"It's gonna happen when it's supposed to happen..."

Man. I don't even know where to begin. Today has not turned out at all how I expected. Ha. I mean to a degree, it was "planned out." But it didn't really go "AS PLANNED."

"We take one step at a time, no need to rush. It's gonna happen when it's supposed to happen."

I think in life we can take steps closer and closer every day....to understanding God....if we OPEN our eyes ;)

Today was Definitely one of those days for me. And this is how it went....

I had NO plans for the day :) I woke up around 7am and relaxed in bed watching Felicity Season II until I was ready to get going. Oh, and I went downstairs to get a cinnamon bagel ;) Ha...so I finally got ready and took about a lazy hour of doing my hair slowly. I had no plans today other than updating my blog :)

Well....while I was in the apt all by myself, I realized how worn out I was. Was it the food poisoning from this weekend? Was it the fact I'm nearing the end of my NY adventure? Maybe it's all the STUFF in my mind that I carry constantly. Hmmm..either way. I was worn out. I set my blowdryer down. And looked myself in the mirror...and LET myself cry.

It was an amazing relief. It just felt good. It was heartfelt and lasted for about 2 minutes. Then it was over. :)

So my mind recently has felt this. "I know God loves the WHOLE world...and that He knows us all by name, and how many hairs are on each of our heads, and how important we all are to Him....but how much does DANIELLE MCCLURE mean to God?"

I mean I don't mean that to sound selfish. I mean it to sound honest. I tell people all the time how Important they are to God.. and they are. But lately, I felt like just another number. It's almost Thanksgiving and it's my 2nd year in a row not to be with my family. Shockingly, I'm in nyc again haha. So I was thinking...hmmm...what to do for thanksgiving. I don't know. Truthfully I'm debating spending time with God all day. I may seem like a loner, but HE is Family....

I think I need it. I think at the moment I need to REMEMBER how important I am to God. So today I decided to pray a NEW 3-word prayer. 3 years ago, in 2006, I was with 3 of my good friends in Florence and we "stumbled upon" a 3-word prayer book called "Surprise Me, God." We released all our cares, worries, burdens, and requests and let the 3 word prayer take over. It RADICALLY changed my prayer life. Well...that's another story for another day...(if you haven't heard it already ;) ) but today I decided to pray 3 new words for 30 days....

"Love Me God"

I know that may sound weird. Or conceited... but maybe it took me coming to NYC to realize how much I want God to simply Love Me. I know He does...but I want Him to love on me even more. I need HIS LOVE more than ANY love I can get from any person or thing on this earth. {btw when I say ONLY those 3 words, I mean as my Personal Prayer. The prayer extends for other people ;) }

So....I was going to blog about my SEARCH for understanding God's love for me in the Bible, and how I'm praying those 3 words the next 30 days..which surprisingly ends on my 23rd Birthday. haha ironic?

But no...

God. Changed. My. Plans.

I went to starbucks and sat down to Genesis 1:1. Just to start with my understanding of God's Love. And I kept reading and reading and reading......

NOPE. Plan has changed. I'm not gonna just read to find God's love for me by searching through random scriptures...I'M GONNA READ THE WHOLE BIBLE. I never have. I hope the next 30 days...that I can do this. I PRAY I can all before I'm 23. haha. Daddy says It's possible ;) So here goes. God knew what He was gonna do with me today. He just had to lead me there.

Never forget that God DOES Love Us. All of Us. Individually. He will be REAL and the Greatest Father we could ever have...so run to His open arms.

-----sorry so long. It's been a random day. The Bible is really fun to read. :) I'm sure Numbers will get old...but we'll just take it "One Step at a Time" ;)

-love you all. Thanks for the "Food Poisoning" prayers :)

We're Beautiful People.

I'll be honest...I'm not writing down all these great little stories and moments that happen EVERY day here to me in NYC. There's just so many. There's so many random thoughts that hit me. There's random moments that I just KNOW are planted FOR me from God. I really really should write them down...you know my memory won't hold them long. Anyway. I'll try to give you a glimpse from this last week.

--------------------------------------------------

First of all, God SHOCKED me with something this week. A good shock. I don't know what to think of it really, but something I've been praying for for so long, took a step forward in happening. Too personal to write on here...but, God is so good to me. I don't know why honestly. But He's just so good to me.

Ok so this next thing is not something I'm telling you because I want to brag...or try to make myself sound good...because I wasn't planning on telling anyone. I just thought, God did something really moving TO me. This Wednesday, a lady ordered a burrito and she saw that we put the wrong beans in it. (Black ones, instead of Pinto ha) Well, my boss about dumps it in the trash and I go "STOP! Ha...can I have that?" They were gonna chunk it! There are soooo many homeless and hungry people outside on this cold cold night...and we're sitting here throwing away BIG WARM BURRITOS. Uh...no. So. I ask for it. They go..."You want to take it?" HA. Yes.

So I get off about 20 min later....and I decide to go to 34th St. Penn Station to pick up my train ticket for home...just because I had time. Well, I grabbed the burrito bag and put on my backpack and walked out the door.

"Ok God...present me with a homeless person to give this burrito to please."

.....I am not lying, I did not see a Homeless person for 20 minutes....I was in TIMES SQUARE! WHERE ARE THEY?! This was like 5:30...Well....I just held on to the burrito bag and walked towards Penn Station. I couldn't find the Amtrak entrance for the life of me....so I kept making wrong turns on the busy streets of NY. Well...I walk right by this man sitting down to the right of me. I almost had forgotten what I was ORIGINALLY looking for...WELL ha...get this.

He was a small white older man with glasses and a toboggan on. He held a small sign that read...

"Hungry. Please help."

WHAT? It didn't say...."I lost my job, now I'm living on the streets, I will take anything...etc. etc." and he had NO hat or jar in front of him. He was simply....HUNGRY. Ok pause. Do you feel what I felt? I FELT it. God presented me with THE Hungry. I turn back around and go...

"Do you want a burrito?"

He says yes....and I give him the burrito bag. He thanks me and I just walk away. Well I find my station...and two seconds later I turn back to look at him..he's gone. He got some food. He wasn't much of a beggar, no? Just hungry. He got what he needed and walked away.

Chills.... God did that. More for ME I think than him.

