Goodbye's are the hardest

Tomorrow, Saturday, is my last day working for the University. It is move in, so yes, we are working on Saturday's and Sunday's for the next two weeks.

I walked in to work this morning to see this... and the fighting back tears began. The past two years at my first big girl job have been great. 

I appreciate the family that I have gained through working here, and the people who have greatly impacted my life. It has been a blessing and a God send, and I know that these are people I will never forget. I love Building Maintenance, and I will miss taking care of my 80 brothers, and my Tuscaloosa dads. I love you guys! Thank you for everything!

Official!

The hardest thing has been keeping this bit of good news under wraps since May 31st, well... not really. ;)  But, as many of you know.. at this point in my journey it has come time for me to leave my job at the University to pursue a job in my chosen field.

I have kept my employers fully informed throughout the whole process, and they even helped in recommending me for positions!

I am proud to accept a position as a teacher at a high school in Tuscaloosa County! Now, the search for a place to live for the next year... and finishing up my current job, while preparing my replacement for their responsibilities. I am so excited!! I will be sad to leave many of my coworkers, but I know that they will always be good friends of mine. I have been truly blessed.. even in the hard times, with this job.

As of the board meeting last night, I officially will have a new job in August!

I am a Master

HAHA! Wow, what a joyous time this is!! Saturday I graduated with my Masters of Arts in Mathematics.

The past two years have been probably the hardest time of my life, but... by the grace of God, I made it through. Lord knows I couldn't have done it without my friends (MARY-ANNE) and family, and definitely Hunter.

Life continues to move at a 90-to-nothing pace for me... I had another interview yesterday, and it went well. When I know more definite details of my life.. then I will be able to share. Right now, I am just working... and trying to get my life in order for the next step.

Here are a couple of my favorite pictures from the big day:

My twin sister, Donna and I, walking to the Coliseum for graduation

Family shot with the parents before the ceremony

After graduation, I had to take a picture with my home, AKA Gordon Palmer

After graduation, we celebrated with all the other graduates and our families at my church

It's Official!

Remember this post? Well, yesterday as of 2:15pm, Hunter is officially a contracted Cadet, with a scholarship!

Praise God!! I am so proud of him for working so hard, and enduring so much to get to this point. And we praise God, even though it wasn't how we originally planned it to happen, He still brought us through and worked all things out!

Kill them with Kindness

Many of us have heard that saying. When someone is mean, rude or ugly... kill them with kindness. How easy it is to say, but hard to practice.

I am not sure if I have ever mentioned a certain someone at work that has made my job unbearable at times. A man who, for some unknown reason, has always been rude to me... that is, if our paths ever crossed, otherwise, he ignored me.

Examples of interaction are as follows:
1. The first Friday I worked alone, without the other Office Associate, checks didn't come in as the usually do. This ended up being a problem with campus mail and payroll, and had nothing to do with me. However, the remark was made that "nothing gets done around here when *** is gone."

2. I like to smile at people as I walk by... when walking through the shop one day "What are you smiling for...?

As hard as it was not to be rude back... I tried my best, I kept quiet, and only said nice things. God laid on my heart to pray for this man; and a familiar voice of a friends mom came to mind: "Everyone has gone through different things, you don't know how they were raised..."

I can't tell you that this was easy, or that I wanted to be nice to him... honestly, I had to work really hard to be nice to this man.

Today, my prayers were answered. This morning, he walked into my office (I was scared, as always of the impending reaction). This time it was different. He said, there is something I have been meaning to say... If I have ever been ugly to you, I want to apologize. You have went out of your way to be nice to me, and I am sorry.

WOW! Praise God!!! Many blessings come at the most unexpected times. What a blessing, and praise be to God!!

Answered Prayers!!!

God's ways are not our ways... and His timing, is definitely not ours. And sometimes, He brings you through a trial to learn something before He so richly blesses you.

