To Do Today...

1. Call a Plumber.
2. Call the sign people.
3. Drink more coffee.
4. Get a vacuum cleaner.
5. Stay dry.
6. Drink more coffee.
7. More phone calls.
8. Study for my Education Mid-Term.
9. Do a little facebook stalking.
10. Try to figure out how to be at 12 million different places at one time on the 20th.
    

Packing, Moving, Unpacking, and Preparing to Pack and Move Again

I have spent the last ten days packing up my apartment and making many trips to my parent's house with small loads of whatever will fit in my car. It's been an adventure at best. Horrifying at worst. Really hard is the best way to describe it. I have lived in that little apartment for 2 years. I moved in during the summer of 2007 and experienced some of the best and worst moments of my newly independent life there.

• I had five different roommates.
• One cat (Remi...A.K.A. Satan)
• One dog (Surls)
• Got engaged (not in the apartment, but it happened while I lived there)
  
• Got un-engaged (in the parking lot of the apartment complex)
• Bought my first Christmas tree
• Had my own closet
• Had five jobs
• Made new friends
• Lost old friends
• Joined Young Life
• Changed my major at least three times
• Had fights
• Made up after fights
• Got some old friends back
• Lost a TV
• Gained a better TV
• Lost better TV
• Was loaned a TV
• Had awkward conversations
• Had deep conversations
• Wrote epic emails
• Received epic emails
  
• Became a couch sleeper
• Joined a new church
• Had good dates
• Had bad dates
• Went on a blind date
• Hosted dinner parties
• Became a fan of the care package
• Became a fan of "The Real Housewives"
• Fell in love
• Fell out of love
• Cooked good dinners
• Burned good dinners
• Watched good movies
• Watched bad movies
• Became a better blogger

That apartment has a lot of Theresa in it. It was hard to load up those last few boxes and turn my keys in. A whole, long chapter closed when I locked that door. The new chapter is exciting, but I am going to miss the old one.

I am living at home for a month before Dad finishes renovating the attic above his office into a loft apartment for me, Caroline, and Sarah Ann. It is a super great deal. No rent, live with my sisters, and the ability to walk to school make this new living arrangement fantastic.

All in all, a good, but tiring ten days. Who knew you could acquire so much junk (or in my case, clothes) in just two years?

Here's to new chapters and new apartments.

I know God is Good

Today I know that God is good because:

1. All things work out for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
2. I got a position at Windy Gap, my first choice for Young Life summer staff.
3. It rained today.
4. I had Chick-fil-A for lunch.
5. I spent time with good friends.
6. I have peace like a river.
7. I spent time at the river.
8. I have friends like Goose and Banks.
9. My sister loves me.
10. The West Wing came on at least once today.

Want vs. Need

Wants:

I have no idea anymore.


Needs:

1. Confidence
2. Faith
   

Thankfulness; Part Deux

Today I am grateful for:

1. The 8th graders at St. Luke School.
2. My small group.
3. Runs in the park.
4. Dinner with the Carvers.
5. Sweet sisters.
6. Phone conversations with Sally.
7. The thought of sleeping in on Saturday morning.
8. Good books.
9. The end of my theater appreciation class.
10. Peace beyond comprehension.
    

The Queen of Facebook speaks out.

I have a love hate relationship with Facebook. It's been going on since early 2006. I got on because the guy I was dating was on and I wanted to be able to...be on there too...lame. I know. And it just gets crazier. I am known as the "Queen of Facebook." Seriously. Want to know why?

I have:

1. 1, 342 friends
2. 865 pictures of me (that have been tagged)
3. 70 photo albums
4. 130 Profile Picture. This means that is how many times I have changed my profile picture since 2006. AND I know that I have deleted one or two.

So, yes, the Queen of Facebook is speaking to you right now. Feel honored.

Over the past (almost) four years, Facebook has kept me entertained, enabled my nosy-ness, helped me waste time, spawned many a political debate, and arguments with my mother. In short, I love Facebook while hating it with a fiery passion of hell. However, I keep my account and am logged in most of the day. Why? I have no idea. It's addicting. Plus, at this point, what's the use in deleting it? The geniuses behind this site have changed their privacy policies and are keeping everything you have ever posted and claim to own it all now, so again...what's the point in deleting my account? I don't see one.

