Well the time has come. I finally get to go HOME! Ok, so I leave today, but I actually won't be in Etown till Tuesday. I'm gonna be in Indiana with Myra for a few days. I can't wait to see that girl again. But at the same time, I keep thinking of the things I'll miss here! I mean... what if something exciting happens while I'm gone?!  And I have to entrust various parts of my job to various people! Oh well, I have faith in their abilities. 

Boy, tons has happened since I last wrote. Family Camp, people leaving, people visiting, tons of laughter, a few hard times. But through it all, God has been good. Very good.

Anyways, I'll try to really update when I'm at home. ...If I have time. I have more time this time around but still. Life gets pretty crazy when you go home for a visit.

Well... better go. I don't want Sharon to leave without me!

 I think… that I can safely say that last Tuesday was one of the best birthdays I have had. Although I gotta admit, when I woke up at an unearthly hour because of the rain pouring down outside… I was not impressed with July 10. Not to sound fussy or anything, but I was kinda hoping for sunshine and warmth. And to top it off, I was exhausted from… well, life I guess. So anyways, July 10 wasn’t so great when I first got up. I went into town with Shelah and we did our stuff… got yummy food at Tim’s and chatted as we drove the huge town of Dryden. We got back right before lunch, which was set out so we could have my birthday dinner that night. I still was not feeling very celebratory and just wanted to sleep. Anyways, after lunch, I headed back to the office and that’s when I started noticing a few things. First, a few people just acted… differently. Not weird, just like they knew something. Second, Dallas was in Janel and Janelle’s office (that’s not very normal), they were talking about something, and then they quit talking when I came in. I kinda ignored it, but did accuse them of conspiring against me. Anyways, I started my various tasks when Janelle randomly came to my desk and started asking… interesting questions like “so how’s your birthday going? Good, that’s good to hear. Oh, look, a note from Darla. That’s cool.” At this point, I heard a car pull in and started to stand up to see who it was. Janelle tried to distract me but it was too late. It was two of my aunts, Karen and Pricilla, along with my cousin Katrina and close friend Alicia! They had decided to come up for the afternoon./evening for my birthday! That was soo special having them here. It turned a not so cheery day into a day that will forever be in my memories. Thanks so much, Karen, Pricilla, Katrina, and Alicia for being here. And thanks to everyone else who helped pull it off. Apparently everyone knew about it and they all kept it a secret.

So being 20 really doesn’t feel much different. I really didn’t think it would, but whatever.

In the beginning if July, I had the opportunity to go “home” for a bit. It was great being with family again and reconnecting with them. I truly do love the Layman family and feel so blessed that God placed me in such a loving family. Oh, man. I’m getting forgetful. I totally mentioned going home already… oh well, now ya’ll heard it twice.

Anyways, here are a few pictures from the past few weeks… they pretty much sum up my life right now.

 Hanging out at DQ for Bessie's birthday

  picking blueberries!

  Kat, Lysh, and I on my birthday

gorgeous sky

Tonya and I

 My cousin Wayne, reading my birthday present

  My uncle Milt being a typical Layman by reading

Cousin Lavern

Katrina and I

 Jess and I

   We like to balance on things

  Jo, Janelle, and Amanda

  Shelah and I

  all of the lovely girls I live with

  The crazy fun people I get to share life with.