Summer Life

Howdy! I have been home in good old PA for a few days now. So far nothing life-changing has occured. I have realized that I have way too much clothing and it is time for a closet purge. I also have contemplated the odds of getting a decent job just for the summer. They do not seem favorable. I will be working at former employer several days a week, but unfortunately the full-time position I was hoping for evaporated since mid-winter break. Bummer! Oh, well, I think God is opening up doors for me to do some things that I've been wanting to do for a long time, including working with my little sister Amy. She is 14 years old and deaf. She has other delays that making learning difficult for her as well. My mom has born the main brunt of taking care of her over the years and I want to enable her to take on some projects she's been wanting to complete. This will be a total switch for me after being a "working girl" for the past 5 summers. My mom is also insisting that learning how to cook better is imperative so this is probably the summer it will happen. I also plan on learning to master the grocery store since I am always amazed at how long it takes me to find all the stuff on a short shopping list. I mean, with all the practice I've had with shopping, I thought it would come naturally. Apparently it doesn't so I set forth to conquer the grocery store this summer.
I just wanted to give a quick update on what my summer is looking like at this point! Please return the favor:)

Sorry for Being so Self-absorbed

I often struggle with coming up with a fresh topic to blog about. We all know most people on campus are tired of school, had a great camp meeting, and think they have the best summer plans of anyone they know. It disturbs me that I can't think of anything else significant to talk about. Why do the subjects I write about have to be related to me? That caused me to realize how often I think of things only in relation to how they affect me. This bothers me because as a follower of Jesus, I want to make others my focus. I often think of this little song we used to sing in first grade that said, "J-O-Y This must surely be, Jesus first, yourself last, and others in between." Pretty much nails it if you ask me. (I can't believed I just used a fragment but I didn't want to tack that onto the previous sentence which seemed too long already) (Wait... is that a run-on???) Anyway, I'm not sure how I can change this aspect of my life, but I also realize I can't change on my own. God will continue having to work on me to help change my mindset.

So this summer I hope to further develop my mind by reading some more intellectual material. This was Missie's suggestion for a word so to clarify I simply mean not fluffy reading but more of the classics and things that will be helpful to me as a teacher. (Wow! I must say I sound like a dreadfully boring individual) Maybe then I will be able to latch onto the secrets of the universe and mankind and have something awfully exciting to blog about. I thought about politics but that is one baby I am just not ready to tackle. I also hope to get involved in a kid's ministry back home so that would give me other noteworthy items to blog about other than "my boring, meaningless existence" (Missie Lehman). I will endeavor, though, to keep you updated on the most important personal happenings that are of possible interest to my readers.

Happy summer wishes to all!

Why a Massage Would Be So Nice

1. Today was the first day of finals and my mind is starting to get fuzzzzzyyyy...
2. I can't remeber things anymore like how to spell simple wodrs.
3. After a 6 page exam for some reason my shoulders were a little tight.
4. I have to work tomorrow and I really, really, really don't want to.
5. Because like most people on campus right now, I could use a little "me" time.
6. I think it would be like hitting my inner refresh button.
All that to say this- I am so thankful to God for getting me through the past couple weeks. To be completely honest other than feeling like I've been run over by a Mack truck, life is looking pretty good. I'm going to hear the Pops tomorrow night, and I'm going to King's Island on Saturday. What fun!

Life Is a Whirlwind

Life is so interesting! We jump from one thing to another
like ping pong balls.
O, look a squirrel!
O, look at the fairies....
Pampers are the best diapers.
Cause Mr. Crater was cracking up...
His arms were flailing, but nobody was singing.
Such are the things we can glean from our fellow human beings.

-This is Leanna and friends signing out from the office.

The Famous GBS Volleyball Semifinals Part II

We Won!!!!!
Ok so this is slightly belated but still relevant! Just in case you were not informed the Defenders, the dark horse team of the tournament, had a stunning victory at the GBS lock-in Friday April 25, 2008. Enough said. Look for us in the yearbook.

Life is getting to the point where I feel like something has to give. I am ready for a change. I think the change my body, emotions, and will desires is that wonderful thing called home. I NEED MY MOMMY... Just kidding! I really don't go in for that sentimental mush, but I really do miss my mom... and my bedroom and my friends and my shortsleeves among other things. I am afraid, though, that when I get home I will realize what I've lost. Which would be the uniqueness of my second year of college. So many friends are leaving that I refuse to think about it. I will be a mess without Missie, Brenda, Vita, Kristen, Becky, Alicia, Valerie, and Maria. I'm totally gonna be part of the older generation here at GBS, and I'm not sure I'm ready for it. Luckily, I have a very good feeling about the younger generation so I think I will get along with them capitally. If I try really hard I may even be able to blend in. Well, to all who are ready for summer and a change of scenery- this is for you! I will miss everyone here dearly though and I hope everyone keeps me updated on exciting events in their lives.

The Famous GBS Volleyball Semifinals

The edges of the gym and the balcony level were filled with screaming GBS students last night. Some I'm sure would claim to be fans while others were doing what they do best- just creating a spirit of excitement by yelling raucously at each other, the ref, and the teams playing. Adrenaline was running high on both sides as two well-matched teams duked it out on the court. I know from personal experience that it was the most intense volleyball I have ever played here at GBS. This was not necessarily due to the quailty of the playing but the intensity of the players. Everybody was pulling out all stops, sacrificing elbows and knees for the sake of the team.

During the two semifinal matches last night, there were brilliant saves on both sides. My team's opposition presented a wall-like force against the powerful hits of Bennett and Jesse. On the other hand, however, we would not take losing as an option. After a very close first game that we lost, we handed them a 21-3 victory. What an upset! But I was impressed with the Disciples resiliance as they proceeded to match us point for point in the deciding game. Due to Brian's solid serves we were able to build a 5 point lead which led us to a 15-9 victory. Go Defenders! I am so proud of you!

After my heart stopped beating double rhythm and my face lost its beetlike quality, the reality of what had happened set in. I was in the perfect mood to do something crazy. But all that was available to me was watching the other semifinal match in the gym. This turned out to be the perfect release for my excess adrenaline-induced energy. So I joined the screaming maniacs surrounding the volleyball court. The spirit of excitement was so prevalent nobody noticed how nuts I was acting. The team I was supporting managed to pull out two wins following a loss, and this provided the icing for the cake of the evening.

Now, I'm ready for Friday night. I have this feeling it will be somewhat anticlimatic since the energy and excitement of last night will be somewhat diffused as students will be more spread out and focused on their own agendas for the evening. I think the game will prove to be worth the effort that it took to get there. May the best team win!

Spring

How in the world do you capture the delicious feelings of watching the world coming back to life after a long, cold winter? It is an infectious blossoming of flowers, human spirits, animals, and insects. Even the most depressed, bogged down, and sleep deprived souls respond to this panacea know as spring. People crave sunshine and gentle breezes as much as the growing flowers and trees. The parks so recently dead both in plant and people life are now filled with the delicate scents of blossoming trees and the footsteps of people trying to walk off their extra winter weight. Somehow there is a release from the grip of fears, old burdens, and fatigue. New resolves are formed, and any task seems surmountable.

In the face of all the projects I have to finish, I am so thankful for this change in weather. God knew I needed this divine motivator to be able to finish out the semester with a smile on my face. Thank-you God!!