This past week was crazy busy at work. I had to help finish making all the treats that the students were making to take home for Christmas break. The schedule for the week was all thrown off because of the rehearsals for the Christmas program they had on Thursday night and the recital we had during the day on Thursday. The break has begun! :-D School is not in session until January 4th.

I spent some time in Dayton on Friday afternoon/evening and it was much needed and nice. Stayed with the Bostwick Family. They had me over for dinner and I got to have a one on one with Donna. We talked and she prayed for me. It was much needed. Then I woke up in the morning to snow and it was beautiful. I was very happy to see snow. I love snow. I think it's a beautiful thing that God created. Even thought I do not like cold weather, I love snow and how fresh snow fall is so beautiful and fun to watch fall and admire. It just makes nature seems so peaceful.

Saturday was busy, with rehearsal and a Christmas party. Rehearsal was for the Christmas Cantata which was performed at church today. It went well. I'm pretty pleased. I believe if I had more time to practice it probably could of been better. The party I went to was at my mom's bosses house. It was nice. I ended up playing euchre with a dad and his son (high school) and daughter (who is a year younger than me). I did pretty well. I am better than I think I am. The rest of the night after we had played to games was kind of blah. I did have some nice conversations about music but that's about it.
I really wish Josh was there with me, I think it would of made it a little bit easier to socialize and deal with sacasm and pressure about wedding stuff. 

The Christmas Cantata was nice this morning at church. I did well with the solo I had and I think the choir sounded good. We had a couple mess ups and weak spots but that's okay. It was the first time we had run through the entire thing without taking breaks between songs. My family came and it was good. Glad it is done with cause now I'm getting ready for the SALT Choir. At least I only have to learn 3 songs rather than 9. It's only ten days away. I'm really excited for SALT. It's much needed and it will be very nice to see people I haven't seen in a while.

God is good...all the time...all the time, God is good to me.

New things

So I got myself a second job.
Last week I stopped in the music store in my home town just to see if they had what I was looking for. I started talking with the owner and mentioned that I have a bunch of music experience. He's a pastor too which I think is awesome!! I got really excited. So I told him that I could teach piano and voice(singing). Well he told me to bring in my resume and they hired me on the spot because he had just recently put in an ad in the newspaper for more teachers. They have a waiting list of students wanting lessons in piano. I will be teaching once a week for a few hours cause each lesson is a half long. So I'll have a few students. I start on Monday. Monday's are going to be very long but it's totally worth it. It's going to be fun too. :-)

Wedding stuff is going well. I just received the save-the-date magnets that I will be sending out in the next couple of weeks. I think I'm going to try to handout some in person to people I know I will see in the next month or so, so I can save money on stamps.

My other job, working with a child that is blind and autistic is going well. I think he's getting use to me. Today he seemed very clinging and I got a hug from him. He was very affectionate today giving some of my co-workers kisses on the cheek.

Life is good!

Life

Thanksgiving was enjoyable. It's always very simple at my house. Thanksgiving with future in-laws seemed chaotic but it was nice and fun.

Work...oh work...interesting, which it will be all year. Learning about all the drama that goes on and so much stinkin' gossip, it kind of annoys me. I am meeting some really cool teachers as I eat lunch with some of them.

Today at lunch one of the teachers that I have been talking with asked me how I became a Christian. She is also a Christian which is totally awesome and we talked with another teacher who is a Christian too. I was so excited and so happy. God totally rocks. I think I'm going to look foward to lunch everyday now cause I want to talk about church and God with them. I was telling them about Josh and what he's doing right now which is how we got talking about God. I love my life.
I am excited about the future.

I realized today that I could seriously talk about God all day long if I got the chance.

Today I also got to experience working one on one with the student that I'm an aide for. It was scary, I didn't want to deal with him by myself but he was good so it worked out well and all the aides and teachers tend to share the role of helping all the students we have in the classroom which is nice.
I tend to take care of multiple students each day.  It's not bad, it just keeps each day interesting.
I'm enjoying it.

Today I read Hebrews 11 and 12
It's all about faith and it was so encouraging. Loved it.

working...

I've worked 4 days so far and have officially gotten sick.

I'm still learning about my student, how things function, and the schedule.

I don't feel very productive because the students participation is based on his behavior and willingness to do things.

I also don't feel like I fit in yet. I'm the youngest aide and everyone else has worked with each other for years. I really hope this doesn't last very long b/c I don't like feeling out of place. It's hard to relate and have conversations.

I'm recovering from getting sick also but I'm not 100% back to normal yet.

This is a short week for work cause of Thanksgiving. I look forward to seeing my future in-laws for the holiday!

I have a job!

I got a job!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh my goodness I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PRAISE GOD!!!

