EXCITED!!

There are so many things that I am excited about right now...
1.) The RA's are moving in a week from Thursday.
2.) All of a sudden many of my Australian friends from high school are popping up on Facebook.
3.) Next summer should be a great one!
It's a good day!

What have I done?

I think I got myself a new job today. How I did that I don't know. I was sitting in the cafeteria eating lunch with a candidate for the Director of Student Activties position. She is currently the director of Multi-Ethnic Student programs at another school. The conversation turned to international student relations at Anderson. And before I knew it all 3 of my co-workers at the table and pointed their fingers at me to become the Advisor for the International Club at Anderson. This poceeded into saying the position needed to be permanent and that they could create a house for me where MY office would be that I could use for the international students. Then I was creating a table for the international club at Anderson and the schools annual club fair in less than a month! Then I was getting all the old information from the international club's active days on campus. Then I was recuiting one of my RA's this year to help me out. How did this happen? I guess that is an example of God giving you what you ask for. 3 days ago I expressed a passion to my co-workers for international students and today they're talking about finding someone to replace me in a year. So to answer the question about what I have done? Nothing. God's done everything. I just pray I can keep up!

BUGS...I HATE BUGS!!!

Ok...so before it was spiders. Spiders in my bedroom, spiders climbing up my leg while I'm sitting on my couch...not cool! But now? Oh yes, now I have a full fledged hornets nest that has been attached to the blinds in my bathroom! Some how they have found a way in and there is a baseball sized nest attached to my blinds at the very top facing the window. Now my windows are about 5 feet tall. How am I supposed to get it down! I put a work order into Physical Plant to have them remove it, but it's still there. That was on Sunday...it's Thursday! I have to live here! I will admit that living alone has helped me cope with the fact that big bugs come along and I have to kill them...but this is ridiculous! They are getting a call tomorrow believe you me! Ugh...I hate bugs...darn the South.

Going to school, before it starts...

It is amazing to me how much learning takes place outside of the traditional classroom. As I think back over this past year, I realize that I am not the same person I was in many ways, and I am so completely thrilled by that fact. Sure to look at me and hang out with me if you've known me for any length of time, you might not think there was any great change, but I know it's there. They always say that it's what on the inside that counts and I truly believe that. The journey that God has so graciously brought me on this year has taught me so much about the inside. He has taught me about grace, healing, submission, totally depravity, hope, mercy and love. Though the road has been a tough one, I can say that I wouldn't go back, and I wouldn't have changed things either. He has so graciously kept me in the palm of his hand that I know I have never been close to peril. Every trial, any amount of suffering that I endured was all used by his skillful hand to prune of the dead layers of my soul and spirit to give me a life more abundant. Pruning is something that the world of gardeners understands as necessary for healthy growth to take place, and I understand that truth as being so important for our lives. The dead growth around us can suffocate us if we are not pruned and cut back to let the light of Christ's amazing love shine through into our inner most being. It is truly amazing grace. The character of John Newton in the movie "Amazing Grace" says, "Though my memory is fading, two things I remember quite clearly, I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior." How true those words ring out to me. When my memory fades, if I remember nothing else, I hope that it is that. I pray for each and everyone of you that you know and understand that precious gift. If not, know that it is something so willingly given to those whose hearts seek after it.

The Biltmore!

Alright, so I have a new love in my life and it is a a very large house. My mom and grandma came to visit me this past weekend and on Monday we went to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. It was amazing. The house was finished in 1895 and was built by George W. Vanderbilt. It is the largest privately owned residence in the US. You get to take a self guided tour of five floors of the house. Then there are the 8,000 acres of the grounds that the family still owns. The dining hall has to be at least 4 stories high with a triple fire place and organ. There is an indoor heated swimming pool, one of the first private bowling alleys in the country and a gymnasium. In the main saloon on the first floor, there is a chess set that was owned (and I assume played) by Napolean Bonaparte. I'm mean, why not! I could go on forever, but no one wants to hear that. I just want you all to come and visit me so we can go and see this incredible place! And ride bikes along the bike paths and maybe ride horses! Yipee!

California Dreaming...

Well my big chunk of trips is over for a little while. California was absolutely amazing. I didn't realized how much I missed it. I got to eat at all of my favorite places; In-in-out, B-man's, Numero Uno, Cornerstone Coffee Shop, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. I got to go to the Getty and the beach. My favorite college professor had my friends and I over for dinner and BBQ'd for us all. I got to see my cousin graduate and hang out with my family. I got to see friends that had been married since I left. I got to spend some great one-on-one time with my favorite people. It was a glorious time but a sad one too as I realize how much I fit in with my friends and family there, but my life is here. I have so many oppurtunities there, but I am here and am supposed to be here. I have had a great experiences here, filled with many life lessons. I have enjoyed all the sweet tea and pulled pork, but so much of my heart is there. I don't know what will be in my future, but working on trusting it that the Lord has it all under control. Thank you Father for this precious time and grant me peace for letting go of my future...