and I have the best roommates.

Meet my roommates, from left to right :

Jacqueline, Mary, Kayla and ME!

These girls have been real important in my life for a while now, but lately God has just been showing me how SERIOUSLY special they are to me. They are my family while I am here, and will be like my sisters forever. This week He's just been revealing their genuiness and love to me in a real way. We are known as the divas, and we embrace that FOR SURE. We are exactly the same, but at the same time the most different four people you will ever meet. I can't even explain to you in words how much I love these girls. BUT they deserved a blog, now you know. We live in Tryon 8104 - aka the DIVA DOME.

Some of our favorite things:

-acting like we are asleep when someone walks into the apartment. This can be tricky when you walk in and people are ACTUALLY asleep (becuase you think it's a joke.)

- trying to out talk each other, this very quickly turns into a loud scream fest in the dome.

-late night conversations, also usually ends in some sort of screaming.

-watching an unusual amount of one TV show or movie OVER AND OVER again and learning really weird/different things about the history of the show or the life of the actors and actressess.

-singing "everyone but." There are four of us, so when there are three we usually sing about the missing one... "everyone but Nicki..." for example.

-Acting like I am sick when I have to go to the "hospital" for clinicals.

- DOME TIME. We have an ipod dock in our living room with the time off by 4-6 hours (not really sure) we like to act like that is the REAL time of day.

-the board. it says where we are or what we are doing at that time of the day, usually ends up in some sort of sarcastic remark of where people are/what they are doing.

Please, come visit the dome anyime!

Please warn us first so we can clean :-)

xoxo.

miss you mamoo.

and let's ketchup.

alright, life is just great. I feel like I could sit here and say "I have been so busy, last thing I do is blog" yada yada YA DA. But, you know that. Whew, glad that is OUT of the WAY. Also, it rained yesterday. Our thirsty grounds finally got something to sip on! It's been a little bit over a month since class started. Some days it feels like there is NO WAY it's been THAT LONG. Other days I can't believe it's ONLY BEEN THAT LONG!?

SO. I am in nursing school. Like, IN NURSING school. I really like it, and I am not even lying. Time consuming? Abosouletly. Rewarding? Absolutely. God has really been teaching me about finding joy, and enjoying the place and time I am in. Whether that means literally, everday, find joy in class, find joy in free time, find joy in being on the couch, etc. OR if it means find joy in college time.  I want to prepare for the future, yes. However, not look SO forward to it that I ruin the moment I am in. He has taught me this just in time for nursing school. I have busy, and I don't mean that lightly, BUSY days. Being able to know that I can find joy (no neccessarily ENJOY, hehe.) in class is SO what I needed for this time of my life. I enjoy being around my friends, and learning alongside each other.

Let's see what else you've missed. OH! Lost my debit card, just in time for Panch to find it. That's okay! I ordered a new one today.  There was a hugo-mugo storm yesterdee, I mentioned earlier. It blew several trees over, like roots-out-of-ground over. God is strong, so strong. My best friend still doesn't live in Belton, still trying to get over that. Surviving, barely. OH my roommmates? They are great, perfect actually. 

OH! My cousin Kayla got married. Hello!!!! WOW, I really haven't blogged in a while. Jake and I road-tripped to Odessa, Tx for the celebration! He's SO great to be around, but even with him, the ride was long. The wedding turned out SO beautiful. I can not except the fact that she's married. It's weird. We were JUST making ooey-gooey mud pies and fighting over who got to wear the big poofy dress to dress up in. She got to wear it this time, but FOR REAL. She was beautiful. I can vividly remember memories from when we were 9 and 10. Now we are 19 and 20, and IT'S BLOWING MY MIND. I am so happy for her, I am SO proud of her. I wish the Turner's the best, and I refuse to change her name in my phone from "Kayla Brown" to "Kayla Turner." That's that.

Nothing else is incredibily new. My baby sister hit a homerun at her last tournament. She's impressive. I miss my family.  Also, right now I am watching football guys walk up to study hall (I am at work.) and judging all of them on their "I'm-too-cool-for-you" struts. (is that even the right word?) It's pretty hilarious. Most of them are going for the "shoulders back head tilted up" look.

