Lessons

As I grow older, and (at least I think so) wiser, I realize how much God truly wants me to succeed. Yesterday was one of the worst days of my life. I say that because I am completely blessed beyond measure and I take my life and everything in it for granted way too often. I often feel as if I have a loose grip on my life and one more move could send it all in every which direction, and yesterday it happened. Mind you, this is going to sound not that bad (because it isn't-one day removed).

I didn't feel well, I was tired from dealing with the puppy, I felt like I was failing every class, things were going wrong at my internship, I missed Michael like crazy, I was studying for a test I should've started studying for way earlier (story of my life), I felt alone, lost and not in control of anything. Then I saw that Harper had broke her front canine tooth off. I lost it! After my ordeal with my internship (I can be a tad irresponsible and it really came back to bite me yesterday) and I had sat in class and cried, I just broke down. So many of my internal issues come from myself, which drives me more crazy because a lot of them can be easily avoided (i.e. read for class, go to class, don't tell someone you can do something when you can't). I went to bed feeling so defeated. I read in Psalms (which always pulls me out of anything I'm going through) and vowed I would wake with a different attitude. I am a very positive person, but doing a long distance relationship has really put that to the test.

Today has been completely wonderful, although nothing great happened-I actually had to emergency take Harper to the vet, I thought she wasn't breathing, they thought she had a hole in her heart and it turns out she has reverse sneeze- whatever that is- I had a French test that I was late to because I talked to my boss at work for too long about how I need to change some things, and almost got into a very bad wreck.

But I have been so uplifted and positive all day long because I put God first today. No matter what happened today, the Lord assured me it would be ok, and that I would be ok.

God is on our team, and only wants great things for us. 

Days like yesterday and today remind me that if you put God first, he will look after you. We are so incredibly blessed that we serve a God who is on OUR team. 

*I have also decided not to beat myself up if I don't post every day. So I'm going to just post when I feel like it! I still am catching up on all of your lives daily, of coure!

Falling for Fall- Wishlist

I could probably write about my love for Fall every day. I'll spare you the redundancy. Here are the 5 things I am in need of this Autumn.

OPI Matt Red

Barbour Bedale Wax Cotton Jacket in Olive

Tory Burch Kendrick Driver Flats

Moon and Lola Tortoiseshell Monogram Necklace 

PUMPKIN. 

Lattes, muffins, bread, coffee, candles, anything.

Have a blessed weekend!

Hello Again and PUPPPY!

After a long hiatus, it's fall and I'm back in action! Surprisingly, not a lot has changed since I've left, but I feel like i've changed a lot. I've been constantly relying on the Lord for strength for everything, started my final semester of college, continuing my Internship and coaching high school cheerleading, getting better at the long distance thing (and have drastically improved my relationship with MDW), and have decided to get a puppy!

For those who know me, I have wanted a puppy for a long time. I wanted a yorkie named Walter when I was younger. Now I have found my furry friend and will be going to get her from an animal shelter about an hour away on SATURDAY! Here is the picture that is on the shelter website. Her current name is Magnolia but I plan on changing it to Harper!

She is a 2 month old black lab mix. Needless to say, I am obsessed. MDW was looking online (because I really wanted to get a puppy from the animal shelter, I'm not a purebred snob- I want to adopt an animal in need of a home!) and found her last Sunday. I was sold. I called the animal shelter about an hour away and said I had to have her. Un(fortunately), she had just been spayed that day and was with her momma and her litter at a foster home. FOSTER HOME? I freaked because that sometimes mean the foster will lead to adoption. I tried to sit with this for a day but called and asked the next, and the women assured me she would not be adopted and that I would be able to come pick her up on September 15th at an adoption event at Petsmart. Now I was skeptical about this, but again was reassured that they had put her on reserve for me. 

Some may ask, how can I know I want this dog even if I have never met her. LOOK AT THAT FACE. I wanted a puppy not only because they are cute, but so I can train her to my liking. I want her to be able to run with me and be very active, but also very polite and know commands. Labs are the #1 dog in the world for a reason! They are naturally very sweet, loving and loyal animals. The ladies at the shelter informed me she is a mix, and they don't know exactly what with, but will grow up to 45-60 lbs which is actually small for a lab, which is perfect for me! I don't need a 100-lb dog. They also assured me that her mom has a wonderful temperament and she seems to have inherited the same. I am all ready for her to enter my life, and have spent the past week buying puppy supplies, reading up on crate and house training, and staring at her picture. I can't wait to take pictures and show you all! 

