Life as of Late

A simple Tuesday post. I promise to keep it short. Well, maybe a little long but not nearly as long as they normally are!

It is crazy to think how fast time flies and how quick changes come. To sit back and look at my shamble of a life 8ish months ago really perplexes me. God has brought me so far. I coined a phrase today- that didnt come out like I wanted it to- but it stuck- so now, I will share it with you. "Sometimes you have to go through the crap to get to the cupcake". Thank goodness I didnt say eat a lot of crap... but if you really break it down- sometimes you might have to eat your words- or better yet be left with only those words that you left to ring in someone's ear and prick at their heart when they think of you. And sometimes- you have to wallow in a bunch of straight up crap and smell like a pig- to be able to one day close your eyes with the biggest icing lined smile- and say all of that was so worth this.

As I was having a weekly talk with one of my very best friends- she reminded me of how far I have come. So. Far. From a helpless wasting away miserable thing just taking up space- to a smiling beaming and happy friend again. The thing that has most changed? My perspective. I see the world through a brand new set of eyes (I really wish I could do this without contacts!).

I want to share some really cool verses with you that I hope touch your heart like they did mine. My other half had some BIG lifechanging interviews the past week and yesterday and I can tell you that they were bathed in prayer-and there were a lot of nerves surrounding them. Yesterday- I truly trusted that God was in control and that if he wanted this for Kevin, then it would happen. The moment I saw Kevin I shared this verse I found: "Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Shouldnt be scared of it. Trusting in the Lord. Only when you truly find yourself saying "Ok- God really does have it" is when you experience true trust.


Later that evening (last night) as we were about to head to dinner, the phone rang and I heard every word. I just want to congratulate you on your Promotion to Corporal...

If you couldve seen the excitement in both of our eyes, you wouldve thought we had just won a free trip or something. When doubt fills our mind- that is when we fail. When we hold fast to the notion that God does want good things for us- and in HIS due time will the come to be- we get to experience blessings.

This is a huge change for Kevin. Something he has prayed long and hard about- since before I came into the picture. This is part of his goals. It is so exciting to share in someone's happiness and experience God's blessings for them. God reminded me of Malachi 3:10- about pouring out so many blessings that they couldnt be contained. Verily Verily unto you today I say- that the storehouse has been opened and blessings are over flowing!

Remember these things: Those desires to succeed are not man made, but Creator made. You will have to work hard- but rest assured that you will be blessed if you trust the Lord. Not yourself. not money. Not wealth, fame, or your last name. Trust God. and he will bring it about-In His's time.

The Road.. Travelled

Wow. I can finally take a break. The past week has been one of lots of mini trips. I haven't blogged since my class reunion- so I apologize for that. I have recently caught a lazy bug and don't know how to get rid of it. This bug has affected my workouts (don't get me started at how bad it is now), my diet (lack there of) and my motivation for anything in life (it is nonexistent!). So, here is a small (well, I am sure it will be long after I finish) recap of the past week's events in my life. Sorry, I can't get the pics to line up.

I had the awesome privilege of interviewing at the University of Alabama last Wednesday. I was in Tuscaloosa from Tuesday night until Wednesday afternoon. It is for a Health Educator Assistant Director position dealing specifically with mental health and financial health. The food, people, and the campus were awesome. I had a great trip and thank them a whole lot for their hospitality. As far as the job goes- I am still unsure. Change would be good, but change would be hard. If you want to pray about direction for me, that would be great. Here are a few pictures from around campus. They are as follows: Hotel Capstone, Denny Chimes, restaurant they took me to on the river, campus buildings, awkward sculpture, the Quad, and the National Championship trophy.



 



Thursday was our last softball game. We lost, and it sucked. I am mixed about how I feel about the season being over. I love softball and have a lot of fun, when I play good, but it will be nice and weird to have my Tuesdays and Thursdays back. Not sure what I will do with my time, but losing this lovely amount of fat I have aquired is one of the things.

Friday, I headed up to Hilton Head Island (if you are reading this Josh, sorry I didn't visit, pressed for time and rushed) to visit my girl Alicea. She was one of my roommates from studying abroad and she is an amazing friend to me. We hung out Friday & Saturday and it was fun. Trip advice: Roundabouts in HHI SUCK. Do Eat at Roastfish and Cornbread. Don't waste your $ @ Hudson's. Do take a crab killer- shoes whatever. These little black crabs were all over the beach. And like bright colored towels!

 

1st view of Jeter, 27 is who I got the ball from

This close. WHAT!?