Last Sunday I taught sixth grade Sunday School with Jake. Well, mostly Jake taught it and I just interrupted every now and then. He's really wonderful, and amazing with young'ons. The church we attend is really encouraging. Jake said it perfectly the other day "Not many churches get it, but this one does." I love serving with a body that lives biblically, and reaches the community around them. They constantly reach out to us college kids and keep us involved. I am blessed by them, and encouraged to believers love the Father in a REAL way. He's so worth it.

Welp, I feel as if this is the end of my blog. Who knows when the next one will ever come around. Seriously though, stay sassy.

XOXO.
miss you mamoo.

and I am chasing my dream.

I am in nursing school, and being successful so far.
That's all I have to say about that.

XOXO.
miss my mamoo.

and this makes you think, huh?

I love this, for the humor and for how it just makes me think.

XOXO.
miss you mamoo.

and it's Tolar time!

I sure loved (and already miss) my time in Duncan, OK! It was a precious time of getting to know and love students. It was crazy and tiring at times, but that's what I live for. I came home from Duncan and went straight to Odessa to visit family. It was a sweet time of seeing family from all different sides.

I am preparing to go back to UMHB. I am anxious to start what I know will be a very difficult, but rewarding semester of nursing. I am nervous because I know I will be stretched. I am anxious because I do not want to fail. I am excited because I am one step closer to being a nurse! This semester I am so excited to live with two of my slants! (and Mary, still... till death do us part!) As I am home, life is crazy full of stuff that needs to be done.  I love getting to spend time with my family and Janelle, and the random friends in between. I am however ready to be settled into one place again for a while!

I have been really learning lately what needs to change in my relationship with Jesus. I have noticed in myself that when things get busy and difficult, I don't run to Him like I wish I did. I think that's what is wrong with us. (meaning Americans.) We have so many other things to do and run to during different stages of our lives. We expect Jesus to satisfy us, but only right then when we expect it. That's not how I think this whole Jesus thing works. Jesus is consistent and constant, all the time. We are the ones that are not. He doesn't always give the answers we want or right when we want them. He doesn't always provide in the ways we wish He would. But life also isn't even about us. It's about Him. I am trying so hard to genuinely be content and joyful of however God chooses to work in my life. If it's not what I would do, then I should be thankful because He knows what He's doing WAY more than I do.

I would also like to share that coming from my sister's room is a mix of "hey, mickey!" , "cupid shuffle", and "down." She's keeping me entertained. Go DJ. She starts high school on the 22nd. It's weird.

Anyway, I have so much more running through my mind. I am trying to organize it, or else it will just look like pish posh.

XOXO.
Miss you mamoo.

and here is evidence I was at the creek.

This is Kenley. She is currently the youngest Parker.

We are sharing a sucker, we were unaware of the stomach bug at this point.

Isn't she adorable!?!? I love her.

These are my babies. Bethany, Sarah and Shawna!

They are juniors, and they really LOVE JESUS.

And I really love them! okay!?

Worship in the tab! Aren't these girls gorgeous!?

YAY FALLS CREEK. 

and my time in duncan is almost finished.

Just returned from Falls Creek, where God did amazing things! So amazing that Satan tried to stop us. Friday night starting at 9 p.m. one student every hour, for the next 12 hours got sick. (like puke sick.) I was up all through out the night trying my best to make those who were sick comfortable. I was so stinkin' exhausted, but thankfully didn't get sick! Just know that is how the week ended.

I had a trying week. I was tested spiritually, emotionally and physically. I have never been so tired at falls creek! I know Satan wanted my week to be about him, so I made sure otherwise. I learned many things this past week at falls creek, including controlling my emotions and not letting little things get out of hand. Everything is for the glory of God, even when I am tired. I think we miss that many times. We always say "everything for the glory of God." BUT we often push that mentality aside whenever we are tired, or fed up with those around us. I think it shows even more during that time how much you love the Lord, to be able to find joy during difficult times. I was tested to that this week. I was not by any means perfect, but tried to intentionally control emotions.

