The Blog Challenge

So, guys, Heather Anne challenged me to write on my blog at least once a week, so here I am. As you can tell from the pics on her blog, we had an awesome girls night on Friday. Basically, I can sum it up for you in a few lines-Heather is in love with a Czech guy named Alex whom is really Hot, the chocolate mousse cake pie is heavenly, there is no telling what is bound to happen when you get us hyped up on Starbucks and Heather tries to sneak a peak :). Anyways, it was great fun. Robert and I will be celebrating our one year anniversary on Sunday.. Wow.. time flies, huh? And, Freddie Herschel is a married man. Who woulda thunk? Looking for a full time job with benefits, trying to make myself drink more water and less soda, and work out at least three times a week. That's basically my world right now.

On another note, God has been teaching me something pretty amazing. I fill my life with Bible studies, College and Career groups, Small group studies and so forth, but it isn't worth poo to Him if I don't spend one on one intimate time with him alone. So, I am cutting some activities out of my life so I can focus more on Him, but I am having a hard time figuring out which ones. That's my challenge for this week. See ya!!!

My Brother the Hero

It's been a long time since my last post, so here is an update. I had the best New Years ever. My brother, Jeremy, who has been serving in the Army in Iraq for a year came home last week. I am with him, my sister in law and my parents at their apartment right now. He looks so good. He goes to take his boards to become an E5 in March and will be a Sargeant. I am so proud of him. Thank you to everyone who prayed for and supported him and the rest of the troops. Many of his friends were killed, but thank God, he is alive and well. I thank my Savior for that everyday.
Robert and I will celebrate our one year anniversary on the 26th of next month. Wedding bells are in the air. I have 12 weddings to go to or participate in this year. It is insane. Almost half of my college and career group are married or engaged. My day will come soon, but I don't want to rush it. I just want to wait on the Lord and it will happen in his timing, not mine. It will be much better that way.
I just got another raise at work and am working more hours... praise God!! Finances have been tight, but my God has been showing me day after day in so many ways how he is my Jehovah Jireh-my provider when I don't know how I am going to put gas in my car, buy groceries or pay rent.
I love living with Beth. We have so much fun. Every Tuesday night is Roomate Date Night and we always do something fun-whether it's renting a movie and eating pizza, going to Buffalos to get all you can eat wings or spending hours in Walmart or Hobby Lobby. We have fun no matter where we go.
So, that's the latest with me. For those of you who keep up with my life by reading my blog, give me a call sometime and we can talk. I won't leave my number on the blog for all the world to see. But, if you need my number, you can ask Tori, Freddie, Mary Beth or Matthew Dale. Peace out, I love you guys lots!!!!

Random Update

Hey There!! Just wanted to give you all an update about the exercising plan. The first week was good. I worked out twice a day and ate salads and tuna. But, it is already getting harder. I say this while I am at Robert's mom's house eating French Onion dips and Ruffles and drinking Pepsi. So, I am contemplating getting another job for the holidays. I need more money, especially since Christmas is like five miles away. But, if I get a job, I won't be able to have a social life. I know that isn't the most important thing, but it's a high priority for me. So, I don't know what to do. When it nears the holidays, I start thinking a lot about my mom. She was born on Christmas and the holidays make me think of her more. Everyone says that as you get older, you get closer to your parents. I wish I would have had the opportunity to see if that was true. But, as she always told me, " That which doesn't kill me will make me stronger." She always taught me to work hard for what I need, that nothing in life is free. She taught me to stand up for myself and to be the best I can be So, this is kinda a tribute to my mom, whom I love, miss and will remember forever.

Exercise... Here I come!!

So, I am on a mission to lose more inches on my arms, waist and thighs than my roomate, Beth, by January 31 st. Last night we were at Buffalo's with our friend, Lindsy discussing how we were out of shape and needed to tone up and shed a few pounds. Lindsy suggested that Beth and I make a bet and up the stakes.. at first it was loser takes winner to Red Lobster, but that didn't give me enough motivation. So, Lindsy suggested that loser buys winner a new outfit, to show off their new look for $50. This was all the motivation I needed for two reasons- 1 I am broke and $ 5o is a lot of money to me and 2 I haven't bought myself a complete new outfit in like four years, so the race is on. Beth and I took down our measurements last night and worked out for an hour. I lifted weights and did crunches this morning and walked a mile on my lunch break. I am going to work out with Robert tonight. I WANT A NEW OUTFIT, but more than that, I want to feel better in general and be in better shape. If anyone wants to offer great work out ideas, please feel free. Gotta go for now, I have more lifting and stretching to do!!!

