Chance Encounters

I've never been more sure God has a plan in my life as much as I have had this weekend.

I worked two long and hard workdays, but met three people I would have never expected to meet.

 

Saturday Night I was working at Pipers when a new couple came to try Pipers. After Mr. Osgood spoke with them, he let me know they had just moved from Seattle to Indiana. So of course, I introduced myself and spoke with them about places to live, life out there, and their journey to Indiana. I was over the moon to meet people who were not born/raised in Seattle and that had great advice on my move.

 

Today, at church, the pastor advised me to speak with a woman whom he knew grew up in Seattle. I, of course, introduced myself to her and got to know her story and her love for Seattle as well.

 

God is present and is paving a way for me. I am so excited for 2013 and all it has to hold for me.

Remember to thank the Big Man upstairs for his hand in your life.

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Review of 2012

Here are my favorite moments from 2012!

 

Getting to visit this beautiful city and all of the wonderful people in it.

(November 1st-6th)

 

Welcoming this baby girl into our roommate love circle!

(June 14th)

Celebrating T-Davis' 21st birthday!

(January 8th)

Senior Homecoming-Unexpected events all weekend!

(October 5th-6th)

 

Welcoming this little guy into our family!

(July 16th)

 

And my favorite moment of all: receiving a call from The Seattle School letting me know of my acceptance!



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Boxing Day Fail

Well, my traditional day of shopping after Christmas was postponed by a Blizzard that decided to hit Indiana today. It started at 5 a.m. and is still going. I am a lover of snow, but not when it interferes with my shopping. I have to work tomorrow so it means shopping will happen (if the roads permit it) after work tomorrow which means I miss out some good deals.

 

Maybe this is God saying I need to be careful with my money. I only have a couple of things I really want on my list, but I usually can find more that I do not necessarily need.

 

Oh well, I am just going to enjoy using my new laptop, being crafty, and hopefully making some money on ebay!

 

Happy day after Christmas to all!

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Goodbye Finals Week!

Shortest finals week of my life and here are hilarious pictures to celebrate!
 

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Finals Week

During most of the school year I am great on staying on top of work and never procrastinating.

But every year finals comes and I realize how great I am at procrastinating. 

Saturday I planned to study most of the day. I rolled out of bed around 11 and decided oh well working out is good for stress so I work out for an hour. Then decide to eat lunch while watching a movie which leads to the entire movie being watched. Shower, then decide I need to straighten my hair which leads to me folding my laundry. Finally around 4, I finally made it to the lab to study and study I did for 4 hours. But wait! During those 4 hours I managed to watch 4 t.v. shows.

Sunday was the same thing and finally I have two finals down.

All my big studying is done, but I am left with a twitch in my eye which always occurs when I am stressed or annoyed.

Welcome finals. I cannot wait to say goodbye to you tomorrow at 5 p.m.

By the way it may seem like I am complaining, but this is the easiest finals week I have had in 4 years so I am actually extremely grateful!

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The Hobbit

This girl stayed up for the midnight premier of the Hobbit last night and  while I was exhausted by 3 a.m when the movie was nearing its end I would definitely say it was worth the lack of sleep and money.

A quote from the movie last night really struck me.

"The world is not in your maps and books, its out there." Gandalf the Grey.

I am constantly being reminded that I cannot always plan out my life or find the answer in a book. Sometimes you have to go and have the real life experience. Sometimes you need to discover it for yourself and not from others.

"It's out there." 

That statement holds so much wonder. What's out there? What will I find? 

The Hobbit is about an adventure and I wonder what my adventure will be in life.

Does it begin in Washington? Does it begin in Indiana? Does it begin today?

What monsters will I face? What decisions will I be faced with? What friends will I make?

The curiosity fuels me and excites/scares me for what is to come, for what may be, and for what is.

 

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New Relationship Thought

I am now beginning to see a pattern in my posts. Most of them have to deal with my future or relationships. So with that, I am sorry if you are tired of hearing the same issues present in my life, but I can't help that these are the two things I have been worried about the most lately.

I took a class this semester called Thought Life and Spiritual Growth and we had the author of one of our books come in on Monday and speak to our class. He helped us work through some of our thoughts and emotions and one of those thoughts was the "No ring by spring" ordeal. If you have never heard of this phrase let me explain: Our campus has this mantra of "Ring by Spring" meaning girls have the goal of receiving an engagement ring by the spring of their Senior year. I know you're are probably thinking "But Rachel, you do not have a ring or a boyfriend for that matter so how will you achieve ring by spring?" I won't! And I am soooo okay with that. 

