I can no longer say that I'm a student at USF.

It's crazy to think I'm a college graduate. It's even crazier that I have a resume that says I have a bachelors degree. Graduation was awesome! I had such a great day. Internship ended well too. I miss all of my kids already :( Although I am so thankful for this break. They gave me the best gift ever. My cooperating teacher had them bring in school supplies and money without me knowing. I have 3 buckets filled with school stuff and a huge gift card to walmart. Oh and about 50 cards and drawings. I gave them little goody bags with candy and erasers. I also gave them a picture of me and them- individually. You know the cute ones where you hold up the camera yourself. They loved it. Most of them put the picture in their binders :) It made me so happy to see that they wanted to remember me!

As for Texas, I'm waiting to go. I ended up only receiving a small amount for the scholarship and I really don't want to take out a lot of loans. Besides I'd have two weeks of break and then I'd have to move to a new state where I know no one. I just felt rushed making a decision. So now I'm here, looking for a job to save money. I'm praying for a job in Tampa, because well I'm not ready to leave :) We will see though, I've sent my resume to about 9 schools so far. That was the easy part, now I just wait. Glad Christmas is around the corner so it makes waiting less painful!

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.

Very thankful for a day off, and even more thankful for those who fought to give us our freedom. Trying not to forget what today is celebrating.

Also, today is Wycliffe World Day of Prayer. So remember to pray for missionaries and people around the world. Specific prayer needs can be found here: http://www.wycliffe.org/DOP2010.aspx

It's been a while sine I've blogged. Been so busy! I only have 3 weeks left of internship which is crazy to me! Where has the time gone?

Still waiting to hear back about my scholarship, so as of now, my plans for after graduation are still up in the air haha. However, God really has given me a peace about it, where at first I was very anxious. I know that the Lord will provide if it's what I'm supposed to do. And if not, there's no harm in waiting.

Thanksgiving is soon, and all my roomies and I are stoked to start decorating for Christmas. We're doing a tree and stockings this year :) What a great way to end my time living with these girls. It's going to be so hard to leave them! They simply are the best. 3 years is a long time, make that 4 for Rach.

OH and countdown to Stacy and Dustin's wedding: 9 days! Wedding festivities begin this weekend. Can't wait to celebrate with them and do fun bridesmaid stuff :)

67 days left...

Life is super busy! I was not expecting it to be so packed. This is my only "free" weekend until November 13th. I say free because I still have to work and clean. But every other weekend I have something planned. Between weddings, babysitting, and ruf stuff, I don't think I'll ever get this grad school stuff situated. Finally got someone to sublease my apartment though! Erica Teich will be moving in here in January. I'm super jealous that she gets to live with my roomies, I want to take them with me :( Growing up and moving on is much harder than I anticipated. But I'm going to try and not think about it too much until December haha.

As far as finding a roommate in Dallas. Still looking! haha and hopefully I'll be able to find someone. Would love not to live by myself. Its scary not knowing anyone at all. When I moved to Tampa, I at least knew a few people so it made the transition easier. I'm hoping there will be others like me who don't know anyone. We shall see.

By the way, I LOVE this month. Weather=amazing. Pumpkin spice donuts from dunkin=amazing. And soon holiday after holiday will be here! Fall is the best. Lettuce lake park later? :)

We're growing up too fast!

I GOT IN TO GRAD SCHOOL! Pretty exciting to say the least. It's crazy how fast things seem to be going. Going on my 4th week of internship and only 88 days left until graduation day. There are still so many fun things to do, like RUF conference in a couple weeks. I hope it doesn't go by too fast, but I'm definitely ready to graduate :) Did I also mention that I'm glad college football is back?? Hoping for another national championship, roll tide!

And its only day one...

Today was so busy!! I dont know how I fit everything in and that I'm awake enough to write this haha. Today was my first day of final internship. It went very well, but a 9 hour day of work is exhausting! Esp waking up at 5:30 :/ After I left school around 4, I got home just in time to ride over with Heather for yoga at USF. It was pretty fun because all of my roommates were there, but the lady who taught it was so strange! Then I came home to cook my favorite meal, my mom's stroganoff :) Relaxed and watched some tv with rach for a little bit and did some airplane ads since I'm still working from home too. AND I still have things to get done. There is just not enough time in the day! It's going to be a busy semester, but definitely a fun one! Good thing, since it's my last one and all.

