Wedding shopping!

Today I tried on wedding dresses. Wow! That is crazy yet really exciting! I tried on some very simple yet elegant ones as well as big fru fru ones. I'm definitely a simple girl. I found one that I really like, but of course I'm gonna look around some more before I decide. We went into the Bridal shop on Celanese and got bombarded by this short chunky little Korean lady who said she used to design clothes for Brooke Shields. That lady was hilarious but after a while she gave me a headache. When I was trying on one dress I made the comment that I have no boobs, so her she comes "I've got some for you" and hands me some pads to stick in my bra. It was funny. Anyway, the dress I really like I found at the Bridal and Formal Gallery on Charlotte Ave. And the ladies there were extremely nice and helpful. So, I had a fun afternoon of wedding shopping with my mom.

182 days!

Me & Matt 

BIG NEWS!

In 187 days I will be getting married. That's right, Matt & I will be getting married on May 28th at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Finally, we have a for real date! And the wonderful thing about it is that his dad will possibly be able to come home for the wedding! Yay! So, to all our friends, mark your calendars!

Product of Boredom

I'm dumb.

Thirteen random things you like:
1) Dora the Explorer
2) sleeping
3) hanging out at the Pink Palace
4) roller coasters
5) the color orange
6) Cucumber Cantalaupe candles
7) Having money
8) Chick-Fil-A
9) Blowing bubbles
10) Country music
11) fuzzy socks
12) Fire
13) wearing hoodies, jeans, & flip flops

Twelve random things you want:
1) a car that actually works (BCC 4 ever)
2) an engagement ring :)
3) to live in Africa
4) to have 3 kids (named Mackey, Emma, & Eli)
5) to pass my Biology of the Aging class
6) to be able to have a cat in my apartment
7) more sleep
8) a new digital camera
9) for my head not to hurt right now
10) Matt's dad to come home safe
11) to learn how to surf
12) to read more

Eleven good bands/artists:
1) Switchfoot
2) Ashlee Simpson (she may not be good but I like her)
3) Bethany Dillon
4) Brevada
5) Jump Little Children
6) Relient K
7) Rascall Flats
8) Dashboard Confessional
9) Jack Johnson
10) Gretchen Wilson
11) Silers Bald

Ten things about you ... physically:
1) I'm fat
2) brown hair
3) brown eyes
4) I'm stretching my ears
5) pierced cartilage
6) long toes
7) bad cuticles
8) bad eyes
9) scar next to my eyebrow
10) tons of freckles on my shoulders due to excessive sunburns

Nine thoughts:
1) I wish this semester was over
2) I'm glad it's Friday!
3) Dinner at Pork 'n More was yummy!
4) I'm blessed to have such awesome friends
5) I need to go to the eye doctor
6) I like making to do lists
7) Schindler's List is a sad movie...we're watching it in my RELG class
8) I can't wait to get married!
9) I miss my kitties!

Eight favorite foods/drinks:
1) mac & cheese
2) peanut butter & nutella sandwiches
3) Ritz chips
4) Propel
5) Mike's Hard Lime
6) Smirnoff Twisted
7) Cheese sticks
8) Lime diet cokes

Seven things you wear daily:
1) contacts
2) my rings
3) earrings
4) shoes/flip flops
5) deoderant
6) lotion
7) a shirt

Six things that annoy you:
1) fake people
2) fake people
3) fake people
4) fake people
5) fake people
6) did i mention...fake people!

Five things you touch everyday:
1) my keyboard
2) cell phone
3) my squishy duck
4) chapstick
5) my purse

Four shows you watch:
1) That 70's Show
2) Made
3) Laguna Beach
4) A Wedding Story

Three People you have a crush on:
1) Matthew
2) Matthew
3) Matthew

Two things you hate:
1) seafood
2) cheap beer

One thing you love:
1) my best friend

You make me wanna la la

As always, I've had a lot going on lately. I've been pretty down but I'll manage. Matt is probably sick of me crying all the time. It seems that's all I do.

