This summer has been...the best.
Honestly, I had to pull out the pen and paper and jot down a page of summer highlights before I could decide which ones to mention in this post. God has truly blessed me with some really great memories these past few months. And seeing that tomorrow begins my college life at Montgomery College I thought it only fitting to give you a little recap.
Sooo, where to begin? You can start by pressing play on the song below. I've searched Project Playlist many a time this summer for this song but they never had it, so I took it upon myself to upload it (remember the Xanga days? haha) and put it up here by itself. I love anything Louis, but I really love this song in particular. So, Step 1: Play.
Step 2: Begin with June.
Summer began in June with Elizabeth. Kristen house sat for a family for a week so Elizabeth came down to visit. I joined them one evening aaaand this is how I found them:
Beauuuutiful as always. Anyways, after like a 4am viewing of That Thing You Do we all awoke just as beautiful as the previous picture. We tried to hide it, but the hair in face technique didn't work so well...
thus we defaulted to Photoboth manips of course. Hahaha, Kristen your eyebrows!
Step 3: Jump to July
July's highlight for me was Summer Celebration. I simply loved looking out into the auditorium watching these kids raise their hands in worship to the Almighty God and singing songs of worship to him. I'm SO excited to watch these kids grow up into godly young adults. I know I did a post about my part in the camp in the Tree House Gang, but I never posted any pictures of the actual kiddos. So here are some of my favorite outdoor shots from the camp:
Later that month I got my wisdom teeth out :D Haha! I only had two on the left side of my mouth, so my recovery wasn't that bad at all actually. Plus, I had all my best friends over to hang out and help me get new ice and smoothy drinks when my family left town for the day. I was so, so blessed by their help. So, def. a highlight in my book.
I also enjoyed some great summer movies with my brother: it's our tradition to go to movies together. In the case of these four, we saw pretty close to opening day and weren't disappointed.
One of the greatest answers to prayer was WE BOUGHT LAND!! We're moving!! Well, that is after the house is built and we sell this one. But, the property is off New Hampshire Av. in Brookville and we couldn't be more grateful to God after more than 10 years of searching for a new home. We're working with an architect to design the home and boy, are we so excited. GOD IS GOOD!
Also in July, I attended my first singles caregroup. I love these guys so much. (ie. tonight we started a new CG tradtion: Nintendo Wii competitions. Tennis and bowling were sooo fun!)
Step 3: Away to August!
One very special annual event occurred this month: The Montgomery County Far. I did a post on this already so no need to linger. But it deserved a place in the highlights because I got to spend the whole evening with Lindsay and Sylvie, my dear off to college buddies. I love you girls thiiiiiis much!! :)
My two main highlights from August were Worthy '07 and my vacation to Bethany Beach with my family. The messages were remarkable especially CJ Mahaney's first on Monday Night. I am so, so grateful to have had to opportunity to help as an Admin member that week. Hard work and lots of laughs - it was a BIG highlight.
(side note: This is me on my favorite ride, the Swings, at King's Dominion. I love this ride soo much! Actually, you'll notice a few low quality shots from my dear Sony Ericsson camera phone making cameos in this post - he's served me well for 4 years this May and is still going strong! I believe I shall have to post a tribute to him when he finally retires. Okay, back to the post...)
The week after the retreat I went to the beach with my fam. Vacationing at Bethany was so good. I wasn't bored or homesick once. God met me in my quiet times and I was really so refreshed by this trip. I love my family SO much!
Ok, so mega highlight was watching the moon rise over the ocean. It was all orange and yellowy. AMAZING.
Step 4: Mix up the months.
So, in between those months there was a waffle goodbye party for my dear Sylvie who's now off at Richmond. I miss you so much, lovely. You have no idea. I so enjoyed our tennis matches, surprise visits, and home-made lemon merengue pie making this summer. Come home soon?
There was also a present hiding adventure that involved Sylvie and I hiding Kristin Hoover's birthday gifts up in her back yard tree and making writing a riddle and map to guide her to where they were. Genius, I tell you. Haha.
Oh, and a cooking class! Twice-baked potatoes, baby! Here's Courtney and I with our prized chicken. I love that girl.
Uhhh, and let us not forget today my brother got his braces off after 8 years!!! If that's not reason enough to celebrate this summer than I don't know what is!!!
And believe me, there was so so much more. Like game nights, Beauty and Beast and HSM2 movie nights, Godspell "reunions", surprise birthday parties, goodbye parties, surprise visits etc. etc. LORD JESUS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS SUMMER. I begin college tomorrow with a deep gratitude for your blessings to me this summer. I do not deserve anything and yet you choose to shower me with God-glorifying friends and a loving family. Please help me to share the truth of your Gospel to those on campus this semester. Help me to trust and follow after you will a greater fire than ever. I love you and can't wait to see you face to face.
