"It might not be what I would choose, but this is the stuff You use..."

Oh, Lordy, I suppose this is the end of summer... most people are starting back to school, the year is winding up again. I am constantly thinking about this Francesca Battisteli song... I lost my keys... where is my phone? It's often the little things that catch me and pull me under. Then there's the line "I've got to trust You know exactly what You're doin" I'm so thankful that the Lord knows and that He has chosen me to be apart of this story. 

162. Friends.
I count this blessing repeatedly. For real, I know they are such a gift from God. We go on trips together, rant together, listen, cry. They know all and still choose to love me. How blessed I am.

163. Road trips.
Who knew this was the best idea since sliced bread. Laughter. Ridiculous stories. Ridiculous old men. Being together.

164. Trusting.
I fall into the Lord's arms and I know that He makes everything beautiful in time... even if that isn't til Heaven. I don't think I'll ever be finished learning to trust... yet He still pursues.

165. Still in the chaos.
Words aren't sufficient for this blessing. Just try it. :)

166. Those moments.
You know those times in life when you feel like God threw your life into a giant mixer and everything keeps flopping around. If I stay in the mixer flopping around, I won't notice that eventually I'll be a grand masterpiece. You can't tell me those cookies enjoy being whipped around like that. :) All this to say that this week I stepped back and realized that sometimes the Lord wants us in these places where everything seems so crazy because He is calling us to a deeper place with Him. He wants to make something more of us. I surrender Lord, I surrender.

167. Realizing I'm a big girl.
I guess this sums up a lot of what is going on in these vague posts. You never know the strength you have until you have to step it up.

I'm still counting. :)

For reals... who knew life post-college would be busier than life in college?! I now officially understand why the elders always told me to enjoy my childhood and teenhood (I think I just made that word up). It's kind of hard to count the little blessings since I haven't written in about 2 weeks, but here's an overview.

157. I have a job... well 2, but one of them I don't consider a "job."
Some weeks I think to myself, why would I choose to work 65-70 hours a week?! Then I remember, I love that one of my "duties" is building relationships with women that most times inspire me more than I ever expected... I love them. Also, I then talk to friends who are still looking... maybe this is a season where God just wants me to be busy. I'm okay with that. :)


158. Laughter in the least expected places.
This week I have had several moments where I have laughed until my sides hurt and I was crying. I forgot how refreshing this is to the soul.

159. Forever friends.
Someone once told me that if you have a friend that lasts a lifetime, you are a blessed woman. I have friends that put up with my crap and emotional mess in the midst of this transition in life... and who will talk to me at 12:30 at night when I can't sleep. I'm so blessed... Thank you Jesus for this gift that I will never comprehend.

160. His love.
I am humbled by the fact that when I feel alone, overwhelmed, crazy, too much, not enough, or whatever the insecure feeling is... the Father whispers His love and reminds me that it is His love and grace that not only sustains me... but allows me to be joyful always. Gah... what a God we have! :)

161. A new (used) car.
Ok, this one is kind of worldly, but Bessie got "totaled" so in order to get the huge check, I had to send her to the graveyard. :( (I'm actually putting off cleaning her out right now because I'm sad to leave her). However, I have a blue PT Cruiser. BAH! Never thought I'd own one... also never thought I'd buy a car... and NOT have car payments. I'm really excited about that last part. :)

I must say that even though I don't write as often, I encourage myself to find the little blessings because without counting the little blessings, I get too caught up in the seemingly big crappy things. Thank you Papa, for all you give. :)

Ok... I give in.

Ok, so it's been a month... my bad. Maybe I will a little overzealous about this whole graduation thing. Don't get me wrong, it's been great and a lot has happened. God definitely provides, that's for sure!

I have, however, learned a lot about myself. For example, the fact that I've avoided this for the past month says something. I've realized that I'm not as content as I thought I was... I recognize that the Lord has provided in abundance once again, yet I'm not overjoyed by it. I'm getting caught up in the hum-drum life and things are always just alright... not bad, but for some strange reason good doesn't sound right either... I know there something's missing.

Thanksgiving. There's a reason the Lord tells us to count our blessings... to submit to Him and recognize His work in our lives and give Him the glory. It makes things not about us, but rather His works. Something so simple, yet so easy to forget. So here's to counting the gifts that I'm given.