I was so thankful to get to see and catch up with my sweet friends on staff there. I missed them, and it was SO good to see and catch up with them! I love their sweet sense of humor, and their contagious joy and love for the Lord.

Miller Heights (my church in Belton!) is leaving for camp today! They will be there all week, I SO MUCH wish I was able to go. Please pray with me that God will do amazing things. I am expecting Him to show up and show off! I can not wait to see how He moves in the lives of those students!

Janelle is coming to Duncan today! Yip yip! I am excited for her to see my life here, and meet my precious Duncan friends!!

I need to start on my to-do list for the day!!



XOXO.
Miss you mamoo.

and now for a super summer blog, as promised!

SUPER SUMMER. It's a camp, not a whole summer... do not be confused! It is a leadership camp. Falls creek is an evangelical camp. You bring lost friends to Falls Creek (or whatever youth camp) but not to Super Summer. It's a leadership camp designed to help Christian leaders of youth groups all over the state learn and be challenged in their walk with Jesus. I was a team leader (aka, TL), but to my small group of students, I was "Mom." It was great to have 12 adopted children for four days! I loved super summer. I learned so much to bring home and apply in my own life! I love love LOVED getting to see the hearts of (soon to be) ninth graders. How genuine and real their love for Jesus is was so overwhelming! I hope to be more detailed later in telling you what I / we learned! But I just don't have that kind of time right now!

I get to go home this weekend! FOURTH OF JULY! I am so excited to see my family, aunt lana and rick, my best friend and (after a whole month) JAKE! YAY! I am really excited to have a wonderful wonderful weekend!! It's only a daaay aaawaaaaay!!

I have also been (on the side, haha) planning and help mediate wedding stuff out my ears! It's such a blast, and I cannot believe Kayla (cousin, not slant) will be married so soon! It's so much fun, and we have talked about these days since we could talk! I am really excited, I can't imagine her excitement!

I just realized this week my time in Duncan is more than half over. Excuse me, come again? Summer is flyin'. I am just coming to understand, life only gets faster. I am not super okay with that, but it's not my choice I suppose!

Sorry my bloggage was SO super lame. I just am squeezing it in when I can!

xoxo.
Miss you mamoo.

and it's almost july, excuse me what?

Today is June 28, 2011.  Friday begins July. GOOD GOOGLY MOOGLY. My time in Duncan is SO precious to me, seriously. These students have such a warm heart for Jesus and I love getting to watch them (and try to assist them) fall more in love with their Jesus. I just finally got to sit and take a break after two really busy weeks! They were both SO different and SO wonderful. First week: world changer. Second week: super summer.

World Changers.
I explained a little bit about what it is in my last post. I was the lady adult of a middle school aged crew. 7th 8th and 9th graders. I love these age students, but they sure are hard when you are trying to make them work! We were in charge of doing some painting on a house. We worked four days of the week! It was fun getting to know them, and it was very trying to be patient and loving while being motivational. I was thrown into the week with no option but to grow up and be a for real leader. John was the speaker for this week, and because of that he had other obligations which put me in charge of the youth's devo time after the service. I was nervous about this because I wasn't the oldest one. I am so intimidated by adults it's not even funny. But the Lord still did marvelous things!

-pause-
I have lunch with a student RIGHT NOW. I am already late! I will tell you more about my past two weeks later today!

xoxo.
miss you mamoo.

and you can be a WORLD CHANGER!

I'm so excited to be apart of world changers again! I haven't been since 2008, woah... time flies. Anyway, it's in Duncan, OK this year... yes, it's local! It starts today (Monday, June 13) and ends Saturday morning! It's a mission trip (churches from across the USA will be arriving shortly) that does construction projects on different houses in the community that have a low income, and no funds to fix their home. We'll be roofing, painting, installing windows... many different things. The most important task we will have is sharing with those around us why we are here. Sharing the gospel with them, and showing them we love them because Jesus loves them.

