When lost things find their home

The only thing I knew I wanted to talk about today was this...I FOUND MY PILLOW CASE. Now, this is nothing that I've blogged about before {on account of the subject was too hard to talk about}. Here's the low down- I have a pink pillow case that I have had since I was way little {exact age, unknown}. The pillow case used to be pillow caseS...but we have suffered a few casualties...and ONE remained in tact! I've never been real big on having a special stuffed animal or blanket {though there were a few bears that slept with me for more than one night, and there was that one blanket I used to take to kamp and stuff} but it's the pillow case that did it for me.

I took the case with me to my Freshman year of college without a second thought, and of course it came with me to kamp this summer. HOWEVER, after kamp it went missing! I KNOW that I brought it back. There are a few things that you check for before leaving somewhere. Like: keys, wallet, maybe a bag.....and if you're me- YOU CHECK FOR YOUR PINK PILLOW CASE! So before leaving Lampe, I had the pillow case. When I arrived in Dallas, I had the pillow case. But I did not think to check the washer  mid-wash to make sure my case was still accounted for. After that pivotal load of laundry..........my pillow case went missing. {It was the case of the missing case!} When I reluctantly left Dallas to come back to College Station for recruitment, my mom bought me new sheets that included matching pillow cases that promised to be soft. But no where on the packaging did it say, "Given to you by Grandma!" or, "Smells like Comfort!" or even, "Light pink with torn seems."

Sleeping was no longer as sweet. When I went home for the wedding and un-made my bed to climb in and go to sleep...what did I find, but my LIGHT PINK, GRANDMA-GIVEN, COMFORT-SMELLING, TORN-SEEMED PILLOW CASEEE!!!!! I literally yelped with excitement and immediately nestled my nose right in it as it filled me with warm contentment! This is what brings me to my title.......because my lost thing found it's home.

Can you smell the comfort?

I know it's easy to assume that my pillow was lost and it found me....but what if I was lost until I found my pillow once again? Won't you allow me to make a far stretch of a comparison? Concerning the pillow question- well that's easy...of course I did not FIND myself when my pillow case popped back into my life! Yes, it was quite a sweet reunion, and we have had no trouble picking right back up where we left off, but I'm not completely looney! Here's the stretch: There was a time when I was lost, before I had REALIZED my home...but here's the thing- I don't think I had anything to do with this founding. No, I think home found me. But then again...I'm not really talking about a house, on a street, with a street number, or a porch..........I'm not really talking about a "home" at all...what I'm really talking about is the owner. Jesus put me there and until I saw everything come together and realized where I was, He took care of me. Jesus still takes care of me, but He takes care of me in a new way. Now that I've realized what kind of temporary home I live in now, and what kind of eternal home I'm promised, he's got me doing some "work around the house", if you will.

God's way of taking care of me now that my faith has matured is by challenging me. Making me ask myself the questions I don't want to answer. Seeing if I cling to Him when things are good...but more importantly, seeing if I cling to Him harder, or even at all, when times are more trivial.

Romans 13:11-14 says, "And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to WAKE FROM YOUR SLUMBER, because your salvation is nearer now than we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently as in the day time, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of sinful nature."

I love my pink pillow case, but I am so ready to wake from my slumber and cling to God in the light, when things are good, but hold myself to a higher standard as I cling even tighter when things are bad! So I suppose my stretch has now come full circle.  I had given up on finding my pillow case so I stopped looking...But there it was just sitting there, KNOWING that it had FOUND a place where I could REALIZE it! Similarly, to think that I had anything to do with being saved is wrong. I didn't find God, God allowed me to realize Him. I'd love to sleep all day, enjoying my recently found pillow case...but I've got a lot more faith in the one who never loses anything. So here's to the Founder of all...and the greatest realization that I will ever realize.

She traded Stutsman for Gillis

As most of you should know, my sister, Sarah was married to Campbell Gillis this weekend! Our family has been anticipating this day (October 23) for a very long time now, and we couldn't be happier for Campbell and Sarah. Yes, it is a little disheartening that I am now the only Stutsman girl besides my mama, but I am very very excited about my new brother-in-law and my might-as-well-be-sister-in-laws! I know you want to see pictures so I'll start with a few of those!

Me, Sarah, and Aunt Suzanne at Sarah's Bridal Luncheon

Rehearsal

Rehearsal

Rehearsal dinner was at El Fenix Downtown! Decorations were perfect!  Jan, Campbell's mom, did a fantastic job!

