Monday, December 22, 2008

Time for a change...

Oh Moses.
Wade and me at his sponsors' house. :)

Well, I decided it was time for a change to the blog layout! So enjoy the new color scheme! Because I'm such a fan of lists and I can't think of anything more clever to do, here is a list of recent happenings:




1) I have been off work for a total of 3 days and I'm SO.BORED.


2) Wade is in Kenya and I miss him terribly. But we did Skype on Saturday which was great! Skype is not as hard to figure out as I was afraid of. :)


3) I was in Annapolis last weekend and we watched the Parade of Lights which is where all the boats/yachts decorate for Christmas and then parade around. It was interesting and fun!


4) I am done with my Christmas shopping. 3 gifts left to wrap, which I keep avoiding.


5) I have a horrible cold. I sound like a boy going through puberty! It's ridiculous. Plus I've used more kleenex in the last 3 days than I have ever used in my life. This is not normal for me!


6) I'm having dinner with Julia tonight and it's going to be so fun!! :)


7) I'm probably having dinner with Misty-misdemeanor tomorrow night (and possibly Megan GORDON) which will also be a lot of fun!


8) I leave for Gulf Shores in 4 days. I WILL get a tan, no matter how chilly it is. I can't let Wade get too much darker than me! haha


9) I promise to start blogging a little more often. Especially pictures. Be looking for my pictures from Gulf Shores soon!


10) Christmas is here and I can't even believe it! This fall went by so fast. I hope the spring also goes fast- and I'm looking forward to doing a lot of traveling on the weekends.


11) I made my first batch of home-made macaroni and cheese and it turned out to be pretty decent. Actually, really great!


12) Last night was the neighborhood Christmas party. I had 2 glasses of Riesling wine (which my sister tried to tell me I was going to die because I'm also on cold medicine). At least all I had to do was walk upstairs to get home because the party was downstairs in my landlords' house.


13) I hope you have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

I AM NOT...







I saw this on Jennifer's blog and thought it was fun. I guess you write opposites of how you honestly feel! Plus I have nothing else to do...so here goes:



1) I am NOT desperately ready to see Wade, and I am NOT thinking only about when I do get to finally see him again!

2) I am NOT supposed to be going to bed because I have work tomorrow.

3) I did NOT have 3 sodas this week.

4) I did NOT promise to go to work with a more positive attitude this week and then fail at every attempt...and then cry a lot when I had a rough week...

5) I did NOT skip the Wednesday staff meeting.

6) I do NOT remember one of my Christmas presents that has already been ordered and then repeatedly remind the person who ordered it for me that I am looking forward to getting it!


Well, that's all I've got for now. I guess I really am kind of tired. But here's a picture of the best date ever to leave you with... (except they're at the top...I can't figure out my new laptop!!!)


Sunday, November 9, 2008

From east to west...

Last night I was reading Psalm 103. The Lord really spoke to me through this scripture and I wanted to share it, although I am not so great with words...so I will leave you with the verses that stood out to me and hopefully the Holy Spirit will bring you some joy over the realizations of God's greatness.

"The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are from the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust." (vs. 8-14)

"But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children-
with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts." (vs. 17-18)

And these scriptures remind me of a quote from a newly favorite movie of mine...
"I am a great sinner...Christ is a great savior."

Monday, October 27, 2008

Faithful Citizen!

Hey friends! It has been waaaaaaaaay too long! Here's what's been going on with me:

First and foremost, I voted today! Early voting is definitely worth it. We only had to wait somewhere between 30 and 45 minutes. Although, Dad and I had to wait for Mom to finish bubbling. Apparently she is a bubble perfectionist when it comes to voting. I can only imagine what it would be like if she were one of my students taking the TAKS! haha As a second-time voter I had much less confusion. I am just ready for the election to be over and find out who the next man in charge will be.

I've seen 2 AMAZINGLY GOOD movies recently. The Secret Life of Bees and The Duchess. Both tear-jerkers so take your tissues!!! You have to see them though. I promise your life will be changes (well, that may not be entirely true, but it's a good thing to say to sway people to do what you want them to).