Hope you all are doing wonderfully and I am SO glad fall is almost here. More about my love for fall later this season!

In love.

With Texas. and MDW. I can NOT wait to move there. Here are some pics :)

First of all. MDW has lost a ton of weight in less than 6 months. He is a different person.

Old us.

New MDW

New us!

Ok now onto more Dallas pics. 

View out the 14th floor!

Ft. Worth Zoo!

Words can't describe how great it was to be back with MDW for five whole days. I was literally in shock when I saw him because I had been planning it in my head for weeks and then all of a sudden he walked into his Dad's hotel room and I was in shock! I couldn't believe how good he looked since the last time I saw him. Exploring was the best part of the trip. I got to see where he had been going to eat and spending time for the past almost two months. The only bad part, besides having to leave, was not getting to go to Sprinkles!!! I was dying to go but it was just far enough away that we weren't going to pass it unless we drove 10 minutes to it and no one wanted cupcakes that badly-aside from myself of course. I absolutely love it in Dallas and can not wait to move down and start my big girl life! 

Special thanks to MDW for hosting and for HAW for all the iphone pics! 

I wouldn't be an American If it wasn't for Texas.

I AM HEADED TO DALLAS TO SEE MDW!!!!!

I haven't seen him in almost two months and I can't even being to tell you how excited I am to see him. These first weeks have been so hard without him because he is my best friend. It just isn't the same not having him around to do anything and everything with. I still haven't seen Revenge of the Titans because no one would see it with me, no one wants to go hiking, no one wants to go to Moes, no one wants to go on a walk with me. I am so excited to spend five days with him playing in Texas.

Here is the issue.

I don't know what on earth to pack!! I've heard people in Dallas always look nice and while I tend to look nice too, I don't know what kind of clothing to pack! J.Crew summer wear? Kind of trendy things? Sun dresses and boots? I am lost!

I am searching for clues but if anyone has suggestions, please help!!

Can't wait for recaps when I return Wednesday! Have an amazing Memorial Day weekend yall!

summer has begun!

Hi all! I just had to take a break to wrap up finals and get the summer started but I am back!

Graduation passed and since I have another semester, I decided not to go through the ceremony, although my name was in the program (which I found out later). Seeing my roommates and most of my friends go through graduation was a little saddening, only because it is another not so gentle reminder that I am growing up and will soon be moving on.

Since then, I have started summer classes, my internship and have been enjoying the weather. I am sort of in the early stages of training for a mini marathon and am already wondering how I am going to make it to 13.1! I have never been a great runner, but am slowly learning to love running and am getting better every day.

In other news, MGS, JLH, AJG and I went to Brad Paisley last night!!

I had, believe it or not, never been to a big country concert! Local artists play all the time and I adore going to those but the atmosphere at a big concert like BP was so fun! The only issue was the HEAT. We had to lug a cooler a mile in the stiffling heat and it was not fun. The Band Perry and last year's Idol winner Scotty Mcreery were also playing with Brad and they were all phenomenal! We are looking into Kenny Chesney/Tim McGraw in July but all I want to do is see Luke Bryan. He is my fav.  

 Wore my boots of course but you can't see them in this pic! They look like this:

 (I know you can't see them very well!)

I have no idea where these boots are from or what brand they are but I do know that they were my mother's! She got the pair when she was in MIDDLE SCHOOL. They have held up very well the past 35ish years! I started wearing them a few years ago and have put them through a lot myself. I am definitely in the market for a new pair, which I assume I'll get when I am in Dallas at some point. I really want my next pair to be dark so I can still wear these and have two options. I wear these boots with everything but can't wait to get a new pair that actually fit! My mom's are about a size too small and the heel is pretty high too so I'll be looking for a pair with a smaller heel. But I know I will get a ton of use out of them, seeing as I already have out of my current pair. 

Enough ranting for now!

 

MDW

I am a new member of the Long Distance Relationship Club, and I am not a fan.

MDW and I have been dating since August 2005. We have always been less than 20 minutes from each other. If I was ever in need of him, he was there and vice versa. Until 3 weeks ago, when he moved to Dallas.

I knew it would be hard not having him here. He is my best friend in the world, my partner in crime, the other pea in my pod. He is someone I can always rely on, and while that hasn't changed, he is super busy and I haven't been able to talk to him as much as we'd both like.

