just because

one of my favorite things about my job in TAs is that when we finish our required hours for the month we can take "vacation" time for the days left. this week has been pretty free for me. the retreat & retreat prep kept me working non-stop the first week. so i've enjoyed some time off. i have really, really enjoyed volunteering at the "be the match" campaign for Ben Koon (and the bone marrow registry.) i figured out this week that if i didn't have to work...i'd volunteer all the time. what a blessing! i got to meet some hilarious, precious, loving volunteers and donors. i laughed A LOT. i got to see friends i hadn't seen in years. not to mention an ex-boyfriend that didn't recognize me (and i HID my name tag!!!) i've never met Ben Koon. but i pray that someone will be a match for him. i've also spent my week praying for him during my morning run. especially when i wanted to quit or complain about the run...i'd think to mys

Like I mentioned in my blog earlier this week, I’ve been struggling the past couple weeks. The devil has been after me something fierce. Sometimes I’ve managed to change my thoughts and fight him off…other times haven’t been so easy. But I have been clinging to my Heavenly Father! I have been quoting Scripture, saying His name out loud & doing all I can to stay focused on things that matter. I’m super thankful that I have a relationship with Christ. I’m also beyond thankful for a husband that prays for me. I love it. He has held me & prayed for me all week. Great guy! I thought I’d write about some of the funny/random/typical things that have happened this week. There’s no order to my madness…I just write. My precious dad bought us a dryer. It’s not “new” but it WORKS. I just dried a load of clothes in ONE cycle with zero humidity. Wow. Thanks Norm. I went to hang out with my parents yesterday. I go over there when I have an extra hour or so in my day. They always

so it's my most favorite time of year. here's why: 1. COLLEGE FOOTBALL 2. i love fall 3. i love the weather changing. 4. crockpot is coming out! 5. all of my favorite holidays are coming :) 6. college football 7. fall family extravaganza - cant wait to introduce vasa to smores. 8. TAs kicks off for the year! 9. great running weather 10. college football. i really do love this time of year. i like for september - december to go slowly. i want to savor every minute of the weather, sports, holidays, family, chili, motorcycle rides with jay (new goal!) and more. i have a confession to make. i LOOOOOOOOOOOVE christmas. yes, i am "that girl" that starts celebrating waayyyy early. in october i pull out my christmas music. the DAY after thanksgiving i decorate my house (if not before.) and i am OK with it. here's why. if thanksgiving was in march - we'd ALL start celebrating christmas before the end of november. you know we would!! we just think we have

here are some quotes from the students going on our retreat this weekend. we ask them to "write their heart out." they share expectations for the weekend and struggles. tough stuff. but GOD is bigger! Expectations: i just need to get away so i can relax. i am in a really good place right now and i dont want any stress to mess it up.  I just need to take a break. I would like this retreat to help me get over my shyness and reach out to more people.  I want God to give me boldness. I’ve been having some doubts about God lately.  I mean, in my head I believe in Him and I know He’s there, but something in my heart just isn’t feeling it.  I really hope this retreat will get me back on track in my relationship with Him. I really want God to give me the courage to find new friends and help me talk to my current friends about Jesus.  I need Christian fellowship most of all.  I am hoping this retreat and Teen Advisors will make me feel like I am not the only one choosing to