Sweet Summertime

The day finally came! After the epic paper chain countdown at work -- I got to see Joel. My co workers were so fun to celebrate the happy day with me!! Joel and I spent all of Memorial Day weekend together. Fun times including his cousin's wedding, two different days out on the water (I got up wakeboarding!), finding some new favorite restaurants in Minneapolis, brunch with my best friend Steph and her husband, and a 3:30 AM trip to the airport to send me off on my next program.  

Mary and I spent 16 days in sunny Puerto Rico for our program. I was super thankful to be paired with such a fun co-worker for such a LONG trip! We made it through unscathed. We were both DEFINITELY ready to be home once the trip was done. 

When I got back from my trip -- Joel and I had another weekend together! I'm getting spoiled with all of the together time this summer. No complaints here -- I'll soak it while I can. He makes wakeboarding and wakesurfing look a LOT easier than I do. He's a pro! 

BIKE RIDES! What? I like bike riding?! Yes, I do. Most recent favorite thing has been the Taco Tuesday ride. It's a nice 16-17 mile round trip ride from the South side of Des Moines to Cummings, IA. The special treat?! Fat Tire beer on draft and Tacopocalypse tacos as a reward. 

I had no idea that Thursdays at Jasper Winery were such a big deal--but they are! I went with friends and saw the crazy lines of cars waiting to park. 

More Bike Rides. We survived (BARELY) the WAR Ride from Waukee to Redfield and back. If you know me at all, you probably know that I don't do so well in super hot/humid weather. Add my longest bike ride to date to upper 90s weather with a head wind? Yeah - those 39 miles felt like 80! Having a boyfriend that can ride like a pro a few short weeks after getting a road bike is good for my pride. I definitely took a long nap after the ride. Fun bonding time with Joel and Helzer, though. 

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Jesus continues to remind me of his faithfulness. 

• Seeing Melissa be pregnant (with TWINS) and now waiting with my brother for the two adopted kiddos after years of waiting and praying. Crying out to God to answer -- he was answering. in HIS time. 
• In my moments or days of doubting if I can handle a long distance relationship -- He reminds me that no, I can't - but HE can. A long distance relationship will continue to stir fear, insecurity, and loneliness every moment I focus on ME. When my eyes are on Christ as my fullness, Christ as my future, Christ as my timeline, Christ as my identity, Christ as my goal -- then my fears or aches to know what's coming fade. I know that my future is to pursue Christ. That is more than enough. It's a lesson in learning to loose my grip on knowing all and leading my future and letting Joel lead us. It's laying down my pride and my fear of what is to come, and trusting Joel to lead me through it as we pursue Christ together. 
• Spring is finally here. Well - kind of. Spring sort of got left by the wayside with the MAY snow storm and quick ushering in a week later of 90 degree temperatures. Even if it's delayed, even if it's not by my timeline, even if it makes me laugh--- the season do change. They come when the time is right for the creator of the universe. He is faithful. 

The last month in pictures: 

Site visit to Cancun

So beautiful!! 

I could get used to this...

Work fun

Wine and Canvas- fun, moderately stressful for  'type A' folks (read: all of my coworkers and me)

Helped throw a bridal shower for a co-worker -- hosted at my apartment. 

Sangria station!!

The lovely bride is on the right - Jess! 

Epic baking fail...but I got a new oven out of it!! It pays to take lots of pictures -- my cupcake failure picture helped convince my property management company that my oven really was broken. 

Wedding weekend for aformentioned co-worker

BIKING SEASON IS FINALLY HERE

Baby shower for my sister in law and a weekend of family fun. 

59 days of waiting to see Joel...my countdown is now at 3 more days. I'm VERY ready to actually get to see him in person and hug him. I'm so thankful for technology that has allowed us to keep talking /seeing eachother / texting / video messaging etc throughout this season apart. It has caused a few semi-awkward moments (what? Me? no I'm not taking awkward selfies repeatedly -- I'm actually sending a video message to my boyfriend. I didn't see you on the sidewalk. I usually check for other people so I don't have an audience.). 

There are only 3 RINGS left on my "days til I see him" paper chain countdown :) 

Flowers from him. They came the day of the snowstorm (see next picture)

Spring Review

Since we last spoke:

I moved into a duplex with a friend. Living alone for a season was fantastic -- but Sara and I are a great match. Having a person to do life with and come home to has been great. 

I went to the Cayman Islands for work.

I said yes to "officially" dating a wonderful guy I have been talking to and spending time with. His name is Joel.

He moved to Minnesota.
He has driven down to see me and me up to see him a few times. It's hard - but we're figuring it out. One Skype call and care package at a time.
During one of my visits to see Joel, I got to spend some time with my bestie. 

Had a visit from my sister and niece.

I went to Hungary for work.

I took an extra week off after the work portion and went to Austria then back to Hungary.
I saw my sweet friend Jen for the first time in a few years (in Austria...then we traveled together to Hungary. WHAT?! Who arranges a rendezvous in Eastern Europe? We do, folks. We do.

I had a Birthday. 27 to be exact. Celebrated once in Budapest with my co-worker, then again in Vienna with Jen. 

For the record: the top item from my someday list? CONQUERED! Highlight of my trip was seeing an orchestra perform in Vienna on my birthday courtesy of Jen.

My life is delightfully full. My cup runneth over.