Wrapping up 2011...

Sorry it's been so long since my last post. Being home has kept me busy with friends, family and packing up things to move into my apartment on January 12! I've been very blessed so far this break with time with my family and friends.

What a year 2011 was! Countless hours on art projects and studying for my 18 hour course load occupied much of my time from January-May at Sam Houston State University. I was enjoying my time in Huntsville, but knew there was something missing or that didn't feel right. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I knew something needed to change for me to be completely content in college. Half way through the semester I found out I had been hired as the photographer at Camp Capers. My dream for years had finally been fulfilled! I would be spending my entire summer at my favorite place on the planet, with my best friends. Little did I know, I'd meet some people that summer whose friendship I don't anticipate ever loosing.

A few days after I came home from Huntsville for the summer, my Opa passed away. This was a completely unexpected and sudden death. It still hurts my heart to think about, as this was my first family death to deal with. God had this all in his plan though, because I would start my summer with some of the strongest people I know the day after Opa's funeral. I had an incredible support system to help through the grief. So may tears, prayers and memories were shared with some of my close friends at Camp. I am blessed to have been able to be there to deal with it.

Aside from this, I had an amazing summer at Camp Capers. I got to do what I love (take photos) at the place I love, with the people I love. I met new people and got to share Camp with them. I smile when I think about my summer. I have so many memories (and even more photos) to hold on from my three months spent there. I had a few discussions with various staff members about Sam Houston and I realized I didn't belong there. With the (jokingly at the time) encouragement from the staff director, I started looking into transferring to a different college during my time off at Camp. I decided to apply to transfer to Texas State University for the Spring semester. Texas State has a great program in Communication Design and is back in my home diocese, with many friends either there or very close. I applied and waited... In the mean time, the summer came to a close and I would be heading back to Huntsville for (hopefully) my last semester at Sam Houston.

I knew my grades were good enough to get into Texas State, so I went into the semester with the thought that I would definitely be transferring in the Spring. This didn't keep me from making new friends or being involved though. I was a Peer Mentor for the freshmen in my dorm and spent countless hours at the Episcopal Student Center. I made some wonderful friends at the ESC who I will miss so much. Clearly, God had that in the plans too. I lost my great grandma, Nano, in September. She was 101 years old and had lived a great life. It was tough to say goodbye, but I know she has a well deserved spot in Heaven. I kept up with my grades and came out of the semester with a 3.25 and some amazing friends who were the hardest thing to leave in Huntsville. After waiting and waiting... I finally received the official word of acceptance to Texas State for the Spring. I eventually had to break the news to my ESC friends (I dreaded it...) but they were happy for me.

Now I'm home. Packing up my room to move into my apartment I'll be living in in San Marcos in January. I've applied to work at Camp Capers again this summer and I'll be working all three Mid Winter camps there in January. I have also applied to work at the diocese's camp at Mustang Island for Spring Break. I'm really looking forward to 2012. I know there are lots of good things in store for me! I must remember to rely on God and seek him in all circumstances!

I hope you've had a great year and I pray for God's blessings for you in the new year!

Near the end of a chapter..

I'm sitting outside for a little while before I go study a bit more for my last final exam at Sam Houston. It's kind of muggy out. Grey sky. Some precipitation. A little chilly, a little not. I have some Jon McLaughlin in my ears and a bottle of water at my side. My music is just loud enough to hear a soft murmur from the conversations being held around me. From this morning perch, I can see people walking to and from campus. People rushing, talking, hugging, driving, on the phone, looking at exam reviews... Everyone going about their own business in perfect harmony. In 24 hours, everything will be said and done for my time here at Sam Houston State. My grades will be in, my goodbye's will have been said, and I will be packing everything into the car to head back to Dripping Springs for the Christmas break.

I guess it's good to soak up whats around you, while it is. Each day presents us different scenes - different things to observe, learn from, and hold on to. Today, I'll hold on to these memories. For now, I should go look over my Political Science review though. I think I'll change location for that. Soak up my surroundings somewhere else.

