Tuesday, April 14th
Hey guys,
As many of you know, right now my options for the fall are fairly limited, basically either go to Columbia International University, in South Carolina, or go to Community College. Having this past week be a little bit more calm, and less fast paced has really allowed me to think and pray long and hard about next year, and to just wrap my mind around this idea that whatever happens, I'm going to SOME college next year, and it WILL be God's will for me. The more I thought about it, the more I really felt like God is leading me to Columbia, though it will be a HUGE leap of faith financially to send me to college, I truly feel in my heart that it IS what I'm being called to do next year. As I talked with my parents about it, of course, they were much more hesitant, and more realistic about the fact that I WILL be leaving college with close to 80 thousand dollars in debt, and just trying to help me realize and understand just how much that is. Coming home, it was definitely a bit discouraging, that my parents didn't necessarily feel the same way that I did about college, but I knew that the next step for us AS A FAMILY would be to visit it. So, this morning, I called up my admissions counselor and registered for a preview day there for April 23rd-24th, complete with an overnight host, attending a few classes, learning more about financial aid, and just being on campus. Though it may not be quite as big of a step as I would like, it IS a step towards making a final decision, and I am so excited to make that final decision. I have a feeling that this weekend for us will be pretty "make it or break it", in the past few months, God has provided, but in his time, and in his perfect way. For instance my job, I spent six MONTHS looking for a job in Lenoir, with very little success, but I sent this lady one email asking her about her need for a nanny, and just one week later, I started! So I know that God is going to use this weekend to show me and my parents just a little bit of what he has in store for me, and what my next move should be.
<3 Always,
Rose
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Day 322-Back to Work
Monday, April 13th
Hey guys,
So, as much as I LOVED my Spring Break, seeing my friends, and just having a week off from most of my regular responsibilities, I've gotta be honest, I missed my little chickadee that I'm used to spending all day every day with. I was actually looking FORWARD to going to work today, even if it meant I had to get up at 6, and it means a LOT more stress for me. As much as she drives me crazy, and frustrates me to no end with her attitude and stubborn personality, she is really a wonderful kid, and I SO enjoy watching her every day!
<3 Always,
Rose
Hey guys,
So, as much as I LOVED my Spring Break, seeing my friends, and just having a week off from most of my regular responsibilities, I've gotta be honest, I missed my little chickadee that I'm used to spending all day every day with. I was actually looking FORWARD to going to work today, even if it meant I had to get up at 6, and it means a LOT more stress for me. As much as she drives me crazy, and frustrates me to no end with her attitude and stubborn personality, she is really a wonderful kid, and I SO enjoy watching her every day!
<3 Always,
Rose
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Day 321-The Little Shelter
Hey guys,
I knew from the get-go that coming back from Chicago would be hard, it always is. Here's what I didn't realize though, because I HAVE adapted very well here, a part of me is already viewing Lenoir as home! So, I have homesickness, but then I realize that to a certain extent, Lenoir is my home...which got me super confused. So, as I do with just about everything that confuses me, I decided to write about it, and here's what I came up with. Again, this is me, and MY OPINION, I don't want to offend anyone!
