Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Yoforia
I have discovered the place that will probably take all of my paychecks from summer- YOFORIA! It is delicious frozen yogurt with many flavors from ferreo roche, vanilla bean, cookies n cream, pineapple, green tea, cheese cake etc and that's only the beginning!! It is self serve and you can sample as much as you want to ensure that you have picked the right combo (or sample as much as you want if ya know what I mean...haha). After choosing the flavor(s) you can load up on a variety of toppings. There are two options, known as the healthy options aka fresh deliciously cut fruit, and the sweeter options such as graham cracker, oreos, m&m's, chocolate chips, reeses cups, and many more other flavors (altho, sadly, no sprinkles because it doesn't weigh enough for any profit). The best part about it is that you can have as much or as little as you want because you weigh it at the end and pay by the ounce...only 39 cents and ounce. I've had it so many times this summer and writing about it, makes me want to go in my car and have some more. An added plus is that it's basically guilt free deliciousness---regular ice cream if you have one ounce it's 110 calories easy, if not more, with yoforia it's 25 calories per ounce. I absolutely love it!!! I'm addicted to yoforia....I think I need to get a t-shirt, bumper sticker, and key chain to display my affection...maybe open one up!!! Unfortuately tho, it's only in North Carolina and Georgia. So for my friends from other areas, this means one thing, you'll just have to come visit to try heaven on earth. hehe. :)
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
How Comfortable Are You?
1 Corinthians 4:9-16
9For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena.
We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men.
10We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!
11To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.
12We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;
13when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.
14I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children.
15Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
16Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
9For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena.
We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men.
10We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!
11To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.
12We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;
13when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.
14I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children.
15Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
16Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Bike Riding
One thing I absolutely LOVE is bike riding. Yes, I have loved it since I was little and when I lived overseas and since we didn't have a car, we used our bikes like them. I rediscovered this love over spring break and have been excited ever since! Over Easter it was not exactly successful ride in the mountains of PA with my asthma and lack of inhaler, but it's still just as fun! I have discovered a greenway that was just completed only 2 miles from my house that is perfect get away from the busy life and just immersion in nature feeling free on a bike! It's 6 miles one-way, so a 12 mile ride. A great work out and so much fun! I am excited to embrace this over the summer with friends and do something I love!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Summa Time!
It has been almost a week since leaving Liberty and I have been quite busy since returning home! I like to keep myself busy because I thrive off of it, but at the same time my entire days are not jammed packed. Just more of the nights or the mornings or vis-versa. I was able to unpack all of my things which was awesome and reorganize and rearrange my room. It was my first time actually living in my room in the new house. I've been home, but not for enough time to really get settled. I put up the Transform3rs wall in my room. It looks pretty awesome to say the least. Part of the reason I put it up was because it's sweet and makes for a good room decoration, but the other half is to ensure that I remember how good God has been this past year. The main lesson God has been teaching me is to not forget. By having it in my room it's a constant reminder for my short term memory loss.
On Saturday I went to Charelston, SC for the day. That was quite a fun trip for sure! I loved being at the beach and enjoying the summer sun. The beach is just the best place on earth to say the least. I arrived back home around 1:30 AM and then proceeded to wake up at 5 AM to go to the NRA prayer breakfast in downtown Charlotte featuring Joy Lippard, the Children of the World, Jonathan Falwell, and Charles Billinglsey. It was a unique morning for sure because it will probably be the only morning I can actually say I had the Liberty church experience and my home church experience in the same day. I guess it was a good way to ease back into life back at home and it was awesome to see Joy! I loved seeing all my friends and familiar faces back at church as well. It's been such a long time and I am looking forward to this summer to reconnect with the College Ministry. That night I hung out with my best friends from high school and we cooked a meal together and caught up on life. I look forward to many more nights with them this summer! I value their friendship so much!! But I have to admit as well, hanging out with close friends at home also makes me miss my Liberty friends :)
On Monday I woke up at 12:51 pm. I guess all of the lack of sleep caught up to me! I loved sleeping in. It gave me an opportunity to rest and also have some weird dreams. I dream a lot more at home. That night I cooked with my family, played basketball with my dad, and then hung out with my best friend at my house, Jo. We had such a good time catching up despite our difficulty understanding each other's sarcasm. It's sad really but makes for a good laugh when we realize that the other person is being sarcastic.