I have orientation on Monday and probably some more training.
I'll be working with a child who is blind and has autism. I'll also have a co-worker who will also be with me working with the child. I'll be working with the child at the school he/she attends.
It's full time! Yay!

I'm really thankful for this opportunity and it's going to be an awesome experience.

God is so good.

This verse is on my mind.

Matthew 5:6 NIV
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."

Job searching

I got a call today for an interview with a company I applied to a few days ago.

I hope and pray that this is the job for me from God. I love helping people and I'd be doing that working with a child with autism.

I hope it goes well.

I'm glad that I may be getting somewhere with the whole job situation.

I'm hoping the drive is not far either cause if it is I may not be able to take the job if the offer it to me.

God is good and patience is hard to learn...but I guess we also have to learn to Trust Him which is some times also hard to do.

I am thankful for today and the people that serve my country in military services. Praise God!

Wedding stuff

Oh my goodness....

So I went and tried on MY WEDDING DRESS today.

It's so weird...white is so different from ivory. I tried on an ivory version when I first went and ordered a white one. Alterations aren't for another few months.

So gorgeous. :-)

It's now hanging in my room. craziness.

I think I'm wearing like 2 1/2 in heels...might not be a good thing...I don't know. I haven't decided what shoes to wear.

Had fun today...put the whole outfit together with veil and tiara.

One step closer to wedding day...yay!

Job hunting is still happening and I'm getting so frustrated and discouraged but I'm trying to keep myself for going backwards.

"JUST KEEP SWIMMING, JUST KEEP SWIMMING..."

"KEEP MOVING FORWARD"

Feeling kind of stuck

I'm feeling kind of stuck in a place I don't want to be.

I know God is teaching me many new things ranging from trusting Him, listening, allowing myself to hear Him speak, to being used by Him. Growing in Faith and learning to step out of my comfort zone.

Life is throwing me curve balls and I just don't know what to do but I pray and pray so I hope God moves and things change.

Growing up is more difficult every day...not so much fun but Praise God for He is in control.

Still stuck in a transition period and I don't know when it's going to end.

I've had parts of the following scripture stuck in my head for the past couple of days.
Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
I wonder why it's been stuck in my head. I have no idea.

Praise God for His Word and for prayer.
I went to prayer last night and it was awesome. I love when the presence of the Lord is heavy. Praying for people and also receiving prayer. God will move, heal, and comfort. Amen.

God's Creation is Beautiful

This past weekend I went to Ohio Fall Breakaway to babysit the Pastors kids.

After I put the kids to bed Saturday night I went on a walk outside. I was in the middle of a field and looked up and the sky was so amazing. I saw the most stars I've ever seen. It was beautiful. I was in awe of God's incredible creation. I teared up a little. I wish I could of seen the moon but I think it was too cloudy. The stars seemed so close even though they are billions of miles away. It was so cool. I felt close to God when I was out in that field alone with the stars, it was amazing.

I realized a lot that night. I realized how much I've grown in the past few years. I learned a lot about how I've changed in the manner of taking care of children and seeing that I'm actually really good at it and can come up with some awesome ideas to play. I came up with the idea for the kids to make their own boardgames. They were based off of candy land. It was pretty awesome and I know they had fun. We also wrote up a list to go on a nature/treasure hunt but never got around to it but one of the kids did find some wild mushrooms which was on the list.
Baby-sitting totally prepares you in some ways for your own family whenever that happens in my life I'll be semi-ready to handle it.

I had fun! It was a nice change from my daily life.
It was also nice to see friends and meet new people when I wasn't watching the kids. :-)

Just living

This week has been a little rough.

It started out wonderful. Had an awesome time with Jesus everyday and visited a gymnastics place to watch one of the girls I use to coach, practice and then I ran into other girls and there mom that I use to help coach, they had cheerleading practice. It was sweet! I miss gymnastics a lot. I've gotten to talk to a lot of my friends on the phone this week and it's been nice.

I'm still job hunting. I've actually applied at a handful of places but haven't heard back from any of them really. This is a waiting period I do not enjoy. I'm getting restless at being at home and anxious to have work to do. It kind of makes me miss school.

The question constantly in my mind is...how long do I wait to hear back from prospective employers?....I've never had to wait so long and work so hard in finding a job before now. I did decline on one this week after a month that they hadn't contacted me but I just didn't feel like I could do it and enjoy it so I told them no.

I got so nervous after my interview on Wednesday that I started to worry and doubt my decision I had made from the offer I had gotten for the job I said I declined. Now I'm waiting to hear if I'm hired or not from the interview I had on Wednesday, it's retail but I prefer that right now.
I've been asking the Lord for peace today and for his calmness to come over me. I need to rest in the Lord during this time of waiting and it gets hard some days to do so.

