Summer in the City

Oh, look at that, Summer's almost over.
Honestly, I don't know where it went. And guess what? now I only have two Summers left. Just two. And then I'll be an adult, and they don't GET summers. I think I used this one to its fullest potential, work-wise, that is. Working 35-40 hours a week gives you a whole different perspective on what they like to call "Time Management" (or lack thereof). But the funny thing is, I didn't really see my jobs as work. They were more like...happy fun time that I was using productively. It sounds stupid, but really, I have great relationships with the people I work with, and it's fun just using that time to build those relationships, and be productive at the same time. Okay, list time:
Coldstone: Gosh, do I love that place to death. Never did I think that when I started that job the summer before my senior year of high school, that I would still be working there as a sophmore in college. I have the best bosses in the world, and (for the most part) great co-workers. I'm on the older end of the bunch, but it's still a ton of fun. Having that to come back to whenever I want is a huge blessing.
NCCKids: This was the second summer I've worked for NCCKids, and it was even better than last summer. I mean, I get paid to plan VBS. And it counts as an internship for my HRM major. While I don't get to have too many direct interactions with the kids, just serving them and their parents is a great opportunity for me to serve the church, and fund my education. This year brought some big changes in the way we do VBS overall, and it was a big success. Rome: Paul and the Underground Church was our theme, and every day the kids got to spend time in a "real" Roman marketplace. All of the shopkeepers had different characters, some were christians, some were polytheists, some were atheists. By Day Two I was already hearing kids sharing the Gospel with the "non-christian" shopkeepers. Let me tell you: it is such an awesome priviledge to hear a 7 year old sharing the gospel, and hearing their excitement at the end of the week when one of the shopkeepers became a christian. Out of all the years that I've been involved in VBS (8 years, I think?), I think this year was the first time that I've seen kids get so passionate about the Gospel themselves, not just letting it go in one ear and out the other. The 80+ VBS workers and myself got to witness something very special this summer.
Family: OH, the Fam. It was good being home with them. Especially the sisters. I think being home for 2.5 months was a good amount of time for me. Sharing a room with Sister #2 was...an experience. I'd like to think that we're both better people for it. And a last minute, unexpected (for me anyways) trip to Florida the week before school was a HUGE blessing (I had lots of those this summer, if you didn't catch that by now). Spending time just being with them was a much needed break. I needed a break from Summer break. So yes, the Fam was great, and always will be.
Other experiences: Hmmm, I house-sat alot. I mean, a LOT. Probably 4 weeks of the summer was spent housesitting. Good times. It did make me feel like I spent the summer living out of a suitcase though. Some of them never really got all the way unpacked either...
I got to go on the summer retreat with the middle schoolers at church at the beginning of June as a last-minute leader. One of the big things I missed about home while I was at school was working with the middle schoolers. They bring so much joy into my life, and being able to be with them for a weekend brought some of that joy back. I had an awesome small group that weekend, I love those girls so much! They were my Joy-Boost from God all summer.
Made it back to Columbia a few times, mostly for job searching. My efforts were rewarded with a kick-A job at the Tiger Team Store, selling football merch and whatnot. I think it's going to be pretty great. It's already given me a textbook scholarship (WHAT?!?!?) that took away alot of the pain and anguish that comes from buying textbooks; so thanks, God! Sunday evenings were spent with the Zou Crew (and a few extras we picked up) at Starbucks reading through Psalms and just being together. I have such awesome friends. I don't know what I would do without them.

So, there's my summer. It was a great time. Grew alot, drove alot, worked alot. Instead of it feeling like it's coming to an end, I feel like it's shooting me into the school year with motivation. We'll see how longs that lasts.

Summer in Four Words: Productive, Joyful, Chaotic, Fulfilling

*Shrug and sheepish grin*

I'm back. Maybe I'm just not as thoughtful during the summer. Maybe it's the halls of education that gets my mind flowing and keeps the blog posts plentiful...okay, judging by last school year's random postings, maybe not. However, I'm really going to try this year. I was encouraged by a friend to journal once a week. I'm not too into writing in journals, so I'm doing it blog-style. I'm not going to try to live up to some "blogger standard", I'm not going to try to sound smart, intellectual, spiritual, or emotional, I'm just going to write what comes, and when it comes (as long as it's once a week). If you catch me lagging behind, call me out on it. Lord knows I always need more accountability in my life. Okay? Okay. Let's do this.