Okay, back to what I was saying. We talked about the purpose of ring by spring which is to receive a piece of jewelery so we know that we are loved. This is where the revelation began. You do not enter a relationship just so you can receive and if you do, maybe you should reconsider your dating habits.

So here is the revelation:

You cannot need something from someone to love them.

Enter into a relationship because of what you can give them, not what they can give you.

Here is my ordeal:

I have been spending the majority of my college career believing I should just date for fun and see what could come of it. Who cares if we just met or if we might be completely wrong for each other? It's just for fun!

Now, I am starting to see how wrong I have been. Yes, I believe dating is okay and I actually encourage you to do it. You find out a lot about yourself when you do, but change the way you think about it. I have gone on dates thinking "what can you provide for me in a relationship?" Saying it out loud just sounds ridiculous, but the majority of people around me do this. 

"I want someone to make out so I am going to date this guy because he can give me that."

"I need someone to cuddle with so I'll hang out with you."

What if I began to pursue relationships not because of what they can do for me, but because of what I can do for them?

Not only has this dramatically changed my dating/relationship idea, but I have also been thinking along these lines as I plan for my future career. I want to be reminded that I am not pursuing the goals I have to benefit from them; I am pursuing them because I want to serve and present my gifts to someone else and say "what can I do for you?" 

I would love to hear your thoughts about this idea of entering a relationship because of what you can give them and not what they can give you. Disagree or agree or be neutral; I'll still love you through it! 

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Finals Week Playlist

Well, I am at that point in the semester where I find myself on campus a lot typing away just like I should be doing right now, but I am super distracted.

So I thought I'd give you some songs you may want to add to your play list.

Diamonds by Rihanna. 

Catchy, upbeat, and gets you started on that hard work.

Or the perfect song to take a little dance break to.

I have always been a James Morrison fan because his voice makes you fall in love.

If you need something sappy or raspy, this is your man.

Yes, I jumped on the bandwagon. This song is just too good to pass up!

I am loving the new sounds of music that are coming and this is one of those songs that is also too good to pass it up.

Who knew Ellie Goulding had better songs than just her hit "Lights?"

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Boxing Day

While some people live for Christmas Day, I live for the day after Christmas or what we like to call Boxing Day. Why you may ask?

Because this is my annual shopping to get the best deals day!

Majority of my Christmas money goes to buying some new fashion for my wardrobe, but this year I am planning on only buying a few things and going to the store with a list rather than just looking for anything.

So here are the things I have on my list so far...

Yoga pants which I am obsessed with as on October. They are so comfy and you can dress them up or down! $13

 

These target black flats. Currently $20 online.

 

This Target Coat. It is currently $47.99 and I am hoping it at least goes down to $30.

I of course want some new old navy jeans and hopefully a cute top or two.

Anything on your wish list?

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Lovely Moments

It's Sunday and I was able to tell my week was crazy when I found myself waking up at 2 p.m. Yes, I've only been up for 4 hours and I've watched a movie and three t.v. shows.

Let me just tell you about the lovely moments in my week.

On Wednesday, my beautiful mother and brother came to campus. My little bro is a Senior in high school and he and his girlfriend are considering good ole' AU as a college choice. Could I be anymore proud? Later that night my momma and I went to see Buddy Valastro, The Cake Boss downtown. Who knew making cakes look amazing was so easy! It was so fun and reminded me of our four years ago adventure to go and see Celine Dion over Christmas. Celine Dion is ten times better than Buddy Valastro, but time with my momma was the frosting on the cake. (How's that for a pun?!)

Thursday was a fun night of karaoke-ing with my friends. Lots of Britney Spears and N*Sync. And I also got a phone call from Huntington University letting me know I was accepted into their program. 2/4 down.

Friday I drove down to Pipers and got to spend the night working in the kitchen, it only took four years of working there to spend an entire night in the kitchen.

Saturday I had dinner with my Ball State friends and attended a going away party for my Jones twin. Then I drove back to AU and went to Cheap Thrills. I only have two left before my time here at AU is done. Weird to think about.

