Kansas City Youth Trip

Now that I've had a little down time, I can reflect on the part of my time in KC involving my youth group.

This was the last event I was allowed to do with my youth group.  And that really makes me sad.  It's weird to look back and think that, when I came just over two years ago, I hated any time I had to do anything with this group, and now I have to leave it and would love to stay.  I nearly begged to come on this trip.

The drive up was only a three hour trip and so as expected, nothing amazing happened.  I sat in the third row and decided to talk with some of the boys who went on the trip; two of which had just entered youth.  I feel like I am a friend to everyone in the group and even though I am no longer a part of youth, I still want to have those small connections with the new youth.  I got to learn a lot about them and know things about them probably half the youth group doesn't even know. I like knowing that they still saw me as a somewhat friend during that trip even though I am quite older and won't see them for a long time.

Once we got to KC, I enjoyed BBQ.  Oklahoma Joes.  That's all that needs to be said.  Best BBQ I have ever had.  With God as my witness, I couldn't ask for better BBQ.  We each got out own meals and then split a full rack of ribs.  I was a little hesitant on paying $2 for one rib at first.  But my first bite, I would have paid double that.  Talk about an amazing rib.

On the second day, we went shopping.  We enjoyed and outdoor mall and an indoor mall.  New favorite store: Deb. Absolutely loved it.  But hey, shopping is shopping.  Not much to tell there.  However, in between the two malls, we all went to the Melting Pot.  Wow.  So much oooooie gooooooie goodness in a pan.  Cheese, meat, and chocolate.  It is an experience that I will never forget.  We finished off the day at a Royals game. With no personal stake in the game, I watched the game trying to recover from all the food my body was being taken over with.  Royals won so yay.

Our last day was the best day.  We chose between Oceans of Fun and Worlds of Fun.  I chose Oceans.  Best choice.  The day was sooooo hot.  I loved being able to mess around and have fun in the water all day long.  Not to mention my super cute bathing suit.  I absolutely love swimming.  I could do it all day. It was a great way to spend the day.  We ended by going to Cinzettis and amazing restaurant.  While some didn't like it, I loved it!

And that was it.  A very low key trip.  Yes there were fights along the way, but what do you expect? It was a trip primarily full of girls who didn't get full nights of sleep and were out in the heat all day long.  

There wouldn't have been a perfect trip for me.  Either way you look at it, I was only going to mostly enjoy my time.  The whole time on the trip I was focused on 'this is my last trip.'  In such a short time I have really let all these people into my life and experienced so much.  It is hard to see all of that go.  No more crazy youth services, wonderful things like snow and cupcakes ruined thanks to 'talks,' no more camp, convention, fine arts, no more anything youth.  It is really sad to think about.  But I know that I have great things ahead of me.  And I will always have these relationships I've built with the youth to fall back on.  The kids and leaders in that group are really something special.  It is such a unique combinations of people that all love Jesus and love to get to know others.  I am so happy to have been apart of it and use the things I've learned from everyone as I grow up now.

This Kansas City youth trip was a weekend of memories. 

Kansas City

Well, the list seems to be in the back burner now.  It is less and less important for me to finish it.  I am not as concerned.

The summer is rapidly winding up and I am enjoying my days as they come; trying to stay open to the possibilities each day holds.

This past week almost, I have been in Kansas City.  Partly for my last thing to do with the youth group, our summer fun trip, and partly to visit my older sister and her family.  Just over a year ago she got married and about 3 months ago she had the most wonderful baby ever.  I really love this girl.

As I will be leaving for Texas in four and a half weeks, I am really happy for my time with Ava, my niece. We get to see them on limited times as it is, and now I will be moving 6 hours farther away.  A lot of my bonding time with her is important.  I know that I probably won't get to see them in person again for a very long time.  To make up for it, Ava fell asleep in my arms today and then...threw up on me.  How sweet.

I started my day out shopping at my new favorite store called Deb.  They have really cute clothes for great prices.

We leave tomorrow to go back home.  I am happy to be home.  I don't like being away for a long time and it will be good to get back to my daily schedule.  And yes, saying good bye won't be fun, I have no choice.

This summer is nothing what I would have planned it to be.  And I am loving that so much.  Each day has a new surprise for me and I look forward to moving away to college.  It's gonna be a big change but I think I am ready for it.

I'm not ready for the summer to end just yet, but I am loving the way it is wrapping up.

