oh, the exciting things in life

Where to begin, where to begin!


I have re-written this a few times because I just cannot get my words out clearly! I think something is going on inside of my brain because it's just being weird. Thank goodness for a backspace button because I could not type my essays clearly, I also could not remember my email addresses and passwords, and I am forgetting to do simple things like bringing my book to class for an open book test! Get it together Kaylyn! I was walking to the Library at 11:10 to print off my project for Psychology that was due at the beginning of class, which started at 11 o'cock. Needless to say, I was twenty minutes late to class. Yikes, I have never been more than five minutes late to any class!! As I was walking to class in the clothes I had slept in all I could think was, "Ohhhh my, my, my.  I have got to get myself together because this kind of behavior will not fly at Baylor. Wait, this behavior doesn't fly at DBU either..." That's when I started jogging. Ha. I looked like a complete loser, all well :) SO, I applied to Baylor, and...Ladies and Gentlemen...this girl's flyin' south to Waco! I am for sure going to Baylor and I am really, really excited! All I have to do now is find someone to live with, and pass psychology, both of which have been more frustrating than expected. God will work it all out, I'm sure. I know He'll take care of the whole situation. Sure is hard to be patient though. Most importantly I need to pass psyc. It's a tough class for me and I HAVE to get my grade up to a C so that it will transfer. I have a test in there this weekend and then the final. eeeeeek. Welp, all I can do is study hard and try my best, and possibly put on my puppy dog eyes, smile, and beg my professor for a 70. Okay, now for the more exciting news! It's probably not exciting to y'all but it made my day. We had a roommate date on Wednesday, and I was introduced to this place that I fell in love with called Central Market. It's like H-E-B on steroids...yeah. There is sample for everything. Literally, everything. Bread? Here try all 30 kinds! Want some fish cooked in a heavenly sauce with a delicious fresh salad on the side? Have a plate full! There was cheese, fruit, chicken, salsa, noodles...and the list goes on. It was so great! Umm...I seem to have lost my train of thought. This really good song came on and Alexa and I had a 20 minute strobe light dance party in the dorm soooo I don't really remember where I was going with the Central Market story....Haha all well. Oh, and Tiphani and I just decided to wake up at 3:45AM to watch the royal wedding. Why? BECAUSE THIS IS COLLEGE YALL! It's all about being spontaneous, and making memories, and sleeping all day!!


I know I usually talk about God, so let me tell you real quick about what's been going on. He has really had His hand on the whole Baylor transition, and I could not be more thankful. He has provided for us in many ways and has made it possible for me be able to transfer. He also continues to work in my relationship with Him. The more we seek Him, the more we find Him. It's so true, and He speaks not only through scripture, but also through my friends. The Lord is so great, and I just urge you to read the Bible and pray and live for Him. He is awesome, He saves, and He is the only way. He will always love us, He will always have His arms open for us to run into when we mess up, He will always be in complete control of everything, and He will receive the glory. He is not restricted by space or time.  He is everywhere, there is no hiding. He is always with us, we are never alone. He's holds all people, time, and circumstances in the palm of his hand. He is unchangeable. He can do anything and everything. If He says it, it will come to pass, because He is truth. He gives mercy and grace. God is just, yet He offers grace and washes away our iniquities. Do we realize who we are talking to when we pray? Do we realize who we are reading about when we open up the Bible? Do we realize who we are worshipping? God is big, I am small. God is perfect, I am flawed. He is creator, and I am so uniquely created. He's just indescribably awesome. I think that's what I've learned this week. It's been cool to stop thinking about the things I am struggling with and wanting God to help me with, and think about who He is. Who I serve. Who has control of my life, and who I get to spend eternity with. 


