5k. Egg hunt. Garden planting.

All in a day. So many things happen. Today was like my saturday. But. I get another saturday tomorrow!!! Woo. Anyway. It was such an awesome day. It began with my church's first ever 5k Miracle March. It was so fun. Who knew so many people were runners. Ha. It was my first race to run, and it was just so fun. So exciting, and fulfilling almost. ha. I'm ready to run that half marathon. Well. maybe not yet. But i'm looking forward to it. The whole fam ran. Dad wasn't able to cause he had a job that had to be finished by today. But all the girls ran. Em was the first woman to finish. Steph 2nd. Me 3rd. It was awesome. I barely a lady that was 8 months pregnant. ha. But. One of my girls in my 9th and 10th grade sunday school class, Olivia, ended up running with me the whole race=) 

Once it was over the church had their annual easter egg hunt. So Zell, Rhys, and Ella came to it. Of course they are always precious, but today. Wow. I wish everyone could just get a day, even just an hour with these kids. SO CUTE. First let me say Rhys is so bad!!(bad in a cute, good way) I hunted eggs with him. He really just liked wearing his basket on his head. Anyway. Once it was over they gave all the kids juice and cupcakes. Really it was just sugar and sugar. ha. Needless to say all the Marks kids  got the sugars. The pictures below this are so hilarious. I wish yall could have seen it. Rhys didn't really want his cupcake, so we let Ella try some of the icing. And well. Once Ella got it, Rhys wanted it back. And so on. Back and forth between each kid. There was icing everywhere. I don't think they even touched the cake part. But every bit of icing was gone. hahaha. Those kids are sweet sweet. Also, while we were there, the principal at the elementary school i went to goes to my church, and she was there. We got to talking and i was telling her that i may be interested in teaching. Anyway. Basically the conversation resulted in me going to observe in some different classrooms in a few weeks. Going a few times a week and just interacting with the kids and such. I'm really looking forward to it. The time was good with my old church family. Its crazy how things change so much, but still kinda stays the same. 

After the morning festivities, mom wanted to go pick up a few things for easter. We went to a few places and it was my first time it spend my hard earned money. I didn't enjoy it so much. Now that its my money i'm spending, i'm more careful as to what i buy. ha. My dad would be proud for that statement. haha. Anyway. It was just mom and me. We went and had lunch a chic fil a. Then just got a few things around town. Anyway. She was excited to hang out with me. We got to dance in the car and sing to Michael Jackson. ha. And talk. I LOVE my mom. A Lot. She laughs at me. I like that. 

Then when we got home, it was just mom, dad, and me at home. And we got the pleasure to plant the garden this evening!! Woo. It really was so fun. I learned a lot about gardens that i never knew. I was dad lil gardener today. I put out fertilizer, then i got the opportunity to hoe the garden. baha. You see me working in that picture. That is not easy stuff my friends. Its been about 3 hours since we stopped and i am already sore, with 2 blisters on my left hand and one on my right. ha. I mean... come on people. I did 6 very loooong rows. And. My dad told me i did AWESOME!!!! Woo. One of my favorite words and my dad used it in the same sentence as my name! ha. Ok. Its really not that big of a deal. But. Its good to know he was pleased with my work. We planted, okra, squash, corn, eggplant, beans, peas, cucumbers, and sunflowers for moms=) YALL. i just LOVED that time with my parents. We didn't talk a whole lot or anything. I just liked hanging out with them for a few hours. Just me and them.  

