i can't believe that i haven't blogged since the middle of june, which means i haven't been on here at all this summer.  it's been an interesting summer to say the least. 

after having a rough time with not working at the camp, i wound up babysitting my little cousin part of the summer.  that was ok.  i'm broke as a joke, but what can you do. 

i got to go on all the youth group trips this summer and that was awesome.  so i did quite a bit of rollercoaster riding and i could do that all day everyday if i was allowed.  going on the trips allowed me to deepen the relationships with my kids and that was such a privilege.  i went to creation festival for the first time and that was absolutely incredible.  i did some hardcore camping, which i'm not especially good at but survived quite well.  i learned that i can take an ice cold shower and live to tell about. 

i went to new york city twice this summer.  once to do touristy things like the statue of liberty and times square and things like that.  i rode the subway for the first time also.  i'm not to excited to do that again at rush hour.  subways smell terrible.  the second time i went and saw the lion king on broadway.  we went to hard rock cafe, saks fifth avenue, st. patrick's, and rockefellar center.  there's so much more that i want to see in that city that i' ve yet to see. however, you have to love when your church family wants to take you along on their trips.  i'm so grateful for that.

i found myself in a relationship for the first time in six years.  yes, six years. and it's already ended.  not the right man for me.  i did learn some more qualities i will be looking for in a husband and i learned how i want to be treated.  as well as how i don't want to be treated.  hence the ending of the relationship.  but i'll elaborate on those lessons at another time. 

ignite is going really well.  i must much of its attendance success was due to courtney bringing her crew from value city.  i feel God has such great plans for this ministry that we've yet to tap into.  i'm excited to see where He takes us.  this sunday we get to lead worship for sunday night revival. 

i got a new job working in the school district i went to high school in but i'll be working in the elementary school.  i can't wait to start this new adventure. and it will be an adventure.  i didn't get to see my kids from there this summer so hopefully i will get to see many of them during the school year.  i'm going to be starting on thursday at the school that i worked at last year until i'm approved by the school board at the new district.

it has been quite the summer and it has all come and gone so fast.  but i look forward to fall.  i always do.  with this new job i'll be able to see my youth group kids at their sports games and things like that so that will be lots of fun.  i'm really enjoying the prospect of what we will be doing with sr. high this upcoming year. 

and as for my spiritual life, well it needs a bit of a pick me up.  i having such a yearning to grow, i'm just not quite sure how to get started back up.  He's calling me.  i just have to answer. 

soli. deo. gloria.

glory to God alone. He is the only one who is worthy.

What would happen if I strapped all the important things in my life on my back?  Things that are material and are only here for my earthly existence.  I know I'd have to take my ipod, and that's light.  My camera, that's not too much either, but I'd need batteries for the camera and my computer to use and I don't have a laptop so it's going to get a little heavy.  I'd need my clothes and purses and shoes.  I have a lot of those things.  Books, of course.  That's a lot of stuff and that's just the things off the top of my head.  Not to mention gifts and cards from family.  Photos that are irreplaceable.  I feel like all my life I've accumulated a lot of stuff.  That's what it is, isn't it?  Life would be so difficult if I had to go around with all my belongings on my back going from place to place.

Now that was looking at things rather literal, however i think that's how life is we have all these things we are carrying around.  Whether those things are material or not.  I have this problem.  I know there's things that I'm carrying around.  These things that are strapped to my back that I know would be so much easier if I gave them over. 

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:29-30

I praise God for friends that pray and care for me.

soli.deo.gloria

I praise God that I have a family that cares so much about me.

soli.deo.gloria.