The final week

Here I am...Tuesday...of my last week in my apartment.  I have 2 out of 5 rooms cleaned head to toe and will be taking pictures and making a list of everything I've cleaned just to cover myself  for security.  I'm starting my "goodbyes" which really aren't goodbyes, but they are since I can't just hop in the car and hang out in 10 minutes...it'll take more planning on my end and the willingness to drive to visit.  As for the job...still unemployed and it still hasn't completely hit me. I know I'm not teaching and all my friends are teaching, but I still feel like I'm on summer vacation.  Ever since I was in kindergarten I always went back to school in the fall.  This is the first year I'm not and I don't know why I'm not more upset or confused.  I also think I'm in denial about leaving the apartment...I'm not upset or really feel anything.  We'll see how I feel next week...I'm sure I'll have my moments, but God is in control and I need to trust Him in all of this.

My "couch" for the week

The living room

The office

The kitchen

The bedroom and closet with just things I need for a week

Coming to the end of a journey

It's been a couple weeks since I last posted so here's a quick recap:

Needmore on the Monster Stage

I traveled with my brother's best friend and my parents out to Dayton, Ohio to see Needmore (my brother's band) perform at the Dayton Downtown Revival Music Festival.  We had a great time and great weather.  I even saw a friend from Nashville since he drove up to run sound for them.  I loved spending time with my brother and his bandmates and their families.

Best friends...Mark and Sean after the show

Mark performing

My travel buddy

The FOH sound guy and I...Matt drove up and back to Nashville :)

We had beautiful clouds on our flights

All the parents backstage

Youth group started back up last week.  It is going to be a great year and we have the LIFE conference this summer!  I can't wait to see what God is going to be doing through these young lives and through my own.  He is in full control and I am now waiting to see where He is taking me.

Steve getting cupcakes in his ears

We had a birthday that day :)

Hanging out by the fire while everyone else plays manhunt

Prescott...caught red handed

A couple former students and a few friends grandmother passed away this past week and the viewing was Sunday.  It was nice to see the kids and my friends, but we all wish it was under better circumstances.  It was a good reminder of how short our lives really are here on this Earth and we need to make every day count.  We need to make our mark on this planet and do what God has intended for us to do.

Missional Communities at The Plant started this past Sunday and I had a great time meeting some new friends who will be joining the missional community I'm apart of.  Even though I'm moving in 2 weeks I will still be around and still being apart of The Plant.

Living room packed up

Kitchen packed up

Yesterday, Mom and I packed up my whole apartment except for the necessities.  It looks so empty and as of this Saturday I will be living off of just a few things.  Everything is heading back Hackettstown this weekend, but I will still be here until the 30th.

The office all packed up

The many boxes...we almost used them all

I've been waiting all day for someone from the unemployment office to call me about this unemployment interview.  So far they are over an hour late and now I'm getting nervous haha.  Well, God is in control and He knows the outcome of this phone call before I can even start it.

The night before a trip

The night before a trip I always get excited, nervous, and it's usually exhausting.  Just trying to prepare for a trip takes a lot of thinking and when the whole day is preoccupied with other things...your brain is just ready for a break.  I'm looking forward to going to Ohio and seeing my brother's band perform Saturday night.

On a side note...I've been reading a book, "Praying for your Future Husband."  This book has been interesting to read and really has me question.  I don't want to be a girl who is only good enough when the guy needs me.  I want to be the girl he can't stop thinking about and love, no matter what.  It's just my random thought for the day :)

Reality sets in

First day of school for many of my students is a day full of excitement and nerves.  Today for me...it was the first day where reality set in that I'm not teaching.  God has a better plan for me and I don't know what it is.

I sat down with my mom and we laid out all my expenses and have figured out that living where I am is not going to work right now.  It looks as if I will need to move back home and save money.  The perk to this is that I will be saving a lot of money and will possibly be able to go travel to visit friends in other parts of the country.  We'll have to see.

Some of you may not know this, but I am training for a 5k at the end of October and training is going pretty well.  I haven't actually ran a full 3.1 miles yet.  Been around the 2.2 mark, but am working up to that.  Right now the program I am working through is getting me to start running more than I am walking.  I am discovering this is more of a mental game than it is physically.  I have been telling myself to just keep going don't worry about your legs getting tired.  Today, I failed at that, but it was also the first time I was running more than I was walking.

Well, here's to hoping life starts to look up and I have a clearer path as to where I'm supposed to be going.

Happy Labor Day!

It's Labor Day...which means school time for most.  This is the first Labor Day in 4 years (including student teaching) that I did not lesson plan or need to prepare anything since I'm not teaching this upcoming year.  It's a little bittersweet, but I know God has a greater plan for me.

I know that in preparing for tomorrow I will be a mess of emotions and need to handle them as they come.  I'm grateful for all my friends who have been there for me through this rough summer and I am looking forward to this next adventure.  First I need to figure out my budget for this upcoming year and I can't thank my mom enough for driving down here tomorrow to help me with it.  Maybe I'll rearrange the apartment or do something different...who knows?  All I know is I am going to start enjoying life and take my challenges as they come :)

September...new beginnings

I can't believe September is already here.  It's a little bittersweet since I'm not going back to having my own classroom right now.  There are some great opportunities coming and I just had a great weekend.

The Sleeping Giant Mountains from Quinnipiac University :)

I spent last week preparing for this new stage of my life and even had a chance to catch up with my mentor/friend.  She is a great role model and I thank God that she has been put into my life.  She may not realize it, but she has made an impact on my life and I don't think I can thank her enough for it.

My cousin and I exploring!

I also had a chance to catch up with a former colleague.  We met for drinks and she was so nice to pay for it.  It was good to just get out and enjoy some company.

My cousin and I after a day of exploring

Yesterday was fun because I started my travel season by driving up to Quinnipiac University and visit my cousin.  It was an absolutely gorgeous day and the campus is beautiful.  We got a chance to explore the town and the surrounding areas.  It wasn't too bad of a drive and only took under 2 hours to get there.  I am hoping to go back up and visit soon :)

Lesson in church on life knots: our past, motives, and loyalties...what do you struggle with?

Well this week will be interesting.  I have grad class starting on Wednesday and will be gone this upcoming weekend :) The weekend I have been waiting for is just a few days away now :)