Home. What is it? Where is it? Who is it? For me, home is where I KNOW I belong. Home is filled with laughter and love. Home is where the people and places you love combine into one, big, beautiful mess. Home is where your heart is, but it's also so much more than that. Home is where your happy can be found, where walking down the streets brings memories flooding back. Home can penetrate even the darkest of days, to bring a smile to your face. When life pulls you every which way, home is always there, like an anchor holding a ship steady against every crashing wave. Home is holding hands around the table before every meal. When you have ventured out too far, afraid that you can't make it on your own, home will always be there. Home is NOT a place, or a thing, home is the little shelter you've made for yourself in your heart. Where you have worked so hard to store all your memories good or bad, people you love, all the places you've been, and all the life-changing experiences that make you who you are. Though you may have a specific area that you think of as "home", the truth is that home is with you where ever you go. Home is your childhood stored in your heart, along with everything else, big or small, that work together to make you who you are. Whether people, places, things, memories, music, or emotions, they are all stored up in the little shelter in your heart called home. Home is like the wind, some days it's so strong it whisks you off your feet with a single blow, yet other days, it seems like it's barely even there at all. Some days, you long for it with all of your being, yet on other days, you wish it would just go away. Home is a wonderful thing, though it's different for each and every one of us, we all share a deep love and appreciation for our home. Though your "home" of the world might RESEMBLE the home in your heart, the one is your heart is so much more special and valuable. Why, you ask? Jesus lives in our homes in our hearts as Christians, and he safeguards it against the pain, stress, and anger that life tries to throw at us. Jesus knows our home inside and out, and therefore, he knows us far better than any friend ever could.
<3 Always,
Rose
I knew from the get-go that coming back from Chicago would be hard, it always is. Here's what I didn't realize though, because I HAVE adapted very well here, a part of me is already viewing Lenoir as home! So, I have homesickness, but then I realize that to a certain extent, Lenoir is my home...which got me super confused. So, as I do with just about everything that confuses me, I decided to write about it, and here's what I came up with. Again, this is me, and MY OPINION, I don't want to offend anyone!
Home. What is it? Where is it? Who is it? For me, home is where I KNOW I belong. Home is filled with laughter and love. Home is where the people and places you love combine into one, big, beautiful mess. Home is where your heart is, but it's also so much more than that. Home is where your happy can be found, where walking down the streets brings memories flooding back. Home can penetrate even the darkest of days, to bring a smile to your face. When life pulls you every which way, home is always there, like an anchor holding a ship steady against every crashing wave. Home is holding hands around the table before every meal. When you have ventured out too far, afraid that you can't make it on your own, home will always be there. Home is NOT a place, or a thing, home is the little shelter you've made for yourself in your heart. Where you have worked so hard to store all your memories good or bad, people you love, all the places you've been, and all the life-changing experiences that make you who you are. Though you may have a specific area that you think of as "home", the truth is that home is with you where ever you go. Home is your childhood stored in your heart, along with everything else, big or small, that work together to make you who you are. Whether people, places, things, memories, music, or emotions, they are all stored up in the little shelter in your heart called home. Home is like the wind, some days it's so strong it whisks you off your feet with a single blow, yet other days, it seems like it's barely even there at all. Some days, you long for it with all of your being, yet on other days, you wish it would just go away. Home is a wonderful thing, though it's different for each and every one of us, we all share a deep love and appreciation for our home. Though your "home" of the world might RESEMBLE the home in your heart, the one is your heart is so much more special and valuable. Why, you ask? Jesus lives in our homes in our hearts as Christians, and he safeguards it against the pain, stress, and anger that life tries to throw at us. Jesus knows our home inside and out, and therefore, he knows us far better than any friend ever could.
<3 Always,
Rose
Day 320-The Fantastic Foursome!
Saturday, April 11
Hey guys,
So, I like to think that there is a little bit of a "four muskateers" thing going on in our youth group, and I love it! Because we are the only ones who consistently come to bible study, and the only other consistent person goes to another church, the four of us have a little bit of a deeper connection than I do with the rest of the group. Especially lately with Katie, like if she sits somewhere, it's basically assumed that I'll be on one side of her...Anyways, the foursome consists of Katie, Patricia, Adrienne, and me, and I love it SOO much! This was the first time since I left that we were ALL together, so it was really great to be all together again, and for me to return to "normalcy"(or what passes for normal around here...)