While the past 3 weeks have been difficult (excruciating at times even), I know we will be fine.

I call this our last test. We have been through just about everything you could go through as a couple, and this just completes the list. I am SO optimistic for our future. He is someone I would he honored to share my life with. We both have the same family and life values. We both wanted to live in the South (Check! Well for him, I'll be there in January!) We both are going in the same direction.

Someone I look up to told me that you have to be able to grow with someone. And grow I have. When MDW and I first started dating, I wasn't interested in being tied down, granted I also was 15 at this time. MDW changed this for me over time. It took me a while to warm up to him, but eventually I did and have never lost my love for him. He has made me the person I am today, along with God's help.

He drives me insane sometimes, yes. We are both stubborn and hard headed. We both hate to admit we're wrong. I am impulsive, and he is sensible. We have really had to work on our weaknesses together, and still have a lot of work to do.

But overall, he brings out the best in me. Even now that he isn't in my life daily, I couldn't picture life without him. I look forward to continued growth with him. After this, I feel like there won't be anything we can't do.

I love you MDW, and I'll always be rooting for us. 

Driving Moccassins

Oh hello! It is finals week here in Indiana and I only have one! I'm glad I have a little break because I start summer classes next Monday. I get to spend two months every single day in the Fine Arts building, which isn't too bad because a. I love Art History and b. I only have ONE class a day!

I have been wanting a pair of driving mocs forEVER. I am a flat person and picture myself wearing driving mocs to work for the rest of my life. Here are some I am considering. Really I've narrowed it down to the traditional Tod's Gommini Driving Moccassins and Tory Burch Driving Moccassins.

Tod's Gommini 

Tory Burch Kendrick 

Tod's Gommini

Tory Burch Daria 

Tod's Gommini

Tory Burch Karl, which they don't sell on the website anymore are my FAVORITE.

Target

After reading L's post, I really got to thinking about how people who are living for God are more times than not hit with various struggles and hardships. This is because people who live their lives for God's kingdom, those who try to live like Jesus, are hated by Satan. We are on his "hit list".

My mom and I have talked about this before as my parents are a pretty big target for Satan. Our cars are the main indication of this. Because 5/7 people in my family drive, we have 5 different cars. 5 cars which always seem to have problems with them.

There is a couple we know who seems to be so abundant in material things and is just one of those families that good thing always happen to. My mother pointed out that this is because they aren't a threat to Satan. They aren't on his "hit list".

While writing this post, I thought for a second (from the Enemy of course), "Maybe living my life for God will cause a lot of problems in my life. Will being targeted constantly by Satan be worth it?"

OF COURSE IT WILL BE WORTH IT!!! I have eternal life because of Jesus. I would rather have gifts from God than gifts of this earth ANY DAY. Nothing on this earth can bring me the happiness that Jesus brings me. His love is worth any tribulation I will ever endure (or have endured) in my life.

Sometimes I go through such a tug of war. Satan is constantly trying to get me to stray from God. And God (who always wins) diligently tugs me back. Satan knows that I am on God's team, and will always be. I hear so much about generational blessing, and if I am supposed to be doubly anointed more than my parents are now, I am in for a really blessed life working for the kingdom of God.

"May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word." 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

She's always buzzin' just like...

NEON! Gosh I love John Mayer, I digress.

Neon seems to be THE trend this year. I have seen it so many times on campus, most of which are too much for me. IU students come from everywhere. I don't know the exact breakdown but the majority are from Chicago and the East Coast, not Indiana. This leads to some crazy trendy stuff that ends up being worn on campus. I am not so trendy myself, I tend to stick to classic but once in a while i'll go for a trend (the last one was red jeans). I think all trends are best done subtly.

Theory 'Cleo -Electrifying" Dip Dye Tee

 $85 is steep for a tee, but I do love this.  

J.Crew Perfect shirt in mini gingham

J.Crew "5 inchers. Can't ever have too many!

J.Crew Linen Wrap. Perfect for summer.

My Journey (so far)

Hi followers! I have been searching for the past two days for new blogs to follow, specifically blogs who are written by Christian women! I really think my previous blog was deleted as a sort of act of God. I have constantly been searching for things to write about and finally, I went to Christ. He has put blogging on my heart as a way to connect with women of God, and in turn, Him, further. As a senior in college, I have had a different journey than I thought I would have. So here is a bit of background about my journey with Christ and how it connects to this blog!