Honestly, I had to pull out the pen and paper and jot down a page of summer highlights before I could decide which ones to mention in this post. God has truly blessed me with some really great memories these past few months. And seeing that tomorrow begins my college life at Montgomery College I thought it only fitting to give you a little recap.
Sooo, where to begin? You can start by pressing play on the song below. I've searched Project Playlist many a time this summer for this song but they never had it, so I took it upon myself to upload it (remember the Xanga days? haha) and put it up here by itself. I love anything Louis, but I really love this song in particular. So, Step 1: Play.
Step 2: Begin with June.
Summer began in June with Elizabeth. Kristen house sat for a family for a week so Elizabeth came down to visit. I joined them one evening aaaand this is how I found them:
Beauuuutiful as always. Anyways, after like a 4am viewing of That Thing You Do we all awoke just as beautiful as the previous picture. We tried to hide it, but the hair in face technique didn't work so well...thus we defaulted to Photoboth manips of course. Hahaha, Kristen your eyebrows! Step 3: Jump to JulyJuly's highlight for me was Summer Celebration. I simply loved looking out into the auditorium watching these kids raise their hands in worship to the Almighty God and singing songs of worship to him. I'm SO excited to watch these kids grow up into godly young adults. I know I did a post about my part in the camp in the Tree House Gang, but I never posted any pictures of the actual kiddos. So here are some of my favorite outdoor shots from the camp:
Later that month I got my wisdom teeth out :D Haha! I only had two on the left side of my mouth, so my recovery wasn't that bad at all actually. Plus, I had all my best friends over to hang out and help me get new ice and smoothy drinks when my family left town for the day. I was so, so blessed by their help. So, def. a highlight in my book.
I also enjoyed some great summer movies with my brother: it's our tradition to go to movies together. In the case of these four, we saw pretty close to opening day and weren't disappointed.
One of the greatest answers to prayer was WE BOUGHT LAND!! We're moving!! Well, that is after the house is built and we sell this one. But, the property is off New Hampshire Av. in Brookville and we couldn't be more grateful to God after more than 10 years of searching for a new home. We're working with an architect to design the home and boy, are we so excited. GOD IS GOOD!
Also in July, I attended my first singles caregroup. I love these guys so much. (ie. tonight we started a new CG tradtion: Nintendo Wii competitions. Tennis and bowling were sooo fun!)
Step 3: Away to August!One very special annual event occurred this month: The Montgomery County Far. I did a post on this already so no need to linger. But it deserved a place in the highlights because I got to spend the whole evening with Lindsay and Sylvie, my dear off to college buddies. I love you girls thiiiiiis much!! :)
My two main highlights from August were Worthy '07 and my vacation to Bethany Beach with my family. The messages were remarkable especially CJ Mahaney's first on Monday Night. I am so, so grateful to have had to opportunity to help as an Admin member that week. Hard work and lots of laughs - it was a BIG highlight.
(side note: This is me on my favorite ride, the Swings, at King's Dominion. I love this ride soo much! Actually, you'll notice a few low quality shots from my dear Sony Ericsson camera phone making cameos in this post - he's served me well for 4 years this May and is still going strong! I believe I shall have to post a tribute to him when he finally retires. Okay, back to the post...)The week after the retreat I went to the beach with my fam. Vacationing at Bethany was so good. I wasn't bored or homesick once. God met me in my quiet times and I was really so refreshed by this trip. I love my family SO much!
Ok, so mega highlight was watching the moon rise over the ocean. It was all orange and yellowy. AMAZING.
Step 4: Mix up the months.
So, in between those months there was a waffle goodbye party for my dear Sylvie who's now off at Richmond. I miss you so much, lovely. You have no idea. I so enjoyed our tennis matches, surprise visits, and home-made lemon merengue pie making this summer. Come home soon?
There was also a present hiding adventure that involved Sylvie and I hiding Kristin Hoover's birthday gifts up in her back yard tree and making writing a riddle and map to guide her to where they were. Genius, I tell you. Haha.
Oh, and a cooking class! Twice-baked potatoes, baby! Here's Courtney and I with our prized chicken. I love that girl.
Uhhh, and let us not forget today my brother got his braces off after 8 years!!! If that's not reason enough to celebrate this summer than I don't know what is!!!
And believe me, there was so so much more. Like game nights, Beauty and Beast and HSM2 movie nights, Godspell "reunions", surprise birthday parties, goodbye parties, surprise visits etc. etc. LORD JESUS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS SUMMER. I begin college tomorrow with a deep gratitude for your blessings to me this summer. I do not deserve anything and yet you choose to shower me with God-glorifying friends and a loving family. Please help me to share the truth of your Gospel to those on campus this semester. Help me to trust and follow after you will a greater fire than ever. I love you and can't wait to see you face to face.
Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment,
and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning...
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment,
and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning...
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
you have loosed my sackcloth
and clothed me with gladness,
that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
-Psalm 30: 4-5, 11-12
