My Life Unemployed

 The last couple of weeks or so I have been unemployed! I am not sure if it is healthy that I say that with as much excitement as I do, but it has been quite dandy if I do say so myself. I decided to leave my job a few weeks before I fly out so that I had enough time to prepare as far as packing, documentation, last minute details etc. And get some good hangout time with my family and friends! So here are a few photos of what I have been up to as an unemployed girl. Enjoy.

This was my last day of work with my good pal Shelby right before our final presentations.  Doing some manual labor most of the summer was really a valuable learning experience and an incredible blessing to help me with funds for my trip, but it was definitely wearing me out. 

I took a week away to spend some times with some of my besties! Above is three girls I have no idea I would do without. Constantly sharpening me and pointing me toward Christ =) This was us after conquering the Titan at Six flags.  The heat and our lack of preparation may or may not have kicked our butts, but we walked away under our own power. Such a fun few days and much needed! 

Also, a part of my week get away was some Roomie time!! Below is another one of my closest friends and the best Roomie ever. We basically laid around watching the olympics all weekend, but it was absolutely great. haha. 

I still can't believe this little girl is a one year old!!! I got to celebrate her first birthday with chili dogs, lots of cake and the pool. She always puts a smile on my face!

This is my suitcase. I did some shopping for Germany-like clothing while I have been unemployed to throw in this thing for six months. In case you were wondering, it is sitting in the exact same spot with nothing in it. This whole packing thing is really challenging me. Choosing what is a necessity and what isn't is harder than you think.

One cool thing I am really excited about is that instead of being behind the camera I was asked to jump in front of the camera. A friend of mine and fellow photographer is putting together this project about women in different stages of life and their dreams. So I got to dress up a little and chat with her about Y.W.A.M. and MOTA. It was a great day!! I don't get to talk photography lingo with many people around my home so it was so fun relating to each other on that level and many other levels. 

Look at my Grandma go! Man, she works way too hard. So so blessed to have spent lots of time with my grandma these last couple of weeks. At church and doing some tamale making together. We started a second round of tamale making to help sustain me while I'm in Germany.  Every time I get to hangout with my grandma I learn more and more about the diligence that is needed to further His kingdom and being selfless in serving others. I have said many times before, but without her there is no way I would be going to Germany.

Just this weekend I was invited to play in this here mariachi band. Ok I am totally joking. Although, I think it would be awesome to be in a mariachi band! haha This is a photo from a wedding that I was asked to second shoot with the same girl who is putting the stages of life and dreams project together. She is great to work with! We had lots of fun at the wedding. Check out her work at http://trinyrodriguez.blogspot.com/

I realized that I am out of wedding shape. By the end of the twelve hour day my body was aching and I was so happy when I finally made it to my bed.

This is a picture of the study Bible given to me earlier this week by the pastor from my church, Calvario Community Church.  Remember a couple of blogs ago when I mentioned losing lots of things? Well those things included my sunglasses, a gift card, my prayer cards and my study Bible. I absolutely loved my ESV study bible, but somehow I misplaced it at the church somewhere and haven't found it. I really do not understand how I lose a massive five pound study Bible, but leave it to me.  I recovered everything that was missing, but the Bible. While hanging out at my grandmas a few days ago, Brother Luther was visiting (CCC pastor) and we got to talking.  I learned more about his testimony and asked him specific questions that I had been studying and discussing with friends.  When he realized that I still had not found my Bible he said "I have been praying and waiting for the right person to give this Bible to that I have at home and if you want it, I think you're the right one." So, he went home to grab his study Bible and gave it to me. I was so excited! I look up to this mans faithfulness and boldness and he wanted to bless me with his very own Bible!

Needless to say, God has been blessing me and taking care of me in the smallest ways and in the biggest ways! I can't wait to see what he does in this last week that I am around my family and friends and even more so while I am away.