The Sea of the Galilee

Before I went to Israel the most popular question I was asked was, “What are you most looking forward to seeing?” I had a specific answer to that question, but I also knew that experiencing the Holy Land for the first time was going to look and feel and sound different than I had imagined. I tried to lay my expectations aside, though we all know realistically how hard that is to do.

With that said, what was I most looking forward to, you ask? The Sea of Galilee. (Or ,The Sea of the Galilee, which is how our tour guide, Ron, referred to it and I found so endearing.)

Before flying across the ocean, one thing I knew about Israel was that often in places of significance in regards to Jesus, a church would have been built on that specific site. For example, the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem was built where they think Jesus was born. While I don’t think this is wrong, I think it gives those Holy sites a different look and feel.

I also knew before I went that you can’t build a church on top of a lake. I mean, you could, but most likely you wouldn’t. And I knew they hadn't. When you read the Scriptures it is so evident that Jesus loved being on this specific lake and while I hadn’t experienced it for myself, I had a feeling I would love it too.  The miracles He performed on the Sea of Galilee alone are mind blowing to me. So in my mind, that was why I was most looking forward to this location of the footsteps of Jesus.

A week ago today I took my own boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. We were able to enter our boat from our hotel and we sailed for about an hour while hearing testimonies of God’s goodness and worshiping. It was calm and beautiful and quiet. In fact, we had so little down time on this trip that I feel like the actual boat ride was the first time my mind was able to wrap itself around all we had already seen and witnessed. It was so special.

Later that day, a friend was praying for me and had me quietly imagine Jesus standing on the shore while I was still in the boat. They told me to ask God what was keeping me from stepping out of the boat? (They were not implying I didn't trust God, but rather, what was keeping me from taking the next step.)

It didn’t take two seconds before I had two answers. Fear and lack of faith. Hello, just go ahead and call me Peter.

To make this long story even longer, this isn’t the first time God has used a boat to speak straight to my heart. A few years ago when I left Living Proof Ministries, my beloved boss gave me a boat. Not a literal boat I could go sailing on, but a small wooden boat. On it she wrote, “Step out of the boat.” In fact, you can read more about that little boat here.

Not a day has gone by that my eyes have not looked on that tiny boat. It’s been a small reminder to me that God is trustworthy, but that His trustworthiness requires our faith. The offer is there, we just have to believe Him. How do we know we can trust Him when we make everything around us so comfortable and easy to maintain without looking to Him? And at the end of the day, control is an illusion anyway. I won’t point any fingers, but I’m guilty of that. I’m guilty of only taking steps when there is a controlled outcome. Fear can get the best of me shrinking me back to what I know to be safe. But I think faith involves us setting aside our flawed and skewed human reasoning and not giving way to the feelings that resist faith.

Back to the Sea of Galilee. When the disciples were being sloshed back and forth by the waves on the sea and Jesus came walking towards them, Peter had a sudden shot of boldness and jumped out of the boat headed towards His Master, Jesus. (You can read the entire account in Matthew 14 as I’m very much summarizing.) His eyes were focused on the One who saves, but then they diverted away from Jesus and he started to sink. He lost focus.

I do the exact same thing. Without question. I lose focus on a daily basis. I get so easily distracted. The future starts to seep in slowly. Thoughts of a husband and children consume me. My job. My family. What clothes are in style that I don’t own but need? Does this person like me or not? Instagram. Twitter. This illness that seems to be taking this or that person away from their loved ones and quickly. Church. Complaining about all manner of non-important issues. You name it, I focus on it.

But the beautiful thing is that this is not the end of the story. Peter did not sink. He cried out, whether in fear or faith I don’t know, but it didn’t matter to Jesus. Jesus didn’t hesitate for one second to grab Peter by the hand and pull Him out of the choppy waters.

And I love the next part, Jesus asks Peter a question, “Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?”

