Where did the summer go?!

Here we are, at the beginning of September. That of course, means school is around the corner. The weather, however, is distinctively summery, so that makes going back that much harder. I suppose I'm nearly ready, having spent the majority of the past two weeks in my classroom. Ready in a "the room is prepared and most things are kid-ready" sense. Not ready in a "my mind is transitioning to school" sense. While I am ready for solid routine and the soon-to-come (hopefully) fall weather, his year has been harder than ever to go back. Not sure why. Hm. I look forward to the years that I will (Lord willing) get to stay home with my own kiddos and teach them. It's an honor and privilege I hope and pray comes to pass sooner rather than later.

Well, a little update on our summer...wow where to start?? We left a couple of days after school was out to head up to Camp Elkanah, our major ministry opportunity, where Bryan serves as Camp Director and I serve as the Assistant Camp Director. :) Having been involved for many years, this was the first time I felt wholly used in capacity that fit me and that I enjoyed. As the Asst. Camp Director, I was in charge of our high school staff, organizing their schedule, coordinating a Bible study with them, and basically mentoring them for a month. In some aspects it was harder than I thought, in other ways, I felt completely at ease. Both Bryan and I love Camp Elkanah, and the impact it has on the youth of Eastern Oregon (and US!). This year, we felt that Camp ran more smoothly than it ever has, and were so blessed to be a part of serving the Lord in the capacity He has given to us. We plan on continuing to serve in this way until God makes it clear we are no longer needed there. We both hope that's a long way off, but who knows?!

A typical Camp picture, me behind the camera, Bryan directing a game... :)

The day after Camp was over, we road-tripped from Eastern Oregon to Seattle, where we rendezvous-ed with our summer league basketball team, the Monarch Diamonds. We LOVED coaching those girls, and many of them have been on our teams in the past, so it was a bitter-sweet tournament to coach, knowing that for many of them, it was their last summer league tournament ever. The girls played amazingly well (better than we ever expected). Though we went 3-2 (I think, or was it 2-3?) we were so proud of the way they played and to be their coaches. We took a team field trip to downtown Seattle when we weren't playing and just got to spend some fun time with great girls. Bryan and I got the fun opportunity to visit some friends while we were up there, Brandon and Rachel Garinger. We went with them to Mars Hill Church and heard Pastor Mark Driscoll speak in person (we often listen to his podcasts), then go to dinner and dessert and ended the evening playing games at their apartment. They were wonderful hosts and it was so much fun to hang out with them! The other MAJOR highlight was getting to meet John Stockton who was coaching his daughter's team and they played before and after us on the same court we were on. Yes, that's right, John Stockton. If you don't know who he is, look it up, please. Our girls had no idea. *SIGH* That's a quick way to make a girl feel old! :)

We wouldn't let our parent-photographer take one of us with him...a little awkward since he was getting ready to coach. But proof, that he was there...

Last game was quite intense.

2011 Monarch Daimonds

Having fun at the Public Market

Coaches can (kinda) still get some air.

When we got home we had a few days before the beginning of NBC Camps at George Fox and Linfield. These two weeks are super tiring, and very physical. Hard for us oldies. BUT, we work with some great "old" friends every year and always make several new ones. We love the atmosphere at these camps and always come away knowing that we made a difference.

Top picture is at NBC on the very last night. Exhaustion was the theme. :) Bottom picture is the NBC crew on my birthday at P.F. Changs. Great memories!

After a week off (kinda), we made one last road trip through Central Oregon to see Bryan's family and babysit our neices, Tabitha and Joslynn, and their new puppy, Nike. :) Then on to Idaho to see my family, where we ended up staying the better part of 5 days. It was so nice to visit family, see the kids, help out Bryan's sister and mom, and spend quality time with my parents and brother and his wife. God has given us such wonderful people in our lives, and we thank Him for them everyday.

Aunt Laci, Joslynn, Tabitha, Uncle Bryan

Now we're home. We've been home for a couple of weeks. New to the Steed family are to HUMONGOUS couches. We have been saving and looking to replace our "quality futon" and love seat for quite a while, and finally found the deal we were looking for and viola! We really like them, and Bryan fits quite nicely, as you can imagine is somewhat of a challege for one who is 6'8". I look like a 5 year old when I sit in them, but they are super comfy and we really like the style. The goal was to buy pieces that were decent quality and that would fit both in our apartment (barely) and would transition easily to a house without looking too small. I think we found them!

While in Idaho, I enlisted the help of my mom, and master seamstress Gammie (mom's mom) in sewing these way cute pillows for our new couches. They're a little bit western (which I love) and also quite patriotic (which I also love).

We've had a lot of adventures this summer, and lots of ups, downs and in-betweens. God has richly blessed our summer...though I dream of a summer (someday) that doesn't consist of putting 3,000 miles on our car and living out of a suitcase for 2 months. We are thankful for the way He provides for us and for giving us the opportunity to serve Him in multiple ways.