Oh Texas...

So we have been in Texas for almost a week! The first couple of days were long and tiring. We encountered many obstacles that were very frustrating! But now things have settled down and things are starting to go really well. Our apartment is almost finished put together! We take our tests on Tuesday that will decide rather we are highly qualified or not. I get into my classroom on Wednesday! I am so excited about that! I can't wait to decorate. Anyway, the next few weeks will be pretty busy. I will write more later, but I'm just so exhausted right now! I will leave with a few pictures of our apartments.

My Room

Our Den and our new TV!

Holly's room!

It's not goodbye, but see you at Thanksgiving!!

I was once told that if you can count the number of true friends you have on one hand, then you are a lucky and blessed person. Over the past few days and weeks, I have been saying a lot of goodbyes-- and I have realized that I am truly, truly blessed with amazing friends. How many people can say they have as many great friends as I do? I feel so blessed!!! I have so many friends who have been through thick and thin with me.

I read this in a book just the other day, and it made me think of my friends. So here is the excerpt that made me think of you guys!

I've had some realizations lately. Like that I havent had a cold or the flu in exactly one year. I realized I haven't worn shoes with a heel in over two, maybe three years. Apparently I can't be bothered with a shoe that I cant just slide my foot into. No-Hassle Girl, that's me. I realized that the older I get the smaller the world gets, history really does repeat itself, and I will never use calculus. I also realized the immeasurable value of old friends.

And by old friends, I mean the true kind. The kind of friends that have been around the block with me, more than once, and would choose to go around again. Friends that have no secrets and no restrictions and no limit of love to give. My friends have seen the best in me- and the worst. Oddly enough, none of them have run screaming or signed a disinterested yawn. Or worse, none of them have cut me off. Shut me out. They just love me over and over and over in spite of myself.

I hope that in as much as I've taken from these friends, I've somehow managed to give some, too. Having friends, friends like these, was part of my survival. Sometimes I felt like they WERE my survival. During the dark days when I couldn't see one foot into they future, they believed in me. Days when I couldnt pray, they prayed for me. Days when I wasn't sure if God existed or cared anymore, they knew He did and lived as if He did. These friends have never, ever given up on me. And they have had plenty of chances and more than enouch reasons. I tend to get my heart broken a lot. Chances are, I"ll get my heart broken again in the future. And they will be there. They were there for me the first time. And the second. So no matter what heartwrenching situation I find myself in, they will love me and pray for me and listen to me and pray for me some more. Even when I dont want them to. Even when I scream that it doesn't work. When I give up, they'll keep on. I think, I hope, that if I find myself in another desert of loneliness- when I think that God has abandoned me and given up on me- I hope I will have the wherewithal to remember His most creative gift to me. My friends. He knew how much I would need them. Knows how much I need them still. Because of them, I am not alone.

I will thank God every day for each of you. Thank you for being my friend! It means more to me than you know. I will miss you each so much! But just know that this is not goodbye-- it's just see you later!! THANK YOU for everything... I love you each more than you know!!

My friends that made it to my "see ya later" party!

these two girls have been my friend since the highschool days! we've done plenty of arguing, but even more laughing. I will miss them so much!!
My Dare Bear and my best friend! We became friends when I was 15, and have been through pretty much anything you can imagine. We argue a lot, but I know that he always has my back! He is my favorite guy in the world.
My Chele Bell! This would be Darren's beautiful girlfriend! He is way too lucky to have her! She is wonderful and I have loved becoming her friend!! I will miss her a lot, probably more than I miss Darren... haha

Tiffany! We met my sophomore year in college. She is literally the happiest person I know! She is always in a good mood and always smiling. I am going to miss her SO much!!!

My NikNak! We met my freshmen year of college and have pretty much been inseparable ever since (except for that one semester when we hated each others boyfriends.. haha!) She is my friend from Tuscaloosa that I will miss the most. She is my best friend and I'm going to miss her so!
Rere and Nat... these two girls were my saving grace last summer. I know that without them, I would have sat around and moped all summer long. I love you two so much and will miss you guys!
My MoHo! We met in like junior high and guess and have been friends ever since. I love you MoChambs and I am going to miss you so so much! You are so silly and crazy and I love that about you!!!

