Adventures Down the Red Dirt Road: Summer is Almost Over?

Somehow the summer days and nights have slipped away, and we are already into the middle of August. When I think of this time, I think of getting ready to go back to school. Well, as an elementary teacher, this is exactly what I planned on doing. Through the entire spring semester, my last semester at Taylor, I heard the question, "What are you going to do?." This question drove me crazy...at least I thought it did. It did not compare to how I feel now when I am asked that same question 3 months down the road. All summer I have been spending my days applying to any school I can find in Ohio, Indiana, some in North Carolina, and even one in West Virginia. Earlier this summer I got interviewed for a Kindergarten position in Akron, Ohio which would be close to home. It seemed like it was a great opportunity, and I got a second interview. I felt so good about it and thought there would be a good chance I would get the job. I remember thinking how amazing it would be to start working on preparing my classroom, lessons, and most of all....I would have security. This word has been a huge learning process this summer. Needless to say, I did not get the job. I was second out of 150+ applicants...but I did not get it. Another door closed and again...no security.

I have realized how much I want security in my life. This has been a surprise to me because I feel like I am a "go with the flow" kinda girl. However, with more friends landing jobs...and husbands...I feel myself craving just something to have that I can call mine and lean on that won't close or fall apart. To some this probably sounds so silly, but it truly was wearing me down...until I broke. Thankfully, I was reminded through scripture and through amazing friends and family that God is still all that I need. It's funny...well kind of sad too...to me how quickly we forget things that God teaches us in our lives. There have been countless times in my life that things looked dismal and hopeless but God has always shown His face and brought me from darkness into light. I look back on these past situations and think how silly I was to worry when God knew all along what was best for me. I believe that soon I will look back on this waiting for a job experience and feel the same.

Besides job searching, I have been up to a few other things this summer. One major highlight was going to Philadelpia on a missions trip with my church's youth group. This trip was unique because it was my first state side missions trip and it was also my first time as a leader. I was looking forward to both aspects. Truthfully, I went into the trip thinking that I was there to learn as a leader and that my eyes probably wouldn't be opened that much...afterall, I have been to Burkina Faso and so many other hurting countries. It was just like our God to totally blow me away and open my eyes in SO many ways. One thing that God really taught me through this trip was humilty. This probably isn't surprising considering my pre-trip thoughts. The first night in Philly God started showing me how selfish I am even in ministry. I love ministry, and I love people. However, many times without even thinking, I choose which ministry and which person/people that I want to love. I seldom allow God to set this up. There were a lot of times in Philly that I wanted to jump in and be where the action was...especially with the Vacation Bible School. As I love kids and am experienced, I wanted to work one-on-one with them. But that wasn't where God wanted me. He wanted me to allow the youth students to reap that joy and to be changed by the kids. It was amazing how when I allowed God to work this way...the way He intended...I was able to experience so much joy in a new way. God continued to show me that I cannot be selfish in ministry throughout the trip. My favorite part of the trip was ministering on Kenzington Avenue. This is one of the roughest spots in Philly. As you can imagine, sheltered Amanda was really out of place. As I walked these streets I realized that I have seen a ton of things in my travels...but that was mainly due to poverty. This was different...this was total darkness. I cannot explain the darkness...it just existed. It was in the air, and it was in the faces of those we talked with. In my twenty-two years in the church, I have never felt the desire to want to share about the Lord more than I did this week. After just sitting on the side of the street talking with a homeless person or huging someone with multiple diseases, I realized that they need nothing on this earth...they ONLY need the Lord. I am so thankful that I was able to make some relationships with these precious people who the Lord loves just as much as me and you. I will always remember their faces and their eyes. Even in this darkness, Jesus is there. He just appears hidden with all the sin. But He is not. He is alive. And I know that little by little that street will experience light. What a joy it will be when some of these people are worshipping beside me in heaven.

Okay...I will not make this next part as long! Other than all of the above stuff...this summer has been filled with family. If you know me...you know that nothing on this earth makes me happier than being with my family! This summer has truly been a gift from God to be a family and to enjoy one another and just laugh. Some highlights have included: swimming and sunbathing with Bri, late night dollar theatre runs with Eddie, visits with my grandparents, hugs and smiles from my little Dylan (my nephew), jamming sessions with dad, heart to hearts and quality time with mom, weekend visits from Jack and Andrea (Bri's girlfriend and her 4 year old son), and most of all...just "being" a family.

So, that is my summer recap. Here are a few pictures. Thanks for reading! I will make sure to update this when God opens up a door. I know He will. :)

Jack and I swimming! Or should I say floating? :)