"I Lift My Hands to Believe Again.."

I've decided that instead of fighting it, I'm just going to embrace it.. so - in keeping with my tradition, I am blogging on Tuesday :) 


Yesterday, I painted a "commission" piece of artwork for my Brother and (to-be)sister-in-law.. took me about 4 hours total.. I forget how much I like painting, until I paint something. I have the picture on my phone, I'll see if I can upload it later..


Sew("a needle pulling thread"), what's new? you ask.. 
Last Friday I picked up Andrew from the airport. He is the interpreter from Missouri and will be here until the end of project. *YAY* Thus far things have gone well, and he seems to be able to "roll with Project's punches" (a.k.a the ever changing schedule that the last few weeks of project bring). He's also been super great at being flexible. All of my interpreters who come and stay for a week or more are hosted by a wonderful couple from The Lighthouse Church, Paul and Dottie Brandt. They did the same thing last year, and have been a God Send! However, since I leave on Saturday, that means I am taking my car with me.. and the Brandt's live a good 15 minute drive from the Project house. Being that Andrew flew here, the only wheels I could get for him would be a bike or roller skates, and that would make the trip around 30 mins, on a good day. Add in the heat wave we've had here, and things were not looking good. 
*Enter Johnny Mac and Mina* (with thematic "here I am to save the day" music, complete with Super hero capes and costumes!.. ok, maybe not the costumes)
Johnny Mac (as he's called by Project Peeps) was on Summer Project last summer with Auzy. This summer he's come back to work at his job from last summer and to live in Wildwood with his friend Mina, who we (as a Project) met last summer when he came over from Egypt looking for work. Mina and some of the Project students from last year formed solid friendships, and this year, he'll be moving to Indiana to hopefully be a student at Ball State University. Mina is a Christian - and as such, has been blacklisted in his home country. He can't graduate or find a job there. So he came to America, in hopes of finding refuge from the persecution. It's really encouraging to talk with him, as he recognizes that everything he's been given is directly a gift from God. :D
So- Johnny Mac and Mina live about a 15 min walk from the Project house (which is waaaaaay better than a 50 min walk) and have a couch open for Andrew to stay with them for a week. Mina is willing to give up his room for Andrew to stay (Egyptian hospitality is great!) But Andrew says he is fine on the couch. I told them they'd have to wrestle for the "Humble" award, but really, it's such an answer to my "Um, God.. what do I do with Andrew the last week, and not leave him stranded with no car" prayer. We will be moving Andrew over to the guys apt on Friday. YAY!


As for other updates: ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...
OH! This past Saturday, we had out "Bowling Day" outreach for the Deaf community. Five of our Deaf friends showed up. It was great (as I was mostly in the participant/observer role, NOT the terp role) to sit back and watch the students interact with our Deaf friends. Of the 10 of them, 3 guys and 7 girls, there are 5 of them (4 girls, and 1 guy) that are confident enough to strike up a conversation with any of the Deaf individuals there, and are able to maintain the convo at the basic level. For being introduced to their first Deaf person 2 months ago, I think some "Praise Jesus, Hallelujahs'!" are in order. I am continuously humbled by the students motivation to talk directly with Kinna, and other Deaf people. I was talking to Andrew last night, and he was commenting that he noticed that almost all of the students are willing to engage with Kinna directly. They don't seem intimidated or shy to ask her things, even if it means fingerspelling the whole sentence. Sadly, this is not the norm for hearing people, thus it makes the blessing even more evident. I was reminded at how great it is that these 44 Hearing College Students are being exposed to the Deaf community. These students are going to be the next generation of leaders in the Church/"Christian cirlces", and in the work place. To allow them the experience of this summer, and give them the opportunity to see that "Deaf people can do anything, except hear", makes the next time they meet a Deaf person that much less awkward. It makes the process of the next time they need to use an interpreter, or hire a Deaf individual, or have a Deaf person that starts coming to their church, that much easier - since they've already gotten their feet wet in the Deaf community! SUPER PRAISE JESUS (are you with me??!!)


