Whew...and so the week before leaving for school begins! I am busily packing my life away in boxes, which is really weird. Today my mom and I went on what I hope is a final shopping trip...getting snacks for my dorm, acne cream, gum, the little things that don't make sense together but are vitally important on their own. After the shopping we went to Strickland's for Fresh Banana ice cream. To some of you that may be appalling, but to me it was heavenly. I am really enjoying time with my mom. She and I have become really close, almost like best friends. It is going to be really hard to leave her...but make it oh so sweet when we can see each other again.I'm kind of a mix of emotions now, excited and nervous...praying that the Lord gives me the wisdom of how to glorify His name in the next couple weeks.
Below are some pictures of the noys I have been babysitting for this summer. Andersen, the oldest at three years old asked me to ride his tricycle with him. I simply told him that I would love to ride with him, but I was too big. He, being of curious mind asked why. I explained that when you get older you get bigger too. Smiling, he said "If you are so old, are you a grandma?" These boys teach me to appreciate every moment the Lord gives you, to take joy in all His blessings!
Me with the boys! Andersen (3),Everett (1 1/2) and Lincoln (10 months) They are so fun!

A good pic of me and Lincoln..doesn't he have beautiful eyes!
A last family outing before Joe and Grace went back to school...We love put put!

Lenae face painting at the IOG service day. The youth group girls headed to Village Grace Mission Center today to help host a carnival. We got to face paint, serve food, play with chalk and bubbles, and just pour on God's love to the kids. So fun!

A cutie at the carnival

Some girls I got to know at the carnival...beautiful princesses of the King!

me and melissa after our goodbye breakfast with her me and Liz

me and hannah

Me and Emma at me and Hannah's going away party...we love oranges!

Here are some pictures of life as of late. I feel mighty proud of myself that I have been able to update more often. I am realy going to try and stick with it...honest! Like I said in the previous post, this has been a rough weekend because my friends are leaving. It is a mixed emotion and God is teaching me some things through it. I can't exactly explain the lessons I am learning, but I hope to at some point.
One thing I have really enjoyed lately is all the family time I am getting in. Before I go to school I am trying to do a "last harrah" thing with each member of my family. I had a great time shopping with my mom and going to dinner last week. I do want to brag..I found my Old Navy winter coat at Plato's Closet for $18. Yes, please be jealous. I also got Starbucks and walked Medina square with Grace..which turned out to be more of an adeventure than we had bargained for. Well, my cell phone decided to be fisty with me becuase it would ring, I would go to answer it and the person on the other line wasn't there. I couldn't make any calls and my mom was calling me like crazy trying to make sure we weren't dead in a ditch somewhere. After I finally found a pay phone I reassured my mom we were in one piece to which she said she was one step away from calling 911.......never a dull moment in the Marras family. This week is the Dad and Joe "last harrahs". I am taking Joe to take his drivers temp test! ah!! and for coffee. My dad, well...we are still trying to figure out something special to do. The Columbus Crew aren't in town and we are still deliberating on something special. Any suggestions?
T-Minus 2 weeks 1 day till Calvin!

Smiling Through the Tears
So, I am officially 3 weeks and 2 days till I leave for Calvin. But, my dear friends are leaving in about a week. The past couple days it has really hit me. I am going to college and so are they. We are all going to different schools. We won't be walking with each other from class to class, laughing with each other at soccer practice, or having sleepovers after youth group. I am incredibly saddened by the fact that we are all going to be so far from each other. However, God has been showing me some important truths. He has placed my four best buddies in different schools.....4 different schools that can be impacted by His love. We have to get over our nerves and share about the joy the Savior gives us. Between my four friends we can impact Northern and Southern Ohio and West Michigan with His grace. What an awesome opportunity we have! Also, God has been teaching me to be thankful for the friends HE has provided and the times we have shared together. For example, Melis, Liz, Rach and I went to see "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" on Wednesday night. We took our own pair of pants wrote "Our Very Own Sisterhood" on them and scribbled memories we have shared together on the legs and pockets. As I looked over the pants, I realized how blessed I am. The Lord has given me friends that have encouraged me in my walk with Him. He has so blessed me with friends that have never encouraged me to compromise my values, because we all feel that our testimonies are sacred. The times we have shared together are irreplaceable.Such as: eating an entire apple crisp with Melissa as we stressed out over the thought of college(that was last September, now we could probably take out a 3 tiered cake), throwing out our economics folder with Rachel, making smoothies with Liz and dancing to music in the car with Hannah. They are my friends, they are leaving, but I can smile through the tears.

Pictures from Vacation to Hershey, PA!
Thank you God for creating chocolate!

Pretty flowers in Hershey Garden

My new favorite picture of me and my dad!

Grace and I at Hershey Gardens

I love you Reeses