These lights will inspire you....

Hey friends,

I have happy news and sad news. The happy news is that spring break was an incredible, life changing experience that I'll never forget. The sad news is that it's over.

Galveston, TX.

For the first half of spring break I went home to Texas with my two best friends. It was so much fun to take them to my world and see my family for a few days. We went to the rodeo, toured Sugar Land, went to the beach and had Mexican food you can only get in the Lone Star State. It was beautiful.

The trip home reinforced my love for all things Texas and family life. I left with a vision of myself settling down on a quiet stretch of land somewhere in Small Town, U.S.A., writing for a nonprofit organization and baking my grandma's buttermilk pie. The idea of a quiet life a little out of the way seemed perfect.

Then I went to New York City.

Don't get me wrong: I was excited to go to New York, but I wasn't as overly thrilled as my friends were. I already knew that big city life wasn't for me. I love cities, but NYC overwhelmed me before I even got there. I knew I would like the visit, but I would never want to live or have a career there.

Well, I was wrong. Shoot.

Caroline in the City

New York City is amazing. The experience was not only fun, but influential. The journalism conference inspired and reaffirmed my career aspirations, and the liveliness of the city energized me to go for the job I want.

All of the sudden I can see myself working for a magazine in a bigger city and writing profiles on influential people. I want the tiny apartment, the noise on the street and the thrill of a fast paced life.

Since I've been back at school I've done nothing but think over what I learned, what I want and how to get it. I've been researching internships, jobs and even grad schools.

Now I'm conflicted. And confused. Isn't it funny how life works that way? In one week I gained more clarity than I could have hoped for, but it was followed with so much confusion, and even fear.

If I can't even decide what I want to do, how can I expect to achieve or deserve anything?

And there's another aspect to think about: ministry. As a Christian I feel the responsibility and desire to use my life to further the Kingdom of God. My career choice has to give me the opportunity to help others and make a difference.

Could I make more of a difference writing for a non-profit in a smaller market, or working to infuse Christian values into secular media at a news organization?

I don't know. I do know that the Lord has planned my course and will lead me to where He wants to use me, but isn't there still some responsibility on me to work hard to get there? Everyone I met in New York who had accomplished anything started working towards their goal at my age, or even younger ages.

I still have two more years of college and time to figure things out, but spring break gave me the energy to start now. How can I start if I don't even know where to begin?

Spring Break!

Hey friends!

Caroline, Abby and I before Lisa's wedding in Franklin, TN. 

I'm on spring break this week and managed to make it home for a few days before flying off the NYC for a journalism conference. I even got to bring my roommate and a friend home with me, and we've had so much fun so far! Our trip has been a whirlwind - we started at a wedding in Nashville on Saturday and made it to Rodeo Houston yesterday.

My sweet roommate has been blogging about our trip on our coffee blog. Check it out for stories from the road and all of our adventures - we're only half way through!

Still Wandering

Hello lovely friends!

Soon I'll start writing more in-depth posts about what I'm learning and experiencing, but for now I thought I'd update you on life after almost a year of not blogging. 

So, in random order, here's sophomore year summed up:

Best. Summer. Ever.
Photo cred: Kelsey Butler

1. Camp. I spent this past summer working at the camp where I practically grew up. I saw the Lord move in so many ways, and it was definitely one of the greatest experiences of my life. It would take a much longer blog post to describe everything I learned during my time there. I'll be back there again this summer and I absolutely can't wait. 

Who's cuter than us? No one.

2. Still living with my curly-haired other half. Caroline and I reunited last fall and have spent sophomore year back in a tiny, but adorably decorated, dorm room. She's an amazing encouragement to me, and I feel so blessed to call my roommate my best friend. We've loved dorm life this past year, but we're also SO excited to be moving into an even cuter house next Fall!

3. Work work work. This semester I've had two jobs, along with taking 17 credit hours and being a member of two clubs. Safe to say it's been the craziest season of my life, but I like it that way. Who wants life to be boring?

I'm a fan of this guy. 

