In Two Hours

In two hours, I'll be saying goodbye to my Daddy at the church as we prepare to leave going into another country.

I've flown six times in my life, and 6 out of 6 times Daddy has been right by my side.

I've traveled on a bus so many times that it makes me dizzy to try and recount them all, but I've only traveled WITH three of the same people that I will leave with tonight before.

In two hours, I'll be kissing my small, redneck talkin', everybody knows everybody, one horse town with a recently added McDonalds goodbye, and I will soon be welcomed into a Spanish speaking society.

In two hours, I will probably begin another countdown to the time that I lose track of the "outside" world. No phone, no internet, no twitter, no facebook.. and I don't feel like it will be a HORRIBLE thing, but then again I know how reliant I am on those things to keep in touch with all of you. And let's be honest, if you're reading this - you're probably addicted to one (if not multiple) of those listed. Caught cha! ;-)

 But mainly.. in two hours I will be embarking on a trip of a lifetime; one I will never forget. I will be surrounded by people who have a love for the Lord, and even though a mixture of those people are around me each and every day, I somehow know that this will be different. They love the Lord despite not having tivo, texting, Walmart, Twitter, McDonalds, as well as many practical items that we "can't live without".

 I cannot lie about the fact that I have, indeed, struggled with leaving all of my family and friends - but I also know that this has worked out for a REASON, and I am setting out at 5 am on a plane to Houston then to Honduras to uncover what exactly that reason is. I am anxious to be around our Honduran church family, as well as get to know them better. I cannot wait to be shocked by the culture that surrounds me, and I am quite excited about sharing it all with you as I recollect it when I get back.

 I will not lie to you (or myself) by saying that I'm "not nervous". Sure, I am nervous. I don't have the slightest clue of what to expect, but I know that all the tears shed here over leaving ya'll will be some of the same tears shed this time next week as we prepare to come back because of the relationships that I know will grow as we are there.

I am blessed beyond measure to have family - by blood.. and my church family -, friends, and acquaintances that have let me know that I am in their prayers. It means more to me than anything at this point because my heart is heavy. I don't do well with goodbyes, and today has been full of them.

With that being said, I am taking comfort in the fact that I have been given this opportunity, and there is a reason for my being there. Thank you to all who have supported the mission trip that ended last week, as well as the one that we will be setting out on early in the morning. I can't wait to get back and share my journal with you, and I am looking forward to a life-changing experience.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." 

- Joshua 1:9

Daddy-O!

Ah, yesterday was Father's day! 

We went out to eat instead of having a big meal because it was quick, and we (I) had a busy day Sunday trying to meet my deadlines for my online class.. [that I had all week to do, but instead I waited until Sunday afternoon - which was clearly a good idea...I'm SO sleepy.] 

So we ate lunch with Mimi at Trailboss, and then I came back to work on homework. I plan on posting some of the papers I turn in for Comp 1 as blogs, so if there's a totally random post - YOU know why!

This is Mommy & I after church/lunch.

And here they are processed in b&w.

love that Mamma has her hand on her hip, ha! I'm rubbin' off on her, I guess. 

Even though we didn't have a big elaborate day for Daddy, I hope he knows I love him, and he's my main man. My Daddy is quite a man. He's never let me down, always encouraged me, and he loves me more than I probably even know - he and Mamma make it very evident in their everyday lives that they would do anything they can for Matt & I. 

I think I speak for both of us when I say that I'm forever grateful to have parents like these two. Ones that have raised me in a Godly home and have been a Godly example to us throughout the course of our lifetime so far. 

I'm one blessed individual.  

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

Love,

Your biggest fan.

Daddy-O!

Ah, yesterday was Father's day! 

We went out to eat instead of having a big meal because it was quick, and we (I) had a busy day Sunday trying to meet my deadlines for my online class.. [that I had all week to do, but instead I waited until Sunday afternoon - which was clearly a good idea...I'm SO sleepy.] 

So we ate lunch with Mimi at Trailboss, and then I came back to work on homework. I plan on posting some of the papers I turn in for Comp 1 as blogs, so if there's a totally random post - YOU know why!

