I always find that resetting myself back up on a schedule is harder than when I first established the schedule. That sentence sounds confusing. Basically, what I mean is that this week is a bit of a struggle after coming home from camp. You have to understand that I thrive on scheduling. I get that part of adulting life, because I had to figure it out way back when in high school. However, being removed from it or having an ever changing schedule is stressful on me.
Before camp, I had a system. I would wake up a couple hours earlier than I needed and get to work on the day's to-dos. I would try to only leave a couple things for me to finish after work, because eight hours in the sun eventually takes its toll. Then I went to camp, where my schedule was total switched, only to come home five days later to try and jump back on that bandwagon. Turns out I'm not so good at the second part. (It's also why this blog post is three days late.)
In case you're wondering, camp was phenomenal. This year, Life Deaf Youth Camp's theme was #Selfie. Our main verse of the week was Genesis 1:27 and we spent the four and a half days there really talking about what our "selfies" show about us and about the Creator. We had some wonderful discussions about how to improve our selfies and how to be proud of them as well. The camp didn't just impact the campers; I truly believe that it impacted the staff as well.
Now, while camp was a wonderful and busy week away from reality, eventually we all had to come back home. It is now, as it was before, full steam ahead. These next 13 months will be the busiest I've had in quite some time. Why? Well, if you missed the announcement on my social media, Charles and I found a venue!
Somehow, we were extremely lucky and on our first visit, found the perfect place for the wedding. Yes, the date is established, too, but we will not be announcing that until engagement photos and save the dates are in the mail. (Basically, October / November ish.)
I can't tell you how awesome it is to have a date. It is nice to be able to count down and makes for planning everything else that much easier. One of the biggest chunks (or perhaps the biggest chunk) is checked off our list. While I know there's still a lot to do, I'm excited to really diving into planning this wedding.
Before I sign off, I do also have a couple of prayer requests. First, as a life guard, I hope that you pray for the life guards/ camp counselors / anyone else working outside in the Texas heat this summer. It looks like it's already turning into a brutal one, even after the amount of rain we've had. Also, this is my first summer back in Texas and I've basically forgotten what heat is. So prayers that people don't pass out at their job and that we make it through August in one, sweaty piece. (Also - please, please, please, drink lots of water and put on sunscreen. Please be safe - sunburns are not a safe way to get a tan.)
Second, I am right on the edge of getting this teaching certification from Massachusetts. It has been a process to hurry everything along so that I am able to even receive job offers. Once this certification is in place, I can start the transfer to a Texas certification, which is another whole ordeal in itself. Please pray that these things are taken care of quickly and efficiently. because right now this is a key component in my stress and anxiety.
Thank you for your prayers and support. Y'all are wonderful. Stay beautiful!
Until next time,
Kaity Sheppard
