the weekend of many firsts

This was the first weekend i did not go to Ruston for MLK. Since it was such a crazy week at home i got to rest at home, well kinda, ha. Saturday i got to spend the afternoon with my so called "plan C" friends. haha. Nate, Greg, Kyle, Adam, Jeremy, and few sweet girls. Sarah Kate, Allison, Parker, and Leslie. It was an interesting day. We went to Jeremy's camp on Caney Lake. It was so nice out there. The weather was not so beautiful. It rained on and off all day=( BUT. I had a few first times that day. It was my first time to drive a jet ski. and might i add that i threw Nate and i off. ha. And then... Jeremy taught me how to ski!! It was so awesome!! I loved it. Got up on my first try. Woo WOO!! I was sooo excited! ha. Those boys are so funny. I did not stop laughing at them all day. I got to tell them stories about working for dad. And a few of them are construction majors and they said they were a bit impressed with the things i do. ha. I find it funny that they actually know what i'm talking about. Not so much funny. But relieving. That i could say things to them and they actually would understand without me having to explain everything. Anyway. I stayed and had dinner with them and just hung out till after dark. It was a sweet, fun day.

Then. The real adventure of the weekend was Sunday. First time for the families to meet! The Dugard family came to Bentley. The WHOLE dugard family! Jake. Logan. his girlfriend Kelsey, whom i LOVE. Neely, her husband and 2 boys. And Mr. Bill and Mrs. Sharon.  It was a bit AWESOME. Then my grandparents came, and my lil boys, Rhys and Zell came. Funny kids. We had a delicious lunch. We went swimming, and went to the place that steph and jake are getting married. Sweet sweet loooonnnnggg day=) I loved loved his family.

Such a sweet time this is between Steph and Jake. Like now we're one big family. Pray the Lord is preparing Steph and Jake. That their unity will bring Him much glory. They would seek the Lord out in every decision. They are so great! I love Jake and Steph so very much! I'm excited for them!

A Sweet Week

Ah. Another week has went by. Its really kinda crazy to think its been almost 3 months that i've been home?! WOW. Its really went by kinda fast. Some days seem like they take forever. but. On usually thats monday and friday is always here before you know it. So with today being friday its been an awesome week.
During the week i just got to work around Bentley. One day i went to Pine Prairie and helped dad build a road. ha. Shot grades and measured out the road and the ditches. And. Picked up sticks. ha. I'm getting pretty good at that. That was really the only day i worked REALLY hard. ha. Other days steph and i did office stuff and mini storage stuff. I got to see the kids a lot this week. On my lunch breaks i usually go see them. My grandma keeps Rhys and Ella. So i usually go help her put them down for naps. Except sometimes i prolly stir them up more than help calm them down. ha.

A lil update on the garden- steph and i tied up the tomato plants. They're getting pretty big and there are lil green tomatoes on them. In about a week we should have big fresh bright red tomatoes=) I don't even like them, but. Its just exciting to see the fruit of the harvest. Ya know? I know everyone likes that feeling. The garden has been fun to do. The easy work is now. Just watering it about everyday and picking a few weeds here and there. The hardest part comes, having to pick it everyday! Both gardens! ha. But. That will come soon enough. I'm enjoying the easy stuff right now.

Friday was the best day of the week.  Crawfish boil with Grant Eastern Construction BAY BAY!!! ha. So fun. So all day we prepared. I had very random task throughout the day.
1) Pick up and sweep out shop
2) Ice down the drinks
3) Bake cookies, Cake, and brownies
4) Move picnic tables.... and my favorite....
5) Water down the driveway. ba ha.

The task were kinda fun actually. haha. While icing down the drinks i drop a dr. pepper and i busted all over me. ha. Then... everyone of my baked goodies were eaten. Best lemon cake they ever had=) haha. I love to bake for people! And the best of all was me standing out at the shop in the driveway with a super loooonnngggg water hose wetting down the dirt and rocks so it wouldn't be so dusty. ha. My dads brilliant idea=) Then when the men would come in and out i would wash off their windows for them=) it was fun. I like my men. They always take care of me. I just think so much of them. Their loyalty to my dad and his business. And just being the hard workers they are. I am so thankful for them.

