What a day. I am so tired that I think I might fall asleep on my computer while typing this, but this story is so neat, that I just can't help but tell...
Well, it doesn't start out so neat, in fact it starts out with me being so exhausted and thoughtless that while I was putting gas in my car on the way back from Waco tonight, I locked my keys in there. The second that I realized what I had done, after the day that I had, I felt like slamming my head against the glass and retrieving my keys after I regained consciousness. But I used a few of the deep breathing exercises I learned in speech the other day and regained some composure. After I called home and the ones nearest and dearest to my heart got me squared away with a locksmith, I got a cup of coffee and a ''Troy daily newspaper''. I sat down in the little Exxon diner and began reading the helpful hints column, which reminded me so much of Peggy Hill, and well, it was just awesome. The attendant working, who I had briefly spoken with before about my situation came over and started cleaning the already clean tables around me. I asked her how her day had been. She just looked at me and went back to wiping down the tables. I sat there slightly confused, but just figured that she wasn't the 'small talk type' or something. I continued with the helpful hints column for a couple minutes and noticed she was still wiping down the same table. I looked up to see her standing there cleaning with tears rolling down her cheeks. I said ''do you wanna talk?'' She nodded and I invited her to sit with me. She told me a story about all of these unfortunate events, her mom had passed away a couple of months ago and she has been forced to stay with her step dad and 3 younger siblings, which has been a really abusive, horrible situation for her. While she was telling me this, I held her hand, looked her in the eyes and just listened. When she got done, I smiled, not intentionally, but just because I knew at that moment that maybe it wasn't my sheer stupidity that made me lock my keys in the car, it was something greater. I told her what I thought about this, and tried to encourage her by telling her a little bit of my story. We were interrupted by Mr. Pop-a-lock's arrival, but after he released my keys from captivity, I went back in to finish up our conversation. When I walked in she was still sitting in the spot that she was when I left. I had accidentally left my purse sitting in the diner seat, I had my wallet so I wasn't worried, but as I got closer I noticed she was reading a bible that looked just like mine!! Being way tired it didn't click until I got to the table and saw my bookmark laying there, it WAS mine! I have been memorizing 2 Timothy 4:16-18, so that's what I had underlined and bookmarked. She asked me ''do you really think this is true?'' I said ''I know it is.'' I quoted the part that says ''I was delivered from the lions mouth (you will be too). The Lord will rescue me (and you) from every evil attack and will bring us safely into his heavenly kingdom.'' Her reply: the biggest hug I have ever received from someone I had only known for 30 minutes. I prayed over her, and told her that I would continue to do so. She said that she was going to pray for me too. I got in my truck and started to drive away, the moment that I thought about what had just happened I had to pull over and just cry and turn up Shane & Shane. I was blessed beyond words tonight, just by locking my keys in my car. The Lord put me there, I believe to just listen, encourage and show His love to this lost, hurt and confused girl. It's times like these when I'm grateful for what I have endured, but more so, grateful for His rescuing me.
''At my first defense no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them! But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.'' -2 Tim. 4:16-18
Friday, August 31, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
''We, the people of Cotton Patch Cafe...''
Yup, I got it! :D I passed the dreaded menu test, and am now considered an employee. I'm excited about it, I think it will be a really neat experience. My first day of training is tomorrow, I'm a little bit nervous, but mostly excited.
Today was such a full, busy day. I'm tired, and I have a bad headache. I'm kind of wondering why I'm sitting here typing this, but since I have already started, I will finish. I had my first lab for A&P today and my goodness, there are TONS of things to memorize! I'm not sure my brain can handle this. Lab got out a little bit early and I made myself sit down and do ALL of my homework. 2 1/2 hours later I stopped because What Not to Wear was on, and well, you know. BUT-I did get the majority of it done. (pat on the back). Lauren and I went to the dam again this evening to watch the sunset. The sun was hiding behind some rainclouds almost the whole time, but it was still gorgeous, the sun made the edge of the clouds glow a light pinkish gold color and turned the rest of that side of the sky pink and purple, ahhh. Then on the way back to school we saw some lightning in the distance, and that added to the greatness of the evening.
Now I've to to start trying to do the rough draft of my essay due on Friday. This topic has got me a little stumped, I'm not sure what to do. It's interesting though because some parts of the topic are a little bit of what I am struggling with and were in a book that I read this summer. Maybe this will help me work through some things and get my thoughts straight. God is good.