I have grown up in a Christian family. My great-grandfather on my mother's side was a pastor in various small  churches in Indiana and Florida for many years, and my grandfather has been a pastor at a small church in Indiana for the past 30 years. My parents are both very devoted Christians and I have seen their transformation and growth through Christ throughout my life and it has been such a blessing to watch their journey.

I grew up going to church every Sunday, but my church was tiny and didn't offer Sunday School, so I really just sat for 12 years. I always believed in God and knew from an early age I would become a follower of Christ, but didn't have any plans for when that would happen. Around middle school is when I started to listen for God. Then in 8th grade, my family adopted two of my second cousins. My family of five was completely thrown off and I was angry with God. I turned away from Him, but my journey didn't end there. My family left the small church I had grown up in the following year and the next year we spent trying to find a new church to call home. We visited many churches and I had a few great encounters with Christ that shook me, but I still wasn't ready to give up my "cool high school image".

After much searching, my parents decided on a church that was completely outside their (and my) comfort zone. Having grown up in a very conservative, Primitive Baptist church, the very spiritual and free environment of our new church scared me to death for the first year. People danced, we worshiped with a band (whereas I had grown up singing traditional Hymns), and speaking in tongues and prophecy was a weekly encounter. My parents have become deeply involved in the church almost 6 years later and have been transformed. I, however, never felt a connection with the teenagers my age because they were all so close having grown up together and I constantly felt left out. I attended the church for the next two years every Sunday (our parent's rule) and participated in worship and grew closer to the Lord, but not the church.

Enter college, and I scarcely attended church for the next two years, all while becoming involved in the party scene.

*Story within a story (I know it's long but relevant!)* Ever since I could remember I wanted to rush when I got to college. I solely came to IU because I wanted to rush and be greek. End of story. Freshman year partying got the best of me and class fell by the wayside. I rushed my freshman year and was cut from a majority of the houses due to my grades and was completely devastated. I felt cut off from my friends who had joined chapters and rejected. I vowed to get my grades up and rush again as a sophomore, but GPAs are hard to boost. Sophomore year rush rolled around and I had my GPA up for a majority of the chapters. I knew I would get cut from some but was invited back to a few that I really loved. As the rounds went on, and my list grew shorter and shorter (not by choice), I knew God was trying to tell me something. I was offered a bid to a chapter but declined. I knew given the lifestyle I was leading that being involved in a sorority would not be a good thing for me. I was sad, but accepted my choice. Two years later I am happy with my decision. It has been hard at times because everyone I met freshman year rushed and I haven't really met a ton of new people or made "good college friends" aside from one of my roommates.

The summer after my sophomore year is when I started to be called by God a lot harder. He used the movie The Book of Eli to shake my life yet again. Seeing the people in the film who didn't know the Lord, as well as the character Eli whose faith was unshaken, shook me to my core. I realized that I had been one of these people. I didn't truly know the Lord. It was my mission to know Him after that day. I knew my parents were the best place for me to start. I started learning more and more about the Lord, reading books, listening to Christian radio (music has always helped me learn and grow) and attending church, this time with purpose. I was baptized in our church on August 30, 2010, the day before my junior year at IU started. I stood before the entire congregation and confessed my Faith publicly (I'm actually not sure anyone understood a word I said through my sobs).

The next two years have been major learning years for me. My relationship with Christ is good, but I know He has further plans for us. I have fallen short and have had times away from Christ but he has never stopped seeking me and me, Him. The social pressures of college have gotten the best of me at times, and have learned it is an environment that I need to be out of in order to resist it. God continues to give me strength to resist this, but having friends who believe in the Lord, but aren't where I am, has been the biggest obstacle.

I have prayed that I would become closer to women of Christ and He has been placing people in my life slowly and carefully the past two years that have helped me. I have grown closer to women in my church, and continue to grow closer. As of today, I pray constantly for my growth and that God will place people in my life who will only help my Faith grow. The Lord and I have been working on me together and continue the improvement every day.

God has put it on my heart to use this blog as another way to connect with His people. Here, I will share my struggles and triumphs, my failures and successes. I am pleased you have decided to join me and if you have gotten this far, thank you for letting me share my life with you! I look forward to our journey together and I continue to live a life worthy of the calling.