San Francisco...

I'm up in Northern California with Luke and Hugh and last night we got to go into San Francisco to check out the city. It was really fun and even more beautiful. The golden gate bridge was sweet and we went down to Fisherman's warf for a bowl of Clam chowder. It's been a busy but fun weekend. We are heading back late this afternoon and then off to San Diego tommorow.

*Today I am thankful for Starbucks.

A lot of people have asked about chapel last week and it went real well. The time just flew and we only got through three questions but it was good. This week has been busy. We had WASC the accredititing agency at the college, we had two events off campus, college view weekend, I got to do a photo shoot with J Mac and I tis morning I leave to go to Northern California for an event. It will be a fun road trip with Hugh and Luke. I get back Monday night and leave again Tuesday for San Diego trip. I'll try to post in between but you never know what will happen.

The picture is a highlight of my week. Tate and Ivy visiting me. I love it!

*Today I am thankful for a job

Would You Rather Wednesday?!?!

"Would you rather always have to wear pants two sizes too small or 5 inch high heels? Death is not an option.

*Today I am thankful for Johnny!!!!!!

Living a Contented Life...

The third sleepless night in a row. Tought I'd share...A couple months ago our Dean of Women at TMC asked me to be on a panel for our Women's chapel. She was going to have a couple ladies representing different phases in life and asked me to be there representing single women. At first I was very hesitant because I knew a lot of questions would come up on singleness versus marriage. I had lunch with Erikka MacArthur one day and told her where I was at and she strongly encouraged me to do it and share with the girls my heart. So tommorow is the day. It's made me really think through if I am content where the Lord has me and analyze if I am really thankful for my singleness at this point in my life. In evaluating this it has made me most thankful for the way the Lord has blessed me as a single women. I have a wonderful job, the best church in America, Godly people, a great home with a roomate who loves to entertain with me, a sweet ride, money to be able to help those in need. freedom to have a little fun and the best friends a girl could ask for. Yet, with all these things I want more. I desire to be married and have children but because I am not does that mean I'm not content?

I heard a sermon that really spoke to me and it's one of the things I hope to share with the girls tommorow.This applies to people in every phase of life:
To live a contented life you need to:
Trust in God's providence. God works everthing to His own will and glory and our good.Proverbs 16:9 "A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."
Be satisfied with little.We should all be liberated from need. Fight the battle to be thankful for what he is giving you instead of always wanting more.

Be independant from circumstance.Circumstances shouldn't determine our oontentment. If I truly believe in the soverignty of God then my faith and trust shouldn't waiver in trials or difficult circumstances.

Be sustained by God's power."I can do all things through Him who strengthns me..."

Preoccupation with the well being of others. I love this. A Godly woman that I meet with has really taught me this one. Trials are perfecting God's purposes and when i take the focus off myself and put it on others and pray for others my problems don't seem so bad.
Selfish people are never content. Contented people are concerned with meeting other people's needs. (Lynn, you are a great example of this!)

I am thankful and content where the Lord has me. I do desire marriage and children but know that God's timing is best and when he is ready to provide that for me then it's the perfect time. *pray that I keep remembering that :)

*This very early morning I am thankful for a good nights sleep.

Would You Rather Wednesday?!!?!

"Would you rather have a written lisp or fizz up like Alkaseltzer when swimming?"Things to consider: thwimming. Death is not an option.

*Today I am thankful for my boss Mark Tatlock. I love and respect this guy and am thankful he's my boss and friend.

I can't sleep. I hate insomnia especially when you feel tired. I woke up at 5 AM Monday morning and by 10:00 tonight I was done. I love vacation but the day back to work is a killer. I got home tonight at 7:30 (I also worked out and went grocery shopping) but started getting really tired around 9:00. It's 1:15 in the morning and I have prayed, got on facebook, responded to more work emails and meditated on scripture and here I am again. I've also asked the Lord to show me if I need to evaluate something so I can repent and go back to sleep. Nothings happened.

The picture is one of my favorites from the trip. Overall it was great. It really was a blessing to go with the girls that I got to go with. I loved getting to know Steffi better and Lindsey has been a big part of my life for the last four years. She has worked in my office since her freshman year and beginning her sophomore year we began meeting on a regular basis. She has grown so much and it really has been a joy for me to watch how she has grown and pursued Christ. I love her dearly and will miss her next year.

