Crossing off the Bucket List!

"The Big Brown Bear went LOLLOPPING over the mountain!"

-Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

(and, consequently, so did I while in Colorado!) I love how life will sometimes suddenly throw dozens of new experiences at you and ask you to juggle them accordingly. You know I've been busy busy busy with my travels and only just got back in time for my very own birthday. But now I foresee very few wanderings for a couple months and hopefully can get into the swing of quite a lot of things I've neglected over this Spring and start to the Summer. I  would appreciate prayer for wisdom regarding employment this fall. While I hope to be a published author someday, such a thing takes time, and I find I must seek some other thing that will earn me money while I pursue that dream. The current ideas a literary-themed online shop, creative-writing tutoring/mentoring, and the teaching of creative writing at some local co-op or another. These things would require me to move my botto and get out talking to people and quite frankly, that freaks me out. However, I do see the necessity and the productivity of it, so whether I pursue one of these avenues or another, I would love a spot in your prayer-time! But to round out the topic I began this post with, here are a few of the Pioneering Things I've done in recent weeks!

(bucket-list items in red!)

Cooked dinner without a single recipe in a dinky bachelor kitchen for The Three Bears.

oh look! one of the bears took a photo and instagram'd it!

I turned 21. :)

I tried Swing Dancing

I was dipped while dancing (without falling over)

I began to read my first Amish Romance (pressed upon me as a birthday gift by Abigail)

I started to save for my possible return-trip to Romania/Europe sometime next year!

I visited the real Whit's End

I set up my own iTunes account and made the choice to purchase a whole album of Kate Rusby songs simply because I like her voice and the music and now I'm nervous because I didn't consult Sarah, my Sister Who I Consult on these matters. O.o

I drank Sparkling Cider for an occasion not at all related to New Year's

I went to Colorado

I bought a grammar book

I drank an iced-coffee without the ice.

I dropped my copy of Winnie-The-Pooh on a poor man's feet next to me in the airplane.

So that's what's new with me...how about you? Having a bonny summertime?

Officially Old.

HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY RACHEL!!!!!!!!

LOVE,

SARAH

//Further chronicles of the south//

Hello darlings! I'm still down in Georgia, and am presently enjoying a quiet hotel room before heading out to The Varsity this evening. :) (It's supposedly some amazing, All-American greasy burger place that is entirely famous. :P) It is also supposedly the world's largest drive-in restaurant! We'll see how it goes. My 20th birthday was on Friday, and the dear guys went all out for it. It began with a wonderful package from my family--you can read about that here--and went on to include being treated fabulously all day. :) 

My glitzy package. :) <3

Toward the evening some people were needed to run down to the office and map out a precinct or two--initially I was not going, but then Daniel changed his mind and asked me to come along. At first I was suspicious that something was afoot, but after getting down to the office and seeing nothing out of the ordinary, I forgot all about it. 
We got back to the hotel and Daniel tried his key in the door--it didn't work. He then told me that Ian (one of our guys) needed me to help him with the laundry machines. I went to the second-floor laundry, but then Daniel called me back: "He's on the first floor!" So I tramped downstairs to the first-floor laundry and was almost there when Daniel came dashing out of the elevator: "He's actually on the third floor--sorry!"
At this point it was midnight and I was exhausted. I began despairing over Ian's sanity--I mean, what 18 year old guy can't figure out a laundry machine? But I am the unofficial hotel-Mama (the only girl in a group of 11 guys!) so I knew I had to help. ;) Then Daniel took pity on me. "I'll get it," he said. "Just come in and put your stuff down." He fit a different key into the door and swung it open. All at once a loud chorus of "Happy Birthday!" filled the air and the light-switch came on. :) Brandt, Justin, (two of our home-guys) and John (An Arkansian--and a twin! :) had stayed awake the whole time we were at the office, and had decorated my room with all the things Mama had apparently sent. :) 

They did an amazing job, and I was so touched and blessed by their forsaking their sleep to wait up for me and give me their little gifts and cards. It was so much fun! Zach (another of my boys) had bought a huge card on behalf of the whole crew, and everyone signed it. They bought Bieber because they knew I was such a fan. ;)

Hee-hee. :]

^My enormous birthday-pin....yes, I wore it to Steak n' Shake. :P

Because of course we had to seal the night with Steak N' Shake afterward. That put us back at the hotel after 1:00 a.m. I definitely let my golden-birthday out with a bang! :D I think the  best part of this whole campaign has been being the only girl in the hotel--the guys are such little gentleman, and make me feel like the queen of the realm. :D It's rather a lot of power. ;) When a decision is to be made, one or another always pauses and says, "Well what would Rachel like to do? She's the girl!" :)

Here are some pictures of the rest of the fun we've been having between all the work...enjoy!

Zach enjoying some sparkling-water at Moe's. We walked there for dinner the other night. :) I'm learning lots of fun trivia about my teammates. For instance, Zach and the Frosts love old movies, and are edu-ma-cating me in which ones I need to watch SOON! Arthur is afraid of strong medication, and dogs don't like him. Arthur's brothers [the twins] like BBC dramas! :) Zach's family owns and operates a British imports store called The Queen's Pantry that I want to visit someday!

I had my birthday lunch at Five Guys with my five guys. :D 

Left to Right: Brandt, Russel, Charles, Daniel, and John. (John and Charles are twins, and therefore two of my favorites. :)

Mail!

We campaigned in old Senoia, which is where many films have been shot, including Driving Miss Daisy! :) That was so neat!

Ever tried to fit 10 or 11 guys in the back of a mini-van? Well, it works....if you don't care about legality. :P L-R: Jeremiah, Ian, Zach, Arthur, Justin, Charles, Daniel, Brandt, and Stephen. John was buried underneath everyone! If you look close, I am told you can see one of his legs. I haven't tested that yet, though.

Our massive team we gathered for Saturday! Actually, Daniel, Brandt, and I ended up staying back at the office to make maps. It was a pleasant break!

Arthur and Ian saving the South, I believe. ;)

It's been such a blessing from God that after our long, grueling, highly productive days we have such an awesome group of people at the hotel to come home too! The hotel staff are pretty great too! :) All in all, I'm having a great time in Georgia, and I'm so glad that Daniel and I were given this opportunity. I appreciate all of your prayers, and all the dear letters many of you have sent!