As i watched them as i worked and as i think about it even now. It made me so happy to help them. I just enjoy those unplanned, sweet moments. As we gardened, we watched the sun set, and the Lord filled me with much joy at that moment. Don't know if yall remember me telling yall about the prayer book i started reading in Barns and Noble 2 weeks ago. Anyway. There was a part in there that said when we truly love someone we get to the point that we can just admire them and not even talk. That we just admire who they are and we love to be around them. Anyway. Thats one of the many things i have been thinking about. And one reason i love the sun, moon, stars, pretty much nature, is because i love to admire the work of the Lord. And i just figured out that i just really want to be able to just admire the Lord. Just for who he is. Just to sit in our Fathers presence and not even talk. Not ask him to change this, or do this, or me this or me that, i just want to sit. Sit and admire. My heart leaps to think about that. At this moment i am filled with much joy in my heart to know, he admires me. Thats how much he loves me. I long to be so close with my Father. Sometimes i get overwhelmed and when i feel like i don't know when i'm gunna have time to spend with him, he always. ALWAYS, provides me at least 30 mins alone a day. I don't always take advantage of those moments like i should, but i'm working on realizing when those moments are and taking them. Friends. Days like today, i'm filled with much joy and my heart rejoices to the Lord. Even the sound of rain outside my window is the icing on the cake. I love sharing when my heart is full. I think the Lord wants us to share those moments or maybe not. But. Why not?! I mean... i will share those moments! When i get so full, so full of joy, i can't help but share! Share your joy with people=) 
I know there are a few faithful friends that read everyday. Its kinda funny, next time i see yall and try to tell yall stories yall will pretty much know them. ha. Just let me know if ya know it. Don't let me share it again. ahha. I have no idea if anyone reads my blog. Well. I take that back. I know steph reads it. ahha. Anyway. I just thought about that. 
Anyway! I know most of yall are at home with family. I know they can be crazy a lot of the time, but. You're there for a few days. Love on them. Try to be selfless and serve. Let them know what the Lords teaching you. Seek out the one lonely one. And just be real with them. Pray the Lord presents those opportunities. Trust me. If he wants it, it'll happen. He is faithful. He provides. Rest in that. I'm excited at the moment. So full of joy! Ah. At midnight. haha. I NEED sleep!!! ha. Tomorrow=)

April Fools??

Ha. April fools. I totally forget about these kinds of things... so when i sent a few text out saying i just cut all my hair off!!!!!!!! A few people thought i was pullin an April fools. ha. But i sure wasn't. I got my hairs cut today. A lil under a foot cut off. I just did it. I was tired of talking about how i wanted to cut it, and i said what the heck.
3 good reasons i cut my hair.
1) Why not? Its just hair, and it grows.
2) Warming up outside, too much hair, too hot!
3) It would always end up in a pony tail.
Haha... But my girl Bonnie got me. Well. Kinda. She told me Needtobreathe broke up. And like an idiot i believed her. ha.

Anyway. Enough about pointless stuff. Lets talk about the day. Well. First. Can i just let yall know, that the past three days i have randomly gotten the urge to write a book. Isn't that funny? I never think i have EVER EVER had the slightest desire to do that. Ha. Just a thought for yall. I mean... since yall care so much. ha. ANYWAY. Along with that thought, i have been thinking lots of CRAZY thoughts lately. I literally cannot stop thinking. And i'm not even thinking about stupid stuff, or even things that have to do with me. Just as if it were crazy talkin. haha. Sorry. ok. The day.

