Just along for the ride...

I know you are in suspense about what's been going on in my life...

2009-07-11T15:51:00.000-07:00

Well, again its been far too long since I last updated this thing. At this point I've probably lost all of my faithful readers...both of them! :-) I have decided that I am an old lady, and when I come home from work I just want to lay on the couch and watch the latest updates on Michael Jackson, and then go to bed! I have grown very fond of him over the last couple of weeks and wished we could have been friends. I think he needed more friends...sad story, really.

So, in the last month or so I have gone home to visit my family which was wonderful! We spent about 12 hours in the pool in a two day time period. I loved my life. I love the sun! Erin Grace learned to swim without floaties which was too cute, and Emma, well she's just an amazing kid! I loved every second of it!

I also visited 2 new states. IL, and MO. I went to IL to see some friends of mine tie the knot! Crazy! I can't believe we are old enough to get married! The five year old that I nanny for can't believe I'm not married and has told me how to "search the earth" for a husband that she is certain that I NEEDED which was a humbling experience, but back to the real story!

2 of my good friends and I drove to IL, which was about a 5 hour journey. Not too bad, right? Well when we got out of the car at the hotel we were staying in, I had a cramp in my right calf muscle. That's normal, right? Long drive...just needed to stretch. So I did. Didn't help. I ate bananas at breakfast the next morning. Nothing. When I remembered my Dad's condition of blood clots I thought, its a blood clot! No good! So I told myself that if it didn't get better by the time I got BACK to Nashville then I would go to the doctor/er/whatever was easiest. Well, after the wedding on Saturday night we decided to make the 30 minute drive to St. Louis to go to a place called the city museum. It is a 3-story, indoor jungle-gym for adults (well, after hours anyways). At first I was not too happy about it. Fat kids don't like to climb through small holes and caves and tight slides, but I got over that really fast and soon loved my life. Incredible. All the while the cramp in my leg was throbbing away (and not fully understanding that I had a ticking time-bomb growing in my calf muscle!) Ouch! So Sunday we made our trek back to Nashville where I decided that I needed to go to the ER. My precious friends, Megan, Heather and Marah went with me to Vanderbilt's ER. 17 hours later, I leave with the knowledge that I have 2 blood clots in my right leg, the understanding of how to give myself an injection in the stomach (which I was NOT OK with!), all the risks of taking a blood thinning medication and officially being a "bleeder" and a new nurse friend named Clayton. Awesome. I'm 24. Falling apart! OK, maybe not completely falling apart. Only a little bit! We are currently running tests to see what is causing these unwelcome visitors to my body! I guess time will tell!

Well...that about sums it up! Until next time, friends! Peace out!

All is well...

2009-04-30T20:33:00.000-07:00

Well, I have a job. I am going to be a full-time nanny for a wonderful family. They have a 5 year old little girl who will be starting school in the fall, and a little boy who is 7 weeks old. Precious. I love this family and am thrilled to be working with them. It looks like I will be living in Nashville for at least a year, and for that I'm excited. It makes me sad to live so far from my family, but I really am enjoying life here.

I was having dinner with a friend who I find inspiring. Someone who is willing to pack up their lives and move to a different country to share the gospel with people who may never hear otherwise. I want to be able to do that. To be able to love to the point of leaving all behind.

I have been reading about Mother Teresa lately, and what a beautiful woman she was. She loved until it hurt, and lived a life that allowed her to love with everything she had because it was all she had. This book is a combination of many of her own writings, and quite honestly it is hard to read. Its heavy. Its dark at times. It is joyful at all costs. I want to live a life that displays love like that. I want to know what that looks like for me. How can I show love in a way that leads people to the very one that allows me to love.

I want to be able to pack up and leave. I believe strongly in the love of Christ and desperately want the world to hear and know and understand that love...how do I live so far away from my family and friends? I'm not worried about the comforts that the United States has to offer...honestly, I think it would be refreshing to experience life somewhere other than this continent...its not the "things" that keep me from just going. Its the people.

It's all a little overwhelming.

I don't really know where to go from here...

For now, I am a nanny, and am thankful for the opportunity to share life with this wonderful family.

And the thunder rolls...

2009-04-14T19:44:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I'm not much of a country music connoisseur, but who doesn't know and love Garth? I may not be his biggest fan, but I sure can sing the song, which is exactly what I have been doing the last couple of days! The storms here are crazy. I love a good thunderstorm, don't get my wrong but I don't do tornado's. I don't like the odds of having to hide from a natural disaster. I like having a couple of days to pack up my pictures that can't be replaced, and other sentimental things and leaving. We'll call it a hurricane party. Good times had by all. But alas, I have spent way too many days "seeing" funnel clouds in the sky, and by "seeing" I mean, being way too paranoid and convincing myself that a funnel cloud must look like anything I see in the sky. Dramatic? Me? Noooooo....

