Choosing Life

I'm Moving!

2009-09-08T13:35:00.000-07:00

Well not Me, persay, but my blog. I'm moving to a wordpress account where I have more control over things.

Changes are coming!

Save this link: http://www.sarahgail.net. It's my new cyperhome!

"Fearless" By Max Lucado

2009-09-08T00:00:00.000-07:00

It goes without saying that we have all found ourselves paralyzed by fear at one time or another. Whether it was based on real life circumstance or paranoia that a fear might come, we can all sympathize with the grip fear has on our lives. I just finished reading Max Lucado's newest book, "Fearless", which focuses on many typical areas of fear that often paralyze us. In each chapter Lucado offers witty over-exgagerated examples of each of these specific fears and supplements them with a Biblical example when believers are encouraged to trust God's hand and provision.

I could not help but think as I read "Fearless" of times in my life when I needed to hear that message. Lucado's writing style is easy to follow and makes "Fearless" difficult to put down. While I found myself underlining or marking something in every chapter, the final ones were most memorable. In the last chapters Lucado address the fact that things will get worse before they get better. In a world where we are faced with a new "crisis" every time we turn on the news, it is so important to remember that chaos is a part of God's plan. Lucado reminds readers that God provides reassurance that there will be wars, rumors of wars, sorrow and happiness-- but that He remains faithful in it all. It seems to come naturally to freak out when these things come to be, but Lucado paraphrases Jesus in Matthew 24:6 saying "Don't freak out when bad stuff happens" (pg. 153). Bad things have, are, and will continue to occur, but as believers we should hold strongly to the knowledge that our Lord is control of it all.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I know that I will continue to refer to it when in facing fear. Lucado wrote, "Feed your fears, and your faith will starve. Feed your faith, and your fears will." (pg. 74). Reading this book is one way to feed your faith, not your fears.

If you wish to purchase this book, you can buy it here on Amazon:

Happy Birthday, Brother

2009-08-31T12:05:00.000-07:00

Today, August 31st is my brother's birthday-- he would be 23 this year. I've been thinking a lot about this day for the past couple of weeks. I have wondered what it is going to be like to not be able to call and harass my brother all in the name of wishing him well. I wonder a lot about what it will be like to go through this day.

But, Richard's birthday also has me thinking a lot about his life. He was truly someone who chose life in every circumstance. He really lived life to the fullest. I have always admired that about him.

Today, it seems that everything I do reminds me of him. From conversations about politics, to the sweet tea sitting on my counter. But, in all honestly, that's not much different than any other day. But today, it wouldn't be weird for me to go purchase an Ice Cream Cake (like the one in the picture above- his last birthday) even if they are 500 calories a slice.

Neither of our birthdays will ever be the same again. But I laugh because I think that's exactly how he would want it.

To everyone who's lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

-"Cry out to Jesus" by Third Day

Building Excitement

2009-08-31T09:32:00.001-07:00

Remember this post about my excitement for Donald Miller's new book? Well, now you can read part of it right here on my blog. I love how high tech Thomas Nelson Publishers are!

A Million Miles In A Thousand Years by Donald Miller

Moment of Pride!

2009-08-17T13:51:00.000-07:00

My second year at Belmont University, I had the privilege of serving as an RA for 60 pretty awesome freshman women. I got the chance to walk alongside them and learn so much about my life and who I was created to be from them. All of these women are awesome, and I am grateful to have known them.

With that said you can imagine my pride when I see one of them on the Today show for a book that she authored that is titled "How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World". I've read a snip-it of it and I think she's right on target!

Clink the link above to watch the Today Show peice or, click here to order her book on Amazon!

Review of "The Principle of the Path"

2009-08-12T08:50:00.000-07:00

I recently signed up for Thomas Nelson Publisher's Blogger Book Review program. This program allows bloggers to receive copies of Thomas Nelson's newest books to read and review. It's a pretty great deal, because I just get to do what I love-- read and write, and get free material to do those things! Without further ado, here is my first book review for this!

I was initially drawn to Andy Stanley's "The Principle of the Path" for the sub-titles on the cover-- "How to get from where you are to where you want to be". As someone who is hoping to move a community from one place to another, I thought this might have some great insight for my work and life.

Stanley's thesis is pretty clear from the beginning- the choices we make determine our outcome. Making a series of poor choices probably will result in some poor outcomes. While this point is true, and something I hope my students learn during college, that seems to be the meat of the book. Each subsequent chapter outlines more examples of how people were faced with choices and how those choices led them to where they were. I kept hoping the next chapter would provide new information, or more advice on guiding one's self or organization down the path to where we want to go. But, I felt like Stanley left me hanging.

I will say though, the book was a fairly easy read and his examples are relatable. While I felt like I needed something more and deeper from this book, I do think there are those in the world need to know that making reckless choices now will only harm them in the end. I would recommend this book for those who would like encouragement in the truth that making wise choices now is making a choice for goodness in your life. I wouldn't rank it at the top of my favorite books list, but it certainly is not at the bottom either.

You can find this book on Amazon here.

Now I Know How the Duggars Might Feel. . .

2009-08-08T15:05:00.000-07:00

You know the Duggars. TLC's newest mega-family, stars of 18 and counting. They are a family from Arkansas who have 18 children ranging in age from 21 years to 8 months. I got the feeling the other day what it might be like to be the Duggars on a grocery trip.

Our Community Leaders come back this week and we start training on Monday evening. Part of this means that we (hall directors) have to provide a certain number of meals for our staff during the 10 days of training. So, after some planning with my wonderful graduate assistant directors, I went shopping. I headed to Wal-Mart armed with a front and back shopping list, and the intention of spending several hundred dollars on groceries to feed 19 people for 10 days. Wasn't long and my cart was overflowing and I headed to check out. But the stares and glares I got from people in the Hewitt Wal-Mart were really surprising. I wonder if thats what happens when the Duggars go shopping. I do not plan to have 18 children to find out, however, I will be more careful not to judge people by their grocery cart!

Anxious Anticipation. . .

2009-07-29T21:09:00.000-07:00

I just pre-ordered this:

And I cannot wait for it to show up in my mailbox on September 30th! Donald Miller is hands down one of my favorite authors.

He's most famous for Blue Like Jazz

But my favorite is Through Painted Deserts. This book came out my Junior year of college and Donald Miller came to speak at Belmont. Because I knew the right people, I got to hear him (it was a Freshman only event) and meet him afterwards (to autograph my books). Aside from falling in almost-love, I was moved to tears to hear him read from this book. There's a section where it talks about how there is a time where we all need to leave home, to find life. I re-read that section often and his voice still rings in my ears. Here is a brief sampling from Through Painted Deserts:

It is always the simple things that change our lives. And these things never happen when you are looking for them to happen. Life will reveal answers at the pace life wishes to do so. You feel like running, but life is on a stroll. This is how God does things.

Everybody, every person, has to leave, has to change like seasons; they have to or they die. ... Everybody has to leave, everybody has to leave their home and come back so they can love it again for all new reasons.

No, life cannot be understood flat on a page. It has to be lived; a person has to get out of his head, has to fall in love, has to memorize poems, has to jump off bridges into rivers, has to stand in an empty desert and whisper sonnets under his breath... We get one story, you and I, and one story alone. God has established the elements, the setting and the climax and resolution. It would be a crime not to venture out, wouldn't it?

Oh, so good. You should read it. And then Read A Million Miles in a Thousand Years with me starting September 29th.

Enter to win a free Bible!!

2009-07-28T17:00:00.000-07:00

Logos is giving away free Bibles to celebrate their new online program! Check it out!

Logos Bible Software is celebrating the launch of their new online Bible by giving away 72 ultra-premium print Bibles at a rate of 12 per month for six months. The Bible giveaway is being held at Bible.Logos.com and you can get up to five different entries each month! After you enter, be sure to check out Logos and see how it can revolutionize your Bible study.

Starting tomorrow. . .

2009-07-12T20:52:00.000-07:00

I get to spend my week doing this. And I could not be more excited. With each passing minute my heart gets more and more excited.

Sic 'Em Bears!

Creative Rebellion?

2009-07-09T18:16:00.000-07:00

My mom sent me this video via email today. She saw the story on some news channel and thought I might appreciate it. This poor guy had his Taylor guitar destroyed by baggage handlers on his United Flight. After a year of fighting the airline, they have refused to pay him for the damage.

My question is, if my plea to NWA is denied, and I have to "fight" them, what creative venue do I take? I can't sing or act? Here's hoping and praying I don't have to worry. But, I did send the letter Monday, and still have no response. . .

well i won't say that I'll never fly with you again, because maybe to save the world I probably would, but that won't likely happen. And if it did I wouldn't bring my luggage. 'Cause you'd just go and break it into a thousand pieces, just like you broke my heart, when United Breaks Guitars.

I call it Coke!

2009-07-08T06:54:00.000-07:00

When reading old posts on Lindsey Noble's blog (a new treat I discovered this morning) I ran across a post about regional differences in vocabulary, like backpack vs book bag. And Coke vs. all the other incorrect words. The best part. She posted a link to this map:

It shows what word is used county by county in the US. How awesome. From my limited perspective, it seems to be accurate. Shelby County is listed as a Coke county. And that's what it is. Coke!

We're Not in Texas Anymore

2009-07-06T08:49:00.000-07:00

July 4th is typically synonymous with the Ballard family reunion, sunshine, heat, humidity, fishing, lots of adult beverages and laughter. This year, was a bit different. It was rainy and dare I say, cold! Tuck and I were freezing when the day was spent mostly in the 60s. That's a 45 degree difference than what we left behind in Texas! I wish I would have packed a sweatshirt or jacket!

There was still plenty of fishing, adult beverages, and laughter. More photos of that to come later. I seem to have left my camera cord in the land of 100+ temperatures.

Anniversary Reminder

2009-07-03T08:30:00.000-07:00

It's been a year since I started this blog. The name for this blog came from Deuteronomy 30:19 which says "Today I set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life that you and your children may live." You can click the link above for a greater explanation of where that verse came from and where my life was at that point. As I reflect on the last year of attempting to choose life, and sometimes failing at it, I am reminded of the lessons I learned to shift my perspective in the first place. In light of those lessons, here is the "testimony" that I gave last year at camp on this topic.

Last night we talked about how even when we love, follow, and obey God, we will receive blessings, and that not all blessings come in the form of a pretty package or a million dollars. When Joseph chose to obey God and run from Potipher's wife, she lied to her husband about the altercation. And, despite Joseph's righteousness, he was thrown into prison- no questions asked. Joseph was clearly following God's lead, but received a blessing that, frankly, sucked. (See Genesis 39)

For me, more often than not, life was pretty good. I went to college at Belmont thinking I wanted to work in the music industry. I quickly realized that God had other plans for me. I found a love for working with college students and the Lord made it clear that I was to go to graduate school and I could not have been more stoked! I have been blessed with the gift of discernment, so it was made very clear to me through the grad school search process I was to go to a school in Texas. I was confident I was seeking and following the Lord. So, you can imagine my surprise when that first year in grad school was one of the toughest years of my life.

