Summer: slow down!

It is hard to believe that I have been home from Belize for about two weeks now.  Where has the time gone?!  Summer, please don't run away!!


On a more positive note though, I am accomplishing some tasks on my summer list... 


Spend time with Family and Friends | I love catching up with people and just enjoying life together.  Corey's aunt and uncle came and stayed with us for a week - such a blessing!  I got to catch up with one of my friends from high school the other day ~ lunch at McAlister's [yum!] and some shopping for projects [curtains and paints for her, scrapbook stuff for me].  I also got to see a lot of my family recently... My great-great-aunt passed away Tuesday morning... It is sad to see her go, but it is comforting because she is no longer in pain.  And I was able to go with my cousin to see our family.  I'm looking forward to more time with family and friends as we celebrate our country this next week.  


Wedding Scrapbook | The goal has finally been started... well continued.  I started shortly after our wedding collecting some pictures and items I would want included.  This past week I finally started putting the scrapbook together.  It has been fun to think back to the days of just friends, dating, engagement, and the wedding.  Maybe I can finish it this summer!  After all, there are plenty of other pictures and events that need to make their way into a scrapbook soon too.  


Classes Next Year | Yes, it is only June.  Yes, I have started working on school stuff for next year.  Now, don't get too worried, I've only spent about half a day on school stuff so far.  There is much more I want to get done before August though.  It's just hard to focus on school in June.  


Update Pictures |  I am still working on this one.  We still have several pictures/frames that we need to hang.  I want to try to put more pictures of family and friends in some of those frames though.  I don't want just our faces all over the house.  lol 


Read Books |  I haven't read much since my last post.  There's been way too much running around for all of that.  


Clean House |  Our house is half-way decent, at least to me.  No, it's not sparkling clean or perfect or anything.  But, mostly everything has a place.  And for the most part the house has stayed fairly clean day-to-day... bed made, dishes washed and put away, things picked up, etc.  And, I must say, I'm loving it!  I also love that we're accomplishing some of our "bigger" house projects.  There are still many things we want to do, but it is such a blessing to be able to get some things done. 


Summer Sun |  The summer sun got me pretty good yesterday while I was mowing.  So today I have stayed inside or in the shade as much as possible.  However, this evening my goal is to finish the lawn... hopefully the sun will be down or close to it!  My sunburned legs are not very appreciative right now.  My fair skin must lather up in sunscreen!  :) 


Well, I'm going to quit boring you now... and let you enjoy some pictures from Belize. 

our group

glass bottom boat - you could see the fish, sharks, sting rays, etc swimming beneath

Snorkeling - seeing God's beautiful creation

Mayan Ruins - Altun Ha

Embassy Mission Hotel - our residence for the week 

Hanging out at "The Blue Hole"

Spreading gravel at the church to help prevent flooding.

It was such a blessing to serve in Belize - a beautiful country with some amazing people!! 






Hopefully, my next post will be a little more focused and a little less random. 


Until next time, 
Enjoy summer!! 

Catching Up

This week has been a week of catching up.  Life has been busy since the last time I blogged.

First of all, I had the joy of hosting a BeautiControl Spa back at the beginning of the month.  Some great ladies came over and we enjoyed being pampered.  I am so glad I decided to set apart a night for relaxing with some good friends and family.  And, don't worry, the husband enjoyed an afternoon of golfing and goofing off.  :)

The next week was Vacation Bible School at our church.  It was a fun week at Amazing Wonders Aviation!  I had the honor and responsibility of leading the Missions class for the 1st-5th graders alongside my husband.  It is fun and exciting to learn about missions around the world with the kids.  It is even more encouraging when they recognize how they can do missions at home and how they can help others around the world through prayer and sending supplies.  Such a blessing!

The next week (last week) I was out of the country on a mission trip.  We went to Belize!  There were 19 people on the mission team - a lot of different ages - children, middle school youth, high school graduates, college students, and various adults.  Last week was amazing!  Words cannot completely express everything from the week.  So when I get my pictures off my camera, I will be sure to share.  But there are a few things I want to share now...
* Creation is beautiful.  God created every thing we see.  In Belize, we saw the cities, the Caribbean Sea, the Cayes, the water, the animals, the plants, the countryside, the mountains, the woods, etc.  Belize is a beautiful country.  I love the outdoors.  It's so exciting to see God's work... especially different countries.
* The people in Belize are very friendly.  They speak English and live a lot like we do in the States.  Many of the people in Brazil do struggle financially, but it doesn't seem to change their outlook on life. Nor should it.  Our happiness/attitude should not be based in our material things.  Rather we should overflow with Christ's love, joy, kindness.  The Belizean people know about Jesus and God; however, not everyone has a relationship with Jesus - again, very much like the States.  We were able to meet a lot of people throughout the week.  Some for the week and others for only a moment, but each person was unique and able to teach/remind us.
* I was pushed to grow, to lead, to follow.  We are responsible for certain things and it is important that we take care of our responsibilities - whether we're serving in a foreign country or living our day to day lives.  It is such an encouragement to have others to push you, help you, and encourage you as you go through life.  I'm so thankful for the team that went as well as the people we met in Belize.
** As I said before, pictures from Belize will be coming soon (hopefully).  As I share the pictures, I also hope to share a little bit more about the trip.

This week I have been trying to catch up... on sleep, on laundry, on cleaning, on church, on school... you name it and I have probably tried to catch up a little bit.  I am very thankful that I was able to sleep in earlier this week.  My body was exhausted from the previous weeks.

Well, needless to say, I am glad to be back home... thankful for the opportunity to serve in Belize... hoping to blog more regularly this summer - among my various plans for the next month or so.

Until next time,
Be sure to relax and find rest in this craziness we call life!