Well, the semester is finally over, and I am now only days (six, to be exact) away from seeing my parents again! I couldn't even begin to express how excited I am about that.
But, alas, this is not the reason for which I write. Despite my complete and utter exhaustion from finals week and work, I was able to drag my butt out of bed this morning and get it into the pews (or chairs, really :D) at my church. I was, of course, about 10 minutes late, but I did make it, and I was very glad that I did. While the kids did a really amazing job with their awesome Christmas production during the service, the thing that really resonated with me was the simple message my congregation received from Luke 1: God is with us.
You're probably thinking, "Well, duh. I knew that." But, I know this little message was something that I desperately needed to be reminded of, and I'm writing this now in the hopes that it'll reach someone else that needs it. God is with us. Always and forever. He never leaves our side. He's there in the bad times and in the good times. He sees you at your worst and at your best. And, through it all, He still loves you. No matter what. Despite the fact that you and I don't deserve His love, He still loves us! Is that not amazing?! I think it's insanely amazing. And so, I think I'll leave you with the particular passage from Luke 1 that inspired this post.
"Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favoured one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!"" Luke 1:26-28
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Where has the semester gone???
Yes, I know. I was supposed to update this more often, but I promise it feels like the semester only started yesterday. I have no idea why it's flown by so quickly this time around. Maybe because I'm super busy with work and school, but who knows? :)
So, here are the major updates:
Work is going fairly well. I've finally gotten used to my schedule with school and everything. It was very challenging at first, finding time to fit everything in (especially hanging out with friends), but I think I've got it down now.
School's going okay, I suppose. This has been the most challenging semester thus far, and it appears, as I look at my class schedule for next semester, that it's only going to get harder from here. I guess the biggest news here is that I've finally found what I'm going to major in: History. I know what you're thinking, "How can you do that and be pre-med?" Believe me, I've struggled with this one since I came to this conclusion, but, I've whiddled it down to this: History interests me, and if I weren't absolutely sure about becoming a doctor, I'd be going down a road filled with a History career, but, alas, I am absolutely sure about becoming a doctor. So, this is my last chance to really study History, before my life becomes completely filled with medicine and everything to do with it. Therefore, I decided that I wasn't going to pass up this opportunity. It didn't help that I wasn't particularly liking the Biology courses (or most of their professors, for that matter) when I made my decision. Either way, the decision is made now, and I'm at peace with it, which is all I was looking for really.
As for everything else, I've had a pretty good semester. I've made some new friends, who I became close with really fast, which I was not expecting. God truly answers prayers when you least expect Him to. My birthday was pretty great. I spent it with some amazing people in Huntsville and had one of my best days all semester. Thanksgiving was better than expected, but it was still the first one I hadn't spent with close family or close friends, so I was pretty bummed about that, but, I'll be spending the Christmas season with both to make up for it. I am really looking forward to Christmas this year, but, even with Thanksgiving behind us, it still doesn't feel like it's the holiday season. My Christmas tree is up and presents are being bought (and even wrapped, and, yes, I know it's a bit early for that, but I was inspired to do it), but the Christmas feeling isn't there yet. I'm hoping it'll come once finals are over in two weeks. And, that's exactly what I should be doing right now, studying for finals (even though we all know Harry Potter is on TV and I am definitely watching it :D).
Oh, but, before I go, I must say this in response to another goings-on from this evening: ROLL TIDE! We're going to the National Championship!!
So, here are the major updates:
Work is going fairly well. I've finally gotten used to my schedule with school and everything. It was very challenging at first, finding time to fit everything in (especially hanging out with friends), but I think I've got it down now.
School's going okay, I suppose. This has been the most challenging semester thus far, and it appears, as I look at my class schedule for next semester, that it's only going to get harder from here. I guess the biggest news here is that I've finally found what I'm going to major in: History. I know what you're thinking, "How can you do that and be pre-med?" Believe me, I've struggled with this one since I came to this conclusion, but, I've whiddled it down to this: History interests me, and if I weren't absolutely sure about becoming a doctor, I'd be going down a road filled with a History career, but, alas, I am absolutely sure about becoming a doctor. So, this is my last chance to really study History, before my life becomes completely filled with medicine and everything to do with it. Therefore, I decided that I wasn't going to pass up this opportunity. It didn't help that I wasn't particularly liking the Biology courses (or most of their professors, for that matter) when I made my decision. Either way, the decision is made now, and I'm at peace with it, which is all I was looking for really.
