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. 

A new season

He is calling me to trust.
Completely. Fully. Painfully. Freely. RECKLESSLY.

And it's terrifying. I walk the tightrope between giddy excitement for what's to come and racking sobs fearing the reality of everything I'm leaving behind.

Leaving Biblical community and authentic relationships complete with HARD accountability.
Leaving job security with a great company.
Leaving co workers that love me and have become my family for the 50+ hrs we're together a week
Leaving the south where sunny weather and beauty surrounds me daily

He has promised great things. He is undoubtedly calling me. He is faithful to answer prayers. My prayer is that the cries of my heart and soul join with the will of God. Praying in hope for what is to come. I'm praying to be led to the right church, a steady job where my passions and gifts can be utilized, a neighborhood where I can flourish and have meaningful relationships. I rest in knowing that I would not be called away from community, deep love, relationships, and Austin unless there were GREAT things to come. That I am not LEAVING these relationships, rather the dynamics of them are changing. The peace in my soul would not be there unless he had already prepared a place for me, a community for me to join, a new church to serve in.

So yes, I'm walking away from this season in Austin, Texas, but I'm stepping into an adventure. One that will take me closer to my family. One where I get to see the Lord display HIS glory by making me lay down my idols of security and fame - to let his GREATNESS be my story. I'm going to pack everything I can into my Chevy Malibu and drive away--all the way up I-35 to the snowy tundra. Final destination? Good question. Most likely Minneapolis, MN, Des Moines, IA or Ames, IA.

I'm excited for the amazing story that the Author of the universe is writing for me...like you, I have NO IDEA what's next!