4th of July

What does your family do on the 4th of July? 

Being from Northern Lower Michigan, our family always goes to the beach for 4th of July. We have our favorite beaches in Frankfort, Traverse City, Elk Rapids, and more. Each year is spent on the beach, enjoying parts of the National Cherry Festival, and of course the fireworks! It was usually a toss up as to who will join us because sometimes a friend or some family join last minute. Some of my favorite summer memories revolve around the 4th and being on the beach together. 

4th of July 2010

Our all-day beach days are full of walks, cards, reading, swimming, laughing, people watching, picnicking, cherry pit spit contests, sunscreen/aloe vera, and soaking up the amazing fireworks show. I love watching the sunsets over the lake and waiting for the fireworks, rather impatiently most years. It is awesome when my nephews could join or other family and friends! Every family has their own holiday traditions and being able to share a beach day with my nephews is definitely a highlight. 

I have so many memories of mom "not getting" the card game and so it turns into a total laughing fest! One year most of my family was on a mission trip, so my sister Leigh and I kept up the beach day tradition on the 4th and had so much fun. Every year my dad has the same complaints about it being too windy/hot/cold or there being too many rocks on the beach so it hurts his sensitive feet. Every year there are the same annoying stresses: did we get the sunscreen, do we have enough food, where is the bathroom on this beach, will the dogs be okay at home for so long, do we have enough ice cold water bottles, are you sure you won't get bored with that book Karlee, etc. Every year there are worries about the weather or who may join us and plans get made last minute, but in the end, everyone comes together to enjoy what the beach day has to offer - complete freedom and joy in the moment.

The 4th is all about our country's independence. It's about the freedom and rights we declared and so proudly fought for all those years ago. It continues to stand for that freedom that so many past/present/future men and women fight for us to have. The 4th brings many happy memories and traditions for me personally, but it also reminds me of something even greater. The 4th reminds me of the freedom I have in Christ Jesus our Lord. He set me free from my captivity in sin to live a free life in His glory and kingdom. His love has set me free to live and share His light each and every day - thank you Independence Day for reminding me of the biggest blessing!

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" Romans 3:23-24

 

4th of July Sunset 

Think about the blessings you have been given this 4th and be sure to tell your family and friends how much you love them too. Praise God for what He has given us and show that love to others! 

This 4th of July I am blessed to be able to go home for an extended weekend to enjoy the holiday with my family in Michigan. The trip is full of plans to see family and friends and I could not be more excited to share my traditions with my boyfriend. Have a safe and blessed holiday friends! 

I'm a Planner

If I had to pick an object that best described me it would be a planner. 

    I am constantly planning - schedules, activities, meals, shopping trips, how much time things will take, homework, road trips...basically everything. I think it is both a strength and a fault. 

I love that I plan everything out because then I am ready for the week and don't have to focus on things like "what's for dinner?" I loved that at the end of this last semester, I had all of my homework done about two weeks ahead of time. I'm thankful that I can think ahead about my schedule, so I know what nights I have more free time to do something fun. Planning is also really handy when I'm planning a road trip or nannying and trying to keep kids busy! *Not to mention how fun it will be when I begin full-time teaching!

What I don't really like about obsessively planning is that it's really hard to relax. I'm not the type of person that can sit around for hours on end just watching TV or Netflix. **Well maybe I can but after a day I get reeeally bored.** I appreciate that after a little while of TV, I want to do other things like reading, scrapbooking, or cooking. When you're a planner, relaxing it kind of difficult because you feel restless. It is hard fighting the urge to get up and do something even if I do just want to do nothing. I mentioned that planning helps with anxiety, but it can also lead to more anxiety when something doesn't go according to plan. An invitation for a night out sounds like a lot of fun and sometimes I have to force myself to go out and enjoy myself - because even though it will obviously be fun, the idea of a schedule change throws my body for a loop. Fortunately, I am getting lots of practice with flexibility before student teaching! 

A couple days ago, my boyfriend's church was having their summer choir party. The invitation to go was kind of last minute. I had already thought my evening through  - pajamas, leftover spaghetti, and finishing my latest book...The idea of changing that [lame] plan was a little unsettling, but I decided to go because it would be nice to get a free meal and socialize with everyone. I ended up having a blast! It was so nice having a great time with some wonderful people and wine. And I had almost said no!

         A little unexpectedness is great for my obsessive planning personality. 

Westallion Brewing Company - check it out! 

Yesterday, I had my first day off and spent it shopping. I forced myself to make no plans other than the fact that I would go shopping after sleeping in. It was so much fun getting out and having no plan for once! I felt myself relax after a long couple weeks of working and it felt amazing to treat myself after a few adult paychecks. I could feel that I was actually able to let my hair down and enjoy the summer by wearing a sundress and going with the flow. I got a few things I was looking for and still managed to stay in budget! My boyfriend and I then went to a new restaurant and brewery - it was so much fun to get out and enjoy the warm weather, new beers, and a live band!


