Family Time!

    I don't know where to begin!!! I realize that I have been slacking on my blogging here, but I'm a busy girl ;) and not much to right about lately, but I have a feeling there is gonna be more blogs coming more recently :-)
   This past weekend I was able to be with my family for Easter!!! I was so happy to have this chance!
   Tyler and I left from school on Friday morning to go West Virginia where my brother goes to school and my sister, Ashley and my parents would be meeting us there for the weekend.  It was only a 5 hours drive so it wasn't bad at all!  We stayed on campus that weekend in a lodge they have. It's kinda like a mini hotel, but not as fancy but it was just perfect for us!

The Lodge

The Lobby of the lodge

    Once me and Tyler arrived, my brother, Doug took us around the campus and showed us around since neither of us had ever been there before.  I absolutely loved ABC's campus!!! So nice and "smaller" than BJU.  A lot less students, everyone knows each other rather than walking all over campus all day and not knowing most of the people you pass on the sidewalk each day.

   Later Friday night, once my parents and sister arrived we got ready and went to an Easter concert that the school had. To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect with it being such a small school and stuff, but it was amazing!!! Incredible music and everything!!

They had a little children's choir and it was so cute!

Hand bell Choir

Chorale did a FANTASTIC Job!!!

Men's staff group.

   On Saturday we got moving and went out to IHOP for breakfast! :) we then did a litlle shopping to get a few things at the mall and Wal-Mart.  Then we got to go to the New River Gorge. It's basically like a state park thingy and it is absolutely gorgeous!!!!!! Surrounded by mountains, walking paths in the woods and also this huge man-made bridge that is a big tourist thing.

God's beautiful creation!

My Family :)

The bridge

My brother and the mountains

The bridge again ;)

    We then left there and went to a really cool mini golf place. It wasn't like a super big attraction type thing, just a random course that some random guy made but it was definitely one of the coolest mini golf courses I've ever been too!

    Sunday was Easter and we got to go to the church where my brother goes and then we went out to lunch :) we then packed up and all went our separate ways :( It was a great weekend but oh so fast!!!

haha Doug just loved that he got to sit with me in the backseat so much... this gains you the privilege of many pics with your sis ;)

first family picture of all of us with Tyler :)

A favorite!

Different pose

The kids :)

Easter basket from my mommy and daddy

    Now classes have begun again  :(   but........ only 25 more days!!!! I cam back to school a little discouraged about some stuff but I had a wonderful package from my 2nd family!!! The Kurty's have been so good to me the past 4 years and have become a part of my life! i don't know where I would be without them!!!! <3 you guys and can't wait to see you!!!!!

God has been toooooooo Good to me!!!! I have truly been blessed more than I deserve!

Pushing Through One Day at a Time....

GOD IS SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!

It's been a busy, busy, busy few weeks, but it's been good!  I've been slacking on keeping up with my posts, but I have more things to worry about ;) I don't know where to begin!!!!!!!

Well, this past week has marked the ending of my soccer season! Oh what a good one it's been!! This soccer season I experienced a lot of things I did not think I would be facing!  At the beginning of the season I realized we didn't have a goalie and I told my coach that I have had some experience in the goal my last year of high school and that I would be willing to try it this season.  Well, that's just what she wanted to hear and in the net I went.  My coach is just another college girl in my society, but she is very athletic when it comes to soccer.  Her dad has trained many of the goalies here at school and yep, I got to be the next one on his list! :)  I wasn't too sure of it at first.  He would come to practices and I would leave each practice super dirty, very sore, and extremely bruised up!  But I couldn't walk away.  I was in it for the ups and downs.  I don't give up! The more he worked with me the more I began to enjoy it! Most people would not look at rolling around in the dirt, dropping to the hard ground at any given moment as a fun experience, but it really was!

Each game I was full of nerves because what goalie doesn't!??!?!?!?!  I didn't want to let my team down by letting too many goals in but they were so kind and loving! We had an awesome season. Not sure what our record ended up being, but we did get to play in the play offs!  That was new to me! I've never been on a winning team!! well the First round came and we were the #4 seed and had to play the #1 seed.  They were undefeated all season!!! I was sooooooo nervous! Well, rather than making this post much longer I'll just tell you that we WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IN OVERTIME!!!!!!! That was the GREATEST feeling ever!!!!!!! We beat the undefeated team!!! I never thought we would win!! Well, we then played the next round two nights later and lost that game 2-1 :/ I wish we could have won that one, but God didn't allow it :)  

Throughout this past soccer season I have gotten to know some girls in my society and built great relationships with then that I may have never had if i didn't play :) I'm so glad I did!