Monday and Tuesday I took a few days vacation to head up to the ATL to see the yankees play. Do you know how big of a deal this is? The Yankees. In Atlanta. It was awesome seeing players I have followed for a longtime WITHIN 10 FEET of me. Highlights of the 2 days of games: Caught a free shirt, Jeter was literally right in front of me, CAUGHT 2 balls thrown intentionally to me, one from David Ross (catcher, Braves) who told me thanks for sitting on the front row :), and one from Rual Ibanez, Yankees Outfielder who had hit a home run Monday night :), having Coach Eddie Perez speak to me and ask me how my day was, being on tv for a serious foul ball, and watching A-rod hit a GRAND SLAM Tuesday night. I had just said- it is either going to be a double play or a grand slam- and it was an awesome slam!! Really cool to witness that. I also went to the Aquarium and the Titanic exhibit- which you should really do if you like history at all. It was really neat/interesting/sad all at the same time to see personal belongings of people and hear the stories of what happened that night.

Andruw Jones back on his stomping grounds

The time has finally come



Sr Prom 2002, Im in the red on the right

 

Sr year Softball

 Today marks a special bittersweet time in my life. Tonight, I celebrate my TEN year high school class reunion with my class of 2002, as well as the class of 2001, and 2000. As I sit here with anticipation to see people I haven't seen since they graduated, I want to reflect on what all has happened in the past 10 years of my life. My gosh that is a TERRIBLY long time. It is hard to believe May 21, 2002 I was wearing a white gown and turning my red and gray tassel with my classmates. So, sit back and read where my life has taken me since graduation from John Hancock Academy.



March 2003, Texas





1. I started college at GCSU in August 2002. A day after I had turned 18. All of my friends went every where but here. It was ok though, I made tons of new friends through BSU. I had a lot of ups and downs with academics, but finally found my calling my Jr year in Health Education. I was blessed to be able to travel to Alabama, Texas, Washington D.C., Grand Cayman, Montego Bay Jamaica, Cozumel, St. John, St. Marteen, St. Thomas,  Hilton Head, Jekyll Island, Marietta, Chattanooga, Asheville, Virginia, Connecticut, and Boston.

2. I graduated in Spring of 2006, on time, in four years. I was the first to graduate out of my class of 10. I graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Health Education: Community Health and Human Services.



1st Time to NY, BFF Rachel, host pastor





July 4th 2002, CT

3. I spent an entire summer as a summer missionary in Wallingford CT. This is probably one of the best summers of my life to this date. I met my best friend/twin Rachel there and we have been inseparable since. I worked at a sweet little church, White Oak Baptist, and had the best 10 weeks I could ever ask for. I visited New York for the first time and loved it.





4. I came home from CT and got my first BIG girl job in September of 2006 at GCSU, my old stomping grounds. I have been in the same position for 5.5 years now. I feel like I have improved, but have so so much more to learn.

 5. Back up just a bit- to college- Senior year- October 26th 2005. I tore my ACL, lateral meniscus and MCL in a class for school by being tripped playing basketball. I had surgery in December 2005, May 2006, and December 2010. My knee will never be the same. I can honestly say this is one thing I wish would have never happened in my life.



Catching a HUGE glob of confetti



6. I went back to CT for Christmas/New Year's and had one of the best life experiences ever: I was in TIMES SQUARE FOR NEW YEAR'S! So close to the stage I could see Ryan Seacrest's teleprompter.



 7.  I started Graduate school in 2007. It was challenging and overwhelming at times, but it was worth it.

8. I got a dog in 2007 as well. Mowgli Diana to be exact. From the moment I saw her big ol head and tiny little body come out of the towel she was in, I was in love. This dog has been my heart. I love her more and more each day.



9. I have moved every year or year and a half for the last 5 years. Wait- more than that. I moved out from home my Winter Jr year and lived in a BIG house (Party Palace) and got paid to live there til August of my Sr year. Then I had to move to (cynder block castle) downtown. I graduated and moved home for 2 weeks, left for CT, moved home for 2 months. Then Julie and I shared a brand new townhouse downtown, (The Ritz). She left me to finish clinicals, so I moved to a 1 bedroom on Tatnall near the bridge, (The Love Shack). Then, I moved to a brick house on Harrington (um, I guess I didnt have a name for this one). Then, lastly I have moved to the towns again, but a nicer updated one. And now, I am faced with moving again- but have no idea where to. It is kinda scary.



