He never lets go.

Things may be crazy right now but I am grateful for this...

He knows exactly what I need to hear, even on the radio on the way to work.

refreshed view...

Alot going on in my mind...

decisions...

so this is what growing up feels like.

My heart is not here in Macon. Not today anyways.

I need something to pour into, but right now, I don't feel like I have that.  I want the things I do to have an eternal purpose and not be just another thing off my to-do list.  I want to go on a trip.

It's funny that all three sentences in that last paragraph started with "I" and "want/need".  Maybe that's my problem, my focus is on the wrong thing.    

Feel the burn...

You know that feeling when you exercise and can't hardly move afterwards?  Well me and Baby Ruth travelled to the gym tonight... and I can barely walk now.  

But as much as I might complain -- it is a "good" feeling.

We did all kinds of stuff.  At one point we were tossing the medicine ball back and forth to each other and the only thing I was thinking the whole time was "Please don't nail me in the face...", because let's be honest, if that would happen to anyone, it would be yours truly. 

I got to talk to a sweet friend today.  This girl and I have been through alot together, including not showering for two weeks while we were at camp two summers ago.  So needless to say, we have a close bond (3130).  It's been several months since I talked to my dear EVM, and we picked up right where we left off.  We had alot to catch up on and it is so nice to know what all that the Lord is doing in her life.  I value her and our friendship that was started two years ago.  Thanks, EVM.  

In other random but important news... Jean Day tomorrow at work!  OK... so it does cost $2, but my boss actually paid for me, so kind of her.  It will be nice not to have to put on a pair of hose in the morning.  (I still have not gotten used to them yet.)  

Welp, I guess I'll see ya later...

Are you afraid of the dark?

No, friends, I am not talking about the ridiculous Nickelodeon show that used to come on that I was forbidden to watch... just a simple question, Are you afraid of the dark?

The reason I am thinking of this is because I am in the process of moving/ redo-ing my new room at home and tonight I will be sleeping in their for the first time.  I just finished painting the bed the other day and finally had time to make the bed in order for me to sleep in my new room.  As I was putting on the sheets, I was thinking to myself how scary its going to be to sleep in their tonight.  As lame as it sounds, I even considered leaving a lamp on until I adjust to my new bedroom. 

I don't know why I get scared in the dark.  Maybe it has something to do with the movie The Sixth Sense, which still to this day freaks me out... so much so that I won't even walk beside the foot of a bed, fearing that a little dead girl will grab my foot.  No, I am not kidding.  And please stop laughing at me.

I remember if I was ever alone at my apartment in Milledgeville, the only way I would fall asleep was by leaving the lights in the hallway on.

So if you read my blog, tell me what you are scared of. Is it the clowns at the circus that freak you out and makes you have nightmares?  Or maybe your like the woman I was reading about the other day who was very scared of ketchup.  Now, I don't really understand how you could be afraid of such a wonderful condiment, but I am sure she has her reasons.  

weekend update...

TLC comes up with the most creative documentaries.  However, they are the least bit creative with their names: "The World's Tallest Person", "The 1000 pound Man", "I Eat 33,000 calories a day", and the list goes on. Currently I'm watching "The Boy with a New Head".  A little boy from Uganda is getting some major reconstructive surgery done to his eyes and head.  These documentaries remind me of my college roommate, Emily.  No, not because she needs a major reconstructive surgery done to her face, in fact she has a beautiful face, but because we would always watch these shows together.  I would even make her come out of her room after she was already in bed to see some of these shows.  Remember the tiny girl with the super high voice, Emily?  I do.  I don't know what it is about these stories that I like so much.  Maybe just seeing the positive attitudes despite their physical deficiencies or abnormalities makes me a little more grateful for my current situation.

Last night, my mom, Ruthie and I met Caleb and a few of his friends at The Varsity and went to a Braves game.  It was so much fun and by far the best Braves game I've ever been too!  In the bottom of the 9th, we ended up coming back and tied up the game 4-4.  Then one of our guys hit the ball so hard that he broke the bat.  It ended up being a home run, making it a win for The Braves!

