1.07.2010

Hope, Snow, Love, and an Update

Happy New Year friends!

I know, I know we are already seven days into 2010, but all things considered it is still relatively new. And it is still happy! I can't remember being as excited about a new year as I am about this one. I'm not sure what all is in store for the year, but I know that God is good and only wants the best for me so I'm excited to see all He has for me...

"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."
Isaiah 55:12

I am siting in my office at home watching the snow flakes fall outside as I type. My heart is warm despite the cold outside. I just love the snow! Every time it falls from the sky I am reminded of God's sweet love for me. It is a visible reminder of something that can seem so intangible at times.

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54:10
I realize if you read my blog for updates on my life and not just to read my random ramblings you might be wondering how the "big test" went and if I have my results yet. So, let me tell you! The day had finally arrived and let's just say I could have been a bit more prepared. I took the test at Herzing College in Buckhead, which I didn't know existed until a few months ago when I registered for the test. It was very strange to arrive at Lenox Square Mall at 8am on a Saturday morning to take such an important test (the school is located in Lenox). I hadn't studied like I should have, but I felt pretty peaceful as I sat down to take the test.
Oh boy was it hard!

I left the test that day knowing I had been obedient to take the test and glad to have finally taken it. I honestly didn't expect to receive some amazingly high score, but I also knew it was totally in the Lord's hands. If He wanted me to go to law school He would make it clear to me that was what I was supposed to do and if I wasn't supposed to He would make that just as clear.

On the 28th of December I was surprised to receive my score early. [I was expecting it on the 4th of January] It was low. Very low. Too low to even consider applying to any law programs. At first I was sad, and my pride was very hurt. I thought surely I was smart enough to just walk into the test center [to take one of the hardest tests out there] and do okay. But then as I spoke to some friends and my parents about it and I realized I got my answer.

It was just a clear "no."

So, I won't be attending law school this fall. And I am okay with that. I'm not sure what I'll be doing this fall or even this spring for that matter. But I am learning to be okay with that.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6
I've taken a job as a senate aide at the state capitol for the 2010 legislative session. I'll probably be there until April. After that I don't know where God will call me. But I'm going to keep my ears and my heart open to whatever he might call me to do. And for now I have a job and I am very thankful for that!

1.04.2010

PS

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with myself now...

Farewell Facebook, Hello Freetime!

Resolution #1 for 2010: deactivate facebook account.

I am sorry to see you go, but alas we must part. You have taken up too much of my free time and kept me from really knowing how my "friends" are doing. I get on and waste hours away looking at pictures, "checking up" on people, etc. etc. In essence, I use you for all the wrong reasons. You lead me to gossip, and think things about people, when I really have no idea what is happening with them-- I simply assume things based upon what I read and what I see.

No MORE!

I will admit you are not always bad. We have had some good times. You have help me reconnect with old friends, stay in touch with people I might have lost touch with, and because of you one certain person might have had a much harder time finding me (those of you who know what I'm talking about know how thankful I was for facebook that day!)... and for that I say thank you.

But we are through. I have given you up twice before, but this time it is for real. No more coming back in a few months, or sneaking on to see if so and so is engaged or had their baby yet.

This year I will truly check up on my friends. I will pick up the phone and call or email. I will send notes and letters. I will print out pictures for friends and share good news in person.

Good-bye my old friend. We have been friends for a long while now. Life will not be the same without you, but I do think we will both go on [and I for one will not look back]

Parting is such sweet sorrow.

12.03.2009

One Day to Go

I can't believe in one day I'll be taking "the test." I think I will breath a giant sigh of relief when I turn in my test booklet and walk out those doors on Saturday afternoon. This has been years in the making and Lord only knows why it has taken me so long to do it. I feel like I may finally know what lies ahead for me when my score comes in on January 3rd, or 4th, whatever day it is. Regardless of my score, it will feel like a victory to know I've finally done it. I'm facing my fears and trusting the Lord!

12.02.2009

Missing the Comforts of "home"

Auburn. I spent four wonderful years there. I loved it there. When I would return after visiting my parents I often refered to it as "home." I'm not sure my parent's were thrilled by that statement, but it was the truth. Auburn had become home to me. I had traditions, friends, familiar places. It was cozy and comfortable. I loved it there.

This week, as I've been trying to study for "the test" I've been craving the comforts of Auburn. Fall semester finals were one of my favorite times back then. I would just be back from Thanksgiving vacation, happy and full. That little, one week break gave me all the rest I needed to make it through the next two or three weeks [no matter how tough they would be]. We would put our little Christmas tree up and decorate the house. On dead days we'd have all our friends over for a study break party. The weather would be getting colder, I would always cuddle with my favorite blanket while studying on my bed. And while I was studying I would always listen to the Nutcracker Suite. Nothing made me happier. It was cozy. It felt like home.

Now, as I attempt to prepare for this looming test I am missing all those comforts. The places we would always go to eat for study breaks. The comradely of my roommates and friends cramming too. Knowing as soon as it was all down I'd get to pack up and head home to my parents, ready for Christmas.

Today, I long for these comforts. I went to get Chinese takeout but it really wasn't the same...

11.11.2009

25 days and counting...


This is a picture of the Boston Public Library. People actually studied in there! I took this to inspire me...

On December 5th I will finally be doing something I have put off for almost 6 years: taking the LSAT. SO, for the next twenty-five days my head needs to be buried in the books, learning all I can so I can master this test! I've put it off for this long I should try at least to put a little effort into it [needless to say I haven't really put a lot of effort into it thus far]

If for the next four weeks or so I am a little bit MIA please forgive me and know there is light at the end of this tunnel... whatever that score may read... I will have finally done it!

I hope on December 6th someone will throw me a party for doing something I probably should have done years ago-- haha :-)

11.10.2009

Life is Full because of Friends, For Sure!

Life has it's ups and down, that's for sure. But what is even more for sure is those ups and downs are so much easier when you are surrounded by amazing friends!

I have realized this more and more as life has become more and more challenging/ confusing/ complicated... the hard times in life are so much easier and the good times are so much sweeter when you can share them with friends.

Lord knows the past two years have been up and down for me... but my friends have been there, walking alongside me. Listening to me, laughing at me, crying with me, speaking the truth over me and loving me with the love of Christ.

Below is just a few of the people who mean so much to me! I love you each so much and want you to know how much you mean to me. Good times and not such fun times you've been beside me, I am forever thankful for your friendships!

The Agees, Sam and Tricia

My 25th birthday surprise party

Blair and Melinda at my 26th birthday party


Alex, Laura and Kelli

Friends at the Lights at Lake Lanier


The Grooms, Jon and Cassady

Kristy Masterson-- I love YOU

Nate, Alex and Martin

Gabe and Liz

Kathryn, Lisa and Melinda

Vanessa and her little girl Michaela

Jeanne and Kelli