Nicholas. Oh my NickyPoo! I could write a book about you and me.. haha! All I'm going to say is: Cherries, DRob, date parties (3!), homecoming, prom, Quads, Burke, Geology Part 2, and my list could go on and on and on. I love you and always will and will miss you terribly!!!!

I am so very blessed! These are only just a few of my wonderful friends. If I sat here and listed every single one of them, I would be here all night!! So just because your picture isn't posted doesnt mean I dont love you! It just means that I'm tired of waiting for pictures to upload- ha! So to all my friends-- thanks for the laughs and the memories!! Come visit in Dallas and we will make plenty more!! I love you guys!!!

Recap of the past few days....

This past weekend was a busy but fun one! I spent Wednesday-Friday in Auburn catching up with some old friends. I got to spend time with Kahla, Haley, Terri Leigh, and Kelsey. It was a last minute trip, but I'm very glad that I got to spend some time with each of them before it's time to move!!

Friday night Emily Bryant Freeman had her precious baby boy! He is adorable! His name is Ryland Bryant Freeman. He is the cutest baby boy! I went with the Allreds to the hospital to see him. Congratulations Emily and David!

Saturday was the fourth of July and I went to the lake with Holly, Chase, my dad, and Ashley. We went to one of my dad's friend's lake houses. We spent the day riding on the boat and tubing, cooking out, making homemade icecream, and just chilling. That night I went to the Trussville Freedom Celebration with some friends to watch the fireworks show, and then we went to Jake's house to play games. It was a really fun fourth of July!

Tomorrow night we are moving the boxes out of our apartment in Tuscaloosa. Wednesday is my 22nd birthday, so I will be taking the day off of packing. I am really excited that Holly and I will get to spend our birthday this year together, since last year she was off in Colorado! Thursday morning we are moving our furniture out of the apartment. A week from Saturday we move to Texas! I can't believe it is already here. There is a going away/birthday party for Holly and I this Saturday at 7:00 at Kim's house, I'm pretty excited about that!!

One week and a few days until we're Texas bound... I'm so excited! But I dread the goodbyes I will have to say between now and then... ah!

MEB

Six years have gone by since the day that we lost a beautiful friend. I remember the day like it was yesterday- has it really been SIX years? But that day isn't what I remember the most- when I think about Molly what I will always remember is her smile. She had a beautiful smile and a beautiful heart to match it. She was compassionate and caring. She was fun and crazy. She was always fun to be around. She was kind to everyone. I could sit here and ramble off actual memories of things done with her- but I think those characteristics are the things that are important to remember. Although it has been six years, I will always remember these things about her. We may all be sad and heartbroken about our loss still... but the most important thing for all of us to remember is that she is in the better place now. She doesn't have to worry about drama or heartache or anything else of this world- all she has to do is worship our Lord. I can see her now-- standing in His glory, with her hands raised high, singing His praises as loud as she can. She loved her Lord and while we all have missed her these past years, I know that after being in Heaven she would have never chosen to come back. I look forward to the day when I get to be reunited with her and many others in Glory. Oh what a wonderful day that will be! I love you Molly and I will never, ever forget you.

Country Livin'

I just got back from spending the past few days in the country. I went to visit two of my friends in Hackleburg, Alabama. Don't ask me where it is, because I'm honestly not that sure... in the middle of nowhere is all I know! HA! When people who aren't from Alabama think of what Alabama must be like-- they think of Hackleburg. It is literally the country! I was definitely not raised a country girl, which I'm thankful for, but I definitely enjoy taking a few days off and relaxing in the country. It is so peaceful out there and it's so pretty!! We spent the days swimming, riding 4wheelers, and fishing. We ate homegrown vegetables, homemade icecream, and even went to a drive-in movie (that was 45 minutes away! ha!) Living the country life for a few days was exactly what I needed. I"m going to miss visiting Hackleburg when it's time to move!