Wade was here a few weekends ago. We drove to Lubbock for the Tech vs. Nebraska game. He understands what I mean now when I say there is nothing to do in Lubbock. He also understand the smell of cows blowing in the wind...

I don't know if I even posted about when I went to visit Wade in Annapolis! That was a month or so ago. It was so much fun! I am so glad that I can visualize it now when he's telling me where he is/went/is going to.

My laptop is slowly dying so I am using my dad's until my new one comes. Supposedly it was shipped out today so maybe I'll get it by the end of the week?! Then I will post a picture of the beautiful flowers that my (not so) secret admirer sent me by surprise! What a great guy...

Friday, September 19, 2008

My house=Lizard Lounge

A few weeks ago I was getting ready to take out some trash as I was on the phone with my amazing boyfriend. As I picked up a bag that had been sitting in the kitchen floor, a lizard (gecko to be precise) JUMPED out at me, causing me to scream in poor Wade's ear. I looked and looked for the lizard and could never find him. Of course, for awhile there I was paranoid that it might be on me! But I don't think it ever was. I was hoping it had crawled back under the bag and was going to end up outside on the curb with the trash.

No such luck. The lizard apparently still lives in my apartment. That's right...he is still shackin' up in my kitchen!


What do you do to get rid of a lizard? You can't squish lizards with a shoe or a fly swatter like you can a bug. I'm not brave enough to catch it in a cup because they are too fast and will run out of the cup before I can throw it out a window!


You see- these are times when I need Wade here. A man. A man who is not afraid. A man who is definitely not afraid of a 1 inch lizard...
The imposter...
Moses, ready to kill...

Thursday, September 11, 2008

A lil love, a lil hate.

HATES: when Moses knocks over things, burning food smells, spiders, roaches, tornadoes, waking up early, wanting things and not having them, not being able to talk to/see Wade as much as I want, migranes, colds that last for more than one week, being cold!, when things don't go as I plan...

LOVES: Colorado, any beach, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, books by Francine Rivers (currently reading The Scarlet Thread), taking pictures, the stars on a clear night, pretty music with or without words, going on walks which may one day turn into runs(!), my family, Wade, thunderstorms without tornadoes, game nights...






Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Faithful


I survived week one in my third year of teaching 3rd graders! Having a 3 day weekend was very refreshing.

Saturday my Mom, Dad, sister (Kelly) and I went to Greenville to visit my Grandad. Every time I visit him it gets harder and harder to see him in his condition. He is in his 9th year having Parkinson's Disease. It is a very complicated disease. Luckily, the progression of his disease has been rather slow. He started off having tremors in his legs and hands. Now it is much more disabling. He can hardly do anything for himself. But when I see his situation, even though it is painful to see him, I see how big, detailed, and faithful the Lord is.

This man, my Gradad (Rev. Harry O. Ball), married a woman at a young age. Her name was Patricia. A few years later she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclorosis (or M.S.). This was at a time when doctors didn't know much about M.S. They didn't know whether or not it was contagious. People looked down upon my Grandmother because of her disease. Even so, my Grandad stayed with her. Soon, she became paralyzed in the legs, and eventually her entire body was paralyzed from the collar bone down. She could do nothing for herself. My Grandad had to turn her in the middle of the night (to avoid bed sores), had to cook for her, had to feed her, bather her, fix her hair, put on her clothes, the list goes on and on...What an amazing man of God to stay with the woman he loved and take care of every detail of her life. Even the things we cannot think of at the moment.

When my grandmother died at a firly young age, my grandad was suddenly diagnosed with Parkinsons. I think it was about 3 years later he re-married. His wife now is very active and strong. As his health continues to fail, she is there for him and helps him with every detail of his life. She has to do all the same things he had to do for my grandmother.

Isn't it amazing how God took my grandmother from this world to be with Him, which yes, was sad? But it was necessary. My grandad would not have been able to provide for her the way he had always done as his Parkinsons progressed. Then the Lord provided my grandad with a wife who is there to help him. His timing is perfect. When I see what He has done in my grandad's life, I think:

What a good God we have- one who provides for every detail of our life!

