So Much to Say.....

Wow, it has been 3 months since my last post; so much for every week. Why am I so bad at this blogging thing? You know, I think that it is because I only think about blogging when I have nothing else to do...or I don't want to do anything else, which is the case right now.

You see, school starts on Thursday (I am student teaching this semester) and I still have a lot to get done. I guess that I have looked up a lot of Ag information today (often I feel as if I know nothing... a.k.a. jack of all trades, master of none) and have done some planning, but I don't feel like I am quite ready for it to start....eek!!

On a different note, there have been a lot of changes in the past 3 months....

1. Many of you may know that I am engaged now...woot! Yep, that's right, Paul asked me to marry him a little over a month and a half ago now. A lot of people give us a weird look when they find out that we were only in a relationship 6 months prior to becoming engaged....and I completely understand; I have been the person who has wondered about other couples who have done the same before. There is just something different this time. At the beginning we made some decisions about our relationship that would allow us to spend time growing as friends and discerning marriage without worrying about the physical aspect of the relationship...ask me about it sometime, it has been a huge blessing.

Anywho, the part that every girl asks to see first when they find out....(photo courtesy of Janet)

I like it (a lot!)...and he picked it out by himself :) To all you ladies out there though, please remember that the best part about wearing a ring on your finger is not what the ring itself looks like, but instead it is about the love and future union in Christ that the ring signifies.

2. My time at Rock Springs has come to an end....for good (at least for now). I spent my summer as the Bill Riley Fellow through the 4-H Foundation. I had the opportunity to work with the Leadership Adventure Course at Rock Springs, learn about the nonprofit sector of society, and build relationships with the four professionals on my sounding board (as well as Gordon and Bill Riley himself). While I gained a lot of knowledge this summer (much of which just left me with more questions!), the best parts of my summer were those making memories with some of the most special people I know. It truly takes a special person to work all summer at a camp that pays you, well let's just say, "not the big bucks" and put in countless hours working with youth. The pic below will always remind me of the countless times we would enjoy Chinese together. Thank you all for so many great memories!

3. I got to got to State Convention this summer!!! Can you tell that I was excited?? Hehe! Seriously though, convention always reminds me why I like this organization called FFA so much. This time around it was a little different though because I was acting as teacher rather than student, state officer, or even convention staff; honestly it was tough to sit back and just watch. Now don't get me wrong, the experiences I was able to take part in this time around where well worth the stepping into a new role for. The Winfield students started to become my students and I learned what it was like to make decisions as a teacher.

The best capture from my camera during the week was the brief moment that our team was able to be together. I know that a lot of happened to us over the past two years, but know that the 5 of you will always hold a special place in my heart; you have taught me so much and I love you for that.

4. What would a post be without a picture of BK? This past week I had the opportunity to chill with my mentees (shout out to Jake and Kristin!) and after I dropped them off I had this recurring disbelief that a whole year had gone by since the time my life was blessed with the presence of the BK family. I just can't stop looking at this photo; each of your faces bring a smile to my face. Doesn't Ash look awesome in white??

Gah, I really miss you guys! Yes, it's true, I miss seeing you every Tuesday night. I miss being too busy to even realize we were busy. I miss not agreeing about things...ever. I miss the person that each made me. Please come back to my life!

Welp, that is a little bit of my life...I hope you have enjoyed! I also hope that God has put unforgettable images on your camera this summer, but moreso I pray that He has forever put the images in your heart.

Through Him,

Torie