The day was not too exciting. Doesn't mean it was a bad day. Just not real exciting. A few fun things happen, and a few meaningful things happen. So here goes it! I got to work around 7, but my job didn't really start till around 9ish. So... once work did get to going, i was working with Josh and Joel most of the day, and Jimbo and Sam here and there. I have grown to love those men. I think they are all so funny. And they are so sweet to me. Well. Prolly cause i'm a lil girl on a construction site. ha. Anyway. We were working at the high i went to, and they were having a softball game today. Can i just say, sometimes its harder than others to tell people that i'm home, and then that i'm doing construction work. The first week or so was the hardest, and those feelings began to come back as my old team mates began to arrive at the school. Need i say we were working right in the middle of the parking lot. But yall. I just hate that feeling the devil brings over you. That feeling of worthlessness, the feeling of shame. I HATE IT!!!! I felt so guilty for feeling that way. And then at that moment. I decided to rock the fact i was working with my dad, doing construction work. Its just crazy. One of the girls pulled up, and said, "i was wondering who that woman was out there doing that construction work, and then i realized it was you!" I almost felt embarrassed. But. That is totally the wrong feeling to have. Within about 15 mins i had to explain to people what i was doing out there. I mean... people. How often are young lil girls like me, working on stinking construction work??? I mean. Really? So... as people kept pullin up here and there, Josh looked over at me and said, "this must be so embarrassing for you." Ah. I think i threw up a lil bit in my mouth when i heard him say that, because i was so disgusted with myself that was actually how i was feeling. Ugh. And at that moment, i chose to be proud of what i'm doing. I really was and am learning so much. An old friend of mine once told me that his dad made him push mow their yard. And my friend would get so mad and always ask why. And one day his dad told him, "Cause son. It builds character." And i was reminded of Mr. Kenny telling Cas that. ha. And i feel like, no, i KNOW, this is building my character. For starters its humbling me. Haha. Because, not that Josh meant it in any harmful way, he more than likely didn't even realize what he was saying to me, but i just thought and thought about that. And i will not feel shame because of what i'm doing. I can tell you one thing, it has given me a greater respect for my Father, for his workers, and for anyone who does labor work.

Another thing i've learned, is i SURE do not want to do labor work for the rest of my life, but i DO NOT want to be stuck in an office all day either. ha. When Sam and Jimbo would come back and forth, we would get to talk. And yall. Almost every conversation i get into with anyone, we always end up talking about life/jobs. Jimbo's advise was to do what you wanted while you could, because once you get to point of having kids and such you're not as free to go and do like ya want. And i TOTALLY agree with that statement. ha. And then, Sam's was so sweet and compassionate, he was just letting me know i would figure it out soon enough. And i would find something i would enjoy doing. Its just encouraging to talk to them and them not bash me for not being in school right now. Sometimes i'm almost terrified to tell or let some people find out. That they will bash me, or think less of me. Not often. But there was someone this week i even avoided their phone call because i didn't want them to ask about school... and so on from there. Anyway. Its not as bad as i think i'm making it seem. This has only happen a few times, and usually i get over it real quick. But. Like i said, encouraging to talk with them.

Also, I watched the kids tonight, so Colby and Jen could go on a date. They were a bit bad tonight. haha. Thats not often. But i just takes so much out of me, when i have to get on to them. Drains me. Anyway. Once i had them all asleep around 9, i feel asleep on their couch waiting on them. haha. So tired. Anyway. When they got back, i sat for about 20 mins laughing with Jen an Colby about random funny stuff. There was a point when Colby said Jen was the boss, and he was no different from Jerry (mine and Jens grandpa) and she was no different from Phylis (our grandma). HAHAHA. That was the funniest thing said all night. No one will get that but my family prolly, but dang. If yall only knew.

Ah. Before i fall asleep again writing this all, i want to share my verse with yall this week.. well. As far as i remember right now.

"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lords glory, are being transformed into the like-ness of Christ...." 2 Cori 3:18. And i forgot the rest. But. I will know it by Sunday morning=)

What a Day=)

Of course. It was a good day=) One of the most interesting, thinking, refreshing days i've had. Can i just throw in this lil fact that every morning my dad listens to the John Boy and Billy talk show on the radio. So the mornings i get to ride with dad we have this blaring in our ears. oh and... this is the latest i've stayed up all week and i've been up since before 6, so if some of this doesn't make sense, i'm sorry. ha. The day was just too awesome and my heart is just too full not to share about it=)

One. The day started off with not only the sunrise but the HUGE moon was still out. So as i looked to the east the sun was rising and as i looked to the west the moon was still hanging high. I decided this morning wherever i live from this point on, i will always have to be able to see the sun, moon, and stars. CLEARLY. ha. Anyway. Its not that i just think its beautiful, i'm just in such awe of the creation. There hasn't been one day the sun hasn't risen or the stars haven't shined. Its just another way the Lord shows me He is faithful.