Sometimes we just need to confess what’s holding us back. Be it selfishness, pride, sin, fear, and so on and so forth. God has been reminding me time and time again this year that “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” We don’t know how Peter answered the question, all we know is that they both, Jesus and Peter, got back into the boat together and the others that had just witnessed that miracle started worshiping Jesus and confessing out loud that He really was the Son of God.

It does not surprise me one bit that it was at the Sea of Galilee, after the resurrection, where Jesus reassured Peter that his prior denial of Jesus did not disqualify him from being a disciple. I needed to be reminded that my lack of faith didn't disqualify me, either.

My pride holds me back so often. "What will others think? How will others respond? Can I do this perfect? No? Then I won’t do it at all." And beneath all of that is an invitation from Jesus to trust Him. To feed and love His sheep. To step out of the boat. To keep our eyes focused on the One who sees and cares and knows and understands and loves.

Since I’ve returned from the Holy Land, similar to before I left, the question I’ve been asked the most is, “What was your favorite part?” I’m still processing that question and God is working in my mind and my heart. It’s hard to have a favorite because so many moments stand out. But today I’m so thankful for that still, small boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. While I thought I would love it because it had been untouched, turns out, I loved it because it's where God so gently asked again, "Do you trust me?"

What I Never Knew I Needed

I still remember vividly driving away from my childhood home bound for, what some say, are the greatest years of your life, college. My parents helped me move in a few days before that, but for whatever reason, I decided to drive back with them and spend a few more nights at home. I think it was because my other two roommates were not staying the night, so why in the world would I stay all alone? Subconsciously I think I wanted to be the one to leave them, I didn’t want them to leave me. That felt easier.

 It’s funny when I think about it, because as much of a homebody as I am and was, I also was never one to get homesick. If my parents went out of town when we were little and my brothers and I had to stay with friends I was thrilled! (Maybe that’s because I had no sisters and I knew I’d be surrounded by girls for an extended time.) But for some reason leaving for college felt different to me. I wasn’t afraid of being homesick (though I was at times), but I knew in my core that things were changing for good. I knew the minute I drove away bound for the next season of my life that most likely when I would return home it would be for brief visits or summers, but it would never be long term again. I was leaving what had been home for my entire life. I was leaving the people I felt most comfortable around. The people that knew me the best and loved me the most. And that felt unknown and scary. I think this is one of the most bonding things about college friends your freshmen year. No one cares who is who because everyone is grasping for the familiar since everything is so unfamiliar.

It didn’t take long for me to adapt to my new surroundings, and the longer I was in college, my visits home became fewer and farther between.

I did move back home my last semester to student teach, but things were different. Returning to the town you grew up in has its own challenges. At that point, three of my best friends were engaged or married and they were each moving out of state with their new husbands. It felt like I had returned to a foreign land. I didn’t know how to explain how it felt because at the same time, I was “home.”

I lived with my parents for a little less than a year after I graduated and then I moved in with a sweet friend of mine whose husband was in the military and was deployed for a year overseas. It was the perfect set up. I knew that Russell would eventually return and I would need a place to live more permanently.

Because God is an expert in knowing what we need, He provided two roommates that year. Two friends I’d known my entire life, two friends I’d grown up in the youth group with. We were never best friends since we were all in separate grades, but I knew that set up had great potential. The two of them were actually already in the process of trying to find an apartment together and they graciously let me join them. The three of us signed a lease and moved in together in October of 2010. For three and a half years we enjoyed our little life right out of college. I think each of us imagined that when we left that apartment it would be because marriage was our next adventure. For Michaela that was true! She got engaged in December of 2013 and Bethany and I started looking at places to live for the two of us. In 2014 we all moved out of our first post-college apartment and went our separate ways.

For the two years following that, Bethany and I lived in an apartment we both loved. Those two years were filled with the very highest of highs and the very lowest of lows. Break-ups, deaths, job losses and changes, travels, parents moving, binge watching tv shows, laughs, tears and so much more. As cheesy as it sounds, it was comforting knowing that when I came home, Bethany would be there. She was more than a roommate, she became one of my dearest friends and more than that, she became family. (My family even gave her her own nickname. For the rest of her life she'll be "Stebanie" to them.) Eventually we started functioning more like sisters than roommates. That even included the little arguments we’d get in.

