After watching the season finale of 'The Biggest Loser' I have had enough. If these people can run a marathon, I sure can. For several years now it has been a I wanted to accomplish. I'm finally stepping up and making it happen, in moderation.
After discussing with Jon the how consuming school and work will be, we decided a good compromise would be for me a just run a half this time. So, a half marathon it is. The date is set for April 11th in Dallas, The Big 'D'(that is the name of the marathon, not how I refer to Dallas). I somehow recruited my friend Ashley to run with me for moral support. This morning was our 2nd run, so far so good! We've also been recruiting other Abilenians to join us! So far we have added 6 others, anyone else who wants to run just let me know. Jan 5th is the last day to sign up before the entry fee increases. If you don't want to run you can come and cheer us on during the race! We will need all the support we can get. Especially around mile 10. Posters and bull horns are preferable.
In other news, we leave to go skiing/ snowboarding this Saturday. FINALLY!!! I had so much fun yesterday getting out all our snow gear and packing everything. Snowboarding is SO much fun and I'm glad I get to go two years in a row. I'm just praying my legs hold up and aren't super tired.
This will also be the beginning to our Christmas break and time with family and friends. We can't WAIT to see Jace and Randy and have so much fun with them on the slopes. Then it is off to have some relaxing time with Jon's family. This will be my first Christmas without my family and I'm super bummed. But hopefully our amazing Thanksgiving will tide me over for a while. I'm excited to be with Jon's family and learn all their family traditions, and have some yummy Christmas food!!
Until Next Time...
Monday, December 14, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Christmas Ready
I feel that I had a wonderful productive weekend. Saturday I was able to accomplish most of my Christmas shopping in 3 hours!!! And no, it was not all online!
I think this is a world record. Never have I been done so early and actually had presents under my tree for more than a few days!!
Yesterday we put up lights on the entire house. Poor Jon had to climb on top of the house because the ginormous bushes in the front yard don't lend themselves to ladders very well. I never realized how many lights are necessary to decorate a house. I always thought dad having 3000 lights on the tree was overzealous, but now I'm spoiled by the sparkling wonder. 800 lights on the front of the house just doesn't do it. Watch out Walmart, your after-Christmas sale lights are MINE! But I must say that our simple Christmas lights are very pretty. We waited until dark and then went out to the street for the best vantage point. I think we win the best house on the block prize hands down. Even without an inflatable snowglobe that lights up and snows inside.
I was also able to wrap all of our presents yesterday! I had to make a dollar store run for tape, and got the cutest present name tags! I might stock up on them for next year. I found the cutest stocking for Penny! I've been looking for a doggie one for a while, and who else would have one but the dollar store! I'm thinking about writing Penny on it somehow, but I think the stocking pretty much says whose it is.
We also had pizza night last night! Margaret and Jeff gave us the great idea to make our pizzas at home. Since then Jon has had a secret desire to make some. They actually turned out really yummy! Mine was Cheese, Pepperoni, Sauteed Onion and Mushroom! Mmmmmmmm. The best part is that there was a Harry Potter marathon on the rest of the night. Pizza and Harry Potter, what a great combo.
Now back to the study grind. I have my final tomorrow and have to get started on hard core studying. A part of me feels ready as these should be questions that I've seen before...but you never know with Pat. Wish me luck!
Until next time...
I think this is a world record. Never have I been done so early and actually had presents under my tree for more than a few days!!
Yesterday we put up lights on the entire house. Poor Jon had to climb on top of the house because the ginormous bushes in the front yard don't lend themselves to ladders very well. I never realized how many lights are necessary to decorate a house. I always thought dad having 3000 lights on the tree was overzealous, but now I'm spoiled by the sparkling wonder. 800 lights on the front of the house just doesn't do it. Watch out Walmart, your after-Christmas sale lights are MINE! But I must say that our simple Christmas lights are very pretty. We waited until dark and then went out to the street for the best vantage point. I think we win the best house on the block prize hands down. Even without an inflatable snowglobe that lights up and snows inside.
I was also able to wrap all of our presents yesterday! I had to make a dollar store run for tape, and got the cutest present name tags! I might stock up on them for next year. I found the cutest stocking for Penny! I've been looking for a doggie one for a while, and who else would have one but the dollar store! I'm thinking about writing Penny on it somehow, but I think the stocking pretty much says whose it is.