Today was AB's birthday, so Happy Birthday to AB!!!  You don't look a day over 40...

In other birthday news, today I did a birthday party at the ice cream shop I work at.  Normally, these are joyous, fun occasions consisting of ice cream sundaes, Bingo, and "Pin the Nose on the Clown".  Today however, was not so much-- all because of one little boy.  He was so rude and kept telling the birthday girl "I don't like you" and "I'm not going to watch you open your presents!"  At one point he even said "I'm going to kill you."  Classy.  Oh and did I mention he was not even 4?  Luckily, for him and for me, I am not his mother.  

Back to the 8:30-4:30 life tomorrow... and the good thing is, I am looking forward to work.  

A good Saturday morning...

Nothing like waking up and watching this video.  A good start to the weekend.

Wishing you a happy weekend.

I feel old...

I think the whole routine of waking up early and going to bed semi-early is starting to sink in, which of course, I don't know for sure is a good thing.

I got offered a job today.  It's actually the second time my internship supervisor has told me about the position and asked if I was interested after my internship finishes up.  I told her I would look at the job description and see if it something I would be interesting in doing.  I am excited to know that my boss thinks I am doing a good work and ready for a "real" job.  It's weird though, a few months ago whenever I told someone I didn't know what I was doing in the fall, they gave me this look of horror and suggested I figure it all out.  But I knew freaking out about my future plans would not help me find a job any quicker and I am glad I didn't waste time and thought worrying.  

One thing I don't like about growing up is letting go of things that you've been apart of.  For the last two years, I got to work at one of the most rewarding places.  This is the first summer I am not working at camp and these last few weeks have been difficult.  I miss not being surrounded by people that all have the same purpose: to share the love of Christ to each and every boy and girl that comes into camp.  I miss the sweet fellowship.  I miss the fun.  I miss wearing my bathing suit for 12 hours a day.  I miss being on the boats.  I miss Wednesday sailboat races.  I miss my friends.  I miss the humble heart that camp gives me.  I miss cornhole.  I miss worshipping the Lord with over 100 kids each night and hearing the Truth simply presented.  I miss camps thunderstorms.  I miss snackshop and the weight it makes me gain.  Not really.  I miss orientation and dressing up like Hanson.  I miss seeing everyone smile their tired smiles and through it all seeing God's grace in their eyes. And while I miss all of this, I am so so so very thankful for the time God allowed me to be at Wabananananananana. And I honestly, don't think my time is done there.  So if you were at that special place on the bay, don't forget about me.

Okay... I am off to bed.  

Don't worry, I'm still here...

Hello bloggers...

It's so quiet at our house.  I am actually the only "child" at home this week.  It's weird, I don't ever remember being the only one here.  But it reminds me how thankful I am for all my bruddas and siswees.  

So I have a story about my internship.  OK, so it isn't really about my job but just a story I want to share in hopes to brighten your day/night.   Yesterday, as I was getting ready to leave, I noticed a lady picking one of the residents up and was apparently in quite the hurry as she came into the parking lot about 50 miles an hour and slammed on brakes at the last second.  So she goes in and walks back out with this precious little old lady who is on her cell phone.  I looked down and noticed she had two different shoes on.  Not like a simple mix up of a navy and black shoe.  Oh no.  She had one white open toe/backless sandal and a tan loafer.  Not even close.  So what did I do?  

Well, I laughed to myself.  And then thought about telling her.  And then laughed to myself some more.  Like I said they were in quite the hurry.  Should I have told her?  What would you have done?

2nd row...

About 20 feet away from an amazing person who shares his joys and struggles honestly with the whole world to hear in the form of music.  

His name is Bebo Norman.  An incredible singer and man of God.  And I got to be on the second row.  

The first song I remember hearing by Bebo was the song "A Page Is Turned".  I fell in love with that song mainly because it was this ideal story about a love.

