College Confessions

Things are definitely about to get real here.

Confession #1:

I didn't ever want to go to Cal Poly. 

I had my heart set on UC Davis, but I didn't get in.

 But somehow I managed an acceptance to Cal Poly? 

Weird.

 I was heartbroken and quite angry I had to move to San Luis...just ask my parents they were the one's dealing with my attitude issues.

Confession #2:

I went to college fully expecting to receive my "Mrs. Degree".
Alright ladies, I know most of you were thinking the same thing...

I was going to find a wonderful, Godly man and get married when I graduated. 

After all that's how it happened for my parents and one of my sister's right?

Cal Poly had a 4 to 1 guy/girl ratio when I entered, you would think the odds were in my favor... 

After a pretty cruel heartbreak my second year, I slowly started to realize this may not happen the way I planned it to.

Confession #3:

I thought college would be a piece of cake.

Ha-this one makes me laugh.

Confession #4:

I assumed I would graduate in four years.
Don't ever assume anything.

Confession #5:

Five years ago when I started college, I was a stubborn, grumpy and extremely immature 18 year old 

who had her own plan of how the next few years would go.

Confession #6:

I had no idea my little world would be rocked to the core. 

I had no idea that God was going to take my plans and make them completely obsolete.

It is obvious that nothing about my college experience was part of my "plan".

The first word that comes to mind when I think of my time in college is 

HUMBLING.

A word that wasn't in my vocabulary 5 years ago.

The Lord used my time at Cal Poly to show me that His plan is so much greater than mine. He showed me that on my own, I am NOTHING without Him. Cal Poly was a rough place for me and I never felt that I truly belonged there, even after 5 long years. But, I can look back on it all and see God's faithfulness shine through it all.

Cal Poly is where..

 Most importantly, I found my true identity in Christ.

I met amazing sister's in Christ who have encouraged me every step of the way.
I formed beautiful relationships with classmates, coworkers and roommates.

 I found that even with learning disabilities, you can still graduate college...booyeah!

 I learned to push myself harder.
 I learned to handle criticism and then do something about it (this one took a little while).

I discovered that grades, though important, are not the most important thing in life...at all.
And on that note, going to office hours will get you the better grade (in most cases).
I learned how to stick up for myself and how to fight for things I believe in.

I realized no matter how desperate you are in a situation, God will ALWAYS pull you through.

I learned to truly appreciate and respect my parents, my biggest advocates in life!

I realized how much of a nerd I really am and how much I LOVE plants.

There is a reason why I didn't end up at Davis. 

There is a reason why I didn't find "Mr. Right".

There is a reason why college was extremely difficult.

There is a reason why it took me five years to complete my degree.
In fact, there are probably multiple reasons why each of these happened!

My biggest fans--Dad & Mom.

But, all I know is that I'm thankful my plan didn't happen.

Because God's is so much better than mine!

Build Your Own Terranium, Wait I Mean Terrarium

Rewind to a few weeks ago.

I got the most adorable birthday gift from my roommate Stephanie.

A Build Your Own "Terranium" Kit.

Clearly she knows me well.

My adorable roommates were all introduced to terrariums when I moved in.

Stephanie can never remember what they are called and refers to them as "terraniums", ha I love it!

Check out how adorable this kit is!

She picked out rocks from a beach town 30 miles north of here.... 

Heart shaped rocks.

These past few weeks have been crazy with traveling, midterms, finals, moving out, etc.

and I've been having a hard time finding the right time to put my terrarium together.

But, today was the perfect day!

My adorable succulents, picked out by Stephanie and Bre.

Adding the pebbles and activated charcoal.

Layering on the soil and prepping to place the plants.

And walaa, my bubble bowl terranium, excuse me, I mean terrarium :)

 I even had a little extra material to 

make a miniature mason jar terrarium!

Thank you for the sweetest and most thoughtful gift ever Steph, 

you are so wonderful!

Now its time to get back to cleaning, packing

 and maybe studying for my last final....

Lord, Thank You For....

My current roommates

My new roommates for this coming year

Good music

The past year with my bible study

My beautiful family

Your timing

My new supporters

Unexpected relationships

New beginnings

Adventures

The excitement I feel about what's ahead

Skype

My planner that goes with me everywhere

Falling asleep to the sound of rain...in June

My cap and gown that are hanging up in my room

Good dreams

Finishing and submitting senior project

Last minute trips

Good friends marrying the men of their dreams

Everything I learned this year

My car

My running shoes

Always pulling me through

Fields full of pretty flowers

I'm a Garden Moocher

I don't have a garden of my own (serious bummer).  

One day I will, I'm crossing my fingers.

So until I do I'm just going to be a garden moocher, gardening in other peoples gardens.