In 2016 our lease ended and we decided it was time to move from suburbia to the city. (Where we lived most of our life anyway.) After searching for a few weeks, my good friend Cody, who I had met a couple years prior at church and been in a discipleship group with, had lived alone for the past four years and asked if we would be interested in moving in with her. (I could write an entire post on the faithfulness of God to bring me a friend like Cody at the exact time He did. She's more than just a "good friend." She's one of my best friends.) Bethany was about to leave for a three-week vacation and her only desire was to find a place to live before she left. Cody’s offer came a few days before that. Again, God provided exactly what we needed and even gave Bethany the peace to know we would have a roof over our heads before she flew across the ocean.

Between the three of us I was the common denominator. Bethany and Cody had met a few times, and for my 30th birthday we’d all traveled to NYC together, but I was the initial connection. I wasn’t anxious about moving in, but I couldn’t imagine how it would play out. More than anything, I wanted us to gel together as roommates and I wanted Bethany and Cody to become friends a part from me. (That is the hardest part about three people living together is that one person can sometimes feel left out.)

I can say with assurance that God did all of that and more. We all gelled together, they became friends separate from me, we traveled together, shared a thousand meals, we even all tried online dating together, stayed up way to late too many times and genuinely had the sweetest time living with one another. I don't think we could have filled these past two years with one more thing. I'll never forget the nights I'd get ready for bed only to walk into my room and see them both sitting on my bed. It felt like one big slumber party. (Side note, Bethany actually met Zach online the time we all courageously tried online dating together. Our home is a statistic!) I feel like the only reason I need to tell you it wasn’t perfect is because we’re human and flawed and can also get on one another’s nerves, but there was so little of that and so much grace in the home that it was close to perfect. I think I know how they felt about our situation, but for me, they made home home for me.

Bethany got engaged last August and for Christmas she gave Cody and I a Shutterfly book full of pictures and memories from the last two years, knowing that in a few short months she’d be leaving The 223. (How we often referred to ourselves.) Need I even mention that I cried? We all did.

2018 has flown by for a million reason, but our lives have primarily focused on Bethany’s wedding the past few months and we wouldn’t have it any other way. I knew April was coming and while I could not wait to celebrate her marriage, I was dreading her moving out. I know that sounds melodramatic, but when you’ve lived nearly eight years of life with someone, it’s hard, no matter how exciting the future is, to let them go. Especially when you’ve moved together every time the past few years.

The Friday evening before her wedding I came home, walked upstairs to set my stuff down and saw her very empty room. Immediately it put a lump in my throat, but I choked it down. I went on a walk, talked to God about all of my thoughts and woke up Saturday morning ready to celebrate.

On Sunday I watched Bethany walk down the aisle and could have sobbed at the faithfulness of God towards my sweet friend. I don’t say that flippantly, because while I don’t think it’s fair to label God as faithful only when things go the way you want them to, I do think it’s right to give Him the credit in moving each detail just so, so that Bethany and Zach could meet each other. He’s faithful no matter what because that’s His character. His death on the cross is proof of that. But to see God's faithfulness play out in that moment was overwhelming.

Her wedding was a blast, she was full of joy and peace, the weather was perfect, and everyone just enjoyed being together. I was sad when it was over but took a deep sigh of relief. Bethany was married! 

Monday was the oddest day. When Cody and I got home that evening all of the feelings I’d stuffed down finally hit me. While my physical living situation had not changed, it was so weird knowing that when Bethany and Zach returned from their trip she wouldn't be coming "home." Cody and I both keep walking around saying, "It's just so odd that she's not coming home!" For the record, I'm extremely thankful for my current living situation. It's more than just a "living situation." It's home to me. Cody has become just as much as a sister to me as Bethany did. She's a gift. One of my very best friends. My family doesn't have a nickname for her yet but they have adopted her as their own, too.

