Sunday, September 28, 2014

Lately

whew. where has September gone? I'm having the most terrible luck with trying to find time to blog. so many things have been happening and so much homework has needed to be done! keep an eye out for some upcoming posts about my love for October, some goals, and some fall favorites! for now, I'll give you a glimpse into what's been happening in my life via my iPhone! How about you? What have you been up to lately?


on our way to the red sox vs. orioles game last weekend! 
at the game! by the way, the red sox won :)
last saturday we explored Baltimore. it was a lovely day.
the national aquarium from the USS Constellation. we didn't go that day, but
it's on the list for next time!
panoramic of inner harbor. i was so pleasantly surprised by Baltimore.
since we had gone to the black & white gala at school together for the last three years,
we dressed up the night it was going on and went to Cheesecake Factory at the inner
harbor for dinner. This boy has successfully made me the happiest person alive.
I am so incredibly blessed to have him in my life. 
first apple cider of the season. i love fall so much. so so much.
the other night I started to get really stressed out over homework and just life in general,
so I stopped to breathe and paint this. such a lovely reminder. 
something I've been learning is that time for rest is absolutely needed. I didn't have to work
on Thursday afternoon, so I took the time I don't normally have to myself to relax and
watch doctor who. which is actually a marvelous show.
the first signs of fall are starting on campus! 
yesterday, Asa came up and we went to Six Flags in New Jersey. two of my favorite
things, roller coasters and this guy. it was a wonderful day. 
today I woke up with a horrid migraine (it happens) so I relaxed for the day. This afternoon
I enjoyed hot chocolate with peppermint mocha. If you haven't tried this combination,
you absolutely must. it is delicious.

xoxo.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

The Way Life Should Be // Old Orchard Beach

Today I am joining in with Bailey over at Brave Love for the blog-tember challenge! I wish I had been able to join in on this series sooner, but I'm excited to join in now! Today is day 18 of the challenge which is

Tell a tale of traveling, a city or country you've been to or a favorite vacation.

Now, I'm not going to tell you about my trips to Greece (those will come), but rather I'm going to take you to somewhere that has been constant in my life since I was a little girl. My families favorite vacation spot: Old Orchard Beach, Maine. (OOB, for short)

OOB is this serene little beach in southern Maine, it's quite touristy down by the pier but my family vacations further up the beach where it's much more calm. Whenever it's decided that we're heading to OOB, an excitement builds in my soul. It's my favorite place and I feel so at peace when I am there. We've been going to this beautiful little spot for my whole life, and my mom has been going there even long before I was born. It is one of the most meaningful places to me. If you've never been to southern Maine, I greatly encourage you to go.

Here are some pictures of me throughout the years at Old Orchard Beach.

Sarah (my sister) and I when we were younglings at Old Orchard Beach
2008
2010
2011. Maybe my favorite picture from OOB ever.
In 2012, my family wasn't going to be able to make it up to OOB for a vacation... so some of my
pretty awesome friends and I took a day trip up in August of that year. One of my most fond memories. 
My 21st Birthday, 2013
Our most recent trip, August 2014

Brave Love Blog

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

UVF

The first time I stepped onto the campus of Valley Forge Christian College I was a fourteen year old high school freshman with no real reason to be at a college visit. I don't remember what my reasoning was for wanting to go... but it was probably just to get the couple days off of school. I never expected that God could call me that year to attend that very school when I was so young and had all four years of high school left, but that's exactly what happened. I'll never forget that first year of breakaway... I remember the exact room I stayed in, who I stayed with, the messages and the very spot I knelt in the chapel when God ever so gently whispered to me "you belong here". The campus was very different then... Cardone Hall was not yet built, the anvil was still the old bookstore, and beisel annex was a girls dorm, among other differences between now and then. It was one of my favorite trips, and it became an annual occurrence for me. Each year of high school, I attended the November breakaway with my youth group, and every year I stayed in Beisel Annex with Julie Serbin (now Lund). I made connections early by coming every year, which made my transition in as a freshman in 2010 much easier. It was always Valley Forge, there was a point my senior year that I considered going somewhere else, but God corrected that pretty quick. I applied and was quickly accepted in April of 2010 and thus began planning the next four years of my life. 

