Greyhound #5: Shreveport, LA to Charleston, SC

So it's been a long time since I've posted about my adventure on a Greyhound bus from New Mexico to South Carolina, but I'm going to do my best to finish it up.

In Shreveport, we had met 2 guys named Shawn and Michael. Once we got on the bus, Katie and I just wanted to be by ourselves and sleep, so that's exactly what we did. We still had a few more stops and one final bus change in Columbia to go. We stopped in Atlanta and had about a 45 minute wait for our connecting bus. The only outlet we could find was the one next to the bathroom, so that's where we waited because Katie had to charge her phone and her computer. When our bus was called, we promptly got in line. Then, the guy behind us politely told us that we had just cut in front of a ton of people. He said that he didn't mind telling us, but he figured the people behind him were probably glaring at us...which they were. We apologized and got out of line to wait until the end passed us. Our friend Shawn was just a little behind the place where we had cut and as he was about to walk by, he nodded for us to get in line in front of him. We jumped in line and honestly, I'm thankful that we did because I think they might have left people behind in Atlanta because there were more people than there were seats. I believe this is also the entrance of another character in our story. It might have been a few stops down the road, but I don't remember where her entrance was specifically. Let's call her Grandma Annie. Annie was an older woman who was going to Charleston to visit her daughter for the holidays. She was southern, had blond hair, blue eyes, lots of jewelry, and she just loved to talk. She befriended the large black man sitting behind her and talked his ear off for awhile before turning to Katie and me. We sat across the aisle from her and she just wanted to tell us her life story. Unfortunately, all we wanted to do was sleep. Katie eventually went to sleep, although I think she may have been faking to get out of the conversation. I decided to wait for a pause in the conversation and then thought I'd shut my eyes to try and fall asleep. Grandma Annie, however, just kept talking. This may sound bad, but I finally just closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep, so props to Katie for figuring that out before I did. We made a few more stops and at one gas station, Annie had a slight freak out session when she thought the bus left us. Some of the men on the bus explained to her that the bus had gone to the other side to fill up on gas and would be right back around by the time we needed to depart. Katie and I went right back to sleep, but I'm sure Grandma Annie continued to talk to anyone who would listen. She really was the sweetest lady.

We reached Columbia, SC around 5 or 6AM and we were exhausted. We went into the bus station to wait for an hour before our final bus to Charleston arrived. As Katie and I are sitting there, disgusting, smelly, and tired, Shawn walks over to us and hands me this little corner that was ripped off from a piece of paper. He may have mumbled something, but then he just meekly smiled at me and walked away. I looked down and on the paper was written "Facebook" with his name underneath. I didn't want to be rude and throw it away, nor did I want it to look like I seemed overly interested. I mean, I want to meet a guy, but I was kind of hoping it would be at church - not in a Greyhound bus station. So, I just slid it into an outside pocket of one of my bags. Finally, our bus arrived and we boarded for the last leg of the trip. I think I slept for a little bit, but I might not have because soon enough, we were there. After 2 days on a bus, we were finally there. We got our bags and Grandma Annie promptly introduced us to her daughter. I think her daughter couldn't believe that she wanted her to meet people she'd met on the bus, so she tried to shuffle her away, but Annie insisted that we stop and talk for a few seconds. Nicole (the bride and the reason we made the trip) came to pick us up and we could not have been happier to see her. Once we got into her truck. Katie saw Shawn talking up another girl, pointed it out, then proceeded to do one of her many voices and talked about how she couldn't believe he could do such a thing when I hadn't even left the bus station. I didn't care; all I wanted to do was shower. We all just laughed and drove off to have our weekend of celebration and left the Greyhound people behind...for the weekend :)

Moral of the story: Thank God for every single moment and never forget how fortunate you are. In humility, love those around you. You never know, you might make a few friends along the way.

New City. New Blog. Still Loving Jesus.

Today is officially my second day in the beautiful city of Dallas, Texas and my first day of work at Vickery Place Animal Hospital. It's hard to believe that I'm actually here. I've been looking forward to moving here for so long and it's so weird to actually be here to stay. Since I moved away from the desert, I thought I would change my blog up a little bit. It's a new phase in my life and I wanted my blog to represent that.