On to life as I know it. I am so thankful for all that has been thrown my way these last few months. This time has really allowed me to examine my life and what is a necessity and what is really just a want. I am not taking my family or friends for granted (not sure how not having a steady income has caused that, but whatever...it has!) And I am really just enjoying small victories and noticing God's hand in all things. I don't want to sound cliche or go all "Super Christian" on you, but really...he's got it under control. I heard the quote from a friend that "rejection is God's protection" (cheesy, yes...but that was her intention:-) and thought it was really funny, but there is some truth behind that. Timing, more specifically HIS timing is more valuable than I once imagined. I would say God is pretty detail oriented, and I'm pretty sure He hasn't forgotten anything, so why should I worry? Some days that is easier said than done, but so far so good.

I have met some wonderful people in my time here in Nashville, and deepened some already great friendships. I still can't believe that I live here. There are mornings I wake up and expect to be in Auburn or Bradenton, but no. I'm in Nashville. This is one of the more "adventurous" things I've done in my life (so maybe I need to branch out a little! I'm such a daredevil!) but all is well, and I'm happy and confident to be here.

Hopefully next time I update I'll be able to tell you about the wonderful new job that I have! But until then....

For those who haven't heard...

2009-03-04T20:56:00.001-08:00

Life in Nashville thus far has been eventful to say the least. I am so excited to be here, and have met some fun new friends, seem some old friends, slowly learned my way around...all in all, not a bad time. Things have gone differently than I had expected such as the job.

So as you know, I moved up here to take a job with the YMCA. I was going to be the site director of an elementary school's before and after care program. I thought it would be a perfect job for me! My first day was Feb. 18th. I sent an email a day or so before asking when and where I needed to be, knowing that the first couple of days would mostly be training. I showed up on the 18th when I was supposed to, and my boss wasn't there. So these 2 other girls came about an hour later and set me up with some online trainings. It took me about 2 hours and I was done for the day and told to go home and wait for my boss to call me and tell me what to do next. Well, she never called, so I woke up the next morning early, got ready so that when she did call me, because I was SURE she would, I could be ready to just leave. Well, she never called. I called her, both on her work cell and her work office line and she never answered. Her voicemail box was even full. Finally, around 3:30 she answered the phone and told me to come in the next day at 10:00. If I were a salary employee, I wouldn't be too upset about this, but seeing as I get paid by the HOUR, I was not happy. I went in the next day at 10:00, and again she was not there. The same girls that had helped me before got stuck with me again. They were wonderful! To make a long story short, everything that we had agreed upon at the time of my interview had been changed. Honestly, I'm not sure they even HAD a school for me. I signed a lease on an apartment that is MAYBE 5 minutes from the school I was originally supposed to be at, only to be told I had been moved to a school 30 minutes away, and what was funny was that I found out on accident! I MET the new site director there. WHAT?!? Ugh...at this point I still have not met with my boss, no one could give me a straight answer and I was only working like 4 hours a day, at most! I couldn't afford that. The story is a little bit longer, but I think at this point you understand my reasoning in leaving...it was just a bad experience.

At the point I finally quit, I felt such relief. When I stopped and thought about it, I couldn't understand why I wasn't freaking out. I just wasn't. I am confident that this is where I am supposed to be, and something bigger and better will work out. Although this isn't the way in which I would start life here in Nashville, its working, and for that I'm thankful. I was transferred up to the bestbuy here, so I'm working part time in customer service again. I've only worked one day, and so far so good...its a different experience, and it makes me miss my bestbuy friends so much, but its a job, and that's great! I had an interview today with a nanny agency and it went really well! I never thought I would do anything like that, but after talking today I think it could be a really cool opportunity! So we'll see! But so far, so good! It snowed, and I didn't know what to do with myself! I actually did some really dumb things, but that's another story for another time! When are you coming to visit?!?

Life in Nashville...

2009-02-19T13:20:00.000-08:00

SO, It is official. I live in Nashville. I moved in a few days ago, have a super cute apartment. Everything is pretty much unpacked. I still have a few small boxes of things to go through, but I just really don't know where to put it all. I think I could get used to living by myself. So far I like it. A lot.

My Mom and Aunt Donna came with me to help me get everything set up, and I'm so glad they did. They were such a huge help! It was really hard to say bye to my family. Harder than I expected, but we got through it. I know they will be up to visit soon enough. I am so fortunate to have a family like I do. I'm glad its hard for us to say goodbye. I miss my bestbuy friends too...so very much. I had such a good time working with them. I'm not sure any other store will be as fun as the bradenton store.

