This week has been fantastic.
Thursday I went to Downtown Suwanee and explored with my friend. We got some frozen yogurt (yum), some chocolate-on-a-stick sorta things and just walked around in the park. I know this may sound fairly simple, but she's not JUST a friend I know from school, although that is true.
When I was in second grade, new neighbors moved in right next to us. We soon found out that their daughter goes to the same Christian school we do. We met and were immediately friends. She has been like a sister to me for many, many years and it was great to get to spend some time with her.
Friday me and my best friends from school went to Stone Mtn to climb the mountain and watch the laser show. Although the climb was quite rough because it was 90 degrees outside and we're all out of shape, it was a lot of fun overall! The show was so neat and I had a great time.
Speaking of Old Friends, while we were there before the show one of my close friends from elementary school showed up! It was great visiting with her. I had not seen her in a very long time.
Now that I've addressed the old friends, I am going to talk about the new ones. Wednesday I went to Newnan, GA (near LaGrange) to meet a girl who will also be attending LaGrange College with me in the fall. She will not be my roommate (as many of you have asked), but she is an awesome girl and I can't wait to spend more time with her. We went to see Pirates 4 in theaters and then went to Zaxby's. Apparently, there are no Zaxby's in Kentucky (where she is from), so it is a treat for her.
In a few weeks, I will be meeting another girl who will be going to LaGrange.
I'm in an interesting place now. I have some awesome friends from this area who have known me for awhile, and now I will be going to college where no one knows me and I'll get the opportunity to meet new people. I will literally be starting from scratch. It's made me think that I need to think about who God wants me to be, and be that person. Not in the sense of being someone I'm not, but being more ME, who God wants me to be. Now is the perfect opportunity to do that, and I hope God is pleased with the results. Feel free to be praying that I do just that.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
What's Good, What's Best
The questions I hate most in school are the questions where it says "Choose the best answer". Then, proceeds to give you a multiple choice question where all other possibilities are CORRECT, but only one is the "best" choice. Gee, thanks for being so clear as mud. However, the more I think about it, the more I realize that those questions might be the best preparation for life outside school.
We are faced so often with good things: sports, music, jobs, learning, friends and so much more. Those are all good things. The problem is, if you try to pursue all of these at once you may find yourself with no time. Sure, now you're great at soccer, but you also have no time for your friends. Or maybe it's opposite, you want to get good at soccer, but have no time because you're with your other friends all the time. These are simplified, small examples, but this happens so many times.
I am always busy. I don't remember not being busy. But at my senior trip and during this summer, I've discovered that relaxation is important. I need rest. Maybe I can't do everything. That's okay.
Like my blog title, I can be busy and do a lot of things in this complex world, but I have to come back to the simple things.
I'll probably always be a busy body, but I'm learning to step back and think, "Okay, this is good, but it is getting in the way of something even better".
God, help me look at those real life multiple choice questions and know immediately what's best, not necessarily easy.
We are faced so often with good things: sports, music, jobs, learning, friends and so much more. Those are all good things. The problem is, if you try to pursue all of these at once you may find yourself with no time. Sure, now you're great at soccer, but you also have no time for your friends. Or maybe it's opposite, you want to get good at soccer, but have no time because you're with your other friends all the time. These are simplified, small examples, but this happens so many times.
I am always busy. I don't remember not being busy. But at my senior trip and during this summer, I've discovered that relaxation is important. I need rest. Maybe I can't do everything. That's okay.
Like my blog title, I can be busy and do a lot of things in this complex world, but I have to come back to the simple things.
I'll probably always be a busy body, but I'm learning to step back and think, "Okay, this is good, but it is getting in the way of something even better".
God, help me look at those real life multiple choice questions and know immediately what's best, not necessarily easy.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Ooola la dorm stuff
Opinions necessary....which of these do you like better? :) We'll call them floral and stripes.
2 Weeks Full of Excitement
Around the time that I updated last time I had just gotten back from Choir Tour with my church. We went to Texas and and sang at at few places on the way. One of the places we went was called Schlitterbahn. It is a fun water park near Austin, TX. Many people chose to enjoy the many fun, exciting rides. One of them sent you UP stream at one point. I'm sure it was exciting. Me? Lazy River and hot tub/bar area. The whole time. It was fantastic. Me and a few middle school and high school girls tried to stay together in the lazy river. This was difficult in one of them. This one I call the not-so-lazy river. It goes around in a circle like one, but every once in awhile a huge wave would come through and send you rushing through the current. This was lots of fun because the 5 of us were trying to hold on to each other and each others tubes, but sometimes the current made that difficult!
But of course, all good things must come to an end. We had our homecoming concert Sunday and then it was back to work. I intern at my church with the Children's Ministry and I LOVE it. So when I say "all good things must come to an end", that's not to say I was coming back to something I don't like. It was good to be home and I love my job. I work with some amazing, godly women and I'm so blessed to know and work with them.
