Moving Forward

Good Morning Baltimore!

Yeah, so I finally saw Hairspray and loved it, hense the title to this entry. Anyways so whats new? Well I've been so busy I haven't had more than an hour to myself at a time for the past few weeks. My college friends were here a couple weekends ago and that of course was a blast. We only have good times when we're together and I wish we could all hang out more often, but unfortunately real life takes over and it's not possible.
That same weekend my parents came back into to town to move the rest of their stuff up here. Well they closed on the new house and Liz, Terry, Vinny, Tony, and I started to move everything in the new house which included unloading the truck from AZ, loading it with the stuff stored in my garage, unloading that entire load at the new house, and then heading to Liz and Terry's to begin moving their stuff. So, that was all in one day. The next day we loaded and unloaded the truck a few more times. By the end of that day I was exhausted. Seriously didn't want to move a muscle. But then the unpacking and moving boxes around started up. I was so thankful that at the end of the day I could leave and come home to a nice, clean, unpacked house. I swear the next time I move is going to be the last, therefore I can't move until I get married! For real!
I had my first youth group last week and it went pretty well. The kids are searching and you can tell that they really need someone to guide them, so I'm excited that the Lord has given me the opportunity to do that. Let me tell ya, it's not on my own strength that I'm doing any of this because I am underqualified, but it just means that and success is the Lord's, you know? It's really a very cool thing. I just got done completing my first real lesson for tonight's youth group so I'm praying that it goes well. I think I'm even gonna play some guitar tonight so we can sing our praises. It's exciting!
My best friend Stacy is flying in from Florida tonight and I'm picking her up from the airport after youth group! I cannot wait to see this girl! We went to middle and high school together and she's always been an amazing friend and an encouragement in the Lord. Also, Michelle gets in at 1am tonight, so we won't see her til tomorrow, but I can't wait to see her either! We've been BFF since 4th grade and I love her! There's a group of 4 of us girls and we've all been BFF for forever... whenever one gets married it's a party because for one thing we're in each other's weddings, and another we never get to see each other. Well, I get to see Carley a lot actually because we still live in the area, but we don't get to see the other girls very often. It's non-stop laughter when we're together. I love these girls so much! I'm also really excited not only do we get to spend tons of time together, but we also get to see our other friends from school and church. There are going to be so many people here it's like a huge reunion. Our group from high school was huge and there are so many people that I'm looking forward to spending time with. We're a group that will always be there for one another no matter how much time has past since we've seen or spoken to each other. So mushy, but so true.
I hung out with Carley and Lindsey last night at BDubs (BWW) and we were talking about how it's amazing we've all stayed friends, yet we've all changed so much. That got me thinking about the ways that I've changed since I've come to know all of these people. I feel like growing up in Naperville we all came to have certain expectations of our parents, financially and not that we always took advantage of that, but we did want the best things we could get. I always had to have a new pair of shoes, new hair cut, new guitar, new clothes and I only wanted name brand things. Not that having the best of everything is bad, but now I think what's the point? I've changed a lot when it comes to things. I always picutred living in this huge house, and having lots of nice things to fill it up with because that's what I was used to, you know?
I've changed in other ways too, obviously, but it's really been hitting me that things that were once important to me, no longer are. Things like my car and where I live. Things like my clothes... I seriously love clearance racks these days. I have so many clothes that I have to keep buying new hangers, but it's because I get a ton for like a quarter of what I used to pay. I would never have bought something at Walmart unless it was like socks or something, but now a ton of my clothes are from there. I still buy jeans elsewhere, but you know how that is, you find jeans that fit you well and you stick with them. What I'm saying is that I'm much more simplistic than I was or thought I would ever be. I just don't need a new car, or a big house, or even a huge fancy wedding someday. not that having those things wouldn't be nice, but I don't NEED them, you know? I never needed them, but I sure did want them pretty badly. I've been in and seen so many different types of wedding ceremonies and they were each great for the person they were for. Some were simplistic... BBQ style, some elegant, some just plan fun! I don't know. I'm just kinda putting this out there if for nothing else than to remind myself.
We all have days when we want what others have and want money (like it's gonna solve everything), but I just want to glorify God in the things I do and I know I will be provided for. Nothing I accomplish is of me. I find my strength in the Lord.
Well, I've gotta clean this house for my friends and the bachelorette party! Congrats to Matt and Carley!

"If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:11

posted by Moving Forward @ 12:26 PM