Back in the Burg

It's been quite a while since I've taken time to ponder and write down my thoughts... so, here we go!

Last time I talked about things was right before Whitehall... Oh. My. Goodness. Campmeeting was absolutely great this summer! (like always!) But since we've gotten older, we've been able to venture out on our own more and discover new things to do. The weather was so cooperative with us, so we were able to go out and cliff, rock & bridge jump multiple times! It was pretty sweet! :) I was able to go out at diff. times with K.Joyyy, Emily, Lexi, Tay and a bunch of the guys. We ventured to Panther Springs, and a few different Rockland locations... which is always fun! ;)
And.. this year was also pretty great, just because A.Janie has a cabin too down by ours & K.Joyyy's!!! I have to say that I really LOVED her being down there for all of campmeeting, and I know that mom loves having her sis there too!






When Campmeeting ended, we didn't stay too long after like we normally do, just because I only had about a week to get everything packed and ready before I was Liberty bound again! Once all my goodbye's were said & I was all packed up and ready to go, we were finally on our way back down to the Burg! :)

We drove 2 cars, my Ford Escape and the van... (btw, I lovee having my car down here!) and we took off quite earlyy in the morn, and made it here around the middle of the afternoon. And ever since then, I've been loving my time back here in Lburg! :D

God has really blessed me when it comes to quadmates! Last year, we had such a great group of girls in my quad, and this year we all just get along so well! I love 'em! :) Along with our quad, we have a great hall in general.. our leadership is wonderful this year, and we do so much more together as a hall!

And then there's our brother dorm.... oh. my. goodness. We couldn't have asked for a better group of guys! (& Godly guys at that.. the bro leadership team is awesome!)





One of the first events that we did with our bros was Panther Falls (which is cliff jumping) & that was a lot of fun.... warm weather, freezing water, but so much fun! ;)







All Night of Prayer (6-7am) & then breakfast at Cracker Barrel with the bros!





After ANOP, we all went to the first football game together (only a few of us in the pic below).. which we won 52-7! Go Flames!! :)




Then last weekend, we went mini-golfing as old-school golfers.. which was pretty awesome :P






AND THENNNN...
Yesterday, a group of us went to Devil's Marbleyard and we boulder-mountain climbed for about 4 solid hours.. & it was AMAZING! :) It was probably one of the most fun & awesome things that I've done! There were points when it was rough, but after getting through it all making it to the top.. it was one of the best feelings in the world! It's a feeling that you can't describe unless you've experienced it for yourself.. and to see all of God's marvelous creation from at the peak only makes it better & worth everything! :)

*The pictures of the guys in black garbage bags and white head coverings were also from the Devil's Marbleyard adventure yesterday! :)













well... that's all for now folks, but I'll be sure to come back as soon as I can to give you the latest update on life, and what all God's been doing in my life..... but for now, use the pictures listed above to see all of the miraculous works of God, and what He's been showing me over the past few weeks, months & years! :)

Seasons Come & Seasons Go..

With July coming to an end, it can only mean one thing..... WHITEHALL is coming up!! :)

This is one of the things that I look forward to most every year/summer. I know that only God can define who I am, but Whitehall has helped to shape me into who I've become.. & I'm so thankful for that!

There isn't a summer that I haven't been at Whitehall, and I really hope that there never will be. I have some amazingg friends *FOR LIFE* down there that I love dearly! We may not get to see each other as often as we'd all like, but no matter how long it's been since we've seen each other, our friendships are as strong as ever. :)

I'm so excited for Campmeeting this year! It officially starts Saturday, but we're heading down tomorrow... yayy! ;) It's gonna be soo much fun!!

But after Whitehall, my summer is mostly over and done with...

I'll come home for less than a week & then it's back to Liberty!

I'm really looking forward to getting back down there. As much as I like being home in Roc, NY, my home is really starting to be developed down in Lynchburg.

Don't get me wrong... I really do miss my family and a few people up here (along with Elim, my church), but honestly.. that's about it. I let go of things when I left, and didn't have any desire to go back to them. I believe that God puts people in your life for a season, but those certain seasons must come to an end at some point in time.. & those ones did.