School is hardcore kicking my butt & I know the next two semesters are gonna kill me. I'm pondering the thought of staying at Winthrop an extra semester. It might make things a little easier for me. I don't know. All I know is I'm not so good at this college stuff. Can't I just runaway to Africa?

Last weekend I went to Columbia with my mom to keep Cameron & Devin. They are growing up to be some cuties! Every 30 seconds Devin would just call out my name...not wanting anything but just making me turn around and pay attention to him. I loved it...hearing his sweet little voice call out "Sarah". We went to EdVenture and had fun there (despite the fire drill). It was nice to spend time with those boys again...I still miss them.

Sunday Matt & I had nursery duty at church. Between bouncing, scooting, grinning, and pooping...we had a fun morning. I can't wait until I can have kids of my own (don't worry guys...it's not gonna be anytime soon).

I've had some hardcore smack in the face stuff happening in my life lately that has made me really think about my life. It disguists me that I am so freakin sinful and don't even care. I should care. Lately I have been living my life entirely around my feelings. I'm so selfish. I'm at one of those points where I want to change because I know I should want to change but then I really don't want to change. I'm comfortable with my life how it is and I know I shouldn't be. I guess we'll see what happens.

*Good news--the Roasting Co. is staying open due to the "overwhelming support of the community". Yay!

Mourner's Entry

The Roasting Co. will be closing on Friday. ::huge tear:: What are we gonna do without a place to hang out and drink coffee? Rock Hill is going down the drain!

Phew!

I just wrote a 5 1/2 page paper in less than an hour! Wow I'm good! Actually it wasn't that hard b/c it was on homelessness and shelters I researched in the area. It was a pretty cool assignment. I'm definitely getting into this social work stuff. I'm hoping I'm going to do my internship at a homeless shelter or something of that sort.

Matt & I were talking and we really just wanna move to South Africa and work at an orphanage for the rest of our lives...how awesome would that be. But that isn't really a possibility right now. Maybe sometime in the future.

I still don't have my computer. Wanna know why?! It had...no lie...97 viruses on it! What the crap! I sure wasn't taking very good care of my computer! I almost lost all my pics and files but my dad is so amazing he saved them for me! He's still got a lot of work to do on my computer though...so who knows when I'll get it back. On a good note, Matt's mom bought him an amazing laptop for his birthday/graduation/Christmas present. It's really cool!

Matt & I went to the RUF Barn Dance/Hoe Down last Saturday night. I had the greatest time. Square dancing is my new hobby! I for real want to go square dancing more often! And we ate some yummy barbeque and s'mores! After that we (Matt, Bethany, Joe & I) went to Joce's for some home-made blueberry pancakes! We also watched A Cinderella Story, but I took a nap b/c I'd already seen it and I was tired. But man, can Joce make some yummy blueberry pancakes! Overall, it was a wonderful night!

Sunday night a bunch of us went to Joe's Crab Shack for Russell's birthday. Despite the wait, we had a wonderful time and got to do the chicken dance! I love Joe's! You guys better be up for it again because we're definitely going for my birthday!

I'll leave ya with a quote my wonderful roomie, Sarah, shared with us...

"The only time you should take about someone is if you are on your knees with your hands folded."

10.20.04

I've got a couple quotes for ya...

"Don't go postal, go coastal" ~Jimmy Buffett

and

"Dysfunction doesn't come in isolation." ~Dr. Lyman

Anyway, this has been the longest week, which is weird since I didn't even have work or class Monday. Matt & his mom are up in Ft. Bragg right now visiting his dad. His dad is on lock-down though, so they can only see him at night. Today he is going through POW training, which means he has to sit in a room and be interrogated for 6 hours...that's scary. At least they prepare you for that though, not that you can really be prepared to go to war. This war is definitely hitting home with me right now. I've never really had anyone close to me go to war...and now that it's Matt's dad going, it has hit me hard.

What I've got to do the rest of this week:
-Read for my SCWK 395 midterm tomorrow
-Work on my community resource project for SCWK 395, which includes calling homeless shelters around the area and finding out what resources they offer
-Listen to my HIST 102 lecture online (should have done this over fall break)
-Finish up my resume & prepare for my mock interview
-Prepare for the Right Fit seminar at Westminster on Saturday

Guess that's all...not really that much.