I'll break the picture rampage with some text. I had to give a speech at rehearsal dinner. I love to write, but I was a little bit nervous about the public speaking of my writing. I had written what I wanted to say early on, and had made the decision that I would be better off reading what I wrote than trying to memorize something. I didn't want to forget to say anything...or ramble...or mumble. So......I was going to print it off and read it from the page. Funny story- our printer wouldn't print it. So I read it from my iPhone. Cool. Haha but here it is......

"A little over a year ago, if you would have told me that I would be here giving a speech at your rehearsal dinner…I would have believed you.  Like all relationships, yours has been marked with its ups and downs, but I have always been, and will forever be, on team Campbell and Sarah.  Not because you let me be a part of the “3 musketeers”, or because Campbell treats me like one of his own sisters, but because I had the privilege of seeing both of your hearts for each other when you were up, but more importantly, I saw both of your hearts for each other when you were down. 

 It’s funny to believe that there was never really an ounce in me that didn’t think this day would come. I thank the Lord that you both already know what it is like to be without each other even when it wasn’t what you wanted. Your obedience to the Lord in trusting His perfect timing in your relationship is celebrated tonight and is absolutely, 100% worth it tomorrow!

 I believe that for Sarah’s whole life, Jesus was preparing her heart for whatever man would fill the seat next to her tonight, but more importantly, I believe that from the beginning of her story with Campbell, God was preparing her heart for him. I know that, roughly 9 years ago, when you two met in 9^th grade, God marked His calendar for October 23, 2010.  And ever since that date, He began molding your hearts for one another.  He threw you curve balls when you needed them, allowed for forfeits when it was time, and gave you victories when you deserved them.  Tomorrow, as God marks off the last day in His game plan, your team wins yet another victory! This victory, however, is NOT in vain, because you let God be your coach. 

 You’ll have to excuse my athletic simile…I don’t really know where that came from, but I’ll wrap this one up. Campbell, welcome to the family. Thanks for being the big brother I never had, and for loving Sarah because you truly believe life is sweeter that way. I have no doubt that you are ready to take care of my sister. You mean the world to me because you mean the world to Sarah. Sarah, I look up to you more than you know and admire you for more reasons than I can count. You make me proud to be your sister everyday. I can’t wait to stand behind you tomorrow, supporting you while you make me proud yet again. Tomorrow, you will turn the first page to your separate novels that God has intertwined to write the ONE plot that tells the story of your future! I’m sure the narrative has many more hills coming, but my prayer is that the ups out-number the downs, the laughter out-numbers the tears, that your unconditional love for one another is the foundation for every chapter, and the motif that writes your conclusion. I love you guys!"

Me and Sarah at the elite table

Me and my date, Marshall

Me and Dad.... 

I thought this was funny- Ella, my cousin and the flower girl, asked her mom if we would be eating real food at the rehearsal dinner. Her mom was confused, but told her that, well yes, we WOULD be eating real food at the rehearsal dinner. After a bit of processing the question, they realized that Ella wasn't sure if we would be eating real food or if we would just be practicing (REHEARSING) our eating. We all thought this was quite inquisitive of her. She's brilliant. Get ready Harvard, my inquisitive cousin Ella is on her way.

Getting manicures and pedicures with the bridesmaids on the morning of the wedding! Pictured are: mama, Ashley, me, and cousin Cheryl

Brandon did our make up! (He is the guy who always did my make up for formals in high school...he is the very best in the world.)

Doesn't she look perfect?

Cutting the cake from Panini Bakery! It had the traditional Bride and Groom on top- I loved that! And instead of a Groom's cake, Campbell had chocolate covered strawberries- nice touch, C.

Doing the flower girl's (my cousin, Ella) hair. As far as she was concerned, this wedding was for her

Bridal party got the dancing started with a little flash mobbing to "Teenage Dream"

Probably my favorite picture of Sarah from the wedding so far

It's no wonder Ella thought it was about her...everyone was obsessed with her...haha especially my date

Being serenaded for my birthday.... 