During the past year that I've been gone & on my own, God has really started to reveal things to me in ways that I never would have dreamed. Through friends and events, I've begun to see things and experience them for myself, whether they be good or bad.

So.. as I wrap up, let's just say that I'm so looking forward to this next year, all that it will bring and everything that God will continue to reveal to me.

I'm ready for it. Are you? ;)

spontineity :)

Tuesday.. drove down to Erie/Meadville/Cambridge Springs to see my K.Joyyy & my Taryn!

stayed the night.

Wednesday.. spent the morning with them.

drove to Chautauqua Lake.

had lunch with A. Kay & U. Dick.

drove back home to Roch, NY.

:D

1 month til i get to see them again!! :)

food for thought..

:))

i got my car! :)
i'm really quite excited about it too!
it's a 2008 Ford Escape XLT.. and I love it! :))

...pics to come ;P

shorty ;)

it's shorttt! :)

ahh :)

i've been home for almost a week..
it feels good to be home,
but i will say that i do miss being down at LU..
things up here are just different to me now.

we're getting ready to head down to whitehall for the wknd to see the whole fam (which we never really see everyone all together except for at Thanksgiving, so it's different, but i like it).

well, i should be going now... so, adios for now :)

almost.. donee.....!

1 final + 1 final project.
CHECK!

2 finals + 1 memorized speech.
LET'S FINISH THIS!



..and then freshman year is overrr!
can't believe how fast it went :)

Sunny Saturdays & Cool Concerts!

The Jubilee Family Development Center held an event called The Jubilee Jamboree this past weekend. It was an fun-filled day with so many different things to do.

The jamboree was in the parking lot of Thomas Road Baptist Church, while the concert was inside of TRBC. I have never seen that parking lot so full of people and of different activities. It was great!



They had moon bounces and inflatables spread out all around the parking lot, and multiple game booths between them all. It also seemed like they were able to gather the support of a good amount of local restaurants, which was nice to see. A few of the food stations that were there were Chick-fil-A, Sundae Grill and Smoothie King.

Businesses like these are the ones that you want to go to and support!

They also had a 3-on-3 basketball tournament that went on throughout the whole day. There were games going on one right after the other, with hundreds of teams participating in the tournament.

A few of the teams that managed to win in their divisions were:

- Ballin' Bombers
- Dunk-n-Go Nuts
- Leadin' Ladiez
- Dream Street
- Shining Shooters

Each of the winning division teams received $50 gift cards for Dick's Sporting Goods, and were also given a meet and greet session with well-known recording artist, TobyMac.

Toward the end of the evening, there was a concert that featured both TobyMac and other recording artist, Switchfoot. These two groups put on a phenomenal show, and performed with such great energy. The crowd was so into the concert, and was singing along with them the whole way through.

There were so many groups of young people, of college students and of adults and parents who were roaming around at this jubilee. Seeing all of the people, of all ages, coming together and joining The Jubilee Center in raising funds and spreading awareness was definitely a sight.

Not only did the Jubilee Family Development Center benefit greatly from this benefit concert and jubilee fundraiser, but the entire city of Lynchburg did as well. It really brought a sense of unity to the community, and showed the support that is given by the people of Lynchburg.

It is so good to see the benefits that are reaped when everyone joins together to help support such a great local cause!









Word Count: 394

Too Comfortable?

first off, I do not want to take credit for what I am about to write..
(I am only going to summarize and piece together certain parts of the devotional entry)
this is taken from one of my daily devotionals written by R. Blackaby & H. Blackaby.



Comfortable In Our Bondage

It is possible for people to become so accustomed to their bondage that they resist efforts to free them.
Slavery meant that [we] are not free to do God's will or to go where [we want].
When God sets out to free us, there will often be a price we will have to pay. Grief can be a terrible form of bondage, yet we can become comfortable with it. We can grow so comfortable with fear that we don't know how to live without it. As destructive as our sinful habits and lifestyle might be, we may prefer living with the familiar, rather than being freed to experience the unknown. We may recognize the harmful influence of a friend, but choose to reject God's will rather than offend our friend.

Have you been lulled into a comfortable relationship with your bondage?
Do you fear change more than you fear God?
Are you willing to allow God to do what is necessary in order to free you?


:)