As I get ready to head back home on Saturday, I am trying to make sure that I get all the things completed that I need to. I am still battling (yes, picture StarWars, episode 2 - light sabers, changelings, bounty hunters, and those skyriders.. ) the website which keeps my budget captive. I do have a budget on paper - but everyone knows to be leery of putting me in charge of numbers! I have checked my math, and even used a calculator - but last I looked at the updated (online account that I can't access directly, since their system doesn't think I exist in the capacity that I need to in order to access it) account it was $600 less than what I had. *If* my calculations are correct, I should zero out this summer, with everyone paid accordingly. *If* the computer (at this time) is right, then I'll be $700ish in the hole.. *sad-day face*
I think (read: am 97% positive) that I am right! buuuut, things on the other end of the system (at the DEATH STAR, as I've decided to call them) seem to be taking rather long to process. Thus my attempts to chase down the numbers (using those skyriders {is that what the thing Luke and Obi Wan ride in called?}) in cyberspace.. seem rather futile. However, as I started out last year, and have continued to trust this year, "The Lord knows how much is needed, and He will Provide." 
I am learning this summer a lot about blind trust, sometimes known as the "leap of faith" kind.. I tend to be the person that can trust pretty easily, as long as there is "some kind of possible answer" in the foreseeable future. However; I feel this summer, I have found myself in many situations in which God says "Trust me" and I say "Ok, which way?" and He just says, "Trust me".. to which I stand there, feel awkward just hanging out, and say.. "oh-kay?".. only to be whisked away a little while later to the PERFECT answer to my situation.. I've heard it explained that Trust is putting ones full weight on something - like sitting on a chair. So I guess I'm learning to REST in my TRUSTING.. to pull my feet up under me -indian style, and relax in Him.. instead of sitting precariously on the edge of my seat, ready to jump up and "help God out" at any given moment. It's a learning process, but I'm enjoying it thus far.


In closing, I guess I can give you a run down of my week of driving home (incase you want to stalk me.. or PRAY for my travels *wink*)
Saturday: I'm leaving Wildwood, and going over to D.C. where I will spend the evening with my good friend Kari!
Sunday: I'm off to Ohio, to stay with a friend from my college days. We were in Cru together, so lived a lot of life side by side. This will be my first time to visit her home town tho, so I'm super stoked. It's about an 8 hour drive (*sad day*)
Monday: Chill day. Time to recover from the day before and rest up for the next day.. :)
Tuesday: Heading down to Missouri. Will be back in Fulton - YAY College! Excited to see a few good friends! another 8 hour drive or so.. (*blah*)
Wednesday: Rest, Relax, Repeat. Another down day to be ready for the whirlwind I'll be joining at home! :)
Thursday: I make the last 6 hour drive home to T-TOWN! yay :) 
Friday: Rehearsal Dinner / bachelorette party for the Bride to be
Saturday: My Bro-ha gets HITCHED to his cute and wonderful lady, Shenangians! I'm'cited! 
Sunday: Praise Jesus.. then SLEEEEP!!??
Monday: Start back to work :)  TSHA, ya ready for me to be back? cuz ready or not, here I cooooome! :)


Thanks ya'll for taking this journey with me! Hope your summer has been full of blessings and rest!
Soli Deo Gloria
:D


"As I pour out my heart, these things I remember - YOU are Faithful God, Forever!"

"Lead Me to the Cross, Where Your Blood Poured Out.."

