Europe!

My dream for the past 6 years is finally coming true! My friends and I are traveling to Europe in May 2011. I want to be able to document our journey from the very beginning. We have wanted to go since Freshman year, and this year it is working out! Today was our first "official" meeting to plan our itinerary. Before the meeting, we all gathered rather broad information on Europe. We are using Rick Steves books mainly and going off the advice of family and friends. After meeting for 3.5 hours, we have our itinerary nailed down! Here it is:

Europe Itinerary

May 3rd- Tuesday
-leave Jackson in the AM

May 4th- Wednesday
-arrive in London- (Heathrow Airport LHR) in the AM
-all day in London

May 5th- Thursday
-London

May 6th- Friday
-leave London via the Chunnel in the AM for a 2.5 hr ride to Paris
-Paris

May 7th-Saturday
-Paris

May 8th-Sunday
-leave in the AM for Rothenburg; 5.5 hr ride
-Rothenburg

May 9th- Monday
-leave Rothenburg in the early afternoon for a bus ride to Dinkbulhl via the Romantic road in the early afternoon
-train from D to Munich; 3 hrs.

May 10th- Tuesday
-spend day in Munich
-night train to Salzburg 8 hrs.

May 11th- Wednesday
-arrive in Salzburg in the AM and spend the night

May 12- Thursday
-leave Salzburg in AM for Hallstatt
-night train from Hallstatt to Venice 8-10 hrs.

May 13- Friday
-arrive in Venice in the AM

May 14th- Saturday
-late afternoon train from Venice to Florence (Santa Maria Novella train station) 3.5 hrs
-PM in Florence

May 15-Sunday
-Florence
-leave Florence by 3:30 for Cinque Terre

May 16- Monday
-spend day traveling through the Cinque Terre
-leave Monterossa by 3:30 for Rome; 4.5 hrs

May 17th- Tuesday
-Rome

May 18th- Wednesday
-Rome

May 19th-Thursday
-leave Rome (FCO) for Home

May 20th-Friday
-arrive in Jackson

We have written down our itinerary on a google doc. Under the itinerary we have the cities written down, and we have notes under the cities. This way we can write what we find. In early January, we will book plane tickets, buy EuroRail passes, and book hostels. It is advised to book hostels months in advance, so we are going with that advice.

It is important to have someone in the group who will be assertive with reservations, schedules, timing, etc. Out of the 3 of us going, I am the one who loves to plan so I am planning our trip! I want to make sure that Martha and Rebekah do not think that I am taking over the trip. It is important to listen to everyones ideas and all compromise. We are planning on staying in cheap hostels/hotels and backpacking our way through. This will be a whirlwind of an adventure, but we are so looking forward to it. This is our first time in Europe, and we want to see as much as we can.

Getting Ready

So the next 2 weeks will be probably some of the most important weeks of my life. MSU Recruitment 2010 will be happening. To some people, this is something that is very small in the grand scheme of life. Which I would agree with, but I have put so much of my blood, sweat, tears, joy, and patience into Pi Phi and gosh darn it, I want to see us succeed! This recruitment will be the most important recruitment that MS Gamma sees. I have personally worked so hard for my chapter, and I am excited about these next 2 weeks. I love to refer to these members as "my girls" because in so many ways they are. I tend to take a mothering perspective on every relationship that I have, and I have of course done that with my Pi Phi sisters. I love them and will always be there for them, I want them to succeed at life and will do whatever I can to make that happen. When they fail, I fail. When I fail, they fail. I want my chapter to succeed not only for them, but for me. I am a prideful person, and I want others on campus to see us as a driving force. I want our girls to have good reputations, to love Christ, and to genuinely love Pi Phi.

For a while, I thought that I would never be in a sorority. Turns out that God had other plans (funny how that works out!). Since given the chance to be a Pi Phi, I have thanked God daily (well maybe not daily, but pretty often). I have been able to use the gifts that Jesus gave me in my jobs on exec. I am able to use my administrative skills, learn how to be a better leader, make new friends, socialize, make quick decisions with the wisdom that God gave me, and most importantly glorify Him. Glorifying Him through this job is something that I need to work on. I tend to forget that I am a Pi Phi and have my job as President because of Him. Last semester, I put my job above my relationship with Christ, and I suffered from that. My walk with Jesus suffered, and I am still reaping the consequences.

