"In Summer"

And I can't wait to see, what my buddies all think of me. Just imagine how much cooler I'll be in summer!

-"In Summer", Frozen, 2013

It's summer! It's almost July! How did that happen?!  After the many questions I got from people on my graduation day, I thought an explanation was overdue.  Especially since I haven't REALLY graduated. #student teaching

Proof I haven't actually graduated! 

So, this summer is the very first in four years that I haven't been at Village Creek Bible Camp.  It breaks my heart, but I have to figure out my life.  And, as sad as it is to say it, I have to make real money to be able to pay off the impending doom of loans.  Now how scary is that?  Village Creek is the most incredible place I've ever been, and I'm so happy that my sister gets to experience it this summer.  After four years, I also just felt a little burnt out.  Though I know people that have done it for 7 or 8 years.  Kudos to them; I couldn't do it.  But I do miss my craft room... 

I'm getting my 'real money' from the Great Plains Zoo, and I genuinely love my job.  Each day brings something new, and I've met great people.  I've re-designed all of their signs, and they think I'm just the best.  They love my excitement when they ask me to do the train or the gate.  I've learned so much about the animals as well.  When I was at Faith (Mennenga) Nolte's wedding, all my classmates were saying how they were not surprised I was working at a zoo.  That took me aback until I remembered how into animals I used to be!  I feel like we turn into different people when we move away, and I am not that girl they used to know.  It feels like a different lifetime ago!

But anyways, the zoo is my life this summer.  And weddings, it seems.  I've now attended three, and I have a fourth next week.  I find weddings interesting.  I'm not one of those gals that loves attending weddings.  I hate awkward 'you look beautiful' moments, with the long pause after.  Where no one knows what to say.  Hey! You invited me!  When I go to weddings, I always think of what brought people to this moment, that all these people were here.  Why are they the bridesmaids? Who are the groomsmen? Why did the bride/groom choose them? What brought all of this together? I've never been the kind to plan my wedding.  I just don't bother, 'specially since there's no prospects! But I do think about bridesmaids.  How do you choose?! All I know now is Brigitte and Brittany are permanent fixtures in my wedding.

I guess in any situation I think of how it came to be.  I got to attend church today, thanks to my Christian boss that was happy to give me Sunday mornings off from the zoo.  I love her! But we had a sermon on the Holy Spirit, and how things that so many things are working together to make change and to change a person.  To bring them closer to God.  It's not always obvious where He has moved, but I can tell you what He's done for me.  I'm in the midst of moving to a house a couple blocks from school with Aubri Frey.  And I know that God has used her to change my life.

When I graduated high school, I was determined to do a big thing for God, because I was not going to be one of those students that looses their faith to the masses in college.  So I worked at Village Creek.  There I met Aubri Frey, and we bonded over us both playing Mrs. Macafee in Bye Bye Birdie.  And I loved camp.  But in the process, I lost nearly every friend from home.  And then I went to Simpson College, and there was an even bigger rift with those friends.  But during 4-State Retreat, I was talking about how I hated college to Aubri. She told me all about USF, and how the choir was going to France. And she told me about Broadway and Beyond and University Singers.  And how faith was a real thing, not a fake group of judgmental people.  And I wanted to go to a place like that.  And after going through the most ridiculous hoops, I did.

Aubri got me through that first semester here at USF, and she introduced me to Rachel (Olsen) Halsey, which led to the best of friendships.  I met nearly everyone through either Aubri or Rachel.  If Aubri hadn't gotten me to USF, who knows if Rachel would have ever had programs at her wedding! (Great story) There are so many things that would have never happened if Aubri hadn't introduced me to Rachel.  Most important, I met Brigitte and Brittany.  They were intimidating and just so talented! My confidence was shot from the friendship upheavals I had lived through coming to college, and Rachel fixed that for me some.  But no one more than Brigitte and Brittany.  When they said I could be there roommate at the end of last year, I was pretty terrified.  For one, they have so much energy.  And second of all, I didn't feel good enough.  These two women are fantastic people! What do I have to give?  They are just to good.  But even though this year had some really, really hard things (loosing Zoey, Mom's surgeries), it has been the best.  And I owe it to these two.  And God of course.

Brigitte and Brittany have build my confidence up so much.  I feel like I'm finally my real self for the first time.  We love each other!  I was talking to Brittany as we were getting ready for bed a couple months ago, and I was telling her about how my sister is my favorite human in the world.  I would try to move the stars for Valerie.  And I told Brittany that she was a close second.  So is Brigitte.  If you've been blind to me, you may not have noticed that I love things hard.  With all I've got.  Disney. Harry Potter. Sherlock. Painting. (I'm working on making God first in that list.) There are very few people you will find that are more loyal than I am.  Men, you'd be pretty lucky! But I love these two like they were my real sisters, and I can't imagine ever not being with them.  I had just finished setting up what I had for my new room over in the 'Aubri house' and I came back bawling my eyes out, because I don't want to leave this!! I detest change more than anything.  No more Brigitte asking what to wear (I always respond with "clothes").  No more Brittany asking if her hair is ok (yes) or if I like her make up today (I could never tell the difference). I don't get to listen to Brittany go through a play-by-play of everything that happened during the day as she's brushing her teeth.  I don't get to tell Brigitte to practice her piano, or to stop snoring!  But the most beautiful thing is that I have no fear of these friendships ever ending.  I'm so scared of loosing people.  I've lost a lot of people.  But these guys? They aren't going anywhere.  

It's a beautiful thing to know that in the summer of 2010, God knew I needed to meet Aubri Frey.  I needed to meet so many others like Rachel and Brigitte and Brittany that would change me and make me into the person I am.  People who ltook me to the best chuch, gave me truth, and loved me for who I am.  And I love who I am!! I can clearly see where God used these people to make all this happen.  And now when I was worried about paying for an over-priced dorm room, I find that the gal that started it all  has an extra room, for nearly half the price of the dorms.  Aubri, I owe you.  You are the best! 

So to the summer of change and 'growing up,' bring it on! I have great people by my side.  :)