What are 5 passions I have

1.) Purity

In middle school, my mother insisted I attend the purity retreat at church and I wanted nothing to do with it. I was in 8th grade and hanging out with friends who did not encourage me spiritually so I was learning the idea of rebellion. Well, since I cannot drive, I was forced to go and was mad about it the whole time. By the end of the retreat, my eyes were re-awakened to God and I began to have a craving to learn all that I could about purity. I guess maybe I should explain my view of Purity. I am not a pure person by any means; I have made many mistakes that do not reflect this idea of purity. Purity is a beautiful thing that calls for redemption and a new start. I have spoken at 2 purity retreats and both have taught me that being pure does not just mean being abstinent. While that may be an aspect of it, it also means having pure thoughts, hearts, and words. It also allows for forgiveness. I could go on for hours and would love to talk to any of you about purity and its beauty. Just ask!

2.) Youth

High school showed me the love for middle school students. Maybe it is because I had a really rough time in middle school, but I loved the attitude of middle school students. They are honest, blunt, and easily influenced, but they are smart, endearing, and have a craving for knowledge. It has been a while since I have helped with youth activities, but I plan to add it back into my life in the near future.

3.) Music

I am a singer and musician. Since I was little, I have been writing songs. Yes, most of the time they are ridiculous, but I love creating tunes and imagining them becoming a number one hit on the radio. I do not like singing in front of people often because of insecurities, but I love singing and if I sing in front of you it means I like you. Playing guitar has also become my passion. It is so much fun to play a tune and sing along at the same time.

4.) Creativity

Thanks to the website Pinterest I have found my creative side. I love being crafty and making things from objects I have or find. Pinterest has inspired my creativity and has had me creating numerous artworks with paintings, jewelry, and so much more!

5.) Family

For some odd reason, I have always desired a big family. I always say I am going to have 8 kids and while I do hope this happens, I also know it is a big responsibility to take on. My family is growing now and I have added friends into the family mix. I am excited to see what life holds for my family and for me!

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A Very Thankful Daughter

My dad has been on my heart lately. Since being at home, I have been able to see the life my family has been living. I knew that we were struggling, but now I can see it the faces of my parents. My mother is trying to be strong and supportive and my dad is trying to trust God. I respect my parents so much after being with them this week. A time that has been stressful and down right horrible, they have been able to love, laugh, and live. They are real; they struggle with God, question Him, trust Him, and wait on Him. Their strength is beyond words; it is so strong.

I broke down in tears at multiple times today as I am doing right now because of my family. We could have let this situation affect our lives in a negative way. We could have let it beat us down and break us, but all of us have chosen to rise above. Yes, we have all had our bad days. The days when we say we want to give up and that we don't trust God, but at least we are being real and honest. Our faith is messy, but so was Peter's and Paul's.

I am just thankful and very appreciative of the parent's God has blessed me with. My mom has a heart that is beautiful. Her laugh, her smile, her goofiness; I just love everything about her. My dad's contemplative-ness, trust, and faith is admirable and inspiring.

"When the clouds are heavy, the rains come down. When a tree falls, whether south or north, there it lies. If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done. " Ecclesiastes 11:3-4 If you wait for life to be perfect, then your going to miss it. Be thankful for the hard times, for the trying times, and for all the times in between. Pin It

Hardest thing I have ever experienced

To sum it all up, I would say sophomore year.

I entered it off the high of my Freshman year expecting it to be amazing and life changing and let's just say sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for.

It was life changing, but not in the way I expected.

I broke up with my boyfriend, celebrated my sisters wedding, suffered from my dad losing his job, and then spent months fighting with a friend.

Sure, my sisters wedding was tons of fun and one of the best parts of the year.

It was just the other stuff that led to the hardest experience ever.

I have talked about it so much on here that it is becoming repetitive.

If you want to read all about it; just click one of the links at the bottom.

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5 Things that make you most happy right now

1.) Family- My family is growing and I will be welcoming a little niece or nephew in the next couple of months. It's weird to think that it will not just be my immediate family, but that soon each of us will start having kids. Although, I still have a couple of years before that and so does my brother.

