grateful for the summer

I think summer has been so good for me. Actually, it's a fact. Summer has been so good for me.

1. My house has been clean for longer than 2 hours. I've been maintaining it rather than mistreating it & then spending an entire day cleaning it back up.

2. I've gotten to house-sit & babysit some... which rarely happened during the school year.

3. I've been able to reflect (BIG TIME) on the good of last year & the not so good. I have read so many different books that have changed my thinking on teaching reading, & I have a plan for 2010-2011.

4. I have been able to take my time organizing my classroom. 30 minutes here, an hour there.... last year, I spent my entire summer decorating alone. This summer, no decorating was needed. I'm in the same classroom. Rather, I've been able to organize in a way that will be useful during the school year. It's wonderful to have some experience under my belt.

5. I have been able to stop & rest. Yes, I used the word "bored" a few weeks ago, and that felt so good! I love being at home & deciding, "Hey, I think I should take my dogs on a walk!" and being able to just go. I have not had a freed-up schedule to do that in many months. Whether I was going, going, going, or flat on my back after teaching my little learners all day, I did not have the will to do anything.

6. Christ is showing me new things as I'm growing in Him. I hate to admit it, but I'm going to be real. My relationship with God plateaued this year. I made teaching my god, & that absolutely breaks my heart looking back. I went to church on Sundays, taught preschool choir on Wednesdays, & I felt like I was just going through the motions. That is no way to love my Savior who gave his life for my sins so that I can spend eternity with him. This summer, when that god was put aside for summer vacation, I saw what I was doing to the real God. He didn't wash his hands clean of me. He could have. He should have. I don't deserve his gift of salvation; however, he waited on me. He knew I'd turn back to Him, & His grace covers me. Next week, I'm leading Super Summer camp, & I'll be working with incoming 12th graders & college freshmen who have never been to this camp before. I'm thrilled. This is my 5th year... spent two years as a student, now three as a leader. I pray the Holy Spirit speaks through me to these teenagers as they begin these new seasons in their lives. I also pray that I will learn more about living my faith on a daily basis. I see my ministry at my school, yes. I see my opportunities within my church, yes, but I feel God tugging on my heart for something more beyond school & teaching preschoolers to sing out to God.

7. My grandmother has had several strokes in the past few weeks & is in the hospital 30 minutes away. My grandfather, who is a wonderful reflection of selflessness & patience, has also gotten sick & will have to be in surgery next week. I have been able to go & be with them, sit with them, & learn through their stories this week. I have always been close to these grandparents, but these struggles that are going on have really put a new perspective on our relationship & how I need to be treasuring these moments I have with them. They are precious, & I am going to try to spend more time visiting with them this year.

8. Boot Camp. Yes, I did it, & I have two more weeks to go until I can say "I survived Boot Camp!!" I have to miss the last week b/c of Super Summer, but I'll be doing my thing in my MC dorm room. :) Boot Camp has gotten me off the couch & into a healthier frame of mind. I thought it would kill me after those first three classes, but it really has gotten better. I have grown stronger (I can start my lawn mower now!) & I am so much more motivated to walk & eat healthier foods. It is also nice to be around the women who are in my class. They are precious & have fantastic stories. :)