On Tuesday evening Cody and I were driving home from Community Group and I was able to put into words what I felt in my heart. For nearly eight years Bethany was “home” to me. Just the way I had felt pulling away from my parents house to drive to college that very first time is the same way it felt to marry Bethany off. When you’ve walked that much life with someone, whether it’s your family or friend, they become such a comfort to you that it does feel like home. I don’t have a spouse, but I imagine, on a much deeper level, that's how God intended it to be. He created us for relationship with Himself and others, this I do know.

I can assure you that when we became roommates in 2010, neither of us assumed we’d live that much life together. Marriage has been a deep desire of each of our hearts. But this I know, in His kindness, God gave me something I never even knew I wanted or needed, a good, faithful, fun, sister kind of roommate for the past eight years. And that has been God’s faithfulness in my life. I don't know why I always doubt His faithfulness when I can look back and see His hand so clearly in so many different situations. So many moments I have spent wondering when that deep longing in my heart will be fulfilled, and at the same time, so many of those moments were spent being so content in this current season.

It’s so easy to play the “what if” game; what if Bethany and I had never moved in together to begin with, what if Bethany and I had never moved in with Cody, where would I live now, what if Bethany had moved to Dallas a few years ago like she had thought of, what if this or what if that, but it’s a silly game to play because God’s grace isn’t in the what ifs, God grace is here TODAY.

I am aware that not every relationship you have throughout life is meant to last your entire life. Seasons come and go, as do friendships and people. But I'm also aware that sometimes our friendships do span an entire lifetime and those are a sheer gift. A gift I'll never take for granted. I don't know what the next eight years hold, but as for today, I’m thankful for God giving us gifts we didn’t even know we needed or wanted, for giving us people that feel like home, for sustaining us when everything shifts, and for His presence that never leaves us or forsakes us. It is constant and unwavering. He is a good, good Father.


    

When a Longing Goes Unment

I wrote this post a few years ago on the LPM blog. However, just last week it popped up on my TimeHop and I said out loud to those around me, "It's so crazy when you read a blog you wrote over three years ago and you needed it just as much then as you do now!" So, I thought I'd wipe a little dust off the old blog and re-post it for you all. I hope and pray it ministers to your heart like it did mine.

Last week through twitter I happened to come across an article on singleness. (Let me say upfront that although I’m using that as a springboard, this post isn’t about singleness, but rather each of our different longings. Because let’s be so honest, that is one of many longings left unmet. Okay, I feel better now. Grin.) Before reading it all the way through I quickly glanced through bits and pieces and the sweet girl who put herself out there had mentioned that she was 23 years old.

A couple hours later when I had a moment, I actually read the entire post but realized her age had been removed. And then I got to the comments.

It was no wonder that she removed her age because the first comment that I laid my eyes on was from someone ripping her to shreds for writing an article on singleness at the age of 23. What did she know? They were 34 and had waited a lot longer. How dare she?

Instantly I got defensive for this poor girl because a) I know all too well what it’s like to put yourself out there to then get slammed by the people instead of built up and b) since when was there an age limit that we could talk about singleness? Since when could we not express our desires until we had been labeled an expert? I didn’t comment because my blood pressure was too high and I’m pretty sure I would have said things I would have later regretted, but here is what I know and I would have said to that sweet girl if I could go back to that post: The longings the Lord gives us are real. I don’t care if you’re 16 or 77, each desire and longing the Lord puts in us in something we have to lay down every single day at the feet of Jesus. It’s in the casting of our cares that we humble ourselves before the One and Only and acknowledge that we can’t bear it on our own, that ultimately, we need not just a Savior, but a Provider and Redeemer as well.

At 23 I thought the world was ending because no one had put a ring on my finger. It was right after college that I was swimming in the deep end of all things weddings because that was the age that I watched seven of my close friends walk down the aisle to their beloved. Every turn I took I ran into another wedding, and with great joy, mind you, but I was reminded that I too had a longing that had yet to be fulfilled. If there was ever a time I could have said, “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride” that would have been it.

