So much change.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8
 ¹ There is a time for everything,
   and a season for every activity under the heavens:
 ² a time to be born and a time to die,
   a time to plant and a time to uproot,
 ³ a time to kill and a time to heal,
   a time to tear down and a time to build,
 ⁴ a time to weep and a time to laugh,
   a time to mourn and a time to dance,
 ⁵ a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
   a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
 ⁶ a time to search and a time to give up,
   a time to keep and a time to throw away,
 ⁷ a time to tear and a time to mend,
   a time to be silent and a time to speak,
 ⁸ a time to love and a time to hate,
   a time for war and a time for peace



I have blogged about this verse more times than I can remember.
Since I have been constantly reminded about this verse for the past 4 years, you would think that I would have no issue with change.
Change, it's true, is uncomfortable, but growing up in a military family, you would think that I would have come more accustomed to it.
Wrong-o.
I'm more open to change, I think, because of my background, but I still get thrown for a loop each time.
There are so many major changes happening in my life this year. I have several friends getting married this year: 2 weddings have already happened and there are at least 5 to come, the latest in October. Friends having babies. And that is all just in the personal circuit.
At work, as of July 1, I will be a one-woman office. The last time that happened, the girl only lasted 2 months...pray for me. Not only that, but we have new people coming in the next few weeks and some people leaving after 20 years. I know that "...in all things God works for the good of those how love him who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) But, again, this doesn't make it easier.
With those people leaving at work comes added responsibility for me. Not only will I be basically doing the work of 2-3 people, but I will be the new adviser for BCM (Baptist Collegiate Ministries) on campus.
I think I'm more nervous about that than anything else. I'm not a good public speaker...I've never claimed to be, but I'm praying that God knows what He's doing (and I have not question that He does, I just wish I knew what it was).
Wow, that's a lot to lay on after not blogging for a little over a month, but I'm sure I will be doing this way more often since I will have so much more time on my hands (haha). And as I seek advice from whoever still reads this thing.
That being said, I really should get back to work.
Thank you for those still reading, I apologize for complaining so much...that's (yet) another thing I'm still working on. Thank you for being patient with me.
I pray the Lord blesses each of you in a special and powerful way.

In Him.....
~A

It's FINALLY here!!

The first day of Fall classes! It may not officially be Fall yet, especially since it's 79 degrees outside, muggy, and FEELS like 85. Even so, school is back in the air.
So, today, I have 2 things for you readers out there.
First, a picture for your viewing pleasure. I confess, I took this last October in Illinois, but it makes me feel good on a day like today...

Second, a song. Same Fall theme...and back-to-school. I especially like the Jack Johnson version of the song, naturally.

Fall is here, hear the yell
Back to school, ring the bell
Brand new shoes, walking blues
Climb the fence, books and pens
I can tell that we are going to be friends
Yes I can tell that we are going to be friends
Walk with me Suzy Lee
Through the park and by the tree
We can rest upon the ground
And look at all the bugs we've found
Safely walk to school without a sound
We safely walk to school without a sound
Well here we are no one else
We walk to school all by ourselves
There's dirt on our uniforms
From chasing all the ants and worms
We clean up and now it's time to learn
We clean up and now it's time to learn
Numbers letters learn to spell
Nouns and books and show and tell
Play time we will throw the ball
Then back to class through the hall
The teacher marks our height against the wall
The teacher marks our height against the wall
And we don't notice any time pass
Because we don't notice anything
And we sit side by side in every class
The teacher thinks that I sound funny
But she likes it when you sing
Tonight I'll dream in my bed
While silly thoughts run through my head
Of the bugs and alphabet
And when I wake tomorrow I'll bet
That you and I will walk together again
Because I can tell that we are going to be friends
I can tell that we are going to be friends

Happy Thursday to you all and have a great school year to all you educators and students out there! =)

Kahula coffee and a cinnamon muffin.

Today was a Baker's Sweets coffee morning. So I went to get my coffee and arrived at the office. A student, who I've helped several times, came in around 9:45 and brought me a muffin from Baker's.

It's nice to be appreciated. I'm not saying that so everyone will go out and by me coffee and muffins (although I won't object to it...), but it's just nice to know that going the extra mile for students really does make a difference.

I enjoy (maybe too much) doing things for people without them knowing...so it's nice being on the other end.


His compassions ... are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.
Lamentations 3

1 Peter 2:18-25

18Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." 23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

I won't go into detail, but this verse has really been kicking my butt lately. Especially when you look at it from the persepective of Employee/Employer instead of Slave/Master.

Lord give me the strength to honor you in all I do.

August.

