Portland?

If I hadn't stepped down from leading YL in the North Shore, I probably wouldn't have come this summer.
If I hadn't come home this summer, I wouldn't have been able to experience my internship at Sweetser, work at the jewelry shop, rekindling friendships, or time at the lake. I also wouldn't have been able to learn what God has been trying to teach me for so long. Talk about a season for everything...
If I hadn't come home, God wouldn't have been able to show me what is to come. Long story short: I'll be a comin' back to this beautiful state post-grad, and until further notice will be here to stay! Not only will I be a poor college graduate so getting my masters at USM and living at home for some time will make sense, but this summer God placed certain people in my life and brought me to certain places for me to realize just how powerful and almighty and wonderful He alone is. And not only that, but He showed me places right here in southern Maine that are so in need of His love. I live in the 2nd most unchurched county in the United States-- if that doesn't burden my heart, I don't know what will! So, in a nutshell, through summertime adventures and conversations I've had with people, God has casted some vision for me. And it involves this charming place...

Portland, ME, ladies & gents! Who'd have thunk? Coming from the girl who used to complain about there being nothing in Maine...turns out there is more than meets the eye. So much diversity, so much life, so much simplicity, and a whole lot of a need for a Savior! Will definitely be keeping this in prayer and updated as the year unfolds. I've never felt so drawn to a place before in my life. It sounds so silly because Portland is legit only 20 minutes from my current house, but still!

Not to mention that view isn't too shabby, is it? And the plethora of coffee shops, cupcake bakeries, and thrift stores? For now I gotta return to the GC-- can't wait to reunite with friends, enjoy the North Shore of Boston, and get the ball rolling for SENIOR YEAR!!!!

Life is better at the lake.

I realize it's only been an hour since my last post, but I cannot help but post some recent photos taken at the lake this weekend :) 

The view from the dock. Check out that super calm skiing water!

Big brothers teach their little brothers the important things in life...like how to spell blood with your fingers.

Maine. That's all I have to say 'bout this one.

Double skiing!

Birthday buddies chillin' in the bow of the Supra :)

Long time, no see.

Greetings from the world's worst blogger! After WEEKS of letting this thing collect dust, I have returned. Hooray.

SparkNotes life update:
1. I finished my internship :) Over 320 hours in the bag! Let me tell you, it wasn't easy. There were days I wanted to chuck my alarm clock across the room and sleep in, days I just didn't know what to do with myself, and days when it was a pretty darn great experience. A mixed bag, really. Came out of it learning a lot-- not just about community psychology, but about myself as well.
2. That whole learning about myself tidbit? Yep. God has taught me so much this summer. I look back to when I got home in mid May, and can't help but think of how the things I've gone through this summer have shaped me. Psalm 73:26 sums up my summer experience. It says "my flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever". HOW FREAKIN' GREAT IS THAT!? Situations won't always rise to the expectations I have for them. People-- even my closest of family and friends-- won't be able to ever fully meet all my needs, or love unconditionally, or any of that stuff. I get tired and lazy. But God is constant. He has showed me this summer how He picks me up when I am down, that my love and dependency on Him can always increase, and that through frustrations, or times of depression or sorrow, or joyful moments or whatever it may be, He is there, He is strong, and He is able. There have been times this summer when I have been absolutely stripped of a multitude of internal and emotional things. And God showed up and taught me a thing or two about humility, dependency, and even gave me a few glimpses for the future.
3. I have decided that post-Gordon I will come back to Maine! Grad school at USM (hooray for Gordon debt!), leading YL, workin', and living at home til I have the moolah to get an apartamento. It's not for a while, but that's the current direction :)
4. I've been having fun with all sorts of neato burrito friends. Of course, it all starts to kick in within weeks of returning to school. Why couldn't it have happened earlier?! Like, in May?! Oh well. Blessed nonetheless :)
5. I GO BACK TO THE GC SOOOOON!! Can't even wait. I've never been this stoked for school, haha. Life in "The Projects", a new internship, a handful of neato classes, fabulous friends, a great church, and so much more. It shall be grand.

More to come soon, homies.
I'm outie.

A goodnight word of encouragement.

Brought to you by none other than my girl, Mother Teresa.
My mom emailed this quote to me at the beginning of my freshman year of college and since then it has encouraged me through thick and thin-- I hope it does the same for you :)


May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.

Caitlin, I know you're reading this on your night shift...

so here's a shout out to you. Miss you!

21.

Not to brag, but I think I had the absolute best 21st birthday a girl could ask for! It was a 2 day celebration thanks to the lovely, caring, friends I have (who spoil me so much! Geez, guys!). I spent my actual birthday sleeping in a tad, going for a run, and grabbing ice cream with my brothers at our favorite local ice cream spot. Yummy! Note this adventure would not be complete without a session in the LL Bean photo booth... :)

Later on, my dear friends Elizabeth and Abby went out to eat with me!

Here's me and Elizabeth, my soul sister...

...and me with Abby, the most thoughtful, kindhearted girl I know!

First we went to a little bar for my first drink. White sangria...not too shabby! We sipped and snacked on pretzels and cheese and crackers while having life chats. I always love hanging out with these 2 wise women of God. They each have had such unique experiences and sure know how to shed light and love on any situation! We're been tight since we did Young Life in high school together, so it's a blessing to get back together and continue to not only be a part of each others lives, but to see how God is at work in the fabric of each of our own lives. How neat! And of course, they are always up for a good laugh :) The rest of the evening was spent in the Old Port, with dinner and dessert at Flatbreads. Complete with "Call Me Maybe" stuck in our heads, lots of sweet tea and pizza, and some memorable moments, these 2 made my birthday a great one!

And as if that wasn't enough, my darlin' friend Megan came to visit me today!!! Am I lucky or what?! The afternoon was spent shopping in town and in the Old Port, with soooo much laughter, and more life giving chats, and just fun stuff. I really appreciate Megan's heart-- it's very big, very open, and very funny! We were LONG overdue for a reunion, so this was perfect. She's an amazing friend for coming all the way down here to visit me (seriously Megan...I owe ya!) Don't know what I'd do without any of mahhh girls. Here's some documentation of today...

The infamous Bean Boot shot!

Workin' the camo overalls like we were born for them. Puttin' some class in redneck-dom.

FISH BUBBLE!

So, that pretty much concludes it. Thanks to all who wished me a happy one...much love to you all. If this year can start out this wonderfully, I'm sure the rest of my 21st will be just as great if not greater. Thanks be to God!

some thoughts from today...

This whole day off thing? It's nice. So nice that it's pretty much dangerous....because it's gorgeous outside, and I got ice cream with my brothers, I went on a nice long run this morning after sleeping in, and it's actually feeling like SUMMER. I'm still going into work later (just no internship today...dentist appointment!), gotta make that moolah so I won't starve this upcoming school year! 

I got thinking though. Sure, I'd rather be soaking up some sun and enjoying sweet summer freedom at times, but then I was reminded of something important. It's not what you do, but your attitude. Each morning I can go into the day with a negative attitude, grumbling about what's on the agenda. OR, what's better, is I can flip the switch and be reminded that my attitude should be Christ-like and oughta reflect His glory in my life. To look forward to things, instead of complain. To replace a spirit of negativity with a spirit of joy and contentment. Smell what I'm stepping in? That's what God's lookin' at. The attitude of my heart, not the things I do. How 'bout that for a little motivation?

More updates to come soon, champs.