Currently

I'm currently sitting at a local fast food restaurant bumming their free wifi until it's time to go to the dentist so he can finish the work he started yesterday.

I'm currently happy with my new (improved) smile. So I know once everything's finished today, I'll really love it!

I'm currently experiencing a minor reaction to the lidocaine injections they gave in my mouth yesterday. ...so doesn't feel good :( But it'll be worth it in the end. I know it.

I'm currently listening to a guy a few tables over talking on the phone. He's ridiculously loud. I wonder why people do that... Do they not care if everyone around them can hear their conversation? I don't get it...

I'm currently full from breakfast. I had the joy of treating my grandparents and my dad to breakfast this morning. I love getting together with them, hearing stories of "days gone by," and talking about the Lord.

I'm currently thankful for the rich, Christian heritage I have. I feel so blessed to have grown up with such incredible role models, in my parents and grandparents. ...such a blessing!

I'm currently counting down 'til a few dates. There are 4 days 'til my niece's first birthday party, and me leaving for my trip to Orlando. There are 6 days 'til my birthday. There are 8 days 'til my niece's first birthday. There are 10 days 'til I leave for Dakar. I could probably go on and on...

I'm currently looking forward to my trip to Orlando. My mom and I are going to get the chance to go on a road trip together and spend some awesomely valuable time together. And I'll get to go to General Council and hang out with some A/G buddies. All in all, it's going to be a great trip. And I can't wait! :)

I'm currently excited about getting the chance to visit Animal Kingdom while in Orlando. A super sweet person is paying for the tickets for my mom and I to go. I've always wanted to go. Plus I figure this'll be the closest to Africa I'll ever get my mom, so I'm going to live it up :)

I'm currently double-checking my shopping list. Tomorrow, I'll be shopping for the last of the supplies I need to take back to Dakar with me. Here's hoping for good sales and finding everything on my list.

The 71st Dear _____ Post

The 71st Dear ____ Post

Dear Road Trip Playlist on iPod, You've been a nice accompaniment to the many road trips I've taken this summer. Thanks for providing an eclectic blend of music for me to enjoy on all those long drives I've been making.

Dear Daisy (my niece), I have so enjoyed being on vacation with you (and the rest of our family) this past week. You are such an incredibly happy baby. You just love life and your adorable smile is contagious! 

Dear Memphis, I visited you for the first time the week before last and I really enjoyed  my trip. The sights, the BBQ, the people... They were all nice and helped make my vacation to you a good one.

Dear Family Vacation, I got to experience you this past week when my parents, brother & sister-in-law and niece, and myself rented a cabin at Gulf Shores State Park for the week. I so enjoyed myself and know I'll cherish the memories made for a long long time! I'm so thankful for the blessing of this past week being spent with my family!

Dear One Year Old, You're how old my niece will be turning in a week and a half. It seems like just yesterday I got the phone call saying she'd been born. Now she's walking and talking and is the most lovable, adorable, awesome little girl ever!

Dear Family Reunion, You're what I went to earlier today. I always love going because I feel like I'm making up for lost time since I spend more time away from family than around them due to living overseas. So I consider it a definite blessing getting to see (almost) all of my relatives in one place, all laughing and talking together.

Dear Tennis Shoes, I bought a new pair of you last week since my pair "died" right before leaving Dakar. Thanks for 1) being on sale 2) being comfy 3) being cute.

Dear Applications for A Husband, Someone recently told me (jokingly of course) that I should start taking you. Hmm...

Dear 2 Weeks Exactly, You're how long it is before I land back in Dakar. While I'm incredibly excited to get back, it's still hard thinking about all those goodbyes I'm going to have to be saying soon.

Dear Goodbyes/See Ya Laters, I've said it before and will say it again. You stink...

Dear Orlando, You're where I'm headed next week. My mom and I are going on a road trip! 

Dear Last Wal-Mart and Target Run, I'll be making you Thursday since I'll have to be finished shopping and packing before my trip to Orlando. Here's hoping for good sales so I don't break the bank :)

Dear Proverbs 16:20, You're referenced on a t-shirt I bought the other day. I've decided to do my absolute best to start living my life with you as my motto.

Dear New Devotional, I got you earlier this week. I'm planning to start you next week when the one I'm currently using is finished. I can't wait. You look like you're going to be really good.

Dear Packing, I'm going to start you tomorrow. I've put you off long enough.