It wasn't that the course work was too difficult, it was actually rather easy for me, that sort of thing had always come naturally. I was surrounded by sin, non-belief and moral relativity. Additionally, my younger brother, Richard had almost died of a sinus infection and had two brain surgeries right around my college graduation and departure for the Lone Star State. He continued to have problems, had a third brain surgery and was hospitalized when he later had a pretty serious seizure. As if that weren't enough, I struggled to find people with whom I connected on more than just a surface level.

Finally, (yep still not done with the list!), there was a lot of conflict within my cohort and between my cohort and a professor. I tried to handle it in a mature, Biblical fashion, only to have people lie about what I did. That situation resulted in a classmate telling the faculty member that I tried to get him fired, which was not remotely the case. Imagine the awkwardness when we had him again the second semester! Similar situations happened the entire time I was in grad school.

I just didn't get it! I had gone form being at Belmont where I had been challenged and supported to grow in my faith, all my professors liked me and I got along with just about everyone, even if we weren't close friends. I just could not understand how God could call me to a place and just leave me there! I found myself growing angry and frustrated with God because He allowed this to happen. I also began to feel like maybe I was wrong abut my calling. Maybe I wasn't supposed to be doing this after all. Needless to say, I felt pretty lost and directionless.

Then, last summer (2007), God handed me a phenomenal internship at a college in Texas. He surrounded me with encouraging believers and gave me a chance to be refreshed and refocus before my last year in graduate school. God reaffirmed my calling to work with college students and through a new, but good friend, taught me that He did not leave me. He was there all along. My anger was truly about a lack of trust that God truly had me in His grip.

I left that internship and when I returned to school, the only thing that had changed was me.

But, that was enough.

Life still stunk most of the time, but I became more resolved to live a righteous and godly life. Rather than given into the pressures around me, I became more like Joseph and found God gave me the strength to say no. I found strength through reading about the lives of Paul and Joseph. God called them to live in the desert life from their happy peaceful lives. That calling was for a much larger purpose. They never waivered in their trust in God's purpose and leading in their lives.

I think sometimes God calls us to the desert and to be exiled with no other information than to be still, to love, to follow and to obey.

I know that my time in "exile" strengthened my faith.

That may be it's only purpose.

It may have also been so I could share this story with you right at this moment.

I know that God will call you to a place of "exile" at some point in your life, if He hasn't already. His promises to never leave and forsake us are never more true than when we seem alone in the desert place. My prayer for you is that in those moments, you will chose life and love, that you will follow and obey the Lord. He calls us to both mountains and deserts, and when our trust is in Jesus, He has us. Always.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ever ask or imagine, according to his power at work with in us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

-Ephesians 3:20

This speaks for itself.

2009-06-30T20:28:00.001-07:00

Oh, so true

2009-06-28T20:39:00.000-07:00

I just read this on Heart toHeart with Holley. Her words are so true! I thought I'd share:

Welcoming a New Week
Swirling around me are sounds of a new week beginning. I hear the whoosh-whoosh of the dishwasher, the tumble-tumble of the dryer. Outside twilight descends and closes out the weekend like curtains on a stage.
Already I feel the rush, don't you? My heart beats faster, my mind races, my hands move from one task to the next. This is to be a day of rest and yet by the end of it I'm usually pushing the pedal to the floor and zipping into another week.
I look out my window and see my trees are also getting ready. One has a calendar, another a Blackberry, a third is already checking e-mail.
"No, no," you say, "such foolishness!" And of course it is, because trees don't plan their days. They don't stress out about meetings. They don't worry over their limbs.
And, I'll let you in on a secret, they grow anyway.
That is what I fear, I think--that if I stop all this madness, this rushing, that I will become small and stale. I will stay the same forever.
But this is not true, the trees know. For growth comes from roots and not leaves. It comes from being grounded firmly in the soil of God's love and then clinging to Him, drawing from Him, dwelling in Him each day.
So I pause, whisper a prayer, and begin anew. Surprised, I find that when I empty my heart of all I carry I'm free to lift my arms toward heaven.
We stand there for a moment, the trees and I, hands raised in welcome and feeling as if this week we might just touch the sky.

In Memory

2009-06-25T20:31:00.000-07:00

Of the King of Pop, I submit, Thriller, 2007 Baylor Line Camp Graduate Assistant version.

Guess which one's me!

Gross.

2009-06-24T14:17:00.001-07:00

Waco:

A few minutes ago this went up to 106. At least the humidity isn't like this:

Shelbyville:

Fun Friday Finds

2009-06-12T17:38:00.001-07:00

Two Fridays ago I found something awesome I wanted to share. I logged on and when trying to think of a title I thought, "Fun Friday Find" would be cool and I could do it every week. Alas, I forgot to finally post that day, and subsequently this week too. So, today I'm going to post two Fun Finds, and then hopefully I'll remember to do it every week!

First:

Found these Fruit Strips by accident two Fridays ago at Target when looking for my Fiber One Pop Tarts. They are like fruit roll ups, but 100% real, organic fruit. I tried the pomegranate ones, and they were so good. They are good, but not sit and eat the whole box tasting, like other sweets. They are healthy and a bit filling! Check out the link below!

Archer Farms Organic 100% Real Fruit Strips: A Perfect Snack
Archer Farms Organic 100% Real Fruit Strips, sold at Target, are a great snack for toddlers, kids, and even adults. These all-natural fruit strips are low in calories, feature some great nutritional qualities, and are affordable.

Second:

Hungry Girl!!! Walking through the book section of HEB with my parents a cook book caught my eye. It's titled "Hungry Girl: 200 Under 200" and contains 200 recipes under 200 calories. Not only is there a cookbook but there is also a website and an e-newsletter. Seriously, check it out. Click the picture of the book to go to Amazon.com.

Home Sweet Home

2009-06-10T17:38:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like the feeling of getting standing in my parents yard staring at the millions and millions of stars. I love going home and seeing my family and spending time in the quiet country air. But, since I live, work, and have a sweet dog in Texas, at some point I get a bit anxious to get back and sleep in my bed. After some good, but tough, time at home with the family, I'm back at home in Waco. Monday morning Mom, Dad, and I hit the road in the new Camry to drive back to Waco. We used my GPS to take a fun new route that took us lots of parkways through Western Kentucky and through Missouri into Arkansas rather than the usual route through Tennessee. (We learned, however, that the state line road between Kentucky and Tennessee is called Ken Tenn. How Creative!) We got back to Waco around 11:30 Monday night.

When I walked in the door, I was greeted by a chalked message outside my door, and a vase of flowers on my table with tons of cards from my friends and co-workers here. As I walked through my apartment I noticed another vase of flowers in the bedroom, a message on my mirror, notes with

scripture verses and in the bathroom more messages, and a basket of bath items. As my parents were getting ready to leave my friends Shannon and Megan knocked on the door and had some staple grocery items in their hands. I have good friends here, and I am blessed!

Mom and Dad stayed yesterday and hung out at the hotel while I worked.

Then they came over and visited with their Granddog a bit. I picked him up that morning and then took him to the groomer. His hair was ridiculously long (covering his eyes), and needed a trimming. Tuck loved having attention and playing with his grandpeople. I think they had fun too!

Mom and Dad left Wednesday morning to go back to the homeland. Last night for dinner I decided to make Fried Green Tomotoes!!! On the drive back we found a produce stand on the side of the road in Arkansas (totally shady, I know) and they sold Green Tomatoes. I have been craving them for weeks, and unfortunately my grandpa's tomatoes were not ready to answer my prayers yet. But, the state of Arkansas was. Thank you Arkansas.

Last night I made them for the first time by myself. I had to make a few alterations to mom's usual recipe- like using wheat bread crumbs instead of cornmeal, but they turned out really well! I paired the tomatoes with rotisserie chicken and peas from the dining hall for a yummy meal.

While I miss my parents it's good to be home, to sleep in my own bed, to be back to work and to have my sweet puppy with me. Tuck and I have cuddled and played ball quite a lot. Tonight I had dinner with the women in my Beth Moore small group and it was a blast. I am not the only one to have had some difficult situations in the last few weeks, and hearing how they are confident in God's working in their lives reminds me that He knows the plans He has for us, and that they are for good and not Harm (Jeremiah 29:11).

In parting here is a video a student shared with me tonight from Louie Giglio that I think is pretty powerful about how all things a held together in Christ. Enjoy!

Things I've Learned

2009-06-03T14:44:00.001-07:00

As it turns out, death is certainly a process. Practically and philosophically speaking. In true blogger form- here are the things I've learned (all serious, some intended to be funny, so it's ok to laugh):

Funerals are expensive. Probably unnecessarily so. But who's going to question the prices or shop around at a time like that?
It only takes a phone call to withdraw someone from school when they die.
HOWEVER- it takes a complete medical history, copy of the death certificate, funeral director's mother's maiden name, your right arm, left leg, and a pound of flesh to fly in for the funeral. Seriously- Read my friend Shannon's blog about my attempt at flying home. Then, NEVER fly Delta or Northwest, or any of their partner airlines again. I forbid it.
I will always write, "no card" or "n/c" in the guest book at a funeral. The idea of writing all those thank you cards is completely overwhelming.
Also, I pledge to not bring fried chicken when someone dies. Someone probably already has. Any variety of potato is always safe though.
It is REALLY easy to figure out what your unhealthy stress coping mechanism is. My mom smokes. I eat. A lot. And sleep a lot. Which is a really bad combination. I'll be joining Bearcycle when I return for sure.
The things people do things for you, like bring you food, send flowers, hugs, tears, and prayers mean a lot more than they think they do.
Bubbly people might consider a class in appropriateness. Ask me about my Dad's call to the benefit's people at Toyota.

I might have more to add to this list later. I am grateful for all the prayers, calls, texts, flowers, cards, etc from those in our lives over the last 6 days (hard to believe it hasn't even been a week). I am also glad to be in a family where we can cry and laugh together. Richard was a much bigger fan of laughter and joy than tears, so it seems fitting to remember to laugh. Here is a link to some pictures I put up on Facebook. He was clearly more photogenic than I was or am. Thank you all for praying for my family- it really does make a difference.

If I'd Only Known. . .

2009-05-30T08:41:00.000-07:00

How deeply and quickly I would learn the pain of being completely shocked and unprepared for something, I think I might have tried to avoid learning the lesson. So maybe I could avoid the application?

My mom called me late on Thursday to tell me that my little brother, Richard, passed away this week. We are not certain what happened, but believe he had a seizure. It happened earlier in the week, but he was found Thursday.

Please keep my family in your prayers. It is like walking in a fog or a bad dream. However, it is reality. And one that I am certainly unprepared for. I keep reminding myself of the truth that I know. And rest a bit in the knowledge that he knew those truths too.

May God be glorified in Richard's death the same way he was in his life. If we could see of glimpse of that to help with understanding, that sure would be nice too. A little Lazarus action would be appreciated too.

Sorry this picture is huge (I can't figure out how to make it smaller.)

