The Strohms

Fall

2008-11-11T13:01:00.002-06:00

It has certainly been awhile since my last post! My sister Molly is really good at keeping her blog updated and creative--I'm tryin' Molly!

Fall is probably my favorite season! The trees, here in Iowa at least, either changed really early or are just now in full out color! It is rainy and wet here today. We were admonished to get our phone tree out last night in case of freezing rain this morning. It can't possibly be time for winter yet!!!!!!

Daniel has been busy but has found some time for hunting! Daniel, his dad, and brother all went to Nebraska in late October for their annual pheasant hunt. This year, our girls went with and did an awesome job! Both dogs got some birds up for Daniel and Addy even retrieved one! Addy is our quirky one--after finding the bird, she parades around in front of you saying "look at me, look at me!!" and won't give the object up without at bit of a struggle--something Daniel is going to work on. We have a great time with them. He is heading back to Nebraska right after Thanksgiving, and then to Kansas in December.

I really appreciate my husband. Not only is he a wonderful man, kind, compassionate, and tender hearted, he puts me first, even on his worst days. He is not one to toot his own horn, but I am going to tell you that Daniel works really hard. He recently has been working 11 hour days Monday through Saturday and does so without complaint. Even though his job is not his "passion", he still works hard and does what he does well. Daniel also leads a group of young boys on Wednesday nights in a program called Royal Rangers. To give you a glimpse into his heart--I usually have to go downstairs after church and tell him it is time to go because he is playing with the boys--usually football or something. Working with those boys gives him a lot of joy. I guess what I am trying to say is that I am blessed, immensely blessed.

I have a choir concert coming up on November 20th. I am working really hard with the students this year to "stand out" for various reasons. This is my 3rd year at Bondurant--wow the time has flown. Teaching is definitely challenging, but also very rewarding. It is also very interesting to see the "guts" of the school system as a faculty member. Wow, it is eye opening. I guess it is like everything else--church too--it is not until you are a leader that you see all the stuff. As a student or church member, I always thought my school/church had it together. It has been eye opening over the last few years to see the truth as I get a little older.

I think that is all for now. Molly--any help you send as far as blog writing would be great! God bless and have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!

Happy Birthday Honey!!!

2008-09-30T13:53:00.006-05:00

This weekend we celebrated Daniel's 26th birthday!! On Saturday night we went to Hickory Park with my parents to eat ribs and ice cream--then back to our house for presents. On Sunday, Daniel's Mom and our niece Hailey came up from Missouri to celebrate with us! Uncle Brad, Aunt Sher Ree, and Nicole stopped by for cake and ice cream. I think he made out with some pretty nice birthday parties!

We also had our annual Friend Fest at church this weekend! Inflatables, face painting, a petting zoo, firetruck, finger printing, and plenty of food kept all the kids busy. Jay Risner, a great children's Pastor--I would call him--come and put on a kids crusade. The pictures of Daniel are from Friend Fest at the Jousting Inflatable. Daniel took on Francisco Castillo and, well, he lost pretty bad. It was relly funny! God is doing a new thing at LifePointe (formerly First Assembly of God), and we are excited to be a part of it!

Real Life

2008-09-01T22:13:00.002-05:00

School has officially started--this will actually be my third week of school already?! I have a feeling this year is going to fly by faster than ever before! Choir is off to a great start--I found some really great pieces for fall and am really excited about them. The students have seemed to take a liking to them as well. I am teaching a music theory/music history course this year that I have really enjoyed so far. The students, I think, are really challenged and I get to teach and not only lead rehearsal which I really love. Kindergarten has proven to be pretty fun--they are just so cute! (For the most part :) ) With high school students I have to beg, plead, and stand on my head to get them to do most anything, but kindergarten students will do anything and be completely thrilled about it! Not only that, but they think I am the greatest thing since sliced bread! Who wouldn't love it!

Anyway, that is a quick update of school life. I'm sure I will have some great stories to share as the year goes on.

The Letter

2008-07-31T09:46:00.003-05:00

Where has summer gone? It feels like June and July didn't even exist, and now August!

