ahora

Ahhh...summer. It is finally here. :)

Between Pro Cert ending and summer beginning, there was a lot to wrap up at school. Thankfully all ended well!

Updates:
1.) God is good! Once again, God has demonstrated His faithfulness in providing for me and Kent in a number of ways as we look to this coming year. One example is that my contract got bumped up to 80% (instead of 50%), which means:

• I only need one job (instead of 3 - although I am thankful for God's provision in those 3 part-time jobs this past year so we could stay financially afloat)!
• I get full benefits!
• I get to focus on what I am doing at school and feel like I can do my best for my students, for the school and for myself. I won't feel so spread out.
• I will get my mind back! (So sorry to all my friends and family who have had to deal with a very absent-minded Shelly over the past year).
• My job description is basically the same with a bit of an addition. I am still the Spanish 3 teacher and will teach one semester of a Spanish 2 class. I will continue planning the weekly chapels like I did this last year, but now I am officially the new "Spiritual Life Coordinator" (aka the Chaplain minus being ordained). Under this title, besides planning the chapels, I am in charge of class and staff retreats, 6-12 LIFE groups, and will be a member on the K-12 Spiritual Life Committee. I am looking forward to this fall!
  

2.) I have been having fun with my new Nikon D90 camera; however, my lens filter shattered the other day so my picture-taking has been put temporarily on hold. Thankfully it was just the filter, though! MUCH easier to replace than an entire lens (and much cheaper, too). I am planning on taking it in today to a local camera place to get looked at (pray that the lens was not scratched!) and hopefully purchase a new filter and a better camera bag!

3.) My garden is growing, although it seems like it is growing slowly due to all the rain and lack of sunshine in Washington. We have not had a row of sunny days in I can't remember how long. My spinach is doing great. I used some of my cilantro in an avocado bean dip last night (delish!). My romas are doing well, although I think I need to purchase some posts for them so that they grow straight. The foliage looks awesome, but the main stem is a bit twisted. I'll post some pictures once I get my camera fixed.

4.) Due to having a plot in our apartment's community garden, I have met a few of our neighbors. It's been great chatting with them and getting to know them a little bit. It's amazing how we can live so close to each other but rarely see each other or even meet each other. I am looking forward to seeing them more and getting to know them better as this weather improves to get us all out in our gardens more often!

5.) Both of my sisters-in-law have graduated with a nursing degree. Congratulations Karla and Tami! :) Well-earned and well-deserved.

6.) I have been reading...for FUN. :) I actually read an entire book in two days over the weekend. It was glorious! Now I am about 60 pages into the next book. *sigh* I love summer. :)