God is the great artist, His masterpieces are everywhere we are. Look for them, and enjoy His details.
Be blessed today!
Grace

Here's what I'll miss about being in Huntsville...

I'll start by saying that I am looking forward to transferring to Texas State so much. I know it's going to be a great opportunity and experience. Lately though, it has hit me that I will be leaving Huntsville in a few days short of two weeks and there are many great things that I will miss when I'm gone...

1. I'll miss the tall pine trees. Growing up in the Austin area/Hill Country, there weren't "piney woods". There are oak and cedar trees there. I remember falling in love with the tall, beautiful pine trees that thrive in this area of Texas the first time I took a trip to Sam Houston to visit.

2. I will miss the relationships, people and events that happened at the Episcopal Student Center here on campus. I can not begin to express how thankful I am for the great people and memories I have shared there this semester. I sincerely regret not being more involved at the ESC during my Freshman year. Our cooking experiments, late nights hanging out at the ESC (talking about everything under the sun), staying up until 4am when the Donut Wheel opened, me loosing my keys and having to search every corner of the town just to end up finding them in the couch cushion the next morning, the dedication to the center from Rosemary, Bob, Jim and Mary, the Eucharist services on Wednesday evenings (and our terribly contagious giggle fits), Thursday game nights, post-it noting.... cars? (I didn't just admit to that. Covey, if you stumble upon this post, I don't know what happened to your truck.. it couldn't have been us.) The list goes on... I will cherish the friends I made at the ESC this semester and miss them immensely.

3. I will miss the friends I made in the Bearkat Learning Community during my Freshman year. Our family dinners were always something to laugh about. Rides in the Grace-mobile, field trips to WalMart and Target and Jennifer's routine in the car (A/C, radio, doors locked...). I am so lucky to have been in an environment that fostered friendships during my first year at SHSU. Jen, Katie, Olga, Carolanne, Charnise, Whitney... I'm looking forward to our "Last Supper" later this week.

4. Finally, I'll miss the fact that I had to go through College Station to get to and from school/home. This gave me an excuse to see my Aggie friends. They know who they are and how much they mean to me. I'll miss being able to stop and have Spoons or coffee on my way through Aggieland.

I'm sure as I become settled at Texas State in January, I'll realize that there are more things that I miss about Sam Houston than just this. For now, this is what I anticipate. I am looking forward to great new experiences in San Marcos and I am blessed to have such supportive friends and family to help along the way.

Anticipating change,
Grace

Remembering to...

Today, I choose to remember and thank God for the blessings in my life and the fact that they outweigh any struggles that try to bring me down. Yes, thats really tough to do sometimes. Sometimes I just want to curl up and cry. I must remember that my strength is in Him, my creator, though. But I must admit, sometimes I DO curl up and cry. Only for a bit. Then I pick myself up and move on...

I'm learning to put my trust in the Lord and lean on him more than I lean on my own understanding. It is so much easier said than done. Oh well, I'm learning.

Basically, the last few days have been emotionally exhausting to me and I just need to remember to hold on for the bumpy ride and trust that there will be smooth pavement ahead.

This post isn't organized, there are probably typos, and I'm not looking to be published. I just needed to "word vomit". So, thanks for listening... I suppose.

I humbly ask that you pray for me where you see fit.
With love, from the wet town of Huntsville,
Grace

Painting and Wishes

I like to paint. I've been doing a lot of it lately. Probably more than I should. The stray paint marks on my desk match those on my hands. I have finished canvases all over my dorm, ready to be delivered. I know, Mom.. I should be working on study guides, drawings for my classes, folding my laundry... But I'm not. I will eventually, I promise. For now I will find bliss in my careless painting though.

Changing the subject... I wish I had somewhere dark and warm to look at the stars right now. And someone to hold my hand and look at them with me. (Yep, I'm being sappy. Why? Because I can. And that's what happens when I am sleepy.) I love the stars. I see God's majesty in the stars. I want to enjoy that with someone. (This is the part where I cry myself to sleep because that will never happen. Or maybe it will, I just don't see it happening any time soon.)

