Prayers on a Tuesday

Dear Lord,

I want to give you all the control. I know I have no control, but it's difficult to admit. I like to be in control of my life, but I know I need to recognize that I cannot do this life with the reigns in my hand. Sometimes I get scared to ask for your help with things because I know you will provide me with opportunities to work through those specific things. I once learned when I asked for patience that you gave me opportunities to grow in patience. I fear that as I ask for your help with control that I will feel so out of control. This idea looms over my head because it is scary to think about such loss of control. In my life right now, I'm barely holding on to all the pieces that are making up my puzzle piece of life. I know in my heart that if I let go, you will catch me. I know in my heart that your hands are not far below my dangling feet. I know in my heart that you will not let me fall. But it's my head that says "keep holding on!" My head screams that I am about to lose control and that will make me a wreck. I guess my first prayer is to help my head understand my heart. And my second is to help me lost control so that you can gain control. I know you have in store what's best for me and I trust that you have me in your perfect place here. Thank you for the peace that will come. Thank you for the support that is my family and friends. Thank you for your perfect will.

I pray this in Jesus' name.

PLEXUS WORKS

Here is a picture of my face in the same location and lighting with no make up on. Day 1 on the left, Day 30 on the right.

I'm clearly not a blogger, since it's been over a year since I posted, but I starting the Plexus journey, so I needed a way to keep track of changes.  My goal through this journey is to clear my face and reduce anxiety.  Plexus has many added benefits, and I will continue working out at Pure Barre in order to stay in shape.  I am not interested in losing weight, but I will keep track of my measurements to see what happens.  Since I'm hoping my face clears up, I will post a picture with no makeup once a week.  Today begins my journey.  I just finished my first SLIM drink and will take the BIO Cleanse and ProBIO5 tonight.

Small update from my last post.  I gave up my title as Miss Greater Hot Springs, and I've been studying Counseling at UNT.  I'm earning my Masters degree and have about five semesters left. I am working at Pure Barre as a fitness teacher and just started at Stretch N Grow as a preschool pe and ballet teacher.

Later today, I will post my measurements and first make-up free picture.

Merry Christmas...Parade!

Yesterday was a first for me...a few firsts!  The Greater Hot Springs crew was in the Christmas parade in Hot Springs!  I've been in my fair share of parades, but only as a twirler...never as a queen! 

My mother drove us on the back of her blue convertible mustang.  So. Much. Fun!  I will always love how the kids' eyes light up when they see the crown...it just means so much to me that maybe I'm inspiring a child. 

Ashley and I rode and waved the whole time.  Our princesses joined us too; they rode in the middle so they wouldn't fall out.  Towards the end of the parade, it started sleeting on us!  That was a first too.  Luckily, it was at the very end, and we got the top back up just before the bottom dropped out of the sky.  It was cold, but so much fun!  I'm so glad I got to participate in the Christmas parade!

Before the parade, I went into Dillard's where I worked from May-November...and said hi to the coworkers that happened to be there.  It's amazing how much you can miss people that you barely knew.  I didn't know a lot of them too well, but seeing them again made me realize what an impact they made on my life daily.  There were a few coworkers that I knew I would miss before I left, and seeing them was such a joy!  At the time, I wondered why I had to work in retail if all I wanted to do with my life was help people...but seeing those special people made me realize that they have impacted my life...and that's why I got to work at Dillard's for seven months.  I'm thankful for that experience and the friendships that I've made.

Being a Better Blogger

Confession:  Obviously, I am not meant to be a blogger since I can't seem to blog more than once every couple months.  However, I do think it's important to keep trekking...I want to be a better blogger.

The past few months have been quite crazy!  But I have learned so much about myself and so many life lessons throughout this journey.  I'll take you through a short timeline of events since my last post.

1. My sister got married in October:

Doesn't she look stunning?  Kim got married on our parent's 31st anniversary and our grandparent's 65th anniversary.  The dress Kim is wearing in this picture is my mom's dress altered to accommodate the change in times and Kim's taste.  It was a beautiful wedding.  My mom wore the hat, which was my paternal grandfather's favorite accessory.  That was really special to all of us because he passed away in February, so it was like having him with us on this special occasion.

2. I gave a toast:

I'm proud of this moment because it is so hard to wrap up an entire sisterhood in one short speech.  Luckily, I got to give two...but that's a long story.  Either way, Kim is so special to me, and so is Will now, and I was thrilled to be her maid of honor and get to share what a special person she is.  Through this week in Georgia, I was reminded how special family is.  Families have a unique bond that is made with love.  I am so lucky that I have two wonderful parents, many aunts and uncles, cousins, four grandparents, and two (and a new) sibling to show me this daily.  Family is so important to me and I'm thankful that through my sister's wedding that I was reminded of this special bond and love.