This weekend I was out of town, and thus did not get my entry finished in time for a Monday blast.. lo siento about that. Hope you weren't pinning away at your desktop awaiting my post.. Never fear tho - now it is here: Enjoy :)


I want to start off with a Challenge/Game/Prize opportunity. If you've been reading my entries through out the summer - (or if you have just started to read them, good thing it's "open book" [as my dad always says] and you can go back and re-look at them)- you might notice that there is a common theme, something that is standard in the format of all my post. I'll tell you upfront: it doesn't have to do with the layout or the font. Nor is it my signature line. If you can find the common thread in each of my posts - and e-mail me with the answer - I'll make you some custom made shell jewelry or artwork (or if you are a boy, and would like to give it to your lady/girl/wife/daughter, that can be arraigned too) and bring it back for you when I come home/send it to you if you live far away :) here are some pictures of things I have made thus far - happy searching

{{ Top to Bottom: Earring samples, Full shot and Close up of a 6-Shell design, Shell-in-Shell link'd design, and Larger-Shell with floating beads design    }}

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

So, recap of this past week

Lindsey got here on Monday, we tag-team terp'ed through out the week. 

Wednesday I met with Joe and Barbara again, then with the Deaf group from our Church.

Friday we (plus 3 others) drove to Philly, went to a Deaf-lead bible study..

Saturday morning Lindsey flew back home to Seattle *sad day!*

Sunday me (plus a few others- I'll explain who further on down) went to 2 different Deaf Churches, and then drove home.. 

Monday - I caught up on sleep, and started my week again! :)

Now, to expand :)

Having Lindsey here this past week was seriously a God Send! I needed to laugh, and be reminded of the wonders of interpreting and to be refreshed by life giving conversation - and Lindsey was God's answer to that need.. so So SO grateful for her! 

On Wednesday, she joined me as I went to meet with Joe and Barbara. I'm telling you, guys.. I get so pumped when I get to witness the Holy Spirit "come alive" in someone's life! I've never been "high" or tried any type of drugs, but I have to assume that the *HIGH* that comes from being involved in Adonai's work is better than any kind of drug that man can concoct. Joe is in that "ah-ha" season in his walk with our Lord. Each time we meet He is consistently seeing new and relevant truths as we are studying the book of John. He is a handy man by trade and uses construction tools like no one else can, but to be a part of equipping him to use these Spiritual Tools - there's not a thing that can compare - peeps, not a thing! After we went through the passage he had been studying, and had a FANtabUlous discussion about the Holy Spirit and His role in our lives; we started to talk about music..

I feel I need to preface this topic for all my hearies (yes, you - my dear hearing friends who are not involved in the Deaf community).. Music and Deaf people go together like Deep Fried Oreo's.. it's something that from the outsiders perspective seems like a crock, even lunacy - "who, in their right mind, deep fries an oreo?" .. "who, in their right mind, thinks deaf people can dance, or even enjoy music - they can't even hear it.." - right? BUT some crazy person thought deep frying an oreo would be good.. then someone tried it, and it caught on..  and it's DELICIOUS, lemme tell you.. but it's also not for everyone (as my friend said the other day "That's the worst thing I've ever had, tastes awful" - in my defense, it was cold.. deep fried COLD anything is gonna be awful, but I digress)..  Thus, when Music and Deaf people go together, it can be BEAUTIFUL! but it has to be learned.. Music unexplained to a Deaf person is like the cold fried oreo.. "blah", "undesirable", even "detestable".. So I attempt to right the wrong, at least make sure they try a "Hot Deep Fried Oreo" and give them the ability to decide if they like it or not.. 