Here are ten ways you can be praying for this week:
1. weather, it's hot. pray for clouds...or snow.
2. safety, we are on roofs people...and using hammers...!
3. the homeowners, pray for their salvation... and their neighbor's!
4. worship services, pray that students lives' will be changed, and not just for one week.
5. college staff, they do this all summer.. pray for them to have energy.
6. john parker, he's the speaker this week... and he has a broken ankle.
7. adult sponsers, pray for patients... and energy.... and sleep!
8. wednesday night there will be a community wide service at the park, pray for duncan.
9. Duncan churches feeding the crews, pray they are blessed through this ministry opportunity.
10.  all the little things, pray everything run smoothly!

gotta run.
xoxo.
miss you mamoo.

and the summer is rolling.

I am still in Duncan. I have to say I really enjoy it here. It's a different type of summer than last summer, but none the less still SUPER busy. I have a week until World Changers, then straight to Super Summer, then VBS. It's non stop, but I am a non-stop kinda girl. I love spending time with the youth here. I feel like myself I am just a kid stuck in a 20 year old body. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know students on a personal level and being real with each other. Just livin' life, but lovin' Jesus at the same time.

Today, I went shopping with my friend Kathryn. We went to the city (that's OKC for you Texans!) and shopped our hearts out! Really, we had a great time and I probably spent a penny too much. Then we met up with one of my friends I met at Falls Creek and ate dinner. There is just something so sweet about reuniting with a friend after a year-ish. 

The toughest part of the summer is being away from what is normal.  There is no UMHB here, there is no Jake here (sad, sad), no Ashley's, not one.  There is a lot that happens though when one is out of their comfort zone. I am thankful for the fact that I have one person here to run to - the Lord.  I am thankful for the unbelievable friendships that I have with so many people that require one or two hour conversations. I love hearing about everyone's summers and what's going on. I am trying my best to live in the now, to not rush my summer away. I am in no hurry, at all, to grow up. It's actually starting to scare me. (that's a whole different blog.) 

I did get to see my precious baby sister be the best softball player ever last weekend! They won the tournament!! She has quite the trophy collection now. She is so great, and starting high school in the fall. WAIT, WHAT?! I am not so excited about that, but I know those years are so fun for her. I am proud of who she is, and I am proud to have such a loving baby sister. To me, sure, but to everyone around her. Her joy is contagious, and I love that about her.

 Miss you mamoo.

xoxo

and what are we doing?

Matthew 7:21-23 says this :

 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prphesy in your name, and cast our demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you, depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'"

 These verses really need to hit Americans hard. It's sad to me that American's have taken Christianity and made it something that it's not. It's not about how many times when attend church. It is not about how many good things people see us do. It's not even about a little prayer we prayed that never even changed the way we lived. Salvation changes people. If you once did not have Jesus, and now you do - how can you not live differently?? We should be pursuing the will of God, everyday. We should be living a life that honors our Savior, even when others are not looking. We have fooled ourselves into thinking "Well, I am a Christian now, so I will live however I want because I am not going to hell." or "EVERYONE LOOK AT ME, I am a Christian, and I am doing all these things for Jesus!" (that's a selfish, showy, very superficial love for Christ, one that is a Christian because it is "Cool".) That, to me, reflects an unchanged heart. A selfish heart, and honestly.. according to the scripture above - a heart that won't spend eternity with Jesus. Do you REALLY know Him? Do you feed yourself spiritually? Do you spend time in prayer? Do you serve without anyone seeing? Have you been changed because of Jesus? Chew on that. Seek the will of the Father. Pursue Jesus. Live BIBLICALLY. Un- Americanize Jesus.

Xoxo.

and I am in Duncan.

I have been in Duncan, OK for less than a week. I learned last Wednesday that OKC has a NBA team. Thunder. WHO KNEW? Now I know. Also, Oklahoma schools get out a RIDICULOUS amount earlier than Texas schools. I think it's because they start earlier. STILL. Their high school graduation is THIS THURSDAY. Hello. SENIORS OH ELEVEN.  Also, Oklahoma schools go up to 6A. Go figure, right?

Duncan has a special place in my heart. I have some special friendships here with special people. Pray for this summer. Pray for the youth here, that they will begin to understand what it really means to live for Jesus. Pray their faith would be challenged. Pray they would make their faith their own, and personal.

One last thing before I head to bed.

Am I the luckiest girl ever, or what?
This was taken at our friends' wedding.
The wedding was a fairytale.
Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Whitehead!