Preparation

2009-05-28T00:35:00.000-07:00

It probably comes as no surprise to those who know me best that I really like to be prepared. I've learned in the course of my life that I function with excellence when I am prepared. I crave being able to be thoughtful and intentional with every task and endeavor that I undertake. You may remember my post just a few short weeks ago where I outlined my plan to fast from Facebook, partially in preparation for tomorrow. I wrote:

I feel like 25 marks the beginning of a new era. I really want to go into year 25 intentionally. I want to have a list of things I want to say I am or have done by 30. I really think I need to take a break from vegging out in order to get a clearer grasp on what that means and where I think God is calling me to with the next quarter century of my life.

Now, three or so weeks later, I laid in bed tonight and had a realization.

I turn twenty-five soon.

In 20 minutes if you are losser with when the birthday starts, I have nine hours and 35 minutes if you wait until the moment I was actually born to count it (10:15 a.m. Eastern).

And I have no list. No system. No earth shattering blog post.

I am not prepared. At least, not the way I prepare. I want to push the pause button to keep it from happening until I'm ready! Ironic, since I was actually supposed to be born on May 11th. That means I was born 17 days late. Mom has always said I waited to be born until I was ready.

When I had that realization, I had a flashback to a moment on my campus walk earlier today. I was walking home, and it hit me, that this day, this situation, this birthday, this life, is not at all what I thought it would be. I was struck by how often how things are planned are not the way things actually turn out. On the flip-side, it is always for the better. Casually the verse from Proverbs 19:21 that says "Many are the plans of a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails" thought crossed my mind and I thought that maybe, I should quit trying to plan and figure out how things are going to go.

Later, on the way home from the grocery store a song from Hillsong came on my iPod called "Oceans Will Part". I was moved to tears by the lyrics:

When I'm blind to my way, There Your Spirit will pray; As You open my eyes to the work of Your hand,

Oceans will part; nations come, At the whisper of Your call. Hope will rise; glory shown. In my life, Your will be done.

Present suffering may pass, Lord, Your mercy will last; As You open my eyes to the work of Your hand. And my heart will find praise, I'll delight in Your way, As You open my eyes to the work of Your hand.

Despite all of that, I still found myself upset that I have not prepared enough for the passage of time, and the change of a day on the calendar. Truthfully, whether or not I have a "by 30" to-do list, or not, God's purpose in this passage of time should be my concern.

I need to learn that:

Just because I do not have a to-do list to accomplish, does not mean that I am not prepared.

Just because I do not feel prepared does not mean I am not.

When I feel most unprepared, that is when God's glory will most clearly be seen, and His will, clearly done.

My life purpose has nothing to do with my plans, but everything to do with His Glory.

Two of my instead of Facebook hopes from that previous post were: "learn to have the gift of presence. allow the Holy Spirit to develop a quiet spirit within me."

I think the Holy Spirit is working on both those things today. I believe that learning to be less OCD about preparation, means being more present in there right here and now- In the inner workings of the Holy Spirit within my life.

So, from 25 til death, may I remember that the Lord's purpose prevails (Proverbs 19:21), that He is faithful (Deut. 7:9), God has already determined my exact places where I will live (Acts 17:27) and He has prepared me in advance for the work He has called me to do (Eph. 2:10).

What on earth can I do to prepare more?!

Now that it's officially after midnight (central) and now less than 9 hours until the OCD Anniversary of my birth, I leave you with this message my dog wishes to send to my parents in reference to the gift they sent him for my birthday... yes, you read that right.

(He dictated the message, bad grammar and all).

What Does The Future Hold?

2009-05-27T16:10:00.000-07:00

I saw this video on Michael Hyatt's blog this morning. I think it's pretty powerful, and hope that you will not only watch it, but share it with your friends and family. (Don't forget to turn the music off before you watch it!)

One small editorial comment- please note, that this video does not accurately portray student development, generational theory, or expectations of current college student/20somethings. Generational theory states that Millennials (roughly born between 1982-early 2000's with some exceptions) should be a Hero generation, which is actually considered a "great" generation. The Lost Generation actually refers to those born between 1883-1900. What the video may be referring to is a "Nomad" generation. Generation X is considered a nomad generation". Click the links to learn more about it! Or, go to grad school for educational administration.)

Summer Lovin'

2009-05-21T18:24:00.001-07:00

As I type this post I'm sitting in front of an open window, with my ceiling fan going enjoying a cool, quiet summer night with a tall glass of sweet tea. My sweet dog is perched on the chair arm staring out the window listening to all the sounds of summer. A few birds are outside sharing stories about their day, every fifteen minutes the bell tolls at Pat Neff (whose green tower I can see beautifully from my window) and occasionally, a car drives past. But in all, life is quiet. Calm.

I just love nights like this. Especially at the end of a year like this one.

I am about to finish out the last few months of my first year at work at Baylor and I must admit that I would describe the last year as anything but calm and quiet. It has been a full year. Full of lots of fun stories, quality time shared with students, crazy incidents, laughter and tears. It's been good. It's been chaotic, challenging, stressful. But, Good.

I have only begun to process the last 11 months of life, but one truth stands out among it all.

God is faithful and good. Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God -Deuteronomy 7:9.

As the days of summer roll past, no doubt more quickly than I might wish, I hope and pray that our Lord will continue to reveal His faithfulness and goodness. That He will continually open my eyes to see how He has been faithful this year, that He would provide a since of renewed hope and purpose as I prepare to start my second year here.

I am so blessed to know that the God I serve has called me for this moment and this work. He has called me to be sitting in this window, on this night, in this place. How thankful I am for that knowledge, my God, and the peace that He gives. I pray that he would give me the strength to remember that always, and to be joyful because of that knowledge always.

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

-Ephesians 2:10

The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.'

-Acts 17:24-28 (NIV)

Joy

2009-05-18T09:09:00.001-07:00

I have recently had several conversations with several dear friends about how easy it is to allow fear and negativity, especially when that lies with others around us, to permeate our lives. I know that I have been blessed with so much, but yet it’s so easy to get frustrated with circumstances, and I’ve been trying to not given into fear and negativity so easily.

How fitting when I saw this post today on one of my favorite blogs, Radical Womanhood. Carolyn talks about why Joy is so important. I am so glad to start the week out with this! Hope it blesses you too! I pray Paul's words would be true:

I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds
-2 Corinthians 7:4

Hope My Brother Bought a Lotto Ticket

2009-05-09T19:55:00.000-07:00

My family is on a lucky streak apparently! You saw my previous post about the lovely plates I won. The day after my last post, I talked to Dad on the phone. He told me that someone on his work team had won one of the cars that his company, Toyota, gives away yearly at the Perfect Attendance Ceremony. This year they chose to forgo the ceremony, but still gave the cars away. He said that one of his teammates (5 people including my dad) had won a new Camry. They would find out when they went into work the next day. After attempting to convince Dad that if he won, he wanted to sell me the new car since my car is the family oldest-He reminded me that he probably wouldn't win, but that he would be willing to sell me my mom's old SUV if they did win.

The next day, during a meeting with my new CL staff, I got this text message from him: "Want to buy a car?"

Holy cow! After 19 years of service (he starts his 20th year at the end of this month), and 18 years of perfect attendance (one day missed because of a snow storm), my dad finally won the car drawing! My brothers and I would stay at my grandparents house when my parents would get dressed up for their yearly date to the Perfect Attendance event. When we would see someone start driving down Maw and Paw-Paw's half a mile drive way, we'd stare out the window looking for two sets of headlights. It was always just one set.

When he called my mom from work, she didn't believe him and he had to put his team leader on the phone to convince her he was telling the truth. I think when these photos were taken she might have actually believed him.

Mom In Her New Car.

I'm trying really hard not to be jealous.

Count them- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Cars for 2 people. A little ridiculous. To be fair, the Camero is my brother's and it doesn't work. The truck is used only for hauling things. But still.

With this string of luck, I hope my brothers bought lotto tickets. And that when they win, they show their sister a little love in the form of checks to Sallie Mae and Ed Financial.

All in all, I must say, I'm really proud of Dad. Not because he won a flashy new Camry, but because he's such a great example of faithfulness and love. Not many people have worked faithfully for one place for 20 years. Fewer many have had perfect attendance for all of those years (not counting the snow storm). Not many people when they win a new car, would give it to someone else.

I hope I'm just a bit like my dad when I grow up.

Look What I Won!!

2009-05-04T14:41:00.000-07:00

I entered a contest on heart to Heart with Holley and won! I'm so excited because I really like this Dayspring line!

Officially On A Break

2009-05-03T13:39:00.000-07:00

I have, after much deliberation (seriously, since February), decided to take at least a month long hiatus from Facebook and Twitter. It has truly become a crutch, and a leach on my time. I come home from work, sit in front of the t.v. with my laptop and play on facebook while watching what's on Tivo. This has become increasingly true since finishing my masters almost a year ago. At least before, I had no choice but to put Facebook aside to do something intellectual. But now, I don't have to, and it's an addiction I have fallen to easily into.

Additionally, my 25th Birthday is in less than a month and I have found myself thinking a lot about what that means. Besides the fact I, hopefully, will start feeling like an adult (I can rent a car without paying extra now after all), I feel like 25 marks the beginning of a new era. I really want to go into year 25 intentionally. I want to have a list of things I want to say I am or have done by 30. I really think I need to take a break from vegging out in order to get a clearer grasp on what that means and where I think God is calling me to with the next quarter century of my life.

With that said, no more facebook, no more twitter. Instead I'll:

read. write. post the things I write on here in some cases. have real conversations with friends. be silent. enjoy more time outside with my dog. finally finish a week of my Beth Moore study more than 20 minutes before I am supposed to be there. iron my clothes instead of wearing the same couple of skirts that don't need ironing. decorate my apartment. pick my apartment up every day rather than waiting until it's a disaster to clean. work out more. stop comparing myself to others as much. quit over analyzing everything around me. learn to have the gift of presence. allow the Holy Spirit to develop a quiet spirit within me.

I think the list could go on and on. The point is- there are so many better uses of my time than my Facebook/Twitter Obsession. So, at least until June, I will be saying adios to Facebook and Twitter. Who knows, I may decide to quit permanently! Freedom has never felt so exciting!

Perspective

2009-04-29T20:15:00.001-07:00

New Template, Shout Out to Mom, Swine Flu, Among Other Things

2009-04-29T14:31:00.000-07:00

I recently (i.e. earlier this week) entered an "updating" phase of life. One of the things I updated was the layout of my blog! Gone are the dark and dreary days of old. I also have some fun background music now! These changes elicited the following email from my dear mother:

Hi Daughter,
What have you done to your blog????? I think I like the colors it sure is bright..and I think suits you better. Oh. The music that starts up when I click on it is nice too. I have left it on in the back ground.
Love you sweetie,
Mom

It first I thought she was mad, but then I realized I think she likes it better than the old drab blog. Hi Mom. Glad you like it! Maybe next time I'm home I'll teach you how to leave comments! Love you!