As for everything else, I've had a pretty good semester. I've made some new friends, who I became close with really fast, which I was not expecting. God truly answers prayers when you least expect Him to. My birthday was pretty great. I spent it with some amazing people in Huntsville and had one of my best days all semester. Thanksgiving was better than expected, but it was still the first one I hadn't spent with close family or close friends, so I was pretty bummed about that, but, I'll be spending the Christmas season with both to make up for it. I am really looking forward to Christmas this year, but, even with Thanksgiving behind us, it still doesn't feel like it's the holiday season. My Christmas tree is up and presents are being bought (and even wrapped, and, yes, I know it's a bit early for that, but I was inspired to do it), but the Christmas feeling isn't there yet. I'm hoping it'll come once finals are over in two weeks. And, that's exactly what I should be doing right now, studying for finals (even though we all know Harry Potter is on TV and I am definitely watching it :D).
Oh, but, before I go, I must say this in response to another goings-on from this evening: ROLL TIDE! We're going to the National Championship!!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Thoughts I Think Toward You - My Excitement Over Getting A Job
Yeah, you heard me correctly. I got a job!! :)
So, I suppose some explaining is needed.
And, here it goes. Over the summer, I was able to take a Certified Nurses Assistant class in Huntsville at Drake State. The class was two weeks long, which includes your clinicals at a veterans affairs place in town. You get a lot of information thrown at you, but a lot of it I had already been taught through the Medical Academy at Sparkman, so I was fine and finished at the top of the class. The very top. :) So, that was great. Well, after job training comes the process of finding a job. Yay... Except, it was actually pretty great. I got in contact with my FLC (Freshman Learning Community) teacher from last fall (who is, very conveniently I might add, a geriatrics doctor in the area with lots of connections within the nursing home/assisted living community here) and asked her what places I should start with. She sent me back a list of about 4 places with names and numbers for the people that I should get in contact with about a job. So, I called the places and left messages with all of them early this week. Well, one of the places called me back and wanted me to come in to fill out an application and do an interview, which is what I did this morning. Little did I know that my teacher had already spoken with the executive director of the place and given me a shining recommendation, which is probably what landed me a job. Have I said that I really love that teacher? Truly, she was amazing and I did take a lot away from that class, but I suppose that I don't really expect anyone to go out of their way to do something that great for me. And, I'm realizing now as I'm writing this, that it was all God from the very beginning. The whole process has been pretty easy for me so far, which I know is from God working in this situation and providing me with a job. While the job isn't exactly what I wanted, which was a strict part time or possibly even full time (if my schedule could handle it) job, I'm so grateful that I have somewhere to start, and God is the one who opened up the doors to make it happen. I'm so very excited to get in there and sign a ton of paperwork and go through my 20 or so training videos, it's not even funny. And, yes, I did just say that I was excited to watch 20 training vidoes, and it's all because I'm just plain excited about finally having a job!
And, right now the scripture that's coming to mind is this:
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
I bolded the part above because that's the part that I always seem to remember and hold on to the most. A lot of translations use the word "plans" instead of "thoughts" in this verse, which is actually how I always think of it, but, looking at it now, the word "thoughts" is actually really great here. God is thinking thoughts of peace "to give you a future and a hope" towards King Nebuchadnezzar here. So, why would He not be doing the same thing for us?
So, I suppose some explaining is needed.
And, here it goes. Over the summer, I was able to take a Certified Nurses Assistant class in Huntsville at Drake State. The class was two weeks long, which includes your clinicals at a veterans affairs place in town. You get a lot of information thrown at you, but a lot of it I had already been taught through the Medical Academy at Sparkman, so I was fine and finished at the top of the class. The very top. :) So, that was great. Well, after job training comes the process of finding a job. Yay... Except, it was actually pretty great. I got in contact with my FLC (Freshman Learning Community) teacher from last fall (who is, very conveniently I might add, a geriatrics doctor in the area with lots of connections within the nursing home/assisted living community here) and asked her what places I should start with. She sent me back a list of about 4 places with names and numbers for the people that I should get in contact with about a job. So, I called the places and left messages with all of them early this week. Well, one of the places called me back and wanted me to come in to fill out an application and do an interview, which is what I did this morning. Little did I know that my teacher had already spoken with the executive director of the place and given me a shining recommendation, which is probably what landed me a job. Have I said that I really love that teacher? Truly, she was amazing and I did take a lot away from that class, but I suppose that I don't really expect anyone to go out of their way to do something that great for me. And, I'm realizing now as I'm writing this, that it was all God from the very beginning. The whole process has been pretty easy for me so far, which I know is from God working in this situation and providing me with a job. While the job isn't exactly what I wanted, which was a strict part time or possibly even full time (if my schedule could handle it) job, I'm so grateful that I have somewhere to start, and God is the one who opened up the doors to make it happen. I'm so very excited to get in there and sign a ton of paperwork and go through my 20 or so training videos, it's not even funny. And, yes, I did just say that I was excited to watch 20 training vidoes, and it's all because I'm just plain excited about finally having a job!