 If you ever need anything done, you know who to ask!

This past weekend I got to do some gardening in my Great Aunt's backyard.

She needed some work done and I was more than glad to whip out my gardening gloves and "dig in"!

My Aunt could not understand why I liked getting my hands dirty.

I can still hear her saying in her adorable southern, Alabama accent,

 "Oh my, I can't believe you".

"I like doing dishes...you like being in the dirt".

Ha, little does she know I love doing dishes too, but that's another story.

While working in her backyard I dug up some soil and did some cultivating.

Planted some pretty (thorny) rose bushes as well as some African Daisies.

I also transplanted, diagnosed, fertilized, and watered.

It was the perfect day to spend out in the garden.

Those few hours went by too fast.

My great aunt Betsy.

All finished.

I can't help but day dream about what my garden will be like.

I really do hope that my dream comes true one day...or at least something close to it.

Hello UCI, Nice to Meet You.

These past two weeks have been a whirlwind. But through everything

 God has been moving in Amazing ways!

So now, lets rewind a little bit....

Almost two weeks ago I got to spend the weekend with the staff team I will be working 

with this coming September as well as about

50 students from the UCI Campus Crusade movement.

I have one thing to say, I am in Love.

I will be honest, I was terrified going into it all.

I was traveling to San Diego to spend the weekend with people I have never met before.

 (I don't recall ever sweating that much).

Were the students going to like me? 

Was it going to be uncomfortable? 

Would I be good enough?

What was the staff going to think of me?

I had TONS of thoughts racing through my head, it was slightly distracting.

I was praying that God would give me courage and boy did He deliver!

By Friday night, those thoughts were gone. I was still nervous,
 but no longer scared. 

Saturday morning I woke up early and was ready for the rest of the weekend.

Saturday was wonderful,

beginning with a much needed quiet time.

God's word, my journal, coffee and green grass...my favorite things.

Reading through the end of Matthew chapter 6 about being anxious and worrying, turned out to be a great pep talk from the Lord about the weekend.

"Just trust ME Rachel, that's all you need to do. This is all in MY hands."

Later in the afternoon I got to be a part of of a break out session for students who are going to be leading target areas on campus this coming year. It was so encouraging to see how many of the younger students were stepping up to be leaders in the movement!

One thing I loved the most was sitting back and watching the students interact with each other.

They are like one big family. 

It was so sweet to see them loving on one another and encouraging each other. 

I just loved getting to chat and hang out with them.

Enjoying an afternoon at Coronado Island.

So, I pretty much can't wait until September. 

When I get to be with these people...

Erin, Ashleigh, Leo, Jon-This coming years UCI Staff Team.

I'm so excited to serve with such wonderful women!

Oh goodness and the students, I can't wait to be with the students. 

Even the ones I haven't met yet.

What an amazing group of young people!

They know how to have fun!

Ok fast forward to the next week.

You still with me?...

I was going to be heading down to Orange County for my nieces dedication.
So last minute I decided it would be fun to head down early and go to a UCI CRU weekly meeting.
My brother in law would be speaking that night, it would be perfect!

So I pulled some strings, wiggled my way out of going to my ONE class for the week, hopped in my car and headed down south....again. 

A five and a half hour car ride and an In N Out burger later, I was a happy camper.

Best. Decsion. Ever.

Tim did an awesome job and I had so much fun visiting with the students.

It was definitely different from what I'm used to, a little smaller than Cal Poly's weekly meeting.
 But, that's why I loved it so much. No one was lost in the crowd, everyone knew everyone.
It is truly a beautiful and special thing.

Ok, moving on...
The next morning I got a tour of UCI from a current student and a truly awesome girl.
Erin will be interning with me this coming September.

She took me on a trip to Middle Earth!

I love the campus, it is beautiful.
It's built around a park, full of plants.
Poor Erin had to put up with my plant nerdiness...sorry girl.

The rest of my weekend was quite full:
-Helped one of the girls on staff move.
-Went to a fun CRU get together....

...which turned into an awesome dance party!
-Spent time with my family.
-Visited with some dear family friends.
-Celebrated Adelyn Grace's dedication.

Mommy and Daddy.

Auntie love.

-Went running.

-"Worked" on my senior project.

-Hopped back in my car and headed back on up to SLO.

I'm exhausted from all of the adventures I've been on these past couple of weeks.
But, I'm seriously so excited about what the Lord has in store for this next year and even the coming weeks and days!
My life is rapidly changing and right now all I can do is trust in the Lord, let Him lead, and take everything one step at a time.

BIG things are happening at UCI.
I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to be a part of God's plan for this Campus.
I'm pretty bummed I have no more excuses to go down there and hang out.
I'm just itching to get back there.
I guess this is where I need to practice patience.