For those of you who don't know, "Pressing On" is a song by Relient K and it's one that I've always loved. It's based on Philippians 3:12-14 and talks about not looking back, moving around adversity, and finding joy in Jesus. It's about keeping your head on straight so you can press on towards the beautiful goal that is Jesus Christ. Now, I don't think that the past can be severed from the present or the future. I believe in learning from your mistakes because they glorify God, and being confident in the knowledge that God takes you through the tough - and stupid - times in life to draw you back to Himself. However, I want to leave sin in my past and look to Jesus in everything I do. That is why I am pressing on. I'm also pressing on through the pain of leaving my family and many of my friends in New Mexico. I want to be here, but I'm having a hard time reconciling that with the fact that I don't get to go home at the end of the day and pick up my wonderfully crazy mom from her daily 10-mile run. I don't get to come home and have my dog Fudge wag his little nub of a tail with excitement. I don't get to see my beautiful sister and be super weird with her everyday. I don't get to play tennis with my dad or go visit him at Noodles. I don't get to see my brothers kick a** at their concerts. It's so hard to sit here and think about all of these things I left behind, knowing that I have a life here now and I have to press on through the tears and the pain of my own decision. Ok, so I know that is super depressing, but God is making me stronger through this. He is drawing me back to Him and I am relishing in the glory of that fact alone. I love that I want to get up in the morning and spend time in the Word! I love that I'm praying more and worrying less! I'm loving that I am stepping into a whole new phase of my relationship with Christ! I will miss every single person and thing that I left behind in NM every single day, but if this is what I need to be closer to Jesus, then I say bring it on! The goal is to keep my head on straight through this transition and in clinging to Jesus, I am doing just that.

In addition to Philippians 3:12-14, I am loving another verse in chapter 4. It says:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." -Philippians 4:6

I love this verse because right now, there is a lot for me to be anxious about. I'm trying to budget my money so I can figure out what I can afford, looking for an apartment, getting ready to go to a new church, trying to make new friends, and on top of all of that - thanks to many of my Zeta sisters and some family members - I am now anxious about meeting a guy. Yup. This verse is so helpful when I get overwhelmed by all of these things. I am turning my anxious feelings into prayer for the first time in my life and I must say...it's pretty stinking awesome!

Oh and I'm going to do my best to finish the Greyhound stories after this post since it has been 6 months since the last story. It's crazy how time flies, but the stories are too funny not to tell!

Until next time...Go Mavs! :)

Hello, my friend

Oh my! As of today, I have neglected this thing for 4 months! I guess part of it is because I don't feel like I have anything noteworthy to write about and also, this is the first chance I've had to just relax for the past 4 months. This semester has been crazy, exhausting, quick, hard, busy, and full of ups and downs. As of Wednesday afternoon, all that was finished, and now, I officially have one semester of college left! I cannot believe it's almost here! This is something I've dreamed about for so long and now I'm actually making plans and getting stuff all figured out! I know that in the end, it'll be really bittersweet, but now, I'm just flat out excited!

The plan is to leave this beautiful place I call home and venture into something totally new - a city. I was born in Plano, moved to a small town in Maryland when I was 6, and moved to Albuquerque when I was 14. After 8 wonderful years in New Mexico, I'm packing up and moving to Dallas. Why? I'm not quite sure. It's a fresh start and it's familiar, but the unfamiliar part is that I'll be on my own. I'm excited to start planning everything over the next six months and pumped to see all that God has in store. He moved me to New Mexico for a reason and has taught me so much in my time here. It is strange to think that in just six months, I will leave the place where I truly grew up - physically, mentally, and spiritually. He has given me a fantastic group of believers as friends who are so passionate for the Word and some of them are already living in Dallas! I'm heading out there for spring break to visit and I cannot wait! I am thrilled to start this new chapter of my life with Jesus leading the way. He truly is my Rock and my Light and I cannot imagine life without Him. I am so thankful for all of the lessons He has taught me and all of blessings He has so graciously given me. His love and mercy and grace have pulled me out of the pit time and time again. He is so good.