I'm heading out now.

Fall Break

Since everyone else wrote a journal entry about their fall break experience I thought I would too.

Let's start with Friday. I went to work like normal & then waited for Matt to get off work. We headed down to Columbia for the fair. We got there around 5 pm and walked around for a while. We fed some animals & Matt got chased down by a llama. And we rode my favorite ride...the Feuer Ball. Then we went to the Newsboys concert & met up with Erin, Nikki, & some of their friends. I felt real old b/c the first time I saw Newsboys in concert, I was in 6th grade. Those guys are getting pretty old, but they can still rock it out. After the concert we all walked around some more. Then, the coolest thing happened...we rode an elephant! Matt & I rode the elephant & Erin, & two of her friends rode it too. While Matt & I are standing in line to ride the elephant, all of the sudden we hear the elephant fart and no lie, his tail moved up & down b/c the fart was so strong! And then it stunk up the place. That was funny. It was the loudest fart I have ever heard! So, after we walked around some more & rode the Ferris Wheel, Matt & I headed back up to the Thrill.

Saturday I slept until noon & was pretty lazy for a while after that. Then Matt came & picked me up, we went to Bojangles to get some food & headed to the Greenway for a picnic & a hike. We had a nice hike & learned all about poisen ivy (which Matt claims he's not allergic to). Then we went over by the horses & pet this one horse for a while. We fed him some grass & he decided to lay his head on my chest & slobber all over me. Nnnniiiiiccceeee! He was a sweet horse though. After we left the Greenway we went to see The Village at the $1.50 movies. Matt locked his keys in the car, so when we got out his mom met us there to give him a key. His mom is driving this really huge truck for a while. So, Matt & I hop in the back & she rides around the parking lot squeeling "yeehaw!" It was hilarious.

Sunday morning Matt & I were introduced to the congregation at Westminster. I love my new church! :) Then his mom treated us to Sake for lunch. I really can't remember what we did after that...maybe I took a nap? Sunday night we headed over to Joce's to watch Saved with Lori, Joce, Jess & Sarah. I thought it was a pretty good movie.

Yesterday I slept almost all day. I got up at 12:30 pm & watched tv for a while. Then I went back to sleep from 2-3 pm, until Matt called me. Then Matt & I went shopping, to Chick-Fil-A, & Cherry Park. Then I came back to my apt and took another nap. Wow man, you'd think I never got any sleep.

Okay, I gotta go to class now. I'll update more sometime.

Life goes on and on and on...

If Fall Break doesn't hurry up and get here I'm gonna go crazy. This week has been one filled with tests and papers. Though I am done with all that, I still have to go to 3 more classes today. I'm working at the PO tomorrow as well, so my break won't really start until tomorrow afternoon. I am feeling very drained right now, emotionally and physically. I'll be fine once I get some rest.

So, I cleaned out my purse the other day & was amazed to find what random things I did. I'm such a dork because I made a list of what was in my purse so I could post it later for all you to laugh at. So here goes...
-one AAA battery
-two kinds of lipgloss
-two kinds of chapstick
-cell phone
-wallet
-10 coupons for a free bottle of Body by Victoria perfume (if anyone wants one let me know)
-A bag of Hall's Fruit Breezers
-two pads of post-it notes
-checkbook
-4 pens
-2 pencils
-a highlighter
-keys
-eyedrops
-Purell
-Tylenol Cold
-Orbit gum
-a spoon
-Eye Openers mints
-face powder

Wow...that's a lot of junk that I definitely don't need.

Tomorrow after Matt & I get off work we are heading down to Columbia for the fair. I'm definitely excited! I sure do love the fair...the sights, the sounds, the smells...the whole experience. We're gonna meet up with Bethany & hopefully Erin there. That will be lots of fun.

My dad has a job interview next week at Greenville County DSS. Keep him in your prayers.

