So, since I know that I won't really have time over the next few days, I decided to write tonight. Reason for the lack of time: Moving Day has finally come!

Monday night Carson and I went on a date to Texas Roadhouse -- which was amazing I might add :) -- and while I was finishing my steak, the last huge bite that Carson practically dared me to eat, he recieved a phone call. Our future landlord was letting us know that the previous tenants were going to be moving out sometime this week and that he wanted to shampoo the carpets. After that we were free to move in! When Carson got off of the phone, I was still chompin' on that same piece of steak!

As of right now, I personally don't know what day specifically we are going to be hauling stuff over to the apartment. Last I knew we were "probably" on Sunday but "possibly" on Monday. Either way, it's exciting to know that we will soon have our OWN place! I'm looking forward to re-opening all of our gifts and placing them where they actually belong in a home.. I'm also looking forward to just having this event off of our "to do" list!

I am finishing my 3rd week at Tricoci tomorrow. We have our practical exam in the morning, where we actually DO what we've learned throughout the week. This week we learned the "Graduated Bob", which is essentially the short haircut where it's long in the front and short in the back and sort of fades. I finally have gotten to a point where I feel pretty comfortable doing it, so I'm excited about the test! Here's what I cut today!

Carson finished his first week of school today. He seems to really be enjoying it! He finds time in the afternoon before work to get most of his homework done so that we have time to spend together in the evenings. I don't think I've mentioned the specific classes that he is taking: Calculus, Philosophy, Earth Science, and an Education class.

Work has been going pretty well for him as well. He recently got on comission, so he is excited about that. Also, as I have a mission field at school, he has a mission field at Sears. Though he works with a lot of older people, I guess these men and women are pretty openly NOT following Christ.

We are praying that as we both have these places to be a light, that we would be an example of Him and not of anything else!

Greatness Of Our God

Here is the song that I wrote about below!

An Everyday Mission Field

As I was nearing the end of my second week at Tricoci University, I was feeling very worn out. There was this heavy burden surrounding me that I just wanted to be rid of. Now, as I have been thinking about this weight, I am realizing that it's not going to be just taken away from me.. I have to accept the grace that God is freely handing me and press on. I have to be the light in a darkened place.

After being "sheltered" from the world and things of the world for the past 2 years, it has been almost a shock entering a secular environment. Yeah, I obviously knew that it would be different, but there are just some things I didn't anticipate. One example is that I actually forgot how much people can complain. When they don't have the joy of salvation or the hope that we can have in Christ, why not complain about the tiniest thing? Another example, the language. Not only the actual words, but also the entire atmosphere of conversations.

I don't see my potential struggles being, "what if I become like them..", but more like "what if I get so annoyed/frustrated/overwhelmed that I can't control myself.." I have been praying for grace and strength to ignore, and not pay attention to talk that is not beneficial. I feel that my classmates have already noticed this in me and realize that I am "different". Several have asked if they made me uncomfortable or if I have been bothered. I am just praying that God will use me as an example to these girls. That they will continue to see this "difference" in me.. That I WILL be the light in this darkened place.

I drive around 30 minutes to school and then 30 minutes back home everyday. I cannot tell you how many times I have listened to the song The Greatness of Our God by Hillsong this week. God has used this song to uplift me and give me the extra umph! that I need to get through the day. I hope these words speak to you all as well as I pass on the lyrics!

Give me eyes to see more of who You are. May what I behold still my anxious heart.
Take what I have known, and break it all apart. For You my God, are greater still.

No sky contains, No doubt restrains, All You are, The greatness of our God.
I spend my life to know, and I'm far from close to all You are, The greatness of our God.

Give me grace to see beyond this moment here. To believe that there is nothing left to fear.
That You alone are high above it all. For You my God, are greater still.

No sky contains, No doubt restrains, All You are, The greatness of our God.
I spend my life to know, and I'm far from close to all You are, The greatness of our God.

And there is nothing that can ever separate us. There is nothing that can everseparate us from Your love. No life, no death, of this I am convinced. You my God, are greater still

And no words can say, or song convey, all You are the greatness of our God.
I spend my life to know, and I'm far from closeto all You are, the greatness of our God.

No sky contains, No doubt restrains, All You are, The greatness of our God.
I spend my life to know, and I'm far from close to all You are, The greatness of our God.