I am currently praying for a roommate for when I go out there. I honestly have no problems living by myself in a studio apartment or loft somewhere just outside of the city, but I also know it would be easier financially and socially if I had a roommate. I am just about as social as they come, but it would be great to have someone to go out with. I would love to bring my current roommate with me, but unfortunately, she has one more semester of school left after I graduate. I am dreading leaving her because God placed her in my life at the perfect time and she has truly become one of my best friends. We know each other so well and I'm going to be so sad when I don't live with her anymore. Anyways, if you're reading this, I ask that you would start praying for a roommate for me for Dallas. I want to move at the end of May/beginning of June, so it would be great if I found one before then. I am also super pumped to attend the Village Church in Dallas and to start getting involved there. God is doing great things through the Acts 29 movement and it will be so neat to be able to experience it first hand.

Before any of that happens though, I still have one more semester. I have 3 classes left for my major and the rest are workout classes. I'm taking jazz 2, ballet 2, beginning weight training, and pilates. It's going to be great! But even before that, I have my Christmas break. On Saturday, I'll go to Tuscon with my parents, come back on Sunday, then stay in Las Cruces until Wednesday the 15th. On that day, I will leave for Charleston, South Carolina on a Greyhound bus. I know it's going to be quite an experience, so I'm definitely going to blog about it and post pictures! But get this-!- they have wi-fi on the bus and plugs! At least I can update this thing right from the bus! After 2 days on the bus, I'll arrive in Charleston for my friend Nicole's wedding! I'll get there on Friday morning, get ready, hang out all day, then do the rehearsal and the dinner that night. The wedding will be on Saturday and I am so privileged to be a part of this special occasion. I'll leave Charleston on Sunday night and get back to El Paso around noon on Tuesday. Then, I'll drive back to Las Cruces, pick up some things, and will FINALLY be on my way home to Albuquerque for the break! I'll spend the holidays with my wonderful family, and on New Year's Day, I get to celebrate my grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary! Then, after 2 more weeks, school starts again on January 13th. Bleh! I don't even want to think about that right now! I am, however, looking forward to this much needed break from school. I'm excited to talk theology with my mom and football with my dad, to shop with my sister, and to (hopefully) see my brothers and their band perform! It is going to be a jam-packed, but phenomenal, winter break.

Until next time, remember to eat a little something out of all of the food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup.

Killing Giants

It is tradition on the San Diego Summer Project to have a week that is titled "Killing the Giants." Basically, this is the week where we share our faith multiple times every day and tackle the uncomfortable situations in our lives. This took place last week, but now that it's over, I have taken time to reflect on it and realize how great it really is. The passage we look to for this week is found in 1 Samuel 17:45-47 were David is telling the Philistine about the LORD and how He is David's help and strength and is stronger than anyone or anything. However, the verse that struck me from the overall passage was verse 48 which says, "Then it happened when the Philistine rose and came and drew near to meet David, that David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine" (NASB). I just was so impacted by the fact that David RAN QUICKLY toward the battle line. What a great picture of what we can do in the name of the LORD Almighty! Last year, I viewed Killing the Giants week as a pain in my behind. It made me uncomfortable and I'm pretty sure I made up some fake "giants" in my life or the "giants" were real and I just chose not to do anything about them. This year, with the vivid picture of David running toward the Philistine, I was able to tackle my giants, or at least begin the process. It felt so great to trust God in these areas where I had never really done so before.

As the project continues, I am continuing to process through many things as God continues to refine me. Not gonna lie - it has been pretty rough because I have been believing some wrong things about God and drawing life from wrong places. However, God is so merciful and gracious to me and He continues to pour His love on me and He blesses me with great days out here in San Diego. God is just so good and I just don't deserve it, but I am so thankful for His love and mercy and grace.

"And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me." -2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB

By the way, I am loving the World Cup and Wimbledon! It's probably not the best thing because the TV in our condo is always on, but it has been so much fun bonding with the rest of the staff over watching the USA team play at 7 in the morning! And now that Wimbledon is on, I do all of my work in front of the television! Ok, that is definitely an exaggeration, but I am watching tennis as I am writing this. As a matter of fact, Soderling just beat Ginepri in 3 sets in the first round of the tournament. Just thought I'd throw that in. The World Cup has also inspired the soccer players on project to play every week. It has been so much fun, except that I don't have my cleats! I play in running shoes and it's a big bummer, but I have so much fun! I also play some tennis out at the rec center and I love just goofing around as well as playing seriously. That's how I relax: by exerting more of my energy through sports. It has been a crazy time out here so far, but it is also insane to think that we only have 10 more days here before we leave! Then we are in Disneyland for a few days and then it's home to Albuquerque on the 7th! Until then, I have a lot to do,but it's going to be great!!!!

