The Hardest Part

Hey guys,

So my semester has been busy - no doubt - but this coming week and next will be the hardest yet.  Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers or send me good vibes if that's your jam.  I'm still doing well with my practice of spending time with children but I have been struggling with exercising and praying.  Usually, Josh and I pray before bed together but when I stay up late doing a paper after Josh has already gone to bed, then I so easily forget to pray.  I notice a tangible difference!!  My energy levels are so much lower from lack of exercise and my spiritual well-being is also noticeably affected from lack of praying and/or intentional time with the Lord.  I can tell because of how easily overwhelmed I become if I am not consistently praying so I will definitely try and get back into a rhythm of praying.

Luckily, I have not had to sacrifice much sleep because I cannot function without AT LEAST 8 hours so I am so grateful that I am still finding time to sleep and sleeping pretty well throughout the night.  I am trying to count my blessings!

The good news is that it is a beautiful, sunshiney day today and even though I have 1,000 things to do before Monday, I am going to go for a run :)

It was great to see you guys Saturday!!  AND more good news! I got my first smartphone too David!! With unlimited text/talk so let's start group texting again and set up a time to do lunch or dinner.  Peace!

Back to the Daily Grind (and PHOTOS!)

Hey guys! So I finally and back to the normal swing of things. I'm feeling ok about how my interview for grad school went yesterday. I'm super nervous about getting into the program though. I don't really have much of a backup plan but to just keep working and reapply next year if I don't get in, but I'm really not anxious to do that. I'm really excited to see you guys Saturday, although I'm a little disappointed because I was also supposed to have my "reorientation" at the same time from my Philly trip where we all get together and look at pictures and talk about our trip. But it's no big deal! I'm much more excited to see you guys. Anyway, I'm gonna go try to get some sleep! I just wanted to post some pics for you guys! See you soon!

Time IS Flying!

Hello my wonderful ladies! I'm kind of sad as I got to read your posts! It sounds like you girls are having a very hard time! BUT!!! Graduation is right around the corner (less than two months WOO) so keep your heads up and stay positive at all times! I didn't do anything during break, I just stayed home and tried to relax as much as I could before heading back to school. Lindsey - It was great seeing you the other day, even though it was only for a few minutes! I saw that you had stuff to do so I didn't want to distract you too much. I'm excited to see everyone this Saturday, it has been a while since I saw you guys. Being retired feels weird. I'm not sure I like it, although it's nice not having to wake up at 6 to go swim in cold water. I'll have to get used to this for sure but I'm definitely going to swim on my own a few times each week. On a different note, my brother got me an early graduation present, he bought me an iPhone 5! I cannot tell you how excited I am as this is my first smart phone and so far I'm loving it!! I can't believe it's the second half of March already. Time is flying so fast! We will graduate before we know it. I'm very excited to graduate, but like Ariel said, I'm kind of nervous to see what's coming after graduation. In the mean time, I try to do at least 4 meditations each week to keep myself calm and relaxed. That's all I have for now, I can't wait to see you guys in a few days! Hope all is well with you guys!

Home, Safe and Sound!

Hey Guys! So I'm home in one piece and halfway moved into my new apartment. I got in yesterday around 7:30-8 and we are about halfway done unpacking. I have my grad school interview tomorrow morning at 8:30 which is supposed to take 3 hours (phew!), and my midterm for Childhood Studies which I haven't had a second to study for and I'm not even sure what's being covered on it (Ariel have you studied at all for it?). Life just gets so crazy things start falling to the wayside. Ugh! Anyway, it's my first day back to the grind tomorrow and I'm still up at 1:15, Yikes! I'm going to go get some sleep and post a blog in a day or two when I get a second and things have calmed down. BTW, my mindfulness practices helped immensely during my trip to Philly and we even did a couple group meditations!!! I'll read back over you guys's most current posts when I get a chance!

Need Another Spring Break :(

Hey y'all,

So this week has actually been pretty hard.  I had 10 museums to go to for all of my classes and trying to fit them all into two days in downtown DC was a nightmare.  I did not get to enjoy myself and I probably walked about 10 miles today so I have blisters on my feet and I went running yesterday so my legs are killing me, eek!!  Also, I have four papers to write before Monday and that's not including babysitting, and volunteer hours for school I have to fit in this weekend.  I am in a really stressed place and I'm trying to stop, drop, and breathe but to be honest, sometimes it just doesn't seem like enough!

I'm doing really well with my practices: I've been staying active at least 3 times a week, I've been praying every night with Josh, and also spending time with kids each week.  I know for a fact that these practices are totally responsible for keeping me sane so I definitely want to keep them up for the rest of the semester and can't imagine this season without them!  My motto for this semester is "One step at a time" and I'm trying to stick to it but I just get so overwhelmed at times.  Seeing all the papers I have to write before May is terrifying.  Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.  Can't wait to see you guys next Saturday!

