Needtobreathe, such an ironic name

I decided tonight that I would get all my school work for this week and Monday and Tuesday of next week done so that this weekend I could fully focus on the Needtobreathe concert and then spending the rest of the weekend with my mom, who is coming up for the concert and then staying for the rest of the weekend.

Well, I got MOST of the work done, just have to finish researching and writing a brief on a case for Tuesday. I cannot concentrate anymore. I am way too anxious for the next 2 days to focus on anything else.

Needtobreathe gets here tomorrow night (I guess really Friday morning) at 2 a.m. There is so much to do before they get here!! Plus, having to prepare for the possible ice storm that is supposed to hit this weekend. I had a little freak out yesterday when I thought the band might not be able to make it here. Luckily they don't panic about a little snow and ice like the entire state of Arkansas does. They're used to it and don't see any problems getting here. So that was a RELIEF. Now we just have to hope the 700 people who have bought tickets can make it here.

I am beyond excited for this concert to finally happen. I can't believe its real. That this is really what I get to do as my "job" my senior year of college. What an amazing way to start off my last semester. This is BY FAR the biggest concert we have ever had at JBU, i mean 700 people? C'mon. thats a big deal.

But along with all that excitement comes fear, a lot of fear and pressure. I know I shouldn't worry, that everything will be fine and run smoothly, but I've never been in charge of something that 700 (yes I know I keep using that number, but its exciting, so get over it) people are coming to. PLUS I want everything to be perfect for the band. I want them to have the best experience possible and leave with a good taste in their mouth about me and my ability to do a good job. These contacts are so important to what I want to do with my life, that it is CRUCIAL that I make a good impression.

All that to say that the next few days are going to be so fun and exciting and COLD! I can't wait, literally, I'm dying over here, the hours are just creeping by! I'll have a full update by Monday on how everything went (that is if we have power and my computer hasn't frozen to death)!

This Is it

I LOVE this. A lot.

'This is It' Inmates @ Yahoo! Video

I'm very aware of my heart these days. I can feel it healing. Sometimes it hurts, sometimes it races with the hope of whats to come.

Chalean Extreme

My roomie and best friend Lisa ordered this workout program. It is by the same people who do P90X. It's pretty much the same thing, just have to buy less equipment, it might not be quite as intense either, oh and it has a really cheesy name. BUT it works. I started tonight. I might be dead by the end of the 90 days, but I'll look damn good (sorry mom about the language, but there is really no other way to describe how i'll look). We have 60 days until we go on a cruise for our Spring Break, so our goal is to be the hottest ones on the boat (am I starting to sound a little shallow?). No, really this is my start to my 2010 goals. Taking better care of myself. It even comes with a recipe book for healthier eating. I'm both excited and dreading the next 90 days.

Pray for me. haha

Twenty Ten

Just some things I want to do more this year:

1. Wake up earlier
2. Take better care of myself by exercising on a regular basis and eating better
3. Being honest. With myself and with others.
4. Letting those around me know how I feel about them more.
5. Remember my worth in Christ
6. Wear sunscreen
7.Rest
8. Sing more
9 Dance
10. Floss
11. Read Jane Austen
12. Making time to play my keyboard
13. Photograph more
14. Cook more, and better :)
15. LOVE
16. Get another tattoo.

Rest

Today's chapel hit me pretty hard. We talked about rest, finding rest amidst the madness in God. Knowing that he is where we truly find our rest and to not neglect that. He tells us over and over to find rest in him, it's even one of the Ten Commandments "Obey the Sabbath and keep it holy." He commands us to rest, in Him, often.
I don't do this. I rest, sure, but not in him. When I do stop my busy day to rest, I do it on Facebook, or in front of the TV. I don't find true rest in him.
I'm not even talking about only physical rest, not at all. Emotionally, spiritually, I need to rest in God. I need to breathe deep in him and know that in Him my world is held together. No one or nothing else can do this, especially not me.
I need to stop worrying about the future (as a Senior in college that is TOUGH) and trust in him in the now. I don't mean not plan for the future or have any goals or dreams, but to not miss the "now" he has brought me too. I can't miss him now.
This is a challenge, in our society where business is valued and seen as a good thing, we never truly find rest.

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62

Jenna Bo Benna

My dear friend Jenna turned 22 yesterday. I absolutely love this girl. She is kind and gentle and always has an encouraging word and almost never fails to make me laugh. I am beyond blessed to have her in my life. I am going to miss her beyond belief when we graduate. We celebrated by going to Market Place. It was a lot of fun and such a celebration for a dear friend.

I found this website and it is filled with quotes and stories that I absolutely LOVE! Here are a few!
It took me a long time, she said, to stop confusing safety with love.

Everything changed the day she figured out there was exactly enough time for the important things in her life.

deciding everything is falling into place perfectly as long as you don't get too picky about what you mean by place. Or perfectly.

My Mom sent this to me today. I really like it. It's really good advice. We way too often get caught up in what's next and forget to live today. To be alive.


HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them'

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.'

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love , whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is bliss, taste it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it...
~ Mother Teresa

The Beginning of the End

Today I started my last semester of college. It is really exciting, really scary and really sad all at once. Part of me is beyond ready to be done with school, to get out in the real world and start a life somewhere else, but the other part of me does not want to leave what is comfortable. I know the people here, I have amazing friends who I am not ready to say goodbye to in 3 months, and I have the school thing down, I've been doing it since I was 5.

What happens after I walk on May 8th? Where do I go? Will I have a job? Will I end up at home? There are so many unknowns, which again is both really fun and exciting and extremely scary.

I just can't believe its actually here, the beginning of the end. I guess all I can do is take a deep breath, take it one day at a time and soak up EVERY moment of this semester. Take TONS of pictures and love the people around me without holding back.

Here we go....

I love Jakob

I love dance, there is just something so powerful about it. I SO wish I could dance, anywhere close to like this...

Said to Much

Photo found here

I never wanted it to end this way, but I always knew it would .
With you came the best and worst days.
I wouldn't change a thing
I'm not sorry
I could have stayed away.
I could have listened to what they said.
But I would have missed out on a best friend.
I also would have missed out on a broken heart.
Which would have been worse?

Now, comes the hardest part. Really letting go, cause its really over this time.

Goodbye