My yearly post. . .

Well, here I am again, I am absolutely TERRIBLE at blogging. . .quick update. . . of the last six months. . .I went to Germany on a missions trip. It was my first time to Europe. I LOVED it. I'd really love to travel more now throughout Europe, but Germany was a first great trip! We helped with a new church plant. I absolutely loved all the people I met there. It was really cool because the whole group of people planting the church were very young-mostly all younger than me. It was cool seeing young people taking initiative like that and really reaching out to their community. I loved the food, the people, pretty much everything about it. I would have liked to travel around a bit more, we were mostly in one city, Mainz, but I am very blessed and glad that I got to go on this trip! Had some fam visit during the summer which was really fun. . .hung out w/ friends from church a lot. . .the summer really flew by.

I absolutely love my small group at church. It has been an absolute blessing this last year. I've made some awesome friends through this-especially a great group of girl friends.

The school year has started, been in school since late August. It is by far the busiest year for me yet. I'm taking two classes at a time, rather than my usual one, so that's keeping me busy. It's been really challenging to find a balance in everything. I've been way more stressed than any other year. I have been reminded though several times of why I'm here. God is faithful and has given me many opportunities to speak truth and love into my ladies lives. I do think it's a very good possibility this will be my last year here, so I'm trying really hard to not take it for granted and also to completely dedicate myself to these ladies. I don't want to check out early.

I have no idea what I'll do when I'm done here; I have so many different ideas! It's scary and exciting at the same time to think of possibilities! That's enough for now. . .here are some pics from the last six months!

Way too long

We'll start off with picture from the beginning of last fall 'till now!

So here's an update from the last. . .oh. . .too long. I'm still a RD in Nashville, TN. I REALLY love my job. This year, being my second year, has been SO much easier than last year. I don't know if it's just because I'm more comfortable in my job or if I've just been blessed this year with some easier issues! I thought it'd be really hard to balance my time between classes, my job, and social life, but it really hasn't benn bad AT ALL. It's amazing how much more comfortable I feel in situations that just a year or two ago, I would have no idea what to do or say. I truely feel like the Lord has given me the wisdom right when I've needed it and has helped me stay calm in situations. I LOVE the relationships that I am building with my ladies. That's hands down the best part of my job. I have SUCH A WONDERFUL group of RAs this year. They are so great, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE getting to know them and working with them.

Classes are going well, I'm about a year into my two year program! I'll graduate in May '09! I am actually enjoying my classes for the most part. There are most definitely days and even classes that I don't think I'll be able to make it through, but so far I have! I'm beginning to see more and more too how a business degree will help me out in the future with some of the things I'd like to do.

The biggest blessing though of this year so far is that I have found a group of great girlfriends through my church. This is such a blessing because there were so many times last year that I just felt lonely and wanted some girls that I could relate with. I still have close friends from college, but it's not the same because I don't get to see them very often. It is a blessing to have some good friends close by that I can have fun with and relate with. Last night, I went out with a group of these girls and went line dancing. I really felt like I was in Nashville with the line dancing and live country music in the background-it was SO fun. I also really love my young adult small group and there are also some great guys in the group too that are super fun.

I had a really nice time at Christmas seeing family. My whole family got to be together, so that was really nice! Noah, my nephew started walking at Christmas! It was SO fun to see him. He is growing so fast and has the cutest little personality. I absolutely love being an aunt and he makes me really want to be a mommy someday! My sister and brother-in law are amazing parents. It's so fun to watch them with him. My parents are loving their new church in NE, and the people there are wonderful to them. My brother is in KC and I think is starting to have some good solid friendships there, for which I am very happy for him.

I've got a semester full of fun and exciting things going on in my dorm; I'm excited for this semester. AND, as always, I'm excited for the summer :) I've got a few plans but really just excited to relax again and to be able to go camping and hiking hopefully. I have almost forgot about the great warm summer nights on my porch swing! Can't wait!