Happy Birthday Kristin...

I met Kristin about two years ago when she applied to work in Admissions. We have become good friends over the past two years and she has been a joy. I love how real she is and she can always make me laugh. She is such a good friend to many and is a huge encouragement to me. I love you Sis and I hope your day is fabulous!

I Heart Saturdays...

I have been bad about bloggin but have received many comments this week about how I need to blog more. I spoke with a friend this week who told me that they know what's going on in my life by my blog and they love to hear but I'm learning so I will try to be better. I've been so thankful and grateful for the accountability of friends who charge me to seek, love and trust Jesus more. I have the greatest friends in my life and am overwhlemed with the goodness of this. Not many people experience the abundance of friends that the Lord has given me.

I love Saturday mornings and this morning was one of the best. I slept in and woke to spend some much needed time with the Lord. I also got to catch up with some friends which was such an encouragment to me. I feel so blessed today. When I awoke I knew the priority for the morning was to be with the Lord. It was so good. I started the day feeling down and defeated but was reminded of so many truths. It's so easy and natural for me to think of myself and what I have or don't have and this always leads to worry, fear or dis-contentment. I was reminded of my need to be thinking of the gospel everyday. It's not about me but about Him: His sinless life, death and resurrection. I need to intentionally think about this everyday as he did all of that for me! When I think of all He has done and given to me the other things in my life that I worry about don't compare to what the Lord has planned for me and has given me already. The Lord has taught me so much over the last couple of years on what it means to wait and trust. Hard lessons learned in which I am still learning. It's a decision that I need to make everyday: will I trust Him or will my focus be me?! I have seen how the Lord has used my trials to encourage others and I am so grateful to the Lord for this. I even hesitate to say that because it can sound prideful but I know that it's not me AT ALL but Him. It's the Lord working through my life in others. I can be such a weak person but today I am reminded that when I am weak He is strong and there is nothing that will happen to me that is outside His will for my life. I rest in that and for that I am grateful.

Kelli called me this morning and told me that her and Wendy wanted me to go with them for a girls night. I haven't hung with these two in awhile so I knew it would be fun. These two are a riot and I always enjoy being with my sistas! Wendy is my sister's best friend and we have become friends through the years. My sister is such an encouragment to me when it comes to trusting God. Watching her go through the different trials with adoption and her trust in the Lord encourages my heart. She is one who I can always count on to make me laugh or bear my burdens with me. Wendy is one that I know loves me and wants the best for me. I love you girls and thanks for a needed night out.

Mandy's here...

Mandy is back in So. Cal visiting for the weekend. She came in Thursday night. It's so fun having a roommate again for a few days. We have been getting to catch up and hang out just like old times. Thursday nigth Mandy, Johnny, Justin, Hugh and I all went to Chipotle for dinner and then it was girl time back at the the house. I loved it.

Friday night the girls with Eric, Johnny, Justin and Stephen went to one of Mandy's favorites: Wolf Creek for dinner and then back to the Seston's for games. Mandy I love you and am thankful the Lord brought you into my life.

VODA gets Married...

I just got back from Pittsburgh after a whirlwind week with Voda for her wedding. This girl thought of EVERYTHING and knows how to throw an event. There were so many details she thought of and everything turned out great! She put so much time and energy into the planning and things ran so smoothly. Did I mention she was one of the prettiest brides I have EVER seen?! It was a fun week with seeing old friends and family and meeting new.

Voda has been my longest running friend. We started the journey in kindergarten and have been together ever since. Distance has never been a hiderance to our friendship and we have sustained many years and miles. I was honored to be a part of her special day.

I flew in on Tuesday night and we took off running Wednesday morning. It was so good to see friends. The picture below is of Jepson and Clarke who were two of my three closest guy friends in high school and Angela who was one of my best friends too. I love all these guys and it might be months that we go without talking but we can always pick up. It was fun hanging out with them on Friday and Saturday.

Some highlights were getting to spend an extended time with Voda. Getting to see old high school friends. Getting to know Voda's college roommate Mandy better. Voda's perfomances at the reception. Catching the boquet. Hugs from Kim's kids, Riley and Caden. Father and Daughter dance to "Top of the World". Watching PK and Voda say their vows. I could name more but these are a few. Thanks Voda. i Love you!

Staff Christmas Party...

I have been bad and updating the blog! I was just deleting pictures from my camera this morning when I realized I hadn't saved these Christmas pictures. This year the Admissions Staff went to Maggiano's at the Grove. I've tried taking everyone there the last few years but I could never get in before Christmas so this year we deicided to have our party AFTER the holidays and it was so nice.

This is Heidi and Joe. I love these two.
Nate and Kristin Strong the NEWLYWEDS!
I didnt get a group picture this year but these pictures are some of my favorites. It's become a tradition where we do a CD white elephant exchange and these are some pictures of the winners. Note Terrence's face in the top picture as he has my Hottest Hits of 2009! Boo!!! It rocked!

Once again I am so thankful for the blessing of these people in my life. I love them!!!

Happy New Year....

Last night I was fortunate to spend the New Year with two GREAT girls Lynn and Holly! We started the evening going to Sicily for dinner. This is generally not one of my favorite places to eat but last night it was so yummy! I got the Chicken with goat cheese pasta and it was bueno! Afterwards we were so excited to go to my house to put on our pjs and have a quiet night welcoming in the new year. Needless to say it wasnt very quiet. There was a lot of laughter and story telling. ( I ALWAYS have a great time when I am with these two!)

We all slept in this morning and then got up around 9:30. Over the past few weeks we have talked making some resolutions and how we wanted to hold one another accountable. We had decided that this morning was going to be the time to share what we came up with. This turned into a couple hour discussion talking about the Lord and what we've been learning, what we need to learn and how we need to get there. It was so great. It's so cool to me how the Lord uses people in your life to encourage, admonish and challenge you. I love these girls and they do that for me in so many ways. We layed on the couch and talked until 2:30 this afternoon. It was such a great time to relect on the last year and prepare for the new year.

After the girls left I went to get my friend Tiffany from the airport. She is one more blessing the Lord has placed in my life the last year. It's been so fun to get to know her better, share with her, LEARN from her and be challenged by her. I look forward to that friendship growing as well. I am so blessed to have so many people in my life who love me and encourrage me.

The evening ended with going to see Kelli and the girls. I hadn't seen them since I got back from GA and they got back from WA. It was so sweet to get tons of hugs and kisses from Ivy and Lucy. I LOVE my family. They are a blessing to me.

Summer...time

The night before I left for Atlanta I got to spend some time with Summer. I LOVE my time with her as it's ALWAYS a time of talking about the Lord and a time of encouragement. She spent the night and the next day she blest me by taking me to the airport. After a cancelled flight I went back to her house and we did crafts for a few hours.
When I am struggling with something Summer is someone I will call and tell her to speak truth to me and she ALWAYS points me to the Lord to encourage me. I LOVE LOVE LOVE you Summer and am excited for our friendship to continue to grow.