I "started" my job yesterday. I showed up at 9:30 like I was asked, and no one was there. Awesome. So around 10:00 everyone came in. I was put on a computer to go through some on-line trainings and was done by noon. That was it. I was told that I would be called later that afternoon to let me know what else I needed to do. No call. Around 4:30 I decided to call. No answer, so I left a voicemail. I woke up early this morning so that I could call and see when I needed to come in...again, no answer. I called her cell phone and the voicemail box was full. What the heck? I was told that I needed to start no later than the 18th, and I can't get anyone to call me back!!! So I sat at my apartment all day waiting for a phone call. Finally I called and my supervisor answered. So, I think I actually start at my site tomorrow. I'm nervous. No one has told me anything that is expected of me. I'm not so worried about interacting with the kids or even the staff, but all the paperwork and stuff like that...I don't know anything about it. I guess I'll get thrown into it and figure it out as I go!

So thats the update on my new life in Nashville! When are YOU coming to visit me?!

Bittersweet...

2009-02-08T21:24:00.001-08:00

So today was my last day at BestBuy...6 months ago, if you had asked me if I would be sad to leave, the answer may or may not have sounded a little bitter. 6 months ago I would have been overjoyed to be out. I hated feeling like I didn't know anything, and HATED being yelled at by customers! I always took customers comments too personally.

I cried today as I walked to my car in the parking lot after saying good-bye to my first job out of college. I cried tonight as I said good-bye to some of the best co-workers one could possibly ask for. I guess I've been crying a lot lately, but if you know me at all, you know that's not too unusual! I have learned SO many things about myself, gained so much confidence in myself, and learned how to stick up for myself. I thank the people I work for allowing me to grow in the ways that I did. What wonderful friends I have made. It was the people I worked with that made this job a pleasure. I truly am sad to leave.

I know that by leaving, I am opening a whole new world. Who knows where I will be a year from now? I could be loving my job and moving up...I could be trying something new! I move to Nashville with so much uncertainty. So much uncertainty that I really don't even know what my job will look like! ha! Although I take this step with so much unknown, there is something I AM sure about. I am sure that I leave with one of the strongest support groups around. I am so thankful for my amazing friends and family who encourage me on a daily basis that I AM making the right decisions. I WILL succeed. I WILL learn and grow. And after I take this new step in life, I WILL have a support group to come home to when and if it ever comes to an end. I don't think there is anything more I could ever ask for. I love my family. I love my friends. I love my future.

25 random facts...sweeps the facebook nation.

2009-02-03T19:48:00.000-08:00

So I'm at home...by myself...and bored. I think I'll do a "25 random facts" list here in the 'ol blog! Enjoy Aubrey...my only reader! :-)

1. I am a Christian, a daughter, a sister, a "gigi", and a friend.

2. I am currently working at BestBuy as a Customer Service Rep. II...I wasn't sure if this job was going to be a good fit for me, but I really think it has been. I have met some of the greatest people and some really good friends. It has been challenge, but one that I have enjoyed. I am suprised to say that I am really going to miss it there.

3. I love love LOVE all things Auburn University. Good times and bad, I'll always be an Auburn Tiger!

4. I feel like I am a good mix of being spontanious and a planner. I think I can make decisions spur of the moment, and do fun things...but I am also organized and like to have things figured out and everything lined up...

5. I am moving to Nashville, like...NEXT WEEK! Oh my gosh. I'm excited, but I really am sad. So sad that I cry WAY too much. I had dinner with friends from work and on the way home cried because I am going to miss them so much. Not to mention that I cry all the time thinking about leaving my family. I love them SO much and will miss them dearly.

6. I signed a lease today on an apartment in Nashville that I have never seen. Awesome. I'm lucky to have some great friends that went and looked at it for me. Thanks Martha and Suzanne!

7. I want to have children, but I'm not dead set on actually giving birth. I really want to adopt children, and I even want to adopt older children/teenagers. I know that it would be difficult, but I just think those kids get so overlooked in our system, and they need a family too!

8. I like chocolate...way too much. I think its part of the reason I have the girlish figure that I do...

9. I love hurricanes...I don't want anything like Katrina to happen again, but a nice catagory 1 storm...good times!

10. I would be happy if jeans, tshirts, flip-flops and a baseball hat were appropriate attire for most settings...I am aware that it is not, and am getting better about dressing nicer...I bought 2 pairs of heals in the last 3 weeks...baby steps.

11. I could drink orange juice for breakfast lunch and dinner, and everything in between. I love oranges, orange juice, orange candy, and I prefer the smell of orange cleaning supplies.

12. The smell of burning orange peels from the tropicana plant is one of my favorite smells. It just reminds me of home...some would say it smells gross, I say its a comforting smell.

