you got nerve.

I have a nervous stomach. I'm pretty sure it is because of my interview for Grad School this evening and it's all that I can think about today. My mind is racing with questions. The odds are not too great. They are only taking 6 applicants and there are over 60 (My guess at least. I know there were 40 three weeks ago.) Not great odds, but I'm confident in my interviewing skills, my personality, and my love for children. Honestly, the worst thing would be that I finish school Spring 2013 instead of Summer 2012. I need to have a better outlook on the interview and admissions process... I just hate that they only take very few post-grads (They mainly take people without their undergraduate degree already so they can finish in a total of 5 instead of getting the degree and taking 2 more years. - UT has a great program if you know you want your teaching license early.)

Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

This verse is what I will cling to today. Because I have Christ on my side, I am strong, I am courageous (even if my odds aren't great), I have no need to be frightened or scared or dismayed. He is with me in scary interviews that determine my future for the next 2 years, and he is with me regardless of the outcome of the interview. That's the good news!

bittersweet.

Today I just realized that Micheil and Shandi are leaving. Like in a week & a half, they will be living in Italy. Not visiting or even just leaving for a couple months, but living there. Just like a lot of things in life, this is definitely bittersweet. Since February I have seen my brother only twice, BUT also since Micheil left for Air Force Basic Training and Tech Training, I have spent a lot of time with Shandi which kind of balances it all out. I guess it's just weird to think that when I go home to visit Kingsport they won't be there anymore.

As in all situations there is a reason or a positive and this is no different. Micheil is doing something he absolutely loves. Shandi & Micheil are finally together after 8 months of being in different states. My family will get to visit Italy (Not only to visit M&S, but also getting to see where my family history started and is still so strong.) The Lord has great plans for them. Yes, I will miss them but the opportunity is to die for!

I hate quoting cliche Scripture, but it is so applicable.

Jeremiah 29:10-14
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD.

This is such a promise. I was reading Titus, Chapter 1 this morning (again) and it says God NEVER lies. (Emphasis and interpretation by me, of course.) If the Lord promises it, he isn't lying... it is truth. And that verse in Jeremiah is so reassuring that if God never lies (and He doesn't) - He PROSPERS, He gives HOPE, He LISTENS, and when we SEEK Him, we are FOUND!

Eventful Few Weeks.

I'm been meaning to update this for a while now, and finally found the time after fighting with myself all day about it!

The past few weeks of my life have been very eventful. Seriously, not much free time at all. I have been leaving for work in the morning and not returning home until late at night.. wake up the next day and repeat.

Wedding


First, the month of September was slammed with wedding events for Krista's wedding. It was one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever attended, and not just the flowers and dresses. But it was definitely an image of the Gospel and Christ's love. Gorgeous. I hope that one day, if I ever get married, others will say the same about my wedding! Being the Maid of Honor was just that, an honor. Here's a picture of me and the beautiful bride!






Creeper
After wedding weekend, I helped to plan a trip to the Creeper Trail in Virginia. We hopped in a car, loaded up a bunch of bikes, and were on our way! It was great fun and something I would love to do again soon. Except next time, my plan will be for me to say to everyone, "Hey, I'm going this day at this time... Figure out a way to get there with your own bike!" This is the whole crew! (Andy [check out his blog - even though I think he's the only one who reads this] has the same picture posted on his blog, but he stole it without consent so I can post it again.)
















Chicago
And lastly, I just got back from a long weekend in Chicago. Mel and I took a roadtrip to Chi-town so she could check out the city and decide where to go to Grad School. The trip was to see Loyola, which we didn't spend a lot of time there... after being lost for a few hours the first day. I quickly realized Big City life is not for me. I love visiting, but not to live. It's not a family town and I don't think I could ever get past having to commute so far everyday.





These are pictures from our trip. The first is from the top of the Hancock building looking over the City. And the second is from Millennium Park right between the lake and the skyscrapers.

The last big event is about to happen... in about one hour! My brother has been gone for 8 months for Air Force training and comes home today! I am so excited, and he will be home for about 3 weeks. I'm glad he will finally be back in Tennessee before leaving for Italy (yeah, him and his wife will be stationed in Italy for the next 3-4 years.. jealous). I'm glad for family dinners. I'm glad he gets to meet my boyfriend before he starts hopping continents. And I'm glad that I will eventually get to visit him and Shandi once they get settled in Italia!

Even in all the busyness of the past few months, I feel like God has showed me so much and I have learned so much about myself. I feel like grad school is where I am supposed to be and this semester of no job and no school has only made that desire for education stronger. I can't wait to start in January (assuming I get accepted). I have my program interview on November 1!

I've learned that I am excited for my future knowing that it is in God's hands. I have learned that I need to be nice, kind, and gentle (this has become a repetitive theme in my life). I have learned that being passive will not help many situations, but probably hurt it. And I have learned that I am selfish, self-centered, and all those other things that stat with "self." BUT I am saved by the grace of God regardless. The cross is mine to gain!