As you may have heard, there's a bit of a flu going around. . . of the swine variety. This particular strand has been a bit lethal in Mexico and has officially claimed one life in Texas. (I will point out, that New York has had more confirmed cases than Texas, so don't freak out too much). Baylor's staying on top of it, and we have a webpage dedicated to it, just in case it hits Waco (which it hasn't).

This of course isn't helping the fact that I have been feeling a little under the weather the last couple of days. Yesterday I nearly choked on my own breath during a VP Candidate presentation and made quite the scene. Today I woke up with a splitting headache. Don't worry though- no fever, or other flu symptoms. Stay away little piggies.

It's really hard to believe that my first full academic year at Baylor is coming to a close. This week marks the last full week of class. Last week we had Diadeloso (Day of the Bear in Spanish). The next to last Thursday of Spring Classes Baylor cancels class, let's employees off at noon and there is a huge party. It was a blast! It was sunny, 80-90 degrees outside and a perfect day for concerts, dog shows, huge Tug-o-War competitions (seriously. HUGE). I entered Tuck in the Dia Dog Show and we had a great time. He kind of did a trick on the stage, but got distracted by another dog and the crowd simultaneously saying, "ahhhh" at him. He didn't win, but I am convinced that next year is our year! (Yes, I am a dog-show parent, but he doesn't mind!)

Spending all day outside I got a lot of sun (and of course, I didn't wear sunscreen. Oops). But, This one hasn't peeled, so I think I might actually get a bit of a tan this year! That will be quite the first. This summer I plan to spend quality time by the pool with friends, Tuck and a good book. I just have to find a swim suit first.

Before I get there though, I have to make it through the rest of the year. It seems that life picks up a bit between now and next week, and then for closing of course. Today's my last day with my CL Leadership Class- Having them has been a blast. I'm baking some cookies to celebrate our semester and looking forward to our time together. It's actually about time to head out to class! Enjoy the bright colors and background music!

Oh How I Needed This:

2009-04-20T13:55:00.000-07:00

Today I ran across this paragraph while preparing for my final Captivating book study with my girls.

...And the world simply uses people, then spits them out when they are worn out and no longer "on top of their game." Our Enemy despises relationship, hates love in any form, fears its redemptive power. This is why God sent Eve. Women are needed to protect relationships, bring them back to center stage where they belong. You might at times feel like the only one who cares. But as women we must hang onto this- that because of the Trinity, relationship is the most important thing in the universe. Let us not give way or yield our intuitive sense of the importance of relationship for anything...

You have an irreplaceable role in your relationships. No one can be to the people in your life who you can be to them. No one can offer what you can offer. There are many things God calls us to do, but loving well always comes first. And don't your relationships feel opposed? Of course. They must be fought for... You have been sent by the Trinity on behalf of love, of relationships. Fight for them.
-Captivating, pp 209-210

No wonder I’m emotionally exhausted.

Scared the S*&%. . .

2009-04-17T23:23:00.001-07:00

Out of my poor Tuck! We had some really bad thunderstorms come through Waco this morning while I was in a meeting. Tuck was home alone, and terrified. Apparently he is scared to death of storms and scratches relentlessly at the door to get out. Apparently, he also literally had the S*&% scared out of him this morning. Literally.

I couldn't help but laugh. Poor Tuck was terrified of both the storm and of me. You should have seen his face. I chose to offer him some grace and post a photo of it online.

BUT, he wasn't completely alone today. He had his new Easter Present:

My parents mailed a blanket for the Dog for Easter. The put a few pieces of candy in there for me, but most of the box was this really soft microplush throw blanket. It was labeled "For Tuck, the Granddog". Tuck's Grand People chose well- he's been sleeping on it most of the time since!

Seattle and Portland!

2009-04-17T21:00:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I posted an update. Part of that is the fact that life has been clipping along at a fast rate, and the other part is that I spent 10 days exploring the Pacific Northwest. I've never been to the Northwest, and I really enjoyed my trip. After this trip, I only have 16 states left to visit until I have been to them ALL!!

Seattle was the first stop for the NASPA conference. This is a national conference for Student Affairs professionals and was 7 days of sessions, volunteering and "networking".

The trip started at 3 a.m. when Shannon and I drove from Waco to Austin to catch an early morning flight. The flight from Austin to Houston was short and uneventful. Then we flew from Houston to Seattle- a 4 hours and 45 minute flight. This flight was far more interesting. I was in the window seat, getting ready for take off and an almost 5 hour nap, when the lady in the middle seat asked to put her head on my shoulder. I was completely taken aback and awkwardly agreed. The oddity of that situation prevented my sleeping for a while and I got excited when she and the guy on the end both were awake at the same time. (This was about an hour and a half into the flight.) I climbed my way over them to go to the bathroom. For some reason, when i was finished, the flight attendants wouldn't let me go back to my seat. They said there was a spill and I couldn't go back until it was cleaned up. When I got back to my seat, I discovered the lady in the middle had spilled her in-flight breakfast on my seat. . . Total Cereal. That made the rest of the flight much, much longer.

The conference was spectacular. I spent a few days volunteering at The Placement Exchange, both for the conference and for Baylor. When the conference started, I really enjoyed the sessions that I attended and had a great time visiting with old friends and colleagues.

I also made time to see some of the sights in Seattle. We went to Pikes Place Market along the Puget Sound. This is the home of the Pikes Place Fish Market- a fish stand where the employees have a blast throwing fish around and entertaining their customers. If you've ever heard of the FISH! Philosophy, this stand is the inspiration.

Additionally, PIkes Place is home to the first Starbucks. Of course, we made sure to go there. Now, I am not the biggest fan of Starbucks coffee, but they started a movement of which I am a willing participant. The first Starbucks is small and plain. They are currently renovating it, so there are about 4 seats at a window bar. The coffee tasted just like it does at every other Starbucks, but the staff were really friendly!!

One of my life goals is to go to all the World's Fair sites and visit the buildings that were built for the fairs. I was able to visit the Space Needle while I was there too. We went on a day that was mostly clear so we were able to see the Cascade and Olympic Mountain Ranges as well as the Puget Sound.

Here's a slide show of my time in Seattle:

Seattle Slideshow

After the conference ended, my friend Shannon and I took a train ride to Portland to stay with her mom and sister who live there. We were joined on the train by a couple of our friends who used to work at Baylor. Drew works at Reed College in Portand now, and Matt was going to spend a few days with him. The trip took about three and a half hours and was beautiful ride.

While in Portland we went hiking near Maltnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge. It was cold, but absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately most of the path to the top of Maltnomah was covered in ice past the bridge, so we did not get to climb to the top. We explored another set of water falls before driving along the scenic route to take some great pictures. Along the way out to Malnomah, we encountered a flat tire on the interstate. Luckily we had Matt with us, so the stop only added 10 minutes to our time.

While in Portland we went to see "Wicked" the musical which was a blast! One night my friends Laura and Brian met us in Portland for dinner. This was after we visited Powell's Bookstore in downtown Portland. Powell's is a four story talk bookstore that takes the entire city block. I could have spent hours in that store, but only got to spend about 45 minutes.

Saturday we went to the Pacific Ocean. This was my first time visiting it. Unfortunately, this was the only day it Portland that it rained. So, we didn't spend much time at the beach but took a nice scenic drive. We ate at Mo's, a famous reastuarant on the beach for clam chowder. Next we headed to Tillamook Cheese factory to walk around, eat some cheese and ice cream! It was a fun day of driving around the Oregon Coast and an awesome way to finish out the trip.

Here's a slide show of our adventures in Portland:

Portland Slideshide

I'm Giddy about Esther.

2009-04-05T21:43:00.000-07:00

I recently joined a women's BIble Study group and we are working through Beth Moore's latest study titled: "Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman". I have always loved Beth Moore, but I am SO excited about this study. I started on the workbook tonight and let me just tell you why I am almost giddy with a few quotes:

When we trust our lives to the hand and pen of an unseen but ever-present God, He will write our lives into His story and every last one of them will turn out to be a great read. With a grand ending. And not just in spike of those catastrophes. Often because of them.
-Day One: Page 14

We can count on some drama {in Esther}, however, and if you have my kind of taste, that's your kind of fun anyway.
-Day Two: Page 14

I strongly recommend this study, and I'm only on Day Three! Click on the picture to order it on Amazon!

This site. . .

2009-03-31T16:42:00.001-07:00

Makes me think I can cook. Allreceipes.com is my new source of good recipes and dinner inspiration. Tonight I made Quick Brown Bag Burritos And they were SO good. I put them on whole wheat tortillas and was set in less than 10 minutes. Soon I want to try this broiled scallops recipe and this Salmon recipe. This site makes cooking look simple! Yum Yum!

2009-03-30T18:10:00.000-07:00

A friend recently posted about this blog and this sweet little boy. I've been following Stellan's mom on Twitter for about a week. Please pray for this family and this sweet boy! He needs some prayer and healing.

Correction. . .

2009-02-27T14:22:00.000-08:00

I'll be here in less than 7 days. . . I posted the wrong hotel page! :)

Check out this blog!

2009-02-26T16:34:00.000-08:00

I know I've blogged before about this site before, but I really think that you should check out her page. She has some great ideas for inspiring craft projects and some great things for sale on Etsy and at Hallmark!

7 Days from now. . .

2009-02-26T16:21:00.001-08:00

I'll be hanging out at this hotel: I am so excited

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Yummy Banana Bread

2009-02-10T20:40:00.001-08:00

I had some more bananas that needed to be eaten and I found this great recipe for banana bread. It's really simple and tastes delicious. I think next time I'll add nuts or chocolate chips. Hope you enjoy!!

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Real Ice Storms

2009-02-01T12:28:00.000-08:00

Earlier this week we got a late start for ice here in Waco. Meanwhile, my home state and home town got a real ice storm and have yet to see the end of it. Read this article for a bit of perspective.

Baby Step #1: DONE!

2009-01-31T07:26:00.000-08:00

As of last night my Emergency Fund is complete!! Due to some poor planning last month (i.e. forgetting to budget for gas expenses for trip home) I did not complete the emergency fund prior to the end of the month. Yesterday was pay day which allowed me to move around some money in this month's budget to complete the ER fund!!

WooHoo!!!

Which means Baby Step #2 is under way! This is where I start paying debt off! By the end of summer I hope to have the following paid off:

US Bank Credit Card: $1,194.43
Chase Credit Card: $2,440.72
Joe C. Davis Student Loan: $2,654.62

Total: $6289.77

I will start paying every extra penny towards the US Bank Credit card until it's paid off while paying the minimum payment on the others. When the first is paid off, all those funds will go towards the second one.

By the end of the year, I will have completed those three debts and then will have a made good headway in the first of my two large student loans!

Freedom, here I come.

Ice Storm- Texas Style

2009-01-28T06:53:00.000-08:00

They say that everything is bigger in Texas. I have found that to be mostly true. However, this morning I found one area where it is most certainly false.

Ice Storms. Baylor delayed opening until 10 a.m. today due to the icy weather. When I took Tuck out around 7:30 this morning the grass was a bit crunchy, but I didn't see much ice. However, if you remember from my last dose of Texas winter, Texans really don't know how to act when there is the slightest bit of snow or ice. It seems to me a bit ridiculous to get the morning off for such a little bit of ice. Regardless, I'm enjoying be a bit lazy around the house this morning before work.

