life is full of surprises

it's crazy to think how this summer started and where i am now.

i was planning on spending an adventurous 10 weeks in bradenton, florida with mom, bruce, and the little kids. then homesickness set in when i spent a week at home in maryland for sofie and collin's high school graduation ceremonies, but the prospect of a job at gap back in florida kept adventure calling my name. being rejected from that job, it seemed that God was closing doors in florida, while the death of my uncle frank that same weekend, confirmed that He wanted me back in maryland.

so being back in maryland has been fun. dad is gone most of the week, taking classes to earn his doctorate and collin is at work with the car i was supposed to be driving. so poor kristina has been driving out several days in a row to hang out or pick me up.

i worked at the linganore winery for the jazz festival weekend, then spent the week hanging out with my girlfriend kristina, and on friday, drove over to deep creek in western maryland to visit my aunt nadine.

it was so great to see her; she was recently found to have breast cancer, bravely underwent a double mastectomy, and began chemotherapy last monday. when i got there we took her 14 year old golden retriever, lance, down to the lake where we sat and she hit me with some really important theological questions about...yup, God's will. something i struggle with a lot. so i did feel badly admitting that i don't have the answers, which, to me, is not satisfying. she asked a lot about how much control God has, as well as things like energy and attitude...i did my best to share what i know about God's character and even some of the argument's i have encountered in my classes at biola. it was encouraging to me that she had such a positive attitude and was thinking about such important theological issues and seeking answers. all i can pray for is that God will reveal himself to her and our family and friends through this season. i love my aunt so much and it was so amazing to spend a weekend with her. we saw a great bluegrass band in the historic town where she lives and quilted up a storm.

unfortunately, i had to leave early sunday morning to make it to work at the winery on time. but it was worth the three hour drive there and back, and i hope to do it again soon.

i am so thankful for the freedom summer allows to make trips like that.

more to come about my current situation God has blessed and surprised me with.