Well, It's not one of my better blogs, but my life is not ridiculously exciting. I have an average college life full of stress, boredom, and lack of sleep! I think that's all for tonight though. Time for bed because I have a royal wedding to watch in 3 hours!!! Goodnight friends :)

an abundance of joy

     Well, I looked in the mirror this morning and the words that came out of my mouth were "ohhhh gosh."  My hair is seriously sticking out in every possible direction, like someone rubbed a balloon on my head. Well now that I have shared a completely pointless story about my hair... hahaha. So it's 1:48 pm and I am currently laying propped up in my bed, glasses on, make up smeared all around my eyes, still in my pajamas, and still looking like Einstein. In other words...I look absolutely stunning lol :) 

     I road-tripped from Dallas to College Station yesterday because Matt finally got his Aggie ring!! WHOOP! Congrat's brother!! Even though it was only for a few hours, I had a great time with my family. So, I left College Station and I was supposed to be back in Dallas by 12:30-1ish. About an hour away from school, while doing everything I could to keep myself awake, I ran over a brick....a huge stinking brick at 70 mph. Obviously I didn't swerve enough out of the way and my tire went flat. It's 12:15 at night, I am alone in a very ghetto area, my tire is losing air and I don't know how to change it. So I tried multiple times to get a state trooper to pull me over before it finally worked. But seriously!?!? They pull me over for speeding, but it was almost impossible to intentionally get pulled over! It was fun though...driving all suspicious..like fishing for a cop. He led me to the nearest gas station and helped me change my tire. He informed me that he was supposed to be busting people for drugs on the road that night. I got curious, and It was kind of an awkward situation so I asked him how he could tell if someone had drugs in their car. He said, "Well, Ma'am, they do exactly what you did. I thought I was about to bust you for drugs." On the outside I kept my cool and acted interested in what he continued to say, while on the inside I was all giddy and jumping up in down like WHAT! That's was kinda awesome, I got pulled over because I had tricked a cop into thinking I was a drug dealer! How many 18 year old girls can say that??? I also got questioned on why I had a stolen construction cone in my car. I just smiled and talked myself out of it...thank goodness he didn't see the street sign!!! haha well more of his buddies showed up and had a great time making me feel like a complete idiot. One of the officers even felt the need to say that his 10 year old daughter knew how to change a tire! Well mr fancy pants does your 10 year old daughter know how to tie on a hook?? Ya that's right, my dad taught me the important lessons in life! Boo-ya!! hahaha :) Well, they finished fixing the shark's wheel around 1 something, and as I was pulling out of the parking lot, they were busting people for drugs right in front of me. That was kinda cool, I guess. Now my car looks straight ghetto with an ugly, bright red donut on it...fit's right in with Dallas though! lol So I finally made it safely back to school around 2:15. What. A. Night!

     Praise the Lord for keeping me safe. He did not have to provide me with a kind state trooper. He did not have to protect me last night, but He did and I am so thankful. The Lord has been doing amazing things in my life lately. I've come to realize that nothing in my life matters more than glorifying God...in AND out of seasons. Sometimes, in the midst of heart ache, it's hard not to think selfishly and get angry with God. It's a challenge to place my own feelings aside and say, "You know what, Lord, if this is what You want I will submit to your perfect plan. No matter what happens You are, and always will be in control. My hope is forever in You." I realized that living for the Lord, and having a right relationship with Him is what matters most, despite my feelings and fleshly desires. It was hard though, and sad because something that meant so much to me had to be let go. What's crazy is that even in sadness I am filled with joy! What? Joy? Yep. There is benefit. The Lord knows what He's doing and at the end of the day He is still sovereign! He is truly my hope and my strength. Romans 11 says,  "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen." In Chapter 12 Paul writes that God's will is good and acceptable and perfect. Why, then should I be filled with sadness instead of joy? God has an amazing plan for my life and yours!! What is more exciting than knowing that and finding peace in that? Is the sadness gone? Absolutely not, but it is not tearing me down either. Psalm 73:5 says "Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Friends, the Lord is so good. 

There is so much more I want to say! There's a possibility that I switch majors and schools. I even applied to Baylor at 4:00 this morning. BUT this is too long. Maybe if things keep happening ill blog about it...lucky you! haha Well it's time to get out and enjoy this beautiful sunny weather!!!

