I am now back in Chicago, living in the University Center once again. Since I was in hibernation from blogging this whole summer, I thought I’d give a recap of what I’ve been doing all this time:

Sunday morning worship. I got the opportunity to help with praise and worship at Open Bible a couple times, and it was great. Singing with the old team, God really reminded me of the power in music, how it’s a medium in which we connect with him. Then there was the morning Pastor Bill sort of threw me a curveball – I got to practice early that morning to realize that I was leading the worship that morning, then came to discover how dreadfully HIGH the songs were for my range. Though I was freaked out, God really humbled me that morning, and I was forced to give my abilities all to him, and he made it an amazing time of worship. Unforgettable.

The best family reunion ever. Epleys from all over came to Waverly in the scorching heat, we ate lunch then played in the sprinklers back home, had water balloon fights, got a history lesson about the family farm from my great aunt Florence, sat and caught up with family members that I don’t even really remember ever meeting in person. At night we grilled burgers and sat around and talked. I left early the next morning for Chicago, so I missed the last part of the reunion. But like I said, it was, in my perspective, the best family reunion ever.

Highlight of the summer: the family dinners where Josiah came over, and the night that Megan and Jarred came also and we built a bonfire. If I have one regret over the summer, it is that I didn’t spend more time by the fire, making s’mores, cuddling with Josiah on my swing, watching the stars. I miss the stars when I’m here in Chicago, the city is so bright that you can’t really see them.

So there’s my summer in brief, now I must begin a new story in Chicago. Stay tuned…

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah… are you singing it in your head? I know I am.

I am finished with my first year of college and I’m back at home in Iowa!

Well, actually I’m sitting in Panera bread to take advantage of the amazing bagels and free wireless internet. But it’s still home.

My days, though much less stressful than during finals week, are still pretty busy:

Job searching. I had an interview with Karmen (a wonderful Waverly photographer) today, and she is going to give me a day or two per week working/shadowing her and her assistant. I am definitely thanking God for this, because Karmen wasn’t even looking for someone. She doesn’t need someone. But out of the goodness of her heart, she is giving me a small job. I cannot wait. I also have a second interview at Home Depot on Friday, and hopefully they will hire me for 30 hours a week or so. Need to make some money, people!

Sorting/unpacking/repacking. I’m trying to go through all the stuff that I brought back from college. I had WAY too much stuff. Seriously. My parents brought their beautiful 2005 Honda Pilot to pick me up, and with my futon and television, all my clothes, and odds and ends, we couldn’t fit it all. Josiah had loaded his stuff into my car and we had to sandwich as much of the rest of my stuff in there as possible. We got it all in… “easily” as I told Josiah (what a joke. More like “barely”.) Needless to say, I was the designated “blind-spot-checker” for my love. So my room is totally loaded with stuff that I’m putting in plastic containers for next fall. Yay. Can’t wait. Thank goodness I have two and a half months before I have to move it back. Ugh.

Sleeping. I think all those late nights have begun catching up with me. I could probably sleep 20 hours straight for the next week before feeling energized. Oh well, such is life. Can I include that as part of my busy schedule? It does consume hours and hours of my life.

Next post, which I’ll probably post yet today, will be some pictures from my final photography project. Maybe some of my drawings will be posted soon as well.

GLAD TO BE BACK!!!

The school year is about to end. Three more days of classes. Know what that means? Many things:

- I am very fatigued. Late nights, early mornings. Lots of work to do. Photos to print, books to construct, value studies to draw, ONE more test, science, to study for.

- I am eating very well, for two reasons – I need the food to stay awake, and I’m TRYING to use up all my food before Friday.

- I am baking 2 boxes of brownies on Wednesday night. (See above.)

- My greatest desire at the moment is to pop popcorn, paint my nails, and watch a movie, and finish off with ice cream.

- My second greatest desire is to take a long, relaxing walk in Grant park.

- I want to come home now. My stuff is pretty much packed up.

- I want to stay here. Funny, huh? It’s all because of the parks. The trees are all in full bloom. All the streets are lined with flowerbeds with tulips. The lake looks blue and inviting, rather than icy and full of death. Chicago is best in the spring, summer, and fall. At least I got most of the fall part, and a taste of spring.

- I am somehow extremely emotional, laughing AND crying within the same 10 minutes. Just ask Josiah.

- I am starting to make statements, like “this summer I want to…” as if it’s new years day and I’m setting my resolutions.

- I am starting to wonder how I’m going to make enough money to survive next school year. Anybody wanna offer me a job? That’s above minimum wage? It’s hard coming from Chicago where I am paid $8.50/hr to settling for something so far less.

- As of Thursday, after 12:50pm, I’m sortof officially a college SOPHOMORE. Woah. Isn’t that special.