We went back to the bayou this morning. I was working with Bryan, Michael, and Josh again. I like those boys. They'll talk to me and ask me questions, well, when they remember i'm there. Often they forget and i hear all their boy talk. I have to remind them i'm still there. haha. They're funny. But today was different. As i worked by them throughout the day, and as i heard them talk about life, i was a bit sad for them. Just at how blinded they are to the beauty of life. Makes me sad. They all have a kid. None of them are married. And they just work. Some other things were said throughout the day that just burden my heart for them. I haven't really told anyone that i'm home from around here. Not that i don't want them to know, i just, well.... i don't really know why i haven't told them. huh. I'll have to think about that. Anyway. Besides my family, my coworkers are really the only other people i see. And i like it! I really feel like i'll be able to invest and i'm already seeing the fruits. I mean... just look at what the Lord has done with me and dad already! Its crazy.

Today was sweet again with dad. A lot of times he tries to act like he's gunna work me to death and make me miserable and he stresses me sometimes, ha, but really, when we get out there to work, i turn right back into his little girl. Its sweet. Today he was taking the long way back, trying to surprise me with a snow cone, cause i was taking a lil power nap, ha, but the snow cone stand was closed=( ha. Anyway. And he let me off work somewhat early.

Once i got off work, i came home got to chat with mom about her day, and my girl meg was home and i was debating about going to visit her, but i'm so glad my mom encouraged me to go. She knows how much i love people, and how i need people, AND. how badly i've missed my friends. So, i showered and let my hair down for the night. ha. Thats a kinda a joke with my fam, because during the week, steph and i never where our hair down. Its always, always, in a pony tail. haha. So... i went to go see my girl meg. I have missed her. Missed her a whole lot. We had so much to catch up on, and we just picked up where we left off. She caught me up all on her life, we got to snuggle, and it was just refreshing. I forgot to tell yall we talked sunday and it made me miss her much! But seeing her tonight, pretty much makes me miss her even more! Anyway. Then Katy and Becca ended up coming! That was a sweet surprise from them. I didn't know they were coming and they didn't know i was coming=) So when they walked in they were screaming and becca even started to cry! I miss them much too. I just love them. They told me their crazy apartment camping out story and we just talked and talked. It was great to see Katy. She is so encouraging. I always feel like whatever i poor into her, she always gives back to me. Thats so great. It was good just to get to encourage her on life. To remind of that stupid devils lies. Ah. Those girls=) I wish Camille and Leah could have been there for girl time! Soon. Soon we will be reuniting. Those girls can make a girl happy=) It was just a refreshing, encouraging, fabulous time with the girls!

Other than all those things, i just couldn't stop thinking today. Like really. ALL day looooonnnngggg. From the time i woke up, till now. My head has been full of so many thoughts. That book i'm reading, has got me crazy. ha. I just have so many questions, and while asking the questions, i have to remember to be patient and wait on the Lord, and sometimes its just hard. I'm trying to be better. Anyway. Its 1am, and i have to be up at 6am. Its gunna be a long day, but. Tomorrow is my friday! Woo! Pray for energy! AH!!!

A month already??

Friends did i tell yall its a short week of work this week? WOOO!!!! ha. So that means after tomorrow there will be only one work day left of this week=)=) ha. Actually. Working hasn't been that bad. Lately i've just been riding around with dad in the mornings and we've been talking. So good. After we did our morning rounds, i came home to have lunch with moms and grandma. They were spring cleaning today. Ha. This morning steph and mom were sitting silently in the kitchen and out of the blue, mom said, "i think i'm gunna vacuum the ceiling today." Bahahaha. I'm laughing to myself right now. Anyway. After lunch i cleaned out the barn. Then. went with steph to pick up dads truck, then back to the shop to help dad do some random things. Then while he did stuff that i couldn't do, i sat in the office and kept Melissa company. I enjoy doing that. Once we got home we went for a nice run, then i drove the tractor for dad. Ha. Nice evening it was. Steph said today, its like we live in the old day. We run the family business,we have chores around the house, and we even grow our own food. haha. Dad laughed when we told him that.