The Beginning of Year 23

 22 came and went quickly...very quickly.

22 was a year of  some ups and quite a few downs, lots of laughs and a good amount of cries.

It wasn't a bad year, but I was excited to move on.

I am so thankful for the 23 years that the Lord has given me. 

23 years full of undeserved love and grace.

   I'm not big on birthday's (well my birthday), but this particular one was very encouraging. I couldn't get enough of the people I was surrounded by. I looked around at my friends and it really hit me how precious they are to me, how deep my love runs for them, and how much I don't deserve them. What a blessing they are!

And oh how they spoiled me!

There was some wine tasting.

Lisa, Susannah, Whitney, and me.

Ginnie, Casey, Jodi.

There was definitely tons of sweets!

Homemade red velvet cupcakes by Ginnie.

And some pretty sweet gifts.

A build your own "terranium" kit from
my roommate Stephanie, clearly she knows me well.

There was a run to Starbucks for Frappy Hour with two of my roommates...(also to celebrate my business presentation being over).

Rachel, me, Bre.

There was a delicious dinner at Mamma's Meatballs with lots of dear friends, delicious italian food, and fantastic wine.

My favorite flowers!

 I'm so excited for what the Lord has in store for year 23, I know He has some amazing things ahead. I can't wait to see what they are!

Thank you God for giving me life and for being in it, 

for allowing me to be your adopted daughter....which is by far the BEST gift ever!

Dear Mom

My mom is fantastic. 

Hands down, fan-flippin-tastic. 

She has taught me so much in these 22 (almost 23) years I have had with her.

Here are just a few of the things that make my mom wonderful (in no particular order).

Cutie Patootie.

My oh my can she cook! I never went hungry growing up, I still don't and probably never will :)

She would do anything for her children.

She adores her husband.

She works hard, and I mean hard.

She has a love for the outdoors.

She is fun to talk to.

She put up with me during the hormonal, awkward, emotional roller coaster that were my teen years...yikes, I don't know how you did it.

I have freezer full of frozen casseroles for busy days....I know I'm spoiled.

She raised four children.

She has an incredible eye for designing and decorating.

She has such a tender heart.

She is nurturing.

She is absolutely adorable.

She is a great listener.

She is always there for me, and always will be.

Every night growing up she would tuck me into bed, pray with me and kiss me goodnight.

She shared Jesus with me.

Mother's Day 2009

Mom, I love you more than you will ever know. Thank you for being a wonderful, loving, God fearing mom to us kids. For wiping the snot of my face when I was sick, for kissing my owie's, for teaching me how to never pay full price for something, for disciplining me, and for teaching me about God and how much He loves me. Thank you for setting such a great example of a Godly woman.

Ringing in 2011.

Happy Mother's Day!    

What a Steal!

Snagged this beauty for only $12.

hmmmm, what to do with it.

I think I may have an idea.....

Friend Spotlight: The Soul Sister

Meet My Dear Friend Whitney....

She is my soul sister.  

I truly admire her.  

We spend hours talking about God and challenging each other in our walks with the Lord.  One thing I really appreciate about her; she gives it to me straight, no sugar coating anything. 

Bible Study Ladies.

Whitney and I met in bible study, her and a couple other girls joined my study at the beginning of our second year.  It is always interesting when women bible studies merge, you have already built relationships and you aren't really looking for anymore.  Well, at least that is how it was for me. As always, God had other plans.  It wasn't until our Junior year that we started to really connect.

We spent time getting to know each other through Campus Crusade retreats and events, bible study gatherings, and somehow started meeting up one on one for coffee dates. That tradition has carried out these past few years.

Our relationship grew and we became very close. I was extremely blessed to be a part of a very special occasion back in the summer of 2009 when Whitney married the love of her life...

...it was a fabulous party!

I was a little nervous when she got married, that it was going to change our relationship. It did, but it only got better! It has been encouraging to see her walk through her marriage and her relationship with her husband. To watch her lovingly serve her husband and to see them pursue God together.

It has been so wonderful to have this lady in my life. She has showed me nothing but love, encouragement and support and I am so thankful for it all!

I got to spend the afternoon with her today. We spent time catching up while laying on the beach sipping sweet tea and iced coffee...ahhhh pure bliss.  When I got home, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I'm moving away in a few weeks!  What will I ever do without seeing her every Thursday night at Bible Study, or having our coffee dates, or hopping in my car and being at her home in only a few minutes? What am I going to do without my soul sister?!

God's got a plan for our relationship and I'm excited to see how it will grow in the coming months and years! 

I have no doubt God put you in my life for a reason.

Whit, I treasure you.