shady golf

We discovered the world of USA Mini Golf last night. My parents and brothers were in town so we were trying to find something fun to do instead of just watching a movie or something. I had heard of it from my friend at church so we decided that we should try it out. We got some not so great directions and headed out. We got there and it was SO shady. It was pretty dark and we were the only people there. Once we got inside it wasn't too much better. It was most definitely shady but I had a blast! It is blacklight putt putt at night. Every hole is a different city in the US so they're all decorated differently. They even have little trivia questions about each city. Josh beat me by 1 so I came in dead last. Haha! It was really really fun. Thank you Opelika for a good family outing.

Rx for tissues

Today at orientation we watched the saddest movie! It was called Taking Chance. It was a true story about a 20 year old guy named Chance Phelps who was killed in Iraq. He was a marine and the movie was all about the process of getting him from iraq, cleaned up, and transported back to his family. Kevin Bacon was the main actor in it. It was an HBO movie but I hadn't heard of it. While we were watching it I basically forgot I was in a lecture hall with 150 people. I felt like I was in my living room watching it. You can look at more of his story on wikipedia here. There is also a link to the actual transcript written by Chance's military escort, Lt Col Strobl (Kevin Bacon's character). It was a VERY good movie but VERY sad. I recommend it but I also would precribe tissues :)

Day 1

Day 1 of pharmacy school is officially in the books. We got there a little early and me, Kim, Kira, Saige, Josh, and Vince all got to sit together. They gave us these huge packets of notes and readings. It was one of the longest and most boring days that I have had in a LONG time. I had no idea it was going to be that brutal. They did lectures on everything from how to use email and search engines to history of pharmacy. All I can say is that I am glad that's over and that we only have a couple of days left until we start real school. Now I am off to do my homework.

its official

Saturday night we went to the ATL to go to Medieval Times. I went to one years ago on choir tour with church but Josh had never been. After seeing it on cake boss I thought it would be a good surprise but of course he figured it out. It was alot of fun though. We had a fun little car ride out there, we went through the dungeon, and got slushies. We went for the red knight and he was awful. He lost right away. But we still had a great time. Then Sunday, I woke up with about 20 red bites on my legs. I still have no idea what they're from. I had a slight freak out since I had to wear a dress for graduation. But I got to spend time with my friend Amanda that went to Brazil with me last May. She was in Auburn for the weekend and I am so glad I got to see her. We had such a blast at church and at Earthfare. I tried one of their smoothies with the stuff that turns it all green and I might just be hooked. Then last night me, Kim, and Claire went to see Charlie St. Cloud as one last little roommate outing before Claire moved. It was SO GOOD! I cried within 5 minutes. I have to give it to Zac Efron. His acting was great. Go see it. The rest of Sunday I was cooking or cleaning.

As of about 3:45 today I am officially an Auburn University graduate! Some of my family came into town for the occasion (when I say some I mean half and that is still 14 people). We went to El Dorado for some yummy Mexican and presents.  Then it was off to the ceremony. It was so exciting! Josh was a trooper and sat through it all, and on his birthday nonetheless. I saw a lot of people that I didn't even know were graduating. Even sweet Katie Brock. Too bad I didn't get to see her little man Caleb. Some of my family that couldn't make it even got to watch it live online. Isn't technology just wonderful? After it was over we had some people over to our house because Claire, my roommate, graduated too. I made some delicious food and its almost all gone (thank goodness). We had pepperoni dip, homemade ranch dip, honeybun cake, and red velvet cake. Since today was also Joshua's 23rd birthday, I made him a homemade red velvet cake with cream cheese buttercream icing and I guess everyone liked it because its almost gone. I personally don't like red velvet cake nor do I like cream cheese icing. I made it just because Josh loves it and it is his birthday so he gets to decide. That's love.

Tomorrow is the big day. Day 1 of the next 4 years. Pharmacy school orientation starts at 8:00 in the morning. I am so excited to meet everyone and get a feel for what my life will be like for the next part of my education. I even get to order my stethoscope and blood pressure cuff this week. I cannot wait. Doctorate...here I come. I have to go to sleep now so I don't sleep through my first day as a professional student :)

p.s. Josh has my camera so I'll post a few pictures later.

lesson learned

I think I may have a stalker. An internet stalker that is. I guess I should consider it a good thing. After all, imitation is the highest form of flattery :) This person just does everything I am doing (that i post on this blog). Its weird and aggravating at times but I am going to look at the glass half full. Thank you blog stalker. I like that you think the things I do are cool enough to copy.