Choosing to see this week filled with lovely moments than busy events made me cherish the time so much more!

 

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They finally called....

So remember how I posted last Thursday about waiting for a call from the Seattle School and how I said they would most likely call me that day since I wrote about it.

So here's what they had to say....

I was freaking out the whole time that I did not actually hear what Nicole Greenwald had to say at first, but here are her words...

You have been accepted to the Seattle School and we would love to have you be apart of our 2013 cohort.

Did you get that? Did you?

I'm in! My number one choice accepted me! I was pretty sure she said I had not been accepted at first, but then I realized I was crazy and start acting like a little girl. My emotions were all over the place. I almost cried, but then I woo-hoo'd instead.

It was actually a really awesome call. Not only because they called to tell me I was accepted, but they also explained why they thought I was a good fit for the program. I was just really amazed and thankful, and a whole lot of other emotions.

Now I have a couple of weeks to pray and decide if this is the path for me after I graduate in May. I have a lot to figure out. Prayers are appreciated!  

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Future Talk...Again

For those of you that read, I am sorry for constantly talking about my future. Then again I am not sorry because the future is where I am heading and I have some big decisions to make in the next 4 months. BIG decisions!

I have yet to hear anything from the Seattle School yet, but I am sure since I mentioned it on here now that I will be getting an email or phone call sometime today because that is how my life works. My mind is constantly circling about what I should do. Today is a day that I am all for Seattle. That means: I want to live in the beautiful city, I want to embark on the intense program of discovering my story and experiencing some serious transformation, I want to acquire the hipster style, I want to drink lots of coffee and go to Kerry Park to see the sun-set.

I want Seattle.

Yesterday I wanted to move to California with my best friend and be her personal assistant. I want to embark on a new adventure, but with a friend I have known forever doing something I have never wanted to do.

Tuesday, I wanted to go to Seattle again.

And last Wednesday- I wanted to take a year off and just work, but by Friday I never wanted to work again.

This is how fast my mind has been running through the different paths I have before me. So many life choices. Why is it so difficult?

And as I stressed my self with what is to come, I found this quote on Pinterest.

Is this true? It does not matter which path I take if I do not know where I am going?

Any thoughts?

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Oh life

My goodness life lately has been going by fast.

Thanksgiving break...well not much of a break. If the word workaholic ever described me, it definitely did this past week. I almost worked about 40 hours in 4 days so I came home one day in tears from a lack of sleep and being upset with myself for over-committing once again. 

Even though it was stressful, I was still able to spend some quality time with family and friends, and doing a little bit of shopping. Now I am in the last 3 weeks of the semester which means lots of tests and presentations. 

It also means I should be hearing from a certain school very soon.

On the outside, I am completely calm and not caring too much.

But on the inside, I am a little nervous...maybe a lot? I keep trying to prepare myself for whatever the answer may be.

If the answer is yes, okay then I need to start thinking if this is truly a possibility.

If the answer is no, then I need to start focusing on the other schools I applied for.

And even with all that, I need to figure out if I even want to go to Grad school as soon as I graduate. It has been my plan for the last couple of years, but now I am not sure if it is what I want to do.

Maybe I want to take a year off and save some money and take a break from studying all the time.

There are pro's and con's for each side and I am sure I will keep you up to date on this big life decision.

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Giving thanks to Thanksgiving break!

Do you ever just hear a song and decide you want to listen to it over and over again?

Here is my latest song obsession:

I promise you will love it!

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I forgot to mention something...

I realize now how my last post may have sounded somewhat depressing. I also realized yesterday that I forgot to tell you a major part of my trip and how it is currently affecting how I think about things.

A year and a half ago when I left Indiana to go work at Camp Lutherwood in Bellingham, Washington I created a prayer that I continued to pray every single day I was in Washington. 

Here it is: 

"Dear God, please help me to keep my mind, heart, and eyes open to you and what you desire to do today and in this place."

For some reason I stopped praying this prayer when I returned home and slowly forgot about the words I would repeat every morning or night. Thanks to my lovely roommate I was reminded of my prayer again during my first day in Washington. I was unpacking my bag when I found an encouraging letter from her and at the bottom it said to "keep an open mind, heart, and ears for God." Not only was I super appreciative of the friend I spend my life with, but I was also amazed at how a prayer I had not said in a year and a half became present again in the state I left it in.