When people ask me how the wedding was, I tell them it was SO much fun; the best party I've ever been to! It really was a blast! I loved the ceremony because it didn't feel like going through motions at all. Both my uncle, and Sarah and Campbell's mentor did the ceremony- two people who love them very much. The gospel was presented by their mentor, and Jesus was celebrated the whole day! I got to pray for Sarah just before she walked down the aisle. I love that my sister wanted this celebration to be about her Maker. When the music hit its climax, the doors opened, and Sarah walked down the aisle with my dad....I cried, ok? I also cried when Dontoya, the singer, opened her mouth to sing. Voice. Of. An. Angel. It was unreal. My birthday was also celebrated that night with a cupcake :) If you ask me, the reception was the best birthday party I could have asked for! The next day I went to lunch with my besties and headed back to good ol' College Station while my sister headed off to Mexico. {People keep asking me where they went on their honeymoon. I can't remember. Isn't that terrible?! Here's what I know: It's in Mexico, it starts with a "T", it's 2 syllables, and it's near Cancun}

I'll leave you with something my roommate Catherine read to me today from Dearblanksincerelyblank.com: "Dear vegetarians, ya know what's cruel? Eating things that can't defend themselves. Sincerely, Plants." Even though I rarely eat meat, I thought that was really funny.

Nothin but love,
Bethany

Nothin but love, Bethany

Raise your hand if you feel like my blogs have become more of an update. I'm raising my hand. (Right hand, of course, because I'm still being quite cautious with my left one). Anywho- we all know how well I can get off on a tangent, so I'm assuming it will cover more than just...since last time.

Well let's start with the shoulder- I'm sure you were all quite concerned after viewing my near-death-looking pictures with the frozen chicken sitting atop my harnessed shoulder. Good news: it's a lot better! I only had like 3 days of the really bad pain, and for the last 2-3 days, it hasn't been bad at all! I'm still being careful with it, and keeping it in the sling as much as I can so I can go full out on Saturday at the reception. If you're in my family and you're reading this, is your mind going straight to the wedding when I was like 3, running an insane temperature, and crying only because my mom had to tear me from the dance floor to give me medicine? I really do remember that happening. The medicine was red. {side note- why do they keep trying to "flavor" medicine? They call it cherry and 3 year old, me, is scarred for life and never wants to touch a cherry again because it reminds me of the time I threw up my "cherry" flavored medicine all over my mom.} It's only pills for me now. But back to the subject at hand- my health. I had another Dr.'s appt. today......For my ankle. Turns out I have achilles-tendonitis. Sooo........I'm supposed to give it a break for a while and ease back into dance. My dance teachers are going to think I'm full of crap when they hear THIS one. 

This is how I feel about interviews

This is how I feel about cake balls

I had an interview on Tuesday for a family leadership conference I'm really interested in, and also one that Sarah did when she was here. It was one of her very favorite memories from A&M, and really encouraged me to go for it! So I did, got an interview, and now I wait. The process was intimidating, but hey- even if I don't get it (first of all, I'll tell you either way) but, it'll be alright because I was happy with how it went. But the picture with the finger "gun"is just because of the intimidation factor. 

Cake balls on the other hand are NOT intimidating. Literally, cake balls are my favorite thing to eat. {Now, please don't take this as a cue to get those for me for my birthday. That would be way too much pressure to eat them all and I would get sick for sure.} Too much of them and you'll be sick in a hurry, but in moderation, those little devils areeeee DANGEROUSLY good! One of my roommates, Corey, is a really great baker, and made these "eyeball" cake balls just for fun! If you don't know how to make them, or if you've never had them....allow me to make you salivate- You bake a normal cake (white in our case) and let it cool for a bit. Then, with a mixer, you crumble the cake. Next, you mix the cake with icing (right?) until it is a bit thicker than cake batter, and put it in the fridge for 3 hours. After it sits, you'll take it out, ball it up and cover it with melted chocolate. Pop them in the freezer to let the chocolate harden like a shell.........and enjoy! The Halloween ones are white, with an m&m "pupil" and red icing for veins :) I got legitimately upset when Meredith tried to take some to John's house for Allison's birthday. I hid them in my room.................I'm not kidding. 

Next order of business- studying. Today I had a political science test. So last night was crunch time! I love that we have a porch at my house and I love that it's so nice outside. So, naturally, I love to be outside if I have to study. Isn't everything sweeter on a porch? 

