To Look Back Upon

It's about time for some form of post! SO many things have happened... God has shown Himself vibrantly in the past months.

Yesterday, I became a licensed driver. The day before that, both Kevin and I had our braces taken off. It was an all day affair which included driving to Uniontown, eating chocolate covered pretzeling, watching Aristocats, coloring with colored pencils, and having lunch in a small Italian restuarant.

Community Day, our last scheduled day of fundraising for Zambia, was all day on Saturday. Though it was an exhausting ten hours, we raised $250 and did have fun in the process. A man from Ndola happened upon our table. He was stunned and honored to see a project taking place in his own town. He didn't want to leave and was eager to get involved. We exchanged information and hopefully can put him in contact with Covenant Mercies.

Last week, I officially graduated high school. The commencement, like the education of each graduate represented, was one of a kind. What a moment it was to hear my name, walk across the stage, and have my mom and dad hand me a diploma.... high school--it's the past.

Our family attended youth camp on June 21-24. I can't even begin to touch describing the pure fun of camp, what I learned, and how the Lord met me. It was monumental! Also included in the proceedings was the traditional group ice cream stop on the way home for some fabulous soft serve and ice cold water... yum!

On June 20th, my extended families came together to celebrate my graduation. LOTS of preparation went into the party the week of--cleaning, cooking, decorating, sorting photos, setting up tents, buying bubbles for the little kids. The food was delicious; all credit to my mom, grammas, and aunts. Knowing that each person at the party came to wish me the best was priceless. Years of sweet memories were represented by each person there. Having a party was a privilege, and the moments with my family were precious.

June 1st was my evaluation, the official last day of my home school education. Ten years of choosing curriculum, field trips, Little House on the Prairie unit studies, co-ops, art classes, Bible club meetings, lunch in the livingroom, and not eating lunch at all because of the workload. A smile always creaps onto my face when I think about my mom's story of how she hestitantly began homeschooling. To God be the glory!

That, my friends, is just a taste. My purpose in cataloging all this is simply to have a record to look back to. Dad and I will be boarding a plane to Zambia in five days. Adventure awaits! More importantly, we have faith that God has glorious stores of grace to pour out in diverse ways. There'll be more stories to tell and more events to catalog when we get home.

Zambia

Whether I go or not, God has work for me to do. 

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 

Philippians  2

Okay, So now what do I do?

That's just one of the questions I was left with tonight after a ten minute conversation bringing back the reality of school. This summer has been full. The past month has been full. It could have even been alot more so if I had gotten my license by now... that's another story altogether. I've traveled several times, growing in decision-making, common sense, and wisdom in what it means to function well as a group and an individual apart of a said group. I am being challenged to see my family and home as a true training ground in responsibility, serving, diligence and having a joyful heart. My parents and I have grown closer through conversations in which they help me to see my sin and turn toward God; to trust Him in the circumstances I've been in. He's been at work.

That aforementioned conversation, which centered around the application process for colleges, has me thinking. Three years ago, I dreamed of attending an Ivy League school and was, if not already on that track, ready to put myself there- long, grueling hours, days completely full of schoolwork, dedication and excellence, or rather, excellence by my own perception and definition. Between then and now a story has unfolded.

Sophomore year was marked by falling asleep in my beanbag chair while reading biology or world history; I was sick with mono and I had no control or choice. I rearranged my bedroom to be able to do school and watch movies all from my bed. I saw Fiddler on the Roof for the first time during those months! God's grace shone as I completed four semesters of work in three. He showed me that it can be just as gratifying and beautiful to complete a requirement as to go beyond it.

Junior year is the hardest academically; senior year is the hardest emotionally.
Or so I'd heard. I still find myself analyzing that statement and rummaging through my mind to try to determine whether I'd say my life has agreed with that common generalization. Academically, wasn't my best. I had achievements... I got through APUSH. History and English/writing were solid core courses. Bible, volunteering and other electives were numerous. Amid that, it seems I didn't get all I needed and balance was lacking. Chemistry labs and Spanish were shady. But the Lord knows, and there lies my trust. Truth is truth, despite any fears. Emotionally- wow. We moved. I'd dreaded that event for my whole preteen and teen life. My childhood is over. We left the place where it happened; its memory. For the sake of honesty and reality, yes it would be memory still if we hadn't moved...

I held great plans for my schoolwork this summer; it was to be a launching point. None of them have happened yet. Not a single study book for the SAT or ACT test has been opened let alone registered for. Only two colleges have been visited. I have no idea how to write an application essay. I still have no solid idea for a senior project let alone any work done on one. The home economics course I finally sought to do has only sort of panned out. No garden, and a little reading. A desire to cook has emerged that I'd never really had, lots of cleaning has been done and much general care given as Mom's been sick. Faith is having hope for what one doesn't see... I don't see much; but God makes something out of nothing everyday.

