The weekly // 26

Sunday, after I got back from the beach, I started packing up my apartment, because my parents will have to move my stuff to a different apartment while I'm in India (shoutout to them—they really are the best for doing that!) Monday, I finished packing everything up, and then drove home to Rock Hill. 

I spent a couple of days with my family, and then we headed to the airport so I could hop on a plane (or four) en route to India! 

We traveled for over 30 hours…

not an ideal way to spend a day (or two), but experiencing it with these people made it much better!

After lots of traveling, we arrived around 7am. 

Even though I was exhausted, when we stepped out of the airport into the city, my heart was so overwhelmed, in the best way possible.

Once we got to the hotel, we ate breakfast, then went to take a quick nap before meeting later that afternoon. Well, the quick nap turned into a five hour nap…for all of us. Jet lag is real people. 

But soon we were out into the city, and by auto, of course. Here's our first auto ride of the summer: 

The second day we went on a scavenger hunt of the city so that every one could get a feel for the place. Megan, James and I had a blast. We saw all the good sites, plus found some extra treasures. 

We've only been here a couple of days, and consequently haven't quite gotten into a routine as we try to become accustomed to the city, the culture, and the time. 

I know that the hard times will come, but as for now, by the grace of God, my heart is thrilled to be back in this place. 

The weekly // 25

This week was definitely more exciting than the last couple of weeks have been. 

It started off great with Father's Day! I met my family in Greenville. It was awesome to spend some time with them and show them around the city, even though as a directionally challenged person, I don't serve as the best tour guide...

But it was also just great to celebrate my dad. He is such a good man. I am so encouraged and proud of the man that he is and continues to become as he pursues the Lord with everything in him. 

I was finally able to get lunch with this old friend. 

Maia and I have been trying to hang out for a while now, but one of us is always out of the country. 

It was fun to hear about her travels and catch up on life!

I went kayaking one last time before leaving the country, and then finished my last days of OT observations. Then, Friday we headed to Hilton Head for Jenna's bachelorette weekend!! 

It was a sweet time of just hanging out on the beach, playing some cards, and celebrating Jenna and her upcoming marriage. I love love love this girl and it was a joy to celebrate her!

The weekly // 24

Sunday we had a wedding shower for Jenna at Crosspoint. It's been fun to celebrate her as her and Daniel's wedding day gets closer and closer! 

Monday and Tuesday I studied for the GRE some more. I also ran some participants in a research study I'm helping with. These are some fun days, I tell ya. 

Wednesday I woke up ready to go do some more OT observations, but unfortunately I had a fever. Turns out I had a stomach virus, so instead I spent the next two days on a couch sipping on gatorade and eating saltines. 

Then, Friday I took the GRE, and was thrilled to be done spending my days studying. As a celebration, the roommates and I threw some bad eggs at trees. It's the best kind of stress relief. 

Saturday Olivia and I went and saw Finding Dory. 

I wasn't totally sure what to expect but it was so good. I totally recommend it. 

Andddd that's it! 

The weekly // 23

The majority of my time this week was devoted to studying for the GRE…gotta love standardized tests.

 When I wasn't studying for the GRE, I was either getting observation hours with an Occupational Therapist or going to friends' apartments to take showers because our water pressure was zilch. 

The bright side to this week was that Josh had orientation, so I got to get lunch with Mom, Josh, and Hailey. We ate lunch at the Esso, so I got to check off a Clemson bucket list item too! 

And with all of the studying, this is sadly the only picture I took…sorry mom :)

The weekly // 22

My super crafty friend refurbished a table, and it looked awesome. So I had the bright idea that I could do the same. Here's the original: 

It was going to be my "Memorial Day weekend" project. But I quickly discovered that, unlike my friend, I am not super crafty, at least not in this sense. Hopefully I'll eventually finish the table, but I definitely need to stick to canvases. 

In the midst of the frustration, Emily called me and asked if I wanted to watch the sunset with her at the rowing docks. Quality time with my best friend watching a Clemson sunset or trying to do something I'm inept at…not a hard choice. 

Other events from this week included coffee with friends at a favorite coffee shop, a funny new game, experiencing amazing hospitality at the hands of my new, sweet Iranian friend and her husband, addressing Jenna's wedding invitations, studying for the GRE, OT observations, a wedding celebrating two of the most fun people I know, and watching my brother graduate while also getting paid $20 for purposefully tripping on stage. 

Cheers. 

The weekly // 21

Unlike my previous week, this week was jam packed. 

After Abby's wedding, I drove home with some friends, who spent the night at my house. 

The next morning was FBCFM's grad Sunday, so we got to celebrate these two! 

That night, I drove to Black Mountain, NC for GLINK week. This is a week where Generation LINK residents and Summer LINK leaders from all over the country come together to prepare for the summer and the upcoming year. Part of that preparation is taking a seminary class. 

This year the class was Ethics. I only audited the class, and I really enjoyed it, but it was a LOT. As in, all day every day, so most of my days this week looked like this: 

When we weren't in class, chances were we were doing this: 

I played a lot of cards this week, which I'm not complaining about because I love playing cards!

One night we went to Asheville for dinner. I had never been to Asheville so I was exited to go! 

Asheville was cool. Different for sure, but cool. 

Regardless, it was fun to dress up a little bit and spend the evening with these ladies! 

On the last day, we went on a pretty intense hike, which was a great alternative to sitting in class. 

And the waterfall at the end was totally worth the struggle of getting there. 

Overall, I was glad to have spent my week like this, with these people. I'm excited to see how the Lord uses His children literally all across the world this summer. For the Kingdom! 

I got home from GLINK week Thursday. I then spent literally all day Friday with these girls while their parents went to a water park. I was basically mom for the day (I'm talking, 7 am - 10:00 pm). 

It was tiring for sure, but I loved it, and I love these two! 

That night my India team had a Google hangout. It was exciting to come together and start to talk about our trip…it's so close! It was cool to spend the week thinking about Summer LINK on a grand scale, to then end the week discussing purpose and plans with my small team of nine. I already love these people and can't wait to see how the Lord would see fit to use us for His glory and namesake!!

The weekly // 20

This week wasn't full of anything too exciting (except for one pretty big thing). 

I started shadowing an Occupational Therapist at a children's clinic in Seneca.

 I LOVE IT.

 I have to have observation hours in order to apply for OT school, and while watching someone else do their job isn't the most glamorous way to spend my days, it definitely makes me want to be an OT.

Other than that, one day I went kayaking with some friends, and then played sand volleyball at y-beach. Now that's a way to spend a day! One of my favorite ways, actually. 

The one super exciting part of this week was that a dear friend of mine got MARRIED! 

Abby and I were in the same small group my freshman year (the best small group I've been in to date). Ever since then she has been such a sweet sister to do life with. I've learned so much from her during my time in college. It was such a joy to celebrate her and her new husband!! 

This was wedding #2 of the summer, but the first wedding where I got to celebrate with a significant portion of my church family. It was really sweet and fun! Can't wait for more weddings to come!! 

Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter! We love you!!