The older I get...

Over the past few months, I have become quite the avid reader. Since going to Disney, I have read 5 books! Although it doesn't seem like much for some, it is quite alot considering that I never enjoyed to read for a hobby. This summer has been unseasonably cool, and I love to curl up on the patio during the sunset with a good book.

As of recently, I have been saddened by the amount of relationship failures in the headlines. It's almost everywhere! After finishing the first book in the Twilight series, I decided to start a book that was a little more informative about issues. I picked up the book Love and Respect from my dad's library. It has been surprisingly amazing! The book explains the basic needs of a man and a woman in a romantic relationship as described in Scripture. As a woman in the midst of planning a wedding and a lifetime with the man of her dreams, I have to say that this book has given me so much to take into marriage. I definitely recommend this book to anyone-it is so enlightening and really delves into the reasons why men and women react the way they do. Above all, it has made me so thankful for the amazing man I am soon to marry. I cannot be any more proud of the talented, hardworking, and passionate worker he is. I know that he is going to be an amazing husband, and I continually find more and more reasons why I respect him and love him everyday!

Big Girl Interview

Today, I had my first interview for a full-time job! I received an email about a week ago asking for a phone interview from Wellpoint, a company based in Indianapolis and that provides insurance to many employers and employees across the country. It is better known as Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. I had applied for a position there about a month and a half ago and thought that the company was no longer interested in my application.The interview went well, and the person I talked to said she would forward my information to the hiring department and that someone would be in contact with me within the next week about a possible formal interview. I am excited with the opportunity that has been presented, and am trusting that God will provide for the direction in which He desires me to pursue. I am so thankful for everyone who continues to pray for me and encourage me through this exciting time! I love you all!

Verse

I came across this today while cleaning out my purse. My parents gave us a little card at Christmas with this verse on it and told us that this was their prayer for us this year. I think it pretty much just about sums it up!


"Be strong and courageous and act. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished." 1 Chronicles 28:20

This will be my prayer for family and friends (and myself!!) who are continuing to search for the next move along the path God has created for them.

Rockstar

With the star!

How I love this friend!!

She did such a great job!

Tonight, Mandy and I went to downtown Pittsburgh to watch one of my former roommates play a show at a cafe. Leah (she played Sour Kangaroo in Seussical) has been one of my good friends since orientation before our freshman year, and it has been so neat to watch her grow as a performer and musician. She is an excellent songwriter and has a beautiful voice to match. It is so cool to listen to the lyrics of Leah's songs, because most of the time I know the story behind each of the songs! She brought with her a band of 3 guys who all went and graduated from AU. It was so good to see her and be able to support her in her endeavors. I am convinced that she will be a successful singer/songwriter, and I can't wait to see how she develops from here! Good job Leah! I'm so proud of you!!

My Sister's Keeper

I haven't had the opportunity to post some recent activities, so I will include them all in one. On Saturday night, I met Mandy at the movies. We decided to go see the movie My Sister's Keeper, as we have both been talking about seeing it for a while. Some movies you go into not expecting to cry, but I have to say, this was I fully expected to be a downpour. It was quite a tearjerker, but in a good way. I won't give anything away to people who still want to see it, but the majority of the story focused on a family's struggle with having a child with cancer. The more that the story continued, the more I was overcome with strong feelings about the situation. I kept asking myself the questions-"Will I ever have to deal with a situation like this?" "If so, what would my response be?" "Life is so short, am I truly living everyday to the fullest?" I couldn't help but think that even though I don't have a full-time job or know the next step in my career, I am blessed with life. I am able to wake-up everyday, healthy, breathing, and energetic. Life, in its simplicity, is something to be truly thankful for.

After the movie, Mandy and I went to get something to eat. The place we went to was nice and had good food. We even ran into friends from the camp that I have worked at for the past 3 summers! We had a great time together, and have agreed to get together once a week and do a fun activity.

Yesterday, was a very relaxing day with a treat in the evening. The memory I have most of my summers in college have been our trips to Dairy Queen. Two or three times a week, my family will go to the Dairy Queen a couple miles away from my house and watch the sunset while eating ice cream. I love that memory of summer, and it helps me get through some of the coldest winter months!

Today was a day filled with errands. It was a very successful day, and I was able to get alot done. I continue to apply for jobs everday, hoping that something will come together. In the meantime, I am so excited for my brother and Margaret, as they have officially accepted a call to Savannah and will be moving there during the second week of August! 1 person employed, 2 to go!!

Get your Craft On

Today was my second day working at Michaels. I have never really considered myself a crafty person, but after a semester of photography at Disney and starting this part-time job, I have truly been inspired. I feel as though certain projects are speaking to me when I walk through the door. Lately, I have been wanting to learn how to decorate cakes. Don't ask me why-maybe because reruns of Cake Boss come on after Say Yes to the Dress. One of the ladies that I work with teaches classes on cake decorating and even runs a cake business on the side. She is indeed very crafty, and even has alot of experience making floral designs for parties. So, within the next couple of weeks, I am going to start one of my activities on the to-do list and join a cake decorating class!

