in a new location

so i know its only October, and i know its been forever but I have just been so overwhelmed with life. Let's recap.
I've attended 5 different colleges/universities this year.
I've visited 15 different states
I've graduated college and start my pursued of my masters =)
and....... that's it haha
Living in AZ has been fun, not a huge adjustment. I think the hardest thing was in august I didn't go back to LU, first time in 3 years...weird feeling.
Graduate school is wayyy different then undergrad, but I am getting the swing of it.
Miss all my besties, but I have already made plans to be on the east coast at least 2x if not more in 2011. I can't miss my best friends getting married.
I will be sure to take tons of pictures in the upcoming weeks.
Live life to the fullest!~

light up the sky

last night was so awesome. just got away from all the crap going on around me and took off with a good friend to the middle of nowhere. had a bone-fire, s'mores, some drinks, and just talked. Talked about everything...literally. Makes me really appreciate my friendships i have with the people that come with no strings attached. I have learned alot in my 22 years of life and one of those things was reinforced last night: LIFE GOES ON!
in the last couple weeks i have been handed cards that i don't know how to deal with. For about a week I was so lost in my identity. Its hard to accept that God's perfect plan is sometimes different than our perfectly good plan. But i'm rolling with the punches and I cling to the promise that I walked "through the valleys" (meaning I don't stay there).
New Theme song...Light Up the Sky by The Afters. It was a perfect song to go with a great night.
I am blessed and I am stronger than anyone knows!

When I'm feeling all alone
With so far to go
The signs are no where on this road
Guiding me home
When the night is closing in
Is falling on my skin
Oh God will You come close?

Light light light up the sky
You light up the sky to show me You are with me
I I I can't deny
No I can't deny that You are right here with me
You've opened my eyes
So I can see You all around me
Light light light up the sky
You light up the sky to show me
That You are with me

When stars are hiding in the clouds
I don't feel them shining
When I can't see You beyond my doubt
The silver lining
When I've almost reached the end
Like a flood You're rushing in
Your love is rushing in

So I run straight into Your arms
You're the bright and morning sun
To show Your love there's nothing You won't do

That You are with me
That You are with me

in choosing a confidant

so i have this GIANT book of lists...i like lists. Anyway I wanna share one of those lists with you today. Its entitled, In choosing a confidant.

in choosing a confidant find someone
...you trust
...who can keep a confidence
...who will respect your boundaries
...who will give you perspective
...who will pray for you
...who will pray with you
...who will keep you accountable with unjustly condemning you
...who will not be a negative affect on you!

find someone like that and you have found a true confidant and friend!

Sissy

To me you are an angel in disguise.
Full of intuition, intelligent, and wise.
Always giving and helping through
Good times and bad.
You are the best friend I've ever had.
If I had one wish it would surely be
To give you as much as you've given to me.
Though I've put our relationship through some cloudy days,
You've been my sunshine in so many ways.
Through trials and tests, right by me
You stood,
And gave me your hand whenever you could.
Thank you so much my sister, my friend
My thankfulness for you, there really is no end.

I know we all claim to have the best sister in the whole world. but i really have to argue about that. My sister and I have been thru our fair share of trials and tribulations, and I was blessed to have her by my side.
This post is a shout out to my sissy.

I love you times one million!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

a penny for my thoughts

in the recent days i have realized that blogging is basically useless. no one really cares about my life/problems/ups/downs. you say "i already have enough baggage...why do i need yours?!?"
you don't...but you humor and read anyway. jk.
i just wanted to share a thought from Romans 5:3-5

Not this alone, but we glory in afflictions as well; for we know that affliction produces patience, and patience develops a tried character, and character begets hope, such hope as does not disappoint; for God’s love is poured out into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (The Modern Language Bible)

I wonder who Paul would be today. I wonder what he would say to us, Christians, who moan and whine about every little "suffering"?!? We pray for patience and than cry when God gives it too us. We desire character, but when we realize character requires patience we run in the opposite direction. Lastly, we all long for hope. But hope is a gift that comes from trials. Hope helps us hold on, when you gotta reach up to touch rock bottom. But if you desire to experience hope...you MUST endure trails. They say that experience is the hardest teacher cause it gives the test first and the lesson afterward...so true. So like building blocks we must first start with patience. & According to Paul, if we truly want to increase our patience, we should be asking God to send sufferings and troubles our way. (i know that won't really happen, he'll still give them too us).
From patience we BUILD character and than we receive hope
Hold on and never cease to rely on God's mighty arm.

Hope never fails!~~

figured i should update everyone as to where i am currently and where i will soon be going.
1. sooooo for startrs...i graduated college! wahoo. can't believe its all over, very bittersweet but I do love where i'm going.
i'm home for the summer, interning at Southwest Sports Institute. Good times!~ Almost done with that internship...about 64 more hours =)
2. I have started writing two books. I've posted teasers from both =). I decided a few months ago that I should share what I've been through. Since that is the majority of non-fiction work is about anyway. I really felt God leading me to share how I worked through my tragedies. It has been a growing experience and has helped me work out some kinks in my life.
3. I'm moving to phoenix in about 8 weeks! very exciting, starting that next chapter of my life. (not gonna lie...sure hope my HF is out there lol).
4. in about 5 years I plan on being a practicing sports psychologist, for a collegiate team...remember that.
well don't want to bore you too long...that is the quick update. be back soon.
have a blessed weekend

in the way

ever been in life when you pray for God to move and you feel like you are left standing there, still waiting.
there was this little girl at work today. her mom was shopping and had a basket full (to the top) with products. the little girl wanted to "carry it" but because it was so heavy she was just dragging it. 'Cept her foot was in the way so every time she pulled the basket it wouldn't move. She got so frustrated.
That scenario is played out in my life a few times. Me being the little girl and the basket being anything from decisions to people in my life. And i get made cause I want them to move or be moved, and I want the situation to go the way I want it too, but I am the one standing in the way.
The best advice I can give tonight. Get out of your own way. God wants to work, but if you are to busy directing the show, he will just stand back and wait.