Odds, Ends, & Everything Lately

So it feels like forever since i have blogged but a lot has happened including a lot of trips. The first week of July i went to Missouri to see my grandparents, aunt, and cousins. The second week i babysat, and the third week i went to Centrifuge. Centrifuge was at Union University this year in Jackson, Tennessee. It was an amazing week and God taught me so much. It's funny how you often think that you have dealt with things and moved on only to have God bring them up and show you that you haven't. It seems as if there is always something. Something to learn, something to let go of, something to give to God and allow Him to transform it. I guess it's just part of life and growing up. People always say that we put God in a box, but i think it's the other way around. We put ourselves in a box and only open it to let God have some part but then close the flaps and hold on tightly to everything else. We need to open up our boxes, step out, and let God have everything. He knows the plans he has for us, so who are we to question him? We need to let go and let God. But back to the craziness that has been my life lately. So the week before Centrifuge i found out that i had made it to the third and final round of interviews for President's Ambassadors at Volstate. President's Ambassadors give student tours, stuff envelopes, work special events, etc. It is a service leadership kind of a role. But anywho I had made it past the first two rounds of interviews only to find out that my third interview was the friday of Centrifuge. So, i drove to camp, to my interview, and back on friday. After much nervousness and a crazy interview i was selected to be a President's Ambassador, which was truly exciting and added to all the craziness i call my life.

Crazy Camp fun at the Casey Jones General Store
Girls Just Wanna Have FUN!! lol

Gorgeous Sunset at Camp :)

 The week after camp and being selected as an Ambassador, my family went on vacay to Gatlinburg. I absolutely love Gatlinburg!! The mountains are beautiful and you can just see the work of God. I don't see how anyone can look at creation and not see the fingerprints and design of God. It just baffles me. But that's a different discussion for another time. While in Gatlinburg we climbed the 6,000 feet to Clingman's dome. It was clear and beautiful; however, in case anyone was wondering if altitude sickness is real i can definitely say it is. I was dizzy and nauseous the whole way up to Clingman's dome and back. Needless to say this girl and 6,000 feet don't tango well together. But the rest of the trip was great considering it was the last week before everything new started.

Beautiful Waterfall :)

View from top of Clingman's Dome

Overlook from Old Smokey Mountain
National Park

 August marked several new beginnings in my life along with a close to one. August was off to a bang the first week with me starting training at Talbots in Green Hills Mall. I am proud to say that i am now officially on the floor selling at Talbots as of today with a great start. However, working at Talbots marked the end of me babysitting everyday some of my favorite kiddos. It was an extremely hard decision because i love the kids i watch, but with much prayer i know Talbots is where God has me for this year. So i am now completely out of my element with starting a new job. In addition, i had Ambassador training and am now looking forward to our first event. Did i mention that there were only two days of training to be an Ambassador and now we are jumping in?? I don't know whether to be nervous or excited, or both?? Needless to say I have been learning a lot of information lately between Talbots and President's Ambassadors. Not to mention that school starts August 29th, and i still don't have my books. I am taking 14 hours this semester, and i will need to make one of those honors. So my days will soon be filled with not only school and Talbots, but also Ambassador meetings, office hours, and events, Phi Theta Kappa meetings, Monday night biblestudy, small groups, teaching sunday school, and many other odds and ends. hah. I think it's safe to say that my life is back to full swing. But i cannot wait to see what God has in store this school year and the opportunities he has placed me in. My prayer is that he continues to renew my heart to be moved by what moves His and that He teaches me  every day. So that's what my July and August has looked like so far. Whew! It has flown by. I'm so looking forward to fall. But enough for now. Catch ya'll sometime soon.