I'm so sad to be going back to NJ in a few days. I love Kingsburg and I love being home. When I am in NJ I force myself to not think about CA so I won't get homesick. But the transition is always difficult. I grew up in the valley. I know people here. I mean, really know them and they know me. People genuinely like me here...not because I am their AD or because they feel sorry for me because I am by myself across the country from friends and family. (Although I am sure not everyone is like that there in NJ.) Anyway, it's so good to go places and be able to call each other by name, know each other's stories and history, and catch up. In some ways it is like no time has passed.

Everywhere I went today I ran into people I knew. Sometimes multiple people in one place. That's what I love so much about a small town. It's great. This vacation has allowed me to see many people, more so then any other time here this year. Thanks so much to all my friends and family for making my time here special.

I go back to the East Coast on Sunday. I am hoping these last few days here will go by slowly. I'm not ready to go back yet.

But, it's not about me though, is it? God has called me to New Jersey and so far I feel like He wants me to stick out my three year commitment there. He has not told me to go anywhere else, so I am happy to stay put. He has certainly provided during my last year there! I have had many adventures and have grown in many ways. My heart has been touched by those kids and I do hope that God feels that I have been obedient to Him in my job and life in Hunterdon County.

This next school year is already filling up with new plans, dreams and tasks. On one hand I am super excited. On the other I feel exhausted already. Guess I am in a good place to completely rely on the Lord!

Update - I was thinking of getting my nose pierced. Well, unfortunately PBU does not allow it. Guess that was God's way of saying, "no." That's OK. I'm not too disappointed about that one.

I don't mean to be vain...but I am really freaking about about turning 27 soon. That is three years from 30. I still feel like I am in college! Where does the time go? Oh my goodness. It's crazy stuff.

Well here goes another try for posting today. I tried earlier this morning and then the computer decided to "act up" and I wasn't able to recover the post. Hopefully this will work this time!

It has been a long time since I posted and I have so much to catch you up on! But first I should give you all a happy hello from the golden state! I am in CA until the 28th and it is so nice to be home. There truly is no place like it!

I have been very busy! Two weekends ago Kristin came and visited. It was fun to have her in Jersey. Then last week I was swamped with getting our booths ready for the Revelation Generation concert. The concert was Saturday and I was there all day. I was exhausted when I got home. I can't remember if I told you all about the concert or not? Well, long story short it was a day long event where semi-famous Christian bands were invited to come and play. There were also booths of different sorts there. WCers think Spirit West Coast but for one day. ECers think Creation but for one day. This was the first year for RG though so it was on a much smaller scale. Anyway, we had a food booth and info booth there. We (YL) was hoping to raise some much needed funds. We broke even. On one hand I am sad because it was all that work and we didn't make any profit. On the other hand I really enjoyed working with some wonderful people and making new YL contacts. It was also 99 that day. Broke a new record. Throw in a bunch of humidity and we were all sweltering. I developed heat rash that I got to come to CA with. How lovely! Anyway, I'm glad it's over with!

Sunday I flew home to CA. Of course it didn't go smoothly but I should just learn by now that I have the worst luck with flying. But I made it to CA safe and sound so that is what counts! My mom and I then went to San Fran for a couple of days. We did our typical Bay Area routine...Ghiradelli's, Pier 39, Union Square shopping, Cheesecake Factory, etc. We also went and saw "Wicked." OH MY GOSH IT WAS AMAZING! I totally recommend it. Anyone up for going to Broadway and seeing it with me? We got home last night and then went to Cattleman's to celebrate my parent's 31st anniversary.

Today I am home doing laundry and getting settled. This weekend I have a mini ADX retreat that I am looking forward to. I am also seriously considering getting my nose pierced. I just want a very small cute nose stud. One that you can hardly see at all. But I am a little nervous about not having a gun do it. I heard that usually noses are pierced with needles. Hmmm...I'll have to gather some courage for it. But I am thinking of going for it!

Well, I better go change that laundry and then I'm off to the gym. I hope to see many of you soon!!

So today is better. Yay for Fridays! Kristin will be here tonight to hang out for the weekend. We really don't have anything specific planned but we will have fun. We were going to go floating (apparently they don't call it that here because people laughed at me when I said that) but it is a little more expensive then I thought it would be. Apparently you just can't get on and off where you want like the good ol' Kings River!! Gosh I miss the valley! Anyway, it will be good times - and we are going to stay out of this ridiculous heat.

I haven't seen my groundhog friend in a while. The other day there was a skunk near my porch. Now that little critter is NOT welcome. Good thing it ran off. Hopefully I will not see it again!!

Well I mentioned in my last blog that I had some things going on at work. My vision statement for our area is coming along, as well as our budget. I don't think I will have them done by the time I go home to CA...which is what I was hoping. But, I did manage to get a huge dent in it. That's good. It's not due until the 29th after all. I was just trying to not be a procrastinator for once in my life!! Anyway, a whole new situation developed with some of my kids and it is quite major. I hit the roof when I became aware of it. We need prayer...someone can potentially get fired over this whole thing, it's that serious. Ick.

I got on the scale today and was actually pleasantly surprised. Not nearly what I was expecting. (And that's a good thing.) So I felt better about myself. I have gone to the gym everyday this week and have watched what I ate. I think it is (finally) beginning to pay off. Actually if I lose 30 pounds I will be at my high school weight. So that is my goal - to get to that by Christmas. I don't mean to be an "typical girl" who is constantly worrying about her weight or not happy with herself. I just want to be the best I can be - and I truly think that that will help me serve God better too. I just don't want to look back on my (almost) 27th year of life and be disappointed. Life's too short.

