from amber waves of grain to shining sea | 'MERICA!

the 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays, although I usually forget that until the end of June. I'm a patriot at heart and the history of this legendary country is one of my favorite stories. From the colonial days to the pioneers in covered wagons to the emancipation proclamation to sock hops, watercolored dreams of days before my time canvas my brain. Our Independence Day is just a very visual and loud reminder to me that our country still needs God as much as the rest of the world, and I pray that she succeeds another 200 years just as successfully!

This is probably my favorite 4th on record. I was unsure how I'd adjust to not spending it out at Merrill's on the farm with my favorite kiddos and friends, but I think this is my new favorite way to spend the day!

it started off by going to the beach:

and then down to saint augustine, the oldest city in the USA! what a perfect place to spend such a historic day, right? :)

we crashed a block party in the quaintest neighborhood to listen to a little local bluegrass band.

someday I'll have a front garden that looks like this:)

and of course, waiting for fireworks=cake, cardgames, and fellowship!

what did you all do for the 4th of July? This weekend should be fun & packed of activities, hopefully I'll be able to blog next week again:)

[this temporary home]

A part of growing up is realizing that everyone has different talents. It's a combination of both nature and nurture (woohoo, AP psych still kickin' in!) and it's always so interesting to see the gifting and talents others have! One talent that I've always wished for (and plan to work at more over the upcoming months and years) is that of writing eloquently. Patience is a virtue that does not always come easily for me, and writing...takes time. Lots of time: to write drafts, check them, and re-write, and possibly have others give input into your carefully crafted writing. And then, often enough, it's back to the drawing board. ;)

You all are prooooobably wondering what this has to do with JAX! The lovely Carissa Gallo has a short writing that exemplifies my feelings about being in Florida with 180 other fantastic, wonderful people. I only have a month left and it's already making me want to cry. Not even going there yet! Anyhow, here are Carissa's words:

I love home so much—my home, the place I live, with my family, with my memories, with all the things that feel comfortable and, well, homey. And whenever I'm away from home, I miss that place. That home-place. Yet I have this terribly beautiful habit of making the away-place become a home. It's almost accidental. It's one of those habits that's subconscious, like playing with my hair when I'm nervous—when I realize I've done it, it's too late to pretend I haven't.

This is so true of what has happened in my insides this past month. I miss home, kind of. ;) But I am love love loving this place, these people. When Christ is at the center, there is usually an instant connection and people feel like family. Even though I'm living out of a suitcase, and sharing a room with four other girls, and unable to go to the bank, it's still home. And I really, truly, wish that this wouldn't end.

Other than already feeling homesick for JAX;) things have been crazy! Fast-paced like always—I've had 40+ hours of work a week, and so much learning going on that I have no clue when I'm going to process it all, if ever. Friday night we had the infamous "Thrift Store Prom" and it was a blast. Honestly the best dance party I've ever been to (and probably will be at.) My legs are still sore tonight (Sunday) if that give you an idea of how much fun was had!

[Edit: I was planning on writing more, but I never did. That shall happen most likely tomorrow (Wednesday) but as for now, goodnight!]

tell you 'bout these days, like they are stories of old

I had so many dreams of what this post would look like. It would be long and beautifully written and sooooo hilarious. (Sorry to break it to you, but my blog posts will not be hilarious. Ever. It's not a gift of mine!)

My day starts at 5:15 am (4:20 or so if I have overtime). I sometimes get crazy and press the snooze button. ;) but I eventually get out of bed, dress, have a quiet time, and eat breakfast. The staff provides cereal and other breakfast basics, of which you can have your pick. My ride leaves at 6:10-6:15 (or, again, an hour earlier for overtime) and we take a ride for 30 minutes through Jax.

Once at Coach, we go through security and sign in between 6:53-59. Work lasts until 4...we get two paid 15-minute breaks, and an unpaid hour lunch. Usually I work in PR (Package Removal) where we (guess what?!) remove packaging off of Coach "handbags." (note: not purses. handbags.) And wallets, and keychains, and duffels and such. Never shoes or clothing items though. Or any of the other crazy products produced for the overpriced materialistic items made in this company! I'm not complaining, because I have a job:) but it's crazy. Not sure who'd wear a Coach softball glove....hahaha. Or buy a dog collar from them! But hey, if you have the money...

Evenings are much more enjoyable, but sadly much shorter. I get back from work around 4:45 and have about 45 minutes until dinner. Usually a shower or cat nap or facebooking takes place. Then we have our evening activity:

Monday: 7-9:30ish— Rally! We kick off the week with worship, a skit by a few teams, and a new speaker on a message on the week's theme. A highlight of my week!

Tuesday: Free Night!

Wednesday: Workshop—go into more detail and application on what we learned on Monday/theme of the week & Bible study

Thursday: Bible Study night with the team

Friday: alternate weeks of Group Dates/Group Social

Saturday: morning is E-training, afternoon is beach evangelism! Free time in the evening.

