Day Thirty! Done!

Where do you think you’ll be in 5 years?

This question should not be allowed. The closer I get to graduating, and the more I think about it, the more I think about where I'm going next. 

Part of me thinks Dallas would be fun, maybe a good "first step" after college. 
But, Nashville would be awesome, and the only adventurous spirit I have in me is set aside for moving. Plus, I know people (okay, like three) there. And, hello... awesome concerts and famous people?
Florida would be even greater. I'm tired of this cold, snowy, icy, windy business. I could handle Florida. 


But really, things could change in a year. A year ago, I never even considered Nashville or Florida. It was me and Dallas, maybe Austin. 

Ultimately, I don't have the last say. It makes me kind of laugh when I think about the fact that God already knows where I'll be two years from this exact day. He knows the day I will move, the job I will work, the place I will live. He sees me having all these ideas, and I wonder how off or on track I am according to His plan. I wonder if God ever giggles at me.

I'm probably like His afternoon sitcom.




------
p.s. - I'm glad this is done.

Day Twenty-nine.

Write about any particular habits/mannerisms that you have.



This is a hard one... I think it's hard to pick out habits I have, because they seem so normal. Ha. 


First of all, I do the same thing every morning. Not always in a precise order, but if you were to video me every morning in the kitchen... you would be bored by day three. Eggs, cheese, skillet. Coffee. Bible. Proceed in getting ready. 


I play with my hair a lot. Not in the girly-twirly way, but I comb thru it with my fingers or pull it up into what would be a ponytail and let it fall. 


I know I have more. Somebody point them out to me.... what habits do you see of mine?

Day Twenty-eight.

If you had three wishes, what would they be?


1. That Aaron and I lived closer together. I can do long-distance. But, the 1200-miles-apart-only-see-each-other-every-few-months sucks, majorly. I have to remind myself almost daily there is a season for everything, and it is beautiful in it's own way. I hope when I look back that I see the beauty in it. :) 


2. That I could fly anywhere I wanted for free, as many times as I wanted. I would fly to KC and see my sister, to Cali to see Kelli, to Georgia, to Houston, to D.C., to Oxford... oh my gosh. There would be so many places I would go!! Not that I think about it every minute of every day, and not that it pushes me into depression, but I really hate how many of the people I love dearly live so far away. 


3. Okay, now usually I say that I wouldn't wish it away, but if wishes really did exist... I don't know that I would be able to pass it up. I would wish for a healthy pancreas. Not that I don't value the things I have learned from diabetes, the people I've met because of my diabetes (Ellie and Lora), or how much smarter it's probably made me (even though I suck at math, still)... but it would really un-complicate my life. Just saying.

Day Twenty-seven.

Where is somewhere you would want to visit?


Prague.
Bolivia.
Brazil.
New York.
D.C.
China.
Italy.
Austin.
Washington.
Hawaii.


oh, and Georgia.
But I'm going there Thursday. :) 




p.s. - it's aaron and I's six month anniversary today :))

Day Twenty-six.

Write about something you once loved, but now despise.

There are more things I can think of that I used to despise, but now love. Most of them being food... but also running, and some music. I'm sure there's more, that seems like too short of a list. 

I know there's something that I just can't think of right now... something bigger or more significant. But honestly, the only thing I can think of is....




cottage cheese. 


Obviously my brain doesn't want to cooperate right now. Hopefully you enjoyed this short and sweet little tidbit.

Day Twenty-five.

Write a letter to someone you miss.

Dear Grandpa,
I wish I had known you when I was older and could remember you more. I feel like we have a very similar personality from the tidbits I do remember.

Dear Ellie,
I wish we lived closer. For once in my life.

Dear Kelli,
I miss our morning notes and long hugs. Waking up to nothing on my mirror and no one to giggle with is boring. You also can tell when I'm lying through my teeth, which helps keep me in line.

Dear Stephen,
I miss our bike rides and heart to hearts.

Dear S,
I miss you. The End.


There is a time and purpose for every season and situation. There is a wonderful reason that so many people I love are so far away from me - hopefully in ten years I can look back and see why. I would say that that's something I'll ask when I go to heaven... but I know by then I won't even care. :)

Day Twenty-four.

How has your week been?


My week has been... crazy.

Beach Reach training.
Snow and negative windchill temps.
New projects in class.
Glorieta recruitment.
Bible study.
Work two jobs.
Freelance stuff.
Laundry, dishes, cleaning.
Scholarship applications (last semester of this!)

