Summer time, and the livin' is easy!

I love that song, and the lyrics describe my life pretty well right now. I am so glad to have some time to decompress after my first year of teaching. It's been a great year, but it's high time that I have some R and R (and some good times :))

Here's the update on what I've done so far in the short bit of summer i've had:

-COLORADO: Wow!! That's the only word I can use to even somewhat describe my trip out west. It was a very last minute trip to see Brad, my cousin, play in the JUCO World Series (Junior College baseball- if you don't know). Of course I expected to have a good time and see some nice scenery... but I just had no idea. We flew into Denver, then rented a car to drive 4 hours to Grand Junction, Colorado. The drive gave us some of the most stellar scenary I've ever seen. From the snow-covered mountains, to the hugs rock structures, to the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers, it was absolutely beautiful. While in Colorado we saw three sites: The Colorado National Monument, The Grand Mesa, and the Black Canyon. There's no use in me describing these three places because I am 100% sure I would not do them justice. I can only say one thing. I have always thought it was kind of cliche when people say that something was so beautiful that it "brought them closer to God." I never really experienced it until this trip. When we were standing looking at the awesome views and the amazing scenes and mountains all my mind kept going back to was "There is no way that anyone but God could have created something this awesome. How amazing is He!" So it truly did bring me closer to Him. I am so glad I got a chance to experience it, and now I know there was a reason for me to be there beyond just seeing baseball.

-NEW BEGINNINGS: Maybe this shouldn't be under the "livin' is easy" blog, but it is happening in my life (and I would appreciate prayers about it :)) I found out last Tuesday that the teaching position I held last year will be cut because there are not enough students. That does not mean that I wont have a job, it just means that the specific job I had (4 year old kindergarten teacher) no longer exists. Therefore, I have to either choose another grade or another school (possibly 4k at another school if it becomes available). It is upsetting to me that I can't stay in my position. I feel a level of comfort in that position, and I really enjoyed it. I do know, however, that there is a reason for me moving. I believe God has a reason for everything. Whether it's to stretch me as a teacher, but me in contact with someone I need to be in contact with, or teach me patience or flexibility, I do not know. I am keeping a prayerful and open mind as to what my next move will be.

-PROUD GIRLFRIEND: Yesterday I had the privelage of going with David to his graduation from Furman. It was the least I could do after he went to such lengths to surprise me at my graduation last year ;). We started at a reception for faculty and students. We only talked with one professor that he knew, but the reception was nice. We then took a lot of pictures and ate a really nice dinner in the DH. After that we took a lot of fun pictures :) If you have facebook and know David or I, look em up! Unfortunately the weather decided to be a stinker. The rain started at about 5:30 or so, and kept up through the night. That meant that instead of the normal ceremony at Paladin Stadium, graduation had to be held in Timmons arena. Timmons holds a lot less people than the stadium does, so not everyone could attend. All of our party that were already at Furman did get to go, so I was glad for that. So, all that being said, I got to watch David walk across the stage and graduate (along with about 630 other people!) I know how hard he has worked to earn his degree... all the hours studying, writing papers, teaching and so on. I am so excited and proud for him, he deserves it and more!! Congratulations, darling! I love you very very much! Thank you for inviting me to be with you on your day :)



So that wraps up my summer experience so far. I can't say for sure, because no one knows the future, but I have a feeling this summer is gonna be one to remember. I have SO many things to look forward to. Life is short, I'm gonna be living it to the fullest- how about you?

Love in Christ! -AK