Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that four months after writing my last entry that God take me on a beautiful, indescribable journey that has brought me to an entirely new place in life.

God has placed a wonderful man in my life that encourages me to find God in so many situations, and that is such a blessing.

I no longer work for the Extended School Program; leaving was so hard, but God has beautiful things in store with my new job. What is my new job? I'm working for John's parent's with a business they are part owners of. The hours are good, and the pay is great so I will be staying with that during the summer. I'm not entirely sure what I'll be doing job wise once school starts, but I'm not too worried about it.

I'll be 21 in twenty six days!

Ack.

:)

Spanish 3010: Advanced Spanish ((the major))- Heaven help me. The professor is from Colombia and has a striking resemblance to George Lopez; I'm not even kidding. I can definitely tell that 3010 is going to kick my butt a little more than 2020, but I should be okay.

FOED 1110: Edu. as a Profession ((Secondary Edu. minor))- I've heard rave reviews about this professor, and I could immediately tell by the way she presented herself today ((she wasn't able to come Wednesday)) that she was serious about her work and would keep us well informed while not boring us to death with assignments.

SPED 3010: Survey of Exceptional Child ((Secondary Edu. minor))- This is going to be an interesting class. The professor is a cheery man who appears to really care about what we learn in his class. He kind of reminds me of Santa Claus.

Fundamentals of Communication ((Gen. Ed.))- This guy is Korean. "South Korean, just so you know". Once again, he seems very kind as well. I'm in this class with Lyn and three girls I graduated with, so that's nice.

Access codes are freaking expensive. My Spanish book was $156 because it came with one, and I had to get the ever so popular ((that would be called sarcasm)) TK20 that is required for anyone who will be getting a teaching liscense that was $120. Ack.

Well.

I suppose life's alright :)

So. God is up to something.

But when is He not?

For the first time ever, I do not feel led by my emotions.

I have felt a tugging to pray over this, and I still do.

I ask that you do too.

HA! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Oh how funny life is.

According to my records at MTSU, I now have 56 hours under my belt. Having this number hours places me just four hours from a Junior standing. I recently discovered that if my second minor was Linguistic Studies rather than Family Studies, I would a much higher chance of graduating on time rather than a semester late. Wootie-hoo!

I received a video iPod for Christmas. You simply cannot understand what gratitude I have toward my parents after having driven a variety of cars over the past couple of years that allowed me only to listen to the radio.

I have been off work this entire week, and it has been magnificent!

Ah, I'm so happy! Three A's this semester will REALLY boost my GPA back to where it needs to be :)

And then we have that C in Astronomy. But I don't care. I worked my tail off for it, and that's the last of my sciences!!! Thank God!

After my Spanish final, I went to get my credit for 1010, 1020, and 2010 processed. Yay, free credit!

I ordered 501 Spanish Verbs ((it's a book)) and Hide This Spanish Book! from Amazon when I got home and now eagerly await their arrival.

I need to start budgeting my money now that I'm paying both my monthly car insurance and cell phone bill.

One day I'll be able to live without the financial aid of my parents.

It is my goal to be out of the house by the time I am student teaching.

Christmas is coming up and for the first time in several years I'm actually asking for something specific ((and sort of big)). Mom has this way of making me think that I'm not going to get it ((she's always done this)), but I always do. . . but everytime I want something big, I never think I'll get it because she's good at making me think I won't.

Now that you've wasted 45 seconds of your life reading this. . .

I registered for a swimming class next semester. No, I won't freeze because we'll be using an inside pool. And to answer your next question, it's called a swimming cap.

Don't laugh.

I'm getting a haircut. Not a trim. A cut. Okay, it's a cut for me. And I'm terrified. Not really. Anxious is the better word I suppose.

Smyrna won the state championship.

And the Titans beat the Colts by kicking a 60 yard field goal.

Woke up at 4:13.

In the car at 4:30.

At JC Penneys at 4:40

Inside the store at 4:53.

By 9:00 we'd gone to Goody's, Old Navy, Lane Bryant, Shoe Carnival, and the dollar store.

Here's my schedule for next semester:

MWF

Fund. of Communication ((Speech))- 10:20-11:15

Education as a Profession- 11:30-12:25

Marriage and Family- 12:40-1:35

TR

Advanced Spanish- 11:20-12:25

12 hours. Sweet bliss.

I have finally chosen a second minor, Family Studies. . . hence the Marriage and Family class. I'm excited.

Three years ago I had an energy for Jesus I thought I wouldn't lose.

Two years ago I was going through a depression I thought wouldn't end.

One year ago I realized that though my faithfullness to God had paid off, the energy I had for Him had almost stopped.

It's so hard to see the world as I saw it at 17.

I was almost in tears as I drove to Panera Bread with Mom last night.

God doesn't change, this I know.

It is I that changed, and I love Him so much, but I cannot figure out why I'm having such a hard time being on fire for Him again.

I know He is faithful. He has led me this far, and He continues to.

I really used to feel like I was a light for Him.

Now I don't.

I want to be a light.

This is the United States of America.

Not the Separated States of the Republican and Democratic Parties.

Supporting a school's football team and supporting the school because it's where you're getting your education are two very different things.

