To the Graduate...

You did it! You are graduated from High School. You have walked across the stage and thrown your hat. You have ended one chapter and beginning another.

You are probably already thinking about all the things you have planned for this last summer before college and going to college, what you will need to pack, how much you will need to pack, and the wondering how it will all fit in your car.

College, as you know, will be a whole new challenge. You will experience new things and meet new people. You will feel it when it finally sinks in that your parents aren't near anymore and you have to figure it out on your own, even if you are "SO ready" to be on your own. You will feel the joy as you make new friends. You will feel more stress than you thought you could. You will experience success when you get a good grade in that class you weren't so sure you were doing well in. You will experience a sort of loss as you miss your friends and family back home.

Though it all, though, remember that you are extremely loved by your family and friends and that they will always welcome you back with open and joyful arms. Remember that if you need any advice or just someone to talk to, they are simply a phone call away.

Remember to always do you best, to do all your homework, and study for every test.

Above all, remember to keep God the center of your life. Don't forget to go to a congregation on Sundays and Wednesdays. Make sure to find and establish a church home away from your church home. Put on the armor of God every single day as the enemy is still seeking to destroy you. Maybe now more than ever as you are away from the support system you grew up with.

If you keep God first, everything else will fall into place.

As always, keep on keeping on. One step at a time.

Congratulations on graduating!

It's Just One of Those Days

Do you ever have those days when the knot in your stomach just won't go away? Yep. That's been my day.

I had to pay my first ever ticket today. Of course, I was a little nervous. I think the knots would have gone away after if it hadn't been for the other things weighing on my mind. Credit Card bills (of which I know, without a doubt now, is from the devil), not knowing exactly how much I am getting paid on Thursday, uncertainty about what exactly is going to happen at work tomorrow, and the fact that I have an interview tomorrow and I'm not sure what is going to happen there or what/if I need to bring anything.

Thus, I haven't wanted to do anything at all today. My stomach is still in knots and I no longer know what to do with myself. I'm praying everything will be fine.. I have faith it will. I know God is on our side. I keep telling myself, "Green pastures, Elisabeth. Green pastures."

Guys, I miss my family. I REALLY want to go to Dallas one weekend SOON! However, I know I have responsibilities here. I get off work at 6pm which, if we left right then, would get us there at midnight at the earliest. I have committed to working with the youth group and doing small groups on Sunday mornings after service. Dont' get me wrong, I love working with the kids! They are great! I love watching them grow both physically and spiritually! On the other hand, I missed my sister's last Homecoming Game. I haven't been to one of her performances at a football game (or any other place) this year! She's a senior! She now has a boyfriend! SHE'S GROWING UP TOO FAST! (Yes I know I'm only her older sister and not her mother.)

I really want to see one of her performances! I don't want to next time I see my family being Thanksgiving! That's simply much too far away! I miss getting to see my baby cousins grow up! I miss constantly being around family!

I know I have my church family, and I am so grateful for that. I love them dearly. There is just something about biological family that no one else can fully replace.

I know I shouldn't be super concerned with our finances.. but it weighs on my mind. If I just hadn't gotten that stupid ticket! The whole situation could have been handled without the police, but some people just get so upset and enraged!

It's just been one of those days. I'm just in a slump. I know God will help me and I know he is faithful. I just have to keep on going.

Keep on keeping on. <3

It's funny, isn't it...

It's funny, isn't it, that for so long, when asked how we are doing, we smile and exclaim, "Good!" when in all reality we are falling apart.

It's funny, isn't it, that when we claim to be "real" we can't even tell anyone that we just want to quit.

It's funny, isn't it, that when we ask how someone is doing, we don't really care.

It's funny, isn't it, that we think we are being so kind and caring, but we don't even say hi to the person sitting alone.

It's funny, isn't it, that most people feel like nobody really cares.

It's funny, isn't it, that most people really don't care.

It's funny, isn't it, that we claim to be the body of Christ, yet we don't move out of our comfort zone.

It's funny, isn't it, how people everyday come closer to giving up and loosing all hope, because they feel they are worthless.

It's funny... isn't it?