Crazy

Things are truly winding down around here in Cincinnati. Its a pretty scary feeling, but something that I cannot help but be so anxious about. Graduation from high school was no surprise, things were already planned out. Graduation from college is such a different story for me, but I am finding myself less nervous or worried than I had previously expected.

I find myself constantly wanting to spend time with my roommate of three years, Molly. I have been incessantly calling my Young Life girls in attempts to spend time together. I realize how much I will miss simple comforts like Allison's sarcasm and Charles' jokes. I am desparately trying to squeeze the life out of everything Cincinnati before I leave - this is includes but is not limited to UDF chocolate malts, Graeter's Buckeye Blitz, skyline, and probably things that are not food related (but really if you know me its probably food related).

I have had a roomate for 5 years now. Three of those years have been with Molly. It is so weird to think of my everyday life without her. Who knows when that reality will hit. Probably when I am forced to pick my own clothes out before going out with friends. haha

On the flip side, there are so many things about Carolina about which I am feeling such anticipation. Minus the pulled pork, sweet tea, lemonade and weather (see, food again), I am so excited for the next parts of the Lord's plan that he will reveal to me. I can't even begin to guess. I don't want to. One of my favorite verses says this:
"Look at the nations and watch—
and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
that you would not believe,
even if you were told. --Habakkuk 1:5

It's so crazy to think about, right?

Fun week.

I get to have a pretty fun week starting tonight. I am "teenager-watching" (which is but isn't like babysitting). I get to spend the week with my friend Molly, not to be confused with my roomate Molly, while her mom is in South Carolina. I have known Molly for a couple years so am excited to just spend time with her.

In other news, my legs still itch. I have tried Benadryl and cortizone, as recommended by Aunt Diane and Aunt Karen, but am still seeing little change. I googled itchy legs and figured out a few more things I am going to try. An over the counter anti-something called lanacaine, and possibly putting hydrogen peroxide on my legs?

We'll see if the medical mystery is solved.

Smorgasborg

FYI...this is my 101st post.

I have been a slacker lately on posting. There hasn't been a whole lot of new things going on in my life, but somethings of note:

God has been affirming over and over again that I am being obedient in making the move to North Carolina. Since I made the decision, I have had emails and calls from people involved in Young Life ministry down there. It has been very encouraging and made me so excited to continue on this journey with the Lord.

Spring has sprung in Cincinnati. I think I had a post a while back with the title "Spring has sprung," but I was mistaken. Today...it is for real. I woke up this morning to lawnmowers, college kids yelling, co-eds giggling, and birds going nuts. I slept with all three windows in my room open because I am trying to conserve our electricity usage. I woke up this mornign and thought I was in Kiawah. Growing up we used to always sleep with the windows open and fan on in the beach house. The light usually woke us up at some God-awful hour of the morning, but we were forgiving because it was the beach.

Lastly. I have two weeks left of undergrad. College is almost over. Finito. I get the point already. How do I feel? Pretty great. I will miss a select few people here who have come to be some of the best friends, but I don't know that Cincinnati was ever in the plan to be my home. My roomate Molly is moving down to Charleston, SC for the summer so we will not be rid of each other yet...thank the Lord. I can't even begin to imagine how weird it will be to live without her after living together for three years.

P.s. I think I may have a grass allergy. I have been outside these past two days playing with three year olds and getting a tan and have not stopped itching my legs since...any insight?

Today

Isaiah 30:21 says,

"And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."

So...here I come life. I'm walking.

So Much Love in One Place Has to Be a Crime

This weekend was my Godmother's surprise 50th birthday party. Boy was she surprised! (lol) I cannot explain to anyone else what it feels like to be a part of such a loving family. My mom is one of ten and there are more than enough cousins to go around. So, these pictures will speak louder than my words...for once.Cousins: Michelle, Jessica, Becca and Danielle.
Jess, Me, Melissa, Danielle, Mary Frances
TAG IT. Jess, Danielle and Uncle Davey
It was a wonder I could even get into this kitchen.
Rachel Ray
gossip Girls.
I am an angel.
As per usual, I bring the entertainment.
Love of my life, Jessica.
Mary Frances' attempt at being totally awkward.
Sunning herself while we wait for the surprise.
Scroll down to this blog in December and you will see an identical photo.
This is dWan. She has her own salon. Called dWan's Salon. She was in charge of upper body spray tans for the weekend. $5 a pop.
My beautiful sister and beautiful cousin, Isabel. She is really smart and has her own blog here.
This is me telling Isabel the sad story of the day that an evildoer (my sister Danielle) tore off the ear of my beloved Fat Dog.

