He is always there...

God has been speaking to me lately in ways that I love. He knows what I love, and He makes me feel like I matter to Him and that I am His beloved. I usually struggle with letting my busy time consume my life! In the midst of the business of the day, I often do not spend time with the Lord. I totally lose my focus when I get stressed and overwhelmed. Lately, God has been teaching me so much more and how to get past those overwhelming moments. I know a lot of us probably have what feels like hectic schedules. If so, I hope this encourages you.
God knows that I love the "simple" things in life, like seeing a butterfly, or a squirrel. Seriously, those are amazing things to see throughout the day! God has been placing them in my path so much lately, and everytime I see one, I am reminded of His constant presence and love for me. He is so evident in everything around us.
I love the Psalms. One that really just hit things right on target for me is Psalm 103. Here it is:
"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the LORD is everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! Bless the LORD all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!"

Crawfish!!

Today was a PACKED day!

It was busy, but very fun!
First I had classes, which was fun, and then I had lunch and I also met with Cat @ 1. After that I came back and cleaned up for room check, and then I left to get advised. That was fun. Here are my classes for next semester:

-American History to 1877
-Systems of Math
-Storytelling (FUN!) I get to go read to kids and get graded for it!
-Intermediate Spanish
-Classroom Technology
-Chapel (my last semester)

That's a total of 15 hours! Thursdays will be long days. I have my first 8:00 class on TTh, and Thursday nights I have a night class! Time management is definitely going to be something to grasp even more!

After I got advised, I went to go babysit for 2 hours. It was fun because I got to read to Nathan the whole time! Then I left for Awanas, and after that, I came back for CRAWFISH! That's right, the couple I babysit for (Rachel & Eddy) are both from Louisiana (they met at LSU) and they were having a Crawfish Bowl. I was quite scared of eating it, because it looked so different than "regular" sea food... It was one of the best things ever! There was about 20 of us surrounding a table in the backyard, eating crawfish, corn, potatoes, and garlic! It was pretty neat. I was surrounded by a ton of doctors at Scott & White. It was interesting to hear them talk about surgeries, and how they do what they do!

I think I will leave ya'll with a picture that looks very similiar to what we did tonight :)

Don't you love thunder??

I do. I was sleeping so well last night, and I'm pretty sure it's because of the storm outside. It was this big thunder that jolted almost all of us girls awake, and then I fell right back to sleep. It was great! And now it's all sunny outside! So pretty!

I like it when it's sunny because it gives me a reason to wear my green capris. They're pretty much my favorite :)

...

There are no words.

I've been tagged.

I've been tagged by Courtney to do this survey type thingy. :)

Four Jobs I've Had:
1. Immanuel Baptist Daycare
2. Camp Bucky-Buck Counselor
3. Babysitter
4. Telemarketer (I know, I know...)

Four Movies I Can Watch Over and Over:
1. Napoleon Dynamite - Heck yes! (haha really dumb movie, but the most quoted)
2. Chronicles of Narnia
3. Ever After
4. Romeo and Juliet (newest version with Leonardo DiCaprio)

Four Places I've Lived:
1. Germany
2. Kentucky
3. Georgia
4. Texas

Four Shows I Like to Watch:
1. A Wedding Story
2. Trading Spaces
3. Grey's Anatomy (and other health shows)
4. Gilmore Girls (when it used to be good)

Four Restaurants That I Like:
1. Papa Dantes
2. Cracker Barrell
3. The Little Bavarian (as much as I worked there, I still like the food!)
4. Cool Bean (not so much eating, but studying there, on the big leather couch)

Four Websites I Visit Daily:
1. Yahoo Mail
2. Facebook
3. Blogger
4. Shawn and Kate McDonald's Blog

Four Things I Want to Do Before I Die:
1. Go on a mission trip for more than a week in the states or overseas
2. Go to Greece
3. Work in a church, hopefully as a Children's Director OR
4. Work at a camp for more than a summer (possibly camp director??)

People I'm Tagging to do this:
Um... Stephanie Green!, Rachel!, anyone else that wishes to do this :)

Hidden Blessings

I am such a happy girl, and I should be all the time. I'm sitting here listening to a beautiful piece called "Song of the Black Swan" on Cello by Steven Isserlis. It sounds very beautiful :) Have I ever mentioned that I have always had a desire to play the Cello? I am actually seriously considering taking Cello lessons. :) Music is definitely a gift from the Lord.

God has brought a conviction upon my heart, and it is great. I always feel like a victim of lost time. I don't know where I got this feeling, because I have tons of time. I wake up pretty late for my classes, and I surf online at what has to be an hour a day, and I even watch my favorite show each week. Well, I have SO much time, you see? Tonight at FOCUS, Chase wrapped up the Song of Solomon study with a sermon on singleness. I walked away with so much conviction. He pointed out 3 questions to ask yourself as a single (and I'm sure they can apply if you are married as well):

1. What do you do with your time?
2. What do you do with your money?
3. Where do you go?

The time thing really stuck out to me because it was like God confirming what He has been telling me all week.

