Chronological recall of 10/25

October 25, 2010.

At daycare, my co-worker gave me this awesome mouse cake. Here me and a few kids are marveling over her incredible baking talent.

After work, I went to lunch with Becca and Colleen. I then came over to Becca's house to do one of my favorite activities ever-carving pumpkins!! Here's me and Aidan playing around after we finished our pumpkins!

Becca and baby Tristan!

Me and my pumpkin!

Aidan and his pumpkin.

Then I went home and spent some time playing with Kierra. The ladies here cooked me a Southern dinner of fried chicken, green beans, and cornbread. It was delicious and I'm very thankful for each of them!

After dinner I went bowling with some friends. These two beautiful women have completed the Teen Challenge program since I've been here. Melissa (pink) completed in the Summer and Kery completed in August. Melissa lives here in Missoula and Kery came to visit from Minneapolis.

Me, Colleen, Leannah, and Kery at the bowling alley.

The sweet friends that celebrated with me on my special day. Bowling is fun, especially with these people here.

Colleen made me cupcakes... I was obviously very excited!

Making my wish.... and excited that it will soon come true!! Only 2 months away....

Birthday Gifts...

When we are little, everyone asks us, "So what did you get for your birthday?" I decided that I would make a picture blog to display the awesome presents I received this week. Thanks to all who loved on me and supported me turning 22. I am one very blessed young lady.

Kierra was quite excited to take out all the items in the goody basket Aunt Deb sent to me. She may enjoy these snacks more than I do!

As you can see, even here my friends already know me well. Colleen got me cupcakes and diet coke. She hit the nail on the head for sure!!

One of the volunteers here made me an incredible cake. She used to be a baker and now does it as a way to bless others. I am so happy for this and feel extremely blessed to have had a wonderful cake.

Once again, my friends here sorta know me. Becca got me an ORANGE shirt because it's obviously the BEST color ever. These are pictures of her two sons that she included in my card. The book she gave me is a little cut out but it's the Little Prince. A friend gave it to her when she turned 22 to remind her to follow her dreams and stay young. So, she passed it on to me. It's very special to me!

As you can see here, Nana and Pop think I am currently residing in Alaska. No, this will be perfect for the winter. The weather is already getting chilly here so these will definitely come in handy.

Beautiful flowers from my ladies at Daycare.

Somehow, Mom not only got balloons delivered to Montana but also got them set up in my room! What a talent!! These are some tall balloons too I must add.

My parents got me two bible studies by Beth Moore and some cute little decors. My favorite gift from them is of course the plane ticket to go see my sister in Colorado in Nov.

This mouse cake was made by my co-worker at daycare. Her name is Amy and I absolutely think this is the coolest cake ever. Hands down.

If I forgot to put your gift on here, please don't be offended or think I didn't love it. These were just a few of many. I am very appreciative of all I was blessed with and can't thank you all enough for sharing another year of life with me! Thanks!!

Glacier National Park

I don't wanna grow up...

So, most of my days are highlighted by the time I get to spend with my little friend who lives here. Her name is Kierra and she is 21 months. She and I play almost every day. She runs by my room and knocks on my door every time it's locked (meaning she can't just open it and walk in). She is absolutely the most fun person around and I wanted to show her off a bit.

She and her mom playing with the bubbles I bought her..

I also got her some fun numbers and letters for the bath!

Our attempt to make a cake. For some reason, Kierra kept eating EVERYTHING: the eggs, the dough, the icing, the cake itself..

And this is my other playmate. He belongs to the Thrift Store manager. His name is Aiden and he is 2. This is when we built a fort in the couches and played in it!

Where's Browndy?