Long time no see!!!

Wow!! It's been a while since I got to blog and boy do I have a lot to say (big surprise, huh)? My car is a piece of CRAP!!!! That's the main lesson I have learned lately. Well, that's the fact. The lesson is that God is good and HE is always there for me, no matter what. No matter how much I go into debt and how many times I have to put gas in my car in a week, I am never stranded. Somehow, it always works out. Anyone who knows me for more than a minute can tell you how big of a worrier I am. I worry about everything- dumb stuff that doesn't matter. I have this mentality that I can fix everything on my own and I don't need any one's help... WRONG!! I can't do anything without God. I know we have heard it all our lives, but it's so true. It's a good thing that He is God and I am not, because if the roles were reversed, this world would be more screwed up than it already is. So, everyone thank God right now that Amber isn't in charge of the planet!!!

Robert and I are great. We are about to celebrate our 8 month anniversary. No wedding bells yet, but it WILL happen one day, for all of you hopeless romantics out there (Heather Anne )!!! Well, I must go for now, but I will talk to you all next month sometime.

Happy Anniversary Bonita Blanca!!!

After two weeks, I finally get my car back today. It's amazing how much I have missed driving... I never thought I would. Maybe it's more about the independence, I don't know. So, yesterday was a happy day for me!! It was the anniversary of having my Driver's License for a year. I wanna give some special thanks to Amy for letting me borrow ACE (she is a very trusting friend), to Freddie Herschel for fixing my tail light the morning of my test and buying my Chick-Fil-A biscuit and to Heather Anne for giving up a Saturday to teach me how to parallel park in two hours in Jones Elementary Parking lot. Thanks everyone for your encouragement, love and support. I really apprecite. And thanks to my car, Bonita Blanca, who, although she has cost me lots of money in the past few months, is a great car 0verall. I have lots of funny and weird memories of driving in the past year. Like getting stuck in the decelleration lane at Gainesville College and having an Oakwood policeman stop four lanes of traffic so I could get out, having to get the manager of Chick-fil-A get my keys out of my car before InnerG one night, because I locked them in there,driving to Red Lobster with Freddie in downtown Gainesville on a Friday night and complaining for 30 minutes because I couldn't find a parking spot. Those are just a few memories of the past year. I am looking forward to many more. Maybe by the next anniversary, I will have driven on 85 or 285, who knows?

Living Out the Word

God has a funny way of teaching me things, especially this week. In the Bible Study I am doing with Anne for this week, James 1 is the key chapter.. all about suffering and having joy in trials. Well, my car quit on Monday and is going to be in the shop until next Wednesday.. timing belt, valves, sensors, etc. And on top of all that, it is going to cost $800 to fix. Add that to the almost $1000 I have spent on a busted head gasket and radiator and the cost is close to $2000 in three months. All because my dad didn't take care of the car and now that he has given it to me, I have to pay. I was freaking out wondering where I would get that kind of money on such short notice with a part-time job and about $200 in the bank. A close family friend offered to let me put it on his credit card and pay it back every month, which is good, but now I owe about $2000 to two different Credit Card companies. I am going to have to have like three more jobs to pay for all this, plus rent and stuff. And with Gas prices being an insane amount, that makes it worse. However, God is in control and he has been working things out about the car situation. It stinks, but knowing He is there is what keeps me sane. Oh yeah, and on top of that, I got a summons in the mail yesterday saying I have jury duty at the end of September. I don't think my week could get any better.

There's a First Time for Everything.

