Plans Change. And That's Okay.

"For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord, 'plans for your well-being and not for trouble, to give you a future and a hope.'" Jeremiah 29:11

It took the most drastic life change this summer to convince me that over the course of my lifetime the plans we as mortal beings make are forever subject to change. The possibility of change doesn't just exist, but it is by our own hands that a change can occur.  Our plans can never be definite, nor will they ever be. The only plans that exist that will always remain the same are the ones that the Lord has made for us, individually and collectively.  In no way are we capable of changing those plans, let alone becoming knowledgable of what they may be before they happen.

Sometimes our plans collide with His. When this happens, our plans are the ones that fail, and it is at this time that we might doubt the course along which our lives are going.  But the question is "WHY?" Why would I begin to believe that everything will crumble, that I will not succeed, that I will not be happy if my plans do not work out? Why would I ever even consider that my plans are perfect, that my plans are right?

I thought I had everything figured out; where I wanted to go to college, what I wanted to study, who I wanted to be. But my version of my future was quickly interrupted by the news that I would be moving to a different state, 3,000 miles away, for my senior year. My world shattered. Everything I thought I knew didn't make sense anymore. With a bitter heart and absolutely no acknowledgment of God's bigger picture, I made the trek and spent the summer away from the only friends I thought I would ever have. I couldn't have been any more wrong.
Sure, the transition was difficult at first, but things began to look up and the pieces of my formerly dismembered life began to fall into place. The level of comfortability in a foreign place increased, I was making friends very quickly, and I was finally feeling happy again. Right after that initial feeling of official settlement, applying for college needed to take place. I had dragged my idea of an ideal college experience across the country, assuming that it could still apply here. Close-mindedly, I refused to take my parents' suggestions and requests to heart because I thought I knew what was best for me. Again, I couldn't have been any more wrong.
It took enduring kidney malfunctions not even 5 months after my last episode to realize that I don't know what I'm talking about. My plans are not perfect. They are not right.

My plan for the next part of my life has changed.  It has only changed because God's unalterable plan for me has continued to unfold, revealing several surprises and a few sorry wake-up calls. I've decided that going to back to the east coast for college isn't going to work for me; leaving the state may not even be the greatest idea. I've also decided that going to school even just an hour away from home isn't as bad as I previously conceived it to be. In fact, that may be what I'm supposed to do, it may be what I will do.

I hate to think that God knows me better than I will ever be capable of. His version of my future is much better for me, much more individualized than I could ever make it.  The life that He has laid out for me is the one that I want to live, however, sometimes my plans for myself get in the way of remembering that.  Having moved here has opened my eyes, splashed some cold water on my face; my former life with my old friends, at my old school, in a different state, has ended. This doesn't mean that communication won't take place or that visits won't occur, but it does mean that the plan isn't what I thought it would be; the outcome will change, and that's okay.

Every chapter in every book has an ending, including the first chapter of mine.  This plot twister was not in my version of my life story. However, it is indubitably in God's, which then leads me to believe that this is only the beginning of the next chapter. It's as if God is saying to me, "Welcome to Chapter 2," also known as "The Best Thing (Thus Far) That Has Happened to Me."

What A Blessing (I thought this posted a month ago)

Wow. I apologize for my extremely slack-ish attitude towards this blog. I hope no one has been waiting on the edge of their seats for a new post... not that there's any reason for anyone to get excited about my entries...
So much has happened in the last couple of months: I went back to NC by myself the first week in August... and it finally hit me that I don't live in NC anymore. Pretty depressing if you ask me. Though I had tons of fun, I hated having to do the whole "cries and goodbyes" thing again. MAN, DID I MISS THE BEACH! I cannot say, however, that I missed the weather. Driving by my old house was so melancholic...

Following my trip to NC, school started. It is amazing. Who would've thought I'd love it so much! I'm meeting amazing people and I'm surprised by how happy I am here. Sorry if that hurts anyone's feelings... Of course I wish I could have all of my besties here with me...

I wish it was easier to put all of my experiences and feelings into words, but it's not at all.  The past two months have been CRAZY busy but CRAZY amazing.  My school has made going to school incredible. I've been missing out on so much, whether it be the classes, the worship opportunities, the people, or the activities that go on here.  This is all just such a blessing.

Man Oh Man Oh Manning!