That was four and a half years ago. Turns out Valley Forge would take more than four years for me to get through, which is fine. I sit here in the anvil as a super senior at the school that God called me to go to almost eight years ago. Although there have been many points throughout my time here that I considered leaving and that my journey through these hallways and buildings has been extremely difficult... I never stopped believing that God had me here for a reason, and that's exactly what has kept me here this long. I have trusted in God and His call He placed on my life that November day in 2006. I've learned such valuable life lessons, met some pretty incredible people, and made friendships that will last a lifetime. Even though my time at Valley Forge is soon coming to a close, I would not change one thing from the last four years... my experience here has been incredible, challenging, stretching, and fulfilling. 

Today is a monumental day in the history of this school that I have grown to love so much. Today is the day that we became the University of Valley Forge! Chapel was unlike any other and the celebrations continue with class cancellations and cake and new shirts and contests and all kinds of fun things. This change is huge for my beloved school, and I feel incredibly blessed to be part of such a day. 


No longer am I the fourteen year old high school freshman who daydreams of life attending Valley Forge Christian College... now I'm the almost twenty-two year old university senior who is daydreaming about life after I graduate with the first class to ever graduate from the University of Valley Forge. I'm so grateful today that God pursues us and that His plan is so perfect for us. I'm so grateful that He called me to this place and I'm so grateful that I followed Him here. 

Thank you for four amazing years VFCC! Here's to an amazing final year at UVF! 


please enjoy these pictures throughout my Valley Forge Journey...

breakaway 2008, Valley Forge National Park
my freshman year roommates. Labrina, Bitsy, and Myself. (L-R)
even though we didn't stay roommates all our years, we had to take
a picture on their graduation day. love these two.
Asa and I freshman year. little did I know when this picture was
taken how much he would end up meaning to me.
Asa and I senior year. This guy has seen every side of me and stood by me
every step of the journey. I'm so grateful for him in my life. 
Freshman Year
Sophomore Year
Junior Year
Senior Year, Part 1
Senior Year, Part 2
VFCC
UVF



xoxo

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Lately

Well, I'm about a week and a half into my super senior year at VFCC... which by the way if you haven't heard... we are officially becoming The University of Valley Forge on September 16th! There is a buzz of excitement for the new transition about campus, good things are happening here my friends.... good things. 

As for me, moving back to Pennsylvania has been a much different experience this year. The purpose of this post is to update and explain some things. Bear with me. 

Academically

Classes are in full swing. Homework is starting to pick up, but its good because it keeps me busy. I'm loving all of my classes so far. I have all ministry and Bible classes this semester, which is my favorite because these kind of classes challenge me more than the others and they more fully prepare me for ministry. I'm working on getting back into the swing of doing homework and keeping myself motivated... it's working well so far. 

Socially

This has been the most challenging aspect of this year so far. Which if you know me, probably surprises you. A good chunk of my friends graduated in May and for some reason, I didn't make very many friends in the classes below me. Pretty much kicking myself for that now... I still have a few here, so I've been trying to spend time with them when I can. Otherwise, I've just been chilling in my room, working on homework, and watching some TV shows. I don't mind it usually, it's nice to have the peace and quiet. It's better than sitting in the anvil where people forget about indoor voices and I can hear them currently over my headphones and music. Also I'm currently being stared down for sitting in someones "spot". Oh well... it is what it is. This last weekend I escaped Maryland to see Asa for the weekend and we went to DC and got frozen yogurt and went to target too many times... getting away from campus and being able to relax and just have fun with him was extremely refreshing. I'm becoming more of an introvert I'm realizing... and I actually kind of like it. 

Spiritually

God is teaching me to lean on Him. I'm learning more so now than ever that He is my source of strength and hope. Through Him, I can do anything but without Him, I can do nothing. He keeps me going throughout the day and I'm learning to lean on Him in everything. Don't just rejoice when things are going well, yet rejoice always when things are good or bad. He is my rock and my salvation and through Him I am made whole. 

God is also my source of joy. He is so good and we have such a wonderful Savior in Him. He is so full of love and joy and it fills my heart with gladness. :)

General

In general, things are going well. I'm keeping my head high and trudging through. I have been getting a lot more sleep and keeping myself rested... so that's been good. I've been already working ahead in my work and starting on assignments. I'm glad to be here and I know that God has me here for a reason. 

So here's to senior year... may it continue to get better as it goes. :) 

Here's some pictures for you to enjoy :) 

My dorm room. it's so cozy.
Frozen yogurt is yummy!
The Capital. It was my first time. Lovely.
My favorite place in the city. the lawn by the Washington Monument
facing the Lincoln Memorial.
My best friend. 
Peach green tea lemonade. taste bud explosion. 
Beautiful sunset in Maryland
The lovely VFCC campus. soon to be University of Valley Forge