Yes...I am writing again....this soon....

....yeah.....
I am at home for Thanksgiving--which is today--and I have had a lot going on. I am only on my 3rd of 9 Biology lab Reports to do by Sunday. AHHHH!!!! I am kinda stressin on that. I also would like to go ahead and write my Great Books Paper...doubt that will happen. I did do my Psycology Geneogram last night. Yay.

I have something else that I really need to---HAVE to do while I am home. I really need to talk to Grandpa. I really have to do it....God has just put this sense of urgency on my heart. I need to try to plant a seed, I need to try..... Praying about that..... hardcore....

I have really been going through some housecleaning of the heart. For the past week or so, I have just been realizing some serious things about myself that need to change. I am working on it, but I know that I will never ever be able to fix any of it myself. I really am realizing just how incredibly blessed we are that Christ died to give us the gift of grace. Without that....I would be a lost cause. I can not be what I am called to be. I will never fully be that. But His grace is sufficent for me. It takes me and all my weakness and makes me useful. He takes the wretched, ugly, being that I am.....and He makes me His precious child. He actually wants me, a sinner, to be His very own child. His daughter. I don't deserve it at all, and this I have only recently fully realized. And that will get a person thinking......

I am thankful for the way God leads me with His providential hand. He has put people in my path....Laurel, Carie, Brittany, Katie, Kyle, Will, Otis, Matt, and oh sooooo many more...I am so thankful for them and I miss them a lot while I am at home this week.

I am thankful for my wonderful family. I am sooooooooooo lucky. I have a great, loving family that strives to serve the Lord. I am thankful that I was able to be raised in this home.

I am thankful for opportunities that God has and will open up for me.

I pray about those things right now....I pray that I will see these opportunities....I pray for my future and I am thankful that I can be assured that my future will be good just because God is going to be the one preparing it.

I could go on.....but I need to finish a paper...... I love you all and I am very thankful that you are each in my life! Happy Thanksgiving~!

Now it SERIOUSLY has been FOREVER since I've written in here!

Yeah...sorry guys....no body probably EVER reads this anymore cause I never write in it......

It is one week till thanksgiving break....excited about going home...then one week then finals then Christmas.....then semester #2 (minus a roommate) ((this makes me happy because I will love the space and quiet area!)) hehehe

How time flies and things change and man oh man....crazy stuff I tell you.......

I currently frequent the "Spot", go hot tub hoppin, Waffle House is our new home, in the Chorus...going to California in the Spring with that and Honduras in January for a mission trip.
Praying for perhaps an internship at a church this summer....also praying for my future....and all that that entails.... yeah.... anyways......

A lot going on---busy all the time--but anyways....more later... how much later...who knows....

Let me tell you about my best night EVER!

(sorry it's been so long since I blogged...things have been really busy and crazy!)

SO about last night. I had my classes yesterday, went to work, went to the Honduras meeting and then back to work...and then, after that, a group of us met in the Lester Chapel of the Bible building and we just sang...from 9:30 till after midnight...and we all prayed together...and it was just.....it was truly inspiring and uplifting and it was such an answer to my prayers! I think it is definitely in my Top 3 Faulkner Moments....

Who all was there? Me, Will, Brittany, Holly, Grace, Heather, Lindsey, Skye, Rob, Tex, Brett, William, and I think that's it.... it was great. Looking forward to doing it again!

Pledge Week is Over...thank goodness!

Yeah, it's over, and for that I am thankful!!!! We have a good new group of girls and I am excited, and that is all I have to say about that. That's all for now.

Just had a serious conversation with Clay...I have a lot to think about.

Pledge Week has started....

...and I think I almost liked it better as a pledge...

ok, not REALLY, but there is a lot more stress involved in this than the pledges see. It has been a rough day. I hope that everything works out ok....I'll give details later...

Side note--funny accomplishment...

....I have to add this...just because I want to remember it and so...........I'm going to put it on here. The week of September 12-18th (yes, the time of the hurricane) I was voted "Delta Hottie of the Week" by my Epsilon brothers. sigh....what a confidence booster! I was the 2nd one in history!! (this is a new tradtion by the way) hehe...I enjoyed it!! ANYWAY>> enough of that.

Sooo...about this Hurricane...

Yeah...it has definitely been an interesting week/weekend!! haha...Hurricane Ivan came ripping through this town I call home away from home..yes...Montgomery, AL. Luckily it wasn't as bad as they were expecting it to be! There were some crazy strong winds and A LOT of hard rains...but we were all fine, only a couple of uprooted trees in our yard...lots of branches and limbs...some houses in the ares did have trees fall on their houses...we were lucky....oh, by the way, me and Brittany Fish stayed with Miller's family Tuesday nite through this afternoon. We all certainly made the best of a bad situation. Chad stayed over too, so the weekenders had an extended weekend full of movies...well, until the power went off... OH-I did have my first Mellow Mushroom experience last night. Tons of good fun. I was glad that I got to get to know Carly and Alan better too....Now it is just Friday night, so I still have a full weekend ahead of me. I am going to be soooo spoiled by all of these long weekends! I'm tellin ya!

Pledge Week starts Sunday nite, so this is certainly going to be a VERY busy week! At least I am not Pledging!!!!! I am already an active member of my wonderful club, Delta XI Omega. Yay!

Anyway, enough for now. I hope my sis had a good b-day Wednesday! I miss both of my sisters and my mommy and daddy! Love you all! ( and of course the rest of my family too!!!) ;)

It's Thursday Nite....

...and I am ready for another weekend of fun!! haha...it really seems like last weekend was still just yesterday! But no complaints here!!! hehe

I am going to my first Braves Game EVER tomorrow night! I am kinda excited about that...I hope it is fun! Oh--what am I saying..it will be!!

Right now for me...I am just enjoying my time... just having fun....hanging out with friends...no worries...I know that what needs to happen with stuff....will...and it doesn't need to be in my time....it's in God's...and only then will everything REALLY work out how it should.

Well, I am off for some fun with my "weekenders".

The last night....

...well, the last night of the fun weekend! Sundays are always good days, I accidentally overslept and was a little late for Sunday School, but I made it, so it's all good. After church, me, Chad, Wes, and Addison went out to eat at LaBamba...made for an....interesting lunch, and that is all I will say about that one. After lunch we watched a movie and then I hung out with the girls before church. After church some of us went to Arbys and that was great because I hadn't had Arbys in FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!! I really need my job to start soon, because I NEED money!!

After Arbys we went to WalMart, and then we went "pool hopping"...what is that?? Oh, we just went swimming at 3 different pools....haha, it was really an interesting night. After swimming Brittany and I were treated to the BIG size Icee and we ended up swinging on the gazebo swing for a long time.

SO now I am in my room at 3:15, I woke up an hour ago, and I am HUNGRY!!! I need food! haha...I also need to study and do homework, so I suppose I will go do that now. :)

The night that never ended...and continued onto today..

Yeah....had way too much fun last night. There was dinner in the cafe..singing at University...movie at Nova...swiming at Steph's apartment where we stayed the night...two more movies there....got to back to Faulkner this morning...showered...went to the cafe for brunch with the group....hung out in the lobby ALL AFTERNOON..then went to Stevie B's for a 3:45 dinner...now I'm in the room....waiting for more fun to begin! I love the weekends!! :) haha...I would be more detailed....but some things you just can't tell everyone on the internet! HAHA ;) hehe

More later....