Anyway, that's what I have been thinking about since we saw him this weekend...Sorry this one was so long. For those of you who made it all the way through- I hope it blessed you- even just a little bit. :)


Saturday, August 23, 2008

Back in Business!




I finally have time to do a blog! I had an amazing time in Pennsylvania with Wade and his sweet family. It was great to meet half of his family, and they were very nice. Then he came to Texas for a week. It was so much fun! I taught him all about the importance of the Alamo, and considering his previous stance on the battle I'd say he's come a long way...


Summer went by way too fast. This past week was my first week of work. I stayed at the school late every night. I don't remember having to stay so late last year. I am pretty excited about this coming year, but I kind of have mixed emotions about it. I love being an influence on kid's lives- especially with the kids who need a good influence the most. It is tiring though. No one ever said work was supposed to be easy, I just hate how it can be emotionally draining at times- and very stressful. Rumors have already been spreading about some of my future students. I keep hearing about how bad some of them are, which isn't too exciting for me. Even so, I kind of feel privilaged to have them because I know I can try to be a good role model.


Everyone (as in their previous teachers) says I need to get one of them moved out of my class. I can't decide. I guess I kind of feel like they are the ones I have been given. Perhaps the Lord has placed them with me for a reason. I know it will be extremely stressful if they turn out to be misbehaving all the time. Plus, the Lord never gives us more than we can handle- and maybe he wants to teach me patience or something! I have been asking for that, and I heard somewhere once (I think from Beth Moore) that when we ask for patience God doesn't make us carefree, instead He gives us learning opportunites to grow patience. I believe there is a lot of truth to that for sure! OR maybe they will just be moved to straighten out their behavior! You just never know! (I'll keep you posted as to their behavior!)


I am now a HUGE fan of Brooke Fraser. I'm pretty sure she was part of Hillsong and now she has an independent album out. It's fantastic. AND you can download it from itunes for only $5.99!!! Woo-hoo! It's called "Albertine". Check it out!


Thursday, July 31, 2008

Today...

Here are twenty four things that have happened in the last 24 hours:

1. I finished packing for my flight to Knoxville, TN (around 9:30 PM).
2. Went to bed earlier than any other night this summer- 10:30.
3. Didn't sleep a wink because I was anticipating/excited about seeing Wade today for the first time in 10 weeks!
4. Woke up at 5:00 AM to go to the airport for my flight. That is WAY too early to be getting up!
5. Boarded the smallest plane I have ever been on. I think it holds only 30 people!
6. The plane's air conditioner broke as we were waiting in line for the runway.
7. We had to go back to the gate and get off the plane.
8. We waited. For some reason my toe started to bleed (from a previous shaving mishap)and I had to go buy a band aid at the airport store.
9. I offended the cashier because I said her accent sounded kind of like a Kenyan's...she was from Liberia...
10. Found out the flight had been completely canceled. WHAT the mother?!
11. Had to wait in line to see about catching a later flight.
12. Was told I had to wait until tomorrow, or catch a flight into Knoxville later tonight during a possible storm...
13. Decided (with the help of Wade, his family, and my mom) that it would be better just not to go to Tennessee after all.
14. Instead, chose to apply my ticket to go to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania next Monday to visit Wade and his family in their home state- yay for still getting to meet everybody and also being able to stay longer!
15. Had to quickly request my baggage to be sent back to me, becaue it was about to leave for Knoxville without me! And a girl just can't go without her make-up!
16. Worked with Mr. Lucas at the ticketing counter and got my ticket to Pennsylvania with no extra cost! Thank you, Lord!
17. Was picked up by my dad at the airport approximately 4 1/2 hours after I was first dropped off by my mom.
18. Ate lunch with my parents and my pastor and his wife at Busy Bee.
19. Teared up with laughter at lunch, due to both a hilarious (and random!) conversation about PASSING GAS and being delerious from sleep deprivation.
20. Took a 2 hour and fifteen minute nap to try and get some zzzz's.
21. Cuddled with Moses. Awe...sweet kitty.
22. Picked up Chicken Express for dinner. YUM-E!
23. Watched a show on Animal Planet about animal attacks and became even more concerned about the mountain lion population that supposedly lives in my neighborhood.
24. Talked to Wade, and we decided it was good I didn't end up coming tonight because it's storming pretty heavily there right now!