152. A second job.
Despite the fact that I'm super busy... it sure beats the opposite.

153. Little kids.
One second you think you're gonna lose it and the next they're hugging you telling you you're their favorite. Ok, melt my heart. :)

154. Storms.
There's something oddly beautiful about the cool wind and stillness after the storm.

155. Reading for fun.
I think this tops it all for top 10 things of coolest things since graduating. I have already read almost 2 books... for pleasure. It's better than cable. 

156. Summer weather.
Some hate this... but I would take sweaty over freezing any day. any time. no questions.

So here's to giving in and remembering to count my blessings. They're all around. I need to embrace them. :)

A whole new world.

147. New Opportunities. 
Hopeful opportunities... that could lead to jobs. Oh gosh... I love when the Lord takes moments that are full of my imperfections and craziness and says, "Oh hey, I'm in control... Let's do this." Beautiful.

148. Jennie's mom.
No, this is not some Stacy's mom rendition... Her mother came and made our little apartment a home...

149. Family.
They bless my life. I love that as I get older, I can relate to them better and build deeper relationships with them.

150. Children.
Here's today's event:
*knock, knock* *opens door* *sees smiling girl*
Me: Hi Lexi.
Lexi: Look what I brought!!! (Pulls out huge Toy Story 3 coloring book)
Jennie and I: Oh fun, let's color!
Lexi smiles... then says, "Oh and can we make cookies for my class?!"
Jennie and I smile at each other... Yes Lexi, that'd be great if that's what you wanna do!
Lexi: Yes!! That's fun!
I love that our only friends in this complex are 8 and 12. My life is great.


151. My SGI girlies.
They threw me a graduation party... They are incredible... Watching them grow has been such a blessing in my life. So proud of them!

I think I'm going to like this whole after graduation thing... not that it's easy, but rather that I know it's where I'm supposed to be... Oh how He provides. :)

And the next journey begins...

143. Neighbors.
I was expecting not to make too many friends in this little apartment complex. Jennie and I have already made 2... one's 12 and one's 8. They like to come over and eat our cookies and brownies and play war after school. They knock on our door daily. And I thought my life was going to be dull....

144. 2 Interviews.
I have TWO interviews... I mean, so maybe they'll both flop, but it's two steps further in this new little journey of my life. :)


145. Great convos.
I love little surprises in my day, when I get to know people's hearts at a deeper level and I know that God is using me and still teaching me.

146. Reading for FUN.
Seriously, I didn't realize how much I missed this. It's the bomb. I want to become a nerd again. :)

On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand.

138. Done. Finished. No more.
Well, I do have to finish online American gov... but other than that... finished. weird. I think I like it.

139. Family
I love them so much. They might be the greatest ever.

140. Realizing I don't have a time for the next anticipated transition...
Ok, so maybe I'm not fully convinced this is a gift yet... the unknown is slightly terrifying, BUT... I do know the Lord is faithful and He will and does care for me. I guess this means so long to my dependence on myself. :)

141. Workouts.
Workouts=happy endorphins (and happy people just don't kill their husbands... (Legally Blonde reference)). :) It also means less tears for me.

142. Hope.
No matter what the situation, I have a hope which can never be shaken. On Christ the solid rock I stand.... Praise Jesus.

Even still... I shall sing your praises!

It's finals week. My life is exploding. And things are getting really uncomfortable.

BUT. I have SO much to be thankful for still...

132. Roommates.
They tell funny jokes. They cry. They make fun of you. They play jokes on you. They make secret groups when you freak out that you'll never be friends again. I love them.

133. Hannah Wood.
She's sitting in front of my right now. She's supposed to be writing a paper, but instead we have successfully had heart to heart convos, drank coffee, and of course, not studied for this final.

134. Sunshine.
Two days of it. Yes please.

135. A final that takes 6 minutes.
Need I say more?

136. Library study sessions.
I have been in the library more this week than I've been all semester. Ironically, these little study sessions were quite comical and yet still productive. LOOVE it....

137. Family.
They'll be here Friday. I can't wait.

I could keep going, but I'm supposed to be studying. opps. :-)