Taylor Potts

Here's the thing about Taylor Potts...SHE'S INSANELY AWESOME! She is my partner in crime, and she is the person who so very easily gets me through my days in classes.

Let me let you all in on a little secret:

1) Taylor and I have ALL of the same classes together (although I have two extra classes she's not taking)!
2) We had our education lab together, and she was my backup driver.
3) We were in the same O-Group, which is orientation group at the beginning of the year.
4) Her first name is Taylor, and my middle name is Taylor.
5) We both are small group leaders at Bassycs Jr..
6) We want each other to run into the bell tower; although, I'm a tad bit more wishful of her face planting into the bell tower before I do.
7) We have an extremely encouraging relationship! :)
8) The day I saw her at eye level was, by far, one of the weirdest experiences of my life (she's taller than I am).
9) We're concerned very much so about each other's well being; therefore, we have each other's backs.
10) We love each other, and we love Jesus!

Taylor is one of my good friends who doesn't actually live in my dorm, which is nice. I'm not saying I don't love everybody in Olson; I'm just saying that's it's quite wonderful to have a friend who lives across campus and not right next door.

God has really blessed me with a friend like Taylor, and I can't imagine not seeing her beautiful face every single day (almost). God definitely knew what He was doing when He brought Taylor into my life. Thank You, God, for blessing me with Taylor!

So, Taylor, thank you for putting up with my obnoxious moods. Thank you for putting up with my crazy laughing attacks and sometimes bad days. You really are a blessing to me, and I hope you know that I am there for you ALWAYS! You are an amazing woman of God who makes me laugh even when you aren't around me. You are beautiful, you're my friend, I love you, and I wanted the whole entire world to know about you. You are NOT intimidating like you used to be. Now, you are just my awesome friend who I'd die for any day of the week.

So, here's to my partner in crime. Here's to hoping that when you, OBVIOUSLY, face plant into the bell tower first (wink wink) that you take me with you. Here's to Jesus! Here's to letting me call you Toilet Paper (TP=Taylor Potts as well as toilet paper). And here's to us! I love you so much!

Love, Morgan (AKA Morgs)

This the one and only time I have seen Taylor at eye level! WEIRDEST PHENOMENON EVER...

There's No Other Way

Ever since I got to college, I've been learning about love. I've been learning about the difference between human love and God's love. I've been learning how I love and how I should love. I've been learning and really seeing the different ways in which love has been displayed to me, both human and godly. For a long time, especially during my high school years, all I saw was human love that continuously failed me and other people. But then I got to Taylor, and I was overwhelmed by the love that was displayed. Everyone strives to love like Jesus loves us, and at first, I didn't really know how to handle it or accept it. However, it was simply because I was not used to it.

One of my favorite songs, "Times", is written by Tenth Avenue North. Some of the lyrics are as follows:

I hear You say, 

"My love is over. It's underneath.

It's inside. It's in between.

The times you doubt Me, when you can't feel.

The times that you question, 'Is this for real?'

The times you're broken.

The times that you mend.

The times that you hate Me, and the times that you bend.

Well, My love is over, it's underneath.

It's inside, it's in between.

These times you're healing, and when your heart breaks.

The times that you feel like you're falling from grace.

The times you're hurting.

The times that you heal.

The times you go hungry, and are tempted to steal.

The times of confusion, in chaos and pain.

I'm there in your sorrow, under the weight of your shame.

I'm there through your heartache.

I'm there in the storm.

My love I will keep you, by My pow'r alone.

I don't care where you fall, where you have been.

I'll never forsake you, My love never ends.

It never ends."

What amazing lyrics, right?! It describes exactly what humans do, but it is God telling us that He is going to love us no matter what. His love is UNCONDITIONAL, UNFAILING, ALL-POWERFUL, AND INFINITE. 

So, as humans, our love is conditional, failing, not powerful, and finite. We WILL run out of love to give. So, THERE IS NO OTHER WAY to love than with the love of God. If everyone strived to love more with the love of God, our relationships would be so much better and...loving. 

We need to try to harder to love with the love of Jesus because, honestly, there's no other way!