"In all of my life, in every season, You are still God, I have a reason to sing, I have a reason to worship" :)

    

lovin' the grounds

"We welcome You with praise, we welcome You with praise. Almighty God of love be welcome in this place. Let every heart adore, and every soul awake. Almighty God of love be welcome in this place"- Chris Tomlin PASSION :)


Two words: White Rhino. A super cute, delicious coffee shop. It's a very small, light tan house right off the road, and if Tiphani weren't with me I would have completely missed it! There are three rooms. One with a very comfy looking couch and a few colorful chairs, one full of tables, and well I haven't looked in the back  room yet. I am sitting at the biggest table...just little ole me! Across from me there 3 junior high girls. I remember having the same conversations they are having. Worried about boys, new clothes and their braces. Part of their conversation broke my heart (yes I was eavesdropping). They were talking about the guys they are involved with and what the boys were asking them to do... JR HIGH!?!? They don't know they're beautiful and deserving of an amazing man, not some silly, immature boy. I want to do something for them...hmm. I'll be right back :)


Well I was overcome with this urge to talk to them...and so I did! I introduced myself to them, shared a few words of wisdom and offered to by them a drink of their choice from the shop. They were so sweet and grateful and then they came up to all give me hug. haha Stephanie, Elizabeth and Keeley. My new, beautiful, junior high friends :)


Ha..um awkward moment. The guy next to me just asked what I was studying. I told him I should be studying my Political Science, but that I was writing in my blog. Conversation went on and he asked what school I went to. He goes to the art institute in Dallas and felt the need to tell me something strange. He said that when he signed up for classes he decided to take a pornography class....then he said he was joking. Good one!!!!!! not..ha ya i'm pretty sure he could tell I did not find that humorous. He got all weird and all of a sudden gentlemen-like when I told him I was studying Children's Ministry. I went on to explain a little about HOW I DO lol and after a few more awkward comments our conversation finally ended.


Strange things happen here at White Rhino...I finally ordered me some coffee! It's called Hug-In-A-Cup! Lots of hugs have gone around this evening, and not to mention the drink is DEEEEE-LICIOUS! Irish Cream coffee, carmel and a slight slight hint of peppermint. ya...umm..YUM! So cool story. The girls just left and they each came up and said hi and thanks again. So sweet I just love them and will probably never see them again. Well after they walked away that guy ^^ he asked why they were saying thank you to me. I just told him that I heard some things they talked about and wanted to get them something so I bought them a drink. He said wow, thats really cool, you just did it? I said yup. Then he said, " and you didnt know them?" I told him no I just wanted to let them know that someone cares about them. Then he introduced himself, his name is Andrew. Andrew kinda looks like usher. He is drinking a coca-cola, a water and reading the newspaper....at a very awkward table in the middle of the room..not that that information is important to you at all but hey, i'm just giving you a feel of the room. 


Well, the Lord is good. It's funny, when you pray for opportunities to be a light he sure gives them to you! I like it! A little bit of "out of my comfort zone" is nice every now and then. It's like God pulled my heart out of my chest and drug me over to the girls! Crazy feeling. Anyways, it's been a really cool evening here at White Rhino so far.  I still have to write my essay though, so it's going to be a long night! Here I come Political Science essay #8! oh funny story. So I had to write a research paper for my POLS class and I got an 82. Not bad for 4 hours of writing the day it was due! BUT I read my comments on it today and my professors exact words were "AHHH you spelled Obama wrong! I even put it in the syllabus!" I remember looking at it in the syllabus and listening to him tell us in class BUT I still put an apostrophe between the O and the BAMA. Ya, so I spelled the president's name wrong multiple times in my political paper haha...embarrassing yet funny at the same time. Hopefully I can get it right for my essay...alright end of my pointles story! 20 dollars anyone?? lol :) Have a wonderful evening friends! 


Oh dear...Andrew just came to sit at my table. He has asked me plenty of strange questions about movies i have seen lately and if i enjoyed the storm last night... Who asks that to a complete stranger?? "Hey so, did you enjoy last night's storm?"  What in the world is he trying to do? I do not match or look even the least bit attractive! HA He then asked me more and more questions. Tiphani was texting me things like "WHAT IS GOING ON" and i replied " I DONT KNOW...HELP!" haha ohhh it was entertaining..and then mom found out So i get this phone call. But was it mom? no no it was alyssa..on mom's phone asking me questions that made me answer out loud the words "Jonathan" and "boyfriend" and "airforce" and "Jonathan is strong" haha he was laughing at the conversation i was having on the phone, little did he know we were talking about him. Well I think he got the point that i was not interested and left shortly after i got off the phone! ohhh white rhino, we have made some lovely memories tonight haven't we :)

speck of glitter...