August really stinks. I was going to say that I hate August, but decided that even saying I strongly dislike it would not be a very good statement...so I've settled on August really stinks.
I am so excited about August being over and September being here. Work in my office is insanely crazy this time of year and I am so ready for September!! =)

I've learned a few of things in the past few weeks though:
first, I HAVE to have my first cup of coffee by 9am. And I actually don't mind if my coffee gets a little cold...it's just as good.
secondly, I think I really am intimidating to people. As much as I don't think that I am and don't mean to be...that's just how some people perceive me.
I've slowly and slowly become more cynical...that's not exactly something I'm proud of, but I am really trying to work on it.
also, I really do know quite a bit of information about being in higher education, it's kind of a shame I don't want to do this for the rest of my life.
and finally (for this blog anyway) well...despite all the complaining I do, all the stress I have and all the crap that some people give, I really will do all I can to help someone. There's no better feeling than helping someone out...even if they aren't thankful at all for it.

If I can just survive the next few weeks, I think I'll be okay...I'll start planning my trip to Illinois in October. Right after I get ahold of Delta for never sending me my voucher like they said they would...I am really getting aggravated with them. I might begin that on my lunch tomorrow.

"The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him." Exodus 15:2

Has it really been that long?

Okay...so yesterday at work I celebrated my TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY!! Which means a couple of things...
1-I've been working to support myself for 2 years...
2-I haven't lived with my parents for 2 years...
3-I've been out of high school for 6 years now and college for 2...
Not only that, but a lot of stuff has happened and a lot of things have changed. After 2 years of living by myself, I now have 2 roommates (Crystal & Trish). I've been living with them for a week now and so far so good. I'm not gonna lie, it's different, but it's definitely a good thing. God has done some amazing stuff in my life in these 2 years. I have met so many new people and have gained a lot of great friends.
That's really the biggest change in my life right now...many more things have changed, but none seem as big as this one...
God had brought me so far and I'm just excited to see where he's going to take me next...to see what he still has in store for my life.

One of my favorite songs follows...Planetshakers is such a great Praise & Worship band and this song really touches my heart the first thing that strikes me about this song is the music itself, of course, because I'm a nerd when it comes to instruments and such, but the words always make me think of how wonderful He really is and how I am so quick to forget who is in control...hearing it is great, but the words are even better...

"Great and Mighty"
I stand in this place and lift
Up my eyes to see
The glory of Your face
My God, how wonderful You are
How beautiful Your name
It calms the raging seas
With open arms I run into Your courts
I'll dance before You King of all the earth
You're great, great and mighty
King of glory, God of wonder
You're great, Ancient of Days
Keeper of my heart,
Lover of my soul
You are great and mighty
You are great and mighty
You are great and mighty
You are great
You are great
You are great

I hope y'all enjoy that and get as much out of it (if not more) than I do.

A.

It's been a while, okay, so less than a month...

I'm in Georgia this week for Candace's (& Tyler) wedding. =P
I left yesterday morning at 9AMish after getting my oil changed and going back to my apartment to get my dress that I almost forgot...(thanks goes to M om for asking "did you get everything?"). The drive was good...traffic wasn't bad at all and I really think that I left at the perfect time. It was about 11:30 when I was driving through Savannah and there wasn't any unusual traffic.
I do have to say that I'm very thankful for all the music that I took from Hailey and Lindsay's computers a couple weeks ago...and for the Relevant Podcast for keeping me company. Oh, and of course coffee. =)
There is almost nothing on the agenda for today. I'm meeting Candace at 3 when she gets off work so we can go to Valdosta for some last minute wedding stuff and pedicures!! (I'm very much looking forward to that.)
Tomorrow my Brother and I are having Lunch with Aunt Alaina & Abby who are on there way up from Florida where they were visiting Abby's grandparents during her Spring Break. I'm excited about seeing them because it's been almost 2 years...pretty crazy.
Saturday is the wedding...so that will be an eventful day...then after a sunrise service on Sunday, I'm driving home.
I will have plenty of pictures (I'm sure) to post after this week...and also plenty of stories =)



Oh, and here's the latest on Grandpa Bill: he is back at home after another trip to the hospital...they're having a lot of trial and error finding a good medicine dosage for him....so keep praying. I'm hoping this will be the last test of medication so he'll get better soon.



Here's a quick picture that I shot while taking some Senior photos at Swan Lake (that I will be able to post after that Senior sends out her invitations). The weather was so beautiful that day, right before it turned strangely cold again...

And here's a pic from last weekend's Homecoming at USC Sumter. I haven't really looked through them at all yet, but I got some really cool ones, I'll post more once I've looked & edited...