controlling my words

I know the last time I blogged I said my work was moving. Well, we have yet to move. But hopefully, we will actually be moving the beginning of this coming week. We started packing things up about two weeks ago, so we have lots of things in boxes and things at the new building. So it has been quite stressful and quite hectic getting things done when almost everything is in a box. But we are making it work. We just know that we will probably be down a few days from the move, but we are resilient and we'll keep on trucking.

The first weekend in June I went to another wedding. This time it was one of my roommates from college. Man, I feel like such a grown-up when all my friends from college start getting married. It was such a pretty ceremony, outside at a small airport. We sat on hay bales covered in sheets. Then the reception was inside one of the hangars. It was incredibly beautiful. So much thought put into every detail. There was even a hayride during the reception. One of the best weddings I've ever been too.

Recently, I've had to work on my patience, and holding my tongue — from James 1:19-20. Be quick to listen and slow to speak. I've heard this verse all my life, but I usually disregard it. Or think I'm doing it but don't actually do it. Now, I am really trying to control my tongue and listen more to others. And keep my emotions in check. It's easy to let what other people say get to me, and even more frequently, what they don't say. How often are we hurt when people don't compliment us or don't ask us how we are doing? And then we get angry. We joked the other night in our prayer group – it doesn't say you can't get angry, just be SLOW to get angry. But directly after that is says that the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. I think I would rather be righteous in the eyes of God than always being angry. Just something to think about.

1.) The verses I have to repeat to myself over and over throughout my days – James 1:19-20
2.) My sweet Hallee Jae loving her some watermelon & getting so stinkin' big
3.) Such sweet details at Bemily's big day
4.) Walking down the aisle – awwww
5.) Vows & getting married by one of our former campus pastors
6.) Officially Mr. & Mrs. Heidinger!!
7.) Me & A-Ro on the hayride
8.) We had a gigantic slip-n-slide at church for the Collide Youth
9.) My daddio, the one guy who has always been there for me & truly understands me
10.) My father's day gift to the best dad ever

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

living with purpose

a couple of Sundays ago at church, my pastor talked God having a purpose for our lives. God created the heavens & the earth, and in that there was order and purpose. my pastor gave an overview of his life starting at birth, pretty much hitting the highest points. he encouraged us to do the same. because everything that has happened in our lives, has happened because God has a specific plan and purpose for our lives. nothing that happens goes without Him knowing. so here goes nothing.

the life & times of 

Evan Whitlock

I was born in 1990 in southwestern Indiana, but my family lived in southern Illinois. the town I was born in had the closest/nicest hospital to have a baby in when I was born. ever since then, I lived in the same old little bitty town with my parents and older brother.
we went to church about 7 miles from our house. we enjoyed going to church here, but all the kids went to a different school than me.
in 1995, I started kindergarten. school was my favorite. I was really good at it :)
January 1998, I accepted Christ as my Savior and I was baptized. I had grown up in a family of Christians, but I knew I had to make a decision for myself. even then, I wasn't quite sure what it meant.
fast forward to junior high, we had switched churches where I had more friends and the atmosphere was more of what we needed at the time. you could say I was athletic/outgoing: I was very involved in soccer, gymnastics & cheerleading with quite a large group of friends. within the two years of being in junior high, I lost four people very special to me: one close friend, two great-grandmas, and one young cousin. this was a very hard time in my life. at the time it seemed like the world was crashing down on me and God had abandoned me. God used that time to draw me closer to Him & to rely more Him.
then I went to high school, four years of soccer, studying, Christian friends, working hard to get into college.
I went to college in the same town I was born in with the intent to be a physical therapist, mostly because I knew they made a lot of money and because I was super skilled in science & math. but after two years of taking classes in my major, I realized that this career path was not meant for me. so after countless hours of prayer, I changed my major to graphic design, because art had always been one of my passions. while I was in college, I found some of the greatest friends ever through SCF (student christian fellowship). these people were incredible and I know God placed them in my life specifically to help me get along in school.
in the summer on 2011 between my junior and senior years, I went to Ukraine as a missions intern with CMF (christian missionary fellowship). here I learned about God's heart for other nations and how missionaries live and function. I felt like this was where I felt the most at touch with God.
this past spring, I graduated with my degree in Visual Communication Design basically graphic design. since then, I have been in a place of searching out God's will for my life.