Dad invited a lot of people to come eat crawfish. All his workers and all their families. Precious. This lil boy in this picture was Jimbo's grandson. FUNNY kid. He had a legit awesome rat tail. haha. You can kinda see it in the picture with steph. He kept us entertained. It was a fun time to just get to sit and talk and not have to work. To get to meet all their families and like 4 of them all have lil kids. They were fun to play with.
Just a sweet time for us to love on them. I can see the Lord moving in my dads business. Work is kinda slowing down a lil bit for my dad. So my pray the Lord provides enough work to keep his workers busy. But. Just how it was kinda weird at first for me to be around all these men and now they're just like big brothers to me. I love being able to encourage them and talk to them about their sweet families. And they love telling me about life! I really do love it.

The past few weeks i have just been struggling with work. Like... not wanting to work. Questioning the Lord why we work? Why right now i have to work? Anyway. I was randomly talking to Jake the other day. He was kinda struggling with working also. I was telling him all i wanted to do was love on people and serve. NOT work. ha. But then he reminded me that Paul worked along with sharing the gospel. He built tents. Umm... hello. Jesus was a carpenter. I mean... they worked and were in the ministry. When jake told me that it just became so real to me. Its pretty normal to work. I mean... its ok to work. Jesus did it. Right? I mean... i'm still learning about all this and studying it. I just hate the idea that once i go back to school and when i finish i will work until i pretty much die. Thats what i feel like happens. and i DO NOT want that to be all. I also have been reminded the Lord works and uses our places of work to love on people. What better way for us to connect to the world. I know that maybe only one man that works for my dad is a believer. I don't know what its like for him. If its hard for him to share about Christ to his coworkers or what. but. I know the men see a difference in him. Be praying for him, Lee. That the men, and people around would only see Christ in him. That he would be able to love and encourage our lil business men.

I just love my lil family=) They are so dear and precious to me. Em leaves next thursday for the whole summer. She'll be working in South Carolina as like assistant director of Mfuge camp. She is really struggling with leaving home, with wedding planning and all, family, and her sweet friends. It twas a good friday! 

A Grateful Mothers day!!

Sweet Sweet mothers day=) One of the absolute best! On saturday i left mom a note that morning to open that said something like, "Dear Best mom ever, Seeing as you have been so great the past 25 or so years of being a mommy. Today you must be ready 1pm sharp. Wear something smokin' and have a hot date. Make no other plans for the evening. 1pm. SHARP."
Ha. So that was her invite type thing. It was fun. She kept asking questions and wanting to know what was happening, who was going, should she do this or that, what to wear. ha. She was funny. Dad finally told her we were going to lafayette. So she just thought she was gunna go shopping and eat. Thinking everyone was coming. ha. But it was just dad and me. Anyway. Once we got there, we shopped as she thought we would. Then took her to our favorite mexican restaurant, then acted as if we were just going home. When we missed our turn she thought i had just gotten lost on our way back. Ha. Then i told her to look in my purse and get the papers in there and read them. I was watching her in the mirror. Funny. Her faced started to get real excited and she looked up and said, "is this tonight??" Ha. So cute. She was freaking out all the way there. haha.
Once we got there it was only like 30 mins before the concert started. Mom and i were upset we didn't get the memo to wear cutoffs and boots. ha. EVERYONE had them on. haha. So. Sons of Sylvia opened for Carrie. They good. Not my favorite. But they were believers and played some bluegrass. It was pretty awesome. Then Craig Morgan was 2nd. I had never really heard of him before, but he was so AWESOME. he is also a believer. He talked about Christ which i thought was really neat. He sang 'Amazing Grace' and 'Easy Like Sunday Morning.' he was funny! He had some serious hip action going on and a few butt dances to the crowd. ha. My dad loved him! I mean... considering how he slept through the first band. Funny dad. THEN.

Carrie Underwood!!!!!!!
When i first came across the tickets i was like, "this will be good. Moms will love it so it'll be great!' Not thinking i was really gunna enjoy it a whole lot. but friends. it was AWESOME. Carrie just did and incredible job. She put on and awesome concert. And she sang "How Great Thou Art." She good. She talked to the crowd and danced around a bit. She was cute. So real. She forgot the words to like her 2nd or 3rd song and that made me like her even more. ha. She was precious. Mom and i had so much fun dancing around. Singing her songs. On thursday and friday i sold moms carrie cd and had to learn the songs. So it payed off at the concert. I knew most of them=)

Mom absolutely LOVED it. This morning we went to church, had lunch at my Dads mom. Sweet time. Then. Dinner with the Zell family. Fun day it was. I really love my family. The more time i get to spend with them the more i love them. i am just so grateful.