I'm going to leave you with a random funny quote I read in Glamour this morning..."In bed, men are like microwaves and women are like ovens." haha.

10.12.04

Here I am sitting in the library 30 minutes before my Religion 201 midterm and what am I doing? I'm updating my blog. I've studied my butt off & my mind can't take any more religion right now.

If you are wondering why I haven't been online lately, it's because my computer died. My dad is working on it, so hopefully I will get it back soon. I'm so thankful to have a dad who knows how to fix computers!

I guess my biggest excitement has been that Matt & I are officially members at Westminster now. As of Sunday afternoon, I am a Presbyterian! :) We have met so many amazing people through the Inquirer's Seminar and the other things we have been involved in and I love that. I feel so comfortable there and being comfortable in church is something I haven't felt in a long time. I'm so excited to have found such an amazing church with amazing people who live by the gospel of grace and not legalism!

School is school and it sucks. I'm so ready to get out. I truly can't wait until my internship & getting out in the real world of social work. My passion is with the people, not with the textbook definitions.

Lately, I have been learning how to be more honest with myself as well as others, especially in the little things. When someone asks us where we want to eat & we say we don't care when we really do, why do we do that? Why are we so afraid of hurting others & offending them in little things that don't matter? Matt & I are working on this...being open & honest in every situation. I feel like I have nothing to hide from him & I know he won't judge me, yet sometimes I still hold back. Why is that? Human nature I guess.

Alright, I guess I'm going to head over to Kinard & study for a few more minutes before my midterm.

signs of boredom

So, I called in sick for work today. I'm feeling horrible, but atleast my voice is coming back. I'm tired of sleeping, so I thought I'd do this survey (thanks to Chandra!)...

Who/What/When was your 1st:
Best friend: Crystal Campbell
Friend: I have no idea
Teacher: I don't remember, my mom would though...some teacher at Shandon Methodist preschool
Word: you know, I really don't know...that's kinda sad
School: preschool, Shandon Methodist & real school, Rosewood
Favorite Book: Definitely Go, Dog, Go! That was the first book I read by myself!

Who/What/When was your last:
Cry: Thursday when talking to my mom about Matt giving me my grandmother's engagement ring
Laugh: yesterday Joce, Kelly, & I laughed about a million random things (Oh no! It can only hold 1 1/2 pounds!)
Smile: just now, thinking about the fact that I'm really getting married! Craziness!
Frown: I dunno
Friend: my last friend? Well, the last friends I hung out with were my roomies.
Best Friend: Currently I'd have to say Matt, Joce, & Bethany
Book you read: I read the sparknotes for The Epic of Gilgamesh last Thursday.
GPA: somewhere in the 2.6 range...I forgot exactly what

Who/What/When is your current:
School: Winthrop
Friend: I could name a few
Best Friend: already answered that...Matt, Joce, & Bethany
Book you are reading: The Bible & not much else

When was the last time you ate a/an:
Burger: last Wednesday, I think
Sandwich: last Thursday
Apple: It's been a while
Chocolate: When we ate S'mores on Friday night...apparently mice like Hershey's bars too as Sarah Gibbs found out
Fries: yesterday...mmmm...arby's curly fries!
Icecream: When Joce & I went to Coldstone
Chips: I haven't eaten chips in forever
Candy: Besides chocolate, I can't remember
Rice: last Wednesday night at home
Vegetable: Green Beans at Camp T-Bird (they weren't very good)
Chicken: Saturday night at Camp T-Bird

What time did you:
Wake up: I woke up at 6 this morning & a little bit later called in sick to work...then I slept until 11
Take a shower: haven't taken one today
Eat something: Just now I ate some yogurt
Finish this survey: 11:59 am

It's been awhile...

As usual, I'm staying pretty busy and there have been a lot of changes in my life. First of all, I'm no longer on leadership for Crusade. Unlike some people think, this had nothing to do with Crusade and everything to do with me. I have become involved in RUF and am growing a lot. I am in no way dropping Crusade, for I still have a place for it in my heart, but I have been called elsewhere. I am in the process of joining Westminster and feel called to RUF because it is connected to Westminster. I have never in my life been so excited about getting involved in a church and I feel so blessed.