Halfway through 2010

It's already July?! Goodness. I do have a job now, thank the Lord. I'm a personal assistant for a sales manager of a company called usedairplanes.com. I basically update airplane inventory all day and help with her baby at her house. Great hours and great pay. The Lord not only provided but gave me a job that's enjoyable. This is def a step up from last summer!

I'm supposed to be doing inventory right now, but its hard when I'm doing it from home. There's just so many other things that seem more fun ;) Like thinking about what i'm going to cook for dinner! I'm going to make steak stir fry with this sesame dressing I have. I need to get the steak though, and some creamer. It's been too long since I've had coffee to make at home.

I'm excited for this weekend! Sarah is coming into town for the 4th. We might see Eclipse tonight, but honestly I don't know if I want to waste 8 bucks when I can just wait til it comes out on dvd. I only read the first book and they just aren't good movies. But for some odd reason, I still want to see it haha. We shall see!

I still haven't made a firm decision for after graduation plans. But once I do, I'll update about it, maybe haha. I'm leaning toward grad school, which means I'll probably be moving out of state, all by myself. SCARY, but excitng :)

Guinea Pigs

I hate not having a job. It's sad that I even want to go to class. It's extremely hard to motivate myself when I really have no schedule. However, today I plan on going to apply to a uniform store that a friend from church works at, drop off my outback application, and then start back with relearning spanish? maybe haha. Or even go over some phonology since I am going to wycliffe total it up on sunday. Which I am pretty excited, but nervous about! I think I'm going to have a lot of fun. I get to enjoy daily foreign meals, meet new people, and hopefully get a better picture of what I want to do after graduation. Should be a good week!

On a side note, we're babysitting Heather's guinea pig for two weeks whiles she's in Colorado with Grant. He's so cute! I'm not a huge fan of how much he poops though haha. I cleaned out his home yesterday and there had to of been over 50 pellets. 15 minutes later, he had already left about 10-15. They do make the funniest sound though.

PRAY that I find a job please. I would really love to not have to work during the fall considering I have a full time internship.

Summer is here!

I am done with all of my undergraduate classes! I can't believe it. It seems so crazy to think I'm already done with college. It definitely went by so fast. I feel as though freshman year was yesterday, well maybe not yesterday, more like last week! haha. It's been a bumpy journey: meeting new friends, moving a lot, finding a wonderful church, and so much more. I've experienced a lot of new firsts, many fun nights filled with laughter until 4 am, late night runs to mcdonalds, lettuce lake park, and dunkin donuts.

It makes me sad that this part of my life will soon come to an end, but I am so thankful for everything that I've been blessed with through all of it. More than anything, my sanctification has grown immensely. I am not the same naive girl who left Port Orange, FL at the age of 18. I realized the other day that this summer marks 10 years that I have been saved. Looking back at my journey, I'm amazed at how much I've grown since then. There is not a doubt in my mind that my years here in Tampa have been the most drastic change in my walk with the Lord.

I wouldn't change one thing. In fact, I am even thankful for the painful memories. It is in those times that I had my most precious moments with the Lord. A sweet friend of mine told me a quote from a book she was reading and I just loved it. "We were made weak, so that we might humbly obey." How true and awesome is this. To the world being made weak is something that is undesirable and frowned upon. However, as a Christian, I'm glad to say that I'm not afraid to go through suffering so that God can be glorified through me. I never would have been able to say this 3 years ago leaving for college.

So what's next? I have no idea! haha I have one more semester of Internship and I will officially be a college graduate. Still hasn't hit me yet. Right now I'm going to enjoy my 3 months of summer :) Then we'll see what's next. Oh and pray that I find a job! I've been looking since January. So far I've gotten one offer as a swim coach which gives me about 100 bucks a week. However, that's not set in stone either.

Got an A :)

Today was kinda unproductive. I had a headache up until 7 pm tonight. It was miserable; so much pressure in my sinuses. These kind of headaches just make me exhausted. It was hard to just relax and read which was basically all I wanted to do. It was a perfect day to do it! Nothing but free time. I did get some laundry done, which reminds me I need to put it in the dryer haha. I went to class as well, which wasn't too bad considering I like my linguistics class. Which also reminds me, I got a 93 on my exam last week!! :) I was so excited. However, during class, my phone just decided to stop working. Went to cingular after class to see what was wrong, and now I have to go to the warranty store in the AM. Maybe they'll give me a new phone?? Let's hope so!

Spring break AGAIN :)

Changed my background! :) Love it! I tried changing my URL, because I don't really like the one I have, it's from a movie by the way. However, when I changed it, it took away all my comments. Which I guess is okay, but I like comments! haha So the one I have will just have to do.

