Monday, October 17, 2011

Back to "Normal"

I'm not quite sure what my "normal" really is...but I'm bound and determined to get back to it. After countless weeks (I wouldn't dare tell you how many) of not making it to church on Sunday, I finally got my butt out of bed yesterday morning and went. It might have had something to do with the fact that I had two text messages before 9:30 AM, from two different people... "Go to church today!" and "Church at 11?" Call me crazy but I thought of this as a sign.

The lead pastor at church, Dan, had taken a 5-month sabbatical due to some health and personal issues. I had always preferred hearing his voice over a couple others, so I wasn't exactly excited to spend who knows how many Sunday mornings, listening to someone else. I managed to go a few times over the summer, but it just wasn't the same. I often thought of exploring other churches in the Cedar Valley, but was afraid to do it alone therefore it never happened.

I can't explain how awesome it felt to get up and get ready to go to church yesterday morning. It probably had a lot to do with the fact that it was a perfect fall morning - the sun was shining, not one cloud in the clear blue sky, the reds and oranges of the trees, and just a slight breeze. And it wasn't just that I was going to church...I just felt different.

As my friend Allison and I walked to find a couple seats, we ran into who other than Pastor Dan. He greeted us with a hug and a "good morning" and I (again) just felt something different when he hugged me. As it turns out, this was his first Sunday being back at church. Boy, did I pick a good day to go! He's going to use the next few weeks to explain what he went through and says most of us will be able to easily apply it to our own lives. I'm excited to hear his "story" and get back into my Sunday morning routine of going to church...although I'd rather make the 9:30 AM service. ;)

A few things that my new Sunday morning routine will consist of: going through the Sunday newspaper, church: with a friend OR alone, brunch, going on a walk or attempting to do some type of workout, spending time with family (see pictures of who below!), and some NFL football - Go Cowboys!






Wednesday, October 12, 2011

There Comes a Time...

...when you need to grow up. You might be forced upon the idea, whether you're ready or not. Or, as much as you'd like to think you're ready and that you're perfectly capable of growing up, chances are you're not. "Growing up" can be defined by numerous events and situations, depending on who is doing the growing up. From graduating preschool to starting high school, turning 16 and getting your license to turning 21 to have that first (legal) drink, finally getting that college diploma and searching for the right job to realizing it's time to be out on your own and house hunting.

- insert me here -

So here I am. Two weeks prior to my 24th birthday, sitting cross-legged on my bed, thumbing through the Courier and the latest issue of Homes, circling potential options, and searching Google for local real estate businesses to see more information on those potential options. Do I go for a condo or a house? Should I try to rent for a few months to keep saving money or just go for it? How many bedrooms do I really need? Do I want a roommate to help cover some of the bills? There are so many questions I have and nobody to answer them but myself. Depending on how much I am approved for, I know what direction I'm leaning towards, however, I am very open to suggestions and advice. Wish me luck!