Laura Viers

So, another person who is really making a difference in my life is my next-door neighbor, Laura.

Okay, I have a really interesting thing to tell you about me and Laura: we've known each other since the middle of our senior years in high school. We starting talking over Facebook, we met for the first time in March (I think), and ever since, I was hoping that I would live relatively close to Laura. I knew that God has put her in my life for a reason, and He never ceases to amaze me because now...Laura is my next-door neighbor.

Here's the thing about Laura: she just gets me in a way that most people can't. Our personalities our relatively similar, and we've had a lot of the same experiences. We just seem to understand each other on a deeper level that some people can't. She is super encouraging, hilarious, smart, understanding, loving, caring, trustworthy, prayerful, and Christ-like. She is truly an amazing woman of God, and now...I can't imagine her not being in my life!

Laura, thank you for dealing with my loopy moods when I don't get enough sleep. Thank you for laughing at my obnoxious behavior because I love making you laugh and smile. You are an awesome friend, and I am happy that I started talking to you when I did because it adds a different dynamic to our friendship. Thank you for knowing how to put a smile on my face. Thank you for the hugs. Thank you for letting me tuck you in at night before you go to bed. I love you oh so very much!

My Life These Past Few Weeks

So, I haven't blogged in a really long time because time has just gotten away from me. However, I'll do my best to recap my life these past few weeks.

The first place that I'm going to start is parent's and family weekend. It was a great time because I got to see my family. I got to show them where I go to school, where I live, who some of my friends are (I wish that I had the opportunity to have them meet more of my friends), and why I love Taylor University so much. It was really rainy and cold, but it didn't matter because we were together whether we were on campus or off campus.

Then a couple weeks later was Fall break. Fall break was a really relaxing time. However, because I am taking 17 credit hours, I had A TON of homework to do. Instead of going home, I went to my friend Laura Viers's house. She has a younger sister who is just a riot, two dogs who ended up giving me so much love ( I ended up cuddling with one of them on the couch and napping), and two amazing parents. The weather was so beautiful, and I met some of Laura's friends. It was nice to be back in a home setting with wonderfully home-cooked meals. I got to sleep in, and one of the things that I have been missing oh so much here in the cornfields that I got to do...GO TO TARGET! It was a fun outing with a lot of laughs. That Saturday we went out to eat (me and Laura's family) for Laura's mom's birthday. It was fun, and there was a lot of good conversation. I got a lot accomplished, and I am grateful that I got to find out a little more about Laura and her family. It was a blast. So, thank you, Laura Viers and family! :)

Then a couple weekends ago I was given the opportunity to get off of campus for an entire weekend. It was for a class, but it didn't really matter to me. I went to Joe and Melissa's house because I had to watch and observe Jake for 10 hours. It was super relaxing, and I had a lot of fun. Jake is like the sweetest little boy that I have EVER been around, and I loved hanging out with him and watching him to his little sign language. I even got a loaf of homemade bread, which is completely eaten by the way. Diana and I devoured that thing relatively quickly. Thank you, Joe and Melissa! It was lovely getting off of campus for a weekend.

Now, it is November, and school is just flying by. I didn't really expect anything less than that, but I am still absolutely loving college!

God is so good to me.

Diana Friend

Over the course of this year, I am going to be taking the time to write about different people who I have met at Taylor University, which means that there will be a lot of posts.

This first one is going to be about my roommate, Diana Friend.

Diana and I are like two roommates who were just meant to be. Our personalities are similar, our senses of humor are phenomenal, we both know when to talk and when to shut up, we know when one is in kind of an obnoxious mood, and we know when each other is a little off and needs someone to talk to. We tend to have deep conversations really early in the morning, and I'm not sure why. But I love it SO MUCH! We both understand each other, which is fantastic. We both know that there are so many more things to learn about each other, which is exciting. We both love JESUS! We both love our majors. We both are blessed to have each other.

Diana is, in many ways, an answer to my prayers. She's EXACTLY the essence of an AWESOME roommate! She loves me for me, and there is nothing more that I could ever ask for. Now that we know each other and have lived together for almost five weeks now, I can't imagine not having her in my life.

