Our Deal

I've been listening to Best Coast's "Our Deal" on repeat the last couple of days. Just has that bittersweet summer feel that I'm floating in right now.

I was feeling a little creative, and thus, made myself a background for my computer.

Voila! Have a favorite song for the summer?

Seasons

Hello friends!

After a busy completion to the school year, I spent one week at home, one on Catalina Island at "Chapter Camp" and then 5 weeks having one of the most life-changing experiences I've ever had.

While I would be happy to fill you in totally on my five week cultural exchange, this is not the medium to do so in, so please, let me know if you would like to talk about it! But what I will talk about here is the changes that happened in my mind, in my heart and in my relationship with God.

While my semester was full of really fantastic and fun experiences, I was also struggling with maintaining a long distance relationship, though the distance was not the real issue. This came to a head at the end of the school year, and my boyfriend and I took a 'break' (which is essentially having space to think and process without dating other people). Then, I left for the exchange.

On the trip, I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with God and with people who challenged me to follow and know God more fully. I spent a lot of time in scripture and worship. All in all, it was really inspiring and challenging trip, and some big things changed in my life.

So, the essentials:

Then: I thought I would graduate and then apply for the InterVarsity internship (which would still be awesome!) at my chapter.

Now: I really have a heart for global ministry, and hope to be preparing to move out of the country this time next year.

Then: I thought that I would be married to my boyfriend this time next year.

Now: I realize that our relationship was not all that it could have been, and our differences both in communicating and in our goals led to me ending the relationship.

Then: I was vulnerable in conversations or ways that made me seem like I had it all together.

Now: I'm real. I'm not perfect and I don't have to be. It's all good.

All in all? This summer is the best I've ever had. Can you believe it?

How is your summer so far?

100 in 2010: Progress Four!

As you might have noticed, 2010 has ended...

But I slacked off a little on getting my list updated! I have in fact done many of the things on the list, so I figured this post could start to sum up the things that I did manage to get done before this year began.

I did complete #1, buy board shorts. Not really complicated, but let me tell you, Old Navy had some really cute ones!

I finished #3, make an entire dinner on my own! I borrowed Jordan's delicious recipe and made it for my family. It was so good. (Have you seen her Community video?) (I'm shameless.)

Knocked out #7 though I actually started spending money more responsibly this semester, not last year. I canceled my meal plan ($1690 per semester!) and I've been tracking my spending and saving receipts. It's actually quite satisfying.

I'll leave it at that for now. Don't want to overwhelm anything!

Any lists of your own to complete?

Photo of the Week: Chillin'

Anybody else feeling the summer heat a little too strong lately?

Here's where I'd like to be:

Sans English-major-eating Polar Bear, preferably.

Stay cool, friends.

Stephanie