2.) Friends- Knowing who your true friends are is a wonderful to discover and having friends who will always be honest with you even when you do not want it is even better.

3.) My style- Materialistic, I know, but knowing what looks good on you and having a sense of style is so much fun. If you would have asked me 5 years ago to go shopping, I would have ran the other way, but now I have to avoid stores because I know I will be tempted to buy something.

4.) Independence- Going off to college has shown me how independent I am and how able I am on my own. While it sometimes gets me in trouble, I have discovered a lot of myself with being independent.

5.) Softball- I am in intramural softball season and I seriously end up laughing so hard at each game. Our team is so random, but so much fun!

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10 Things I would tell my 16 year old self

1.) There is no need to be so dramatic.

The world is not ending and you are strong enough to get through it!

2.) Boys: they are not that important! This is the time to enjoy being single!

The right man will come along; just be patient!

3.) Love your music! Be confident and let others hear your voice.

4.) Watch out for the people you call your "friends." There will be some people you just need to say goodbye to.

They are not always worth the fight.

5.) Appreciate your family! Don't wait til Senior year to see the beauty of family.

6.) Put more emphasis on school. Grades do matter and you are smart.

7.) Invest in your creative side. You have no idea how talented you are!

8.) Stop fighting with your brother! You will be close to him in the future!

9.) Appreciate yourself! You are beautiful and lovely!

10.) Enjoy nature. Don't conform to the Internet craze!

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Anderson University School Pride

A-N-D-E-R-S-O-N-R-A-V-E-N-S, RAVENS!

This is my favorite cheer to yell at Anderson sporting events.

We may be small, but we sure do love our school, especially me.

It is weird to think I almost did not apply to Anderson because I was nervous about the cost, but I thank the woman every day who encouraged me to apply. The minute I walked on to campus I knew that this was the place I wanted to be. This is the school that would become my home, my future, my past, and so many memories.

Freshman year proved that I choose the right school with tons of fun CAB (campus activities board) events, late night Ricker and Deluxe Doughnut runs, and pranking!

Sophomore year would be the hardest, but filled with discovery. Friendships would go, break-ups would occur, and family hardships would persist. Anderson, though, stayed ever present; a safe-haven from all of life's troubles and a place to find answers to them.

Junior year exceeded in the most learning, taking classes that I enjoyed and finding that I choose the right degree for me!

Anderson has given me so many opportunities for the past three years and I know my Senior year will be filled with the most.

From the Career Development office to the teachers who sit down and build a personal relationship with you, I have discovered my love for AU.

My classes have been tough, but the knowledge has stuck.

Teachers I thought I could never like have become my mentors and wonderful examples to learn from.

I have also discovered why people say you make your best friends in college. From the minute you move in, there are always people to meet and become friends with, which is exactly what happened on the first day of Freshman year.

As for the experiences, they are numerous. The admissions office is not just my job, but my family and possibly my future. Lamifidel, one of six social clubs you can join on campus, has become my Monday night ritual and my sisterhood.

Many people may say you cannot have that much fun on a Christian campus, but they are wrong. Choosing Anderson is the best decision I have ever made. This is the school that will allow me to Soar and Soar I will.

In the words of Switchfoot, "This is home. Now I'm finally where I belong, where I belong. Yeah, this is home. I've been searching for a place of my own. Now I've found it. Maybe this is home, yeah this is home."

 

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3.) Relationship with parents

Since I am growing up and about to enter the time in my life when I become independent from my parents, the relationship with them is a little confusing. I am finishing up my third year in college and each year results in my wanting to be more independent and learning how to rely on my parents less. Therefore, the relationship is hard to define.

I recently got my nose pierced and I feel like that might have been my first step to being almost independent. They were not very happy with me, but they also are allowing me to deal with the consequences of my decisions.

I love my parents and all they do for me. Sometimes I do not agree with their decisions, but I have learned they only make their decisions because they think it is what is best for me.

I thank the Lord above for my wonderful parents!

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