grace eventually.

How could I forget to post pics from our SNOW day last Friday. If I didn't have pics to prove it, I might have thought I was dreaming since it was 85 here today! Dang Louisiana weather!

my un-blogginess as of late. I have no internet at my apartment so I'm limited to work and my parent's house. I'm not sure what my excuse was before. Today I'd like to talk to you about Amish Friendship Bread. I've never heard of it but I'm taking a gander at making it. Last Wednesday, my friend, Gina, put this ziploc bag full of batter and a recipe in front of me and asked, "Would you like to try this?" I stared at her blankly while quickly skimming the page. "Sure." I responded. Little did I know what I was committing to. Those who've been to my apartment in the last week can attest. It's a 10 day process, mainly of mashing the bag but still. Today I will finally embark on baking this so called friendship bread and pass along 4 starter bags of my own to 4 lucky people. Too bad I can't mail it because I know just who I'd send it to. I'll let you know how it turns out!

Friday night, Mel and I went to see Michael Buble' in Shreveport. This is our second time seeing him together...how lucky are we? The first time was in Louisville, KY with April. We had great seats and actually almost touched him at one point when he came out in the audience! We weren't quite so lucky this time but we still had some good seats and the show was amazing!



I went to the doctor on Thursday and I'm on my way to restored health. It's been a weird week. I shared with my friend, Cathy, this morning that I've been in a funk ever since I got back from KY. I know it's part from being sick, but there's something else that I haven't quite figured out yet. Thankfully I began to feel better after talking to her and I'm actually beginning to feel the clouds lifting. I'm ready to feel like myself again!

Yesterday it occurred to me that I did not have a ride to the Louisville airport today. In the past, this has never really been an issue. Someone's always available. Monday's generally a non-class day, at least til the evening and since I needed to be at the airport before evening, someone could surely take me. After countless e-mails, phone calls, and texts, I came up with NO ONE! Well, needless to say, about 8pm as the Oscars were getting underway, I began to panic. Everything is heightened in the drama department when you're sick so I'm sure my parents have loved our recent phone conversations. We did some research on shuttles from Lexington to Louisville, all ranging from 85-100 bucks but I would have to be at the shuttle pick-up spot at 8am (my flight doesn't leave until 5:20pm). Finally Dad decided the best option would be for me to come to Louisville last night and stay at one of the airport hotels to avoid the stress. It was a good solution. I still have to check out of the hotel by noon meaning I'll probably get to the airport about 4 hours early, but considering at one point I had seriously considered just spending the night in the airport last night, it's a better option. I'm still nervous about flying...with all the congestion but I've received all kinds of tips that I'm willing to try....earplugs, taking Advil right before the flight to lessen the swelling in my ears, blowing my nose, chewing gum. Needless to say when I land in Monroe at 8:45 tonight, I will be ecstatic.

Yesterday I was thankfully able to watch my good friends' Shannon Steed and Matt Sigler unite in marriage. It's the main reason I came back to KY but I was really beginning to wonder if I would make it. I'm still battling a fever although today I feel a little better. It's such a disappointment when you have grand plans for how you will spend your days on vacation, away from work and responsibility. This was not what I had in mind at all. I'll post some pics from the wedding when I get back home. It was beautiful and perfect and represented who they are so well. I couldn't be happier for them. I got to see lots of old friends from both college and seminary. I really am grateful. Today I'm hoping to venture out into Lexington for a bit and hit my favorite brunch spot downtown! Please pray that my body continues to heal. I'm a little nervous about the flight tomorrow. I hate nothing more than flying when I don't feel well, especially when I'm congested. The pressure on my ears can be excruciating!

Yesterday afternoon Mom picked me up and drove me to the airport for my 5 day vacation in KY, still feels like home in a way. I'm so excited to be here, however, today has been an interesting day. I bundled up this morning for the 20 degree weather and made my way by the local coffee shop on the way to chapel. At chapel I saw a few familiar faces and heard a powerful message from Margaret Therkelson, a 70-year old Godly woman of prayer. I always loved our chapels when I was at school at Asbury so when I saw Mrs. Therkelson on the calendar for today, I knew I would be blessed. After chapel, Meredith and I walk out to grab some lunch and it's sleeting heavily! Now winter weather isn't uncommon in KY but icestorms are never good. By the time we got finished with lunch they had canceled classes for the afternoon. I decided to make the most of it and come back to Matt's house to watch movies with Matt, only both of us are feeling crummy and I've been battling a 100 degree fever all night. So we're stuck inside and neither one of us feel like cooking dinner but the thought of getting out in the ice and battling the roads sounds too taxing as well. At least it's a good tv night...American Idol and LOST and I have a good friend to hang out with. Tomorrow I will feel better...I'm determined!

Monday I turned 31. I spent it in my bed recovering from a stomach bug. Today my mom lost her job meaning that in just one year, both of my parents have lost their jobs. Is this really what being an adult is all about because if it is, I'd like to go back. I am certainly very thankful that I am employed with 2 jobs, one I love and one I'm hoping will someday blossom into something that feels like me. However, I've never felt so helpless in all my life. My parents gave me everything I could ever ask for and have supported me for the last 30 years of my life and there's nothing I can really do to return that. I have school debt upon school debt upon school debt along with the other grown-up bills of life like rent, car payments, and food. The Lord has been teaching me for a long time that really all I can do is just let go...let go of the control that I so much want to hold on to, let go of what I think I want, let go of my life. He's been teaching me this for 31 years and I've yet to still get it. Maybe this will be my year. He and I have been having lots of conversations about where I saw myself at 30 and it has not lived up to my expectations. It's not necessarily bad...He certainly knows what he's doing but I'm wondering if I ever will get to that place. Will I find someone to share my life with? Will I figure out what I really want to do with my life? I don't have the answers to these questions but I have to trust...

Last week our church sent my parents a check from an anonymous giver for $1000.
Tonight, my dad brought my mom a dozen roses.
So today I choose to trust.