At lifegroup we're studying Philippians. And a few weeks ago we talked about when we have a grateful attitude towards things its always a bit easier. Easier to serve you dad when he has a whole list of things for you to do for the day. Easier to help Em cook when i'm grateful that i just have time to spend with her. Grateful that i can work with Steph each day. Does that make sense? When we have grateful attitudes sometimes you let people be jerks to you and its ok. So lately i have been trying to have a grateful attitude about everything. Work. Chores. Helping. Doing. Pray that my attitude is grateful. That i'm reminded to be grateful. I can just tell when i am how much more i enjoy things.

I just want to be grateful. Today. I am so grateful for my mom. For my grandma. And my granny. And really all the women who do so much and don't get credit. Not that Moms often do any thing and expect a thank you. But they deserve it. My mom is incredible. She is so great at being a mom and knowing when its ok to be my friend, while still correcting and encouraging me. She is so loving. So AMAZING with children. So patient. So selfless. She is a servant. She is a heck of a cleaner. haha. She loves to work in the yard. She loves to spend her money and time on her family. Ah. I hope in so many ways i become like her. Precious she is to me. =) Now that you know more about my sweet Cindy. ha. I just challenge yall to be so grateful. To really step back and look at the things of life. Friends. My mom by no means is perfect. But who's is? I think things could always be worse. So be grateful. And by being grateful you somehow become selfless in those moments. Not just with your mom, or your parents, or even your families. But the sweet mentors we have, the loyal sometimes annoying friends we have. Be grateful.

Updatesssssss.

Oh my! I can't believe its almost been 2 weeks since i last blogged. I had a friend text me and said they missed reading my blog. Had another wanted to know if everything was ok because i haven't wrote lately. Ha. And yes. Everything has been fine. Just crazy. As always. I don't think i can remember a time in my life when things haven't been crazy. But. I don't think i would have it any other way. Maybe at some moments i wish it weren't as crazy. But i really love it. Ok. So. Here i go. 

The past few weeks have been filled with many exciting things. One day Steph and i had to pull weeds at all the mini storages. I've painted our patio furniture a few days. Washed trucks. Ran errands. Worked at my dads camp. Played with the kids. One day steph and i were working at the camp and it hadn't even been 30 mins and dad pulled up and he said, "yall wanna go fishing?" ha. So no work happened that morning. haha. But. One of the most exciting things that has happened was last weekend my lil group of friends got to come to BENTLEY!!!! Isn't that crazy. It was so surreal to me. Colin, Zach, Caleb, Kevin, Camille, Leah, Becca, and Megan got to come. They got to see where i worked. Where the kids live, my gardens, and other fun things. It was so weird having them here. I loved it though. I hope they would come back again.

This past thursday i got to go to Ruston to see a few of my friends, but specifically Spencer McAfee, in Fiddler on the Roof. It was so cute. I laughed a lot. But. 30 mins before we were all meeting up to go the boys decided they were gunna suit up and wanted up to girl style. ha. So. After i already was dressed in blue jean shorts and a tank i got the text and had to find clothes to suit up in. Luckily becca had an awesome blue dress that was perfect! It was perfect. The night was so fun. After the play we went the the TWIRP dance. It was AWESOME. I love to dance, so i automatically LOVE dances. It was so exciting to see friends and dance with everyone. Loved seeing Kyle and Sutton. Two of my favorite people to dance with. ha. Such a sweet time getting to see Kevin Inman and all the others i miss much. 

Yesterday i drove back in the morning. Worked for 2 hours and then went to our cousins graduation from NSU. She was SO stinkin excited! Such a sweet time with all our family. We did have all the kids. They were FUNNY. I did get to run into a few random friends, which was funny. My friend Mark Worsham, and my friend from high school, Nick Griffin. So good to briefly catch up with them. After the graduation, we drove back to Alexandria to eat at copelands with our family and Lacey's friend Halie's family. It was a bit crazy. Well. It was crazy. About 50 of us. ha. After that i came home and worked on some awesome mothers day stuff and passed out. I was running off about 3 hours of sleep. 

