Finally taking some time on this quiet Monday night to organize my thoughts into words.
Erik left for Haiti this morning, and Liz and the kids won't be home til a little later. So it's just me and Munchkin, the fluffy family rabbit.
I guess a good place to start would be where I left off and that would be right before I moved to Jacksonville.
I left Bear Creek on Saturday, August 30th after grabbing some dinner at our community's annual clambake. I stalled as long as I could, but finally had to say goodbye to my friends and family and head south with Dad, Ben Carson's book on audio, and our trusty Outback loaded down with my plethora of baskets, boxes, bags and bins packed full of my belongings. Most of which I could have done without. I just like to be prepared. Don't judge.
We arrived at my new home on Sunday evening. Tuesday was my first day of work since Monday was Labor Day.
Annnnd everything from that day on has kinda all blended together in a wonderful, crazy, sometimes hard, always memorable, incredible, fun experience. So amazing it has been, that I kinda don't even want to go to college. But worry not, I'm still going. I just don't know where yet. So please don't ask. If I counted the times I have been asked that question since my sophomore year of high school, I think I'd be at one billion, seven hundred million, four hundred-eleven thousand, five hundred-fifteen. Give or take a few.
I remember early on my office mate, who had been there 5 months at the time, saying, "You just wait, you're going to blink you eyes and you will have been here five months, too."
And boy was she right.
I, of course, didn't believe her then. But I do now. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that next Tuesday will mark five months for me.
We have devotions every week. The staff all take turns leading them. It is definitely one of my favorites times of the week. Unless it's my turn to lead. Then I dread it. For several reasons. The first and biggest reason is that I don't like being the center of attention. Second, I'm the youngest one in the office by 4 and half years. And lastly, I'm a natural follower. However, I know it's good for me to be pushed out of comfort zone and I know it's a good life skill to have. I am grateful for the opportunity, I just don't love it in the moment. But I'm learning to love it. Or I'm more choosing to love it. I don't know if I'll ever naturally love it.
Something else that I love about working at the foundation is that most everyone there realizes that there's more to life than them. It's evident through their actions and words. Helping people, serving people, putting a smile on their face, and giving them a day that they will never forget, is one of the best feelings in the world and something that money can never buy. I can't even begin to describe how incredibly blessed and grateful I am to have this opportunity to work with and learn from such an incredible, professional, selfless, godly, fun team of individuals.
There is so much I could write about my internship and life here in Jax, but Liz and the kids are back, morning will come early, and I still have part of by Beth Moore study to finish.
If you have any questions, or just want to catch up, texts, emails, messages, and phone calls are always welcome:)
Below are pictures of Jacksonville thus far:
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Jags vs. Texans game. We were kinda torn between cheering for our
home team and JJ Watt |
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| Love, love, love my host family |
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| The greatest nonbiological siblings:) |
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| She's also my faithful biking buddy:) |
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| Little sisters are one of life's greatest joys |
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| First college football game! |
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| How can he hate selfies and be related to me at the same time?? |
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| The Gathering conference 2014 |
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| The hotel was probably tired of us five seconds after arriving |
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| October 4: Emily and Shami wedding day! |
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| Jaguars game with these awesome kiddos! |
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| Halloween...I was Hawaiian Punch:) Get it?? |
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| Show Hope Fellowship Weekend, November 2014 |
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| My sisters are such beauties |
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| Sometimes when you share an office for too long you end up wearing the same exact shirt without even planning it. |
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| Thanksgiving at the Young's |
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| I may have missed most of winter, but I did get to build a snowman! |
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| 1st place at my youth group's game night:) |
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| Some of the best:) |
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"Mariah, will you take a picture of me and Abby?"
"Sure! Smmmiiillleee!"
Oh, Mariah. Gotta love her. |
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| Picking up Mom's co-op order and some smoothies! Just one of the many reasons I love Sanibel. |
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| Laughing is my favorite |
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| I think Molly wants to drive. Or she's just anxiously awaiting Katie's return. I can't tell. |
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| Had fun with these girls promoting the store at the mall. |
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| I got to see my Parkerhill friends at Passion! |
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| Being with them makes me happy |
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| Arguably two of the best big brothers |
