Whirlwind Weeks

The last few weeks have been quite a whirlwind!  To sum it all up would take quite a long time, so I decided to use a stream of consciousness approach that gives a glimpse of recent moments...

Moving out... realizing I need to become way more of a minimalist and less of a pack rat...family vacation to Costa Rica to celebrate Paul's graduation... historic sites, volcanos, coffee plantations, rain forests, beaches, and more... conquering my fear of heights on the canopy zipline... loving the amazing sunsets, time at the beach, and sweet family time... ticos and pura vida, mae... surprise birthday/going away party in Tallahassee with precious time of prayer... back to Bham for going-away parties and goodbyes... laughing with friends at my favorite restaurants: Jackson's, Taziki's, and Zoe's... off to Atlanta for Sara and Matt's wedding weekend...throwing Sar's shower and bachelorette party Thursday night... enjoying being a part of the wedding... God-glorifying ceremony and such a fun reception... spending time with dear friends from 4 Oaks and New Orleans during the weekend... back to Bham one last time... more goodbyes... being commissioned and prayed over at Redeemer--so encouraging... back to Tallahassee... almost all done with my thank you notes... relishing one last delicious sandwich at Hopkins... packing, packing, packing...

Sara's Wedding

Amazing Manuel Antonio sunset

With Susan, Ryan, Paul, & Kara at Volcan Poas

Departure Date: 6 Days Away

It's hard to believe that I leave for Mexico in one week (Thursday, June 25).  Life is full of visiting with people, goodbyes, packing, and seemingly endless to-do lists.  Though the sadness of leaving friends and family increases, my excitement for meeting friends in Fresnillo also grows.  No doubt about it, an adventure awaits...

Since the past few weeks have been so busy, I really enjoyed a few quiet hours yesterday as I drove to Atlanta for Sara's wedding weekend.  While I listened to Sandra McCracken's calming and beautiful song "Rock of Ages/When the Day is Long" (Thanks, Natalie!),  I was filled with peace thinking about how God never changes.  Here is the beginning of the song:

Rock of Ages, when the day is long

From this labor and this heartache I have come

The skies will wear out, but You remain the same

Rock of Ages, I praise Your name.

It also reminds me of a favorite old verse of mine, "Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you."  (Psalm 116:7)

Thus, I will rest in Christ today and always.  There will surely be some more stressful moments in the next few weeks, but may I remember to trust in Christ and abide in His presence.  

Now, it's time to focus on Sara and enjoy her and Matt's wedding celebrations! :)

May 2009-Bittersweet & Nostalgic

Warning: If you don't like things that are sentimental, you might want to skip this blog entry... 

The last month has been full of milestones, moving, and memories.  As I prepare to go to Mexico for a year, the goodbyes and bittersweet feelings are inevitable.  Despite the way they hurt, I'm grateful for them because it means I have been so blessed...

On May 16th, my brother Paul graduated from Samford.  For the first time in eight years, there will not be a Sloderbeck at Samford next year.  As I stood in the Wright Center at Baccalaureate singing the opening hymn of "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee," I was once again reminded of how incredibly grateful I am for the opportunity to have attended Samford.  While amazing friends and UCF (University Christian Fellowship) were the biggest catalysts to my spiritual and personal growth in college, the institution of Samford also played a strong role.  What a blessing to go to college at a place where they challenge you to make a difference for Christ!  I do not take that opportunity for granted.  

Just a few weeks later, it was time for another ending: the end of the school year and my time at Edgewood (hopefully only temporarily).  When I accepted an "unassigned position with Homewood City Schools" in June 2005, I never could have dreamed what a tremendous blessing it would be.  In faith, I hoped for an older grade and was so excited to receive a placement in fourth grade at Edgewood.  For the last four years, I have loved working with dedicated, wonderful faculty and staff and teaching precious, remarkable children.   Receiving lots of hugs and encouragement, I said goodbye for now...

Two days after the end of school, we had to move out of our apartment.   This was probably the least sad because of the less than stellar management there!  Had it not been for the fantastic location and the hassle of moving, I probably would have moved a long time ago.  Still, the end of an era again.

Clearly, it's been an emotional month.  However, I am very grateful for the way God has blessed me over the years and look forward with expectation for how He will continue to work in the future...

The famous hand wall at the Great Shamah

My classroom that I'm going to miss

The fam w/ Mr. Beeson...my parents are glad to be 

done with 16 semester of tuition at least!

Paul and I with the only professor we both had

--Dr. Jensen, one of my very favorite professors