It's been a couple of days...

...since I last blogged...I'm tellin you. There is so much going on and I am just so busy..but I love being busy and having stuff to do!!! Tonight was fun...another movie night...a fun event that I have come to enjoy a whole lot!

My week started off a little rough...I think a lot of people's weeks started off badly...BUT..it's all good now! Everything is worked out with my close friend (love ya!!!). you know...lack of communication is the cause of most problems...sheesh..if only us as humans would just communicate...my fault there for sure.

Tomorrow I get to sleep in, but I think that I may decide to go to bed...well, now. I am sooooo sleepy!! soooo.....nite! ;)

Monday...What a Day...

Today has been one of those days that I can't seem to concentrate well. Why is that? Well...I suppose I have a lot on my mind.... Plus I know that I need to get more sleep! So I am just going to write a little bit of stuff down on this here blog. Be prepared...it will be confusing...cause I can't make sense of it all myself...so how should you expect to!!! hehe ;)

Have you ever just been so curious about how something might work out...whether or not your thinking that it could is accurate....what might be affected if it did...oh-and whether or not it is really worth thinking about because you don't know if it would/will ever happen/work out the way you would hope.........nah...me neither.....haha

I'm also concerned about a friend...worried about that person, but that person doesn't go to school with me anymore, so I don't see that person very often, but I have found out some things that concern me...I need to do something to help...but I am just not sure what that is exactly.... I need to pray that God will direct me in a way to approach the situation...a way that will help, not do more harm....

I'm also getting the feeling that another friend is upset with me...or at least...I dunno...I don't feel like she wants to be around me...and that has me a little distracted too. I don't think I did anything...and it's probably just a miscommunication...but it is bothering me a little.

Kickball starts today. Fun. Beth told me that I get to start. I'm a little nervous....I didn't feel too well today...but hopefully it will go well and Delta will win...cause yes, it is just kickball, but yes, it does count towards the SPORTS CLUB OF THE YEAR award...we've won this several years in a row now...not thinkin we want to end that streak...anyway...I've got Great Books in just a few minutes...sooo...I guess I should be going..(we got out of Computer early)...that's definitely enough of my babble for now...later

Just a Lazy Sunday Afternoon...

Well I got up this morning...went to church...went out to eat with Chad, Craig, Barry, and Addison. We had fun..as usual...then I went to my room and I have been decorating my binders! Haha..I'm such a dork!! I am about to do some studying!! (at some point of time before church...)

After church tonight is the Zeta/Tri-Alpha Mixer...going to check that out...I need to come up with a costume for me....for the Delta/Epsilon Mixer Tuesday...hmm....must get that together....

Well I am out for now...
(Aunt Honei, sorry there is nothing really funny on these...all of the funny stuff can not be blogged...hehe)

Havin a Blast

So I know I haven't written much...but I've been busy...getting in late ;) and being sleepy...I mean...I need sleep...haha...which is what I am about to do. Happy memories!!!! And that is all I have to say!! As for now...goodnight! :)

AAAHHHHhahahahahha

Yeah...what's the laugh for? Oh nothing...just remember the funny fun I had this weekend. Good times....good times...and that is all that I have to say about that. ;)

Today was good. Biology lab...lunch in the cafe...3 hour nap...dinner in the cafe...walmart...sonic...hanging out in the grass....dance party...goodnight!!

Tomorrow is LAUNDRY day at Stephanie's apartment!! YAY!!!

The Good Days Just Keep On Comin.....

It was another wonderful day...Mondays and Wednesdays are my favorite class days for sure! PLUS, I have really been enjoying the company of my friends...yep yep yep...I've got me some good ones.... I have been blessed with the chance to get to spend some more time than usual with some of them..and yes...I like it!!! Good talks, good times, good...lunch...good fun stuff. Yay>.... one not so good thing...I need to get more sleep!! For real! SO...this will conclude today's entry...ya'll have a good night...and I am going to get some sleep!

The Funniest Lunch EVER

It started off as any normal lunch day in the cafe (well...not exactly.. ;), but basically)...we were all just sittin around the table...eating...well, everyone pretty much gets done with their meal, but some of us decide that we aren't ready to leave yet...soooo...we decide to see how many different people we can have sit with us...FUNNY stuff....to make a long story short...Chad and I ended up being the only ones to stick it out, and we ate with 21 people total!! haha, we were in the cafe for nearly 2 hours...good fun.....This lunch will go down in history as the funniest lunch of a lifetime.....good times....

I actually have a lot more I could write about...BUT, I need to get more sleep...so I am going to actually go to bed after I read a few more pages in my book...goodnight

Classes went surprisingly well...

Yeah...I couldn't believe it either...EVEN Biology was good. I have developed some good study habits for in the classroom...(Ok--2 things about that statement--1. It made me sound like such a nerd!! 2. It's about time I learn some good study habits...wouldn't you think?? hehe) Well, that class really was good...I am going to have to work REALLY hard and pay attention EVERY day..but I can do it. No big. Computer Apps was actually good too. I really like my teacher. She is interesting and really nice, so I think that that is going to be a good class! Again, becasue I am so computer illiterate (Miller would agree...) I am going to have to work hard in that class...but I think I am already catching on...

Great Books...ahhh...a paragraph of it's own...I was prepared today...I had read, I had a question, I was active in the discussion..I was impressed with myself. For real.
I really like the book we are reading...in a weird way...It's kinda like a blog from a long time ago (well and from a REALLY intelligent man...anyway)
It had many though provoking ideas that I found related to me and my current mindset on certain situations...might get all philosophical on ya'll, but not tonight....I'll save that one for later.

haha...love me some funny converstation I am in right now...wow...lol....

A Very Nice Sunday Indeed....

Woke up this morning...got ready for church...had a clumsy morning...knocked over Katie's jewelry box and then dropped my Bible in the road (papers went everywhere-I later cleaned out my Bible)...but then I got to church and it was all good.

After church, Ashley, Michelle, Craig, Chad, Clay, Kristen, and I went to LaBamba to eat. We had so much fun...sat in there forever talking and goofing off...good times, good times! :)
When we got back to school, I went in my room with every intention to read all my stuff for my classes...did I? HA not a chance...I fell asleep and didn't wake up till it was time to get ready for church. Good nap though!!!

Church was good and afterwards the college group had a devo...we played some fun ice-breakers and had a nice lesson, and then ate pizza...sat around forever after that! Good stuff. Seriously, this one devo had a significant impact on how I feel about attending University. It really helped me feel connected...I feel like it is my home now kinda...you know...hangin out at the church building...I know it may sound a little silly, but I hadn't really found a place in Montgomery that made me feel like I belong there...I always have felt like a visitor...but I really think that this year I will be able to be more involved and have the fellowship aspect of church that I have been missing...and I don't think that this could have come at a better time. God works things out for us, and He definitely has been helping me get through some difficult times...and this one devo really did help me!

Oh---and one more really good thing!! You know that reading I needed to do this afternoon...after the devo I came in the room, sat down, and read all 55 pages of Great Books that I needed to read! YAY!! This really is quite an accomplishment for me..and I'm gonna keep it up!!! hehe...well, enough for now...goodnite

This Weekend....

