Okay so the last couple weeks have been totally crazy! With 10 extra hours of work a week, I'm definitely feeling a little bit frazzled (haha weird word) right now! But I think I'm finally finding a balnace here... Or I hope. I've been keeping my sanity through going to church, loved today's service and worship. SO amazing! I've also started painting... We have to for one of my psych classes, but I find it very calming and relaxing. So I bought some paint this weekend and started to paint on my own, it's been pretty fun so far. I'm just trying to really keep my priorities in check right now and not neglect reading my Bible or spending time with God throughout the week, despite the chaos. But I'm working on getting everything in order. (:
Today I'm supposed to write to a stranger... I'm not sure how this is going to go since I don't know who I'm writing to... We'll find out.
Dear Stranger,
When I see you on a street corner with a sign asking for help, I wonder why you're there. You're the first one I thought of when I heard the word "stranger". I wonder how you got there and what people are doing to help you. I wonder if you find rest in the fact that you have a God who loves you more than anything. My heart aches for you, and I want to buy you lunch... And possibly a blanket if it's winter. I wish I could do more. I wish helping people in your position hadn't become a "scary" thing for people like me to do. I hope you can see God's love through my actions with what little help I can give you. I hope life gets a little easier for you.
-Erika
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Day 5- Your Dreams
So I think today was just a tiny preview of how crazy, yet exciting at the same time, life is about to get. InsideOut (junior high and high school group at church) started today, and I already know I'm going to love it! It was exciting to meet a few of the girls today, and the best part was probably that I went to froyo with a few of the other leaders after service haha. Later this evening, I finished all my homework that's due Tuesday so that I don't have to worry about it tomorrow after work. I'm already so tired, and it's only Sunday! Let's just hope that I can find some energy to make it through the long week. (:
So today's letter is apparently supposed to be written to my dreams... Weird? I'm not sure if that means that I write it to my dreams like the ones I have while sleeping, or if I write to the dreams I consciously have for my life. I choose the second one, because, out of the two, it seems a little less strange.
Dear Dreams,
You exist because of the importance I have placed on family and serving others. Such as my dream to become a counselor... You, my friend, are driven by the joy I feel in helping others and living the life God has laid out for me. Next, my dream to get married and have a family... You became a dream and hope for my life when I was really young. I want to be able to fall in love and have a life full of amazing memories with the family my (future) husband and I will someday build. I think you (all of my dreams) pretty much stem from my wanting to serve something so much bigger than myself... To let God's love overflow from my life into the lives of others. To share in community and worship God with a family. You, my dreams, will all hopefully someday be fulfilled... We'll see what God has in store for us. (:
XOXO- Erika
So today's letter is apparently supposed to be written to my dreams... Weird? I'm not sure if that means that I write it to my dreams like the ones I have while sleeping, or if I write to the dreams I consciously have for my life. I choose the second one, because, out of the two, it seems a little less strange.
Dear Dreams,
You exist because of the importance I have placed on family and serving others. Such as my dream to become a counselor... You, my friend, are driven by the joy I feel in helping others and living the life God has laid out for me. Next, my dream to get married and have a family... You became a dream and hope for my life when I was really young. I want to be able to fall in love and have a life full of amazing memories with the family my (future) husband and I will someday build. I think you (all of my dreams) pretty much stem from my wanting to serve something so much bigger than myself... To let God's love overflow from my life into the lives of others. To share in community and worship God with a family. You, my dreams, will all hopefully someday be fulfilled... We'll see what God has in store for us. (:
XOXO- Erika
Friday, September 10, 2010
Day 4- Your Sibling
Today was soooo uneventful! I got to relax and hang out with my roommates, and I also helped do Kaitlin's hair for rush... It turned out so cute! I'm just resting up today and tomorrow and preparing for the craziness that's bound to set in starting Sunday. I'm so tired physically and also extremely tired of doing homework! So today will be a short post because I don't really have much to say! But I will end it with yet another letter, to my sibling.