13. My favorite meal of the year is Christmas morning...I'm not the biggest thanksgiving food fan...I'll eat the mashed potatoes like they are going out of style...and the cranberry sauce. But really, thats all...

14. When my brother and I were young, we were playing Monolopy and I was cheating, and I did that a lot...but he caught me, and we got in a big fight. He picked me up, I hit him, he put me down so that he could examine his wound and I ran. He ran after me, but I had already gotten to my room and locked the door. He came though that door. I'll put money that the door frame on 17th street is still broken. We did a number on it!

15. One of my favorite stories of Emma is when she was MAYBE 2 years old, she asked my Aunt Ginger if she wanted to smell her armpit. One of my favorite Erin stories is just recently she told her Dad that my mom taught her the word "butthole" hahahaha...

16. I love traditions and don't like it when they change. I'm very sentimental.

17. The last year of my life has really allowed me to evaluate who is important in my life and to "clean out" relationships that may not have been healthy. I am as happy with the relationships in my life at this point than I have ever been. I just wish I was able to see all of those friends more often.

18. I love living in Florida...the west coast beaches are SO beautiful. I'm glad that I grew up here.

19. I went to a really small high school. I graduated with 40. I could get in touch with every single person I graduated with if I wanted to.

20. I want to be put into one of those shark cages where the great-white sharks come and attack. I would freak out, but would love my life.

21. I always said that I wanted to go skydiving, but I think I have changed my mind. Although,I am that kid that doesn't want to miss out of anything, so if I was asked by the right people, I would probably go...and wet my pants.

22. I love throwing dinner parties and would have friends and family at my house every night of the week. I just love being surrounded by the people I love. I do enjoy alone time though too...

23. I'm obsessed with having my cell phone on me at all times. I even have spots worn out on my jeans back pocket where my cell phone fits perfectly. I really want a blackberry, but am not sure it will fit as nicely as my current phone.

24. If I won the lottery, I wouldn't do anything with it for a year. Except call my Dad and ask him for his advice. He's pretty good at that kind of stuff.

25. I want to do a triathalon, but don't know how to train...I need a personal trainer...

It could be happening soon...

2009-01-17T14:18:00.000-08:00

So I have talked about moving to Nashville for quite some time now. A few months ago I was offered an interview with the YMCA's after school program, but 3 or 4 days before the interview my grandfather fell and then got sick...the timing was not good, so I called and cancelled the interview. I thought I had burned that bridge, but received a phone call a few weeks ago asking if I was still interested! I was excited and a little shocked.

Tomorrow I will go to Nashville for that interview and a few others. I'm nervous. This is what happened the week before I was supposed to move to Auburn. I freaked out, second guessed myself...and cried. A lot. There aren't any tears (yet) but I am nervous and second guessing. Auburn was one of the best decisions I could have possibly made, and I'm hoping Nashville is too...

I don't have a job yet, and so I'm trying not to get my hopes up in case it doesn't work out, or I simply change my mind. I'm excited about what is next, but with change there is always a sense of nervousness, at least in my world. I'm just so close to my family, and it will be hard to leave them. Who knows whats going to happen when I get back from this trip. I'll fill you in as I know more...my faithful 2 readers! ;-)

Oh BestBuy...

2009-01-09T20:23:00.001-08:00

One of the girls that I work with and myself were talking the other day about reality TV and how we would make MILLIONS if we could show the world what we see on a daily basis. It would be a hit. I could retire at the age of 30...and I think people may just be a little nicer to their friendly customer service employees. For example, had my trusty camera crew been with me you could have seen a customer come behind the counter and attempt to hit my general manager because I made him mad. Awesome. I need a new job.

Here is the situation: 10:15 am (way to start a great day!) a man comes up to my counter where I am standing by myself. He's creeping me out from the start. He had a wireless mouse that cost approx $20 and its no longer working, and of course he has NO receipt. (Side note: Please Please Please keep receipt...its not my fault if YOU lost it.) So I attempt to find the receipt, because without it I can't do anything. After looking for the receipt while checking out the product I see that the product is damaged. I am not going to return something that you damaged. But being by myself and creeped out by this guy (I thought he might be drunk, or high...something was off) I didn't want to tell him I wasn't going to help him. So I asked him to walk back to computers to find a new mouse while I continued to find a receipt. I told him there were no guarantees, but I would try.

So he comes back with his mouse, and I still have no receipt..he's not happy with me. SO he throws the mouse on the counter, asks where the bathroom is and tells me to fix it while he's gone. Ok? First...don't tell me what to do. Second...your a creeper. So I get on the radio and ask for someone to come up and help me because I'm uncomfortable and my GM and another supervisor rescue me. They wait for him to come back, I explain that we can't return it. Then he starts raising his voice so my GM came over explained that we can't return something that's been damaged...exactly what I said...obscenities are shouted and then he comes behind the counter with a fist raised. I mean, a $20 mouse. I freaked out, walked away quickly...really quickly, may or may not have cried (hey, its what I do...don't judge me!). The surveillance video proves it. The police are called. He's arrested and "his" loratab prescription confiscated. All within the first 30 minutes of me walking in the store. Now, if that doesn't scream reality TV then I don't know what does!

