A Summer of Shades.

I just wanted to share a few pictures of all my friends in my favorite shades!


Well, this is me first! haha I am in Dallas visiting Jeremy with Brooke!


Clairebear had to be like Miss Emma.

The next few pictures are from Wednesday Night Children's Church. It was like a fashion show!

Bethany

Taylor

Mallory

Uh-oh

Aden

The soon be rockstar.

Trisha


O these make me smile :)

Coffee Shop

Over the past four to six years, I have become what some may call a 'coffee addict.' Personally, I like to call it a passion for the great taste of coffee or simply a coffee lover. But in the end, the same meaning comes from both names... I absolutely love coffee. The smell, the taste, and even the atmosphere that a simple cup of coffee brings to a group of people. I love it both cold and hot although I prefer it hot. I also love it STRONG! My dad can not take how strong (or how Starbucks puts it...'extra bold') my coffee is.

Well, after all of that... my point is that one day, maybe in the near future or maybe in the far future, I want to open and own my own coffee shop. I believe this all started when my days of studying and fellowship with friends. I remember the time when we would all just need to get together and the coffee shop called Crescent City was the number one choice. I want my place to be like that. I want people of all backgrounds, age, and reason for coming to the shop to come!

I have this one huge vision in mind for a children level. Well, maybe I should begin with saying that I want this place to be two stories. The top level is like a children's library/ hangout area. Therefore, the children have a place to go and the mothers are able to have a cup of coffee and some free time.

All these ideas have been growing over the years... I need to write them down. haha

So the main purpose though for all of this (: the coffee shop I mean) is for fellowship. I want it to be a place where all people feel welcomed and a place to get to know others. Fellowship is about people coming from all different backgrounds and living life together. Fellowship is vital to the human life and especially the Christian walk. So many people think they can do it on their own and not need anything from others. But a simple talk or hello can change someones life. That is what is missing in this individualistic world we live in. Living life together doesn't mean you have to be doing something or getting the next big item, it means being a friend who listens and supports when it is needed. The reason I stress a place for children is because that is where it all begins. Children learn so much more from watching others and they have a place to fellowship as well as their parents; basically, they are learning for one another.

Fellowship is a necessity. That is why the purpose of church began so many years ago. Now, I feel that church is not acting the way it is suppose to lately and people get the wrong impressions there... but that can be a whole other post. I am not trying to say that I want the coffee shop to take the place of church either. All I can say, Fellowship is a necessity and most times it is needed other than Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. :)

Anyways. I have been thinking about that this week. I believe it will be a lifelong dream.

Renovations

Now, when you think of renovations... you think of completely stripping down to nothing and changing everything. Well, that is what I hope you are thinking. I think of renovating a house. Has anyone seen the house renovating shows on TV? the ones where they completely gut out the house and then make it completely beautiful inside?

I have decided this summer is going to be a time to completely renovate me. (wow, that kinda sounds selfish)... well the matter of the fact is that I have not been taking care of myself and therefore hurting others in the process. This summer, I hope to renovate my body, mind, and especially my spirit. It is going to be a battle and I am quite a stubborn person. But I know this is what is best for me because it will help my relationship with my Creator which in turn changes my life daily.

So, the summer has officially begun and I have been keeping myself busy...

First, I actually had an interview with a hospital for a Child Life Internship! I feel that it went quite good and I am praying that if this is what the Lord wants me to do, He will make it happen.

http://www.georgetownuniversityhospital.org/

Secondly, my summer job while trying to figure out my future is to babysit three children. There are two girls and one boy. The oldest, Connor, (who is a girl) is going into the fourth grade and definitely acts like a little mother. The second, Clayton, is going into the second grade and loves to dye his hair blue everyday. He is always willing to try something even if it gets him hurt! The third, Claire, is two years old and is quite the girly girl. One day after putting her bathing suit on, she was looking at herself in the mirror and says "I am just so cute!" Claire is definitely the baby of the family and I have a feeling she is going to be a bit of trouble later on in life with all the boys! The pictures are of a trip to the zoo we made this last week!

