Positively Blue

I have been in a great mood the past couple of weeks and I have loved it! (well, with the exception of today, which was a terrible day at work, but that's another story, about a pizza place) School is out for winter break, Christmas is just around the corner, and I've finally been able to have some fun! I've gotten the chance to catch up with a couple of friends that I haven't seen in a while, been to a couple of Christmas parties, and have met some really awesome people. The past couple of years have been a lack of fun and social life for me because of school and work, and now that I am nearing the end of school, I think I'm finally getting the chance to get out again. Praise the Lord!

I'm really excited about the coming weeks and months, and can't wait to see what God has in store for me! Thank you to my friends who have brought me out of my work and school routine, allowing me to have some fun again! Looking forward to more time with friends and loved ones. The weather may be a bit frightful, and the people of Georgia may be dumb and incompetent when it comes to driving in even the slightest bit of rain, and customers at work may be not so giving this season, but this blue-eyed, redhead is definitely staying Positively Blue.

not-so-positivelyblue

We'll I've been having one of those days....actually the past few days. I've been stressed out about the piles of homework assignments, papers, and projects that keep stacking up and I can't seem to figure out how to tackle any of it. Plus, not to sound pathetic and "oh woe is me," but I've been kind of lonely. My best friend lives about 45 mins away, which doesn't seem far, but with our schedules, we can only see each other, or even talk for that matter, every now and then. So it makes it hard on days like these when I just need a friend. Things have just changed with life over the past year or so. A lot of friends have graduated, moved away, gotten married, or just fallen away, all the while I'm still struggling for an ounce of a social life with going to school 5 days a week and working 5 nights a week. But hey, thats life right? I know I just have to get up and do something. Mark things of my checklist and press on. So even though I've been not-so-positivelyblue lately, I know I have a lot to look forward to in life, and a lot to strive for.

"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." Jeremiah 29:11

Apparently the fortune cookie I got last night knew exactly

how I've been feeling...coincidence? I think not.

Some may call it a God thing :)

Decisions Decisions

I have recently run into an opportunity to go to Israel. The trip would be for 10 days in February. It's not a mission trip like I originally thought when I first heard about it, but rather an educational trip. The tour hosts are the pastor and his wife of my hometown church, who have been to Israel before. I think the trip would be a fantastic spiritual and educational experience, and very humbling. We would travel to different sites and cities like the Sea of Galilee and Jerusalem, all the while studying God's word.

I'm not sure if I necessarily need to go, but I know I want to. I would love to travel more, visit a very unique and culturally different country, and be able to photograph the people and culture. But first and foremost I think it would be a big learning and growing experience for me. And it might help me in trying to decide what to do post college. Should I try to find an internship or assistantship with a photographer? Keep my job as a server and try to get my own photography business going? Apply to travel magazines? Or dive into missions and maybe find a photography job with the International Mission Board or the North American Mission Board? And going off that, should I look into going to Seminary for a graduate Missions degree? I just don't know. Really the only thing holding me back from jumping right into this opportunity to visit Israel is school. I would miss two days of one class and three days of two other classes. Being my last semester of college(YAY!) I don't know if this is a good idea. But then again, it's just a week and a half, how much would I really miss? And of course there's always the financial aspect. Can I afford it? Will there be support available from others? I just don't know.

So as you can see I've got some decision making to do, along with lots of prayer. So what do you think? Should I go for it if I'm feeling led to do so? Or should I hold off because the timing just isn't that great? Keep me in your prayers please!

15 Things That Make Me Happy

Sidewalk chalk.

My nephew playing in the sprinkler.

Larry the Lamb.

Our Atlanta Braves.

Static hair-do's.

The colors of fall.

Button bracelets.

Anything Toy Story related.

Abstractions of colors and textures.

The sound of giggles in the air.

A flavor festival in my mouth.

Rubber ducks.

The Krog Street bridge to nowhere.

Did I mention my nephew?

And of course, cloud filled, blue skies.

What things make you happy?

:)

Click images for better quality view.

Surely We Can Change

I have attempted to make a post three times now, each time I started writing and writing, and I got this feeling that I shouldn't post what I had written. I'm not really sure why, it just wasn't the right time I guess. So I'm starting over. My mind has been racing over the past few days and it's difficult to sum up, but I've got to get something out.

This past weekend was pretty rough. My family and I went to Nashville to visit my grandmother, Mama Jeanne. She is not doing well at all, and basically her body is shutting down. The doctors have told us that they give her 1-3 months. Heart breaking. We just went to spend time with her and keep her company. It was so good to see her. And it was extremely difficult to leave. Tears rolled down each of our faces. I pray that I can return for another visit very soon. We also stopped in Chattanooga on our way home to visit my dad's parents. My granddaddy is in an assisted living home, so that was another difficult part of our trip. I spent the rest of my Sunday night and all day Monday with a heavy heart. I could literally feel the pressure on my chest. So all this sadness was really getting to me. I had to get out of the apartment and go for a run. Running, though somewhat painful, is always refreshing to me. It gives me time to think, calm down, and rejuvenate. So twenty-five minutes later, I was refreshed with a confidence in knowing that God has a plan for my family and He holds us in His hands.

On a different note... that little run I took was the start of becoming a healthier me. The combination of busy college life and working at a pizza place the past four years has contributed to laziness and bad eating habits. The result...well lets just say I'm getting some "curves." So I've decided to do something about it. No more pizza, no more breadsticks, no more fast food, and no more soda. Cutting back on the white bread and sugar. This is not necessarily a diet, just making healthy choices. As best I can. I struggle with self control when it comes to sweets especially. So hopefully I can stick to this. At least until I've gained some self control and am satisfied with how its going. So goodbye my sweet Dr. Pepper... hello hydration. Goodbye pepperoni pizza... hello fruits and veggies. Wish me luck!

Here's to a happy heart and healthy body, with a refreshed attitude and positive mindset. :)