---------------

Lastly, I had 2 subway visions or thoughts in the past 2 days. Yesterday I was standing in the back of the subway train cart, leaned up against the wall. I was a foot away from a "looked like" homeless woman. Her flip flops and socks were barely making it. She rode the train with her head down, she was probably trying to catch some decent sleep in warmth. Anyway, her legs looked like they hadn't been shaven in a looonnng time. It was just sad. Then Right behind her...there was a subway sign that read "Look Closer..."

So I did. hmm...what was I looking at? Well...I turned to my left and looked at the whole cart full of passengers sitting...still....not talking....just riding. They looked tired. They looked unsociable. They looked ready to GO HOME. Then I looked closer.....I noticed the homeless lady was sitting as far in the corner away from all that she could. She probably feels that she has to. Who knows? BUT I envisioned a moment of heaven. How let's just pretend it was a train to heaven...even STRANGERS would smile and say hello to one another on the ride. They would be so much happier looking.. They would be people on their way HOME. They wouldn't have pain, or strife, or be distant. AND, the homeless lady would be NO different than them. She was sitting on the train ADMITTING she's longing for a home. We're all the same. Longing for home. We'll get tit one day. Together. AND enjoying being together. So..just a little vision as I stood at the back view of the train.

THEN today. This one was short. I just looked and remembered why NYC is so cool. I opened my closed resting eyes (ha)...while i was on the subway, and looked at who was sitting across from me. It was an african american woman, a hispanic young boy, an asian family, and a yankee (ha)...point is...they all LOOKED different...in some ways. And I could see it all at once. WE ARE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE. God made us BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE. That's just what I thought. Small. But a fun thought. God really does love us and designed us beautifully.

THE END.

More like Jesus...

Today was a good day....but a little sad too. 

To start, today I was killing time because I was too early for work, so I went to Duane Reade and browsed. I saw a magazine issue on "Christianity" and how christians are "supposedly" representing Christ's example and standards. I can't remember the magazine name...ANYWAY....I just read those lines and thought....Do we LOOK like we are representing Jesus? I mean I'll be honest, so many days I'm so grateful to God that He forgives me. But not only should I love His grace...but I should RESEMBLE His son. Do I? Do WE? In NYC there are many many different types of people...different standards, different customs, different lifestyles, different religions, different BELIEFS altogether. Do we LOOK like we BELIEVE? You see so many people PASSIONATE about what they Believe. I hope we are. Or I hope we become more conscious. 

And now for my story.

One of my favorite co-workers name is Elizabeth. She's hispanic and speaks 30% English. We had one cold morning where we waited inside this lobby area until anyone got to work. We talked and kinda had a good conversation. BEFORE that day though, we just always smiled at each other when we passed by...you know the "language barrier." She works in the kitchen, and I'm out front most of the time. Well, I loved when we would just smile at each other every day haha :) ...BUT we finally had a chance to talk that one morning. Since then, we knew each others names and talked a bit more while working together. She told me her and her husband were in NY just for a little while longer...a few more months. Her kids were still in Mexico with her mother. Elizabeth is a sweetheart. No doubt about it. She just has a good HEART. She shows it at work, outside of work...to everyone. Well...today my boss hands me a card and says "Sign it." .....

I'm like who is this for? 

"It's for Elizabeth. She's leaving. Today is her last day. Her grandmother died so they are moving back to Mexico asap."

I'll be honest, I was pretty sad...I knew I would be leaving NY in a month and all, but I was enjoying everybody BEING THERE till I left....anyway...Everyone at work was pretty emotional. We all gave her a cake and big hugs. She cried a little, and so did some others. Well what's funny is that our store has only been open for a month and a half....its amazing that people got to like her so fast, right? I kinda think it's because she resembles Jesus....

So when we gave Elizabeth that cake, guess what happened next? Ha. She starts cutting it up and passing out a piece to everyone. She came out to my register to hand me a slice. She just kept going until everyone got a piece. She hasn't even eaten a piece yet... I'm telling you...she's got the heart of Jesus...and it shows in her actions. 

That's something I need to work on. All of my actions, thoughts, drives, need to be closer to Jesus' ways. 

Anyway, so there's my blog post. Don't worry everything is good here :) I'm enjoying every day and everything God wants to put into my days. I'm grateful I get to meet amazing people. I hope and pray we can be more like Jesus. That's what this world needs. 

Lata!

"Much to our dismay...."

I'm at Starbucks, right? ...

"Can I get an iced 2 shots of espresso and soy milk?"

--"We are out of soy milk...I'm sorry"

"Oh. Really?"

---"Yes. Much to our dismay."

******************

THERE'S A GROCERY STORE RIGHT NEXT STORE! I just don't understand....Want me to go pick you up some? ha. Sorry....do you ever find that stuff odd??? ah well.

Welp. Guys. I have been wanting to write for days...but getting around to it is kinda hard some times. I get so comfortable when I finally get home, that I just watch movies and such. I let my mind go BLANK. It's a Great feeling to do that haha.

BUT....this past couple of weeks...or so....have been good. Interesting, but good.

To say the least, God, once again.....wants me to remember that HE knows the game plan....and Danielle does not.

I don't feel like explaining all of this...but I just thought I had some things figured out while I was here...and I don't. Ha. Purpose? Reasons? What's next? I know nothing. And you know what?

It's ok. :)

God has put fun little things in my days lately. Such as...I was watching Felicity Season 2 a few days ago. (she's a girl who moves to NYC for school and has all sorts of drama in her life...ha no making fun of my show man) ANYWAY...there's a scene where she gets on the subway and HAPPENS to get on the SAME subway AND subway cart as her friend she's mad at. WELL...I was thinking....

"Weird. How likely is it to actually see someone on the subway you know. Even if you are going the same way....Just not gonna happen. AND even if you DO get on the same train...it's NOT like you'll get on the exact same CART of the train."

Well....God proved ME wrong. Last night I hopped on a train...and did a weird transfer that I ALMOST didn't...and I got on and heard .... "Danielle!"

What? Someone just say my name? I looked up...and it was my new buddy from Starbucks that I always talk to. HA. Ironic, no? God is funny always proving me wrong.