I can't wait to see where God takes our friendship over the next four years and beyond! God is so good to us.

I love you, Roomie!

P.S. I'm guessing that this is the first part of many to come about my roommate!

3 Things: Wing Retreat, Pick-a-Date, and Chapel

A few weeks ago, my wing went on our wing retreat. It was about an hour away from the Taylor campus at Sarah's house, who is a girl who lives on my wing. It was a beautiful house on a lake, and it was really an enjoyable time. I went to a spin class, which pretty much was AWESOME. I always forget what an awesome feeling it is to feel my endorphins pumping! Plus, the class was done in black lights, which is ALWAYS a big bonus. That night, despite how truly tired we were, we sat down together (for a VERY long time) and listened to each other's life stories or parts of our life stories. It was an intimate and emotional time filled with tears, laughter, joy, and sorrow. It really reminded me that I shouldn't assume that people are a certain way just based on a few conversations; there is always deeper stuff going on in our lives. The next day, we had a little worship service of our own: singing with guitar playing, Bible reading, foot washing, and some praying. The upperclassmen washed the underclassmen's feet to show that they are here this year to serve us and be here for us. This is ALWAYS the perfect way to start the day. Later on in the day, some people went out on the lake, while others, such as myself, watched movies and took a nap. It was a great weekend!

This past Saturday, I went on my very first pick-a-date. Now, let me get something straight: a pick-a-date is NOT A REAL DATE! It's just pairing off between girls and guys. We went to the Indy Zoo, which was a blast. My "date's" name was Kyle, and he was a lot of fun and super nice. We, along with many other people, saw a dolphin show, did a little photo scavenger hunt, and just walked around looking at animals thinking about the last time we were actually at a zoo, which was probably 8th grade for me. I think one of the funniest things the entire pick-a-date actually happened before we got to the zoo. There was this man in this really sweet convertible, and next to him, there was a mechanical camel head that rotated around. He was kissing it and posing for the camera. Weird...YES. Funny...DEFINITELY YES.

Me, Kyle, and the Giraffes

One of my favorite things about TU is chapel on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Here's the thing about chapel...it's awesome. Sometimes when we are singing, I stop and simply listen to the voices around me. Sometimes tears roll down my face because it's an entire chapel full of college students lifting our voices to God, and it doesn't matter if we can sing or not. It's just a beautiful thing to experience three times a week.

I'm busy this week, but I'm taking it a day at a time.

I would like to make something very clear: I REALLY LOVE TAYLOR UNIVERSITY!

When Will I Be Used To It?

Right now, I am currently taking a break from the loads of homework that need to be done. Today has been a very productive for me thus far because I am completing homework assignments, and I've done all of my laundry, which was like 6 loads worth. :) This is the first full week of school, which is a bit overwhelming for all of us on the wing I think, especially the freshmen. However, I'm doing my best in spite of being a tad overwhelmed by my first week of two days with 5 classes each. Mondays and Wednesdays are the busiest days for me, and we finally have a Monday, so it's a lot more homework now.

Before I get to the main point of this blog post, I would like to share with you all a funny story. Last week, I fell off my bed. My bed was lofted, I was climbing down my ladder, my ladder fell, and I went with it. It hurt, and I'm fine. It's just really funny when I think about it. Currently, I am fighting a cold, but it's hard to get over because practically everyone on my wing is sick. However, I'm still having a blast in spite of a cough and a stuffy nose.

The main reason I'm writing this blog post to write about something that I can't get used to at TU: praying before class starts. Not all  of my teachers, but most, pray before class starts, which is such a different feeling for me. Coming from a public high school to a very Christian university is so AMAZING, but it's weird at the same time. Some of my textbooks are Biblically based, we pray before class starts, and sometimes we do devotions before class starts. I absolutely love it that I go to a college where it's like this, but it's something that I'm just not sure when I will get used to it. However, I'm choosing to embrace the praying, the chapels, and the community because I feel blessed, and I love it.