Stay warm- especially those of you who are in places where you really got snow or ice. My parents spend a few hours last night without power and my home state has declared a State of Emergency.

I'll take the Texas Winter!

Yummy Cookies!

2009-01-25T21:03:00.000-08:00

Tonight I decided to make something with the bananas I had frozen in the fridge. (I'm horrible at eating them before they get too brown. I freeze them until I can use them). I checked the internet for a banana bread recipe but found one for Banana Cookies.

I had to try them. I chose to add chocolate chips instead of nuts, and added about 1/4 a cup extra because I love chocolaty cookies.

Not only are they really yummy, but two cookies are about 5 Weight Watcher points a piece- which isn't terrible for a cookie. Check! They also are made with bananas and eggs which are filling foods. Check Plus!

Visit this site for Banana Cookies and other great recipes.

Why I'm still fat. . .

2009-01-20T21:24:00.000-08:00

Probably has something to do with the fact that after going and working out for one and half hours (including cardio, abs, and weights) I come home and promptly eat half a jar of queso and Mission Lime Tortilla chips (OH I LOVE The Lime Chips!!).

I think if I had just stayed home from the gym and gone to bed at 9, I might have burned more net calories.

And maybe, if I didn't satisfy a small bedtime snack craving with stuff like that my 3-5 work out sessions a week might actually result in some weight loss.

Perhaps if I just had some lime chips (off a plate, not out of the bag) and some fresh avacado or salsa.

Or, maybe that banana turning brown on my table.

Or if I just took my dog out and went to bed rather than feeling like I MUST check facebook and email (in that order, of course).

That's It! After this jar of queso- I'm not buying anymore!! (it's to yummy to throw away!)

Here's to Hope and Change, and a new day tomorrow!

New Year's Resolutions

2009-01-18T10:10:00.000-08:00

This time of year it seems like everyone is making a new year's resolution or two. I've never been a big fan of the idea of resolutions. I prefer to use the term and idea of goals for the year instead. I have spent some time reflecting on this past year, and have determined some goals for the year. I'm a big fan of choosing baby goals each month to make the bigger one's happen. These are the goal's I've established for this year (outcomes, if you will!)

1. Get connected in a meaningful way to the larger Waco community.

I have several different ways I want to seek this out. I want to not only make a difference in the lives of those in my community, but allow them to make a difference in mine. I want to find a small group to plug in with at church. I also want to begin volunteering for Care Net. It's no secret that I'm passionate about pro-life issues, adoption and abortion alternatives. I think that there is so much I can learn by walking with some women who have been in these situations.

2. Work towards financial fitness.

I need to be better at budgeting (I stink). I also want to have credit card debt eliminated by summer and one of my three student loans gone by the end of the year, with a big chunk of a second one paid off. I'll go into more detail about that when I finally complete my ER fund. (Which, due to the lack of my ability to budget, will be later than originally planned.)

3. Run more- longer and frequently.

I want to run a 5k next month. A 10k at some point in the spring and then a half marathon in the fall.

4. Cherish friendship with but a chosen few and study the perfecting of those friendships.

This number is directly a line from the Alpha Gamma Delta purpose. The older I get the more that purpose resonates with my heart and soul. While I love and cherish my friends, I am not the greatest at maintaining contact with them. I want to be a better friend this year.

5. Grow deeply in faith and relationship with the Lord.

I think it speaks volumes that I thought to write this one fifth. We sang a song at church today that said that God is in our every breath. I found myself wondering if I truly let Him be IN the breath or just make it happen? I want to seek His face so that there is now doubt that I live out of an overflow of God's love in my heart.

I think those are five very loaded things. Overall, I hope that I grow deeper this year. And I hope that my life reeks of intentionally, love and grace.

A Neat Site!

2009-01-17T09:25:00.001-08:00

I ran across a new site called Scrapblog.com. You can create scrapbooks with digital photos from your computer or websites like facebook and flickr. I created one with pictures of Tuck. Check it out!!

Interesting Blog Post

2009-01-11T19:39:00.000-08:00

I ran across an interesting blog article today titled "Growing up Female". I thought it was particularly interesting as it talks about the mixed messages that we send girls in our society and just how far we've fallen from being a culture that teaches sex as something special and sacred.

I work with a lot of college students and it's no secret that college women have my heart. It's hard for me to watch them struggle with this and see the heartache that the mixed messages often result in. But I have to admit, I'm kind of at a loss of what to do about it. I'm amazed at how difficult those conversations become in light of a culture shaped by Planned Parenthood and "Sex and the City" (which I have to admit I enjoy watching). But how as people who believe in waiting until marriage and the beauty of truly being faithful to your spouse before, as well as during, marriage do we begin to penetrate this culture of recreational sex?

This is a must read

2008-12-30T08:37:00.001-08:00

I ran across an article on Conservative Oasis' blog titled "Top Stories of 2008". I love the humorous overview of the year. For example:

US auto giants GM, Chrysler, and Ford come a calling to Uncle Sam, with hands out. Problem is, you can’t ask for billions from “America” if you are flying Lear Jets to the meeting. OK… this one got blown WAY out of proportion. America then got sidetracked onto Executive salaries and perks, ignoring the fact that the real glutton of this situation is the UAW. Even if you fired all three CEO’s and never flew another damn plane with them in it, their combined salaries for a year wouldn’t run one of those companies for a month.

America needs to wake up, and stop letting unions hijack themselves right out of work. Jobs race overseas for a lot of reasons, but one of them is because labor here is overinflated.

In the sequel, they three tripped to DC in economy hybrids and such. 10 hour drives. In cars that are being discontinued due to poor sales. Brilliant. Seriously, these are the best and brightest?

I object to them making that kind of money based on them just appearing stupid.

I found myself laughing out loud alone in a coffee shop. Please go read and make me feel validated! :)

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I Like This Game

2008-12-28T11:31:00.000-08:00

This week marked my first direct deposit into my savings account. Between that disbursement and depositing some of my Christmas money, I am now only $307 from my emergency fund goal!

I'll have another segmenthttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif deposited at the end of the month. I also think I can sit down and scrounge up enough extra funds from the budget to make the goal by the end of January! Hopefully in February I'll have completed one baby-step and starting the second!!

I am hoping to bring in a little additional income through selling photography. I've got a few items for sale on my Etsy shop, but have several more that I just haven't gotten around to putting up. Check out the link above and keep lookin- more stuff will be added soon!

Here's to an exciting, closer to debt-free, new year!

Change in Lifestyle

2008-12-16T09:44:00.000-08:00

While at home over the Thanksgiving break I started reading my dad's copy of Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. I couldn't put down the book, and thought it was insightful and funny.

As a result of reading that book, I've started the Total Money Makeover. Dave (we're on a first name basis) outlines a series of baby steps, and I'm on number one! This means that I need to save $1000 in an emergency fund before I begin Baby Step 2- The Debt Snowball.

I also created a pretty decent budget and outline of where my money should go every month. I've tried to be strategic about using direct deposit to help with this. For example, I have two checking accounts and two savings accounts. One of my accounts is at a bank in KY and one is here. I've set it up so that certain things go to the KY account that is used far less often. My auto insurance, travel and gift funds all are directly deposited in that account monthly. My auto insurance is automatically paid monthly from that account. This way, I'm not keeping a wad of cash all year until I need it to travel, and when I do need it I can easily transfer it to the other bank, or just use that debit card. Plus it's far less tempting to dip into those funds, since I kinda forget that account is there. I've also set up a recurring deposit to my savings account from my paycheck. My money is managing itself!

I'm going to blog about my process through this makeover. If you are interested, you can track my progress through the interactive chart on the right!

Waddy Wonderland.

2008-12-15T18:34:00.000-08:00

Glorious Shelby County. "Shove that up your pipe and smoke it Louisville."

24

2008-12-11T05:35:00.000-08:00

"24" by Switchfoot resonates with me today. I want to share the lyrics with you.

Twenty four oceans
Twenty four skies
Twenty four failures
Twenty four tries
Twenty four finds me
In twenty-fourth place
Twenty four drop outs
At the end of the day
Life is not what I thought it was
Twenty four hours ago

Still I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You
And I'm not who I thought I was twenty four hours ago
Still I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You

Twenty four reasons to admit that I'm wrong
With all my excuses still twenty four strong

See I'm not copping out not copping out not copping out
When You're raising the dead in me
Oh, oh I am the second man
Oh, oh I am the second man now
Oh, oh I am the second man now

And You're raising these twenty four voices
With twenty four hearts
With all of my symphonies
In twenty four parts
But I wan to be one today
Centered and true

I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You
You're raising the dead in me
Oh, oh I am the second man
Oh, oh I am the second man now
Oh, oh I am the second man now
And You're raising the dead in me

I want to see miracles, see the world change
Wrestled the angel, for more than a name
For more than a feeling
For more than a cause
I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You
And You're raising the dead in me
Twenty four voices
With twenty four hearts
With all of my symphonies
In twenty four parts.
I'm not copping out. Not copping out. Not copping out.

Advent Week 1: Patience

2008-12-02T05:07:00.001-08:00

Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near! ... Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know we consider blessed those who have persevered … The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
-James 5: 7-11

There seems to be a running theme of patience in my life right now. And, the irony that I’m writing this reflection while waiting for a flight that has been delayed 3+ hours is not lost on me. It only adds poignancy.

I recently read the passage above and was struck by the imagery of the farmer, waiting. I once heard a pastor talk about what it might look like if a farmer took the same approach that we often do. Imagine a farmer planting an apple tree, adding a little fertilizer and water, standing back for about five minutes, and then becoming confused and frustrated that the tree is neither visible nor bearing fruit. A true farmer knows that this process takes time, often years, for the tree to bear fruit. Farmers know that there is a lot at work beneath the surface, which often is unknown to the human eye.

While the inpatient farmer image may draw laughs, I know I often approach life with that same perspective! I expect that things will happen within my timeline- Quickly! I am sure that our microwave, DSL-internet world is no different. Sadly, I take the impatient farmer approach with far too much of my life. Whether that be expecting student issues to resolve quickly, or relationships to be what I want them to be on my own timeline. I certainly am no farmer.

I’ve bend drawn to the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth found in Luke 1:5-25, 2:57-66. Zechariah and Elizabeth are best known as the parents of John the Baptist, and Elizabeth was an older cousin of Mary, mother of Jesus. Luke 1 paints a picture of an older couple that wanted to have children, but never did. Despite this great disappointment they were both described as “upright in the sight of God”, a title that implies faith, discipline and contentment. While the two had clearly written off the idea that they might ever be parents, the story paints an image of a couple who did not cease to pray and do what is necessary for their desires to become real.

Ultimately, as implied by their role as John’s parents, the couple was blessed with a son. But, it was certainly clear to Zechariah and Elizabeth that it was “the Lord” (Luke 1: 25) who brought about this blessing. Their barrenness, and ultimate blessing played a big part in God’s glory and the coming of the Messiah, but the timing had to be just right. This equals years of heartache and pain watching other children for this righteous couple.