He pointed out that our time we use playing games, watching TV, etc. can and should be replaced with meditating on Scripture and cultivating relationship with God and others. How true is this?! I am SO guilty of complaining that I have no time for God or to go out with friends because I don't have enough time because I'm too busy doing insert whatever here. He also mentioned that we take this time in our single lives for granted, because if we one day get married, we will have jobs that take up time, and probably kids that wake up very early. Then it will definitely feel like we have no time if we aren't good stewards of our time right now.

I sit here and ponder how I can make my life better, and I plan on starting tomorrow. I want to use my time for Him and not myself. I feel the urge to search for those hidden blessings in my time. I cover up blessings of opportunity with activities that I don't even need to be doing!

It is OVER!

So... the test is over!!! Oh my goodness! I don't think I have ever stressed out so much over ONE test!!

Last night Lauren and I studied at Cool Bean and studied more when we came home. It felt like too much to handle! We went in this morning, and Dr. Martin says that he lost the original exam and had to make a completely different one. Was this a good thing? Well, the test was downsized from 90 to 50 questions, and it also included no essay. This was a good thing and a bad thing. I feel that if all 90 questions were the way these 50 were, I would've been panicky. These questions were so broad, and they could've gone in many directions. So... I think we get our test back on Thursday, and I will update all of you on the status of my grade then!

Tomorrow is my last test for the week in Spanish. I think after my English class today I am going to take a nap and then study. I feel like a need some sort of a break!

Okay, I know that my studies aren't that interesting, but this is my life right now. :) I could tell you certain funny moments that arise when we study. This morning I started using my Elmo voice when I was studying. It made for some laughter. :)

26 down, 16 to go...

"By the time you graduate you'll be a pro at studying!" - Mom

My mom said this to me today because I have been studying a lot lately. The only thing is, I haven't been doing so much studying as I have copying. I've been copying my notes from laptop to computer, and let me tell you, 16 more pages to go seems a lot better than before! I'm not going to lie, I have been dreading this for a while. I mean- who studies on their Spring Break? Seriously, I'd really like to know how all of the Theology majors do it. We had a vote on our last class if we shoudl take the test before or after Spring Break. Everyone said after. At the time, I was all for it. Who wouldn't want to avoid one of the hardest exams ever? I sure did. And now I'm like... "Noooooooo. I don't want to!" Basically, I have been acting like a child. Please pray for me as I take on this task! (and also for Lauren, she's been in Mexico all week and doesn't have as much time as I do!) I know I can do it. I know I can! So, than kyou for reading this!

This is a message brought to you by... Krista Mighty Q!

Oh, Spring Break :)

I really do love Spring Break. I love not being so busy all of the time.

Yesterday was a good first day of Spring Break. I went to the salon and got my haircut. Don't worry, ya'll. It's not a dramatic change, but it was needed. Now my hair is just below my shoulders and I am happy with it. It flips out with the layers, and I love the length. Not that many of ya'll care about my hair or anything, but I will have to post a picture later on.

Rachel and her mom are coming to San Antonio today and we are going to go eat at the Cracker Barrel, only the best restaurant ever. When I grow up, I will eat there a lot more. :) I'm actually thinking of trying one of their salads today. For some reason, I'm in the mood for a salad. (If you know me you know that is definitely different)

Well, I think I am going to go clean up my room. It is a bit cluttered. Clutter is bad!

God is for us...

at all times.

I just got home from the Spurs game against the Lakers. It was so awesome going to my first NBA game! I loved it. I was cheering pretty hard-core. We did lose to LA, but I'd have to say the biggest treat was seeing the sportsmanship of our Spurs, and hearing Bruce Bowen give his testimony after that game. It was the 18th Annual Friday Fellowship, and Bruce Bowen and Max Lucado both spoke. The Afters also played, and I found a likening to their music. It was a good message on how God is FOR us.

Last week was probably one of my worst weeks ever at college. I think I had given in to the stress of due dates and studying for exams, and the worrying that is a constant of mine. How is it that I lose sight of the very One I love? I did that last week, and again, God is still there for me. I am so blessed to be loved by Him. I can't name anyone else who would put up with me for so long. And isn't it great how He has the most perfect timing? How He knows what He gives us, we'll be able to handle? (I forget that sometimes) I love that He plans things so well.

I drove home today and when I pulled in the driveway, it was just one of those moments. There is really no place like home. I don't get as homesick as I used to, but I do however think more about home when I have breaks coming up. It's a huge anticipation. Well, I drove in today and just thought how this is it. This is the place I was so eager to leave in High School and yet still holds a special place in my heart. There's something about being greeted by 2 loveable pugs with such warm smiles, and being hugged by my parents. I love the connection you have with people that have known you for your whole life. I value family so much.