Whatever. I'm being silly. Time to brush my teeth and go to sleep.
ZZZZzzzzz......
Grace

Thankful!

I am three days into my Thanksgiving break here at home and I have so much to be thankful for! I am blessed with a great family who either accepts my humor or is even funnier than me. (Yes I know, that's hard to even imagine. I am PRETTY dang funny. ;) ) I am thankful for my friends, who, after weeks of being apart, can pick up right where we left off and continue to laugh with each other. I'm thankful for the ability to three-way call and Skype friends who are far away. I'm thankful for (delicious) food on the table and the hands that prepare it. This all sounds so generic, but I am genuinely thankful for these things. Most of all, I am thankful for my relationship with the Lord, who makes the rest of my blessings possible.

"So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:15-20

I hope you choose to be thankful today and everyday. It is the way we are called to live.
I am thankful for YOU!
Grace
PS, the pictures at the top of this post are from our Thanksgiving celebration yesterday! I love my family!

Wigs vs. Hats

After researching the topic, I have learned that it is normal to shed 200-300 pieces of hair a day. I do not count the number of hairs that come out of my head each day, but by the looks of things, I would assume it is more than that. Hopefully this is due to the weather change, or maybe stress due to my transfer to Texas State next semester. If not, I may need to start considering what I am going to do when all my hair falls out and I am a bald woman. Will I find wigs? I could have a different hair style each day if I did that. Although, I would have to deal with the possibility of it being itchy or sweaty. Also, how much do wigs cost? Maybe I could wear hats. I could change every day and they aren't too expensive. Although, hats are not socially acceptable in all places. I don't know what I will do the day I wake up to a bald head. Until that becomes a reality, I will continue to wash and brush my hair.. and sweep the loose strands off my floor four times a week. Hopefully I will never have to deal with the problem and I can enjoy my natural head of hair for the rest of my life.

Prayers

A couple years ago I gave the Prayer talk at Happening #110 in the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas. I talked about the importance of living our lives in constant conversation with God. That God is the only person we can rely on completely. He is with us through our best and worst days, and all the days in between. Today, I have many reasons to pray.

To start with, I am thankful. Through prayer, I thank God for my blessings. A supportive family, compassionate friends, an education, and much more.

I am also in prayer for the family and friends of Amberlynn Fett. Amberlynn, from Dripping Springs, passed away today at the age of 22. She had battled Cystic Fibrosis her whole life and even had a double lung transplant. Through all her struggles though, she kept her head up and her eyes on God. I have admired her from a distance and I am encouraged by her perseverance throughout the years. God needed her to be with Him, and I know she is breathing easy by His side now. I pray for comfort and understanding for those who are in pain due to their loss.

Finally, I am in prayer for Happening #120 which will be taking place this weekend in Uvalde. Happening is a weekend retreat-type event designed for high schoolers to grow in relationship with themselves, each other, and God. Happening was a very important event throughout my years in high school, and I pray for the "happeners" this weekend. Specifically, for open minds and hearts.

The power of prayer is something we will never understand. For me, it is a time to slow down and be intentional with my thoughts. Join me in prayer. Not just today, but every day. We need to practice closing our mouths for a bit and opening our hearts to God. Listen diligently for what He has to say and respond faithfully through your actions. This is the way Christ wants us to live. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, "Never stop praying.".

Be blessed today, and be thankful.
Grace

In the beginning...

Hey friends!
I'm going to try something new! A blog! I plan to post here semi-frequently (You like that? It's not a specific quantity, but it sounds like I'll be really engaged in this.) to keep a record of my activities, thoughts, observations, celebrations, struggles, and whatever else may cross my path that I deem worth sharing. Who knows what this will turn into. I just want to have something to be able to look back on. (yeah, yeah... I'm sure you're thinking, "great, she's already getting mushy and sentimental". I probably am. I tend to do that late at night.) So, here we go! I hope you'll appreciate this effort.
Be blessed and get some sleep!
Grace