Wild Weekend

Well hello, everyone!

It has just been a busy weekend, but a good one at that. Jen's little celebration was a blast at the least. I have some pictures to post, but will have to do it later as I am in a time crunch right now. We laughed so hard that night, and spent some enjoyable time in a hot tub. Love those things, they are just the epitome of relaxation.

Saturday continued with some more graduation/birthday parties. Needless to say, I was partied out! Kim and I then drove to Houston where I picked up my computer, than drove back to Huntsville that night. After not alot of sleep Friday night, then partying all day, I was exhausted to say the least, where I came home, set up my computer, then hopped in bed!!

Sunday was just delightful. After church, we had our Truth Volunteer party at Bert's land. It was so fun. They have jet ski's, 4 wheelers and all sorts of fun stuff. My allergies definitely let me know that being out there from 2-8 was too long. But, I don't regret it! I got to play ultimate Frisbee again, boy, has it been a long time since that game was played, but it is so fun...I got my exercise and I certainly can't complain about that!

Anyway, after being productive today, I am off to hop in the shower. Tonight is initiation for our girls. I am so excited yet sad at the same time. Tonight is when they "graduate" the graduates. I am loosing my Jen and Raven. So sad. But, I am excited!

I better hop in the shower quick before we loose electricity! The storm's a comin'!!!

I'll post some fun pictures of these events later tonight! Have a great evening, everyone!!

"And I'm back in the game..."

I sit here, joyfully, writing on my OWN computer.

You know, we rely so much on this one thing, the one thing that is supposed to make our life so much less stressful, yet stresses us out even more than we could imagine.

But, I am glad to have it back. It was a nice break while it lasted, but I will be happy to have it this week when 2 papers, an application, and one project is due.

My heart is rejoicing right now.

G'night, y'all!!

Parties, Birthday's and Graduations

It's Friday, and I am ever so happy!

That means I made it through a crazy week of projects, papers, test's and computers crashing, and have one more week left to go until I am a free girl this summer. (Well, not too free saying I start my mini-mester May 14th! Can't wait for that!!)

This weekend should be refreshing, though. Tonight a few girls are going to celebrate Jen's birthday and graduation all in one! I am so excited. We are eating at Bucca Di Peppo which is just the most delightful restraunt in a large group, it's what I like to call, family style!!

Saturday, we have another graduation party of another phi lamb girl. This one's outside and it is a BBQ. Gotta love those down here in Texas.

It's sad, sometimes. Thinking about everyone who is graduating in 2 weeks. So many of my wonderful girls are leaving me to go elsewhere. My heart will miss them, but I know that Lord is taking them to bigger and better things, and has a wonderful plan for them outside of college! In reality, I should be graduating with them, but I am on the 5 year plan!! :)

Alrighty, ladies. I am off to go get ready for some family style cookin' and eatin'! Hope I get my computer back soon so that I can post pictures!!!

Have a splendid evening and a wonderful weekend!!!

Crashing Computer...Oh, the Joy!

As of right now, I am sitting in one of the lovely SHSU computer labs. Why you ask? Well, not only am I trying to be productive but, my sweet computer that has gotten me through 4 years of college, has crashed.

I got home yesterday to do my normal routine of turning on my computer, than fixing lunch while my computer boots up. While my water was boiling (for my spiral macaroni!) I decided I'd check my email. Well, low and behold I walk into my room just as my computer starts turning off and then proceeds to beep at me.

I, being the computer junkie that I am, decided that it was probably updated, so I would just turn it back on. It didn't quite happen like that. As I turned it back on, all it does is beep...beep...beep. I was so confused.

I decided to check on my boiling water, at this point it was boiling over (lesson #1: don't leave your boiling water unattended!)

I came back in my room, to try starting my computer, once again, and the same thing happens...beep...beep...beep.

So, I do what any girl would do, I call my dad. Now granted, he is in Louisiana at this point and I can only explain to him what is going on. He can't fix it from there. He assured me that is was probably OK, it just needed a little fixin'.