December? Already?

2008-12-17T18:27:00.000-08:00

I guess they were right...time does fly as you get older! SO, since the last post I turned 24. That was an odd number for me to swallow. 24, living at home, working at bestbuy...didn't see that one coming! But, you know...it is what it is, and I'm grateful. Truly grateful for all that is going on in my life at the moment. I get to live with my wonderful parents who love and support all that I do, I get to see my extended family as often as I like, I am not having to stress *too much* about the failing economy (ok, I stress a lot about it, but I guess I don't HAVE too). Things are good, and I am blessed.

I was named employee of the quarter at work, which was encouraging. Working retail during the holidays has been a interesting experience. There are some days when there is not a pleasant soul to be found, and then other days when people couldn't possibly be nicer. Yesterday, the VERY first customer that came to my counter was having a rough day...at least I'm hoping it was just a bad day. It would be a sad situation if he acted like that EVERY day! But anyways...HE lost his power cord to his tivo during the last move, so he called Tivo to order another one. Tivo then sent him to us to get one...we don't carry those, and can't order them. MAYBE, JUST MAYBE Tivo told him wrong. So I explained to him that there wasn't a whole lot we could do, and that he should call Tivo again. That's when he got ridiculous. He then called me a "bottom-line" employee and demanded a manager. All I could say was "gladly". I wonder how ANY store would run without us "bottom-line" employees.

A customer I had today came in trying to pick up his computer that we, meaning BestBuy (not me specifically) called and told him was in. Well, it wasn't. So we messed up. Lucky for me I was the one that got to break the news to him. I love doing that...*hint of sarcasm, maybe?* But you know what? He was as nice as he could be. He told me, as I apologized over and over again, that "there are far greater things to worry about. Have a wonderful Christmas!" What?!? Its the small things that I've noticed can make or break a day! What a wonderful man.

This holiday season has given me the opportunity to share my faith with many of the people I work with. I hear comments like "I can't wait for Christmas to be over with" and "This is a stupid holiday because its just about buying crap" and for someone who doesn't know Christ...it is all of those things! This has really been a good opportunity to share what Christmas really is. So many of the people I work with are searching for so many things. They want to find something with meaning. They want to know Truth. If you read this blog, I will ask you to pray with me for my co-workers. They are wonderful people who I love dearly. I want them to know Christ.

I hope this blog finds you all doing well. Have a wonderful Christmas remembering what it REALLY is about!

Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T17:01:00.001-08:00

What to know a FEW of the things I'm thankful for? Here they are...

My faith. My Friends. My family and all that entails. The opportunity to save money and live with my parents (even though it wasn't a part of my plan). A job in a time where so many around me don't have one. The past present and future opportunities I have been or will be given. Nice weather. Pumpkin Spice Latte's at Starbucks. Always knowing that I will have a bed to sleep in, clothes to wear and food to eat. Gas prices no longer making me hate my life. Chocolate. Bike rides. Traveling to visit friends. The opportunity to have worked Mfuge in Nashville the last 2 years. Auburn University and all that it entails....college football (War Eagle and Beat Bama)! Fishing with my Dad and shopping with my Mom. My education. The girls I grew up with. The friends I made while at Auburn, and all that they have done for me! The Baptist Campus Ministry and the leadership that runs the place. My adopted family in Auburn. College basketball...DUKE! My car. Knowing my Grandfather is in heaven. Fresh flowers. The confidence that things will always work out in some way, shape or form...I could go on and on and on...but I'll just sum it up by saying that I am thankful for the life God has given me. I am so blessed. Hope you all have an amazing Thanksgiving!

Its finally over!

2008-11-05T11:13:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone...well, I don't know that anyone reads this, but if you do...Hello!

I must say that I am glad the elections are over. It was always disheartening to see grown adults slander each other. Both sides were at fault for that! It makes me even more sad to see people get so fired up about it, that friendships were hurt. I think its great to have an opinion and feel strongly about that, but I think it is also important to understand that OTHER PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE OPINIONS TOO!!! I guess it goes back to the cardinal rule...do unto others...you know it! If you want your opinion to be respected, then respect others. Don't tell someone that if they were a Christian they would vote a certain way. That is not your job!