I need to stop thinking about the "Who can be against me?" question, and start remembering that God is for me, at that very moment. I need to remember that God pulls me through every hardship and every trial. I can't respond in a way that makes me feel worse about a situation. I think when I begin to realize more that God will pull me through at that moment, I will be able to realize that God is for me.

Tired

Seriously, girls can be so mean, myself included. Without going into much detail, there have been a few "mean girl" encounters lately, and it's not fun. :(

I'm surviving. Trying to keep my head on straight, because if you know me well enough, you know that I think too much. But, better too much than too little, right? I'm excited about Spring Break, to go home to the people I can tell almost everything to. School has been reminding me of that lately. I've realized that I don't have a lot of faith in people, and I wish I did, but at the same time, I don't. I need someone to challenge me right now. Accountability. Consistency. I've been messing up a lot lately in many areas in my life. Maybe I'm "too hard on myself", but I doubt it. Inadequacy in every area, never good enough. People fail us all, though.

I'm tired, and drained, and fearful right now.

Blue Like Jazz

Has anyone ever read, or heard of, Blue Like Jazz, by Donald Miller? This morning Lauren and I went to some garage sales after Tamara left, and we ended up at Antioch's garage sale which is being held to raise money for their Juarez trip over Spring Break. Well, I knew I would find something being that I knew some of these people. Well, I found Blue Like Jazz, and I'm excited about reading it. People at camp always said good things about Donald Miller, and so I am excited to see what it's all about. I read a chapter from it today, and while it doesn't have many scripture references, it shows the realness of his heart and desire to truly love God, and I think that's what a lot of authors do not do. They simply aren't real, and that's what everyone wants. We want to say "Yeah, I've been there", or "I'm growing through that right now". I will tell ya'll what I think of the book when I'm done reading it, but so far, I have enjoyed it!
:)

Mr. Tumnus!!

So, Preview Weekend was this weekend and it was so much fun! My student was Tamara, and she told me she definitely wants to come here, and I was so glad to be a part of that decision! Last night after we ate we went to the Bebo Norman concert in the chapel, and then we watched the Chronicles of Narnia out at the ruins! Oh man, it was so amazing, again. They even went so far as to put a lamp post just like the one in the movie outside! When I first saw it, I seriously thought it was a game, like a, UMHB turned Narnia game! IT WAS SOOO AWESOME!

Besides Aslan, my favorite character from the movie and the book is Mr.Tumnus. I think he is so funny!

This is one of my favorite parts of the movie:

Lucy: Pleased to meet you, Mr. Tumnus! I'm Lucy Pevensie. *extends hand*... Oh, you shake it.

Tumnus: Um…why?

Lucy: I-I don't know! People do it when they meet each other.

(Tumnus shakes her hand left to right)

Tumnus: Well, Lucy Pevensie from the shining city of War Drobe in the wonderous land of Spare Oom, how would it be if you came and had tea with me?

Have a great weekend and God Bless!

Tiger!

I bought a fish tonight. Her name is Tiger and she is a striped Betta. Courtney and I wanted to do something spontaneous and so we went to Dollar Tree and Wal-Mart in search of that. I eneded up with Tiger! She is very spunky and full of life!

I just got back from a walk with Lauren. We walked all around campus and it was nice. I get so scared of walking alone on campus and so I am glad she suggested it.

In other news, I am a little worn out. I love school so much, and I know God has me here for a reason, but I really need that little break. It has been extra hard lately with the death of a sister in Christ (I never knew a death of someone you didn't know could affect you so much), my roommate being gone for the rest of the semester now, and just a ton of studying. I find it so hard to just rest and find some time with the Lord. Last week I was encouraged ot go on a "date with God", and I never did because I was SO busy. And not having that makes me feel even more drained and not prepared to live my life the way I should! So, please pray for that. I'm going to bed now, because I am out of fuel.

Crazy-ness

Okay, I know that is not a word, but I do say it!

This week has been full of crazy-ness. Tuesday night I stayed up until 4 AM writing my paper. I was probably insane at the time, but I am an overachiever at those things and like to get them done. It is such a relief when papers are finished. That was the crazy-ness of this week.

Other than that, it has been a pretty typical week. Yesterday I went out to the park with Cat, and we were reading and watching the turtle on a log. Don't you wish you could just sit on a log and look around at everything? Yeah, he was a pretty cool turtle. He divd in the water when we started talking about him. I think he may have gotten self-conscious.

I come home soon for Spring Break which is exciting. I think we are going to a Spurs game the Friday I come home, which is awesome! I am so excited about it. That and the 9 days I will be home. I love school, even when I have to study, but a break is just what I need!

My college minister, Trey, came up to me last night and asked meif I had a place to stay this summer. I think I will be living with his family or my adopted family, Jason and Shanon. That would be cool if I did! I'm so excited to see what God has planned. God has given me peace about it all, and I know He will do great things with it all!

Everyone have a good weekend!