Near the End of the Semester . . .

The Spring semester is almost over - it's so hard to believe! In less than a week, I will no longer be a freshman at the University of Memphis, huzzah! I just finished my last pilates class/exam and I am honestly going to miss that class. My professor really pushed me this semester in pilates class and in my own work out schedule. I have really looked up to her these past few months. God has used this class to show me just how much I love being physically active, and I feel like He's showing me that I need to pursue exercise and sports science. At the end of class today, we turned in our tests, and looked at our pushup/situp comparison from the beginning of the semester to the end. Professor Langston showed me that at the beginning of the year, I could do 46 (girlstyle) pushups in a minute, and 54 situps in a minute. Now -even after my wreck- I can do 56 regular pushups, and 64 situps! I was so surprised and proud of how far I have come in this class. When I left, she said that she was extremely proud of me, that she really loved getting to know me this semester, and I have a "good form." That made my day - to have my favorite professor give me praise in the area of study I am so passionate about! Praise God, even after my wreck, I was still able to finish my pilates class strong! :)

Because, Because, Because...

Because one of my friends sent this to me and I thought, "I'm bored, why not?"

Who was your first prom date? That would be Ms. Amy Murk :)
Who was your first roommate? Twould be my sister.
What alcoholic beverage did you drink when you got drunk the first time? Coffee...
What was your first job? Babysitting..woohoo.
Where did you go on your first ride on an airplane? I've never been on an airplane.
Who was your first best friend? Emily Harlow - when you share a birthday, it's a sign. :)
Where was your first sleepover? Emily Harlow's house.
Who is the first person you call when you have a bad day? I usually don't call people ON a bad day, I call them the day after ha.
What's the first thing you did when you got up this morning? Had my quiet time.
What was the first concert you went to? I went to all of my parent's concerts growing up.
First crush? Christopher Reeve - my mom got me hooked on the Superman record when I was 4.
First date? uhhh.. I think it was going to see Ice Age with Joel..? Maybe... 3 years ago? ha.
First time you tied your shoe laces? Let me check my journal....?
Last person you hung out with? (If I exclude my family) Kristy Rhodes!
Last person to text you: It was a tie: (they texted me at the same time) Kimberly and Molly
Last person you went to the movies with? Whoa... I haven't been to the movies in awhile.. but I think.... it was Kimberly..?
Last person you went to shop with? (excluding myself) Ms. Amy Leeeee Murk :)
Last person who made you laugh? Kimberly Gill - talking about turtles and awkward couples.
Last person you hugged? The madre. :) :)

Alison Krauss, Cookies, and Pilates.

Praise God! I was able to go for a run on Wednesday AND Thursday. :) I am feeling so much better, and all the glory goes to God. The past few days have been pretty swell, I am not gonna lie. Friday, I went with my friend, Jeff, to a "date night." He was playing for a couples night - engaged or married people - and I went to get free food. Then, Doc and Stephen picked me up to take me out for Sonic. Thank you God, for giving me extra "brothers." Saturday was, of course, work at the Hob Lob. Woo hooo. Sunday, I sang in church with Jeff, and my friend Kristy played the violin with us - it was so much fun! Sunday night I hung out at Uncle J's with a few people from the college and carrier at Leawood - fun fun fun. I am just getting ready for school to wind down, and trying to get by without having a car. God will provide, I have no doubt. I just need patience. :)

:)

What's made me smile recently: 
Yesterday, I was riding in the car with my mom and sister when Erin said, "That's so sad! Their tire swing is an inch from the ground. . .  THAT'S no fun." :)
Talking to Chelsea on the phone and marveling at God's will and timing. :)
I was studying at TCBY and Dave Barnes came on the radio. :)
Hearing Morganne calling me "SSSAAAYYY....RRRAaaaaaYY," at work after being gone for almost two weeks. :)
Realizing that I will see Joshua Bell in less than a month. :)
Watching the sunset that my Savior painted for me. :)
Finally seeing and catching up with Alyssa today at school. :)
Seeing the sunshine. :)
Getting a text from Kimberly that says, "GREEK MAN!" :)
Watching one of my favorite movies "Somewhere In Time." :)
Getting a card from Ann in the mail today. :)

"The world always looks brighter from behind a smile." :)

Pain, pain, go away.