I kept the letter and prayer in my heart and went about my trip shopping and spending time with friends. On the preview day for the Seattle school, the admissions director started off the day by asking everyone "to keep their minds, hearts, and ears open for what God may be speaking to them that day."

Okay, hold up! Two times this prayer is being repeated to me by people who had no idea that had been my prayer when I was here last time. I think I got goose-bumps at this point and tried to not freak out.

Another event also played a huge part into my life that week. So you know these cool fortune things: 

Well, I spent 50 cents and got a good old fortune. I did not expect the fortune to be right at all, but boy was I wrong. Now let me preference, I do not believe in witch-craft or wizardry (although it would be really cool if it existed), but what was written on my fortune is really hard not to believe in. I would call it more of a God moment than anything! The fortune said that I would be receiving a letter soon that could change my life dramatically and I deserve this because of the faith I have shown. A letter that would change my life=graduate school, possibly the Seattle school. 

There were multiple points in my trip when I was reminded God was at work and that He does have a plan for me even if He waits to reveal it to me.

So with that said, the Seattle school has not been ruled out for me. It just has not been ruled in either. I am waiting on God's direction and timing. But isn't this all so cool?!

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Prepare yourselves...

I have finally caught up on my sleep (not my school work) so therefore I can finally let you know about my trip to Washington.

Let me give you a little background of my expectations for this trip:

I expected to walk into the Seattle School and know whether or not this would be the school for me.

I expected to find awesome deals on clothes and come back with a new wardrobe.

I expected to have deep conversations about life with all my camp friends.

I expected to want to call this place home.

Here is what really happened:

I left the Seattle School in tears and even more confused than I was before. It turns out that God does not always strike you with clarity the instance you expect it. The school is great and has a lot to offer, unfortunately I am just unsure if it is what I want for my life. Graduate school in general is now an uncertainty in my life. I want so much to become a licensed counselor, but the process is long and hard. Being in school for three more years just sounds horrible at this point. All I want to do is be an adult with a salary, own house, and enough money to pay all my bills and contribute to my coffee addiction. I am still in the same place I was when I left for Washington. Unsure of the future and no idea where I am being called.

I bought a postcard and one shirt on my trip to Washington. I did not find amazing deals on clothes and did not create a new wardrobe. College students budgets suck.

I had lots of conversations with my camp friends, but only a few deep ones. Time and change was something I was reminded of this trip. People change with time and sometimes are not the people you remember and sometimes become more important people in your life. These relationships are ever-changing even though I may want them to stay the same. Time. Time. Time.

For the last year and a half since I returned from Washington, I have been telling people Seattle would be the next place I called home. I never had any doubts about it, but now I am filled with doubts. Being away for a week reminded me of the distance that exists between Seattle and Indiana. It reminded me of how important my family and friends are to me and how distance can play a huge factor in those relationships. I also finally realize how dramatically my life will change if I pack up and move to Washington. 

My future is so UN-defined. I like definition and plans. I want a defined plan for my life.

When will I have a defined plan for my life?

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So who loves the new Taylor Swift CD?

I do!

Taylor Swift has always been one of those singers whose words get to me. I am currently on my 4th time of listening to Enchanted this morning. Her songs are so real and connect to my life so well.

Just had to let you know how much I love T-Swift.

Spontaneity.

I told myself this year that I would be more spontaneous. In the past, I am usually the party-pooper who thinks of all the reasons we should not go tp-ing or speak to random strangers. I always think of the worst possibility to occur and end the fun right away. There was one event last year where I freaked out about something and could not stand the person I was being. What happened to this crazy full of fun girl I used to be? So I made the goal to be more spontaneous this year at school. I am a Senior so what do I have to lose?

Here's some spontaneous events I have taken part in.

Last night- I can't give you details, but it was definitely something I never saw myself doing.

Going to the movies on a Sunday night when I have homework and an early morning of work.

Driving home to support my brother even though I had a set plan for my evening.

Flying to Seattle, Washington in the middle of the semester.

Staying up late to have those deep talks with friends even though I know my sleep is much more important.

Trying out for Chapel and actually getting to sing on Stage. So out of character for me.

Letting friends tell people I once liked them and being secure enough in myself to not care.

Speaking to strangers and making friendships from it.