A Trip to the Zoo

Third, A group of friends and I are taking a CAKE DECORATING CLASS! It has been quite a challenge. Turns out, making a smooth cake is hard. I love to make the different designs with the different tips. I especially love to make the homemade icing. It is so delicious. Our next class is tomorrow night (Monday at 6) and we have to bring one cake iced with the extra icing to practice in class. Today, I made 6 cakes to freeze to practice on during the week and 3 batches of icing. I am officially a baker!!!

A Summer Full of Cake Decorating

Fourth, I am just relaxing and taking everyday like no other. I have no definite plans for my summer except my job, so therefore I have alot of free time on my hands. I have been reading the Twilight series and they are wonderful. I have also been exercising a lot more trying to work on that renovation!

Summer 2009

Something to contemplate: Tattoo? What do you really think??

Well, that is all for now. I hope to blog more... got distracted every time i was going to blog.

Africa

I cannot describe my summer last year. It was by far the most challenging and amazing experiences of my life. I found a love for a country and a people I never realize I could.

The greatest part was being so engulfed in the Word everyday. It was truly amazing to see His will and work done through me and my teammates. I was in pure dependence of Him daily for absolutely everything which is completely opposite of what I feel in the US. Most days, I pray for that dependence to reoccur, but i know that it requires me giving up my independence. It will continually be a struggle. However, God is miraculous even in the small things.

Here are the much awaited pictures. Pictures that I have been afraid to show most people for some reason...

Part 1: (our layover in Casablanca included)



Part 2:



Part3:



Enjoy!

DALLAS 09

For the past two and half days, I have been in the large metropolis of Dallas, Tx. My friend Brooke and I went there for what like to call our 'Senior Trip.' In all actuality, we went to visit one of our best buddies, Jeremy, who moved there around two months ago. He has been asking for anyone and everyone to come visit him at his new city and new life. So, we decided to take him up on his offer and get out of Ruston for a few days before the rest of our summer is full of stuff.

While there, we did not do the normal shopping trip to Dallas like most Rustonites do for a weekend or a couple of days. We actually visited the city as well as the surrounding areas.

We arrived to the area around 8 p.m. on Tuesday night. We made a quick stop in Longview to eat Whataburger and visit one of Brooke's freshmen in her Journey group this past year at the BCM. When we got there, we unpacked and Jeremy showed us around his area and being so close to downtown, we traveled through seeing the sites. We were all very excited to see each other!

Knowing we are all morning people, we were up by 7:30 Wednesday morning while Jeremy gets ready for work. Brooke and I determine what would be best to do while Jeremy worked two hours. We though about going to Fair Park which had tons of museums and a zoo. But, when we got there, everything was closed! We were kinda shocked. But then again, it was only ten in the morning. Instead, we went to the Dallas World Aquarium. It was amazing. The inside looked like the amazaon as well as having the fish tanks at the bottom. We loved it... just not the high school kids squealing. We met up with Jeremy for lunch at Hunky's: Old Fashioned Burgers. It was a fun little burger joint with dang good burgers and old men working it who probably opened the place years before. It was precious! Jeremy then took us to the Bonner Bridge of Dallas, one of his favorite places in the area. It is just a large bridge over the Trinity River (which is not a large river at all!). We wanted to go up the Reunion Tower downtown but it was closed so we walked around downtown for a bit.

While looking around, we ran into a man by the name of Megal (if that is how you spell it). We were looking for the visitors center but somehow he got onto the topic of JFK's death and how it happened. Turns out, we got schemed! ugh. O well, he told a great story and his theory of what really happened. We gave him some money and parted ways. Finally, we found the center and got the information we needed for our Ft. Worth visit the next day. While looking out the window, I saw Megal roping in another couple! Poor people! But, that is how he makes any money for himself and his supposed family with a wife of twenty years and 3 daughters... haha.