Saturday morning I was awakened by Elliot the Spaniel scratching on my bedroom door. So, figuring that Beth was asleep and Elliot needed to go out, I dragged myself out the door. Much to my surprise, Beth was outside picking up limbs. Today is grass cutting day she said. I am going to teach you how to weeded, so it won't take as long. Oh great!! Just what I want to do at 8 am on Sat. morning. It can't be that hard right? So, she shows me how to crank it and how it works. This weededer is like a gazillion years old and as tall as me. And boy is is heavy. To make a long story short, the yard looks great and I did a good job. However, I burned my arm and am so sore. Next time, I am going to sweet talk someone into doing our lawn for us, or I can do as Robert suggested and move into a house with astroturf, or concrete. And then I won't have to worry about it. Power to you outdoorsy people who like that kind of stuff, cuz I don't.

Random Update

Hey Guys!!
I know I don't get to post a lot because I am at work behind a computer for six or seven hours a day, but can't check my email or post on my blog, except for every once in a while. How's life you ask? Well, I love my job, and am looking for another part time job for Fridays and Saturdays. Sarah told me to get an application from Goody's, so that's where I am going after work today. It feels weird not going to school. I mean I have been going every day for the past 17 years and now I am not. I am finding that I am more tired just working than I was working and going to school. It's really weird. It's probably because I still have a very busy social life. Mondays now that there is no more Inner G will be dedicated to my best friend and our STS-Search the Scriptures Bible Study that we do every week. Tuesdays are donned "Roomie" Day in which Beth and I eat pasta, drink coke and watch a chic flick. Wednesdays I spend with my honey eating french fries and watching the boob tube. Thursdays is Nexus, the Hebron Bible Study and my weekends are always jam packed. This weekend Beth and I are going to Buckhead to visit a friend from High school.
I love living on my own, but I miss living at home too. I miss my lil brother the most. He just started high school and will march in his first football game tonight at Johnson. Well, Winder is playing Johnson. I have to get used to taking out the trash, and stuff like that. Beth is even going to teach me how to weeded-which is really scary. I haven't cut grass in like, um, Well NEVER !!! So, it should be interesting. Anyways, I will post later!!

God is Good.. All the Time!!

I just want you all to know that God rocks my face off!!!! After struggling with the same sin over and over again, I finally decided to put an end to it once and for all. Without going into explicit detail about my sin and what it involves, I will say it has a lot to do with self control. So, after talking to numerous friends and family members, praying non-stop and diving into the Word, I have figured out a way to end the madness. It's been two days already and it feels great. It's really hard and I am sure that it is going to be a constant battle and some days I will fall flat on my face, but I will get back up, with God's help and keep going. Just wanted to share with you guys how awesome God is and how much He has been revealing Himself to me lately!!!

Long time, no post

Wow!! It's been over a month since I have posted a blog. That is crazy. I have been so busy at work that I haven't been able to write. Well, living with Beth is still awesome. We have a dog named Elliot and a cat named Noel. I have never had a cat before and it is definitely a different experience. We just bought a covered cat litter box, and boy were we excited. I guess it's the small things in life. I had an interview for a parapro job with Special needs kids, but I didn't get it. I am still looking though. Robert and I are better than ever. I love him soooo much. That's basically the extent of my life right now. Went to Florida twice in July and am glad to be home. Hopefully, I will be able to update my blog more often now. Talk to you all soon.

Miss Independent

I love, love, love living with Beth. It is honkin awesome. We have so much fun together. We had our first grocery shopping experience together on Friday. I stayed up every night til 4 am getting my room done. There are still a few things left to do, but for the most part, I am finished. Also, God rocks. It is hot at the house and being 100 years old, we aren't blessed with Central heating and air. So, I was wondering how I was going to survive. My grandma gave me three fans, but they weren't helping much... and I can't afford an air conditioner. So, my friend drives an hour and a half to bring me one.. for FREE. Props to Nicholas for helping me out.

House Warming

Hey Guys,
Tonight will be my first official night in my new place. I will be sleeping in my new room, with pictures everywhere, taking a shower in my own bathroom, eating at my own table, watching my own TV. I am super excited and so is Beth. Living with her is going to be a hoot. I want you all to see it.

Joining the world of the "Big Girls"

So, I will be moving in with Beth next weekend. I am scared and excited all at the same time. It's gonna be fun, however I have to bust my butt. I wrote out a budget and am gonna have to cut down on my social activities, but it will definitely be worth it. Beth is great and we get along so well, I am sure we will have a blast. I am "growing up" as they say. So many big things have happened in my life recently.. from getting my Driver's License, graduating college, getting a "real" job and now moving out. I will keep you posted about how things go. Just say a little prayer for me, please..