<3 Always,
Rose
Hey guys,
So, I like to think that there is a little bit of a "four muskateers" thing going on in our youth group, and I love it! Because we are the only ones who consistently come to bible study, and the only other consistent person goes to another church, the four of us have a little bit of a deeper connection than I do with the rest of the group. Especially lately with Katie, like if she sits somewhere, it's basically assumed that I'll be on one side of her...Anyways, the foursome consists of Katie, Patricia, Adrienne, and me, and I love it SOO much! This was the first time since I left that we were ALL together, so it was really great to be all together again, and for me to return to "normalcy"(or what passes for normal around here...)
<3 Always,
Rose
Friday, April 10, 2015
Day 319-Cinderella
Friday, April 10th
Hey guys,
If ANY of you girls have not seen Cinderella, go do it. Like seriously, stop everything you're doing right now, get in the car, drive to the theater, and SEE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even if you don't have little girls, that's ok, you should still see it. This movie is the epitome of what every girl anywhere needs to be told, and it warmed my heart to see it being portrayed so well tonight. One of the main themes of the movie is simply, "Have courage, be kind." That's it, simple and clean. Because when it comes down to it, no matter what you look like, no matter how much money you have, no matter how good you are in school, no matter WHAT, kindness will always shine through. One of my favorite moments of the entire movie is when Cinderella comes down the stair case in her servants clothes, or whatever you would like to call them, and sees her prince in the living room waiting for her. Throughout the movie, the Prince assumes that Cinderella is some mystery princess, so as she comes down the stairs, he realizes that she is indeed NOT a princess. Cinderella looks at the glass slipper in the Prince's hand, and then up at the prince and says, "I'm not sure if this slipper will fit me, but if it does, will you take me as I am; an honest country girl?" And the Prince looks back at her and says, "Of course." BAM! That right there is SO important, and SO missing from our society nowadays, so I LOVE the message not only in this scene, but throughout the entire movie, you don't have to try to show your heart, you just have to take off the makeup that covers it up.
<3 Always,
Rose
Hey guys,
If ANY of you girls have not seen Cinderella, go do it. Like seriously, stop everything you're doing right now, get in the car, drive to the theater, and SEE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even if you don't have little girls, that's ok, you should still see it. This movie is the epitome of what every girl anywhere needs to be told, and it warmed my heart to see it being portrayed so well tonight. One of the main themes of the movie is simply, "Have courage, be kind." That's it, simple and clean. Because when it comes down to it, no matter what you look like, no matter how much money you have, no matter how good you are in school, no matter WHAT, kindness will always shine through. One of my favorite moments of the entire movie is when Cinderella comes down the stair case in her servants clothes, or whatever you would like to call them, and sees her prince in the living room waiting for her. Throughout the movie, the Prince assumes that Cinderella is some mystery princess, so as she comes down the stairs, he realizes that she is indeed NOT a princess. Cinderella looks at the glass slipper in the Prince's hand, and then up at the prince and says, "I'm not sure if this slipper will fit me, but if it does, will you take me as I am; an honest country girl?" And the Prince looks back at her and says, "Of course." BAM! That right there is SO important, and SO missing from our society nowadays, so I LOVE the message not only in this scene, but throughout the entire movie, you don't have to try to show your heart, you just have to take off the makeup that covers it up.
<3 Always,
Rose
Day 318-Sister Day
Thursday, April 9th
Hey guys,
So, as I try to recharge a little bit from my crazy week packed with emotions, reunions, hiking, and just plain fun, I decided to leave today open. As someone who is ALWAYS looking for something to do, that was definitely a struggle for me today, but it was also good. Sometimes it is good to just sit, and be still, and I think I still need to get better at realizing that. So, instead of waking up with a list of things I HAVE to do today, or places I HAVE to be, or people I HAVE to meet, I woke up with the idea of what do I want to do today, what do I want to spend my time doing? And the answer came from two small voices outside my window...As much as the boys can drive me CRAZY sometimes, I really do LOVE being a sister, I LOVE being involved in their lives. So, I spent the day today with them, just basking in the present moment.