One Week Down, 9.75 Months To Go!

Wow. That's about all that I can say! It has been a very quick & busy week..

First of all, the Lord provided a job for Carson! He is working as a sales associate at Sears. He is in the "Tools" department, which also includes sporting goods, lawn & garden, fitness equipment, etc. He went in for orientation and then trained on a computer for a few days in a row. As of right now he is shadowing some other employees, learning the ropes. (Literally, right now as I'm typing this :) ) Soon, he will be working as normal in the evenings. He told me last night that he actually really likes this job, as a salesman.. which is definately a good thing!

Secondly, I began beauty school! There are 9 of us total in my class, so it's really kind of a relaxed atmosphere. We began the week learning what the art of haircutting really is and how the "form" is the basis for any hairstyle. We also talked about the bones in the human skull, face, and arms.. a LOT of information! What made it really click and understandable, was the hands-on activities we did.
We learned our first haircut -- the Classic Bob. After practicing on our mannequine heads 3 or 4 times, we tested on the haircut on Saturday! We also were graded on our blowdry techniques.. I got a 100% and a 95%!

Wednesday-Friday I was feeling really bad.. achey and sick on my stomache. I went to the dr. and found out I had an infection, in which case I was prescribed some medication, and now i'm feeling great! I'm looking forward to going to school this week without having to move around every 5 seconds because of being uncomfortable! Praise the Lord it's going away so quickly!

Carson and I are still waiting to hear when we can actually move into our apartment, but it should be coming up soon!

That's about all that's gone on in our lives in the past week.. maybe something a little more interesting will happen this week...

So the past few months....

Wow! The past couple months have flown by! Looking back at what all has gone on just has me amazed yet again at our awesome Father..

First of all, I was able to take part in an incredible ceremony (in which i was married!) that i believe could not have taken place if it wasn't for our great God himself. Also, the friends, family, relatives, and countless others made things seem to just float on by for me personally on the day before and day of my wedding... truly a blessing!

Two weekends later, after a much needed, much relaxing, much schedule-less honeymoon, my cousin Jonathan was married to my now cousin-in-law Ashley! What a fun time of hanging out with my family!

Carson and i packed up all of my belongings from back home in MD, and made the 10 hour drive to Tremont, IL. My parents and siblings also came to celebrate our marriage yet again, at our second reception with Carson's family, friends, and church family. Another great day and blessing!

A couple weeks later we were able to make the small trip to Buchanan, MI to visit with my familiy who was at the Life Action Family Camp! Getting to see family and friends and team mates was a nice refresher for the both of us... especially me! It was much needed to say the least!

The first 3 weeks of being in Illinois, Carson and i were able to find a nice home to stay in free of charge... house-sitting! It was actually really nice and gave us some time to figure things out... such as where we were going to be living once the 3 weeks were up! I was also given the opportunity to feed the two pet snakes... the opportunity was given to me by my own husband... who is amusingly scared of the slithering creatures! :) Not my favorite job ever, but hey, someone had to do it!!

This past week we went to a church camp that Carson has gone to many years with his church. This year, the youth pastor of his church asked him to be in charge of a teen worship time. Basically, every night from around 8:30-10, Carson and 4 other guys would lead in a time of corporate worship with the teen/college age kids. Halfway through the worship set, Carson would speak for 5-10 minutes, kind of casually, coming from someone who has sat where they now sit. It was really cool to see my husband be used in such a way that people really did look up to him, and others were just so impressed by how much he's grown. God is so good!

We are now staying with his family for a few weeks while we wait for the availability of our apartment. After looking at several do-able apartments, we found one right in Tremont that was cheaper and nicer than the rest. Although it's only 1-bedroom, don't worry! We bought a futon couch for the living room! Visitors welcome!! :)

Carson is enrolled at ICC and will be starting classes towards the end of August. Right now he plans to get some more of his general courses out of the way and then transfer to another college to continue in pursuing the position of a math teacher. After attending school in the mornings, Carson is planning on working in the afternoons. We are praying for an opportunity to come around, and we know that God will provide a position!

I am enrolled in Tricoci University of Beauty Culture and will start August 10th. I went to my orientation last night and am extremely excited to get started! I will be going from 9-5 on Tuesday-Saturday. Again, God has definately provided the perfect school for me!

God has truly blessed me and my husband, and we owe all to Him!