As I have mentioned before... when deciding to come to Alabama for school, Hunter was offered, and promised a contract with ROTC as well as a scholarship for school. Through many heart wrenching moments... All those hopes were quickly washed away and shot down. He got here, started school, and there was nothing for him.

Well, here we are a little more than $20,000 out of pocket... broke as can be..still hoping a miracle will happen. I cried out to God this past weekend, after looking at gas prices yet again... and He has heard my cry!!

Yesterday, Hunter was called to the side, and told a scholarship (and contract) was waiting for him! Today, he spoke with another man, and after some paperwork... it is true. He was given a 'verbal confirmation' and was told all they have to do now is wait on the paperwork.

PRAISE GOD!!! He knows our deepest desires, and our biggest needs. Hunter was desperately in need of this.. for stress relief, among other things!

To God be the glory for this AMAZING blessing!!

National Champions!

As the Tide celebrates their 14th National Championship, I proudly say ROLL TIDE! It has been a long and hard fought battle; and I am proud of my team. They worked hard this year. And I am so excited!! I am fortunate enough to say that I am a part of the graduating class that contains the 'winningest' football team in school history! And with a legacy like Bama... just that concept is astounding!

ROLL TIDE!!

Football and Chris Tomlin

Friday and Saturday were epic football days. This weekend created BCS chaos and I had a great time watching and being a part of it.

Hunter and I attended my last home football game as a Master's student. We will see in January if I continue on for the PhD. Yep, you heard right. I have applied for my PhD.

Here's a picture from before the game got started:

My hair is a little wild because of the wind... but whatever. Haha. If you have been following the blog for a while, hopefully you can tell that I am trying to grow out my bangs. I have a new haircut in mind, and maybe I will be brave enough to book that appointment before Christmas. :)

Right before this picture was taken, I received a text from my cousin Tori, asking me to go to the Chris Tomlin concert with her Saturday night. It was the last night of the 'If Our God is For Us' tour, and featured Louie Giglio and Christy Nockles. What a great night! I was excited that Tori was able to get free meet and greet tickets and we were able to meet Chris Tomlin! It was a fun filled, whirl wind weekend. But I had a great time.

I will leave you with my favorite quote from the concert:

I don't have it all together, you don't have it all together. But we have a God who holds us together! ~Chris Tomlin

Praise the Lord!!

Go Guard!

Earlier this week, I prayed to my Lord... but this time my prayer was very different. I cried out to God. I told Him I knew we weren't worthy, and that maybe we didn't trust Him enough to take care of our situation. I didn't question why, I just begged that He take care of it, however He saw fit.

Hunter has been on a roller coaster ever since he left for basic. Riding on military promises of scholarships and the desire to return home, he and his family frantically worked to get him to Alabama this fall.
We have hit many potholes along the way. Somehow, a Tuscaloosa native was classified as out of state, and the promise of a military scholarship disappeared. Money was squeezed out of everywhere possible just to make it through the fall... $12,000, one semester. And best of all, there was 'no place' for him in the Alabama Guard.

If you can imagine, Hunter is now left with empty pockets, and no scholarship... There was no idea of what to do. Option one: go back to Arkansas and get deployed. Option two: Stay here, drop out of school and risk getting arrested if the Alabama Guard didn't give him a spot (he would be considered AWOL in Arkansas). There wasn't another $12,000 just lying around for him to go to UA next semester... but thankfully, many, many backup plans were devised.

So, I will spare you all the crazy details, but after many stressful nights and phone calls. Hunter was sworn in to the Alabama National Guard yesterday. There was just one catch, he had to re class. His MOS (military occupation specialty) would have to be changed. There was still no place for his job, a combat engineer, and he would have to change to get a spot. Unfortunately, there wasn't an MOS of his choosing, but he had to change to get in. There is the option though, in a few years, that he could change back... Here's hoping.

