little reminders

I love it when the Lord sends me little reminders that He created this Earth for us to enjoy and delight in and be joyful to do so. I was flipping through my planner and it has little inspirational quotes and things like that in it. I came across this one and was like YES! I need to do this!! Hence the whole reason for starting this blog. It told me to...
"Take part in all the joy that surrounds you. In every moment there is a blessing to behold." ~Flavia
There is a blessing in every moment to behold. No matter if you are doing homework for hours or spending time with your favorite people in the world. It's all a blessing. PRAISE JESUS!

the little things

Some little things today that just made me smile:

- checking blackboard to find out my assignments are easy as PIE
- eating pizza (for the 4th night in a row)
- coming home to Chelsey & Eric singing Popular from the WICKED soundtrack
- volunteering at Unity
- listening to a little boy read in Spanish
- spending time with Gabby
- making reward systems for the boy I'm tutoring
- feeling like a REAL teacher
- Zucchini bread & all of it's delicious-ness
- having cable again (thanks to Molly)
- watching a really funny episode of friends
- seeing Emily in our house- BECAUSE SHE LIVES HERE!!! :)

I'm sure there are more...but this covers a lot!

fall is in the air!...so are thai food and cute cottages!

wowwwzaaa, I can't believe the weekend is over! I feel very refreshed due to all the wonderful relaxing that happened this weekend :)

I was able to go out for Thai food with my lovely friend Liz, and it was a delightful night-- Great food & atmosphere + great conversation = great night! I think it's super amazing that we can experience little baby pieces of other cultures (even if it's in an Americanized bubble) ...but yea, I love Thai mmm :) I'm really blessed to have authentic friendships in my life; it blesses me in so many ways to be able to be humble & transparent with loved ones.

I was walking on the quad on Friday afternoon, and passed a group of girls all talking about their favorite things about Fall...! There are TONS of marvelous things about Fall- apples, sweaters, Halloween, football (even I get excited about that), cider, leaves, trees, colors, crisp air, ahhh it's so great! It has really gotten chilly, but it's exciting; there truly is something special about this time of year, and I'm already feeling it. I hope to cherish the Fall season and spend some time outside, especially on the quad!

I watched The Holiday this weekend...man I love that movie; it's very predictable and chick flicky, but it still wins me over! The cottage that Kate Winslet lives in is like...my dream home. IT'S SO ADORABLE...! If you don't know what I'm talking about, go watch it just for the cute cottage :) Or google it..! It's just so cozy and perfect. They made it solely for the movie, so I wonder if anyone lives there...because if not, adios Linden House! haha kidding :)

Alright, well that's all for nowwwww- have a great Monday finding joy :)

IT'S ALL GOLDEN BABY!

I turned 22 this week!!! On September 22nd! I don't know if you know this or not, but that is considered a golden birthday! It was so special to me because I got to have a big party that all my friends could attend. I felt sssssoooooo loved and blessed throughout the entire weekend and this past week. God has blessed me with such great roommates that would let/help me through a party. Not only am I blessed with such wonderful roommates, but He has also given me ssssooooooo many people that love me and want nothing but the best for me. Friends that have become family that I can have really amazing conversations with about hard stuff like feelings or about fun stuff like farting. I am so glad God has placed each and every person in my life and am so thankful for how differently we all love on each other.

Sorry if this post was really jumbled to read. Bottom line...... GOD IS GOOD! and this was a birthday I will never forget!

Encouragement.

The past two weeks have been a bit hectic for me with papers, presentations, and exams. There have been times were I've been completely stressed out, but luckily God used this time to surprise me with two very important things.

The two biggest issues I faced upon returning to school were needing a job and getting into my major and this week both of those problems ended up being solved. After looking for a job for the past few weeks and realizing I didn't really have any room in my schedule for one I got an offer from my friend Karen. She needed someone to watch Hamilton for 5 hours a week and this fit perfectly in my schedule. It also pleased my parents knowing I finally got a job. I started yesterday and I loved playing with such an adorable little boy. :) On Monday my second problem was solved. After fighting with the university for two years I was finally able to get in a major. So now I am officially a Geography Education Major. Not exactly what I planned but it allows me to teach history, which is something I'm really passionate about.