Well, Kimberly, Matt's girlfriend, got here last night..she is staying in my room this weekend, so we are all having a lot of fun. It's been kinda rainy today, yesterday it was too. Ashley, Carie, Katie and I were going to go to the cool amplitheater and watch Grease outside last night, but it rained-really hard- so we went shopping instead. I am officially on SHOPPING PROBATION!! hehe...I got some really cute stuff and it was all on sale..so I am happy with my purchases...but my bank account isn't smiling right now...anyways...I have put myself on extreme probation until my job starts and money begins to flow in my direction once more. That may be a while...oh well...

Tonight is the Biscuits game...if it doesn't get rained out...hopefully that won't be the case...it gets kinda long sometimes at those games...but if you are with friends, then it's really fun! :)

Oh-another happy thought- tomorrow morning I am wearing a skirt that I bought last night...I am so excited because it is a couple sizes smaller than I am used to buying...good good good stuff I tell you!!! anyway...enough about clothes..there just isn't much to write today cause not much has been happening...but that's cool, I do need to do some reading for class so got to get to that.

It's Friday!!!--haha--wait--I still had a class!!

Yep... Just call me spoiled...last year ruined me...no Friday classes were incredible...an extra day of fun and relaxation...an extra day home (for those weekends that I choose to take a roadtrip)..those days are gone for this semster...I have--- a Biology Lab.

But it really isn't going to be that bad and I am just going to have to work really hard..I can do it--I had better do it that is. Anyway...one might think that this would cause my day to start off badly...but it didn't. I have had a pretty good day!!

I went to Goodwill and bought a bookshelf for my dorm...I am obsessed with it! It is really neat!! Full of stuff already- of course.

I really don't have much to say, but I wanted to go ahead and write something so that my mommy wouldn't be too worried about me. :) Love my fam!!!!
Well, I'm sure I will have more to say soon, but in the mean time-

Smile-have a great day-and keep your chin up!! :)

Getting to the heart of the matter...

Well...It's me again. Things got a little rough for me last night...Our lesson in church was about the struggles we face, the struggles Jesus faced, how he dealt with them, and how we can deal with things in the same way.
Jesus overcame his struggles because:
1. He had God on His side.
2. He knew who His friends were.
3. He prayed.

When I was thinking about all the things that I had been struggling with over the past 3 or 4 months...I realized that I have been trying so hard to overcome these things, let go of them and give them to God...and I realized that I have grown in my faith...but I have been missing one MAJOR thing. I have not been talking to God about it all. Now I have prayed about this stuff...but regretfully...I haven't been praying enough...it's like I think about praying about it...and I say, "Well, all we can do is pray." But seriously...I have not been doing that enough. Here's the really sad thing....I've written more in here-in this very blog- then I have prayed to God. That changes right now. I can not survive spiritually if I don't communicate, make contact, with my one source of true life.

I am not going to be able to solve any problems by myself...I don't need to even try to...and you know what...I am handing it all over to God. And I know that I will still struggle with these things, because I am human, but I now understand fully that I have been turning in circles trying to find the answers...and now...I'm just going to take hold of my Daddy's hand and let God guide me...cause He knows what's going on...and...well...I don't have a clue...so from now on..I'm leaving it all up to Him.

(by the way...some good encouragement would make me feel sooo good, cause there is only so much that you can do to encourage yourself....and prayers...that would be great! thanks!)

Deep in thought.....

Yeah...so, here I am, sitting at my computer...so very deep in thought...I am just going to start typing right now...

Satan can be so sneaky in his methods....he can bring back all my frustrations from this summer in just one phone call, and one comment....and all of my confidence in certain situtions...my confidence in God...just starts to spiral downwards...BUT, thankfully, through these trying times, I have grown in my faith and in my confidence in the Lord. And when my faith starts to spiral...it doesn't get too far. I am confident that God will take care of the situation at Central. My family is in God's hands, and regardless of what happens...that will never change!!!! ANd it brings so much joy to my heart to be able to say that with undimming assurance!!!! PRAISE THE LORD! That's all I have to say!

As far as other situations....He's got those in His hands too, and what He wants for me, will happen, and that's all I need to know, and that's what I have to keep reminding myself. Well, once again, my girls have come through, and I am going out with them to get my mind off of the things that are trying to discourage me....until later....love you all!

My roomie is here!!!!

YAY!!!! I got up this morning and got ready REALLY fast and then MY ROOMIE got here!! I was really excited. We moved in all here stuff...got it organized...and then we all went to WalMart...tons of fun!! haha, then was the Cracker Barrel lunch! Yum! Well, not too much happened today other than that. I did go to a movie and fall asleep tonight...I think i am too tired to think, so I will just have to write more later when I have a functuning brain...
Church is tomorrow!! Yay! Not sure where I am going yet...we'll see....anyway..goodnight

Welp, freshman now have their experience...

Yes...freshman experience is over...good times...good times....We finished up at the Faulkner Dinner Theater..Hello Dolly...it was a good play...kinda long, but I enjoyed it! (I was especially excited about the fact that I wore a pretty black dress that I finally fit in!! Yay me!! hehe...it really is an exciting thing...) Anyway....we had a great devotional that followed...
Tonight was the last night of the week and we had skit night. It was fun....VERY LONG...some skits hurt my head because they had me so confused, but there were some that were really funny!!!! Now I am waiting for Ashley and everyone to call me...they went to the Biscuits game so when they get back I will have something to do that is more exciting than being on this computer....anyways... :)
Freshman Experience was a lot of fun, but I am glad that I can do anything for 2 days with my friends now....well, classes start on Wednesday...but 2 good days of fun!! yay!!!
Tomorrow Brittany- my new roommate moves in!!!!!!!! I AM SOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!!! CAN NOT WAIT!!! :) however, the room is a mess so I had better clean up!!! um...I had better go do that now...

What I am Looking for in a Guy.....

Due to current converstations I have had..I have decided to write out a list of qualities that I want in a guy....characteristics of the type relationship I am looking for....

Well the #1 priority of my relationship would have to be God. That is what I want in a future mate...so that is what I would need to establish early in a dating relationship. I want to date someone that will pray with me...study with me...encourage me...someone that would help me grow, not hinder me... and I in return want to do the same for this person..I want to encourage him and build him up....

I want this person to love God more than he could ever love me...because that's the only way that unconditional love could exist. I want this person to care about others...go out of his way to help people...I want him to be able to make me feel safe and taken care of, but at the same time...I want to be needed...I want him to need me to help him too.

I know that this person will have faults, and I want someone who would be patient with me when I mess up, and I in return would be patient with him...

I don't want a typical Faulkner "rush into the most serious relationship you can as soon as you can" type relationship. I will want things to go slowly...I will want to grow with this person, and this can't and shouldn't happen over night...or within a short week or two..because usually things that sprout up that quickly, are quick to wilt or fall. It is those things that take their time growing...take time to build strong roots...that stand through storms...

and in whatever relationship that comes my way in the future..there will be storms...and I will want to be with someone that will be strong enough to remain standing...

and in whatever relationship that comes my way in the future..there will be some really fun times...and I will want to be with someone that will be able to be silly and have fun with me.