Peace and love from Sandy Eggo! (See what I did there? haha)

Splenda

No, this post is not about my love for artificial sweetener...I just didn't feel like titling it "Sweet." Anyways, I'm just loving life right now. God is doing some pretty sweet things and I enjoy soaking them up day after day. The first thing that comes to mind is my relationship with Jadee (the Chi Omega in the picture). She is awesome. God has orchestrated both our lives so that we could find each other in college and learn and grow from one another. The whole thing just blows my mind! I met her at church through a friend and then she was in my recruitment group and then we just started meeting and before we knew it, I was discipling her! The semester has been so cool and we'll both be in San Diego this summer so I'm super pumped for that. I know that I'm supposed to be mentoring her, but God has used her to show me so many things as well. I've learned to be fearless because I know who I am in God and I am confident in Him. I've learned to listen to others more and ask questions instead of selfishly talking about myself. I've learned to laugh at myself...even more than I already do. Last, but not least, I've learned to care about others and to be compassionate. Jadee cares so deeply for others and it blows my mind! Seeing how much she cares for others caused me to examine my own thoughts and my heart, and I realized that sometimes, I don't show compassion and I don't care about others. I may act like I care or put on a smile, but my heart will be ugly. Not cool. Jadee emulates God's love and compassion for others. That is where I want to be and I am so thankful that God has shown me this. He is constantly preparing me for this summer and it makes me so happy. I made her a vision plan for the summer and if I may say so myself, it's pretty cool. I used a pink journal and used some stickers to put her name on the front, then I went crazy on the inside with stickers, pictures, and colored pens. It was fantastic. We went to breakfast this morning and I gave it to her and it was so much fun! We talked for hours about this and that and I loved every minute of it. I am so thankful and blessed that God has placed her in my life! I know that there is still so much to come for the both of us.

On Friday night, we had Crown Ball. It was my first date party since fall 2008! The theme was prom so I got all dressed up and I did my makeup all pretty and stuff. The truth is I hate wearing that much makeup. It was fun for the night, but I was so glad to take it off. I just feel gross when I know there's a ton of makeup on my face. My idea of enough makeup is bronzer and a little blush. My crazy days are when I actually put on mascara! Anyways, my dress was short, strapless, and red with flower/ruffle things at the bottom. It was so cute and I borrowed it from one of the other Zetas. I guess expanded closets are a perk of being in a sorority. I also got to wear my black and silver glitter heels which I never get to wear! I think that was the most exciting part for me. Oh, and my date actually matched me! I didn't tell him what I was wearing because I didn't think it was a big deal, but some of our friends intervened and found him a nice red tie to wear with a black shirt. The night was pretty interesting, but a lot of fun. There was even a chocolate fountain!!! You can never go wrong with a chocolate fountain in my book.

And now, it's finals week. Time to spend every waking hour of the next 4 days studying. Oh, and on top of that, I have to pack for the summer. Craziness. But, it will all be worth it when I go home to see my family and then go out to San Diego. I just want to be done with school...right now. I will end by saying that if you don't hear from me in the next week, it is because I am buried in my notes, so don't worry. See you in a week...or whenever.

SO GOOD!

Oh dear...words cannot even express what I am feeling right now. I am completely overwhelmed by God's goodness, His faithfulness, and His love for me! HE IS SO GOOD! I have been praying that He would raise the support I needed for San Diego by March 17th ($300) and He raised that...and then some! It's incredible! He is flooding me with His love and He has given me the security that San Diego is where He wants me to be this summer! It is such a good feeling!

