Update!

Just an update on things as of late:
- the marathon training is coming along nicely. Sarah and I ran 9 miles on Monday and it took me a few days to recover. The race is May 1st, and I'm freaking out just a little!
- I moved across town and in with 2 of my friends from church. It's going to be one FUN house!
- I had Amy (my INCREDIBLE hair lady) chop all of my hair off. She's rad, and knows just what I like. I'm almost used to it... almost!
- I'm two months away from graduation. Only 35 days of school left. Yes, I'm counting down!
- I'm loving work, and learning a LOT. With more kids than ever at the Stirring, I'm quite a busy lady (and LOVING every minute of it!)

That's all for now. As more changes happen, I'll be sure to update y'all! Here's a pic of my haircut.

New things, old things

So, I was just reading my LAST list of 10 goals, and realized I accomplished 2 of these... maybe 3. I got another tattoo (a bit LARGER than the last) thanks to Mel Metz at Tattoz Ink. I planted a garden in my backyard, but then had to move, and leave behind all of my well-tended tomatoes. I am officially running a half marathon May 1st... crazy. It was pretty satisfying reading that old list of goals and realize not all was lost in my last crazy year. So much has happened, and God has been faithful the entire way. There were moments when I thought I'd never get through it. What I'm starting to realize is there's always something. There's always something God's teaching me, or showing me, or forcing me to face. I love that though. I hope my life never gets to a place where I'm satisfied with just "being". I want to LIVE my life, I want to grow and change and become more like Christ with every passing day. I'm more and more appreciative for the wise and patient people in my life. You know who you are. I've been living in this for the past few weeks now, and I thought I'd share... "I will thank you Lord with all my heart. I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O most high." Psalm 9:1-2
Sometimes I have to remind myself multiple time a day to THANK Him and to be filled with joy because of Him, and to praise Him. I have realized that, although there are really rough seasons, I have such a reason to thank and praise and be filled with joy. I am a changed person. If you knew me years ago, you would not recognize the person I am today. If you know me now, you would be blown away by who I used to be. I'm okay with that. I find joy in that. I am a blessed woman, and my goal for this year is to REMEMBER that.

Amazed...

The women's retreat was indescribable. I try to tell people about it, but I don't really seem to capture the amazing moments we all shared together, and the countless new friendships that were formed while tucked away in a rather HUGE cabin in the middle of nowhere. I'm amazed by God on a daily basis, but this retreat really took it to an entirely different level. I had never been on a retreat before last weekend. Truth be told, I was really hesitant to go. I was anxious and nervous and scared to be in such a new situation. While driving to the church to meet up with all the women, I stopped twice to convince myself to go. Needless to say, I'm really glad I mustered up the courage to go. It honestly changed me. I've decided I'm Martha. I've decided I am going on a "semi-media fast." What this means, is I'm fasting from television for a week. I'm too distracted by my t.v. It should NOT be a priority in my life, and sadly, it has become one. I'm giving up t.v. for a week. A friend of mine that I told this to told me "Oh please Emily, you'll never be able to do it!" I've decided she's an "atter" friend. She's definitely not a latter friend! I'll prove her wrong though, rest assured. I'm almost done with day one, and already half way through a book I've been dying to read! God is good. You know something, I honestly would not recognize the woman I was a year ago. I've changed beyond measure. For those of you who knew me a year ago, wouldn't you agree? God is so good to me! So so good.  So the women's retreat was amazingly wonderful, and I'm fasting from t.v. and I love the life that I've been given (to sum up this all-over-the-place blog) and now I'm off to bed. Much love!