summer 09!!!

After a grand total of 21 hours of sleep, two 8 page papers, three 5 page papers, one final exam, one 20 minute presentation, a lesson plan portfolio, and soccer fitness testing, I finished my last 5 days of my junior year of college.

That was last week. For when I was a student, I spoke like a student, I acted like a student, I reasoned like student.....but now that I am on summer break I have put studious things away.

Or something like that, right? ;-)

Anyway, my sister and I made it down to Kentucky safely where we are staying with the family for a couple weeks (wooo!!). And ALSO, my best friend from high school in Spain (Michael) came up from Florida to visit for a few days, which is pretty much the coolest thing ever. I haven't seen him or even really talked to him for about 2 years now - it's awesome to see him again!

So today consisted of Michael and I doing some house work for my grandmother in the morning, then playing racquetball with my brother in the afternoon, eating my FAVORITE home cooked meal EVER for dinner, playing the nutmeg soccer game in my grandma's empty garage after that, getting a haircut, and then having mom's apple crisp and ice cream for dessert (which also happens to be my favorite dessert in the whole wide world). And now I am sitting on the back porch on the porch swing, soaking in the summer breeze, listening to the crickets, and watching the full moon rise in the clear sky. So needless to say, it was pretty much the most perfect day ever. :-)

I should probably be getting to bed since I have to be up early tomorrow, but I have one more update that could use some prayer. Last week I got an e-mail from the guy who is coordinating my overseas student teaching opportunity next spring - you might remember that I had my heart set on going to Morocco? Anyway, he e-mailed me to let me know that due to that school trying to get accredited next year and getting a new high school principal, they didn't think they could take me on in the end. He then proceeded to explain that my next 3 preferences (3 schools in Ethiopia, Pakistan, and Israel) have also all fallen through for various reasons. All I need to do now is submit to him another list of a few schools that he can look into for me, so it's not a huge deal, but it was disappointing news and I could use some prayer as I try to figure out how to move on from here. And please also remember my trip this summer to China... More updates on that to come!

Finally, I realize how terrible I have been recently with updating this site, but now that summer is here, you can be expecting much more from me! :-) I will be around!

Hang in there, my friends - and be an encouragement to one another. Don't worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Take time to be still. Take time to play. Reach out to the marginalized around you. Preach the Gospel boldly. Remember your first love. Remember how much you have been forgiven. And make the most of EVERY opportunity that comes your way. Never lose your joy. :-)