Currently

I'm currently sitting at my brother's house, watching my niece playing. Her new favorite word is "hey," said while she waves with an excited grin on her face :)

I'm currently watching M*A*S*H. I've always liked this show. 

I'm currently happy that all of my family is finally well. Every one of them have been "taking turns" being sick since I've gotten here this summer. And thankfully all of them are finally well. Praise Jesus for healing!

I'm currently thinking back to God's provision from this past weekend. At the beginning of last week I was looking at the calendar a little bummed, knowing I had tried and tried, but still didn't have any services scheduled for this past Sunday. By Friday night, though, I had two scheduled. Isn't it so cool how God works things out? :)

I'm currently looking forward to seeing the new Monster's Inc movie tomorrow. I've decided that I'm just a kid at heart :)

I'm currently eating a S'mores cookie. ...so yummy!

I'm currently liking the latest necklace I bought. It's a pretty one. ...simple, but pretty. It says the word, "believe" and I truly believe God led me to buy it. He's been dealing with me quite a bit on believing in Him and trusting Him to do what He said He'd do.

I'm currently finishing up my latest newsletter. I'm hoping to have it finished and in the mail by next week.

I'm currently grateful for the blessings of true friends in my life. I saw a quote the other day on how rare true friends are and it made me realize once more just how blessed I am in this department. Thank you God for this gift.

I'm currently looking forward to tomorrow. I'm taking my parents out for a late Father's Day present to their (and my) favorite seafood place. Since they were both sick on Father's Day, we had to postpone our meal.

I'm currently counting down 'til our family vacation. 4 more weeks! I can't wait :)

The 67th Dear ____ Post

Dear Dinner with Friends, I got to enjoy you earlier this week. It was so nice getting together with fellow Africa workers, eating a delicious meal, and being able to spend time chatting and catching up on each other's lives. 

Dear Pumping Gas, I really don't enjoy you. I think it'd be nice if every gas station would offer full service. Boo to that not existing in Alabama.

Dear Monster's University, You're the prequel to the movie, Monster's Inc. and you came out in theaters this weekend. I'm going to see you one day next week. Is it sad that I'm excited about going to see a kid movie? :)

Dear Greensboro, Alabama, You're where I'm headed tomorrow morning to speak. You're also the city where I was born. Talk about going back to your roots :)

Dear Telling People About Senegal and DA, I enjoy you so much. I'm so passionate about the calling God has placed on my life. And it makes me so incredibly happy to share about that calling. 

Dear Dakar, I'm homesick for you. I'm loving my time here and wouldn't trade it for anything, but at the same time, I find myself getting more and more homesick for you...

Dear July, You're going to be my busiest month this summer. I've got services lined up for almost every weekend and many during the week too. I've got three road trips to make, going to three different states. My family's going on vacation towards the end of the month. Right after that is our family vacation. And I've got to fit in shopping for supplies to take back to Dakar with me. ...not to mention spending time with family and friends. Am I going to be super busy? Yes - definitely. But would I trade one minute of it? Nope. I really do love the busy-ness :)

Dear Mulan, I bought you the other day to take back to Dakar with me. Just so you know... You're one of my favorite Disney movies. 

Dear Florala, Alabama. You're where I'm headed next weekend. I still can't believe I've been out of school 10 years now. It'll be nice seeing classmates again, some of which I haven't seen since our high school graduation. 

Dear Eye Doctor and Dentist, I made appointments to visit both of you --- Not having vision or dental insurance isn't that great. Here's hoping that I don't go broke visiting your offices...

Dear Rental Car, I'll be picking you up next Friday. You're going to put a big dent in the balance on my credit card. Boo to that... :(

Dear Paula Deen, Not that my opinion matters all that much, but I'm really disappointed in you. White Southerners already have a bad reputation in other places in the world. So many people assume that because we're white and from the South, we must be racist. ...which is sooo not true. Then you have to go and make a stupid, racist comment and then give, what sounded like, a totally insincere apology afterwards. It makes me sad...

Thankful Thursday (...posted on a Friday)

Sometimes it's the little things in life that stick out in your mind the most. For this week's post, I'm highlighting some of the little things I've been thankful for since arriving back in America for my summer vacation, such as...

- being able to sleep in A/C every night.

- ordering ice water at restaurants and not having to worry about their filtering process.

- having access to a car that's an automatic.

- finding a magnet with one of my "life quotes" on it to take back to Dakar.

- finding things I need for Dakar on sale.

- constant electricity.

- constant running water.

- free WIFI at a lot of restaurants.

- getting together with friends.

- fruits and vegetables that don't have to be soaked in bleach water before being eaten.

- an email from a friend coming right when you need a pick-me-up the most.

- a song coming on the radio with a message from God for exactly what you're dealing with right now.

- buying jeans 2 sizes smaller (that fit) than what you were wearing a few months ago.

- seeing that Master's diploma and knowing all those late nights were worth it.

- eating my mom's good ol' Southern home cooking.

- being able to hold, feed, play with, rock to sleep, spend time with, etc. my niece.