So today I saw the cutest little boy, looked about 5 years old. He was with his mother who let him sit down on the subway as she stood up because there weren't enough seats. Awww...what a cute little boy...holding a newspaper with "HERION HIGH" on the front cover. Odd. Sad sad world....ah well. This IS planet Earth. Not HEAVEN....where the headlines will read "GOD-ON-HIGH"

Random but...there's a security guard that works downstairs at Baja Fresh ...who barks. BARKS. What in the world?

So I reached my halfway point last friday. 7 weeks down...7 to go. Why am I still searching for meaning here? Like daily I search for my purpose in NYC. I need to remember that it's not for me to know...and just live. God will use us in the WEIRDEST ways....and we just gotta let Him do His thing through US. God is good. He's got our purposes being worked out daily....so live it out!

-danielle

My Heart is Now in 2 Places....<3

Wow guys! This week has been really good! First of all, God loves to put a little kick into my life lately. Ha. Wanna know how I know this???

#1 The ONE day I dress up in NYC....is when it poured...and might as well have snowed because it was cold enough. AND since I dressed up...I wasn't comfortable...as I walked 3 or so errands as an intern. HA.

#2 I finally made banana pudding....i started to eat it in my bed....i tried to smash the nilla wafers in my lil bowl...oh yeah....I busted a flippin hole through my bowl and it was very liquidy...to say the least...got ALLLL over my blanket that keeps me warm at night :( ha

#3 I ACTUALLY fell asleep on the subway today!!! I woke up LUCKILY at my stop! I felt like I had a hangover...(not that I know what that feels like ha....but PROB like THAT) My head and neck hurt from HANGING and bobbing back and forth as I rode to work this morning. Just glad I didn't miss my stop.

#4 My FAVORITE friend at work...Elizabeth...got to work ON TIME like I did this morning...and she told me our boss was running late. HA. Door locked. WINTER outside. ICED coffee in hand. Elizabeth speaks 100% Spanish...15% English. We made our way in through a back door, sat on some steps, and BONDED. Haha. Usually we just smile at each other at work...but this time....We CHATTED. haha. As best we could :) She's my favorite. A hardworkin' lady!

#5 I got on the EXPRESS subway for 2 stops after work today....to skip a few stops that my local/normal train takes...ya know? I was READY to get home...WELL....I got off to transfer after two stops to MY train...and I rush to hop on the train...PACKED. Oh well.....I'll wait for the next one. I pull out my Jamba Juice apple cinnamon Oatmeal. I lean against a post, pull out my spoon, start eating, and watch the doors to the train close. A girl looks out the window and sees me chillin' and eating my oatmeal. Ha. She smiles and gives me a look like "ha...least ur making the best of your wait." And I smile back and kinda laugh. haha. Good times right? I love making quick connections with random people.

#6 I patiently wait for 20 minutes for the next train. WELL...many many pile up behind me in 20 min to get on the next train as well. Well it arrives....I try to push my way in...oh no....I got pushed away. Then its packed. MISSED that train TOO! I was not happy..... this time I had no more oatmeal. Nothin'. I got sooo close to the track for the NEXT train. 20 more minutes.....I was ready to fight for the next train.. Needless to say...I DID get on the next train ha. God thinks He's so funny making me REALLY be patient. ha.

#7 So at the end of my subway ride, I get to the 2nd to last stop of mine...and at the VERY last second I hear the "captain" say..."THIS IS THE LAST STOP TILL 'blah blah blah'"
....HE WAS SKIPPING MY STOP! SO...I RAN OFF THAT SUBWAY. I, for the 2nd time this week, had to walk 7 blocks in the cold to the road I USUALLY get dropped off at. Good times. But really...without expanding....I'm glad I had to walk. It was good times with God AND good times at the grocery store that I stopped at BECAUSE I got dropped off at the wrong stop.

#8 So...I'm at Starbucks now. The one in my home area. WELL...one time this "starbucks boss lady" asked me about my day. I told her something about my new job starting the next day. She was real nice and wished me luck. Tonight, this "starbucks worker-guy" was real nice and friendly to me and said, "Whats wrong??" I said, "Nothing haha. I'm just stretching cuz im tired!"
"That 3 shots of espresso not wake u up??"
"No it did. ha. Im jus worn out. 8 hr shift today...ya know?" says me. ha
"Where u work?"
Then the boss lady comes up and goes "OH yeah! U had that new job? How is it??"
She like remembered and everything...I was impressed. Then all the starbucks worker people start asking me about it..and i told them id hook them up with a discount haha. Maybe they'll hook me up with one too ;) hahah. EITHER way. I was impressed she remembered....

#9 I keep making more and more and more buds here. I like NYC..people are pretty easy to make friends with. ha. Some of them may read this....oh well...in that case I LIKE YOU NEW YORKERS. ;) SO...my heart is gonna be in 2 places by December when i get on that train to come home. I love people. God keeps putting good ones in my life. Every where I go.

#10 Finally, God put kick into my life WHEN He reminded me that....as usual....He puts EVERYONE in our lives....for a reason..... ;)

Love you all. ha it was long..yes...

Pizza Pizza Pizza

I miss southern food....ha....its like i don't eat it all that much back home...unless Mamamac gives me leftovers! which i love! :) ...but it's the idea here that I prob can't just go anywhere and get cornbread, banana pudding, chili, and potato soup....haha

It's PIZZA CITY!....and i Try not to eat cheese....haha....oh well...sometimes i do on weekends ;)

Oh, oh...girl at starbucks dropped her pizza slice on the floor. Sad day man. Hmm... looks like she's leaving the plate on the floor too...weird....haha

Ah...let's see. I'm off today! happy Columbus day! ha

Weather here is kinda overcast and chilly. Don't worry I am warm ;) I'm at the local Starbucks...my traditional hang out place on my off days. I stay out of Manhattan on my off days usually....its more quiet around here ha.

Man! Other day this crazy older lady honked at NOTHING. i was like, really? Trying to "be cool" are you?

--------
I feel like I took a PAUSE out of my life lately. Like I have a COMPLETELY different life here....its not like i can even Start over...because its only temporary. SO, i feel like i've put a pause on my life back home. Ha. I actually like how me and my friends from home talk now. It kinda makes me miss them and like them more haha. ;)

But....as much as sometimes i don't understand WHY God has me here exactly, i don't really have to. It's like I'm always looking...haha....BUT I don't have to know. God is good. God may just want to show me things...open my eyes. I have no idea. We'll see....8 more weeks ;)

Love you guys.
-danielle

I had the most Bizarre Week

And this...is how it went.