You can vote however you like...you need to go watch this! It will change your life!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4TIitZpqv4

So the United States spoke, Obama won, its our turn to support him. I was a little disappointed to see that there were so many fare-weathered Americans as there are fare-weathered football fans. Who knows? Maybe Obama will be the best president our couuntry has ever seen! But there is one thing we know for sure. God is still in control. Why should we be so upset? And for all of you who claim to be moving to different countries because of this election...I'll help you pack!

Now, onto a different topic. Lets see...BestBuy has gotten a little better. Its still not something I want to do much longer, but I don't dread it as much as I once did. I'm still looking at all my options in Nashville which aren't quite as available as I had hoped...but I'm sure something will work out in due time. In the mean time, I'll be here!

What to do...

2008-10-13T21:00:00.000-07:00

Its been a while since I last posted. Time just seems to slip away, and honestly, I'm not sure where it went! It seems like I just woke up and it was October. Funny how that happens!

First. I'll rant on Auburn football. Better yet, Auburn football "fans."

First, in no way shape or form is it ever acceptable to "Boo" your own players. Honestly, do you think they walked on to the field that day saying to themselves "I can't wait to throw an interception in front of 87,000 people today!" No. They are people...students...who don't get paid (I guess that can be debatable...) but go to school full-time AND play football, which is pretty much like a second full-time job. Don't boo them. Its tacky and makes you look like a bad fan (OR shows us that you ARE a bad fan). If you do decide to boo them, please do it from the comfort of your own home. I'm not sure its really an "uplifting" thing for them to hear, which probably wouldn't help them to start playing better. I love Auburn football. I love the people that love Auburn, but it makes me SO very mad when you act like a child and make an already humiliated player feel worse. The end.

Second, lets look at Tommy's record. It wasn't too long ago that we were asking for him to be fired. If I remember correctly, the very next season...undefeated! We like to win. I get that. I like to win too. But losing happens. You have to take risks to have a successful program. Our risk was Tony Franklin, and that didn't work out for us. We'll fix it. Deal with it. The end.

Auburn has been such a huge part of my life. I love everything about it. I have made some of the greatest friends in the world, and have memories with those people that will not be soon forgotten. My life changed during that time, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be there.

So, I guess all this to say...be nice to my players! I love them!

Second. Politics.

I don't like politics. I'll vote, so don't yell at me. But I get so frustrated with the way the candidates act like children. Name calling, and slandering each other. Honestly, the leaders of our country are acting like children. My brother and I were always grounded when we treated each other like that.

And please, don't tell me what God thinks about this. Last time I checked, He still had more power than each of these men. He is still in control of the way things will turn out. Many Christians are saying that we as a body of believers shouldn't vote for Obama because he is for abortion. I am 100% against abortion. I do believe that life is precious, and a gift from God at conception. BUT, is it any better to vote for McCain who doesn't agree with it, but isn't going to try and stop it? I'm not saying I'm voting for Obama, but I'm also not saying that I'm voting for McCain. I am a Christian and I love the Lord. Rather than tell people who they should vote for, why don't we pray for the candidate who is elected. Pray for wisdom for them, and strength, and direction.

For those of us who are Christians, I think we are held to a different standard. We have Christ. He has changed us and opened our eyes to so many things. For one, abortion. Like I said earlier. I am 100% pro-life. I believe life is from God. It is to be valued. But for someone who doesn't know Christ, why should they think the same way I do? I think that as Christian's, we should be loving the women who have had abortions and thought that was their only choice. We should tell there there is forgiveness and restoration in our Lord. I even believe that some Christians may accept abortion. I don't, but who am I to judge them. What are we as believers doing to show these women that there are other choices. Are we going with them to pregnancy centers? Are we helping them financially? Are we adopting babies so that they don't grow up in the system? Rather than get MAD about abortion, shouldn't it make us SAD that people don't know how precious life is?

So, there it is folks. The thoughts that have been flowing in my head for some time. It is almost 1:00am here, and so I may regret this post when I wake up in the morning, but then again...I don't think anyone actually reads this, so maybe I won't offend anyone! Who knows! Feel free to leave your thoughts!

**after reading this post, I am realizing that it sounds very pessimistic. I'm really a more positive person...really! I'll make sure my next post proves that! :-)

What a month...

2008-09-19T20:08:00.000-07:00

What a month is has been! Early August we received a phone call from my Grandmother. She said that Grandpa had fallen and thought he had broken his hip. So instead of taking our advice and going to Tampa General hospital, or Lakeland Regional they decided to go to the Plant City hospital. Awesome. The doctors and nurses were great, but quite frankly, its just not a great hospital. So after 2 weeks of driving an hour there and an hour back just about every day we moved him to Manatee Memorial Hospital. It is SUCH a great hospital. Everyone was wonderful, but Grandpa just couldn't get better. His hip surgery went well and was healing nicely, but a fall like that was just devastating on his almost 84 year old body. Not to mention that he had a pretty major surgery not even a month before the hip surgery.

