mrs. swift reporting in

Hey guys! Aimee here. First and foremost, I do want to say if you really want to know what is going on in my life (on a more consistent basis) go here. Otherwise don't. It's whatever.

So if I could describe my summer in one word it would be grateful. More than anything I am so thankful for a summer to take a break, relax, reflect, get in community, be with Christopher and strengthen my relationship with the Lord. It has been one of the greatest blessings in a long time.

I am working as a volunteer staff for the LT program. This means I am committed to help lead a project group (somewhat like canvas group) and mentoring 7 women. I also have really enjoyed getting together with some of the Mizzouer girls here, too.

Other than those responsibilities as a volunteer staff (which isn't too much, really), I spend my time with Chris, staff women, reading (a ton!), blogging (yes!), crafting (craft sabbath tuesdays), learning to use GIMP, reading more, hiking and drooling over wildflowers.

But I don't want you to think that everything has been all lilacs and roses (although I have really enjoyed all the beautiful wildflowers on my hikes)! The Lord has been challenging me in great ways.

At the beginning of the summer I told God that I really wanted him to reveal all the junk in my life that he wants me to see and he has done.just.that.

God has been revealing my insecurities to me, specifically my struggle with comparing myself with other women around me. And he even has given me the strength and courage to share that with those women and ask for forgiveness and grace. He has revealed my pride and selfish ambition. I'm still not really sure what to do with that. I have also struggled with feeling like an unemployed workaholic (if that makes sense?). At times I don't know what to do with myself and I tell myself that I should be doing more, but then I remind myself what the summer is for me: rest : and then I don't feel so sloppy. (On a good day).

BUT one of the best things about my summer so far has been spending time with the staff women and wives. For once, in a very long time, I am not the oldest woman of the bunch! It has been so huge for older women to pour into me, to show me what a family with kids looks like, to model openness and transparency even when you're over 30-- it has been incredible and has reignited my passion for ministry. Seriously. I could go on for many more paragraphs, but I won't.

I am excited for July. I am excited that I still have another month left. I am excited for what God will do in the next month. I am excited for more hikes, more Christopher and more mountains. Basically, I am really glad that I get one more month here to learn, grow and reflect.

Thanks for sharing ya'll! I really love hearing what is going on... even if I see you everyday! :)