I still feel a little out of place at my new church because of generation difference. I feel like I don't fit in. There really aren't many young people and the church is so small that I can only reach out to those above me. The fellowship is different. I feel like I don't know how to connect. It's like everyone is at different places and they are but it's the same old talk too. Bible study was different on wednesday night cause the pastor was out of town. It was good yet got me thinking about discussion groups...I miss chi alpha. It was hard to discuss what we were discussing at Bible study because I feel like I don't know how to relate to there perspective or whatever they are trying to get across or understand. I guess I will just learn.

I read Psalm 91 today and it helped. :-)

Psalm 91
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge- then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

I love the Lord and I know He is taking care of me. I will continually put my trust in Him.

Life...it's good

Since I've been home things have been kind of slow. I still do not have a job. I'm still looking and waiting. I've gotten closer to Christ in some ways...realizing how different my life has been since being home compared to how I would function at school. It's an adjustment that I'm still making.

I'm still getting use to being in a different church. Especially when the congregation doesn't have many or any people my age. They are mostly all older than me and it's much smaller than at school. I never know when I should/can speak out in conversation and in a time of prayer. The church I attend began prayer on Friday nights at 7pm, I think a couple of years ago so I went this past Friday. I miss XA prayer. That's what it reminded me of. God was so present, we were praying in the spirit and God spoke to me and a couple others through one of the ladies in the church. It was so nice and refreshing. The Lord spoke to me about how I should continue letting Him lead and work through me even though I don't always feel it or know that I'm doing it right.
I praise God for my new church family.

Today I went to a Bridal Show...I totally was overwhelmed with in the first hour I was there and this was a small one. The big one is apparently in January which hopefully I don't need to go to. Probably won't. It's just not really that fun. Since I've already picked my dress and the bridesmaid dresses, the reception hall, cake maker, caterer, and ceremony place, a lot of stuff is figured out. There were definitely too many photography places and DJ options given to me today. Now I just have to go through all the literature and websites. I also got information for tux/suit places, invitations, florists, and honeymoon options, mainly travel agents we can work with to help us figure things out.
My mother and I spoke with one of the photography places and they we're telling us that many of the brides they had spoken with were all getting married next september...crazy. One of the DJ's I liked is booked every weekend next september except the weekend of my wedding so I need to book it soon if I want him. Crazy.
I guess I'm needing to kick it into high gear soon...all these options are in the columbus area so I guess they get booked pretty fast. This is nuts...everyone thinks the same, "it's better to get things done early."

A busy week...

I was back in Dayton Tuesday night and came home Thursday night.
Spent time with friends and family at Josh's going away party Tuesday night. Prayer for him was awesome!
Wednesday we had lots of stuff to do to get him ready to leave. Busy, long day, but we got everything accomplished. A friend of mine road with us to the airport Wednesday afternoon so I would have someone to drive back with. It was a sad moment when I had to say "see you in a year."
Tears...tears...and probably more tears...
I mostly get sad and want to cry when I think about it.
Talking to him everyday through e-mail is the plan.
It's working so far.
Thursday was get more stuff done and hangout with friends which was very good. Met new students at WSU too. Yay for move-in.

God is in control.

Wednesday night I went to XA and I was encouraged by the message Pastor Steve gave.
Joshua 1:6-9
"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

It's always nice to be reminded that God is with us always, that we can be strong, and we can overcome.

An Awesome Weekend!

Saturday I went shopping with my mom after we participated in the American Heart Association Fundraiser. I walked/jogged a 5K with my mom and her co-workers for the company she works for. We went to the mall and we were in Macy's and a lady asks if we are Christians. I say that I am but my mom isn't. Then she goes into saying "Jesus bless you, Jesus loves you and died for your sins..." She witnessed to my mom about how even though we are sinners He still loves us and that she needs to accept Jesus into her heart.
It was weird. The lady said Jesus in Chinese at the beginning of the conversation so at the end of the conversation I asked her what Asian background she was. She is originally from Indonesia. It was pretty cool. I know it was God just showing himself more to me and answering prayers that I've prayed. It's baby steps with being a witness for Jesus to my parents. Later I asked my mom her thoughts. It was that we have to respect each others beliefs...I don't know how to have a conversation with my mom about stuff like this. It's even harder to have a conversation with my dad about stuff like this. At dinner my mom told my dad what had happened at the mall and he always brings up the law...about freedom of speech, religion etc. He kind of gets defensive. He doesn't seem to understand what being relational is. Any personal information can never be spoken about.

Sunday was awesome! I love church. My pastor preached an awesome message and I felt God's presence. The Joy we have for the Lord was present. My pastor preached about Crowns. The crowns that the Lord wants to bless His children with. Then in the evening I went to Joshua House at the Vineyard in columbus with a friend. It was awesome too. I had gone the week before and they started a new series on Joseph called Living the Dream. It was really good. After church I got to talk with a girl I had met the week before and I just got to encourage her. I love what the Lord is doing in my church and in young people. I love what God has given me to be used by Him in ministering to others. It's amazing.
He is Good!!!