Earlier this week, I got off the subway and saw a man crouched in the corner holding up a sign that read... "Hungry. Broke. & UGLY. Please help."

I was like..."ugly?" That was a new one to see.

Then, later on during the week....a man started singing ON THE SUBWAY..."Jesus...name above all names....beautiful savior...glorious loooorrrrddddd....." WHILE he was holding out his hat for donations and walking along the center isle. It's a GREAT song...but it just seemed odd to be singing while holding out a hat....(please don't think i don't care....it was just NEW and different to me)

THEN.....I was at work and a boy comes up to the counter and says, "This has meat in it. I asked for NO meat." And he shows me his half eaten burrito UP CLOSE.

I was like, "Ohhhh...I'm really sorry about that. Yeah I see the Mahi Mahi...hold on...We'll give you what you wanted."

WELL...Then he tells us what he wanted...and it was NOWHERE CLOSE to what kind of burrito he had....and we were like, "What in the world? We couldn't have gotten it THAT wrong?"

So we give him a new burrito and he walks out the door. A few minutes later a lady walks in and says, "Hi, I'm soo sorry, but a minute ago I gave a young man some food from here...and I thought I gave him the plate of rice and beans...but I gave him MY burrito bag instead....THEN i went back to switch with him and he said he already came here to change it."

We were like... "OH. Weird. He made it seem like we had messed up."

We then make her the Mahi Mahi burrito. She was really nice...so of course we didn't charge her....THE WEIRD PART...is that the boy came in and said we messed up his order and blah blah blah. She was trying to BE NICE because he looked "hungry" she said. Hm....

LATER that same day.... a lady came in and said, "Hi, so you guys make party packs??? My boss wanted to know how the chips tasted."

I was like...hmm...
She then says, "Can I try a few?? So I can tell my boss??"

I'm, thinking WHAT?! They are REGULAR TORTILLA CHIPS. ....Then i give her some chips...and she walks over to the salsa bar and starts loading up her 5 chips with salsa. Then she sits down to eat. Then she walks out the door.

NOW...the lesson from this week is.....well....I dont really know. EITHER...A) people will do anything for money, free food, etc....including lying....

or

B) There's another point to all of this...and I just don't know what it is.

OH and THEN...I called mama on the phone when i was running an errand all around NYC....and told her how annoyed i was at all the taxi people HONKING all the Flippin' time. FOR NO REASON!....well....minutes later...im not even in the road...im walking in a parking lot...WITH THE RIGHT OF WAY....and a taxi driver HONKS AT ME!....WHAT?!? I'm WALKING HERE!....oy.

THIS, my friend, is the world we live in. Whether we ever understand it or not...We just gotta be the light...even in the WEIRD situations....and i have to learn...Not to get frustrated and easily annoyed with people. ha. God give me patience and understanding.

BTW...LOVED the coffee shop devo last night with people from the church up here. It made my week :) God is Good.

Peace out

"My help comes from the Lord...the maker of Heaven AND Earth..."

So I haven't felt like writing lately. I've been semi-homesick this week. Ha. I have my reasons. BUT....I've actually had a good week. God has been really great to me. He revealed Himself through many people to me this week. No need for details...just I am grateful He sticks near to me while I'm here in NY.

I'll be honest, I feel like I'm somewhat of an odd person here...being a christian. Don't get me wrong, I have no idea if the person beside me on the subway is or not...or people I work with that speak Spanish are, or even the random "Nuts for Nuts" vendor guy is or not.... I just don't know ha. I guess I just FEEL like I'm one of few. I guess that's a blessing about the Bible Belt. You at least feel people semi-care about God there. I probably sound judgmental. I promise I'm not trying to. I just rarely feel like the "average New Yorker" would ever want to talk about God. BUT HEY, maybe God has much to reveal to me while I'm here. I'll go with that...I want God convos over coffee...with SOMEBODY. (ps. the family I live with is christian, so that's a blessing already!) I just think I long for heaven more than ever right now...I can't wait till we're all together loving our God....that world...will be perfect. Until then...I'm just gonna keep walking...and try to follow His light.

Last thing for the day, I think I am finally starting to get the realization that I have AWESOME sisters :) They are older...I can talk to them. I mean, I knew that...but it kinda just REALLY hit me. They really have been great to talk to since I moved here. I find myself wanting to talk to them. They prob think I'm weird for writing this...IF they even read it ha. But it's true. Daddy always said....haha...."The older you get, the more you realize your sisters really are your best friends." Ha...dad....

Love the 'rents too :)

Ok....so NYC....it's interesting. I'm gonna go to bed, and get up and do it all over again tmrw. Nite!

And so it Goes...

the fun thing about "blah" days....is....

you learn to APPRECIATE the days that are more fun. ha.

Not to say that all days are not great in their own kinda way...but some days...it just seems like the world has a different Mood. Is it a full moon tonight?? ha.

So in all seriousness....this is one of those days...when I don't connect with people. This is one of those days where I think I'm just gonna bond with my Daddy (aka God)....because...I think that's what He wants. Maybe He has to get me alone today so I can be ready for whatever is next. Who knows?! Either way...this is a "me and God" day. It's a good day. But it's lots of thinking, praying, and just being alone with Him. The world goes on and on, and around and around. I feel like just today, I'm at a bit of a stand still. And that's perfectly ok ;)

Well. There's a random post for the day. I hope you all had a great one!
Love you people!
Danielle

Life with God...

God is life...and Jesus is Love.

That sums up pretty much my Faith. The rest all falls together. Seems to me that it's all about simplicity... ( like Aunt Lisa was saying today :) )

I guess lately I've been up to quite a bit. I've been working a bit, and interning too. I try to keep myself pretty busy. I like to...ya know? It's the City "Way" ha...BUT....what makes every day interesting is the Random people that I meet or talk to.

Saturday...I accidentally hopped on a subway going the OPPOSITE direction I wanted to go...so I got off at the next stop to cross over. Ha. As I waited...With my headphones on...a man walks up to me. He asks me a question, but of course I had no idea what he said...ha. I took out my headphones and said "I'm sorry, what?" ha.

"Um...do you know which way is downtown to Brooklyn?"

