Where Have You Been?

Where have I been the last few days? 

Honestly, that's a great question. 

I mean, I have been here. At school. Doing school things. 

Getting ready for finals. That kind of stuff. 

But where has my mind been? 

Well, that's one I can't really answer. 

It's been all over the place. 

I can't seem to turn it off. Thinking is completely exhausting. 

And too much free time 

(which has been my life the last few weeks) means a lot of thinking for me. 

Why have I had so much free time? Well, blame my three week long break from running.... okay, well I ran a couple of days and swam some, 

but it's STILL a break! 

And school is winding down, and I simply just don't have that much to do! Which is nice. But time has kind of drug on these last few weeks. The sun is shining, it's a million degrees outside, and all I want to do is play in the park. Not worry about responsibility. Not stress about finals. 

Not think about my future or my past or make big 

decisions or wonder how I'm going to get a job this summer or feel inadequate. 

None of that. 

I graduate a week from Friday, and I get to make the graduation speech. But after that, TVCC will be a mere memory. How bittersweet is that. I'm excited to move back home. Excited for this summer. And for next year. But it's all a little nerve wracking too! 

I got a summer running schedule from my new coach, and though I'm excited, it will be hard to move on from my current coach and my current team. 

The only picture we got our coach to take with us!

We had an end of the year dinner for Student Government the other night, and that was a completely wonderful mesh of sad and happy. I love all of those people. And it's crazy how fast the year has gone. It seems like just a month ago that I was trying to decided whether to run for president, 

and now the year is over! 

My Student Gov Team Rafting this summer!

Anyway, I am not exaggerating when I say how much has been going through my mind lately. And for some reason, that has made me less active on this blog. I promise I'll get my act together when summer comes. I have lots of things I want to say. Only a few more days. I seriously can't wait. 

Hello Twenty-One (Almost).

On Tuesday I turn 21 years old.

I remember when I was 6.

When 21 seemed so far away.

When anyone over 16 might as well have been 40.

(I'm in the red. No idea what I was doing)

But now, here I am. Almost 21. And the world is a much different place than it was when I was 6. It has somehow gotten smaller and bigger at the same time. Every new discovery has led to more questions. The more I have traveled and experienced, the bigger the world seems and the less experienced I feel.

I suppose that is what is beautiful about life. 

God breathed life and He is deep and infinite and mysterious.

I have learned a lot over the years.

I have learned how to have a good attitude while sitting on the bench during a basketball game. 

How to speak French and navigate the Paris Metro - and how to pick out the perfect baguette. 

I have learned that I'm most happy when the people around me are happy.

And that simple things, like coffee on a cold winter morning, are the greatest pleasures in life.

I have learned that God is the only constant in life. 

Every one of my experiences have led me to that conclusion. 

I have learned that I don't know everything about myself - But God does. 

I have learned that too much of anything is a bad thing.

I have learned to stress less and be more spontaneous.

I have learned that two hour runs are actually quite fun once you get used to them. 

And that hard work leads to accomplishments.

I have learned that listening to people's stories is the best way to... well, learn.

And I have learned that family is everything - whether that be the family you are born with or the family  you acquire.

I know I have so much more to learn. 

But the most important lesson I have learned is to trust in God.

 So here's to 21. To all of the experiences I have had and to all the experiences I will have in the future. The future is still a mystery to me... my dreams are big but vague and surrounded by a haze that hasn't quite cleared yet.... But I'm so excited about life. So excited to see what's in store. 

A Good Day

I must admit, I have been in kind of a funk lately. 

Maybe it's the cold. 

Maybe it's that I have a nagging achilles problem.

Maybe it's because it's dead week. 

I don't know. 

Whatever it is, though, I have spent my week counting down the days until Christmas break instead of enjoying the moments and living in the present. 

But today - today was a good day. 

Today I had the last science lab that I will ever have. 

And today I sat through the last Biology lecture I will ever sit through. 

And I took the half hour I had between classes to go treat myself an extra hot latte, just because.

And I did a killer work on the stationary bike and with weights. 

And I got together with new some friends for a worship session

 in a room we rented out on our campus. And it was wonderful.

And I am just pretty blessed. 

So, funk or not, I'm grateful for today. 

(Almost) - Home for the Holidays

It's been a pretty fantastic weekend. 

First, let me say that I am thrilled about Thanksgiving break coming up. 

I have to go to school/practice tomorrow and Tuesday, but after that I'll have a lovely five days off. Then dead week, then finals, then Christmas!!! 

