just a little bit longer

I've returned home to Winder once again after a week of travels. I spent a few days at Berry in the beginning of the week followed by some quality time in Aiken, South Carolina with my Aunt.

While at Berry I was the Lead of a rock climbing day for 17 high school girls and their 2 counselors from an all girls camp in Alabama working alongside 4 more staff members. This was my first opportunity to be "the Lead" in charge of the staff and group with the most knowledge on hand. It was a phenomenal experience that I couldn't have fabricated to make it go any more smoothly. Even though I struggled for sleep the night before with nerves and all, once meeting up with my staff the day started off beautifully! Good conversation on the drive to Alabama, anchors set, lines dropped, harnesses tied in and belay anchors ready and set with the staff rearing to go. The group of fun, lively high school girls arrived and the day coasted along. The girls learned about pushing beyond fear, encouraging each other, and speaking positively to yourself when it's the last thing you can think to do. Of course we had one case of dehydration, the day was hot and humid. But as she was getting on the bus there was no doubt she had made it back to almost 100%. Good day all packed up and headed out.

A little example of my handiwork, if you can tell what it is...

Once back at good ole Berry College - I completed my tasks necessary to be considered a real Berry alumni... No I didn't finish all of my courses, nor did I make it to all of my cultural events, but I took a warm swim in the reservoir up past the Old Mill. It was the most gorgeous ending to a beautiful day with a good friend!

I spent one more day at my deer-filled campus and around Rome visiting some friends before heading off early the next morning for my aunt's house in South Carolina.

Almost at her place, I drive down this road and soak in the enormous trees enveloping the road and shading the oncoming cars from the blistering summer sun. It's my favorite part about this quaint town. The weekend was filled with really good time spent with my aunt from seeing movies (by the way, I think the Proposal is a really good film, check it out!), to cooking homemade peanut butter cookies, and browsing handmade pottery at the local art gallery. Love it.

I made it home in time to spend Father's day with my family by the pool. Well, in the pool mostly because the death index made it almost impossible to just lay around without being in the water. Got a few days to be here before helping with the rafting class in Tennessee later in the week - my favorite class of the year, might I add? Definitely looking forward to another week. Just a little bit longer until camp begins around the 4th of July...

oh life...

Looking at the past few weeks and looking ahead a those to come it seems busy but I sure am enjoying where I'm at right now. I just got back to Winder for a couple nights after a week away.

I spent a couple full days in and around Rome working (beautiful full days in the Georgia/Alabama sun) and enjoying every minute of it. One day of rock climbing site training followed by a day of team building with about 80 middle schoolers on the challenge course. On my way out of Rome I spent over an hour with a great friend having coffee and being encouraged by her and the Lord before seeing another great friend in Atlanta and finally getting a chance to catch up in person. All of this was the creation of a great day on the way to Augusta, GA to spend a few days with my grandfather. Not only does that consist of good food, good rest, and lots of love, but also tons of HGTV!

Once I made my way back home, Ryan and I spent the day at what he now calls his "honey hole" doing some fishing and just enjoying each other's company. We caught a few bass, laughed at me making a fool of myself, and sat side by side on a make-shift bench. The past few days have shown me yet again, that God's timing is perfect and unmistakable. That night was spent bowling with some old friends leading to inevitable sleeping in... Today I spent a few hours in the kitchen, a habit that I've been missing since leaving California, baking and cooking dinner for the whole family. There are things about this town that I just won't miss, but weekends like this are what I never want to forgo.

This next week is pretty similar in schedule so we'll see what happens. A couple days in Rome and the surrounding areas again for work (leading a group of 17 high school girls rock climbing in Alabama for a day and an intro class session for whitewater rafting at Berry) followed by hopefully just as beautiful of a trek from Rome to south Georgia only to continue into Aiken, South Carolina to spend some time with my aunt. Who knows what we'll do, but Aiken is a cute little place and my aunt probably has some things planned that I'll find out when I get there, so it should be good!



Coffee on Wednesday morning reminded me of a few things... People have been placed in my life for a reason and I'm specifically thankful for my great friend who so boldly insisted that we be accountability partners. I can make plans, but ultimately if I travel loosely tied to anything in particular - it's much smoother and more enjoyable to spend time with those I love. There are no excuses for being a slacker - I know it, my great friends know it, and God knows it - I need to be connected to Him... so here we go =)