GSA

I have a group of best friends from college, and we call ourselves GSA.  We didn't go to a college with greek life, so we kind of made up our own sorority.  I will never forget that initiation...I'd tell you about it, but then I'd have to de-friend you or something;)  We have a reunion every year, and it is something I literally look forward to all year.  See, these are friends who have been with me through thick and thin.  They prayed with me in college during rough times, they called and sent care packages to me when I was in Africa, they stood by me and supported me on my wedding day...  We've lived together, worked together, traveled and studied the Bible together...  I have learned so much from them.  I mean, I didn't even know I had weird curly hair until L pointed it out and showed me how to control my friz;)hehe  They are true sisters in Christ.  Now several of them have growing families, and each year during the reunion we get to meet the newest members.  Here are some pictures from this year's reunion:

 Introducing the newest two members:)

Thank y'all so much for an awesome reunion!

This year two of our friends were unable to make it, so here is a picture of all 8 of us:)

See last year's reunion.  1 Samuel 20:42 "Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord."

Road trips

I love road trips. LOVE them!  There is something about the open road with your favorite music blaring out the open sun roof...especially when you're on your way to visit some of your best friends.  It's such a free and fun feeling.  I decided to take a little road trip last week while my cowboy was away for school and head south.  (I LOVE heading south:)  And it's really special getting to see my friends' kids growing up.  I feel like I'm just soaking it all in right now.

My friends seriously have the most precious kids in the whole world

I got such a kick out of this video, I just had to post it.  This is my friend's awesome dog who totally loves to work out!

One of my stops was beautiful Kentucky...

There are a lot of caves in KY(I kept seeing signs for them on the hwy), and this one is in my friend's back yard.  Will definitely need to spend some more time exploring down there.

So it's back to Indiana, but fortunately there's another little road trip right around the corner.  It's seriously food for the adventurous soul.

The groundhog was wrong

So...where was that 6 more weeks of winter?  I think this time last year we still had like a foot of snow on the ground.  Winter ended about a month ago (right after my last post actually), and I've started wandering around campus during my lunch break again.  Here are a couple of pictures from today...

It didn't snow enough to go sledding this year, which is sad.  Of course this is coming from someone who grew up without snow;)  But I'm definitely not complaining about this early start to Spring.  Towards the end of February, I just start to feel lifeless.  The dreary weather drains any energy I might've saved up.  If it wasn't for my hilarious roommate(Hank) cracking me up all the time, I feel like I wouldn't laugh at all.  But the sun is here, and when I walk outside I'm hugged by beautiful 70 degree weather:)  So here's to Spring!

The admissions season is winding down here at work, I'll have time to go out and enjoy the weather, so more to come...

Winter Hope

Gray clouds move in on cold, wet wind

Ice falls quietly, spreading silence

The world that felt so loud, so crowded

Suddenly feels empty

Loss and loneliness tend to drift on snow

Flying then falling steadily on closed eyes

Praying for relief, for one loud laugh

To pierce the silence

Then comes a presence, powerful by your side

Warmth, all-consuming, filling your heart

Knowledge of life and of joy eternal

Reminds your soul to smile

Hilarious memories fill your mind

Reminders of blessings flood your heart

Opening your eyes to the heavens

Where hope shines down like rays of sun

Last week a dear professor and mentor of mine from Belhaven passed away.  The Belhaven community has deeply felt this loss.  Dr.Kenyon was a constant there; always there to answer your questions and share his amazing knowledge of Scripture.  The gray, snowy weather matched the sadness everyone was feeling.  But then Belhaven started a page where we could go on and write about our memories of him.  The memories people started posting were hilarious.  The sadness I was feeling was replaced by joy; a reminder of the laughter Dr.Kenyon brought into our lives and the glory that he is now experiencing.

Dr. Kenyon passed away just before Valentine's Day.  When I got home from work on Tuesday, I found this waiting for me...

I was overwhelmed with a sense of how much I am blessed; blessed with people who have poured so much time into teaching me along the road, and blessed with the amazing guy that this road has led me to. 

"The Lord gives and the Lord takes away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”
Job 1:20-22

Christmas in the Keys

I'm telling ya, there is nothing like Christmas in Florida.  Especially when you live in the snow.  Trading in snow boots for flip flops, cold weather for warm, and cloudy days for sunny blue skies is probably the most refreshing thing I've ever experienced.  This Christmas we were blessed with the opportunity to visit Hank's family down in the Keys.  Here are some pics from our tropical adventure.  Check out this link to see all the awesome things the Florida Keys have to offer: http://greatlocations.com/index_main2.asp?partnerid=2.

Can you tell Hank's excited to see his family?

Marathon, FL

courtesy of Hank's photography

These guys are all over the place.  Very cool.

We got to visit the Dolphin Research Center.

Hank's awesome sister and brother in law.

Our amazing hosts:)

Sunset at the Seven Mile Bridge.

There were a lot of these beautiful man o' wars that had washed up on the beach in Marathon while we were there.  Hank took some pretty good pics.  There was this guy walking along and popping them with his bare feet!  You know you're a Floridian when...

I took this picture, and Lord only knows how...

  Happy New Year!  May 2012 be a year full of laughter, adventure, and a joyful knowledge of how massive Christ's love is for you.  Ephesians 3:14-19 

If you were to live 100 years...

What would you do if you were to live 100 years?  If you knew you had that many decades on earth, what would you strive to accomplish?  I personally haven't known anyone who's reached 100...until last month.  Hank's Gran welcomed 100 amazing years in style...

Sporting her purple jump suit and arriving in...

a red Ferrari :)

loving on her grandkids...

celebrating with family from around the country...

telling stories that had everybody laughing...

Here is a lady that has seen the world change drastically right in front of her eyes and remembers every little detail.  Her life is a story of hard work, perseverance, love and faith.  What do you want your life's story to look like?  Something to think about for the new year...

So with this being the last post before 2012, I hope that you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

May the Lord shine His face on you and give you His peace. 

A Midwestern Thanksgiving

So Happy laaaaate Thanksgiving! If you've ever worked in college admissions, you know that once November hits you're life is no longer your own. So that's what I'm blaming my lack of posting on;) But I couldn't let Christmas go by without a Thanksgiving post! So here are some pictures from Thanksgiving in Bloomington, which is now my favorite place to spend Thanksgiving...

We went for a hike in Yellowwood State Forest again on Thanksgiving morning.

My beautiful Momma who came all the way from Georgia to spend Thanksgiving with us.

My handsome cowboy. (Who I've actually been calling my mountain man more than cowboy recently. Check out that beard!  Thank you Movember.)

My awesome car, Cheetah. (I used to get a lot of speeding tickets in college...)

Just when you think he's being sweet...

I feel the love.

Beaver wuz here

The only picture I managed to capture at the actual meal: the dogs cleaning up.

Best view in all of Browne County...

The lighting ceremony around the Bloomington court house.  Every Friday after Thanksgiving they have carolers and a big production featuring the mayor and Santa leading up to the count down to the Christmas lights around the square being turned on all at the same time! Coolest tradition EVER. The whole town comes out for it.

The Christmas farmers market the Saturday after Thanksgiving every year, featuring reindeer!

 Thanksgiving in Bloomington always reminds me of a sweet small town in a cute Christmas movie.  This year I'm thankful for a great town for Hank to finish school in, a great job at an awesome University, and a loving and healthy family. 
 Speaking of healthy family, stay tuned for my next post about the coolest 100th birthday ever...