I've been on the job a little over two weeks, and I'm having a blast, already learning more about the operation of a school district than I learned in the past ten years since starting my undergraduate program . . . ok, maybe not more, but definitely more rapidly! From final expenditure reports to IEP accommodations; from Medicaid billing to grant funding, I'm getting some of the most valuable hands-on experience that an administrator can ask for, while working with an awesome team of fellow administrators and staff.

With the new job comes a longer commute (40-times as long, for a total of 40 miles), and with the drive comes some time to spend alone, listening to the radio and enjoying the view. The drive from Annapolis to Bunker is beautiful. It's almost like being back in the Smokies . . . just a much smaller version. Over 75% of my drive is through National Forest land in the Ozark Mountains, and I drive miles without seeing a house or vehicle. It's hard to get bored while enjoying God's creation.

I usually listen to Fox News Channel or Spirit 66 as I'm driving - I haven't had much of an opportunity to watch the news over the past few weeks, so I figure listening to it is the next best thing. When I flip over to Spirit, I'm able to enjoy great music about God and life, and I've found some great new songs that really express where I am in my personal life and celebrate what God has done over the past few weeks. One of those songs is "Everything Glorious" by the David Crowder Band. The first seven words set the tone for the whole day: "The day is brighter here with You."

Part of the chorus says, "You make everything glorious, and I am Yours. What does that make me?" What a powerful observation. It's easy to get wrapped up in the world's definition of worth . . . wealth, fame, glamor, and achievement . . . and to start thinking that we're not important because we could never be as rich as Donald Trump, famous as Brittney Spears, pretty as Paris Hilton, or talented as Gordon Ramsay. God didn't create Trump Towers, Hilton Hotels, Hell's Kitchen, or whatever it is (if anything) that Brittney has going for her. He did, however, create each of those people, and He created you and me. He created the skies, rocks, trees, mountains, and streams. Everything God created is wonderful and glorious. Including you.