A Jumbled Mess of Life Happenings

I guess I'm not as good at this blogging thing as I had hoped!

Wow. Much has happened since last time I caught you all up...and yet, there are still soooo many questions! I guess I'll break it down into categories and try to fill you in.

Buckner Internship:

26 days until I head to Dallas to start my incredible journey! Wait, I take that back. I have already begun this journey. 

It truly started back in January when I applied in faith, knowing that God would do something amazing....It continued when, in outrageous obedience and generosity, the Church responded and covered the entire cost of my trip plus additional donations to purchase supplies and gifts for the children and workers at the orphanage. In fact, I canceled my support lunch because the amount coming in made it no longer necessary! Isn't God Good!?!?!

Now, I am eager to meet the rest of my team, board that plane, and finally see and hug those sweet kiddos I have been praying for these past months. Please continue to pray for me and the rest of the team: Melody, Kenda, and Delaney, the country and government of Kenya, the workers and kids of the orphanage, Buckner International, and that God would be glorified.

Random fact: I found out yesterday that the last two days of the internship, we get to go on a safari! FUN! I wanna see an elephant...and a giraffe...and a lion...from a distance ;-)

Grad School:

I have officially accepted the offer to start my Masters in the fall at the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work at The University of Oklahoma! Whoop! (See...I'll always be an Aggie.)

Still - I ask anyone that actually reads this post to please please please PRAY! I accepted the spot knowing that I will only actually be able to go in August if something miraculous happens with financial aid. My family cannot afford to help me go to an out-of-state school, nor do I wish that burden on my parents (or want to take out a loan!).  But, everything just feels right about OU. I visited there about two weeks ago, and loved it. The faculty and staff are amazing. I sat in on the department head's class and was very impressed. Housing options look good. And it's NOT Austin. ;-) I felt at home in Norman, and have already received several church recommendations there. I asked God to very emphatically shut the door if that was not where I am supposed to be, yet all signs point to OU. I am faithing that some sort of financial aid will occur where I can pay resident tuition.

CS Home:

My house in CS sold! About three weeks ago, I went down with my parents, three vehicles, and two trailers to pack up 3 1/2 years worth of life (man - can I accumulate junk quickly!).  It was a little sad knowing that I no longer live in CS, but I'm glad to have the packing/moving behind me. It was also really great to spend a little time with friends that were still there.

Other Life Events:

Well, the not-so-great news. I am currently on week three of having pneumonia. Yeah, I know - stink. I've been through two chest x-rays, two rounds of oral antibiotics, one round of steroids, a breathing treatment, and a shot in the rear. Awesome.  And I'm still coughing and wheezing. I'm so ready for it to be over, and I have to get well soon so I can go to Africa! So, while you're at it, pray that I kick this thing - soon!

On another note, I'm super glad it's Saturday. I slept unacceptably late (which was glorious!), loved on my Sadie-dog (who is not feeling super well), little-by-little worked on cleaning my room and storing away some residual junk from the move, and shot at annoying black birds around the house with my dad. Good day, I'd say. =)

Here We Go...

Why, hello vast world of blogging!

Yes, I've caved. I have decided to join the blogosphere in order to hopefully share life (beyond random Facebook status updates) with my dear college friends and other loved ones now that we have *gasp!* graduated from our beloved university and are in the process of entering into real life and scattering across the state/country/globe! I apologize in advance if I am sporatic in blogging and/or completely yawn-worthy, but I promise to do my best. =)

Okay, so a quick overview of what life looks like for me right now...

1. I am officially a graduate of Texas A&M University! WHOOP!

It is still a bit unreal...as I was discussing with K.E. the other day, I don't think it will truly hit me until all my friends that are still in school resume classes in January that I am no longer a student but instead in this strange "place of waiting".

2. I am in the process of applying for graduate school.

I hope to pursue a Masters of Social Work in order to do international and domestic adoption or a similar work for a Christian organization. If you ask me where I will be going to grad school, I couldn't honestly give you an answer. I am applying to three schools, but really have no strong feelings about any of them. I think it will come down to whether or not I receive a Graduate Assistantship and/or scholarship money from one of them!

3. I am also applying for a summer internship with Buckner International.

Since grad school doesn't start until August, I have a completely free summer for the first time since I was in high school! I really feel that God has brought me this opportunity and I am trusting him as I finish the application, mail it off, and wait to hear from the organization. If accepted as an intern, I will spend my summer in one of Buckner's five international orphanages - living there, loving on the kids, and telling those sweet father-less children about their Heavenly Father. If you are interested in what I might be doing, check out Buckner's intern website.

4. I'm back at my parent's house for the semester....err. The next few months.

Listen to me - I can't get out of school mode! As I am in this "place of waiting", I will not hear back from the internship or potential grad schools until middle/late February. Until then...who knows! After New Year's, I'm planning on applying to be a substitute teacher for the local I.S.D. to make some money and have a flexible schedule. ALSO, since I have this flexibility, I plan on taking little mini trips to visit friends - in other words, let me know you want to see me and I'll do my darnedest to come! =) Hopefully, I'll stay busy subbing, volunteering at local organizations and at my local church. If I stay busy, I won't get bored. Don't get me wrong - I love my parents and love hanging out with them! But, there are very few people my age in this small town, so I'm already getting a bit lonely.

Anyway, that's the brief run-down of my current life in a snapshot! We'll see how this blogging thing goes.....

=) t