I have been listening to Christmas music nonstop, overdosing on all things pumpkin, and loving the seasonal peppermint ice cream I discovered in our fridge at my parent's house (it's my favorite kind!).

 I have also been busy planning what presents I'm going to get everyone. I'm thinking that about 90% of them will come from World Market. I mean, have you been there? So cool. 

I came home this weekend - even though I'm going to be home all next week- because I had a couple appointments I had to go to. And plus, let's be honest, I love it here. 

Right now, I have coconut flour pumpkin cookies in the oven. 

I'm sipping coffee. 

My mom's watching tv and grading papers, and my dad is busy doing something in his office. 

I think my little sister is taking a nap. 

It's just- so peaceful here!

This weekend was full of fun.

This weekend I got to go to GCD (my college youth group), meet up with a friend I haven't seen in years, skype a dear friend who lives quite far from me, and have a girl's night with another dear friend. I went out Friday night with my mom, and I caught up with my little sister.

It also had a little drama. 

I accidentally (and BARELY) hit a car on Saturday. There was the tiniest little scratch, and I was devastated. I made it clear to the owner how sorry I was, and obviously I was going to provide my insurance info (even though insurance would never cover something that little)- but he wouldn't have any of it. He and his wife yelled at me and made me cry in front of their little daughter, and they would not hear my apology. -That got me thinking about how everyone is not really sunshine and roses like I always think they are. It's shocking to me, every time. 

This weekend DID NOT include:

Any running. Or homework. Or stressing. 

But it had plenty of: 

 Bonding time and discussions about God. This lovely lady treated me to dinner, and we spent the whole time talking about how amazing God is and our futures and the wonderful things about life. We finished off the evening watching movies with another friend. 

Two days until I'm truly home for the holidays. Can't wait!!

Positivity Challenge

This is going to be a quick post, but there is something I want to share with you all. 

This morning in church, I really felt inspired to have a whole week where everything that I say is positive. And not only that- I want to really try to speak positive things into the atmosphere. Meaning that instead of being silent when I have negative thoughts, I want to speak out something positive. Instead of saying "I'm sorry" to a friend who is struggling, I want to speak encouragement. 

 So this begins today. If I have a bad practice, you won't be hearing about it. If I feel sick, you won't be hearing about it. But I'll be sure you fill you all in with plenty of positive things :) 

Happy Sunday!

Une Belle Melange

Today was one of those days that I can't help but feel content about.

Though I began the day feeling a little weighed down, everything just.... worked out today.

I feel accomplished.
And amazed at how faithful God is to get me through every day completely unscathed :)

Despite all the busy details, planning, and craziness of the day, I feel relaxed.

I had a killer practice, and I'm so excited for what the season holds.

      AND I always get this incredible runners high after interval workouts that turns me into a crazy 

      person, but it's so much fun!

The kick off of Student Government Training Week went.... okay.

      DESPITE the fact that I had to be late because of practice, and, since I am leading it, a lot of details

      fell through.... its funny to me how people are so bad at communication and are not responsible! No

      matter how hard you try, as the leader of any group/organization, you have to be flexible, because

      working with other people requires it. 

I get some downtime now.

      WHICH is something that doesn't come often these days. 

To end this "belle melange" or "beautiful mess" of thoughts, I would like to list a few things I am thankful for. Because being thankful is by far one of the most important things to be :)

I'm thankful for the fact that all of my financial needs are ALWAYS met. Whether that be through student loans, scholarships, my parents slipping me a twenty, or a friend treating me to lunch, I am so beyond blessed. 

I'm thankful for my little sister, Liberty, and all of the time we have gotten to spend together lately. She makes life so much more fun. We do art, watch movies, bake cookies... whatever. And it's always a good time. But we can also just sit there and do absolutely NOTHING and feel comfortable together. Best friend forever. 

I'm thankful for holiday weekends. Which means that Sunday nights can be spent eating TCBY with friends and not worrying about anything the next day. 

I'm thankful that, even though I felt incredibly stressed last night, I have a family to watch movies with and a sister to play basketball with in an attempt to relieve stress. 

I'm thankful that I don't have to do anything for God to love me. I just have to be. 

I have a million more reasons to be thankful, really. But I'll just write those for now!!! I'm off to enjoy some reading or family time or whatever floats my boat this evening :)

What are you thankful for???

Passwords

Almost everything now days requires some kind of password. 

Facebook, twitter, online banking, blogging...