Oh, and ONE MORE THING.
You might have noticed a new addition on the right side of my blog. It's from Joshua Project (google it.) Displaying everyday is an "unreached people group of the day." Read about them, really pray that the gospel would reach them. It's an amazing thing to be able to live in a place where the gospel is at our fingertips. As Americans, we often take advantage of it, but that's a rant for another day. FOR NOW - pray for these people groups. SERIOUSLY. They need Jesus, and we are called to GO reach them. Praying for them is a good step in that direction. Be challenged.

XOXO.
Miss you mamoo.

and it's my desire.

I will go, I will go
I will go, Lord send me
To the world, To the lost
To the poor and hungry
Take everything I am
I'm clay within your hands
I will go, I will go, send me.




I love this song. It's my prayer in life. I never want to get so wrapped up in myself that I forget that it's all about what and where Christ wants me in life. I want to be clay in his hands, for him to mold and use me however he desires.  It's my prayer this summer that I keep my focus on this when I get tired, when I get irritable, and when I am having fun! It's all about glorifying my loving Savior. 


I just left UMHB. 103 days until I return. I will miss my life there, and my many many wonderful friends and boyfriend. . . but I am excited to not have class! It's important to not always be comfortable. I am looking forward to a wonderful summer serving students! 


Happy Mother's Day!




xoxo. Miss you Mamoo.

and all you need to know is

It's finals week.
late nights with my favorite people.
cramming all the time in we can,
before we are separated for  months.
oh, and we are studying too.










xoxo.
miss you mamoo.

and it's Easter.

Just hit me: my Mamoo is about to celebrate Easter in the presence of our risen and alive King and Savior.  How wonderful that must be. I wonder if they'll hunt easter eggs?

XOXO.
Miss you Mamoo.

and it's that time of year.

some formal pics!

(all these were taken by my roommate, Mary!)

  The girls : Cam, Ang and Mare! Love 'em.

Just one of many pictures of "Us four."

The Gang. (Minus Taylor Holleyman) all prettied up!

Let me introduce you to Katie. This is her. She is a freshman this year

and we have just HIT IT OFF. I love her, and we are becoming 

friends more and more everyday. This is our first picture together.

So of COURSE it's blog worthy. We eat chick-fil-A every friday. 

It's getting a little out of hand. 

This was my handsome date (who happened to be the DJ.)

He's super fabulous and life would be so different without 

him around. Oh, and isn't his haircut the greatest thing? :)

XOXO.
Miss you Mamoo.

and it's time to blog.

I am currently sitting on my couch watching my Texas Rangers play Baltimore. It's been quite the relaxing mornin' full of a shower, breakfast and studying. Last night I danced the night away at UMHB's formal, really fun, but really aching feet.  I am have hectic couple of weeks coming up, but nothing I can't handle.

I had my first clinical day this past Wednesday, it was great! I loved getting to see what I would be doing next semester. Legally, that's about all I can tell you. I am so excited and have such a peace that nursing is where I belong. It's a scary thought to get through all my basics and into nursing school, and then be at the point where there is no turning back. I kept questioning whether I was doing the right thing, if this is really what I wanted to do in my life. After several weeks of prayer, and a wonderful clinical day. I have a peace. I am realizing that God is going to be able to use my degree in nursing in many different ways.

Just for your information Jake just woke up. It's 1:30 p.m.. Just thought you should know. I am not able to sleep in like I used to, my body is WAY to used to early mornings. I don't like it one bit, but I know my sleeping in talent will return soon.

Summer is upon us, and I am SO excited for the summer God has in store for me. . . :-)

Rangers are up 1-0 in the bottom of the 5th. :-) good day.

Xoxo.
Miss you mamoo.

and it's just been stuck in my head.

My favorite song right now, can't get it out of my head.

and it's the little things.

It's just the little things. 

Found this cute blog here.

xoxo.
Miss you Mamoo.

and I am a belieber.

and I am a bee, busy bee that is.

I apologize for the blog neglect. I am a busy little gal, okay? :)

Few things:

I have about a month left of class, amen to that!

