Good Friends, Good Times

It's been an emotional but fun week. Between birthday parties and friends coming into town, it's been a little bit stressful but also a lot of fun. Friday was my last day at work, but they gave me had a really fun going away party and we even got most of the faculty to wear hollywood sunglasses - not an easy feat--but sooo funny if you knew them.

Then to continue the celebration, we hit up the Melting Pot, which is always ah-mazing. Great food, great fun, a few good sword fights with our fondu forks, and lots of laughing.

And that was just Friday. The rest of the weekend flew by. To sum it up, there were break dancers, the second line of a New Orleans wedding, street car rides, crepes, Rivertown, reunions, Camellia Grill, sore feet, dancing, movies, and travel planning. Good times, good times :)

Now it's time to finish up SuperWow planning before heading to training Thursday. But yea for SuperWow!

Yet Another Crazy Weekend

2 weekends in a row of craziness and endless hours in the car, but again it was very worth it. My nephews had their 3rd and 1st bday parties - so much fun, as usual. They had their own little cakes, lots of friends, and mucho fun.

Grady on their new big kids playground :)

The football monkey was a big hit...

...but he felt the same way we did when it was over - exhausted!

We also got to hit the beach at Gulfshores with our friends. We go far too long without getting to see each other, so it's always lots of fun to catch up, play, and learn new fitness tips (thanks Rudy-haha).

Us trying to get Sadie to dance at the Hang Out

The good news and the bad news, however, is that next weekend will again be the same. I LOVE having fun and getting to see everyone, but it also reminds me that I'm getting old - haha. Or, maybe it's keeping me from getting old :) Either way, bring it on!

End of the Road

It's always bittersweet to come to the end of a stage in your life. That's where I find myself now. I'm sad to leave behind the friends and coworkers I have now, but I'm also excited to see what the next year will bring. Friday will officially end my era of coming to the seminary campus everyday. Since moving to New Orleans (and then re-moving here after Katrina), the seminary has been a major part of my life. I've been here everyday, whether it's for class or work. Even this past semester when I only had one class, I still spent 45 hours a week on this campus, if not more. I remember when I started. I didn't know anyone or where to find things or the minute details of seminary workings. Now, I know those things. I know the in's and out's of the campus and everything going on behind the scenes. It's really hard to leave a comfort zone and start over again in an unfamiliar setting with new faces, new rules, and new challenges, but it can also be an adventure.

And as usual, God is faithful. He has changed my heart and prepared me for this time in every way possible. I've learned so much about who I am and what I can do, as well as about life and people in general. I've met people who will forever influence my life and who have helped shape me to be the person I am today.

And as with every major change in my life, I am ready when (and only when) it is time to move on. And that's where I am now. While it is definitely sad and strange to be leaving, I'm ready and very excited to be moving on to a new challenge and a new adventure. I'm sure the ride will be bumpy, but the best ones always are. Plus, I'll officially be a true New Orleanian, seeing as I'm no longer attached to the city by school or work but rather by choice. A favorite quote at the seminary comes from one of our past presidents, who talked about New Orleans by saying, "First it gets in your hair, and then it gets on your nerves, and then it gets in your heart." And that's exactly how it is. No matter what happens, you're drawn to it and end up loving it more and more everyday, despite all of its problems.

I'm definitely going to miss the life and challenges I have now. But as I said before, I'm excited for the new challenges and for the future in general. For everything there is a season, and this one has been pretty good. I've definitely had my ups and downs, but overall the ride has been pretty good.

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven; a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away" Ecclesiastes 3:1-6