Crazy to think its almost been a whole month that i've been home. The Donald Miller book i'm reading is all about story. All this kind of crazy stuff about stories. Anyway. I can't stop thinking about my story. What kind of story am i living right now? Ah. Anyway. This prolly doesn't make sense to ya unless you've read this book. But. Last week i was telling Steph and Jake about the story i was living. But. Then today. Steph and i were talking today about Dad. And yall. Apart of my story is about Father. My earthly father and heavenly father. Over the past month. I have spent more time with my Dad than i ever have. I'm actually learning about him. He's the hardest worker i've ever seen. My dad wakes up at 5 every morning and doesn't stop till around 8pm. Crazy. So it makes sense to me know why he comes home and sits, and usually falls asleep on the couch. He's not one of those workaholics not forgets his family. He's just a super hard worker. Another thing i have learned about him is when he does a job, it better be right. And he cares about his customers. He wants them to be pleased with the work. He is so good. Things that my Dad does, other than want i've said, reminds me so much of my heavenly Father. Some people know i joke about being a man often, but i'm being for real right now. My dad is my definition of a real man. Legit. He provides for his family and protects us. Only wants the best for us. Im just a crying while i type this, but its just an emotional connection i have with my dad. that we all have with our dads. I never understood him, and i still don't really, but. I do a bit more now, and hope to understand him a whole lot more by September. I'm so thankful for the example he is for me and my family. I'm glad he is hard on me, maybe not all the time, but i just understand he wants the best for me. I love my dad. Keep praying friends. Right now my dad is just dealing with a lot. He's super busy with work and his phone never stops ringing. ha. Anyway. So much. But so much good stuff.

Tomorrow should be an interesting day. And. Sorry there aren't any up to date pictures. Emillie decided to sneak my camera with her to South Carolina. ha. Anyway. Tomorrow=)

We are WOMEN!!!!

The things i have do and i have done, people probably wouldn't believe me if i told them. But. Take this.
Today, i cleaned dads boats. Scrubbed them cleanT. ha. Then. I got a SNOW CONE!!!! Yummy! They are one thing i look forward to for summer time! Then... my Granny's water heater went out. So. Steph and I went to help dad switch them out. Well. Once we got to working, after we already ripped the box all up, we realized it was the wrong kind. Dad had bought a water heater for a mobile home. haha. So. Steph and i had to pack the wrong heater back up and bring it back to Lowe's to get a water heater for a house. ha. By that time we were pro's at it. Ha. So as dad installed the new one, we got lessons, well, kinda. We were chatting with our granny. Anyway. Once we were done, we stayed to hang out with Granny for a bit, and while we were there our cousins kyle and Jaymee came by. And then Jaymee's parents were there too. It was so fun. Most of the time the only time our families every get together is for holidays. So it was fun to see them and hang out. Once we left there, we just came home to a lovely homemade cooked dinner by our mommy=) so good.

Its just been so good at home. Still hard everyday. But. i continue to see the Lord working. I'm seeing him change me. The book i'm reading talks about how we are changing all the time. Anyway. Thats one thing i'm so fascinated with. How we change and how things are never the same. That seems like it would almost be sad, but for my thats so encouraging. So when there's times i don't like how things are, i just remember that things will change. Its inevitable for things not to change. That David Crowder song, "For the Glory of it All," that song just fills me with joy. It is so encouraging to me. Ah. i just love it! I know this is somewhat vague, but i'll get to explain more later! One thing i just want yall to continue praying for is trusting the Lord. AND. Sometimes i am so selfish and i just want to be by myself. And when i'm at home, its sometimes not possible. Going to work when everyone is up and going and then lunch break is always with people, and then by the time i get off work my whole family is home and i feel bad if i'm not around them. Ya know what i mean??