Alyson, Isabel, Jessica and Rebecca relaxing in Jessica's new "grown-up" room.

It could be worse.

Hey party peopleee.

Although I have mentioned to most of you some vague details regarding my plan after graduation. I am moving in a direction that really has specifics and concrete itineraries. I have been emailing back and forth with the young life regional director of the Carolinas region. He currently lives in Charlotte, but is from Cincinnati and then was on staff in Columbus. I met Steve in January and decided to follow up with him about post-grad. He and his staff have been great about encouraging me in my search for God's will and have also gotten my resume around to their YL committee in Charlotte.

Two weeks ago I emailed Steve asking about any of his leaders needing roomates or wanting to sublease for the summer. He came back with a VERY generous offer. I expressed a few days ago taht I have been frustrated with the Lord because I haven't felt clarity or peace about what He wants for me after graduation. Part of the problem is that I feel entitled to have a job, and more so entitled to know God's plans for me. To quote my friend Adrienne, "I want to live in only God's plans," but I have nto had a clear answer of where He wants me. Adrienne recently shared with me a passage from Psalm 4 that made me just melt. God tells us a bajillion times that he will prosper those who fear him, who love him, who hold ot his covenant.

"The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness..."

How encouraging to hear this from Adrienne, expecially good timing. Steve has offered me a free place ot stay in Charlotte for about 6 weeks. He will be gone from his home with his family for those 6 weeks and is offering me his "summer home," (otherwise known as the above the garage apartment) for the small price of me mowing his grass once a week. (Note: I have never mowed the lawn. I don't know how to use a lawn mower.) I was pretty apprehensive after having this offer really fall into my lap. I spent about 4 days praying and seeking the Lord while only mentioning this offer to two other people. When I headed home for the weekend, I still did not feel like I was getting clarity from the Lord. After talking to Laura, my friend and YL leader from high school, my parents and some friends from HS, I think it started to click. I kind of feel like Moses. God is promising me all the time that he will prosper me, but not promising that I will always be privy to his plans. God promised Moses and the Israelites the Promise Land and they had NO IDEA what they were in store for. God implored Moses only to "Go!" and Moses went.

I am ready to step out in obedience, to believe that the Lord will do a good work in me as I really put myself in a position where I MUST trust Him. So, May 20th I will be heading to Charlotte to begin what could be a great 6 week stint in an awesome city, or what could be the next long chapter of my life. I pray that I am ready to take what the Lord has for me and that I will face my fears with courage derived from Him.

Worst case scenario: I come back with a tan. :)

"It is definitly a crime for a Christian to be weak in God's strength."

I have been pretty frustrated with God lately. To be honest. I feel like I have been trying to seek and look to Him for answers and direction regarding what I should do when I graduate. I do not want to make a decision without it being the Lord's plan. That is far scarier than staying put until I hear something clear. In the midst of this frustration, I probably have not been in the right posture to hear and really yield to what the Lord might share with me. Often times, what happens to me is that I get swept up in the rationale and decision making of many of my other college friends.

In My Utmost for His Highest this morning, Oswald Chambers remarks on how our Lord brings us to fellowship with him, only to hear us moan and groan, saying "Oh Lord, just let me be like other people!" Man, I am ridiculous sometimes. I consciously pray and seek freedom from things that enslaved me in the past, and as I am slowly granted release from these things as I grow in my faith and trust of the Lord, I find myself just like the Israelites who were freed from Pharaoh...whining and moaning because I just wish that sometimes I could take a break from being a "Christian" and live the "easy life." Yikes...it is crazy how well our world can sell us on its lies.

In Matthew 11:30 Jesus says, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light..." Chambers says, "Our Lord is asking us to get beside him and take one end of the yoke, so that we can pull together." Lord, I just pray that my complaining about a job and a future (that you have already promised to prosper - Jeremiah 29:11) would turn into praise for you. I pray to know the strength of my God by taking up the yoke of Jesus.

I have made some decisions about next year. They will come at you soon. And rather than sitting around whining about not hearing clear words from God, I am going to be obedient to his call to Moses to "Go!" I trust that He will reveal His plan as I begin to take up the yoke of Christ and learn from His strength. God's love is crazy.

Dodging the Holy Water Shower

I follow this blog called Stuff Christians Like. John, the guy who writes it, is getting a book published by Zondervan and is pretty funny. His sarcasm and humor really ease the truth of a lot of things that we Christians really do like. Anyway, I went to Catholic mass this morning for Easter. It has been a reeeeeeaally long time since I went to mass at home. I can't even remember when it was. I typically fight and argue about where we go to church as a family (because I am loud and opinionated...and obnoxious), but I went to River Ridge for Good Friday and I didn't really make a stink about it until afterwards. (I won't let this post be about my beef with mass...won't).

