Where God is Leading Me....

I have been having quite a time deciding on what I want to do after I graduate. However, I think I have decided what I'm going to do! My boyfriend's mom once mentioned that she thought I might make a good ESL (English as a second language) Teacher...which I didn't think too much of because I just thought of teaching kids which I just don't have a passion for doing. So I decided to join this career focus group at Bethel, which includes taking the Strong Interest Inventory. (Thats the test that shows you good potential careers for you, etc.) Well my top three suggestions included education. A teacher?! Me? Well, after talking to my roommate Tricia, she said it just takes a couple of months to get your ESL certificate. She also said there is a need to teach newly immigrated adults English and also just basic cultural skills...Something I think I would LOVE doing!!

Looking back I feel as though God has led me to this place. Studying a foreign language in Guatemala gave me the experience of what its like to be on the "other side". My major--Sociocultural Studies--has prepared me for encountering different cultures and has given me a passion to learn about them. I am now in the process of applying at the U of M for my ESL Certificate, so we will see if God keeps opening the doors in this direction =).

My Favorite Movie of All Time...

It is the 70th anniversary of the Wizard of Oz movie this year! There have been big screen showings at various theaters, and they have now come out with a blue ray disc of the classic. The Wizard of Oz has always had a very special place in my heart. Actually, I would even go so far as say its my favorite movie of all time. When I was in middle school my aunt and I hosted the coolest Wizard of Oz themed birthday party for my younger cousin, Bryana. My grandma made her a Dorothy costume and we gave her low braided pigtails with a bow-ribbon like Dorothy. We glued red sparkles to dress shoes for all the little girls, and the little boys got tin-man hats. We had melted witch punch that was green with a hat floating on top. We made a "yellow brick road" from chalk in the front driveway which led into the house, which had witch legs sticking out from it, as in the movie when the house lands on the wicked witch.

After this birthday party I realized how much I really loved the movie. I then created my own "Wizard of Oz" website! It had all the lyrics, the bios of the actors, movie bloopers, pictures, and lots of other fun stuff. Ha, it was more of a "summer boredom" project, so it didn't last long, but it was still fun to do my research on the movie.

Needless to say, I am no longer that obsessed, but I do really enjoy the movie and think it will always be my all-time favorite movie. I still cannot believe my own boyfriend has never seen the movie. I think a movie-date is in order for the near future!!!

Also, shout-out to Danielle who also loves this movie =)

So Today I Had Coffee....

I hardly ever drink coffee. I used to hate it, but after Guatemala I can stand the taste, just not a huge fan. Also, I'm pretty sensitive to caffeine so have opted to stay away. (However, I do have an occasional vanilla frappe because there is not much caffeine and it tastes kinda like ice cream) But today, for some odd reason, I decided to get a white chocolate mocha. It cost me $4.20 which was ridiculous and made me even more thankful I don't drink coffee. I was feelin good--it warmed me up and woke me up. However, about 45 minutes later I noticed a change. My hands started shaking, I had a sudden desire to write on everyones facebook wall (I didn't...) and I would see something and in my mind would say it repeatedly..for example: newspaper newspaper newspaper newspaper....computer computer computer computer....etc. I admit it was kinda fun in a twisted sort of way, but i felt like someone that should be put away in some institution. Caffeine just has too much power over my mind and body. I think i'll stick to apple juice.

The Fall Season

Today is the first "official" day of Fall! I have just started to notice the sights and smells of Fall--and I love it. The leaves are starting to change, and there is just a different feel in the air. I have always loved Fall because my dad and I used to rake up the leaves, and we would jump in them together. Also, since my birthday is in September, I have always had a special place in my heart for Fall. It isn't sticky hot out, but its not yet cold. You can wear jeans and a sweatshirt and can still enjoy being outside. It means football season and pumpkins. It means apple-picking and season premieres of our favorite shows.

I guess I can only think of one thing I DON'T like about Fall.........it comes before Winter.




Image from mesdeauxcents.blogspot.com/

Kissing frogs=)

It was a windy last day of our weekend camping trip and although I have already found my prince, I couldn't resist =)

Last Firsts

So yesterday and today were my last "first" days of classes! Very weird feeling. One part of me still doesn't feel old enough to be finishing my last semester in college, but at the same time I felt like I was hearing the professors explaining the syllabus for the billionth time. I knew exactly what to expect, I wore sweatpants the first day, and everyone around me looked so young. I guess that officially makes me a senior. Mostly the sweatpants part, though--as almost every girl walking on Bethel's campus the last two days has looked all gussied up, ready to impress. It makes me a little sad...watching all the freshmen eagerly making new friends, with the look of exciting anticipation for what the next 4 years will look like. I miss that. However, I love the feeling of knowing where I'm going on campus, recognizing most of the faculty, and many of the students. From elementary school to middle school to high school to college and then through the many layers of the workforce...life involves lots of moving from a small fish in a big pond to a big fish in a little pond then back again!! Well, all I can do is to make the most of my last semester at Bethel University! Wish me luck!

Blessings in Disguise

You know how every once in awhile you have one of those days? Those days where nothing seems to go right, and it takes alot of effort to get your spirits up....Well I am trying to see those days as blessings in disguise. As the cliche goes, If we didn't have the bad days, we wouldn't appreciate the good ones. Usually in the bad days we discover something about our character...may it be a strength or a weakness. If it happens to be a weakness, it can be a time of growing and stretching yourself. If that bad day is filled with loneliness, it is an extra opportunity to lean on God and make sure you are making HIM your #1 instead of someone else. If that bad day is filled with self pity, I encourage you (as I encourage myself) to ask God to show you how truly blessed you are, and to provide an opportunity to bless others instead of being so focused on yourself.

I have recently been "called out" on some of my own character flaws by someone really close to me. Although it was extremely hard to hear, and even harder to humbly face up to them, I hope everyone has someone in their life that holds them accountable. As I strive to become more like Christ, some days I think I have gotten farther away from the goal. It is frustrating, but I think it keeps me humble knowing that no matter what I do or don't do, I am saved by grace. All in all, my new challenge is to find the many blessings that God has hidden in our day-to-day lives, whether it is the "good" day or the "bad" one.