I think Zechariah and Elizabeth are examples of the patience that James referred to above. While he specifically mentioned Job, I’m sure that James may have had this couple in mind. James the writer is often believed to be the brother of Jesus, so Elizabeth would have been his distant cousin as well. No doubt he grew up hearing the story of what God had done for his relatives. James also was poised to see the glory of God in not only their story, but the selflessness and love of his Brother.

In Luke 2: 65-66, it is said that the neighbors of Zechariah and Elizabeth were in

“awe, and . . . people were talking about all these things. Everyone who heard this wondered about it asking, ‘What then is this child going to be? For the Lord’s hand was with him.’”

It is clear that God’s hand was in the waiting John’s parents experience, the timing of his birth, and his ultimate purpose on earth. It was a timing and glory that only God could have foreseen. Things were being done underground, the seeds had to be planted and nurtured, before the tree could bear fruit.

I’ve found myself wondering what God is doing beneath the surface that I’m trying to rush. I am confident that there are situations and relationships where God is working for His Glory in and through my own life. Ultimately, God will be glorified, but it certainly won’t be on my timeline. It may very well be after I think it’s a lost cause. The key is to be patient and content in trusting that the work underground is being done. Wait is an active word that requires us to be content and patient with where we are, but be willing to take the steps necessary for God’s glory to be revealed. I pray that in this season of Advent, God might reveal within my heart what that means in my life, and yours as well.

A Thankful Game

2008-11-28T07:14:00.000-08:00

My friends Kristine and Cliff recently posted this on their blog. I wanted to post it as well! Tis’ the season (although, I might argue we should think of these things more than just once a year!)

Here are some specifics:

Something functional in my house that I'm thankful for is:
My dishwasher. Seriously. And having a shower with a shower curtain.

Something about my body that I'm thankful for is:
I like that I am sufficiently curvy. . .

Something hard that I've been through that I'm thankful for is:
Times in my life that I have been really depressed and anxious. I think they have sealed in me a sense of security that doesn’t come from within.

Something about this country that I'm thankful for is:
That people, for the most part, respect boundaries and laws.

Something about 2008 that I'm thankful for is:
Getting to see the west coast for the first time!

A word I'm thankful for is:
Love.

A sound I'm thankful for is:
Laughter (keeping Kristine’s answer).

A place in nature I'm thankful for is:
Anywhere that stars are easily visible by the millions.

It's High Time. . .

2008-11-26T21:11:00.000-08:00

My dear friend, Kristine, recently tagged me in an 8 things list. By recently, I mean a couple of weeks ago. I've been meaning to get back to that, but I just haven't. So, without further ado, here it is:

8 Things I Am Obsessed About Right Now:
1.) My Dog, Tuck. He’s AWESOME! (See the picture)
2.) Red Cups at Starbucks
3.) Reflecting
4.) The Office (I freakin’ LOVE that show!)
5.) Figuring out how to create and live on a budget
6.) The idea of running a 10k in February and a Half in April (not so much the practicality of it.)
7.) The music of Andy Davis
8.) Cooking!

8 Words Or Phrases I Use:
1.) "That's what she said."
2.) Friend
3.) LOVE it!
4.) Calling
5.) Uh. . . Really?
6.) Are you kidding?
7.) hahaha
8.) Seriously? Seriously!

8 T.V. Shows I Love To Watch:
1.) "The Office"
2.) “NCIS”
3.) "Bones”
4.) "Grey's Anatomy"
5.) "Private Practice"
6.) "SNL”
7.) "Criminal Minds”
8.) "Numb3rs”

8 Things I Did Yesterday
1.) Flew home
2.) Forgot to eat lunch
3.) had dinner with my mom at Cracker Barrel (YUM!)
4.) Did the Thanksgiving dinner shopping
5.) Missed my dog
6.) Worked on a secret project
7.) Slept on the couch, plane and in my brothers bed
8.) Read

8 Favorite Places To Eat:
1.) Café Cappuccino!! (OH SO GOOD! Kristine- when you visit we’re going here!)
2.) Pancake Pantry
3.) Clay Pot
4.) McDougals
5.) Jason’s Deli
6.) Cracker Barrel
7.) Rosa’s
8.) Cheddars’

8 People I tag:
1.) Grace
2.) Claire
3.) Tiff
4.) Mel
5.) Smudd
6.-8.) Anyone else who reads this and wants to do it. . .

New Hallmark Line!

2008-11-18T08:36:00.000-08:00

There is a neat new line of items from Dayspring called Simply Inspiring. If you are looking for a neat gift for someone in your life you should check it out at your local Hallmark Store.

You can check out the creator's blog link here:

Also, she has an Etsy Shop you can check out Here:

Freedom of Choice Act

2008-11-18T08:08:00.001-08:00

The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) is piece of legislation that President-Elect Obama promised to sign into law as his first step as president. This act concerns me a bit and let me tell you why.

FOCA would eliminate every restriction on abortion in every state nationwide. This includes not only bans on partial birth abortions, but also laws that require parental notification for minor children. This takes power away from the states to determine how abortions are handled. The 10th amendment of the U.S. Constitution states:

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

This clearly indicates that states are supposed to have the power to decide these such things, and the FOCA would take away that power.

Additionally, FOCA would require that faith-based hospitals and clinics provide abortions. Which is an interesting violation of the Constitutional right to Freedom of Religion, and therefore actually taking away the freedom of choice to doctors and administrators at such places.

I ask that you consider looking into to FOCA. Additionally, there is an online petition that you can sign if you disagree with this bill. You can go here to read more. You can also check out the Facebook group if you are user of that!

Regardless of one's opinion and stance on abortion, the FOCA gives far to much power to the Federal government to make decisions and limit religious freedom. It is a dangerous road to begin to travel!

Wedding Music!

2008-11-08T09:22:00.000-08:00

Two months from now a friend of mine is getting married and she asked me to be the "dj" at her wedding reception. I'm working on creating a playlist for her and would love input! Any wedding must haves?!

This is kind of a fun project, so if you are planning to get married and want a cheaper way to have music at your wedding, I'm available for booking!

It's Finally Over?

2008-11-05T16:45:00.000-08:00

I've been looking forward to this day for what seems like years- the end of the 2008 Presidential election (oh wait, it has been years). All that anyone has talked about it seems has been this election. And it's finally over, so we can all go back to life as normal, right?

Apparently not.

In the days leading up to the election it appeared that all my Facebook friends were donating their status to one candidate or the other. Now those status messages have transformed either into elation or decrees that the world is ending.

The reality is our country has a new, historic president. And, it was within my parents and grandparents life time that this went from being impossible, to reality. That to me is incredibly humbling.

Even though I did not vote for Obama, and disagree with him on many issues, I have to admit, it is so neat to be a part of his piece in history. How awesome is it that we got to see the first black president? I saw a news clip on ABC.com where a democratic strategist commented that what was most meaningful for her was that when he is sworn in, he will be sworn in on the Capital steps that were built by slaves. Slaves who never would have dreamed that this day would be possible. It seems that our country has come full circle.

Regardless of party affiliation, as a Christian I am called to respect and obey governmental authority. Even if I am disappointed, and there are things that concern me, I am still proud to be an American.

Dying Happy

2008-10-31T22:39:00.000-07:00

There is one Baylor Mascot that I love more than the others. His name is Judge (named after Judge Baylor, one of the founders of the university) and he is inflatable. During the football games I LOVE Watching him dance around, and wiggle his tail, wink his eye and bounce on his head.

Tonight, at the Homecoming Bonfire, I got to meet him. That's the photo above. I felt like a 5 year old little girl! I was so excited! I just kept giggling. I can sleep happy tonight, even though my hall did not win the homecoming decoration contest (LAME!).

More photos from Homecoming later! Tomorrow morning is the largest and oldest collegiate homecoming parade! So exciting.

Why I'm Voting for John McCain

2008-10-29T08:50:00.000-07:00

With the election next week, and early voting happening this week, It's about time that I explain why I'm voting for McCain. For me it's all about the issues:

Abortion

I strongly oppose abortion in all cases. Some research tells us that 93% of all abortions in the United States happen out of social convenience i.e. child is unwanted or inconvenient. This leaves 7% of woman who have abortions because of rape, incest, or threat to their own health. Also, a black woman is 3 times more likely to have an abortion than a white woman and a hispanic woman is 2 times more likely. Can you imagine what our country would be like if more of this children had a chance at life? Also, most woman who have abortions are under the age of 15 (did you know that judgment areas of the brain to do not fully mature until around age 25?).

I believe that parents and schools need to be doing a much more through job of educating students on the realities of being sexually active. Students need to know that contraceptives are not 100% sure, STDs are a reality (that men don't often know they have), and that abortion is not an easy answer. They also need to be taught about the gift of adoption. I also think parents need to know if their minor daughters have an abortion.

John McCain opposes abortion where as Barack Obama strongly favors abortion rights. Additionally, Obama does not favor allowing parents to be contacted when their daughters have an abortion. I wonder if he'll change his mind when his daughters hit high school. I also think it's ironic that Obama thinks women are capable of making decisions about the appropriateness of partial-birth abortion, however he does not think that people can make their own decisions about Social Security. So, just to clarify, women are capable of deciding if it's appropriate to brutially end the life of an otherwise vital human being, but humans in general cannot be trusted with their own social security. Fascinating (www.ontheissues.org).

Privatized Social Security

I think it's pretty clear that the government is not able to manage things in a responsible manner. Case in point- our country has a 455 billion dollar budget deficit (by the way, this did decrease during Bush's term, but increased after the Democratic Congress/Senate was elected). The last thing I want is to trust these people with my money, when they can't manage their own. Therefore, I want to make the decisions about where my money goes and how I save for retirement.

John McCain supports privatized Social Security where as Obama doesn't. See the last paragraphs of the abortion section to see his confidence in people.

Taxes

I think that taxes should be one percentage of an individual's income and that percentage should be the same for everyone. This method makes it a fair- the more you make the more you pay, and vice versa. I also am opposed to the death tax. How unfair that when a family loses someone, they have to pay taxes on what that person leaves behind. Especially, when those things have already been taxed at least once.

Obama's philosophy has been to take from those who have wealth, redistribute it to those who have needs. This sort of Robin Hood handout does nothing for the poverty in our country. We need to be supporting churches and other social organizations that provide opportunities for the "least of these" to be successful and self supporting. (See my post, "The Least of These")

I strongly believe that there are great social justice needs in our country and in our world. I believe that we as individuals are compelled to help with those needs and provide the same opportunities for everyone that we who are more privileged have. I don't think that means electing government officials to take money and redistribute it in whatever way they like. I think our country is best served by a government that trusts the people it serves and remembers that it serves them. A government that believes the people who elected it are intelligent enough to make some decisions for themselves and do good for others.

