Thursday, November 13, 2014

Thankful!

Monday morning I drove back from Auburn and I stopped to get coffee on my way out. While I was sitting in the drive thru line I checked my Timehop and there was a picture that took me right back to where I was this time last year...

I spent the entire drive just thinking about what this week a year ago felt like.
I was preparing for my OT interview that was on Friday, November 15th. The previous week was probably one of the worst weeks I have had while being away at college. I was so overwhelmed and literally just cried almost the whole week for no reason. I had planned on finding my interview suit the week before. I remember it so clearly... Jess had gone to the mall with me and as we were walking out of what seemed like 50th store (empty handed) I just started crying. To make this story short, I went home that weekend and my mom, of course, came to the rescue. She and I went to Dothan that Saturday and I'm pretty sure she bought me like three suits instead of one so I would have different options for that day. 

This was the picture that showed up on my Timehop Monday morning...

There is no way I would have made it to grad school if it weren't for my parents and it being the Lord's sovereign will for me to be here.

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So, when I got to class on Monday morning my teacher encouraged us to reflect and maybe even journal where we were this time one year ago. So that's pretty much what I've been doing this week. I try not to ever take it for granted that I have the opportunity to be sitting in a classroom when so many people are hoping to get into this OT program. When I start to get overwhelmed, I have to remind myself that I have already accomplished something and that "this too shall pass".

Praying for each person who has an interview tomorrow! 



Oh, and just for fun... this is the moment I found out I was accepted. I have it as a link on my desktop where I can click it at anytime if I start to forget how that moment felt :)
(Hillary screenshot all of these while we were on FaceTime)
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Auburn vs. Texas A&M












Last home game as a student :(
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
War Eagle!

"And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ"
Philippians 1:6





Thursday, November 6, 2014

Hello, November!

November might be my favorite month... the beginning of the month is still filled with all things pumpkin and "fallish" and then the end of the month (after Thanksgiving, people) comes the red and the green! And it's the end of the semester... so that could have something to do with it being my favorite month! Anyway, we definitely welcomed November the right way with a camping trip on the coldest night so far. My favorite part was the s'mores, of course! :)

I've started making a "bucket list" for November and I might share it later on when it's finished.. I just think that it will be a fun way to give me something to look forward to!





I've been home the past two weekends...
The first weekend was Opp's homecoming so I went to the parade with Ashton and her girls and then went to the ballgame later that night when Anthony got home. 



This past weekend we went camping and then Saturday before the ballgame I hung out with Korrie Lynn and Lorrie for a little while. I haven't seen Korrie Lynn in a couple of years so it was nice to catch up with my high school best friend!


These next few pictures were Sunday afternoon after church...
Hillary trying to get An to take a "selfie" with her


Not much else going on except for OT school :)




We don't do arts and crafts everyday... only on Wednesday :)
LOVE OT! By far the greatest profession out there!

Only 20 days of school left this semester!! 
I should probably get busy! 



Hope everyone has a great weekend!!! 
War Eagle!! :)


"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."
Psalm 37:4






Sunday, October 19, 2014

Birthday Weekend

Happy Birthday to my best friend!!
Incase anyone is wondering what selflessness looks like... this is it.

He drove to me this weekend because I have a really busy week next week (2 quizzes and 4 exams) and needed to spend that driving time studying. AND... he did the dishes for me on his birthday. Sweet boy. 


We had a really good weekend. Friday we went for a walk at the park and then to the grocery store. I didn't tell the whole truth and told him I had a study session and went and picked up his birthday present instead (AU cornhole boards). 

Friday night we went and sat by the pool while the supper was finishing then spent the rest of the night watching movies :)


Saturday night we went and ate seafood on the causeway at sunset... We both agreed that it felt like the beach so that will work for now :)



Today we went to church and then came home and had tacos for lunch and then had birthday cake. This was my first cake and the icing was even homemade... not too bad for my first try! 



Weekends are just too short but I love every minute that I get to spend with you!! 
Hope you had a great birthday!! 
So glad you are mine!
Love you, An!


"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Only A Mountain



Good morning!
I woke up extra early this morning where I could write this blog post without taking time away from my "study time". 

Friday morning I was driving to lab and when I am in my car I normally just let the radio scan until I hear something I want to listen to. As I was scanning, I heard my class song (Tattoos On This Town by Jason Aldean) so I decided to listen to the rest of it. I just started thinking back to my high school years and how everything changes so much. I mean, there was a time when I thought I literally wouldn't make it through ninth grade geometry. But, I did... and I also graduated with a 4 year degree at twenty years old and started grad school right after my twenty first birthday (which was also a struggle for me). But, when there are times of struggle it makes the victory more sweet :)
 The Lord is faithful every single time!

