Memorial Day

In the past, Memorial Day has not meant that much to me even though we are currently in a war. My friend, Jonathan, is in the National Guard and he is one of my best guy friends at school. Wee love to just sit down for a while and talk about school, family and friends. We met in our really boring Literature class about a year a half ago and have been friends ever since. He hasn't told me much about his experience in Iraq or what he did over there, but in my mind, he is a hero along with all of the other soldiers fighting for our country. He is the only soldier I know personally, but he makes me thankful for what others do to keep us safe. So, Jonathan, thank you for all that you do and for being a great friend! And best wishes on your upcoming wedding! See you in August!!!

Work

Yesterday I began my first full-time job as an innkeeper at a Bed & Breakfast in Edmond. I love what I am doing, but I have to tell you, it is already getting to me physically and emotionally (and I am only on day 2). I did not realize that I would be working 9 hours a day and would be on my feet (while wearing dress shoes) for almost half the day. I have never worked a 40-hour a week job, so this is a first for me. I love the fact that it is a family run business, so you get to know everybody pretty quick and they are all very nice. It's just that one of my biggest fears is failure, to myself and to others. I am afraid that once my training is done and I am left to do the work by myself, something will not get done that needs to get done before I go home, I'll book guests in the wrong room, I won't fold the laundry just right, etc. I must say this is the first job I have been absolutely terrified of. I know I need to get over these fears and just do my best. My parents have always told that your best is all you can do. I've been praying that God will just get me through the day, which I know He will. If anybody is reading this, could you say a little prayer for me? I would really appreciate it!!!

Sick

This is how I've been feeling the last couple days. And, of course, I would get a sinus infection the last weekend before I go back to Oklahoma. It has also been raining off and on for like the last week, which has not been helping either except for watching marathons of Grey's Anatomy. Basically the last 2 days I have been sitting or lying on the couch watching boring daytime television, constantly blowing my nose, drinking iced tea and eating soup. Why is it that whenever we get sick, even with just a cold, we almost forget how feels to be healthy, even though we've only been sick for like a day? It drives me crazy! I just hate the fact that this always happens when I am visiting my family. I went to the doctor this morning and got put on antibiotics, so hopefully I will be feeling a lot better by Sunday when I fly back to St. Louis and then drive to Edmond from there on Monday. I need to be well enough to move the rest of my stuff (which is a lot) into my room and to set up an interview for a prospective job. I am also hoping the weather will be nice for driving on Monday, you may know that it is tornado season in Oklahoma right now and I have already heard of friends taking cover about a week ago. So, please pray that I get better soon and that I have a safe flight and drive back!

Road Trippin'

This school year I have traveled more than I ever have before. Last weekend I went to Arkansas to go to my Granny's funeral and then Monday I left Oklahoma to visit my family in Michigan. This time I did things a little different. Instead of driving all the way to Michigan or flying all the way, I drove to St. Louis, Missouri and got on a plane to Michigan. This was a very difficult and tiring trip just from getting about 4-5 hours of sleep every night during the past week, driving 5 hours to Rolla, Missouri and staying the night in a hotel by myself (kinda creepy), driving another 2 hours to St. Louis to catch my flight to Detroit. Needless to say, I am still pretty exhausted.

One thing I love about road trips is the scenery. I love to look at all of God's creation. Sometimes I think about what the world would look like if there were no roads, cars, or buildings. I think it would be beautiful! The Lord never ceases to amaze me no matter how much I am on the road or in the air and I don't think I will ever get tired of it!!!

Tomorrow

Tomorrow afternoon I will be a senior in college...this is crazy! I know it sounds cliche, but it honestly feels like yesterday that I moved to Oklahoma and began my first year at OC. Coming here for school has definitely been one of the best decisions of my life. I couldn't be happier here! I have made a ton of friends and will make more next year. There have been ups and downs but mostly ups! 

Thinking about starting my senior year next fall really actually scares me. I think it is because I know how fast it will go by and that after next spring I will be all done with school. I do not think I will know what to do with myself. I don't know what it is like to work 40 hours a week and not go to school. I don't know if I want to know what that is like. A lot of questions run through my mind when I think about graduating in a year. Will I find a job in the field that I studied? What company will I work for? Will I stay with the same company until I retire? Will I stay in Oklahoma or move somewhere else? But then I always have to think about Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

So for now, I am taking comfort in knowing that I still have one year of school left and I will make the most of it! Senior year...here I come!!! :)

In Loving Memory

This weekend I lost a good friend of mine. As you may know, I am very close to all of my family and consider all of them my friends as well. My Granny was 88 years old when she passed away on April 17, 2010. In my 21 years, I have gotten to know my Granny as a kind, loving, and Godly woman. She was never afraid to speak her mind to her children, husband, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren - believe me, I know! She was stubborn, feisty, and a fighter and she fought until the very end. More importantly, she was and still is a woman of God. I have only met a few others that love the Lord as much as she does and I strive to be like her in my spiritual walk. 

Upon finding out about Granny's passing, I was angry, confused, and sad. In my mind, she was supposed to wait a couple of weeks for me to get back to Michigan to say my goodbyes personally. Why are we, as human beings, selfish like that? God gave us our families. Why do we not want to share them with Him and let them go when it is time? God put us on this earth to one day come back to Him. April 17 was Granny's day and I know for a fact she couldn't be happier! She has missed my Papa everyday for the last 11 years and I know that they are finally together again. Granny always mentioned one thing that she wanted. She wanted everyone she knew to get right with God and stay on the right path so that we could all be together again someday in Heaven!

Granny, I love you very much. I will continue to try my hardest to make you and Papa proud. I cannot wait to see you again someday! Please wait for me at the Pearly Gates!

Wants vs Needs

Lately, I have had a really long "want" list. I think everyday for the last month or so, I think of another thing I want. I'll just a few things: start tanning, a tattoo, a pair of TOMS shoes, acrylic nails, leggings, a new shortsuit I saw at Target, a new car (eventually), and the list goes on. The reason why I haven't gotten any of these things yet is because I know what I need that is more important. Groceries (food is good), gas in my car (I need to drive places), a summer job, a place to live for the summer and sign up for summer classes. All of these things cost money. I've always been pretty tight when it comes to money and I try to spend it wisely, but ever since I got to college that has changed. I've bought and done things that cost way more than they are worth and sometimes wish I could take them back. I've been doing everything I can to convince myself that I do not need some of the stuff that I want right now, but that is becoming more and more difficult everyday.

My question is, why do our wants sometimes overpower our needs? Don't our minds understand that we only need what we really need and that we should be thankful for the things we already have that we didn't need in the first place? I definitely don't have an answer, but my "want" list keeps getting longer and I'm just hoping and praying I can put off getting some of the things until I have what I need first.