The weekend finally came and more craziness came with that :) i was sooooooo not looking forward to Saturday :/ I know, what college students doesn't look forward to a day off?!?!?!?! well, I wasn't exactly getting a day off.  Saturday morning I had to wake up at 6 a.m. to leave to go take some state standardized tests for education majors.  Now, I had already taken these test last November, but failed 2 of the 3 so I had to retake those ones.  They are VERY long and VERY difficult. But, God had a plan :)  I was under a lot of stress because I have to pass these tests to be able to move on in the education program here at school.  After many conversations with my mom I came to the conclusion that if I do not pass them this time then that is God's way of telling me that this is not the direction He wants me to take.  I have been looking at different possible majors just in case.  I will find out my scores in four weeks so please pray with me that I will have a clear understanding of what to do!!!

Saturday we also had "White Glove" in the dorms.  Basically everyone spends all day Saturday cleaning every little inch of their dorm room :/ yeah, they get pretty messy even with room checks everyday.  I was worried about getting everything done that day, but I'm alive and made it through it all ;)

I thoroughly enjoy white glove because it's gets me to get everything back to "normal" and organized again! Which I love!!!!!! my mother may disagree, but since I've been at school I've become a little bit of a neat freak hahaha.

I also realized that I have an over abundance of Post It notes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every time I get a care package someone throws in a pack.... and I never use them! lol Oh well :)

The rest of this week will be pretty busy... 2 tests and a paper to write but after this week we get a WHOLE WEEK OFF OF CLASSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We don't get a spring break here but we have Bible conference and I'm sooooooooooooo okay with getting a week off of classes :)

God has been so very Good to me even through these tough and challenging days :) he is ever faithful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

19 Years of ME!!! ~ God has Been TOO GOOD

That's right, this world has been blessed with my presence here for 19 years!!!!!!!! haha jk. But yes, Yesterday, February 23, I turned 19 years old! Crazy to think about!

I had a WONDERFUL birthday!!!!!!! My parents surprised me last weekend for my birthday and it was fantastic!!!! Friday night we had a "birthday party" at the hotel complete with a home-made cake and presents!!! Sadly, I forgot to take any pictures that whole weekend : ( oh well, we still have awesome memories that will NEVER be forgotten!!! I have been blessed to have the absolute greatest parents a girl could ask for.  They have been diligent in making sure that I'm dong what's right and being a servant of the LORD!

These are a few of the presents that my parents and sister brought for me :)

           A dress that I got to pick out for my birthday!!!!! I love it and can't wait to wear it!!!!!

                             My AMAZING Cookie's 'n' Cream Cake they brought from home!!!!

This is my totally awesome motion censored candy machine that Tyler Got me!!!! Yeah, I got the greatest Brother in law ever!!!!!

Yesterday for my actual birthday I was spoiled by my friends ;)  I don't like much attention on myself on my birthdays but Tricia did her best ;) and I love her for that!  On Friday Evening we had dinner on campus at the snack shop and had some of the greatest chicken quesadillas (sp?) that I Have ever tasted! :) we then waited for Tricia's sister Flossie to get off of work and then we went to Yogurt Mountain!!!!!!! This was my first time there and absolutely loved it!!! They also got a book that I can not wait to start using today!!!!!!!

Later Thursday night my roommate Rachel surprised mt with a giant cookie for our prayer group for my birthday!! ;) It was sooooo nice of her!!! and it was soooooooo yummy!!!

Rachel also surprised me that morning with the sweetest Birthday Poem!!!!! It almost made me cry!!!

My other roommate Ashley made some awesome signs for our hallway and also surprised me with an adorable bracelet!!!

This morning (Friday) I was surprised with a birthday card int he mail from family friends and also a package from one of my besties at home, Michaela!!!!!!! It was so sweet of her!!!!!

I've been blessed beyond words here at school and con not thank my GOD enough!!!! All Glory to HIM!

"Fall Apart"

This past week has been quite a struggle for me.  Trying to keep a focus on my classes, studying and just not get too down an depressed about losing Gram.  As I was talking to a girl on my soccer team about it on Tuesday at soccer practice.  I broke down in tears.  Her words were such a comfort to me though.  She reminded me that it really is okay to cry ;)  Things will be worse if I try holding it all in.  She asked to tell her about Gram.  It really helped me just thinking about her and remembering all of the good things about her and the time that I was able to spend with her.  This July, Gram would have been turning 92 years old!  She was blessed with having a life that long!!! I'm so glad I had her in my first 19 years of my life.  She was the last grandparent I have living.  It is taking some getting used to that this is all real and that I won't see her again until Heaven! Oh what a Glorious Day that will be!!!!!! I'm sure Grandma is enjoying her time in Heaven right now with Pap, 3 of her children, all of her siblings, parents and grandparents that she has lived without for so long.  She was such a blessing in my life!!!!!