Peace out!!

Randomness

So, I finally got to see Stars Wars:Return of the Sith this weekend, and I actually enjoyed it. Which is wierd, considering that isn't my type of thing. Batman comes out on Friday... now that is right up my alley. So, guess what my wonderful, loving, sweetie of a boyfriend did this weekend? HE GOT A MOHAWK and he has curly hair, so imagine that. We ate at Olive Garden with his mom on Saturday and she hated it. I am kinda indifferent, I mean, I wouldn't get a mohawk, but it isn't my head. It suits his personality. He definitely likes to march to the beat of his own drum, but that's one of the things I love about him. Have to get back to work. Will post more later

Lessons from preschoolers

So, I have been doing Bible School this week at Chicopee, helping Anthony and Abby with the preschoolers. They are so cute and have an insatiable energy about them. They are curious, ask tons of questions and get amused by the simplest things. I used to be like that.. and then I grew up. Whenever I ask questions now, I am seen as either ignorant or annoying. Also, when I watch the kids sing songs about Jesus and ask questions about the Bible, I am taken aback. I wish I had that kind of enthusiasm for the Lord right now. I don't want to call what I am going through a valley.. it is worse than that. It is more like a miry pit. I am falling deeper and deeper and I can't get out, no matter how hard I try. I want to call for help, but something keeps me from doing that, and I can't for the life of me, figure out what it is. Anyways, just pray for me please

Lessons from preschoolers

Stressful Week

So, I found out last Tuesday that my brother who is in Iraq was involved in an accident about a month ago and almost died and almost lost his hearing. He is an armorer, in charge of weapons and one of his SSO's brought a loaded gun to him. Something (God ) told him to move out of the way. He did and the gun went off, sending the bullet through some packets of gatorade and the shrapnel hit his roomates leg. My brothers ears were bleeding and his equilibrium was off. He is ok thank God and suffered no long-term damage. I was just very upset that everyone else in my family knew about it except my dad and I. I called my sister in law and confronted her about it. She was really rude and stuff. Then, my brother called me that night and fussed me out (From Ir aq). I cried for two days.

I haven't talked to either one of them since. And now, my car is back in the shop.My week hasn't been going very well, but I am confident that it can only get better, right?

April flowers bring May lovers?

So, I have been thinking about marriage and weddings a lot lately. The fact that I went to Justin Lewallen's wedding on Saturday probably doesn't help matters much. I mean, ever since I was little I have had my wedding planned out. Dresses, bridesmaids, colors, flowers, etc... the whole nine yards. I also have my kids names picked out.. Chloe Ruth, Hannah Deborah and Ethan Isaiah. I have been listening to love songs and dreaming of my wedding. Don't worry, it isn't happening anytime soon or anything, I have just been thinking of it. And then there are all those around me who are about to tie the knot.. Abby and Anthony, Derrick and Ashlie, Tammy and Andrew, I could go on and on. So, I guess I will just keep dreaming of that special day and wait for it patiently. In the mean time I will have songs stuck in my head like " You look Wonderful Tonight," "To Make You Feel My Love" and " I Will Be Here."

The circle of life

I was reminded this week of " The Lion King" and how everything plays a part in the circle of life.. It's ironic that I thought of that since I have been dealing with a lot of change in friendships and situations lately. It's funny how you can be friends with someone for such a long time and then one day you find yourself noticing that you don't even know them at all. A lot of my friends are headed in different directions and have different plans for their lives. I am the kind of person who has this fairy-tale thought that I am going to be friends with everyone I am friends with now forever. However, it was in talking to Robert's mom last night that it occurred to me that most friendships are like the circle of life. They have a beginning and an end. Most friendships are for a season and don't last a lifetime. That is really hard for me to comprehend. So, now I am trying to deal with the fact that I may not be friends with everyone forever, so I should just cherish the friendship in the here and now.

I know this blog seemed like I was rambling, but this is where I am right now. BTW, please pray for me because there is a potential parapro job opening up and I will find out about it next week.