Tonight I went to the Bible Study with the College Ministry in this amazing house (every house in Charlotte is new, gorgeous, has a billion living rooms and finished basements, but this one had all that and a governors driveway..haha) and there were about 20 college students. It was so nice to meet with them all. I know that I am beyond blessed to be at Liberty where I can meet often and fellowship with my friends but it was so cool to be able to do that with my home church. I think being at school I forgot how involved and connected I was in my church and how much I missed being with them. However, college was a much needed change, but it will be nice to have the summer to rekindle friendships. I ended the night salsa dancing. I had some pretty fun dance partners despite my two left feet. Such interesting stories from salsa dancing to say the least!! Tomorrow's agenda will be getting Lorraine (my car) on the road and working at Chick-Fil-A. O summer time, it's been fun so far :)
On Saturday I went to Charelston, SC for the day. That was quite a fun trip for sure! I loved being at the beach and enjoying the summer sun. The beach is just the best place on earth to say the least. I arrived back home around 1:30 AM and then proceeded to wake up at 5 AM to go to the NRA prayer breakfast in downtown Charlotte featuring Joy Lippard, the Children of the World, Jonathan Falwell, and Charles Billinglsey. It was a unique morning for sure because it will probably be the only morning I can actually say I had the Liberty church experience and my home church experience in the same day. I guess it was a good way to ease back into life back at home and it was awesome to see Joy! I loved seeing all my friends and familiar faces back at church as well. It's been such a long time and I am looking forward to this summer to reconnect with the College Ministry. That night I hung out with my best friends from high school and we cooked a meal together and caught up on life. I look forward to many more nights with them this summer! I value their friendship so much!! But I have to admit as well, hanging out with close friends at home also makes me miss my Liberty friends :)
On Monday I woke up at 12:51 pm. I guess all of the lack of sleep caught up to me! I loved sleeping in. It gave me an opportunity to rest and also have some weird dreams. I dream a lot more at home. That night I cooked with my family, played basketball with my dad, and then hung out with my best friend at my house, Jo. We had such a good time catching up despite our difficulty understanding each other's sarcasm. It's sad really but makes for a good laugh when we realize that the other person is being sarcastic.
Tonight I went to the Bible Study with the College Ministry in this amazing house (every house in Charlotte is new, gorgeous, has a billion living rooms and finished basements, but this one had all that and a governors driveway..haha) and there were about 20 college students. It was so nice to meet with them all. I know that I am beyond blessed to be at Liberty where I can meet often and fellowship with my friends but it was so cool to be able to do that with my home church. I think being at school I forgot how involved and connected I was in my church and how much I missed being with them. However, college was a much needed change, but it will be nice to have the summer to rekindle friendships. I ended the night salsa dancing. I had some pretty fun dance partners despite my two left feet. Such interesting stories from salsa dancing to say the least!! Tomorrow's agenda will be getting Lorraine (my car) on the road and working at Chick-Fil-A. O summer time, it's been fun so far :)
Monday, May 10, 2010
Packing the Boxes
I wrote this right before I left for college last year and it's pretty cool how it is constantly applying to life. The first part of it will apply to leaving school while the second applies to my returning back at home. Enjoy!
I’m a pro at packing up the boxes, but the good-byes never get easier.
If you allow yourself to get close to someone, it makes it even harder to leave. But in all honesty, if it wasn’t hard to say goodbye then something was missing from the friendship. It’s hard to say goodbye, but what I love about goodbyes, is that it allows an opportunity to experience something apart from that person who has carried you for so long. It doesn’t mean that you are saying goodbye forever or will never connect or see that person ever again, or that they won’t be there for you. It’s a chance to see who you are and how much that person means to you when they aren’t there for every moment. As many goodbyes that I have said in my short 18 years, I don’t regret the sadness and recollection of memories as I say my farewell. It’s the process of packing the boxes and starting over again. It’s inevitable. And with the numerous goodbyes that I have spoken, I would do it over again despite the immense feelings and desire to not leave. Because in that moment I know that in time everything will work out. I know that the friendship that I have with the other person can, and will, pass the distance and the act of saying goodbye. I know that distance, although a major factor, is only an excuse if I make it one. I know that a phone call, email, text, or letter is available to reconnect with the other person. I know that both people will have to make the effort to keep the friendship. But I also know that both people are going to change a great deal while being apart. I won’t stay the same, and neither will you. Both of us will change. That is also inevitable. But the beauty of friendship is that despite the distance, the changing, the birth of new friendships, and making new memories; our friendship will always be because of the memories, the trust, and the ability to be vulnerable with one another.