I'm not so sure what's about to come out of this blog but I feel like it's time to update my internet diary. Living in Montana isn't the dream I thought it would be when I moved here. I keep myself busy working 3-4 times a week at a Childcare place called Cuddle Bugs where I wipe snot, change diapers, sing silly songs, and tell kiddos "no" a hundred times a day. Most of my shifts start at 6:45 AM which isn't my favorite time of the day anyways. Then, I work Saturday and Sundays here at the Center of Teen Challenge with the girls. I live with 20 women and usually get up once a week or so in the middle of the night to get someone meds. I watch Auburn football at a bar or in my room all by myself. Actually, due to the lack of community I have, I do most things by myself. Don't get me wrong, I love most of it here. It's getting colder and the views are breathtaking. The children are precious and keep me laughing and going. The ladies here are like sisters and I love seeing them grow and being a part of what the Lord is speaking into their lives on a daily basis. It's just difficult to be somewhere by myself and having the only friends be here or on staff here. For instance, if I wanted to go hang out with one of my friends on staff, another staff would have to take the shift but we don't have that many staff so no one can ever get off together. Most of the evenings I sit in my room and am really lonely and bored because my girls are in their classes so I can't bother them. There is a 21 month old that lives here that has blessed me intently. She and I spend alot of time together playing!! :D

However, it's definitely the hardest thing I've committed to. Many nights are lonely and I question lots of truth. I think boredom is a weakness for me. When I was a child, that's when I would cut my own hair, call Wal Marts, or do something to terrorize my little sister. In high school it was when I would go out and get into things that were entertaining for the moment. Now, it leads to questioning the Lord and trying to figure out things on my own. One of the ways I feel like I'm dealing with it all is every time these moments come, I turn to the Lord in thankfulness. When I feel lonely, I think Him for how many incredible people He has placed in my life. I have so many wonderful friends that I surely don't deserve. I only know what I am missing here friendship-wise because I have experienced real friendships in my life. Not many people experience real Spirit-led friendships. I am so blessed to have know community in college and what community looks like when Jesus is the center of it. Yes, it hurts like crazy because I miss it all but it's beautiful what He has blessed me with. When I am bored, I am thankful for how many things I have gotten to do in my life;trips to Israel, Nicaragua, Mexico, Haiti, Hong Kong, and more that have been used to shape who I am. Sports that taught me so much about team work and loyalty and perseverance. When I feel like I am not equipped to be here I am thankful that I am still learning and He is giving me this opportunity to learn more. I read something today on a friend's blog that rocked my little world. It said:

He gives me grace for what IS, not what IF.

And if one of the what if's happened, then there'd be His supply for that need right then as well.

It's so true. I cannot write down how many what if's I have placed in my head the last few months. He gives me grace for today and promises me good out of every situation and circumstance that occurs. She also said, "He brings about NEW situations so that we can become NEW in character." This is my prayer from the beginning and I am clinging to it today. May I be more like Jesus after every season He takes me through. I am holding tight to this truth today and I hope it encourages others.

Short and Sweet

Faces I love to see...

Hannah Sumner's children Nathan and Addison hanging at Brendle Rentals

My Beautiful Cousins Brooks and Gray

My Hosanna Home ladies

Hosanna Home graduates and children. SO PROUD OF THEM!!

Felisha and Gracie (remember from Christmas at the Brendles)

Hosanna Home Baby Graduates- Gracie and Emma Grace

My Heart.

My Journey at home was absolutely ridiculous. It went by WAY too fast and I saw as many people as I could during the few days I was there. Here is a quick wrap up...

Monday- flew in late. Christi Wilson picked me up. Hung out with John Pritchard and Zach Benson and saw their new house in Atlanta.

Tuesday- early breakfast with mentors Christi, Hannah Frost, & Mary Reading Overstreet. Mom & Nana picked me up from Atlanta. Doc Apt. in Montgomery. Visited Rebecca Barrett Healey and the kiddos in Wetumpka. Dinner @ Nana's with family.

Wednesday- Dentist early in the AM. Lunch with Hannah Sumner & kids and also Nicole & Mom. Headed to Birmingham to have dinner with Maegan Miller. Visited with Kara Leigh Pritchard who gave some great advice and encouragement. Then stayed with Kristen McKee (sister's bff from Race). Sadly I didn't see Blair but Kristen is close enough.

Thursday- drove from Birmingham to Prattville to get hair cut/straightened. Home to pack. Meeting with the parentals. House meeting in Auburn with roommates at 6. Stayed the night at Hosanna Home with my favorites.

Friday- breakfast and visiting at Hosanna Home in LaFayette. AFternoon break with my baby cousins in Montgomery. Drove back to Auburn to have dinner with two Hosanna home grads and their babies. Night hanging with mom and packing.

Saturday- Mom drove me back to Atl to head out.