My Weekend Away

I had a wonderful time this weekend on a GTO (Γ Τ Ω) retreat. Am I a part of the club? No, but it's full of some of the sweetest people on campus. 

There's something gratifying about knowing that you can go away on a retreat with guys and girls and not having to worry about anything going on that shouldn't. On the way back from the bathhouse on Saturday after the day's events were through--and this was around 1:00 a.m.--I heard worship songs being sung around the campfire. 

After everything was done, there was a group of guys and girls singing to God together. Not going off and doing inappropriate things with their significant others, but praising God; worshipping together! 

There was so much this weekend that reminded me of how blessed I am and how much God has given me! There was a period of time on Saturday where we had "Prayer Trail" where we had a passage to read on our own for an hour for personal reflection and prayer to God. You could either read Psalm 39 and 40 or read something of your own. I headed off into the woods to see if I could find a spot off the gravel road. As I made my way down a trail, my heart was warmed as I saw individuals leaning by trees and huddled over logs, bibles cradled in their crossed legs. I couldn't help but smile; THIS is what they want to do on a weekend! Personal reflection and prayer... I digress. 

I looked over into the woods as I walked, saw a fallen tree shaped like an L cradled by gorgeous yellow, orange, and red leaves, and that's when I couldn't keep walking. This was the place for me! I trudged off the path and plunged through the crisp leaves to lean against a tree just above the fallen one. I was seated above a small ravine that then lurched back up into a hillside covered with beautiful autumn leaves. As I sat reading my bible, I heard a rustling in the brush beyond the drop. Looking up, I saw a deer galloping through the leaves. If God was trying to get to me, trying to speak to me, this was definitely that moment. What beautiful things God has given us and blessed us with! He created it all; it was almost too much for me. I was overwhelmed with the beauty around me. The awesome creation I was a part of just going on around me! So often we forget to stop our busy schedules and take the time to enjoy all that God has made. Every bit of nature is so complicated. We go on living, thinking nothing of the natural beauty around us. So often I know that I have thought that it's all just a pretty thing to look at. But below the surface there's so much LIFE! To stop and listen you hear so much. From the leaves to the bugs to the birds and the deer, nature is so complicated. There is nothing about nature that is simple! What a foolish thought! 

I'm done with my rant, my apologies. ;)

But anyway, I read over the passage, and then did some of my own reading. I stumbled upon this passage and thought I'd share:

"But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my cause and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the light; I shall look upon his vindication" (Micah 7:7-9 ESV).

In all, my weekend away was much needed and I enjoyed every bit of it. I feel like even at a Christian University I rarely get enough time in for studying the bible. I was feeling lost, alone, confused. All of the "God time" I got in this weekend boosted my spirits and helped me to remember who I am and who's I am. I hope you all can make time this week for personal reflection and time in prayer with God!

Hello All!

I have not used my blog in so long... I feel like I've neglected everything. Maybe it's about time I got back to blogging. Since college I haven't found much time for any sort of documentation or journaling but maybe I can change that from now on. No Promises...

Since packing up and heading to Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee, I have been so busy with the constant movement of college. Never is there a dull moment here, never a calm day. There is always something happening, always some event being planned, and always continuous sleepless nights. Even though I never seem to get a break, I absolutely love it here. 

Freed is a christian university and it represents that in so many ways. I can't tell you how much I've grown mentally and spiritually in my year and a half of being here and how much I wouldn't change this opportunity for the world! I'm learning daily by making it through my shortcomings, experiencing different devotionals, and taking on new leadership roles. 

So many people ask me what it's like to go to a school full of people claiming to be Church of Christ and all I have to say is it's wonderful! There is no stronger bond you can have with someone than sharing your spirituality. So many people have told me that "college is where you make friends that will last a lifetime." As much as I believed that and still do, there's more I'd like to add. College IS where you make friends that last a lifetime, but Freed is where you make friends that last beyond this life. There is nothing as encouraging as knowing that the friends I have already share my beliefs. I truly believe that because my friends and I already have our relationship with God as groundwork for our friendship, we can build so much stronger bonds with each other than you could ever imagine!