Following that year, I’ve learned a lot about myself, grown a lot and matured in many ways regarding my present season, but I don’t discredit that year any more than I do this year. When we are vulnerable, I don’t think we’re asking for someone to slam us into the pavement, rather, we need to hear, “I understand.”, “I’ve been there, too.”, “There is hope!” “I’m so sorry you’re hurting.” and “You are not alone.” While I need people speaking truth to me every day and believing for me when I’m weary and tired, I also just want people to listen without fixing or listen without giving me their go to Jesus answer.

We know God is sovereign, God is good and God has not forgotten us when life looks strangely dim, but we also need a safe place to share our longings and not be shamed for feeling alone, or misunderstood. There’s a time and place for correction and truth, but when compassion is extended, even if we don’t fully understand, that’s when ministry happens. Heaven forbid we become people who throw the first stone at those who are trying to live honest lives.

Last week I happened to have a little more alone time than usual and in some silence, I realized I had let a handful of anxiety slip into unnecessary areas of my life. I was achy and although on the outside things looked peachy, my insides were a hot mess. Later on in the week after I had the wherewithal to put my thoughts to paper (which doesn’t always happen, by the way) and I was able to make some sense of the stirrings I continually sit with. The truth is, I know I can sound like a broken record, and maybe you feel like that too, but in reality, no amount of freedom, success, friends, right words, traveling, passions, sleeping in (all of the perks of singleness) can suppress a deep longing that gets left untouched. (This is true of any deep longing in any season of life.) That list of pros are things I pursue and do all the time, but it doesn’t fill the void where some true longings lay dormant. This I do know, some longings are to be placed at the feet of Jesus every day, it’s a faith journey and a trust walk that honestly gets more personal every year.

The thing of it is, when we entrust ourselves to Jesus, we don’t get to pick and choose how He develops our character to reflect Him. That’s where faith comes in. Trusting that He really does know best and do best. But at my ripe age of 28 (now 31), I’ve also learned that every longing inside of us, though we may not know it at the time, is a deeper longing for Jesus Himself. An emptiness He’s put there that can only be met by His love and mercy.

When we’re dry and weary, we really want Jesus. When we’re discouraged and lonely, we really want Jesus. When we’re hungry and searching for something, anything to sustain us, we really want Jesus. A day is coming when every longing we’ve ever had will be met by Jesus Himself. That alone gives us some joyful expectation and hope.

Instead of slamming an already bruised soul, might we extend some kindness and ministry to those that share with us so tenderly? Let us be the ones to remind them that God really does withhold no good thing, and if He is withholding something, as much confusion and pain as it brings at that time, it is ultimately for our good. We’re all deeply flawed humans just trying to get along with and love other deeply flawed humans. Kind words, tender hugs, and a chance to weep with those who weep goes a long way in a cruel and unkind world.

So to you who have an unmet longing, whether it be a husband you long to share life with, a child you long to bring into your home whether through adoption or naturally, a wound from a relationship that is still so fresh and you’re longing for the redemption of a bruised heart, a longing for a dream or passion to come true that’s laid dormant for years, a longing to do something you’ve been waiting to do, a longing to move up in your career, the longing to grieve something you’ve lost, whatever it is, to you I say: Your longing is safe with Jesus, and I pray you’re longing is safe with us.

You can weep for what has yet come to pass. You can be honest. You can rejoice when that thing for which you’ve prayed so long comes to fruition. You can talk about it in the here and now. You don’t have to talk about an unknown future. Sometimes the hardest question to answer when our lives are spinning is, “What’s next?” We want to know, “What’s now?” What is Jesus doing in you today in the midst of your unmet longing? How has he been faithful to you in the present? Here you have permission to be honest. You have a voice.

