Home means family

Home has been spectacular. 

Resting is something that I don't do often, so I try not to take it for granted. 

I've really enjoyed this break though...for the first time in years I feel like I'm not finding something to occupy every second of my day/finding ways to be away from the house.

Its never been that I don't want to see my family, its just that I seemed to put my friends above m family....and that needed a change. 

 I've realized more and more each break that time with my family is important...Maybe its since I don't get to come home as much, or just because I'm older, or because this is the first time my entire family has been in the house for more than 2 days in years(!), or because I've seen how friendships change---without my home life changing. 

I've seen a quite a few friends, and that time has been precious, but just being around the house has been the best of all. 

The holidays were wonderful to spend time with more family, but I am winding down on my days in Shelby.  I'll be leaving Wednesday morning to go to Memphis with friends for ECU's bowl game.  I'll be home on the 3rd, but leave again on the 5th to go to Raleigh before flying out to Colorado.  (I know, I'm such a jet-setter).

Time for me to soak up these last few days of spending time with ALL my family. 

Closing of a semester

Friends, I can not hide the truth, it is GREAT to be home. Considering this is my 3rd time home since early June, I have anticipating this for a while...but to reflect on the end of my semester...
My semester ended well. Barely falling short of all A's with a silly B in my Early Intervention class.. but hey, it was my favorite class, just a bit more challenging.
Young Life at SCHS was beginning to look up after a rather slow and down semester. Some new girls had begun to come and were bringing along their friends! Most of them are girls that we already know, but just haven't had interest in club before. Campaigners is booming and every week comes as a surprise. I am meeting with one girl one on one every week, and that time has been a huge blessing in my life. She will be going off to college next year, so I am praying that I am being used to give her those extra steps of guidance to head off in a foreign land.
Friends are amazing. I saw way more of them than I probably should during exam time, but I loved every single second of it. I have been blessed by some spectacular people during my time in Greenville.
Roommates and porch sharing neighbors are AMAZING and so much fun. I can't believe we didn't take more time to spend together in our living rooms and kitchens until this last week. But no need to reflect on time gone by, because next semester (and next year for those of us not leaving) will be spectacular! Dance parties, and sharing life just go hand in hand!
On my way home I was able to stop and spend the night with some dear friends in good old Ra-town! I stayed at the amazing McGarvey household and spent time with many friends!
When I got to Raleigh, Quinn and I went to SBucks to find both Urkos working and 2 Smiths visiting! I made friends with a SBucks co-worker, Dru, who just so happens to be a Cleveland County Alum from his college years! It was amazing sharing stories about Yamatos and Young Life! He wasn't a leader, but knew all those amazing people that impacted my life so much in HS. That night we also went to suprise Mr. Smith for his 21st birthday! His reaction was... anti-climactic.. but maybe the suprise party the next day brought about abetter one! :)
Staying with Quinn was amazing. Her family was fun, and going to church the next day was awesome. As was a Sunday lunch with her parents and Jude.
I can not fathom how much God has blessed me in my 2.5 years at ECU so far.
Next will be a reflection of a few days at home and how excited I am to be here. :)