Hi everyone!

I know its been a long time since I've really sat down and given a real update.  So while I have some time, I shall update you all on life.

Well, it's that time again when all the exhausted, hard working seniors graduate.  The class of '09 CHALC graduation was wonderful.  I really enjoyed watching all my friends cross through a huge threshold in each of their lives.  It was also a strange feeling sitting in the crowd for the first time thinking, 'that was me last year'.  I can't believe a whole year has gone by and how much I've watched everyone grow up.  And at the same time, also seeing how far I've come, how much I've grown, how much God has shown me and how much I'm growing into the woman He is molding me to be.   A lot has changed since this time last year.  Though some those changes have brought tears, pain and hurt, other changes have brought freedom, new joy, a deeper understanding of life and wonderful new seasons of life.  It has all been so good and very much needed.  What I thought was going to be my typical "fresh out of high school" plan has pretty much all turned upside down, all around and going completely differently...but you know, God's way is so much better and this is definitely God's way, not mine.  He has been humbling me in so many ways and at the same time healing my heart in ways I have never imagined, opening doors to so many of my heart desires and I am so excited, so satisfied and so grateful for what He has been doing.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

In one week from tomorrow I will be flying in a little private plane with my dear friend Danielle down to Memphis, Tennessee!!  Music camp starts next Sunday afternoon!  Eeeee, yay!!  I am so excited.  This camp, the trip, everything has been such a God thing.  A few days ago I received an email from the director of the school.  He expressed his excitement and then proceeded to tell us that we (the students) will be staying in their brand spanking new dorm facilities down in Midtown Memphis.  We will be taking the trolley everyday to and from school, hanging out in the cafe's, and aside from attending intense workshops and practicing an awful lot, we will also have the privilege of recording in a multi-million dollar recording studio where Skillet, D.C. Talk, Audio A and so many other bands record!!  This also happens to be a new feature!!  I am beyond stoked!!  Receiving the opportunity to record in a studio and experience the 'behind the scenes' is going to be A-MAZ-ING!!

Besides music, this summer I will also be in my dear friend's wedding.  She lives out in Wyoming.  I will also get to spend time with my Aunt Kathy, who I never get to see!!  I found out about a week ago that my friend has planned on me singing 3 different times in her wedding!  Ok, so I am definitely looking forward to it, but I am so a little bit nervous too.  She is having me sing as she walks down the isle, as her and her cowboy proceed out and then again at the reception.  It is quite an honor to not only be in her wedding but also be asked, rather begged, to sing...but I would appreciate prayer that I would have peace and confidence. Heh.  

Other than those two big happenings, I will be enjoying my summer consisting of fun day trips to the beach, girl nights, New York City, and other fun day adventures throughout the summer.  

I am getting excited for starting up LPN school either this fall of '09 or spring of '10.  I have been praying about what I should do...I am not completely decided yet, but I am feeling that I will continue to work full-time at Cornerstone through the '09 fall semester to continue to save up and pay off more of my car and then go to LPN school in the spring. 

Well, that is pretty much it.  I hope everyone is having a wonderful start to their summer.  I will update in a little while.  Blessing to you all.  Love you all!

Mary

Meet Laredo!

He loves cuddling, snuggling, giving kisses, playing with everything that is and is NOT his, he loves Gloria's old Crocs, which are now his.  He loves my hair and laying on our big over-sized comfy chair in the computer room.







Tiffany, Tiersh (the photographer) and me had a spontaneous winter wonderland photoshoot.  I enjoy editing the photos afterwords using all those fun effects. 















Here is just a few. The rest are on my facebook. We have lots of fun with pictures. Haha.  We were freeeeeezzzzing outside, kinda crazy.  But it was lots of fun nonetheless. Tehe. Anyways, thats pretty much it for now.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Love,
Mary

Music always speaks what I want to say, when I can't find the words....

Only Hope :: Jon Foreman

There's a song that's inside of my soul.
It's the one that I've tried to write over and over again
I'm awake in the infinite cold.
But you sing to me over and over and over again.

So, I lay my head back down.
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours, I pray, to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope.

Sing to me the song of the stars.
Of your galaxy dancing and laughing and laughing again.
When it feels like my dreams are so far
Sing to me of the plans that you have for me over again.

So I lay my head back down.
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours, I pray, to be only yours
I know now, you're my only hope.

I give you my destiny.
I'm giving you all of me.
I want your symphony, singing in all that I am
At the top of my lungs, I'm giving it back.

So I lay my head back down.
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours, I pray, to be only yours
I pray, to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope.

hmmmmm, hmmmmm, oooooh.

First off, thank you for your encouragement.  I'm doing better.  I've been feeling God's peace and love, which, *sigh of contentment* is always refreshing and comforting.

So, lets see, a little update on life here...
I am currently working full-time at Cornerstone as Nurses Assistant.  I love it!  Even though 10 hour days can be a little tiring, I am really enjoying it.  It was definitely a blessing from God.   Twice a week, in the evenings, I am taking an English course at HACC.   I have a very nice professor and the class is filled with quite the variety, but its pretty cool.  In some ways, it feels good to be back in some type of class again.   Weird, I know.   Other than that, I'm just learning how to balance my now, "adult" life with family, work, classes, my bennybear, friends, and so many other responsibilities. 

In my English class, we are currently reading Tuesdays with Morrie.  I have never read this book, but have heard so many good things about it.  Now that I'm reading it, I have to agree.  Within the first 20 minutes of me reading it, I started to cry.  It is such a well-written and captivating book.  I really wish I could have sat down with Morrie myself and asked him a bunch of life questions.  He and Mitch were Tuesday people.  I want to be a Tuesday person too.

"The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning."

"Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live."

"Without love, we are birds with broken wings"

Morrie- "Life is a series of pulls back and forth. You want to do one thing, but you are bound to do something else.  Something hurts you, yet you know it shouldn't.  You take certain things for granted, even when you know you should never take anything for granted.  A tension of opposites, like a pull on a rubber band.  And most of us live somewhere in the middle."

Mitch-"Sounds like a wresting match.  So which side wins?

Morrie-"Love wins.  Love always wins."

"Sometimes you cannot believe what you see, you have to believe what you feel.  And if you are ever going to have other people trust you, you must feel that you can trust them, too--even when you're in the dark.  Even when you're falling."

"Ah, Mitch, I'm gonna loosen you up.  One day, I'm gonna show you it's okay to cry."

"The most important thing in life is to learn how to give love, and to let it come in."

"Love is the only rational act."

(Morrie's at his friend's funeral) "What a waste," he said.  "All those people saying all those wonderful things, and Irv (Morrie's friend) never got to hear any of it." "Morrie had a better idea." "He had a "living funeral" for himself."  "And it was a big success."