Last night I attempted to make petit fours. Mrs. Prissy, Ashley's mom, makes the best petit fours that I have ever had in my life. Instead of just asking her for the recipe, I found one online on cooks.com. I have gotten some good recipes off of there before. It sounded pretty legit so I figured I would try it. I bought all of the fixings and set out to make them last night. They were HORRIBLE! I haven't had very much bad luck in my baking but this was a disaster. I had high hopes after that delicious cake with almond buttercream icing but I was severely let down. The cake was pretty decent by itself but I definitely wouldn't call it delish. The icing was hard as a rock. It was like chewing candy on top of cake. I literally took the plates of them and dumped them in the trash. I finally did what I should have done in the first place and asked for the recipe. "You have not because you ask not". James 4:2. I learned my lesson.

Tomorrow I am going to try to make a red velvet cake for Josh's birthday. Noone I know has a recipe so this is the best I've got. Hopefully it won't be a disaster too.

above and beyond

Wednesday morning I took my last final of undergrad ever. While it is exciting for now, I know that I have 4 more years of finals ahead of me. Going into the test, I only needed a 40 to get a B or a 95 to get an A. Needless to say I was only aiming for the 40. We had an optional 4th test that we could take just in case we didn't make what we needed on the final. I turned in my test and the teacher graded it and told me that I got a 70. He said I could take the 4th test and try to get a 94 for an A. I told him that I was good with my B. He looked at me so strange and I left satisfied with the grade.After all, I am only trying to graduate, not keep up my gpa. It got me thinking. How often do we do that with Christ? He shows us an opportunity to be more, to do  more for Him and we choose not to do it because we are satisfied with where we are. We can go further but we didn't aim high so we are perfectly content with staying right where we thought we should be. Whether it is because we don't think that we're prepared to do the something extra, or we don't think we have the skills necessary we remain stagnant. He has been showing me this recently while I have been praying about Uganda. The thought of going to a foreign country for 6 weeks scares me a little. Although I know my God is so huge, the enamy of my soul tries to creep into my thoughts and convince me that I am ill prepared--God does't call the prepared he prepares the called. Acts 4:13 "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." that I can't be used--Acts 5:38-39 "For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." that I am not going for the right reasons--Philippians 1:18 "But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice." that I will be in over my head--Ephesians 3:20-21 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. that I have other things to do during that time Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: 

God calls me to go above and beyond for His kingdom.

2 Timothy 1:8-10

So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

seeking

I talked about in a post a while back about wanting to go to Africa and that I felt the God was nudging me in the direction of Uganda. I also posted about my cousin Tyler being in Uganda a few weeks ago. My whole family got together Sunday to celebrate birthdays. We started telling different stories about mission trips and Tyler began to tell us about Uganda. The whole time he was talking I felt the presence of Christ. Then, my cousin Morgan (Tyler's sister) started telling me about this girl who lives in Uganda and that she was probably going to go there next summer for 4 to 6 weeks as an intern. I was instantly jealous. I would LOVE to do that. I didn't really say anything then because I didn't want to seem like I was trying to impose or steal her idea or anything. But later I asked her what the girl's name was and what her orginization was called just to go check out what she does. I started to read her blog and look at her site and I was literally brought to tears. Morgan mentioned maybe me going next summer too. 4-6 weeks in Uganda would be so amazing and life changing. We both agreed I would have to pray about it before being all in. The rest of the night (instead of studying like I should have) I just turned on some music and spent some time in worship. Then this morning I went to Church of the Highlands for morning prayer. It was such an incredible time of seeking God's face in this and just asking Him to show me His will in this specific area. I started to picture children, including our compassion child Helen. The mere thought of those sweet precious souls makes my heart smile for days. I feel like God is continually confirming this mission whether it be with Morgan or some other way. I love that I serve a LIVING God who can answer me when I cry out to Him and give me guidance. If I had to rely on a statue of a dead man I would go crazy. I am going to continue to pray and seek God's will in this because there is still a few months. The thought of it scares me and excites me all at the same time. I feel like God is all in it but I need to make sure He wants me to be.