Disclaimer: I would delve into the ways that this summer produced great things, despite my "great plans" not coming about... but that would take me into numerous other directions from where this thought train is heading. So. Ask, and sure, I will gladly tell some stories of the beautiful and lovely things that have come my way!

An underlying realization- I don't know what I am supposed to do. For months, I've been in a state of holding unanswered questions. Oh God has been good. He's shown me I truly am His chosen daughter. I am free from condemnation from sin; and do not need to fear making mistakes. I need not seek man's approval but rather if I shall open my heart to my Abba, Father and just be His, according to the glorious calling He has given me, all will be well. He is truly my best friend and only through His love for me do I love Him or anyone else. I spent last week being refreshed and anchored by truth and God's presence. "...and all my questions that are unresolved don’t change the wisdom of Your will..." -Out of the Depths Light is just starting to shine in this area. Every season has its purpose. 

He ordained that ten-minute conversation just as He has ordained my occupation with other areas of life outside of education the past few months. There is a reason I haven't thought of it and that I am thinking of it now. God is in control of time.

He's molding me, into what I don't know, but is that knowledge something I need?

Is not the process of creation just as beautiful, meaningful and adventurously challenging if not more than any finished piece of art?

Thinking Ahead

Will be listening to the messages from this:

Hmm. make it to Maryland for this?

Rain Rain

The next line of the song is 'go away' but I am rather enjoying the current weather so I'll skip that part.

Yes, that's right. I like the rain. It takes alot [along the lines of torrential destruction] for me to think of rain as anything other than refreshing. Now, the humidity that is sure to follow, that's a different story. School has creeped up on my and now resides, looming, almost similar to the dense, humid air is doing outside on this fine morning at this minute very minute at 7:53 am.

Last night I played in the rain, jumping in puddles where the sidewalk or the road pavement was uneven. There were the funniest puddles on our front steps that made a shadow-like mirror image. A self-quote: "that would make an awesome picture."

I spent Tuesday reading my military history. 58 pages. And then an article entitled, "Knowing History and Knowing Who We Are. " or something like that.

We put up our tent Monday in the garage. The poles needed to be more spread out than the dimensions of the garage allowed for or I believe the boys were going to sleep in it. It's a wonderful tent- two rooms, each one nice and roomy, and I would even say homey; it has lots of screens, some of which purpose as a sun or star roof.

And now here we are at Sunday. Upon arrival at church, I got to hug a vivacious and wonderful person and friend, Megan. Communion and church both held special tidbits. The message was great and served as the basis of my devotions today. Can you imagine how a visitor or even someone unsaved could or would respond to what was preached?

We had a care group pool party planned. Food included wedding soup, pulled pork, watermelon and hummingbird cake with cream cheese icing. All the 'youth' did swim. Except me. I was busy with Ms. Jackie's camera. A couple games of Apples to Apples were played. Good laughs. Timothy and Abigail are terribly good photography subjects and playmates. Video games were entertainment for a good while. Olivia and Rachel were playing some sort of pretend with my bedroom as their headquarters for a while. Later into the afternoon, in the words of Sarah-Cal, the adults talked in the following manner [which she demonstrated in a one-of-a-kind tone of voice]: "this is where I was struggling this past week; how about you...?" While the convo was going on downstairs, time was passed upstairs by checking out the workings of Mac, and then the remainder on Kevin and my first ever game of Risk. My military history became of use as I scoured my brain for a good title. I was Smedley Butler which beat being Joan of Arc by a long mile. We brought the Dr. Pepper and the pretzels upstairs and munched. When the game was forced to end due to parental force, Kevin was dominating the most land.

How to Spend Summer Days

Or at least here's how I've done it recently.

Highlights from the last picnic of the summer this past Sunday-

• Sit in the third row at church. in the middle. just because.
• Throw the frisbee around abit. Unsuccessfully attempt to throw it into JB's car on a whim.
  
