Prayer

My prayer life is in constant transition. However, it is one of the things that I believe keeps my faith growing. Prayer has always been a part of my life. Truthfully and painfully I say it has not always been meaningful. Sometimes my closed eyes would mask a distracted brain. Sometimes my bowed head would hide a numb mind. However, if you ever want to see growth you have to embrace all sides of the story. So that is one side.

Now however, my prayer life is different. I will credit the Bibel stories of Job and the book of Psalms for the  transformation in my prayer life. They let me know that it was OK to talk to God. I did not have to pretend or be perfect, I just had to talk. I learned through some trying times that it is OK and actually healing to cry out to God with all the pain that sometimes seemed too much. I saw that I could smile and grin with my God over answered prayers and happy times! I could be confused with God, understanding that, that is OK because his ways are not my ways ( Isaiah 55:8).

Recently, I have made the choice to get back down on my knees and pray. I needed that reminder that I am supposed to be a servant and that I am not the one in control. Now, during the day I pray for all types of things and at random times, but I am trying to kneel in the morning to start my day off right.

All of these thoughts on prayer lead me up to a request.....
* UGA was definitly the choice for me, but I REALLY need an out of state tuition waiver. If you could pray for that I would be grateful!!!!
* I have a number of friends who are ready to date/marry but the timing is just off. May we all just continue to pray for the right person at the right time. On a side note it is good to remember that when you say Yes to something you usually are saying No to something else. So, a Yes to marriage could be a No to some other areas.....just think about that.
* Lastly, Melanie needs a job. Really, I am praying for a job for her in her field that she will love. If you could add that to your prayers I would be be most grateful.

If you are stuck in a prayer rut, Google The Interview with God. It is just a reminder and might give you some areas to focus on in prayer.

A Break of sorts

I will be forever grateful to whoever decided to put a one week break into our summer session!!!

I have never needed a break more. This summer has been intense in a great way. Class, Work, Writing, Processing, and the list goes on.

During my break I plan to:

Enjoy quality time with Julie and Melanie

Catch up on rest and naps

Work on 3 HUGE projects that are due soon

Explore nature

Absorb some good Bible study

Write in my journal

It looks to be a good break. To all of you that are traveling for the 4th be safe and have FUN:)

Wishes and Dreams

I am not going to listen to the grown-ups who say that I am too old to still be dreaming and wishing. The map above shows a HUGE, really almost impossible desire of mine. Look carefully.....yep, that's a map of Italy and Greece. Hmmmm you might be wondering. Ok! I will just tell you.

Next summer there is a 2 week School Counselor Institute in ITALY!!!! Amazing and it would look so unique on a resume and I would get 3 hours of graduate credit. That is not all though....I want to go to Greece SOOOO bad. It is my travel dream! Like I could never travel again once I went to Greece and that would be OK. Well, if I am already going to be in Italy....and the map shows how close Greece is to Italy.....why don't I just hop over to Greece too!!!!!!!!!!

Now, this is just at the dream, head in the clouds stage. I know I would have to WORK SO MUCH to get there.......but I am gonna keep on thinking about it and we shall see. It's really one of thise instances that I think applies to the scripture about God being able to do more than we can ask or imagine:) I have that verse hanging right in my bedroom!

Have a truly great weekend everyone!

Athens and I

Good Morning!

 For any interested parties, I wanted to post anohter update on life in Athens.

 I have really adjusted well. I have only been here three weeks, yet thanks to the format of my graduate program I have 11 people who are my new friends. We are blessed enough to get to share this School Counseling experience together and in 2012 we will all graduate together!! (What in the world will happen between now and then? No earthly idea!!)

 I am in classes that are blowing my eyes wide open and expanding my worldview. I have never had to dig so deep into myself and into much of the racism, prejuidce, and unequal treatment in our society.  I am in classes that are teaching me more about my favorite area (the life of a child). I get the good shivers as I type because I think that I am going to LOVE being a counselour in the school setting.

I am happy that I have guests coming to visit me next weekend. Julie and Melanie and I are all planned out to enjoy the wonders of Athens and Atlanta:) Then my cohort (school counseling group) is going to a lakehouse in South Carolina! I am a happy lady:)

Living on the third floor is shaping up these little legs. Well kind of....that is probably a little wishful thinking mixed in! I love my new little place! Not having a roommate works for me. I am on a new routine up here. Grocery shopping on Sunday (and I am staying on budget. HAPPY DANCE!!!). Laundry on Monday. That sort of thing.

As you get ready for your weekend. Here is a thought provoking quote from a very thought provoking, book....the Bible!
Job 2:10 "...Shall we indeed accept good from God and shall we not accept adversity?" Things in my life right now are good, may I store up these times and feelings so when adversity strikes I don't sink into the typical complain and whine and unthankful mode. It's an easy thing to do and comes straight from the devil. On that heavy note....................... Have a wonderful weekend!!!!

Shameless Plug

                                                                              (found here)

          This front load Maytag Neptune washer has changed my life!!!!

       I don't think my clothes have ever been so clean and bright!!!

      Yeah, I am this excited about a washer:)

     

Day for Fathers

Hi!!

Today is Father's Day:) Like so many people, I think that my daddy is just about the best thing in my life. My mama and Melanie are tied with him! Anyway, today in church I heard this wonderful interactive lesson about what concrete things some of the Christian dads in the audiance could do to be a better husband and father. I LOVED IT! The answers were honest and real. One stood out in my head and heart though. One dad stood up and said....I am going to recommitt to showing my wife the kind of respect and love that I want my baby girl to look for in a man one day!!!!

That might not mean that much to you, but it exactly echoes my hidden and unspoken thoughts. People have asked, and lately I have wondered, about being 25 and never having been on a date. My life is usually so busy that my obvious answer is, "Who has time?" My second runner up is, "I am happy and well taken care of all by myself, I don't need another person to bring me down!" (or some other snide variation)

However, the main real reason why I have not dated is stated above. I have not found many men who would/could treat me the way my daddy treats my mother. I have seen glimpses in a few people but nothing overwhelming. My father is amazing, and darn him, has set the bar very high;)

Everyone has a different life story....but here are some things that I want in a man, and that my mother has found in her husband:
* someone to sit on the porch with and enjoy nature

* someone who loves  her family just like his own

* a man who loves God and is growing in Godly wisdom

* the other half to all of her personality quirks

* a quiet, reflective, loving man

* a man who still holds her hand during long car rides

* a man who leaves the sweetest poems hidden around our home

* a man who belives in the power of prayer, and studying God's word

So, all that to say two things. I thank my God in heaven for my amazing, special, caring, and funny daddy!!

And, I don't need to worry about finding a boyfriend. I am probably not even ready myself to meet the type of man that I want. Hmmmm deep thoughts! Happy Father's Day!!!!

Don't fight it!

Today I had to laugh at myself and life. Note to self: Do that more often. Life is often ridiculous:)

Anyway, I made a little mental plan to be Sabrina lite during this UGA experience. By that I mean that I was not gonna comment on everything, volunteer for everything, be everything. Really, I was going to try because it is SO easy for me to make it the Sabrina Show.

I think that I have done a pretty good job. Then today my cohort had to vote on a member to be the First Year Member at Large for the UGASCA (University of Georgia School Counseling Association). My cohort voted for me:) I am excited and a little nervous! I had to laugh, because I was trying not to be that girl. However, the real lesson is...don't fight who you are! Embrace it and enhance it, but there is no need to go working on what ain't broken! So, I will continue to just be me. I think me is pretty awesome:)