We got back to the car before the meter ran out and headed to the apartment. After just a few minutes of deciding what to do next, we went to Arlington to visit Jeremy's new school: University of Texas at Arlington. Brooke and I bought some awesome shirts and Jeremy dealt with some horrible financial aid stuff :(. It was awesome to be able to see where he was starting the next chapter of his life at. We ended up just going to Wal-mart and grabbing some frozen dinner and EDOMOME! We just stayed at the apt and watched a movie. Nice relaxing night after a day full of fun.

Ft. Worth was on our agenda for Thursday. We had called the places we wanted to go and made sure the time and cost. We left around 9 and got there right as everything was opening at 10. Firs, we went to the Botanical Garden (ONE huge garden: 109 acres) and then traveled to the Kimbell Museum of arts. There was not alot of art work but we were able to see a few pieces from Picasso and Munch. Last, we stopped by the Water Gardens. These were amazing. Two architects created these water creations in the middle of downtown Ft. Worth. When you visit them, it is like you are not in a large city anymore. They were amazing. Ft. Worth is a nice homey city. I felt at ease there and could defintely see why my friends rave about it.

We were done with the tour of Ft. Worth (or what we wanted to see of the city) by noon and headed back to the apt to pack and head home.

The next chapter in my life... Jeremy definitely found his place out there in the real world, on his own, and loving life still. I wonder if I will be able to adjust so easily. But what I really wonder is WHAT WILL THE NEXT CHAPTER ENTAIL??

that is where prayer comes in.... :)

P.s. Here is a slideshow of the Pictures...

College Graduation

Exactly two days ago, I became a college graduate. I was among the largest class ever to graduate from Louisiana Tech University: 836!

So the ceremony began with a few congratulatory honors and the GOVERNOR BOBBY JINDAL was the keynote speaker. He had a great speach. It was both infomative and entertaining at the same time. I rather enjoyed it. I told my friend Steph that 'Bobby spoke to my soul.' In all actuality, I agreed with everything he said and felt it applied directly to my life.

About an hour and a half later, all the graduates were able to make it across the stage. Now remember how I told you there were 836 people graduating? Well, I was among the first 40 people to walk. Therefore, I sat through the other 800 graduates. Three hours later, we were finally able to leave.

Whoa.

Now you ask... Do you feel different? Do I feel free?

um... nope. Its just a regular time for me. I think I would feel different maybe if I had an internship, job, or direct plan. However, I am okay right now. I will be babysitting this summer for an awesome family and three great children. I will get to swim daily and just hang out and read. I am hoping and praying that I get a teacher's aid position at Cedar Creek for the year and hopefully be able to get into the alternative certification program to get my Teaching Certificate for PK-3.

My prayer over the summer will be for God's direction in my life. I ask that you to put me in your prayers. I may have graduated and have a degree, but I am still unsure of what God has in store!

P.s. Here are the Pictures...

Today is the Day...

Today is the day...

1. Substituting at my high school for the first time. creepy.
2. Moving home after four years at college.
3. Praising the Lord that He has revealed His plan for my life for the next year.

It has been a week of relaxation as I prepare to graduate from College. I am very excited to be done with my undergrad and never thought I would continue on, but God definitely has different plans that what I think about.

Turns out... I am an addict to Twitter. I find out some great information on there and i feel connected with people constantly all day. I love it. My best friend Mallory says that I am way over addicted and need to go to Twitter anonaymous. But I am only getting started.

On Twitter, I follow one of my favorite organizations (that you can find the link to on my page) Charity Water announced that they were featured on CNN!

check it out... http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2008/09/29/small.and.global.harrison.cnn

well, that is it for now.
peace my friends.

My First Time

Today is the day.

My first blog.

I was talking to Catie on Skype. I was reading her blog and decided today is the day.

I will update and start a real journal soon!