On Wednesday my boyfriend came back from Alaska and I went to the airport with his parents to pick him up. It was really great to see him again and visit with his parents while we were waiting.
Then the next day I was on the road AGAIN. This busy body doesn't stay in one place too long! I left for Athens to visit my cousin. She goes to UGA and lives in a house that she rents with some other students. We went shopping and walking around downtown, ate at the amazing place called Casa Mia and watched some movies. By the way, if you're ever at Casa Mia, get the cheese dip. It's a roasted red pepper cream cheese served with bread and it's incredible. Anyway, I had a really good time visiting with her.
I just got home and I saw another car parked in my driveway from a neighboring county and I thought, "Who in the world is here from that county?" So I go in and it's one of my favorite teachers from school who was visiting with my mom! (They work together, it's not weird. :)) I was very excited to see her and it was nice to talk to her.
Wow this was a very long post, but clearly I've been very busy. Honestly, I'm just proud of myself for actually blogging. Maybe I'll update a little more often so it won't be as much to read at one time. :) Have a blessed and lovely day!
But of course, all good things must come to an end. We had our homecoming concert Sunday and then it was back to work. I intern at my church with the Children's Ministry and I LOVE it. So when I say "all good things must come to an end", that's not to say I was coming back to something I don't like. It was good to be home and I love my job. I work with some amazing, godly women and I'm so blessed to know and work with them.
On Wednesday my boyfriend came back from Alaska and I went to the airport with his parents to pick him up. It was really great to see him again and visit with his parents while we were waiting.
Then the next day I was on the road AGAIN. This busy body doesn't stay in one place too long! I left for Athens to visit my cousin. She goes to UGA and lives in a house that she rents with some other students. We went shopping and walking around downtown, ate at the amazing place called Casa Mia and watched some movies. By the way, if you're ever at Casa Mia, get the cheese dip. It's a roasted red pepper cream cheese served with bread and it's incredible. Anyway, I had a really good time visiting with her.
I just got home and I saw another car parked in my driveway from a neighboring county and I thought, "Who in the world is here from that county?" So I go in and it's one of my favorite teachers from school who was visiting with my mom! (They work together, it's not weird. :)) I was very excited to see her and it was nice to talk to her.
Wow this was a very long post, but clearly I've been very busy. Honestly, I'm just proud of myself for actually blogging. Maybe I'll update a little more often so it won't be as much to read at one time. :) Have a blessed and lovely day!
Monday, June 20, 2011
New Layout
Yes, I changed the layout again. Yes, I'm actually writing! What a concept-- I write in my blog.
For those of you that know me well you may be confused as to why my background is books. Well, I am going to college next year so therefore I'm going to be doing a lot of reading whether I like it or not! And I have made a college decision -- I will be going to LaGrange College in the fall. It is a small, Methodist college in (what do ya know...) LaGrange, GA (South West GA). I am very excited about that. In about a month I will be going to Orientation which I am so excited about!
In response to my last post, I have learned that my decisions are a lot easier if I stop thinking about what I am going to do. Instead, I need to think about what God needs to do and how I fit into that plan. My plan was Berry. His plan is LaGrange and I can already see how that is a better choice for me. Don't get me wrong, Berry is a great school. It's just not for me. I have learned so much other stuff since I last updated. God, even though I didn't notice at the time, has been teaching me all sorts of things about growing up, letting go and remembering that God is #1 on my priority list.
Please pray for me that I continue to stay true to God and His plan -- not my plan. Clearly, his plan is far superior to mine.
For those of you that know me well you may be confused as to why my background is books. Well, I am going to college next year so therefore I'm going to be doing a lot of reading whether I like it or not! And I have made a college decision -- I will be going to LaGrange College in the fall. It is a small, Methodist college in (what do ya know...) LaGrange, GA (South West GA). I am very excited about that. In about a month I will be going to Orientation which I am so excited about!
In response to my last post, I have learned that my decisions are a lot easier if I stop thinking about what I am going to do. Instead, I need to think about what God needs to do and how I fit into that plan. My plan was Berry. His plan is LaGrange and I can already see how that is a better choice for me. Don't get me wrong, Berry is a great school. It's just not for me. I have learned so much other stuff since I last updated. God, even though I didn't notice at the time, has been teaching me all sorts of things about growing up, letting go and remembering that God is #1 on my priority list.
Please pray for me that I continue to stay true to God and His plan -- not my plan. Clearly, his plan is far superior to mine.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Decisions...
Have you ever been in a situation where you thought you knew EXACTLY what you were supposed to do, but later that decision was put under major questioning? Welcome to my life right now.