.....these are just a few things that came to mind as I was thinking on this matter tonight...this is what I want...and I surely do not expect it anytime soon...who knows really...but I am not going to worry about it, that's for sure....

A good Sunday!

So, this morning I slept a little late...got ready in about 35 minutes and wasn't late for bible class, yes, I am the master...haha, jk....anyway. After church I went to Wings with a bunch of people for lunch....it was pretty exciting because I got to see people I hadn't seen in forever!!! Jon Gentry and Stephanie were there, it was great to see them!! OH--plus, I had never eaten there before, so I enjoyed the new experience...yes, I know that I am a dork!! ha

Went to the Biscuits baseball game tonight with the freshman experience group...fun stuff!! They played the Chattanooga Lookouts, pretty ironic considering when I was at home and I went to see the Lookouts for the 1st time, they were playing the Biscuits...craziness I tell you!

Well, I've been soooo tired all day so I need some sleep!! HA HA!! :) goodnight!!

Love me some Freshman Experience!!!

Yeah, so today all the freshman moved in and I helped move them in...kinda tired...oh well. My group is full of some really fun people! Tonight the groups were given $150 to spend however. My group went to WalMart PLUS we had enough to go to Sonic afterwards...FUN!!! With my portion of the money, I bought the 13 going on 30 DVD!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!! I love this job!! ;)

More fun to come later I am sure, for now, I am done talking....

Here I Am

Well, this was quite the eventful day!!! I got up really really early this morning, planning on leaving at the bright and early hour of 6am....well, it didn't happen quite like that....unfortuantely, we didn't leave till 9....and I was still completely exhausted...

So Karissa rides with me in my car...and I, of course have stuff piled sky high in my car, so that I can not see worth a flip. Yeah...I realized really soon, when almost side-swiping a car, that I kinda need to be extra careful when watching my blind spots!!...haha

Get to Faulkner, and finally get my room! Thrilled because I liked the spot that my room was in... my wonderful pal Miller came to help me get everything moved in....and he set up my computer for me...well, for the most part at least!!! It was several hours later that we were made aware of the REAL reason the internet wasn't working....good times...good times... :)

A combo of: helping the suitemates move in...unpacking my stuff....crazy tennis/baseball fun... my first experience at Moes (yes, the 3 of us ate for just 3 dollars...no joke!!)... dorm room shopping fun...oh, and how could I forget...the construction of my lamp!!! YAY!!!

Thought for the day:
The inner side of every cloud
Is bright and shining;
Therefore I turn my clouds about
And always wear them inside out,
To show the lining.
~Ellen Thornycroft Fowler Felkin~

Today is the Big Day!!

Well, I am about to finish loading up the car...I am on my way back to school!!!! The moment I have been waiting for since....well...since I got in the car to come home for the summer.... but for some reason, I am a little hesitant. I KNOW!!!! What is wrong with me!?!?!?! It's crazy for sure....but it really does make since.

First of all, I am so excited about getting to be with my friends again, however, I am a little nervous about how things are going to go in some situations....I know it's going to be good, but that is just one MINOR concern on my mind right now....

Secondly, I am really going to miss being with my family---Yes Mom, take your hand, and gently lift your jaw up to it's normal position---It has been nice to be able to spend time with them, and they have really been my friends this summer, because I didn't have ANY in Cleveland. Love em for it too!!! (even though I often complained...)

Thirdly, and the reason I think I am most hesitant to leave, is Central. I love my church family so much!!! I have been a part of that family for a good 13 years...and now my family is facing some really hard times. We are in search for a pulpit minister AND a youth minister. I hate that I am not going to be there throughout this whole process, because I want to help. My prayers will be with Central....and the youth group...and all the adults...everyone...because I'm telling you, it's been a hard summer, and I can't imagine having to deal with all that for much longer. I pray that we will all encourage one another, because it is getting hard to avoid Satan's trap of discouragement...but together, we can do it!! Fellowship among Christian brethren...God's unique design...a way for us to build one another up...Let's follow the plan and help each other!!!
I'm also scared that once we get our new ministers, I won't have the same, close relationship that I have had with James and Scott. I won't be there...I won't have the chance for them to really know me...but this too I must not worry about...Faith....something that I have really had to learn to rely on this summer... God is in control, He knows what's best, and He's going to make it happen for me. And that's really all I need to know.

I pray that God will help me let go of all these things, and help me to have another fabulous year at Faulkner...and you know what, I know it will be! I have a Father, and I have the faith. I have a Savior, who gives me strength. I have Joy, because I have Jesus. And that will NEVER change!

Well then, I guess I had better get off this computer and get going.... : )

"Patience is a virtue"

....that's what my mom told me last night when I was getting ready to leave for a cookout. "It's a big storm out there Jenna, just wait it out..." I was already late, and I did not feel like being later. "Mom, it's just rain, it's not going to hurt me or anything?!?!" Well, my mom didn't agree. I sat there for a minute, and then I looked at her, with one of those expressions that say--"This is really stupid, can you please let me grow up?!?!?"
As usual, her response was, "Ask your father." So I turned, and looked at my dad...and just as I expected, he replied, "Go on, have fun, be careful.." Score, 10 points for the Dad!! He always is the voice of reason in these type situations...

So I get in the car.... and I don't get more than 5 streets down the road, and the rain starts falling harder...and faster...and the next thing I knew...huge chunks of ice begin beating down on me and my nice, new, not-so-clean vehicle. I couldn't see a thing!!! So I pulled over at the gas station....got out the cell, and called my mom....

I could SEE it in her voice....arms crossed, head shaking..."I told you so." With an exasperated sigh I replied, "I know..." She continued, "Now Jenna, what does the Bible say?? What is a virtue???" "Patience Mom... Patience is a virtue."

And that is my lesson for the day. Patience is a virtue. And it is a good thing to practice in EVERY aspect of my life. I mean, if I rush into something...before the storm of it all is over...well, I'm pretty much going to get stuck in all the HAIL!!!

(Ashley, I hope you enjoy the hidden meaning of this one!! ;)

so how about this....

If you want to
I can save you
I can take you
Away from here
So lonely inside
So busy out there
And all you wanted was somebody who cares...

All you wanted was somebody who cares
If you need me you know I'll be there

What a glorious day that will be!!!

"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, not crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
Revelation 21:4

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affiction, which is but for a moments, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."
2 Corinthians 4:16-17


I thank my Lord for the gift that was given to me that I may have this promise. I thank my Lord that I have friends that can encourage me, and that I, in return, can encourage them. I am thankful that I can learn from the things that I have to go through, and that my God can make good come from it!! I love how God takes care of me...for example, this youth rally, and my friends being here, came just when I was about to not have to strenght to keep standing...they helped build me back up just by being there!! And that is just ONE example of how God takes care of me!! and that makes me happy!!! :)

The Best Weekend of the Entire Summer!!!

This weekend really was the best!!! Ashley got here Thursday night...bless her heart, her 3 1/2 hour drive turned into a 6 1/2 hour drive due to the MISdirections of MapQuest. But she got here safely so that's all that matters! We had so much fun hangin out that night...laughing all night while on the phone with another one of our fun friends!! Surprisingly enough..we didn't get much sleep.

