Changing seasons...and life.

Well it's becoming evident that The Good Lord is really in control of my life right now.  I would have never planned for the last 2 weeks to have gone the way the did.  The weather is getting cooler and fall is setting here in Ohio (of course with the occassional "hot" day).   It's a feeling which I have missed.  Football games, warm colors, hot chocolate and jackets.  But my favorite season is bringing me a different reality this year. 

It's hitting me hard that I'm a senior in College and unlike High School, I won't be going back to more schooling (at least not next year).  I'm going to have to enter the working world. 
FULL TIME. 
I'm excited for it, but preparing myself for it is the challenge. Balancing the transition while trying to do well this year is so overwhelming. 

I have a song that is summing up my feelings about this.  It's funny how music can speak to you. They are expressive to how you are feeling at that moment and can sometimes provide a solution. 

"So scared of getting older, I'm only good at being young, So I play the numbers game to find a way to say that life has just begun"
-"Stop This Train"-John Mayer

I wish some things were different sometimes.  We all do. But thats life. That's the story that The Lord has written for us.  We need to understand that.  There are things we can alter, but if we do our best at something and it doesn't turn out the way we want, then accept that maybe it's not supposed to happen.  And it's going to be hard. It's always difficult when you desire something so bad, you plan as best you can to contain it, but you're going to be fine.  I'm going to be fine.  Live the life He would want.  Never forget what the most important things are in life.  Everything will come together in His plan for you.  Just like I said in my last post, Jeremiah 29:11.  

I want to close out with the lyrics from "Stop This Train" that provided a solution for me.

"See once in a while when it's good, It'll feel like it should...
And they're all still around
And you're still safe and sound
And you don't miss a thing...until you cry when you're driving away in the dark"

Summer Wrapup

I didn't really do as good of a job keeping up with my blog as I thought I would this summer. But here's a little wrap up of it. 

It was a wonderful last couple of weeks... had some great experiences of spreading the word at WRXY, building realtionships and preparing myself for what is to come my last year of college.  It's overwhelming, but I think I am ready to take it head on.  Like I had said, I never thought that my faith would grow along with my knowledge and experience.  It's amazing to think about how far I have come.

I have more motivation this year then I ever had! Who knows if I will acomplish all of it, but I am ready to try for it.
 
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

This year is all about the verse. Getting me ready for the real world.  I am so nervous, but I must put all my faith in Him.

Here's a little video I put together over the summer. Enjoy!

Update in July

My internship at WRXY is going well. I am really enjoying the people I work with and learning new things. It's making me anxious to get back to Otterbein to help apply some of the things to WOCC. Not only am I learning the techinical side, I am learning more about my faith.  It's something I didn't expect to include this summer, but it's a comforting feeling. 

Also have been enjoying meeting new people here in SW Florida.  Sad to say goodbye to some friends.  Daniel's cousin, Jarred and his wife Jacey are the first couple we really got to hang out with.  They have been so welcoming to me, even when I wasn't dating Daniel yet and we met in Westerville 2 years ago.  Jarred just got accepted into FSU in Tallahassee.  Got to enjoy their going away party which was a dessert party! Loved the fondue and cream puffs, maybe a little too much. 

Jarred and Jacey Duke

One of Daniel's best friends, Bobby.

Independence Weekend

A nice long five day weekend was just what I was needing. Alot of relaxation was really nice. Friday was spent looking at some cars with Daniel. He is in desperate need of one. Went to a Hydunai dealer to check out the Sonata, Elantra and Accent.  Both us really liked the Elantra. The new ones have a sleeker design and come with alot of features in the standard model. No decisions made just yet. After we ended up back at Mr and Mrs Lynch's for Donna Lee, Daniel's Aunt, Surprise Birthday party. Very fun seeing everyone together with good food. After cake, Daniel and I met up with Jarred, Jacey, Ellen and Jason Duke downtown at Art Walk.  Nice to see them and meet some new people.

Saturday got to sleep in a little and then hung out at the house with Daniel watching movies on TV. Then it was off to Mirmar Outlets to shop.  Got a LUCKY jacket for $15! :) Daniel got one for $10. Good deals since its the end of the summer.  Caught up with some of Daniel's friends Wes and Angela Bell and his brother KJ at Cheeseburger in Paradise. A big UFC fight was on so we ate and watched it. 