This past week I have heard a new song that really has become my comfort.  Music seems to speak to me in ways that not many others can.  I can read things, people can tell me things, but when it is in a song it just speaks in a whole new way.  The song is "Fall Apart" by Josh Wilson. Here are the lyrics to it.  It describes EXACTLY my thoughts right now!!!! Sometimes we feel like the whole world is against, but we forget that God is in control and is the storms, sometimes God is all we need... not only when things are good :)

Why in the world did I think I could
Only get to know you when my life was good
When everything just falls in place
The easiest thing is to give You praise

Now it all seems upside down

‘Cause my whole world is caving in
But I feel You now more than I did then
How can I come to the end of me
And somehow still have all I need
God, I want to know You more
Maybe this is how it starts
I find You when I fall apart

Blessed are the ones who understand
We’ve got nothing to bring but empty hands
Nothing to hide and nothing to prove
Our heartbreak brings us back to You

And it all seems upside down

‘Cause my whole world is caving in
But I feel You now more than I did then
How can I come to the end of me
And somehow still have all I need
God, I want to know You more
Maybe this is how it starts
I find You when I fall apart

I don’t know how long this will last
I’m praying for the pain to pass
But maybe this is the best thing that
Has ever happened to me

My whole world is caving in
But I feel You now more than I did then
How can I come to the end of me
And somehow still have all I need
God, I want to know You more
Maybe this is how it starts
I find You when
You will find me when I fall apart

I'll be seeing you soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll See You Soon...

This past weekend was one like I've never experienced before, one I never expected and one I will never forget.  This coming Thursday will be my Birthday and the first that I will spend away from home.  My parents and older sister decided to surprise me this past weekend by coming down here to South Carolina!!!!! It was the greatest surprise I could have ever expected!!!!! They came Friday afternoon while I was at work and almost gave me a heart attack when they walked int he door! ;)  After that they got to come to my soccer game, which we won!!!! We then got Tyler and we all went out to eat.
Saturday was great! We slept in and then once we got going we picked up my friend Tricia from school and took her out to eat with us! My parents just loved her and I was so glad they got to meet each other!  After that we went to Wal-Mart and did a little shopping, then relaxed at the hotel and then I got ready for my soccer game for that evening.  It was really great to have my parents at a few of my games!!!!  After that we went to Tyler's Basketball game (he is the coach) and then went to the hotel and got pizza.  We got to bed late that night expecting to wake up the next morning for church....
Sunday morning came and we were awake and getting ready for church.  As I was getting out of the shower I heard my dad's cell phone ring.  That was the call that changed our day.  I couldn't hear what he was saying, but when I heard my mom's cry I knew exactly what it was... Grandma is with Jesus.  Within that instant I felt as if some one had punched me in the stomach.  I couldn't hardly breathe.  Why did this happen????  As I lay on the bed crying every tear I had I just couldn't believe what was happening.  This had been the most enjoyable weekend ever and now this.... WHY?????????  My parents and I didn't go to church that morning, we stayed at the hotel, tried to calm down and eat some breakfast. I felt so sick.
I still couldn't believe what was going on.  My mom was on the phone a lot that morning.  She wanted to spend the most time she could with me :) When Ashley and Tyler got back from church we went out to lunch.  I couldn't stop thinking about that morning... seeing my mom cry, hearing how upset she was..... it's been continuously playing over and over in my mind.  After lunch I began to feel much better.  We went to the mall, I got to pick out a dress for my birthday!! After that I went to work with my science group on a project and then the family and i went back to the hotel and just kinda relaxed for the evening.  We didn't go to church that evening either.  Ashley and Tyler went out to eat and me, mom and dad watched a movie and got some dinner at the hotel.  It was really nice, but the hours slipped away way too quickly.  9:00p.m. and I broke down in tears yet again.  I didn't want my parents to leave.
I had the option of going home and coming back to SC with some cousins that live here, but I decided not to. I was afraid of missing too much school work and was afraid I wouldn't want to come back to school.
So, the time came and Mom and Dad took me back to school.  I told dad goodbye with many tears and hugs. Mom walked me to my room and then the hardest goodbye came.
I cried myself to sleep last night and woke up terribly exhausted.  I was in a ball of tears getting ready for classes today and shed some tears during my morning classes.  I have been pretty good though the rest of the day.  I think I'm all out of tears ;)
As me and mom were talking and spending lots of time together yesterday we decided that this couldn't have happened at any other time.  God knew exactly what He was doing because if mom and dad weren't here with me and I got that call that grandma was gone, there is no possible way that I could've gotten through it alone.  God's way is truely perfect and He knew what He was doing ;) and I am so glad He did!!!!!!
As I think of gram today I remember all the memories I have with her.  As long as I can remember up until these past few years, She and I would go to the mall every Saturday morning.  We got our Auntie Anne's Cinnamon and Sugar pretzel sticks and Lemonade each and every week without fail! :-)  I had many sleepovers on the weekends which always included baking muffins (Blueberry and chocolate) and playing games on end of Phase 10 and Chinese Checkers.  During my junior high years at times I felt she was the only friend I had sometimes.  I would tell her everything that was going on in my life.
Gram always enjoyed seeing us kids playing sports or playing Piano.  She was simply amazing.  I'll never forget her as long as I live.
Her favorite Hymn was Face to Face and wanted us to make sure it was the song played at her funeral... She will be getting her wish on Wednesday ;)

