I'm sitting here at the World Headquarters of Campus Crusade for Christ. I can hear thunder outside and see faint traces of grey clouds and blue sky pushing it's way through the gloom. Typical Florida weather. People are zipping up bags, walking by, saying their farewells. I just saw some lightning. Woot. It's my last "official" day here on the Lake Hart STINT. I have mixed feelings. My exit interview went well but I am really going to miss my supervisor. One of the other girls is getting married and moving away and I'm the only STINTer coming back in the fall. Weird. At least I think I have a place to live- praying about that and hoping to move soon so I can be settled when I come back in a few months. My dear friend, Gloria texted me a few days ago with some exciting news: She's engaged!! I'm so happy for her and the man that has swept her off her feet (Aaron). Hearing about her engagement and move out west really got me all emotional and nostalgic. But oh-so-thankful for the gift of life-long friends. I visited the town I grew up in a few weeks ago. The same town I met Gloria and her twin sis, Grace in. The same town that all my childhood memories live in. The same town that almost half of my childhood and high school friends still live in. Except now, they are raising children and have familes of their own. KA-RAAA-ZEE. It was amazing to see my friend Amy and hold her little girl, Ava in my arms. To see that precious child's face and remember the days when we played "house" with baby dolls and kid strollers was something I won't soon forget. Looking at sweet Ava being there with Amy was almost too much for me to take. I just can't believe how time has flown. I really felt old- even though everyone at work makes fun of me for being the "youngest." Ha. Now this weekeend I'm going to 2 weddings of good friends from college. That makes 3 weddings, 1 graduation, Mother's Day and Father's Day all within 2 months. Whew. I'm rambling. But processing. I don't write enough anymore. Since I'm coming back here to Worldwide Challenge to be a writer for our web sites and magazine, I figure I should probably start some writing again. I feel my pen has been mute this STINT year. Only a few times have I allowed myself back into the world of writing and those times have been powerful yet necessary. I'm not afraid but I've definitely been holding back. Why? Who knows... The Lord has done a serious rehaul on my spirit this year. I processed some of it with my supervisor today, but it's really starting to sink in. My MomMom (grandmother), Adele Parsons, passed away on Friday. My memories of her on this earth are so good. She was always around and my brothers and I knew her well through our teen years. The last time I saw her was in March of 2007 when I visited her down in FL. I love this picture of us, because it describes our relationship and the loving, carefree, yet spunky personality that we share:  I will miss her. Last week was tough. I grieved daily for my Mom and her family. I prayed for broken relationships to be restored and for my grandmother to feel loved as she lived her last week on earth. My heart broke for my mother as I would listen to her cry, be angry, sad or bitter and process the hurt and pain that she has carried since her father's death when she was only 13 years old. One thing I've learned in the past few years is that God has given me an incredible sense of empathy for people in pain. I don't know why. It is something I cannot control and did not choose. I only know that when the ones I love are hurting, the burden I carry and the weight I feel is deep and immense. I learned so much about the body of Christ this past week. People who haven't known me for very long came along side me in my grief and prayed for me, listened to me, cried with me and just sat with an arm around me. Being ministered to like that is something I have never experienced. The Lord has been so good. With all of this said. I feel as though a season of my life is coming to an end. It is healthy. It is good. I'm scared but excited. I'm anxious yet hopeful. I'm aware and ready to do what is necessary to move forward. I feel like a stronger, yet softer and more gentle person. God has used many many things to break me, mold me and humble me this year. I'm thankful. I'm still in this dance. I haven't given up, I haven't sat down to take a break and I'm not going to let go of His hand. I'm going to trust that He will lead and that He knows the best steps. The right steps. The most adventurous, challenging, illumnating and developmental moves. I'm in. I'm ready. It's gonna be wild and I can't wait to explore. | 
