Daddy, Dear, You Know You're Still Number One

I feel like nothing I write could possibly do justice to how I feel about my Daddy. Yes, I'm 20 years old and I still call him Daddy, and I always will. I am the epitome of Daddy's little girl. He has shown me how I deserve to be treated by a man in my life, always been supportive of everything that I do, and has become a great spiritual leader for our family. We have so much fun together and laugh constantly. I love him so much and am so thankful for him!

side note: he informed me that I am probably going to get swine flu at camp because apparently that's what is happening and I am now taking vitamins every day. zoo chews. yummm. thanks, Daddy.

"I Feel Like We Just Signed A Marriage License"

Yesterday morning my dear friend Lindsey Carter and I signed our lease for the upcoming year! I still can hardly believe that we haven't even know each other very long. I met Linds toward the end of my freshman year when she made a visit for Jessi's senior spotlight. We hung out for a couple hours and that was the extent of our relationship. When I found out that she was transferring back to North Ga this past fall, I just thought it would be fun to have another member of our AGD family here. I am so blessed to have her in my life. Without Linds, I wouldn't have someone to document my life through pictures, cry happy tears with on the way back from a Wal Mart trip, make m&m pancakes with, stalk Karen Kingsbury and Dave Barnes, eat crazy core Skittles and sour gummy Starburts with, and pull all nighters. But more than that, she shares my heart, no matter what it's feeling that day. I don't know how I made it 19 years without her friendship. As one of our Alpha Gam songs goes, "got along without you before [I] met you, can't get along with you now"

the day we met

bid day '09

my first trip to Preacher's Rock

some words from my favorite Lindsey:

My dearest, favorite Cait,

Friend, sister, and soulmate,

Little did we know last April on that day

That we would be roommates somewhere along the way.

I said, "hi, you're fam, let's take a photo!"

And strangely enough, you didn't say "no"

Because of Karen we formed a bond

(and of her we are still very fond).

The Baxters are your family, too.

Just because of that, my love for you grew.

You share my jokes & tears & fears

& I wish I'd known you in previous years.

I love surprises of starburst and skittles,

& I'm ever-thankful for your 2 littles!

I am jealous of your espanol,

& talking like you is my life goal.

Right now I'm sitting in a boring class

Wishing I had some chocolate milk in a glass

& also that I could just go to bed

& yes, my friend, that's what she said.

Later when you live elsewhere, I'll come to visit

On a plane my kids will all sit

To come to visit the United Nations

^that's what Linds says my house will be with all my adopted kids^

Made of Mexicans, Africans, Chinese, & Haitians

Thanks for liking it when I act like your mom

Because I think you're "the bomb.com"

A Little Gold Rush College Town

Monday I came up to Dahlonega to spend some time with Savannah. She is taking classes and since I am doing nothing productive whatsoever at home, we decided it was time for a visit. Monday afternoon began with a long overdue trip to the outlets upon the discovery of the awesome shorts Sav was wearing. It was love at first sight and I could hear them calling to me all the way from Dawsonville. When we got back we discovered that we are getting old. When compared to the shorts I wore last summer, my shorts of summer 09 are a good 2 inches longer. Thank you modesty for prompting me to cover up my large backside. If you're lucky, I might even produce and ode much like that dedicated to the greatest fashion find of 08, and if that actually means something to you, then you have been a faithful bloggy friend for a long time and are much appreciated. Anyway, our return to the apartment was accompanied with the discovery of some way outdated milk (I'm talking end of April here people) in the fridge that our roommates were so kind to leave us and dirty dishes, both of which did produce some good laughs. Welcome back Cait and Sav, compliments of living with strangers. We did a mass dump of the fridge and hauled 3 huge bags all throughout Owen Hall to the dumpster. I tell you what, we felt like we were doing a Biggest Loser challenge (which in turn reminded us that we have not stuck with the 30 Day Shred like we were supposed to). Kristin graced us with her presence about 9:00, smack dab in the middle of Bachelorette so she's lucky we love her so much. For the rest of the night we enjoyed our favorite snack of cinnamon rolls and talked each other's ears off. Kristin and I didn't shut up until about 3:30. It had been way too long.