I just finished up a Dnow Sunday with the youth at my church and all I can say is that it was amazing. I can't describe how much love I have for those kids!

I am learning to enjoy each day for itself, not to rush days by looking forward to something else!

I am learning to be a big girl and have better time management.

I go WEDNESDAY to the hospital for a clinical day, my first one! So excited.

I just started reading through Ruth, I need more Old Testament in my life. Ya feel me? So far, I like it. Just started this morning!

Got my official housing letter and I am SO stoked to be living with 2 slants and my Mare bear.! :-)

Sorry that was a poopy blog catch up, APOLOGIES.

P.s. Jake is coming back to UMHB :-)


xoxo.
miss you mamoo.

and sometimes I can't focus.

I should be studying my little heart away right now for my statistics test in 30 mins, but naturally, I am blogging. I just have this theory. "If I don't know it now, I won't know it." So I am just wasting time by blogging, you know, the usual.  I am very excited to tell you that nursing classes are going great. Even though it's step one, it's encouraging to know that I can understand and enjoy what I am doing. After this semsester - four more. Seems long now, but I have been here almost four semesters. WHAT. Ok, enough about that before I freak myself out.

OK, in other news, Jake got me new skipbo cards (in a really trendy case) and I have been freshening up. Mostly to be able to whoop everyone at Kay's house during spring break. It's just funny how Jake and his friends have gone crazy over the game. They love it, but really - who doesn't? Don't worry, I am still the very best.

Today is the housing process. Here's how it's going down: Me and my roommmate Mary are moving in with two of our slanties! It's pretty exciting to think we were barely friends before God strategically placed us as slants. Now, we are moving in together. What happen to the other two, you ask? Don't worry, we didn't fight at break up. Just rearranging with other friends who need roommates. :) We are still roomies at heart.

I went home this past weekend and just had a great time catching up with the fam and celebrating mine and Nell's bday. (even though we both forgot our gifts to each other... thankful for the PO) It just was fun, and that's it. :)

I am also really excited for the weather to stay consistently "springy." I think that is in the process of happening right now. I am ready to pull out my spring clothes, dangit.

Well, as I look at the clock, I am deciding ten mins of cramming never hurt anyone. So I shall cram.

Miss you Mamoo.
xoxo.

and it's the truth.

Can I get an Amen?

xoxo.

miss you mamoo.

and it seems like a good day for a blog!

Yesterday I officially said goodbye to teenage years and hello to twenties! It sounds old, but feels great! My birthday was wonderful. Saturday night I ate with my wonderful family plus Nicole and Jake. It was just wonderful, I miss them. Then came Sunday! Went to church and had lunch there with some of my favs. Then came home and lazied (not sure if that's a word) around with Jake and Nicole watching the ever so addicting prison shows! :-) It was such a beautiful day that when Jake asked me if I wanted to go on a walk it was nothing unusual. So off we went, and I had no idea there was a surprise party being planned while we were gone. Then we went to dinner with some of my friends :) Olive Garden - yum yum! It was fun and full of laughs! We came back and I expected the boys (Jake, Pancho and Jason) to be playing a competitive game of skip bo, but I turned the handle and walked into a room full of my wonderful friends screaming "suprise!" it was happy. Lots of sweets - and lots of friends. We danced around, took pictures, watched Jake and Coley juggle, the usual. :) It was so great.

My night ended perfectly with a phone conversation with my best friend trading birthday stories and complaining about being apart for our birthdays!

So now I am 20, and it's valentines day. My second year with a "valentine" and I  love it. Cru Knights is this weekend and I might possibly be more excited for this weekend than any other weekend ever! I am so proud of those boys and love their energy and funness. I also may be accompanied by Hannah Litke and Janelle Lee. Fingers crossed. Let's do it.

Happy Valentines Day!

Xoxo.
Nicki

and I miss my mamoo.