4. Boyfriend. Yes, to all my friends who thought I kissed dating goodbye, I said boyfriend. Marshall and I have known each other for about a year and a half, and we've been together for a bit over two months. He's an amazing blessing in my life, and that's really all there is to say about it. :)

5. Still wandering. Some days I wake up and think I know exactly what I want to do with my life, and other days I'm still clueless. But the Lord has been so good to me this year and provided me with a lot of clarification. He's also given me opportunities to grow in my current passions and discover new ones. Above all, He's shown me what true peace looks like in the midst of storms. Even though I'm unsure about the future, and even though life is busier than it's ever been, I have peace, and I trust in His promises. 

6. Learning to abide. Wandering comes with a restless heart, but this year the Lord has shown me what it looks like to relax and abide in Him. There were a few months when I was stuck on the verse in John 15 that says: "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." Even though I am restless, I have experienced the peace that comes from abiding in the heart of my Father. What an amazing gift! When I abide in Him, I understand that this wandering season of my life is not aimless. He is setting things in place that will have a direct affect on my future, and I am loving the journey.

That's it for now, sweet friends. In about a week and a half I'll be back in Texas for a few days before heading to New York City with the student media team. Life is exciting, isn't it?

Praying for each one of you.

Until next time. 

Remember me?

Oh, hey there!

I don't have a good reason for not blogging all year, except for the fact that I just didn't feel like it. Also, because I truly value the art of writing, I felt like I couldn't blog unless I had something especially meaningful to write about, and that scared me. 

But then I remembered why I started this blog: to keep people from home updated on my new adventures in college. Last year this Texas girl was scared out of her mind in Tennessee, and I guess writing made home feel closer.

Then a funny thing happened: I got used to Tennessee, and Tennessee got used to me. As much as I will always love Texas, Tennessee is where I'm at right now, and I'm more than okay with it. I still cherish my home and my relationships there, but I've found other ways to stay connected to them. Writing quick updates on my life just didn't seem necessary anymore.

Yet, this week, as I've been enjoying a few calmer moments in the craziest season of my life, I realized that I still have a lot to write about. 

I can't always promise meaningful posts, or even anything on a regular basis, but I can promise that I will try. I've been wandering around quite a bit since last May, and I'd love to catch you up.

Coffee Road trip!

Hey everyone! Follow my roomate, Caroline, and I as we embark on a roadtrip from Tennessee to Texas, with random coffee shop stops along the way! We're going to be rating each shop and sharing our experiences with you! It's going to be an adventure, and we can't wait to document it! :) Click here to check us out!

If we were children I would bake you a mudpie

"Oh what I wouldn't do

If I had you, babe, if I had you,"

What I wouldn't do - A Fine Frenzy

Hello friends :) I can't believe the end of the semester is so close! In just 10 days my roommate Caroline and I will be starting our "coffee road trip" all the way HOME to Texas. I can explain that more later. 

The Caroline's Coffee Road trip, coming May 2012

I just wanted to stop in and send out a quick update, since this next week I'll be crazy busy with finals, moving out, and getting everything ready to go HOME. Did I mention I'm going HOME soon?! I really can't wait.

When I reflect on this semester I'm overwhelmed by how much God has revealed to me. I'm exhausted, but I'm thankful. Things are already in place for next semester, which makes me excited to be back here! But, not without Summer first. 

But anyways, in the next few days, this will be me:

I promise I get some studying done...sometimes. 

Texas friends, I can't wait to see you! Contact me soon and we'll figure out a way to hang out this summer :)

Tennessee friends, I've been so blessed to get to know each and every one of you, and I can't wait for round two this fall.

Love always. 

When the Blue Bonnets Bloom, I'll Think of You

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter holiday with your families. I hope you were renewed and refreshed by the gift of the Christ's sacrifice, and strengthened by the promise of the resurrection. It's such a beautiful gift, isn't it?

I'm happy to be back in Tennessee for three weeks, counting off each day until school is out. Spring has officially set it, and even though I'm not in Texas I can celebrate the fact that Blue Bonnets are blooming everywhere in my home state. (if you haven't noticed, my blog is celebrating too!) 

"Say your prayers, say my name

keep it fresh on your brain,

and don't forget that I love you this much."

"Blue Bonnets" - Cross Canadian Ragweed

Since I've been obsessed with springtime, blue bonnets, and home lately, this song will be on repeat for awhile. This video is decent quality, but I would recommend getting the song on Itunes.

Enjoy the springtime, friends. Find a place outside to relax, and notice the beauty that is blooming all around you. Life is beautiful.