Dear Big Brother,
With us being four years apart, I think we've grown up in such different worlds. We're such polar opposites, and I know that we definitely do not see eye to eye on very much. But I also realize that we have grown up in the same environment. We are brother and sister and always will be... Aside from our parents, we are each other's closest family members. I understand that we have a difficult time getting along a lot of the time, but I want you to know that I pray for you on a daily basis. You are a much stronger person than what the world gives you credit for. I know that, at times, it has seemed that life has thrown you nothing but challenges, but I have faith that God has a plan for you. I hope that as we grow older and settle into our separate lives, we can get to know each other as adults and continue on some of the family traditions, like sushi on new years. I hope that as time passes by, we only grow closer and not further apart. I know that sometimes I don't always show it, but I love you Kev!
Love Your Little Sis,
Erika
Dear Big Brother,
With us being four years apart, I think we've grown up in such different worlds. We're such polar opposites, and I know that we definitely do not see eye to eye on very much. But I also realize that we have grown up in the same environment. We are brother and sister and always will be... Aside from our parents, we are each other's closest family members. I understand that we have a difficult time getting along a lot of the time, but I want you to know that I pray for you on a daily basis. You are a much stronger person than what the world gives you credit for. I know that, at times, it has seemed that life has thrown you nothing but challenges, but I have faith that God has a plan for you. I hope that as we grow older and settle into our separate lives, we can get to know each other as adults and continue on some of the family traditions, like sushi on new years. I hope that as time passes by, we only grow closer and not further apart. I know that sometimes I don't always show it, but I love you Kev!
Love Your Little Sis,
Erika
Day 3- Your Parents
This is what we do on Thursday nights when everyone else is rushing for sororities... haha we sit in the dryers in the laundry room.
Today was super busy. I had so much homework and 6 hours of class total... I also had a job interview, and I got the job! I'm really excited to start working with the kids. (: Other than that I just hung out with Chloe, Jenna, and Anne while doing laundry. Tomorrow I have a 3 hour psych class, coffee with a friend, then home to sleeeeep! Then Sunday, InsideOut (the junior high and high school ministry and New Vintage) starts! I'm so incredibly excited for it! As for tonight, I'm content watching My Best Friend's Wedding with Chloe before the business of the weekend sets in.
Today's letter is to my parents... So I thought I would write to both of them individually since it's kind of hard to fit everything into one letter. Sorry if this turns out to be a bit lengthy!
Dear Dad,
I love that every time I call you (even if it's just because I tried Mom first and she didn't answer) you sound genuinely excited to talk to me. It's nice to be able to look back on how our relationship has grown over the past couple years. I feel like God has really helped you grow into the spiritual leader in the family... Kind of like that song "Lead Me" by Sanctus Real. You are so very supportive of everything I do; I think that simple fact has made my college experience (so far) a little more manageable. I appreciate the fact that you don't push me to do or be anything I don't want to. The same jokes you've told since forever continue to make me laugh, even when I think of them now and still don't completely understand why they're funny. Thank you for the love and prayers you send my way daily, I really couldn't go through my days without them. I love you!
Love,Erika
Dear Mom,
Okay where do I start? I love that we have weird jokes that no one else seems to understand and that our loud pointless conversation fill the kitchen during dinner time. I love that you are passing on your baking tips (even if I don't really have that kind of talent with cooking). You have taught me how and encourage me to be a strong woman of God. You're my favorite person to shop with, and I know that will never change. Thank you for being my rock and always doing what you think is in my best interest over the years. You have been my best friend and role model. The selfless love you give to others, even people you don't know that well, never ceases to amaze me. "There is a video I found from back when I was three You set up a paint set in the kitchen and you're talking to me. It's the age of princesses and pirate ships and the seven dwarfs. Daddy's smart and you're the prettiest lady in the whole wide world. Now I know why all the trees change in the fall, I know you were on my side even when I was wrong. And I love you for giving me your eyes, staying back and watching me shine". I love you!
Love,
Erika
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Day 2- Your Crush... awkward?
So today I babysat all day... and it was actually really enjoyable! I watched lots of Blues Clues, so when I came home to my roommates and it was time for me to check my mailbox, I sang the mail song! I think I'm enjoying these educational cartoons more than Josiah haha. Tonight I have tons of homework I need to finish, a dirty room I need to clean, and I realllly should do my laundry, but that just doesn't sound like very much fun right now. Tomorrow I have an informal interview with an after school daycare program in Petaluma. If I get the job that would mean 18 hours of work per week (2 jobs), 18 units (6 classes), plus the Leadership Development Program at church (I'm a small group leader on Sundays)... Once again I have to wonder, what am I getting myself into?! But I have to say that I'm excited to be busy (:
Okay so getting on with my whole letter a day thing... I look at my little preset list and it says to write one to my crush. I have a tiny problem with this. I absolutely hate using the word "crush" as a noun like referring to a person! I have no problem saying, "oh I have a little crush on him" because that seems to sound cute, but saying that someone is my "crush" makes me sound like I'm in 2nd grade. But I'm still going to do it; I don't want to back down from the challenge after just one day... I'm just going to write this to a future "crush" (like someone I hope to meet in the future), since a real "crush" doesn't really exist right now.