This morning we had what Sav and I call a "Saturday Morning". We slept late, had our favorite breakfast, and watched He's Just Not That Into You. What better way to spent the first part of the day than laying around in your PJ's with your friends? We ventured to Chick Fil A at about 3 for a mid day meal, if you will, where I ran into my grandparents, which was pretty cool. Unfortunately, after hanging out at Chick Fil A longer than normal people should, Kristin had to leave us to get back home. Sav and I headed back to Dawsonville for the evening and treated ourselves to a Chick Fil A milkshake for dinner. Apparently there was a 50's celebration at the Chick that no one told us about! We would have worn our poodle skirts and would have fit right in! Instead we felt awkward about the enthusiastically dresses employees and were terrified Elvis was going to come over and dance with us. Yes, he was there. The king is back in business friends. Oh what an experience! Tonight we just relaxed, made a late night run to good ole Micky D's which we will regret in the morning... or right now, and sipped coffee (ok that was just me) as we did homework and watched Slumdog Millionaire.

As we were sitting there I couldn't help but think about how much I will miss this. These moments are what college is really about. Yeah, we have to do the work and all, but this is what it all comes down to. This is what we will remember. I am so blessed to have these wonderful, godly women in my life. Though our apartment is a piece of junk and we often hate it, this is where we have made the most memories. We've had a fight in the hall way, tears (mostly mine) shed all over this place, life changing moments, and more laughter than I could even begin to explain. These are the days we'll remember; the lazy, unproductive days spend in a little gold rush college town.

us before the PIKE halloween social

Staying In Love

I finally finished watching Andy Stanley's series called Staying In Love and absolutely loved it! (no pun intended) These are just a few highlights of the notes I wrote in my journal while I watched. I averaged about 3-4 pages for each week (4 weeks) so I won't put them all up, but I would really suggest checking it out.

-The key to staying in love is to make love a verb.

-Choosing the right person is part of it, but learning to be and become the right person is the bigger part of it.

-The feelings and emotions are not the engine of the relationship.

-Love is something you actively do.

-It's about mutual submission. The biggest conflict should be who takes priority. Even if you don't make my the priority, I'm making you my priority. When you are constantly putting each other ahead of yourselves, it creates a balance.

-Submission means I place myself under you because I want to, not because you want me to or I feel like I have to.

-Falling in love requires a pulse; staying in love requires a plan. Falling in love requires attraction; staying in love requires action.

-God created me to love someone intimately in every way possible and to do life with them until death parts us, but the world tells me this isn't possible.

-Even though loving like Christ is difficult, isn't it true that I would love to be loved like that?

-The heart of staying in love is valuing him above myself. Always act like he is more important that me. I defer to him. It's about respect. All day, every day.

-How do I treat my most valuable possession? There's almost a sense of awe about it. That's how I should treat him. It comes naturally at first and then becomes something that is done intentionally. That's how the love gets deeper and better. It's a lifestyle to be developed.

-I am mostly interested in the things that interest me. I must learn to express interest in whatever he is interested in and support it.

-I can spend the rest of my life being right or I can be in love. I can't have both. (that's a big deal for stubborn me)

-It would be possible to be in love like we're 16 years old forever if our hearts had never been hurt and we didn't have any baggage, but that's not what life is like. We all have stuff inside of us and don't really know what it is until we're in a committed relationship and we hit a bump. The reason these "things" come out isn't because of the other person, it's because of what is inside.

-My ability to feel a certain way is determined by the condition of my heart. My ability to stay in love has as much to do with my heart as it does with who I'm with. Everything I do flows from my heart. My relationship is the overflow of my heart. If my heart isn't in good shape, I won't be able to maintain a healthy relationship.

-If I want to stay in love, I have to monitor my heart.

-In every relationship, at some point, there is a gap between what we expect and how a person behaves. In these gaps me choose to either believe the best or assume the worst. That decision makes all the difference.