Thus, on Wednesday, I brought up the topic of music, and we started to look at the song lyrics to "Nothing but the Blood of Jesus" with Joe and Barbara. Now, you and I (native users of English) know that English is often a tricky language. It conjugates weirdly and often uses words in awkward structure. (point made?) Most [I hesitate to say many - then for you to think oh, "it's 1/2 and 1/2".. but I am not a 100% sure it's the majority of "most".. but I'll err on the side of "most"..]  all that internal thought process to say most Deaf people consider English to be their second language. So couple a "second language learner" with "Christian-ese" and most Praise and Worship songs sound like this (the English translation).. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIE6oCpyXmo

So, as Barbara, Joe and I disected the chorus of "Nothing but the Blood" - their eyes got wider and wider, as for the first time they understood the imagery of the song. Joe and Barbara are in their 50's.. they have been attending church for the better part of their lives.. and yet they've not ever understood this common hymn.. This burden's my heart greatly - as understanding is something I value highly (and take for granted often). And it's not that Joe and Barbara are "low functioning" or "not able to understand" - they both are capable of complex thought, and contribute to society. They have just not had it explained to them in their language before.. When I think about this, I get this image of Philip, meeting up with the eunuch in Acts chapter 8:
³⁰ .. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. ³¹ “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
I feel like Philip - lead by the Lord - to make music available to those "who don't understand it".. Many worship songs are full of doctrine that we tend to take at face value - but in the explanation of the song, I could see Joe making the connection of "Jesus paid for MY sins".. not just the sins of the world..*SO GREAT!* Joe said to me later, in the most innocent of comparisons.. "I wish you had been my mom. I wish my mom was like you, and had explained things to me, I wish I was your son." Breaks my heart to think that many parents of Deaf children don't ever communicate with them. I am grateful for an "Abba" that restores the years the locust have eaten.. It's a slow process, but it will be restored! Praise our Adonai! :)


To wrap up, I still need to mention my weekend trip to Philly and the "others" that I said I would explaine :D
Lindsey - of course, I've introduced. I met her this past April at a Christian conference in Iowa.. (Terp)
Kinna - student on Project, attends Gallaudet University in Washington D.C., but is from Washington State..  (Deaf)
Sarah - a hearing student on Project who was introduced to her first "Deaf person" (a.k.a Kinna) in June. She knew it would be an "ASL trip - no English" but she was up for the challenge, and seemed to have a good time :)
Mercy - a friend I met last summer briefly, RIT student who knows Auzy. She is involved in the Deaf Christian Club. She lives in Southern Jersey, so joined us for the weekend.. (Deaf)
Pepsi - a student at RIT, who I met 3 years ago at a Christian Deaf Family camp. We've been in contact off and on since. She's great fun, and offered to let us stay at her place!  (Deaf)
Mary - Pepsi's roommate. Student at RIT. (Deaf)
Ashley - a girl who graduated from the ASL Interpreting program at Woods with me. She now works in Washington D.C. and joined us Saturday and Sunday :)  (Terp)
Rich and Jess - a wonderful couple that I mentioned in my last post that God introduced me to last year. So great to continue to build a friendship with them! (Terps)


I think this post is getting long, so I won't go into details of the weekend - just know it refreshing and life giving! 


Soli Deo Gloria
:D

"Rid me of myself, I belong to you.. Oh, Lead me to the Cross.."

this is a test..

to figure out how the automatic "hey, I blogged - check it out" e-mail thing works..

yup- boring, sorry!

Soli Deo Gloria
:D

"This is my Prayer in the Harvest, when favor and providence flow"

Last week, I posted on Wednesday.. This week, I made it by Tuesday.. does that mean next week I might actually make my originally stated "I'll post on Monday?" - we shall see! hahaha :)

The funny thing is that I planned to blog yesterday, however my day didn't exactly go as planned. *chuckle* That's life for you, right? I have a TEAM Interpreter here this week: Her name is Lindsey and I met her in April up at a Christian Interpreting Conference in Iowa (Praise God from whom all BLESSINGS flow). The plan was that her flight would get in early Monday morning (think 1am-ish). Then my friends (Rich and Jess - who you'll meet later in this post) would pick her up from the airport, she'd stay the night with them, then I'd come get her Monday morning from Philly. Weeeelll, the weather in Denver did not get my memo, as her flight got delayed by an hour or so, she missed her connection and ended up having to try to get on a 7am flight the next morning "stand by" on 4 hours of sleep. 

