Thankful

 With Thanksgiving coming I decided to make a list of some of the things I am thankful for and what they have meant to me. I have been blessed with some amazing people and blessings in my life and all too often I take these for granted. 

*mom- has always shown me unconditional love 

*dad- he is my hero

*brother- unbelievably patient and kind

*Brittany- always excited to see me!

*my best friends- they are there for me whether it's through the laughter or the tears

*my role models- they are Godly girls who are always encouraging me and providing me with wise advice

*roomies- they are so fun to live with; it's always a new adventure :) 

*the boys- I know I could always turn to them for help or just for a good time

*grandparents and extended family- although I don't see them a lot, I know they are always there for me and love me

*family friends- whether it's a crawfish boil or a vacation, there is always great fellowship

*church family- great to know someone is praying for and thinking about me

*Texas A&M- wonderful school that has provided so many opportunities

*Phi Lamb- a great group of girls who can just be real with each other

*job- has given me useful life skills and some extra spending money

*car- allows me to road trip!

*bed- I love to sleep

*computer/phone- these help me stay in contact with those I can't be around

*ice cream- can fix almost anything!

*good health

*clothes- keep me warm

11.18.99

We will never forget the Aggies who lost their lives that morning. At approximately 2:42 a.m. on November 18, 1999 the bonfire stack collapsed, injuring 27 and killing 12. Within minutes the response team began rescue efforts and by morning word had spread to everyone what had happened. The campus of Texas A&M pulled together like never before. A prayer service was held on campus that day and an official memorial service was planned for that night. On the date that bonfire was scheduled to burn, thousands of students held a candlelight vigil for the fallen. Rick Perry expressed his feelings by stating, “We will remember them as long as there is a Texas A&M and Aggie Spirit, and that, my friends, is forever.”

Every year a vigil is held out at the bonfire memorial, the site of the collapse, at 2:42 a.m. I have attended this the past two years and cannot describe the feeling of standing with hundreds of Aggies singing “Amazing Grace” to honor our fellow students. As cold and tired as I was standing out there last night, it was well worth seeing the Aggie spirit come alive and remember those who were lost. Words cannot express the respect and serenity that everyone showed to pay tribute to a long-held tradition. A poem was read with “We remember them” as the response to each line. The Spirit of Aggieland, the War Hymn, and Amazing Grace were all sung. Last year, candles were lit and the families of the students were present. This is just another reminder of why I chose to come to Teas A&M.

We will never forget.

“I wanted a perfect ending.. Now, I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity.” Gilda Radner

Deeply in Love

This is a note that I wrote back in March and posted to Facebook. I recently rediscovered it and thought I would share!

 

You have stolen my heart, I’m captivated by you.
Never will you and I part.
I’ve fallen deeply in love with you.

This is one of my all time favorite songs! I feel I can learn so much just from these three lines of thissong. So often I put my hopes in things or people here on this earth. I try to find love and comfort and peace in all the wrong places and they will ultimately always lead to disappointment. This song always brings my focus back around to what I should be concentrating on and where my hopes and dreams and expectations should lie. The definition of the word captivate is to attract and hold the attention or interest of, as by beauty or excellence. How awesome is it that we get the honor of being captivated by His beauty and excellence. He wants us to be with Him, and He has chosen us to be His beloved. Tonight I was taught that it is dangerous to put earthly things up on a pedestal or on the same level as God. When Abraham treasured his son just as much as he treasured his relationship with the Father, God tested him and told him to sacrifice his son as an offering.1 Without a moment’s hesitation Abraham left his home to fulfill this purpose. And although God ultimately did not slay his son, this is my prayer for my life. I hope that I will be able to have such faith in God and be so in love with Him, as opposed to worldly items or relationships, that I will lay it all on the line for God and trust that His plan is better than mine. Lastly, Hebrews 13:5 promises us, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Just as this song says, ‘Never will you and I part’, God promises us that He will always be there for us. We can take comfort in the fact that we will NEVER be alone! My hope and prayer is that I will be able to fall even more deeply in love with a God that loves me and cherishes me for who I am.

1-Genesis 22:1-18

Together again in 2 days!

For Good

I had to make this video for music so I thought I would share it!

I have been blessed with so many amazing friends and family who have truly impacted my life.

Give Me Your Eyes

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the one's forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
-Brandon Heath

I'm really missing these sweet faces this week!

The Little Things

Truthfully I woke up yesterday  morning expecting it to be a very long day. I knew I had two tests today and that I would literally be studying all day. Surprisingly, it turned out to be a great day! My best friend and I were talking and she asked me to list five good things that had taken place that day. I came to realize that life is made up of the little things. It's singing and dancing with your best friend in the living room. It's receiving an unexpected visit from some friends just to stop by and drop off my favorite drink as a study break. It's writing a silly poem with my roommates. Needless to say, I am learning to appreciate the little things in life. 

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.  ~Robert Brault