Today has been one of "those" days. I was super sore when I woke up this morning, and getting out of bed and ready for school was a pain in the ... foot. My right arm is still very sensitive and sore, and on Monday, I developed somewhat of a lovely limp. I was walking to my music class, and my leg felt like it was falling asleep. You know that tingly feeling you get? It was like that with every step I took with my right leg. Along with the tingly feeling, I have pain shooting up and down my leg every time I put pressure on it. I have taken medicine and nothing helps get rid of the pain. On Wednesday night (while watching the original Superman movie with my mother) my mom was rubbing my back, and when she hit certain spots on my back, there would be specific places in my arm and leg that would almost erupt with pain. Conclusion? We think I have pinched nerves in my back. Not fun. I have to go to a nerve doctor, but I have to see a regular doctor before THAT so I can get referred to the nerve doctor. *sigh.
On the "up" side, my insurance gave me an agreeable sum of money for my car, so I can put this towards getting a new ("new" to me) car. Thank you, Lord! We also found out that the lady who hit me has no drivers license, and no insurance. So my insurance agency will be paying for everything, but getting them to pay for it is the hard part.

I have no clue if anyone reads this, or if anyone cares that I am writing a blog, but if someone is reading this, you know how "those" days are. Certain things are out of my control, I know and understand that. However, it is when I see the tests of my faith affecting those close to me, and my relationship with them. It says in the Bible that God gives, and God takes away. That is too true. Trusting that what God is taking away is for your own good is one of the hardest things in the world. It never ceases to amaze me when God answers our prayers. haha it sounds so simple, but my mind is always blown. I was having a rough day today, and I told my mom, "I just need to talk to Chelsea Fleet." (and during the wreck, my phone was kinda lost. I got a new phone with no numbers - so I didn't have her number) Chelsea is such a wise, godly woman, and I value her opinion so much. She is so near and dear to my heart. :) It was not even an hour after I had vocalized that I needed to talk to her, that I get a message on facebook from her with her phone number, saying "Call me, girl!" I called her, almost crying, and praising God. We both marveled at our Lord's timing. I shared my struggles with her, she listened, and understood. She helps me step back and see things through Christ's eyes - and that is exactly what I needed today. God, you are so faithful! :) Thank you for blessing me with friends who not only listen, but give godly wisdom and guidance. :)

Easy Come & Easy Go Has Never Been the Case...

Today was one of those days that I just did not feel like talking. I'm still on pain medicine from my wreck last Wednesday, and I am still very sore. Today is a good day, do not get me wrong! There are just times when I honestly just want to be silent. How else am I going to be able to hear from God?

It was raining pretty hard today while I was at school, and walking in the rain while in pain is no picnic. I got through my history test without a lot of trouble, and I barely spent anytime in Music Appreciation due to the storm. I sat in the UC with Molly and Mr. Parker between my two classes today and being with them really made my day. Lots of people came up to me, asking about my wreck, and wanting to give me a hug - even my history professor. I would just tell them to think about hugging me since I am still very sore. After my history test, I went to the UC to wait for Molly, and my history professor came up to me and asked how I was recovering. He spent about 10 minutes just talking to me. I was shocked and touched that he genuinely wanted to know how I was doing. When people ask how you are doing, and then wait for you to answer . . .  that just makes me smile because I know they care.

Walking around campus was harder than I thought it would be. Up stairs, down stairs, through puddles, sitting down, standing up - ugh this took a huge tole on my body. Thankfully, the doors that were not automatic were usually opened for me. Alyssa and I were stranded in the music building during the tornado warning for about 15 minutes. God has blessed me with such great friends. :) She and I just sat in the hallway with other students and talked about our classes. I absolutely loooovvvee meeting fellow college students.

I am hopefully returning to work tomorrow, Praise the Lord! I honestly miss working. This weekend is the Dave Barnes concert and the madre and I are going - so excited! Well, I'm going to go for the time being; do laundry, clean my room, and take some more pain medicine.