Lindsey = ROCK STAR! Praise the Lord a couple on that flight was late yesterday morning, so she got one of their seats! That changed her arrival time to 1:25pm. One would think, oh - instead of leaving for Philly at 9am, I could now blog first, then leave at 11 and have plenty of time to make it up there. Well, I ended up running errands, then thinking I'll leave a little early - get there, and then blog from the cell phone waiting area. OR *what really happened* I'll drive up there, think "I don't want to pay the Toll for the toll bridge", look on the map, "oh, there's a bridge 20 miles north of this one, sure why not".. only to get there an IT's a TOLL bridge too.. then I have to go 20 minutes BACK towards the airport *sheesh* get there in time for her to land *YAY* then driving home, think "we should be back by 3, she'll probably want to nap, so I'll blog then".. ONLY to get "semi lost" twice.. I say semi cuz I knew "ish" where I was, but we were having such a GREAT conversation (God send - truly, she is!) that I wasn't paying the utmost of attention.. The first time we "took a short cut" or so I thought.. The second time, I may or may not have checked to make sure we got on the highway wanting to go South *sheepish grin* 40 Miles NORTH later, I realized my inattention to detail, we had to pull a U-turn, and yeah.. So, what should have taken 2 hours -at the most - turned into 3.5.. We made it back in time for the evening meetings that I already had lined up.. hahaha, all that to say Today = delayed flight + flawed driver = FUN conversation!

I should also explain where I'm staying now, and how WONDERFUL it's been :) Last summer, through a friend of a friend, I met Rich and Jessica (they are a married couple who both had ties to the Deaf community before they met, and are now both interpreters in Philly). Rich interpreted once for me last summer, and has come down to interpret 3 or 4 times this summer. Jessica was in school last year, so wasn't able to come down - but this year, she is saving my tail - by covering for me during the last week of Project when I make my way back to Oklahoma for my Brother/Sister-in-law's wedding. Rich has also been a wonderful resource, getting me connected with other Deaf Christians in the area - and offering to let me stay at his parent's beach house for the first 2 weeks in July. The Project house is a mere 4 streets over, less than a 10 minute walk - so it's great location! This weekend, I'll be moving 20 minutes inland  - back to my host family (from last year's) house - which I'm stoked about getting to live with them again, it just means a 20 minute drive for me each way.. that part I could do without. *grin* All this to say, I've been blessed by Rich and Jess and their service to me/Project that, for the most part, has been behind the scenes. Rich is a man of networking - and it helps me out tremendously! Praise the Lord for "a recommendation of a friend of friend" becoming MY Friends! :) 

This weekend Kinna and I (with about 4 other Deaf female friends of ours) are going up to Philly and we'll be hanging out with Rich and Jess, attending a Deaf lead Bible study, and 2 Deaf churches. I am looking forward to our "Signing Weekend" as last year I did the same thing with Auzy and another friend and it was so very refreshing!