Sunday: church, lunch, free afternoon & evening!

It's a crazy busy week. The days are long and full of yawns, but learning and joy and good conversations with new friends. This is the hardest thing I've done...but so so so worth it. I am learning copious amounts about myself and God and relating to others and just everything. Since there is hardly any time to process it, I can't really describe what I'm feeling right now. But just trust me—this is worth every penny and tear and minute.

So, thank you so much. To everyone who has prayed, given so I could come, sent letters (AH! I ran out of stamps but I will reply asap! Mom is sending stamps this week;) and inquired on how everything has been going.

[PostScript/Edit]

this tuesday, our team went to Christie Purifoy's home, where she and her husband Jon made us a most lovely dinner! Their children are adorable, their home straight out of Potter Barn, and their lifestyle super Kinfolk-y. Twas the most enjoyable evening in a while! She and her husband are just sweet, wonderfully people who love the Lord and are living it out. We had homemade grilled pizzas (uhh, amazing!) and salad with homemade vinaigrette. (white wine vinegar, olive oil, salt & pepper, shallots, mmmm and maybe something else? so delish!) Top it off with a piece of homemade strawberry basil shortcake...so tasty.

And just for kicks and giggles, my gals & me on Amelia Island last weekend (minus Pey-Pey! She was back home in Nebraska for a wedding.)

loves!

finally (almost!) friday.

I'm completely exhausted in every way, but this week has been so so so so good. and hard. but growing.

I'll hopefully blog my little heart out this weekend. I'm still alive, promise! & I'll be back online in the near future, I hope:)

Watch our Group Date ask, if you wish! And if you're in CF this weekend, go grab a Becker's Strawberry Smoothie & some mini-donuts for me;)

Amelia

“You’re not disqualified……

A sin or struggle pops up in our lives and we’re horrified. “Oh no!” we declare, “Now everything God has done in my life is ruined!” But God is only interested in pulling the weed. It’s not a surprise to Him. It doesn’t change the beauty He’s creating in our lives. It doesn’t cancel out the growth that we’ve seen.

God knew all along the weed was there.

And now it’s simply time to deal with it.

He chose you knowing that seed would one day come to the surface. And in His infinite love, He picked the perfect time to bring it to your attention so He can remove it.

The weed has already been forgotten.”

(Holley Gerth)

//

found this on another blog and thought I'd share it today.

take on me, take me on

these past two weeks have been crazy. I miss my family & friends of home (and sleep....) but so much has gone on here, that I can't imagine how hard it will be to leave in 6 weeks!

I apologize for not blogging more, but there is so little free time to sit down at my computer. (Mom and Dad, you'd be proud!) We are constantly on the go. Difficult, but good, because it forces us to think about how we are spending our time. OH! We got jobs! [Thank you SO MUCH for everyone who prayed for us! That was a huge blessing and encouragement.] A week ago tuesday, we found out that Coach Factory (the only distributing wear-house for coach in the USA) was willing to hire anyone else who needed jobs (about 50 or so!) Last friday was my first day, and as of tomorrow I'll have been there an entire week. Crazy stuff. It's hard, because we have to be up between 5-5:15 am (that's 4 am at home...blech!) and we don't get home until about 4:45 pm approximately. A little under an hour to shower or nap before dinner at the Boathouse. (fooooood. sooooo gooooood. you don't even know. YUM.) and then back to the dorm for the rally/workshop/Bible study or whatever goes on that evening.

Tomorrow night is our second "group social" and we're doing Survivor: Jacksonville! I've never watched the show, so I have no idea what to expect, but i'm psyched. our entire team (minus "mommy" peyton..we miss you!!!....who is home in Nebraska for a wedding this weekend) make tye-dye shirts for our "tribe." which consists of us and two or three other teams. We're pink and we're proud! and loud!

There is so much more I could say but I really need to get to bed....last day of work for the week and PAYDAY tomorrow!

loves:)

Amelia

fun fun fun fun.

last night was our first fun "social night" and it definitely was a good time! of course, any time we go to the beach is a good time. ;) we'd signed up into groups of 3 or so teams to build sand sculptures, and it was definitely a challenge. some of the teams got crazy creative! what a sight it was, 200 or so students out splashing in the ocean at sunset...something I hope to never forget.

today was day #1 of beach evangelism & training, and it went really well! everyone was super excited afterwards, and I really enjoyed listening to the stories other groups shared. next saturday can't come soon enough! most of our team +2 other lovely gals went out for dinner tonight (saturday dinner and sunday lunch are on our own) and it was FANTASTIC. Joe's Crab Shack is the place to be on a Saturday evening, apparently, because we didn't even finish up until after 8:15. just a little later than I'm used to eating dinner;) but soooo good.

i feel like i'm being horrible at blogging, but i'm always so tired! (and busy. always something to do here! once I get a job...yikes. you all really may not hear from me until august. jooookes. kinda.)

so blessed.