Went to church on Sunday, followed by a 4th of July picnic.  So much good food!! Spent most of the day there and went to the Stouder's on the beach later.  A bad storm delayed our swimming in the pool, but we did.  Daniel and I took on Sas and Nate in a football game in the pool. We came out CHAMPS!! Had a nice dinner with the Stouder family then called it a night.

Had ANOTHER day of sleeping in and hanging out the house.  Daniel and I met some friends at The Bell's.  PLayed a game of FARKLE (dice game) then headed out to Punta Rassa.  Went to a little get together.  Ate some good food, played more FARKLE and stayed to watch the fireworks. Saw them across the water on Sanibel Island.

Our view. The fireworks were bigger in person.

Tired literally 5 times to get a good picture. Daniel's eyes were closed every single one.

Beach Weekend

After a week trying to adjust my wake up time, it was nice to spend a little more relaxation time.  Daniel's mother, Donna, was offered a place to stay when her friends were going out of town. The house was on the  bay and just across the street from the beach. They had a pool to swim in along with the easy beach access.  Spent Friday after my internship there.  Daniel's extended family came out and we went to the beach. Noah (Daniel's little cousin) tried to surf a little, well rode on the board. After watching the sun go down, had dinner at the house.  Hot dogs, burgers, beans and corn.  Spent time laughing and watching some TV then bed time.

Chad and Krissy helping Noah surf

Krissy and Noah

always love those

Next day was a whole lot of relaxing! Woke up to some donuts that Mrs Lynch had gotten for us, then it was time to get into the bathing suit.  Had a nice walk on the beach with Mrs Lynch and her friend Alicia while the guys got tried to wake up a little. Then it was back to hang out by the pool.  After laying out, many "cannonballs" and "can openers"  later, Daniel and I decided to go to dinner on our own to Grimaldi's, a pizza place in Bell Tower.  We actually agreed on toppings too! :)  Tried to beat the rain for some ice cream back on the beach, but couldn't.  Hung out at the house until bedtime.

Being silly

Sunday, I had to wake up early to be at JUSTICE at 6:30am for Floorset which was hard to do. But I made it.  Worked until 10:30am then back to the house to sleep a little.  Woke up in the afternoon to more people.  Matt, Jess and Jackson Lynch came to hang out and swim.  Had a good time battling each other in the pool and kickin' the boys' butts in volleyball.   It was a bummer that there was not a lot of sun, but it didn't stop anyone from jumping in. After swimming, Matt, Jess and Jackson left and we ate dinner and I skyped my Mom for a bit. Shared with her one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen.

View from the back porch.

Watched Marley and Me with Mr and Mrs Lynch then headed home.  Watching that movie didn't help with my homesick, but it's a good movie. Missing my family and dogs very much.

Forgiveness is Required

I wanted to share what was discussed last night at a bible study headed by Mr. & Mrs. Lynch.  It was just what I needed.  We landed on one that was dear to my heart.

It's been a rough spring for me this year with me and my faith. I was done wrong by some people in the church.  I had a passion and calling for something but was it was quickly taken away from me for the wrong reasons.  Battling my feelings about how I was treated, I wanted to lash out in anger, but I felt the power of God to do something different with this situation, to not act how I would normally.  It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.  Keep my mouth shut when someone did me wrong.  So how come it is so hard to turn and present your other cheek when you were just slapped on the other one? Why is it so hard to say your actions/words don't bother me because I know what the Lord has in store for me is good? I waited and waited for things to get better. I expected an apology...which was completely wrong.  You cannot expect for that because it may never come. Realizing that it was ok if the apology never came was the hardest part for me and still is.  Forgiving the person that did you wrong is what we are asked to do. After all, didn't the Lord forgive us for our sins!?!  You will not find peace in yourself unless you forgive that person. DO NOT EXPECT FOR THEM TO APOLOGIZE! You need to do it for yourself and the Lord. Trust me, you will feel much better when do.

Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

So far...So good

So since I started my blog a little late, I wanted to include some of what I have done outside my internship. 

Music Walk in Downtown Ft Myers

Downtown is beautiful! Props to Renee for the photos. Nice to meet some new people!

Silly

Caught by the Paparazzi ;)

.

Before Music we spent the day at Jacey Duke's pool. Nice to play in the sun & water with our favorite newlyweds.