Good News!

I have not left the seat I'm {currently} sitting in except to get something to drink, eat and print out my Media Law notes all day long. Okay, so maybe I watched Criminal Minds and {pretended to study Media Law} earlier tonight. But HEY! I needed a break!

An hour ago, I believed the paper I was writing would be the death of me, but I just finished!

One word: Relief!

I admit it! I've already started making plans for to keep myself REALLY busy cooking, making crafts, spending quality time with my parents, putting together a NEW blog design and searching for jobs... or a one-way airplane ticket overseas. It's still up in the air! Let's be real, I will probably never move half way across the world to work for a year. I'm much too practical. But it is a fun thought, right?!

I'm not sure if it's the lack of sleep, the haze of finals, or the excitement of Christmas break; however, over the last two days I am finding some clarity that comes and goes. Hopefully it's here to stay. Earlier tonight I wrote a prayer to God and thought I would share. It's refreshing and comforting to THANK God, when I could easily believe He has left my side.

God:

Thank you for this motivation. Thank you for Your Grace, and I even thank you for this awful heartbreak. Thank you for helping me through this rocky semester! Thank you for the strength that is NOT my own. I'm not sure of what you're doing. I don't have a clue!

But here I am... empty handed.... thanking you for giving me everything I NEED!

I'm trusting you. My faith is in YOU! Amen.

Also, I have to share what I'm REALLY excited about baking for the Christmas Holidays!

 

Red Velvet Peppermint Cake

{from Southern Living}

My grandmother {or G'ma} made a Red Velvet cake every year for my dad as his Christmas present, since I can remember. So I've decided that it's my time to make Red Velvet Cake every Christmas. I've missed it! Plus, the picture of that cake screams...

Christmas!

And it's only one final exam away!

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ [a] the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."  --Luke 2: 10-12 

This is Goodnight and Not Goodbye

Two of my sorority sisters in my pledge class will be leaving after this semester for internships. Jenny will be close, just in Birmingham. I'm sure she will be in Tuscaloosa a lot and so... I'm just not even prepared to consider her not being around.

But Katie??? She will be hundreds of miles away in Philadelphia. A few days ago, the girls I pledged Theta with put aside the little bit of drama, the stress, and a night of studying for finals to be with each other! We talked, laughed and made plans. And at the end of the night, Katie spoke...

And I'm going to miss this girl. We're different in a lot of ways, but what happened 3 and 1/2 years ago make those differences completely irrelevant. During recruitment {on Preference Night} we sat right next to each other at the Kappa Alpha Theta house. I remember thinking to myself, as I watched tears fall down her cheek during the video: 

"If this is the kind of girl that's going to be in this house, this is the sorority I want to be a part of..." And it was! And she is.

Katie is steadfast.

 

Katie is loyal and hardworking.

She is thoughtful. 

And she writes me notes like this: 



And for Christmas, she bought me a book {Random Acts of Kindness} to remind me of: "the pure goodness in this world... you can read the stories of these strangers and be moved," she wrote.

Katie, I know we're not leaving Tuscaloosa for a few more days. And I know I will see you again in April/May. And I know I will see you A LOT after that! But you must know, now... thank you for ALWAYS being there! Thank you for letting me cry on your shoulder. And sit on your bed. Thank you for all of the laughs, walks, dinners, shopping trips and long conversations. Thank you for being consistent, always. Thank you for understanding me. You know my heart. You know that your letters mean the world to me! Thank you for coming to me, too. Thank you for reaching out to me. You practice faith, hope and love. You are one of the many reasons I LOVE THIS HOUSE SO SO SO MUCH! I would "buy" these SISTERS all over again! And if I thought I could make you stay, I would. But I know differently. I know you have BIG plans! You will go and do what it is that you love! Go. Be. Do!

Thanksgiving

I'm thankful for...

friendships. happiness. family. growth. heartbreak. laughter. love. learned lessons. an amazing life. God's grace. the opportunity to get an education. talking about life with sorority sisters until after 3 a.m. the grace of humanity. supportive, gracious parents. questions. forgiveness. my dog. Faith. a BLESSED life. the outdoors. the people who have raised me, encouraged me, grounded me and taught me how to fly. seeing John Mayer in concert on a whim. my big, giving heart. my passion for people. my passion for community. my determination. good health. warm weather. cool water. clean water. sunshine. warm, cozy blankets. books that i find myself getting lost in. God's love and Jesus' sacrifices. past relationships. happy memories. the hard times making the good into great. inspiration. the little things people say that warm my heart, or make me feel capable and encouraged. gerber daisies. unconditional love. Montreat. experiences. having older role models to listen and understand. the vastness of the ocean. the little victories. my home church. my sorority. a world to be explored.

... And there's SO MUCH MORE to be thankful for!