Also, Matt & I are getting married. YAY! We were originally thinking May of this year, but Matt's dad will be in Iraq, so we are going to wait. Hopefully the wedding will be in December of 2005. I am so thrilled about this. I know it's right. We have been meeting with Jeff Ferguson and he has been of such help to us. When Jeff talks about how marraige should be, I can only think of Matt. Matt is the man of my dreams. I am so blessed. We'll let you all know when we have an official date.

Let me tell you a little story. Today I was at Walgreen's standing at the counter checking out. The lady in front of me had just walked out the doors & starts screaming. This is a blood curtling scream. We didn't know what was going on. A bunch of employees ran outside to find out that this guy had stolen the lady's purse. It was 12:30 pm...in broad daylight, with tons of people around. Yet this guy got away. It was such an eye-opener to me. Even thinking about it now, my heart is pounding. I can still hear this lady's screams in my head. Pretty scary stuff. So, just be careful, you never know what's going to happen.

I guess I should go study for my history test...although I really don't want to.

Picture!

I just figured out how to add pics...so here's one for ya.


Matt & I at the Luau at the Pink Palace!

A deserving entry

This weekend has been wonderful. It has been relaxing, yet very random...

Last night I went over to the Pink Palace for dinner. We (Joce, Devin, Kelly, Lori, & I) were all sitting around when Joce decides she wants PW's Icecream. We add on Abby & head to PW's in the back of Devin's pick-up truck (with Joce driving). After much trouble (can Joce make up her mind?) we get our icecream and are eating it when Joce decides she wants to do something random. After a bit of talking, we decide to go over to campus & slide down the fire chute behind Tillman. We get over to Tillman & climb up the chute...well, Devin, Kelly, & Joce did. Abby, Lori, & I chickened out a little ways up and went back down. Anyway, Devin, Kelly, & Joce have fun sliding down the chute, getting all dirty. I figure out the door is open to Tillman so we go inside to explore. Oh man...I didn't know Tillman was so cool! We went down to the basement & found lots of cool stuff (some of which was very tempting to steal). "Darn those morals!"~Kelly We also went up above the stage in the auditorium, which was really scary! I thought the floor was about to cave in...and those ladders are freaky! Well, we get done exploring Tillman & head back to Devin's truck. We all pile in the back and sit there for a while, having a "pow wow". Abby then decides that she wants to get on the roof of Byrnes. There is a music major, Ronny, sitting outside & he tells us that the sound room is open so we can go up to the roof. Kelly, Abby, & I decide to go for it...but we make Ronny come with us. So we go all the way to the top of Byrnes Auditorium & climb yet another scary ladder through this tiny hole in the roof! We get to the top and whoa...we're on the top of Byrnes! And let me tell you, the whole campus looks so different from up there! It was awesome! So that was our random night last night.

This morning I got up and went to Westminster. Everyone who I usually go with is either out of town or didn't come, so I ended up sitting by myself in the service. It was actually nice. Sometimes it's nice not to have distractions. Then I went to ABF & people I knew were there, so that was nice. After that, we had college luncheon. Mmmm! Tons of yummy food! We had some delicious sweet potato casserole! I really enjoyed the luncheon, b/c I sat with people I didn't know and got to meet lots of people in the church. Then this afternoon, Matt & I went to the Greek Festival in Charlotte. I've never been to a Greek Festival, so it was definitely an experience. It was pretty cool. We got to go in the Greek Orthodox Church & learn about it. They also had food, dancing, & Greek jewelry.

That leads me up to now...I'm sitting in the computer lab in Withers with Matt. He's working on his lesson plan for tomorrow. He gets to teach Math all week long to his 2nd graders!

Okay...that's enough for now. I've written enough! :)

P.S. My heart is happy!

cool verse

Just wanted to share a verse that Matt shared with me...

"His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." ~Psalm 30:5

Thank you God for showering me with your new mercies!

