Facing Reality As I "Retire" My Summer

Time to retire my summer 2009 Avatar: I love you, Swimming!!!
I attended today the Grand Re-Opening of the SBISD Natatorium and it just seemed like the perfect conclusion to my passion this summer: Swimming.
Labor Day already passed... It's starting to cool off... The A/C @ school is no longer breaking down, and swim team season started when school did... Sooooo, summer is officially over : (

As hard as it is to accept reality, at least I can say that I've had an amazing summer, filled with excitement and new things. Lots of learning, that's for sure... And that's great.

I have my YMCA instructor to thank, Juan, for teaching me so much without him knowing about it. Because of his example, I learned to swim, dive, try all the possible strokes and kicks, tread water, discovered and used muscles I had no idea existed, for the first time someone believed in me -- always teling me that I could do it! Without knowing me, he did believe in me and it was genuine. I learned to believe in myself, experienced the first real and genuine words of encouragement I've ever received in my life from someone that didn't even know me about accomplishing something new (had never heard that from people in my life), became 100% comfortable in a swimsuit, learned new levels of patience I had no idea existed, made me feel that I needed to become a better teacher :) (rude awakening... I needed that... All due to his quiet example. I felt like a kid wanting to be just like him!), and most of all: Saber que es posible encontrar a un hombre con grandes cualidades como son el ser humilde, inteligente, servidor, trabajador, educado, prudente, respetuoso, y siii! El ser agradecido; fisicamente fuerte y sano (en buena condicion fisica... De atleta!!!), con metas y proposito, y que ame a Dios por sobre TODAS las cosas. Me hizo pensar en lo que pudiera ser... Lo posible... Tanto asi, que senti el deseo de pedirle a Dios por su bendicion en mi vida de proveerme un esposo que sea increible y a la vez normal... un hombre que ES hombre... no perfecto :) con bastante que aprender y con el deseo de querer ser mejor... Que sea bueno con todos... y super lindo conmigo. :) Es posible. Ahora lo se. :) Y espero que pronto sea una realidad muy probable. Nunca habia vivido un ejemplo como el. Jamas. Y me quedo admirada de como Dios usa ciertas cosas/momentos/personas/ocasiones para hablarle a uno, hacerlo ver, refleccionar y despertar... Porque uso a Juan para bendecir mi vida en motivarme y en todo lo que ya mencione... Y estoy por siempre agradecida. :) Thank you God, thank you mom for your unconditional support, and of course, how can I forget?! --> Thank you, Juan.
I'm reminded of Scripture:

"In everything give thanks..."

and

"To everything there is a season..."

With no further ado, thank you God for my wonderful, busy, very stressful, adventurous, fun and exciting summer! I loved it. And I have You to thank for your provision of all the blessings in my life. Summer is over but your seasons aren't. I trust you and I look forward to a new time, new season, new beginning... a new adventure.

The World of "Firsts"

My first time

This post is not about what some people may think it's about... It's safe to read, promise! :)

I never thought that so many "firsts" would happen to me all together and at the same time... The timing so happened to be, I didn't plant it.

It happened immediately after my last day at school, which was the Saturday right before the Monday when everything started: June 8, 2009.

1. Started seriously swimming.
2. Closed on my first home.
3. Took a technology class but not in a regular "classroom" and started this blog.
4. Bought a new car, thanks to Cash for Clunkers.
5. Started a brand new school year as a teacher. For those of you that are educators, you know that it's a roller coaster of craziness the weeks before and after the first day of school.
6. This summer I have met and made new friends along the way... good people. :)
7. Actually started looking the part. Dressing nicer to work and looking "professional" as Harry Wong implies :) Someone told me two days ago that I was finally looking professional... and I laughed. I guess I was not professional enough before...?! *I think it's funny so it didn't bother me*
   
8. My first refrigerator (mine! I actually own it!!) was delivered to my house 3 days ago. It was a gift from my parents. :) Thank you mom and dad.
   
9. I'm having the best beginning of the school year - EVER!!!! I'm relaxed and enjoying it!!!
10. Last, I have received some of the nicest compliments from people I've met lately,
11. and yes, I guess it is a new beginning for me. Aw, what a feeling!
    A friend asked me,

    "What brought all of this change in you?"

    I thought about it... and at that moment I didn't have an answer. My mom, however, knowing me very well said it was the 25-year flood that happened in our neighborhood in April of this year that brought a whole new perspective on life and things. True. I think that sparked it... and I'm glad it did. Our house flooded and we faced tough moments that were different from others we've lived as a family.
    

I am reminded of Romans 8:28 in the Bible, "All things work together for good to those who love God, to those that are called according to His purpose." I guess I'm just not used to all these good things happening to me - and all at once!! How amazing. The only thing that I can say and give credit to as to why this is happening to me NOW - at a time like this - in the middle of a recession and lots of stress and work --> God's grace upon my life. And I'm so thankful for that.
I had never felt God's love for me so strongly like I did this summer and I'll never forget that.

There's nothing like having hope in Him who's the giver of all good things. God can take one's imperfections and make something beautiful with that if one surrenders all to Him, just like it's been happening to me since the beginning of June. My faith in The One that knows my past, present, and future has grown over the summer, and I'm deeply grateful for His mercy, grace, patience, and love for me.

And who am I?

Reminder: A struggling, single girl... but seeking Him with all my heart and finding purpose in the journey He leads me on...