I think God used everything in my life for a specific purpose and without every single thing that happened I wouldn't be where I am today. and even though some things weren't exactly pleasant and didn't go the way I would have planned, God had a plan and has yet to let me down. He is always there for me. I don't know where I'm going next, but God still has a plan and a purpose for me regardless.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 

Jeremiah 29:11

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:6-7

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
1 Corinthians 14:33

life as a college graduate

graduation.
yes, as you may have heard, I am now officially a college graduate.
as of May 5th, I have my Bachelor of Science in Visual Communications Design from the University of Evansville.
it's so crazy, but exciting all at the same time.
and I know your next question... "So, what are you going to do now?"
well, I don't have any plans at this very moment.
I am enjoying my time off from school and real responsibility.
I plan on putting applications in at lots of places in lots of cities.
and I'm putting the rest in God's hands.
only He knows what's going to happen.

my favorite college professor, Larmann [he taught me everything I know about painting]

getting my diploma from President Kazee

delicious cupcakes for the mustache bash

my awesome mustached friends

4 out of 5 roomies

UE graduate

graduation was wonderful.
so many of my awesome family and friends were able to be there to celebrate this milestone in my life.
it felt so good knowing I have so many people who will always support me no matter what.
we had a "mustache bash"/shrimp boil at my campus house afterwards.
it was delicious and so much fun.


22.
since graduation, I've celebrated my 22nd birthday.
I had a wonderful lunch with my momma.
got to go out for dinner and a movie with my awesome friends.
and then I went out the next night for dinner at Red Lobster with my parents.
overall, nothing too special.


my momma.
lastly, I know I've almost missed the boat, but I want to mention my momma.
I know Mother's Day was yesterday and I should have done this then, but I didn't, so I'm doing it now.
everyone likes to say that they have the best mom, but I'm pretty sure they are all wrong.
my mom is the best.
she's always been there for me, no matter what.
even when we don't see eye to eye, she's always there supporting me through it all.
she loves me unconditionally.
I have been blessed with Christian parents who have set a Godly example for how I should live my life.
there are so many people who don't have that, including some of my best friends.
I'm so glad I have parents who are able to step up and be parents to those who don't have an example at home.
I've also been lucky enough to have lots of "mommas" in my life who have had a positive impact on my life.
Mama Mel, Aunt Marsha, Grandma Freda, Grandma Linda, Gigi, Mrs. Small, Aunt Denise, April, Leslie, BO.
the list really could go on and on.
I'm so thankful for the people God has placed in my life, especially my family.

my momma, the new 'grammy'

17 days

there are 17 days left until graduation.
wow, I can hardly believe how fast this semester has flown by.
it feels like just yesterday it was starting.
my classes are going well, but it's getting to that point in the semester when things are piling up and I have a million and one things to do.
today, I spent the day in Louisville, KY on a field trip for class.
we went to Power Creative, a graphic design firm.
it was so awesome.
they are on a huge campus with so many designers.
my favorite part was the huge in-house photography studio.
plus a giant prop room full of awesomeness.
I think I would pick that to do if anything.
however, I don't think I'm qualified to work there.
their main photography guy used to work for National Geographic.
and their photography intern is from SCAD (really awesome art school).
so I don't think I stand a chance.
but I would like to be taking pictures all day every day.

also, new in my life, I'M AN AUNT!
my brother and his wife had their baby girl yesterday morning at 12:19AM.
her name is Hallee Jae Whitlock.
she weighed 9lbs 2oz, and was 22in long.
there were a few issues right after birth, so she's been in the NICU.
but things are looking better.
she has already won me over and stolen my heart.
I already know that she will be super spoiled, especially by me.
now that I know her name, I can start buying her things with her name on it.

life filled with art

"beauty is in the eye of the beholder"

my newest painting is an expressive painting.
I took a self-portrait and made it into an expressive work.
I worked quickly and without much thinking.
everything from the first layer is gone, except my eyes.
in my opinion, my eyes are my most distinguishing feature.
so I wanted them to stand out.
I used some very thick strokes & strong colors.
a few reactions:
"creepy"
"dark"
"disturbing"
"interesting"
it is now hanging in the painting house with a great black frame.

last night was the opening of the student art show at UE.
I had two pieces that got in.
one giant painting, which is like Jackson Pollock's action paintings.
one digital photograph, which is of a sewing machine in Ukraine.
my parents came over to be at the reception.
it was nice to see them.
many of my friends came over to see my stuff.

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.