I’m a pro at packing up the boxes, but the good-byes never get easier.
If you allow yourself to get close to someone, it makes it even harder to leave. But in all honesty, if it wasn’t hard to say goodbye then something was missing from the friendship. It’s hard to say goodbye, but what I love about goodbyes, is that it allows an opportunity to experience something apart from that person who has carried you for so long. It doesn’t mean that you are saying goodbye forever or will never connect or see that person ever again, or that they won’t be there for you. It’s a chance to see who you are and how much that person means to you when they aren’t there for every moment. As many goodbyes that I have said in my short 18 years, I don’t regret the sadness and recollection of memories as I say my farewell. It’s the process of packing the boxes and starting over again. It’s inevitable. And with the numerous goodbyes that I have spoken, I would do it over again despite the immense feelings and desire to not leave. Because in that moment I know that in time everything will work out. I know that the friendship that I have with the other person can, and will, pass the distance and the act of saying goodbye. I know that distance, although a major factor, is only an excuse if I make it one. I know that a phone call, email, text, or letter is available to reconnect with the other person. I know that both people will have to make the effort to keep the friendship. But I also know that both people are going to change a great deal while being apart. I won’t stay the same, and neither will you. Both of us will change. That is also inevitable. But the beauty of friendship is that despite the distance, the changing, the birth of new friendships, and making new memories; our friendship will always be because of the memories, the trust, and the ability to be vulnerable with one another.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Experience the Bittersweet
Two weeks into life at Liberty I distinctly remember thinking that everything was going to end like at camp where you have a lot of fun with a bunch of friends and then you go home. Two weeks til school ends and I guess I could say "camp" is ending. However, the person I was when I said those words is a very different person from the one I am today. The difference is as much as it may have had the camp feel, it definitely was not camp...and that's not a bad thing at all!!
This past year has probably been one of the most exciting, fun, whirlwind, full of ups and downs, spiritual growth and desert, and trying year I have had. I have loved every moment, despite the times I may have not exactly liked what was going on at that time. I have met so many different people from all over the country, backgrounds, and experiences. I have lived on a hall with 70 girls who have a variety of personality. I have had the opportunity to be involved in ministry and have learned the ups and downs, hard work, and successes and failures that it entails. I have been so blessed to have amazing roommates who are caring, loving, and considerate. I have gone to many concerts, including the fray, skillet, tobymac, the joys of coffeehouse, and open mic night. I have experienced a Christian education where teachers pray to start class. I acted in a short play as a psychotic girl who yelled and got in a cat fight. I have lived in real snow for the first time and skied on fake snow. I have had the opportunity to live on my own (to an extent...Liberty is a very family oriented environment). I have time to grow up and make decisions for myself. I have had the opportunity to work at another Chick-Fil-A and interact with Lynchburgians and embraced the awkwardness. I have had some of the best nights of my life totally unplanned. I have had jam sessions on guitar. I have listened to amazing speakers in convo. I had the opportunity to speak with Dave Edwards, the pastor who spoke Student Life Camp 08 (Seeeeeekkkkasss!!) and was used by God to continue help transform my life. I have dealt with difficult situations with various people....and have learned so much about myself and others in the process. I listened to a survivor of the Holocaust. I went on some pretty awesome late nights....there are so many things I could list. I could literally spend forever and a day recounting memories and even more so write how much of an impact people have made on me this year.