Day of Rest. Like for real.

Sundays=) One of my favorite days! Church with the fam, lunch with the fam, life chat with the parents, ha, nap with the sister, run with the sister, dinner with the fam, and SLEEP. ha. That is pretty much what my day consisted of. Lots of fun interesting things here and there.
First. I taught sunday school for the 9th and 10th grade girls. Sweet time it was. I could tell about half the girls were just so drawn into what i was saying. And. We just got to be real with each other. I got to share with them things i went through at their age, and the things i'm going through now. They love me and are just excited to see me and thats such a great feeling! A few of them i'm pretty close too. So when they share life with me its great to be able to specifically pray for them.
Overall. As always. Good day=)

Random Saturday

Friends. Many things happen today. I feels like it has been a suuuuppppppeeeeerrrrrr looooonnnnggggg day. Again. A good day, minus the few mishaps this evening, but. Still just a good day. First let me say, i got up at 5:30 to bring Emillie to the airport this morning. She's going to SC till thursday. So. Needless to say i only got about 4 hrs of sleep. When Jake comes to town we tend to have late nights. haha. Anyway. Once we got to the port Em's flight was earlier than we thought. So i dropped off, prayed for her and left. On my way back i got to see the sunrise. Sorry i talk about the sun so much. It really is just one of my favorites. REALLY. Anyway... Zell had a soccer game at 9. So on my way to there house i stopped to get them donuts and then when i got to their house, the kids were still asleep so i got to go wake them all up. They were precious. All smiling when they saw me. Rhys just wanted me to lay down with him and go back to sleep. ha. So we got the kids ready and left for Zell's soccer game. It was a fun time. Zell's team won 8-4. Zell scoring all 8 goals! He LOVES soccer. and as you can tell. He's pretty good at it=)

After that i came straight home and took a short 20 min nap. Then i left and went with Dad to a cow sale. Friends. If yall didn't know my family use to be big in showing cows. I showed them until 8th grade i think. So. My cousin Jaymee still shows but she was playing softball today and couldn't make the sale. So Dad and i were on a mission to get her a good beefy steer. It was sweet to see people i haven't seen in years and catch up on life. And. I hung out with dad without him paying me today. It really is good. I mean... we get along better whens it just me and him. Its getting better.

Once we got home i took another nap for a few hours this time. ha. When i woke up i took some pictures of steph and jake. We'll have many more to come. We're just gunna have short lil photo shoots everytime we're all together. If ya didn't know. I also REALLY love photography. Taking the photos and the actual photos. They were fun to take pictures of. They really love each other and its evident. I couldn't pick anyone better for my sister than Jake!

Then.... The whole fam, minus em, went to eat dinner and a walmart trip. ha. When you go to walmart with my parents it usually isn't a short trip. So. Jake, Steph, and I walked around for good bit. ha.
As i said last Sunday, i was now helping out with the 9th and 10th grade girls sunday school class. So in the morning i'm teaching. The one thing i want to do with these girls is be real with them. This month they're studying the bible. Like the use of it and stuff. Tomorrow we're just gunna discuss what it is to each one of them. I want to break this traditional southern baptist, sunday school answer crap. I want them to be real with me, and if i want that i may take awhile but i'm gunna be as real as i can be with the girls. There is about 10 consistent ones that come each sunday. Be praying the Father just speaks through me. I know that was about the time i really started understanding the word, well, praying for understanding of the word. I know it can be boring sometime. But. I just want them to find out for themselves what it is. Besides all the sunday school stories that we have been told since birth and that we know every detail about. What about the rest. Ya know? Or even the stories that we do know. Realizing they were REAL people, with insecurities, lies in their heads, doubt, flesh, family. All the things we struggle with, so did they. Anyway. Pray the word becomes real to them. Pray the Father speaks through me. Only His words would come out of me. Spirit of calmness and wonder and desire would cover that sunday school room and each girl this week. I will update yall on how it goes tomorrow night=) Oh... one more thing. Pray the Lord puts a guard around my heart and eyes the discouraging things people may say. And when its said, that He reminds me of His truth!