For those of you who want to send me mail:

Morgan Williams
Olson Hall 347
236 W Reade Ave
Upland, IN 46989

Here's my wing:

Oh...I really do love them all! :)

Welcome to Taylor University

FRIDAY NIGHT

Let’s see...where to begin really. This morning I woke up, and me and my mom drove to TU from Melissa Wisley’s house in Converse, IN. I got to campus, and it was already hopping. I got to my room, and it was exactly how I remembered it. I met my roommate and her family, which was really just a bundle of laughs and smiles. We set up our room in such a way that I can’t sit up in my bed because it is so close to the ceiling. The rest of the day was kind of high-stress for both me and my mom, and unfortunately, we kind of took it out on each other. So, I’m hopping that tomorrow will be better. Then at night, there was hall meetings, which was funny and quite entertaining with the 12 days of Christmas (Olson version (AKA my dorm residence)) and the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Then we had our wing meeting with the just the Freshman, which was great. We had to choose a thing out of our room to describe us, which I chose my guitar. I love music, especially guitar, I love to sing, and playing my guitar is my favorite way to spend time with the Lord. Apparently, I’m the only person who plays guitar on my wing, so 

I am going to help with some singing and worship for wing time and floor togetherness. I’m excited, but I am also really nervous. After that...the AWK-WALK, which I actually found not that awkward at all. I actually really enjoyed myself. It was my wing with my brother wing, and it was two girls on either side of one blindfolded guy. Basically, we hold hands (with intertwined fingers), and we just talk about our lives. I was with my friend Laura, and the guy was James, which he was actually a junior and the DA of my brother wing. At certain points we would stop, and the first time Laura and I touched his earlobes while he told us about what he wanted to be in life. Then he touched on my earlobes and one of Laura’s earlobes while we told him the same, which for me is Elementary Education and Special Education. Then the second time we stopped, Laura and I had to like, not touch his biceps, but like hold his inner biceps. Then he told us about his ideal woman, and we kept holding his biceps while we each told him our ideal man. Then the guys guessed who their women were, and James got Laura but not me. Afterwards, we went to a bonfire in the cornfields. I mean, OBVIOUSLY, not in the heart of the cornfields if we all wanted to go on some seriously strange suicide missions. It was great, but I was just so exhausted that I could barley keep my eyes open, which is exactly why I am going to go to bed now. 

SATURDAY

Saturday was the day that my mom and I had to say goodbye, which I think, right now, was easier on me than it was for my mom. My mom goes from having me around all the time to not having me around at all. I will miss my mom, but I think that I have to kind of establish my schedule with classes and homework and whatnot before I truly have time to miss home and my mom. After my mom left, I got ready for the O Group Escape to Reality Adventure Course. It was a lot of games and team building activities. An O Group, by the way, is an orientation group for all incoming Freshman. It was a lot of fun, and a  lot of sweat. Afterwards, I took a much needed shower before getting ready for the hoedown. The hoedown was WONDERFUL, and everyone looked so awesome in their Western gear, although someone was dressed up like a cow. It was some good food, and I danced with this guy named Gordon, who is actually one of my PA’s brother. He really knew how to square dance, which made dancing even more awesome. I was dripping in sweat and wiped out by the end, and truthfully, I still am wiped out because my feet and my legs still are sore.  That was also a time when all the awkwardness between people started to just fall down, which is something that I was so thankful for. It was nice to be able to have conversations that didn’t have to do with majors, hometowns (as in where), siblings (as in how many), how did you sleep, the weather, and so many other things that we ask to get to know one another. It was nice to not have the awkward silences anymore. After I was finished dancing, I sat down (clearly that was a must otherwise I would have fallen over), and I was sitting with my roommate, Diana, and our other friends Laura and Becky. It was just a lot of laughing and getting to know each other in other ways other than how did you sleep last night. Just when we thought we could come back to our dorms and rest, we realized that really that wasn’t an option. Most of the people from our wing (one cool thing about TU is that there are mixed floors of Freshman-Seniors) went to IHOP. I split some chocolate chip pancakes with Laura, and let me say something...THEY WERE AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! However, before I went to IHOP, I got the chance to skype with my puppy Delaney and my mom, but it was mostly my puppy. It was quick, but Delaney was really sad. She misses me, and the reason I know why is because she was whining really loudly, she kept looking at my room, and when she finally saw me on the screen, she just stared at me in awe as if she was making sure it was really me. 