The next morning I had to go to work, but after that, Ashley and I had ourselves some fun at Applebees, the park, Goodwill, and the purse/jewelry warehouse store...tons of fun I tell you!
And then....was the youth rally!!! SOOOOO MUCH FUN!!! The lesson was great that night, and then our boys got there to perform...Cornerstone!! Yay--oh yeah, it was Cornerstone and their manager for the weekend, Miller! haha Anyways....the youth rally was fun that night! Then everyone went to the house for some real fun times! We watched Serendipity, ate some (apparently gross) popcorn and just hung out till...umm...well, let's just say it was late, and that night I got less sleep than the night before!!

The next day was more happy youth rally!!! 2 more awesome lessons brought to us by Lonnie Jones!! Another wonderful Cornerstone performance...Ahh such a good happy fun wonderful youth rally! They are always great, but I think it made it even better having my friends there!! After lunch Ashley and I went to the library to help with the summer reading program party, it was actually really fun, we had been dreading it...but it wasn't bad at all. Then we went to the Family Cookout at the Nesbitt's...that was fun, *hey Rach--we gotta talk about that friend of yours!!! ;)* It was really sad when we left the cookout, cause the boys had to drive home that night...sigh...but we made the best of it by having a crazy fun drive home---OH YEAH--- with one exception...if you really want to know...ask me why I am the biggest idiot in the world, I really should not be allowed to drive... anyways...

Ashley had to leave before church this morning...and I hated seeing her go, but I'll see her in less than 2 weeks!! yay!!! Love her!!! SOOOO much!! One of my best friends right there.
You know...in a way, I am kinda glad that all my friends had to go home before church, because this morning was really emotional. Our youth minister has taken a job in Orlando, and this morning was really hard cause he is right this minute, on his way there...He's been my youth minister since I was in 7th grade....and it was just a really hard morning...I would have been embarressed because I cried all morning. Scott (the youth minister) leads singing too, so when he started that first song this morning...well, that's when the tears started leaking out of my eyes, and then when they had the special thing at the end of the service for him...yeah...I cried a lot...luckily I was prepared and I had brought in some napkins (couldn't find tissues...) I know that with Scott gone, things are going to be a lot different, but it is better for Scott, and God has a plan for us...I'm just going to have to not worry about it and put it in God's hands...just like what I need to do with everything else...I trust Him...and I know that He'll take care of me.

Anyway...I am very excited about getting back to Faulkner Thursday!!!!! What a wonderful way to spend my last weekend at home...with my friends!!! I couldn't have asked for anything better!! yay!!!

happy day #2...what an accomplishment!!!

WOW!! I mean WOW!!! Things are really looking up!!! I am making it!! 2nd Happy day in a ROW!!! Yay!!!! I knew that if I just hung in there, God would be able to help me out!! He is soooo AWESOME!!!  sigh of relief..... and that is all to say....

Happy time

No more sad entry for today-----it's happy time!
                   I love my Mommy!
                   I love my Daddy!
                   I love my sisters!
                   I love all of my family!!!!!
                   I love Rach!
                   I love all of my friends! 
                       (not even gonna start namin names...would be a LONG list!!)
                   I love Faulkner!
                   I love Camp Wetoga!
                   I love life!
                   I LOVE GOD!!!!!
 
And the youth rally is this weekend and this is the last week of my jobs and next week I get to see my friends and meet new people and I am blessed beyond imagination!!!! YAY!!!!
                  
AND!!!! Ashley is coming this weekend for the youth rally and I am so excited cause we are going to have fun and Cornerstone will be here so it will almost be like Seneca, but with half the sisters not there...but the 2 of us will be rockin anyway!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am exhausted....

I am exhausted: physically, from work and all of the stress; spiritually, from fighting to keep myself spiritually alive...from fighting to get up everytime satan finds a way to knock me back down over and over and over again with discouragement; emotionally drained....I just need a big boost and I think getting away and back to school with my friends will help, I mean...I need something!!! Cause I am TIRED of all of this....I want to have my happiness back..I still have my joy, don't get me wrong, but I am just not as happy as I usually am, and i miss it! 
           I will make it...I will....I am going to be ok, this is just a hard time, I will be fine soon, and I don't doubt that one bit, but it sure is hard right now...pray for me...

A Breath of Fresh Air...

       Well, you all can probably tell, things have been kinda rough for me the past couple of weeks. I've been really discouraged about many different things..confused...frustrated...and clueless as to how to handle these different situations.  Anyway, this week, the East Brainerd Youth Group (were I often attend) was at Camp Wetoga for their week of camp...well of course I wanted to go, but of course I had to work...BLAH!! Anyway... I was able to make it down to camp yesterday. I left after work at the library and drove as fast as I could into those Blue Ridge Mountains...I got there, and it was like....sigh.....camp....whata relief!!!  It was wonderful! I really needed some camp...now that is not to say that I didn't still have all that stuff on my mind..cause I did, and I still do....but, still...
      This morning I went to the Bible class, and we watched this video clip, and then we had time to sit, and think about things...meditate on God...spend time with Him... Our teacher told us to write down what we were thinking...and I think I am going to write it in here so that I can see it often and remember....

                          here I am, sitting in this mess hall that I have grown to love... so many memories of wonderful, powerful lessons I have heard in here...memories of all the fun I have had in here with so many different people over the years.
                          these memories are full of joy, encouragement, upliftment, pure fellowship, some hard times, but most of all,
                         memories---connections
                         times I have felt the closest to my Lord...
                         and all of this
                              This Hope
                              This Joy
                              This Peace
                              This LIFE
                        is because of Him!
                       I owe this life to Him!
His sacrifice gives me the opportunity to have that-and the opportunity to go to Heaven- where all of this joy will be multiplied by ETERNITY! and for that--I owe Him my life! ALL of it!
      and even in times like now, when things are so hard- He is in control, and I will follow Him!

Home again...home again....

        So I had myself a wonderful time in Montgomery!! I got to spend a lot of time with Jessie, Ashley, and the other Seneca girls (luv em!)...I also got to hang out with several other wonderful friends! I wish I could have seen more people and maybe seen some people more...but it was still WONDEFUL! I can not wait to get back to school! I really can not wait! I think I had forgotten just how much I missed it...it took being there to bring everything back fully...and now I don't think 3 weeks can go by fast enough!!
       I know that this is going to be a great year! Hopefully there will be some fun new adventures for Jenna...who knows what all is in store for me this year...*winkwink*
 
      One bad thing though...I got home today and found out that my mom had been in the hospital and my fam didn't tell me till I got home...they didn't want to me to get in a reck trying to get home or something...I wish that they had told me...but anyway...the Dr. thinks she has kidney stones. I feel so bad for my mommy!! I would love it if you all could keep her in your prayers!!

Well...here I am...

