Nearly Summer....

One day away, but really it's already begun with a string of "sunny and 70" days!

Yep- summer officially begins as of 12:00pm tomorrow, May 12th. And I am particularly ready for my first ever NJ summer!!!

The past few weeks I have been juggling a few life events- finishing my May term class (which has been really awesome- interfaith youth leadership), attempting to help AJ with website work for his new business (Small World Farms), finishing my internship at the hospital (one day left!), and phasing into my summer field education at our church. I say phasing into, mostly because that's what I would rather be doing right now (planting a garden for my internship? OKAY!), but I've had so many other commitments, so I am juggling my responsibilities accordingly.

In case anyone was desperately waiting at the edge of their seat to see whether or not I have become a NJ resident....well wait no longer, because it's official!!! Not only am I the proud owner of NJ legal domicile (does anyone actually say that?) but I have been okayed to enter the joint MSW program as a result! This means I am embarking on a new educational road, and I am surprisingly okay with that. I thought after my MDiv I would be through studying, but I have once again deceived myself. Bring on the exams! God's got something going on in the area of social work, and I am about to find out!

So, yes, that means for anyone looking to make an east coast visit, you're in luck! We will be here another year, and you are always welcome to board with us while exploring NYC, Philly, the shore (JERSEY shore) :) or anything else that catches your fancy. You may even inspire us to get away for a weekend- something my crazy schedule has not afforded us for quite some time.

This summer I am looking forward to many things- hopefully a day at the shore soon. And working the church garden. leading a church mission trip. preaching at least 2 sermons (hmm, the Spirit better be moving, that's all I have to say about that). grilling with neighbors. building more consistent relationships with church friends. not studying (unless I take a summer MSW course, in which case, nix this). Visiting SD friends and family in June- and perhaps again in August. celebrating my 1st year anniversary! (that one deserved a "!" because I can happily say our 'year of transition' has been quite successful and I'm looking forward to the next). expanding my cooking know-how (my anniversary gift to our marriage is the addition of the Food Network magazine). being intentional about caring for my body and spirit (which are always interrelated, of course). enduring the heat of a NJ summer without complaining. :)

Okay, that's my long-term anticipation. Short term? I have more than a week off from responsibilities before I begin officially at RCHP, during which time one of our good friends will be moving in with us for the summer. Thus, I have some major apartment organizing to do! It's perfect, though, because we are helping him with rent costs, and in turn he will be helping us with utility bills. We have a spare bedroom, which currently hosts an office, but we are glad to transform it into a bedroom this summer! Party every day! :)

I need to catch the bus. Oops!

Sending love in the precious name of Jesus.

Emily