sensing some themes in my life.....

adaptability. spontaneity. ability to successfully live out of a suitcase.

I know life rarely goes as planned. This summer didn't go as I thought it would. It's not a bad thing, just different. There have been many blessings, many incredible memories, and also many struggles. As I wrote in a post at the beginning of summer, I had made some goals. Well, didn't do so hot on all of them :). Instead of losing those 5 pesky pounds, I gained 10. Instead of finishing the 9 week devotional, I did 4 weeks and stopped. Instead of getting a head start on homework, and NOT procrastinating....well, I waited until the end to finish huge projects, resulting in 10 papers in 1 week and a lot of stress on my part.

There were some unexpected events that happened this summer, and I learned to just roll with them. God is my provider, my Jehovah Jireh, and I definitely leaned on Him. After I returned from my week in Wisconsin in June, my roommate Erin and I went for a 10 day adventure to her family's beach house. We changed our plans when her grandma became ill, and went to stay with her in the country instead. It was such a blessing to be there, to serve, to cook, to have great conversations with Grandma Flo, to spend that time with Erin and her family. It was unexpected, and I praised God for what He did with that week. A few days after returning, my dad's brain scan came back with new growth. I jumped on a plane three hours after hearing the news, and was with him for surgery and recovery. It was unexpected, but I praise God for His timing. After returning from this, I stayed with Lynda, my roommate Erin's mom for a few days as our air conditioning broke and Erin was in Portland and Lena was in Ethopia. It was a wonderful time to get homework done, and fellowship with Lynda, and stay cool in the 105 degree weather. It was also unexpected, and a blessing :)

I also fell in love with a family. I hung out with their girls (6, 9, & 11) once or twice a week, and it was absolutly a blessing from God. Not only did it help pay for groceries, it was a blast spending time with them, and becoming part of their family. We did things like have cannon ball contests in the pool, took turns reading aloud the American Girl books, played "American Idol", beauty contest, resturant, and other silly games. We went for bike rides, bowling, to the movies, to children's book stores and out for ice cream. We sat on the living room floor and had girl talk, played truth or dare, and laughed until the 9 year old, Bekah, would snort,. As I was driving away on my last day of hanging out with them, the 6 year old, Kristina, ran with my car and called out "I LOVE you Sheena!". Melted my heart.

I am so happy now to be in Wisconsin, resting and spending time with my incredible family and friends. It feels like I just got here, and I only have two weeks left until I'll be back to the busyness of California. It feels good to have more of a solid ground right now, as things were constantly moving this summer. It sometimes felt as if I was running, treading water, and constantly exhausted. I now feel like myself, at ease, and more laid back. Although I'm busy in Wisconsin this month, mostly because of dad's daily treatments, it is a different pace of life. I have now traded phone conversations for real ones with my closest friends and family, have traded text books for ones for fun, including Country Woman in the hospital radiaiton room, have traded my nice California tan for a farmers one while gardening and picking berries, and have been soaking in irreplacable moments....like fighting with my mom just because we need to get our sassyness out, and being held by my dad, there's no place like his arms. He took me on a long fourwheeler ride yesterday, and I just became overwhelmed in the moment. As we were riding, I knew that moment would pass by so quickly, and I want to remember everything about it, the way he drove and explained each piece of land to me as it went with his hunting stories, the way I could wrap my arms around him and feel safe, the way the breeze was, the sound of the trees, the peaceful feeling I had. I'm thankful for this month, and know it's where I'm supposed to be. I have no plans, am just living each moment, and am thankful for the things God has taught me in the last two months. I've grown, have been challenged, and I guess that's all I could hope for in a summer :)