Speaking of refreshing - I love loVE LOVE it when God sets up Divine appointments. This past Saturday, some students on Project set up a "hang out/mini-golf/ice cream" afternoon for the goal of meeting more Deaf people in the community. A girl we met last summer, who is now going to be a sophomore in an interpreting program in PA, invited to of her Deaf friends. Jessica and Zoe both attend mainstream High School programs (this means they go to a public school, with an interpreter, all day). They seemed comfortable interacting with the hearing Project Students (all College students) - since most of them can't sign fluidly yet. The Project Students seemed to have a great time interacting with them too. We met up and played Mini-golf in 3 different teams. Jessica, who will be a senior in the fall, was on my team. She asked what our group did, and why we were here for the summer. I was able to explain about Campus Crusade for Christ, and what Summer Project was as we played. At the end of Mini-golf, instead of "swallowing" your ball on the last hole - the putt-putt place had this box that you "recycled" your ball into - like a "Plinco" game. If your ball landed in the "treasure box" you got a free game next time you came. The game also spit out tickets for "buy one get one free" Italian Ice. Many of us opted for that - and so the ice cream thing got delayed. The girl I mentioned in my last post - that I got to hang out with on the 4th of July - I had invited to play with us, but she had to work. She worked 15 min's South of where we were playing Mini-golf, so I suggested to the group (13 of us total) that we go to her place, and get some appetizers. They were all game, so we headed that way. Devin (my friend) was able to be our "hostess" and it was fun to see where she works. It's a sea food place - and this Oklahoma girl doesn't do a lot of sea food - however, I did learn that I LIKE Shrimp Poppers.. hmmmm! After Mike's Sea Food, we went to get ice cream. I finally got to chat some with Zoe and Jessica without having to interpret, as there were lots of small conversations going on around us. Some how we got on the topic of "could God eat a gummy bear" and from there God lead me to explain about the concept of salvation, and why Jesus came to Earth. Jessica has gone to church, and knew some things about the bible, but Zoe had never heard about God, about Sin which causes separation from God, and about Jesus taking the punishment of sin on himself, and offering us forgiveness. With wide-eyed attentiveness, she asked question after question about what all of that "Christian" stuff meant. She didn't want to pray in front of everyone, but said she would "talk to God when she went home". It was sooo very cool to be able to share the Gospel with her. We are planning to see her again on July 23rd when we host a bowling get-together for the local Deaf community! I'm excited to catch up with her and see what she has decided!

It's funny to me that God sets up these divine appointments. During sharing with Zoe, my wrist's didn't hurt at all :) Sadly, that night when I went to interpret the debrief, they did.. they hurt doubly, it seemed, thinking they needed to make up for not hurting earlier. I bought a "copper/magnetic" bracelet the other day (it says it helps with arthritis aches..) I'm not sure if it's working.. as my fingers are still tingling some.. I plan to go to the Chiropractor today or tomorrow.. hopefully an adjustment will help the nerves to calm down as well. If you think of me, please pray for my wrists to not be so "contrary" *wink*.. I am trying to make sure I'm stretching, and being a good steward of my health - but I also know that "this too shall pass, only what is done for Christ will last".. so I teeter-totter around the question of "how much is too much" when it comes to serving Kinna well and allowing her access to the project atmosphere? And I am trying to rest in what I do, knowing that a job well done is all He asks of me.  :D

It's weird for me to think that I only have 3 weeks left here. But I am also excited to come back - see my favorite Bro-hair get HITCHED - and live life alongside all of ya'll! Thanks for your time, to read about the happenings in New Jersey!

Soli Deo Gloria!

:D

"I know I'm filled to be emptied again, the seeds I've received I will sow.."

"You'll find life in this colliding.. "

As I've been catching up with the 100 e-mails that had been piling up in my inbox, I've been telling people that Time and I have been going through a reconciliation process. We actually had a really bad spell, and thought about separating, but then I came to the conclusion that I will have to interact with'em often, as Time is pretty much everywhere.. So, we are currently trying to reconcile after being sworn enemies for the past 2/3 weeks.. *chuckles* 

Sooooo - where to start on this update?? What happened over the past 2 weeks that should be documented? hmmm.. when I say the last 2 weeks of June were sheer Cr@zIne$s, I am not exaggerating. God, in His loving providence, steered me through them - but there were days that I thought I would become a push-puppet,
(remember those old school toys that collapsed)
[Push puppet - A push puppet consists of a segmented character on a base which is kept under tension until the button on the bottom is pressed. The puppet wiggles, slumps and then collapses, and is usually used as a novelty toy.]
yeah - I thought I'd be one of those and just fall apart..!