Me studying on the porch

Catherine studying under an ottoman 

I had to look up how to spell the word "ottoman"...that's embarrassing. Well my poli sci test was probably easier than any test I ever took in high school. So I hope I did well. We had lots of people over last night to study. Catherine threw that ottoman at Jadams. Meredith debated the idea of majoring in political science. And then decided against it. Marshall fell asleep when I was still quizzing him. I was told that I reminded my friend of one of their friend's moms...and that notion was confirmed by Corey after she told me this woman was the weirdest chick she knows. Mogk pulled an all-nighter for this dumb test. I became obsessed with Willow Smith- the 9-year-old sensation- artist behind "I whip my hair back and forth"....look up the music video- seriously, you'll wish you were cooler as a 9-year-old. And as a group, we will never forget these 3 things- The president has 3 rights- Expressed power, Delegated power, and Inherited power. 

In just a few hours, I'll be headed home to tip off all the wedding festivities! I could NOT be more excited!!! Give me a chance to dress up, go home, be with family, dance all night, eat finger food, and watch my sister commit her life to loving someone else-in front of a their favorite people-in a place of worship...and I'm set. I know Jesus is so happy with this unity built on Him, and I know He celebrates with us on Saturday!

Let's get this party started...mom's not pullin me off the dance floor this time!

{wedding pictures to come!}

Nothin but love,

Bethany

A Real Sling

Well friends, turns out I was right...though my make shift sling was laughable, I am now wearing a real sling on account of my shoulder's pulled muscle. How it happened, I could not tell you. Here's the frustrating part...{and then I'll tell you the story}...The doctor said that it's normal to not feel pain for up to 24-48 hours after you pull it.............so there's no sure way to know how it happened. And because I don't know how it happened, maybe I'll just do it again!

I posted this on Whitley's wall after she poked fun at my make shift sling. Don't worry, she felt bad...but who cares?! At least she's a loyal reader!

So here's the story- it started hurting {around the time I wrote that last blog}. That afternoon, I noticed it, but didn't really think anything of it. I took a shower a little after I got home from school that day and it kind of hurt enough for me to be careful, but I could still touch my head to shampoo my hair and what not. As the night went on, it started hurting a little more, and the pain covered more surface area. By that night, not only would I have laughed at the idea of touching my head to shampoo my hair, but when I tried to put my hair in a ponytail I almost cried. I went to bed thinking I might "sleep off" whatever it was that was bothering me, so. Needless to say, when I woke up the next morning, it was definitely worse than when I went to sleep! My alarm was set for 10:00, I hardly slept that night, but the pain woke me up for good a little after 7. So I grab my phone {a task that was once so easy, now was one that felt like pins going further into my shoulder the more I reached for the phone} Who do I call, but Amy?! Duh.

By the grace of God, Zami is awake and sympathetic. Do you want to know what she did? So I'm all like {in a pathetic, sickly voice}, "Amy it hurts so bad, I need you to take me to the doctor........and to campus toprintoutmystuffforthenutritionproectthat'sduetodaybecauseican'tcarryanything." Amy's all like, "Right-o! Wait one jiff while I strap on my WonderWoman cape and leotard, and then I'm off to the library, swift as a gazelle, to print off everything from your project, bring it to you in my lightening car {KIA} and then whisk you away to the "hospital", where I will sit with you for 2 hours until your name is called among the young adults receiving their drug screen tests!" Y'all she really did all of that. It was kind of embarrassing to be sitting with the leotard and cape girl in the waiting room, but after all that, I would have waited with her even if she was in the nude! {just kidding, guys, i'm pretty sure she was wearing jeans and a t-shirt} but whatever, shawty saved my life!

In this I'm like, "Sank you zami for sayveeng my lyf een liyk a monce!"

The next day, I called Shardtz (Heidi) crying. I woke up and my shoulder hurt SO BAD. I hadn't filled my perscription for the pain killers yet, and apparently when you pull a muscle, the pain gets worse before it gets better. So Heidi is all like, "perfect! I had a feeling you'd call {after watching you in my glass ball} so I made sure I could be available and at your beckoning call today. I'll be there stat. Over" Heidi actually flew to my house on a broom with a basket she wove for me, lined with cushions. She reasoned that I would probably experience less turbulence in the air compared to the bumps on the ground if she were to drive. Shardtz made sure I got some lunch before my prescription was ready. I got Schlotzki's {funny name serious sandwich}. Just kidding about some of the stuff in Heidi's story too...she didn't actually weave the basket herself.

Thanks Shardtz for saving me!

Hey! Wanna see what I look like in pain and on pain killers?! Even though I was completely out of it,  I took this one just for yall- always thinkin about my bloggy people. I laugh every time I look at this, so please do the same.