Have you ever felt certain Bible verses describe your current life situations? I have had many Bible verses that stick with me for a particular span of time. You know when your faith has grown and you begin memorizing more verses to get through the next set of circumstances. Right now my life is in this peaceful stage being right before student teaching, graduation, and a potential call to a school for teaching.

The verse that has been guiding me through the last several months and into the next stage of life has been Psalm 73:23 

         Nevertheless, I am continually with you, you have taken hold of my right hand... 

This verse demonstrates how we continue to trust and have faith in Him who guides us, but it also illustrates how God will never leave our side because He is always with us. In a period of transition as well as the calm before the storm, this verse has as been a constant reminder of the peace I find in His grace. How the Lord provides reminders of His presence during all moments of life! Do any of you have special verses that remind you of the Lord's love?

As this summer continues and I keep preparing for what lies ahead, Lord help me to enjoy the blessings and opportunities you have placed before me. Guide me and lead me to do your work in the community around me. Thank you for your constant love, grace, and having better plans for my life than I could ever imagine.

The Official Start of Summer

Well, summer has officially started - although for me it seems like summer has already been going on for the last month! This summer has been amazing so far and it's only just started....

• Macbeth (Drunk)
• Six Flags
• Rockin' Jump
• Putt Putt Golf
• Discovery World 
• Farmer's Markets

I can't wait for what still lies ahead. Between visits with friends, new restaurants, one more trip home, a Brewer's game, Jazz nights, church picnics, Concordia's Literacy Festival, and still more - it's like my whole summer is already accounted for! It's only the first official day of summer, but it feels like I have managed to fit in a whole year's worth of activities into a few short months. It's all going to be so worth it because once student teaching starts I may not have any time (or at least as much time) to explore this new city. 

I'm glad I have finally been able to start enjoying what Milwaukee has to offer. It's true that I do get a couple weekends at home which I'll fill up on visits from friends, the National Cherry Festival, fireworks, and the beach. Milwaukee though is offering me some of that "city life" I've always heard about! **Even if I am going to bed before eleven every night still. It was strange when I came back to my apartment after a weekend home for Father's Day and realized how much I missed my own place and cute neighborhood. Plus now we finally have a fully furnished apartment and I can enjoy a cup of coffee at the new breakfast cart with my new book and never leave! Friday will be my first "day off" since summer has started and I have plans for sleeping in and shopping...who knew someone could get so excited about a few shopping trips to new stores in the surrounding area. It'll be fun to treat myself and manage to not get lost! 

Transitions

This summer I finally "moved" to Wisconsin. I have lived in Michigan my whole life, and technically, I have lived in Wisconsin the last few years for school. This summer; however, I actually moved close to downtown Milwaukee into an apartment with my boyfriend's sister. I never imagined this! The blessings and experiences and transitions I have faced from this move have been incredible.

I recently finished my undergraduate classes and will begin student teaching in the fall. I know the schools I will be placed in, but am enjoying the summer before I start school again. I am working full-time by nannying and in the old office back at school. Nannying is so much fun because I get to be on the move, playing with kids, be relaxed and busy all at the same time, and basically get paid to do all the things I would want to do anyway! It's a great way to pass the days. Even at home, in the apartment, I have been trying to stay busy and enjoy "living on my own." Since my roommate has an opposite schedule to mine, it really does feel like living on my own! I have been trying to read, cook, meal plan, find recipes, and go for bike rides to keep busy and not get stuck constantly watching TV. I've even managed to find a good cleaning routine, so that I don't get stuck cleaning for hours on end, but rather do little chores throughout the week.

My boyfriend has been amazing too! We have been together for over a year, but this is the first time I haven't had a ton of homework for an extended period of time. It feels like we're going on all of our first dates all over again because I can finally devote more time to him and our relationship. He even has been showing me the sites around Milwaukee. (It is great because then I don't have to drive in this crazy town!) We've enjoyed different bars and restaurants, gone to Six Flags, tried out beer gardens, farmer's markets, new board games, and so much more. I feel like I can finally find joy in the city I have lived near for the last few years. It may never be "home" but I guess I can admit to it being a closely ranked second.

While there have been a lot of positives about this transition, it is also equally anxiety-filled. I have had to figure out different traffic patterns, new work schedules, paying bills, budgeting, grocery shopping, and how to live on my own. There may have only been a couple of totally freak out moments, but overall God has granted me so much strength and contentedness during this time. It can only be Him who is granting me the strength to learn and grow through all of these new experiences. Finding a new church has also helped me to feel supported, loved, and encouraged in the new area. Seeing familiar faces (who may or may not know my name yet) and having a routine every Sunday morning by growing in a relationship with God has been a needed constant. Even though there have been a couple of rough moments, I could not be more grateful for what I have already learned in the last month. Learning to live on my own and figure myself out in the last month has shown me my priorities and what makes me happy. Cooking, cleaning, reading, being with loved ones, and everything I have been doing is part of who I am.

I cannot wait to see what the next couple months of summer will bring.

Please pray for me as this journey continues!