where we have had absolutely no other responsibilities requesting our time. Knowing this we decided to go for a hike. We have never been on a hike together and now I am hoping we go on them often. It was very relaxing to be in the quiet of nature with my favorite person.



The trees here are huge! You can see from us standing next to them just how big they are. It was rather funny because alot of what Justin talked about while hiking was how he would like to try and cut one down. He admired them, but the logger in him really wanted to see just what fine work he could do with his chain saw.









We didn't see anyone else on the hike, which was surprising because the weather was beautiful. This summer, we may even attempt an overnight hike. Yikes! If you ever come to visit us, we promise we will take you on a hike.




Justin and Ruth Blazzard