Nothin like a Friday night at home, high on pain killers, and iced by frozen chicken!

The chicken I'm icing with is actyally VOILA! {You know, the bagged cuisine brand I'm such a big advocate of} Voila even serves as an ice pack! Wow Voila....you've really out-done yourself {sponsormyblog!}. I think I had just cried when I took that picture...good times, good times. 

T-minus 6 days till my sister trades Stutsman for Gillis!!!!!!!!! {traitor.} Jk, sis...jk. Check her outtttttt

I see it now....we totes look like sisters. 

So many exciting things!! {because excitement come in all forms, good and bad}. I've said it once, and I'll say it again- So help me God, I will NOT be wearing a sling at the wedding.} Even though, many a friend has offered to be-dazzle it for me. It's not happening. SOOO dear readers, be careful with your lems today. Because after 24-48 hours later....you won't know what hitchya. WAPOW! 

Nothin but love,

Bethany

i hate this layout and it won't let me change it.....................promise its only temporary!!

A make-shift sling

I did somethin wrong, that's for sure. I feel like I am the most abnormal person in the world. Let me explain-  currently my left arm is cradled in a yellow, Target {half-zip} fleece that I have crafted to act as a sling for my aching arm. Y'all I'm freaking out. I have NO idea what's wrong, but the pain caused by the weight of my own arm hanging at my side is enough to make me want to scream! My head (starting just below my ear), down the side of my neck, and all across the top of my shoulder {only on the left side, mind you} HURTS! I had ballet this morning, and modern right after that- nothing. No pain, and no injury inducing occurrences either{besides my ankle, which is a completely different (but not as entertaining) story}.

I started feeling a little somethin-somethin in my psychology class at 1:50, but I didn't think anything of it. When I came home and showered, it definitely hurt to reach up to shampoo my hair, but it didn't make me want to cry. A few hours later, however, not only could I not bear to reach up to put my hair in a ponytail, but I had the yellow "sling" {described above} wrapped around me as I waddled out to the TV room to ask my roommates if they had ever dislocated their shoulders. One of my roommates had actually dislocated her shoulder, and after a description of her experience, I think it's obvious that I did not dislocate my shoulder...Here's a picture of poor pathetic me, in my self-designed sling- I know one thing's for sure- this sling I made is solid evidence that I am my father's daughter. He totally would have done the same thing.

Ok, so this picture reminds me!....Check out my new window!! There's actually nothing new about it. The window is an antique one {duh, antiques are my favorite} but it has been sitting in my closet for some time now because I couldn't put it up myself. {I know guys, believe it or not, I'm not a natural with a hammer and nail.} Joe was over last night and did the honors. Hallelujah! {<--I think that's the first time I've spelled that word correctly on my first try...without using spell check}Joe actually has a blog of his own. But I'm not allowed to give you the URL, on account of it is still in its beginning stages...sorry guyzzz. Remember when my blog was a secret? Those were the days...*sigh*... {Here's Joe...he just shaved his face except for his stash...obviously} Don't y'all love it???

This is random, but I wish I had more followers. I just became bff's with a super-blogger, Melody. She has like 80 followers. If you read my blog, but haven't committed, will you just do it? Please :) Melody, if you're reading, your excessive amount of followers is impressive.

I had lunch with Blerina this week. I love Blerina. Wanna see a picture of me and Blerina? Isn't she just the prettiest? I look like a bug with those glasses........stinkin American Eagle...{I have something against American Eagle for reasons I'm not sure of, but it made me so bitter to have to buy those sunglasses to float the river. And this picture- me lookin like a bug- makes me even more bitter} Forget you, American Eagle. ButIfYouWantToSponsorMyBlogIRetractEverytingIJustSaid.

So this is kind of funny and ironic- My friend, Caroline and I were working on our Nutrition project that is due tomorrow. Basically what we had to do was write down everything {and I mean everything} we had to eat or drink in a 3 day period and plug it into this computer program. The devilish little program took everything and separated it into calorie categories, nutrients, vitamins, saturated fats....and on and on. I wasn't too surprised with my results {that were far from ideal, according to my personal recommended food pyramid based on my age, height, weight, and activity level} So after spending a good number of hours compiling this information of my terrible diet, I asked Caroline if she was up for a late night Whataburger run. She was. Hope we ace the project!
 