Because Jesus cares. Jesus is holding every tear. Every unmet longing. And Jesus is working everything out for your good and for His glory. Lean into him. Do what it takes to trust him, whether that means putting yourself out there or keeping it in the secret parts between you and God. What better time to remind ourselves that Jesus was THE promise to the people 2,000 years ago. The birth of Jesus, the Messiah, is a reminder that the people waited 400 years in silence and God was still faithful. Your longings are not foreign to Him. To you and to myself I will remind us, God is so faithful, dear sister. May He find us faithful in every season.


⁹ O Lord, all my longing is before you;
    my sighing is not hidden from you.
¹⁰ My heart throbs; my strength fails me,
    and the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me.
¹¹ My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague,
    and my nearest kin stand far off.

¹² Those who seek my life lay their snares;
    those who seek my hurt speak of ruin
    and meditate treachery all day long.

¹³ But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear,
    like a mute man who does not open his mouth.
¹⁴ I have become like a man who does not hear,
    and in whose mouth are no rebukes.

¹⁵ But for you, O Lord, do I wait;
    it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.
¹⁶ For I said, “Only let them not rejoice over me,
    who boast against me when my foot slips!”

 Psalm 38:9-16

It took 30 years to learn that?

When a rainstorm ruined each of our plans on Sunday evening, my roommate Cody and I tried to get a little bit creative. What follows is an example of what might happen when two bloggers get bored...

Side note: We only published the entire post on my blog, but you'd be blessed to visit her blog, too! You can see her always gracious words here: http://www.codyandras.com/

At 28 and 29 years old, we (Lindsee and Cody) made a list of 28 and 29 things we’d learned on our separate blogs. So surely, now that we’re 30 and 31, we could collaboratively come up with a list of 60. That's what we naively thought at 5pm on Sunday. As you’ll see, we only got to thirty, and that took us the better part of the Tony Awards. We're not sure what it says about us that these are our thirty life lessons, but we hope you'll enjoy.

1. It’s possible to survive without Blue Bell for an entire summer, but not advisable. (Also, Blue Bell is two words, not one.) 
   
2. Laughing diffuses every situation, for the laughter. (But not necessarily for those around them.) Laughter is either contagious or infuriating.
3. Cody has recently learned what Lindsee has known for a while, that there are song lyrics for every situation in life. (Special thanks to our other roommate Bethany for her impressive talent in this area.)
4. How to respond in the case of severe weather. (At the very least we’ve learned that it’s wise to know when severe weather is actually approaching. Shout out to our Dads who keep us informed!)
5. Boredom is an invitation to spontaneity. (If this joint post goes well, we may attempt more posts where we describe in detail some of our spontaneous adventures that were birthed out of boredom. #latenightlists)

   

   ...like, a Safari Park...

   
6. If God’s aim is to make us more like Himself, He’ll use whatever season or situation we are in to do just that. (We’re all in the same boat.)
7. We’ve learned to do our hair better now than in middle school thanks in large part to technological advances. (ex. The hair wand and the straightener. And we’ve also learned the value of a good hairdryer.) *We apologize for not having photographic evidence of said life lesson. Just trust us.*
8. Nails were created to be painted. (If you wanna know what kind of week we’ve had, just look at our nails. However, we tend be opposites here. Rough nails means Lindsee’s had a rough week; Cody finds a way to keep her nails shiny when nothing else is.)
9. Acne isn’t just for adolescents. (But we’ve individually tried every remedy known to man. And some we thought up on our own. We’re pretty sure it’s the 11^th plague.)
10. Honest Kids juice boxes aren’t just for kids. (Just being honest.)
    
11. We know how to be single. (We’ve been told we excel at it, unfortunately.)
12. Having friends in all different generations enriches life. (We love y’all!)
13. God really is a good, good Father. (Even though sometimes we forget that.)
14. How to efficiently hang things on the wall. (You’re welcome.)
15. Friends that will laugh with you and at you are good to keep around. (They keep you human and remind you not to take things too seriously.)
16. No one can read your mind. (Communication is key.)
17. Change takes time and even good changes are a little bit painful. (And we guess that’s okay. And maybe worth it.)
18. Rodents will not kill you. Neither will reptiles. (Actually some reptiles might. But not the kinds that we’ve encountered. Lindsee’s still working on roaches.)