Though I was really excited about finally getting a major and having a plan to finish school I faced negative feedback from a family member that happens to have a lot of say in my education. She didn't seem pleased with what I've chosen to do as a career, mainly because history teachers aren't needed in schools right now. But after talking to my loving mother and encouraging boyfriend I was reminded that God has a plan for me no matter what major I have or what I choose to teach. It was just encouraging that both of them told me to trust that God can work through me in whatever I do and that I should continue to study what I'm passionate about rather than giving up to please someone else.

God is great.

to a special lay-day!

It's CHELSEY's GOLDEN BIRTHDAY!!!
Happy Birthday Chelsey Lynn! We all love you SO SO SOOOO much!

happy list

• Having long phone conversations with old friends
• Having mexican food 3 days in a row
  
• Watching Friends episodes that I forgot existed
  
• Feeling sunny warmth
  
• Hearing from the Lord
• Enjoying nature
  
• Practicing hospitality
• Being energetic
• Having loving sisters and a loving mother
  
• Writing
• Feeling at home in this house
  
• Brainstorming creative ideas
• Visiting with distant friends
• Receiving encouragement and truth
  
• Getting my sunroof fixed
• Reminiscing
  
• Wondering

this is what has recently made me smile :)

entering Narnia

Saturday at womens breakfast we were given the opportunity to spend some time in silence & solitude. Ohh let me tell you, that was a much needed time with the Lord. I've been really at awe lately at how God continues over and over again to be so incredibly faithful and ALWAYS meets His children just where they need him to.


I spent my time at the nature sanctuary, it's so incredibly beautiful there. Walking into the little hidden forest area was eerily inviting. There was this crazy vibe like the wooded area was different, more special. It was weird because I've been there a number of times and it was always just a normal, run of the mill nature area. I came to learn that God had planned a special little date for us. In that hidden forest in my time with the Lord I felt so at ease, so comforted. It was as if God Himself were wrapping His arms around me. I couldn't stop thinking "firm foundation...firm foundation..." it was hard to silence my thoughts (which is typical). God truly revealed to me the comforts of taking refuge in Him. And He IS my firm foundation. Standing in the presence of the Lord and walking with Him will bring nothing but joy. I was so encouraged by our time together there. I'm excited to see what He will teach me in future afternoons in the narnia-esque forest. <3

who do you belong to?

my roommates are incredible...we worked as a unit to throw an awesome party for chels :) i really appreciate the way they've all really helped out...! watching our church serve each other in hospitality is awesome; liz & brook threw a great slumber party last night! at both parties, it was so great to visit with people and enjoy one anothers company...what a blessing :)

solitude with God is GREATTTT. He continues to teach me how to listen and discern. I believe He's shown me that I am His intricate & beautiful creation, and that He is changing and growing me immensely in this season of my life...I don't know, I was just thinking...isn't it amazing to know that you belong to someone? I find joy in the fact that I am the Lord's. I belong to Him. WOW! Sorry this was pretty vague....but hey, sometimes simplicity is the way to go.

NIGHT! :)

SUPRISE!!

Surprise visits by friends from out of town ROCK MY WORLD!!

Fantastic!!!!!

Today was a fantastic day!

I just love the beautiful weather. Fall is my favorite season and today I could smell the falling leaves and it was just gorgeous.

I also got to take a fantastic nap and make puppy chow!! Yum.

KK and I also talked about what the new Earth is going to be like. We will get to walk around with the people that we love just like we do now and just experience life together. But there will be no suffering and everything will be perfect. I just cannot wait. God is so good!!!

I LOVE my job!!! :)

I feel like God has been really using people in my life to show me how much He loves me lately and it's SUPER awesome. Today He used Sean (the 6 year old boy with Autism that I babysit 4 days a week). I was sitting the recliner watching Sean play his video game (he was super engrossed in it!) & he was sitting on the couch. Out of no where he got up, came over to my chair, climbed in my lap, gave me a HUGE hug, said, "I love youuu", and then kissed me on the cheek!!! It was precious! I'm super excited because I feel like God is using me to help in grow in his social shortcomings and days like today are so super duper encouraging! Yay for Seanie!

Piano

Today I realized that there is hope for me to proficiently play the piano. I can't wait to start practicing! And music makes me smile :)

Treasure Hunt

My golden birthday party is this weekend and I am so excited to celebrate with people. I have kind of been stressing out about what I am going to wear and when I will get decorations and food and stuff like that (you know... girly stuff). But over the past couple of days it has all been coming together and just makes me more excited! The best part is that today I finally found my outfit! There are only two words to describe it.... GOLD SKIRT!! I'm so excited for this weekend!!! Pictures will come later. :)

be optimistic, don't yah be a-grumpy... just smile smile smile & Be HAPPY!