I am sure my list will continue to grow this year. 

Be Spontaneous.

Life is more exciting and full-filling this way!

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New Beginnings

The month of November is on its way and I plan to make it a month of new beginnings.

October has been a month of reflection and analyzing my life. Where am I going? What am I doing? What do I want from life? What's my next step? A lot of questions have been following me and seeking answers.

Where am I going?

Well on Thursday I am going to Seattle, Washington to check out my dream school and to see old friends. I am going to figured out if this life I have been dreaming of is really as grand as I think. I am going to be reminded how freeing it can be to escape life for a little bit and go on adventure. I am also being reminded of how important relationships are and that even with time and a lot of distance you still have friends wherever you turn. Wish me luck this week; a lot is at stake!

What am I doing?

I found myself on the lonely train during the month of October. People surrounded me, but I felt lonely for some reason. I got in the dumps and just settled there for the month. So now I am jumping off this train and choosing to see the good in every day, the good in my friends and family, and the good in lots of education. I always have a tendency to see the worst in anything and I am choosing to see the best for the month of November. Give me a slap if you notice me not doing this on here or in person.

What do I want from life?

Right now, I want to know my future. I want to be able to say that when I graduate this is what I am doing. I applied for schools in August and September and have just realized that I have not heard any decisions from them. I realize it might be too early for that, but I guess I just want an idea of whether the school wants me or not. So with that, I want answers and a game plan for next fall.

What's my next step?

I think I have mentioned most of those in this post, but I think my next step is to being 100% true to myself, friends, and family. I am great at lying to myself, but it has been so sobering to speak truth into myself. Therefore my goal is to speak truth into others and myself.

I also want to take Leaps of Faith for the month of November. If I think a guy is cute, I am going to tell him. If I find a shirt I just can't stop thinking of, I will buy it (assuming I can actually afford it with my college student budget). If I think I need to hear truth or a friend, I will say it without being concerned of how they are going to feel about me.

Leaps of faith: that's what the month of November is about.

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Oh goodness

Rainy days have not been my friend as of lately.

Today was another day where if it rains it pours and I found myself out of sorts all day.

I went to bed at 10 p.m. last night and still wound up waking up late for a class that I did not even have to attend at its regular time.  How does that even happen? With that said, that means I went to school in my pajama shirt, but I did manage to brush my teeth :)

However, I did not manage to realize it was going to be a cold and rainy day. I also did not realize I would spend an hour making phone calls for work to find out I had been giving out the wrong time for an event. To add to it, I have also been very worried for a dear friend of mine for the last two days and it is invading the worry side of me.

I finally gave into tears around 6 p.m. today and let the craziness of my day get the best of me.

 That big man upstairs must be trying to teach me something. Here are some of the things I think it could be.

-To be a good friend without having to know every detail.

-To learn how doing a good job does not mean it will always be enough.

-To learn to make sure I have covered my bases before I begin.

-Patience; why I ever prayed for this is beyond me.

-To remember not to get stuck in the comfortable lifestyle I live.

-That I do not always have to have a perfect day.

And the list could go on and on....

But to turn the mood around I want to ask a fun question:

What is your favorite child-hood memory.

Halloween always brings my favorite memory from child-hood to mind because it has to do with that theme during that time. My neighbor and I had the greatest imaginations and would create our own Halloween towns in our backyards with imaginary people galore. We would be witches who dates werewolves or vampires. We would fight to save our town from an evil warlock and make sure the humans never found out about our cool town. I remember spending hours playing Halloween Town and talking to people who never existed.

We also did this with the North Pole, but here's the twist. We were elf detectives who made sure no one found out if Santa really did exist and checked to see if people on the naughty list were really naught. I was always Holly and she was Ivy; the best fighting elf detectives in the world.

Oh to have the mind of a child again!

What about your favorite memory?

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Getting Lost

During my freshman year of college, my friends and I happened to go on what I like to call a "country drive." It is exactly what it sounds like, a drive through the country. It was a great study break or stress reliever to just hop in the car with your friends and go see the beauty of nature; however, the beauty begins to look the same after about 5 minutes driving through it. The beautiful state of Indiana includes lots of cornfields and that is all you begin to see after 5 minutes into your trip. At this point, we could have easily turned around and went back home, but we decided to make it more fun. We all took turns giving directions saying left, right, straight, and the occasional backwards to get us laughing.

