::Prioritizing People::

When times gets crazy and there are lots of activities to plan, things to clean, and homework to finish, the first thing I pitch out of my life is my time for relationships. Recently, I have realized the problem with this particular mind frame. God calls us to build relationships with each other and caring for one another. What a failure I am! So this weekend I am trying to change this. I got the opportunity to go out with some lovely ladies to Oberweis to get some amazing FREE LATTEs! Wait did you hear that FREE. Yup and it was so lovely to get to catch up with these girls. Then Lindsey and I went to a friends movie night and saw tons of old and hopefully new friends. For me the easiest thing to do is hole up in my room, I guess this is my introverted side coming out. But I know that this can be a very wrong thing. Thank you to all who keep me accountable, and to those who want to see me smile! 

::Sometimes You Just Gotta Live A little::

There are days where the only times I see my room is right before I go to bed. I feel like I am constantly busy. Don't get me wrong, I love the activities that I choose to be committed to, but sometimes you just gotta let your hair down. And so Friday I did just that. After I crashed on my bed (being busy makes you tired) I was woken by my phone with a simple text message saying, "game night". That little phrase changed my Friday into a whole bunch of fun.

::>2 believers=He will be there::

I feel the need to brag, not on my abilities but on Gods. Over the summer He has brought some fantastic women into my life that encourage, love, and keep me accountable to what God expects. They have been there when I have been sad, glad and upset. They are great examples of women who love God and want to see others grow. Each one of them are very different and are in the same but various parts of their life. They are all important parts of the University and I thank God for allowing them to be a part of my life. Now we are continuing our summer small group into the school year and I cannot wait to see how God moves each one of us. 

::RA training week::

Let me first begin to say that RA training (RAT week) is not just a week, it is more like 10 days. I am convinced that they claim "week" to make us feel better (it's not working). But in all seriousness, this is my first time going through this blessed event and I am rather excited. We are about half way through (it started last Wednesday) and I have learned some important things. I am now CPR and first aid certified which is good, in case of any mishaps or emergencies during the year. I have gotten to know some new people (there are two new male RA's) and formed deeper relationships with the ones I already knew. I have moved more dressers and desks than I would ever like to see and cleaned more showers than ever before. But hey, it just makes the students excitement about moving in more rewarding. I finally have my room clean (if you know me then you know that this is quite a feat.) and my hall is mostly done. 

I wish I could right more but we have a service project at 8 am tomorrow!!!

P.S. Sorry for the lapse in blogs but our server seems to have a grudge against blogger! :-( 

::Blessed Sunday::

Oh Wow, yesterday was such a blessing. It started out with attending The Journey in west county. I enjoy the worship so much, as it is a mix of old hymns with a up-to-date beat. Then Darrin Patrick, the lead pastor, continued his message of Finding Jesus in the Old Testament. I appreciate the historical context that he began his message with, as often times this is left out of a sermon.

After Church, A couple of friends and I went to Red Robin for lunch. At lunch, we discussed so many things including the sermon and the impact it had on each of us. I thank God daily for the friends he has put into my life.

That evening I went with my boss and her children to Fee Fee Baptist Church to see a concert, which they have every Sunday night. Brittany Howard did such a great job with the talents and gifts God has given to her. She has such a beautiful voice and she uses it to praise the Lord. After the concert the church served the congregation dinner. I personally appreciated their servant hearts.

Overall it was a great Sunday and am thankful that my heart is renewed for another week!

::The Girl is back in town::

That's right, a college friend of mine (T) spent the weekend with me as we painted the town red. Okay we really didn't paint the town red, and it wasn't just me and her, as she often has ulterior motives for coming to see "me". But I still had a great time. My best friend and roommate was out of town so T was a nice distraction. It started out with a easy lunch on Friday afternoon followed by watching a movie until T and her "ulterior motive" left for dinner. Then I took a nap and got a call later to meet up with them and other friends to play a rowdy game of phase 10. We finished up really late and made plans to see the movie Get Smart (Review of that to come later). So the next morning T and I got up to see the movie then went to the wonderful Chick-fil-A for lunch. All in all it was a good day. Then this morning T left for her home, I hope there will be many more great weekends with T.

::Quiz:The odd one::

I saw this "quiz" on another persons blog and thought it would be a great way for people to know more about me......don't be too frightened.

50 Odd Things About Me

1. Do you like blue cheese? Yes, it was my dad's favorite dressing when I was younger and have just recently acquired the taste for it.

