Missing Pieces

I've been missing... sorry about that. Let me 'splain. No. There is too much. Let me sum up:

JAMAICA

Amazing. God made some very clear comments to my heart. Not as clear as I'd like, but clear none-the-less. I had an amazing time despite sweating every moment of every day - including while I slept, ate, worked, and even showered. We're talking dripping down my back as I ate my tiny breakfast at 8 in the morning. Met amazing people who inspire me to follow God's leading and watch what happens, worked with kids who were so excited to hang on us and be loved by us that everything we did/said/showed them was an instant hit, painted, was exhausted, and bonded with some of the coolest students on the planet. Don't know when my next adventure will be, but even now thinking back on my experience there with God, I can't wait to see how He uses me next.

SUMMER DAY CAMP

The reason I never blogged about Jamaica. I came home, I rested for A day. I did enough laundry to get through the week. I worked countless hours making sure we were prepared for Day Camp. This was my life for the next 3 weeks. Oh, and prepping for the fall ministry year. Yeah, cuz there isn't too much to do for that, is there? No. Of course not, silly.

VACATION AT THE LAKE
My saving grace this summer. It was the thing I looked forward to most after Jamaica. It was my time for rest, for recovery, for revitalization. I went with my mom and spent 9 & 1/2 days walking, reading, sitting in the sun, eating junk (spoiled Americans), taking pictures of God's glorious creation, talking with my grandparents, and relaxing (what a concept). It was wonderful.

A DAY WITH THE KIDDOS

I spent my first day back from Minnesota with my brother's family - my beautiful niece, my two adorable nephews, the best sister-in-law a girl could ever hope for, and (one of) my sweet brother(s). Pictures, tickling, laughing, hugging, Elmo-and-silly-song watching joyfulness.

FALL PREP AT WORK and beyond...

Yup. It came fast, it came crazy, it came expected and yet unexpectedly busy for some reason. I have now begun as a leader with our youth group, my small group (which I am also leader of) has switched gears, and I have helped my friend get some of our church's singles events going. It's been amazing, but I have not had a free weekend since ... August 18th. I have been out of town with friends, family, other youth leaders.

Today, in the midst of the last week of September (what??? where did the time go??) I realized I hadn't written here since JULY. (#epicfail) The summary now complete, I vow to be more regular again. Last year was a sad showing. This year has been positively pitiful. Let's make it look a little better before it leaves us, shall we?

Until next time...what have you been up to since July?

Shadow of the Ocean

a short story. (here)
just in time for Halloween...

(and a product of my sleeplessness tonight/this morning...)
reading time: approx. 10 minutes

feedback in the comments!

The missing posts

Yes, they exist... but this isn't it.

I will post soon, giving details of events gone by, vacations taken, and general thoughts...beware...they could get long... (!)

This is just a (little) note to assure that I have not (as some might believe) gone missing, or anything of the sort to scare or alarm you.

Sit tight, we're in the (next) busy season (Reason #1, and thus partial reason for not posting much). Reason #2 is that my computer has decided it doesn't like to work. At least not long enough to make it worth trying. So, I'll be saving oodles of money to make it happen... sometime... Until then, I'll either fight it or write snipits during my "break" at work.

The promise to return has been given. Trust it. ;)

"Vacation"

This afternoon I head to Minnesota (yessss) for 4 glorious days of time with God in nature, study, and rest. And to see the grandparents too. I'm praying to be refreshed, rejuvenated, encouraged, to learn and grow, to enjoy His creation. I know He will deliver. God is good. Of course, this means next week is a short one (only 3 work days), followed by a Friday visit to see my sweet niece, sister (-in-law) and brother. The next day I will either spend more time with them, or be going to the Indiana dunes with friends. Back to work for a week, then it's a 4 day weekend for 4th of July - making another short work week, followed by Leash & Kara's Day-o-Fun (part...ok, honestly we've really lost count...) which is ALWAYS a good, much needed time!!

This is shaping up to be a good month.

Stories to come:

So I have a story of the trip to Minnesota brewing in my brain.
And it's a good one, but will take longer to write than I have right now.
Here's wishing for some "free" time.


Hopefully, I'll be able to get it written soon -- so you can laugh with me and I won't sound so strange laughing by myself. ;)