Sometimes it's the smallest thing...

Once again I find myself apologizing for my absence this summer, as many of you know it has been one of the busiest times in my life and I just haven't had the time. My summer ministry with CCF has been a fruitful and fulfilling time thus far and it continues to press on. It seems to be the encouragement and challenge that I know I need and others as well. I've also started to work more focused on plans for the fall job with First B. I really love my time I put into both of these and want more time to put towards them. I've been running a training group for a new small group ministry First B is launching in the fall and it's been such an encouraging time! My group is full of some real big players int he church including deacons and elders. To top it off every other member save my partner Becca has grandchildren so it's quite the dichotomy. I'm learning so much from these people and they have really affirmed my leadership and spurred me on to grow further.
School has been tough to put it lightly but you've heard plenty of belly aching about that already. Work continually proves an exhausting task but I do enjoy the time I spend there. I do however find it difficult this year because I have so much hanging over my head that work has been more of a burden than a blessing. As you can imagine my time is spread pretty darn thin with all this and more. My grade in the first section of Spanish has fallen and I'm pushing the edge of not passing it. Today I finally made the decision I had delayed far too long, I quit my job.
This was so hard to do but I had to put my faith in the Lord to provide for me. I took on bike payments so that I could have transportation to my job and thought I would be able to balance it but ultimately my priority right now is finishing school and my ministry positions. I will be able to live for the summer after this decision thanks to some wonderful parents who are willing to help me for the summer. The weight that lifts is so great and I as humbling as it is for me I am so thankful and grateful for the support! I was trying to save up for the fall when I need to search for a job in this economy so the real sacrifice quitting requires is greater pressure in the fall.
Amongst all of my craziness last Saturday a few friends and I took a break for a relaxing movie night. We watched The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. It was good but the real highlight came at intermission. Earlier I went to the store and bought some peaches, and vanilla ice cream. This delightful treat is indeed tasty and refreshing on a hot summer evening but it gave me such a huge smile because of what it has always meant to me. As a child my Grandmother and I would have a slumber party every once in a while and rent a movie and she always bought me ice cream and peaches. It was in that movie that I was overwhelmed with such a little thing that meant and still means so much to me. I even got up and grabbed my camera to snap a shot of the dish because it made me so happy. The love my Grandmother has always shown sticks with me and her dedication to God and her family is a standard I can only hope to achieve. I sure do love her! I had hoped to make a trip back to Michigan this summer but doesn't look like time will allow. But I need to find the time to do so soon! Thanks for making peaches and cream such a special thing to me Gram!
Ok back to Spanish studies now that I have time to do so. No edits on this post so I hope it makes sense, excuse the rambling and any errors.