But over the years as I have heard more and more of his music, I've grown to love it even more. Not because he talks about meeting the "love of your life" but because he talks about The Love of My Life.  My Savior and Redeemer.  He is honest with his words and worships the same Creator I live for.  I remember playing his cd when I worked at camp and relating to everyone of his songs.  So many good memories of his music.

So last night I had the chance to watch him in a small concert in Columbus, Georgia, thanks to a friend.  We even had special seats landing us on the second row.  It was one of the best concerts I have ever been to.  I felt like I was apart of the big family and friends group that was there to watch there him perform, even though I have never met him.  The songs that I have listened and related to over the last few years were performed and I sat there in awe of the pureness of his voice and his heart for my Lord.  

If you ever have the chance to go see him, you should. If I ever have the chance to go see him again, I will.

It's a Beautiful Day!

Many good things to update on; I have much to be thankful for!

Today, I got to learn more about the job my supervisor has put me over.  I met with the owner of an advertising agency here in Macon, who came up with the idea.  It's called The Great Personal Treasure Project.  Our meeting went really well and she laid out things that I need to do for the project to get it off the ground and going.  

I'm excited I get to work on this.  For those of you who are curious, here's an idea of what The Great Personal Treasure Project is: residents at Carlyle Place will have the opportunity to share what their personal treasure is (i.e., one of the residents has letters from Eleanor Roosevelt!). Then after recording their stories, we'll create a website featuring their stories and a scrapbook that shares all the stories.  Since I really love event planning, I suggested that we might even have a launch party for the residents and their families that participated in TGPTP when the website is revealed. We'll see.  

This is project seems to really fit me.  It has parameters set up all ready, but still allows me to be creative and add ideas.  I get to work by myself on it, but still get to know some of the residents at Carlyle Place, something I've desired since getting the internship.  I will have alot of work to do, but I will get to hear all kinds of stories from seniors and here their experiences and gain wisdom from them.  

After work, I planned on going shopping for more things to wear to work.  I went to Kohl's and got a couple of tops and a beautiful dress, for $8 I might add!  Then I went to the mall and found an answer to prayer... SALE!  The Loft in our mall is relocating so EVERYTHING was 50% off!  I left there with 4 shirts and a pair of shoes for $30!  God really provided for me, then again, He always does.

Thanks for letting me share about my day.  I hope your day was as exciting--if not more-- as mine.

Excuse me???

Have you ever had someone say something to you and you just want to laugh because of their ignorance?  

Today I went to Kinko's to get some simple labels done for a mail out we're doing for prospective buyers.  I got to the store and asked the man behind the desk all kinds of pricing and quantity questions.  After a little bit of waiting, he asked what Carlyle was.  I explained that it was a retirement community and then he said, "Do you really want to do THAT for the rest of your life?".  Maybe he meant nothing by it, I don't know.  But at this point all I could do was hold my sarcasm back and refrain from making any derogatory comment about his current employee status, so I nicely replied, "Right now this is just an temporary, but so far it has been a very rewarding and great place to work."

So remember friends and readers (all three of you), be nice to strangers and don't make rude statements about there jobs.  It's just not nice.  

Happy Hump Day!

Uh-oh

I just got home from day two and the first thing mom says is "(GASP) Your skirt is see-through!"

That's right, the skirt I've been wearing all day and (even went to the printer wearing) is see-through.  

Now I know why they call me "cheap".  

"Hello this is Rachel and she will be interning with us for 8 weeks."

The first day.  Done.  

It was such a weird feeling getting up at 6 a.m., getting ready, eating breakfast, packing a lunch, picking out something to wear.  It almost felt like the first day of school... but not.  

This was my first day as an intern or "cheap labor" as one of my new co-workers jokingly called me.  (Did I mention this was an unpaid internship?) I prefer not to be called that.  I prefer marketing intern like my badge says.  Yes, I have a badge.