So, without further comment, here are 25 more reasons why I love/hate Facebook.

The Dinglewood Lunch Club

Columbus, Georgia has it's pros and cons. I love that I am able to call it home, but at the same time, I am ready to get the heck out of dodge. However, there are people, places, and things that make Columbus bearable to me at this point in my life and I want to share a few.

1. My family. I love that they are here and I love that we are able to spend time together without hundreds of miles between us and the need to get on a plane. (However, when the time comes to get on that plane, I won't be unhappy that it is here. Not because of my family, but because of Columbus.)
2. Friends. I have some pretty awesome friends here. They are a diverse group, but that is what makes them so great.
3. The food. I know this sounds silly and a lot of people would argue with me, but I love the restaurants here. There are so many places here in Columbus that are special to our city. Dinglewood, Deorios, Country's, The Farm House, I could go on and on.
   
4. Young Life. Yes, there is Young Life all over this country and I intend on being a part of it no matter where I am, but the kids at Shaw High School are the ones that I have a relationship with now.
   
5. My church family. I really love my church. I am refreshed every week and I love the ministry that is going on at St. Andrews.
   

I say all of this because today I had lunch with my friend, Joseph Davis, at Dinglewood where we tend to eat together for the most part. (Meghan Doll was supposed to join, but slept instead...just a shout out to you, Mego!) Lunch with Joseph is always uplifting to me. He reminds me that I am not alone in my struggle to find the right path for my life. That I am all but alone in my journey with Christ. That I am not alone in my discouragements, my dreams, my hopes and aspirations. He reminds me that it's ok not to have it all together and that those who seem to have it all together are the ones that you need to take a second look at because without a period of brokenness, you can't experience God's grace to the max.

I do love Columbus, Georgia. I really do. But as Colt Miley would say; "It's like this little bubble." And I want out of that bubble for the time being. So, when opportunities come my way, like lunch with Joe, I will gladly take them and enjoy them with a grateful heart knowing full well that God will never give me more than I can handle.

This week I learned...

1. Not to talk on the phone and go through the drive-thru at the bank at the same time. This allows you to be able to not cash checks that you intend to deposit which then end up lost/stolen.
2. Time management is something that I have GOT to work on.
3. Trust is a leap of faith no matter what side of the fence you are on.
4. I hate math. (This is not something that I figured out this week, I just re-discovered.)
5. Sleep and high school girls don't mix on weekend getaways...unless you are with the freshman and sophomore girls, in which case they will do whatever you say.
6. A mother's need/urge to defend her child never goes away.
7. American Idol is super dramatic this season.
8. I am not a playwright.
9. I love Meghan Doll, Julie Davis, and Katie Kelly more than life itself.
10. Young Life has my heart and the kids at Shaw High School are my world.
    

This week I learned...

1. Passwords are never protected, no matter how secure you think they are.
2. Chapstick is a good thing to have in your pocket.
3. I hate Melissa's voicemail.
4. I am ready for warmer weather.
5. I need an oil change.
6. Cleaning my apartment should be a more regular thing on my part.
7. Time Management needs to be more of a priority.
8. I am more refreshed after time in His word.
9. Sarah Ann is a fabulous math tutor.
10. A picture says a thousand words.
    

Thankful Sunday

Today I am thankful for:

1. The fireplace at my parent's house.
2. The ability to worship God in the open.
3. Super Bowl Sunday.
4. Lunches with Ms. Alison.
   
5. Sharptop Cove.
6. Sweet tea.
7. My job.
8. Sweet friends.
9. Living near a gas station.
10. Long-sleeved t-shirts.
11. Peace.
12. Good music and dancing.
13. Isaiah.
14. Pastors with a sense of humor.
15. The possibility of snow.
    

This week I learned...

1. I needed to cry.
2. Hindsight is 20/20.
3. Athens is a beautiful city,
4. Hugs from Mom are still pretty much the most comforting thing ever...even at 20.
   