OH Sorry sorry!!! One more thing! Just be mindful of MLK tomorrow. Pray tomorrow the Lord will fill our students with a patience with each other and the kids! MLK friends. Know i am always praying for yall! Know it!

Finally Friday

One of the best days at home yet! It was just so good. It was evident that the Father was working. I saw it. All day.
Started off with a nice 7:30 morning meeting Dad at the office to load all his stuff up and prep him for the day. We had to transfer all of his items from his truck to the other work truck. ha. He was in a great mood and we joked all day. We were working back at Kisatchie Bayou Campgrounds. Friends. It was so beautiful out there today. But. Anyway. The ride out there was completely from the Lord. I was reading my new book, btw i'm already in like chapter 9, and dad was just chatty this morning. I mean... my dad likes to talk but usually he's on the phone talking. While he was on the phone i read, and when he wasn't we were talking. Not just ramdon talk but good things. He jokes a lot that he has to pay me to hang out with him. And friends. I don't want him to ever have to joke about that. I want to hang out with him. I like it. Sometimes its just hard. I feel like we have to talk about things, and we don't. We don't really like the same things, and we don't have deep conversations. But my friends. We did today. Remember how i was telling yall about how i was just going to be praying more about the things to happen then for me to try and make them happen? Well. I had been praying about my dad and I just having a real conversation. And he just randomly happen to ask me if i was ok or if there was anything i wanted or needed to tell him. And friends i couldn't even speak for like a minute cause i was in such awe of what just happen. More or less just thanking the Lord. I proceeded to tell Dad how things are just hard for me right now and some other things. YALL. He was so understanding and compassionate and encouraging and comforting. HOLD UP. My dad is not those things too often and so divinely the Lord gave me one of those sweet moments with my daddy today. I just kinda cried while talking to my dad. Like i was just filled with so much joy. That one moment with my dad i think will be the turning point in our communication. Not to say its all fixed. Because there will need to be many more of those conversations. We talked about me being at home, abt the future, about jobs, about life. So good. The best part of the day by far.

Once i got home from work i pulled up in the driveway to find steph sitting in her car on the phone. So i decided to treat her with a lil dance to "I Gotta Feelin." We were celebrating the weekend! ha. Then all us girls went to go run the route for our churches 5k next friday. Some other girls from our church came and ran with us. It was fun to. Jake got there right as we were finishing. Then Em and I went and picked up pizza's. It was also fun. ha. We listened to Needtobreathe and talked about each song of their new cd and what we thought the meanings of each song was. ha. One thing we realized that as Christians we understand what they're talking about. Like, "Lay em down," "Outsiders," "Let Us Love." They're just so good. Check 'em out.
Now we're all sittin in the living room as a lil family, adding Jake in the mix, watchin "Kite Runner." Good movie. I mean... i think so. I'm been back and forth writing this and watchin. ha. Anyway. FRIENDS. its the weekend!!!

Even though things are often hard. Its always worth it. I'm learning that. i"m reminded often of Romans 8:18," Our present sufferings cannot be compared to the glory that will be revealed in us." That just brings me hope, and much joy to my heart=) I usually make things out to be worse than they usually are gunna be. But the truth is. Things are never really as bad. I also am reminded of that often being at home. My heart is full today. The Lord is so true. So faithful. I love him. Today. Today i am content being at home!

SNAKES!!!!!