This week is spring break for my kids..so that means I have two days off this week!! YAY for sleeping in and having a much needed less hectic week. Which reminds me, I only have three weeks of class EVER left! How exciting is that?? Pretty scary to think I'll be graduating from college in December. I don't know how I feel about it yet. I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store for me, but I'm content being in college. Guess it's time to grow up haha.

You know what's awesome. The feeling of peace and comfort. Yesterday wasn't too fun, and neither was this morning, but oh how great the Lord is for bringing His joy back into my heart after church this morning. I'm so stinkin' thankful for Holy Trinity. Me and Rach were talking about it earlier, every one of Steve Casselli's sermons are convicting and uplifting. And then there's the church family, they are simply the best! They definitely take care of us college kids, and are the most friendly people. God provided an awesome and sanctifying church for us after a year and a half and I'm pretty sure all of us would say we couldn't be happier.

Run to Christ

I hate sin. It ruins everything the Lord has made. It makes people selfish. It makes people hate others. Love others or things too much. It makes us fear, so we run. It makes us worrisome or carefree. Above all it takes our focus off of Christ. We make everything else our idols. I know that we can't get away from this on earth. But I choose to say run away from the idols and run to Christ. He brings the everlasting Joy, where everything else just fades and fails.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:12

Your love oh Lord reaches to the heavens

My life has changed so much in the past 6 months. It can be really difficult learning to adapt to them. I know that the Lord provides changes and trials like these to make us stronger, but sometimes the weight of it can be really overwhelming. Tonight has been one of those overwhelming nights, where I just don't have the energy to fight it. Yet, even though I feel so alone, I feel the Lord's arms wrapped tightly around me. It's like being little and falling down. The scratches still hurt, but nothing beats the comfort of your mom or dad holding onto you.

"How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings." Psalm 36:7

Good start :)

Spring break has been pretty good so far. Friday I spent the afternoon with Sarah looking at wedding dresses because in about 6 months she'll be marrying Kevin :) Whoo! We went to a wedding show called Making Memories where you can buy used dresses for cheap and the money goes to breast cancer patients. They weren't super cheap if you ask me, and unfortunately since Sarah is so small, they didn't have much of a selection. It was awkward leaving without anything, they made her try on this horrid dress. Well, they didn't make her, but she felt bad haha. They did give us pretty flowers as we left though. Then we departed to drop off our brownies at church and stop for a delicious dinner at chipotle before the Westminster Conference. [Told you I eat there a lot ;)]

Saturday was fun as well despite my horrible headache that refused to go away. Hung out with Sarah again, where the plan was to bike ride in the beautiful weather. We ate brownies and looked at Panama pictures instead haha :) Then hungout with Caitlin for a bit which is always fun! Went to dinner and a movie with her and Stacy after. We saw Alice and Wonderland, which of course was weird, but I expected it so I wasn't too bummed. I thought it was well put together, but when I can't understand half the made up words it kinda looses my interest. And the ending with the dancing was just too cheesy. But a lot of people liked it; to each his own.

OH, and I got my amazon books that I ordered for my birthday last week too. They got here so fast! Amazon is the best. I got two new commentaries, and a book on the basics of linguistics. The first commentary is for children and its on leviticus. Yes I said for children, but I think it can be for both. Steve Casseli recommended it, and I'm enjoying it so much. I've always had a difficult time reading leviticus, and this has helped tremendously. It's by Nancy E. Ganz, if anyones interested. The second commentary is on Zechariah. I'm so thankful for books like these.

I used to never read that much, but I've found the older I get, especially throughout college, the more I thoroughly enjoy it. I'm a slow reader, and I think that's what makes me lose interest and eventually I stop and start reading something else. I've definitely gotten better and am starting to discipline myself to finish. Still working on it though haha.

"Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God"-
2 Corinthians 3:4-5

Colds are annoying!

I really suck at keeping this up! haha Oh well. I do want to keep this though, in case I end up moving and doing crazy fun adventures. Which reminds me, I'm growing up too fast!! 21 already, since when did that happen? And graduation in decemeber?? Not gonna lie, it's freaking me out. Not really sure what the heck I'm gonna do. More school..work first..only the Lord knows right now. It's so comforting trusting in Him. It calms me more than anything. I have a cold right now, and basically can't breathe out of my nose, not fun at all, and right before spring break! Which I am very thankful for. A week will be nice to just not think about school, oh wait, that's right, I have homework. It'll still be nice to relax somewhat though.

