Hot days in July

Hey friends (whether real or virtual)!

How are things? Summer life has been good. Hot but good. Htown has been blessed with some rain over the past few days, which while it is still muggy and hot, at least it is some much-needed moisture for our parched city!

Here's life these past few weeks:

1. Houston Project - Every year, my church does this city-wide missions event where we partner with churches around the city who are in low-income areas and help to support them and make connections within their communities. This is my 2nd year to participate and I loved it. Last year, I was the VBS coordinator for the site we were at, but this year I decided to take on a different kind of role and it was amazing. I served on the prayer team and got to spend each evening just praying over the church, the VBS classrooms, the community, etc. and getting to watch God move in big ways through that. I've been really pressed lately to step up my prayer life lately, so this was one way I could do that and oh my word, I know this, but HE IS FAITHFUL! Wow. On the last night of the week, I took on a role that I really wasn't expecting to take on, nor did I want to - I DROVE THE BUS! A little known secret about me is that I have commerical driver's license from my tour guide days at BU. Well, sometimes your friends leak your secrets and you end up driving enormous buses with really small engines on the streets of Houston. Eek! It was good though. Totally covered in prayer, I gave my tremendous anxiety about this to the Lord and He saw me through it safely and smoothly. Here is the picture proof below:

2. Small group - I've been co-leading a small group for some of the girls in my Bible study class and it has been such a good blessing. I just feel like over the weeks, we have begun to be real and deep and encouraging with each other and that is such a blessing. Women can be super mean to each other, so it is a refreshing blessing to have this and the material we are going through (Me, Myself and Lies by Jennifer Rothschild) is kicking my butt and make me wrestle and squirm with a lot of issues in my heart and mind. Its painful at times, but I love it!

3. Time with friends - This is the first time since high school that I haven't worked a summer. The rest and the freedom and the time to spend on relationships has been good. I've gotten to go do some really fun things, have spent maybe a little too much money, but I have thoroughly enjoyed myself. I didn't get done everything I wanted to for this summer, but oh well. I still have 2 weeks - haha! I need to start getting myself back into work mentality so I can be ready for the newness that awaits me for this year.

4. Living alone - still going okay. I kinda get spooked at times and get bored at times, but I like it overall. Just an adjustment. I still wish I had a backyard for Ella but I try to take her out a lot when I am home. I just need to be cautious not to be out too much, so she doesn't get lonely! Poor thing.

I think that is it for now. The Lord has been doing some neat things this summer and I love it. How has your summer been going?