Being home

Back in Marysville, I'm bored yet have things to do.
It's a slow change. I'm trying to get all my stuff organized still. It will take time cause I have a lot of stuff. I'm also jobless so I have time to do it all.
I started playing piano again. It's going to take some time for me to be good at it again.
I am looking for a job but it's really hard to find one right now.

Last night I had a great conversation with one of my best friends and one of her friends on the phone. We read a passage from the Bible and tried to understand what it was saying and apply it to our lives. Then we prayed. It was awesome. We read Isaiah 1 cause that is what she picked. It was good. Prayer was good too. I miss doing group stuff like I did last night even though it was over the phone. It was still pretty awesome.

I miss being around my friends all the time. I'll be in Dayton soon to visit so hopefully my time will be spent wisely when I'm down there.

I'm going to a Bible Study at my new church in Marysville tonight. I hope it's good. There are a lot of older people in my church and a lot of younger but not many my age. It will be an interesting new experience to see where I fit in. I guess its just a different type of relationship that I will form. We will see.

Transitions

I move out of my apartment this week. It's bittersweet.
Last night I was overwhelmed with sadness. I'm a bit scared of the change because I feel like I'm living in two worlds/cultures. How I live and how my family lives.

What a weekend.
-wedding dress shopping, high school reunion, and being home for a few days

I went home to go wedding dress shopping with my bridesmaids and my mom.
Being around people all weekend was very tiring. I did find and purchase a dress and picked out the dress for the bridesmaids. My maid of honor and I drove back to dayton yesterday afternoon and I needed time alone with my fiance. So I spent the evening hanging out and talking with him.
The high school reunion tired me out cause I don't really talk to anyone but had fun catching up and seeing people. Most of us still look the same. We're all in different stages of our lives. Many of use are still in school or trying to find a job. Some have gotten married and have a kid or are engaged. It's strange to see where everyone is, especially since many of the people in my class didn't come to the reunion. It will be interesting to see who comes to our ten year reunion.
Being home is always a little different this time with my bridesmaids. It was nice to have them around. It was easier to be me, the girl how loves God and loves to talk about Jesus and what He's doing. God is good!

I think too much...
I'm learning about how I do the statement above.
I'm working on how to not over think and analyze.

Other news...still looking for a job...slow but hopefully I will get one soon.

Too many changes all at once is not good for me and that's what is happening in my life.

Life is continuing on

So at the beginning of July I spent 4 days at my parents house and it was so nice. It was the first time I had been home with pretty much no agenda of stuff I absolutely had to get completed. Amazing. It's nice not to have homework but I kind of have to figure out other things to do to fill my time that I would have usually done homework...funny.
I am going to be starting the packing to move home to my parents house soon...
I'm also still searching for a job...I pretty much only want one particular one and hope that I get it.
Josh leaves in 3 weeks for 11 months. I'm sad about it but it will be ok.

Life

Graduation happened. A nice and short ceremony! It was great :-)

Spent lots of time with family.

Wedding planning is taking over my mind...so much stuff to think about. Though I am getting many things figured out. It's fun. Found a reception hall and many of those details are coming together. Picked my colors: brown and an aqua/teal/blue. Put together a guest list. Still trying to get the ceremony place. We have lots of information about photographers, DJ's, and florists etc. I believe we are doing pretty good on it all. We have a nice budget also.

Summer has been nice. I went on vacation to Florida with Josh and spent time with family. It was very nice.

OH MY GOSH, ENGAGEMENT!!

Yesterday was senior night at Chi Alpha for all the graduating seniors. Each senior shares about there experience they have had in the group.
I went last.
My Pastor finished asking me questions about my experience and said that he was done but i think there is someone else who wants to ask you a question.
My stomach got all tied up in knots. I was stunned, shocked, speechless, surprised...etc. He asked how I was feeling and my response was, "I'm nervous"
Josh came over in front of everyone, our Chi Alpha family and got down on one knee and proposed. I whispered a yes b/c I could barely speak I was in such shock.
This is what was going through my head "I can't believe he's proposing right now."
Speechless and in shock, all the seniors circled up and we got prayed over which is what we do for all the seniors every year.
I believe everything happened so fast that I can't recall much of the conversation that happened before he asked or during prayer. I just held his hand very tightly during the covering of prayer.

Oh my goodness.....Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh
Lots of congrats from all my friends!
All the girls were also surprised. I believe there was a wave of silence/shock that fell over the group when it began to happen.

I'm still in shock and will be for a few more days or a while longer....who knows when it will fade.

God is so good. It's all Jesus guiding my life and Josh's together.