Things I Take for Granted ...

What up from the Quip! Alright, so it's weird the way you think (well, I actually think it's conviction from the Holy Spirit) when you are pulled away from your comfort zone to other places for a long amount of time. You start noticing things you take for granted, along with things you just need to truly appreciate and cherish more. To say the least I have noticed this during my short time in the Quip so far. This blog has kind of turned into a journal of some sort and why I am sharing some of these things with ya'll I don't know, but owell. I know ya'll are thinking I am about to get deep on you, which I am, but first I must admit that I take for granted my washing machine :) I hand washed my clothes for the first time this past weekend. It was really hard work, but I loved it and I plan to continue to do it throughout the summer (hmmmm - hold me to that). It definitely puts a lot of things in perspective for you considering the amount of people who do not have washers and dryers in their house.

Next, my family. I thank God for ya'll all the time, but we truly do not understand how much we cherish each other until we are pulled away from each other. I miss ya'll; the all day Sunday affairs, the random dinners, hugs from my Bubba and Blakey, and just the time we get to spend together. Please know that I love each of you in a way in which I will never really be able to express in words.

My Graystone folks - I apologize to you for taking you for granted. I know God has called me somewhere else in terms of worshipping, but it shouldn't be an excuse for us not to get together. I am pleading guilty here. I need to be better at intentional get togethers. I miss ya'll. I miss my B&N nights along with my Hail Mary nights, and also Thursday Starbucks and the Beekeepers!

360 - I've expressed what I needed to express to ya'll in a previous email :) :) you know I love ya'll and miss ya'll. Muahahahaha!

My Beautiful Sisters - I pray for you constantly and am confident that God is blowing each of you away. Even though I know you are in our Fathers hands, it does not take away the pain of not being able to pick up the phone and call. We've talked about this over and over again, and we have made it intentional to love each other deeply without judgement. This stands today and always will, through the ridiculous and hilarious memories to the not so good memories...even though they turned out to be good memories; kind of! Hahahaha. I love you!

I have met some beautiful people here and are surrounded with unbelievable neighbors which I will write more about later. One of my neighbors reminds me of my Grammy. Her name is Emma; such a soft and genuine spirit. I cannot wait to build a relationship with her and her husband (high school sweethearts, married 57 years). You gotta love the stoop talks.

As for how things are going - we have officially started planning for our camp starting next week. We will be in overdrive for those two weeks; ropes course training, camping (shut it with inner city kids - 20), and a whole lot of fun. If there is one (ok-2) things I would have to say the Lord is doing/teaching me right now, I would have to go with constant communion throughout the day, in addition with being intentional about specific things. Praise Him. I have a good core team consisting of 5 people, all with different personalities. But in a good way. I look forward to working with them throughout the summer. I think that is it for now. Oh, the rooming sitch you people have been asking about - ha. We finally migrated to the basement, so we look like Orphan Annie - its actually really funny, but we're all turning the 3rd floor to a prayer room which will be awesome. Remember we have 15 girls under one roof. Oh yea, and I found out I am going to Belle Glade, Fl the last week in July for a mission trip. Thats just a heads up. Ok, thats it - peace, love deeply!