   I finally got a paycheck... and I only got paid for 16 hours. It's kind of annoying that they need 6 buffer days before they release the paychecks... which means I have to wait until the 6th for the other 40 hours... This is dumb. I want my money! :P
   My grandparents flew back to Tennessee yesterday, so after dropping them off at the airport, my family went to the ZOO!! It's awesome. So, so awesome.  A new elephant exhibit just opened, and if you know me, my mom didn't have to ask me twice about going :P  I got some pretty awesome pics, I'll upload some as I just realized I never do that anymore. My bad...
   Today, my family of four went to the Broncos' open practice and I saw PEYTON MANNING :O However, it started pouring on us and they cancelled the practice, so we left. I think we are going back on Sunday because we can get autographs and pictures with some of the players :D
   I've finally been able to admit that I like my job.  I've been working so much lately and honestly,  sometimes it's better than sitting at home. I have a lot of fun there, depending on who's working with me. Lately, I've been with my favorite manager so there's a lot of laughing and crazy stuff going on when we're not busy.
   Today was my day off and for the first time this week, I've been lazy ever since we got home... I'm so tired today!! But I woke up with a sore throat and a headache that refuses to go away regardless of things I do to try to make it go away. Hopefully whatever this is will go away before I leave on Tuesday. Oh yeah, 4 more days guys!!!!!!! If I wasn't working nearly everyday, I would be pathetically anxious every moment that I'm awake. Thankfully, it's been able to take my mind off of thinking about how much time until I get to leave. I'd rather get excited the night before instead of freaking out for a week about it.
   Colfax Avenue and Broadway downtown Denver. Music heaven. 3 records stores and, like, 4 theaters, two of which I'll hopefully be going to in the fall! I cannot wait to collect a little more bank and then hit the record storessssss! I'm really excited about that if you couldn't tell. And there's some really awesome eateries all over the place! Too bad there's not enough time in every day to do everything!!
  After listening to the new Passion Pit album on a loop about 10 times in the last two days, I decided to see if they were going to be touring in my area soon. Of course they WERE. Yeah. They were scheduled at Red Rocks the 7th of August (the day I come home from NB) but they CANCELLED THEIR PERFORMANCE. WHAT IN THE WORLD? WHY WOULD YOU DO SUCH A THING.  So, then I decided to see if they were going to be anywhere else near me. Yeah. They WERE. In Boulder. BUT THEY CANCELLED THAT SHOW, TOO. WHYYYY?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!  I'm just a tad bit upset about that.
   If you've never heard of WAKEY!WAKEY! you should look it up. Good tunes. Really, really good tunes.
Okay, that is all. Now I must go battle myself...To work out, or not to work out....

Here Comes The Sun

I was supposed to get my pay check over 4 days ago.... what the heckkkkk!
I went shopping with my mamaw today and I hit up some fantastic sales at the nearby outlet mall. Pretty awesome. Gotta get some new cute stuff to wear in New Bern next week ;D
This evening, my parents are grandparents are at James Taylor's concert at Red Rocks. And I am jealous. Except, apparently it's been raining off and on, causing Mr. Taylor to leave the stage while they wait for the rain to stop, then they have to dry off everything, and then he come back.  I guess he wasn't in the mood to get electrocuted today. What a shame. I GOT AN EARLY BIRTHDAY PRESENT TODAYYYYY!!!!!!!!! I am handed this 10 pound box, thinking, "what the heck is this?!" And then I open it enough to see what it is.... AND OH MY GOOODNESSSS GRACIOUSNESSSSS. The UK Beatles Collection box! With 14 LPs! A "Rarity" album, and all of it is in INCREDIBLE CONDITION, having been owned by my dad's dad. Released in 1978... not all of the albums have even been listened to! I wanted to pee all over myself I was so excited. Talk about one of the best birthday presents EVER. I've been listening to The Beatles for about 3 hours now.. Only gotten through 2 and a half albums... currently on Abbey Road. (: THANK GOD for having a record player and an extremely musically interested side of the family. I also got a bunch of other records that aren't in as great of condition, but they're still awesome... Steve Miller Band, Cat Stevens, Simon and Garfunkel, John Denver, Neil Diamond... some great stuff. Yeah. So that was kind of the purpose of this post. Because I couldn't think of anything else to say and I've been slacking off on this thing, which pokes at my guilty conscience a little bit.. so YEAH!
Oh! Darling(s) I AM SO HAPPY.

My Feet Hurt.