9.9.04

A lot has gone on in the past week and there are a lot of changes taking place in my life right now. While I know all these changes are for the best, it is so hard to understand them right now. Some of the most important things in my life have been taken away from me, but that leaves me to depend only on the Lord. I've hit rock bottom and the only place I can go now is up...towards my Savior.

"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."
~Psalm 18:2

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

I am so glad that this week is over! Praise God for getting me through it all. Hopefully things will start calming down now.

Praise the name of Jesus
Praise the name of Jesus
He's my rock
He's my fortress
He's my deliverer
In Him will I trust!

busy bee

I haven't updated in forever & plan for this one to be a quickie. Things have been so crazy lately. My life has consisted of leaving my apartment at 6:45 am to work at the post office, then heading straight to Books That Matter or class, working on Crusade stuff & finally returning to my apartment around 11 pm. I will be so glad when things settle down! The past two weeks have been horrible, yet they have tought me to not depend on my own strength to get everything done. I can only survive with my God's power.

I am loving living in UP with Kristi, Sarah, & Kendall. I couldn't ask for better roomies.

I'm speaking for our first Crusade meeting this Thursday night! And Rique is doing praise & worship. So you all better come out to Dinkins Auditorium at 8 pm on Thursday!

That's it for now. I've got to get some more stuff crossed off my neverending to do list.

excitement!

Today is August 7th, 2004 and that means Matthew is coming home! It's 11:50 am and he will be here in a little over 5 hours! Rock & roll (as Mikey & Joce would say)!

Being a grasshopper

It's been about two weeks since I have updated.  Things have been busy and stressful.  But all the while, I'm learning to trust in my Savior more and more.  Last weekend I went to a Beth Moore conference with my mom & her best friend.  We learned about bitterness and about how God is our kinsmen-redeemer--how He redeems ALL of us.  We are a shattered plate that the Lord sweeps up every single piece of.  There may be extra pieces of dirt or dust that is swept up with our pieces of glass.  The Lord picks that out--he seperates the good from the bad and makes us whole again.  How awesome it is to know that our Redeemer lives!
 
Things definitely haven't been smooth sailing these past couple weeks.  Things with my family seem to keep going downhill.  My dad still hasn't found a job and tensions are rising in our house.  Through all of this, I have spent more and more time in the Word and seeking out My Savior.  In the past few days, I have been reminded that no matter the situation, God is always there.  No matter how down and out I feel, He is right by my side, even if I can't "feel" Him.  Life is not always going to be easy, but that's when we need to cling to our Lord the most. 
 
Our theme verse for our Bible Study this summer is Isaiah 40:22...

"He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and it's people are like grasshoppers.  He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in." 

This verse has been such a reminder to me of how big my God is.  He will take care of me.  Last week at BS we were talking about this verse and then I came home and started reading this new book I got, Attributes of God by Arthur Pink (thanks to Marion).  I was reading the first chapter and it was all about how great God is and how He doesn't need us to glorify Him--He chose to create us, out of His love.  Then the author quoted Isaiah 40:22.  That was exciting in itself because I have never come across that verse before this summer.  So I go to sleep thinking about how huge my God is and how He is perfect in all that He does.  When I woke up yesterday morning, there was a grasshopper on my floor.  Mind you, it was dead, but I didn't care.  It was the principle of it all.  It was one of those "that's so God" moments that you want to share with everyone.  It was just exciting to me because I have been so drained emotionally and then God placed His little reminder that He's in control of it all.  Good stuff.

 

Yesterday after work, I drove to Columbia to hang out with my Mom, Cameron, & Devin (my mom is keeping the boys this week).  It was so nice just to spend time with those kids--I will always have a special attachment to them.  I just love how spending time with kids refreshes you & makes you look at life in a different way.  We went to Chuck E. Cheese and had a blast.  Cameron wanted me to spend the night, but of course I had to come home and come back to the reality of working at the post office this morning.  Some days I just miss spending time with kids so much.  Then this afternoon I got a call from the nursery director at Westminster because I signed Matt & I up to work in the fall.  That was exciting.  I can't wait to meet more kids & spend time with more people at Westminster.  I am looking forward to getting involved there. 