He called me back to tell me that when he was on his way home, from Louisiana, that he would stop by Huntsville and fix it. This just seemed like a crazy idea to me. So, he gave me the phone # for the man who knows computers probably better than he knows himself.

With Joanna's help, and Steve guiding me on the phone, we FIXED my computer. Yes, you heard it, Joanna and I fixed my computer all by ourselves.

I should apply to work at computer services, they could probably use my service!! ;)

Anyway, we were so proud. Thank you, Steve, for being so patient with me on the phone.

Have you ever seen the inside of a computer?! Because, I can I assure you I hadn't before I opened mine. It is very interesting, I still don't understand how that one box can do so much for us. Lord, thank you for the people that build computers. Without them we'd be lost!

*I sit here in great disappointment to tell you that my computer crashed again. It is now on it's way to Houston to be fixed. This means I am at the mercy of either my roommates computer, or one of the fine Sam Houston labs. I guess I'll be getting my moneys (or my parent's money!) worth. So, sorry if I can't update as much.

Maybe this is the Lord taking the Internet away from me for a reason...to get all my work done!! Although, I do need a computer to do mostly all of it!! :) It's okay, I'll be spending some quality time here in the lab. It's a fun place to be!! ;)

VICTORY!!

I did it. I actually finished my 2 papers that are due on Thursday.

I guess that being in the computer lab from 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (with a little lunch break!) actually paid off. Even though half the time I was caught staring into space.

But, it is a good feeling, being done with those papers.

Now I can move onto my other 5 million things that are due in the next week. OH, JOY!

Let's all hope and pray I don't procrastinate on those, I shall remember the feeling of being done early!!! :)

Procrastination & Distraction

AHHHHHHHH....

I am the absolute worst at procrastinating. Add to that, that I am one of the most distracted people and then you get someone I like to call "non-productive!"

So, I have 2 papers due on Thursday. Now, I am working on them right now, which no, is not procrastinating, but I am so distracted. If I do my work at my apartment, I'll watch T.V, clean, or do something else to distract me. So, I opted to come to the computer lab. You would think this is a good idea, but no, all I do is surf the Internet and people watch.

It's pretty much a lose-lose situation.

I would feel so accomplished if I could get those 2 papers out of the way so that I can start all my other stuff that is due next week.

But, here I am blogging, to let you all know my problem.

I am signing off to do my papers.

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

Formal, Formal and FORMAL!!

This weekend was our annual Phi Lamb Formal. It was a blast at the least. My future roommate and dear friend, Megan, was my absolutely stunning date. We had such a blast.

Instead of having dinner at formal this year, we all decided to go out to eat beforehand at the restaurant of our choice. My group went the the Stardust Room. It is good, you should try it sometime. Then, after a wonderful dinner, we headed of to the LSC ballroom and danced the night away. Oh, how I love dancing, even though I pretty much stink at it! It was a fun night.

Thank you, Megan, for being my wonderful date.

There you have it, folks. We danced, we sang, we ate, and we took pictures. It was a fun night!

(I would surely comment on the photos, but there are far too many!)

I haven't forgotten...

So, I know myself well enough that when people don't update their blog, at least every other day, I am like "hello, I need an update!" Than, here I am and haven't updated since Tuesday.

This is because of pure craziness. This was my week:

Sunday: Got home from Girls Weeked '07 (absolute blast, yet exhausting!)

Monday: Start project #1 that's due Wed. night. Then run errands like a mad man until I leave to go back to Huntsville, where I head straight to a meeting at 7:00, then to phi lamb at 8:00.

Tuesday: Get up (way to early!) go to reading block. Come home to get some things done. Leave to go to Houston, get to Houston to go straight to Beth Moore! (AMAZING!) Get home that night and work on my project a little more till my eyes couldn't handle anymore!

Wednesday: Get up, do project, go to Joanna's bridal portraits! (She was absolutely STUNNING! She will be a gorgeous bride, I cannot wait!) Leave from portraits to go back to Huntsville, where I go straight to class, turn in project #1. Take a breather, head straight to the computer lab to start project #2 that was due at 8:00 the next morning. Then, head straight to cable group (with no energy!) leave there, go home and work on project till it's done. (LATE NIGHT!)