Not to mention everything I need to do today.

I really try to get all of my "tasks" done before Sunday, so that I can fully and truly enjoy my Sabbath. I think it's important no matter what stage of life you're in, but this semester, I can tell that I will really need a day to relax, de-stress and just be. So, with that being said....

Day Twenty-three.

Describe what you spend most of your time on.


Design.
Hands-down.


School: four studio classes, one art history class.
Work: two design jobs.
Free-time: doing homework or freelance. 


That's how I know it's a God-given talent and skill. I so badly want a job after I graduate that furthers His kingdom, in one way or another.

Day Twenty-two.

What made you smile the most today?


Today was a very rough day. I hate when one person can affect your day so much, sometimes it's good... sometimes it's bad. But what I love, is that for every bad egg there are eleven good ones out there. (cliche, I know. don't judge me.)


I had some encouragement from friends and co-workers. I called my daddy to vent. After the mishap happened, it was nothing but encouragement for the rest of the day from everyone I talked to or saw. Even though I loved and needed the words of comfort, what made me smile the most was two very small things. 


Eden and Salem. 


I went through phases; I loved kids for a long time, and then I did not love kids for awhile, and now I'm back to loving kids. They amaze me. The way kids giggle warms my heart, it is truly one of my favorite things in the world. Especially the giggle that happens when you tickle them. 


Tonight, I went over to my church-adoptive parents house for laundry and dinner. Every time I go over to their house, the kids are more and more used to me - and today they ran up to me and gave me huge hugs without mommy even telling them to do so. 


I love that the Creator of the universe cares about the smallest details like bad days and hugs.

Day Twenty-one.

How has your life changed over the past year?

Whoa.


How has life changed? How has life not changed? 


I think my relationship with Christ has grown and changed, which has in turn changed many things. Certain things and people are no longer in my life - most of which I'm okay with, but wish was different. My heart has been opened to missions. I'm so aware of Christ's love and beauty, I see it everywhere. I sponsor a little Bolivian girl. I met one of the most amazing, Christ-like men I've ever known. I've experienced joy, freedom and peace like never before. 


Then there's other stuff like, I moved out of the dorm. I live by myself. I got a new job. My idea of what I want to do after I graduate has changed. I now know the gloriousness of Gungor music. I've actually eaten at one of the Thai restaurants in Canyon. I have a legit camera now. My pump now has a name.

Day Twenty.

What did you eat today?


Coffee.
Egg with bread.
Boston Creme Pie sugar-free pudding.
Half-turkey sandwich.
Austin PB snack crackers.
Small orange. 
Hamburger Helper. 
Veggies.

Not the most exciting day...

Day Nineteen.

Write about your last birthday and how you plan to spend your upcoming birthday.


Ohhhh. Last year's birthday was magical. By far the best birthday I had, therefore ending my bad birthday streak. :)


It started with a midnight run to Waffle House.
I went to a Beth Moore simulcast, where my friends surprised me with balloons and flowers. 
My roommates decorated my door and bathroom suite with streamers and writing on the mirrors. 
I think I went and ate Thai food for lunch...
Ate at Cheddar's with like nine of my favorite people, that also bought me dessert! 
Then came home and had ice cream oreo cake made by my suitemate :) 


Basically, my birthday consisted of Beth Moore, food and friends.
Really, does it get any better than that? I think not.

Day Eighteen.

Post one confession/secret.


When I was diagnosed, I couldn't say glucometer (say that word around people who don't know much bout diabetes and it'll freak them out), so my parents nicknamed it George. My family continued to call it George for the next.... 12-15 years. No joke. 


Thanks to a cheesy youtube video and my sister, I have now named my insulin pump. I mean really, if I'm going to name a machine that I interact with daily... I think a machine I'm attached to 24/7 deserves a name. Cue Milly.

She is almost two and a half years old. We have a love-hate relationship, I might add. 

Day Seventeen.

Bullet your day.


Woke up 8:45.
Ate breakfast, drank coffee.
Read the Word. 
Organized pictures.
Ate at Thai Kitchen (for the first time) with Danae.
Homework.
Photo adventure with Becky.
Homework.
Dinner at mi casa with Becky.
Coffee date with Becky and Tiffany.
Currently on the phone with Aaron. :)

Day Sixteen.

Upload a picture of your room and talk about your room.


My room is not clean, and always looks weird in pictures... so you don't get a picture today. 