"For He is the living God and enduring forever and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed and His dominion will be forever. He delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders in heaven and on earth." -Daniel 6:26-27

This past week as I have been digging into Daniel and going deeper in my quiet times, I have begun to recognize when Satan attacks me. I'll be fine and all of a sudden, insecurities will fill my head or my heart will feel heavy. Before, I would always just shrug it off, but I am now recognizing that these are ways in which Satan is attacking me. The only thing is his plan has backfired. These insecurities and things have only made me draw closer to God and I have begun to relish the history of the Bible. Through this Beth Moore study, I have been able to see how Daniel's time was just like ours and it is so encouraging me because God placed Daniel in the middle of Babylon when the Babylon mentality was about pleasure and luxury - not God. How is that any different from my situation? I don't want to give in to that mentality. I want to stay focused on God and what He has for me, because it is greater than anything I could ever think up in my head. I want to surrender everything to God.

This past week was also the last week in my journal that I have had for a year. I did have a separate journal for summer project, but still, this journal is the one I wrote in for 2009 and the first 3 months of 2010. It's so torn up and the bookmark fell out...it's a mess, but I love it. I bought a new journal and I'm so excited to start it, but this also makes me think about everything that has happened in the last year. I got that journal after my first trip to DCC and man was I on fire for the Lord. Even though I accepted Christ when I was young, I think I was still a baby in my faith. I had the knowledge, but I had never been consistent with quiet times or truly committed to growth in the Lord. That changed after DCC and I began to learn things about myself and about my faith. At this point, my identity was completely in guys and the acceptance of others. I thrive around people as it is, but I needed their approval at this point. If I thought someone didn't like me, it ruined my day. It took me going on San Diego Summer Project last summer to recognize this and stop it. I realized that I should be placing my identity in God and nothing else because He is the ONLY ONE who will truly never fail me. He may not give me everything I want, but He will never do anything to me that will not be for my benefit. What an amazing and core truth I learned last summer! My journal entries changed from seeking approval to praising Him and seeking Him. I wanted to know how my life fit into God's plan. I wasn't seeking my own advancement anymore. But then I just kind of lost touch. I would go a full month without a quiet time, then have one, then go for another chunk of time with nothing. Then we come to another DCC and the beginning of a new year. I have changed so much in the past year, but that change has been for the better. I have been changed by the people who have come into my life, but most importantly, Jesus changed me. Following Him is the best thing that has ever happened to me...why would I ever stop?

Unexpected

Wow. What a long and crazy day.

1. Woke up at 5:30am and ate an omelet, some honey nut cheerios, and some oatmeal.
2. Drank some coffee, had a quiet time and got ready for school.
3. Filled up my entire water bottle, then left it on the counter at my apartment.
4. Class from 8:55-3:35.
5. Went for a run in the activity center...

Here's where it gets interesting...all day long, I had been looking forward to running then going to my bosu class at 5, but apparently, God didn't want that to happen. I finished running my two miles on the treadmill and started walking. All of a sudden, my body felt really heavy, my limbs got all tingly, and i got really light-headed. So I clung to the side of the treadmill with my iPod still on and I'm pretty sure I actually passed out while I was standing up. Once I came to, I sat down on the treadmill with my head between my legs for probably about 5 minutes with a ringing in my ears. Finally, everything returned to normal and I was able to walk out of the AC just fine. Pretty crazy, huh? I'm just glad I didn't throw up! After all that craziness, I wrote my support letter for this summer!!!!!!!!!!!!! But then, I couldn't print it! I went to 4 different computers in Corbett and none of them were connected to the only working printer in the place! Needless to say, I got really frustrated and just decided to leave and after eating food that was easy on my stomach and a good chat with the roommate, I sat down to write this and started reflecting on the madness that was today. I started out my day listening to a Beth Moore session and something she said really hit me.

Satan has no greater agenda than attempting to desecrate what God consecrates, but God does not overlook this. He gives us the ability to fight the enemy.

I learned that I am consecrated to God and I felt like today, Satan berated me with frustrations, lies, and inconveniences that caused me to look away from God. But it's good to know that I can come home, recognize all of this, and remember that He has given me the ability to fight Satan. One of the best things He has given me is prayer. No matter where I am, no matter what time of day it is, I know that I can always count on God and talk to Him about anything. He is so good and I know my hope is safe in Him. Now that's a good day. :)