She's Sun and Rain

This summer has been absolutely wonderful so far. I've been extremely blessed with the things I've been able to do. Hiking, beach trips, summer camp, mountain trips, really...it's been amazing. Last week July 14-18 we had summer camp, and then Saturday I had lunch with some old but great friends, and this week has been our Cheersport work retreat where you'll see some photos of me riding ATVs and doing the ziplines. We were at Carolina Adventure World and I highly recommend taking a day and spending it there if you ever get the chance! Some of our adult leaders at summer camp in Hendersonville, NC. Me and Shay! Thank you God for making waterfalls and rivers. Jumping off of Turtleback falls. I drove the one on the far left all week! Lunch with some friends from High School and their babies. Riding the ATVs. Loving the zipline. That's me going down a 1,500 ft zip line. AMAZINGness.

Where to start. The 4th of July was amazing. I'll begin there. I went with Teran, Paige, Adam, Lauren, and Jeff to Paige and Teran's parents house in Franklin, NC and it was wonderful. I felt very relaxed. We went hiking, to the fireworks in downtown Franklin, to Fat Buddy's restaurant, and white water rafting. We also were able to meet the Amish friends of their family. I love Amish people! haha, I couldn't wait to meet them. It was a weekend full of laughs and smiles and lots and lots of fun. I love the mountains! (And my new chacos, they came in handy!). Then, on Tuesday, the Student Ministry went to the Matthews Help Center to clean and do some service work around there. After, we went to the Siskey Y, where I got really burnt, and then we played Boggy Pong (there's no way to describe this super fun chaotic game of group ping pong except to see it), and then the leaders went to Li's Chinese in Lake Park for dinner. They have delicious chicken! Then....here...

Had the high school ladies over to my house for dinner last night. We had spaghetti, salad, bread and then of course Ice cream! They thought it would be fun for Lynsey to put on my old uniform! haha We love ice cream. Hangin out on the porch enjoying the ice cream. Love this shot. We were taking a walk down to the gazebo! Thanks girls for coming over! Let's do it again real soon :)

Last year around the 4th I blogged about Traditions and starting new ones. Last year was at least a little traditional because I went down to the beach, stayed at my dad's house, visited with the Humphries and my grandparents, and then for the day of the 4th, drove to Raleigh and watched fireworks there. The 4th is such an awesome time of memories for me. Most of my life I spent the 4th with my dad, who was one of the most fun, amazing people I have ever known. We spent it at Badin lake in my younger years, until I was 14 or so, and then we would always go to his house at the beach, or spend it at Pine Lake CC with Pallie. Those are some great memories! At Badin Dad would get up early just so he could pull me tubing and skiing before everyone woke up and crowded the lake and our cove. There's something special about being out on the lake when it's smooth as glass in the early morning. There would be a boat parade and my whole family would be there, we'd watch fireworks ...

I'm buying Chacos. And I'm excited. There was a time in my life when I thought people who wore these were weird hippies or something. But then I'd be the one rafting with soggy tennis shoes that I couldn't wear ever again running with decent support. Then came Josh Hinton and Margaret Sanders and now...I am going to buy my very own. Haha. The older I get, the more I want to be outdoors doing stuff. I've always known I'm not a "corporate world super office type"...although I've held two of those jobs, and held my own might I say! But, I am growing more to love hiking and nature and water and well, all the things God made that we haven't ruined yet. So...Chacos here I come!