Lack of Productivity.

This picture is currently my Facebook profile picture, my computer background, and my cell phone wall paper.

I can't get anything done because whenever I try to...this picture makes me stop and stare, smile and giggle.

I ran into my Rachel on campus yesterday and was telling her about how I couldn't get anything done. She started laughing and informed me that it would be really sad for me to have to ask for an extension on an assignment because "you couldn't stop telling a picture that you love it."

It's kind of pathetic.

"I run in the way of your commandments, and so you shall enlarge my heart." Psalm 119:32

I have run the race and the Lord has certainly blown up my heart with joy, blessings, and excitement!

No matter that I have two papers and a test due tomorrow.

Coooooooooook OUT!

My beautiful parents offered about six weeks ago to throw a cook out for my friends here in Raleigh. How does a girl say no to free food and fellowship with some of her favorites?

This dinner was supposed to be mainly for my Bible Study girls so that my parents could meet these gorgeous girls who I have spent the last three years of my life loving. I then pleaded and begged to add to that list. In my dad's words, I was to invite "[my] girls and then the first 25 people you think of in Raleigh." So I did just that. Last night from 5:30pm to about 9:30 pm in Wendell, 48 of my closest friends and Bible Study girls pulled onto Lake Drive and ate and laughed and fellowshipped.

I took the opportunity to snap a generation photo with my girls and grandgirls that were present.

 Six of these girls are mine. Two are my Hannah's. The rest are my Lauren and my Kelsey's.

We're missing about thirty girls from this picture.

My sweet little goofballs.

I am blessed to know you.

I am overjoyed to love you.

I am humbled to serve you.

To everyone else that came out last night, I have no words for how much you mean to my life. I am so incredibly blessed to call you friend.

1,324.4 Miles: Day One

Between Thursday at 2 pm and Tuesday at 2 am I traveled 1,324.4 miles through North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and then back through North Carolina.

It did my heart so much good.

For about a month I have been planning with a girl named Patricia who goes to Marshall to surprise Erin and Todd. I went to Lebanon with Erin and Todd this past summer. They started dating when the plane touched down at RDU and got engaged on Valentine's Day. I love these kiddos. So, so much.

Patricia went to Daytona Beach Summer Project this past summer with my Lauren and I got to meet her when she came down for the weekend to love on my Lauren. I sent Patricia a message asking to help me surprise the two of them.

Erin is as cute as they come and I knew a surprise with her would include squealing.

At 9:11pm, I found out that I was very correct.

It was beautiful and perfect and I love her so much.

Erin is on the left. This was our first weekend exploring in Lebanon. 

Me and Erin at the petting zoo in Jeita. 

We spent a wonderful four hours together, some at Crusade and the rest walking around Marshall talking about our lives. I hated to hop back in my car, but I knew that Erin had to teach the next day and I also knew that Julia was waiting for me in Richmond, Kentucky.

This was taken two years ago on my last road trip.

Day Two coming soon!!!

Alive!

I am alive! Barely, but I'm still breathing.

My soul is refreshed after this wonderful long weekend. It was the exact nourishment that I needed in order to keep pushing through school for the next seven weeks. I have a few pictures to share later--I was not as picture diligent as I now wish I was--and lots of stories!

A brief run-down of what you get to look forward to...

I climbed a mountain.

I surprised three of my favorite people.

I sat on a front porch swing and heard all about my sisters' lives.

I ate lots of good food.

I explored three different cities.

I never will understand how to cross time zones.

I saw lots of family members.

It was a good weekend.

If you have had a conversation with me over the past month, I have probably had a smile on my face, but the things I said probably weren't encouraging.

After this weekend, a friend texted me and asked how I was doing. My response

"I am happier than I have been in weeks. I'm physically exhausted but I am emotionally, spiritually, and mentally refreshed. Thank God for true love and family."

I can't wait to share my stories.

An Apology and A Question.

Well hello again.

Yes, it's me, the awful person who makes it seem  that she forgets all about you. But I promise it's not true!

I've been off traveling the world. And by the world, I mean downtown Raleigh, I-95, I-20, and Evans, Georgia.

This post isn't going to be much better. You see, I'm here to give you another warning. I'm packing up my car and heading North and West for the weekend. I'm off on a grand adventure to hug these people:

 Plus a few more that may or may not know that they're getting a hug from me yet.

I apologize that I can't give you a full run-down on this past week, because heaven knows it was amazing. Maybe it will make you feel better to know that in the next 27 hours, I may or may not have to do all of the following:

• Write 4 3-page papers.
• Read a play.
• Do 3 homework assignments.
• Clean my house.
• Pack my suitcase.
• Feed 14 Bible Study girls.
• Lead a Bible Study.
• Attend a Bible Study.
• Attend 3.5 classes.
• Do at least one load of laundry.
• Read two scenes of an epic poem.
• Take a quiz on said epic poem.
• Sleep...maybe.

Yeah, no big deal.

And then I get to hop in my car and drive about 9 hours. By myself. Just me, and some Harry Potter audio books. Once again, no big deal.

I'm sorry to neglect you.

On the other hand, I have a question for you.

I am planning to make the four or five weeks following my return to the Capital City full of old stories. I have at least 50 pictures that I took but never found the time to share with you. Some of adventures, some of stories, some for recipe instructions. I want to start a series about these old pictures, stories, recipes.