In closing, a friend of mine posted this on his facebook. I thought I'd share it here:

Reject the message, not the man
Ralph Bristol
October 23, 2008

People have asked me repeatedly why I don’t do more to help spread the word that raises doubts about Barack Obama’s citizenship, religion, and other basic elements of his life and relationships.

Here’s why.

If the American people want what Barack Obama is selling, then I don’t care whether we elect a Christian, God-fearing, conservative, free-market Republican or a transvestite Muslim illegal alien socialist.

An American population that wants what Barack Obama is selling deserves the worst that God, nature and ACORN can deliver.

Obama is selling a view of America that I find offensive to the greatness of my father’s generation and his father’s generation. Those generations had some pretty big warts, but that does not detract from their positive attributes that took America from an also ran on the international stage to the undisputed superpower of the world.

We inherited America from strong, self-reliant people.

We inherited America from a generation who believed that the hierarchy of welfare should be that you turn to your family first, then friends, then charity, and only as a last resort to the government, which must (and for which it has developed a voracious appetite) confiscate your neighbor’s property in order to help you.

Obama is selling a view of America that would bypass family, friends, neighbors, and charity and make government the first and only support group in most American’s lives.

He has even demonstrated, in his own life, that he will leave a family member to try to survive abject poverty, even as he promises to “spread the wealth around,” among Americans, through the federal income tax system.

Other countries have done that. In fact, MOST other countries have done that. None of those countries are the undisputed superpower of the world.

Unless the people of America, voting in a democratic election, electing a constitutional republic government, reject the future that Obama is selling, it won’t matter whether we buy it from Obama or whether we buy it from a salesman with all of the necessary, even pristine, credentials. The problem is not the salesman. The problem is the product.

If the only, or even the main, reason you oppose Barack Obama is his citizenship, his religion, his race, or even his many troublesome associations, then you and I are on the same side, but for reasons that are so distant that we simply can’t help each other. I’d rather not win this on technicalities.

I want the court of public opinion to tell me now, when I still have a chance to react, whether they want the America my father and his father gave me – the only America I’m interested in defending – to die now or live to fight another day.

What I've Been Doing. . .

2008-10-21T18:44:00.000-07:00

Life has been good and busy! We are preparing for Baylor's Homecoming, which takes place the last weekend of October. Homecoming here is a big deal and thousands of Alumni descend on Waco to enjoy a weekend of festivities. For student life staff, the weekend starts weeks in advance. Each of the residence halls are charged with decorating the outside of their community for the weekend. A winner is determined from judging that happens on Wednesday. North Village won last year, and we are hoping to do so again. I have the Engineering and Computer Science Living Learning Center, so needless to say, they are creative and resourceful. This weekend they started building a paper mache bear that is 10 feet tall. I kid you not. There are some pictures from various work nights below. I'll be sure to post more as time goes on. You can also click on the link above to learn more about Baylor Homecoming.

I've also recently acquired a dog. Our Vice President and his family needed to give their dog away since they are rarely at home to care for him. He is a 6 year old Shiz Tzu/Poodle mix who's full name is Kentucky, but they called him Tuck for short. How fitting! Pictures of him are below as well.

Tonight is a meteor shower and some friends and I are going to drive to the country to watch it. We plan to bring blankets, dogs, and hot chocolate!

Til next time I hope you enjoy the show!

My Etsy Shop

2008-10-19T21:18:00.000-07:00

I've recently started an Etsy Shop. Etsy is a site where crafters and artists can post their products to sell. You can visit my shop here.

Every two weeks I wake up hating life.

2008-10-14T08:27:00.000-07:00

Every other Tuesday morning I wake up hating my life because it's student worker time sheet day. This really should be a simple process, but it seems that most of the 33 students whose time sheets I approve seem to mess something up. I have to do it all by 12:30. And I dread it.

My saving grace is knowing that it is Double-Stamp Tuesday at Common Grounds. That means when I go get a cup of my most recent coffee addition, a No Bull, I get to stamps on my punch card. I'm currently three stamps away from my $3 off reward.

To make this particular Tuesday even better is the fact that it just started pouring down rain and I definitely didn't bring an umbrella to the office. Although it's grey and gross looking outside, i also know I won't be stepping into a lovely fall rain storm, but a humid mess.

Don't worry, life is still good. I have a great new dog, Baylor won their first conference game in 13 games, and is currently higher than A&M in conference standings. I love Baylor. I just hate Tuesdays- they are my new Mondays!

Free Purses

2008-10-01T06:22:00.001-07:00

Friends-

I recently discoverd the launch of a new website called Handbag Planet. They are launching their site on October 15th, but in order to get some publicity they are giving away Free purses.

I kid you not- free ones! Go to their website and sign up and you get a free purse. They have some really cute ones too. I chose this one (click on it to go to the site):

The Least of These

2008-09-24T07:33:00.000-07:00

I recently read an article in the Baylor student newspaper where a student attempted to describe her political views by saying that she lined up with the conservative mindset on fundamentals but admired the liberal passion for equality. She said that she found it difficult to see how the "least of these" could survive without the assistance of state aid. While I agree with the sentiment of her description, I was surprised at the use of "least of these" in reference to the need for government aid.

The phrase "least of these" comes from Matthew 25:40. Jesus told the parable of the sheep and goats- comparing how God will one day judge us all like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. Jesus says:

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?'. . ."The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
-Matthew 25:35-37, 40

When I read this passage, I don't hear Jesus screaming for more government welfare and aid programs to feed the hungry and the thirsty. Jesus is not calling for big government. He's not talking about government at all! Christ is imploring you and I to feed the hungry, cloth the naked, care for the sick, visit the imprisoned. This is a command decreeing that God will hold us accountable for things we did for others. As believers we should be seeking ways to care for the least of these. I strongly believe Jesus would not be satisfied with American Christians for leaning on the Government to care for these individuals.

I really think it's time that Americans have a mind shift- especially believers in America. We need to stop looking for others to fix the problems of the least of these, but have a little faith that God might be calling us to do it!

Political Frustrations

2008-09-22T15:36:00.000-07:00

A very small part of me gets excited when the presidential elections roll around. I have found myself feeling that this election has the potential to be decisive. I am a big fan of Facebook, but lately I dread getting on the site. I have a couple of "friends" on there who like to update their status message everyday with some personal slam on republicans, or anyone who is not voting for Obama.

It drives me crazy, regardless of who you are voting for, when people make blanket statements like that on a public venue. Just because someone is voting for another candidate, does not mean that they are less intelligent or educated. Statements like that drive me crazy and I find them extremely immature and offensive.

Now, I'll be honest and say that I'm planning to vote for John McCain and Sarah Palin. But, there was a point not long ago where I strongly considered voting for Obama. I'll give you more details about why I chose the candidate I chose at another point. But, I think that there are people who are voting for Obama who have very intelligent educated reasons why they are voting for him. There are also many people, in my generation especially, who are voting for him because it is the cool thing to do.

Regardless of your political affiliation I implore you to make sure you know why you are voting the way you are voting. I also implore you to not fall prey to thinking someone else is stupid because they are voting Republican (or Democrat for that matter).

Some new goals

2008-09-21T20:10:00.000-07:00

If you read my old blog, you might remember an entry back in January where I set the goal to run the Music City Marathon in the spring. Truthfully, I have forgotten about that goal, until I recently when I have had time to think about it some more.

Since life has slowed down with the start of school, I've been able to make running an almost every day occurrence. I have also found a couple of good running partners who are encouraging, but force me to run more than I think I am able. Recently we started running Cameron Park which is a beautiful park by the Brazos river with trails up hills and through beautiful trees.

After running along the river for nearly 40 minutes Saturday, I thought it was time to start making some serious goals.

1. Dallas 5k Fun Run & Walk

This is held in connection with the Dallas White Rock Marathon in December. A 5k is 3.1 miles, and should be easily doable by it's December 13th date. (The actual marathon is on December 14th, but I will not be ready by that time!) It'll be a great reward for a hard semester's work.

2. The Cowtown 10k

This takes place in Fort Worth on February 28th. This is close to halfway between the 5k (my first race) and the half marathon. Plus it's in FW, which I love. A 10k is 6.2 miles.

3. Country Music Marathon and 1/2 Marathon

Good friends and the promise of a huge stack of french toast and hash browns from Pancake Pantry are on my mind when I envision the final of these races. It would be the first time I've eaten them and not felt guilty about the ice cream scoop of butter they put on the plate. (Plus the ability to say that I ran 13.1 miles would be pretty sweet too).

My stomach is growling just thinking about it.

On that note, I'm off to bed. I'm getting up to meet a friend to run at 6:15 in the a.m. Then we have a work "retreat" at Cafe Cappuccino, my local Pancake Pantry substitute. Not quite the same, but their french toast is also pretty yummy!

Hurricane Update

2008-09-14T18:48:00.001-07:00

Friday afternoon we were briefed on what the University and departmental plans for responding to Hurricane Ike. We were told the most current forecast predicted 79 mph sustained winds and 5-8 inches of rain. This was supposed to have started before people woke up on Saturday morning, but the worst was to be between 12-5p.m. We were preparing for power outages, and possible tornadoes on Saturday. We moved everything movable indoors and prepared for the worst. And, the Baylor Bears were moved to an undisclosed location in a safer place.

Saturday morning I woke up around 10:30 and looked out the window. Anxious to see what a hurricane looked like first hand. All that greeted me was a very gray sky. The rest of the day there was some minor strong winds and sprinkles. No strong, sustained winds, no strong wind.

I spent the day being very lazy in my pajamas. The biggest news of the day is that my refrigerator broke and all the stuff in my freezer dethawed. But Baylor Facilities came to the rescue with a new fridge.

What I find very ironic is that my parents' house had stronger winds from Ike than did we. And, part of one of the trees in the yard fell on their house. Did I mention my family lives in Kentucky? You can read my dad's account of it here.

Today is beautiful. The sky is the most beautiful blue and the temperature is mild. The weather forecasters say that it should be in the 50s this week. Let's hope they are more correct than they were with the storm predictions!

I'm about to meet Ike

2008-09-12T06:29:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't heard, there is a pretty strong hurricane headed towards Texas, and his name is Ike. Waco is pretty far inland (200 miles roughly) so we aren't in too much danger of being washed into the gulf. However, we do have to worry about lots of rain, wind and refugees. This means we're going to have flooding, possible tornadoes and lots of empty isles at the grocery and packed hotels.

I'm one of the hall directors on call this weekend, so it should prove to be interesting. I'll keep you posted- I've never really been through a hurricane!

Football Games, Spa Nights, and Strawberry Fest, Oh, My!

2008-09-05T18:52:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy, busy few weeks here. We opened the halls on the 20th of August and classes started on the 25th. Once the halls opened life seemed to settle down a bit. Since the 25h I have been busy meeting with my community leaders and graduate assistants.