So---despite being stressed out and discouraged in several areas I feel that God has given me a great hope in Him and incredible feelings of joy. I have had a rough couple of days and I am realizing that even when my world seems to be crashing down around me in little ways, God has blessed me beyond belief. I have wonderful, loving and supportive room mates that will wipe away my tears, pray for me when I'm in need, just listen, and go out of their way to help me out. I have a incredible, giving, caring boyfriend who is willing to give up his car for me to continue to live a normal life and listen to me patiently as I try to communicate through tears. I have been blessed with talented and genuine professors. I was offered the opportunity to work an extra day every week, which takes away a HUGE financial burden. I have an amazing, fun, relaxing job- that will boost my resume! God has REALLY provided in the past day or so and it has been so encouraging. I feel so loved.

Praise our loving Lord!

Love is in the air

Today at marching band rehearsal it was a birthday for one of the tenor sax girls. After the traditional "Happy Birthday" short chant from the band, her boyfriend (also a tenor sax) calls her up to the tower where he walks her up to the top of it and proposes to her at the place the two them met, Dem Hall field...in front of the entire SMB. Best way to end rehearsal ever!!!

PRAISE GOD!!!

Dr. Terry Jones has decided to not go through with the Quran burning this Saturday!!

I am so full of joy and thankfulness :) Best day ever...

Click here to Read!

Music

Today, I didn't fail my sight-singing quiz. That made me happy.

I am also starting to see where my life could be going and I am really excited about it. God has a perfect plan for me :) YAY!

I met my CT (cooperating teacher) today for my observation/pre-student teaching at U-High and am just really encouraged by her demeanor and personality- super fun and down to earth...she told us to forget perfection and it's okay to fail...she just wants us to dive in and interact with the students! She seemed super sincere and genuine; she said she TRULY loves teaching more and more the longer she does it. I got placed in an Amer. Lit class which I'm really excited about because I really enjoyed Amer. Lit in high school and she said something along the lines of "in that class, i really don't focus about what's on the page, but more on what the students can gather from it- the bigger ideas it leads into about life, issues, etc." and I was just SO encouraged because that's one of the reasons I got into English Ed...I think the freedom in my content area is really incredible and I want it to be embraced by educators! There is so much room to talk about real life...and I want to encourage the students to figure out what they believe to be true...they need positive influences in their lives and idk, for the first time in a LONG time (especially after my veryyyy discouraging class last semester), I feel like wow, maybe teaching IS a good work...maybe it ISN'T a lost cause...maybe there is something left for me in this field, maybe i can excel in this, maybe i could end up falling in love with it, maybe i could teach after graduating, and maybe, just maybe the Lord wants me to see it through. I have NO idea what will happen...but I feel hope in the Lord...He will show me which path to take. I'm thankful for that. I think I'm blessed to have this big, stressful, new opportunity. Let's do ittt!! Sorry if this made no senseeeee bc i wrote it in like 4 seconds..I need to go to bed! YIKES.

God's good!!

the middle of the week

You know what's super awesome about Wednesdays? For most people it's the middle of the week...but for me, it's the end of the week! 2 classes today, home work almost completed, work with an awesome cute 6 year old, date night, and then tomorrow (Thursday) comes and guess what that means?!? HOME GROUP & this week is a little extra special because DREW is coming! :) Can't wait for the rest of the week.

Oh and lately I've really been enjoying my learning, and doing home work and studying...call me a nerd what ever!

Mmmm Cookies

As I was procrastinating from doing my homework last night I decided to bake some cookies. I really love making things from scratch and wish that I was better at it and just knew how to do stuff. You know what I mean? Anyways, I just really love making things and hope I can bless people with that. And let's face it, COOKIES ARE SO GOOD!

testing, testing...

so, this is kind of just a test...but yea!

I'm really happy that we came up with an idea, and saw it through! I feel like a lot of times we just dream, which is great, but to actually act on stuff like this is exciting to me :)

I'm feeling happy that my internet is working, and that I can come home tomorrow and do my homework here! Andddd...we have a shortened week of school, which is really awesome! My long weekend was relaxing, and I'm thankful for that.

I also just ate some trail mix...WHICH ROCKS!

New Blog!

I am excited for this new blog that we have started. It spawned from an idea from a couple of girls that were on LT. I think it is going to be awesome and I can't wait for everyone to get excited about this idea as well.

Happy Thinking! :)