2. Have you ever smoked heroin? Absolutely not

3. Do you own a gun? No, but I am a pretty good "shot".

4. What flavor do you add to your drink at sonic? I have only been there once and I don't remember what I got, all I remember was that there was this huge lime in the bottom and that grossed me out.

5.Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? I dislike all doctors with a passion.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? I am not a fan.

7. Favorite Christmas movie? Um, I like the Christmas story, isn't that the one with the toy gun and the famous phrase is "you'll shoot your eye out" and that crazy leg lamp?

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Orange Juice or a coffee drink

9. Can you do push ups? Yes...just don't ask how many

10. What helps you sleep at night? I love my body pillow and curling up against the wall

11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? I have a purity ring that I always wear.

12. Favorite hobby? Hmmm....I'm not sure, I like pictures, taking them and scrap booking and that stuff.

13. Favorite store? Target for sure...I could spend hours there and they carry almost everything

14. Do you have A.D.D.? No, but I am easily distracted

15. What's one trait you hate about yourself? I don't smile enough....there is not enough time to always be frowning and I am uber messy, and that I can't follow directions lol (three traits :-) )

16. Middle name? Marie

17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment. Should I really be doing this at work, Do I really have anything else to do, and I hope I don't burn dinner

18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday? Well since it was memorial day I really didn't buy anything, but today I got lunch at the Perk.

19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Water, coffee, and orange juice.

20. Current worry?How I am going to pay for the mac that I want to buy this summer

21. Current hate right now? Definitely would have to say price of gas. Grrr to my gas guzzling Cadillac

22. Favorite place to be? Forest Park or the beach:)

23. How did you bring in the New Year? I think I spent that evening in the dorms "partying it up-mobap style" with some friends

24. Where would you like to go? Europe again, and somewhere warm and not raining

25. Name three artists that you enjoy. Shane and shane, Van Gogh, and Dorothea Lange, they never said what type of artists

26. Do you own slippers? I have some crazy slipper socks.

27. What shirt are you wearing? I have a yellow, green and blue floral shirt on (it is not as crazy as it seems).

28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I have never slept on them, but I don't think I would like it.

29. Can you whistle? yes I am often doing so.

30. Favorite color? Pink

31. Would you be a pirate? The pirate/ninja debate will never end in my mind!

32. What songs do you sing in the shower? As of lately I am trying to sing old hymns in the shower to try to get my mind focused on God daily.

33. Favorite girl's name? I don't know right now I like Evangeline

34. Favorite boy's name? I really like Steven.

What's in your pocket right now? My cell phone.

36. Last thing that made you laugh? I always laugh at work, often when John is around.

37. Best bed sheets as a child? I don't know as I have a lousy memory.

38. Worst injury you've ever had? I have had two severe concussions

39. Do you love where you live? No, Missouri has the worst weather ever, but I love my living situation

40. How many TVs do you have in your house? two

41. Who is your loudest friend? Chelsea for sure...she is the loudest person I have ever met, but also one of the sweetest

42. How many dogs do you have? None but I like them

43. Does someone have a crush on you? That is a silly question, I don't know.

44. Favorite way to spend the day. Exploring....well everything, but I love new places

45. What is your favorite book? I don't know I love to read but I don't have any favorites, I am a fan of the Bible though.

46. What is your favorite candy? I really don't like chocolate so that rules out alot but I do like skittles

47. Favorite Sports Team? I don't know I really like hockey, and I like the Red wings

48. What song do you want played at your funeral? As the deer.

49. What were you doing 12 AM last night? Getting ready for bed

50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? I don't want to get up yet...but if not Kelly will attack me and yell at me for not getting up.

God working through the year....

I want to share the incredible opportunities that God has blessed me with this year:

*Just today He allowed me to see a resident in my hall(M.H.) recite a verse in chapel in her native tongue

*I got the opportunity to meet Steven Curtis Chapman (very kind and down to earth)

*He has given me the words to witness to a few people and share my testimony

*I met my best friend, which is something I have never had before.

*I have been able to fail, this sounds so odd but being very "focused" failure is not an option.

*God has shown me his might through my weakness.

*He has shown me how to be humble through Servant Leadership

*This may be silly but he allowed me to be crowned homecoming queen.

*He has given me the opportunity to share my education to others.

*He has shown me the many reasons why men and women are different.

*God has given me an amazing job (I wake up everyday and DO NOT dread work)

*He has given me countless times to overcome my stage fright.

*He has given me a sense of belonging

And these are just some of the ways I have been blessed.

Peace.