Thoughts that are Random;)

* There is nothing to glue these thoughts together. They are just what is on my mind currently....

* Melanie and I are going to be saying goodbye to our home of 3 years. Country living was the life for us and I will be sad to say goodbye to Casa Stewart. Of course we are both moving on to different things in GA but still.....

* Time flies by! So much is changing and will change as 2010 continues on. May I remember to make some tea and savor the moments.

* To all of those heading back to school soon. GOOD LUCK!!!!! Especially my Roberts family:)

* Raising kids today that are not spoiled and entertainment junkies is hard. Whatever happened to the old school parents. The ones who didn't bargain with children, the ones who laid down the law, the ones who were respected and taught respect. I see now why my parents did not just let me go over to anyone's house. They had to know the family.

* Friends.....confusing, fun, difficult, fufilling, confusing!

I adore this Song!

This morning during communion we sang and focused on the beautiful song How Deep the Father's Love For Us. It almost had me in tears. Anyway, here are the amazing lyrics. You can hear it on Youtube if you are interested!

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure


That He would give His only Son


To make a wretch His treasure


How great the pain of searing loss


The Father turns His face away


As wounds which mar the chosen One


Bring many sons to glory


Behold the Man upon a cross


My guilt upon His shoulders


Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice


Call out among the scoffers


It was my sin that held Him there


Until it was accomplished


His dying breath has brought me life


I know that it is finished


I will not boast in anything


No gifts, no powr's, no wisdom


But I will boast in Jesus Christ


His death and resurrection


Why should I gain from His reward?


I cannot give an answer


But this I know with all my heart


His wounds have paid my ransom

I'm coming HOME

Florida I am coming back:) Athens and UGA has been quite an experience on so many levels. BUT...

I can't wait to see my beloved family and friends again!!!

( I am too much...like I had not seen them in a year! I miss my people though.)

Here is what the plan looks like:

A day or two relaxing with my aunt in ATL while the cousin is in Europe (that boy is a travel guru!)

Jacksonville time!!! (VBS, family, swimming, TiVo, etc.)

Tallahassee visit ( Roberts reunion, Julie, all things Timberlane, dining out, dentist, etc.)

Back to Jacksonville, and then on to Daytona to pick up my lovely grandma. Then roadtrip back to Tally with three generations of Miles women:)

Melanie's Graduation!!!!!!!!!!! YAY I am SOOO proud!!!

Back to Jacksonville for more family time and to celebrate my parent's 30th Anniversary!!!!!!

Rush back to GA for lakehouse cohort reunion and then back to class August 16th.

I AM SO EXCITED!!!!! I hope to see many of you soon:)

Acrostic Day

Frasier Marathon (laughter guaranteed)
Real time to relax (what a week I had!)
I can't believe how fast my summer is going
Dress down and roam around campus
A perfect day to clean my apartment
Y ummy options of dinner and dessert

It was not always this way

* This is long but sheds some light on my past!*

Today I got a huge dose of something and I wanted to share. The older I get I keep on meeting people and expanding my circle to include people who didn't know little Sabrina. My Athens friends, and many of my Tally people don't know too much about me as a child. That is not a problem....it's just life.

Fast forward to today.

I gave a group presentation to my class and afterwards received some very sincere compliments about my presentation and speaking style. (Thank You!!! by the way) When I was at Roberts, as I would give my LCTA speeches I would also get some people who would say that they enjoyed my energy and presentation. All of these instances humbled me and today in particular reminded me of little Sabrina. In fact it's as if little me received the compliment. Let me share a little with you.

I was an intense child. Definitely happy and definitely verbal. Oh, the family stories about me and my mouth and funny/sarcastic moments. In elementary school however, I tested into Speech class. I talked very fast but also I slurred my r's and some other letter combinations. While speech was fun I became self conscious of my words. Very self conscious!! Very, VERY self conscious:( Even today there are certain words I don't like to say. Mainly words with an "rl" blend. Like in world. Reading aloud in class lost it's charm because most of my words would sound fine....but there were those few that I knew were not right. And little Sabrina...and Sabrina now liked to be right.

I worked hard in speech, improved and tested back out after 5th grade. However, the feelings still remained. I was NOT confident in public speaking. Friends, family, OK. School, formal settings, NOT  OK!

So all that to say. Even today when I stand up and present, the few moments right before I talk, little Sabrina gets in my head. She is still unsure and a little nervous and SO self-conscious. Her presence just reminds me of how far I have come. All of the encouraging words I receive I really internalize because it was not always this way!!! I have grown in my speaking abilities and that is a blessing from God.

Today in particular I got a dose of reality that reminded me of something. Hard work does pay off. People can overcome challenges and overcome them to find victory. As I walked home I smiled and said a grateful prayer. May I never forget how far I have come. May I stop always wishing life would be easier and instead embrace the good feelings that come from hard work and perseverance.

Late Pics Post!

I am loving this place! It is wonderful to be living within the realm of an answered prayer! If you think about it, many of us are doing that. Living out our life in a situation that we had hoped, prayed, and wished for:)

One amazing sister, one superb friend and I:) Thanks for a fabulous weekend ladies!!!!

According to UGA myth if you walk through the arches as a student you will never graduate from UGA. Too much $$$ involved for me to chance that;) Class of 2012 here I come!

Fireworks at Lenox Square! What a mall. Thank Goodness I don't live close enough to shop there weekly.

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.