Usually we aren't too awesome at doing stuff for our mom. We try to do better all the time. ha. And this year is gunna be hard to top. We're reaching our peak ha. But tonight i'm surprising her with something AWESOME!!!! I shall not tell you yet, but tomorrow after with LOTS of pictures! I'm bringing Dad along with and he might be more excited than she will be. ha. Its gunna be FABULOUS. I'm going to get ready now and we're leaving soon. Gunna be trickin her. 

Things have been so good. Hard at times, but that normal. You have highs and lows. Goods and bads. So i'm learning to trust the Lord more and enjoy wherever i am, with whoever i'm with. The Lord is teaching me much! I hope to start blogging more again. At least a few times a week! 

Just be praying for direction for the future. What to do in the fall? School? work? Where to go to school? Stay home? Go back to Tech? Ah. i really have NO idea right now. I have to keep myself from freaking out all the time. ha. But. I'm learning to trust the Lord through all this decision making. I know i have awhile. but. Ya know. Just want to be praying about it now. Anyway. Its Saturday=) I like saturdays!

Life

Ya know. Sometimes life just stinks. And there's nothing you can do about it. Its just life. I hate that saying. I hate that it has to stink sometimes. That everything can't be wonderful all the time. That we all can't laugh and smile and play all the time. And really. Everything goes back to him. Everything is for his glory. For him to take something ugly, and gross. A big mess and make it clean, spotless, and BEAUTIFUL. Thats one of my favorite things about our savior. He takes the junk and he is the only one that can make it beautiful. Not just on the outside but inside to. I think back on relationships and situations that have been so crappy and how beautiful they are or are becoming. Just like me and dad. Or this past week. It wasn't crappy. But from wed until today... things have not been so fabulous. I hate to be negative about things but. I don't really think i am. I mean... these things happen. Days happen when they aren't so fabulous. I guess i'm just learning a lot right now.

Sunday morning at church they talked about Godly Womanhood. And friends. It was so good. Last week they talked about Authentic Manhood. And to hear them talk about mans weakness, for them to be passive and not take the blame. And how women struggle with being controlling. Wanting to control their husbands, people, situations. And just recently i have found myself wanting to be controlling. Not over people, but how when these things have not been so great, that i truly have absolutely no control over them. And i can say i trust the Lord and i know he gives me the best, but my actions and thoughts have not shown that i believe he is in control, and that i believe he is giving me the best right now. I have all these plans or backup plans that if it doesn't work with what the Lords giving me i'll do what i think is best. And how he is just stripping me of that right now. Their are a few things going on and basically just life that i can't control. ANd i HAVE to trust that the Lord and believe he is giving me the best. I'm reminded that the word tells me he will not withhold any good thing from me! Today it will be a struggle to remember that. Tomorrow it will be too. And prolly the rest of the week and from now on. Pray my actions and thoughts reflect my trust. That daily i'm reminded he is taking care. He's in control. That that would be enough for me.
He is stripping me of so much right now. Of me not trusting, my pride, my selfishness, my pointless words and much more that i can't see right now. This is what i want though. And i have to also remind myself that i'm askin him to do this, and i knew it would be hard. I think we forget that when we ask him to do things sometimes, that it prolly won't be too easy. ha. I'm excited to look back on this and to see how he has and is changing me. I'm excited about this week.
Dad comes back today. Grandpa's birthday is today and we're having a party for lunch. And Its a new day to delight in the Lord. I have missed him. I find that things are a bit harder and a bit less meaningful to me the less time i spend with him. I become busy and selfish and lazy. Not taking the opportunities to spend with him alone. Not covering myself in his word daily.

Ah.

I am becoming a horrible blogger. But. Nonetheless life is still going one. Things are still changing. Special, sweet things are still happening each day. And the Fathers love is still covering me at home=)

