Grateful

I would not believe you if you'd told me I'd be sad about leaving home after spending my summer in Andalusia. Not one bit. I guess it is kind of hard to go from the transition of "kicking and screaming" all the way from Auburn (mentally, not actually) to then enjoying my time here. I learned that my time does not necessarily have to be all planned out by me for it to be meaningful. Or spent with my Auburn friends (although I do love you dearly!). It does not have to be all of my favorite things. In the beginning of the summer, I went to see if I could volunteer with the dietitian at the hospital. Being the assuming person that I am, I judged that he was harsh. It is quite funny now to compare how I feel now to then. Now, I feel like I have another grandpa. He always treated me with honor- never did I ever feel in his way or stupid. He works hard and diligently. And never failed to ask how my day was going or what I should be doing differently this semester for school. I can't thank Mr. John enough for being gracious with his time to mentor me.

I will miss omelet days! (War eagle)

I also spent part of my weeks babysitting a year and a half old baby. It was a time where my patience was tested. I would get so frustrated when I couldn't figure out how to stop him from crying or whenever he'd pick up dog poop or whenever he'd stick his hand in an ant bed. As time went on, I started to really like our time together. I saw his personality shine and see that maybe he didn't really 100% hate me. Although at times I was frustrated, I would never trade it. I'm gonna miss that cute little blue eyed nugget. 

Lastly, this was valuable time with my family.  This could potentially be my last summer at home and it meant a lot to be able to see them every day for 3 months. I know I'll remember this summer forever!

 The first month and a half I spent here trying to pick out everything that is wrong-  just about how things are different from where I've been the last 3 years.  I had yet to get over being selfish about where I was and to stop comparing a place to another. How unproductive and unloving is that?! I was reminded that- Heck, I love these people. I love the work that The Lord is doing here even when my little brain can't see it. tonight, it is hard to say goodbye. But I am so thankful for all that I've learned. 

USA USA USA

Freezing fun at Ponce De Leon Springs.

Sophisticated.

"Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told."

Habakkuk 1:5

Rerouted Family Fun

This morning we arrived at the airport around 6:30 am, only to discover that our flight had been cancelled and we will need to fly out at 6:15 am tomorrow! Our cancelled  flight left us wondering around Birmingham today. We got to look around Pepper Place Market and took an unexpected 3 hour nap. 

Unfailing Love

For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
Romans 5:6-10 
 

Tell The World- Lecrae

A List of Happy Things

Welcome to a blog post pointing out simple, small, happy things over the past couple of months.

Random happy things in no particular order:



1.  Auburn in the snow.

 2.  Roxy (Even though she really doesn't like me).

3.  Wide open spaces... (cue the music)

4.  Food.

 5. Zebras with weird facial expressions.

 6.  Coffee and my new favorite place, my desk. 

 7.  An actual camel on hump daaaay.

8.  Growing herbs (or attempting, rather).

Random Mumbles

    Hello friends!  Well, summer classes have almost come to an end.  My last final is tomorrow at noon.  I am just so ready to go home for a short time and enjoy spending time with my family!  I know I haven't written in a long time- but honestly you'll want to thank me for that! haha. My attitude lately has been nothing short of whiny.  I mean, I don't really know why I've been so discontent.  I have been so caught up in this summer.  I pictured hanging out with friends all of the time, doing adventurous things, laying out by the pool, camping, and meeting tons of new people. Instead, I have been studying and working.  There really hasn't been anything bad about this summer, though.  In fact, I have gotten to hang out with plenty of people, and made a new group of friends that I am so thankful for.

     In a little over two weeks, my new roommate will move in.  I cannot express how excited I am to have a roommate again!!! I am overall just a happier person when there are people around.  Her parents moved her things into my apartment last weekend, and meeting them made me even more excited to live with her.  They were just the sweetest people, and I know that she is too.  It is so cool to see God's faithfulness.  Every single year I have worried about finding a new roommate, and God has provided me with one each year that I can call my friend.