3. I moved to Georgia!

In  Hot Springs, I was very lonely and unable to find a job within my field of psychology.  While I was in Georgia for my sister's wedding, I had a job interview at a safe house for domestic violence victims.  I was offered the job on the spot, and took it.  When I got back to Arkansas, I put in my two week notice and began packing up my apartment!  I lived in Macon, GA for four weeks, worked two jobs, and had only two days off.  THEN...

4.  I GOT INTO GRADUATE SCHOOL

Last  fall, I applied to four graduate programs with the University of North Texas being my number one choice.  I was rejected from all four.  I thought my life was over...but I also knew that I would have to get my master's eventually, so I reapplied to UNT.  The day that I moved to Georgia, I was invited to interview.  I interviewed last spring, so I still didn't think they'd want me.  This time, however, I was far enough away (in miles) to wear I completed a video interview rather than in person.  I got to talk about whatever I wanted and really showed them who I am.  After a couple weeks of crashing at a friend's house, I signed a lease...and within the hour, I received my acceptance e-mail from UNT!  So...

5. I moved back to Texas

I came back to my home state after Thanksgiving and started job hunting.  I will be working in Frisco at Pure Barre, which is a fitness studio.  Look it up and join one.  I love it!  I go to training next week and then move to DFW permanently.  I start graduate school January 11 and I couldn't be more excited.  My life is beginning!!  Yes, I have looked into competing in the Miss Texas organization...but more on that later.

Absence

So I know I've been kind of missing in action recently...since before Miss Arkansas really.  That was one of the best experiences of my life.  I learned so much about myself and what I can accomplish if I set my mind to it.  I will go into more detail when I receive my pictures!!

My sister is getting married in less than a month!  As the maid of honor, I planned the bachelorette party...so that's one thing I did while I was on my technology hiatus.  We went to the beach: Tybee Island, GA.  It was so good spending time with my sisters and her best friends!

I have to be honest, though, one thing that I've slipped up on recently is my goal of working out and getting fit.  I've used being busy as an excuse...and I'm here to say NO EXCUSES any more.  I work at the YMCA on the side, so I literally have access to a gym for free...not to mention, almost everything I learned from my trainer can be done at home with no equipment.  So, as I come back to the blog scene, I'm also going to get back in shape!  Who's with me??

This week, Amy Crain is competing for the title of Miss America.  I'm so excited that she was chosen to represent Arkansas and I know she will do a phenomenal job.  Follow Pageantry by Chris to get updates...and watch with me on Sunday as we see who becomes Miss America 2014!!

Dangers

I met with my personal trainer on Tuesday, and she told me about something that happened in her home town the past weekend.  I want to share this because of the devastating impact.
A youth pastor, my trainer's hometown friend, was driving home from his son's graduation and stopped to help a vehicle on the side of a highway.  There was a house nearby and that family came out to help.  The homeowner went back in to get some tools to help and came out to literal destruction and devastation.  A truck full of drunk teenagers had smashed the vehicle and the three bystanders.  The youth pastor was crushed, the wife was beheaded from the impact, and the daughter was in two pieces.  The first person on the scene was the father and husband of two of the victims.  And the youth pastor's best friend of many years was close behind.  The drunk driver fled the scene, but was later found nearby and I hope that he spends his life in prison.  Nobody deserves to go through this and it is so wrong.
I am literally crying over this story, but it needs to be told.  First, underage drinking is wrong.  These teens got alcohol somehow, and I pray that whomever provided it goes to court and gets convicted.  Second, if ANYONE has just one drink, GET A DESIGNATED DRIVER!  It's really not that hard.  I guarantee that any friend or family member close by would prefer to get out of bed than have this kind of accident happen.  I understand that teens are sometimes scared to call their parents and tell them that they're drinking because they don't want to get in trouble...however, drinking and driving is never the smart choice.  Yes, you might get in trouble with your parents for drinking if you are underage, but let's weight the difference between being grounded for a week, or living your life in prison and tearing a family apart.  You tell me which you would prefer.
I just can't imagine being in these families situation.  It is devastating, but should be a terrible reminder about how devastating drinking and driving can be.  I don't care how old you are...don't drink and drive.
You can read more about this news article HERE.