Giraffes

I really want a giraffe. Like no other in this world.  I know I won't ever get one, but I want one. And it reminds me of Chi Alpha tonight.  We talked about being selfish.  Many people can think of a time that they are selfish or thinking "I want I want I want" or "Me me me."

A lot of the selfishness that many people forget to look at is involving their time talents. A lot of the time I am not being selfish but I am not acting out with a selfish motive, but I use my time for things that aren't helping others.  I'm sure you can relate to that.  But what goes along with that is selfishness of your talents. God has given each one of us a talent and a gift.  We are cheating ourselves and others by not using them and are being selfish. If God has called you to pastor, it is selfish of you to not.  He called you that because you can impact someones life and help lots of people.

But don't let that stop you.  If God called you to do something as simple as working as a truck driver...if you don't do it, you are being selfish.  Just because you don't think you are outright helping someone out, or using a gift you have doesn't mean God isn't using what you are doing.

I really got to thinking about this.  I sat on my couch tonight complaining that I will never get a giraffe.  Mean while, I am sitting on my macbook, texting on my new phone, watching tv in my air conditioned, furnished house.  All of the nice things that I take for granted surrounding me, and I still selfishly say that I want more.

It struck me because I wasn't being selfish.  Yet I was.  I think back to all the times when I haven't used my time or gifts for what God wants me to, and feel bad.  Now all I can think about it is what I can do to not be selfish in this way anymore.

Not sure why I felt like blogging about this, but I hope it helps someone realize something.

Anyway, I had a good time at Chi Alpha tonight.  I also went over to a friends and swam and played quelf.  I love that game so very much! I am leaving for Kansas City tomorrow. So very excited about this.  Can't wait to get to see my sister and niece and brother-in-law.

Well, no list items to report.  Probably won't have an update on that for a while.

Late Nights

Lately I have been staying up way later than I should.

Tonight, I pulled a 2am Walmart trip.  These trips are always so fun.  We get to run around and act all crazy and only the night shift workers will ever know. Minus the fact that it's on security cameras. After we left Walmart, we decided we need to play in some sprinklers.  So we pulled over by Starbucks and played in the sprinklers. Ha, I felt like such a kid it was so much fun.

Early today, I went on a visit day. First time ever without Kaitlyn (she is in Chicago for a few weeks so I am hanging out with everyone else).  It was an interesting trip to say the least.  Only got a few actual visits in.  But I did have fun.

These late, late nights are starting to catch up to me.  I just might sleep all day soon so make up for it all.  And I am such a morning person too that nights make no sense to me.  But hey, I guess it's getting me ready for college.  I have a pretty good week planned.  Leaving on Thursday for Kansas City.  I am so excited.  Not only will I get to have fun on a youth trip, but I will get to see my older sister, brother-in-law and wonderful, fat, cute, squeaky, adorable, little niece.  She is getting so big lately.  Maybe all these late nights are preparing me for that so I can stay up all night when she is awake and just hold her in my arms.  I am really gonna miss her when I leave for college.  I know that my time seeing her is going to be severely impacted.

List items I've done recently: visit trip, 2am Walmart, tagged Jesse's car....and nothing else is coming to mind.

One of Those Days

Well, today will be fairly short.

Only item to report...tagging Jesse's car.  Ha, this was a lot more work than it lead on to be.  While waiting for Kaitlyn's car to be fixed (which is an entirely different story) we decided to tag his car while at work.  Little did we know that he was sitting inside waiting for the rain to pass.

We ended up following him, along with his dad and friend, to Harps for lunch.  He was very annoyed but it was very fun.

Since it had been raining, the tag didn't really stick so it was a complete fail.  But hey, we did it so there's another one to check off the list.

As for the rest of the day, I had a lot of fun with Chi Alpha tonight.  We went to a coffee shop and learned all about Greece and a trip that some of the students had just taken a trip there.  It was really nice and then...we went out for pizza.  Kaitlyn and I went a little later that everyone else, but we still had a lot of fun.  I am pleasantly surprised at how I am liking Chi Alpha.  I was not expecting to like it at all.  A few friends along the way, and now I'm not as worried about college. Though it will be completely different, I am seeing that I am slowly coming out of my shell a lot faster and connecting with people.

Overall, the day was awesome.  A little rain, a nice nap, hanging out with friends, and crashing lunch with Jesse? I could definitely go for more days like this!

My Stupidity

So I realize that in my last update, I forgot to mention any list items we have completed.  Well, none.

