I fail at keeping up with blogs...

Sorry to anyone who actually reads this thing...the good ole University of Texas has kept my schedule pretty jam-packed lately. I should probably recap the past 4 or 5 months, otherwise nothing I say in the future will make sense. Here goes...

-God provided in an enormous way for me to be able to go back to Senegal (financially, spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally...you get the picture)
-God let me see some amazing things and some amazing people in my short time back in Senegal
-God reminded me that even when things don't go as [I] planned, His plan is always better
-God allowed me to come back to the University of Texas and continue my education to become a nurse for His glory

I think that about sums it up. If you want to know more about what the Lord is teaching me, or what He taught me on my second trip to Africa, let me know! There's just no way I could ever fully do His work justice in a blog.

Here's one of my favorite pictures from the trip. Love this family!



"If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again."
-2 Corinthians 5:13-15

Home, Sweet Home

Well, for the next 3 months Baytown is my home yet again. I'm SO thankful it's summertime, but I must say, I miss Austin already.

Sorry for not posting in so long, you've got college finals to thank for that one. As nursing students who need stinkin' crazy grades to get into the nursing school at UT, my friends, Kristen, Lauren, and I kind of dug ourselves into a hole for the last couple of weeks of school to study polypeptides, carbohydrates, and the ever-infamous depression and bipolar mental illnesses.. Don't worry, we took breaks! (Ask me about our trip to Hula Hut...THAT was interesting.) But it all seems to have paid off. I'm still waiting on my bio grade though, so keep your fingers crossed! I never would have made it through this semester without the awesome friends God saw fit to give me - my nursing girls as well as my HCBCUT girls. They kept me focused and sane (for the most part). ;)

I finished finals on Thursday, hung out Friday, and FINALLY went kayaking on Saturday with Kaitlyn, her uncle, and Zach out on Lake Austin. We had a ton of fun even when Kaitlyn and I managed to flip our kayak while a ton of people watched...and laughed. Obviously. We also rented these paddle boards (they look like a surfboards), but you stand up on them and paddle yourself around with a big long paddle. That was probably my favorite part, even if I was a bit shaky at first. My arms were definitely sore the next day.

Sunday I checked out of Kinsolving, told my roommate, Allegra, goodbye, and headed off to HCBC one last time for the semester. After that it was homeward bound, but of course Kaitlyn and I had to say bye to one of the most awesome girls we met all semester (don't worry, Amanda - we'll have a skype date soon!)

After a relatively short drive, I was back home. Got to go to lifegroup and see what God is doing in my home church, and I have to say that I'm pretty excited about it. I was a little worried coming home, but God blew that worry out of the water. As we sang on Sunday morning, "Because You're with me, I will not fear."

And just so you know that I haven't fallen off the face of the planet since I got home, here's a picture of what I've been doing.



Yes, that would be my closet. I'm in the process of getting rid of old clothes and attempting to organize it. HA! I'll let you know how that pans out. And if you happen to be well-versed in closet organization, I could definitely use your expertise! Wish me luck!

Peeps and a kick-booty bio grade?

I'll take it. The Lord has blessed my manic studying efforts yet again and I am SO thankful. An epic celebratory dance party just ended in my room if that tells you how excited I am.

Praise Jesus!

Oh, and it was just sprinkling in Austin, so praise Him for that too!

Rolla Coasta

This week...wow. That's all I can say. Easton Corbin with Lindsay and Sunayana was stinkin' amazing last weekend. I even managed to snag one of his guitar picks he threw into the crowd! Too bad it was back to reality the next day for a stressful week of getting ready for a global health presentation and a biology test. Story of my life. Well, story of spring 2011 at least.

Took my bio test on Good Friday and headed home right after. Pretty nice drive minus the crazy wind and random wildfires on the side of I-10, but I have decided that most of the people in Baytown just shouldn't drive. People in Austin drive slow, people in Houston drive like maniacs, but people in Baytown just can't drive. There's such a thing as driver's ed...but it's probably best to go somewhere else to take it.

Spent the night hanging out with my mom and dad, had to twist their arms to get them to take me to El Toro. ;) There are some good restaurants in Austin, but the tex-mex just doesn't compare to home. Today I watched movies and snuggled with my puppy. Yes, she actually watched some of them. She likes Pirates of the Caribbean - smart dog.

Spending Easter with my Highlands church family tomorrow, then heading back to Austin. I've only been out of ATX for a day and I already miss it!

I'm so STINKIN' excited.

Please go watch the SNL Surprise Party video if you have no clue what that title was a reference to. SO hilarious.

Anyway, the past week has been kind of crazy for me. God pretty much hit me upside my head with His love and truth because I just wasn't getting it for a while. There's just so much going on that I'm a little frazzled, but at the same time I stand in awe of the God who's got His finger on it all.

I'm going home tomorrow afternoon to spend the evening/part of Saturday with my amazing mom and dad, and of course the famous Daisy May (only the BEST dog in the entire world). But before that I'll be working on a Global Health presentation that I'm actually kind of excited about...which is strange.

And get ready for this, Saturday I'm going to College Station to see....Easton Corbin!!! Ah, so exited!! Lindsay and I have been waiting for this day for so long and it's finally almost here! It's too bad that Sunday means back to work after church. Once the presentation is finished, it's only a doozie of a bio test between me and Easter.

I am so pumped about what God is doing here at UT though - stinkin' awesome stuff. I am so blessed to have the friends that I do and opportunities that God has trusted me with. And with that, I'm signing off. Yay for 8am classes!

Embarrassing moments number 58742, 58743, and 58744

I am telling you - someone really should have gotten the last 2 weeks of my life on video. I was going to tell you the story behind this title, but you'll have to ask me for that one. I'd rather not post yet another embarrassing moment on the internet for all to read...much less three.

Anyway, I wanted to give you guys a heads up on what I'll be doing this summer. Besides spending time with family, I will be going back to Senegal, West Africa. At this point, I have no money to pay for it, no job, and no prospects. I know that if God wants me to go, He will provide a way for me to get there, but His way may include the generosity of my friends and family. I absolutely hate asking for money, but at this point it's all I can do. I'll work as much as I can during the summer before the trip, but after that it's out of my hands. I will be sending out support letters explaining what we're doing there and asking mainly for prayer, but if you feel so led to donate just know that your money will not go to waste. If you are interested in receiving more information, email me at flamingorock01@aim.com (excuse the name - I've had that address since about 7th grade! haha). Here's just a little taste of Senegal... :)

I am now the proud owner of

a pink feather boa. Thank you, Mellow Mushroom Bag-o-Crap for 3rd place trivia winners.

Nothing too exciting really happened today. One of the trivia rounds was all about Nicktoons. That was pretty cool. Other than that, I've been procrastinating. What else is new?

Oh, and my phone finally bit the dust so if you think I need your number, text me your name and I'll put you in my contacts.

Love y'all!