Dear Tuesday, You're my 4 year anniversary of landing in Dakar. Where has the time gone? 

Currently

I'm currently staying in Gulf Shores, Alabama with my family. 5 adults and an 11 1/2 month old in a cabin for a week... I'm loving it!!! :)

I'm currently enjoying all this time with my family, because I know I leave in just 18 days and then it'll be at least 10 months before seeing them again.

I'm currently still full from lunch. We ate at Lambert's in Foley, AL for lunch today. There's nothing like good ol' Southern home cooking. Yum!

I'm currently happy with how the cake I made turned out. It's a Ding Dong cake and I got the recipe from my aunt. It looks soooo tasty. I can't wait to try it :)

I'm currently glad we got to meet up with good friends today for lunch. These people are more like family, than friends, though. I'm so grateful for people like them in my life.

I'm currently covered with a blanket. We may be at the beach, but it is freezing! At least, that's what it feels like to my African blooded self :)

I'm currently daydreaming about a sewing project I want to tackle. I'm not going to do it until next summer, but I'm starting to collect the pieces now. I can't wait!

I'm currently happy for Prince William, his wife, and the arrival of their baby, but I've got to be honest. I'd rather they didn't dominate all the news stations. After all, there are other things going on in the world right now.

I'm currently trying to wrap my head around the fact that in exactly 2 weeks from today I'll be turning 28...

I'm currently looking through pictures I took at the beach yesterday of my family. My niece absolutely loved the sand and the water. And I loved seeing all the smiles on everybody's faces. I know I've said it already, but I really am enjoying all this time with my family. I know I'll cherish the memories we're making this week.

I'm currently browsing the web for ESL ideas, adding them to the plans I've already made, and looking forward to starting my new adventure as ESL teacher at Dakar Academy.

I'm currently reminding myself that it only takes faith the size of a mustard seed, as described in Matthew 17:20, to move mountains.

I'm currently thanking God for this summer. I'm thankful for the people I've spent time with, the places I've gone, the things I've done, and the memories I've made. Somebody asked me today if I've enjoyed it even though I've been so busy. And my answer is definitely yes! I wouldn't trade a single minute of it!

Currently

I'm currently enjoying my trip to Memphis. What a fun city!

I'm currently enjoying spending time with a good friend here in Memphis and am glad we were able to meet up here.

I'm currently resting in my hotel room 'til time to head out a little later to explore some more.

I'm currently looking forward to having more good BBQ tonight for dinner. Memphis does know their BBQ :)

I'm currently feeling a little sad that I have to leave tomorrow. While it'll be nice to get back and see my family, I'm still sad to leave the land of vacation behind...

Although, I won't be leaving it behind for long. As a matter of fact...

I'm currently looking forward to our family vacation at the beach next week.p and spending time with the 5 people I love the most :) 

I'm currently excited for my dad. Since all non-tenured teachers were handed pink slips at the end of the school year, he'd been searching for a new job. Naturally, since nothing was coming he was feeling rather discouraged/defeated. Then he got the call last night, saying the job was his! Praise the Lord for answered prayers!!

I'm currently thankful for the friendships God has placed in my life. It's nice to know I have friends spread out (almost) all over the place. ...people that have enriched my life in some way (and hopefully the reverse too). I'm thankful that I can call these people friends.

I'm currently happy and content with my life. I've been blessed with so much and am so grateful for the people, the opportunities, even the things, God has brought into my life. And I'm thankful for the happiness and contentment He's helped me realize I possess. 

I'm currently realizing that in 18 days I'll celebrate my birthday! It's the big 2-8 and I so don't feel it. I guess that's a good thing, huh? :)

I'm currently realizing also that in 22 days I'll leave for Dakar. Where did the time go? It seems like it was just yesterday I was closing up my classroom, saying goodbye to friends, and packing for my summer trip. This summer has been a busy one for sure. But I've enjoyed every minute of it.

I'm currently claiming the promise in Proverbs 3:5-6. He never said we'd understand it all. We don't have to. We just have to lean on Him and trust Him.

Currently

Currently

I'm currently realizing I only have a little over 3 weeks 'til I leave for Dakar. Where has the time gone?

I'm currently feeling blessed to have family members like the ones that have let me spend the whole weekend with them :)

I'm currently still smiling about last night's service. I love being able to share my heart for Dakar Academy and Senegal. 