For a very long time I was very interested in Berry College in Rome, GA. I had visited there and loved it. It is beautiful, has a strong education and music department, and I know people who are there now and other who will be there. It seems perfect. I have a fair amount of scholarship money which is a plus and I had decided I was going to Berry College. I had other options, yes, but they were inferior to Berry, of course. However, my number two school called me one day to tell me I have been accepted to LaGrange College. That's great, being accepted places is nice. Then, he said that they would like me to come compete for the Presidential Scholarship on February 12th which would provide me a full ride tuition, room and board. Woah there. Stop. A what? Competing for a full ride to college? Me? Have you called the wrong person?? Of course I didn't say that, but it was certainly going through my head. So I figured, well this is exciting and why not? Can't hurt. So we registered and today I went for an private college visit. I was able to meet with the admissions councilor and 2 math teachers who were fun. I left realizing that I really liked this school. I had visited earlier and did like it, but I had decided on Berry so I wasn't looking seriously. But now, all that is put into question. So now is my present state. Saturday I will be going to LaGrange to compete to be one of two selected from around 66 people to receive the Presidential Scholarship. I still don't know quite where I am going to college, but that is what's going on. However, I do plan to accept the Scholarship if it is offered to me.
As long as this is, it's actually the condensed version. If you could be praying for me to do my best at this competition I would really appreciate it. I have to go through two 20 minute interviews and write a paper. The paper is the scary part, but I think I can do it. Please pray for confidence. Thank you!
For a very long time I was very interested in Berry College in Rome, GA. I had visited there and loved it. It is beautiful, has a strong education and music department, and I know people who are there now and other who will be there. It seems perfect. I have a fair amount of scholarship money which is a plus and I had decided I was going to Berry College. I had other options, yes, but they were inferior to Berry, of course. However, my number two school called me one day to tell me I have been accepted to LaGrange College. That's great, being accepted places is nice. Then, he said that they would like me to come compete for the Presidential Scholarship on February 12th which would provide me a full ride tuition, room and board. Woah there. Stop. A what? Competing for a full ride to college? Me? Have you called the wrong person?? Of course I didn't say that, but it was certainly going through my head. So I figured, well this is exciting and why not? Can't hurt. So we registered and today I went for an private college visit. I was able to meet with the admissions councilor and 2 math teachers who were fun. I left realizing that I really liked this school. I had visited earlier and did like it, but I had decided on Berry so I wasn't looking seriously. But now, all that is put into question. So now is my present state. Saturday I will be going to LaGrange to compete to be one of two selected from around 66 people to receive the Presidential Scholarship. I still don't know quite where I am going to college, but that is what's going on. However, I do plan to accept the Scholarship if it is offered to me.
As long as this is, it's actually the condensed version. If you could be praying for me to do my best at this competition I would really appreciate it. I have to go through two 20 minute interviews and write a paper. The paper is the scary part, but I think I can do it. Please pray for confidence. Thank you!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Joy
Lately I have been struggling with some health issues. I started on the medicine about a week and a half ago which I can tell us working, but as usual there are side effects one of which is affecting my singing. For those of you who don't know, I love to sing. I do it constantly. I thought “Why? Why would God put me in a position where I can’t sing praises to him? Doesn’t He know that’s my number one way of worshiping him?” At the same time, I’ve really been convicted about having a positive attitude no matter what your circumstances. So after lots of thinking and praying I have decided that I will have joy and have a good attitude no matter what. In my school's chapel (Axis) we talked about joy, gentleness and kindness. The speaker said something about her mother that really impacted me. She said despite the pain her mother has gone through with watching her brother and father have cancer AND having cancer herself, she has learned to allow her joy to coexist with her pain. Joy does not equal happiness and neither does it replace pain. Rather it is the decision to have a positive attitude in spite of the pain. This is what I am choosing to do.
My favorite verse says, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thes 5:16-18 NIV. I am just now realizing how closely related those things are. In my striving to become joyful, I have prayed a lot more about it. And when they negative thoughts come to my head, I remember to be joyful by start thanking God for the things that ARE good! It’s a beautiful picture that only God could paint. By myself I am weak, pathetic and honestly quite a complainer. But with God I can learn to be better than that, but only with his power! I can be strong, have endurance and trust him to take care of it instead of worrying. (The worry is probably the root of my complaining anyway!)
No matter how long it takes to get my health back to normal, I know that God will be there with me. He will provide exactly what I need to get through it. And when it comes to singing, maybe I got it wrong. Maybe when I am worshiping I am worshiping the singing more than God Himself. Now that I can’t sing I have nothing to do but completely focus on God. I know some things still don’t make sense like why I have to deal with this in the first place, but I know that God is there with me. I won’t go through a bit of it alone. Praise be to God.
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