Quick post before I head out.

I'm just about to head out the door, but I have a few minutes and figured I best update my blog! I'm off to Europe in... 27 hrs! But first, I have to drive to the city I'm flying from, then take 2 flights before getting on the third and final flight. I'll land in Germany around 1 in the morning on Friday (8 AM Germany time) and then will be at Stephanie's house for a day before heading off to PARIS the next morning. We'll be there 2 days, then back to Stephanie's for 2 days, then off again to a few places around Germany. My posts will be more informative AFTER the trip, but for now this will have to do. Goodbye America! See you again in 11 days!

Spontaneous day with friends

There was no school on Monday, January 18th, and I had the day off of work, so my friends and I took advantage of us all being free and had a random but fun day together. Our little foursome used to hang out quite often last year (you'll remember their faces/names from previous posts) but we've all gotten busy with work, school, sports, and just life in general, so it was really nice to be able to reconnect.

Hailey and I ditched the boys to explore Walmart and take random pictures. Here we're modeling our cowgirl hats we found and couldn't resist trying on.

Kyle found us and I weaseled him into joining us on our picture taking spree.

We tracked down some stylin' clothes and had to take a picture. Hailey and I couldn't keep our faces straight long enough for the self timer to go off, but Kyle remained in perfect mannequin pose.

We found some random glasses in a different store, and had to try them on as well.

We thought we looked pretty tough.

Finally Alex gets in on a picture.

We went down by the river, but due to ice and so much snow, we couldn't get too far. Exploring under the bridge was pretty neat though.

I'm so thankful I have these 3 people in my life. We always have fun and silly (as you can tell by these pictures) times together.

Awesome song & video

This is one of my favorite songs at the moment. The lyrics are so good and make my heart even more of a 'heart for missions'. Also, it reminds me of the current disaster in Haiti. I believe we should do what we can, whether it is by donating money, time, or prayers. The words found in Matthew chapter 25, verses 35-40 come to mind.

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Also, the pictures in my posts below (November/December) were not showing up, but I fixed it so they should be visible now :)

2010: Looking ahead

I am SO excited and ready for a new year!

New Years Eve has always been one of my very favorite holidays. I love reflecting on the past year and thinking of all the possibilities for the coming year. Since my last post was all about reflecting, now it's time for looking ahead! Ever year, for the past 3 or so years, I make a list of things I hope to accomplish in the course of that year (sort of like New Years Resolution's, but more detailed). At the end of a year, I go back and look at the list, check off things I accomplished, and ponder why some of the things did not happen. My list this year goes something like this:

Go to a few new countries (yes, a few - Hey, I dream big :)

Learn a foreign language (or start to at least)

Become an aunt a few more times (yes, that really does go on my list, usually every year! and it does happen!)

Practice guitar more (I have all the means to be practicing like crazy, but so often put it off)

Get my own car (now that I can actually drive!)

Get a new/or another job (even though I like my current job)

Figure out life plan more (I can't exactly stay here forever, not with my restless adventure seeking self!)

Snowboard (I've always wanted to but have yet to actually do it)

Go to a state I've never been to (I'm a little travel obsessed, if you can't tell)

That is not my complete list, but some of the main things. It will be so interesting to look back in a year and see what all I managed to accomplish!

2009: Looking back

I still can't believe that 2009 is over!

It was a whirlwind year that went so fast, with ups and down and so many surprises.

I started college online, went to a foreign country, got my first puppy, got my drivers license (finally!), started up a girls bible study with another lady, and did too many other things to even begin to list. It was a year of immense growth, and towards the end, one of pain and dealing with things I wasn't used to. My emotions were on a constant roller coaster, my optimism won out more often than usual, and I overcame fears I didn't plan on overcoming anytime soon.

It's amazing to look back on a year and see how far you have come as a person. On January 1st, 2009, I would not have been able to fathom what would take place is those next 365 days. I've seen God's hand on my life so much this year, and even in the midst of that I have had those moments of trying to do things myself. You would think that after dealing with things time and time again, you would better learn how to handle or move on from it, but I have realized that life is a constant act of surrendering all to God. I myself cannot handle everything, that is a fact. I need Him to help me, to guide me, and to carry me through life. I don't get why I even pretend from time to time that I fully KNOW what I'm doing.

I have also learned that in our hurt we need to run to God, we cannot just sit there and try heal ourselves. It won't work. These kinds of lessons are always learned the hard way, but I think they are essential to learn. I'm learning the hard times in life are so important to our strength of character and to our faith. I'm also learning that I am a much weaker person than I previously thought. I would never think of myself as a prideful person, but I must be, for my reaction in bad times is 'alright, I can do this....somehow, and if I can't, I guess I'll just sit here' when I should instead be like 'GOD! Help me, my weak flesh cannot do this, I NEED YOU!'

Why is it so hard to admit to God we NEED Him?

Anyways...

2009 was an amazing year full of so many triumphs and trials thrown in between, but I fully know that God WAS and IS in control. How awesome!

December 2009

One of my close friends Hailey, and myself running around Walmart with friends. We stopped long enough to take a quick picture.

One of my very close friends Erin, joined the Navy the summer after we graduated. I wasn't sure when I would (if ever) see her again, but she came home for christmas! It was so awesome to see her again. We had a sleepover and stayed up nearly all night talking and taking pictures, just like the good ol' days :)

Eloise and myself. Her face doesn't quite let you know, but she really does love me!

My hair is finally starting to get a little bit longer!

My niece and I found some hair bows at a thrift store and figure they would work perfectly to decorate Eloise for Christmas.

My niece got some fancy footie pajamas for Christmas. They were a little (or a lot) too big for her, so I couldn't resist trying them on myself. We got a kick out of the fact that they fit me.

November 2009

I've been slacking in keeping this updated, and due to lack of time and too much news to post, I figured I'd post some pictures to sum up the end of the year.

Eloise is still growing like a weed.

Bailey and I. I can't believe I am old enough to have a 12 year old niece! (even though I am still a very young aunt I guess!)

Violet and I.

I escaped to the basement to spend some time with my nieces, while family was visiting for thanksgiving.

My sister's dog Samson, myself, and Violet.