Summer in a Nutshell

Wow. This summer... was the best summer of my life.

I can't even begin to talk about all I've learned. I've spent two months of my summer in beautiful southern France living the dream life, traveling alone, working everyday on vineyards, exploring, experiencing God in the most powerful way.

As I quoted in my frentures blog,

I have had the best summer of my entire life. The Lord has been so faithful to teach me. I have loved every minute of bonding with Frenchies, being with those vines alone for hours on end, working harder than I’ve ever worked, eating more than I’ve ever eaten, praying more than I’ve ever prayed, singing with strangers, laughing with strangers, learning to love animals again, frolicking, independence, crazy chaotic travel days alone, train rides ruled by pondering and itunes and the prettiest views ever, hiking on those bluffs on the rocky coast, the Mediterranean, joy, sunburns, learning about other cultures, learning about my own culture, learning what I love, seeing how beautiful our God is, how He never leaves me, how He wants me to have the best life ever, and how that is exactly what I have.

I couldn’t have asked for anything better.

I spent so much time working alone and in prayer. God taught me so much about myself from spending so much time alone, and taught me an incredible amount about my heart within a short period of time. I have never seen God work so much through prayer, even answering prayers overseas within a day. He really instilled in my heart the truth that He is always listening. That time in France was indescribable. What a God.

Then I spent a week with a few of my best friends in northern Italy. Best friends. Beautiful views. Adventures. Shopping. Amazing food. Giggles. Best way to end my stay in Europe.

I came home and went straight to a ten day camp meeting, where the Lord was faithful to meet me there and be so real with me. I clung to Psalm 34 and could not stop reading or meditating on it. He encouraged me through lots of older people who reached out to me. He showed me that He would never leave me as my best friend and lover of my soul. That time was so real.

Then I got to come home and spend almost three weeks just being at home, which was really needed. My time was mostly taken up by catching up with old friends, cleaning (or trying to clean), running errands, babysitting, resting (a... lot), and eating yummy food.

Andrea came to visit me too :).

I don't think I could have asked for a better summer. Wow.

2012, you have a lot to live up to.

But hey, maybe my school year will be even better :)