 

Joce moved in with KAD on Sunday.  It's so nice having her back in the Thrill.  I've been spending lots of time with her & Kelly this week.  How nice it is to have wonderful friends who live around the corner--even if they do burn the brownies!  I love my girls in the Pink Palace!

 

Matt comes home in 9 days.  Wow!  How freakin' excited is Mackey?!?!  REAL EXCITED!!!

 

Sorry this is such a long post.  I've just been thinking and learning a lot lately. 

It's Friday!

It's finally Friday!  I wish you all could see me & Darlene do the "Friday dance" at work. 
 
I have been extremely busy lately, that's my excuse for my lack of updating.  I've been working, hanging out with Kelly, doing BS, spending time with my family, & working on some stuff for CRU this semester.  Yesterday Kelly & I hit the road & headed to Spartanburg to visit Joce.  It was nice to spend some time with her.  Kelly & I had some major laughs, even though I did annoy her by talking about Matt and Jessica & Ashlee Simpson the whole time. 
 
I tell ya, I am so spoiled at work.  These ladies treat me so wonderfully--especially Darlene.  She treats me like I'm her daughter.  She gave me her car (and said I didn't have to pay her for it, although I am), brings me presents, & treats me to meals.  She is the most generous person I have ever met in my life.  I'm learning a lot from her.
 
22 days until Matthew comes home.  I'm really excited, but this time apart has been wonderful for both of us.  We have learned how to focus our relationship on God & not eachother.  It is so wonderful to have a boyfriend that wants to pray with you & for you every time you talk.  I am so blessed. 
 
Guess that's it for now, hopefully I'll update again soon.  Sorry I'm such a slacker. 

An eventful week

Wow--lots has happened this week! Thursday was a crazy day. First of all, it was mine and Matt's 2 month anniversary! Yay! So, Darlene from work decided she was going to get a new truck and wanted to sell me her old car. It was such a random decision, but I have a car now! Holler! It's a 2-door bright red Plymouth Sundance. And that wasn't all the excitement for the day. Thursday afternoon, I put some Hartz flea treatment on my baby Baxter, not knowing the treatment is toxic and can kill cats. A few hours later Bethany (who was staying with me for a couple days) noticed he was acting really sluggish and he threw up. I went to go check on him and he was shaking really bad. My mom told me to take him to the vet. By this time it was after 8 pm and we could only find one vet in Rock Hill that was open. So we took Baxter there and they rushed him in and gave him two shots of Valium. It was pretty scary! The vet said they see this all the time though, that they should take this medication off the market because it kills cats. Well, they don't have overnight staff at that vet and they were worried that he needed special care, so they referred us to the emergency animal hospital in Charlotte. We drove to Charlotte and dropped my baby off and they gave him an IV and all kinds of medicine and monitored him overnight. The doctor called me in the morning and said he was doing so well I could take him home. Now Baxter is home and back to normal bouncing around the house. He definitely gave me a scare though!

I was going through some old journals and notebooks and found this quote from my favorite author, Brennan Manning...

"Jesus comes not for the super-spiritual but for the wobbly and weak-kneed who know they don't have it all together, and who are not too proud to accept the handout of amazin' grace."

I was just thinking about that and realizing how grateful I am that Jesus came for me--a sin-scarred girl who continues to mess up every single day. Sometimes I feel so unworthy of God's grace, but that's the whole point to Christ. None of us is worthy to receive His grace, that's what makes Christ's death so amazing. Anyway, that's just my little thought.

Do not fear

I've been helping out with VBS at Stough Memorial (Lori's church) this week. Lots of kids=lots of fun! I'm helping out with the kindergarteners (of which we had 33 last night) and they are definitely wild. But, we get to sing lots of fun songs about Jesus, do silly hand movements and lots of fun crafts. Holler for being a kid again!

I'm heading to Columbia on Friday to meet up with Erin, KAD, and Russell for the Warren Barfield concert at CIU. Then KAD & I are going to spend the night at Erin's new pad! And on Saturday I am going to go visit my sweet Reaser kids--Matthew, Megan, & Patrick.