...in Montgomery..made it in one piece...people liked my haircut!...I now have a roommate...I am so excited because she is soooo awesome and I know this even though I d0n't even know her yet!! It is good to be here...
        ..the trip was kinda interesting...2 traffic jams...severe weather...me almost dying in that severe weather while stuck in a Cracker Barrel...rescued by Stevo's parent...what a relief!!! AND FINALLY MAKING IT TO MY DESTINATION!!! hahaha  All in all...it was a good trip and now I am happily hangin out with my friends! I love it here!! Yay!!!
  ...anyway...while in Albertville I had the oportunity to meet Michelle's awesome youth group! They are so great! They are going on a mission trip to Michigan and I want to go soooooo bad..but I have to work...blah...but hey- I will be going back to visit and hang out!! For sure!! Such awesome people...
     ...and now I am going to have to end this lovely blog entry to go to thee movies with my friends!! YAY!!! more later.....out
 

Headed to the M-town!!!

well, I get to go up to school this weekend and see everyone!! I am so very excited!!! yay!!! soon I will be going back to school for the year and to be honest--I have mixed feelings now...I am soooo ready to get back and be with all my friends...but I am kinda hesitant to leave home..with all that has been going on here...I am afraid to leave and then come back to a big disaster...that is something that I am going to have to let go of and not try to fix it myself...trust God...well, I guess I will just have to walk by faith and not by sight...

And now I really just don't know what to say...

...have you ever had so many things come at you all at once...from all directions...all so shocking, so startling, so frustrating, so confusing, and so...annoying....
...and you really just don't know what to think...what to say...
and it's not like they are all related to the same thing... it's like..stuff in every aspect of your life going crazy...
...well, I guess that's where I am right now...stuck in the land of not knowing how to handle this and how to deal with that and what's going to happen here and how you are going to end up there...
...kinda definitely bites...
but things will get better.... 2 Corinthians 4..I just need to read that...remind myself that God is in control, I am holding His hand, and He will lead me through all of this...
...one thing is for sure...I am holding
on to His hand very tightly...

This very well may have been the most emotional day of work ever in my life...

Ya'll...today was rough...don't get me wrong, I had some wonderful, fun, happy sessions today at the studio...but there was one that just broke my heart!! I really cried when the people left...this just humbled me and it really...well, it really did crush my heart for these people...let me tell you about it...

I had a break between some appointments, so I was doing things around the studio that needed to be done...when I heard someone clear there throat...I turned around and there was an elderly lady and her husband standing at the front of the store. I thought, sheesh, you didn't have to be rude... and then I walked over to them. The lady said that she and her husband wanted to get pictures taken, and she asked if I had time to do it for them...well, I had an hour before my next appointment so I could take them...she told me that she had a doctors appt. at 2:15, so we needed to get them done quickly...no problem...I took them to the camera room and began taking their pics...they were so cute!! Yesterday was the lady's 62th birthday so they were getting birthday pics taken...they told me that they usually get their pics taken every 5 years for their anniversary, and this Jan. would be their 45th Anniversay..but they wanted to get them done now because the lady had some health problems...that made me sad..and I wanted to make sure that they had some wonderful pictures! And they did! They were great!!! The people didn't have a coupon...and I felt bad for them, so I gave them a coupon for a GOOD discount!! They picked out sooo many pictures that the total came to over $600...blest their hearts...when I told them the price, I thought the lady was going to have a breakdown...I felt awful, I took her back to the sales table and we started to downsize her order...she told me, she said..."I wish I could get all these..I really do, but hunny, I just can't afford it right now...I'm about to have a cancer operation, and I just can't afford it" I gave her a hug and told her that it was going to be all right...when she left to go to her appointment..she had tears in her eyes...and I did too, as they walked away, I lost it..I know that I don't know these people, but it just hurts my so bad to think that I may have taken their last pictures together...the thought of that man, having to look at those very pictures sometime in the future, with her gone...and the pain that he will feel..because you can tell how much they love each other...and I wish that there was something that I could do for them...but there's not, and right now even I am crying just thinking about it...and I just am praying for them so hard...I just pray that that lady will be ok, and that she will beat the cancer that is hurting her so badly...and that she won't be taken away from her husband yet...

and I know that you might think it is silly that I let myself get so emotional over some people that I don't know...and maybe I am silly, but if you could have seen their faces...just how they...admired one another, if you could have looked into those eyes...they were so full of fear, and disappointment, and grief...but also full of so much love...if you could have seen how much they cared for one another...

and it may be that no one understands me on this one...but I suppose I just needed to write it all down...

Ok.....sooo...now...

I really do like my hair, I just got sad about the good, fun, long hair being gone....everyone likes my haircut...they say I look older..that's good....anyway.....it's not about what I look like...it's about the person I am...(and I am going to keep tellin myself that...)
yeah...it's been one of those days.... goodnight

Ummm....sooooo

Yeah...I, ummm, got my hair cut yesterday...I really liked it!! It looked really cute...but...when I woke up this morning...I really missed my hair...I want it back! I want it to grow fast and I really really really really hope it doesn't look completely horrible the entire time I AM growing it out...It is different...and that will be good for now I suppose...but I really want it to grow back to being...well...me!!!Anyway...this is probably just the "first morning after a hair cut, freak out cause you're like--DID I REALLY DO THAT!??!" kinda thing...oh well, it's just hair, maybe I will still have friends... ;), I'm just joking... Oh well, got to get ready for work...later

Fun in the Sun!!!

Well, today was a big family picnic at the Ocoee River...we had so much fun with the fam!! Me, Rach, and JD laid on some rocks in the middle of the river for a good 2 hours...*AHAHHHH!!!!Kill it!!!* *Get my shoe* *Don't throw it over the cliff!?!!* I saw one of my friends from high school there which was really fun!! Blake was one of my Pre-Cal buddies!! Bless the boy for real!! He helped me out a bunch!! hehe... good times, good times... Oh- and we saw 3 snakes while we were there...kinda crazy... this one kid threw this big rock at one and it knocked it off the rock it was one, and it started swimming towards us!!!! We thought we were bout done for!!! Anyway.....we had us a big day today! :)

So here's my question....

How does one person really make a difference?

You know, sometimes it gets a little discouraging when you see so many things that need to be fixed, so many people that are hurting and need help, and still there's so much that you (I) need to work on... I suppose the only way to tackle it all is to just do what you can...try to somehow effect everyone that you come in contact with...It doesn't have to be anything huge...really, I guess it can just be with a simple smile, a sincere "hey, how are you doing?" By being a friend...by listening to people, by being selfless...some of these things are easy to do, and others take work...that selfless thing especially! And hopefully others will be encouraged, and maybe they will even start doing that very same thing to everyone they come in contact with...and then the cycle would continue...and thinking about it that way, that one smile could indirectly touch every single person in the world...now that is an encouraging thought!! I like it!! :)

Awakened from my slumber...

ahh...this morning, at the bright and early time of 9:30 (ok, so it's not that early, but for me, who was planning on sleeping till noon, it was a bit early) I got a call on my cell phone that woke me up very abruptly..I didn't realize that my volume was THAT loud...I guess the fact that it was right by my head didn't help much... anyway... It wasn't anyone fun, it was Amy from work---love her...work not so much...--and she needed me to come in for her. Bummer. But hey, it's money...

So there are lots of things going on right now, and I'm good, handling it all well and all, but it still is kinda stressful. And at this point of time, there is no need for me to go into details, just know that there is a lot that needs prayers...so if anyone wants to pray for just all the stuff that is going on...I would appreciate it very much!!

