what have you been up to??

my life this year in 3 pictures or less
leaning more heavily on the 3 and not as much on the "or less"

1. chick fil a-40-50+ hours a week from last august until may...i saw and knew more about some of our daily customers than i did my parents, and i lived with them...no explanation needed at this point why that describes jan-may for me
2. this picture is from the place that feels more like home to me than anywhere else on this earth
and it perfectly sums up alot of what the summer is like...(this is my strong attempt not to rant out of pure passion) its ridiculous that i get paid, and have been for the last 3 summers, to love on these kids and, for the last 2 summers, these counselors...only one of which is in the picture with me but thats ok...she actually now lives across the street which has been...awesome...i get to spend 11 weeks a summer eating dippin dots, swimming, doing the "funny" voice, getting coffee for my counselors who are giving it all theyve got, praying for, with, and over some of the most God loving people ive ever met, making up games and having kids think theyre the coolest thing since sliced bread just because i made it up, laughing, playing, dancing, trying to keep my cool, worshipping, interacting, pouring pouring pouring, learning, building, remembering, and just all out having fun...and i get to love these crazy, make you wanna scream, cry, and laugh all at the same time, loud, obnoxious, snotty nosed, innocent, smelly, clingy, selfish, whiny, spoiled rotten really awesome amazing super kids and call it ministry...

and i wouldnt have it any other way
3. meet maggie, emmalyn, kathleen, and sarah...sarah would be the one from camp thats in the picture above this one...it is not an exaggeration to say that every. single. night. that they have been here we have hung out for at least an hour and a half...but usually ALOT longer...they make up kevin...dont worry if you dont understand that...they have taken me in and accepted and loved on me and have been a very reoccuring reminder of how good God is

emmalyn-she cares so much about people. shes really busy and lives with a full schedule...sometimes im kind of jealous. shes encouraging, driven, dedicated, and sensitive to other people. she always has something nice to say. shes always there for her friends and she even if it makes her uncomfortable or pushes her out of her comfort zone some...if its for someone else who needs it, shes there. she isnt afraid to be honest but she does it with love.

kathleen-shes really comfortable in her own skin. she exudes this confidence that draws people to her. she isnt afraid to tell you how it is. she and i share alot in common including our sarcasm...its nice to have that...not gonna lie. she loves to be around her friends but shes comfortable enough with who she is to not mind being alone, what a rare quality. shes quick on her feet, and she loves harry potter (but she has other fine qualities ;) shes also a big fan of the office, so she definitely has that going for her. shes a great advice giver because shes always processing whats going on around her...even when you dont think she is.

magtastic-Jesus kind. i know that isnt an actual phrase but kind doesnt start to cover it with her. she seriously might be the kindest person ive ever known. she loves jesus and she lets her life show it. she gives all she has to everything shes in...99% just isnt good enough. shes an observer so she isnt quite as talkative as SOME people...like um....me...but she ALWAYS knows whats going on. shes REALLY funny. im never around her long without a smile. she loves her family and she adores her friends. she has a really humbling heart. her love is real. and you dont spend much time with her without knowing that.

sarah-sarah is how i met the 3 other kiddos and we have a crazy bond. i was her CORE leader this summer so we spent quite a bit of time with each other (sidenote: i just now realized that my itunes wasnt playing, im kind of curious as to how long thats been happening...hmmm) she is one of the most caring people i remember having in my life. she always puts others before herself. she believes in the goodness of people. you can tell that she has a real desire for Love to win. shes really up front that she doesnt have all the answers, but you can tell by her heart that she is so aware of Who does. she finds happiness in little things. i wish i could be more like her. she is unlike ANY person ive ever met, i swear. she doesnt march to the beat of her own drum, she put the drum down and picked up the harmonica and started skipping (probably in the rain) because she knows she can play a better song with that and she doesnt like to be like all the other drummers and she definitely doesnt want to march when she could skip :) you know what i mean?!

put together-these girls have been SUCH a comfort in the moments of difficulty of picking up my life and moving to another state.

whew...thats alot of typing...

i start classes on thursday at 8:00 am.

nervous doesnt start to describe these feelings


i feel like i have failure stamped on my forehead, but i still have this really loud whisper of peace that somehow i know will eventually win out

im learning to love life because of who gives it rather than whats in it


i hope youre having a really great week, and if not...i hope you find a little fun in dancing in the rain, coloring, pixi sticks, play doh, laughing till it hurts, cherry coke, or a good cup of coffee and an ipod all of which have been a part of me finding joy in the last month and a half


pray for her, shes almost halfway done with her time in peru (well halfway in 18 days)
shes a good friend who is missed here in the states but i know is being used for GREAT things in this part of her journey...love you junco

"christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. the only thing it can not be is moderately important"

-cs lewis