• Be undecided while going along the tables full of yummy food
• Eat. talk. listen.
• Snap pictures as everyone wanders around and examines the surprise firetruck
• Snap a few pictures and then start singing in the rain
• Two words- Mud. Slides.
• I have multiple bruises, all well worth it.
• "They'll remember this their whole lives." -Overheard Mrs. D.G. It's truth.
• "That's something a boy would do" shall forevermore RIP
• It was fun to let the mud dry and then savor the entire experience a few more times on the second slide.
• My clothes washed out completely. No damage done. A vivid memory gained.

a quote that floated around our house a few days:

"I'm sorry. I underestimated your ability to deduce the situation."
[or something like that] -Dan

Yesterday Today Forever

Yesterday I made lemonade from lemons and giggled my head off with some of my best friends in this world. It was a great day. Cherry vanilla ice cream and pickles are yummy- not together or anything, although that would be interesting. Laptops are wonderful things. Being around people that allow you to be completely [well, mostly anyway] yourself is priceless.

What today holds for me, I'm not completely sure. I do know that so far I have been successful in repairing our computer back to a runnable condition. I've checked my email. and flickr. I've made a DVD of our family videos. And I know that as soon as I remove myself from this keyboard and screen, 5-6 batches of brownies are going to be calling my name.

Google verse of the day - Ephesians 6:17-20

"...and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."

I want to read more.

Super Sunday

Yesterday was a long day. But a long day spent doing otleechna things with my friends. My friends! What a blessing it is for God to have given me each and every one of them [you].

While looking at the Duff scholarship website just a few minutes ago, I see at the top of the page:
COLLEGE DOESN'T HAPPEN BY CHANCE.

and then I think, nope. It doesnt. It happens by Providence.

Gee It's Been Awhile

Somewhat torrential downpours are occurring at this very moment at our house. Hail the size of a quarter. Lightning. Thunder. Rain that waters the grass.Rain that came in and made puddles on the floor since we were a little late in closing the windows.

Now that we've covered the issue of the weather, where to go next.
Youth camp. Fourth of July weekend. Pastoral hopscotch. Big bang bong & wham-o some large topics there.

The on-going house hunt. The ironic visits from family. The sleepover with Sarah and Rachel that I enjoyed because it gave me an excuse to do things I haven't done in years. Mulching at Ms. Iva's was probably the only time mulching has ever been fun for me. Why I'm thankful for my SAT prep class. I'd recommend it to anyone and everyone. The semi-existent plans for the coming school year.

What I've been reading lately- Psalm 37. Miscellany. I also checked a handful of classics out of the library. Anna Karenina is 800 some pages! I never knew Pygmalion was a play not a novel.

What the boys have been doing lately- playing legos and going to work with Dad.

What I did for six hours yesterday- shopping, which I only like to do if I'm not trying to find anything or if I find what I set out to find. I didnt buy a dress, but did buy some normal clothes we crossed paths with that were on sale.

What everyone but me has been doing alot of- packing...in faith. I've got the faith part, just haven't been participating in the packing as of yet.

The Shortest YC Post in History

It's kind of fun to do the impossible.
-Walt Disney

I can imagine God saying the above in the context of youth camp...and ultimately, life walked with Him.

Whoo Hoo

I'm officially Spaced Out.
YC '07 countdown: 7 days

I Like Lists.

The following is a list of what I've consumed [other than spiritual nutrition ;-] today thus far.

• Pasta salad
• Caesar-ish salad
• KFC drumstick -yay! Another church tradition!
• 2 meatballs
• BBQ Pork
• 1 pickle
• 1 piece of apple pie
• 1/2 a M&M cookie
• granola bar
• water
• Fresca
• a frozen banana which tasted a little like a popsicle at times
• a small fudge brownie -a package made its way home with us somehow

Life is full of first experiences -aka doing things for the first time.
Today was the first church picnic I've ever been too; it won't be the last!
Yummy, yummy food as described above. Good & simple convo- I like things that are uncomplicated. Ultimate frisbee- I was catching pretty well towards the end of the game, but my throwing was way off. Throwing was better for me earlier in the game ;-P I know we have a frisbee somewhere around the house...I need to find it...

I like little kids. Watching them play in the water was the bestest! Bestest is a very girly word. I'd be scared if I heard a guy say "well, ya, like, that was just the bestest evER!" My camera was in hand for the last hour we were at the park. I took some very cute shots of Abigail, Timothy, Hannah & Aaron and Lydia & Abigail. After I download them I'll edit this post or post another post so ya'll can enjoy em :-]

That's pretty much the summary of the day for now. I could include notes fro Mr. R's message, or samplings of conversations I had or other such fun things; but that would be slightly complicated to do at the moment, and as I said before, I'm currently a fan of uncomplicated things.

Looking forward too:

• EVALUATION. I wonder how many times I said that word today...
• Should I include my SAT prep class on this list?
• swimming
• last softball game of season this week
• Wednesday "prayer and pizza"

and a little farther down the road...YOUTH CAMP!