My room, is full of memories. I'm sure that's what everyone thinks or says about their room, but truly, it is. 


I have my painting from high school. 
My desk that is a hand-me-down. 
My dresser from grade school (that I didn't use between then and now).
My picture board that I've had forever.
My picture of Leydi. 
My written-on-gift-bags from Ellie. 


There's more, uninteresting things. I look around not only my room but my apartment and see things of my own actual possession, things given to me or passed down, things I bought at a garage sale. I look at some of my hand-me-downs and remember old memories of home or my grandparents. 


I see things of mine that I've had since grade school and wonder how they've managed to last. I look at them and see all the things that they've been a part of in my life. These mere objects survive moves, rearranging, being knocked over... just like me. I survive all these things with the help of God.


"He alone is my rock and salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken." - Psalm 62:6

Day Fifteen.

Write about something you worry about a lot.


In the words of my boyfriend, I worry too much. I think there are things I worry about, and things I just ...think about a lot.


Right now, my biggest worry is this semester. 15 hours and two part-time jobs. Not to mention the extra activities, church and what little social life I do have. Almost done with my first week and I'm already feeling a little overwhelmed. 


Outside of this semester...
I'm not really worried about my future, as much as my professors try to scare me about that. Read the verse just this morning that reminded me God has a plan for my future. It may not be what I was expecting, but it's probably better than that anyways. 


Last night at Bible study, we talked about surrendering everything to the Lord. All of our hopes, dreams, fears, free time, school, relationships, all of it. Yes, the Lord was faithful to open my eyes to a few things I've been holding onto. Letting go is so much easier said than done, but it's truly the best step of obedience. 


I am one of those few that never changed her major during college. Yes, I have known for six years what I wanted to do. I remember two distinct times that I doubted and considered running another way, but decided to hang on a little bit longer - and the Lord affirms this is what I'm supposed to do more and more. When I think about the fact that I've known this for six years, I realize that God has something really good planned. And that makes me more excited than I can almost describe. 

That being said, I have no idea where I'm going or what's next. There's a lot of things I want after I graduate, but I wonder how many of them are just what I want, and how many are what He wants. I think more than the actual plans, I'm worried that I will act on my own desires, and not the Lord's. I'm worried I'll be too afraid or unwilling, or that I'll want something out of my desire before I follow Him. But, that's not what the Bible says; it doesn't say "if we feel like it," or "after.." but that we wholeheartedly and obediently follow Him. 

Day Fourteen

Post your favorite book, favorite movie, favorite band, and favorite food.

Book: besides the Bible, probably Redeeming Love.
Movie: I don't know if I can pick just one, it's a tie between Now and Then, and My Sister's Keeper!
Favorite band: Needtobreathe or Tenth Avenue North
Favorite food: peanut butter, hands down.

Day Thirteen.

What are your plans for the future? Far and near. 


First of all, this could change at any given moment. I don't control my days, the Lord does.

But, I do have some plans. Georgia in February, possibly skiing in Santa Fe. Beach Reach and a design conference in March. No April plans besides turning 21. Then, headed back to New Mexico for the summer!

As for far away plans.... that's up the Lord.
I'm in school for two more semesters after this one, and then I'm not sure after that. Probably (or hopefully) get a job somewhere. There's a few cities I'm leaning towards (Nashville, Tampa, Atlanta...) but, that wasn't what I thought a year ago, so who knows where I'll be a year from now :) At some point get married, and probably do missions in one way or another.


I've realized over the past several months how greater the Lord's plans are, and how exciting it is to follow Him. Yes, there will be rough parts and probably some stress... but it's amazing how much He works everything out.

Day Twelve.

Write about the best day of your life.


Best day? Out of my twenty years, I'm supposed to pick one?

Three-way tie between:

High school graduation,
being baptized last year,
and any given day of this past summer.


If you really think about it, every day should be the best day. Do you ever think about the fact that God allows you to wake up in the morning? Or that He allowed you to breathe that breath you just let out? Shouldn't everyday be the best day, or at least shouldn't we appreciate each day, just because we're alive and our Creator is letting us?

Day Eleven.

What's the meanest thing someone has ever said to you?

I try to block those things out. Ha.
But, I guess recently it would be my professor saying that I am doing well (overall, as a student) but not as good as he thought I would (when he met me freshman year). I know it was probably supposed to "motivate" me or something, and it partially did, but was also kind of a downer.

That's really not the meanest thing someone has ever said to me, but I really don't want to think back and try and remember that.