ALL that to say- everything happens for a reason. I am no longer going to Tennessee, but I will be able to see Wade in a couple of days and for a longer amount of time. So, I am really excited and can't wait to be in Pennsylvania! I think it all worked out for the best in the end. Soon I will post pictures of PA, not TN!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

1%


Brandi came in town and we had a blast. That is the only picture we took together (sadly).


So I took this personality test (thank you, Brooke). Apparently I am an INFJ. When I read the description about this personality, it seemed really accurate! It should also be noted that only 1% of the population is INFJ- which makes me special (and no, not "special" in a bad way)!! You should take the test and see what personality you have!



Then read up on your personality type by going here:



Here's a little bit about me (an INFJ):


INFJs are gentle, caring, complex and highly intuitive individuals.

**They are usually right, and they usually know it.**

INFJs have uncanny insight into people and situations. They get "feelings" about things and intuitively understand them.

They may tend to internalize conflict into their bodies, and experience health problems when under a lot of stress.

They have strong value systems.

Only one percent of the population has an INFJ Personality Type, making it the most rare of all the types.

INFJs are concerned for people's feelings, and try to be gentle to avoid hurting anyone.


** indicates something important for you to remember!! :)

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Delays

Here I am, waiting on my friend Brandi to get in to Dallas from Amarillo. I haven't seen her in about a year and a half and I am so ready to get some hang out time in with one of my best friends! Her flight was delayed a little, so I have time to update you guys on some recent happenings in my life.

Let's start with my trip to Port Aransas/Corpus Christi. I went with my sister and a bunch of her friends, plus 2 babies. It was really a good time- so thank you to Kelly for letting my tag along!



This picture pretty much sums up the whole weekend. The 2 minute ferry delaying our beach time...


The strobe light jellyfish at the aquarium. That's not it's scientific name- just a lil name I gave him. Those neon light zoom around his entire body. No joke. It was so cool!


One of the only pictures of me from the weekend. Standing in front of the USS Lexington (it was HUGE!). It was very windy there...


Pelicans are neat birds. :)

Next: For those of you who don't yet know, I enrolled in graduate school last fall to get a Master's in School Counseling. I was enrolled in a co-hort program which is an intense and fast paced program that allows you to complete your degree in a year and a half. It is very hard to do! I knew this going into the program, but I found myself incredibly stressed and overwhelmed working full time (teaching a TAKS grade) and going to school full time. Since about January, I also had mixed feelings about being a school counselor. You see, I love my job as a teacher because I get to be around kids and provide them an education, but I am also "second mom" to these kids for 8 hours (sometimes 9 if in tutoring) of the day. In the counseling program I was learning that a counselor's role the majority of the time is filled with paperwork. Yes, I would be able to work with a certain set of students one on one from time to time. But, I wouldn't really be building the same kind of relationship with children the way I can as a teacher. The majority of my time would be acting as a third administrator/testing coordinator.

So after much thinking, crying, and prayer I came to the decision to drop out of graduate school. It was a really tough decision because I was halfway done when I quit, and I had become friends with the people in my co-hort. Everyone has always told me that I would want to get out of the classroom at some point, and that I needed a back-up plan for when that day comes. When I would hear people say this it made it an even harder decision! But then I started thinking. Maybe I will get tired of the classroom. But wouldn't I get tired of counseling? Don't we all get tired of our work at some point? Isn't that why we retire? The way I see it, I will probably get tired of working no matter what my job may be.

I guess one day I might decide to go back to graduate school, but that has been delayed. Or, maybe I am not meant to be a counselor. Maybe I am meant to be a teacher. So, at least for now, that's what I'll be.