I just have come to the point that some things are more important than blogging. Like sleep. and helping. Like stopping and doing nothing. And people. The time in each day is so precious at home. Each day flies by. I mean, i thought timed moved fast before, but now. Wow. Its always later than i ever think it is, and so much more happens in my day here, than ever before. And just a few extra hours to the day now. A normal  schedule for me is waking up usually every morning at 6 working from 6:30 till about 5, running with my sisters when i get home, help clean or do stuff around the house, eat, shower, sleep. ha. I'm not complaining. I like it. Its just some things are more important than blogging. ha.
This past week there were a few days i started to grow weary of being home. The mornings i had to wake up extra early didn't help. ha. Its so funny how the Lord would quickly throw something in my face and remind me again, he's still working. Funny how my memory verse last week was "The Lord does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths." Psalm 135: 6. That is much encouragement to me. Many times the bible tells us he's in control, he does what he wants, he doesn't withhold any good thing from us, he's working through us. I'm just reminded of these truths in those weary moments. Just being reminded he IS working. He hasn't stopped and he WON'T. Ah. Makes me smile. He is working here in "Blessed Bentley", as steph calls it. Already this morning, i had a sweet talk with my dads secretary about her kids. How they're night and day. Its funny how she'll ask me what i would do. AH. not funny, its crazy. I pray in those moments, the Lord speaks through me.  I'm pretty sure i'm working most of the day alone. Sometimes, i like it. It doesn't happen very often anymore. And, my sweet Mib (our dog) is here to keep me company. Ya know, i don't really like dogs, or cats, or really pets. ha. A few reasons why. But. I have grown to like my dog. A LOT. i like how they're just there. They don't talk, sometimes you don't even know they are there, and other times they want every bit of your attention. And most of the time they love their owners. They don't even care what they look like or who they are or anything really. I like that too.  Ha, and i'll jam to some of my new faves at the moment:
1) A lil Johnny Cash
2) Switchfoots new cd (thank you, Colin McAfee)
3) the Beatles
4) Brooke Fraser
and some random others...

Its going to be a good, good day=) As of now i have to wash/clean my dads FILTHY work truck. it'll prolly take me a few hours. Then load the RV for his Man trip tomorrow. ha. Talladega Superspeedway. Yall. He has been so excited about this. He's went every year for the past 5 years prolly and will prolly continue going. ha. Every time one of his buddies calls they'll talk about it FOREVER. haha. Its funny. I like it. So after tomorrow, it'll be a girls week. Those are always fun. We do girl stuff. Ha. Anyway. So i'm getting dad ready for his fun trip.

This past weekend was yet again, another sweet weekend. I went back to ruston for MLK. And, its always a plus to see my friends, and other sweet people. Most of our group of friends went out of town, so their was only 5 out the 13 prolly there. ha. So it was sweet time to get to hang out with Megan, Leah, Colin, and Spencer. I'm really close to both of the girls, but it was so special to me to get to actually hang out with Colin and Spencer. They are so funny. I love that spencer, he dances with me. ha. And colin says he can't dance, BUT. I saw a few of his dance moves, AND saw his senior video of him breaking it down, A LOT. hahaha. He prolly doesn't even know that. Ba ha.
I always have talks with people randomly, never really planned, and that is something so dear to my heart. I love to know how people feel about things. I love to see how different the Lord created us all. How we all feel different about different things. All the things we want out of life, and where the Lord has us right now. The different things we're learning. Ah. I LOVE PEOPLE.
I also got to stay with Leah while visiting. Its so exciting how much i adore her. We have such an easy friendship and it has grown to become so deep. We have become so close since about Christmas. We just met in september, and she is one of those people i feel like i've known a long time. She also dances with me=)
Sunday night, all of the friends got back in town and we had dinner together and just got to hang out and chat. AH. i LOVE them. Everyone of them! SOOO MUCH. They all have a special place in my heart. They all mean something different to me. I love that the relationship i have with say Stephanie, is not the same as i have with say,  Emillie. And they can never be the same. No relationship anyone has with anyone can not be the same with another person. The people are different. Some people understand other people better than others. Does this make since? Anyway. All of my relationships are different with them all. Some people i talk more about what i'm going through and life more, and some i listen more about their life. Its good. So good. Ah. My heart is happy thinking about it.
I did get to see Zachary. Its so weird how close we are and how we barely know each other, but how he is another one i feel like i've know forever. I love to see the Lord working in him. I haven't seen him in over a month. And i only got to see him for a very short time, but it was so encouraging. he is special to my heart. Needless to say. The weekend was great! BuT. MLK.