I've thought a lot today and even the last week on relationships and the people the Lord brings in and out of my life. I know change happens but it can be hard. One thing that the Lord has proven true is that He always provides and meets my needs. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away but Blessed be His name! I have begun to take comfort in the fact that when friends get married or move away the Lord has been most faithful to me in bringing someone else into my life. A perfect example is when Tricia moved out I never thought I would have another roomate that I enjoyed as much and then he brought Mandy into my life. I am so grateful.

Aight, I am going to try to go to bed again.

*Today I am thankful for the faithfulness of God.

For the last four days I've been listening to the power of the ocean and the waves crashing. As I was sitting today listening to the waves crash and watching the sunrise I couldnt help but think of the beauty of it all but how I also fear it. I was in the ocean yesterday and the power of a wave took me under and i couldnt help but think how powerful it is. It made me fear the ocean a bit. I started reading Psalm this morning and read this.
Psalm 93:3-4 "The floods have lifted up, O Lord, The floods have lifted up their voice; The floods lift up their waves, The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, than the mighty waves of the sea."

How cool is that? AS beautiful as the ocean is and as powerful and fearful as it is the Lord is more beautiful and mightier than all of it. This was a blessing to me this morning.

*This morning I am thankful for the Word of God.

I thought I would show you our transportation and how we get around. (we drive really slow). Tonight was the first night we've had Mexican food since being here. Last night we had really yummy Italian. We snack during the day and go out to dinner at night. We've also watched a lot of movies. Enjoying the relaxation. Steffi and I are the first to wake up every morning and after we do our morning devotions we walk a couple miles on the beach. Today we walked about 5-6 miles throughout the day. It was great. Loving it here.

*Today I am thankful for walks on the beach.

ALMOST Paradise...

OK here are some pictures. I did bring my camera cord. YEAH! The only problem is I dropped my camera and I think I ruined the lens....BUMMER. We will see what transires. I am getting a lot of rest, sun and walks on the beach. We've been sleeping until 8 everyday. Coffee and bible reading on the deck every morning, time for a morning work out on the beach (I taught Steffi Pilates this AM) and then grab a smoothie and hear back to the beach. It's been a fun week with the girls!

*Today I am thankful for peanut butter.

Would You Rather Wednesday?!!?

"Would you rather only be able to speak in words from Air Supply songs or Run DMC songs?"
*Today I am thankful for creation.

Happy Birthday Hugh!

Hugh is one of my favorite people. We've worked together the last five years. He has been such an encouragment to me over the years. He is such a loyal faithful friend and I'm so thankful for him in my life. I love you Hugh and wish I could be there to celebrate with you. (Megan, has your birthday gift!)

*Today I am thankful for Hugh!

All is Well in Puerto Vallarta

Well it's been a bit of adventure so far but we are here and finally settled. There are four of us here (one girl ended up not being ablt to come.) We almost missed our first flight, got seated on our second flight and there was mechanical failures. The flight attendant checked our connection and realized that we would miss it so they put us on another airline and let us deplane. They assured us our baggage would follow and we arrived in Puerto Vallarata without our luggage. Lindsey and I were the only ones with lost luggage. Once we got here our driver to us to the grocery store and we bought tons of groceeries, came home to our penthouse and then went to dinner. We were all exhausted and in bed at 9 PM sleeping until 9 AM! (we were all up at 3:30 AM to make our flight.
Our luggage finally arrived at 3 PM. We managed to lay by the pool for a few hours so it's been nice. This place is amazing. It's a condo and I woudl say approx 3000 sq feet. It has a LARGE kitchen and living room that overlooks the ocean, three big bedrooms, a TV viewing area and they have full time staff to meet our needs. The pool is right on the beach so we can choose either. I've met a couple people from Iowa so that was cool.
I forgot my camera cord so no pictures yet.

*Today I am thankful for my found luggage!

Mexico here I come...

I leave tommorow morning for a much needed vacation and I can't wait. A couple of months back two girls from the college (whom I love dearly) invited me to go with them over their Spring break. It's turned into 5 girls total and I anticipate it being a great week. We are staying at http://puntavistasignature.com/ which is beautiful.
I am looking forward to sun, surf, and a lot of reading and time with the Lord. More too come... For everyone who has called me with the safety warnings we will stay on the resort, not go out at night and we will put safety first! :)

*Today I am thankful for a week off.

Would You Rather Wednesday?!?!

"Would you rather have a nose piercing with a chain conected to your ear or have a massive hair comb over that winds back and forth on your head?" Death is not an option.

*Today I am thankful that I work with some great people.