If any of my friends are reading this (which they probably aren't), I am asking you to please hold me accountable!! I want to put my relationship with the Lord first and foremost in my life.

Holy, Holy, Holy

I was driving back to Starkville yesterday, and this song came up on my CD that was in my car. I usually only have my iPod playing, but I had forgotten my connection cord. My sweet friend Rebekah, is always so great about giving me CD's with music that she finds. This CD was a mixture of all songs from Elton John to Sandra McCraken. This was the very last song on there, and I must admit that I replayed it about 5 times. This song has always been one of my favorites, but this version is the absolute best.
This song is all about praising our Lord God Almighty. How much better can it get? Can you imagine in heaven, when all we will be doing is praising our King? I know that great it is to praise him here on earth, but it will be one thousand times better when we are in His presence. Every word of this hymn speaks to my heart. It was exactly what I needed, and such a sweet reminder that we should praise Him all day, every day.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

My Brothers!

There is nothing better in this world, than the bond that I have with my brothers. Each of them are completely different, but I would not change one thing about them. I am so proud of them, and I am always eager to tell others about them. In the words of one of my friends' mothers: I think that my brothers are the greatest!

Jacob is the youngest in our family, and he never lets us forget it. He is a ball of energy, and he never stops. He is always on the move, and looking for life's next adventure. He is significantly younger than both Jordan and I, so he is basically going to grow up as a only child for the next 5 years! Jacob and I have something special between us, and I am so blessed to have him as my little brother. Jacob and I are a lot alike is so many ways. We are alike in the way that we handle situations, and in our relationship with others. He is in 7th grade, and I am so proud of the person that he is. He the comedian in our family. He is ALWAYS making us laugh, and is always making us smile. He has a dry, sarcastic sense of humor and the way he talks is hysterical. He can act so very grown up, and yet act so very boyish. He has had to keep up with his big brother and sister for all of his life, and he acts just like one of us. He keeps my family going, and we LOVE him!

Jordan is 18, and he is a Senior in High School. I am so extremely proud of him that it is not even funny! Jordan is the middle child, and he fits that perfectly! Haha. He is one of the sweetest, most genuine guys that I know. Jordan never ceases to amaze me. He gets along with every type of person out there. He can walk into a room full of people that he doesn't know, and he will come out with 25 new friends. He is fiercely loyal to his friends, and would do anything for them. Jordan has grown into one of the most Godliest man that I know. He has just signed on with Copiah Lincoln Junior College, and he will be playing for them next year. He has worked so unbelievably hard for this opportunity and I am so proud of him. I am so anxious to see what the Lord has in store for him. I have a feeling that Jordan is going to the one sibling that goes off and leaves us all!! He loves to do new things, but I hope that he sticks around. I LOVE him more than I can say.

I know this blog was very random, but these two guys hold a very special place in my heart. They are never far from my heart or mind, and I am so very, very blessed to have both of them in my life.

It's Spring!

Spring seems to finally be here!! I feel like there has not only been a renewal of things outside, but Jesus has been at work in my heart. I cannot believe that I am where I am today. It utterly shocks me. I drove home today, and I found myself sad to leave Starkville and my friends there...I am considering staying in Starkvegas for Summer school. These things might sound normal to other people, but for me to actually think these things..speaks volumes. I am so incredibly happy right now. I am joyful in all aspects of my life. It has been a long and hard rode to get to where I am now, but I am so thankful.

One of the reasons that I am so happy is due to Pi Phi. When I became a member of the charter class last Spring, I never could have dreamed what God had in store for me. I absolutely love it. I would not be the person I am today without Pi Phi. I have met some of the best people, and I have learned a ton about myself. I just love it. :)

Well..enough of being sentimental..it's finally Spring break!! And even though I have a lesson plan, quiz, and paper due the Monday when I get back from school, it is still going to be nice and relaxing. I am a HUGE family person, and always love spending time with my family..whether it be my immediate family or extended family. I drove home today to spend some time with my dad and brothers. (Btw- my brother was just offered a scholarship to play basketball at Copiah-Lincoln Junior College (CoLin)!! We are so proud of him.) On Saturday, my mom and I are headed down to Baton Rouge! We will be spending a few days with my grandmother and some close family friends down there. I will be going to Galveston with my Nana to see Pops and spend some time with them. They built a beautiful bay house down there, so it will be fun.