This is Mommy & I after church/lunch.

And here they are processed in b&w.

love that Mamma has her hand on her hip, ha! I'm rubbin' off on her, I guess. 

Even though we didn't have a big elaborate day for Daddy, I hope he knows I love him, and he's my main man. My Daddy is quite a man. He's never let me down, always encouraged me, and he loves me more than I probably even know - he and Mamma make it very evident in their everyday lives that they would do anything they can for Matt & I. 

I think I speak for both of us when I say that I'm forever grateful to have parents like these two. Ones that have raised me in a Godly home and been a Godly example to us throughout the course of our lifetime so far. 

I'm one blessed individual.  

I've waited so long just to come home to you..

I mentioned in my recap that the girls & I went out for dinner last weekend. 

What I didn't mention is that I wanted a photo of the three of us prior to us leaving because we always look back and wish we had taken one. 

Seems like we got it, right? Well. 

No one was home, we were all fixed to leave, and when no one's home to take a photo & you're ready to hit the road what do you do? 

You find a tall object, another thick book, fiddle with the camera settings, press the shutter, and RUN to get into place before the camera clicks at the "10 Second" mark. 

Truly an act of congress, I know. 

BUT nevertheless, here we are! In all our rushed glory.

Megan has been busy with school and work in the afternoons, but we have managed to get a good conversation in each day on the phone, but it was good to see her face. 

Hollie and I usually talk everyday as well, but it was also good to have her home so we could all spend the afternoon/night together.

I don't really know how we could each talk to each other everyday like we do and still have so much to say when we see each other. The conversations are never ending, the laughs never fail, and I always shut the car door to go inside after it's over knowing that I've been blessed with two wonderful friendships. 

I look forward to these nights during the summertime and any other time, really. 

These girls have two totally different personalities, and where mine fits amongst them is probably the real question. I guess I'm the "quirky" of the group, always interesting in weird things such as: music, clothing, odds & ends (from antiques to nail polish), movies, and I'm sure they could name others as well. The truth is, they give me an even amount of support and the same amount of advice. I always know where I stand with them, and I don't know what I've done to deserve their friendships.   

Alive, Alert, Awake, and ENTHUSIASTIC!

Hey y'all.! I am still kickin' around; I have just been SO busy lately, but I'm taking a minute (also known as procrastinating) to tell you what's been going on in my world. I'm sure you're on the edge of your seat now! ..totally kidding.

For the past 3 (starting 4th tomorrow) weeks, I have been babysitting my "claimed brother's" children. He has a 7 year old and an 8 week old. We have been having so much fun! We color, blow bubbles, play barbies, watch movies, chalk, swim, play games, or whatever we can get into! The baby is an angel, and only cries when something is wrong. She is such a happy baby, and I have enjoyed keeping them. I'm looking forward to the summer with them, but it almost seems like summer has slipped away.

Summer (online) classes started on June 1st, and I'm taking two courses. I'm taking Intermediate Algebra (because I'm sooo bad at math, and because my ACT score was one point shy of meeting the requirements for College Algebra), but really it's a good thing that I'm in this class. I feel like it will prepare me more for a normal algebra class. I will say that I've been struggling just since I haven't had a math class in a year, and I'm rusty with math REGARDLESS. I will make it, though. The other class is English, and I thoroughly enjoy writing, nouns, pronouns, sub/verbs, diagramming, etc. So! This is okay with me, and I just sent in my first paper yesterday on the "Nail Polish Process". What a diva move, right? I thought it would be appropriate.
I'm not a diva, am I?
Oh, who am I kidding.
I enjoy "diva" things (like makeup, nail polish, etc..)
But I like to think that I don't portray myself as a diva.
Forgive me if I'm sadly mistaken.

