What's Up June

It's the last Wednesday in June, so it's time for this month's What's Up Wednesday post.

Aren't you excited? :)

 

Today I'm linking up with  Mel, Shay, and Sheaffer for this month's What's Up Wednesday post.

Every month we answer the same questions based on how things are currently going in our lives. The questions are...

 

What am I eating this week?

My mom and I have driven a little over 1200 miles in the past 6 days and will drive about that same amount by the time we get back home next week. That makes for a lot of drive-thru visits...

 

What am I reminiscing about? 

We  were just in Kansas. So I was reminiscing about the summer I visited my parents there. My parents were pastoring a church there and my dad was so very excited to show me all around the city and to introduce me to their church members and their friends. Ah... Memories :)

 

What am I loving?

I'm loving having so much time with my Mama :)

 

What have I been up to?

One of my bestest (yes, I know that's not a word) friends came for a visit last week! I may or may not have been super excited! ;)

 

What am I dreading?

I'm already dreading the goodbyes that'll come next month. Because while I am definitely looking forward to going back to Africa, it's still so hard to leave...

 

What am I working on? 

Raising the rest of my missions support (my "budget")... I've spoken at 5 churches already and still have 1 more scheduled. It makes for a lot of traveling, which can be tiring at times. But I love getting to meet so many new people and getting to share my heart for Senegal and for Dakar Academy too!

 

What am I excited about?

As much as I'm dreading the goodbyes that'll be coming next month, I am still very excited to get back to Dakar. I'm going to be spending quite a bit of time with some pretty cool MKs and also planning ahead for 5th grade.

 

What am I watching?

I haven't been watching much TV at all. The most I've watched has been cartoons with my nieces :)

 

What am I reading?

I've been reading through this stack of books, writing out plans for lessons and activities for Kids Club next year. I can't wait!

 

What am I listening to?

I've been driving quite a bit thanks to speaking at a church in Kansas and then having meetings in Missouri. So I'm thankful this car has a way to connect my phone and listen to my own music. My mom (AKA...my roadtrip buddy) however may not appreciate my music choices :)

 

What am I wearing?

I bought these shoes at a local thrift store a few days after landing. They were brand new, but only $2.99! They're super cute and comfy too! I see them getting a lot of use...especially now that my morning walk to work won't include ankle deep sand ;)

 

What am I doing this weekend?

I'm in Springfield, Missouri for a few days of training/meetings. 

 

What am I looking forward to next month?

I'm looking forward to spending more time with family, listening to my mom speak at her church, then my last speaking engagement at a church my dad pastored when I was little, a teacher's conference in Mobile, and getting back to Dakar (and the kids program I'll be leading when I get back).

What else is new?

I've lost about 10 pounds since leaving for Senegal in February. And that's while not even trying. So now that I'm actually trying, I'm hoping for even more. Oh and I got a haircut a couple weeks ago... That probably helped me lose a few pounds ;)

 

 

And each month, there's a special question. This month's question is...

What's your favorite 4th of July tradition?

My family has always grilled out on the 4th of July. But since my mom and I will be driving between 11 and 12 hours that day, heading home, I think we'll have to settle for someone else doing the cooking that day :)

One thing is for sure... I'll be wearing my red, white, and blue. 

Happy (early) Birthday USA!

 

#theauntlife

 

Zizzie

That's my aunt name.

It's the name my oldest niece said when she couldn't pronounce Lizzie (my nickname). And it stuck. 

And honestly... It's definitely one of my most favorite roles in life. 

But do you want to know which part of #theauntlife is tough for me?

Being an aunt that lives so far away is tough. 

...really tough!

You miss birthdays and Christmases. 

You miss fun outings and babysitting opportunities. 

You miss seeing first teeth and first steps. 

You miss all the little changes as they grow.

Sure you get the occasional picture or video, but it's just not the same.

You wonder if they'll remember you the next time you visit or if they'll think you're a stranger and try to hide from this person they haven't seen for a year.

It's hard.

But you keep doing what you're doing because what better lesson could you teach them than following the call of God no matter how difficult it might be...

And you continue to text and email and stay up to date on their lives from afar thanks to the little videos and pictures sent to you by their parents.

You fill your home with their pictures.

You count the days 'til you see them again. 

For an aunt living far away, that's just life.

It's #theauntlife for me.

 

Red, White, and Blue

 

Today I'm linking up with Andrea and Erika and chatting about RED, WHITE, and BLUE.

I thought about doing something super clever and talk about a few different red things, a few different blue things, and a few different white things. 

But you know...

My mind kept going back to one thing.

This flag...

 

I think about what this flag stands for.

 

I'm thankful for men and women who have sacrificed their lives to keep my family, friends, myself, and my home country safe.

 

I'm thankful for the men and women still fighting for our freedom.

 

I'm thankful for the freedom I have...

 

I'm thankful to be from a country who offers freedom of religion.

 

I'm thankful to be from a country where I, as a woman, have the right to vote AND be equal to men.

 

I'm thankful for the support available and presence of my embassy in the country God called me to all those years ago.

 

I'm thankful for the RED, WHITE, and BLUE.

 

My home country may have its struggles. It may be facing political and moral dilemmas right now. It may not be perfect.

But its not all bad.

Y'all, I'm proud to be an American.

And I'm proud to call the RED, WHITE, and BLUE mine :)

 

Lessons Learned with Nieces

Sometimes you just need a hug.

 

Being lazy can be a good thing.

 

Making silly faces is fun.

 

 

 

Why be serious?! Lighten up.

 

The world is a much better place with your buddy by your side.

 

 

The dollar store can provide the best prizes for the lowest cost.

 

Even when you get caught in the rain, and feel like a drowned rat, still smile.

 

 

Laughter is good for the soul.

 

 

Sometimes a girl just needs some caffeine :)

 

Snack time is happy time.

 

 

Toys are expensive. Just give a child a box.

 

Nap time is amazing.

 

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

 

Life is short. Color outside the lines.

 

Girls love flowers.

 

There is little sweeter than a child holding your hand.

 

A child's imagination can turn a yellow nightgown into a wig and instantly make her Rapunzel.

 

Always make your visitors feel welcome.

 

Joy can come simply by being with the ones you love.