A week from Sunday I will be flying back to the golden state. Can't wait.

I think we all have these days, so I'm sure you can relate to me on some level. Today has just been a day of discouragement for me on different levels. I am feeling like I am not succeeding at several things I am aiming for, and I am feeling a huge case of the "blahs" today.

I think it all started when I put on my clothes today and felt no difference in them. I have been such a good girl with diet and exercise and don't think that it is showing. Now it really has only been two weeks, but for an impatient person this can be a lot to not see the slightest difference. So, I was pretty bummed about that.

Then, I have this HUGE project at work that is really testing me mentally. I just don't seem to understand a lot of it and I have felt pretty dumb today. I just don't kow why I can't get it? (We are redoing our budget and transferring it over into a whole new program.) And in the midst of that there is another challenge (that I have to keep private) brewing in the background that I think will be my biggest obstacle yet here. I'm just nervous about it and kinda wondering why this has to happen to ME during my FIRST YEAR AS AN AREA DIRECTOR. It involves some people that don't necessarily care for me or the way I do my job. Ugh, why are people so stinkin' mean?

And, I am just wanting to go home. It's summer and everyone is visiting family and friends and going on fun vacations. All I mainly get to do is work, work, work. I can't believe I haven't been home since Easter. That's a long time for a girl like me. The time just doesn't seem to be passing fast enough.

And, finally, I am trying so hard to make friends. On both Saturday night and Sunday morning I went to two different churches with intentions of seeking out people my age and hopefully connecting with them somehow. Although they were all nice, they were all, well, weird. Just not people I really "connect" with. Long story. So now I am upset because I am a mean and picky person AND I am still friendless...lol No, I do have some friends here but it's just not like how I want it/wish it to be.

OK, so that's my day. I kinda feel like Eeyore complaining away. But I guess not everyday is a happy one! Anyway, writing this is helping me to vent...so thanks for reading!

I have a new neighbor. No it isn't the cute single Christian guy I was hoping for...;) Instead it is a fat groundhog who loves to make himself at home around my steps. I was kinda startled by him yesterday as I have never seen a groundhog around my house before. (We have tons of them in this area - but I am on a somewhat busy street.) Poor little thing must have gotten lost. Anyway, he (or she!) seems to be enjoying my place since it has not left! It scurries under my porch whenever I get too close so I'm not scared of it...just think it's funny. If you were from CA, you would think so too!

On to a more important subject...

A group of boys went down to camp today in Goshen, Virginia. (Young Life's Rockbridge.) Please keep them in prayer. It is YLWJ's first wyld life camp experience ever...yay!

The weather was actually decent today...ptl! OK...off to the gym...or do I want to exercise outside??

What should I name him or her??? I'm taking suggestions! 

This morning I turned on the radio and heard Christmas music on several stations. I thought, "What in the world is going on?" But I was so excited because I absolutely love Christmas music and Christmas time. Well, I finally figured out that today is the 25th and we are 5 months away from the big day. Turns out people were celebrating Christmas in July. How fun! It made for some good listening while heading back to New Jersey from Virginia.

This past weekend I went down to visit Kristin. She and I went to Lancaster County on Saturday and Sunday. It was GORGEOUS there. Maybe I'll do YL there someday if central PA doesn't work out? Who knows?? But is was a lot of fun. We stayed at a really cute (and old - but charming) hotel, took a tour by bus and train, drove ourselves around a bit and ate at fun places. The pics below were mostly taken by Kristin - so Kristin thanks for sharing!

Camp pics are below as well. It was a great week. Upstate New York is very nice. Can't wait to go and do some more exploring. Anyone up for a trip to that part of the state? The highlight of course was that all 10 non-believing kids became Christians. PTL!

Today was "triple H" which means hot, hazy and humid. Yikes! So not fun. I am so grateful for my brand new air conditioner unit! This is a fun story and I will close with this...

My apartment (one of three in a big old house) does not have air conditioning. I thought I would be able to make it through this summer and then worry about getting a window AC next year. (Since I was going to be gone so much for work, etc.) Well, I came home from camp and my house was like an oven. There was no way I was going to be able to make it through this summer. Plus, I sleep upstairs (and my computer is here as well) and heat rises so therefore I was just miserable. (To sleep I had to completely soak my pajamas with cold water and put a fan up to the side of my bed.) I didn't know what I was going to do as I am not exactly able to just go out and buy an AC unit. Anyway, I got a random call from a committee couple who wanted to drop by. They came by and brought with them a window AC unit! I was so surprised, thankful and shocked that I started crying. Isn't God good? They even put it in for me. Now life is so much better in my house...or at least upstairs!!

I am coming home to CA soon - I CAN'T WAIT!

Going for a drive. 

In front of our hotel. 

Covered bridge in Lancaster County. 

Love those whoopee pies! 

Us again. 

Hanging out. 

Some of the boys on 50's night. 

Our volleyball uniforms - :) 

YLWJ girls on our parasailing trip at Saranac. 

Three girls who had to run out and help facilitate a fire alarm really early in the morning...we are laughing hard in this pic because we know we look oh so hot 

Another pic of the most awesome DH crew ever...;) 

Me and the dining hall team on banquet night 

one more