Hollie is in Jackson schooling this summer, but she came home for the weekend, so Megan, Hollie, and I went out to dinner (and planned to see a movie) last night. We enjoyed some Italian food while catching up and visiting with each other. It was good to have the three of us together for the night. I love my time spent with them, and I hope they know that I don't take it for granted. Even with Megan & I still being at home, it hasn't worked out for us to see each other as much as we used to. We got to the theatre and the projector for the movie we planned to see was broken, so we toured around Starkville for awhile, and made a walmart trip. Those usually consist of them dragging my by my hair out of the cosmetics department, going through the 5 dollar movies, debating on getting a fish of some sort, and picking out something random while we're in the check out line. I am proud to say that I bought NO nail polish, NO fishes, and ONE 5 dollar movie. (Thanks, Megan, for picking it up!)

Our trip to Honduras has crept up on me, and we leave NEXT THURSDAY. Not this Thursday, but the next. Wow. Will you pray for us if you think about it? So many people have had their hands on making sure this was set up for us to go, and I'll admit that for the last few weeks I've been unavailable to do so, but Thursday night we met in Columbus to get crafts ready for the kids, and it made me excited all over again. I can't wait to see what happens while we're there. I will surely miss my family & friends, but I know that I'm supposed to go, and I'm blessed to be allowed the opportunity.

Another little "change" in life for me has been organic beauty products. I'm slowly switching most of my makeup/skin/hair things over to organic. I say "most" because I'm not sure I can part with my Mabelline Fit Me foundation, but if trying counts then I get an A+. It's been fun to see what I have that doesn't contain parabens and SLS (sulfate). I don't know everything about these ingredients, but what I do know is quite interesting. I ALSO know that by using products WITHOUT these things does not cure cancer, solve world hunger, or benefit anyone aside from me, BUT it is what I want to do, and I have noticed a significant difference in my skin since switching over. *That was a disclaimer for all of you who think like I used to about organic ANYthing.

I plan to blog as often as I can, and I also plan to journal while I'm in Honduras (similarly to how I journaled -is that a word?- in Montana), and I will post those with photos once we're back in the Land of the Free! :)

ps -
 I didn't do a Memorial Day post, which is weird, but please know that I observed the day by sporting my American tee, thanking the soldiers I know, and being swelled with pride in knowing that I am a lucky girl to live in a place where freedom isn't free, but the men & women serving in our military make it possible for us to feel as if it is.
Thank you, current soldiers & veterans. We haven't forgotten you.

where has my phone been? [phonetoblog3]

ahhh.. the refuge at Sunset.
is there any other place you'd want to be this time of day?
radio on, music blaring, breeze blowing with the windows down.
Heaven.



"do not block pumps it causes kunfuzzion" -- okay?

Talk about konfuzzed when I read that.. Only in MS.



APEX for Ambassadors was weekend before last, and I was not looking forward to going, but once we got there, I had a pretty good time (aside from the 5 hour scavenger hunt), and I met some pretty great people!



Nat & I have been coloring a lot, and she made this of me & her the other day. She wanted me to know that the green was grass NOT mountains, and I had to help her a little with the clouds, but she is a lovely artist! Right on with the hair too! :)



annnnd this was my creation! I know all about Disney Fairies now - don't get in a run down quiz with me about them. You will lose!



..No, seriously, the sweeter side of her artistic abilities.. :)
I'm really looking forward to the summer with her.



Barbie barfed in her room the other day, and before that happened she asked me to brush all of her hair. 14 hair balls & 2 Barbie brushes later, they are in tip-top shape. Other than needing to be dressed.



Ashia.... I love you!



Ya'll know better than to think that I didn't do something patriotic with my nails for Memorial Day! :)



My cousin got married this past weekend, and this was the only photo that I took!
Congratulations, Lance & Ashley!



Nat's grasshead that she made at Bible school. Reminds me of Einstein. She wants to give it a legit haircut soon, and she "plucked" her eyebrows today.



Then we arranged all 447 SillyBands (yes, we counted).



and I arranged some nostalgia myself. I kind of enjoy trying out makeup/hair products.



this is from a few weeks ago, Matt (friend - not brother) sent me a message in the sand while at the beach. We started this during Spring Break while I was at the beach & he was in the mountains. My messages would be in sand, and his in snow.
This was for old time sake, I assume.



and one that I never posted. Little cutie & myself at the beach before dinner one night during Spring Break. I heart Stevie!

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