I am loving my life here right now. I have the opportunity to work with some great students and really enjoying the studious nature that they all have. I work with the Engineering and Computer Science Living Learning Program which means 80% of the students who live in my building fall into one of those degree plans. I also have a lot of the female athletes in my building. I was a bit intimidated by working with these students because the discipline and intelligence that is required to be successful in ECS is much different than that which was required of me as a Psychology and Religion major in college. However, I feel that I have found my groove with these students. They seem to respect my honesty about having no idea what the titles of their classes even mean (i.e. Partial Differential Equations. . . really?!). They try to explain to me what it means and seem comforted that it's ok with me if they also have no idea. Plus, several of them have discovered that I have an extensive writing background and I anticipate editing a lot of papers for my very math minded students.

I also am teaching a University 1000 course here on campus. This is similar to a freshman seminar class at other universities, but is tied in with the chapel program at Baylor. I have a class of about 15 freshman women and I couldn't be happier. I had considered asking for a class of women, but knowing how large of an undertaking the assignments were, I chose not to. As fate (or perhaps the hand of God) would have it, I got that class anyway. The woman who supervised my internship experience here last summer was in charge of the class/professor assignments (she had to assign each student manually to a class, which is a large undertaking when you have over 3000 new students). The assignments left several group of all women, and she put me in one of them, knowing that I would see it as a neat ministry opportunity. I have loved my time talking with these women about "spiritual practices" like service, humility, attention/intention, sabbath, friendship and integrity.

On a sadder note- I am constantly reminded of how little attention college students pay to the world around them. As I was finishing coffee today with a dear friend, we walked out of the coffee shop to see that a student on a bike was hit by a student in a car. Who knows which, if not both, of them failed to pay attention. I constantly see students walk and out into the path of a car without even stopping to notice that the car is there. Accidents like this could be avoided if people paid a bit more attention. (P.S. The student who got hit was seemingly alive and alert. He was also wearing a helmet, which is very unusual. The girl appeared to have been turning her car onto a street when she hit him, which hopefully means she wasn't going that fast. her windshield was severely dented and cracked though from the biker. She was VERY upset. Say a few prayers for all those involved. I cannot imagine what either of them are going through.)

On a much happier note- enjoy a slide show from my recent football game adventures!

Offical Texan

2008-08-16T22:10:00.000-07:00

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I'm officially a Texan! My car has its Texan license plates, and I have my Texan Drivers License. Texas does it a bit differently- when you go to get your DL they give you a temporary paper one, and mail you your real card later. Which is a bit odd to me since it's just a normal ID card that colleges and other states print on-site every day.

On a positive note, I no longer pay state income taxes. Sweet!

This week is community leader training, and we officially re-open housing on Wednesday. My building hasn't really closed, so I've been working like crazy this week! I'll post more later.

.peace and love, friends.

A good thing to Remember

2008-08-06T09:25:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share the following post from Michael Kelly. He's a gifted writer and speaker who used to be the main speaker at Refuge- the Nashville-wide college worship time. Now he writes and travels the country speaking.

This article from his blog seems to resonate with me and my shortcomings in leadership. Thought I'd share!

Check It Out!

A Virtual Campus Tour

2008-08-05T19:13:00.000-07:00

I thought that I would post some photos of the campus I live and work at. It is a BEAUTIFUL campus- I truly love walking it- especially at sunset.

Apartment!

2008-08-03T22:25:00.000-07:00

Here are the long awaited pictures of the apartment! Enjoy!

Because I'm my Father's Daughter

2008-07-31T22:04:00.000-07:00

The top to one of my tea pitchers seems to have dissappeared. So, when I prepared two gallons to take to the hall director progressive dinner, I had to improvise.

I think my dad would be proud.

I'm Still Alive!!

2008-07-28T19:49:00.000-07:00

I've been waiting to post until I had pictures of my apartment to put up here. However, I've been here two weeks now and still haven't taken any. Largely because I wasn't in a place where I wanted to show people pictures, then when I was, I lost my camera.

Have no fear, I found the camera. It was lost in the guest room closet. Yes, you read that right. So, perhaps tomorrow I'll take some pictures for you. Now I'm inspired to wait until I hang things on the wall. But, if I keep going at this rate, it never will happen!!

Life here has been an odd mix of hectic and boring.

Mom, Dad and I arrived in Waco on Sunday the 12th. They left the next day. I spent the week unpacking, grocery shopping, and settling in. I also had the chance to serve with Baylor Line Camps, a first year matriculation program. I was asked to be a part of the team that made the field trip to Independence (the town where Baylor started) happen. This trip was one of my favorite parts of my summer experience here last year, so I was blessed and ecstatic to be a part of it. I have to admit, it was rather odd to be there but not really be a part of the New Student Programs staff. Here are some photos from the event:

Last week, we started Summer Institute, which is my department's fancy term for training. Last week was a very chill week, we had candidates on campus for the position that would be my supervisor. In the mornings I had Human Resources Orientation and then I had an hour long interview with the candidates in the afternoon. Friday through Saturday we had a retreat at an off campus retreat facility. I have to say that it was the best retreat that I've been on- it was quite enjoyable.

This week is when the schedule gets hectic! We started training at 8 a.m. this morning and finished up somewhere around 4:30 p.m. This included a working lunch. After finishing at work I went to the on campus gym with several of my coworkers to make use of the Curves work out room there. I have sense spend the evening setting up my office and deciding how I want the furniture set up.

This week will be full of busy things: meetings, fire drills, a surprise (for our friends) trip to Independence to help with final tear down, and lots of random things. I'm enjoying my time here and I LOVE the people that I work with. And, I am consistently amazed at how advanced the department and division I work in is. I couldn't be happier or be more blessed!!

I hope to have a less scattered post soon. Some friends and I drove to Dallas on Sunday night to see Heart and Journey in concert. So we didn't get home until about 2:30 a.m., and had to be at work at 8. Yikes! I am excited for school to start in a month so I have some time to sleep!

Greetings!

2008-07-03T14:56:00.000-07:00

I thought that I might begin my new blog by explaining where it's name comes from. I have been thinking and looking for a blog name that is accurate and full of depth. While the name for my previous blog (aggielandadventures) was fitting for the time, this blog will have a much longer time span- one seeing me through job changes, moving, etc for years to come.

Last week I was a counselor at a high school church camp called Leisure Ministries. This camp cuts the Bible into four sections: 1. Genesis through Joshua; 2. Judges through Malachi; 3. The Gospels; 4. Acts through Revelation and each year focuses on one section- seeking to make scripture truly come alive to the students. I went in high school and have to say that it's truly a moving and powerful week. This year the focus was on section 2- Judges through Malachi. Our main verse came from Deuteronmony 30:19:

I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.

Out of that the motto, "Choose Life" was derived. As we continued to break down that simple two word phrase for the campers, I realized how complex and multifaceted that calling is. I think that choosing life is a lesson and a challenge for believers everyday of our lives. So, I chose the name "chooselife3019" to constantly remind myself life and death is set before me everyday and that I am called to choose life.

The John Waller song quoted on the page title, "The Blessing" is a reminder to me in other terms of this daily challenge. The idea of choosing to be a blessing for life is a challenging one and one that shows that a single human's impact is larger than him or herself.

I'm setting out on a new phase of my life. While I was in graduate school I continually felt as though my life was simply in a holding pattern. It seemed that my other friends' lives had continued on after college while mine was stuck in this strange limbo eerily similar to the hell described by C.S. Lewis in The Great Divorce. While the calling to go to graduate school, and to go to A&M was very clear to me when I had to decide, my purpose for being there seemed much cloudier upon arrival. It was truly a time of exile in my life (I may post the testimony I gave about it camp while we were in exile). I realize now that that time of exile and loneliness had a purpose. And that perhaps my response to it being exile was not the correct response. I didn't always choose life.

As I head out on a new life and full-fledged adulthood, I know that always when we choose life, God hands blessings. But I know that sometimes those blessings come in packages we would never expect. My hope for myself as I continue down the journey of life, is that I would always remember that "every blessing and curse is a choice now" (John Waller). That I would remember that God is always giving us choices between life and death in every part of every day- not to test us, but to draw us closer and into a more fulfilling walk with Him. Always when we choose life we are given blessings- sometimes those blessings are joyous and sometimes they are sorrowful (a different type and depth of sorrow that comes from willfully choosing death).

All that to say this blog will be about the journey that choosing life is and will lead me down. I pray that we all may see blessings from it!

Choosing Life

I'm Moving!

"Fearless" By Max Lucado

Happy Birthday, Brother

Building Excitement

Moment of Pride!

Review of "The Principle of the Path"

Now I Know How the Duggars Might Feel. . .

Anxious Anticipation. . .

Enter to win a free Bible!!

Starting tomorrow. . .

Creative Rebellion?

I call it Coke!

We're Not in Texas Anymore

Anniversary Reminder

This speaks for itself.

Oh, so true

Welcoming a New Week

Swirling around me are sounds of a new week beginning. I hear the whoosh-whoosh of the dishwasher, the tumble-tumble of the dryer. Outside twilight descends and closes out the weekend like curtains on a stage.

Already I feel the rush, don't you? My heart beats faster, my mind races, my hands move from one task to the next. This is to be a day of rest and yet by the end of it I'm usually pushing the pedal to the floor and zipping into another week.

I look out my window and see my trees are also getting ready. One has a calendar, another a Blackberry, a third is already checking e-mail.

"No, no," you say, "such foolishness!" And of course it is, because trees don't plan their days. They don't stress out about meetings. They don't worry over their limbs.

And, I'll let you in on a secret, they grow anyway.

That is what I fear, I think--that if I stop all this madness, this rushing, that I will become small and stale. I will stay the same forever.

But this is not true, the trees know. For growth comes from roots and not leaves. It comes from being grounded firmly in the soil of God's love and then clinging to Him, drawing from Him, dwelling in Him each day.

So I pause, whisper a prayer, and begin anew. Surprised, I find that when I empty my heart of all I carry I'm free to lift my arms toward heaven.

We stand there for a moment, the trees and I, hands raised in welcome and feeling as if this week we might just touch the sky.

In Memory

Gross.

Fun Friday Finds

Home Sweet Home

Things I've Learned

If I'd Only Known. . .

Preparation

What Does The Future Hold?

Summer Lovin'

Joy

Hope My Brother Bought a Lotto Ticket

Look What I Won!!

Officially On A Break

Perspective

New Template, Shout Out to Mom, Swine Flu, Among Other Things

Oh How I Needed This:

Scared the S*&%. . .

Seattle and Portland!

I'm Giddy about Esther.

This site. . .

Correction. . .

Check out this blog!

7 Days from now. . .

Yummy Banana Bread

Real Ice Storms

Baby Step #1: DONE!

Ice Storm- Texas Style

Yummy Cookies!

Why I'm still fat. . .

New Year's Resolutions

A Neat Site!

Interesting Blog Post

This is a must read

I Like This Game

Change in Lifestyle

Waddy Wonderland.

24

Advent Week 1: Patience

A Thankful Game

It's High Time. . .

New Hallmark Line!

Freedom of Choice Act

Wedding Music!

It's Finally Over?

Dying Happy

Why I'm Voting for John McCain

What I've Been Doing. . .

My Etsy Shop

Every two weeks I wake up hating life.

Free Purses

The Least of These

Political Frustrations

Some new goals