I'm currently feeling extremely blessed at the love I've been showed by churches this summer while working to raise my missions budget. I've been treated like family at each and every one. And last night's church was no different.

I'm currently glad for the contacts I've made as a result of traveling around and speaking at churches. God knows how to put just the right person in our lives at just the right time. He's cool like that :)

I'm currently excited about tomorrow. I get to spend the day with  my brother, sister-in-law, and niece.

I'm currently also excited about having (getting?) freshly pedicured toes tomorrow :) 

I'm currently looking forward to my trip to Memphis, starting tomorrow, exploring a city I've never been to, and seeing a good friend I haven't seen in close to a year.

I'm currently also looking forward to a week from today. Why? That's when my family leaves for our family vacation! :)

I'm currently gearing up for the drive back to Alabama. I leave Georgia today, heading to pick up my aunt, and then on to see my parents, siblings, and niece!

I'm currently being honest when I admit that I think I missed my niece more than any of the rest of them :)

I'm currently struggling a little. I can tell people all day long to just trust in God, to have faith, and He'll answer your requests. But I'm struggling at doing that myself. Why is this seeming to be a case of being easy to say but hard to do?

I'm currently grateful for my God. I'm so thankful that He loves me no matter what. ...even when I'm admitting struggles like the one above.

I'm thankful for my Mama. I'm thankful for her incredible listening ear and advice giving self. I am definitely blessed to have this lady as my Mama :)

The 70th Dear ___ Post

The 70th Dear ____ Post

Dear Trip to Louisiana, I so enjoyed you! Thanks for being such a fun trip...one I know I'll remember forever!

Dear French Market in New Orleans, We stopped at you before leaving Louisiana Wednesday. You definitely didn't disappoint. Thanks for being a highlight of my trip.

Dear Georgia, You'll be the 9th state I've been to this summer and where I'm headed in a few hours. 

Dear Photos, I had a sweet and talented lady offer to take you for me this past Thursday. The previews I've seen so far are absolutely AMAZING! I love them! 

Dear ESL Teacher, You're what I'll be starting in August. It still seems unreal at times. I'm so excited about this new adventure in teaching!

Dear Good and Clean TV Shows, There aren't very many of you left on anymore. That makes me sad. Come on entertainment industry, you can do better than this, can't you...

Dear Memphis, You're where I'm headed next week. I can't wait! :)

Dear Friend I Haven't Seen in Close to a Year, We get to see each other Wednesday! I'm so excited!!

Dear Birthday, You're what my aunt will be celebrating tomorrow. I so love that woman!

Dear M&Ms, You're going to be part of my topic of discussion at a ladies' ministry meeting I'll be speaking at this coming Tuesday night :)

Dear Dakar, I miss you. ...just so you know.

Dear This Weekend, I'll get to spend you staying at my aunt and uncle's house while in GA. I'm looking forward to spending time with family, and speaking at a church that treats me like family :)

Dear Chik fil A, I think you're the restaurant I miss most while being in Dakar. And after being home for a month already, I'm finally going to be able to eat your chicken-y goodness today for lunch :)

Dear Missionary, What an amazingly awesome job you are! You're such a blessing!

Currently

Currently

I'm currently in West Monroe, Louisiana, home of the Robertson family from Duck Dynasty. We went by their warehouse yesterday, but sadly they weren't there. We did get to take some pictures and check out the gift shop, and pick up some fun souvenirs.

I'm currently full from breakfast. Our hotel had some amazingly delicious breakfast options.

I'm currently drinking good ol' 2% milk. Oh homogenized calcium-rich awesomeness, I've missed you.

I'm currently gearing myself up for the 5 hour drive to Des Allemands, Louisiana. 

I'm currently looking forward to seeing a sweet couple that I haven't seen in a little over 15 years. 

I'm currently grateful for and blessed by people (and church families) like this couple...people who've stuck by me the past 4 years, offering continuous prayer, encouragement, and support. 

I'm currently thinking back to a conversation I had with my mom the other day. I so thankful for the closeness we share, for the advice she gives, and for the love and encouragement she so freely shares. 

I'm currently thankful for air conditioning while in Louisiana. It's been hotter than Dakar. There have been crazy high temperatures and humidity the whole time.

I'm currently enjoying this time with my parents. It's something I'll cherish for sure.