To use your debit card, you have to type in a password. 

To unlock your phone, you have to type in a code. 

Throughout our day, we probably use more passwords than we even realize or could keep track of!!!

We have become accustomed to the idea that passwords. Without them, we aren't apart of the club. We aren't secure. We don't have access to the things we need or want. 

Aren't we lucky that God doesn't have any passwords to get to him?? A lot of people think that there are. That they have to say the right thing, do the right thing. That for prayers to be answered there is some magic formula or specific order of words that must be said. That for God to love them they have to do things a certain way and not mess up or access will be denied. 

THAT'S NOT TRUE!

God made a way for us to come to him without a password, by sending Jesus to pave the way. 

God has open arms. He is continuously calling and trying to get people to pick up the phone.

You don't need a password for his presence. 

You just need to come. 

You don't have to "log in". 

Don't fall into the trap of thinking that you have to know a password.

Just go to the website, and you can become a member!!!!

Reasons to Smile!!!

After returning from a wonderful week-long vacation, going back to work Tuesday morning was terribly unexciting. 

Thankfully, my little sister gave me a mixed worship CD to listen to on my hour long commute back to college land. Blasting worship music and singing along is the best way to begin the work week and the day! Try it and see what I mean!!!

It's only Wednesday, and this week has already come with quite a few little challenges. Such is life, though. There are little battles every day. And you know what? That's okay!!! We are not perfect, but God is our source. And he has given us victory!!!

Plus, I have so many reasons to smile this week that the worries of life fade!!!

1. My brother in law, Anthony, is finally home from his tour in Afghanistan and on American soil!!!!! None of use, including my sister or their little adopted baby, will be reunited with him for a few weeks, but he is still home safe and sound :) He is such a hero!!!!

2. My friend Lyndsay, who was diagnosed with Leukemia about six months ago, was informed that they have found a 10 in 10 match bone marrow donor for her!!!! God is totally healing that girl. 

3. My new nephew (my sister's adopted baby), already weighs 7 1/2 pounds!! Considering that his due date isn't even for a few days, I'd say that he is looking pretty healthy! 

His life has been pretty hard so far, and even he is smiling!!!  

4. I ran the longest run of my life this last Saturday (two straight hours!!!), and I still can't help but feel accomplished. Two slow hours through the beautiful tree lined back roads of my home town. It was lovely. I was sore. So worth it!!!

5. Starbucks Via Instant Coffee. So good. Enough said. 

6. What were the Boise State football players doing yesterday morning, BSU fans ask? Well, 35 of them were at a Bible study that my youth pastor puts on. 35!!!!  How cool is that!? 

7. I figured out where I'm going to live next year: a girl's house/dorm that is run by a nice couple and is unassociated with the college. Kind of like a sorority (but with rules!!!). It's right by campus, and I think it's totally my style. I'm so excited!!!

So those are some pretty good reasons to smile, I'd say :)

If you are having an off day/week, I encourage you to make a list of some things that make you smile!!!

Positive thinking= a positive life!!!!


What's a reason you have to smile today? Leave me a comment!!! I'd love to be even happier :)

St. Patrick's Day Post... That Has Pretty Much Nothing to Actually Do With St. Patrick's Day...

Today was such a great day. 

Of course, I wore green :)

I woke up and ran with my roommate, and it was lovely, 

because I always love easy runs the morning after track meets.

I studied in a cute local coffee shop all day that makes me like Ontario much more.

I actually went on a walk... and I discovered a local co-op that has all organic face products and healthy foods (all crazy expensive of course) and wanted everything. 

I'm so impressed to find out that Ontario has such trendy places I didn't know about!

I had a very encouraging conversation with my mama. 

I got so much work and studying done!

I cleaned my whole dorm room. 

I had went out to frozen yogurt with tons of people that I don't usually hang out with,

 and they had all the girl scout cookie flavors! Can you say, heaven? :)

And I spent the rest of the evening encouraging a friend who I normally never hang out with... but God brought us together tonight. And we prayed together and sang worship songs with the guitar and read the Bible and felt his overwhelming love so much.... 

Days like today make me feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be. 

I'm so content, and I feel so beyond blessed. 

Play Time!

Today, we realized we don't know what to do with ourselves when we don't have practice. 

So we went to the park and played! 

And we ate tons of chocolate chips and candy. So that's good. 

Instead of running, we eat!

Today, I'm thankful for free time to spend with friends :)

And adventures!!!