So, brief recap - June 10th to June 17th Daron (Interpreter from RIT) was here. side note: I had scheduled a different guy terp for June 19th since Daron would already be gone, and 3 days before, he called and cancelled on me. This was bad - since I had been trying to find a team interpreter for this guy (meaning that I knew no one else was available). After trying/exhausting ALLL options, I finally asked Daron if he would be willing to extend his stay til Monday. This would mean 1) He would have to make some calls to cover commitments he had back at home 2) He would have to be a nomad as far as housing is concerned, as I had booked another interpreter to come in on the 17th/stay at the place he was currently staying and 3) He would have to cancel his flight/re-book it for Monday. And I'd have to find him a ride to Philly - being that I had to work Monday morning when he would fly out.. THANKfully it all worked out, and he was able to stay. THANKS for being a ROCKSTAR, Daron!


June 17th-June 25th Melody (Interpreter from PA) was here. She recently graduated from an ITP program, but has been learning sign language for the past 12 years (while she home schooled her kids, she explains). As the Lord provides interpreters each year, most of the time it is through referrals. Friends of deafies, or recommendations of other interpreters I know. It can be hard for me to know what to expect as far as skill sets go and what the team structure will look like. Both Cory and Daron are "Working Interpreters" in Rochester/at RIT. That means we were "Peer Interpreters" during the weeks they were here. I would interpret for Kinna and they would interpret for Auzy separately during some of the trainings. Melody is a "pre-certified interpreter". Meaning she does not have as much experience as Daron, Cory and I. This is not necessarily a problem, as I do not mind mentoring someone, giving constructive feedback and encouraging growth - however, I was not expecting to be in "mentor mode" that week. I misunderstood the situation coming into the week, and while it worked out, it was more work on me than I had anticipated. Again.. it wasn't bad - just different than I had planned for. So, "Yay God" for grace, for flexibility and for Kinna being patient!

June 26th - July 2nd.. I just about thought the world had ended! soooo sooOOO SOOO MUCH crammmmmmed into 5 days. I knew I would be solo this week, and I knew that it was the staff's last week here (aka I would have both Deaf individuals to interpret for by my lonesome), but I also did not comprehend the situation fully. I think there was one or two days that I interpreted from 9/10am to 11pm.. maybe with 20-to-40 minute breaks between 2 to 3 hour long terp sets.. Jehovah-Jireh provided me with the strength (and lucidness) to make it through somehow. Only by His ability did I survive. 

Ohhhkay.. I think that's most of the main points of the past 2 weeks. This week seems to starting out well.. Hey - my goal for posting Monday is only 2 days off this time, instead'a 3.. by the end of the summer, I'll get it! I'll post by Monday one of these days! 
speaking of Monday..
Monday - July 4th, I was able to catch up with a girl Auzy and I met last summer who had just graduated from Gally (Gallaudet - cuz it's soooo long to type it out, ik, ik..). She is from 20 minutes north of Wildwood, but was in town for the holiday. We hung out for the afternoon, and had a totally Spirit lead convo while getting lunch together. We will hopefully meet up this weekend. I'm excited to continue to re-connect with her. 

As of July 1st, I moved to a new location too - which is working out nicely so far. Next week I have an interpreter coming in, so I'll have a roomie for a week. That will be great too.. AND I finally have CONSISTENT internet. That was prolly the biggest culprit in my "non-posting-ness". Where I was staying for the first month only received a WiFi signal from the top deck, and we were on the middle floor. The signal was not very strong either, thus sometimes it worked, other times it didn't.. 
YAY for "free" wifi, BOO for not good quality ;)
but now I have consistent internet at the new place that I am staying - thus I hope to be consistent in my last few weeks to update ya'll :D


(My next update will try to be less "schedule updates", and more "how I'm doing".. but I think this entry is long enough without going into more deets..stay tuned!)
THANKS for hanging with me. Hope You are also experiencing our Adoni this summer in rejuvenating, challenging, and encouraging ways! 


Soli Deo Gloria
:D


"Oh the Beauty of Surrendering.."