We also had pizza night last night! Margaret and Jeff gave us the great idea to make our pizzas at home. Since then Jon has had a secret desire to make some. They actually turned out really yummy! Mine was Cheese, Pepperoni, Sauteed Onion and Mushroom! Mmmmmmmm. The best part is that there was a Harry Potter marathon on the rest of the night. Pizza and Harry Potter, what a great combo.
Now back to the study grind. I have my final tomorrow and have to get started on hard core studying. A part of me feels ready as these should be questions that I've seen before...but you never know with Pat. Wish me luck!
Until next time...
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Giving Thanks for Thanksgiving
We're back. One week ago we began our trek up to NYC, the big apple. Smile planted, suitcase loaded, over sized glasses shading, I was ready to go. Here is a recap of the events as they unfolded.
Wednesday
Flew into NYC, took Jons 1st of many taxi rides into the 'The City'
Settled in then walked down Broadway to see the parade preparations
Subwayed it to union square, rain prompted cab ride to din din at Mole (pronounced Mo-lay)
Mole for mommy's birthday, several margaritas and appetizers later had birthday celebration including new Kindle
Thursday
Hit the parade route a 9 am, got to see the balloons!!
Walked back to Sarah's apartment to see the live performers at Macy's
Went to Kate's ex-boss Michelle's for champagne and cheese and 123 types of Salami
Dinner at Landmarc in Lincoln center, run in with American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert
Home to watch the UT/A&M game
Friday
Battery Park to see Lady Liberty, through financial district to see 911
China Town, had a few shady run-ins, and cops were busting people...very deterring
Little Italy for lunch, mmm pizza and canoles!
Union Square to look through all the booths
Back to Sarah's to rest
Met Ruth, Kate's coworker, for drinks
Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall!!!
Tree in Rockefeller Center, not yet lite though
Dinner at the French Roast
Saturday
Spin class with Kate
Brunch at the Grey Dog down near the Village
Shopping on 5th avenue, H&M was very disappointing
Back to Sarah's to rest
Chinese Takeout, watch Annie
Watch Elf
Sunday
Back to TX
So that was Thanksgiving in a nutshell. Sorry no pics, dad has the camera. It was a super fun trip. Thanks mom and dad!!!!
until next time
Wednesday
Flew into NYC, took Jons 1st of many taxi rides into the 'The City'
Settled in then walked down Broadway to see the parade preparations
Subwayed it to union square, rain prompted cab ride to din din at Mole (pronounced Mo-lay)
Mole for mommy's birthday, several margaritas and appetizers later had birthday celebration including new Kindle
Thursday
Hit the parade route a 9 am, got to see the balloons!!
Walked back to Sarah's apartment to see the live performers at Macy's
Went to Kate's ex-boss Michelle's for champagne and cheese and 123 types of Salami
Dinner at Landmarc in Lincoln center, run in with American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert
Home to watch the UT/A&M game
Friday
Battery Park to see Lady Liberty, through financial district to see 911
China Town, had a few shady run-ins, and cops were busting people...very deterring
Little Italy for lunch, mmm pizza and canoles!
Union Square to look through all the booths
Back to Sarah's to rest
Met Ruth, Kate's coworker, for drinks
Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall!!!
Tree in Rockefeller Center, not yet lite though
Dinner at the French Roast
Saturday
Spin class with Kate
Brunch at the Grey Dog down near the Village
Shopping on 5th avenue, H&M was very disappointing
Back to Sarah's to rest
Chinese Takeout, watch Annie
Watch Elf
Sunday
Back to TX
So that was Thanksgiving in a nutshell. Sorry no pics, dad has the camera. It was a super fun trip. Thanks mom and dad!!!!
until next time
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Prayer
I know it has been a long time since my last post. Life has caught up and blogging is the first thing to go when that happens. But, after last nights church service I feel the need to share.
For the past couple months our life group has been listening to a series by John Eldridge on prayer. We've been discussing such topics as God's will, and if prayer can really affect our lives if God all knowing. Can we intervene on the behalf of others or does God's will for them to suffer have greater purpose. Just to name a couple. Being a Christian woman, I know how necessary prayer is in my day to day life. And as a sinner I also fail to do it as often as I should.
