the collective sigh of relief

how thankful am i for a few days home to rest! not just sleep, but rest. to find rest in my spirit and stay there a while.

to wash my skin with clinique soap!
to keep the windows open, even during the night when it gets cold, and cuddle up with clean blankets.
to do laundry at a leisurely pace.
to sleep 8+ hours in consecutive nights.
to nap just because i feel like it!
to read lewis when i have free and inspired moments in my day.
to meet dear friends and eat and have wonderful conversation!
to tie up loose ends.
to breathe in and feel it in my heart.
to do what i can remember of yoga on my green mat and fib the rest.
to be perfectly fine with bad weather and rejoice in the good weather.
to get in my swimsuit and go sunning!
to play the piano as much as i want and pretend like i'm really good at it.
to go on walks and drives and outings, in parks and cul-de-sacs and shops.


okay, so, exams are done and summer is here! WOOHOO! for a while there i wasn't sure if i'd EVER see summer. i've been working so hard that, now that i'm here, i have no idea what to do with myself! i need to make a list of summer "goals and randomies" (as i so fondly call them) for the season.

and i have successfully completed my first year at appalachian state. i have come a long way, across state lines and in all kinds of majors and classes and colleges, and i am happy and settled where i am now. i had to learn a lot of stuff, and it was hard, and i'm here, and i'm glad.

at the moment, i am home for a few days and will be heading back up to boone to spend the majority of the summer. the apartment in boone is left only with imprints of where furniture used to be, and i'm unsure of how long it will be before it feels like a little shnuggly home again with plentiful furniture, roommates, friends, food, and fun.

this summer is not going to go as i had planned. i heard once that if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans. but then i heard that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. and once that "many hands make light work"... but enough with that jargon! i was planning on taking two classes and working two jobs, saving money, and getting to know the great outdoors that is just sitting outside of my little apartment 301. instead, i can't take the classes i had hoped to, and i've only got one job. i'll be roommateless and tight on money. hmmm. hey, God? what are You up to? i'm asking and listening. all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord, so i'm looking forward to seeing what happens.

here's what i know will happen as of now:

work at gladiola girls
joy's wedding (hair and make-up lady extraordinaire!)
and all the showers and luncheons and whatnot that come with a wedding.
spending time with one of my very best friends
turning 21!!
nancy and will's wedding. week long celebration!
and...
wisdom teeth removal. oh. no.
music and friends in beaufort, nc.


maybe...

a class?
finding a boone church to connect to?
cassie's wedding in nashville?
music?
good things?
hard things?


here's to summer and new days ahead!

-samantha