So... the fall began.... and so did classes.... and the mad dashing about commenced!  I love classes.  I'm learning more this fall than I thought might ever stick in my head, and I find that I see the girls I work with in a different light.  It's so easy to become hardened to them because of their attitudes at times, but then I remember to look further inside to the image bearer within... and the pain that is tucked away so well.... or raging inside to out... and then I see.  I'm down to working part time now, and that has been good and frustrating.  Good because I go in really fresh each week, and frustrating because it's harder to know what's going on with the girls when I'm only there two days out of seven.

One of the nice things about classes is seeing Lance more often!!  We're carpool buddies....so we get a bit of time most days to chat.  I like that a lot! 

I'm not sure that anything else has been going on.  Lance and I help with Awana and have a blast with the kids!  I work with the oldest girls and Lance is with the oldest boys.  There's something different and hilarious every week.  For instance, last wednesday I was telling a story and one of the little boys crinkled up his eyes and nose and made his most hideous face right at me until I went over and got right up next to him.  I wish I had that on film.  I could have died laughing!   

I went to Michigan yesterday to my cousins wedding shower.  She's a close friend as well as family and I'm so excited for her!  It's different to be on the other end.  To see someone you love getting ready to say "I do" and already know how amazing it is to be married to your best friend. 

Do you ever see the kids get on the bus for the first day of school and have flashbacks?  I did this year.  But here's the strangest thing.  The girls ride the bus to school where I work.  And although they tell me that I look like I'm still in high school, they would be embarassed if I walked them to the bus stop.  WEIRD!  It's like I've gone into warp drive and become the parent of a teen... but not really... because I still get to come home to peace and quiet at the end of the day.

Work is going really well.  I love my job, which I'm going down to part time with so I won't die when I start the MA in counseling program next Tuesday.  I love the girls.  I hate seeing how their families continually break their hearts.  But what bothers me more than anything is knowing that I possess the words of life in my heart and soul... that they need to accept those words... that they need the love and forgiveness of Jesus more than anything, and they continue to reject him as a fable.  I can see why they do.  Their lives haven't been easy... but man is it ever frustrating to watch.

Lance and I, and about 6 other adults just took the third-fifth graders from our church camping last weekend.  It was incredibly fun!!!  We went bike riding and swimming and played wiffle ball... roasted hot gooey marshmellows and played flashlight tag in the dark.  I love the simplicity of camping, and of that age. 

While I'm finishing up my last week of full time work, Lance has already ended his jobs for the summer and is being an awesome handy man at home... fixing all the things we haven't gotten to over the summer.  What a guy!

Yesterday Lance and I had to run some errands at the bank, so we decided it'd be nice to bike over to the next town and back for some exercise.  Oh, and did I mention that all together it was about 16 miles?!  It was a lot of fun... but even more funny because we barely made it back!!!  What happened to the days of being able to ride around all day on a bike?  Sigh... ;)

It's already August Friends!  I would ask how another month has slipped by, but I know exactly how... Lance and I have been on our toes running to keep up with life overflowing all over the place!!

We just got back Saturday from taking a week long trip out to Camp RayBird, where I worked for three summers.  Lance had to do his cross cultural trip, and I was beyond excited to see everyone!  We accomplished both of our goals... His trip was definately cross-cultural!  He worked with 8 black boys from inner South Bend.  He had a good time and from what I heard was great working with them... but he was so stressed out that he's been sick ever since he got back!   I got to see good friends, talk with them a bit, play with campers, and be back at the camp ray bird.  It was great!  It was nice being able to be there for a week together even though we didn't see each other too much.

When we got back we had a couple gatherings.  Hung out with some church fam, and hung out with Lance's mom, and sister's fam.  Both were great times to be had!  It's always great to be with family.  On the horizon are more family gatherings...   And  Sharon's coming to town this weekend!!  YAY!   And more working!  But just another couple weeks.  Then we're both back to school, Lance is back to Hacienda on the weekends and I'm down to part time at Lifeline.

God has been good this summer.  I'm continually learning just how much I don't know...  and that God is gracious.  And that He is still the Living God who performs miracles, though they may be so small that you have to keep your eye pealed.

Lance and I have been back from Challenge for almost a week now.  Suprising enough, we're still recooperating from it.  It was an awesome trip.  I am excited to know the teenagers better, and see first hand how God is working in their lives.  He's breaking down some major walls.  Other than building relationships, which is always my personal favorite on trips, I really enjoyed hearing the speakers.  They had some very convicting things to say... and 6000 people singing together... can't really beat that.

Both my husband and I have been working long hours this week.... we're looking forward to the weekend!!!  Would you believe he beat me to bed tonight?  Crazy... I know ;)

That's about all I have to say about that!!

I'm dragging along a little this week!  My body keeps screaming down time! Down Time!  DOWN TIME!   Life has been full lately. 

I've still been working full time at the girls home.  I still love it.  We've been getting more girls in the last couple weeks.  So that always makes things interesting.  The group dynamics are changing bit by bit.  But I like the fact that it keeps me on my toes and spices up life a little bit.  Sometimes I want to shake the girls there and make them understand the destructive things they are running to in their lives.  But only God can open their eyes to the truth.  Hmmm... I imagine that sometimes He might have the same frustrations towards me.  Hmmm...

Other than work, a wonderful friend of mine came to spend the weekend!!!!  Amber was here hanging out with us at the prolife concert, and we pretty much just took her everywhere we had to go!  Chuch... to people's houses.... to pick weeds.... you name it she did it with flare!

Lance and I are preparing to go to Challenge, a week long event for students where they get to worship together, attend seminars, and hear speakers.  It's a challenge for them to live the Christian life as God intended.  I'm very excited to go!  I'm just sad that I won't get to see my husband that much while I'm there.  We've got gender specific groups that we're kinda assigned to.  Yes... I'm incredibly attached and I'm not ashamed ;)

If you think about it friends, please pray for my big brother Matt.  He's in a rough spot right now.