Thursday: Go to class, turn in project #2, come home and finish presentation stuff for the next class. CRASH on my bed for a bit, go to class till 8:00 P.M. then am absolutely exhausted in which I relaxed at Jen's house for the night! :)

Friday: Sleep in a little bit, cleaned, cleaned, cleaned, then drove to Houston where I quickly changed and hopped right back in the car to go to the HCC gala. SO fun to see all those old friends, but I was just a tired girl.

*Well, now I am at home typing this, but this is how the rest of my weekend will go:

Saturday: Get up, go to the bank, go look for a formal dress (Formal is tonight!), then, drive back to Huntsville, yet again, get ready for formal, and then dance the night away until I can dance no longer!

Sunday: RELAX!!! (And maybe lay by the pool, oh, the joy's of laying out!)

Needless to say, I am absolutely tired of being in a car and driving back and forth. Can you imagine how much gas money I've spent?! I don't even want to know!

So, that is why this thing hasn't been updated. I was just a bit stressed. But, the week flew by and I wouldn't have traded it for the world.

Love to all of you, and pictures will for sure be posted of our Fabulous Formal tomorrow night! I'm so excited!

Girls Weeked '07

I promised you more pictures of our fabulous Girls Weeked, so here are more.

Our time together was blessed. I keep telling people it was like our own little retreat. The Lord showed up! I love these girls to death, I am absolutely crazy about them.

As I always say, when I leave them, I truly feel like I've been near God. How many girls can say that?! I don't know, but I know I am blessed because of them.

Tragedy

After just watching the news, and hearing the death toll at a total of 33 right now, I am absolutely saddened. I can't even begin the imagine the pain of the families and friends that have lost loved ones today.

As I was driving home I heard an interview from a lady saying that she doesn't even know what to pray. How true is that, I feel the same way. One thing the radio announcer said, that stayed with me, was "God, you are not surprised by this. You are a sovereign God and even from this awful tragedy that shocked the nation, you have a plan."

That is my prayer. That those that are grieving would grasp that truth, even though they don't understand. We are called to not lean on our own understanding. I pray we don't, because the truth is, we don't understand.

Join me in praying for Virginia Tech, and everyone that is involved.

"Clam strips!"

I sit here at my computer right now with my eyes half way shut. After going to bed at 5:00 in the A.M., waking up at 8:00 in the A.M., leaving at 10:00 in the A.M. and driving 6 hours home, I am absolutely exhausted. I promise I have TONS to write about Girls Weeked '07, but this will have to do for now.

I'll leave you with some fun pictures and quotes from the weeked. (And yes, weeked, is spelled right!)

"Clam strips."

"You dumb idiot!"

"Your teeth sure look white!"

"I have a question!"

And many more....

Happy Birthday, Sally!

Mani's and Pedi's

I praise the Lord for these girls.

JOY!

"Girls Weeked '07!"

Many more shall come...

Just know that my heart overflows with joy when I think about my girls and this weekend. The Lord has blessed me more than I deserve. My heart is grateful!

Happy Birthday to you...

Oh, bless.

I almost forgot to say "Happy Birthday" to 2 of my precious girl.

My sweet Sally is the big 22 today. For the first time in a long time, I get to be with her for her day! So exciting. I love you, Sal!

Then, my future roomie and newly engaged friend, Megan, is also 22 today! YEA! I wish I could celebrate with her also, but clearly can't be in 2 places at once!

I love them both dearly and wish the richest blessings on them today! I smile when I think about both of them. Just proof that I have some amazing friends!

Pure Excitement!

Hello, all!! My heart is absolutely elated right now because in 3 hours I will be on my way to Baton Rouge, Louisiana with my favorite girls ever! Me, Joanna and Sally are all packin' up in the sweet Camry and making a trip to see Jennifer and her precious little apartment!