10. My dad got cancer in 2008. It was one of the hardest times in my life, but God provided and brought him through all the mess and he is cancer free today. Praise the Lord!

11. I graduated with my Master's of Education in 2009. I am the 1st again of my class to graduate with one of these. Only 1 other person in my class has one. I guess it is a big deal. GCSU also paid for this, huge blessing.



Croatia, Plitvice Lakes



12. I spent 3 week studying abroad in Croatia in 2009 and had THE TIME OF MY LIFE. It was the most beautiful place ever. I made some really good friends because of this trip and want to fill my passport up.



Vegas, My 25th

13. Because of my job, I have traveled to Savannah twice, Vanderbilt, Clemson and USC, Atlanta, New Jersey, New York, and Orlando. All for free, except my outside fun.

14. I have also traveled to High Point and Charlotte NC, Charleston  & Hilton Head SC, Tybee, Savannah and Atlanta GA, Panama City, Port St. Joe, Mexico Beach, Tampa, Fort Walton Beach and somewhere else in the Gulf in Florida, Vegas, Nassau and Freeport Bahamas.

15. I got another dog in Fall of 2010. My sweet spotted ball of energy never stopping chew up everything Winnie Vera. This dog was special. Mowgli and her were quickly best friends and loved like sisters. She was taken too soon in January of 2012 and my heart winces every time I think about her. My eyes fill with tears even now as I type. I miss her a whole whole lot.

16. A list of all my jobs during college: 1st job: Animal Rescue Foundation, ew. Scooping poop is not for me. 2nd Job: Kid's Exchange: neighbor's owned a shop downtown to resell children's clothes, so I worked there a while. 3rd job, that took me right up from Freshman year to Junior year: Babysitting a Professor's kids. Started out with a 3 month old baby boy and then gained his sister when they started homeschooling her. It was an easy job, miss that money. 4th job: Youth Minister at Darien Baptist Church. 5th job: Protective Financial Services: gopher and mail person. 6th internship at Heartworks in Macon, so couldnt work. 7th job: Belk- started out in accesories and wound up at Estee Lauder. LOVED this job, considering going back. 7th job: GCSU. Wow that is a lot for 4 years.

As I sit here and try to think more about the last 10 years, I can't really come up with anything else. Here are the stats for my class of 10 right now:

All are still alive, so that is a blessing.5 are married. 5 have kids, just one has a kid not married. 1 has been through a divorce, but remarried. 6 went to college, 2 went to technical school, 2 have Master's degrees. 1 lives out of state, the rest are all in central and east GA. Everyone has jobs: 1 is construction, 1 is something big time at a bank, 1 is in fashion marketing/sales, 2 are teachers, 1 is an ultra-sound tech, 1 works in the gas industry, 1 works at a local store, 1 I honestly dont know, but know they work, and then me.

High school wasn't all that pretty for me. I didn't fit in- and it wasn't my choice school. But, tonight I will sit back and be reminded that was 10 years ago. I will hang out with people that I haven't seen in years. I will hear old stories and laugh at the times we were young and dumb. I will cherish the 10 years I have been given since my days at JHA. So here's to the class of 2002, I hope we can all have another 10 years (and more) and that we use our time in high school as a stepping stone to achieve only the best dreams in life.



2002





June 1, 2012



Short List

I just wanted to make a short post before I treck off for work later. I have accomplished a lot of things on my bucket list so far, but have a TON left to do before Friday. We will see how much I can get done in 2 days. Update on life:

It is ok. It could be a lot better or worse, but for the moment it is ok. I am still unsure as to where I will live, so that needs to pick up the pace from a stroll to a trot.

I am having a hard time with accepting things the way they are. It is so hard to not run away or to just wish for something more. I read this verse today and I hope I can make it real to me.

Hebrews 13:5-6 Dont fall in love with money. Be satisfied with what you have. The Lord has promised that he will not leave us or desert us. (Contemporary English Version)

Be satisfied with what you have. This is a hard lesson for me to learn, because I ALWAYS want new something. New shoes, new clothes, new decorations- new new new. I want the best life. I want the best in everything. Be satisfied. Be content with what you have. I know I have a closet full of clothes. I have just as many shoes. I need to learn the value of waiting with my money and saving for something really worth investing in.

Aside from material things- God teach me to be content with what you have given me. It is so hard, but direct my eyes to you and things of you. Steer me away from the new. From the different. From the "greener side". Put my focus on you and teach me what it really means to be content. Teach me to see what I really have.