So, he is in, no more AWOL, and no deployment for now. He is going to enroll in the local community college for next semester, just so he can keep taking classes. To go there out of state is 1/3 the cost of going to UA out of state. He has another promise of in state tuition and the hope of a scholarship for next fall... But we shall see in time.

For now, we are just thankful to have a plan and a direction in which to work toward.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Focus

It has been titled the 'game of the century' and I am so excited to live, work and play in the town where heaven is, Tuscaloosa. ROLL TIDE!

No where else have a lived or anywhere I have heard of that your teams call sign is a greeting, a condolence and 'the right answer to any question.' I will never forget the conversation, 'Don't know what to say? The appropriate answer is ALWAYS 'Roll Tide'.'

#1 LSU vs #2 Alabama. Wow, what a concept. It is so hard to stay focused and not thing of the million things I have to get done before tomorrow, as well as the million things I have to do tomorrow.

Since Hunter was at basic all summer, he wasn't able to purchase student tickets this football season. However, he has been able to go to every game so far through ROTC or the student ticket donation system. We don't have high hopes for such a popular game... but we will see.

My parents and Aunt and Uncle are coming up for the game and I am so excited to see them! It will be my Aunt's first college football game she has ever attended.... I have to say, she picked a good one.

So here's to a crazy, chaotic, fun filled weekend! ROLL TIDE!

200 days

As a math person, it is in my nature to use numbers all the time. A while back I started a countdown (I am very fond of countdowns).

Today marks 200 days until I graduate with my Masters degree in Mathematics!!!

I am so excited to be close to accomplishing this goal in my life!

This road hasn't been easy. And I am beginning to experience what most call senioritis. I am tired, worn out, and weary. The Lord knows our every thought and need and he has blessed me in many ways already this week.

It is a beautiful thing to be able to discuss the Lord, reading the bible, or just reading devotionals with the one you love. To share a true bond like this has blessed me beyond imagination.

And, just as God knows exactly what we need, I leave you with a segment of today's Girlfriends in God devotional.

Rest

Refreshment

Rest

Refreshment

Reflection

Response

Reflection

Redirection

Reinforcement

Girlfriend, exhaustion is epidemic among us gals. I tell you what… let’s talk more about this tomorrow. For today, just rest in knowing that God has a plan for your life and that He loves you dearly!

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, I’ll admit, I’m tired today. I need the refreshment that only You can give. Send the Holy Spirit to reinforce my spirit today! I am expecting His energizing force! Help me to reflect on You and Your goodness all day long.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

I pray today that the Lord would fill your cup, and mine, to overflowing. To bless us beyond our imagination. To use His strength to carry us through the trials and snares of the life. Lead us and guide us oh God. Show us your way, and teach us to walk in it! Make our paths straight oh Lord!! Help us to not stray from You. ~Amen

A 'greener' UA

I am so fortunate to work, live, and play at UA. What a great place. I have honestly come to believe that this is God's country. :)

However, I was surprised when I got here how easy it was to recycle. Recycling bins are literally ALL OVER campus, with multiple bins in all locations. Alabama even boasts a recycling project for tailgaters on the quad during game days. UA makes recycling EASY!

Recently while cleaning out my office, I was able to recycle years of paperwork, rather than throwing it all away. It is helpful that we do have a strong recycling department, and they were able to come over and pick up everything I had. Also, a manager and myself also have specified places at our desks for recycling. Our jobs involve a lot of paperwork, and any time I can put a piece of paper into my recycling pile it gives me a sense of satisfaction. Even all our shredded material gets picked up by the recyclers! :)

This is my recycling stack on my back desk!

Yes, I have two desks at work. It provides all the space and storage I need, and a perfect out of the way place to recycle! I usually take my stack out once to twice a week. As far as me and recycling goes... EVERY little bit helps.

Alabama is working hard to promote recycling, even through graduation. Read this article about how UA saved over 23,000 plastic bottles from landfills, just by hosting the December graduation.  Check out UA's 'green' commencement regalia!

ROLL TIDE!