I'm going to leave you with the words of one of the songs we've been singing at VBS, which is so simple, yet so refreshing to hear...

Do not fear for I am with you
Do not be afraid
Do not fear for I am with you
Believe in the promise I made

Trusting my Savior

So, you know how it goes...you have a wonderful week & then something really bad happens and smacks you back into reality. That's just how life is. Well, last week was a great week for me--just really good spiritually & emotionally. Then, on Monday, my dad was laid off. Let me explain. When my dad got the job at the Children's Attention Home, it was planned that he was going to start in January, but then when the director left this summer (she was resigning), he would take her place. Now, the director has decided not to resign and they don't have enough money in their budget to pay both her and my dad. So, they had to let my dad go. Yeah, it's pretty crazy and I was a little bitter at first. Now I am trusting that God has another perfect plan in store for my family. My dad is looking for a job around here, being that my family just moved here and they love the area. There is always the possibility that my family will have to move again though. That could be really hard. So, once again, we are relying on God to provide for our family. I found this verse today...

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." ~Romans 15:13

It was pretty cool though because I was doing my Experiencing God study yesterday and it was all about God being our Provider. He definitely knows what we need when we need it! I'm glad my God is a God full of hope!

Turning over a new leaf

So, this summer is one of turning over a new leaf for me and lots of changes. Therefore, I decided to start a new journal...well, a blog .So, here goes the rambling...

God has been doing amazing things in my life lately. Matt left for Santa Cruz last Monday, which was difficult. But, I was pretty excited because I knew that God is going to do amazing things in each of our lives this summer & our relationship will grow because of this time. God's already proven me right. This week has been one of hardcore depending on my Savior for comfort and encouragement. On Wednesday, I bought an NIV study Bible, which I'd been wanting for a while and Experiencing God. I love the excitement of a new Bible & Bible study! It's so cool to know that God is going to work in me. I'm so ready for Him to renew my heart & spirit. Lately, I have been so consumed by living life itself that I have just settled for pushing God aside. The past few days I have just been falling on my face & realizing that I desperately need my Savior even when things seem to be going great.

I spent this weekend hanging out with KAD & Erroneous. We had lots of good talk time and stuff. Gotta love that. Last night we went to see Bethany Dillon, Casting Crowns, Mark Shultz, & FFH. It was amazing--especially Bethany Dillon & Casting Crowns. Bethany Dillon is such an inspiration. She's only 15 and has such a heart for God. I look at her and wish I was like that when I was 15, and even now. She wrote this song, All I Need, and while she was singing it last night I was just like "whoa...He is all I need." Nothing more, nothing less. Anyway, here are the lyrics for ya...and if you wanna check out any of her other stuff (which you should because it's all amazing) you can go to her website at www.bethanydillon.com.

All I Need

When the day is done
And there’s no one else around
While I’m lying here in bed
You’re in my heart, You’re in my head
You’re all I need, You’re all I need
There are a million voices
Calling out my name
But You’re the One I want to hear
So make the others disappear
You’re all I need, You’re all I need

You are all I need when I’m surrounded
You are all I need if I’m by myself
You fill me when I’m empty
There is nothing else
You’re all I need

When the morning comes
And Your mercy is renewed
There’s a fire in my bones
I’m not afraid to go alone
You’re all I need, You’re all I need
The sun on my face
I hear You whisper loud
You’re still the God that opens seas
Every flower, even me
You’re all I need, You’re all I need

I’m drawn to everything that You do
Nothing compares with You

And another cool thing. Joce shared this quote with me the other day and it smacked me in the face!

"You have not been sprinkled with forgiveness. You have not been spattered with grace. You have not been dusted with kindness. You have been immersed in it. You are submerged in mercy. You are a minnow in the ocean of his mercy. Let it change you!" ~Max Lucado

I just thought that was cool because so many times I sin & just sit there and dwell in that failure. But I should let Christ's forgiveness change my life. His forgiveness should make a difference in how I live every single minute of every day!