Well, I had a great weekend with mom! We explored Dallas and made it everywhere successfully thanks to my GPS..which I left in her car. Lovely lol. Well, it's Sunday, what's for dinner tonight? A few wheat thins, some organic fruit strip thing, and pomegranate blueberry v8 fusion. Woop, woop for college! Welp, I officially have summeritis. I even have a countdown. 31 days until I pack up my life and head back to Katy, Texas. 31 days until Jonathan is only 10 minutes away :) 31 until I can walk outside without being blown over by 100mph wind! 31 days until my dinner doesn't consist of wheat thins and fruit juice because I will have a stove to cook on!!!! yay!! 31 days until I get ready for 4 hours of biology...ooph. 31 days until I'm back working at the church as Bronson's trusty side-kick. 31 days until my freshman year of college is completely over :( 31 days, 31 days, 31 days.

..[[Prayer]]..

Prayer. Friends, it's talking to our Creator. You're probably wondering why I decided to name this entry " speck of glitter".....well just keep reading :)  These past few months or so I have discovered how helpless I am with what goes on in my life. As much as I would like to, I cannot control when things get complicated. These things consume my mind and I can be positive and uplifting to anybody else about their situations, but when it comes to myself I automatically fill my head with negative thoughts. I sit and think, and usually I make situations worse in my head than they really are. It's times like these, in the midst of wanting to almost give up when I remember back to a moment when I really heard God speak to me. I was clinching onto my steering wheel, tears streaming from my face and I was spilling my feelings out on God. I was angry, frustrated, and confused. If anyone was people watching, they probably thought I was crazy because I looked ridiculous. But I mean, I probably always look ridiculous when I drive because when I'm not playing the drums on my steering wheel I'm singing at the top of my lungs into my little plastic water bottle haha... Anyways, after 20 minutes of rambling on about poor ole me I had finally run out of words. Then the Lord so kindly brought some things to my attention, and I sat there in awe. First of all I realized, holy cow that was God. Then it was, He was really listening to me?! I was speechless and excited and overwhelmed with a million different emotions. I like to look back on this moment because it removes any doubts I have towards God and His ability to work in my life. It's also a reminder that God is faithful to answer prayer.  He knows what is best for my life and desires for me to experience what He has in store for me. Why not seek Him in times of confusion about school, and jobs, and even the smallest of decisions? He may not answer right after you completely pour yourself out to Him, it may not even be a month later, but He will come through. Just keep seeking, even when you are full of questions and do not understand what God is doing. It is so hard to pray the same things over and over for such a long time when there is no answer, but know that the moment I put my trust in myself and my own strength I will surely fall. I have to surrender myself to His perfect will and lay it all down. Kari Jobe's song says it pretty darn well, "Here at your alter, I am letting go of all I've held. Of every motive, every burden, everything that's of myself." Laying it all down and continuing to seek Him and His guidance through life has taught how to take the focus off of myself and my plans. It's taught me how to place things in the Lord's hands and let Him take care of it. He is big and holds not just the world, not just our galaxy, but the entire universe, and has control of it all. We are...(are you ready for it??) like the speck of glitter on my big, blue rug :) When we are aware of just how tiny we are, we are stunned with the reality that we have been made in His likeness, and invited to know Him more! I am small, but He knows my name. I am small but he pursues me in His love. I am small but I have been purchased and redeemed. I am small but I know the Creator of the universe. God is more massive than my wildest imagination and bigger than the biggest word I could try and come up with to describe Him! What's even more amazing is that He wants a relationship with me, and He wants to use me in His Story for His glory. I guess the reason I wrote all of that stuff was just to say, in the words of Lecrae, "Keep praying. When you stop praying, you stop hoping." I just realized I have eaten half of my wheat thins...in the family size box. I think it's is time to be done!