Since my freshman year, my friends and I have participated in this stress reliever multiple times a year. It has been an experience where we have grown closer with deep talks or have vented all of frustrations with school, life, and the world. As I was thinking about the next time I experience one of these country drives, I realized a unique part of the journey we impart on.

My friends and I purposely get lost to see if we can find our way back home. It is a time to discover something new and to come back as a new person. Most of the time when I get lost it means I took a wrong path or turn and have found myself at a place I have never been. Sometimes that place is scary and other times its exciting. This idea of getting lost relates so much to my life. Many times I take a wrong turn and wind up in a dark alley at my lowest point; other times I take a right turn and am presented with a new opportunity.

It is so healthy to get lost in life to remind us of who we are, to find ourselves again. I do not know about you, but this idea of purposefully getting lost is something I hope to do once a year whether it is on purpose or not. I need to get lost so I can reach a wake-up call or remember that someone has a greater path than I could have imagined.

So here's my advice: Go get lost this week and find yourself.

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Snakes

So one thing you should know about me:

I am deathly afraid of snakes. 

Why?

I have no idea, but I will tell you that if I walk in tall grass I instantly think of snakes.

If there is a hole in the ground, you better bet a snake lives it.

And here is a very irrational thought, sometimes I even get nervous to go to the bathroom because I fear will come up and bite me.

Have I ever been bitten by a snake?

No, nor have I ever seen anyone else be bit by a snake.

Never the less, I am deathly afraid of snakes.

I am in abnormal psychology this semester and we are talking about phobias people have at the moment and I instantly started thinking about my fear of snakes which led to even deeper thoughts. I came to this conclusion that snakes have a deeper meaning than just themselves. The devil was a snake in the Garden of Eden and led to the world we live on today filled with deception, guilt, and fear. Yes, I am afraid of the actual reptile the snake, but I am also afraid of what the snake brings. I am nervous of the bite because I do not want to become evil and also become a snake. 

We talk a lot in my class about how to get over fears. Some say to sit in the room with the snakes until your anxiety or fear diminishes. Some say to hold the snake and feel it slither around on your arm. That is when it hit me that I do this with the Devil all the time. I sit in the temptation he slithers my way and sometimes I even grasp it and make it a part of my life. If I would not do this in my physical life, why would I do it in my spiritual life? This question shocked me and began to help me consider a lot of things going on in my life. I always have an opportunity to sit on a high throne and be righteous, but so many times I choose to lay on the ground amidst the dirt and be covered in filth. 

Royalty or peasantry?

Which have I chosen, which will I choose?

Which will you choose?

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Deep Question Time

Here's some questions I just feel I need to ask myself and by answering them on here allows me to go back and re-visit them, but also pushes me to look deeper into them.

What am I doing with my life?

I know some of the decisions I have made lately have been childish and purely selfish. I know it's wrong and that it does not better me at all; I also know this is something I am probably going to have to deal with for the rest of my life. I know I need to stop and stand strong and stop giving in. I know what's right, but it's hard to do what's right sometimes. Sometimes what is wrong feels good and feels better than what is right. Sometimes the right leaves us lonely and having to try hard and sometimes I just do not have the strength to do that. And sometimes the ghosts that haunt us seem to pop up when they know you are at your weakest. Sometimes I may be at my weakest, but I can say no, but sometimes I give in. I can see the big picture and I know I am working towards something greater than this moment, but the small picture is so much harder for me to see sometimes. 

So what are you going to do?

Keep trying? Is that too cliche to say? Does it even mean anything any more since I keep coming back from where I am trying to get away from? I know if I ask someone else that they will say you can always start over and over and over...but is there not a place you get to where starting over really means you don't start over? Am I making sense? I don't know what I am going to do. All I know is that whatever I have been doing is not working and that I need a new game plan.

What's holding you down?

Guilt, shame, embarrassment, hurt, confusion, sin, desires, self-esteem, and so much more. That big word shame really gets me. It is just not easy to shake off.

What's keeping you going?

Love, a new beginning, God, friends, family, school, life in general. The big picture is my motivation.

So what's next?

Starting over, again. Getting stronger, again. Being honest, again. Trusting, again. Repeating the process, again with new ideas to help fight the dark place I can get in sometimes.