This has been long awaited and I am SO glad it's finally here. Amazingly, it is just us girls all weekend! Jude is staying at home with Dad, so you can pray for them. But, also pray for Sal as she's leaving her precious little one for the first time all weekend. He is in good hands, but you know a mommas love!

On the other hand, Kim and I saw WICKED last night. Absolutely amazing. I really want to see it again, like tonight. It was SO good. If you get a chance to see it, take it, you will NOT be disappointed. That is all I have to say about that!

Well, I am off. I hope you all have an exciting weekend as well, mine will surely be one that is filled with LAUGHTER and LOVE!

Contentment

So, I was just thinking that I haven't posted a "serious" post in a while. But, know that the Lord is teaching me new things constantly. I, in all reality, just don't know how to put it into words.

Lately, my prayer has been that I would be content where the Lord has me now, in this season of my life. For me, this doesn't always come natural. Especially when everyone surrounding you is either dating seriously, engaged, or getting married. Clearly, the Lord has placed these girls in my life, and I couldn't be more grateful, but sometimes it's just hard. When you're constantly surrounded by wedding magazines, wedding pictures and just pure love, you start daydreaming about your future. This isn't a bad thing, but it is if it consumes you more than the Lord. Because, it is than an idol.

Like I said, my prayer is that I would be content and serve him with all I've got in the here and now. It is a beautiful thing, serving him. Being right where he wants you brings me unspeakable joy. He also has allowed me to realize that I don't have to necessarily "settle down" when I graduate (in a year!) I don't have to start teaching right away, yes, I may want to, but then I realized that with me not being tied down to anyone or anything, I really can do what I want. I can move anywhere I want. I can serve anywhere I want, but only if the Lord allows and I am doing it for him.

That alone makes my heart happy. Who knows, maybe I can do girls ministry somewhere, maybe I can sing on a praise team somewhere, maybe I can do missions somewhere?! Maybe I can do all this while teaching, maybe in a year I'll be dating, engaged or even married. WHO KNOWS, but the one who controls my life, the Lord!

I know my parents are probably reading this thinking, "are you crazy Lindsee?" But, I am just throwing it out there.

That is my heart right now. I am content, but only because I am allowing the Lord to make me content. It again brings me to my favorite verse, Ephesians 3:20, that only HE can do more than we can imagine.

Oh, that I would keep resting in that promise.

"But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6

My Deprived Childhood

I've been saving this post since Friday simply because I am still in counseling for the fact that I have never dyed Easter eggs. Now, my mom assures me that when I was little we used to dye eggs, but obviously, I was too little to remember. So therefore, I still say I have never done it! In my little mind, if you don't remember it, you've just never done it!! ;)

Needless to say, I dyed Easter eggs on Friday night with Jen. The experience just about changed my outlook on life. :)

Grant assured us that this deprivation was caused by what we like to call, "bad parenting!"

You know we are totally kidding. But, it was an enjoyable experience. I plan on dying eggs with my children, at least until they can remember that they did it!!!

Worthy is the Lamb

Happy Easter, everyone! I hope your day was filled with a joy and a hope that only our Risen King can give you!! :) HE IS RISEN, and for that I am eternally grateful!

Today in church we sang MANY songs about our Risen Savior, but the one that stood out to me says:

Thank you for the cross Lord
Thank you for the price You paid
Bearing all my sin and shame
In love You came
And gave amazing grace

Thank you for this love Lord
Thank you for the nail pierced hands
Washed me in Your cleansing flow
Now all I know
Your forgiveness and embrace

Worthy is the Lamb
Seated on the throne
Crown You now with many crowns
You reign victorious
High and lifted up
Jesus Son of God
The Darling of Heaven crucified
Worthy is the Lamb

Today is the day to be absolutely grateful for our King. Without the cross, we are NOTHING! HE made HIM who knew NO sin, to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in HIM!

Jesus, Thank you for the cross. Remind us DAILY to take it up and follow hard after you. Without it, we are nothing. We praise YOU, because we serve a God who is ALIVE!!!

