please remember me

I am back in the state of cheeseheads & looking forward to what the Lord has planned for my future, but I can't help but beg my friends & family back in Kansas City to please remember me. I know this semester will be full of great memories, but I wouldn't be where I am without remembering you who touched my life this past summer.

My summer job this was a special treat. I was spoiled to have such an amazing manager, Erin, & wonderful, fun, & weird co-workers who quickly became friends. I already miss my "Village people": I am so glad you all came into my life. I cannot help but smile when college friends ask me what I did this summer. There are too many fun memories to share . . . "Oh my soul!" Melissa, I miss you lots & wish you the best in your life. Chris, oh my soul, there are a buttload of things I could say, but I know they all would irritate the tar out of you! :) Allen, Jody, & all the rest, I keep fond memories of you in my heart. I do hope to return to the Village next season, but I am open to the Lord's leading at this point. I miss you all!

Loving family, thanks so much for making this summer special. I didn't get to spend very much time with you all, but the time we spent together was special. My memories of you all range from baseball games & a float trip to cook-outs & family games--I sincerely miss you all. God has done wonderful things in my life this summer & I am excited to see how He will continue to stretch me this fall.

Please remember me as I tackle another semester of college. I don't believe my course load will be hard, but I must remain focused & use my time appropriately. Along with classes, I am working in the yearbook office & in the campus dining commons. Pray that the Lord will give me strength & that I will be a wise steward of the time God has given me.

Please, remember me, friends & family. I will pray for each of you when you come to my mind. I can't wait to hear from you all. Keep me informed! I ask you to please remember me as I will remember great times with all of you!

just around the riverbend

This past weekend I joined my Sunday School class on their annual float trip down the Niangua River just south of the Ozarks. It was a great time to relax & enjoy the closing of the summer before heading just around the next riverbend of my life: my sophomore year of college.

The weekend started with a 3 hour bus trip. What fun just to fellowship & sleep! We arrived at the camp around 9 pm. Who set up their tents first? The Lawson/Ralph clan, of course! The seven of us (Jarid, Crystal, Paul, Tim, Alyssa, Lindsay, & I) set up our tents in about 15 minutes . . . then laughed as we watched some of the other singles struggle with tents & poles. After enjoying some delicious s'mores, we headed off to bed. Wake-up call came a little earlier than most of the singles expected, courtesy of the Lawson/Ralph tents: 6:30 am--Rise & Shine! By 10 am the other disgruntled singles (& Bishop's) were filled with a delicious breakfast, packed, & ready to ride another 30 minutes to Camp Cherry Mountain for an 8 hour float down the Niangua River.

Crystal & I were canoe partners during the trip. It was a somewhat relaxing, fun trip down the river. We avoided purposeful capsization by volunteering to transport the family cooler, which held lunch & water, down the river. I have talked all summer about how much I love spending time on the water, but nothing compares to a relaxing float down a winding Missouri river. The scenery was beautiful. As I looked around I found myself surrounded by hills of beautiful trees.

I am so glad that I was able to spend my last weekend before college with my college-aged siblings & cousins. I cannot wait to be surrounded by friends, but family members are friends that last forever. As the summer closes, I can't wait to see what awaits just around the riverbend.

two weeks notice

This is my two weeks notice.

I can't believe how fast this summer has passed. There are so many things that I have done: worked 40 hours a week outside of a theme park, taken & passed American Masterpieces, actually gone INTO the park & ridden roller-coasters, gone to an outdoor production of Othello, attended (& enthusiastically supported) 5 Royals games at the "K", gone tubing with my Sunday School class, read a great book on punctuation, & just relaxed with family & friends.

This summer has been a tremendous amount of fun: from work to free-time activities. But the time to turn my brain off (if I ever have) has come to a close & I am announcing my two weeks notice. I have to admit, though, that I am looking forward to getting back to school. I am excited to continue studying toward my degree in English Education, to work on campus, & take time to just hang out & relax with friend whom I haven't seen in 3 months.

I will miss all of you who I am leaving behind in Kansas City, but I can't wait to see all my 'Natha friends again. See you all in two weeks!