“Become a possibilitarian. No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see possibilities-always see them for they’re always there.”
by Norman Vincent Peale
Certainly, you are hearing the news about the numerous wildfires here in Washington state and elsewhere in the west. According to the news this morning, it appears the region I live in is among the few remaining sections of Washington state without wildfires raging. I estimate we are about 100 miles away from the nearest wildfire. That is the good news. However, it has been very smoky over the past several days. The smoke hanging overhead has not been pleasant with some folks even claiming that some very small particles similar to dust have been falling from the sky. The air smells of smoke and the direction of the wind mostly determines how bad the smell is. Locally, we have the potential for wildfires (mostly grass fires) in our area but it is doubtful there would be anything as devastating as what we are seeing elsewhere in the state.
Wildfires have burned over half a million acres in Washington state. With about 17 wildfires being attended to, the professional firefighting crews are wearing thin and wearing out. Now, about 700 members of the state’s National Guard along with over 200 active duty military personnel have been called out to assist. Even qualified citizen volunteers are being requested who have some firefighting training/experience and appropriate equipment available to use. All of these added measures serve to underscore the current and potential danger these fires pose for our state.
We all pray for those who are dealing with both loss of property and the loss of lives during this ordeal. Keep those in harm’s way in your prayers and thoughts.
NEWS FLASH
Angela is back at the wheel at the Learning Center. She has returned from her brief stint in the USA doing work on her Masters and we all welcome her back. She is excited to be back and ready to implement many of the new ideas she obtained during her time away.
She has already begun to send me new pictures of students busy at work and you and I can look forward to many more over the next few weeks and months. We will provide her some time to get back into the swing of things before we lean on her for lots of news. She is currently short one volunteer who had to return briefly to the states for personal reasons. This staff shortage causes her to do double and triple duty for a short time.
Before Angela departed for the states, we were in the process of working with Angela in obtaining a much-needed camera for the Learning Center. We have some funds in hand now plus additional funds committed to be donated to assist the Learning Center’s purchase of a quality camera for their use. We will get moving on this again and hopefully in the next week or two, this transaction will be completed.
Meanwhile, let us just enjoy some of the photos Angela has shared with us today. It will keep us mindful of our purpose for being involved and supportive of the Learning Center and its Mission.
By the way, the opening quote for this Post calls us to become a “Possibilitarian”. The idea that we can believe in something and expect things to work out is part of what “Friends of Copey” is built on. We (hopefully most of us) are “Possibilitarians”. It is even biblical…Matthew 19:24-26. Believing in the possibility has brought us a long way.
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Hoping that things are better in your area, Scrapper. Glad that Angela is back at the Learning Center. The photos are beautiful, as always. I am learning my new schools. I travel to three schools at the present time and serve the special needs and disabilities children at one school. I have a lot to learn, but so far I feel very blessed to be in this new position as a music teacher. The rewards have been amazing already. I hope to get some of my students to volunteer to pick up our pen pal program. Best to everyone. I apologize if I don’t get to all of the posts. My thoughts are with you and everyone there in Copey.
Lisa,
We are keeping you in our thoughts as you face your new challenges in your new position. I know this is a very exciting opportunity for you and your students will cherish their time with you. They will know they are in the presence of someone very special. Ms. Lawrence was an excellent music teacher and lead us to win first place in many music festivals in Smyth County. These are great childhood memories. Now, your students through your service will experience the same. Keep us in mind.