Today was such a full, busy day. I'm tired, and I have a bad headache. I'm kind of wondering why I'm sitting here typing this, but since I have already started, I will finish. I had my first lab for A&P today and my goodness, there are TONS of things to memorize! I'm not sure my brain can handle this. Lab got out a little bit early and I made myself sit down and do ALL of my homework. 2 1/2 hours later I stopped because What Not to Wear was on, and well, you know. BUT-I did get the majority of it done. (pat on the back). Lauren and I went to the dam again this evening to watch the sunset. The sun was hiding behind some rainclouds almost the whole time, but it was still gorgeous, the sun made the edge of the clouds glow a light pinkish gold color and turned the rest of that side of the sky pink and purple, ahhh. Then on the way back to school we saw some lightning in the distance, and that added to the greatness of the evening.
Now I've to to start trying to do the rough draft of my essay due on Friday. This topic has got me a little stumped, I'm not sure what to do. It's interesting though because some parts of the topic are a little bit of what I am struggling with and were in a book that I read this summer. Maybe this will help me work through some things and get my thoughts straight. God is good.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
How do I really feel about this?
I'm alone tonight in the dorm. Not necessarily a bad thing, just something that I haven't experienced yet. Because I have nobody here keeping me busy in conversation or just with company, I have some time to think, and feel a little more. I haven't really thought about this whole experience, being in college, growing up, starting a new journey. It's weird to be here on a Saturday night knowing that I won't wake up in the morning and go to FBC Keller and sit on the front row by my favorite people in the world. It's also neat though that I'm getting the opportunity to meet new people, explore new places, and learn new things, and I'm excited about that. I'm just having some difficulty truly seeing the neat-ness of it yet. It's hard for me to see past missing the people I love. I know it will get easier, once I get used to this new life a little more. I'm just questioning if this was the right decision for me to make. I'm honestly not sure. I'm trusting that if it isn't, then I will know. I have a lot to overcome, a lot to get past, a lot to heal from, and I feel that being here might be hindering that. I also feel like this is a HUGE transition and it's just hard now, and maybe once I get used to things I'll be able to start dealing with the other things.
I just don't know.
That's all.
I just don't know.
That's all.
Friday, August 24, 2007
When job hunting goes bad.
As you can probably sense from the title, I have a story. You can't judge me because this is the 4th time I have updated my blog this week.
Yesterday after class I wanted to go job hunting. I had a couple places in mind but I wasn't exactly sure where they were, actually I had NO IDEA where they were, and since I am semi directionally challenged I decided to go to mapquest and get directions. I thought from the beginning that the directions looked a little fishy, but being one of faith, I trusted them and followed them directly into the middle of nowhere. When I realized that I had just followed incorrect directions, I attempted to ''turn around'' well, somewhere along the way I made a wrong turn trying to get back to where I started. Next thing I new I was driving down a deserted road with no cell phone service and cows as my only option to ask for directions. After driving for about 3 hours I finally reached civilization (Temple). Where I still couldn't find my way back to I35. I asked a cop how to get there and he said ''oh, just keep going straight, you're almost there.'' I saw a Starbucks, thought a black tea would calm my nerves, so I stopped. I figured since the point of this outing was to get a job, and I had been extremely unsuccessful at that so far, I would ask for an application. I got one, and when I was leaving Starbucks I saw a Cotton Patch just across the road, so I ran in there, asked if they were hiring and to my surprise they said yes. They were hiring wait staff and hostess, so I applied and headed back to Belton. When I got back in my dorm, and layed down in the bed I had to laugh. I had just spent 3 hours ''job hunting'' when in actuality the only progress I made was in the last 30 minutes of those 3 hours. It was an adventure, to say the least. At least I can say now that I have truly seen the real Temple, and I'm sure surrounding unpopulated towns.
Yesterday after class I wanted to go job hunting. I had a couple places in mind but I wasn't exactly sure where they were, actually I had NO IDEA where they were, and since I am semi directionally challenged I decided to go to mapquest and get directions. I thought from the beginning that the directions looked a little fishy, but being one of faith, I trusted them and followed them directly into the middle of nowhere. When I realized that I had just followed incorrect directions, I attempted to ''turn around'' well, somewhere along the way I made a wrong turn trying to get back to where I started. Next thing I new I was driving down a deserted road with no cell phone service and cows as my only option to ask for directions. After driving for about 3 hours I finally reached civilization (Temple). Where I still couldn't find my way back to I35. I asked a cop how to get there and he said ''oh, just keep going straight, you're almost there.'' I saw a Starbucks, thought a black tea would calm my nerves, so I stopped. I figured since the point of this outing was to get a job, and I had been extremely unsuccessful at that so far, I would ask for an application. I got one, and when I was leaving Starbucks I saw a Cotton Patch just across the road, so I ran in there, asked if they were hiring and to my surprise they said yes. They were hiring wait staff and hostess, so I applied and headed back to Belton. When I got back in my dorm, and layed down in the bed I had to laugh. I had just spent 3 hours ''job hunting'' when in actuality the only progress I made was in the last 30 minutes of those 3 hours. It was an adventure, to say the least. At least I can say now that I have truly seen the real Temple, and I'm sure surrounding unpopulated towns.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
The Whole Kitten Kaboodle
...nothing about kittens used to be here.