5. Good friends are worth super short trips.
6. I have a lot of people who care a great deal about me.
   
7. Lunch at SHS was good for me and the kids.
   
8. I over-commit at times.
9. Love does not go away.
10. I sleep on the couch when I am upset.
    

This week I learned...

1. The Algebra class I am taking is going to be hard and studying is going to be my life.
2. The weather channel does not always know what they are talking about.
3. Schedules are irrelevant and non-existent.
   
4. Sleeping in a big bed alone is best done if you sleep in the middle.
   
5. Caroline gives awesome advice.
6. Sleeping too much is like not getting enough sleep.
7. Praying with and for sisters is sweet, blissful joy.
8. When you get honesty from the start then you shouldn't get your hopes up.
   
9. Not having something every night of the week is ok.
10. I am not that bad at ultimate frisbee, contrary to what my siblings say. HA.
    

Thankful Sunday

My friend, Becky, has a fantastic blog that I read on a near daily basis. She has what she calls "Thankful Friday" where she lists things that she is thankful for in her life. I am afraid that I will be nowhere near as diligent as she, but I am going to make an attempt.

1. Parents. I love my parents. We don't always agree and we don't always understand one another and what the other needs, wants, or desires, but they are pretty awesome.
   
2. Siblings. I know I say this all the time, but I love my brothers and sisters. They pretty much rock.
   
3. The fact that I have a job. While other people are losing theirs and worrying about putting food on the table, I have a job and I love it. That's something right there.
   
4. Small group. I love this group, these people and the reason that we get together every Wednesday night.
   
5. Chick-fil-a. You laugh. You mock. You think I'm crazy. But, I am thankful for the big chick and the yummy-ness it provides for me on a regular basis.
   
6. Ultimate frisbee AND running. These two activities provide me with infinite joy.
7. Basketball Season. Praise Jesus. I am so glad it's back. I was going through withdrawals.
8. Good friends.
9. Surls.
10. Young Life.
    

Goodby Old Year! Hello New Year!

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

I hate new year resolutions. I think that they set us (or maybe just me) up for failure. You decide that you are going to run every day and eat only healthy foods. Or you decide that you are going to read this ridiculously long list of books, dust every Friday, go vegetarian, fill up the gas tank when it hits the halfway mark, give yourself a clothing budget, and keep your laundry under control. Yeah, right. Like any of that is going to happen. Let's face it, you get to the end of the year and you see that you have not even half way completed the list or you have forgotten exactly what it was that you resolved to resolve.

I want this year to go a little differently. I know, I know. I am about to go against everything that I just said. However, instead of setting absolute goals for myself, I am noting things in myself that I would like to work on. No set mark to reach. I just want to see some progress in myself.

• Jesus. He is already my number one priority. However, I want to be within understanding distance of Him. I want to live more like the new creation He provided me with. I want to stand in awe every morning and fight with a passion to stay on a spiritual high.
  
• Details. I am not a very detail oriented person. I see the big picture and it's hard for me to focus on the how, so much as the goal. I would like to become better at the details.
• Fitness. I know, talk about stereo-typical. But, seriously. I love to run and take spin class. I really do. I just need to get motivated. This time last year I was a gym junkie. I would like to get back in the groove.

That's it really. I am not saying that is all I need to work on in me. However, one step at time AND I want to be able to reach January 1st, 2010 and be able to see the progress I have made in the past year.

Here's to 2008 and everything that it embodied and here is to 2009 and the graciousness I pray God will give to each and everyone of us.

Favorite Moments of 2008

This year has been full of surprises. I have been one busy chickie and due to the busy-ness, the Christmas letter that I wrote turned into a New Year's letter. It's pretty great recap of my year, so I thought that I would include it along with some of my favorite memories and moments from 2008.

As an independent member of society, I decided it might be nice to send out a New Year's letter of my own and let folks know what was going on in my life. (Truthfully, I was going to send a Christmas letter and time just got away from me. Oops. This may serve as more of a reminder that I am growing up than asking for a can opener and a tea kettle for Christmas. Yes, I really did.)

I am a junior at Columbus State University here in Columbus, Georgia. I am majoring in Journalism and Photography. After changing my major about six times (and no, that is not an exaggeration), I have finally made up my mind. I have a lot of passion for both writing and photography. After I get my undergraduate, I would like to get my masters. Whether it will be in Journalism or Photography, I am not sure yet.