It was one of the best times i've had out there. Usually we only get to interact with the kids like 12 and under. But this sunday, the older kids were already outside playing baseball and they wanted us to come play with. AH. SO funny. I got to meet Peaches, Precious, Jessica, and Jasimine. They were all about 15 and older. I LOVED it. They thought i was a funny, crazy white girl. We joked with them and got to talk about school and stuff. i hope we get to interact with them more. Pray for that. Pray for those girls. Also, there is one lil boy who one week was SOOOOOO bad. He tried to bit, kick, hit, spit on me, and anything else he could do to me, i'm sure he tried. But. This week, he was precious. He learned my name, and he kept yelling it=) Warms my heart when they learn my name and remember it! Also, our story time was sweet. Amber had more of the younger kids, and i had the older ones. The kids that played ball were with me. There has only been one time when i felt the Lord telling me to share specifically about him, and that was with like two lil girls. Not with a whole group of kids, and the older kids. Anyway. I did and it was sweet. Who knows if anyone heard, but pray the Lord is stirring in their hearts. I want to see the older kids come back. Ah. I'm excited!
Its tuesday. A good sweet tuesday.

Still at that Bayou

Its been like week 4 at the bayou. Its been so great. Well. Sometimes. ha. This day happen to be so great. All the men were there working. Tommy, Joel, Josh, Brian, Michael, Dad, and Jimbo. haha. These guys become more special to me. We all had a picnic together. It was sweet. We made jokes, well. they made jokes. ha. They LOVE working together. They all get along, and just have fun. I have grown to have just a greater respect for them. They work they do. And just who they are. The more i hang out with them the more special they become to me.

Friends... so many things have been happening. So many sweet things. I know its tuesday and i have a few many days to catch up on. So. I will just give yall an update of the past few days and then start on today=)

Wed- i pretty much took the day off. ha. I got to spend some time at home by myself, and then i brought my grandma to walmart. She is SO awesome. ha. I lost her in walmart. It was kinda funny. It was sweet to hang out with her. Its never just me and her. That day i just realized a few things. A few things i want in life. I just know there is so much more. So much more to life.

Thursday- We back at the bayou again. That day. We poured concrete. I kinda liked it. Well. For just a lil bit. I kinda got bored with it. ha. Later that day, josh and i were working together and we just got to have such a meaningful talk. Talk about life. Talk about him being a dad. Such a sweet moment for me.

Friday- I only had to work a few hours that morning. Before lunch i went to go visit my granny. She's my dads mom. We have a lady that comes a few hours during the day and sits with her. Well. When i had gotten there, my granny was telling her to go home. That she didn't need a babysitter. She was a grown women. It was a bit funny. I laughed. After the lady left i stayed a bit and just sat and talked with my granny. She really is SO funny. I mean. I just laugh a lot. and it doesn't take much for that. But yall. Old people and little kids are just REALLY funny to me. I love her. I wish i knew her more. I want to spend more time with her.
Then. For lunch dad brought me and steph to a crawfish boil at a place he does a lot of business. There were a whole lot of men out there. And steph and I were the only ladies out there. AH. So funny. So steph and i sat together and made lil jokes and met all of dads many friends=) My dad LOVED it. Thats why we loved it. We like to make him happy. He enjoys us hanging out with him.
That afternoon, i had to run a few errands so i went and got Rhys to come with me. He is just precious. So special to my heart. I want him to stay this age. We were riding down the road listening to some needtobreathe and i happen to look in my mirror and see him singing. and i kept watching him and he pretty much knew every word to "lay 'em down." PRECIOUS. He was so cute. We prolly sang the song 5 times. Ah. I want my kids to be that cool. ha

Then we all went out to dinner last night. Well. It was kinda funny. Steph and krista went and had a lil early birthday celebration. So jake came with the rest of them fam out to eat. ha. I sure do love that brother! He is very special to me. Someone i look up to and respect very much=)

I love office parties!

If ya don't know. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE birthdays!! I love to make the day all about people. Just to make them feel so special! So. Sunday was Aunt Sheryl's birthday. So since we were in Ruston. We celebrated monday. I have to say it was stephs idea. ha. Anyway. We made signs, decorated the deer heads, ba haha, and gave her a cake. It was sweet. Since i've been home i've been able to talk to my aunt more. And just being around someone more helps . ha.

Steph and i had to drop a trailer full of picnic tables off somewhere. When we got there we heard a sound, and we looked at each other and started checking all the tires for a flat. I found the tire on the trailer on the my side. It was a small slit in the tire. So. i had a bright idea to chew some gum and fix it. haha. I mean... it worked...well... for no time actually. ha. Then dad came to the rescue and used his "real" tire fixing kit. ha. He laughed at me. Add that to my list of silly things. After that we went home and did some work around the house. Mom came home early from work, and she cleaned outside with us. She's cute. While we were cleaning though, she asked us all about our weekend. It was a sweet time to share with her. I got to tell her about my lunch about MLK. She was so excited. So... i can say i may be back in Ruston every weekend doing MLK. And possibly back the whole summer! Its so exciting. Be praying that the Lord would change my parents hearts towards where the Lord is leading me. He would prepare them for whatever, and wherever the Lord wants me.

