you ever feel overwhelmed by problems? i mean, not your own. cuz generally i feel productive enough to fix those. but other people's. and their problems are everywhere. and they're big. and you can't do anything about them. i mean, yeah prayer. and really, i know it's important and works. but somehow i still feel helpless...or more like not helpful to them. i guess it's good because it makes doing the small things even more rewarding. i mean, i have to look for the small things to do for people because i can't do anything about the big stuff.

so i realized something this past month. i am pretty normal. i mean considering. i realized that this year has brought about change in the last 3 things that had been constants in my life. my immediate family changed with a wedding. my old school family changed with fighting. and my missionary family changed with a resignation. but i'm stable. normal. and life is great. ya know, considering.

ok, so news. i'm going to santiago for 2 months! its not until the end of october, but believe you me, the countdown has started. i've got ants in my pants. i'm doing my student teaching down there at SCS. more than anything i'm excited about getting to be a part of the vallette family again. even after 8 yrs, i still miss seeing them and doing holidays and family functions without them. AND now they have a new addition. i cant wait to meet baby Jason!