I don't always understand how good can come from some of the stuff that happens, but my understanding is not essential, God has got it all under control, and all I have to do is trust Him, and that I do!!

Here Comes that Rainy Day Feelin Again...

Yep...It's raining...AGAIN!!! Oh well, at least it has still been a good day!!! Nothing special happened...it's just been good. I should be getting a package in the mail soon, and I am SOOO excited!!! Whoot whoot!!! hahaha Anyway..I am about to go finish my picture box that I am making...so I'll holler later when there's more to shout.

Just another Manic Monday....

...I love that song!! Call me crazy, but 80s songs are some of the best!!!

So today I was Miss. Workin Girl. I made my way to the library...did a lot of shelving books...fun fun...then it was back to the house for food, clothing change, a short chat online, and out to Chattown for the Portrait Studio....and then...there was nothing to do. I wasted 5 hours sitting around. We didn't have a single appointment tonight...I did everything that I could find to do...and then I just read. The Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis, is a pretty awesome book!!! And to top off the evening, after work I got to go to a devo tonight...wonderful day I would say..work or no work...It felt like play!!! Wow... and that is my cue to leave...Goodnight.

I am one lucky kid...

....cause I have a great family!!!! ...so many great and wonderful friends!!!! ....I have some wonderful examples in my life, people that I can really look up to, respect, and learn from!!!! ...I have such a large number of different circumstances and influences that have molded me into the person that I am today...and even with my quirks, and my faults and my mistakes...and even with those moments that I do feel down on myself...at the end of the day... I like who I am... and it'll be interesting to see exactly what I become, cause God is not done with me yet!

and that's just something that I was thinking about and I figured I'd write it down... so that whenever I might need to remind myself of it, it'll be there..

I am my Mother's daughter... : )

When thinking back on my childhood, one thing that I remember is my mom and her crafts. She was always working on something...whether it be a new dress or an iron-on/puffy paint sweatshirt for me...or a new doll or trinket of some sort. My mom always had her craft supplies spread out across the dining room table...she even took us to some fun craft classes. We made pillows and T-shirts...ahhh, those were the days.
And now, as a sophmore in college, I find myself on this Saturday night, sitting at a card table in the middle of my sister's bedroom, with my tool box, that I made at camp this year, filled with colorful paints and crisp new paint brushes....."crafting." And I am lovin it! It for sure beats watching all the *nothing* that is on TV.
And one day...it might be me in the dinning room, making a new dress or an iron-on/puffy paint sweatshirt...or a new doll or trinket of some sort...and I think I like that too... :)

**Um..I also decided that I want to write children's books, this entry reminded me of one**

On those Rainy Nights....

Yep, it seems to me that I think the best at night, and something about the rain puts me in such a serene mood, that my thoughts are able to flow more clearly than at other times when I just can't put my finger on the words I want to say.
When I got home at the beginning of the summer, I made a list. It's tucked away, at the head of my bed, between my photo albums...and I won't go into detail of exactly what this list contains...but it was basically things I saw in myself, that I didn't like. Things that I wanted to change so that I could truly be the best Christian example and simply the best person that I can be. And some of these things I have begun to accomplish. I have begun the process of becoming a self-suffient individual. Far from the point of true independence still---I admitt, I still need my parents...quite a bit actually...but I am on the right path. Working two jobs instead of my usual carefree summers has helped that process, along with the fact that I now have car payments that I am responsible for. There are several other things that I feel like I have improved on...BUT there is so much that I am so far from even making a dent of progress in...and those are the things that I want to work on most.
You know, it's really easy to make that list of things to do and things to improve on, but it is SO much harder to actually do them. I, personally, have allowed many frustrating circumstances to hinder me. And believe me, they are very frustrating...And I mean- they hinder me. But the thing is, they don't have to. I need to focus more on my Lord, and in doing that, I will be headed straight in the direction of my goals. Then those minor dilemmas will hardly be an issue, and I will know that I am making progress...

as Emerson so eloquently spoke

To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch... to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!
Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'd like to change one little thing....

Ok, so there is one thing that I said last night that I would like to change. I do not think that people would think- "man I'm glad i'm not her"-I think they would kinda envy me...you know why. Because no matter what all I have to deal with...all those crazy things that happen...all that stuff that makes people go "poor girl"..I am still one of the happiest people you will ever come across. You know why? Because I have more than that temporary happiness... I have an overwhelming amount of joy that comes from a higher power. My Father in Heaven gives me this joy. Because I have a hope for something...a promise...that is so much more incredible than ANYTHING else!! And because of that hope, and because of that promise, and because of that joy--I can take on anything! Because I'm not doing it alone. And that my friend, is what makes me happy.

Ahh...the Irony of my life...

No details neccessary...just know that I should be in movies...it seems like I live all sorts of interesting story plots that people would love to watch, but they would leave thinking...man, I sure am glad I'm not her. Yea for me!!

I was just thinkin....

You know...I can be a very impatient person. And it's weird, because with some things....I am the most kind and patient person ever-like when I am at work, taking pictures... that is really stressful, and people always tell me, you are so patient..how do you do it? And thinking about it, I am very patient with people usually, which is good I suppose...but I am so impatient with stuff. One minor example- I always HAVE to get one-hour photos...I just can't wait for my pictures to be sent off and come back. It takes- what?- 3 days? Sheesh...The major examples are now beginning to be pushed to the forefront of my mind now. How about the fact that sometimes I get so impatient with God (major big time no-no). It's like I ask God to do things on MY terms and on MY time schedule. And I get frustrated when it doesn't work out the way I want it to. You would think that after all these years, and all the things that God has done for me, and all the things that He made to work out in ways that I never imagined...you would think that I would be able to let go and just give it all to GOd. You would think that I would automatically let Him take over...I mean He IS the one that will be able to do the best job...But for some reason, the human side of me always pushes God out of the drivers seat...don't get me wrong...I keep in the passengers seat--but is that not just as dumb!!! It's like I think- here God, let me take over, I can get us there so much faster with this short-cut, let me drive.
That is most definitely one of the many things that I need to work on...Prayers for that would be wonderful! Well, thanks for listening to me... Hope you all have an excellent day!!

Well, Chick Fil A hates me now...

Yep, I guess I wouldn't be happy either if a bunch of college students came into my resturant 6 minutes before closing and proceeded to take their time eating and hanging out...But it wasn't me who got there that late...I was there 25 minutes before closing....that was Joseph, Courtney, Brayden, Josh, Ryan, and Jennifer...the rest of us weren't much trouble at all..but yet, I think they still despise all of us due to association, well, and the fact that we, too, remained in there, thus making the poor workers stay longer...they even had us locked in!?!?! Is that not the set up for a crazy horror flick. Oh well, we had fun at least. Not too much harm done. But I think they also hate ME because I always end up eating free!! *Thank you to my Delta sisters for selling calenders with coupons!!!* hehe...I had 3 sets... ;) *yum*yum*
--good times--good times--

On a serious note...

Today, one of my friends was having a very rough day. Some things have been happening that she doesn't understand, and she doesn't see the reason.... this is what I told her. It helps me to keep this in mind, so maybe someone else out there needs to hear it too...