Ya know what else? {allow me to make the BIGGEST most UN-NATURAL transition from the last topic}...I think I want to adopt little babies. When I'm old enough to be doing that, of course. Not that I don't think my parents wouldn't be cool with me having children from different countries running around calling me "mom" as a sophomore in college...I just think, I probably wouldn't have that much time to study, that's all. {After re-reading that, I feel like I should clarify that, that was definitely sarcasm about there only being one reason to not have children now...there's lots. But eventually... munchkins from all over would be the bomb} My sister, Sarah and I were talking about this and she said something I love: "I love the idea of having a family that's all different colors." Amen to that, sista.

{insert picture of me and my multi-skin toned family} 

CHEESE!! : D

Romans 8:22-25 "We konw that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our ADOPTION as sons, the redemption of our bodes. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." <-- I read that verse in my quiet time yesterday actually...so maybe that's what re-opened this can of worms. But whether or not I ever actually adopt, I respect, so much, the process, patience, conviction, and passionately unconditional love that adoptive parents have for their children. Because let's be honest...raise your hand if you think this world can handle another little someone running around with MY DNA? 

Everyone who has accepted Christ as their savior has been adopted into His kingdom, and been given the completely undeserved chance gift of being called His child. If you don't believe in adoption- believe in it now, because as believers, adoption is what saved us. 

So, I think that's it for me tonight. Let's recap- I have a bum arm that is suspended from a yellow fleece. I love Blerina. I have no grasp of food's nutritional value. And adoption seems like something I might like, along with the rest of the world that can't handle a mini-me. Chew on that. K...hasta la vista, babies!

Nothin but love,

Bethany

I cut my hair

I got a haircut on Saturday...but that doesn't have much to do with anything. I went in for a trim {on account of the ends of my hair were more like hay} and she trimmed........I tilted my head to the side with an intrigued face and said, "maybe a little more." Denise snipped a little more.............After taking no time to consider I said, "cut more"..."cut more"..."shorter"....."keep going"....."DON'T STOP!!"

That's when she whipped out the razor. I'll upload pictures of my bald head when I get some!

Just kidding. But I WILL upload pictures of my exceptionally shorter hair soon!

.........{Before I talk about my weekend, let's talk about how I got the most legit little in PC '10! Sarah Noland, ladies and gentlemen!} For reveal we all had to decorate a humongo box with our little's name on it to get inside and let them find us. Sarah Stimson helped me think of what to do, but needless to say I was the only girl with my box upside down, not decorated like a present, and dressed to match my box's theme. Congrats to my little, Sarah Noland......you have NO idea what you're getting yourself into :)

I went home this weekend for the aTm-Arkansas game. Except I didn't go to the game. Typical? Yes. I had a ticket, but the more I thought about it, the less sense it made to go. As you all probably know, my sister Sarah is getting married in TWO weeks now!! Can you believe it?! Ahhh, don't you feel like it was just YESTERDAY that she got engaged?? Of course you don't- I started blogging months after the engagement. But it really does seem like time flashed right before my eyes. Anywayzzzz, I couldn't go because Sarah had a shower that afternoon and that's what I came home for. I would have had to leave the shower early or not even go to make it to the game among the mass chaos that is aggies and razorbacks.

The shower was lovely. The house was amazing. Sarah and I went on and on about how cool the house was. The lady who owns it is just amazingly creative and talented. It was a nice house, but nothing spectacular...it was her decorating that made our jaws drop. Creativity can be such a talent! I should have taken pictures...But that's creepy. I think she should just start a blog.

I'm trying to think of my latest revelation to share with my blog family. I think that the latest is what I want to do with my summer! Ok, here it is: I want to dance in LA this summer. Exciting right?! So now it's like.......how do I get there? I really want to study abroad! I feel like it's just something you should do if you can and have the opportunity. BUTTT.....when considering that my major is dance and study abroad programs in that genre are limited...I decided to get creative. I want to "study abroad" in Los Angelos, California!! I'm currently in communication with a studio there working on a potential internship, but I'm not getting my hopes up {I realize that I'm being vulnerable sharing this information with my blog population because it's not set in stone, and could very well be thrown back in my face...but that's just a risk I'm willing to take} My friend Jenna and I would go together {which would be SO fun!} She's the awesome one who takes all my dance pictures, and is just a really talented photographer, latina, and friend {not to mention she's a THETA. Whoop!} I'm still praying a lot about this summer because as much as I want to go to LA, I would rather be where the Lord wants me, and that hasn't been made perfectly clear yet.

