it's official...

...it's time to say goodbye to manhattan.

Some of you already know, but I recently accepted a new teaching position, which will be in Rose Hill, KS.  I am beyond excited about this new opportunity to do what I love most...love on kids and help them realize their potential.  The move will occur sometime in the end of July.  The rest of my summer months will be spent teaching summer school, visiting my favorite local spots, and saying goodbye to friends, who have become more like family.

After ten years here, it's time to say "see you later".  My time here has been remarkable and special.  I'll be back, as I know that I can't be from Wildcat Country for too long.

Here are just a few reasons why I love this place so much:

1. Christian Challenge: The place where I learned how to love myself, let others in to love me, and to trust in JC's love for me
2. My Lifegroups: Time to connect with people and form a community--whether through Challenge or church, these groups have made a lasting impact on me
3. Bill Snyder Family Stadium: Love my Saturdays spent tailgating and cheering on K-State
4. My Roomies over the years: we had our ups and downs, but we always loved and supported each other.
5. Radina's and Bluestem: Love the local coffee shop atmosphere
6. Dirty Dawg's: Getting in some good ole country dancing and hang out time with friends
7. Carpool to school: so many deep and silly conversations with friends who are more like sisters
8. Babysitting: I've seriously gotten to hang out with the coolest kids ever!
9. K-State campus in the fall: 'nuff said
10. Most of all the friends, the shenanigans we got ourselves in to, and support for one another

Thanks for reading my ramblings,

Al

how's your summer?

This seems to be the million dollar question at this point in life.  Normally, I love the "lazy" days of summer, but this year has proved to be a struggle.  Here's a run down...and a time for me to process.

 It started with a few family scares.

• My Uncle Pat, who has always played the grandfather role, was put in the ICU in Denver for several days after quite the scare during surgery.  I've never spent any length of time in the ICU and it was quite an eye opening experience.  I witnessed death all around me and kept waiting for it to be "our turn" to have the hard conversation with the doctor.  It was also incredibly hard to watch the man I've always looked at as indestructable laying helpless in a hospital bed, relying on machines for his survival.  He would open his eyes, which would be full of terror.  It tore my heart apart to see him in that state.  I so badly wanted to hear his distinctive voice, get one of his famous waves, or hear him laugh about the mess around us.  After 7 days, he was finally strong enough to attempt finishing the surgery.  Those were the longest 5 hours of my life, as I sat surrounded by family, in silence, jumping each time the phone would ring.  He made it through just fine, praise the Lord!  Before he was wheeled back to surgery, mom and I prayed over him.  Words can't explain the feelings of peace and hope that overwhelmed my trouble heart.  I'm happy to report that the stinker is now in a full time rehab facility and will hopefully be released in 4-6 weeks.
• My Great Aunt Hazel went to be with Jesus in the midst of this.  She was a woman who I've always admired for her tough heart, tell it like it is attitude, and ability to make people laugh.  I'm proud to say that I've inherited my sarcastic ways from her.  Her funeral was a joyous time of celebrating that she is no longer suffering.  There was no doubt she loved JC and made it her mission to live for him.  Her 93 years on this Earth left an amazing impact and a void that will not easily be filled.

Some things that I've learned through this:

1. Kind nurses and doctors are invaluable
2. My family can come together during a crisis and support each other
3. ICU waiting rooms are freakin cold!!
4. God is ever present and will hold us close...all we need to do is accept it
5. Community is an amazing thing...there's no way I would have lasted through this without the sweet words shared by friends
6. When I feel like I'm spiraling out of control, God is in control
7. The mountains are pretty great reminders of God's awesomeness
8. He will NEVER leave you
   

Thanks for reading my ramblings.

Love,

Al