Last night we had a group called Global Awakening come to church to speak about the amazing things that God is using them to do around the world. Things I've always dreamed of but never thought I would get to experience. My heart has always been aflame to see great works and miracles. Being raised in the church I never felt I had a powerful testimony about God's healing and restoration in my life. When I interned in Africa I had great expectations of seeing God's wonder and the magnitude of the spiritual forces that are at work around us. I came back let down, not understanding why God didn't show me the things that I earnestly prayed for. Since then I've heard stories and been jealous of God's intervention and restoration in other people's lives.
Last night opened up a whole new can of worms. We watched a few videos of the work this team is doing, healing people around the world. They are literally causing the lame to walk, blind eyes to see, and all pain to be taken away. Of course skeptical me thought 'well, maybe this is a coincidence, they just feel better for now but not permanently'...endorphins can do a lot after all. But I know these thoughts are from the evil one. After all Jesus told his disciples that they would do even greater works than he. A concept I have always struggled with. As the service progressed we began to see person after person say that God had healed them. Of course we were all astonished and I was skeptical. I've never been one believe the preacher who yells out that there is a person with a specific problem in a room of 5,000 people and not find someone in the crowd with the problem.
The whole experience was overwhelming, but at the same time I thought it was the answer to prayers that have for so long gone unanswered. At one point I suddenly felt the urge to pray for a woman sitting beside me with arthritis in her knees. We prayed for 10 minutes over this woman to no avail. I was crushed. I truly believed that when I looked up at her she would be smiling and overjoyed. But no. In James 5:13-16 it tell us to pray for the sick and our prayers will be answered. After this event I've come away with more questions than answers. Why does God choose to heal some and not others? Is my faith too weak to heal the sick? Does the Spirit not dwell in me that it might heal others with God's power? If anything, this has made me more hungry than ever. Yet with all of Jesus' promises I was still not assured.
However, in all my doubt God imparted a wonderful gift to me. The peace that I have been seeking for a while now. When doubting my ability to heal others He said 'there will be a time for healing. You will not only heal with your heart but with your hands'. What affirmation that Jon and I have followed faithfully in his direction over the past few months. I almost started crying. I have an overflowing of peace now that God has everything laid out before me. I didn't exactly get what I expected last night. But maybe God showed me what I needed even more than I knew. He tends to do that sometimes.
I am going to continue praying for Barbara, you can join me if you like. I know that she is also seeking restoration and affirmation from God. Both physically and spiritually.
Until next time...
For the past couple months our life group has been listening to a series by John Eldridge on prayer. We've been discussing such topics as God's will, and if prayer can really affect our lives if God all knowing. Can we intervene on the behalf of others or does God's will for them to suffer have greater purpose. Just to name a couple. Being a Christian woman, I know how necessary prayer is in my day to day life. And as a sinner I also fail to do it as often as I should.
Last night we had a group called Global Awakening come to church to speak about the amazing things that God is using them to do around the world. Things I've always dreamed of but never thought I would get to experience. My heart has always been aflame to see great works and miracles. Being raised in the church I never felt I had a powerful testimony about God's healing and restoration in my life. When I interned in Africa I had great expectations of seeing God's wonder and the magnitude of the spiritual forces that are at work around us. I came back let down, not understanding why God didn't show me the things that I earnestly prayed for. Since then I've heard stories and been jealous of God's intervention and restoration in other people's lives.
Last night opened up a whole new can of worms. We watched a few videos of the work this team is doing, healing people around the world. They are literally causing the lame to walk, blind eyes to see, and all pain to be taken away. Of course skeptical me thought 'well, maybe this is a coincidence, they just feel better for now but not permanently'...endorphins can do a lot after all. But I know these thoughts are from the evil one. After all Jesus told his disciples that they would do even greater works than he. A concept I have always struggled with. As the service progressed we began to see person after person say that God had healed them. Of course we were all astonished and I was skeptical. I've never been one believe the preacher who yells out that there is a person with a specific problem in a room of 5,000 people and not find someone in the crowd with the problem.