He stayed at Manatee Memorial for another 3 weeks, and each day he just deteriorated more and more. CT scans showed us that he had experienced a few mini strokes which was causing him to say the most off the wall things. It was painful to watch. 2 weeks ago today Grandpa had just decided he was tired of trying, and quite frankly I don't blame him. He decided that he wanted to be moved to Hospice. It was a tough decision for us to deal with, but Grandpa was ready. He stayed there from Saturday until Thursday, when he passed away on Sept. 11th.

This has been much harder than I thought it would be. I thought I had prepared myself for what I knew was coming, but I guess you can only prepare so much. The visitation and funeral, without sounding too morbid, were good. It was great to see how many people, in all different walks of life my Grandpa had an impact on. It was great to hear stories of the jokes he played, and the temper tantrums he threw when working on the railroad. Each day is different. Some days are hard, some are not. One thing is for sure, I miss him terribly, but am so blessed to know that he is with the Lord and no longer in pain. What a joy it is! Thank you friends, for the prayers, calls, cards and support. It has been s very much appreciated!

So its been a while...

2008-08-03T19:29:00.001-07:00

Wow. It seems I just woke up and it was August! Where has the summer gone! Well let me tell you where it has gone!

I spent another amazing summer in Nashville, TN working Mfuge. What an incredible experience it was. It was different than last summer, and starting out I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about that. Little did I know that this summer would prove to be just as incredible as the last, only different! Different people, different personalities but a great ministry experience. We saw students, children and adults come to know the Lord. I had the great privilage of praying with 2 girls as they prayed to recieve Christ. What greater experience is there? What a precious opportunity to serve alongside of some amazing people!

I know camp is a hard concept to understand unless you've been or worked. People have a hard time understanding how I can become such good friends with people having only known them for a couple of months, and I get their doubt and confusion. I didn't know that I could become such good friends with people before last summer. But the few months we spend together are such an intense few months that everything is multiplied. We live life together with all the messy-ness that comes with life. We serve together which is a binding experience in and of itself. When "real life" comes our way, when we think it stops, we cry togehter or rejoice together. Everything is multiplied! Thank-you, Mfuge Nashville '08 staff. I consider it a joy to have had the opportunity to serve alongside with you. You are forever a part of my life.

Now, camp is over and its back to reality. I start back at BestBuy August 10th, but I'm not sure how long I'll be there. I love Nashville and after last summer, I knew I wanted to live there. I had planned on moving right after camp, but once I moved home from Auburn sooner than expected that changed somewhat. During camp I decided that I wanted to move within 9 months to a year...but now that I'm home, I think I'm ready to go now! So I've started the job search and hope to be on my way sooner than later! Who knows what that will look like, but I'm excited to find out! Nervous? yes...but I'm sure everything will work out! I hope that this blog (if anyone actually reads it) finds you encouraged and doing well! I'll keep you updated on where my life takes me!

Home away from home...

2008-05-16T22:31:00.000-07:00

In almost 5 years in Auburn, I always considered it a HOME...not just school. Mom and Dad were often quick to remind me that I was not going HOME to Auburn, I was going back to School, and that home was in Bradenton. Yes, home is Bradenton. If home is where your heart is, my heart was always with my family in Bradenton, but my heart stretched far and wide to Auburn, AL as well. I have so many wonderful memories in Auburn and some wonderful friends but its not home anymore. My time here is done, and I'm more OK with that than I thought I would be.

I am sitting in what used to be my living room, on what used to be my couch. Its not mine anymore...it now belongs to 4 new wonderful girls whom I love dearly. I'm here finishing packing up my life and will lock the door behind me one last time tomorrow afternoon. I'm OK with that. When I arrived on Wednesday, I got off the interstate and cried. It kinda freaked me out a little. So much has changed in the last 7 weeks that has made me realize that this is not my home anymore, but a great memory of what used to be. I do plan on making more memories here...Auburn hasn't gotten rid of me yet, but it will only be for visits. It feels good to be ready to move on. 7 weeks ago I was not ready, today I am.

There are days when I am so scared about why lies ahead, but today is a day that excites me. I can go anywhere, do anything and become who I want to be! And I feel like I'm on the right track! Its been a good couple of days in Auburn. A good time to reflect and see how God has orchestrated the last several years of my life. I am forever grateful for all that Auburn means to me...so thanks friend for making it a great experience. Even in the not so great times I can see, and learn and grow. All in all, life is good!

SO much yet to do...