Besides the part-time job at Michaels, I feel like I have obtained another part-time job: Looking for a full-time job! It has been a month since I finished my internship at Disney and moved back home. I am so thankful to have a wonderful mom and dad who welcome me home, but lately I have been feeling the need to be more independant. I know this is just a short period of time in the scheme of things, and I am trying to learn patience in the midst of this job hunt. I have a desire to discover God's purpose for my life, and I am continually praying that He will reveal to me the next step. He has always provided for me, and all I have to do is trust His perfect timing.

First day at Michaels

Today, I had my first day of work at Michaels. I worked from about 1pm until about 5pm, and it went by really fast! Thankfully, the store is only about a five minute drive from my house, and I arrived in my crafty uniform ready to start my day. During my shift, I filled out some paperwork, watch sexual harrassment videos, and walked around the store to become familiar with the merchandise. The people I worked with were very nice, and I knew a few of them from high school. I am thankful that God has provided a part-time job that will allow me to gain some sort of income while the search for a full-time job continues. I have been praying that God will continue to direct me in the right direction as to where I am supposed to go next. I am confident that He will show me the perfect path in His time. Until that path becomes clear, I am getting ready to become really crafty!

Guys and Dolls

We had so much fun together. I love you all the world Joe!

I went to lunch with an Irish hunk!

On Sunday, I was so excited to be able to spend the morning and afternoon with Joe. We began the morning with breakfast at a small family resteraunt called Pickins in downtown Schroon Lake. It was so quaint and had some of the best bacon and pancakes I have ever tasted! We enjoyed the beautiful sunshine and scenery of the lake in the distance. It was so nice to sit down and talk to one another in person. I sure don't take that luxery for granted! After a yummy meal, we went back to Seagle. After his short rehearsal, Joe and I decided to venture down to Glens Falls, NY to look around and get dinner. We ended up walking around a small mall and eating dinner at Olive Garden-you know, really getting a flavor for that area of the country. When we got back to Seagle, Joe quickly got ready for the last performance of Guys and Dolls. I was so excited to see it! The cast was phenominal, and Joe did such a great job. I was so proud of him! After the show, we went to Stewart's (the local gas station/ice cream shop) to get ice cream.

This morning, I was already sad to leave. After sleeping in a little bit while Joe had rehearsal, I met up with him to have lunch and spend a little more time before I had to leave for home. We went to his favorite Schroon Lake resteraunt, Flanagan's. It was an absolutely beautiful day. After lunch, we headed back up to Seagle to get my things ready and sit together for just a bit. I left around 2pm and got back home to Butler around 10pm. I had such a wonderful time this weekend with Joe. I love the fourth of July, and being able to spend this holiday with him was so special. We always have so much fun together, and we both remarked that even though we have been together for almost 2 1/2 years, we still feel giddy and get butterflies every time we get to spend time with one another. I can't wait to see him in three weeks for his Prince Charming debut!

Happy Fourth of July!

Watching the fireworks. Love him so!

God's beautiful creation! A rainbow!

Word of Life concert. I told you it was interesting.

We finally get to spend fourth of July together!!

Singin' those patriotic songs so beautifully!

The mountains were the backdrop to their concert. It was breathtaking!

I am a little late on posting our celebration, but I have been having so much fun, that I haven't had time to blog! This year, I was able to visit Joe on the Fourth of July. I absolutely love this holiday. Fireworks are one of my favorite things to watch, and it reminds me every year how I am so blessed to be born into a country that honors freedom. On Friday, I drove up to Seagle Music Colony (in upstate NY) to spend a few days with Joe. It was a fairly easy drive, and I arrived around 5pm when he was in a coaching for his upcoming opera, La Cenerentola. We were able to spend some time together before his show, Guys and Dolls, started at 8pm. Since the show was sold out, I went to Ft. Ticonderoga to get some snacks for the next few days. After his show, we watched a movie and spend time time talking with his roommates.

On Saturday morning, Joe picked me up and took me into downtown Schroon Lake. It is a small town, but the quintessential personification of the American small town. Flags were hung everywhere, and every store front had some sort of decoration honoring the holiday. People in Schroon Lake are so friendly, and everyone was so quick to wish each other a "Happy Fourth of July!" Around 12pm, all of the singers of Seagle put on a patriotic concert. It was awesome! They are all so talented, and the backdrop of their location was breathtaking (they sang in a gazebo that sat against the Adirondack mountains). After their concert, we went to lunch at Joe's favorite resteraunt in downtown, Flanagan's. We decided to venture to Saratoga Springs for the afternoon, going to Best Buy, TJ Maxx, and Dunkin Donuts. After a shopping afternoon, we went back to Schroon Lake, just in time to watch the Word of Life concert (interesting) and the fireworks over the lake. They were absolutely beautiful! There must have been thousands of people sprawled along the lakeside watching the fireworks with their families. We had a great time, and I enjoyed spending the holiday with my wonderful fiancee!