Breakaway

Hey guys,

Hope your spring breaks are going well so far!  I had an amazing weekend at the Young Life camp, Rockbridge in Rockbridge County, VA.  Josh and I helped lead a middle school retreat down there called Breakaway with our church and it was a blast!  It was awesome weather too!  It was such a great way to start out my spring break and although it totally wore me out physically (especially with the time change, uggh!) it was uplifting spiritually and I was so touched by hanging out with my middle schools girls, they are at such a fun age to be with, it's awesome!  I am so grateful that spring break is finally here, although I'll just be knocking out my required museum visits and doing homework to catch up, it's still much needed me time!

Heather, I am praying for you, sister.  I am praying for peace and courage and a sense of security that you can walk around that city with confidence and know you are protected.

David, congratulations on your retirement!  Such a bittersweet time like you said, but also a wonderful accomplishment :)  We'll have to throw a little party after class next Saturday to celebrate!

Ariel, being sick throws everything off.  We understand what it's like and I would encourage you not to judge yourself and be kind to yourself!  You can do it girl, it's literally just like 2 months away!  Keep your eye on the prize and keep working hard, you'll get there - we'll all get there!!

Love and miss you guys!

Lindsey

In the Ghetto

Hey guys, I just woke up on my first morning in north Philadelphia and its seriously terrifying. We're sleeping on the extremely uncomfortable floor of the community center where were volunteering. This building and whole area is old run down and seems like it might collapse at any time. Last night we heard gun shots and people have been shouting at us when we walk down the street. We went to get Chinese food last night and there was a huge sheet of at least half inch plastic with a little tunnel to the cashier. This is just a whole different world. I know you hear about this kind of stuff all the time but its seriously surreal. I can't believe I'm still in the US. Anyway, it's taking all of my mental capacities right now just to stay calm and focused and remember that I'm here to serve others. Well everyone's getting up now and were getting ready to start our day. Keep us in your thoughts/prayers and I'll post again when I get back (hopefully with some pictures!)

RETIREMENT!!!

Ladies, I am officially a retired swimmer! My CAA Championships took place last week (Wednesday-Saturday) and now I am done with college swimming. This is a very bittersweet feeling because I love my sport. I will never stop swimming completely, I plan on joining a masters club in the area and keep swimming. It has been a HUGE part of my life ever since I was 4 and swimming is what got me to college. I will never forget the memories I've had throughout my swimming career. Now I don't have to train 20+ hours every week and get up at 5:45 in the morning to get into the cold water. This has been a terrific experience that I will carry through for the rest of my life. I have made hundreds of friends and met countless superstars (including Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte) who every swimmer looks up to. I can't find the words to describe the feeling that I have now, I'm sure it's going to take a while before it hits me completely. Now I can focus on school, and only on school for the rest of the semester because graduation (and spring!!!) is right around the corner! I'm very excited! Try not to get sick please!

Surprise!

Oh my gosh! I can't believe it's the 3rd and I completely forgot to post my second blog and answer the questions on our modules yesterday. Ugh! I just have so many things on my mind right now, it's so hard to keep everything straight. I'm trying to keep myself centered and continue in my practices, but it just feels like time is not on my side and it keeps slipping by. I think I've been doing an ok job keeping up with my practices though.
I've definitely been spending less leisure time at least on the computer and phone, although much of the time I'm on some sort of technology for school or my philadelphia trip.
As far as being more intentional about my relationships, I'm still doing my best to keep up with family, although that's been difficult. Josh and I had our first counseling session yesterday and that went really well and I'm excited to be taking positive steps finally in our relationship.
As far as eating healthier, lately that's been a wash. However, once we get into our new place on the 17th, I'm going to try to go shopping with my sister at Trader Joes for pretty much all of our food and just get some ready prepared foods so we won't be tempted to eat out or eat junk food as much. Their frozen dinners are so good! If you look at the ingredients list it's just things like flower and sugar and normal ingredients you recognize.
Anyway, I have my last meeting for my Philadelphia trip in a bit! After that I leave Saturday morning, so wish my luck! I'll blog about it when I get back and maybe post some pictures!!
ta-ta for now!

Chippin' Away

Guys! I cannot believe we have all been getting sick so much!  I also had a stomach bug on Wednesday night :( This is unbelievable, we are working so hard.  We should especially keep trying to do our well-being practices now more than ever but it can be very challenging!  I only worked out twice this week but the praying is going well and I got to hang with my little friend, Reese, this morning so that was really great!

I still am feeling overwhelmed with school just about every day but we are chippin' away at the weeks here! and I'm so pumped for spring break!  I won't be going anywhere but it will be a good time to catch up on work and get all my museum visits done (sounds depressing I know but I'm going with friends and it should be fun!)  Miss you guys!! It looks like we may have to wait until next class to see each other :(  Stay cool everyone and get well soon!