Handsome man

Garage sale finds

Something i'll miss about summer garage sales.

Confession time

I've been feeling overwhelmed and stress which leads me to be sad.  So I turn to what I know. And I find this quote:
"Life becomes an unbearable burden whenever we lose touch with the presence of a loving Savior and see only hunger to be alleviated, injustice to be addressed, violence to be overcome, wars to be stopped, and loneliness to be removed. All these are critical issues, as Christians must try to solve them; however when put coven no longer flows from put personal encounter with the living Christ, we feel the oppressive weight."
-Henri Nowen

Now to allow this lesson into reality.

Arco iris

Arco iris means rainbow in spanish.  That's the word I've taught my niece recently.  I bought her a book in spanish that talks about the colors in the rainbow.  On Sunday I was at her house relaxing on the couch. She comes up to me with 4 different books and asks me to read them. Something she rarely does. I usually am the initiator
 She cuddles up next to me and points to the pictures when I ask her questions like "Do you see the color blue?"
These days in life are full of solitude (note: solitude and not loneliness), I've learned a lot about myself in quiet times. I like quiet times, more than I ever have in the past. In fact I used to be afraid of being alone. Learning how to be in solitude has I think helped me be more present even when I'm with people
As I sat with my niece it brought me joy that she chose me to sit next to me and share a moment together.  She is growing up so fast.

Mani/pedi

I'm writing this from my phone b/c I'm currently getting a pedicure. Since I didn't bring a book to read and I haven't written anything in a while might as well catch thing up while soaking my toesies :) I feel really vain doing it but I finally broke down. I deserve it after the month I've had.

Starting the 2nd week we had almost 200 kids come to church for vacation bible school. Kids learned about god's radical love. I ran with a couple of 6th graders the craft segment. So much fun.

Then that saturday I ran 13.1 miles in a See Jane run race. Never ran that far in my life. Now I can say I have. :) Woo hoo!

The next day I preached for the first time at college church. Another new experience!

Then lead a retreat with 16 5th and 6th graders. That weekend the wonderful and beautiful wedding of a friend.

Then the week that was supposed to be a break. I worked half day and the other half I took care of my nephew while he adjusted to daycare.

Then I was in a wedding of 2 very good friends. What a fun wedding!

And finally last week I spent it at girls camp with 182 girls. My title: Speaker. I spoke at chapel times hung out with girls in between canoeing, swiming and hanging fun.

All this might sound like a list of crazy busy to do's. During some of it, it did feel like obligations. Somewhere in the middle of it I came to the realization that THIS IS LIFE. New experiences, time spent with a handsome nephew, weddings and the whirlwind of life. There are so many breathes, lessons, laughs and tears that put all-together is life.

Life's is complete.

coming soon

as soon as I get a better handle on life with new job, school, new relationship I'll be writing about Easter.  I have lots of thoughts still percolating in my brain. But just to entice you here is a picture of what may be coming soon...

Update

So since I last wrote there has been multiple times when I've thought I should sit down and write on my blog but because of time contraints I couldn't but here is an update of going ons and I hope to write more in depth on certain experiences.  For now here is a list in no particular order:

1. Holy Week and Easter was wonderful!  Egg Scramble, I baptized 10 beautiful preteens, then had a great dinner with friends. God definitely is alive in my life in quiet but meaningful ways. I am not worthy of his love but I'm so utterly grateful.
2. I'm officially  a children's pastor now. 
3. I got to visit Kayla  and Lawrence (friends from college) and it was wonderful to get away and celebrate life with them!
4. It's spring and I'm so very grateful that things don't stay dark and dead around here!
5. I've found a bride's maid dress and am looking forward my friends' wedding!!
6. Although life has been hard and full of even more new things to get used to and understand life is still good.
7. I'm learning more things about friendships and what that means for me as an adult
8. I'm looking for a new place to live
9. Saw my friend graduate today and I'm so very proud of Anne!
10. I planted lettuce and they just sprouted.

I could think lots more but I think 10 is a nice number to finish with. Most of the above mentioned things are continually teaching me to continue to take everything step by step and with lots of prayer. 

NAMASTE