However, this series needs a name.

Help please?

There will be a prize for the most creative title for this blog series, I just haven't decided what it is yet (feel free to post ideas about this too). I'll be posting my first blog in this series next Friday. You have until then to comment.

Go-Go Creative Juices!!!

As I leave you once again for the better part of the week, I want to leave you with a smile on your face. Therefore, allow me to leave you with a picture of the world's most adorable niece.

Adios mi amigos.

Warning!

It's Saturday!

Praise the Jesus!

It's also Spring Break!

PRAISE THE JESUS ONE MORE TIME!

I am super excited to report that I am staying in Raleigh and working with Vintage21 Church to love Raleigh doing Sacrificial Spring Break.



I have been put on the team to work with the Boys' Club of Raleigh. I will be building benches and cleaning a playground in the morning and in the afternoon I get to love little children.

That will be Monday through Friday.

Saturday on the other hand, is a different story. Oh my heavens...Saturday!

On Saturday I am getting in my car and heading to Evans, Georgia. My Aunt Beth Ann, Uncle Doug, and cousins Jackson and Bryson live down there. I'm going to hang out with them for about 24 hours.

But guess who else is going to be in Evans, GA that weekend?

Any idea?

I can't wait and stall and tell you a funny anecdote because I'm too excited...

THE PIONEER WOMAN!

I LOVE THE PIONEER WOMAN! LOVE HER LOVE HER LOVE HER!

I saw from her website that she was heading to Atlanta for her book signing and I thought, "Uhm...Seven hours. A seven hour drive for a book signing? Eek."

BUT THEN, I checked back a few days later and saw she was going to be in Evans. Evans, unlike Atlanta, is only a 4 hour drive.

I called up my mom and asked, "Hey Mama, where does Aunt Beth Ann live?"

"Evans. Why?"

Before she could get out the "Why?" I was too busy squealing and promptly hung up on her to call Aunt Beth Ann and to ask and see if I could crash at her place. I made sure to call her Bam-Bam just like I did when I was three so she would remember when I was cute and I was her favorite person on the planet.

What do you know, it worked!

I picked up a copy of The Pioneer Woman's new book, "Black Heels to Tractor Wheels" yesterday from Barnes & Noble.



I'm currently on Chapter 6 and loving it more and more every page.

All I need now is a little inscription from the author to make my day.

I'm also taking down my copy of her cookbook for her to sign as well.

My dad is really enjoying making fun of me saying that I'm wasting lots of gas money to get a book signed. Whatever, I'm meeting a celebrity. He can get over it. I like being the black sheep :)

This whole blog was to tell you that I won't be updating until next Monday. I might throw in a story or two during my breaks this week, but don't count on it.

If you're out there, and you're the praying kind, I would love for you to toss one up to The Big Man about this week. We're going to be interacting with a lot of people and hopefully making a difference. Pray for good conversations and for our love for Jesus to be evident. Pray for good community among our team of 100 college kids (who call 5 different universities home). Pray that I get my house cleaned in time and pray that the Game Night that I'm hosting on Monday will be a success (yes, a bit prideful, but what else is new?). Pray that I efficiently love the two girls that are staying with me over the week. Pray for Haley, Jeremy, Risa, and my Kelsey who are in charge of this whole kit-and-kaboodle.

My life is amazing.

That is all.

These past few weeks have been crazy! I haven't had the opportunity to sleep much, and my heart has been heavy for a good number of my friends who have been hurting.

Through all of this, I have been trying to remember where my security is placed.

My security and my comfort are not located here on earth, but up in Heaven with my Savior.

My route to work involves going on the edge of campus on Pullen Rd. Therefore, I see the bell tower every Tuesday and Thursday on my way to work.

As I was driving yesterday, I snapped this picture.

Isn't it amazing?

The sky is so blue and it just looks so peaceful!

It was a beautiful reminder of where my hope lies. It is obviously not here.

In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord even as we put our hope in you.

Psalm 33:21-22

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed." says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Isaiah 54:10

Let the morning bring me news of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my soul.

Psalm 143:8

Streets of Paris: Cru Semi-Formal

Last Friday was Crusade's Annual Semi-Formal. We danced the night away in the perfect dresses with fantastic dates and we all had a ball!

Our awesome group after dinner at The Bonefish Grill.

Hannah, Johnathan, Nataleigh, Zack, Yours Truly, Kyle, Michael, and Katie.

My wonderful brother Zack.

If you've ever wondered what I would be like in male form, look at this guy.

The former Oasis girls.

Yours Truly, Ava Michelle, Suzanne, and Alecia.

My beautiful Liz.


Me and Katie.
Althought I do love this picture of me and Katie, I would also like to point out Michael's impressive photo bomb lean.

My sweet date, Kyle.

Probably my favorite picture of the night. I love how much love and happiness is in this picture.

Jacqueline.

Nataleigh.

One of the sweetest conversations I've ever had went as followed:

Rebekah: Thanks for letting your boyfriend be my brother.

Nataleigh: Girl! It's my pleasure--it means that you get to be my sister!

Mi-Mi.

Emily!

Beautiful, beautiful, absolutely beautiful friends.

Haley, B. Knox, Rita.

Everyone thinks about what they want their last...whatever to be like.

Semi-Formal passed all expectations.