Galveston has this place called the Mosquito Cafe. Their Warm Goat Cheese Salad and Chocolate Cake are to.die.for. Seriously. It is the best chocolate cake that you will ever have. I have to go every time we go to Galveston. So I'm pretty excited about getting my family time in over the next week. My mom and I have been wanting to take a trip to B.R. with just the two of us for like 2 years, and we finally can! Something always seems to happen and one of us can never go. Or we always have the rest of our family. It will be fun!

Thanks to Ashley for making my blog so pretty! I really, really appreciate it. I can never figure out how to do things. :) You can go view her blog here. She is so full of wisdom, laughter, and encouragement. I love reading about her and Evy!

Coming Soon...

a new design for my blog!! One of my friends older sister is going to help design (or basically d0) my blog. I feel that it is quite boring, and having a new design will jazz it up a bit.

The Lord has been doing wonderful things in my life, and I cannot wait to write about them. I have spring break in a week, and cannot wait!! I will update my blog when I have the time. This week is going to be CRAZY!!

I am teaching tomorrow morning, then will be in class from 11-3:15. Bobby Petrocelli is coming tomorrow night, and Pi Phi is hosting him. I have TONS of homework to due Monday night and all day Tuesday. I have a test Tuesday night as well. Wednesday is our Date Party and a test. Thursday is a presentation. Friday I am home!! It will be busy, but hopefully go by fast.

I'll write soon!

When It Rains..

..It Pours!!!

Goodness gracious this week has been busy. I woke up with the stomach bug on Monday, and got nothing accomplished. Tuesday was a complete blur, and now Wednesday is here already. With spring break arriving, our professors seem to think that now is the time to pile everything in the class on us. Class plus Pi Phi equals for one busy girl!! I am cleaning my room, so it will be a productive work environment. Hopefully I will get everything done in time, and still remain a sane woman.

I am ready for our chapter retreat this weekend, and then spring break!! Bring on the fun!!!

Oh How I Miss This Place

This place where the sun rises over mountains that are filled with tea plants. Mountains that are filled with lions, elephants, and zebra. Valleys and Plains that have rivers with hippo's and water buffalo swimming in their waters.

This place where the children are filled with laughter and joy. Their love comes from the hearts. Their love is unbiased and does not judge.

This place where the people accept you for who you are. A place where you can feel the love of Christ with every step you take. A place where you are constantly reminded of who created you and why you were created. For HIS glory.

This place is AFRICA. This is the place where I left my heart. A place where I think about daily. A place that is filled with people that have made me a different person. A place where I know I can always return and feel welcomed.

Oh how I am yearning to go back. Not a day goes by that I do not wish my feet were back in African soil.

Resolutions

I have never been a huge fan of New Year Resolutions. The only one that I ever have is to lose weight. But I only lose weight when I want to lose weight, which is never. This year I decided to have a few more resolutions that I thought I could actually accomplish. Here they are:
1) Blog once a week
2) Eat organic dairy and try to find other organic things on sale at Kroger
3) Read my Bible daily
4) Cook twice a week
5) Work up to running 3 miles (I can't even run a 1/4 mile right now..yes it's true)

To keep up with my first resolution, I have written this post.

This semester is going to be crazy for me. As a 2nd semester Junior and as Pres of Pi Phi, my life is going to be pretty crazy. I am going to try to cherish every single memory that I have with my roomates because after April, we will never live together again. Amy is getting married- which is wonderful! :) Martha and Bek are moving to the Chi O house. These are some of my very best friends, and I could not have asked for a better year. These past 5 months have been the best because I live with them. School sucks and life gets busy, but I always look forward to being with them. They keep me sane in a crazy world. They keep me grounded when everything is flying away. Cheesy, but true. I am so so thankful for them! I don't want our time to end.

Ta-Ta for now!