Life. . .

Okay - so I really have no idea what I am going to write about tonight but I really just have a lot of stuff I want to say.

SCHOOL
About this time last year I was a scared freshmen beginning my first year of college.  I had no idea what I was about to get myself into.  I had a 4 year ROTC scholarship. . .sounds good right.  Well why then one year later am I without a scholarship and thinking about transferring.  It all started last January on a FOUR mile ruck sack march in ROTC.  For those of you who don't what that is it is a march in BDUs and about 40 to 50 pounds on your back.  Well after that march my back began to hurt and I had blisters that would not get enough time to properly heal until summer time.  My back started going out on me.  Crazy right? At 18 years old I was having back problems...obviously not a good thing.  At the end of the semester I failed to pass my final PT test - which might of been b/c I was on medical suspension from running (b/c of my back) until like a week before the test.  That set up my next semester not being paid for if I didn't pass the PT test over the summer.  By this time I was already thinking of not coming back so I decided not to take the test so if I did come back it would not be just for the money.  Well this past summer some great opportunities arose and now, God willing, it looks like I will be transferring to the University of Nevada, Reno.  Most people who know me know I have an amazing friend that goes to school there and they think that is the only reason I am going.  However, this past summer I received the chance to try out for the UNR band and possibly start my work on receiving a certificate in Youth Ministry. 

I'll keep ya updated on the whole school thing when I know 4 sure . . .

SUMMERS
So on May 26th I landed in Reno NV. I spent a month in that town with my best friend in the entire world.  If you read the section above you read some of the things that I got the chance to do out there.  I also met some very amazing people.  Lorena's YM is amazing  and so is her family.  But that was just the first half of my summer - the send half was spent as a LIFETEEN Summer Staff at COVECREST. 

Covecrest 2005 was an amazing experience by itself.  Last year I met some of the most amazing people.  I wrote a blog on my experience last year a while back.  I can honestly say some of the people I met like Lorena, Kate, and Marianne truly changed my life.  However, after camp staffers such as Maggie and Lorena continued to amazing me with the time and patience they had to listen to me wine and complain about some very small things and some very significant things.

This year at Covecrest was much different.  It was nothing like I expected but more then I could have ever imagined. It was truly amazing to see God at work.  I've never had an experience where I could just step back and go "that was so God working though me".  I have done talks and such and that is easy to say God (or the Holy Spirit) was talking and not yo. But at camp you would think you were about to crash from fatigue and next thing you know your up on the ropes course helping a girl make it across the Bermuda bridge and your like how did I do that. Then you realize it wasn't you - it was God usuing you. Man I miss the good times and smiling faces form Covecrest.  The people I meet there (last year or this year) will always have a special place in my heart.

Looking back it's not the place I miss the people and the memories.  I miss the old and the new but it's okay that just means theres more memories to be made.

It's bed time.  Good nite and most of all  GOD BLESS

WoW - Long time since an update.  I think the last time I even put enything up was in the middle of my spring break . . . Well, the only reason I am posting now is because I wanted to tell everyone that I really don't get to see that much that. . . 

I got accept for a summer staff position in Tiger, GA.  It is a LIFE TEEN camp.  I am really excited and I can not wait to do a month of God's work! 

2 more weeks of school

31days til I go to Nevada. . . I can't wait

Okay so it has been over a month since I've updated.  So I figure I should let everyone out there know what is going on.  Well, in February nothing to good, bad, or ugly happen.  I threw out my back but I am all better now.  So that means I finally get to start getting back in good shape.  One reason I am updating now is because of the amazing (yes I know I say amazing a lot) weekend I had.  March 10-12 I had the chance to be on Staff @ ACYC.  I got the chance to be one of 12 Staffers.  I had a blast.

Friday: We all got there @ 2 and help set up. Once we got set up then we got to hang out with Paul George & Pighteous B (pics on myspace).  Then we had a "staff" meeting to assign jobs for the weekend.  I got Setting up for Mass / Registration / Patrolling (everyone got that but I got 4th floor).  After Registration was done I was able to watch the Righteous B concert (awesome!) then The teens had a session and then some free time so we had to make sure they stayed inside and then at about 11:30 they were all suposed to go to bed.  Then the patrolling began.  Me and Sean patrolled the 4th floor until like 1 30 and then went to bed.