     Oh!  I just finished my Science of Food class.  I'm really sad that this class has to end.  I loved learning more and more everyday, and looked forward to going to class.  It reaffirms my dreams to be a registered dietitian.  I can tell that alot of people are skeptical when I tell them that I'm majoring in Nutrition and Dietetics.  Many people ask, "And what do you plan to do with that once you graduate?" And honestly, I don't really know.  First, I have to get an accredited internship which is a mandatory part of the process and is very hard to get. Once I make it past that and take my RD exam, I could work as a clinical dietitian, personal dietitian, sports dietitian, eating disorder counselor, school dietitian, weight-loss, etc.  Honestly, I think I would be happy with any of these jobs.  It's something where I'll get to constantly meet new people and help them directly.  That's what I want. I am currently intrigued by an internship in Minnesota... which mom tells me "Devin, that's too far away" or "It's too cold there".  She even google mapped how long the drive would be haha!!  No worries, I've got three more years at Auburn before I can even really think about where I'll be placed for an internship.

      I think I've done enough procrastinating ;) Time to get back to studying.  Thanks for listening to my mumbles :)

"Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things." 

Philippians 4: 4-8

     

    

    

Catching Up

     Hello friends!  I feel like it's a really rare moment when I publish a blog; I actually have started to write around 10 posts, but I never finish them.  I normally end up writing a paragraph and then decide to delete it because it doesn't have enough "sparkle".  But today I was reminded that life isn't all sparkles, you know?  Not every moment of a person's day/week/month has to be interesting... however, I have decided I'm not going to let that discourage me from writing!  :)

     This last weekend I finally got to go home for the first time this semester.  I didn't hang out with anyone except for my family the entire time, but I didn't get bored (actually, this is never a factor... my family is pretty much always entertaining). I got to spend alot of time with my brother, which is great.  We get along so much better now that we've grown up a little bit!!  I also loved getting to see some of my extended family as well, they're great to be around! Athough I'm almost a junior in college (crazy!!!), it still hasn't become easier for me to leave home.  Maybe that's just because I never go home so I have yet to conquer that.  I'm fine once I get back to Auburn, but I hate that moment of telling my family goodbye.

Enjoy some family Easter photos!!!

      So what's going on in my life?  Nothing but straight busy-ness.  I'm still teaching exercise classes but sometimes it can be a struggle.  Tonight I had 12 people, and about 3 of them didn't want to be there.  Whenever I'd yell "freestyle!" they would shut down and laugh at me (I mean, I am a white girl that has trouble getting funky).  Bring on the laughter ;) Despite being laughed at and forgetting the choreography occasionally, I really do enjoy my job.  Especially when I see that people are enjoying it.  Tonight, there was a girl in the back that couldn't keep a smile off of her face... I could tell that she loved it.  THAT is something that keeps me motivated.  Or to see the same people come back to my class. Besides teaching two exercise classes a week, I still have my school classes.  But really, who wants to talk about those!  Except the fact that I have a portfolio due tomorrow that I haven't started on :) Yay procrastination!

     I will be staying in Auburn this summer to take classes and hopefully get a job!  If anyone knows of someone that would want to sublease for the summer, let me know.

Have a great week!! :)

    

Chocolate Celebration

     Each year, we are faced with the same sugary, lovey-dovey, predictable holiday known as Valentines Day.  This year, my roommate and I took a different approach.  Why not have a fantastic time and celebrate friendships?! We decided to deck our apartment in candles, flowers, and pictures of beautiful men (If we're being honest here... I still haven't taken those down yet). Courtney made guacamole, cupcakes, and the Pioneer Woman's "Knock You Naked" brownies. I made the sandwiches, chocolate-covered things, and cookie cakes!  Together, we had a Valentine's Day feast.  We had around 20 people show up throughout the night. It was a great time to just sit around, eat chocolate, and talk about life!  Probably about an hour and a half into the party, a random guy opens our door and realizes that he is in the wrong apartment.  I can only imagine his thoughts on the posters and all of the girls packed into our small apartment!  He apologized for being in the wrong place, and the girls asked him if he'd like some food.  His response was, "Can I really?" and he fixed himself a plate.  The he said, "I don't know what's going on here... but y'all have the right idea!" and left.  It was a good night! Thanks to everyone who came to hang-out! :) My only regret is the lack of pictures haha

 The flowers before they were arranged around the room!

 Behold the feast!

 My friend Kinsey and Zac Efron in the background ;)

      I just talked to my Dad on the phone and that always gets me thinking about when the next time I'll get to go home is.  I almost cried on the phone because I missed them, and I'm not normally an emotional person if that tells you anything! I think the soonest that I will be able to go back (last time I was home was January 6th) will be in 5 weeks.  Hopefully I can convince my family to come visit before then! :) In another news, I've been getting to hang-out with people more than normal and getting to meet alot of new people so that always makes for a great day!

I hope everyone has a great week!