So I look around to read the signs. The subway line RIGHT behind me said "Downtown to Brooklyn"

It was cute. ha. I said, "I think it's that subway." (and pointed right behind us)

He goes, "Awww thank you thank you." Then he walks away. (ps...he had a lil bit of a prob speaking clearly)

I kinda laugh and put my headphones back in. Seconds later I get a tap on my shoulder. I take my headphones out again.

Same guy..."So you know what? I asked that other guy about directions..and he goes...he goes you don't make sense! You're dumb..you need to stop talking... And I was like no... no...I am not dumb...I need to just know which way to go...ya know? Like so I tried to walk away...My counselor tells me to just walk away and say nothing...I mean what did I do? I just asked..."

At that point, I know I got myself into a fun lil conversation ha...So I just try to listen and nod my head a lot and tell him he did the right thing by just walking away and not listening to the guy. He goes, "Thank you. That's right. Thank you." ....ha that was it basically.


ANYWAY....it was just interesting. Somewhat uncomfortable cuz he almost spit in my mouth...ha i dodged it. But he walked away got on his subway line...then mine came too...so I got on. Ha. Random. IF I hadn't gotten on the wrong train earlier...I'd have missed that fun lil encounter. So. Wasn't like anything Big..but it was good. Good for me....good for me to remember...people are people. Whether they look the same, talk the same, have the same mindset...they are still people and deserve to be heard and respected...(now don't get me wrong...sometimes i do ignore people and walk away...u have to...or you'll get yourself into weird situations or FOREVER long convos. ha) BUT he was harmless...just needed to say something. Someone to listen...

It was simple. It was just a lil minute of my day. But it was like God saying...."remember I will come to you in different ways. Just be like Jesus best you can."

So...as much as I could write about lots of fun things from this week...I choose to tell you that story. funny because people ask me for directions lately and sometimes I can help them! ha! I'm getting better ;)

Lastly, I found a really cool church last night. No details...but I really connected there. Not to say lots of churches aren't great...but I feel that that might just be where God wants me. Who knows?! Only about 35-40 people...a lot of college age in the Arts. Seems fitting ;) The message was great too. It was about being Thirsty for God. Always a good topic. It's a day to day thing...to crave God. I want to Want Him more. Every day. I pray I do. Well...maybe soon enough I'll get the courage to invite some of my other friends to this church...or I'll just have the opportunity to talk to them about God....but more than anything...that I can be like Jesus to everyone around me. Sometimes it's hard...but that's why I need God to help. Well...sorry so long! I hope everyone is doing good. I never know who reads these...ha....

love you all.
danielle

p.s. God never leaves you...nor wants you to run away when you have "problems." GO to Him with your struggles....He already knows them. Let Him help you...

NY, NY!

So nyc is finally becoming AWESOME again to me. I'm finally feeling pretty comfortable here and I have God to thank for that. And everybody who prays for me, thanks to you too.

Let's see. In the past few days, this is what I've done:
-gone to the ER....(figured out its anxiety breathing...So got an inhaler, BUT am re-learning to breathe...WITH God's help)

-worked at 2 NYWIFT events that were a LOT of fun. Made a few contacts, and hung out with the interns.

-working a lot at Baja Fresh and enjoying it! (the most random people at work who smile and say hello really make my day, the ones in the kitchen especially)

-got to meet up with Kirsti tonight and she came with me to a screening! lots of fun :)

-trying to go to as many DIFFERENT coffee shops as i can, AND keeping track of the names ;)

-LOVING all the people God KEEPS bringing into my life. I just don't know how its possible, but it seems to me that there are just SO many really awesome people in the world. My "new family", my co-interns, my co-workers, my bosses at work AND internship bosses, new other friends I make here, just EVERYBODY. I believe PEOPLE are everything. They all Show me God whether they know it or not, and the CONNECTION is simply amazing. I love it! :) People are Good.

So....tmrw...lots of randomness I'm sure. BUT all is well in my world, every step I hope to "breathe" and walk with God. That's the only way to live! Hope you all have a great rest of the week. chat later

Love you!

The Purpose

Life has purpose behind it. Everybody has probably asked the question, "Why are we here?"..Christians, non-christians...just anyone and everyone.

God created us. He wants YOU here for a reason RIGHT now. We don't know the reasons why other people aren't here anymore...or why certain things happen in our life...We don't exactly NEED to know the answers to all that, yet. We just should know....that while we're here...we all have purpose. And...in the end...all of our purposes are connected. God does that part. Jesus did His part...He connected us BACK to God. So...what's our purpose?

So while I'm here in New York city, I've seen LOADS of things I didn't ever get to see back at home. It is true that a lot of "different" kinds of people move to NY because they feel more "normal" here...but what's normal anyway? Maybe, just maybe, I'm starting to just SEE what's all out there. You hear about things, but I'm seeing some of them...very close up. It's interesting really.

The other morning I was sitting on the subway, way too early (ha), and I was looking at the different people coming on and grabbing a pole, considering all the seats fill up SUPER fast. I was looking around and just thinking...We're all so busy, living our lives, doing what we are Supposed to do, going where we're SUPPOSED to go, taking care of all our responsibilities...and yet...God is still LIFE. We're truly here for Him, as we do what we do. AND We are actually CONNECTED...and yet we just keep mostly to ourselves as we sit on the subway and listen to our Ipods and read our books. We keep somewhat distant personally because...we're all "so different." I kept thinking, just in that moment, that these people...are all children of God. He loves all of us. He just wants to Connect with all of us...every day. He wants us to CONNECT to one another too.


I saw a girl reading "The God Delusion" on the subway...it was interesting so I looked it up online. I even found an interview with the author to listen to on my mp3 player. It's so interesting the way he believes. But also dark. It's weird to imagine a life where you think there is NO God. I mean, really. It is a DIFFERENT life. Actually, not life at all.

You know what is cool about God? Ha. The people He brings into and out of our lives. I met a boy who's a senior in High School at Starbucks last week. We got to talking a bit. He studies here a lot. He's got pressure to make great grades from his parents. He's an only child. He's a nice guy and we've become pals. Ha. He's here tonight too...and he came over to talk to me. Now he's studying again. BUT the point is...God is good with just connecting people. I need friends here, and I'm starting to make them...at work, at the internship, at Starbucks ;) ha God is good. BTW my new coworkers: AWESOME people. (thank you God)

To end this post...which is all over the place...ha... I am so thankful for the people and friends God has put in my life. I'm thankful for the ones still in my life, the ones that came in my life at certain points, AND thankful for the way He brings people back around into my life at the best times. He's just so Good.

