First of all, my summer has shown me how truly blessed I am!!!
I started my summer by attending the
Carolina Summer Institute in Auditory-Verbal Therapy in Chapel Hill, NC. It was a 2-week long practicum that taught us how to best use Auditory-Verbal Therapy to help teach deaf children to improve their speech and language. I really enjoyed being on UNC's campus as I had not visited in over a year! I am so thankful to all of the people that made the practicum possible! I will use the knowledge wisely!
Zak and I on the beach in Roatan, Honduras!
The next big trip of my summer was to Honduras!!! Zak and I flew down and spent around 10 days exploring the jungle and the Bay Island of Roatan together. One of the goals of this trip was for us to get outside our comfort zones and explore the beauty of Honduras. You can see my pictures from this vacation by clicking
HERE !! We spent the first day horseback riding up the mountain in the jungle, the second day hiking straight up the mountain and seeing waterfalls, and the third day kayaking through an estuary and seeing lots of wildlife! Our time in Roatan mainly consisted of sitting on the beach, swimming in the clear water, and eating lots of yummy food!! I highly recommend a trip to Honduras!!!
The whole Matthews Family at the highest peak of San Francisco (Twin Peaks)
The next jaunt was over to San Francisco, CA for the Matthews Family Reunion. We do this every two years and it is such a joy to be able to spend time with some of the most amazing people I know. They just so happen to be related to me as well!! I had never been to California so it was a fun trip with lots of exploring in the city and catching up with my family (on my Dad's side). You can see some of my pictures from that trip
HERE !!!
The amazing BMPC Youth Group in the front pews at Montreat Youth Conference
Last but not least was my trip to Montreat, NC for the Presbyterian Youth Conference. As you may have noticed, I am no longer a youth, but went as an adult leader with the youth group from Brownson MPC. I went to Montreat for 5 years as a youth myself and know how it can change your life! I asked to join this group of 29 high schoolers because they impressed me so much with their passion and talents at Youth Sunday (when the youth put together the entire church service). I have never seen a group of high schoolers as close and loving as this group. I am SO HONORED and BLESSED to have been accepted into their group for a week. I believe they all grew in their faith and as a group which is more than I could have anticipated. What an outstanding group they are!! You can see some of my pictures
HERE !
I have truly enjoyed every minute of this summer and am thankful to all who made it possible! The next step this summer for me is to move to Washington, DC! I am hoping to move up in about 1.5 weeks and start my new job on August 25. I am nervous to begin again in a different place, but am excited about all that awaits me! It will be such a joy to return to DC despite knowing that I will be paying twice as much for everything!
Mom and I at one of my birthday parties in Alabama
Also there are only 39 days until the Gail Parkins Memorial Ovarian Cancer Walk 2011!! Please see the top of my blog or click HERE to join our team or donate to the cause! The Walk and 5K Run will be held on Saturday September 17 in Raleigh, NC. For full information please visit HERE. "Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." -Margaret Mead