Face to face with Christ, my Savior,
Face to face—what will it be?
When with rapture I behold Him,
Jesus Christ who died for me.

• Face to face I shall behold Him,
  Far beyond the starry sky;
  Face to face in all His glory,
    I shall see Him by and by!

Only faintly now, I see Him,
With the darkling veil between,
But a blessed day is coming,
When His glory shall be seen.

What rejoicing in His presence,
When are banished grief and pain;
When the crooked ways are straightened,
And the dark things shall be plain.

Face to face! O blissful moment!
Face to face—to see and know;
Face to face with my Redeemer,
Jesus Christ who loves me so.

I LOVE YOU GRAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I KNOW YOU ARE WATCHING OVER ME!!!!!!!!  AS I SEE THE SUN SHINING DOWN ON ME I KNOW IT'S YOUR SMILE SHINING DOWN ON ME!!!!!!!!!

 Made this 3 days before she died...

 Gram's Last Christmas 

 One of my favorites of us!

 Gram with her last Christmas present..... She is absolutely beautiful!!!

 Whiskers loved paying with her!

 My graduation May 2011

 Best Friends!!!!

Fourth of July 2011

I love you Gram!!!!!!!!!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 

I am Truly Blessed!

So as I sit here in my dorm room, waiting for my last class, I've been doing a lot of thinking.  I was going through some of my "junk" and trying to organize stuff and began to get really frustrated with some things.  These past few weeks I've been a bit of the "depressed" side, extremely homesick, and just not happy.  I miss being home and seeing all my friends and family.  Yes, I have friends here, and my soon-to-be brother-in-law is here as well (which, by the way, Is sooooooo amazing and great to have here!), but I just really miss the familiar faces from home.  Tomorrow will be February 1st. That means only 3 whole months and a few days 'till I'll be back home!!!! I guess it's not to much longer??????
The other day I was reminded of a song and just simply can not get it out of my head. "I Have Been Blessed". I think God is trying to send me a message ;) as I walk around campus I find myself thinking over the words to this song over and over again.  This past week I've been doing a bunch of focusing on all of the negative things in my life right now, but what I need to do is think of all the many blessings I have from God!
I've been trying to think of a way to help myself with my negative attitude.... and I think I've got it! Every time I catch myself dwelling on the negative, I will praise God for 3 blessings in my life!
I have a feeling this semester will be a great time to start this!!! I will be tough, but with GOD, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!!!!!!!

Please pray with my that I can have a God honoring attitude and not let the Devil win!!!

1st Verse 
When He walks among us, all that He does, All of His mercy and all of His love.  If the pen of a writer could write every day even this world could never contain just how I've been blessed / The warmth in the winter, the flowers in spring, the laughter of summer, and the changing of leaves.  Food on my table, a good place to sleep, clothes on my back and shoes on my feet.  Oh, I have been blessed. 

Chorus 
I have been blessed, God's so good to me, precious are His thoughts of you and me.  No way I could count them there's not enough time, so I'll just thank Him for being so kind.  God has been good, so good.  I have been blessed. 

2nd Verse 
Arms that will raise, a voice that can talk, hands that can touch and legs that can walk.  Ears that can listen and eyes that can see, oh, I've got to praise Him as long as I breathe.  Cause I have been blessed / Father and mother, nurtured and raised, my sisters and brothers, memories made.  Our pastor to lead us, this altar to pray, Stripes that can heal and a Blood that can save.  Oh, I have been blessed. 

3rd Verse 
We live in a country, the greatest on earth, our flag stands for freedom and what it is worth.  She stands in the harbor, Ms. Liberty calls, all have gave some, but some gave it all for me to be blessed / A shoulde to lean on when I am down, a rock where He leads me when I'm overwhelmed.  The place where He hides me under His wings.  He's not just a song, He's the reason I sing, Oh, and I have been blessed.