Thanks for the prayers about my breathing. We're just praying my immunity builds up around here to this new atmosphere. :) I'll hang in there until then. Nite!

"We were walking up to Strawberry Swing..."

Today has been a GREAT day.

First of all, yesterday was pretty great too. I got to walk on the red carpet! haha. Well...I walked on the red carpet for The Informant before the "important" people showed up. BUT still...it was cool. I had to run an errand there...luckily I didn't get lost and I wasn't late. God really does lead me....trust me....else I wouldn't always be getting to the right places on time.

Yesterday was good at the internship too. I am finally being myself there...which is nice. Ha. I like the girls there too! Pretty awesome. We are DEF. gonna make a film together this fall.

So, I've been looking for jobs like crazy lately....applying, questionnaires with 200 questions!, lots of craziness. Really. It was a bit frustrating. BUT...Macy's then emailed me saying I should set up an interview online. I did for Wed. at 2:30. And here's the thing...as great as it was to get feedback and an interview...I wasn't really digging the Macy's idea...dressing up every day, eh...too formal. Ha...but whatever. THEN, Monday night before the screening I get a call from "Baja Fresh" asking if I could come in for an interview on Wed...at 3. ha. Long story short....I rescheduled and pushed back Macy's....and went to the Baja interview today. PRAYED PRAYED PRAYED that I would get the job at Baja...and I did! To top it all off...it's so CLOSE to where I intern. God is awesome. Period. So I start work tmrw night! haha I love jobs like this. I like to keep busy and have fun. Oy to the hat I have to wear though. ha oh well.

Thanks for the comments, thanks for the prayers. You guys must have really got to God. :) Thanks!
-Danielle

Coco Before Chanel

To say the least: Today was a very good day :)

Now to FINALLY talk about some film stuff... we had an event tonight that I "worked" at. I didn't really do much, but there was a screening of "Coco Before Chanel" tonight at a theater. A few of us interns just had to help check off the guests on the list and answer any questions while people were seating for the film. It was fun though because I got to meet a few more interns that I hadn't yet. BUT the Best part was watching this movie.

It's a movie about Chanel...well Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, and her life journey to becoming the creator of Chanel fashions. Ha...you know me, I know nothing about that stuff...but the film was a good story. It was very well done too. It was in french, but had subtitles. I love good stories and it was a good one.

After the film, the main actress, Audrey Tautou, and the director, Anne Fontaine, had a question and answer session. I really enjoyed getting to be there. It was different than the things I get to do in Alabama ;)

Anyway.. It was a good day. Lots of fun. Working tmrw. Chat more lata!
Thanks for all the comments on the last post and for all the encouragement AND prayers. Guess what? They're being answered. God is good. Love you all.

:)

You pull me closer to love....

Ya know...these past few days have been somewhat difficult. Luckily, I got a good cry out last night. Ha....it's been awhile since I've done that. I'm ok though, don't worry ;)

I just haven't felt this way in awhile. Really alone. Even God feels different to me here. You may or may not understand that...ha I just feel like I see Him best in those that I love. I miss my friends and family because I see God in them so much. I still do see God here, don't get me wrong....it's just very different, very new. It will get better. This is just the beginning of my NY journey I think.

BUT...for some good and positive thoughts....

A few years ago I prayed for certain things to happen in my life...had to do with some people in my life.

God answered those prayers. He answered most of them right before I left for NY. Weird, right?

Awesome really. God does move the mountains. He moves hearts. He has proven to me time and time again...that IF I have a little faith...He'll exceed all my expectations when the time is right.

And for that, I'm thankful.

Saturday Night in NYC!....

Yeah. It's Saturday Night and I am......in my room eating peanut m&ms and drinking kiwi-strawberry Snapple.

YAY!!! ha....I just want everyone to know...I used to have a life...about a week or 2 ago....

I feel like I've been in NYC forEVER. Not that it's bad...because it's NOT....but because I have wwwaaaaaayyyyy too much time on my hands. So what does one do? THINKS. SLEEPS. EATS. and...Texts all day long. ...and catches up on ALL the shows that she's missed over 3 years.

This is my update! haha...interesting? Well...I'll just tell you what's on my MIND. My mind NEVER stops rolling...unfortunately ha.

(great. just ate my last m&m....so sad)

Ok. So first off, thanks for posting comments everyone! makes me feel like people care ha.

Today God is revealing something to me.
"Everything is not what it seems. BUT that's ok. I have a plan...whether you see ANY of it...or not."

I'm not sure about this "dream" of mine at the moment. I think it's the gloomy weekend and intimidating first week in NY. I feel so behind. If I wanna do film...I should have a lot more experience. If I wanna direct movies...I should be a movie buff! If I want to get anywhere in life...I must be assertive and make my own path happen!

I think some of those things....are False. If God wants me to do film...He'll keep leading me that way. If God wants me to be in NY....then He'll walk every step with me and have His way. If God lets me have a hard first week....He has His reasons for it.

And now...I just TRUST that He'll lead me...and I'll just do my part and Love. Because that's really all I know how to do...

I'm gonna go brush my teeth now. G'nite :)

Eh...In all Honesty

Today was the first day it hit me. I'm in NYC for 3 months. It's not that that's a bad thing...it's that it's real.

It's intimidating. I hope and pray I start making a lot of friends soon. I need stuff to do. Or...I wish someone would hire me. Btw....nyc is killing my feet! I have so many sores on my feet from my stupid shoes! Tennis Shoes are what I like to wear...but no. Oh well. You should see my bloody toes and ankles though...I'd post the pics but it would gross you out.

Anyway....I'm not down or anything...I'm just in a state of..."Danielle, what did you get yourself into?"

I miss my comfort zone. I miss my norm. I miss my blingin' puppy!! ha And my friends and family...today was first day it really hit. I gotta get past this day. Tmrw can be great! And I pray to God that it is. I Know He is with me...I pray I FEEL Him soon. Ha Now don't go getting all "oh no danielle is depressed!" on me, because I'm not. I'm adjusting. It's amazing I went this long before reality hit me. Anyway, God is good and God is faithful. Most everything that's happened in my life has made some sense to me and had deeper meaning...so I trust Him. Goodness this Barlowgirl album is getting to me ha.

love you all and will chat lata
-Danielle

Update!