The choral group that I'm involved with now is designed so that people can hear us sing and also know God. We sing A Capella hymnals and arrangements focused around making a difference, accepting God, and even outlines the struggles we all have in this life. Dr. Gary McKnight, our director has been such an impressionable person on the entire Chorale. Some of the things he's said:

"To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, and to be late is to be left."

"Remember who you are and who's you are!"

"Oh yeah, that's perfect! Print that on a T-shirt!"

I'm loving it here and continuously growing in my spirituality, my faith. 

Winter Weather & Twitter-pated Twits!

Its been forever since I've blogged, blogging takes so much time! So what's been happening since forever ago? I took Government and Short Story in summer school, and started off my school year with only one class needed to be outa here: College Writing. And Even If I did want to graduate early--which I didn't--I couldn't because College Writing was second Semester so I decided to keep my schedule. I dropped band and choir for second Semester so I could focus on what I love and am going in to, that being art. I took Sculpture last year, but I enjoyed it so much I decided to take it again this year along with Design Technology. I was down in this old building way off campus for my last hour of the day last semester, but I go out 5 min earlier than everyone else because we had so far to walk to get down there. Now that I have Sculpture in it's place, I find myself rushing to beet the rush-hour after school traffic of angst-y mind-melted teenagers with nothing on their minds but what terribly inappropriate things they're "so gunna do" that weekend rather than focus on their mad driving. But of course, my day is never complete without some jerk-wad screaming at me from outside the car as they walk out from school--in the middle of the road mind you!--"Nice Car, haha..." ...


Well! Excuse me for not being a spoiled-brat, mommy-does-my-laundry, daddy-gots-me-a-new-car-ima-wreck-in-a-week-anyways anal rich kid! Ugh... and honestly, my fathers hand-me-down '93 for escort station wagon is not all that bad...it runs, okay? Idiots...
Anyway, enough of my anal ranting. I often pick up my sister from school because I'm closest I guess.

We went to Texas for Christmas it was really nice to be able to go back after about 3 years of missing out. I got a spectacular camera from my aunt and uncle, it definitely makes my favorite list, really nice one. I got my Senior pictures done a while ago and had them ordered, now I have to hand them out =/. Richard got his wisdom teeth taken out Monday, no swelling at all that little weasel. Knowing me I'll be a blow-fish on day three when it's my turn to have my mouth slit and my teeth ripped out. He's off to Lambert's with his friends before he goes back to college tomorrow and mom's moping about him being gone tonight, it was supposed to be pizza night but we did it yesterday to satisfy her. Now she's standing in the kitchen making salad all comfy and what-n0t while my sister is at the computer probably "like"ing every facebook group in the history of it's existence.

I took the EN100 today, its a timed writing (50 min) essay sort of thing we have to do in College Writing. You have to write an entire essay in the allotted time and have a title. Titles are stinkin hard... my title ended up being "Angst, Angst" because the topic was on our one concern of this time in our life and decided to write about my Career Path and my indecisiveness about what I want to be, where I want to go, what I want to do, and where I want to end up. Hence the "Angst, Angst" title. =)

Well I'm off to do whatever it is I end up doing tonight, I'll probably just watch T.V. since my friends are all lame. Apparently there has to be someone to make a plan and considering we all are the ones who don't really care what happens as long as something does, we all end up doing nothing because no one actually gets around to planning anything. It's a vicious cycle.


Ta ta for now,

Me



Have a great and safe winter!

A New Frame & A Bunch of Nonsense

Today was hecktick, I had a test that I wasn't prepared for as well as I'd like to be, then I had to manage to finish it in time for a meeting where we had fun for two hours, and after school I headed to the eye doctor for a check up. After the checkup I searched for a new pair of frames and ended up getting the exact same kind...I just love change. ;)

During my favorite time of day I was told to write a poem about "Where I'm From" and despite my dislike for these types of poems, I found myself enjoying it in the end and am about to crack it out and finish it. Oh the Joy of a good poem...to have the ability to express through words. What a great opportunity God has given us!

VERY similar to mine, but mine are less square on top =)

In Fact, now that I think about it, These are the exact same frames all except for the part over the lenses...again, mine are more curvy to accent my eyebrows. I got ooober lucky with this google image!

