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. 

10 reasons why I love coming home

The thing about going to school 900 miles from everything you know is that going home doesn't happen very much. If you're like me and embrace independence, being in a new place is an exciting adventure. However, even independent people get homesick, and long for the place that they know and love.

I'm currently home for Easter break satisfying my Sugar Land crave, so I thought I'd share with you why I love coming home to sweet Sugar Land, Texas, as much as I do.  

Here are the 10 reasons I love coming home:

1. Mexican food. 

When it comes to Mexican food, Tennessee tries. But nothing quite compares to an enchilada in Texas (except for maybe an enchilada in Mexico...)

2. My backyard smells like Carolina Jasmines, and I love it. 

I've never been one to get swept away by smell association, but Carolina Jasmines always bring me home. 

3. Less school, less stress, more shopping. 

Does that really need explanation?

4. I really just love my cat. 

I gave up trying to be cool a long time ago, and since we're going for full disclosure, I'm just going to say this: my cat is one of my favorite things on this earth. She's loving, she's cuddly, and when I'm not at home I miss her at the foot of my bed. Now, proceed to judge me. 

5. Being away from home makes you love it more. 

When I first come home after a few months of being away, I'm sentimental about everything. I love the busy road that I used to take every day to school, I love the june bugs that buzz around our back door in April, I love everything about Sugar Land.

6. I really do love everything about Sugar Land. 

It was the ideal place to grow up, and now it's the ideal home base to come back too. I don't ever want there to be a day when I'm not coming back to Sugar Land. I feel at home as soon as I get here, there's no awkward adjusting or reacquainting time. In my life at least, things move a little slower in Sugar Land, and I'm always able to find peace here. Everyone should have a place like that. 

7. When I'm home, I'm constantly seeing or hearing things that remind me of life at Lee. 

I think that's a good thing; getting away gives me an opportunity to step away from the stress and remember how much I love my life at school. Pretty soon I start to miss it. Even though I absolutely love being home, going back to school isn't always a challenge. 

8. Reunions. 

When you're gone for a long time and only have a few days to be home, you get the chance to have crazy, jumping around and screaming reunion moments with your friends, and it's wonderful. 

9. Friends. 

There's nothing like sitting down for coffee with a really great friend, especially when you haven't seen that friend in awhile. As much as social media let's us keep up with each other, it doesn't match the experience of actually spending time with someone. I love seeing old friends again and hearing about everything that's happened in their life since we last saw each other. 

10. Family. 

My family is my favorite thing in the world, and these days it's extremely rare that we're all in one place at one time. Any time I get a chance to see even just part of my family, I'm the happiest girl in the world. Spending time with my family is the best and easiest way to get refreshed and ready to take on the rest of the semester. 

I don't know how long I'll be away from Texas. Whether I come back and lay roots here or just float through every once in awhile, Texas will always hold a very special place in my heart, and I'll always love coming home. 

When there's no one else to love, keep me in mind

Zac Brown Band, you are wonderful. 

This will always be one of my favorite songs.

P.S. HAPPY APRIL! Hello Spring time :)