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Homecoming for the last time

 This is what my weekend consisted of: Lots of baby Aleena time!

 Making memories with some new friends.

 Annual homecoming game with some of my favorite people.

And the 3 best friends that anyone can have...and a baby.

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Preparing for the Future

My life as of lately has consisted so much of applying for Grad schools and studying hard to boost my G.P.A. for resumes along with getting involved in school and living up my senior year.

I find myself in class thinking about what's to come so often. I am a futuristic person and am always looking ahead, but sometimes I forget the big man up-stairs and the path he is paving for me.

Today I remembered Him and thought about what he could be doing. I have had lots of conversations with people about Seattle and I really do hope he is making that part of my path.

I realized I knew to prepare myself for the no that could come from the school, but it is a desire of my heart that it is hard for me to see if that could actually happen. 

All I know is that there are great works being prepared for me and I am trying to remember daily that I am in God's hands and he is for me.

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The Power of a Song

Have you ever heard a song that spoke so much truth...to you?

 

I was just working on my homework trying to find some new music to listen to and encountered this song.

 

I was gonna marry you

 

My heart tugged and reminded me of how I have felt these thoughts before.

 

I spoke to a friends this week about relationships and the idea of how it takes lots of time to get over someone you care deeply for. Someone once told me it takes as long as you had a relationship with the person to get over them. I am not sure if this is just the dating relationship or the entire relationship in its whole, but if its true, that is a lot of time.

And then I thought about how it has taken some of my friends time or big events to get over someone, but with even that we can never simply say we are over them for we will forever carry them with us.

 

One friend had to get pregnant to move on from the relationship.

 

One friend had to practice being single and secure in her self to get over her relationship.

 

I needed him to get married to finally move on.

 

We are relational beings and place so much on the relationships in our lives. If you are in the shoes of a recent break-up or still trying to move on from a relationship, I am here to let you know you are not alone. We have all been there and some of us are still there.

 

The memory may always stay, but you will find someone new and eventually the person for you.

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Pinterest!

Last year during this time, I was introduced to the world of Pinterest and spent way too much time on the sight. This year, I still love it, but find myself never having enough time to spend the hours upon hours I used to spend. In celebration of my rough day yesterday, here is some pins I have loved this week.

Travel

Someday I will make it here!

Dream boots 

I am pretty sure I would wear these everyday if I owned them.

Target  

If you know me, you know I have a target addiction and this will help with shopping so much!

Encouragement 

Wow, this quote means so much to me in my life right now. I spent all of last week being bitter about an event in my life and even though I was busy, I was constantly criticizing others. What a great quote to encourage me improve myself and stop wasting time criticizing others. 

Chocolate cups 

 I want to make these now!

Mini Pumpkin Pies 

 Thanksgiving means Pumpkin Pie which means I am a happy girl. I wouldn't mind having these lay around the house.

 

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Rainy Mornings

You know the saying, "When it rains it pours?" 

Well, that is the title of my life this week.

My computer decided to call it quits for its 17th + time the other night because it hates charging thanks to my clumsiness of dropping it on its side three years ago. 

My android fell while I was listening to music in the bathroom and part of the screen cracked which now means it will not sense my touch on one half of the screen.

I completely struggled with a homework assignment that ended with a not so pretty word on my behalf.

I tried to be a great daughter and buy my mom an awesome birthday gift, but realized I did not read the fine print and now hate the gift I got her for her birthday.

It is pouring today when I took the time to straighten my hair last night which means hello frizzy, wavy, ridiculous hair.

It really does pour when it rains. I spent the morning calling myself stupid and being so angry at myself and life.

After spending twenty minutes beating myself up for my clumsiness and lack of gracefulness, I quickly sobered up and reminded myself that I have way too much to be thankful for.

I am grateful my parents continue to buy me electronics even though they know I will most likely break them in the long run.

I am grateful for rainy days to water this beautiful place I call home.

I am grateful for bad hair days because it reminds me that my worth does not come from my beauty, but from God.

I am grateful I had money to buy my mom a birthday present this year even if it may not be the best gift in the world.

I am grateful for not always being the perfect Christian and that God still loves me through it all the bad words that come out of my mouth.

I am grateful to realized I can get through life without electronics.

I am grateful for the friends who continue to encourage me through my rough weeks and temper tantrums.