One of my favorite parts of the day was when I came downstairs with my supervisor to meet with a couple who were thinking about moving into Carlyle.  I got to sit in on their meeting and hear their thoughts about why they wanted to move there.  He was so candid and sweet in his plaid bow-tie and his love for his wife, of 58 years he proudly noted, was very evident.  He kept saying, "When I die before my wife..." and she would just give me a smile and a wink as to say, "Just let him say whatever he wants."

My least favorite part of the day was when I found out where "employee parking" was.  Have you seen that episode of The Office where they had to walk a mile from their parking lot? Think that.  If you haven't watched it, quit reading my blog and go rent every season of The Office.  

I really think this time I have at Carlyle is going to be rewarding on so many different levels. 

And I am thankful for that.  

I'm almost a grown up...

I start my internship in a few hours.  The last piece of the puzzle in my four years of education--and it starts tomorrow. 

Whew.  

For those of you that don't know, I'm doing my internship at Carlyle Place in Macon.  Carlyle Place, you say? Yes. A retirement community. What am I going to do with a Mass Communication degree at a retirement community?  Well, I get to work with the Director of Marketing & Sales Department and couldn't be more excited.  She emailed me the other day and said I would be over "The Great Personal Treasure Project".  I have no clue what this is, but I get to work with their residents and Carlyle's advertising agency to help put it together.  I just hope this help's me practice what I've learned over the last four years and I hope to be an asset to their company.  

This is the first time I am working somewhere and don't know a single person.  I've met with my supervisor a few times but I don't even know that much about her.  It's weird to think I am about to start a two month journey and have no clue what it's going to be like.  How exciting!

One thing that isn't so exciting... our dress requirement.  Da-da-da-dum... Business Dress.  Not only will I be buying clothes to wear all summer long but I will also be buying hose to wear with my skirts.  Have you ever worn hose in Georgia during the summer?  I will let you know how that turns out.  Or now that I think about it, maybe I won't.  

I am glad God has worked out everything for this internship and has allowed me to feel good about this going into it.  

On a different note, I am also glad I have my dad. Not only is he a good father but he is a friend and a listening ear.  Thanks daddy...

Here we go...

It's hard to write exactly what I feel on my heart.  Not because I find it hard to express myself but more so because whatever I write, I know anyone can read.  Anyone.  But I will be honest as hard as it might be because I've learned when we are honest with each other and ourselves by sharing our experiences, struggles, and joys, it can help us and others around us grow.

So here I am.  

Six months into 2008.  My life over the past few weeks has seen many changes.  Changes that haven't been easy, changes that have been a joy to share.  Changes.  I tried preparing myself for something different from the life I have had the past four years--but  I've  realized you can't really prepare yourself for something like that. And that hasn't been an easy lesson to learn. 

It's been a transition coming home.  From having an apartment full of things to a shared room and nowhere to put your apartment full of things, I can't say I've enjoyed all of these last 20 days.  I know that God has me here though and thankfully, He has shown me that.  But even though I know this is the road He has for me, this road is not always easy.  It requires a trust that I am unaccustomed to and requires me to give control to Him.  Completely.

I've gone from a schedule full of classes, meetings and other things to keep me and preoccupied to anticipation of the unknown.  I've gone from people surrounding me to figuring out where I fit in.  On top of all of this, for the past two summers, I've been able to escape to a place where I found encouragement, strength through hard times, strong friendships, and the love of Christ surrounding me for 2 solid months.  I won't have that this summer, well, at least in the form of camp.  

I've spent the last four Saturday's at my graduation, moving out of my apartment and watching friends make lifelong commitments to others.  I have been blessed to be a part of two these dear friends weddings.  Yesterday, my roommate for the past two years got a new roommate--a husband.  Lucky for her, he is the one God created for her and a much better cook than I am. 

God continues to show Himself to me through all that is going on.  The passage we studied this morning at church was something I've been thinking alot about lately. It says,  "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:26-28

In two days, I start my life in the real world.  I'll let you know how real I feel it is later.  For now, it's more unpacking.  Where I will put the stuff I unpack, I do not know.  I am just thankful that I have a place to rest and a God that is on my side gives me peace about this life He has for me.