Attitudes

Upon observing my character, I realize that there are definitely things to improve. I tend to take the defense (especially with my family), I see my mistakes and shortcomings instead of my accomplishments, I can be stubborn, and my most frustrating is that I am not as great of a friend as I want to be. Being a friend to someone doesn't just include those outside my immediate family, instead, it includes them. The way to change your behaviors starts with how you treat your family. This includes how you talk, listen, and think. Being patient and letting someone complete their sentences instead of assuming what they are going to say. They may surprise you! Really hear them out! What kind of tone you use when talking plays a vital role in how people are going to listen to you and perceive you. And instead of thinking about someone's worst characteristics, think about their best...and go from there. Be uplifting, don't tear down.

This is a process, it isn't easy. I struggle with communication within my family. It's been a problem since before I was born. Behaviors are taught by our parents and learned. I don't want my future children to have difficulties communicating with each other or with me and my future husband. I want a home of peace, joy, and love. But, the only way for my attitude to change is to take the Bible and search like crazy for every single verse pertaining to attitudes. Peace, patience, understanding, joy, love, kindness, goodness, mercy...and the list continues. Even looking up verses about attitudes that aren't good. I want to memorize each, speak them daily, and put them at the forefront of my mind. With the word of God on my mind, I know that I will be able to correct my attitudes. It is not easy in any way; I tell you the truth. I struggle with them every day. But, I know that God commands me to honor my parents and part of that includes how I talk to them. So, putting all of that out there...pray for me. Pray that the change that has been long overdue will begin to take place in me as I strive to seek God's help. Love to all of you!

Second Year at College Completed!!!

Celebrate! Yay, I've made it thorough another year at college. So, the final grades haven't come through yet but I am confident that I got, at the most, 5 A's and 1 C. I know, I know, I got a C. Everybody rub it in my face! Hahaha...no, I've learned that life goes on. ;) Plus, it was my first time ever taking Chemistry. At least I walk away with the desire to learn more about it. I love science!! Others in my class probably wouldn't think I liked Chemistry but that's just because I was on a time schedule and pressed down by having to learn it so fast. I really want to finish studying it on my own. So, although I finally got a grade lower than a B, this will never happen again if I can help it!

The toughest part of my education will begin this fall!!! Ahhh! Be praying for me, I found out the other day that one semester at Oxford is $15,000. A semester at Warner is about $7,000. And get this, although Warner promotes this program and encourages its students to apply, the stinking financial aid department won't help to cover the difference. Yeah, it's a very long story but basically they told us it would only cost around $1- $2,000 more but they were quite mistaken. I know that Warner could help us if they really wanted to (because two of their students going to Oxford for a semester will make this college look even better). One thing is for sure, they have money that they could pull but they won't. Heck, they pull enormous amounts of money for their athletes but they can't come up with at least a couple of thousand dollars for Danielle and I to help us pursue our Academics!!! Can we help it that we're nerds and not athletes?!? This is often the problem with Warner...Athletics take precedence over Academics...anyone will tell you so. So, if you're reading this post, pray for me and Danielle Stuart (Danielle got accepted into Oxford's science program and will be my roommate there). Or, if you know of any scholarships from outside organizations...or anyone that would care to be donors to two upstanding students with GPA's in the 3.8 range...please let me know! :)

In other news, I am coming home in exactly 8 days! Yeppie! I am excited to see my family, yet I am so sad that I have to say goodbye to my church family, to my friends, and of course...to Benjamin. Yes, yes...begin the Awwwws...Blah ;) Okay, enough with all that mushy crap. Hahaha. "I will survive!" The question is...will he? Hahaha...yes, Benjamin is a big boy and as long as there is Baseball...he's "good ta go!" ;)

I plan on going home for two weeks and while I am there I want to take a trip to Cedar Point (I haven't been since 1999!!! Yeah I know, that's sad)! On the last weekend in May my parents, Aaron, and I will be going to our family reunion in Kentucky. We will leave for Nashville on that Sunday and stay with Hanna until Tuesday. My parents and Aaron will head back home and I get to stay with Sissy!!! Yay!!! I am so stoked! I will be taking a College Algebra class this summer and working. I also will be trying to accomplish a lot of reading for the fall. I have enormous amounts of literature that I want to be familiar with so that I am prepared for a rigorous semester. Can I just say that I love learning?! When I was younger, I never thought I would say that..hahaha.

Well, I need to finish packing my belonging in tubs for storage. :) But, I leave you with this:

"I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye harkend not unto me." (Jeremiah 35:14) Don't let things distract you from listening to God...He listens to you!

He loves you and His grace will cover you if you ask and believe. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." (Proverbs 28:13)

Keep the faith brothers and sisters, grow in Christ continually, dare to be different, dare to challenge others, and stand up for righteousness!!! :)