    

    But still. Their place is outside. 

19. Vulnerability is risky, but it’s worth it. (That took us ten years to come up with.)
20. Homemade popcorn far surpasses bagged popcorn in quality. (And probably won’t kill you as quick.)
    
21. Good friends can have serious conversations about trivial and deep things. (It’s called balance.)
22. Asking the right questions makes all the difference in the world. (This is true of others and of google.)
23. You do not outgrow feeling left out. But you learn to behave better when you do. (Most of the time)
24. “Give credit to whom credit due.” Samuel Adams (See how easy that was?)
25. In case you were curious, it takes a massive jug of windshield wiper fluid to refill your car. (Can be found at your local grocery store.)
    
26. Sometimes it warrants a phone call. (When in doubt, err on the side of calling.)
27. You don’t have to know what to say, you just have to know how and when to listen. (No one is ever offended by your willingness to listen. We should do more of that.)
28. The schemes of the enemy are crafty, yet so obvious. His main goal is to get our attention off of Jesus Christ. (He likes it when our minds wander.)
29. Snail mail never gets old. (Message us for our address. And send us yours, too, please and thank you.)
30. A late-night bowl of cereal is always a good idea. (But a bowl of ice cream might be a better one. Speaking of…)

Bonus lessons from Bethany:

• Did you know that not every cloud has a silver lining? It’s the light behind the cloud that gives them the silver lining. We think there’s a lesson to be learned there, no?
  
• You can take a lot of good pictures by “just pointing and clicking.” (Don’t over think it.)

Now that we’ve over thought this post, goodnight.

School's Out for Summer!

Well, here we are again. My fingers happily typing on a computer that I rarely use to a say hi to a group of friends that I rarely ever say hi to. How rude of me! So many times I’ve thought about just letting go of my blog all together, but though my actions rarely show it, it really is such a happy place for me.  So I’ve resolved myself to blogging when I can and want to and that alone is freedom. Plus, who honestly wants to read about stupid things like missing an Astros baseball game when Craig Biggio clocked in with his 3,000th hit and my family was there to witness it and I was not because I gave my ticket to a friend? AND THEN I FELT THE NEED TO WRTIE AN ENTIRE BLOG POST ABOUT IT. That post was all of two paragraphs. I’m both humored and ashamed.

This evening I had that blogging itch, so I’m here to say HELLO and HAPPY SUMMER.

To paint the scene for you, it’s 7:00PM and I’m showered, wearing comfy clothes, have dinner ready, the CMT awards are playing in the background, and I’m not moving from one of those big white comfy Pottery Barn chairs all night. I’ve hunkered down, for lack of a better word, and it’s been a good while since I’ve had a night like this. I’m very happy.

Last time we “chatted” I introduced you to my new job. Well, I completed year one of said new job! 

This here is a selfie when I arrived on my LAST DAY OF SCHOOL with the students. It felt appropriate! 

Yes, friends, year one of teaching is under my belt and as of tonight my body has finally decided to be very, very tired. Turns out a new school with new co-workers and new students and new work hours and new commutes and new everything can be pretty time consuming and exhausting, so this specific finish line felt like quite the accomplishment! There’s still a little work to be done this summer for the next school year, but for the moment, I’m soaking up a slower schedule and a little bit more freedom. I feel like I’m trying to hold onto summer like the wind, which is impossible, but I’m so afraid of it flying by and not having actually rested for the fall. But I keep reminding myself that though it will fly by, there will also be rest! And the first few weeks always feel a little different as you find your groove. 

With that said, this first week of summer has been a blast! So I thought I’d share a little bit and, gasp, even add a few pictures! That’s my favorite kind of post anyway. The kind with pictures. (I do have some words I’ll probably share about my first year of teaching, but I’ll save those until they’re a little easier to understand and a little less mushy.)

