Dear Me

Err... us, I mean. I mean, we mean. Whatever, you get it.

I told Cliff the other day I haven't felt much like updating this, and he told me that was okay. Mostly because life goes on without it, right, so it's not an obligation. And I couldn't have agreed more.

But today, as I sit here in the coffee shop downloading my Comprehensive Exam e-mails including directions and content questions, I find I have time. Though, I really may not have much to say.

We got away this weekend, which was nice. It was our six and nine-months "CK Weekend" in one shot, simply because this was an unexpected but much needed trip that fell conveniently in line with my Spring Break and some surprise time off from work for Cliff. We are both very much travellers by nature, whether it is to visit family (or soon, friends) across the country or finding someplace that's a driving distance away and going. I tend to spend far too much of my time dreaming of new places to go, and Cliff just keeps encouraging that by working so hard and bringing about unexpected financial blessings.

Unexpected and blessings are the operative words in that paragraph. If anything, that's what God has been showing us lately - and not in the kind of way that makes an individual greedy for more of the things in life that make us feel happy and whole. Instead, it's been drawing us both closer to Him, because there's just no way for the two of us to get around realizing that God is both the source and the center of all things in our life together. From work, to school, to finances, to ministry, and to our relationships - we succeed sometimes because of God-given intellect, character, determination, etc. but we really find that the truest and most meaningful progress is made when we're both fully aware of our weakness and God's strength... our chaos and His control... our stupidity and His wisdom.

It's hard to believe I'm eight weeks away from graduating. Still two hats in the ring and maybe a third if I hear back from a local private school about the possibility of applying for a College Planning Advisor position. You wouldn't belief how supportive Cliff has been. And both our families. And our dear Sunday school class who are so faithful to pray for us to and to encourage me through this time. And people like Sarah Mudd, who deserves a special mention because she's in the boat with me in a way not many other people can be simply because she's on the same journey. We don't even have to talk and I am just reassured by her wisdom and her faith. Thanks, Sarah.

We've cleared some space in our schedule this next week for me to really focus in on these Comps which really don't seem as though they'll be too bad. I just have this sense of wanting to prove to these professors who have been so kind and so generous with their knowledge that I actually learned something that I'm ready to put into action. Add to that graduation obligation a trip to Atlanta mid-week for SIFE Regional Competitions with the Belmont SIFE team and next week will be an interesting ride.

Isn't it crazy how time slips by? I stood in front of our refrigerator and wondered at the collage of time. Two save-the-date magnets, a wedding invitation, a baby shower invitation, three baby shower thank you notes, key information for the Half Marathon, a ticket to The Party for graduation, and a calendar full of other important dates including my baby sister's graduation from High School (my goodness!) and class weekends and such. Whew.... it's breathtaking.

Anyways, enough of that...
my files have been done for awhile now so I will be too.

Peace.