as of late

I have been crazy busy at work as of late.

We are in the process of moving from our current location to the new location up town. Our new building is not quite ready yet, but it should be within the next week or so. We have gotten a lot busier these past few weeks with a lot more jobs to do. So we are trying to get them all taken care of before we move.

I recently celebrated my 23rd birthday. Honestly, I don't feel too much different than 22. I'm just a little bummed I can't sing T-Swift's "22" anymore. I got some new TOMs for my birthday and my plane ticket to NYC.

Speaking of NYC...Another one of my friends from college got married. And he happened to be getting married in NYC. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity to go to New York and see my friends. So my friend Becca flew from Texas and my friend Allyson flew from West Virginia, and the three of us met up in NYC. We stayed with Becca's uncle who happened to live only five or six blocks from the church our friend got married in. Friday morning I flew out from STL and went to New York. I got to eat dinner with my grandma's first cousin. She's such a sweetheart. She even took me to dessert at Cafe Lalo. It was delicious, and so great to spend time with her. Saturday, me and my friends explored the Chelsea area of the city before the wedding. Then we went to the most beautiful little ceremony in the city. I'm so glad I went. After the wedding, we walked around the city some more and even walked to Times Square, and had some dinner. The next morning, I had to wake up super early to fly home. I was  actually home in time for church.


Since then, I've been working like crazy and working out when I get the chance. I got another day off this past Monday for Memorial Day. Mom, Ang & I went shopping in Marion and Carbondale. It was relaxing and nice to just be chill. I got some new tops and a new bathing suit. Just getting ready for summer time.

1. "Baptism Sunday" at LCC, over 35 people baptized into the faith. Praise the Lord!
2. celebrating Cinco de Mayo at Taco Bell with my best friends
3. doing a little freelance designing for a friend
4. birthday TOMs
5. my baby cousin graduated 8th grade & was valedictorian --- his speech was about a rubik's cube
6. Kleinfeld's in NYC
7. Flatiron Building in NYC
8. art in the park in Madison Square Park in NYC
9. wedding dates
10. the dates with the groom!
11. Times Square in NYC
12. leaving NYC

last night

I worked most of the day yesterday, 10am-5pm.
I'm trying to save up my money for my spring break trip to NYC.
last night my friend Becca and I went to Wired Coffee House for a concert.
it was absolutely incredible.
David Curtis from Run Kid Run was the main event.
I have seen Run Kid Run quite a few times, and an acoustic set with David and Neil, but this was different.
David was with a full band, and he played worship songs, popular ones as well as some originals.
it was such an amazing atmosphere in there.
the passion was magnificent.
I'm so glad I went.
and I'm quickly falling in love with Wired.
it such an awesome place to hang out.
plus, Becca and I are turning into hipsters.
skinny jeans, flannel, cardigans, scarves, Toms, nose ring, cool glasses, no money.
together, we are like the ultimate hipster, haha.

typical last first day

today marks an incredible day in my journey as a college student. it is my last first day of classes. just one semester left. eeeeeek!! somebody pinch me. it can't possibly be here already.

as expected, today was the typical "syllabus" day. nothing fancy, nothing over-the-top. just all my professors going through their expectations and requirements for the semester. as well as getting to know the students in their class. in one of my classes, my professor asked each of us what we want to be when we grow up. now, my last name starts with "W" so that means I had the longest time to think about what I wanted to say. as many of you know, I have really been struggling with what I want to do after college. after my summer abroad, I feel as though God is calling me into missions of some sort. though, I'm not quite sure where or for how long. so that's something I could be doing. considering I am a 'Visual Communications Design' major, I would really like to do something with art, specifically graphic design things and photography. I think working for a magazine, designing layouts would be awesome.

so the moral of the story is... I have no idea what to do after I graduate in May. maybe I'll move to NYC and get a job with a magazine. maybe I'll move to Ukraine and work as a missionary. maybe I'll move to Kansas City and do graphic design work for IHOP and being an intercessor. it doesn't matter what I do, as long as I am out there loving on people and sharing the good news of Christ with them.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

don't waste your life fearing what will come next. God has an awesome plan for everything that will happen. sometimes it feels like His plan is for you to fail, but that is so not true. I know I feel like that an awful lot, but I have to constantly remind myself that God is good, and awesome, and incredible, and always has my best interests in mind. some days it will feel like you are in the lowest valley, but God uses those valleys to bring you back up to the mountain top. just trust in Him. He knows what's up.

new year

well, happy new year.
welcome to the final year of our lives, haha.
really, I'm pretty excited for another year.
this may, not only do I turn 22, but I will be graduating college.
wow, I can't believe how time has flown by.
sometimes, I'm scared of life after college, and other times, I'm excited to be a real adult.
either way, I know that God has some awesome things in store for my life, especially in this new year.

now, I've never really been one to make "new years resolutions."
but I thought that today I would state a few things I would like to happen in 2012.
1. I'd like to grow closer and deeper in the knowledge of Christ.
2. I'd like to put forth a great effort in finishing my classes.
3. I'd like to make a trip to NYC to visit friends and family.
4. I'd like to take another trip to KC and spend more time in the IHOP prayer room.
5. I'd like to become more crafty, and spend time making things I enjoy.
6. I'd like to be successful in finding a post-graduation job, and start paying off student loans.
7. I'd like to continue putting my complete trust in Jesus.
8. Most importantly, I'd like to stay true to myself.

these things are not set in stone.
and if a few of them don't happen, the world will not end.
well maybe it will, it is 2012 you know.