-2 things determine what you put in that gap: what you see (situation) and who you are (experiences)

-Find the most generous explanation for each other's behavior, and then believe it.

-Love protects the integrity of the relationship. I won't look for negatives. I'm looking for a way to keep love alive.

-Every time you choose to think negatively, you have contributed to the demise of your relationship.

-The last thing your significant other wants to do is disappoint you. When you go negative, it communicates disappointment and says "no matter how hard you try, you will never measure up" Every time that is communicated, you push them further and further away.

-When you choose to believe the best and communicate that, it builds the relationship.

-I will use these gaps to bring you closer to me. Am I willing to place in that gap "I trust you" until there is absolutely no excuse, and then we will have to have a tough conversation. But when that conversation is over, the trust comes right back in the gap.

Get Out Of The Boat!

We all know the story of Jesus walking on water. There was a storm; Jesus walked on the water; freaked the disciples out because, I mean there's a man walking on the water; turns out it's Jesus. insert huge sigh of relief here; Jesus tells Peter to come walk on the water with Him. I'm sorry, say what?!; Peter walks on the water, starts doubting, and starts sinking; Jesus saves him.

I got a new perspective on this story this week. First of all, there was a huge storm going on yet Peter was willing to step out on the water. He knew, even in the middle of the storm, he was safer with Jesus than he was in the boat. Second of all, have you ever thought about that first step out of the boat? It's not like he was walking onto the water from something that was level and he could just step one foot out and test it. He was a good 2 or 3 feet above the water. There was no testing to make sure it would hold. He had to step completely onto the water and trust that Jesus was going to sustain him. Third of all, he didn't just immediately lose faith and then sink to the bottom. It was a slow process. He started sinking a little at a time. When he was focused on Jesus, knowing that He would keep him up, he was fine. He stood firm on that water! I imagine it was something simple that got Peter distracted. "Hmm... it sure is windy out here" or "Man, that's a big wave over there." This was not the first time Peter had noticed the wind or the waves, but it was the first time he noticed them while standing on water. Once he took his eyes of Jesus and allowed doubtful thoughts to creep in, he sank a little at a time. Isn't that how it is for us too? We are totally confident in the direction God is leading, until Satan plants one thought in our minds that leads to 12 more and before you know it you're sinking in doubt. Jesus didn't grab Peter as soon as he started sinking. He did, however, grab him as soon as he said, "Lord, help me." Amazing that that's all it takes for Jesus to come sweeping in and rescue us. When I am alone, I sink. When my eyes are on Jesus, I can walk on the water.

I believe if Jesus calls me to get out of the boat, He is going to be there to help me walk on the water. If I start to sink, which I sometimes do, He'll reach His hand down and He'll lift me up. God will give you everything You need to do everything He has called you to do. You are in His hands and in His will, and there is no better place to be. -Joyce Meyer

*told you. me+blogging=out of control right now.

Just What I Needed To Hear...

Welcome challenging times as opportunities to trust Me. You have Me beside you and My Spirit within you, so no set of circumstances is too much for you to handle. When the path before you is dotted with difficulties, beware of measuring your strength against those challenges. That calculation is certain to riddle you with anxiety. Without Me, you wouldn't make it past the first hurdle!

The way to walk through demanding days is to grip My hand tightly and stay in close communication with Me. Let your thoughts and spoken words be richly flavored with trust and thankfulness. Regardless of the day's problems, I can keep you in perfect peace as you stay close to Me.

-Jesus Calling

Esther

Yes, I realize I am a bit out of control right now with my blogging habits. Timmy is at camp and I only get a couple random texts a day and it is making me crazy! I am a little at a loss for someone to talk to, therefore I turn to you, my bloggy friends... who I could probably could on one hand. But that's not the point. The point is that I have started Beth Moore's newest study on Esther. I have heard such fabulous things about it... and have experienced none of these fabulous things in week 1. Now I am not saying anything bad about the Bible, don't get me wrong, but I feel like all it is about so far is history and I am having a hard time making anything applicable to my life. What I really need is to know if anyone has done it yet because I am really struggling to even make myself do it. Anyone? Bueller?