    Well, I'd love to say that I haven't posted in a while because I'm have enormous loads of fun, so much fun that I totally forgot I swore on my life I'd keep up with the blog... BUT... instead, I've been working my booty off (yes, I got a job) making moolaah to pay my parents back for the tank of gas I needed AND the PLANE TICKETS TO GET ME HOME FOR A WEEK. Yes. I am coming back to the bern for the first week in August. I'm staying with one of several families back home (the Hopkins') and if you wanna do something or just see my lovely face that you have missed ever so much ;), text me or call me of FB me, and hopefully we can arrange something.  I do know for a fact that the majority of the time I am in NC, my butt will be chilling in the sand at the beaccchhh.. So, yeah.  See you the first week in August...call me maybe?
   So, to make up for the failure of keeping you updated on life out here, it's been crazy.  As I posted previously, I had been on a serious job hunt... that was not going so well. At the point at which I had shared that info, I had probably only applied to 10-ish places... try tripling that before I actually got my first job offer. Of course I had to take it, even if it wasn't my first choice of venue... it's still a job that puts some cash in my pocket. It's a burger/custard place... I really don't love the actual job part of it, but the majority of the people working along side me are awesome. I've only been working for a week and I've already picked out my favorite managers and coworkers who love me. It's super fun, actually. We joke around, laugh, and somehow make such menial tasks entertaining.  I'm currently the favorite newbie... I'm already buddy-buddy with two of my managers, one of which asks me to stay late because she doesn't want me to leave, and the other is super appreciative of my quietness (and because I burn her CDs. (: ) The custard is so amazing... if anyone ever comes out to visit me, I can ya hook up with some free deliciousness!
    There's also this place a few minutes from my house that makes the best french toast I've ever had, and you get free pie with every meal on Wednesdays. So great.
   I honestly don't know what else there is to share....... I've been working so much lately, and then going to the dentist and doctor.. So yeah. Life isn't exactly exciting.  My grandparents are coming to visit for a week, but I'll be working a lot during their visit.. So yeah.
  OH! I went to see my new guidance counselor to set up my schedule for senior year... She doesn't like me. And the whole thing stressed me out... I can't really successfully take Latin next year and I'm BUMMED AS ALL GET OUT. I do get to take an advanced science class that combines organic chemistry, biochemistry, and astronomy... I'm kinda excited! I'm also taking a ceramics class and I joined the worship team which is supposed to uber amounts of fun. Calc AB, Brit Lit, College Writing Prep, Gov't, Women's Health & Christian Choices, General Fitness... Late starts every other week I think..... Yeah, I think I got it all. I think it'll be okay.. minus no latin. Sum tristis. :(
  I keep finding out that ALLLLL of my favorite bands are playing somewhere within minutes of my house and it repeatedly makes me extremely excited. How about a little more Kimbra, some Best Coast, followed by some Two Door Cinema Club? Yes please. Want an even legitimate reason to come out to Denver? The music scene is crazy unbelievable.
So.... I think that's about it, for now at least... MY SISTER TURNED 21 TODAY! Happy Birthday, Bridgetttttttttt(:
I'll try to do a little better with keeping this thing updated! Sorrrrrryyyy for the delay, if anyone has really been intently reading this... haha if it's not worth it, let me know... :P
LOVE YOU GUYS!!! <3 I MISS EVERYONE'S FACES!!!!
 

I Got A Job

Guys, I got a job.
See you in August. (:

You Don't Know What A Rave Is Until You've Been There

In light of the recent absences of new posts, I'd like to begin this entry by saying I've had a wonderful past few days. I got to see family this weekend, brought my cousin Abbey home with me for a few days, and just returned from the MOST FUN AND AMAZING CONCERT EVER.
   Sunday, we drove up to Beaver Creek (where my family vacations to ski and where my grandparents have a condo) because my mom's family was in town.  I basically didn't see the adults much because I spent time wondering around town with my cousins and my brother, which was surprisingly enjoyable. I went out to lunch at the best pizza place ever with Abbey, had a fun photo shoot at a beautiful park in the mountains, and then had an amazing dinner, just the kids, at a delicious restaurant.  Then, after staying up extremely late watching One Tree Hill with Abbey (who is now addicted), I drove home and brought her with me!!! We spent today at the mall, getting lost, and attacking the most enormous Forever 21 I've ever seen. If you know me, I cannot go in that store without going through it with a fine tooth comb. Abbey didn't exactly appreciate the third time I went into the dressing room.... and only left the store with 2 shirts. :P  Then we rushed home, after getting lost again and driving behind buffoons who go 45 in a 75 WHILE IT'S SPRINKLING. We then rushed home to get ready to leave for the long-anticipated Foster The People concert.
    We got stuck in traffic... and somehow still managed to get amazing seats with a general admission ticket.  I can't even adequately describe the concert. Let me begin by saying that the venue was INCREDIBLE. Red Rocks Amphitheater, if you ever get the chance to go, is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. So gorgeous.  Kimbra opened for them... and she is phenomenal.  She will be coming back to Denver on her own headlining tour and I'm soooooo excited--I hope I get to see her again!! Mayer Hawthorne and The County... I thought were terrible prior to the concert... but, they were really awesome! A lot like Elvis Costello, if you're into that kind of that stuff. And finally... FOSTER THE PEOPLEEEE. SO. MUCH. FUN. There were drunk people and weed smokers everywhere, but I didn't care. I was jumping up and down, screaming, dancing, calling friends so they could hear their favorite songs--it was a total rave, no lie. For Meg's entertainment, there were hipsters all over the place, and a packed theatre of 10,000 people.  It was so awesome.  I used all of my phone memory and most of the battery trying to document the entire thing because I don't want to forget it... Kinda wish I had put the phone away and just enjoyed more of the concert without being behind the camera.... Our seats were incredible. I could see everything. Row 20 or so I think... I'm exhausted now... and I have no voice whatsoever.  Pictures to follow! And maybe videos!!!
   Miss everyone! <3 Hope everyone is having a fantastic summerrrrr!!!