Surprise

It's been almost 2 months since I moved to New York, and I have to say that I love it. I love everything about my job. I love that I get to play with precious kids (who, yes, are still kids and sometimes naughty) and be a kid myself again. I love cleaning this big old house and making it neat and tidy. I love the diversity of the city. There are so many different languages that can be heard as you walk down the crowded streets, there are as many skin colors and clothing styles as you can think of, there is beautiful architecture, and there is an endless supply of things to do. You could live here all of your life and never even scratch the surface when it comes to activities, restaurants, shops, etc. And that makes life here never dull.

I was able to fly to South Carolina for the Labor Day weekend to see Sara June and Nathaniel and some other friends. Here's the story:

I decided that it had been too long since I had seen SJ+N, so I bought a plane ticket to Greenville and rented a car. I left my house at 11pm on Friday night and arrived at Newark Airport at about 1am. The airport was pretty much empty, so snuggled under my ever present pink blanket (that has been around the world with me) and attempted to get a good night sleep. It didn't work so well. A combination of the hard ground, announcements every 10 minutes, bright lights, and an air conditioning vent that was directly above me and pumped out cold air all night, made for a restless sleep. I probably got about 4 hours of broken sleep. The flight was short, and I promptly passed out after I got to my seat. I woke up when we touched down. I had butterflies in my stomach as time dragged slowly while I waited in line to get off of the plane and pick up my rental car. I drove to Sara June's salon and arrived about about noon. She was extremely busy, so one of the girls asked SJ to come downstairs when she had a minute. Poor unsuspecting SJ came down to see why she was needed, and I popped up from behind the counter and said "Surprise!" The look on her face was priceless as she asked "What are you doing here?" Then, she burst into tears and hugged me for a long time. Let's just say the surprise worked and it was stellar. :D

After she got off work, we picked up pizza for dinner and went back to her apartment. Her husband opened the door, and when I walked in he said "Oh, hey, Anna." As if nothing was new. We had a good laugh. During the trip I was able to see some of my former professors and friends from college. It sure was strange going back on campus. SJ, N, and I had a great time hanging out, visiting their awesome church, going to Yogurt Mountain, shopping, and playing board games (I lost...every time.) It was a relaxing, exciting, awesome trip, and I had to leave waaaay too soon. At least I'll get to see them at Christmas!!

Now I'm back in NY after an uneventful early morning flight on which I slept the entire time. It's a dreary, rainy day that screams fall, but I'm thankful for a warm, dry house. I'm glad to be back with family2, but I sure do miss family1.

God has blessed me soooo much with a great job, an awesome family2, and beautiful, exciting city, and His love.

I was walking back in the rain feeling a bit waterlogged, and I thought about how I don't care for the rain unless I can be indoors. Then I wrote this poem as I walked.

This is the day

That my Father created

The sunshine and rain

The love and the tears

This is a day

Where God walks beside me

Through victories and heartaches

Through peace and through fears

I will adore Him

Lift up my praises

For He has blessed me

With every breath

I'll rest in His comfort

And joy in his care

And know with this day

I've been blessed

This is the day

That my Lord has created

So I may serve Him

And tell all the lost

Of His great grace

And life everlasting

And how they can know Him

And love Him today

I will adore Him

Lift up my praises

For He has blessed me

With every breath

I'll rest in His comfort

And joy in his care

And know with this day

I've been blessed