Sunday & the Weekends Basically Over...

It feels great outside but I myself find it too early to really enjoy the weather. We'll be heading out to church in about ten minutes. Afterwards we'll all be coming back home and celebrating the Grandpa's 69'th birthday...he's pretty old isnt he =P. I havent checked back up on my plants since about noon yesterday but I did notice that my cactus was out of its pot and I'm considering shooting the cat, just for a heads up. I dont know what it is with her...its a CACTUS which means it has SPIKES on it and yet I still find the poor rootless cactus out of its pot and on the floor. I dont know if it will ever start rooting if the spawn doesnt leave it alone...hmf. It's very upsetting, as I'm sure you can understand. Quotes? OKAY!!

• The wisdom of the wise, and the experience of ages, may be preserved by quotation.
  Benjamin Disraeli


• One of the few good things about modern times: If you die horribly on television, you will not have died in vain. You will have entertained us.
  Kurt Vonnegut


• Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway.
  John Wayne


• Don't let us make imaginary evils, when you know we have so many real ones to encounter.
  Oliver Goldsmith


• The secret of a good memory is attention, and attention to a subject depends upon our interest in it. We rarely forget that which has made a deep impression on our minds.
  Tryon Edwards


• The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible.
  Oscar Wilde

A picture I took of a butterfly at the Zoo

The Art of the Succulent & The Roots of My Aggrivation

I asked and was granted the opportunity to take a few of my art teachers succulents home to grow them myself, and I was hoping for an easy ticket to fast, lush, and moderately unattended plants. To my severe disappointment, after four days I have seen no progress but I have witnessed my cat devouring them. Just because they're a cousin of the aloe plant, does not give her the right to eat them!

I'm fairly sure that one of the stems I have is unable to be brought back to life considering it has at least five puncture wounds and a brown, shriveling leaf. I'm trying hard not to over-water the plants and maintain my sanity, but if I can't even grow succulents—which are the basics of easy plant growing—I don’t know if I could ever manage any other.

The best luck I've had was with my air plants that require nothing but...well...air. It's beyond depressing and I'm verging on hysterics. Maybe I'm just being to anxious, or the soil isn’t deep enough, or I'm giving them too much light in the bay window, or I'm watering too much...either way I could REALLY use some suggestions on how to help these pretty little plants stay alive!! Comment and let me know?


The cat and her mischief:
My good plant that I'm hoping will continue growing:
My Cactus...I'm not sure about this little guy:

The three that are getting on my nerves:

Icy Weather & a Rant Or Two...

I enjoyed going to the youth rally in Paragould Arkansas February 19-21 but I'd have to say, it's good to be home and resting up. I'm happy to see that Amanda's baby is doing well and that everyone else that blogs is doing better than me at keeping up with this =P. Sad to be back at school again, but life must go on and on a sadder note; I have to continue in its path. Can't wait to see the baby cousin in March/April. There's a little update on my life, not seen much here but bad and cold weather. When we were in Arkansas the weather was phenomenal and I wish it had stayed that way, but here we are back down in the 30's. Guess i should pull out the ol' coat again...

I'm finding that my seeming obsession with oranges and orange juice in the past few months has not waned a bit, but--perhaps--worsened and increased so that I can’t think of anything but to drink orange juice and join an orange with my meals. But hey! Who doesn’t need iron, right? I am a woman and, when you lose as much iron as we do month by month, I might as well get it all in =D.

Happy to see that pretty much everyone is getting over the flu and cold just to have it again with this wickedly indecisive weather, but I'm glad people have stop obsessing over a flu that was around in the 70's but was blown out of proportion. For my own curiosities sake, does it bug anyone else when people say “no comment” about something, but by saying that they are indeed making a comment and have contradicted themselves? Well I do. I’m not real sure what got me to thinking about it, but it really bugs me. I guess you could call it a pet-peeve, but then again, one of mine is the phrase “pet-peeve” itself because it doesn’t make sense to me =). Well, I should probably end my ranting and sign off for the evening; I have things to do early tomorrow and can’t hinder my own sleep time ;). G’night all, sleep and dream well.