Today went really really well. All my ideas of how everything would take place....didn't exactly happen. Thank goodness too ha. Honestly, the closer and closer it came, the more I thought it would somehow go badly. It did NOT. It was a good day. The internship is going to connect me with friends, something to do (ha), pretty cool events to attend, mentors, and most of all opportunity. I can already tell the girls I'm working with are pretty awesome. I feel like I've finally met girls on the same page as me! ha. I told some of the girls today that we should def. make a movie together. Don't you think that's a good idea?? I do. All of our different ideas coming together could be interesting. It could be good :)

Anyway, THANK YOU FOR ALL THE PRAYERS. God is AWESOME. Have a great night :)

-Danielle

Big Day Tmrw.

I just ironed. Sort of. I don't feel like typing much tonight. I need to relax. Tmrw is the first day of my internship. Prayers please.

thanks
-danielle

Couldn't have been any better...

This New York living is crazy busy ha. Well today Brenda and Phillip took me to their church morning service at 10. I woke up at 7:30 haha. I actually walked to get bfast around 9 and the weather was GREAT. I dunno about alabama, but it's perfect fall weather up here at the moment. They all say I came on a great weather weekend :)

Anyway, their church service was awesome. The people are so nice and friendly. The worship was VERY uplifting. The speaker spoke straight to my heart with a message from God. It was a GREAT start to my day.

Later, Brenda took me to a different church that was ending and she meets with a group of women to help with diabetes and weight problems after their services. I took some footage and hope to help Brenda with a promo video for her awesome groups that she's started. I met with a woman who has lost 100 lbs in the past year alone. I got to interview her and talk to her one on one a little. She's pretty great :)

Then I had lunch with Brenda, which was delicious. (hummus wrap and veggie soup :P ) Met up with Laura at the 4 stories Barnes and Noble!!! Ah! It was AWESOME. ha

Later I went with Laura to second service at 7. It was the same service as this morning basically, but I loved it AGAIN ha. This is why...

The lesson really hit me and its hard to explain, but I got a little nervous about my internship today for the first time. So...during the lesson, the speaker kept reminding us that our first love is God and that He will take us anywhere and everywhere to do anything and everything for Him. It's so much better than me trying to make out my own destiny.
Well... during the lesson I just started thinking about how I felt a little less like myself in this city. It's just so different. I honestly started getting a little worried and feeling completely unqualified for WHATEVER Tuesday's 1st day entails. BUT ...during communion the song "Be Still My Soul" was playing instrumentally in the background. I used to have an obsession with that song. Tonight it was perfect. Maybe I obsessed over it years ago JUST so God could plant these lyrics in my head.

"Be still my Soul. The Lord is on thy side" ...and there it was. No matter what happens Tuesday...God is on my side. He is with me and I need to have peace in knowing that. I DID have peace most days about this internship, BUT just like everything...it comes day by day. I needed to hear that..and there it was. I'm here in NYC because God put me here. One day I'll explain the story with how I know that ;)

Tuesday is a big day. Internship begins. BUT Tmrw is a fun day! So more learning my surroundings tmrw. Sorry I write so much.. I think it's good to get out of my head though. Oh and the VERSE that I randomly opened my new bible to today was this..

John 7:28 Jesus said,"Yes, you know me and where I come from. But I'm not here on my own. The one who sent me is true and you don't know Him. But I know Him because I come from Him and HE sent me to You"

I know I'm not Jesus, but I'm called to be just like him. We all are. This passage just reminded me of what I said above. I am Not on my own. God is with me and He sent me here. We all have been placed here for a reason/reasons. Go with God wherever you go!
-Danielle

Day 2 in da Bronx...and Manhattan

So. Yes. I'm sitting in a Starbucks...I finally found the closest one to my new home. Its not too far. Man! If you wanna lose weight...move to NY....you walk everywhere. Well...unless you're lazy and you just take the bus everywhere. Oh its been a fun day.

Mainly, my day consisted of searching for a locksmith and even the handy dandy GPS couldn't lead me to the exact location. It's very vague sometimes....hard to explain. SO...I just walked around for about an hour learning the area as I searched.

Later, I napped. Ha. My new roommate Laura napped soooo....I decided I should as well.

Then...around 4ish Laura and I got on the subway and head to Manhattan. She's having a party with some of her school friends tonight so we were going to meet them and help them to her house.

It was fun talking with Laura! I think it will be fun to room with her...we have a lot in common :)

Her school friends are all pretty sweet and awesome too. I'm about to head back to her place to hang out with them. (no I'm not being antisocial right now, I'm just liking being independent and learning my surroundings)

Anywho. Already I've had some things to decide in my mind...NYC is a place of fashion and you know me....I'm not good with that nor do I try. HOWEVER, I hope to pick up on a lil bit of my own style while I'm here. The thing is though...I can see how people might try to fit in once they get here...I could be wrong...but just like everywhere else...there are things people do and say and dress like...and I could easily fall victim to conformity. BUT...I am keeping my true identity while I'm in NY and we'll just see who likes me ;)

Tomorrow I hope to go to a park somewhere and spend some prayer time with God. I def. need alone time with Him to get ready for my internship AND search for a part-time job. I will be safe ;) No worries. Alright I'm headed back now. Love you all. ttyl

Danielle

Day 1

Well Daddy and I finally made it to NYC today. I think we arrived around noon. Everyone should ask Daddy what he thinks about a GPS now. Yeah. I did well buying a new cell phone with that capability...Daddy just didn't see why till later. ha.

We made it into the Bronx and found the area the Murrays lived in, so we were pretty much good to go. Ha. BUT then...Daddy tells me we need new tires for his truck. He wanted to make it to NY and back one last time on his tires...but 30 min before we got to NY he noticed at a stop that he had a slight slit or something in one of the front tires...Did he tell me? No. Anyway....we found a tire shop thanks to a nice man on the street.

Ok...to sum of my very adventurous day...