Wednesdays = the craphole.

Three classes. Two hour lab. Work.

All of my school work gets pushed to the evening, which usually rules out going to AO.

Gr.

"And yet another thing about the churches I went to: They seemed to be parrots for the Republican Party. Do we have to tow the party line on every single issue? Are the Republicans that perfect? I just felt like, in order to be a part of the family, I had to think George W. Bush was Jesus. And I didn't. I didn't think that Jesus really agreed with a lot of the policies of the Republican Party or for that matter the Democratic Party. I felt like Jesus was a religious figure, not a political figre. I heard my pastor say once, when there were only a few of us standing around, that he hated Bill Clinton. I can understand not liking Clinton's policies, but I want my spirituality to rid me of hate, not give me reason for it.

((few sentences down))

Jesus taught that we are all bad and He is good, and He wants to rescue us because there is a war going on and we are hostages in that war. The truth is we are supposed to love the hippies, the liberals, and even the Democrats, and that God wants us to think of them as more important that ourselves. Anything short of this is not true to the teachings of Jesus."

Might I recommend Blue Like Jazz for those who haven't read it?

-I'm in love with Spanish. I've got a flippin' A average in there, and that's the class I spend the least amount of time studying for. I'll be glad when next semester rolls around and I can begin my education classes.

-Work is pretty cool. The new quarter started this past Monday, and I've got 16 kids in my Spanish class. . . I'm going to start offering two, because it's harder than hades to teach a language to so many kids with such a large age range.

My life has been getting better and better. God's been providing me with new insights to everything around me, new people for me to befriend, and a new craving for His word.

Hot dog.

That's. . . that's about it.

I know I get lonely, and I talk about how I wish I was in a relationship, but as I look at who I am, I thank God that I was kept from being in relationships with guys I've liked thus far. Ever since I was young, I had this image in my head of who I wanted to be, and I know that being in a relationship would have hindered who I have become and who I am becomming. There are some things that God needs for me to do before he leads me to my husband, and even though I have a hard time with that, I accept it. So many people find their identity in a relationship, and it's really sad. I'm not even talking about high schoolers, I've seen it happened among my college peers, too. God has so many great things in store for us, but if we constantly divert our eyes and focus on something that He doesn't want, then we completely miss out on His goodness.

That I need major prayers over. . .

A lady talked to my Spanish class a couple of weeks ago about studying abroad in Spain for five weeks next summer. It's a great opportunity for me to enhance my Spanish speaking skills and for me to get six credits easy. . .

. . . but something was nagging me and saying that maybe I should spend that much money on a trip for something a little Bigger.

Bigger like a mission trip where I'd be gone for nine weeks in Mexico, Guatemala, and Hondouras next summer.

How awesome would that be?

Anyway, not that I don't think that God doesn't actually want me to go and spread His word, but pray that if I make the decision to do the mission trip that it's where God wants me.

Oh, and pray for Laura, too, because she wants to do this too. We've both talked off and on about going on a mission trip to a Spanish speaking place.

Honestly, I have nothing of importance to say.

Mom and I went shopping at Opry Mills today where we spent a majority of our time in the Gap Outlet. I had an extra coupon for 15% an entire purchase, so I gave it to a lady with a load of stuff in her arms, and she seemed to really appreciate it. It made me happy.

Cason Lane goes on fall break in about two weeks, and I'm going to have first grade for at least the first week. I need an arts and crafts activity a day, and so far I know I'm definitely making ghosts and pumpkin cupcakes. If anyone knows of some simple Halloween/fall related activities, shoot me a commet, por favor. . .

Speaking of Spanish. . . my kids actually spoke it on Friday!!! With each child, I went around and pretty much all of them held a ((short)) conversation with me: "Hola Joshua" "Hola, Ms. Miller" "Como estas?" "Bien, y tu?" "Bien, gracias." "de nada". We also reversed it so they could ask how I was ((como estas)). I know, it really doesn't seem like that big of a deal, but these kids are between five and eight years old!

. . . well, at least it wasn't a slaughter. And at least they're a lot better than last year. One of these days, I will see that game in person.

((I'm referring to UT, for those of you who don't know-- and don't care))

In other news, things are going quite swimmingly. Mom bought me a new desk yesterday, and my brother is going to put it together. I'm very happy; the desk I've been using since I was twelve is only big enough for my monitor and keyboard.

I will also be getting an ipod ((finally!)) very soon. My sister-in-law overheard me tell Dad something about paying for half one one for Christmas, and she told me she'd sell her barely used, 20 gig for $150, but I'm gonna give her a little more.

Fall is here, and I love every minute of it. Everything is so Beautiful.

Alarm. Snooze button. Alarm. Snooze button. Alarm. Fine, I'll get up. Shower/hair/makeup. Drive. Class. Walk. Class. Walk. Class. Walk. Lunch. Work. Children. Headache. Hunger. Drive. Home. Homework. What test?

Yeap. . . that sums it up.

Men aren't worth the pain women put themselves through over them.

No offense. That can go the other way as well.

i could use some prayers for something that is very much on my heart. i'm not saying what it is, but i need a sign.

thanks.