We saw a snake today!!!!!! Ah. Can i just say that snakes are one thing I DO NOT like!! They flip me out! ha. Well... let me tell yall the story. We were at Dads new camp cleaning up and whatnot. And since its not finish, there is once again, no plumbing. So. This only left us with plan B. Which was to pee in the woods. ha. So steph and i went to go use the bathroom behind an old building thing. We were just standing by the bank of the river looking out and i notice steph was staring at something. Once i figured it out she said, "you think thats a snake?" and i said "well YEA. Thats its head right there!" hahaha... Then steph took off running back to the camp and i followed right behind her. Once we got back to the camp we told Josh, Michael, and Bryan about the snake and they were gunna kill it! ha. Once we got back to where it was it was gone. Too bad. Needless to say Steph and i were on the watch for snakes the rest of the day. I mean... who knew snakes were out already. When we were on our lunch break, before we saw the snake, we were sitting on the rocks by the river just admiring the creation. Steph and i just got to talk about real stuff. About the things we feel. About insecurities, and how everyone struggles with them. It just became real to me. And steph just said something that she says often, "we're all the same." And ya know friends. We are. We're all the same. We all deal with things. We all feel lonely at times, we all have insecurities, we all want to be loved. And it all hit me again. Duh. We were made in Gods image. All created by the one and only creator. I sometimes think how life just sucks sometimes. and yea. it does. But. Heck i can't even image what it would be like without my Savior. He didn't just save me from my daily sins, but he saves me from the daily lies the devil puts in my head, the daily insecurities i have, the daily defrauding of my contentment, the daily discouragement. He is so faithful. I have received at least 5 encouraging phone calls, messages, and emails, maybe even more, the past week. One that was so encouraging was a lady from my home church that i've known for a long time but we have never been really close or anything. She's in her late 30's ish. Ha. Sorry if i'm so off. But. She just told me how she still doesn't know what she's doing here. But she knows the one thing that is for sure and never changes about her life is that she is here to bring the Lord glory. And friends. Thats it. Thats all i want to do. I know i mess it up sometimes and don't always bring him glory in every action, but thats my hearts desire. I'm holding to that right now. That if i'm here or in Ruston i'm going to bring him glory. Pray that i can do that.
I also finished a book today, and i'm starting a book by Donald Miller, "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years." Stephanie recommended it. She said it is a must read for me in my 'New Season.' ha. Besides the random lies from the devil and self discouragement, that i will prolly battle for awhile now, it was another day for me to try to become the best for Jesus.
One more thing. I may have said this already, but i don't know if its because i'm home or what, but it day is literally like an adventure for me. And i continually look for Jesus to be moving and working. I'm just more aware of what He's doing. and i like it. Each day He's molding me to be more like Him. Each day He is using someone to encourage me. Its so sweet.
After tomorrow its the weekend. And as steph always says,"We're always working for that weekend!" haha. Jake's coming in for the weekend and we have some fun things planned. It'll be good. I think i'm working with Dad tomorrow and all the men. hahaha. Makes me laugh. So pray for conversations. Life giving conversations.

It's already Easter Time??

Today was a good day. Worked with Steph all day. Fun we have. We sing and dance around to very loud rockin music. ha. We make up new dance moves. Our new names for each other are "baby girl." and we try to see you can use it the most. haha. We give each other bones or dap about everything. We laugh at construction worker selves. haha. So many things. Its been so neat to see how much i've learned about her the past two weeks. Literally we spend everyday together and its AWESOME.
Once we got off work i watched the kids while Jen and Colby went to life group with Em and Steph. I mean... i think yall get it. I LOVE those kids. They came to our house first and we dyed easter eggs and they loved it! Once we dyed them all they started "accidently" cracking them so they could eat them. ha. Ella wasn't so into it. That face she is making in that picture is a normal face of hers. If she's not smiling thats the face she's making. Mom made them waffles and then we went back to their house to take baths and snuggle. They were sweet. They bring much joy to my heart.
Its a daily struggle being at home. I miss my friends. I miss people always being around. Things keep defrauding my contentment. Pray that i'm daily choosing to trust the Lord.