Oh and random, but went to olive garden to celebrate my bday with my favorite girls, and got a new meal. Chicken and Gniocci Vernose. AMAZING. Seriously, so good. It's a must try for those who haven't yet! Alright, nyquil is quicking in. Finally get to sleep in tomorrow. Maybe I'll be in the mood to write again tomorrow, pahah who really knows.

Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."

Free chipolte!

So far the weekend has been pretty good. Hung out at Jeff and Jenny's friday night for a movie and some ice cream. Went to clearwater to see my dad last night at a swim meet he was working at. I hadn't been to that pool since I was 10! haha I felt old. I also had to drive home in the pouring rain, which I really despise. It scares me :( However, I did get to eat at chilis and my dad got me a free chipotle burrito from hospitality!

Have you ever realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself?

I'm reading "When I don't Desire God, How to fight for Joy" by John Piper. I thought I'd share a section I was encouraged by. Piper is talking about a book by Martyn Lloyd-Jones. In this book he is talking about Psalm 42 specifically verse 5 which says "Why are thou cast down, O my soul? And why are thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance." This is important to know since he quotes him. :) just so you aren't confused haha. Anyway, here it is:

Far too many Christians are passive in their fight for joy. They tell me about their condition of joylessness, and I ask about the kinds of strategies they have pursued to defeat this enemy, and they give the impression that they are a helpless victim: "Joylessness is just there. What can I do?" Well, God does not mean for us to be passive. He means for us to fight the fight of faith-the fight for joy. And the central strategy is to preach the gospel to yourself. This is war. Satan is preaching for sure. If we remain passive, we surrender the field to him.
So Martyn Lloyd- Jones gets specific and gets tough:

The main art in the matter of spiritual living is to know how to handle yourself. You have to take yourself in hand, you have to address yourself, preach to yourself, question yourself.... You must turn on yourself, upbraid yourself, condemn yourself, exhort yourself, and say to yourself: "Hope thou in God"-instead of muttering in this depressed, unhappy way, and then you must go on to remind yourself of God, Who God is, and...what God has done, and what God has pledged Himself to do. Then having done that, end on this great note: defy yourself, defy other people, and defy the devil and the whole world, and say with this man: "I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance, which is also the health of my countenance and my God."

I've been experiencing this very much so in my walk with God lately. He has been teaching me many things the past couple months through various hardships and preaching the gospel to myself everyday really has been the key in keeping my joy in Christ going. It's so easy to just get caught up in the difficult things in life, but I feel the more I praise God and thank Him for everything, including the obstacles in life, the more joy He gives me.

So first day was pretty good. We got out almost 2 hours early! I really liked it though. The teacher seems like a good one. Very laid back, but cares about her job. It's literacy too, which I'm excited for because I might want to go to grad school for it. We meet at Pizzo Elementary and get to tutor a student. I love that our classes are experience based rather than lets just talk about it.

Right now I'm beginning to fill out my final internship application and I'm nervous. I have to sign up for my teacher certification and subject area tests which cost about 350 dollars. I think I'm more scared about that. I can't really fail them, because that's a lot of money! We also have to get a copy of our college transcripts and make copies. Which I don't really understand because can't they just look them up?? Sometimes I wonder about USF.

Random, but I'm really wanting chipotle! I think I have a problem, I seriously love this place too much. I need to find someone with the same passion for chipotle. Although, maybe it's a good thing, I'd prob eat there every week haha.

Classes already?

So I've decided to start blogging again. Hopefully I'll keep up with it this time :)

It doesn't feel like Florida anymore, but I like it. I don't even remember the last time it was hot. I'm very happy to be back in Tampa, too. It's been so nice. Went on a women's retreat for my church and had a great time. Applied for a couple jobs, and hoping I get one of them! We shall see. And then tonight I went to Jeff and Jenny's to see everyone and catch up. Classes begin tomorrow! Except I have internship tomorrow and we don't start until later this month. So I get to sleep in! I have a pretty nice schedule this semester too. Here's what it looks like:

Monday: Internship til 2:30
Tuesday: Literacy 8-10:45
Wednesday: Internship til 4, exceptional child 5-7, girls bible study maybe? yeah this day is gonna be busy!
Thursday: ESOL 3 5-8

And then I have an online class- health/PE... and no, i have no clue why a PE class is online haha.

I still can't believe these are my last five classes! I don't think it's hit me yet. I turn in my final internship application on friday- very nervous for that! It's crazy to think I'm going to be done with college soon. Nevertheless, I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store for me. This has been a very random entry, but that's okay! Until next time :)