<3 Always,
Rose
Hey guys,
So, as I try to recharge a little bit from my crazy week packed with emotions, reunions, hiking, and just plain fun, I decided to leave today open. As someone who is ALWAYS looking for something to do, that was definitely a struggle for me today, but it was also good. Sometimes it is good to just sit, and be still, and I think I still need to get better at realizing that. So, instead of waking up with a list of things I HAVE to do today, or places I HAVE to be, or people I HAVE to meet, I woke up with the idea of what do I want to do today, what do I want to spend my time doing? And the answer came from two small voices outside my window...As much as the boys can drive me CRAZY sometimes, I really do LOVE being a sister, I LOVE being involved in their lives. So, I spent the day today with them, just basking in the present moment.
<3 Always,
Rose
Day 317-Goodbyes and Hellos
Wednesday, April 8th
Hey guys,
So, I don't know about you, but I STRUGGLE with goodbyes, they seriously suck. I don't know if it's because I just get so attached to my friends or what, but goodbyes for me are never, ever easy. Today, we embarked on our journey home, which meant that I would have to say my final goodbyes to Wheaton until my next visit, and that's never easy. For me, Wheaton is the place where ALL my closest friends are, the friends that have grown up with me, watched me struggle, held my hand through hardship, and were always there to lend a hand, to listen, to help, or just to hug me, and tell me that everything would be okay. As I sat in the church Sunday night, it struck me, this is going to be the last time I'm here for a while, as I looked around the room, there were so many memories, of childrens choir rehearsals, of meals shared together, of leading kids camp, of bible studies and Sunday Schools, of being bombarded with people as I walked down after being baptized, and for me, the most powerful memory was that of the endless line of people, quite literally winding out the door and up the stairs, of people in shock and sadness, waiting for their turn to comfort my family. I couldn't help but tear up as these thoughts and memories swirled around in my head, so much of my life had been spent in that ONE room of ONE building. At that moment, my phone buzzed, it was Katie telling me how strange it was that she was looking around the room for me that morning, and I wasn't there. At that point, something clicked for me, I realized that while many memories have been made in Wheaton, and while I leave many people who are so dear to me, I also get to see my friends back home, my friends who I also love dearly, and even better than that, I get to make new memories in this new place, and that makes me excited. So, although today is a sad day of goodbyes for me, I know that right around the corner is a chance to say hello to my friends here, and hello to new adventures that my life might have.
<3 Always,
Rose
Hey guys,
So, I don't know about you, but I STRUGGLE with goodbyes, they seriously suck. I don't know if it's because I just get so attached to my friends or what, but goodbyes for me are never, ever easy. Today, we embarked on our journey home, which meant that I would have to say my final goodbyes to Wheaton until my next visit, and that's never easy. For me, Wheaton is the place where ALL my closest friends are, the friends that have grown up with me, watched me struggle, held my hand through hardship, and were always there to lend a hand, to listen, to help, or just to hug me, and tell me that everything would be okay. As I sat in the church Sunday night, it struck me, this is going to be the last time I'm here for a while, as I looked around the room, there were so many memories, of childrens choir rehearsals, of meals shared together, of leading kids camp, of bible studies and Sunday Schools, of being bombarded with people as I walked down after being baptized, and for me, the most powerful memory was that of the endless line of people, quite literally winding out the door and up the stairs, of people in shock and sadness, waiting for their turn to comfort my family. I couldn't help but tear up as these thoughts and memories swirled around in my head, so much of my life had been spent in that ONE room of ONE building. At that moment, my phone buzzed, it was Katie telling me how strange it was that she was looking around the room for me that morning, and I wasn't there. At that point, something clicked for me, I realized that while many memories have been made in Wheaton, and while I leave many people who are so dear to me, I also get to see my friends back home, my friends who I also love dearly, and even better than that, I get to make new memories in this new place, and that makes me excited. So, although today is a sad day of goodbyes for me, I know that right around the corner is a chance to say hello to my friends here, and hello to new adventures that my life might have.
<3 Always,
Rose
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