Anyway. to connect all of this. Stuff Catholics Like. My brother, sisters and I, for as long as I can remember, do anything possible to get each other in trouble or create funny distractions during mass. This morning was one of those rare moments when we did not have to create a distraction, but the priest did it for us. Catholics do this thing a few times a year, I am not sure of all of the occasions, where they "re-baptize" the church with the holy water from the baptismal fount. There are variations of this action, using different weapons to disperse the water, but this morning went as follows.

The deacon had a little silver bowl with holy water in it, and a little green branch for scattering, Now I refer to this branch as a weapon because, really, it is. He proceeded to make his way around the congregation and shake the wet branch onto the parishoners. Now, the best part of this whole scene is watching other people's reactions. The funniest of these reactions is those people who are trying to be serious throughout the whole thing. They are usually closest to the weapon and get the most soaked. They end up with water on their glasses, hair and all over their clothes and are trying way to hard to keep a straight face. Our family on the other hand doesn't even attempt to take this seriously.

Today, my mom was on the end of the aisle and got the dousing. I had the great opportunity to dodge the water shower by crouching behind Becca. I got my few drops and avoided a see through white shirt, and wet hair sticking to my forehead. All in the name of good church humor.

The top 11 reasons why I love being at home.

Ahhh. Home sweet home.

Here are few luxuries that I have already enjoyed since getting home today at 5 PM that I do not get to enjoy while living in my jankity apartment in Cincinnati:

1. When I enter my house, I take my coat off, not put more layers on.
2. When I flush my toilet, I don't have to stand there and watch it to make sure it doesn't overflow.
3. I don't have to go to a friends house to use their toilet when I wake up in the morning and have to pee (see #2).
4. There is fresh fruit and vegetables to be had by all.
5. I prefer leftovers. They are good food. And I haven't been trying to finish them for 5 days on my own.
6. I don't worry about who I am going to go out with because my mom will hang out with me instead.
7. I don't have to be anywhere. And I am never lonely.
8. haha...my dad compliments me (this is here mainly because he just said it and it was funny). Example:
Jaclyn: Dad, I want to learn fly fishing with you. Me knowing how to do things that boys like makes me a better wife prospect.
Dad: Honey, you are a perfect wife prospect. And not just because you are my daughter.
9. There are two dogs at home and none in Cincinnati. (SIKE, if you know me you know that this is my least favorite thing about being home).
10. I don't have to leave my room to rinse my hands, dump out my contact solution, brush my teeth, or wash my hair.
11. I don't have to carry my laundry basket down 3 flights of stairs to wash my clothes.


In other news, I found a dress for senior ball. Not that this was weighing heavy on anyone's mind or anything, just thought I would let you know. No speeding tickets on the drive home...woohoo!

Stealing post ideas is a forte of mine.

Adrienne, I am close to making 100 posts as well. Who would've thought? (though realistically, if you know me, you know that I always have something to say. So maybe this is not so much of a surprise?)

Anyway. today I will be stealing one of the most hilarious ideas in the blog world. My friend Pierce, a victory-lapper at OSU, has a blog and a great sense of humor. He and a friend have come up with a really great way to bide time on the interweb that doesn't consist of online shopping (my typical and dangerous choise of interweb time biding).

This my friends is the coveted Top 10 Facebook Status's of the morning (would have been better to do this yesterday when Sean Miller accepted the Arizona coaching job, but nonetheless...). Now, if you don't have facebook, you may not be familiar with the absurdity and audacity of some, but it is healthy and thriving. That being said, in no particular order...