Grace & Peace.

I have now lived in Knoxville for over 4 years. And I pretty much have done everything I could ever imagine doing. Except.... going to these museums.

McClung Museum

East Tennesse History

I love museums, like a lot. I love knowing random facts or being able to drop obscure knowledge in the middle of conversations. Not only will this help my street cred, but it will keep my mind active and I will be less senile when I'm old (which is good for everyone's benefit, not only mine).

By the end of October, I will have gone to both of these local museums. Mark my words!

A Little Sunshine in My Life

Things I love and brighten my day:

1. Randomly seeing family when you are completely unexpected it. Today, as I was running errands throughout the whole hospital, I look up and who do I see? My Uncle and Aunt. Yep, I was so excited! My Aunt was diagnosed with Alzheimer disease a few years ago. She has been in and out of treatment at UT-Med Center ever since in the research dept. She has gotten somewhat better. She actually recognized me today and acknowledged me first today. This is HUGE. She hasn't remembered my name in a few years, so this is a big deal. So other than just seeing them, her improvement also brightens my day. No, that's probably the week.

2. Not sitting at a desk. Some people love it, but I hate it. Today, I have only been IN my office as long as it has taken to type this :) I would rather be worn out than bored.

3. Nutella. I have always loved it, but living with Melissa.. I feel like I enjoy it far more than I ever did before. Like I eat it on a pita every morning for breakfast. It's fantastic, and any day that starts with Nutella will be a good day.

4. Birthday weeks. My birthday is on Saturday, and I have already enjoyed 2 cakes in honor of this special day. 22 sucks, but cake is good.

5. FOOTBALL. I love football. Love it. Luckily, UT's season starts this Saturday which doubles as a good day. Birthday + UT football = Fantastic day.

6. Boomsday! The nation's largest Labor Day firework display? Yes, please!



Look at all that orange! GO VOLS!

Skeptical

So I have been researching diets. Just for health reasons, can always get healthier. Today I found 2 diets that are interesting and which I'm skeptical.

#1. Skinny Bitch Diet
#2. Daniel's Fast


Here are the rules for the Skinny Bitch Diet:
1. Ban all sugar and artificial sweeteners. Splenda and Nutrasweet, according to the authors, stimulate your sweet tooth, while the real thing makes your fat cells grow rampantly. If you want something sweet, stick to fruit. You can also enjoy baked goods made from beet sugar, evaporated cane juice, brown rice syrup and other natural substitutes.
2. Enjoy brown rice, whole grains and whole wheat pasta--but don't eat a morsel of white flour products. White bread, white rice and white pasta are all too refined for dieters' needs.
3. Become a vegetarian. Meat of all kinds is banned on this diet. This isn't for ethical reasons but for aesthetic ones. A big steak will give you a big butt, so stick with vegetables which are easier to digest and less caloric.
4. Stock up on soy instead of your usual dairy products. The Skinny Bitch Diet isn't just vegetarian--it's vegan. Dairy products are banned for the same reason as meats are.
5. Live on fruits, vegetables, soy, nuts, water, green tea and organic red wine. Treats made from tofu and other ingredients on the Skinny Bitch Diet are OK, but everything else is a slip up.

Daniel's Fast is more of a spiritual fast/diet. Being Christian, I find it skeptical fasting to lose weight. The point of fasting is to put focus on Christ, not your weight.

Rules of Daniel's Fast:
Foods to include in your diet during the Daniel Fast: All fruits. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. All vegetables. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. All whole grains. All nuts and seeds, including nut butters including peanut butter. All legumes. These can be canned or dried. All quality oils. Beverages: spring water, distilled water or other pure waters. Other: tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs and spices.

Foods to avoid on the Daniel Fast: All meat and animal products. All dairy products including but not limited to milk, cheese, cream, butter, and eggs. All sweeteners including but not limited to sugar, raw sugar, honey, syrups, molasses, and cane juice. All leavened bread including Ezekiel Bread (it contains yeast and honey) and baked goods. All refined and processed food products including but not limited to artificial flavorings, food additives, chemicals, white rice, white flour, and foods that contain artificial preservatives. All deep fried foods including but not limited to potato chips, French fries, corn chips. All solid fats. Beverages including but not limited to coffee, tea, herbal teas, carbonated beverages, energy drinks, and alcohol.

--

Both are very similar. Pretty much, nothing except fruits, veggies, and whole grains. This I could do easily, it's just eliminating all the other stuff too, like in what I drink or not having sweets.

Maybe I'll do this, but my own version... who knows. I'll let you know how it goes.

This is all I have organized in my new condo. My closet looks awesome as you can tell by this picture. Everything is color organized the way I like it and by type. I also invested in cute little baskets to organize my stuff that should go in my bathroom but do not have room for in there.




















The rest of my room is a mess. This is where my dresser will go when I get it on Saturday. It will look great once I am no longer living about of 3 suitcases. And the pile of bags have all my stuff for my new bed which will be delivered on Saturday too.