I will leave you with a verse that I often think of when I consider whether I made a good decision.

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." -Proverbs 19:21

You see I had plans, but I don't think they were God's plans. He makes sure that when we stray to chase our own rabbits, He always pulls us back to the beaten path.


Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Wordy Wednesday

Tomorrow I leave for the beach! I'm so stoaked!!! I thought it would be appropriate to include beach-ish lingo to describe how excited I am...

I am: ready to go to the beach (Port Aransas). Woo-hoo!!!
i dream: weird things
i think: about the future
i know: I should not be worried about things I can't control
i want: to be at the beach!
i have: an addiction to Cokes
i wish: I didn't feel sore from working out...
i hate: Chinese food
i miss: Wade :)
i fear: spiders, snakes, and traveling (except I always enjoy it once I get there...)
i feel: happy and loved
i hear: a movie on TV
i smell: like Velvet Tuberose (from Bath and Body)
i crave: to know more of Jesus
i search: facebook all the time, haha
i wonder: if I could ever live in a foreign country? That would be fun!
i regret: not saying the right thing to some people, or not holding my tongue.
i love: looking at nature (stars, mountains, oceans, sunsets, rivers, trees).
i ache: in my stomach almost all the time...
i care: about my family and about Africa.
i always: get nervous about silly things!
i am not: a very good singer.
i believe: that salvation comes from Jesus only.
i dance: for fun!
i sing: mostly in church.
i cry: i am mad or tired.
i don’t always: treat Moses (the cat) nicely.
i fight: rarely.
i write: some short stories.
i lose: and I hate it!
i never: like to miss work.
i listen: to my iPod.
i can usually be found: in my apartment, classroom, or my parent's house.
i need: rest (and thanks to summers, I'm getting it!).
i am happy about: seeing Wade in 3 weeks and meeting one side of his family. :)
i desire: to be a good photographer.
i hope: I have a good group of students this year!!!

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

A Birthday and Rome

First of all- Happy Birthday to Wade (even though he's already in bed and won't read this for awhile)!!! He's one good lookin' cowboy...



I want to live in one of those apartments in the reddish building one day. In Rome, Italy.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Sweet home Alabama

My second favorite place in the U.S. besides Texas- GULF SHORES, ALABAMA!!!

Sunset on the beach. Can you see why I love this place??


They have the same hair. haha Kell and Stell.


An action shot of the madness that is Stella.

Yes, those are my chips. The odds don't look good for me...


Frisbee on the beach! Yay!

Monday, June 30, 2008

The Shamba (garden) of Life

My sister suggested I do a photo-blog since I love taking pictures. I thought that was a good idea since I tend to mess up anything I try to say, so for now I have a photo-blog. A year ago (from tomorrow) I was able to go to Nairobi, Kenya on a mission trip with the Rafiki Foundation. Here are some of my favorite pictures:


About to skateboard down the hill, receiving encouragement from the kids!



The whole gang, all 79 kids (maybe a few are missing).

Me with Brian C., Kilonzi, and Blessed.


Mama Miriam's family. Love them so much.


Jennifer and me about to eat on safari. I just love the clouds in this picture- please ignore the make-up free face. It seemed like the appropriate thing at the time (going make-up free). Looking back I can see just how inappropriate it actually was!

The Great Rift Valley. Beautiful.


Simba? Nala?!!!

I love giraffes. By far my favorite animal.


Kenya is beautiful.


The older boys playing soccer. There's Wade (shout out!)! On the left. :)

Mueke and Mitchiel

The Lord has blessed me greatly by allowing me to go on this trip. It is something I will never forget. I hope to go back someday and see my Kenyan brothers and sisters in Christ.


Friday, June 20, 2008

New Beginnings...

So, I am now a blogger. Well, I used to be a Xanga blogger in the past but I gave it up. Now I am turning a new page and starting a new blog/online diary. Mostly, this is so I can leave messages for you, Kelly (my dearest-and only- sister). But who knows? Maybe I will even write some witty advice or stories on here. You never know.