May 31^st was my official last day of school, and after completing my end of the year checklist, I drove myself straight to the Galleria. I didn’t really have any goal in mind, but it felt like fun and freedom. Plus, the Galleria in Houston on a Tuesday night is a DREAM.

I did in fact purchase this top. I'm really into peplum these days!

Here are a few pictures of my classroom this year.

I got home late that evening and promptly fell into bed.

Wednesday I started my day with a walk. What you probably don’t know is that I also moved this year, and a little friend named Clancy was a part of the package. Clancy and I are the best of friends having so much fun together. No one loves a walk more than Clancy, and I’m satisfied with buying love, so I’ll buy her love through walks this summer.

 Currently trying to teach Clancy how to take a selfie. We'll just stick to walking. 

Later that afternoon I packed up and headed to my BFF’s house for an old school sleep over. We proceeded to use A LOT of words, play with Ellie and Jack, Grant cooked dinner for us, we had a glass of wine, and then she tutored me in all things Stella & Dot. Stella & Dot is a jewelry/accessory company that anyone can sign up to sell (kinda like Tupperware except a whole lot cuter), and after hosting a trunk show for Jen about a month ago, she convinced me to sign up as a stylist myself. Summer felt like the best time to do this as a teacher! So, my little business is in it’s beginning stages! You can browse (and buy) their adorable accessories here!

So that’s fun, right?

We went to bed late and I woke up the next morning in their guest room as a 31 year old. How can that be? I’m officially IN MY THIRTIES. I don’t even think I have a lot of words to say about that, I’m still in the early stages of thirties. Laughing.

Ellie somehow convinced Grant to go get Shipleys donuts that morning in which I made all of Ellie’s dreams come true. Again with the buying love thing. I’d do anything to make her dreams come true. We painted nails, ate donuts, facetimed Joanna and Charlie, and had the loveliest morning.

That afternoon I went to the Houstonian with my roommate Cody where we treated ourselves to manicures and pedicures. Talk about LOVELY. It was more like Heavenly.

My lunch view that afternoon.

Later that night I met my mom and brother for some Mexican food, because not eating Mexican food on your birthday in Texas should be illegal. My Dad and little brother were both MIA for legit reasons, so we’ll have a big family lunch this weekend!

Friday night I saw Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, which is now in my top five MUST SEES. Did you all know that SHE wrote (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman? She did. I know a lot of Carole King songs, but I was blown away by a few suprises I did not know she wrote. Like The Locomotion. Yep. Needless to say, it was PHENOMONAL. If the tour lands in your city drop everything and GO.  Early on in the show her character sings It Might as Well Rain Until September, which felt very appropriate seeing as that Houston is currently flooding and the rains keep coming. Thankfully we’ve had a couple of dry days, but for the love, we’re drowning over here. And we could all use a little Vitamin D.

Saturday evening my friends had a little birthday dinner for me at Tinys No.5 and it was DREAMY.  If you’re ever in Houston, you have to dine there at night. It’s romantic in every sense of the word. An added bonus is their cookies. You just have to try one to believe they’re the very greatest in all of Texas. Maybe even the USA.

Here's a little peek inside Tinys. 

Let’s talk about Sunday for a moment. It was a really great, full day until we decided to torture ourselves and see Me Before You. As my roommate says, I felt so sad inside. I don’t think I liked it. I’m very easily entertained and like most everything I see, and while I didn’t hate it, I didn’t love it. I’m curious how the movie and the book compare. Has anyone done both? Mercy.

This week I’ve had dinner with some coworkers, gone up to school to work a bit, worked out, grocery shopped, made dinner, cleaned my room, checked things off the to-do list and slowed down a bit. I’m loving it. 

The roommates and I might have even made a jar with Friday Fun ideas in it!

This summer break? Yeah, I think we’re gonna be real good friends.