Back in the saddle again

So I've been back in the U.S. for about 6 weeks now and life here is pretty grand. Before I arrived back in the States, I stayed in London for a few days with Rachel, catching up, and having a bit of debrief before coming home.

While I was in South Africa, I received an email asking me to take a position as a permanent substitute in 2nd grade at Ketterlinus Elementary and since I agreed, I've been teaching there since the beginning of April. My class is just adorable and very chatty. I think talking is their favorite subject. Not mine of course, but only two weeks to go!

Since I've been home, I've been praying about going back to Carlisle and I am officially going back. I'll be leaving sometime in the middle of August and staying on as the office administrator, as well as a BLS student (basic leadership school) until June '08. The September school starts in the beginning of Sept. with outreach to Hong Kong, China, and the Philippines, starting at the end of November. I'll also be staffing the January school and co-leading the outreach to Ghana with my lovely Jenean.
This time at home has also been an amazing time to catch up with friends. I thought for a time that I would be home for about a month before heading to the Philippines to homeschool some children for a family in YWAM, but that seemed a little stressful and probably too much. My decision to come home instead was a very good one and has been such a blast. Hanging out not only here in St. Augustine, but going to JMOCA (Jacksonville Museum of Contemporary Art) and down to Orlando to geocache and spend time with Annie and Kara.

Jenean came to St. Augustine for my birthday (all the way from CA. probably the best birthday present ever!)
Quality time with the guys.
JMOCA with Jayce, Zack, and Zach.
And I just had to pose with Elvis too!Geocaching in the Urban Wetlands of Orlando. Who knew that something so beautiful and pristine could be in the middle of Orlando? I certainly didn't know about it until this weekend. Annie writing down our names after finding the cache. My name during geocaching is apparently "Lemur." What do you think of that?Annie, me, and Kara on the bridge in the urban wetlands. What a fun weekend we had! To think that I've known these girls for almost 5 years is just crazy. And to imagine that we've made it successfully through college is even crazier!