Somedays are just tough. You know what I mean? Today, my mamoo has been heavy on my heart.  I miss her so much, some days are tougher than others. When something happens and I just want to pick up the phone and call her, then quickly realize I can't. My favorite time to call my Mamoo would be long drives. (for example, from Belton to Tolar, or Belton to Allen, etc.) The first few times I would get bored driving and want to call her up, it was tough. A few hard points in the past year: Kayla's graduation (thinking back to mine), getting into nursing school, & the holidays. I have the technique when I have a huge "I miss my Mamoo" moment. I try to think of what I have learned out of all that happened; what I can be thankful for because of this situation. It's much better than sulking I have learned. It took me a while to be able to realize anything great from this, honestly. So many months later here is what I have so far.

Kay. She is wonderful. She was my Mamoo's best friend (of course, besides Grandad!) and sister. She amazes me. Kay has always been a grandmother figure to me, even though technically she is my Aunt. She sees the good all the time, I know she misses her, but she constantly reminds us to remember the wonderful times. She knows that Mamoo would be sick if we were all moping around because of this.  I am thankful for Kay, and how much closer this has brought my family to her. She is very intentional with checking on us and loving us extra.  She knows our hurt, and shares it with us. Very biblical. (... weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15) I could go on about her all day, but just know I AM THANKFUL for KAY.

Another thing, my perspective on life. I left for college almost immeadiately after my Mamoo was diagnosed. I grew so much just from college alone, obviously. BUT it's so easy to drown in college. It's a little bubble. Eventually your studies become always on your mind, and something very easy to let take over and worry about constantly. I was SO quickly reminded during this time that there is SO much more to life than school, tests and good grades. After not studying for a final, and having to stay up all night cramming for one during the week I traveled home for Mamoo's services, and recieving a letter grade lower in two classes than expected that previous week.  I can now say "if this test is all of my problems, I have got it good." My perspective on life has changed. I am thankful for that, I am thankful that it has taught me not to worry but to have PEACE in every situation. Thankful. Thankful. Thankful.

Last thing (for now), I have learned what heartache feels like. THEREFORE I can hurt with others dealing with the same. OR REJOICE with those who conquer the fight with CANCER. Cancer has a whole knew meaning once you have been effected by it. I understand the scare, the bad news, and the pain of watching what cancer can do to someone. But, I am thankful that I can cry with those who get that scare. I am thankful I can rejoice with those who find out they are cancer free. I sometimes get selfish and ask "why couldn't that be my Mamoo." Then I just slap myself to remind me that God does have a plan that is greater than we could ever understand. God is using and will continue to use what we experienced to help give him glory. THAT I am thankful for.

Somedays are going to be harder than others, but reminding myself of what I have learned and have to be thankful for sure does help... even if it did take me a while to figure out what exactly that was.

Xoxo.
Miss you mamoo.

and sometimes I just can't sleep.

just a few things.

1. The blog about Duncan will come - I have not forgot; there is just an absence of time.

2. Today was just a wonderful day, even with studying... it's all about having JOY.

3. I stayed up later just to take a quiz due tomorrow for nursing - and aced it. hallelujah.

4. It's semi-late and I am just SO awake, so I blog - don't be bothered.

5. Juggling, ya know what I'm talking about? I am learning how, for real.

Xoxo.

Miss you Mamoo.

and it's the little things.

 Slightly addicted to watching and rewatching episodes of "Friends."  Between my apartment and the slants' it's on twenty four / seven.

Life is about to get slightly crazy. School work is coming quick, but I like it... I mean.. I will like the end result. Yeah. I am here to study and get a degree right? Can't play ALL the time, just MOST of the time. Oh, also.. I have a three day weekend every weekend; I can get used to that.  Life's happy.


Xoxo.
Miss you mamoo.

and today is perfect.

TRYON 8203 is currently learning to juggle. We think we are a big deal. We just want to be like this guy... 

Pretty entertaining right?

xoxo.
miss you mamoo.

and this is powerful.

This video was shared on facebook via my oklahoma friends. This is James Lankford speaking and he was formally the "big guy who ran falls creek." (....As y'all may remember.) He is now a US HOUSE REP FOR OKLAHOMA... I hope I said that right.....? :) Anyway, watch this. He brought it, it's powerful. 

xoxo.

Miss you mamoo.

and I miss them.

Duncan, Oklahoma has a special place in my heart. It's totally random, but I love that God has given me a special place in my heart for this town and the people there. I just finished a d-now there. I will give you details soon, I don't have the time to tell you some of the wonderful things that happened there. God moved.