Dear "Crush",
Whoever you are... I'm waiting for God to bring us together. Currently, I'm pretty sure you haven't yet entered into my life. It's a nice thought though, that one day (maybe sometime soon) you might just show up. I hope you know that I'm being very selective in choosing "crushes" these days, so I hope you don't let me down. Tall, dark, and handsome would be nice (haha just kidding!). But seriously, I pray that you're a good man of God who will challenge me to be a better person. I don't think I can write much more than this since, after all, you are still kind of a mystery guy. (:
XOXO- Erika
When you come face-to-face with the storms of your life, the disheartening trials and tribulations, success or failure is not dependent on the circumstance. In fact, the outcome is not dependent on what happens on the outside, but rather what happens on the inside. The deciding factor between success and failure is what you submit to: fear or God.
30 day letter challenge, DAY 1!
As I was looking at my news feed on facebook, I came across something my friends were posting from their blogs called the 30 day letter challenge. Every day for 30 days you write a letter to a different person; there's a preset list of people. So I decided to start this! I may not write every day for 30 days straight, but I'll try! And along with writing a letter, I'll throw in a tiny update about my day... Here goes nothing!
Today was long, tiring, boring, and filled with school. I now have 18 units and 3 psych classes... Not completely sure what I've gotten myself into. But anyways, I'm determined to get amazing grades this semester. And I cannot wait to babysit tomorrow and get away from campus for the day... School is already making me feel like my head is going to explode!
DAY 1- Your Best Friend
Dear Best Friend,
I'm pretty positive you know who you are. We had a tiny rough patch last year, but can I just say that I am so happy that we have remained so close despite the distance college has put between us. I feel like I can talk to you about pretty much anything, and I wouldn't trade our weird conversations for anything. It's nice to know that I have someone in my life who won't judge me and will be honest with me about stuff.
We've known each other for so long, and I really hope that we stay close over the years to come... I can't imagine life without you! I love that we always both feel like shopping and that tanning in my backyard became one of our favorite things to do this summer. You're such an amazing friend, and I really wished we lived closer to each other because seeing each other only once a month seems like nothing! Pretty much to sum it all up, I'm glad you're my best friend... Love you girl!
XOXO- Erika
Today was long, tiring, boring, and filled with school. I now have 18 units and 3 psych classes... Not completely sure what I've gotten myself into. But anyways, I'm determined to get amazing grades this semester. And I cannot wait to babysit tomorrow and get away from campus for the day... School is already making me feel like my head is going to explode!
DAY 1- Your Best Friend
Dear Best Friend,
I'm pretty positive you know who you are. We had a tiny rough patch last year, but can I just say that I am so happy that we have remained so close despite the distance college has put between us. I feel like I can talk to you about pretty much anything, and I wouldn't trade our weird conversations for anything. It's nice to know that I have someone in my life who won't judge me and will be honest with me about stuff.
We've known each other for so long, and I really hope that we stay close over the years to come... I can't imagine life without you! I love that we always both feel like shopping and that tanning in my backyard became one of our favorite things to do this summer. You're such an amazing friend, and I really wished we lived closer to each other because seeing each other only once a month seems like nothing! Pretty much to sum it all up, I'm glad you're my best friend... Love you girl!
XOXO- Erika
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
College, Round 2!
So here I am, back at school. Exciting? YES! Stressful? Most definitely! It's been fun being back up here; I especially love being reunited with my friends. I am just already feeling the pressure of taking 6 classes and 17 units... Welcome back to college! Despite the work load, I am still finding lots of time to have fun. Living with 5 girls that I love means that I always have someone to hang out with! We have already had so many funny moments and quite a few "family" dinners. (:
This year I'm living with Chloe, Kaitlin, Liz, Jenna, and Anne.