This is not good. Kaitlyn leaves on Monday and once she leaves, I am on mine own for the rest of the summer to complete the list basically. Anyone wanna join in?!

Anyways, today I paid for gas in change! I felt kinda dumb but it was still fun.  I counted out $5 and paid.  The cashier got annoyed and stopped counting half way through and said "I'm just gonna believe you."

Good thing I tell the truth!  However, I am very stupid.   My car has some "special" features.  And one of them is a gas cap that isn't attached so when I take it off, I set it on top of my car.  About half way home, I looked back to see my gas thing still opened.  I pulled off to the side of the road, and yep, my gas cap was gone.

A few short minutes later, some back tracking....and guess who had an awkward conversation with a worker at Auto Zone? This girl right here.

No other items to report for today.  As long as I can stay awake, hopefully we will be making a trip to Walmart at 2am!!! I love those kind of trips.

We may or may not go on a visit day tomorrow. Depends on the day. All I know is that we have got to get cracking on this list.  We started with 50 items....and have about 30 left.  Summer has gone by way too fast.

California

As the summer is getting closer, and closer to an end, I find myself thinking a lot of California. I can't believe that eight years ago I moved to Arkansas. It doesn't feel like it has been that long. My life really has just sped up.

Hopefully, I will be making a trip to California the first week of August.  I haven't been since Thanksgiving of 9th grade. In the time since, I have lost both my grandparents who lived there.  I know that the full effect of this has not set in yet and will the moment that I step in the house.  I miss them both and look forward to seeing them in Heaven.

Making a trip to California is so important to me.  I need to make this trip without my parents actually driving with me because I feel like it will prepare me for college.  This trip will also let me have one last do whatever experience before I leave.  I miss my family and the places I love going to.

I miss the beach and Disneyland the most.  I grew up going to both very frequently.  I have so many memories with both of these places.  I can always remember at different stages in my life being at the beach or going to Disneyland.  This stage that I am about to leave...has that part missing.

California will always be apart of me.  Taking one last trip before college matters a lot to me because I know that I probably won't get a chance for a trip like this again.  By next year, my dad should hopefully be moved back to Arkansas with the family.  This means no more free pass to Disney, no entire house to stay at for free, and no money. I realize that after this summer, my financial situation completely changes as I begin to pay for college for the rest of my life.  I know that God will provide.

California is an amazing place.  And I can't wait to be back to the state I lived most of my life in.

A lot of Some Random

Well, firework's is over!!! Thank you Jesus. I logged a total of 130.5 hours of work in and eight day period. Yeah, I am very tired from that. But don't worry...the pay was....okay well let's just say Kaitlyn, I, Michael, and Brian all laughed for a good five minutes pulled over on the free way.

But I still had a lot of fun.

I was majorly creeped by a guy who came in THREE TIMES!!! Each time getting worse and worse. Let's just say I would have loved people to have saved me and when Brian finally did, Kaitlyn and Bradley just laughed at my misery. Other than that, I really stepped out of my comfort zone and talked repeatedly to others who I don't know at all. Slowing but surely, I am losing my shyness. We shall see if this keeps up when summer is over.

Other than that, things I accomplished include: standing on the side of the road holding signs, swimming in a lake (more or less), and splatter painting (which was really fun).

We still have a long list ahead of ourselves but I feel like we are making some great progress.

My life in general lately....ehh I can't complain.  The hot, hot weather really drains all my energy.  And if that wasn't enough, today is the first day since my 130.5 hour work week that I can completely not worry about doing anything else. It was a nice change to lounge around and paint. Ha. I am no artist but it was really fun and I could almost feel the stress leave me.

In other news....I will probably never ride on a motorcycle.
Running to save Kaitlyn at the gas station, because get this she couldn't open a gas can!!!, I tripped.  I was stepping off of wet grass onto the asphalt and just went down face first.  I braced myself by sliding along my elbow and hand then flipped over myself that way my legs could share in this pain.  Luckily...only Michael saw this happen.  I am perfectly fine aside from my right hand.  I have a very big burn type sore and I feel very pathetic.  I can hardly do anything and I laugh at that.  Who knew that me, someone who walked off breaking my foot (until the day later of course), would be limited from a hurt hand.

But hey, that's life.  Well, I think I am all caught up now. Hope you all enjoying reading about my life! It's been a crazy week, but I would gladly do it again.