God's Hand

It began as a normal day in a normal week,

Till the TV turned on to something bleak.

Back then I was just a child, and did not understand,

Though they kept telling me it's all in God's hand.

At first, with that unfamiliar sight, it was hard to care,

But you notice your parents faces filled with terror.

Back then I was just a child, and did not understand,

Though they kept telling me it's all in God's hand.

The towers, the smoke, the screams of the people,

The dusty sky where once stood its tall steeple.

Back then I was just a child, and I did not understand,

Though they kept telling me it's all in God's hand.

They said the specks were people falling,

The TV announcers' voices began stalling.

Back then I was just a child, and did not understand,

Though they kept telling me it's all in God's hand.

Those strangers were running, wild with fear,

There was no face without at least one tear.

Back then I was just a child, and did not understand,

Though they kept telling me it's all in God's hand.

Perhaps it is true, that I have no great emotional story,

But it is also true, I was there to see God's glory.

No matter how much of a child I was then,

I can remember it, even at ten.

I might never understand exactly why,

Some people live while some had to die,

But they were true when they said it was all in God's hand,

And He will make the tragedy into something grand.

We will cry for the lost, and rejoice with those who still live,

And through this, we will learn to forgive,

I am no longer a child, but still do not understand,

Except that God is good, and it is still all in His hand.

When the Work Really Begins....

I am no longer a "Southern Gal," but rather a Northern girl again. School is out, and I no longer have all the homework, but rather I spend my summer vacation with real work. For the summer months, I am spending my time in Pennsylvania, working on a college campus on the cleaning crew. The picture above is our fun group of summer cleaners, here to make this campus sparkle!!! It is a fun job, even when we are on hands and knees on bathroom floors, we still manage to find the humor in the situation. It has also been a learning experience, such as air freshener doesn't automatically solve every bad smelling problem, it can make it worse. And that even though we may have closed signs outside the bathroom while we clean, people will still walk in past the sign and use the facilities. Life is grand when you've got a broom in your hand :D I think I'll be needing school to start soon again so I can recover from the summer!


We only work from seven in the morning till four in the afternoon, which gives us some free time. Some times we like to use it to work out, or sleep. But we also like to get out and about. The mall is a great escape (try on all the creams and perfumes of bath and body, and get free food samples from the food court). We've also attempted mini golf, gone to friend's houses, and made late night runs to the amazing Sheetz to get a coffee so we can stay up watching a movie so we are walking zombies the next morning at work! Oh the life of a college student on a summer job!!!

All in all, this little room we call home for the summer is great! My three roommates are the best anyone could ask for. Except for one, her name is Heather Shirey and she sometimes can be creepy *wink* but we all get along superb! If I am to be away from both my home, and my college friends and college home, I am glad it is here!!!

Then Came the Exams!

Every student watches in great anticipation as the end of the week approaches. Yet this time it is with mixed feelings that this Saturday arrived. It is a joyous occasion, because this Saturday officially tells every student that the school year of 2010-2011 is over! I will never again be called a freshman in college, I have sat through my last class, taken my last notes, drew my last doodles on my papers, colored in the last d,a, and o's on my quizzes. But this does not mean that all is over...not by far! There is yet to be one last sprint before the classes can be fully drawn to a close and that is called FINALS! Starting today and continuing through Wednesday will be a half week of no classes, no extra activities, but filled with long tests, and late nights! For me, over half my tests will be over by Monday evening, with only two more left for both Tuesday and Wednesday. Though others have a longer trek to the end.

On a brighter side of this week filled with studying, and commencement ceremonies, there will be busy students packing up everything they own into tiny barrels and squishy suitcases to leave the room they called home for a year. I will then say goodbye to this dorm, and campus, and leave with my sister for a summer spent in Pennsylvania with extended family working on the cleaning crew at Lancaster Bible College.

But all this planning is saying that I will survive my exams...by Wednesday we'll know if I lived through them or not. And by Saturday you will be welcoming the new sophmore class of BJU :D

The Lord and his Ring

Once upon a time there was a great Lord in the far off land of Villa de Green. He met a beautiful princess and they fell in love. After months of his courting her, the Lord asked the beautiful princess to accompany him on a pleasant afternoon amongst the trees of the forest. And so the Lord and the princess along with the Lord's Knight and the Princesses younger sister went out into the deep dark enchanted forest. All but the princess knew what magical happening was about to take place in those woods. The afternoon began as any pleasant royal outing would. They had a feast, and entertained themselves with ancient sports such as the art of Frisbee throwing. After a while, when the happy train of people began to weary of such trifles, the Lord suggested they explore amongst the trees of the forest and over the rivers of the valley, to see the lovely sights. The Knight and the younger princess knew that this was the moment the Lord had been planning for months, and hurriedly dashed on ahead of the Lord and princess. As they waited eagerly for the two to catch up again, they kept realizing, the magical transformation hadn't occurred, so they would dash off again. When they finally reached the end of the long and tedious trail, they waited breathlessly, knowing now was the last moment it could happen. The minutes ticked by into two minutes, then three. The Lord and Princess did not appear. The longer the two waited, the more they smiled for they knew it must be happening. Finally, they saw them. Emerging from out of the trees came the Lord, and the lovely princess by his side. But they were not looking at their faces, instead they were watching a bright light shinning from the Princesses finger!!! She smiled her sweet smile and held up the diamond ring, signifying the magical promise of marriage to the charming Lord!

And so it was...the great Lord Jonathan and Princess Heather will live happily ever after!!!

The End!!!

Forever and Always Valentine

Roses, chocolate, Valentines Day!
Pink and red replace February's gray,
Blushing cheeks, smiling faces,
Candlelight dinners in romantic places.
Don't feel like you're the only one-
That doesn't have a special someone,
Many others don't have a date-
But your Valentines can still be great!
Get with your friends to have some fun,
Buy tons of chocolate for everyone,
Get a piñata, or play a game,
Make none of your Valentines day's be the same!
Enjoy the day, eat lots of ice cream,
Watch the couples, let yourself dream.
Keep smiling as you pray,
That God will bring you someone someday.
Be patient as you wait,
For God's perfect mate.
Not just a one day "Be Mine"
But a forever and always Valentine!