Currently

I'm currently frustrated with my car. I realize it's getting old, but I really didn't think she'd be that bad this summer. It looks like a rental car is going to have to make an appearance real soon.

I'm currently looking for just a couple more services to fill my summer schedule. I'm so thankful for the opportunities I've already been given. And I look forward to more coming. It's so awesome getting to share my love for Senegal and Dakar Academy with people here at home.

I'm currently happy that I found not one, but two swimsuits I liked on sale this past weekend. Swimsuit shopping is typically an area of shopping I detest, but this time... This time, it wasn't that bad :)

I'm currently enjoying being so close to friends/co-workers I haven't seen in a while. Yay for some of my favorite fellow Alabama missionaries being so close :)

I'm currently happy about finding a hard copy of the Circle Maker's 40 Day Prayer Challenge. I've been reading it electronically, which was ok. But I'm looking forward to being able to write ad highlight and make (hard copy) notes. I'm currently rereading the book of Isaiah. I'm learning so much from this book of the Bible.

I'm currently looking forward to spending the day with my mom and my aunt tomorrow :) I'm currently listening to my mom talking to my niece. They're chatting about all sorts of things. It must be interesting because my niece is giggling up a storm :)

I'm currently watching The Food Network. There really is a lot of filth on t.v. these days, making it sometimes hard to find something good and clean to watch. But the Food Network is always a nice choice.

I'm currently being asked when I'm going to "settle down" or when I'm going to "finally get married" so I don't "end up an old maid." I just love (insert sarcasm sign here) little old ladies giving me this relationship advice. It's soooooo awesome (not). Seriously, it happens every time I come back to the States and is honestly a little annoying...

I'm currently missing Dakar. I love being in the States. I love being with my family. I love knowing I've got some fun things planned for this summer. But at the same time, I'm still feeling that bit of homesickness for Dakar...

I'm currently finishing up this post so I can run to town with my dad. We're going to pick up a few things for my mom and then I'm going to check out a fun clothing store in town. And maybe we can stop by Starbucks before coming back too :)

The 66th Dear _____ Post

Dear Washington D.C. and New York City, I've always dreamed of visiting the two of you and finally got the chance earlier this week. You definitely didn't disappoint. Thanks for providing me with such a fun vacation :)

Dear Embarrassing Story, Oh my word! Do I have a doozy of you! And while I'm talking about it... Dear guy sitting in front of me on my flight from DC to Atlanta, I am so so so sorry. Thanks for being so nice about what happened. 

Dear Daisy (my niece), It's been 6 months since I last saw you. You're now 10 months old but still as cute as ever. I was so worried that you might be shy or think of me as a stranger and not want to come to me at the airport, but it was quite the opposite. You came right to me, giving me the most adorable grin ever, and then laid your sweet head on my shoulder. Can we say melt my heart? Oh my goodness... :)

Dear Coke, You don't taste as good in America.

Dear 3:30 a.m. Wake up Call, You stink. ...especially when it's because someone I love is sick and needing to go to the emergency room.

Dear First Service of the Summer, I have you scheduled for tomorrow morning. It's going to be an extra special one for a few reasons. 1) I always love getting to share my heart for Senegal and for Dakar Academy. 2) It's Father's Day and I'm actually going to be able to be on church with my own dad. 3) I'm speaking at my grandparents' church.  

Dear Driving, I've missed you. It's nice to be able to enjoy you again. ...especially with my iPod plugged in playing the soundtrack of my life :)

Dear Future, I've been thinking quite a bit about you. ...wishing God would fill  me in on you. 

Dear Wishing on a Star, I wish you worked...

Dear Praying Hard, You're what I'm doing about a situation I'm dealing with right now. God is teaching me something and I don't necessarily know what that is yet. But the one thing I do know is that God wants me to spend more time with Him in regards to it. So God, thank you for whatever it is you're teaching me in this. Thank you for always knowing what's best for me, even when I'm confused and impatient. 

Dear Master of Education Diploma, I received you in the mail earlier this week. I'm so thankful for God helping me achieve that. 

Dear Love, It's amazing to me at times just how much of you I can feel about this little cutie. I hate the knowledge that I'll be so far away from my niece for the majority of her life. But I absolutely cherish and adore the time I have with her when I'm here. 

Currently...

I'm currently typing this while my niece is taking a nap.

I'm currently thankful for the blessing of the mini vacation I just had. I got to explore parts of the country I've never been to. I got to hang out with a family I hadn't seen in over 10 years. I got to just "let my hair down" and relax before starting this busy summer I've got planned. I got to totally enjoy myself. It was awesome and I am so thankful/grateful for God blessing me with this opportunity

I'm currently looking for a gym. I'd like to join one for the summer. It's proving to be more difficult to find one than I thought, though.

I'm currently rereading Draw the Circle by Mark Batterson. It's a 40 day prayer challenge in which you "draw a circle" around the prayer you've been praying. I enjoyed it when I did it before. And I'm looking forward to doing it again and seeing what God has in store for me at the end of it.

