Highlights and Lowlights of 2008

*work
My job is still so much stinkin fun. I am so, so blessed to have it. It’s a giant slumber party, to say the least. Women come in and we talk as I play with their hair. Everyday is filled with opportunities to love, minister to, and share life with people from all walks of life. I have been touched and challenged. This year I’ve been lucky to build great clientele that keep me just busy enough. In a time where jobs are sparse and stability is not likely, I cannot express enough how truly grateful I am for it. Oh, and it’s so fun too.

*goat farm adventures
Within an hour of arriving, I witnessed first hand a cow giving birth. Between that and dodging the mud pies, we had a pretty lively time. The numbers were overwhelming: 2,000 cows, 900 acres, 300 goats, 35 calf’s, 3 dogs, 2 bulls, 2 four wheelers, and one heck of a Kaboda. It was so fun watching my parents ride around on the four wheelers and my sister and I felt like we were on The Simple Life. Then I spent the rest of the week with my toes in the sand without a care in the world.

*cdyc with my old youth group
It couldn’t have gone any better, coming back as a cdyc alum. The jr. high youth amazed me. It’s such a gift, watching God work in the hearts of young people, and what a privilege to be a part of their journey. The dorm room’s became holy ground as we laughed and cried and shared stories about the Lord’s great grace in our lives. He stirred the hearts and minds of the students, including my own. The jr high girls touched my heart in a way they’ll never know; what a blessed week that was.

*weekend in Chicago
It was mom’s birthday second week of august. The family stayed the night downtown Chicago, enjoying the shops and Cheesecake Factory. The next morning we spent more time than ever in the ever fabulous Ikea. (www.ikea.com for those unfortunate souls who haven’t been blessed by this beautiful place.)

*buying my first car
What a messy process. I always thought cars would be a fun hobby. I was in for a rude awakening. There’s this game in car buying they don’t teach you in high school. Not a fan. Hopefully she’ll last me ‘til the minivan years! Oh, and yes, I’m not too proud to sport a minivan!

*sarah palin in fort wayne! But not doing her hair…
It was a Wednesday afternoon. I received a phone call at work saying the beloved Mrs. Palin would be arriving in my hometown in 3 days. My heart sang! It was such a great experience. Being a small business owner myself, it was encouraging to hear people in congress actually have us small town workers in mind. Like Joe the Plumber, that night I stood proud as Kayla the Hairstylist and saw in a whole new light how precious America is. Despite the outcome of the election, it was very encouraging and definitely a great learning experience for me.

*Colorado with Brooke
My awesome parents surprised me with a ticket to the Springs to spend time with Brooke. This summer had been a little more tough than usual, since so many friends of mine weren’t home like they normally would have been. I was just lonely and needing quality time with them, and this was a perfect solution. I love flying, for one. I’d never been to CO, and the mountains blew my mind. We got to spend time downtown and in the mountains. It was perfect.

*colts game with dad
Granted the big and beautiful Jeff Saturday was injured and unable to play…AND they lost. Regardless, what a fun time. Dad and I got to be a part of the first regular season Colts Home Football Game in Lucas Oil Stadium. Holler. We had fun just talking and laughing on our way down, and it was such a cool experience. I wouldn’t have wanted to spend that time with anyone else. I love that man.

*Celiacs and Hypoglycemia
It’s been an interesting year. But to sum it up, I am so very grateful for the health that I have. Granted, I’ve missed out on a few days of work, times with friends and family, and good food. But, these trials have brought me to my knees and pointed me to Jesus time after time. No stomach pain or strict diet can keep those precious times with my Savior away from me. My diseases have kept me searching for more and more of Jesus and kept me longing more and more for that day to come when, by His grace, I can spend every ounce of eternity with Him. And be made NEW. No worries, no pain, no fear. Just perfection. I can deal with my problems here on earth because the Lord has promised that day is near.

*carrie underwood concert with my sister
We surprised Kortney with Carrie Underwood concert tickets. Long story short, a tiny fib about tickets being unavailable due to an Australian fiddle player who just happened to be a big fan of her’s, who just happened to be in town from Australia that very day. No one ever accused my sister of being the sharpest tool in the shed. :) Anyway, my parents let her and I go and wow, what a fun time. My little sister has become a role model in my life. I’m just so glad for her. Oh, and that was the night I discovered my love for Josh Turner.

*fishin in the dark, lyin on our backs and countin the stars
This summer I took up fishing. Never been a big outdoors girl, but I truly enjoyed it! It all started with a little trip to walmart where we purchased poles, bate, and rubber gloves (cause we don’t wanna touch the fish!!) anyway, it got my family and a few friends out in the backyard. We were blessed with a beautiful summer…

*last minute shane and shane concert, where I also got to meet Bethany Dillon
So what if I froze and forgot to tell her she was my text message ring tone? We had a lovely chat!! it was a picturesque evening filled with hymns and praise and laughter…just a glimpse of what’s to come!

*i felt the earth move under my feet

around 5:30 a.m. one morning last fall, I woke up to my bed shaking and my window rattling. Still fatigued, I decided it was probably just windy outside and it would calm down. Maybe 10-15 seconds later, my bed had finally stopped moving. I went back to sleep and woke up a few minutes later when I noticed some things had fallen from my book shelf. I could tell some of my pictures and belongings had moved a little as I could see their old outline in dust (not terribly dirty, I promise). I had experienced my first, and most likely only, being that I'm in Indiana, earthquake. How fun.

*friendships
Every trip to star bucks, every phone conversation…Between college visits, movie nights, games, holidays, etc. I cannot say enough. They’re wonderful to me.

I am blessed beyond measure...

give it up.

set apart for Him that which means the most to you.

the notebook

Here's the long awaited explanation as to why I hate The Notebook. My expectation was high, due to all the hype about the movie months before I ever saw it. I was severely disappointed that we have decided to accept and even applaud childish games in relationships. The film romanticized screaming profanities at each other and cheating on your fiancé and premarital sex, for that matter. It encouraged basing decisions on how you feel in the heat of the moment. I strongly believe in Ultimate Truth and a Love so great, I wouldn't have to cheat on anyone to be loved because love wouldn't be a game at all. Their story was not only childish and pathetic, but it coincidently implied that loving someone is only true love if, after making a series of bad decisions, you still decide to do whatever it takes to get what you want, even if it means hurting others along the way. Call me cynical. I kind of am. But I'm right. :)