So far so good

Songs playing in iMind:

Since You've Been Gone--Kelly Clarkson

In Christ Alone--Gateway Worship

Africa--Toto

Hello all. I noticed I haven't been updating as often as I should. Here's a little background of what I've been up to since the end of my freshman year of college.

I have just completed my second week of being a summer missionary here in Jefferson City, Tenn.

It's been great so far. I've met some really great people and we've quickly become a tight-knit group. I thank God for each and every one of them. They're so amazing and I'm blessed to be around them all summer. It's such a blast!

Sunday the groups begin to roll in. Early mornings and late nights will be my summer. I'm emotionally and mentally ready for them. God will see me through, no doubt. A little nervousness has crept upon me. AO is expecting me to sing and Judah play the guitar every night. I'm praying my voice holds and that everyone enjoys us. I hate having to prove myself but that's exactly what I have to do...

As far as love goes (yes, you know I must touch on this subject), I spoke to my best friend about someone and she thinks the guy is interested. There have been some things that have come up and I told her exactly how they were, with no romantic ideas added, which is odd for me because I am such a romantic. I tend to over account the story, searching for something that could be of use to me for liking the person. With this guy, I don't have to do that. I tell it how it is. My best friend thinks he is, in fact, interested so we will see what happens. I don't want a summer fling, that's for sure. I can't handle those emotions just to dash them against the rocks like they were nothing. That's impossible for me. It's either a full go or a no. I'm happy and, no, it's not because I'm giddy with possibilities. I'm happy because I'm able to do the work of the Lord and somehow this has come up. I love balance in my life and this is as close as I've gotten.

If you want a continual update, go to my other blog http://www.appalachianmountains09.blogspot.com/. I have everything from pictures to stories about the people we help. It's pretty sweet if I do say so myself, which I do. Check it out and RSS!!

I'll probably write on this blog again in August when work is done.

It's Just the Beginning

I turned 19 on Friday!!

Tomorrow I start my ministry work in the Appalachias.

Honestly, I'm a little nervous because I don't know what to expect as far as work goes. We've driven to Jefferson City and have gone around the area. It's not a sketch town but it's a town where you can see the needs of the people.

I move in tomorrow. We have to get up early because 1) we have to be out of the cabin by 10am and 2) I have to report to AO by 5pm. Before I can do that, I have to move into my apartment on campus. Lord knows how long that's gonna take...I pray everything runs smoothly.

My dad's still wary about this job because I'll be working out of state by myself. I figure I'm 19 and I can't be stuck at home forever. There needs to be a time when the strings are cut. You'd think by this point the parents would take the huge scissors and cut me free. It seems like I'm the one wanting to go and they're trying to pull me back. I know the only reason why they do that is because they love me, but there has to be a time to let me fly!

Whatever.

I start tomorrow. I don't know what will await me these next two months but here's praying the Lord will see me through. I have faith He wouldn't give me something I can't handle and He wouldn't allow me to do something that wasn't in His ultimate plan. I'm stepping in faith and praying everything goes smoothly tomorrow.

Keep me in your prayers and also my family who will be going back home to Jersey as soon as I'm moved in.

On The Road Again

My freshman year of college has come to an end.

I am moved out and am currently living out of a suitcase for five days. My parents, Austin and Alan came down to Nashville to move me out. We got a cabin in Pigeon Forge for the next few days, waiting for Monday when I move into my room at Appalachian Outreach. It's pretty cool because my birthday is tomorrow and I've never celebrated it in a cabin before. It'll be quaint and different. I'm all about the new experiences.

So here are a few pictures of what our cabin looks like:

Now there is another bedroom but that's downstairs. It's my parents' bedroom and it looks similar to the one shown here. There are two bathrooms as well as a loft area where there's a pool table and couch. These are some pretty sweet digs!

The boys are going to go ATV riding while mom and I do what we do best: shop for shoes and clothes for the summer! Tomorrow will be such a great birthday. Keep a lookout for birthday pictures!

A Week to Go

Songs in iMind:

I Dreamed A Dream--Les Miserables

Don't Go Breaking My Heart--Elton John

Defying Gravity--Wicked

Finals are slowly coming to an end. I have one tomorrow and one Tuesday. My parents are coming down to Nashville to move me out of Belmont and into the Appalachian Outreach center. My brothers aren't coming because it's too expensive and they'd miss too much school.