Classes don't start until Wednesday, so until then is welcome week, which has been alright. I think I need to attempt to get myself a little more pumped up, it's been difficult for me for some reason. This is weird, but I am excited for classes to start, excited to learn and have things to keep my mind busy. I'm sad to be gone, this is a such a strange time in my life to be making such a huge transition, not a strange time in a sense of years, because yes, I am the right age to be going away to college and such...BUT, the things going with my emotions, in my head and my life would probably be made easier if I was at home. But, I am not. SO, I'm trying, probably not as hard as I should be, but trying to step out there and start making my new life great. I am excited about college, don't get me wrong, no matter how depressed this entry does sound. Emotions are crazy right now, this is hard. I really never thought it would be, but it is.
One thing that I enjoyed so, so much today was worship. The morning started off with Lauren, Sam and I going to this church with such good worship. I need to make it a point to worship more. It was a blessing to me, I think especially because I am feeling a little vulnerable and weak, but the worship this morning blessed me beyond words. Then chapel tonight was super good too. The speaker made me laugh hard, which was nice and then he packed the punch which was good too. Anyways, I am really looking forward to the spiritual aspect of this school, if it's half as good as tonight was, I will be more than satisfied.
That's enough for now I suppose, after all Lauren is coming over what not to wear is on, and our flavor ice popsicles are done freezing. PARTAY!!!
Classes don't start until Wednesday, so until then is welcome week, which has been alright. I think I need to attempt to get myself a little more pumped up, it's been difficult for me for some reason. This is weird, but I am excited for classes to start, excited to learn and have things to keep my mind busy. I'm sad to be gone, this is a such a strange time in my life to be making such a huge transition, not a strange time in a sense of years, because yes, I am the right age to be going away to college and such...BUT, the things going with my emotions, in my head and my life would probably be made easier if I was at home. But, I am not. SO, I'm trying, probably not as hard as I should be, but trying to step out there and start making my new life great. I am excited about college, don't get me wrong, no matter how depressed this entry does sound. Emotions are crazy right now, this is hard. I really never thought it would be, but it is.
One thing that I enjoyed so, so much today was worship. The morning started off with Lauren, Sam and I going to this church with such good worship. I need to make it a point to worship more. It was a blessing to me, I think especially because I am feeling a little vulnerable and weak, but the worship this morning blessed me beyond words. Then chapel tonight was super good too. The speaker made me laugh hard, which was nice and then he packed the punch which was good too. Anyways, I am really looking forward to the spiritual aspect of this school, if it's half as good as tonight was, I will be more than satisfied.
That's enough for now I suppose, after all Lauren is coming over what not to wear is on, and our flavor ice popsicles are done freezing. PARTAY!!!
Friday, August 03, 2007
Time flys when you're...
...having the best summer ever!! :) Ukraine was wonderful. Words cannot even describe the time that we had, the blessings and the people we met. It was an experience that will stay with me forever.
School time is almost here (college!!!). I'm really excited, and really nervous, but confident that it will be really great.
This summer has been a time for major strides in growing up, moving on and learning to live. I'm proud of myself. I'm not sure how often I have been able to say that...but I am. But more importantly proud of what the Lord has done. I have no room to be boasting on what strides I have made by myself because He has brought me through so much. I have been shown over and over again how faithful He is, He has provided me with the strength and courage that it takes to change. When I read my last blog, it makes me feel good. Mainly because I know I am in the process of changing for the better, and I'm seeing progress that I never thought that I would see. I have been able to share things that I thought I would keep inside forever, I have learned to trust love a little more and trust His faithfulness.
All in all, I feel ready. Ready to go. Ready to start my future-a future that I am confident will be full of His blessings and rich love. Praise be to the One who helped me get to this point.
School time is almost here (college!!!). I'm really excited, and really nervous, but confident that it will be really great.
This summer has been a time for major strides in growing up, moving on and learning to live. I'm proud of myself. I'm not sure how often I have been able to say that...but I am. But more importantly proud of what the Lord has done. I have no room to be boasting on what strides I have made by myself because He has brought me through so much. I have been shown over and over again how faithful He is, He has provided me with the strength and courage that it takes to change. When I read my last blog, it makes me feel good. Mainly because I know I am in the process of changing for the better, and I'm seeing progress that I never thought that I would see. I have been able to share things that I thought I would keep inside forever, I have learned to trust love a little more and trust His faithfulness.
All in all, I feel ready. Ready to go. Ready to start my future-a future that I am confident will be full of His blessings and rich love. Praise be to the One who helped me get to this point.
Ukraine pictures anyone?
English Class
Rec Time!
The Artist^
The Labler^ :)
English ClassRec Time!
The Artist^
The Labler^ :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)