SUNDAY

Okay...today was the day we had church on campus. There was some great worship, and the talk from our campus pastor, Randy, was pretty good today. He gave us three pointers: read the Bible and pray, find a home church, and go to chapel. After church was lunch, and after lunch, I relaxed before I went on a faculty home visit with my O group. We went to the Herrmann’s house, and it turns out that Mrs. Herrmann is going to be one of my professors in the future. It was nice to relax and hear about their lives as well as some of the other people in my O group. I just felt loved and blessed. However, it was about 90 degrees today, so walking to and from the house was like one big sweat fest. After dinner, there was all school communion. It’s not something that I have ever experienced before. All the freshman were asked to go into the middle of the gym, while the upperclassmen surrounded us. As the freshman were making their way down, all the upperclassmen were just cheering so loudly for all of us. I just felt loved and cared about. Once the freshman were in the middle and the upperclassmen surrounding us, someone prayed over the freshman. It was a short prayer, but it didn’t matter because it was just the act itself that mattered. There was some great worship, the upperclassmen were asked to stand in the bleachers to be prayed for, and all of TU took communion. It was a great experience, and I feel so blessed to be at Taylor. I’ve only been here three days, and I can already tell you that it’s way better than high school. I feel much more loved here in three days than I did all four years of high school. After communion, I went back to the dorm and just chilled. Most of the people on my wing played a game called “Silent Football”, which is way to difficult to not explain in person. The bottom line is that three of our girls had to go sing “Baby” by Justin Bieber to our brother residence hall. It turned out there was only one guy in the lobby, but it was still hilarious. There was a lot of laughing during the game and after. A few of my friends and I went for a walk around campus a little later, like 11:30 PM, and we just talked and laughed a little bit more. Now, I’m trying to get myself ready for bed. Tomorrow is my last day before actual school starts, so I’m going to enjoy it to its fullest. 

MONDAY

This was the last day before school officially started. So, it was my plan to enjoy it to its fullest. In the morning, I had the O Group Amazing Race, which was fun running around taking different photos with my O Group. Later in the afternoon, I had my department meeting, which was basically just listening to more orientation about the education department. It was pretty much a relax day, and it was definitely needed after a jam packed weekend. That night, almost all of my wing went to eat Mexican food at this place called “La Char.” It tasted really fantastic, and it was nice to talk with everyone. Even later on that night, I met some more new people from the American Ethnic Student Programs, which was fun. Even later on that night, I went for a bike ride, and I realized how long it has been since I’ve been bike riding. I almost fell flat on my face a couple of times, but I managed to stay up. Even later on that night, I went on a walk with some of the Freshman from my wing, which was a blast getting to know them even more. 

I am now done with my first week of school. It’s kind of overwhelming, but I’m just trying to adjust to being in a new place with new friends, no mom, no dog, school again, and yeah. All I can say is that I feel amazingly blessed. I can’t imagine being anywhere else, and I love that feeling. When I think about my first week of college and the past few years of my life, I get really emotional because I feel so awesome at TU. Everyone loves with such a genuine love. Everyone cares about me and loves me for me. There is so much fun and laughing here. I’m going to make some amazing friends here, and I am really excited about that. God DEFINITELY knew what He was doing when I only sent an application to Taylor University. I can’t wait to see what God is going to do in my life this next year. I’m not homesick yet, but I’m sure I will be soon enough. 

Some of my best memories thus far: 

1) Game Day: Taylor DEFINITELY beat Anderson!

2) Last Night: I fell asleep in the hallway, and I wasn't totally asleep yet. Emily Trier kept saying my name and shaking my arm to get me to wake up. She was worried if I was alive, so she checked my pulse on both my neck and wrist. Everyone standing around us was laughing because Trier wasn't sure what to do. I couldn't take it any longer; I jumped up laughing incredibly hard! :)

My Mom

For those of you who don't know...I have the most amazing single-mother in the world. I can't imagine where I would be if God didn't give me the mother that I have. My mom is an amazing, bright, hilarious, loving, confident, trustworthy, sacrificing, kind, caring, obnoxious, loyal, God-loving woman. Lately, my mom has been stressed out about family, her job, and me going off to college, and I've been at a loss as to how I can help her. However, I was talking to one of my friends about it one night, and she told me that's where I come in with all of my encouragement. I asked her like what kind of encouragement, and she told me that I should tell her how much I love her, how much she means to me, and how much she has made a difference in my life. So, that's what I'm going to do right now, and I want the entire world to know how much I love my mom.