2008-05-12T21:06:00.000-07:00

So I thought I just procrastinated with school related activities, seeing as most of those were no fun...but apparently it continues into "adulthood." I am leaving Bradenton early Wednesday morning to go to Auburn for a few days. I still have some things in my house that need to be moved out, so I'll be working on that and hopefully hanging out with some friends who may still be in town! After my last night's stay in what is no longer "my house" I will go to Rome, GA where my best friend from Seattle will be visiting our OTHER best friend. Who knows when she will be on this side of the country again, so I think a trip to Rome is a MUST!

Its always good to spend time with these girls. I have been so blessed with friendships like these. Over the last few months, I have spent some time evaluating what a TRUE friendship is, and the girls I grew up with define it. Their loyalty is one of a kind. I don't know who or where I would be had these women not be in my life! (I don't know if any of those girls read this, but if you do...know that I love you and cherish your friendship SO very much!) SO, after what is sure to be a good time in Rome, I will head on to Nashville for another exhausting, exciting, amazing, challenging, etc, etc. etc summer.

Which leads me to my bad habit of procrastination...I still have SO much to do between now and Wednesday morning. I have quite a bit of bible study yet to plan, EVERYTHING to pack, and sleep to catch up on (which I better do now, because I KNOW I won't be "catching up on sleep" once the summer starts!). Its so bad that I still have boxes to UNPACK from the first move home, so that I can find everything I need to REPACK to take to Nashville. Good thing I have just over 24 hours! ha! And here I find myself blogging...makes perfect sense!

Well, now that I have burned just a LITTLE more of my precious time (and yours if you're still reading!) I think I'll call it a night. Hope this post finds all of my faithful readers doing well...

I think I'll try this again!

2008-05-09T20:53:00.000-07:00

So I've decided to give the world of blogging another chance. I wonder if this will be something I keep up with, or just a late night decision that will last a week or so. I guess time will tell.

I guess I can update all of my soon to be faithful readers on my life. Things have changed...a lot. I moved. I left a city, a job and people that I loved dearly to move BACK HOME to what once was a place of many friendships and opportunities and is now the memory of those friendships and opportunities. Bradenton as I knew it has graduated, gotten married and moved to who knows where...and as for those opportunites, they have presented themselves in new ways! It is a blessing to be with my family again. I wouldn't trade my time at Auburn for anything, but I did miss out on some milestones with my sweet nieces, Emma and Erin. I cherish the time I now have to watch them grow and learn and experience life. Seeing life through the eyes of a child is a remarkable thing. Its honest, genuine, compassionate and HYSTERICAL! I live to hear them say "Love you GiGi." Yeah, I sound like a mother, but I assure you, I'm not!

Moving was tough. It was something that was inevitable. Something I wanted to happen eventually, but not really at the time it did. Auburn played a huge part in my life. I met some of my best friends...friends that will be a part of my life forever. People that challenged, encouraged and supported me through so many life experiences. Looking back to my freshman year, I realize now that although I thought of myself as an adult, I had no idea! The last 5 years have been full of life experience that has prepared me for this new chapter called adulthood. So far so good.

I am currently working at BestBuy. This was supposed to get my by until I decided what I wanted to pursue...just an "in the meantime" type of job. All of the jobs I had before were very similar. I was a youth intern for 2 summers, worked MFuge Nashville (a youth missions camp), was an intern at the Baptist Campus Ministries at Auburn...these jobs were all very similar, yet different. Working at BestBuy is something completely out of "my box." Its new and I love it! I think I'm realizing that I am capable of other things. I enjoy other things. Find fulfilment in other things. I see a ministry at BestBuy. I work with amazing people...some of who don't know Christ.

I am about to leave Bradenton for the summer...I will be working MFuge Nashville again and will then return to my job at BestBuy, but to a new department. I still have to catch my breath when I say that. This whole situation was the furthest from my plans, but things have a funny way of working out even when its so different than what was expected. God has been so faithful in providing peace and comfort when things seemed chaotic, stressful and even hurtful at times. I don't know how long I'll be at BestBuy or even Bradenton for that matter, but I do know that I'm young and have a lot of life to live and experience...I'm young. I don't have to know what I'll be doing 20 years from now. I'm looking forward to what is to come.

Fuge is coming up SO soon. I have quite a bit of preparing yet to do. I will be serving at the same site I was at last summer...New Life Baptist Church. I simply adore this place, and can't wait to be reunited with some of the most precious children on the planet. I'm hoping Richard is back! If you know who Richard is, then that should be understood, but for those of you who don't hopefully I'll be keeping up with this blog, because you'll want to hear stories about this kid. He is a mess...a mess that I love more than one can possibly know. I loved all of my kids from last summer, but there was something special about Richard...hopefully there will be more to come about him!

Well...if you have made it this far I'm impressed. I'm sure I kept you at the end of your seat! I would love to know who you are, so leave a message! Hope you have an amazing weekend...give your mom and hug!