I moved out of Mom and Dad's house at the end of August of 2007. I am living in an apartment complex approximately twenty minutes away from Upatoi (where Mom and Dad live). I am about five minutes from Campus and ten minutes from work. It is so nice! I live with two other girls, Jessica and Genine. They are fantastic and we get along well. We each have our own rooms and bathrooms, so there is no lack of personal space. I have a sweet dog named Surls. He is a yellow lab who was abandoned in the park. He lives with Mom and Dad right because he is so big, but he is my little buddy. Although he can be a handful at times, I am glad that God threw him my way.

I am working at the Springer Opera House as the Education Assistant. My job duties include preparing study guides for the schools coming to see our productions, conducting workshops in the schools, teaching and assisting in the classes that our theater provides, and pretty much anything else my boss tells me to do. It also includes being cast in shows if they need me. I was cast as Piglet in Winnie the Pooh and the bride in Father of the Bride earlier this season. It's a great job and one that I love going to everyday.

Travel has become a favorite hobby. At the end of this summer, I took a trip to D.C. to see friends and wander the city. I went last year for fall break with Mom and Caroline, but loved it so much that I decided to go again, this time alone. I was able to stand on the south lawn of the White House and watch Marine One land with the President, First Lady, and Press Secretary all on board. What a treat!

God has really been working in my life in the past year and I have never been happier in Him. He has blessed me beyond what I ever could have imagined! I am a Yong Life leader at Shaw High School here in Columbus. For those of you who don't know what YL is, we reach out to high school students and share Jesus Christ with them. My kids are a huge part of my life. I am in daily awe of God's love, grace, and mercy in my life. I am learning how to thank Him for the good, as well as the not so good in my life, realizing fully that He has “plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give (me) a future and a hope...” (Jeremiah 29:11)

That is my life up to speed. I am very busy and extremely happy. Life has thrown me some curve balls in the past year, but I am fully content with the life that God has blessed me with. What an awesome God we serve!

• Snow day '08. This day is not only one of my favorites from the year, but it ranks in my top five favorite days of all time. Mom took me, Katie, and Ben to find the snow when it hit Georgia in early January of this year. It was a great day with family and one that I will treasure always.
• 
• Sharptop Cove. Experiencing this great Young Life camp with new friends and old friends and getting the best and most surprising surprise I have ever received, makes this early February weekend a weekend that I will never forget. Jesus spoke to my heart in a totally new and inspiring way. It was that weekend that I knew "I was made for this."
• My first Club at Shaw Highschool. Matt and Rich made me pretend that I was the pizza girl that just happened to fall in love with Young Life and become a leader. There are still kids who are confused by this. Hehe.
• My summer trip to the Garvin home. Amanda was preaching at Cannon UMC and I was invited to come and spend the weekend. It was a great weekend of swimming, shopping, and fellowship with one of my favorite families.
• Springer Theater Academy. I was only involved for one week, but it was a great week. My summer was far too memorable in a not so great way and it was a nice ending to a not so nice summer.
• Washington, D.C. The last week of July, I went to D.C. to see some friends. It was a wonderful opportunity to get some much needed alone time and experience the big city alone. I was (and am) very proud of myself and not using a map, concealing my camera, and crossing the street before the light told me to. I prided myself in being a non-tourist.
• Country's Midnight Run. After hurting my knee and not being able to run all summer, I was able to run two of the three miles of the Country's 5k at the end of August. I finished in 35 minutes, which I was pretty proud of considering the fact that I had not run in a couple of months.
• The Vander-Baker nuptials. Two of my dearest friends were joined in holy matrimony in early September. It was one of the most fun weekends. Lots of friends, old and new. And tons of good food, good music, and genuine joy and excitement for two fabulous people.
• My job. That morning that I had coffee with Mr. Ron and later got my current job at the Springer Opera House was a very exciting moment for me. I am finally in a job that I love, in a building that I love, with people I love and who love me. Yay!
• Father of the Bride. Mr. Ron casting me as the bride in FOB was a neat part of my year. It was the only role that I really wanted this season and being given the opportunity to do something that I love so much was really an honor.
• Thanksgiving. It sounds so silly, but I have never been as excited as I was this year about my favorite holiday. Thanksgiving is so special to me, but having all of my friends home this year made the holiday that much more exciting. I am truly blessed to have friends like mine.