Overall, this year has been epic. I couldn't have asked for better. I am so stoked for next year, yet saddened that things won't be the same ever again in a few weeks. Yet, I have to constantly remind myself that if I never came to Liberty (or done most of the things in my life for that matter), things would have been the same back at home...Change is bittersweet. Yet, the best part of the word is that it ends with the sweet.... God knows exactly what He is doing and won't leave me or forsake me. I have that promise and I am secure in that. I am forever grateful for such a great first year at college. I am beyond blessed to have such an amazing God, go to an wonderful university, make lifelong friends, and experience everything I have. I will miss this year, but I have multiple memories to remember and thousands more to make. Bring it on summer. I am almost ready for you!
This past year has probably been one of the most exciting, fun, whirlwind, full of ups and downs, spiritual growth and desert, and trying year I have had. I have loved every moment, despite the times I may have not exactly liked what was going on at that time. I have met so many different people from all over the country, backgrounds, and experiences. I have lived on a hall with 70 girls who have a variety of personality. I have had the opportunity to be involved in ministry and have learned the ups and downs, hard work, and successes and failures that it entails. I have been so blessed to have amazing roommates who are caring, loving, and considerate. I have gone to many concerts, including the fray, skillet, tobymac, the joys of coffeehouse, and open mic night. I have experienced a Christian education where teachers pray to start class. I acted in a short play as a psychotic girl who yelled and got in a cat fight. I have lived in real snow for the first time and skied on fake snow. I have had the opportunity to live on my own (to an extent...Liberty is a very family oriented environment). I have time to grow up and make decisions for myself. I have had the opportunity to work at another Chick-Fil-A and interact with Lynchburgians and embraced the awkwardness. I have had some of the best nights of my life totally unplanned. I have had jam sessions on guitar. I have listened to amazing speakers in convo. I had the opportunity to speak with Dave Edwards, the pastor who spoke Student Life Camp 08 (Seeeeeekkkkasss!!) and was used by God to continue help transform my life. I have dealt with difficult situations with various people....and have learned so much about myself and others in the process. I listened to a survivor of the Holocaust. I went on some pretty awesome late nights....there are so many things I could list. I could literally spend forever and a day recounting memories and even more so write how much of an impact people have made on me this year.
Overall, this year has been epic. I couldn't have asked for better. I am so stoked for next year, yet saddened that things won't be the same ever again in a few weeks. Yet, I have to constantly remind myself that if I never came to Liberty (or done most of the things in my life for that matter), things would have been the same back at home...Change is bittersweet. Yet, the best part of the word is that it ends with the sweet.... God knows exactly what He is doing and won't leave me or forsake me. I have that promise and I am secure in that. I am forever grateful for such a great first year at college. I am beyond blessed to have such an amazing God, go to an wonderful university, make lifelong friends, and experience everything I have. I will miss this year, but I have multiple memories to remember and thousands more to make. Bring it on summer. I am almost ready for you!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Advice
Communication.
Advice.
Accountability.
Friendships.
Ever notice it's harder to take your own advice? Sometimes I wonder when I give advice to others if I would take it myself. Most people generally do listen and value my opinion...I guess it's harder when I'm in that position because sometimes I know what's right, but would rather not listen to it...even if it's what I tell the other person. This is one reason I absolutely love accountability in friendships. It takes humility to be honest enough with the other person about my struggles and I have to consistently chip away at my pride, but once I allow myself to do that I can sit down and listen to the insight of others. Half the time I know what the other person may say but I can't say it to myself or listen to it. When someone else verbalizes what I know is right it confirms all along that I should do it. Generally speaking, it's the things that are in God's Word that I need to be reminded of....such a cool thing.
Advice.
Accountability.
Friendships.
Ever notice it's harder to take your own advice? Sometimes I wonder when I give advice to others if I would take it myself. Most people generally do listen and value my opinion...I guess it's harder when I'm in that position because sometimes I know what's right, but would rather not listen to it...even if it's what I tell the other person. This is one reason I absolutely love accountability in friendships. It takes humility to be honest enough with the other person about my struggles and I have to consistently chip away at my pride, but once I allow myself to do that I can sit down and listen to the insight of others. Half the time I know what the other person may say but I can't say it to myself or listen to it. When someone else verbalizes what I know is right it confirms all along that I should do it. Generally speaking, it's the things that are in God's Word that I need to be reminded of....such a cool thing.
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