I do not believe that everything happens for a reason. Bad things happen because sin is in the world, so there is this cycle of bad circumstances that happens because God gives us that freedom to decide how we are going to live..etc....HOWEVER... I BELIEVE WITH ALL MY HEART!!!! That GOD GIVES reason to EVERYTHING that happens to THOSE WHO TRUST HIM!!!

This is so true...God doesn't make the bad happen...God doesn't WANT us to hurt. But we will, and you know what... He is right there, ready to help us up, and ready to make things better for us.

Rom 8:28
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

Eph 3:20
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power, that is at work within us."

2 Cor. 4:8-9,16-18
"We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed....Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affiction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but the things which are not seen. For the things which are seem are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

Boys....sometimes they can be sooooo weird

It seems to me, looking around at several current situations I find my friends in...that boys can be soooo weird--don't get me wrong, girls can definitely be weird too--but there must be something in the water that is making guys CONFUSING!!! I could name several people that within the past 2 days have mentioned that their guy has got them totally baffled! What is up with that? Sheesh... summer is fun and all, but it seems to just complicate some things in the lives of my dear pals. Anyway... I suppose it's times like these that make me almost appreciate the fact that I am a happy single young lady...
On a happier note...I decorated this photo album of mine that was just plain blue canvas, and now it is SOOOOO awesome looking!!! I am still impressed with myself. I like to look at it...hehehe *Mod Podge rocks* (atta girl Rissy!!) ;)

the day in the life of me, the Portrait Studio girl

well, I got done workin at the library...expecting to go home, put on my pjs and chill (as well as tackle the tremendous amount of laundry piled up from camp)...but no, it didn't happen that way. I got a call from my manager at the Studio..."JenJen...can you come in today?" of course I reply.. "Sure, no problem.." SO in I go. Today there were no appointments for the evening so I called a whole bunch of people to say--"Hey your pics are in" That took up an hour...leaving me with 4 more to go. So I color a piece of paper...Mom brought me some chicken salad..ate that...and then, out of the corner of my eye, I see a man approaching the front desk.."DO you have any openings...for right now?" Trying to maintain my composure...I calmly reply, "yes, we are free for the rest of the evening." In my head I am jumping for joy!!! This will keep me occupied for the next hour and a half. And did it ever. I actually had to stay 40 minutes over. WOW---I made a HUGE sale!! The baby was just 5 days old and I was the first person to ever take professional pictures of it. Isn't that special. One thing that broke my heart was that the great-grandmother had alzheimers..she was really grumpy when they got there, she had been having a bad day...but it ended up being a good experience. I felt like God had placed me there to help that family have a pleasant experience..it was the last day that the grandmother and great-grandmother were going to be in town. I am glad that I got to go in today, because so many times..like today...I'm not just taking the family's pictures... I am playing a minor role in creating their memories...wow..did I ever get serious on that one. And boy am I cheezy. But seriously, God can and will use me in everything I do, even when it seems to be something so insignificant. How awesome is that?!?!

Holla to my BillyBobTex!!!

Just another shoutout...Tex-hey.. hehee. This kid is HARD to catch, even when he's online he won't be there...crazy kid!!! It's because of him that Texas is soooo cool!!! Yea Tex!!! Whoo whoo!! anyway... I"ll be writing more soon....

I got that time changed!!!

Um... well, I got that time problem fixed. Yea!!! Thanks for the instructions... appreciate it.

Another Rach comment

So how about I LOVE my cuz!!! Rach is so great!! She is always here for me when I need advice about *stuff* ;) plus we always have so much crazy fun!!!! *My chocolate milk is how much?!?!* hehe...there are just some things you never forget..*where's the road?* *I'm gonna put you in the trunk!* ahh...memories. *ARK ARK* wow...this is almost too much for one entry, I think I will hold off on this trip down memory lane and leave with this last thought... Rach- I love you and I look forward to many more crazy adventures. Peace out.

see...Rach, I told you...

lupo: have you seen my blog?
rach: yep
rach: i'm not in it :(
rach: i shall take thee out of mine
lupo: :-\ you will be!!!!!!!!!!!
lupo: I promise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
rach: yeah yeah
rach: and so it goes
lupo: Just wait... you'll see....

Time on here is weird...

I just noticed that the time on this posting thingy is off by, like, 3 and a half hours.. so right now it's really 9:45 ish...just thought I'd let you know.. bye

Ahhh...another Sunday

Welp, another Sunday has come and a good one at that. Happy Father's Day to the padre...love him, love him... So for our Father's Day celebration, we ate at Cracker Barrel after church, and at Cracker Barrel, I came to a startling realization.... I no longer like Cracker Barrel pancakes. There I said it, I admitt it. After all these years of eating there and ONLY eating pancakes... I mean figure in about once a month, every month since I was five...give or take a few... that's 168 pancake meals!!!! Now, I have absolutely no clue what I am going to eat there from now on...it's like there is a whole new world of possiblities out there for me---but yet, I feel a sense of sadness... this is the end of an era. (moment of silence) 1, 2, 3...I'm over it.

I washed my car today... shoo that was some hard work, the dirt was very much attached to my car... I think it was having trouble letting go of camp too ;) hehe I crack myself up..anyway...Dad sanded down the lovely scratch on my vehicle, so now I really have to get that touch up soon cause it sure nuff is showing BAD!!! *Dad- when you sand it... it does take some of the paint off* I'm going to have to remember that for next time---actually I hope there never is a next time...I will never park behind the cabins again.

How about I seriously CRASHED today... No, not my car, I'm not that bad now...I just sat down for one minute to see what Kapers was watching and I fell asleep. I eventually woke up 3 hours later. Good nap. Yea.

We had a preacher come and try out tonight at church... the search for a new minister has officially begun, and it makes me sad, but change is just a reality of life, so I'm going to have to get used to it. I think we are going to keep looking. This man seemed nice enough, but he had a hardcore radio announcer voice, and at one point, I swear, he sounded like the Grinch-- errr, that kinda freaked me out.. but oh well. I definitely need to pray that I will have an open mind through all of this and that we will find the person that will be best for Central.

Well, had me my Mexican tonight with the youth group--tons of loud, crazy fun!!! Yea!!! then we visited Grandpa..and now...I am online...my usual evening activity. What an exciting life I lead...well that's all for now... *holla wotie*

sometimes I can really confuse myself

you know...sometimes I can really confuse myself... I pay attention to so many random things that happen around me, that I find myself needing to know what all is going on... I need to just chill and go with the flow.. shoo, the best stuff happens when you least expect it ;) right my dear friends.. you know who you are *wink wink* you gotta love camp, and I love my sister. I also love my new bud Donny. I would have to say that he is the funnest kid in the universe!!! *some people wanna fill the world---huhuhu* *NAHHHH savania* I have this newfound love for the Lion King, go figure ;)
anyway... I am really gonna like writing funny random stuff in here. and I bet my friends will too, that way I won't feel the need to share it with the constantly. Oh well... Can't wait to hit the jaccuzzi next summer in the Blue Ridge Mtns. Analogies...gotta love them, but they are kinda like inside jokes, you have to know the significance. Holla woties!!!

I have my own blog now!!!

So now I am super siked cause I am finally on my own website...I am so excited.. now I can share all kinds of stupid stuff on here!! Yea!! Um.. I'll write more later.. I just want to see it now.