Molly is leaving for Japan on Tues. She will be gone for a year, teaching English, riding a bike, eating rice, and maneuvering rickshaws (Molly please send pictures if you do!). I am excited for Molly. She has grown into this beautiful, caring, and passionate woman who wants to serve the Lord with her life. If you only knew Molly in High School, or even the first 2 years of college, then you need to meet her again. Wow. It is amazing what God can do in a life. And now, she is treaking to Japan for a year. Although I will miss her, I am more thrilled for the experiences she will have. What an endevor! I ask that those who read this blog today to keep Molly in thier prayers while she is away and check her blog at http://justaguz.blogspot.com/ for updates in Japan!

I got a letter two days ago that has since overshadowed what I would have known as the rest of my summer. I wasn't expecting this letter quite yet, but even so, it had to be sent...school starts on the 18th, and I must report on the 13th. What a bummer. Oh well, I guess it is just as well to get back into the swing of things. Kindergarten and 9-12 vocal music...here I come!

Thanks for reading today!

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace that passes all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Hailey, Colton, and Caleb

2008-07-10T12:18:00.004-05:00

What fun kids! We had a great time with our nephews and niece! A birthday party, fireworks, a plastic slide, and a skype call to China...we had ourselves a nice time in Missouri!

I am done with my summer job this week, then on to plans for school! Next year I will be teaching kindergarten music, 9-12 choir, and music theory/history. Yeah, it is a very, very wierd combination, but the deck I have been handed for the year. Kindergarten music...I'm really going to have to think about that one!

Daniel is getting ready for a Royal Ranger campout in a week or two. I will have to write after that with some great pics.

Happy 4th of July!!

2008-07-02T23:06:00.004-05:00

What a fun holiday, and besides that, a great celebration of freedom! We are heading to Missouri tomorrow to be with Daniel's parents, Sister and Brother-in-law, Brother, and, most importantly, our niece and nephews! :) The one thing about the 4th that has forever changed for this Iowa girl is the firework display. It still is a foreign concept to me that you can actually buy your own fireworks and shoot them off in your own backyard!? No one drives to their local firework display put on by the fire department-we just go outside when we are in Missouri! I have heard some interesting stories of Daniel and his friend Josh who set off various "explosives". I am just glad they are both still alive!!

July! Where has this summer gone?! I have started and am now am finishing up driving the "short bus" for Heartland Senior Services. I have really enjoyed working here in past years, but have found this year the job to be incredibly stressful...not necessary for a summer job. I also found out that my medical transcription course needs to be completed within the year that I start it--December. Fine print...must have missed that part. So, I have really kicked into high gear!!

With many other circumstances, along with the ones mentioned above, I have really found myself contemplative this summer as to what God is doing my life. I guess I never thought that at this point in my life I would have more questions rather than answers about direction--God, where is this all going?! In talking with a good friend recently, I realized the need to take one thing at a time, and realize that all things really do work together for good for them that love the Lord. I still don't have any answers, but know that God is doing something. My job is to do what I know to do, and rest in His provision. I don't know what people do without the Lord.

Summertime!

2008-06-05T13:28:00.002-05:00

Summer break!! What a wonderful time of the year! I already am busy with so many things I can't do during the school year--house work, dogs, church stuff, and ...me! What a concept! We are supposed to have severe weather for the next few days. Weather has been so nuts! There is no place for all this water to go! Daniel and I are going to Missouri a couple times and planing a vacation in August! I am so excited!

May 20, 2008

2008-05-20T20:03:00.002-05:00

I love playing with my dogs! They are the 2 people in my world, who, no matter what I do, are just as excited to me now as they were 1 min. ago! They are so funny. I find that I miss having them in the house--okay, not the messes they make--but the company.

May 15, 2008

2008-05-15T08:57:00.003-05:00

On my side of the family, excluding Daniel, our birthdays all happen at the same time!! Dad and I, then Mom, and a day later---Molly!! Happy 22nd Molly! Molly graduated from college last Saturday--Cum latte--or so she says. We're pretty proud of her! Next year she is heading to Japan to teach English. As you can probably imagine, she didn't ask me if it was okay that she left for a year! :) Love you Molly and have a wonderful day!

May 14, 2008

2008-05-14T09:03:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday today to Mom!! Hope you have a great day!

May 13, 2008

2008-05-13T14:59:00.000-05:00

School is winding down...and I think summer can't come soon enough. I couldn't have even imagined the things I have faced this year at Bondurant. I am still upset over decisions made, but what more can I do? I feel complacent and like I have given up. I don't like it. Daniel went back to work on Monday from a short layoff. Things are starting to get back to normal...or as normal as they can be. Yeah, I have a blog.