Fun Friday's

Oh, fun! It's not even Easter and already this weekend has been exquisite. Friday was an eventful day filled with such fun.

I promised Joanna I would have lunch with her at work on Friday at the YMCA! (Oh, the sweet times at the YMCA!) She only has 30 minutes to eat, so I decided to bring her some yummy Chik-Fil-A. Low and behold, Jennifer was in town, so, knowing this she decided to come with me and surprise Joanna with her presence. We had our own little "play date" outside in the absolutely gorgeous weather, it was a fun picnic and it gave Joanna a little break! I love my girls!

After this, me and Jen just tooted around and did basically nothing productive. We went to the mall (with every other Houstonian in Texas) to look for Easter clothes, and me a formal dress, and NOTHING. We both walked away with nothing. It seriously was just a bit overwhelming in that mall. It wasn't the most enjoyable experience. We did get our "cookie company" cookie, though, and that simply made our days.

That night we cooked out with our familias. I always love doing this! It is just such fun, and so relaxing. My dad grilled some burgers and I BURNED some brownies. Sound exciting?! OH, but it was!

The brownie fiasco was all me. While Jack and Cheryl went to the store, I was in charge of getting out the brownies at 5:00, sharp. Well, when I get to talkin', I just get to talkin' and time just stands still. At 5:20, they got back from the store and asked where the brownies were. This is when I immediately freaked out and ran to the oven, where the brownies were clearly overcooked. It's okay, we still ate them that night. They were delightfully chewy and the brownies came out WHOLE. ;)

I just love Fridays like that! Who doesn't?! Anyway, I am excited about tomorrow and singing in the choir. We had rehearsal this morning and I enjoyed it. Singing really does bring me absolute joy, I love it! And, needless to say, it's Easter. Who wouldn't enjoy singing about our RISEN savior and ALL he's done for us. It puts a smile on my face. I hope you can smile about that, too!

Our picnic at the YMCA!!!! :)

My brownie, that came out "whole!" I really should stop baking, I just can't seem to do things right! :)

Totally random....

So, I am assuming you have all read my momma long arms post. Well, tonight while I was in my night class, which lasted until 7:50 (absolutely ridiculous), we were doing MANY crafts.

We all know that when crafts are being done, the table should be cleared. The girl sitting next to me had her binders sitting in our way, so I decided to move them to the other side of the table, she didn't mind. It was time to go and we were all packing up when she looked at me and said, "hey, long arms, will you get my binders?"

This is NOT a joke, people. This is a true story. Clearly, I am not the only one who thinks I have long arms.

80's baby...

For those of you who are wondering why, in the first picture below, I am in 80's clothes, that's because we had an 80's skate night the Monday after retreat. I am sorry to say I haven't told you about it, because it was a thrilling event, but I was just busy telling you about everything else that's been going on.

Anyway, it was just amazing. My name was Barbie, yes, Barbie. We all made up names for ourselves because it just seemed like the appropriate thing to do, that's the name I chose.

I will say, I have NEVER been more sore in my life. No, not because I skated (and I do mean skate, they didn't have Rollerblades in the 80's!) but because the night before our fancy 80's get together, I decided to do a sweet little work out, which included doing some lunges across the field, go ahead and laugh, but I did lunges. Saying that I have probably never even done lunges in my life, that was enough to put my thighs over the edge for life. Then, add 2 hours of skating to the already sore thighs, yes, you guessed it, I could barely sit on the toilet to use the restroom. I had to grab on to something to sit down, how ridiculous is that?! I felt like an 85 year old with awful arthritis! It was a grand experience.

Just know that if lunges become apart of your everyday work out, be prepared to be awfully sore. At least if you've never done them!

80's ladies....

kiss, kiss....

"Like, hey!!"

This is my friend, Candy.

The friends...

Wanda and I...

Wanda, the real estate agent!

Wanda's family (they're a bit crazy!)

"I can't believe I got to take a picture with the popular girls..."

After 2 hours of skating, I was beat! (Do you see that shiny face!)

I was so parched, I needed some SONIC drink to quench it!