ANYWAY. I wish I was still there.
xoxo.
miss you mamoo.

and the whole world isn't america.

Remember Haiti with me today. The trials and heartbreak from the earthquake didn't end when we started forgetting about it. One year ago, this tragedy struck. Haiti is still being effected by the earthquake. PRAY FOR HAITI, for healing, for strength, for salvation.  Here's a video to help you see a glimpse...



I am hoping and praying to have the opportunity to serve in Haiti over spring break. Please pray for this my little prayer warriors.

XOXO.
Miss you Mamoo.

and it's spring semester.

I started nursing school today. 
JUST SAYING.

and it's just sweet.

Previously before leaving for Christmas break. Me and my slanties watched these videos for a long time. This is one of our favorites. It's so sweet, and precious and I just like it and that is all. I hope that you like it also. BECAUSE you should.

xoxo.
miss you mamoo.



Gene + Jill // Two Pease in a Pod from capture studios on Vimeo.

and it's a new year.

Happy Two
Thousand and 
Eleven, folks.


Now, I've been contemplating for a few days now what on Earth a "new year blog" should entail. Maybe a little bit of my new years resolution? maybe some of what happened in 2010, or what I expect in 2011? What I hope to learn or experience? I didn't quite decide. So I am just going to go for it. We'll see how it goes.


Okay, first of all my holidays were great! I love my family and really missed my mamoo, but it was great to see everyone! We visited family from all sides, and I even got a glimpse of Kayla (what a plus!). I have enjoyed getting to see my best friend and spend some quality time with her. My mom went back to work yesterday, which is bad because now I am lonely at the house.


 I am leaving Friday morning most likely to head back to Belton. Once everything settles down around the house I sure do start wishing I was back there.  I am starting nursing classes, I am really excited and really nervous at the exact same time! I am ready to put my motivation into action! I don't really know what to expect, but I know I am ready! SO, I guess you can say my expectations for 2011 are unknown. I am just excited to learn and be stretched however God wants. I am also thankful for the friendships that I know that God will use to help me grow (and have tons of fun.) He has surrounded me with incredible folks, and I will always and forever be grateful for that. I am definitely looking forward to another year with them!  That's my school portion of 2011. 


Over the past few years, I have become a pretty big fan of journaling. I love journaling for more than one reason. It helps me organize my thoughts, it also puts things down on paper for me to read over the years. This allows me to see answered prayers that I may not have recalled, or just to see the positive side of negative situations. There are lots of examples I could give you of these type of situations. Also, I use it for prayer and just meditation on what I think God is teaching me. Of course there is room in there for unforgettable stories, like first date and hilarious moments. Right? You get it. Not complicated. All I am saying is, I got a brand new Paris journal for 2011 from Jake (it's perfect, and so is he) and I will (call it a new year resolution) be better at journaling. If you don't journal, you should try it. Really. 


Okay, another note. As cliche as it sounds, I AM GOING TO GET BACK ON A WORK OUT SCHEDULE. I am going to take better care of my body. For real this time. I am not promising a thing, but I have been needing this for a while. I will let you know how it goes, it could be a complete failure. Hopefully not. This is not a new years resolution.  It just happened to come with a new year. 


2010 was quite a bittersweet year.  Loosing my Mamoo was a tough thing, very tough. (still is) But learning through that while being away from home grew me up pretty quick. At the same time I was absolutely loving being away at UMHB.  I had Jake always by my side, putting me before himself and being my shoulder to cry on (often) and that showed me a lot about him. (He is pretty great, who knows where I would be if I didn't meet him.)  The older I get the more things are put in perspective for me, 2010 definitely(that is a hard word to spell) did that over and over again. I have a completely different mindset on life than I did a year ago.  I am very thankful for that. I am thankful that God showed be the true beauty in simplicity. It was a year that I would never trade for anything, but would rather not repeat. 2011, here I come.  Keepin' it simple. I am here to love God with all that I absolutely can, and to show that love to others.  


There is my new year blog, I suppose. 




Xoxo.
Miss you Mamoo.