I am grateful to be alive and breathing for another day.

We have so much to be grateful for.

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Blessings and Sufferings #4

So these last couple of weeks have been crazy!

School has started and we are into week 3! Week 3! It flew by so fast, but here's what I am thankful and struggling with over the last couple of weeks. 

Struggles

I cannot seem to get my mind to wrap around school mode. It is slowly adjusting and it makes me spend very late nights in the library or on campus

I guess I have been stressed so my face keeps breaking out in the same place; it's not horrible, but I am a girl who never had breakouts or acne so when one little breakout occurs, it is the end of the world for me.

I have realized how bad I am about over comitting myself to stuff; I need some serious prayer that I can learn to say no to stuff I cannot handle.

 Blessings

My little nephew keeps getting cuter and cuter; the little cuteness just has the prettiest eyes and the coolest hair. Being at school away from him kind of sucks, but still grateful to have in our family.

My parents celebrate 25 years of marriage this week which included a fun surprise party for them this past weekend. They are such great models of a realistic marriage and I hope to have a marriage similar to theirs some day.

Baby Aleena comes to visit us at school every so often and she is too cute. I love being 3 amigo's plus a gorgeous baby. 
In just over a month, I will be back in the gorgeous state of Washington visiting some dearly missed plans and hopefully paving a way for my future. I just need a plane ticket and a little more money now.


If you are a worship leader or love true advice from fellow Christians, check out this book my dad and his best friend just finished. So proud of him and all he has done. It's only $11 and totally worth it!
http://www.worshipleadertoolkit.com/  

 

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Dating: Against or For?

Guess what this chick went on last week?

That's right, a date.

 

 Which brings me to the question of whether you believe in dating or not? I am still not sure how I feel about dating. It has its pro's and con's.

 

Pro's

Meet new people

Helps you figure out your type

Can be fun to date different people

Usually for a girl, a fun night with little to no cost

Adventure

A change of pace

 

Con's

They can be disastrous

Get lead on

Doesn't work out

Boring=no fun at all

Guy decides he does not like you so he plays the "how about we split it" card

 

 

I am sure both lists can be longer, but that's just my initial thought right now.

Oh by the way, the date was fun, but didn't work out.

I still have no idea how I feel about it. I feel like I am a girl who would rather just be friends and then somehow stumble into a relationship. That can happen right?

 

You tell me:

Are you for dating or not?

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Four Years

Guess what?! I am starting my Senior Year in a week and a half at AU!!!!!

 

I am only freaking out a little bit. Thinking about this coming year has taken me back down memory lane which means you are in for a history lesson in my life!

 

Freshman year!

 

 

This was a year of firsts; first long-distance relationship, first roommate, first college class, and the list goes on and one.

Favorite Memory from the year: Late night talks with my roommate Michelle. Some nights we would lay down and end up talking for hours about our love for old Disney channel movies or about family life. She is the best roommate I could have asked for!

Advice for any freshman: Try everything! It's the year to explore different classes before settling on a major or your favorite activity. I came in thinking I knew exactly what my major would be and I changed it! Try everything! Just do it!

 

 

Sophomore Year

 

Wow! This was by far the most emotional and growing for me. The word of the year was "Drama." But thanks to that Drama a beautiful friendship bonded and led to 3 future roommates bond to last through the many years of change we will encounter for the rest of our lives.

Favorite Memory: It is hard to choose just one. Family game night, country drives, late night talks, blind dates, and so much more!

Advice for Sophomores: This is such a great year to build friendships. You have a year of college underneath you and friends you met. Find your niche and bond. It is well worth it.

 

Junior Year

 

Bring on the laughter! I lived with my two best friends, how much better could life get! It was somewhat of a challenging year, but a fun one to say the least. We became a tiny little family and learned what it is like to live with a pregnant girl and the beauty of birth!

Favorite Memory: Once again too hard to choose! Prank calling whenever we got the chance, spring break in California, and cooking delicious dinners!

Advice for Juniors: Focus on school. The hard work pays off if you keep at it and this is not the time to let your grades slip away.

 

Senior Year

Expectations: To do all the things I have not done yet, spend quality time with friends, and make plans for post-grad life.

Goals: Sing at encore, check everything off my 101 things to do before you graduate list, get into grad school, and get my g.p.a up a little bit!

 

 



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