Here's my latest revelation in terms of this potential plan: I don't need to be on a mission trip, working at a summer camp, or vacation bible school to have a spiritually awakening summer...Now let me make myself very clear....those things are wonderful, and working at a summer camp last summer absolutely and completely changed my life. If I don't go back, it in no way means that I didn't love every minute of it! BUTTT, I feel like I am at a point in my faith now that I don't have to be in a place that specializes in ministry to talk about Jesus. This world is a mission field. I like to compare it to this: {girls} when you like a boy, someeehowww every conversation inevitably turns to him. You like him so much you just can't help but talk about him!...That's how it is for me with Jesus now. I have always been ABLE to talk about him, but I've never been in a situation where I can't HELP but talk about him.......well I am now, and that's why I'm entertaining the thought of this LA trip. Because LA needs Jesus just as much as kids at a camp.


Welp...that's all I got for today...I'm just gonna keep sitting here, looking busy, when I'm actually just facebooking until I can justify taking a shower for meeting. It's only 3:30 and meeting is at 6:30 so taking one right now is just too over-zealous. Yay for Mondays and psychology being cancelled and ballet teachers telling us we're allowed to dance in halloween costumes for halloween! Until next time...cut your hair short if you want to. Go crazy! Hair grows and life's too short to find your identity in your hair-do. Oh, and while you're at it, don't wait for summer camp to talk about Jesus.

Nothin but love,
Bethany

A Bloggy kind of Monday

Hi Friends! (I know that "friends" isn't a proper noun, calling for an upper case "f"...but you guys are different- quite proper, in fact. Fully deserving of your upper case "f" in "Friends")

I hate not being able to blog as much as I did this summer now that I'm back at school...Things are just so much busier, and so many more things are demanding of my time. Now that I think of it, Summer kind of took away all the hussle and bussle, leaving me with my 3 favorite things- Jesus, dance, and blogging :)

Last week I had 3 tests...ughhhh.......I do NOT like having 3 tests in one week. Or even one test in one week. Or one test in one year. I don't like tests! Or maybe I'm just not interested in being tested over things I'm not interested in.....interesting...

This weekend was surely needed! My sweet mom, and Amy's mom came through town on Friday afternoon to take me and Amy to dinner. They took us to Madden's.......the sweetest place in Bryan/College Station. Madden's is a breath of fresh air where you can slow down for as long as your meal takes to enjoy the food prepared by chef Peter, a man who is clearly passionate about what he does, and better yet, enjoy the time with the people you're dining with. Madden's is just calming. It's really never over-crowded, the music is never distracting, and I have never eaten anything there that was less than delicious! I ordered an angel hair pasta dish with pine nuts and crab meat :).... {that is NOT an ellipses...that is a picture of me drooling} We finished it off with mini desserts- I got creme brulee! There is a really neat antiquey-gift shop in the back of the restaurant that we love to go look in! My mom surprised me with this journal- {that I was desperately in need of!} look how cute-!

So Friday night was "chill"...when I say chill, what I really mean is that I didn't do anything. So, sure- I chilled...but let's be honest, I just watched a lot of dance youtube vidoes and the dancing scenes from the Britney Spears episode of Glee. It was phenomenal, by the way. Saturday night, however, we celebrated one of my roommate's {Meredith} birthday! We had everyone over, and just hung out, and bounced in a bounce house...............because, yes- we had one. Here's a/some picture(s) from the evening {sorry, I'm about to go look for a/some picture/picture(s) so idk if it will be one or some}

{---------> That's the birthday girl in the back catchin flies}

Next, and last order of business...my hair accessories. I made some. I'm going to show them to you. This required lots of self-taken pictures. You all know that I have recently gotten over the fact that I do that, and that even though it's lame I will continue to do it when I need to. And right now...I need to. 

Layered flowers with button center barette

Sequined flower on top of feathers...on a tied piece of leather

3 layered flowers with button center on purple headband

Welp...it was fun being crafty. I've got all sorts of things up my sleeve right now that I'm keeping top secret, so don't even ask- I won't tell you! I'll leave you with something that really encouraged me today by reminding me of the high standard we are called to as believers, but how absolutely WORTH it, it is to be this obedient! Romans 6:11-12 "Count yourselves dead to sin but ALIVE to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires." Today I pray that God might squash the evil desires my own heart longs for, and fills me back up with the love that's eternal. 

Bye for now, dear readers...

Nothin but love,

Bethany