And, right now the scripture that's coming to mind is this:
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
I bolded the part above because that's the part that I always seem to remember and hold on to the most. A lot of translations use the word "plans" instead of "thoughts" in this verse, which is actually how I always think of it, but, looking at it now, the word "thoughts" is actually really great here. God is thinking thoughts of peace "to give you a future and a hope" towards King Nebuchadnezzar here. So, why would He not be doing the same thing for us?
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
It's Been Far Too Long...
So, of course, I have totally neglected this thing. But, this year, I'm gonna give it another shot. Maybe enough interesting things will happen so that I'll be able to update once a week or so? Haha. :)
By this point, I've successfully moved into my new apartment at school. I've gotten all of the necessities and am in the process of coming up with some decoration ideas. So far, I think I'm going to completely Harry Potterize my room, which I'm super excited about. I suppose it'll be my way of keeping it alive for just a little bit longer. By the way, didn't you guys just love the movie?
So, I suppose I should just touch on my first year of college. :) The first semester went pretty well, minus the fact that I got into a car accident. I wasn't hurt, well except for what I think was a concussion, and the other people were fine, as well. My car, on the other hand, turned out to be a total loss, so I went for about a month without a car. Luckily, I have some amazing friends who took me places, such as to church and the grocery store, etc. And, I was also lucky enough to get another MINI Cooper, same color, and a bit of an upgrade. Yes, my parents are the best in the world. Aside from that slight catastrophe, I celebrated my 18th birthday, which was amazing. Emily and I went out for $1 sushi at 11 PM the night before and I got to hear Denny Chimes ring in my day, which was also great. Since Emily had to go to the Tennessee game that day, she left me surprises all over our dorm room for me to open as I desired. I found out about them from a great post-it display on our bathroom mirror. Yes, I also have the best best friend in the world. Emily's parents also drove down from Huntsville and took me out for dinner, followed by a trip to Starbucks and some Gigi's cupcakes. It was a great night. And, yes, I have the best parents away from home ever, also. I am one lucky girl. I ended out the semester with a 4.07 GPA, which landed me on the President's List for that semester. I also then got to go home for Christmas break, which was the best thing in the world! I really missed my parents a lot, this being my first time spending more than a few weeks away from home.
Of course, after first semester comes second semester, which did not go so smoothly. Needless to say, I found myself getting a little lost throughout this semester. My grades slipped because I just couldn't focus to save my life. My morale was down, and, to tell you the truth, I think I got a little bit depressed. I kept all of this to myself, which was a huge mistake. Everything felt so much better once I finally got everything off of my chest and told my parents what was going on. Then, once I had started to feel better about this situation and start preparing for finals week and getting to go home again, the tornado hit and shook everything in me. I was torn between staying and volunteering and just leaving to go to a place where I felt safe. Emily and I decided that we would go and stay with her uncle until the power was back on in Huntsville. We packed up our rooms in basically a day or so. While doing so, we were able to get some things aside and donate them and also help her church drop off a whole 18-wheeler full of water bottles to one of the distribution centers. After this, we left, and within a week, I was on a plane home to my parents. I can't explain the feelings you have when you go through something like this. It was something that you never imagine going through in a million years, until there you are going through it. That day had started like any other. I'd gotten up and gone to class and carried on about my business like usual, until everything wasn't like usual. It was so unreal sitting on the bottom floor of my dorm and seeing the tornado on someone's laptop screen heading literally straight toward where we were and then taking a turn right before it hit campus (yes, magically we still had wifi in the dorm, even though the power was out). I felt so lucky to not have been affected, but the truth is that I was. I live in a town that is still showing the obvious signs of a major disaster. I have friends who are still suffering through the aftermath of the tornado. I still tear up every time I drive anywhere near 15th Street and McFarland Blvd (the major intersection hit by the tornado). All I can do now though is volunteer to help my friends and pray, pray, pray, pray. Even though the news doesn't really talk about it anymore, it doesn't mean that we still don't need prayer, so if you take anything away from this, it should be that. Pray for Tuscaloosa, and all of the other areas that were affected by the 4/27/2011 tornado, and all the other tornadoes that followed it.
