Dorm Life...

I couldn't begin to tell you about all the thing I have learned over the last three years, since I moved to Joplin. It has been one of the most challenging and awesome adventures of my life so far. And even though I love it here I will always miss home and these lovely people more than anything...

 But I have learned that even though leaving people is hard God has a plan for it. And I have learned that the saying "absence makes the heart grow founder" is a very true statement. The times I have at home are way sweeter now than they were before. I look back on the moments and the memories we making during those quick weekend trips home and think these will be ones I will remember forever!

One of the best things of College is definitely dorm life. There is never a dull moment and you can always find someone who is being ridiculous or someone who will be ridiculous with you.So here's 9 random things about my dorm life...
1.) Here is my roommate Lisa and I during the convocation banquet this year...

Here's Lisa and I right before open house. That's our plant...we named her Nadine.
2.) Here are some pictures of our room...

This is my side...

Lisa's Side...

3.) Constant Community! My life pretty much focuses on creating community and living my life around other people. I love sharing life with the people around me. 

4.) Random Free Food.  That's pretty self explanatory. Who doesn't love food. :) 

5.) It keeps you humble. There is always a chance to serve the people around you. 

6.) It keeps you from becoming to serious.  You really never know what you might find...

7.) Roommates. The ones that live in your room and the ones that don't. 

8.) Random sleepovers. the ones that are planned and the ones that happen randomly.

9.) People that become your second family. Within the dorm and outside the dorm you learn how to do family better. You learn to resolve conflict better and faster.  You learn to interact with people. You become each others support. 

So there you go a little overview of my life in the dorms. I'm loving life in the dorms and it has taught me a ton about my self. I have met people that will always be a part of my life and I can't wait to see where were all at in 10 years. I love my campus and the people on it. God is moving on this campus. He's hand is here and I am so thankful that he has lead me here. I will be forever thankful. 

Oh yeah and this tree takes my breath away every time I see it. The leaves are far  redder now than when I took this picture but you get the point. 

Oh yeah and one more...Can you believe this one ?...

Our God is so good! 

Fall...The Years Last and Loveliest Smile.

Fourteen of the Best Things About Fall: 
1. The changing leaves: The transition from summer to fall provides a brilliant display of warm colors like orange, red and rich browns.
2. Running Outside in the Crisp Autumn Air
3. The Fashion: Coats, SCARFS, Hats, Tights, hoodies
4.  Fall spices- Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves
5. Fall Festivals, Pumpkin patches, Apple picking
6. Football. I haven't always been into football. But the atmosphere it brings to a group of people that are    living life in community just does something to my soul...In a very good way. I always looked forward to the Sundays, where after church we would have TONS of people over for food and football. I look forward to the days where instead of it being my parents home, it's mine. :)
7.  Fall TV. Psych comes back on in two weeks and I'm so excited!!
8. Hot Chocolate. I love the days where the sky is overcast and dark, chilly nights. I look forward to snuggling up in a blanket with a good cup of hot chocolate and a book.
9. Holiday spirits. With Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years approaching, everyone seems to be spreading holiday cheer with smiles and laughter.
10. PUMPKIN!!! In all forms. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin spice latte, pumpkin cookies...
11. Crunchy Leaves
12. Scarves (This is a serious weakness of mine. I love them)
13. Soup! I love my Mom's soup.
14. The Color Yellow...and not the bright yellow like you see on small children but the yellowish brown color that shows up on coffee mugs and walls.
I look forward to fall every year. Fall just seems to usher in the start something new. It always bring a new school year, and it allows for new beginnings. So after a very full summer of learning and changing and finding new things that I want to change and things I need to change in order to become the women God is creating me to be. I'm ready for a new beginning. I ready for change in my life. I'm ready to start pursing the dreams that are rolling around in my mind and to start living life full of anticipation at what God is doing. He's always up to something and that's the coolest part of my life. So look forward to new things and new blogs.
So until next time...This sing is changing my life and my view on men... It's so GOOD! I've listened to it about a hundred times in the last couple days. Have you seen the movie? I want to...Maybe next weekend.
Courageous by Casting Crowns...