I can't believe my freshman year of college is almost over! It seriously seems like yesterday we moved into this dorm. I'm glad freshman year is done, though. The whole uncertainty and immature mistakes are done. I'm not saying I won't make mistakes the next three years but the out-of-high-school stench is off of me after these two days. =)

I'm a little nervous starting work. I'll be in an area I've never been before, still out-of-state, and learning how to break the language barrier by learning lots of Spanish. I don't really know what to expect so there aren't any honest expectations from me. I know everyone will be nice and will train me for the work expected of me. I just hope I'll be what they expected and then some. I want them to be pleased with me. Hopefully they will be. I just can't believe I'll be up in the mountains in a week. I signed up for the job in February and got the job a week or so before March. It seemed like such a long wait from then til now but it's quickly gone by.

And it's almost here. I'll celebrate my 19th birthday in Nashville with my parents, which will be different and fun. I'm all packed and ready to go. It's finally time to get this show on the road!

accomplished

Songs in my iMind:

So She Dances--Josh Groban

I'm done packing for the most part. I still have my laptop, lamp, printer, trashcan, and the few clothes I have until Wednesday to put away. But, other than that, I'm good as ready to get on the road to Jefferson.

My finals start tomorrow. I haven't been doing any interviewing/writing for NEED just because of studying, trying to get my whereabouts for the summer. I'm thinking I'll be able to interview/write by next weekend, Lord willing. Today, I did laundry, read, walked, breathed. Basically nothing out of the ordinary. Martha and I were in the summer orientation video for Belmont so that was pretty cool.

Last night....

Martha and I got back into the habit of walking. We took a few days off because she was bogged down with studying and such. The topic quickly turned to Mete (of course!) She asked how that whole thing was going. I told her we got together on Thurs with the South Dakota group and such. I just told her...

I don't know if we are or ever could be in a relationship. The potential is there, no doubt. It's just whether it's from God or not. I'm not being concerned with relationships. I'm not going to sit and ponder about whether we're meant to be. Like I said, He's taking me on a journey and I can't just sit and wonder about guys. There's work to be done. While I think about him often, I'm not going to ask God if he's the one. God knows who's for me. I'm not going to pester God about my love life. Even though, He cares about everything that goes on in my life, this continual questioning if a guy is supposed to be in my life for the long haul is exhausting. I'm done.

We saw Cy at the Beaman. We talked to him a bit and then when he was about to leave, I stopped him.

"Hey, tell Mete I said hey."

"Tell Mete you said hey?" he confirmed, his eyes wide and a big grin on his face.

At this point we talked with our eyes. That was the longest silent conversation of my life! He tempted me with the question of whether I liked him. I answered him with my eyes and then with my mouth.

"Yea." I breathlessly said. I nodded my head to tell myself we were done talking. He gave me a knowing look and walked in the Beaman.

Martha began talking about our conversation we just had with Cy. As she talked, my mind went elsewhere, wondering if indeed he would tell Mete I greeted him. What else would he say? Would Cy tell him I liked him? I could feel my face grow hot when Cy looked at me like that. I knew the answer of me liking Mete was written all over my face. He's a guy, yea, but some guys pick up on that stuff. He's one of them.

I want to see Mete tomorrow. Here's hoping.

empty

I have nothing to say.

I have too much to say and so many scattered thoughts and emotions. I would be saying something but it wouldn't make much sense.

So with that, I have nothing to say.

Then again, I did just say something because I'm taking the time to publish a post. I'm saying something about nothing.

Though, know, that I do have something to say I just can't say it. If I were to voice what I'm truly thinking, you'd shake your head and say, "Despicable. No wonder she's where she is."

I've said it about myself, which is why I am saying nothing.

And with that, I bid ye all a goodnight.



OH! I finished "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Philippa Greggory. It was so good! Long but it was so good I read it in a week 1/2 time, which for me is pretty fast.

To rain or not to rain? Nashville make up your mind!

Here's an update on Appalachian Outreach.

Turns out the $1000 scholarship and $2500 for the ten weeks fell through. Apparantely TCAC (Tennessee Community something or other) expected to support 50-60 workers this summer. It bumped down to 20. I was one of the unfortunate who was bumped.

So now, I'm back to $75 a week, which is still a blessing! With the economy the way it is, I'm surprised I was even able to get a job. I have a job where I'm actually helping people and spreading the Gospel through my actions. How awesome is that?

George, my financial advisor (sorta like kinda), is doing all he can to get me more money. I think that's great. Even if I don't get a lot of money, though, I'm just glad to serve Jesus this summer.

God is faithful and He knows what's going and will figure this whole thing out. I'm glad I have Him on my side. I don't know what I would do without Him.

Oh! Here's some good news: I had a little surprise Thursday. My article about the smoking tax made the front page of the Vision!!!! How awesome is that?! God is so good! I saw the paper and I was like "woah, wait. That's my article!" It was pretty sweet.

Today I'm just chilling out and not doing any homework or studying. I'll probably fill out a good portion of an application I need to do. Other than that, though, nothing will be done by me.

Have a great weekend, everyone!