That afternoon, when were done working. I got to talk to Bonnie on the phone for awhile. I MISS HER. Man. She is so special to my heart. We talked for a long time. She is ALWAYS so encouraging. Also, that afternoon i got presented another opportunity for the summer. I would be far from home. Far from Louisiana. But. i have NO idea what i'm gunna do. I think, i know, my parents are going to want me to stay here for the summer and work. And that would be great too. Just pray the Lord would confirm where he wants me through my parents.

Then that evening i just got to sit in one of my favorite places at home and just look at the Lords creation. Just to delight in the Lord. Thats what im trying to do these days. It just reminds me of the bigger things in life. How he loves me. How He is so worthy.

Refreshing Sunday

Can i just say. This may be a bit long. ha. Sorry. I just have soo much in my heart!!! After our adventure we did not go to sleep till late, but once again, i was awake early. So... i went for a nice run that morning. It was just so amazing. The weather was beautiful, the trees were so green, and it was just time by myself to just thank the Lord for such an amazing weekend so far! But, really there was so much more good stuff that day. When i got back to the house, Leah and Camille were awake. I was sitting outside just enjoying the Lord, when sweet Leah and cam came out to chat. It was just a sweet time of intimate girl talk. I got to listen to Leah share her heart. As we all 3 shared my juicy pear=) hahaha. By this time we had decided to have church together that morning. And it was by far the best decision! We sat outside and shared our hearts, Caleb played his guitar and we just sang some sweet songs, and just enjoyed the Lord together. Its just so hard to explain it, but it was such an intimate time with each other, while being in the Lords presence. It was great to encourage each other, and talk about where we are struggling. Friends. If you're reading this. Know i am specifically praying for the things yall talked about.

After that we went to MLK. AH. So exciting. Well. i had mixed emotions. I was a bit nervous, because i hadn't been there in a month. I figured the kids would hate me, ha, and then it was just weird me jumping in right back where i left off. I just didn't know if that was ok or what? It was really just lies the devil was placing in my thoughts. I HATE that. Anyway. It was so encouraging seeing everyone, and loving on them. Getting to briefly catch them up on hardly nothing, bc there was no time. I am thankful for the understanding that they have and they just love me, even if they haven't seen me or talked to me in a month!! Once we got out to MLK, one lil boy, JT, was SO excited to see me and started shouting my name and saying he has been missing me. AAAHHHH!!! Friends. At that moment i thought i was going to cry! I had a fear the kids wouldn't care about me, they wouldn't remember my name, and not even a minute after being there the Lord confirmed other wise!!! WOW. how little faith i have. Then not even 5 mins later Te-Te came up and wanted to know where i have been, and several of the kids remembered me! My heart was just SOOO full. I just felt the Lord all over that place. Friends. I LOVE THAT PLACE. i love the kids, i love doing whatever they want me to do, i love picking up trash after them, i LOVE getting my nails painted all crazy each week, i love hearing about what they're learning in school, i love loving on them! Often times when my heart gets so full, i have to just sit and observe. And today, i just had to sit back and watch what the Lord was doing, and see the things he has done! I want yall to be praising the Father for the work he has done, and will continue doing through MLK. I know this is only the beginning!

After we left MLK, i told the group about Calvary wanting to support us, but not take over MLK, just wanting to add to what we were already doing. And they were SO excited! Most of us went to Sonic after for happy hour. At that moment too, my heart was happy. That was the first time that most people who help with MLK all hung out together, besides every sunday with kids. It was such a sweet time! I am so thankful for each one of them. Its also so amazing how i have seen the Lord change us as we get to serve his people.