Chloe is one of my suitemates from last year. She is sooo energetic, but she has such a big heart. She loves to cook for other people and she's going to start volunteering at New Vintage in the nursery, which makes me really excited! I'll finally have someone to sit with on Sundays at church!
Kaitlin is Chloe's roommate this year, and was one of my best friends here last year. She is one of the most genuine friends anyone could ask for. She's hilarious but also very serious about her studies. She also loves everything that I bake, which makes me love her all that much more!
Liz was one of my first friends at SSU. She has such a strong love for God, and we share a lot of the same beliefs which makes it easy for me to talk to her about stuff. She is also one of the weirdest funniest people I've ever met.
Jenna is Liz's roommate and she keeps us laughing! She's an amazing dancer and has seriously the best fashion sense... Needless to say, I will be raiding her closet often this year.
Anne was one of Kaitlin's suitemates last year, and she has the other single room this year... She more than deserves it! The girl is smart... and what my mom calls "shiny". She has a great personality and is always so happy!
I love love love all my roommates; I think I'm in for a great year! Unfortunately my classes are extremely boring. Also, between my 8 million hours of class, studying, babysitting, and being in the leadership program at church, I don't have a lot of time for much else. I love being busy and using my time for productive stuff, it's just that I got SO used to taking naps everyday of summer... obviously naptime is over. :(
I just cannot wait until I am done with general ed! I hate having to take classes about things that I don't care about! I'm ready to have a full schedule of psych classes. (: But for now, I'm enjoying the fact that I'm still 3 years (or at least I hope) from graduating and having to worry about the rest of my life. I'm ready to grow up and be done with school, but I'm not ready to grow up and pay for everything, have kids, and all that stuff. I think I can wait for a few more years... Even though my parents have informed me already that they're saving my old beanie babies for "the grandkids"... scary thought.
Our life is full of brokenness - broken relationships, broken promises, broken expectations. How can we live with that brokenness without becoming bitter and resentful except by returning again and again to God's faithful presence in our lives.
(Not sure where that's from... But I love it!)
PS... Mom and Dad, I finally updated this thing, and I would just like to let you know that I put off studying for this. (:
This year I'm living with Chloe, Kaitlin, Liz, Jenna, and Anne.
Chloe is one of my suitemates from last year. She is sooo energetic, but she has such a big heart. She loves to cook for other people and she's going to start volunteering at New Vintage in the nursery, which makes me really excited! I'll finally have someone to sit with on Sundays at church!
Kaitlin is Chloe's roommate this year, and was one of my best friends here last year. She is one of the most genuine friends anyone could ask for. She's hilarious but also very serious about her studies. She also loves everything that I bake, which makes me love her all that much more!
Liz was one of my first friends at SSU. She has such a strong love for God, and we share a lot of the same beliefs which makes it easy for me to talk to her about stuff. She is also one of the weirdest funniest people I've ever met.
Jenna is Liz's roommate and she keeps us laughing! She's an amazing dancer and has seriously the best fashion sense... Needless to say, I will be raiding her closet often this year.
Anne was one of Kaitlin's suitemates last year, and she has the other single room this year... She more than deserves it! The girl is smart... and what my mom calls "shiny". She has a great personality and is always so happy!
I love love love all my roommates; I think I'm in for a great year! Unfortunately my classes are extremely boring. Also, between my 8 million hours of class, studying, babysitting, and being in the leadership program at church, I don't have a lot of time for much else. I love being busy and using my time for productive stuff, it's just that I got SO used to taking naps everyday of summer... obviously naptime is over. :(
I just cannot wait until I am done with general ed! I hate having to take classes about things that I don't care about! I'm ready to have a full schedule of psych classes. (: But for now, I'm enjoying the fact that I'm still 3 years (or at least I hope) from graduating and having to worry about the rest of my life. I'm ready to grow up and be done with school, but I'm not ready to grow up and pay for everything, have kids, and all that stuff. I think I can wait for a few more years... Even though my parents have informed me already that they're saving my old beanie babies for "the grandkids"... scary thought.
Our life is full of brokenness - broken relationships, broken promises, broken expectations. How can we live with that brokenness without becoming bitter and resentful except by returning again and again to God's faithful presence in our lives.
(Not sure where that's from... But I love it!)
PS... Mom and Dad, I finally updated this thing, and I would just like to let you know that I put off studying for this. (:
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