The whole experience was overwhelming, but at the same time I thought it was the answer to prayers that have for so long gone unanswered. At one point I suddenly felt the urge to pray for a woman sitting beside me with arthritis in her knees. We prayed for 10 minutes over this woman to no avail. I was crushed. I truly believed that when I looked up at her she would be smiling and overjoyed. But no. In James 5:13-16 it tell us to pray for the sick and our prayers will be answered. After this event I've come away with more questions than answers. Why does God choose to heal some and not others? Is my faith too weak to heal the sick? Does the Spirit not dwell in me that it might heal others with God's power? If anything, this has made me more hungry than ever. Yet with all of Jesus' promises I was still not assured.
However, in all my doubt God imparted a wonderful gift to me. The peace that I have been seeking for a while now. When doubting my ability to heal others He said 'there will be a time for healing. You will not only heal with your heart but with your hands'. What affirmation that Jon and I have followed faithfully in his direction over the past few months. I almost started crying. I have an overflowing of peace now that God has everything laid out before me. I didn't exactly get what I expected last night. But maybe God showed me what I needed even more than I knew. He tends to do that sometimes.
I am going to continue praying for Barbara, you can join me if you like. I know that she is also seeking restoration and affirmation from God. Both physically and spiritually.
Until next time...
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The 12 days of 12th day: 1-6
I know that you have been waiting a whole year for this!!! It is finally here. The 12 days of 12th day are well under way, as is the gift giving around the office. Read the days to the tune of 'The Creation Song'
DAY 1
Day1, day 1, we can't rest till 12th day's done.
surprise: freshman common reading
DAY 2
Day 2, Day 2, we will bring a drink to you...
surprise: favorite sonic drink
DAY 3
Day 3, Day 3, lets go on a shopping spree
surprise: $20 at the campus store, here was my buy! looks much better in person, the ACU is embroidered.
DAY 4
Day 4, Day 4, Jeans on Friday that's for sure.
surprise: not really a surprise that we got to wear jeans on Friday
DAY 5
Day 5, Day 5, Campus Cash is your surprise
surprise: campus cash of course, $20 that I haven't spent yet
DAY 6
Day 6, Day 6, Halfway there don't let it slip
surprise: cookie bouquets! I got a little guitar cookie
That's all for now, I'll do the other 6 when we get them all. They just keep getting better and better!!
until next time
DAY 1
Day1, day 1, we can't rest till 12th day's done.
surprise: freshman common reading
DAY 2
Day 2, Day 2, we will bring a drink to you...
surprise: favorite sonic drink
DAY 3
Day 3, Day 3, lets go on a shopping spree
surprise: $20 at the campus store, here was my buy! looks much better in person, the ACU is embroidered.
DAY 4
Day 4, Day 4, Jeans on Friday that's for sure.
surprise: not really a surprise that we got to wear jeans on Friday
DAY 5
Day 5, Day 5, Campus Cash is your surprise
surprise: campus cash of course, $20 that I haven't spent yet
DAY 6
Day 6, Day 6, Halfway there don't let it slip
surprise: cookie bouquets! I got a little guitar cookie
That's all for now, I'll do the other 6 when we get them all. They just keep getting better and better!!
until next time
Friday, August 14, 2009
A year of work comes to a close
I can finally start the countdown to end this year of working with the Fall 2009 class. It has been long and arduous. Tomorrow freshman start moving into their dorms. Many of my students are on their way to Abilene at this very moment. I can't wait to see all of them on campus, in their dorms and making friends. The rewards of this job are sweet though it takes a long time to get them. I feel like the little Christmas elves on the movie Elf. They spent all year gearing up for this one day, they celebrate for about 4 hours, and then it is back to work preparing for next Christmas. So it goes with Admissions. Class of 2013, check, class of 2015 here I come!!!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Going back to school
For the past year and a half I've been debating going back to school to pursue a degree in nursing. Well, I'm finally putting money where my mouth is... School starts in three weeks and I'm going to start on my leveling classes for nursing. I'm really nervous about it all, but I'm determined!! I've decided to go through the Patty Hanks program at ACU so I can get Jon's discount and still have time to work part time. Jon's been super supportive and wants to make it work too. I'm so excited about the prospect of this new career, and finally getting into the field that I initially was drawn to 6 years ago. There are still a lot of things that need to fall into place for me to start nursing next Fall, the main one being able to keep working full time as long as possible. Keep me in your prayers, the unknown is always scary.
until next time
Krystina
until next time
Krystina
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