September's almost over!

So, I just realized that I haven't written on here in a month. Oops. I think I said that last time, also. A month ago, the family that I nannied for before moving to Ukraine asked me to help them out on a temporary basis. Because I was really wanting to get the road bike I've been saving for, I agreed to help them for a couple of months. Basically, their girls are in ballet six days a week, and they need someone to meet the girls at the bus stop, work on homework, and take them to ballet. They only need help four days a week, at a max of two hours each afternoon. That sounded reasonable to me........and yet, it's been quite a challenge. Though most of my Skype calls are over by the time I leave to meet the girls, there were other things that I was doing during those two hours, that now has to be shifted to other times in the day. Honestly, the adjustment has been a little rougher than I thought it would be. Then there were two Thursday through Sunday trips to the beach, which completely threw me off schedule: a JV and Varsity Retreat, and the Ladies' Retreat. Just adding in that one seemingly little schedule addition is forcing me to think through my scheduling of events much better. Thankfully, the time change will happen soon and I can get out to get my exercise done earlier. I joined the YMCA at the beginning of Sept. to be able to alternate between cycling and swimming days, so I ride my bike to the Y and then swim for around an hour, or I head out on a 20 or so mile ride. After I get home and get cleaned up and eat, I begin my Skype calls, and am usually finishing those up right as it's time to head to the girls. I'm still working my way through the "funding Your Ministry" book, and am busy formulating a workable plan for raising more support. And yes, I know I said I'd write about the joys of support raising- I still plan on doing that. With Zumba, cycling, swimming, mentoring, Varsity(and all the activities that go with it), I'm definitely needing to get myself thoroughly adjusted to this change in schedule, and make sure that I'm not short changing any of the missionaries that I keep in regular contact with. Actually, I think it's good, because it's forcing me to be very organized and to prioritize my days. Before, I could shift things around easily, but now I've got to really stick to a plan in order to get everything into each day. And though it's taking me a little while to adjust, I'm glad that I can help them out for a while, and ultimately, be able to purchase my new bike without going into debt!

JV/Varsity Fall Retreat. We had a great four days of fun, fellowship, and studying John Eldridge's book, "Epic." There were actually more leaders there than kids, but we're super excited about this year's group of JV and Varsity students, and getting to disciple them and be a part of their lives.