Here are some of the things that I am thankful for:

1. You’re always trying to find ways to put a smile on my face.
2. You always dance in the car to be obnoxious...even when the whole world is watching you.
3. You laugh more throughout the day than you actually talk.
4. You know how to listen.
5. You would do anything for me, such as giving up your dream job at the NICU when I was a baby because the hours were bad, and you had to take care of me instead. 
6. You love it when I give you hugs, and I love it when you give me hugs.
7. You never make me feel incompetent. 
8. You are proud of me for more than just my grades. You’re proud of me for the person I am and am becoming, and you tell me that you’re proud of me, which is always encouraging to hear.
9. You’ll bake me cupcakes, cookies, peach pie, or brownies just because I ask for them. There doesn’t have to be a special reason; it’s just because you love me.
10. You never make me feel discouraged when I make mistakes; all you do is try to help me through them and encourage me to do better the next time.
11. You raised me in a strong Christian home, which there is no way I can EVER repay you for this one.
12. Even when you don’t agree with some of the decisions I make, you do your best to support me, and when I make the wrong decision, you don’t make me feel bad about it.
13. You don’t mind that I call you a million different names: Bubba Gump Shrimp, Bubba Gump Desperaux, Bubba Gump, Bubba, BGD, and Mom.
14. You laugh at me when I get hurt, which makes the pain go away.
15. When you had cancer, you held me each night in your arms as I fell asleep. You were the hurting one, yet you were the one holding me, which just shows the type of person that you are.
16. You let me talk your ear off when you’re laying in bed trying to fall asleep because you know I’m not a morning person.
17. You’ll just look at me and smile when I start laughing for no apparent reason.
18. You are always there to have a listening ear...ready and waiting with some advice if I want it.
19. You laugh at the most RANDOM things, even when I look at you like you are absolutely crazy.
20. You let me listen to Christmas music anytime that I want to, even if it’s in the middle of June (or today for instance).
21. You don’t belittle my problems.
22. You love me no matter what, and you make sure that I know that!

Obviously, there are definitely more, but I don't think I did so badly thinking off the cuff. I want my mom to know that I am so immensely proud of her for doing it on her own because I think she did an amazing job. We've definitely had our share of problems, but we got through them like we have always done because we have God on our side. I want my mom to know that just because I'm going to college doesn't mean that our laughing has to end or the talking has to end or the dancing has to end or the making of beautiful memories has to end. We are both opening new chapters of our lives, and God has so much in store for the both of us.

Sometimes I sit and cry when I think about how much I love my mom. :) AND...I know for a fact that when my mom is done reading this, she is going to come to wherever I am with tears streaming down her face, and I'm just going to give her a hug and tell her that I am proud of her. 

This is what I felt compelled to write about today. So, for all of you reading this...go tell your mothers that you love them. It's just as important for them to hear it from us, as it is for us to hear it from them.

I love you, Mom!

Gracias por este día

If you want to know...you got to ask me! (DR 2010)

Writing my first blog post is kind of awkward, but I'm just going to embrace it!

S'mores Time! (DR 2009)

This week has been one of those weeks when I have had a lot on my mind: college, family, friends, the Dominican Republic, and God. I move to the cornfields of Upland, Indiana in 13 days. I'm going to be a freshman at Taylor University, and I am overjoyed about all that God has in store for me over the next four years. TU is one of those places where you feel loved whether you are a student on campus or not. You can see God working in the lives of those on campus. People love to smile at you and wave at you whether they know you or simply want to say hello to a new face. The community on campus is like that of a tight-knit family, which I find simply EXTRAORDINARY! Here are some of the things that I'm excited for:

