It is never safe to look into the future with eyes of fear.

I am very excited for New Zealand. It is one of those experiences you know will be one that will change your life forever, and make you into who you are to become. Yeah, this is gonna be good. I would not be opposed to leaving tomorrow. With that said, there are 18 days until I am there.

-fearless

If I got to pick three sisters...

I can't get this song out of my head and I love it!

You belong with me

Anyway, I just wanted to write about how great this last weekend was. I got to spend some much needed time with three of my favorite people in this world. I mean I have a long list of favorites, but these people top the list, they take the cake, they are incredible and I feel so blessed just to know them. We talked a lot, shopped, made nobake cookies, and mai

nly enjoyed one another's good company.

here's a few old picture that will brighten anyones day...

Love you guys and am so glad to be your punk little sister.

"Because with fear comes hope the same."

Currently Listening on repeat: Songs that Duke Wrote by Ben Rector

I have been home for less than a week and so far it has been incredible. This past weekend I had the great opportunity to visit Norman and all the incredible people there. I stayed the night with two Fold friends Liz and Amanda. I got to watch OU get beat by BYU in the midst of OU fans and it was so hilarious. I couldn't believe it was happening. Haha I was the only OSU grad in a 50 mile radius. I'm pretty certain that if anyone actually reads this knows about the Univ. of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State rivalry, if not, it is big in football. The best parts of the weekend, other than seeing so many people I love, was going to Celebration at Norman Community Church and having dinner with a very dear friend Kristin. It truly is amazing how NormCom's Community works. Worshiping, praying, and encouraging one another is something I have missed and seemed to only have found at Shepherd's Fold. I loved it and wish I could get involved there, maybe someday...

Everyone I talked to was so pumped to hear about New Zealand, but let's be honest...I don't know how you couldn't be. This might be one of the coolest things I have ever done. I am stoked and cannot believe I am doing this. Sometimes I get scared, but knowing the Lord will be holding my hand, never leaving my side, gives me boldness and Faith. Bring it.

"And you find you're holding on to everything you know, but the strength to move beyond is found in letting go." Ben Rector

This is where I am. I have to leave the memories of college and California for the past. I cannot hold on to things that are no more. My best friends have/are moving on to different things and trying to hold on to them will get me nowhere. There is no doubt we will always be friends, but will never be the same. We can't stay in the same place forever, and things change. That's life. We can't hang on to the good or the bad, we just move on.

My big goal for going on this Discipleship Training School (DTS) is to come home not looking like me. Having given my life to Christ, I submit to Him making me more like Him. Loving like Him. Seeing, feeling, playing, talking, encouraging like Him. I want to change lives and allow myself to be changed.

To end I will leave you with quite possibly one of the greatest songs of the 90s.

MMMBOP

Goodbye Tahoe

The summer is coming to a fast close. It has been good. We have learned a lot, met a lot of people and seen some beautiful sights made by the Creator. I will miss my new friends, but letting go and moving on to this new season is what I must do. I hope I have loved and I hope I never forget this summer.

Bring it on Oklahoma and then New Zealand.

Oh Lord, help me to accept change.

Home Sweet Home

I firmly believe home is where the heart is. It has been quite the trip to go home to Tulsa for Lydia's wedding, then pack up again and come home to Tahoe. Erin and I were talking about how quickly a home becomes home.

The wedding was phenomenal and I am excited to see where the Lord will take the newly married Mitchell family. I had a blast seeing some of my favorite people, dancing, watching Lydia become a wife, watching my mom coordinate their wedding (aka she rocked it), and truly enjoying what Tulsa, OK has to offer. I got to spend some good time with the rents (parents).

Home, I love it. Soon, New Zealand will be home for a time. I can't believe how fast that is coming.

I have been thinking about how blogs can be a selfish way of expressing one's self, but I hope this is more of a tool to keep up with friends, to encourage, and share life.

Coffee, macs, and baseball

What is it about coffee shops that makes you want to think about life and then write about what you are thinking in your blog? Maybe it is just coffee in general. Maybe it is all the people around you. You can feel their stares at your computer and you have this desire to "act" all deep by writing in a blog. Also, as I look around there are several people here with Macs. You have to have a Mac to come to a coffee shop. I learned that from working at Aspen, and I succumbed to this idea by getting one for Christmas. There were other reasons too (don't judge me).

On another note, Erin and I only have a few weeks left here. We were right in thinking that this summer would fly by, yet we are both still surprised by how fast.

It has been a great summer. I have learned a lot. It has been super weird, but good all the same to not be out at the Fold. I know it was an awesome summer for each staff member. The pictures on facebook prove it. I have so missed being outside for some good worship. And the people of course has always been what made it so great. I imagine I will never be able to stay away from there. Some day I hope my kids will go there. I will go back and visit for a week or two.

I'm listening to big band/swing on pandora. Love that stuff.

New Zealand is approaching so quickly. I can not believe it is almost here (1 month and 27 days). I will soon be on a plane over the Pacific...hopefully zonked out. Plane rides are no joy for me. I usually picture the thing aimed right for the ground (or ocean). It doesn't help that there was that big crash in the Atlantic over the summer. Oh Lord, please help me make it there safely and not have a heart attack. amen.

Erin and I are hoping to go to a San Francisco Giants game (maybe I am the one really hoping for it, I think it would be so fun). Cotton candy, nachos, baseball hats, screaming fans, baseball...sounds perfect.

Well...later days.

"people are like bugs..."

things i have learned while working at the casino:

- people are like bugs, they are attracted to the slots with the brightest and most colorful lights.

- older people really can't see or hear (99% of the time an older person comes to order i have to yell and hand them a menu they can bring closer to their eyes).

- people are not affected by the hurting economy because they sit all day and waste money.

- people don't like change, specially when it comes to food. I know, I am one of them.

- 80's music sounds the same after a few days.

I can't think of anything else as of now, but there is a lot of time for me to stand and observe the casino floor. People really are weirdos and much of what I see has me worried for this country and humans in general.