Saturday: I was up @ 645 for breakfest then to set up for Mass.  Had Mass then a session then lunch.  Then Girl and Guy sessions then workshops and they were all amazing.  The girls talk was one of the best I've ever been in or seen (maybe besides Covecrest).  Then dinner that night and after one more session they had some free time which we helped set up for the dinner theater and then had to get ready for (I waas GI Jane).  After dinner there was Adoration and Confession.  I got the Chance to say the first decade of the rosary on stage with our Arch Bishop.  After Confession the teens had a lil more free time then it was bed time (lights out time @least).  From 1130 til about 230 (almost 3) me and Sean patrolled the Second floor.  Raf & Shelly were giving him a hard time and so we were all messing around b/c in the hotel you gould see across the way all the way up and down.  It was awesome.  S then we all went to bed at about 3 Sunday morning.

Sunday: Up @ 7 for Breakfest and mass.  Then a closing session with Paul Geore.  Then a rock out with Andy Cloninger (the music for the weekend).  Then the teens left and we (the staff) had to break everything down.  Which was great fun (rolling cord after cord after cord).  Then when we got done Everyone went home and some of us went out to eat.  ME and melissa got home at about 4 and I slept til 8 woke up went back to sleep around midnight and was straight passed out (from being so tired) until 2 monday.

That was my weekend and it was truly amazing.  I met some really amazing people & I can't wait until I get to see them all again Thursday.  That's all for now I promise to post again soon.  Bye Everyone!

Long days add up.  I know its been quite some time since an update and it is well needed.  The last time I updated Lorena had just left.  Well, its been about  three and a half weeks and I already miss her to death.  You know its funny - I never thought I would meet my best friend at a church camp.  I never thought I would know someone so well that I felt like I could and have truly told them everything.  I miss her so much but not to worry this summer I will get to see her again. So, you are propably wondering whats been going on for almost 4 weeks.

Well, to begin - I started school the day after Lorena left and its going pretty good.  I like my classes.  I am taking History / Informations (comp class) / English / Communication / & ROTC this semester. That is for anyone who cares to know.  The first test is most of my classes are coming up next week.  Church related stuff has been going very well.  I am kind of on a two week rotaion thing right now.  One week I play at Coosada and the next week I go to 6 30 Mass in montgomery.  I love going to Mass.  I am truly falling in love with my faith

I'm only eighteen yet my biggest desire and want is to just fall in love with my faith.   Being Catholic is so Amazing.  Let me clairfy I am not dissing any other faith (that is just not how I role).  I am just saying I throughly enjoy being Catholic.  catholic (lower case c) means universial and its great to go to Mass every Sunday and just know that all around the world the exact same thing is happening.  The songs may not be the same and it is def. not always going to be the same language.  But its so awesome to think that I could go to Germany / Rome / England / Austrailia / Iceland / Anywhere and know what's going on.  Sorry if you think I am rambling but it (being Catholic) is something you have to experience to truly value. 

1 Cor. 9: 24 - 27.  This verse is awesome.  If you get a chance look it up and ponder it.  You know what don't look it up here: 

     "Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize?  Run so as to win.  Every athlete exercises discipline in every way.  They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.  Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing.  No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified." (1 Corrinthians 9: 24-27)

I have been pondering that for a few days and discussed it with a few folks.  I really like the point that is coming across in those few verses. We should all Run as to win.  Win the imperishable crowns of Gods kingdom.  I love the analogy about an athlete and comparing it to a Christian.  An athlete trains to win and we should as well. The end is my favorite part.  We should practice (train) as we preach to others.  Because if we don't then we may be feeling the pains in the long run.  I could go on forever about what I think about that verse but  let me know what you think.

Okay what else.  I bought my plane ticket to Nevada. I can't believe I am going out that for like ever.  I am leaving the 26th of May and coming back at the end of June.  That's right a whole month.  Her family must not know me to well if they are letting me stay that long.  It's okay I also get to go see some of my family that live in Carson city as well.  Oh, and tomorrow I am shiping off four  packages.  I was supposed to send three of them off b4 Christmas but I am in college so I was to broke and lazy to do so.  One is going to New York.  One is going to Arizona. One is going to Philly. And the last one is going to Nevada.  If the people getting them are actually reading this then I am sure they know who they are. =)

One last thing.  Dinning Out is the 3rd of March and I am so going.  It cost me 50 $.  That's expensive.  But I am totally aexcited because I am not going alone.  I am going with Tyler so its all good.  We will be eating London Broil (mmm...) sounds delicious.  Well, I think that is offically all for now.  I hope everyone has a wonderful  Day, Night, and Week.  Peace and God Bless.

A.I.M.P.  (stole that from Marianne)

I am so sad right now ! Lorena left today . . . I can barely keep myself together.  You guys she is my bestest friend in the whole wide world.  I am going to miss her soo soo soo soo soo soo soo much these next 130+ days.  I hope she gets home soon so I can talk to her.  Well, I hope you guys are having a great day . . . please pray from me and that I will be okay b/c I am really sad right now.  TTYL Peace and God Bless.

~Sarah~