break the chains

hi ya peeps!  No doubt, I haven't been on my A-game when it comes to this stuff (didn't see that one coming....ha).

As you know, school started back a week ago.  Since I participated in both summer sessions (I know, I know...I don't know why I did that either), I haven't exactly had a vacation from school since August of 2012!  craziness.  Along with getting a job this summer, thanks to The Pit (yall come get some BBQ!), I haven't had much time to breathe between classes, work, and commuting back and forth from home for various occasions.  Needless to say, my faith journey had been paused for a little too long.

This time last year I was burning with that Christian "high" from being in Africa and visiting with my friend Rachel down in Largo, Florida.  Last summer was completely jam packed with experiences that boosted my faith journey more than any other trips I had ever been on...especially Africa.

Why is it so easy to fall off of that Christian "high"?

Society is nothing but a vacuum.  A pure moral and value sucker.  You truly have to be on your A-game every moment of everyday if you want to stay on that "high", but we all know how impossible that is.

I've given into society way too much recently.  I'm tired of it.  Don't get me wrong, it's not like I'm going out and doing drugs and getting drunk non-stop.  It's not that at all.  It's just the little things: having more negative thoughts than positive thoughts towards certain things, complaining too much, not sharing God's word at all, not having faith based conversations with friends.

It's time for a change - for me to get back to 'normal'.

I've never really been this far away from my faith before.  I'm not doubting or anything, it's just not the first thing that I base judgements off of like it used to be, ya know?

I want to read my Bible more.
I want to have more conversations with friends.
I want to pray more.
I want to pray before every meal.
I want to be able to go to bible study on a regular basis (hopefully work will allow it).
I want to be held accountable for these things.
I want to shine God's light in everything I do.
I want people to see Him through me...like people said they used to.

While I pray for all of you, I hope that you will pray for me in return.  We all have struggles like these, it's human.  That's why it's so easy to get like this.  But it's time to break these chains and walk on as disciples, people!  Here we go!

I'll leave you with this verse from my reading tonight:

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Ephesians 2:10

-E

adios, UT

I started moving my stuff out of my room today.  This is my last weekend here at good 'ole University Towers.  I've been here for two weeks shy of a full year now.  This place is full of memories.

It's where I met my future roommates.
It's where I got ready for all football, basketball, and baseball games.
It's where I studied for all of my finals.
It's where I ate Marco's pizza and countless cookout trays at 3am.
It's where I met 14 people on my hall that became a family of mine.
It's where I became a part of an amazing bible study with about 30 other girls.
It's where I spent my freshman year, as well as the summer of 2013.

I'll never forget living here -- I mean how could I?  I can't wait to visit my friends that are staying here again this upcoming year!  (Especially now that I worked here this summer and became friends with many of the RAs.)

This is my bittersweet moment!  Everyone else had it back in May where they moved out after finals.  This is MY move out realization moment!  This 12 x 24 foot room has been my home for a year and I wouldn't trade it for the world!  I'm ready to be in that apartment though!

Move-In Day, August 17, 2012

The best hallmates.

The roommate and suite mates!

Many nights of hallway hangouts.

Our room, 712, was the place to be. 

My room at the end of the year - so much memorabilia. 

Needless to say, I lived a great year at UT!  Adios, UT.  

It's been real.

It's been fun.

And it's been real fun.

thinking about the future

Sitting in my room everyday here at UT, I find myself constantly thinking of the future.  I guess it's got a lot to do with my age and stage in life - I'm almost 20 years old and I'm in college.  This is prime time for change.

In less than three weeks I move into an apartment with two amazing girls, Emily and Malin.

(Malin on the left, Emily in the middle)

They have done loads of shopping for the apartment this summer while I've been working and taking summer classes so I can't wait to be home next week and start pulling my weight when it comes to apartment shopping!

I'm very excited to watch our friendships grow and see how we will grow as individuals as we begin this journey together.


With moving in you know what that means......school's back.  August 21st is the first day of fall semester.  I know I've only been in college for a year now, but I'm glad I'm finally looking forward to going to class.

As I change my major to Parks, Rec and Tourism, people tend to look at me like I'm crazy.  Yes I can make a living with this major and YES this major is a real major.  Think about it, when you go to the beach - that's tourism.  When you go shopping at the mall - that's tourism.  When you go to Pullen Park with your kids - that's Parks and Recreation.  Needless to say, this world wouldn't be as vibrant or enjoyable without this field.  I can't wait to be a part of this field and put forth my time and energy to make communities want to participate in recreation.

Along with class, the beginning of the fall semester also means FOOTBALL SEASON.  There are 32 days until kickoff.  Get excited people.  Doeren is going to take us far this year. (According to the football players in my Parks and Rec class)

So, here's to the future and a great football season.  Go Pack!

here's to many more

Ello folks! (yes I said, Ello.)

I realize it's been a year now since I last blogged (or first blogged, rather).  I'm wanting to transition into a "regular" when it comes to blogging.  Hopefully I will be able to keep up with it and make it a definite "to-do"...like I tried with working out everyday and that didn't last too long.  Anyways, this one is going to be short, sweet, and to the point!  Have a great weekend! 

-Here's to many more followers......

Elizabeth