1) I'm so excited to meet my roommate, Diana. She's seems like a pretty cool person who really longs to be more like Jesus. She seems like she loves to laugh, hug people, dance in the rain, and just be plain awesome on a daily basis, which is a lot like me.
2) I'm excited about making some new friends. There are so many people in this world, and I'll actually only have a chance to meet a fraction of those people in my lifetime. And I'll be friends with only a small fraction of the fraction. I'm excited to hear about these people's lives and get to know them. I'm excited to hear stories, give hugs, laugh with each other, pray with each other, eat Ivanhoe's together, and make new memories together! I'm excited about my social life and all the silly, random fun I'm going to have with these amazing people!
3) I'm excited about Ivanhoe's. For those of you who don't know what Ivanhoe's is...you need to get with the program! :) Ivanhoe's is this really DELICIOUS ice cream place that's not far from the TU campus. They have 100 different kinds of shakes and sundaes. Now, if one person, such as myself, can tackle all 100 flavors... they can join the Ivanhoe's 100 club. Guess who's taking on the challenge without gaining any weight?! That's right...I AM!
4)I'm excited about my classes. I never thought the day would come when I said I am excited about SCHOOL. Personally, sitting in classes is kind of boring, but what I have come to realize is that college is different than high school. At TU, the teachers care about you, as a person. They want nothing more than for you to do your ABSOLUTE best, and they are going to do all that they can to help you. Plus, almost all of the classes that I'm taking first semester all have to do with what I am studying, which is elementary education and special education.
5) This is probably the most important one to me...I'm excited about deepening my relationship with God (or as I like to call Him, Dad). I can't imagine my life without my Dad. He's been there with me through every moment in my life: exciting, disappointing, sad, frustrating, joyful, angry, and happy. I'm excited to experience the new ways He is going challenge me and stretch my faith. My Dad is AMAZING, and I'm excited to see what AMAZING plans He has for my life. I love you, Dad!

My family and friends have also been on my mind this week (more so than usual). No matter annoyed and frustrated at I get at them, I need to be thankful for them. I love them, and I know that they love me. Sometimes I just wish we were better at communicating that to one another.

Danny Polo (DR 2008)

Being a clown...one of the best experiences of my life! NO JOKE! (DR 2010)

The Dominican Republic is also one of those constant things that pass through my mind daily. I've been blessed with the opportunity to go to the Dominican Republic, working with Students International, for 4 summers in a row. I plan on going next year, whether it be as an individual again or as an intern. The best thing that came out of my high school years was the DR. God knew what He was doing the first year that He sent me to the DR, which I just find mind-blowing. I now have a STRONG love for a country and its people, and I can't imagine not loving them. The DR, SI, Genesis, and all of the people I have met over the years while in the DR all hold an EXTREMELY SPECIAL place in my heart, which is irreplaceable. Vicki and Josh, can you believe all that God did the first year that we were in the DR together? I mean...look where we are today!

I look so little! No me gusta! (DR 2007)

This is one afternoon at Genesis. What can I say? I love the rain! (DR 2007)

God has been on my mind. I'm realizing how much I love Him. I'm finally at a place in my life where I'm realizing that in order to get EVERYTHING out of my relationship with God...my heart has to be 100% in it. Why I never felt the need to have a wholehearted love and trust before...I have no idea!

Dios, gracias por este día! 

GRACIAS POR...

1) Mis aventuras en la Republica Dominicana. I can't imagine my life without the DR. I've learned so much. I've met some of the most loving, amazing people EVER (whether they are Dominican, American, or any other nationality (Josh Hill...British... NOT!)) 

2) Mi mama. Today I was thinking about 6th grade and the day I found out my mom had cancer. That was an earth-shattering day for me. Thank You for healing her! She's been cancer-free for over 6 years and counting!

3) Mis amigos. My friends are my family, and I can't imagine my life without all of you! :)

4) Universidad de Taylor. Ready or not...I'm coming in 13 days!

5) Su Hijo, Jesus Cristo. Thank You for Jesus! Thank You for sending Him to die so that I can be saved and spend an eternity with You.

That's all I have to say today! I've been sitting here for quite a while. Therefore, I think I'll go now. Adios, mundo!