Holly and I riding 4wheelers

Holly fishing

Me and Julie at the Drive-in in Winfield, AL. 

Me and Tiff at the Drive-In in Winfield, AL. Thanks for letting us come Tiff! I had so much fun living the country life with you for a few days!! =)

On another note, I move to Texas three weeks from today! Three weeks?! That's less than a month. I have three weeks left in the state that I've spent almost my whole life in. I am having mixed emotions about this. Don't get me wrong, I am super excited about moving to Texas and teaching there and starting a new life there-- I'm so excited about it that I can't wait for these three weeks to be over! But at the same time... I just have so many friends here and I'm going to miss them so much. I'm not very good at goodbye's, and I'm dreading having to say more of them. I just want to make the most of these last three weeks, then it's off to Texas to see what God has in store for me there! =)

Greater things are still to be done in this city...

I just got back a few days ago from a mission trip with my home church. It was a mission trip for the middle school and high school kids, and we went to Dallas, Texas. We worked with the homeless of South Dallas and also the children of south Dallas. The kids there broke my heart. They live in such a bad area and have such little hope. All of their older brothers are in gangs and it is pretty much assumed they will join those gangs in just a few short years. They absolutely loved being loved on by us though. We had so much fun just playing games and letting them be kids. They told us stories about hearing gunshots in their parking lot at night and how they can't come outside and play without being scared of being beat up. It was such a sad situation, but to see them play and just be kids for three days blessed my heart. I know that when I move to Dallas in 4 1/2 weeks, I want to find a way to help these kids. Without our help, they have no hope. We are responsible for showing them the love of Christ, and I am challenging myself to somehow get plugged in to help even one child. Maybe Dallas a big brother/big sister program or something that I can get involved in. I dont really know... all I know is that this mission trip showed me that there is a reason that I am moving to Dallas... and maybe these kids are that reason...

"God of this City" By Chris Tomlin

Perfect song for Dallas!!

You're the God of this City 
You're the King of these people 
You're the Lord of this nation 
You are 

[Verse 2]
You're the Light in this darkness 
You're the Hope to the hopeless 
You're the Peace to the restless 
You are 

There is no one like our God 
There is no one like our God 

[Chorus]
For greater things have yet to come 
And greater things are still to be done in this City 
Greater thing have yet to come 
And greater things are still to be done in this City 

Beach Bum

It's my sixth day at the beach, and I still have six more left. Today is the first day that it isn't pretty. I'm trying to decide if I want to go sit on the beach when it's cloudy... we'll see. I just thought I'd post while I'm still laying in bed.

I absolutely love being at the beach. It's just such relaxing. I feel like I have a lot of time to just reflect while I am here, especially since it's just me a

nd

 Holly here right now. This stretch of beach holds so many memories for me- moments with my mom, last moments with Molly, grieving over Molly, different boyfriends, and just a ton of memories with so many different friends. I love coming to the same place for beach vacations because everytime I come, I can remember the past and present people in my life.

One of my favorite things to do at the beach is watch the sunset. It's like God paints a picture for me every night while I'm here. I love to watch it every night because it's always so different! Here is a picture from my favorite sunset so far this week...

For some reason it's sideways- I can't figure out how to rotate it. I obviously still have lots to learn about this blogging! Ha.

I also realized that I haven't posted pictures of my apartment or new school! So here is a picture of the front of my new apartment in Irving and of the school that I will be teaching 5th grade at... I'm so so excited!!!

Yay! So exciting. All right, well I guess that's all for now. Just a random post! I am at the beach until next Wednesday, then next Friday I am headed to Dallas for a week to do mission work with FBCT. Should be lots of fun- I'm excited to see how God uses us in a place that I will SOON be calling "home"!

One more thing-- Thanks for coming to the beach for a few days Ann Marie! I had a blast and I miss you already!