The point of me telling you all this??
Whatever you are going through, it's only a season. "This too shall pass"... very true words. 
This reminds me of a song that I was practically screaming at the top of my lungs on my way to take the GRE for the VERY last time. 




Praying that whatever mountain you may be facing, you will turn to the One who has all the power to make it move.

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While I was driving that morning I was also thinking about how so many things change over time. Let's just go back in time real quick--- 5 years ago. 






5 years ago I was a sixteen year old starting my junior year at OHS. I think I was probably struggling with "boy issues" at the time... typical high school girl. Looking back on it now, the Lord really put me through some difficult heartache in order to remove me from a relationship that I was clearly too caught up in and to protect His child... always faithful even when we cannot see it at the time. 

Little did I know, all of this was preparing me for what was going to take place that January. Honestly, I consider my childhood to be pretty close to perfect. Never really had anything "bad" happen to my family, my parents were always involved in everything I did, and pretty much made life easy for me and my siblings. I definitely wasn't ready for the event that was to take place. When I saw that car and then my sister unresponsive in the back of an ambulance, I fell into the arms of the only One who can heal. I am thankful for parents who raised me in a church and helped teach me about Jesus and His love for us. Without that, I wouldn't have known what to do during that time. 

Also, if you would have told me five years ago that "Mrs. Harrison" is going to be one of your best friends, I would have probably called you a liar! LOL! Crazy how the Lord works but thankful for the way He does!

And, if you would have told me that I would move out of my parents house to go to college, I probably wouldn't have believed that either. You know, I did sleep with my mom from after the wreck until I graduated... and there is no shame. (Except for the fact that I could have made their marriage a little difficult at times... sorry Bob)

And, if you told me I would be dating a redneck boy from Straughn... I probably would have laughed in your face. Just KIDDING (about the redneck part)! Love you, An!!! 
Really though, the Lord has His own ways... and they are higher than ours!

If you told me my sister would get married on June 28, 2014 and I would stand on the stage beside her as a sobbing hot mess, I probably wouldn't have believed that until after January that year. That's when most of the fighting stopped :)

Things change... 
I am thankful for each and every change in my life because the Lord has drawn me closer to Himself through each and every one.

I could probably go on and on with this post, but I have to go get ready for class. If there are any grammatical errors, don't judge. I didn't have time to read back over this post. 

I hope everyone has a great day!! 

"For just as the heavens are higher than the 

earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my 

thoughts higher than your thoughts"

Isaiah 55:9







Monday, October 6, 2014

Finally Fall! :)

It's FALL!!!! 


South's fall break is today and tomorrow and I am currently sitting alone at a table for two eating a cinnamon muffin and drinking coffee... downtown Auburn. I really love this place. 

If I haven't mentioned on the blog already, I have been extremely blessed with the sweetest guy. This long weekend has been filled with lots of fun things like...
our first country music concert together... 

tailgating... 

with s'mores (because we are embracing fall)...

cornhole...





a sweet Auburn win against LSU...


"piggy back" ride after the game... 

lunch in downtown Opelika after church... 

and breakfast for supper... 

I also spent the day with Rachel on Friday. We did a little shopping and had sushi for lunch. I always enjoy spending time with her and sharing what the Lord is doing in both of our lives. 

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I haven't posted anything about school yet but it is going great! I love all of my classmates and teachers and I enjoy going to class every day and absorbing as much information as my little brain can take. This sometimes makes going home and studying each night a little more difficult but I can definitely say that I know this is where I am supposed to be and I am blessed to be a part of such a great program! 









The MS1 (first year) students each have a "big" that is an MS2 (second year). Leah was Jessica's "little" and she is now my "big". I definitely got the best one out of the group! She always texts me to see how my week is going, has had me over for dinner, and is always willing to help me in any way that she can... AND she's absolutely precious!!! 

See...


Thankful for you and our friendship!! 

This is what my weekends have been looking like... 
boat ride...


Jess and Cody's engagement party... 


Holt and mom "hitting the nae nae"


Auburn football... 

Bobcat football... 

(my sweet friends)



Grilling... 

and more AU football... 

This has been a great semester so far. I had breakfast with Leslie & Emme at Panera Bread one morning and then the next week went over and had coffee and breakfast with Mrs. Kathy. I have formed great relationships over the last year and I am so thankful for sweet friends! 

I am looking forward to the rest of the semester, fall, more football, everything pumpkin, and then holidays at home with my family! :)

If you will, please be in prayer for me over the next week. I have to make a decision about where I would like to do my level two fieldwork and I honestly have no idea at the moment. I know that the Lord is sovereign and one way or another He is going to put me where I need to be so that He will get all the glory. Just pray that I will have a peace on whatever decision I make. I would really really appreciate it! 

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to 
serve others..."
1 Peter 4:10