As for more present day stuff, I'm settling into my new place and my day to day stuff here pretty well. Church has been great so far, especially this past Wednesday. I was able to get some encouragement/insight into the things I've been dealing with lately. The best part was that I was told the passion I felt like I lost last semester, wasn't lost at all, but that the fire inside of me was just sort of blown out. I feel like that fire is starting to come back to life though, which is one of the best feelings in the world. I feel like I'm ready to start this new school year with a fresh start.
And, so, I leave you now with a Bible verse. This is one that keeps me going day in and day out.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
By this point, I've successfully moved into my new apartment at school. I've gotten all of the necessities and am in the process of coming up with some decoration ideas. So far, I think I'm going to completely Harry Potterize my room, which I'm super excited about. I suppose it'll be my way of keeping it alive for just a little bit longer. By the way, didn't you guys just love the movie?
So, I suppose I should just touch on my first year of college. :) The first semester went pretty well, minus the fact that I got into a car accident. I wasn't hurt, well except for what I think was a concussion, and the other people were fine, as well. My car, on the other hand, turned out to be a total loss, so I went for about a month without a car. Luckily, I have some amazing friends who took me places, such as to church and the grocery store, etc. And, I was also lucky enough to get another MINI Cooper, same color, and a bit of an upgrade. Yes, my parents are the best in the world. Aside from that slight catastrophe, I celebrated my 18th birthday, which was amazing. Emily and I went out for $1 sushi at 11 PM the night before and I got to hear Denny Chimes ring in my day, which was also great. Since Emily had to go to the Tennessee game that day, she left me surprises all over our dorm room for me to open as I desired. I found out about them from a great post-it display on our bathroom mirror. Yes, I also have the best best friend in the world. Emily's parents also drove down from Huntsville and took me out for dinner, followed by a trip to Starbucks and some Gigi's cupcakes. It was a great night. And, yes, I have the best parents away from home ever, also. I am one lucky girl. I ended out the semester with a 4.07 GPA, which landed me on the President's List for that semester. I also then got to go home for Christmas break, which was the best thing in the world! I really missed my parents a lot, this being my first time spending more than a few weeks away from home.
Of course, after first semester comes second semester, which did not go so smoothly. Needless to say, I found myself getting a little lost throughout this semester. My grades slipped because I just couldn't focus to save my life. My morale was down, and, to tell you the truth, I think I got a little bit depressed. I kept all of this to myself, which was a huge mistake. Everything felt so much better once I finally got everything off of my chest and told my parents what was going on. Then, once I had started to feel better about this situation and start preparing for finals week and getting to go home again, the tornado hit and shook everything in me. I was torn between staying and volunteering and just leaving to go to a place where I felt safe. Emily and I decided that we would go and stay with her uncle until the power was back on in Huntsville. We packed up our rooms in basically a day or so. While doing so, we were able to get some things aside and donate them and also help her church drop off a whole 18-wheeler full of water bottles to one of the distribution centers. After this, we left, and within a week, I was on a plane home to my parents. I can't explain the feelings you have when you go through something like this. It was something that you never imagine going through in a million years, until there you are going through it. That day had started like any other. I'd gotten up and gone to class and carried on about my business like usual, until everything wasn't like usual. It was so unreal sitting on the bottom floor of my dorm and seeing the tornado on someone's laptop screen heading literally straight toward where we were and then taking a turn right before it hit campus (yes, magically we still had wifi in the dorm, even though the power was out). I felt so lucky to not have been affected, but the truth is that I was. I live in a town that is still showing the obvious signs of a major disaster. I have friends who are still suffering through the aftermath of the tornado. I still tear up every time I drive anywhere near 15th Street and McFarland Blvd (the major intersection hit by the tornado). All I can do now though is volunteer to help my friends and pray, pray, pray, pray. Even though the news doesn't really talk about it anymore, it doesn't mean that we still don't need prayer, so if you take anything away from this, it should be that. Pray for Tuscaloosa, and all of the other areas that were affected by the 4/27/2011 tornado, and all the other tornadoes that followed it.
As for more present day stuff, I'm settling into my new place and my day to day stuff here pretty well. Church has been great so far, especially this past Wednesday. I was able to get some encouragement/insight into the things I've been dealing with lately. The best part was that I was told the passion I felt like I lost last semester, wasn't lost at all, but that the fire inside of me was just sort of blown out. I feel like that fire is starting to come back to life though, which is one of the best feelings in the world. I feel like I'm ready to start this new school year with a fresh start.
And, so, I leave you now with a Bible verse. This is one that keeps me going day in and day out.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
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