I'm currently trying to schedule a couple more services for this summer. That's also proving to be more difficult than I thought...

I'm currently planning a couple mini road trips for later this summer. New Orleans and Memphis, I'll be visiting y'all soon :)

I'm currently clinging to the promises of Jeremiah 29:11. I'm so thankful that God has a plan for my life!

The 65th Dear ____ Post - (A.K.A. The "Leavin' on a Jet Plane..." version)

Dear Airplane, I'll be boarding you tonight. And after around 8 hours of flying and a layover in Paris, France, I'll be landing in Washington D.C. and starting a mini vacation with friends that live in the area. I'm so excited for that vacation! Oh my goodness... :)

Dear Paris, I'll be visiting you (...just the airport) for a 4 hour layover tomorrow morning. What will I be doing with my time? After dealing with security, customs, and anything else like that, I'll be getting an overpriced, but nice pain au chocolat for breakfast. There's nothing like eating a yummy French pastry in France :)

Dear Dakar, I'll miss you while I'm gone. Try not to get too ridiculously hot and humid for the people that are here this summer. Give them a little break, ok.

Dear Yearbook, I've been so busy since you came in last week that I haven't had time to look at you. Therefore, you're going to be my first choice of reading on the plane.

Dear Excitement, You're what I feel over the mini vacation I'm taking on my way home. I'm so excited to hang out with friends I haven't seen in a long time and to be able to explore parts of the U.S. I've never seen.

Dear Family, It's weird to know that I'll be landing in the States tomorrow, but won't be seeing you 'til next week. I can't wait to see you though!! :)

Dear President Obama, Since I'll be visiting the city where you work, I think you should let me stop in for a visit. P.S. You're going to be visiting Dakar later this month. When you do, you need to make a stop at a place called N'ice Cream and order the obama flavored ice cream. It's awesome! You won't regret it :)

Dear To Do List, Everything has finally been checked off of you. Now I think I'll take a nap before dinner :)

Dear Goodbyes, I've said it before and I'll say it again. You stink! I didn't realize how hard some of you would be. Boo to goodbyes :(

Dear Life, It's "funny" how you work out sometimes. You bring people and events into our lives that totally change things. Sometimes you're difficult and confusing and even painful. But sometimes... Sometimes, you're refreshing and fun and exciting and full of awesomeness. Life can be a bit of a roller coaster. I'm so thankful for the life God's given me with all the highs, lows, twists, and turns it includes. And I'm looking forward to what's next...

Currently...

I'm currently realizing that I only have 3 more days 'til I leave for summer break. I know I say it a lot, but it's true. This year has just flown by!

I'm currently sitting in my classroom, thinking how quiet it is without those 8 students in here. It's actually a little sad... :(

I'm currently taking a break from curriculum work on my computer. This stuff is adding major stress to my life...

I'm currently grateful for the A/C in my classroom. It's so incredibly hot and humid in Dakar right now. It's nice to have reprieve from that yucky-ness.

I'm currently enjoying the feeling of freedom that has come with letting go of a situation I was worrying about. It was such a weight off my shoulders when I was able to simply let it go.

I'm currently dreading having to start packing. I really, really, really do not like it. Can I hire somebody to do that for me? :)

I'm currently thinking about a devotion I read last week. Abraham had to wait. Joseph had to wait. Many people had to wait. But God came through for them in the end. God blessed them as a result of their patience and obedience. God blessed others as a result of their patience and obedience. And I'm thinking that I need to try to act a little more like those guys...

I'm currently sad about leaving Dakar. It's a little bittersweet. Of course I'm excited to see my family and get back to the States for a visit. But I'm a little sad at what I'm leaving behind...

I'm currently out of ideas for this post, so I guess that means it's back to work :)

The 64th Dear ____ Post

Dear Bleach, You don't mix well with nice black dresses. And yes, I almost cried when I saw the results of that mixture.

Dear 2012-2013 School Year, You finished yesterday. And I only got teary eyed a few times yesterday. I was pretty impressed with myself :)

Dear 27 Dresses, I watched you with some friends last night. You are definitely one of my top movies. I can quote parts of you I've seen you so many times. I love watching you!

Dear Market Shopping, I did you today. I was able to get a few gifts to take back to the States with me. I'm thankful for a successful, enjoyable trip. And I got to practice my French a little today, so that was nice too.

Dear Life, Sometimes you can be confusing. Sometimes I question why certain things happen the way they do, because sometimes you just don't make sense. Sometimes you're just downright hard. But you know, you're not always bad. I'm thankful that during the times of confusion and doubt, I can look ahead to the future... I'm thankful that I can have the hope of my Savior, who I know will eventually turn things around.

Dear Frustrated, You're how I feel about a certain situation right now. It's a hard one with no simple answer. It's times like this that I wish God would send answers on a billboard, or something equally ginormous. Too bad that doesn't happen...

Dear Steak, I bought you for the first time (while in Africa). You looked pretty good too. Why have I not done this before??? :)

Dear Goodbyes, You stink. I realize you're a part of my job that will never change. But man do I despise you...