Currently Listening Feels Like Home By Norah Jones see related

Time Flies...

So...I'm obviously not much of a blogger.  Since it's been almost a year, I figured I'd update this thing in case any old friends want to know what's new with me.  I'm not on here much and I'm not exactly the queen of keeping in touch with people, but I still get curious as to how my old friends are doing.  I enjoy reading and hearing about your new experiences and adventures.  And I figured if I get curious about the lives of others, perhaps someone might be curious about my life.  Perhaps not...regardless, here's an update.

Life is good...just like the t-shirt says...but not because of a feel-good saying, but because God is good and His love never fails.  That may sound so cliche' but it is so comforting to me.  A lot has happened in the past year.  I made a lot of goals for New Year's and actually kept most of them.  I lost 23 lbs.  I worked 2 jobs and saved enough money to start my own business.  I am now an Independent Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay and I love it!  I'm able to make my own schedule and I make twice as much money as before, but I only work a fraction of the hours I was once working. 

I quit going to school and started paying off my student loans.  The big question everyone is asking:  Are you going back to school?  I don't know.  Right now, I'm focusing on building my business...I really enjoy what I'm doing and I don't want to go to school at the moment.  I didn't really enjoy college.  Perhaps one day I will go back, but at the moment I have no definite plans to do so, though I have been looking at a couple of schools for the future. 

I went on a  missions trip to Greenville, NC in March.  We helped a church plant reach out to the community...great time of ministry and bonding with students and parents from my church.  The girls in my Sunday school class are now in 9th grade and I decided to move up with them this year.  New experiences and trials make this year a little tougher than last, but they are like my little sisters and I am so proud of them...it has truly been one of my greatest joys this year to watch them grow in Christ and mature into beautiful young women of God.  I love them so much!

I made many new friends and shared sweet memories with some of my dearest and oldest friends.  My best friends, Kim Delph and Ryan Choate, married each other in August!  I watched many of my other friends get engaged, married, have children, graduate, begin careers, etc...this is such a fast paced and exciting time of life!  I have attempted to restore old friendships with several people, most of who responded positively.  It's been fun catching up with them and hearing about these new and exciting chapters in their lives and I hope to continue to do so with them and other friends too.

One of the biggest joys of this year has been the development of my relationship with Ryan.  He's been my friend for a year and a half, but is the newest addition to my list of best friends.  He treats me with the gentleness, respect, and love that can only come from Jesus.  He is a man of integrity and it makes my heart happy when I hear godly men that I have known and respected for years refer to my boyfriend as a man of God.  He is the most special of all the many blessings that God has given me this year and has taught me so much about faith.  Here's a picture of us at the beach.  It's kinda dark, but it's my favorite pic of us.

That's pretty much all the major news...I leave you with this:

"Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this."  ~ Ps. 37:3-5 

Currently Reading Mere Christianity By C. S. Lewis see related

Wow...it has been so long since I've updated!  Well, for anyone who's curious, here's what's been going on in my life:  

1.  Working a ton and learning a lot.  Although it can be stressful having two jobs, I really enjoy both of them.  Each one gives me a unique and interesting experience during the day and they are teaching me completely different, yet valuable skills and life lessons.

2.  Joe and I broke up about a month ago.  The first week after, I was so busy that I didn't even think about it, but I'm feeling it now.  It was mutual, but it's still difficult.  If you want to know about it, ask me...I don't mind talking about it, but I don't feel like typing it out for the whole world to see.

3.  Learning so much from God.  I don't even know where to begin.  One huge thing is that I don't have to wait until I'm out of college to make a difference in this world.  I'm on the verge of a breakthrough...I don't know what it is, but I'm looking forward to it.

4.  Family and true friends are priceless treasures.  I am blessed beyond what I deserve.  I am so grateful to have so many people in my life who love me and are always there for me.

5.  Life is such a short and precious gift.  My only regret is that I have hidden my love for some very special people and I fear that it may be too late to let them know that I love them.  I feel trapped in a corner by preconceived ideas and stereotypes.  Loving someone is a reward in itself, but also one of the easiest ways to get hurt.  Tonight, my heart aches.  I know it won't forever, but tonight especially, it does.

6.  "The prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective."  Prayer is one of the most powerful ways I can help someone, and yet it is so difficult to keep at it when I don't see immediate results. 

Some of that is kind of vague, but it makes sense to me.  Until next time...

Currently Listening What Women Want (2000 Film) By Various Artists - Soundtracks see related

Life is so busy.  I'm not sure how much longer I'm going to be able to keep this thing.  Juggling school, family, two jobs, friends, church, Bible study, and a boyfriend is a lot harder than I thought it would be.  Last week was rough.  This week is much better.

It's been two months.   I can hardly believe it.  I hope there will be many more months to come.  He understands me in a way that no one else does.  I'm learning to enjoy the rough moments in life.  I'm finally starting to see the value of those moments and appreciate them for what they can teach me.  He's so wonderful, and I'm so blessed.

Conviction this week:  Read 1 Corinthians 13.  Every time I saw the word "love" I inserted my name.  Had to do this for Bible study.  By Tuesday night, I had been the exact opposite of love in every way imaginable.  Made me realize I have a lot to learn on this subject - it is not to be taken lightly. 

That's enough for now.  I have a test in about 9 hours.  Sorry for the choppy sentences...I'm tired.

Currently Listening Blueprints for the Black Market By Anberlin Autobahn see related

Well, for those of you who actually read this, here's an update on recent events in my life.

My dad had surgery last week to remove a cancerous growth from the inside of his bladder.  Surgery went well, and the doctor said that he got it all and called it "surface" which means it probably won't grow back or cause any more problems because they caught it early enough that it didn't have a chance to grow into the muscle wall.  My dad is doing well and will go back to work next week.  He turned 60 yesterday...that's kinda weird for me...for the first time, I feel like my dad is getting old.  My childhood image of Daddy = Superman is starting to fade.

I had two job interviews last week and I start my second job tomorrow.  It's receptionist/secretary stuff...should be pretty easy.  I'll be working about 20 hrs. a week while going to school and working 3-4 nights a week at Fred's.  I'm looking forward to it!  I finally have something to fill my time during the day, and I get paid for it!

I absolutely love teaching Sunday school!  My girls are awesome and I really look forward to getting to know them better as the year progresses.  I'm also looking forward to getting back into the college girls'  Bible study on Tuesday nights.  I've missed meeting with my beloved friends over the summer!  Our new study is Max Lucado's "Just Like Jesus"...I can't wait! 

Oh, and my new profile pic is of Joe and me at a waterfall in Brazil.  Isn't he handsome? :)