This list seems short to me and I know that there are other moments that have slipped my mind. I am thinking of them right now. Joining my church was a huge deal. Going to the beach with Caroline and Liz was a joy and a blessing. Lucy being home this summer and driving the Mustang everywhere. And getting my dog, Surls, was one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I am blessed beyond compare and there are no words adequate enough to express my joy and contentment in the life that my Savior has given me. He is worthy to be praised and mighty in His works.

This week I learned...

1. I can cook, but I don't like to do it alone.
2. I am not the greatest driver (I didn't really learn this this week, but I thought I would throw it in there).
3. Alone time is something that I crave every now and again.
4. I am more conservative than I thought I was.
5. Girlfriends are priceless.
6. A clean apartment is far more enjoyable than a dirty one.
7. Community is a bigger deal to me than I once thought.
8. A sweet text message goes a long way.
9. Friendship is something to guard and protect.
10. Driving on empty is almost always bad news.
    

Christmas Eve

What a busy day! There were gifts to give and receive, lunch with the Bakers, last minute shopping to do, and a Christmas Eve service to prepare for.

Today, I am most grateful for:

• The birth of our Saviour
  
• Family
• Friends
• A reliable car
• Good food
• Good music
• Laughter
• Pure joy
  

Sweet Moments

Sweet moment #500483- Watching the V.P. Debate with Ron Anderson and Joe Nelson, while texting Micah. Priceless.

Thankfulness

I am thankful for:

My Savior
Family
Friends
Hot showers
My Apartment
My roommate
Gmail
My Car (even if it is a piece of crap)
Young Life
My Church
Target ( i just love that store)
Girlfriends
Panera Bread
The Gym
Cell Phones
The Beach
Sunshine
Cream Cheese
Education
Books
Old Movies
Rainy Days
Fireplaces
Hugs
Mountains
Sweet Tea
Lunches paid for by Dad
Pedicures
Mexican dinners with Peyton B.
Days at the lake
Keens
Melissa
Kisses
Little brothers who are taller than me
Being born in the south
Theatre
Holidays
Roadtrips
Cannon Rebel xTi
BFF's in LaGrange
People who read this
Plane trips
CPA's
Picture frames
Long lunches
Late night chats
Music
Texas Grandmothers
Job interviews

I'm sure there's more...

The Bucket List

I personally did not see the movie that I am stealing the title to this post from, but I heard it was good. It was about these two old guys who had a list of things that they wanted to do before they "kicked the bucket" and how they went about completing this list. My mom likes to give me extremely detailed accounts of the movies that she and Dad go see, even if I say that I am going to go see it too. Then, I figure why spend the almost ten bucks to see something that I already know the ending to? But, I digress. My point is that I have a list of things that I must do before I die and I want to share them with you. This list is ever growing, changing, and I am sure there will be things that I forget about. There is no particular order to this list. Just go with it.

• Jump out of a plane
• Go overseas.
• Plant a flower garden
• Adopt a baby
• Get a puppy
• Keep a goldfish alive for longer than a month
• Write a book
• Get married(this should probably be above the have a baby/adopt one...)
• Go on a long term mission trip
• Be "Millie" in Thoroughly Modern Millie"
• Have a white picket fence
• Go on a cross country road trip
• Be the Artistic Director of a regional theatre
• Be a professional photographer
• Be on staff with Young Life
• Buy a car
• Create a foundation for underprivileged kids to go to college
• Win lottery or be famous author to have money to create foundation
• Live in New England
• Sing in a night club (When I say night club, I mean a jazz club that's smokey and dark...specifics are important here, people.)
• Graduate from college. (this one should probably be further up on the list.)
• Work at a job I love
• Read as many books as I can
• Be known for my extensive library
• Have season tickets to the symphony, the theatre, GT football and basketball games, and the Braves

As I think of more I'll add them in parts 2, 3, and so on. Now, to start checking it off...