Now let's do this summer thing

I'm alive!  I can't believe I haven't posted in almost a month.  I really want to apologize to the three people who read this blog.  The month of May was a beast with school.  Add a side of life to that, and you can see how there was no way I could post.

But, we've made it to the other side.  We are on summer break; year one of seminary is (almost) done.  Clint and I will both take a summer class, so we're not totally slacking.  We also plan on making the most of our break...

...I feel a to-do list coming on...

...and here it is:

Our Productive Summer Agenda (AKA "Why can't Desiree just relax?" list):

• I really want to practice guitar.  Clint may take a guitar community class, and then he can teach me.  I'm not the best student, so let's just say the summer will be a success if the guitar is still intact.
• P90X is back on the schedule.  Earlier in the year, we started and ended on Day 1.  I blame school and work.  Clint and I have always been very competitive, so I know we'll be pushing each other to the end.
• I've wanted to work on my public speaking skills for some time now.  I was considering taking a community class, but unfortunately I already missed the first meeting.  I might check out a local Toastmasters chapter.  Hopefully, I won't make excuses and/or chicken out.
• I finally have time to work on my Spanish.  There are a couple of really good resources I plan on getting from Amazon.  I'm excited and motivated.  I really feel God wants me to use this skill for outreach.  Maybe I can become besties with a native speaker without seeming like an annoying student.  Unlikely (the seeming annoying part).
• Writing, writing, writing.  I currently have four book ideas (two fiction and two non-fiction) that I would love to at least outline and brainstorm on.  I don't have plans on becoming a best-selling author; this is just something I know I would really enjoy doing. 
• I know this will sound weird to some people, but I really (hesitantly), enthusiastically (where can I hide?) want God to put me in an outreach opportunity (you mean just standing in line at the grocery store, right?) that makes me uncomfortable and so not normal to me.  I want God to really open my eyes and heart to the hurting and oppressed (does watching reality TV count?).  I'm praying for amazing opportunities (kind of).  OK, OK, in all seriousness, I really do want God to the leading and for my wants and desires to melt away.  I just like bringing up that the fact that we are all well-versed in the art of excuses.  Just imagine if we forbid that in our lives and truly believe that God will lead us to the ultimate good--not just for us but, most importantly, for His kingdom.

With all of that, I'm hoping we can fit in a getaway (Charlotte or Wilmington).  Carter has his own little schedule as well (Turf Tikes Soccer, library storytimes, Wake County Public School evaluations for speech therapy next school year), so we'll see how much we actually get done.  I'm just happy we're on break and have opportunities and time.  God, please just lead us through this summer with minds and hearts focused on showing the world the amazing gift of Christ.

Oh, and spending some time with the very handsome Mr. McCullough would be incredibly nice.