Then, i went to pick up steph from Jakes and we went home. It was kinda weird. Cause the whole weekend i hardly saw steph. And we spend everyday together. Its like we were no where near each other to hang out. But. it was cool getting to hear all about her weekend on the way home. One of my friends asked me this weekend if i ever get tired of talking. And, when they i asked i said no. But. As i was on my way to get steph, i just shut down. i don't think i could've talked anymore if i wanted to at that point. I think it had just been so long since i had really talked to so many people, that there was so much to catch up on that i finally reached empty.  Cause i mean... every time i saw someone, they would ask and i would tell. Its definitely not a bad thing though. I love to have conversations with people. I think it just all caught up on me, and i was SOO tired! So tired! But, i enjoyed listening to steph and thinking over the weekend on the drive home=)

Its so crazy how the Father has worked through so many relationships since i have been home. Some people i hardly talked to every few days, i talk to them pretty much everyday now that i'm home. Some people that i didn't know cared so much have become so special to me. And how strong many of my friendships have become since i've been home. How thankful i am for the Father for my sweet, special friendships! I miss my friends already.

ps- When i got home i cooked my first steak on the grill. All by myself. I mean... my dad told me how to. But i did it.  And when he ate it he was pleased=)

Family Brinner=)

Saturday was such a sweet sweet day=) I loved every single moment of it! The Lord was so good, so gracious, so loving. He just confirmed so many prayers, and brought me much joy! I am so thankful. After an amazing friday night with the girls and not going to bed till 2 i still woke up around 8:30 and ran to the Clarks. It was my first time to see them in a whole month as well. Its crazy seeing them pretty much everyday, to not seeing them for a whole month!! So it was so refreshing to just get to see their faces. i really really miss Erin. She is always so encouraging and loving. Always so real, and can relate to pretty much everything i ever tell her about. So steph and i chatted for about an hour with Erin and Jonathan and cute Jackson. We tried to catch on life as quickly as possible but there was just SO much. 

We left there and i had lunch plans to get ready for. I met with Mr. Bill Reid, the pastor at Calvary Baptist, and his son David. We had a lovely, exciting lunch at Sundown in the the beautiful sun=) I don't know if yall remember me telling yall this, but exactly a week after i got home i got a phone call from him about MLK. Anyway. This was a follow up on that conversation. Can i just say the Lord provides. The hardest thing for me to leave in Ruston was MLK. Really. Till this day, every time i see kids playing outside i only think of MLK. Ah. My heart is happy when i'm there. I am SO passionate about those kids, and about the ministry. I have just seen the Lord change those kids so much in the past 4 months that we've been back there. Anyway. Mr. Bill had so many encouraging and exciting things to share with me. One thing being that their church wants to fully finically support MLK. OH MY!!! When he told me that, i think i almost peed my pants i was so excited! That means, all of our equipment/toys, saturday cookouts, and all of our summer plans, and anything else we want! WOW. This is so exciting! We talked about sooo many things, and as things come i will fill you in on more. For now, just be praying about where the Lord is leading me. I have the opportunity to come back to Ruston every weekend and continue doing MLK. Ah. I'm so stinkin EXCITED just thinking about it!!! 

After lunch me, camille, colin, caleb, and a new international friend, Asia, went to Office Depot and walmart. We had to help Asia get a computer and we had to get food to cook for dinner. Asia is THE funniest international i've ever met. He kept us laughing, he kept shouting, "NOODLES!!" and "Man, everything is so much bigger here. Even the sun is so much bigger, i'm so hot." ha. And he said we spit out english like machine guns. haha. So funny. He told camille he was a believer and she was so excited about that! Be praying for Camille and her many international students=) 

We dropped Asia off and went back to camilles and proceeded to get dinner ready and just hang out and talk about life. That evening Becca, Leah, Spencer, and Hudson came to join us. We had such a sweet night of community. We only had one rule at dinner, and that was that everyone was to help cook. It was fun. Leah made muffins, camille made eggs, becca made bacon, spencer made french toast, i made biscuits, and the other boys hung a tire swing. ha. Anyway. The weather was so fabulous that we brought the coffee tables outside and sat on the ground and had a sweet brinner. Everyone told stories, and we laughed really hard, and just enjoyed each other. There was one moment when i just sat there and just admired everyone. Just to be with them was enough for me. I have longed for that community, missed it so much.  We all helped clean up and then we had a small dance party. Well. more or less me, leah, and spencer being silly dancing around. Ha. One of my favorite things about my friends is that often, very often they go on adventures. And you know they planned one for this weekend! Woo. It was a great way to end a sweet sweet day=)

Those friends make me happy. SO happy. The Lord just covered his love over me today. From seeing the clarks, to MLK stuff with Mr. Bill, to meeting Asia, to family brinner. Such an AMAZING day!