1. --there is snow on the ground, and I'm going for a swim. (Reeeeeally? but not really.)
2. --is getting sponsored by NIKE in August. (congrats, but really...is this something that you feel is meant to be shared with the entire interweb, or slowly leaked by you on purpose via real friends?)
3. --it's snowing and cold...i blame sean miller (spoke too soon, the Sean Miller drama is not over because apparently he is like one of those weather wizards in those old Christmas movies.)
4. --thinks Xavier should try to go after Rudy Tomjanovic. [Insert Kermit Washington joke] (This is probably funnier to boys who know about sports)
5. --Snow in April?? Whatever happened to the whole "Global Warming" issue? (are you asking for global warming?)
6. -- feels like he's in a foreign place when he wakes up at 7am. But it feels good. Spitting out some papers today before the big trip to Chi-town! You can find me at the Starbucks, it's going down! (I love that this person inserted a rap song into a starbucks reference)
7. --no wonder my allergies are so jacked up down here...30 degrees when I wake up and 75 degrees by noon. Stupid Texas. (couldn't help but think about being jacked up on mt. dew, but seeing as how it is snowing in OH - as referenced by pervious status udpates - id take 75 by noon any day)
8. --its balls cold outside. (I never got the whole "balls" reference as a point of comparison for most things).
9. --I am not used to working 13 hour days, I better be getting free Jelly out of this (this is not as funny to me because I know what this person's job is, but to everyone else, probably hilarious).
10. The following two posts are from the same person...only two hours apart.
--Why would you go to a team that has lost every best recruit to Europe or other schools and the team you have built will be one the best teams or the Best team in Xavier's history? Have fun trying to build up a program again...
--No one should hate Sean for going to a job that he will make double or more then now.. Who wouldn't want to make that much at one the most well know basketball programs in the nation...This was going to happen, and he didn't publicly say he was definitely staying...Thanks for the 5 years and good luck...

This is not even close ot Pierce's caliber...but fun to do

I am so not "College"

I have been slacking lately. One blog every four days does not satisfy my desire to go back and read these every few months.

I came to a realization this weekend: I am SO not COLLEGE. I am a college student, but in the social sense of the word, I don't know that I live up to the hype of the stereotype (although I am not college, I am a rhymer). Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying this to express any sadness at not being "cool" enough to be considered "College," nor do I want to show disdain for anyone who thinks that they are. I decided my freshmen year of college that I wanted my next four years to look different from most. I guess technically you could say that I decided on June 13, 2003 that I wanted my life to look different until the day that I met my Maker. When I decided to give my life to Christ, I signed on for a different way of thinking, a belief in something not tangible, and in turn for a life that looked different from a lot of the stereotypes that our world has set forth.

Despite the fact that I consciously made these decisions to not be "College." I find myself time and time again in situations where I can be tempted to really dishonor the will of God. I am learning, slowly, my capacity to resist these temptations, and my triumphs and realizations affirm that God is continually working in me. This weekend was the Spring version of the bi-yearly Xavier University Pong Madness Tournament. This whole she-bang is a play on the March madness going on consisting of 64 two-man teams playing for the title of...what? Best beer pong duo on campus. It doesn't get much more "College" than that, right? It was a really nice day outside, so between hitting golf balls, lunch, snack at yagoot and a movie later on taht evening, I walked across the street and through some backyards to mingle with some friends who were out enjoying the weather, and participating in the "tourney."

I had such a good time hanging out with some friends who I haven't really spent much time with since my freshie year. I realized that the trend for MOST (not all) is to become less "College" the older you get. So, it was good to hang out with senior friends, especially realizing that I know so few people now that I am a senior. I got pretty worked up watching these dumb games. Why...im competitive. Ridiculous though. Embarrassing really. I realized how worked up I can get over petty things and felt really silly. Because of this I didn't let myself go back over ot hang out after showering. Instead I went to the movies with a friend. Better to not let myself be in those situations where I will say something dumb...and..."college." I just realized though how my desires and things I enjoy doing are so different from so many of my college friends...and I don't feel left out. There were times that I felt like I might be missing out on something, but the Lord has really proven to me that I am better off the way that I am. And I speak for no one else here. God has a plan for each of us, and He works however and whenever He chooses.

This probably made little to no sense. lol

Funny things

So I have been a little disheartened lately that I don't have all that much to share on here. I was explaining to Chad today that I do not feel disheartened about not having something interesting for the reader's sake, but for my own. As I expressed in my last entry, I love ot have these posts to look back at, even a few weeks down the road. So, I like to get as much down on the screen as I can.

Today was funny because I babysit on Thursdays. I have been babysitting for the same four kids for three years now. Boy 13, boy 11, girl 9, and boy 3 and a half. Let's be realistic here: when your three, the half matters.

Today Nolan, the youngest, got down from dinner because he had to go to the bathroom. He came back with his tshirt lifted up over his stomach proclaiming, "I need help." At which point I noticed that he didn't quite get his pants pulled up over his nether regions and his little tush was sticking out the back. At which point HE mooned me and giggled. I of course caught it on my camera phone for his parents. While Nolan played for a little in his room I got a chance ot sit down with the three big kids while they asked me about what I will do once I graduate. I get the feeling that they might be a little sad that I am leaving. Makes it even harder. It was so neat to sit down and have them ask such grown up questions. Weird too. I guess I really can't wait to be a mom. But really, I can.