1) The subway may seem a little antisocial or people just do the routine and keep to themselves. But... certain things on the subway can create a quick bond with other passengers....such as....today a guy hopped on the subway and held on to a pole with his headphones on. He began shaking his butt up and down ever so softly...then i promise you, it looks as if he is started to poll dance. He really started getting into it. ?? THEN the lady across from me saw this too...we Smile and make these faces of "what in the world?" to one another. Good moment for me and the other passenger. (I don't think Daddy noticed a thing)

2)Daddy and I found where I'll be interning at. The building anyway. Not too hard to get to. Mission #1 accomplished.

3)I had a GREAT veggie burger ;)

4)I like that there are so many different types of people up here. It's interesting to me. I love understanding...or trying to understand people. (no comments please ha)

5) The weather was AMAZING today. There was a nice breeze which made me very optimistic about the fall. :)

6) The Murrays are so nice and that makes All the difference in the world for me feeling comfortable here.

7) Daddy was so great to drive me up here. And we did have a good time. :)

8) I'm tired. Lots to soak in. People to meet....places to go...things to do....TOMORROW.

Night!

*God will lead the way.

The First Adventure....ha

Ha...ah haha...
We haven't even got to New York yet...and we've already had a lil bit of an adventure!

To keep it short.
We left at 6:45AM and didn't stop except for food and bathroom breaks. We probably only made 5 stops. Well...he drove til about 1 then I took over till about 5 (4pm in bama) Anyway, then he drove some more and the PLAN was:

Drive till Pennsylvania and then stop, get a hotel, and go out and eat somewhere. What a "cute" idea that DIDN'T HAPPEN.

So...he drives as the sun goes down...and every exit we see seems like we're in the middle of nowhere. No restaurants. Finally, we pull off at an exit and see some food areas. He misses a turn BECAUSE there's CRAZY construction going on in this little city. There are 3 firetrucks and tons of fireman outside controlling the streets and signaling traffic. Daddy gets a weeee bit frustrated. Then it takes us 15 min to even get back to some food places...and by then he just LOATHES this city and drives away.

So he goes back on the interstate...THEN he passes what I was thinking was a good exit...and he just continues to one he likes. He picks an exit with a few hotels...which look full...and NO RESTAURANTS hardly anywhere.

"What kind of place has 4 hotels and no restaurants??? What kind of town is this??" says Daddy.

Then we check in a hotel and decide to get some food delivered. Well we call an italian place...
"Um...yes...we only have cold foods left...we turned off our ovens...what would you like?" says the Italian Pizza man.

We were like...eh....so then I call the next place...and realize halfway through the ringing that they stop delivering at 9 and it was ten after hahaha. DOOMED. I was still in a semi-giddy mood..dad wasn't. I just found the whole thing funny....but then again...I don't go to bed as early as daddy.

The end.

No. Eventually he decides to take me to Exxon to get supper haha. RIGHT beside the Exxon was "Cold Food Only" Italian Restaurant that we had called. We go in and pick out the hot foods that were left over. A pizza slice for me and some weird sub for daddy. YAY. ha Then I was gonna get a water at Exxon but the Line was FOREVER long. So dad was like..."forget it". We went back to the hotel..I got a sprite...because the water bottles were itty bitty...and a whole dollar for one of those HALF-Sized water bottles.

Welp...NOW daddy is snoring...its 10:53pm here...I'm wide awake...(one of our stops was a Starbucks today...I'm caffeinated) I'm happy. Watching "Friends" as I type...and excited about Day 1 in NYC tomorrow!!!!! WOOHOO!!!!

Lata! P.S....God has reasons for everything....AND He has a great sense of Humor ;)

...1....All things Go

Tomorrow me and Daddy are taking off around 6:30 AM. EARLY. And...it's almost midnight...I'm still up. How can I sleep with all this on my mind?? Not gonna happen until my eyes just start to shut...which I'm sure they will in a few hours.

Daddy says we're taking his truck up there...so it's gonna take...approximately a million hours to get to NY. ;) EXCITING, right? Lot's of bonding ha

Mental Stability: GOOD
Nerves: FINE
Excitement Level: VERY HIGH

Ha...wanna hear something funny? After I gave Lindsey my beautiful puppy dog to take home with her for 3 months, I got a lil sad....then I saw a "Dog Fair" sign...then I stopped at a red light with about 4 puppies on sale to my right. THEN tonight...(no makin fun) I looked at the full moon and the cloud that I saw looked like a dog. I was like WHAT? Sure...I miss my dog, but no need to rub it in! ha

3 months. Big adventure. Hopefully to bring glory to God. I'm gonna miss my friends and family...but I'm a text/facebook message/email/phone call away! AND I skype and yahoo. SO...we'll be in touch ;)

Thanks for all the support and prayers. I think I'm feeling confident because of all of you. So, thanks.

Nite!

3....2....(i leave Thursday)

So. Here's an interesting lil fact of the day...We're DRIVING to NY now. HA. Daddy said now that we've waited this late...it's cheaper to drive. SO, we will leave at 6:30AM Thursday and until we stop somewhere to sleep. Then....we'll drive till we get to the Bronx, I believe, and then go from there.

I called NYWIFT today and they said I could come in and start on Monday at 10 AM...9AM in 'Bama...ha we're an hour ahead.

Quick update: Today was a good day. Mexican with friends and family, then Starbucks with Ms. Carol, then SHOPPING with Als! (she's great to shop with, thanks to her I will look good in NY!) ha. Well, right now I'm kinda stressed about the minor details, but mainly because I have a flippin' headache! BUT...everything else aside...I'm more excited than nervous. I give Sadie to Lindsey tomorrow...I'm very sad about that. I love my puppy. Hopefully she'll live for 3 months till I return. I pray. (ha no offense linds...accidents can happen) ANYWAY...tmrw I say goodbye to the family...Mama, Stef, Linds, and Sadie...Daddy is with me so that'll be later. Getting closer every day....PRAY PRAY PRAY. God is good and Faithful and it's almost "GO TIME."
-peace out

Countdown....4....

Once upon a time there was a little girl who had a mom, who stuck the video camera in front of her kids faces all the time. It turned 3 little girls into these amazing child actors. From princesses to mermaids, to grandmas and nerdy adults, the girls came up with the story and the mom just sat back with a heavy camera on her shoulder and laughed. Later down the road, the girls decided that they just weren't so cute anymore...no need for mama to just record them dancing around and saying whatever came to mind...so they decided it was time for REAL performances. SO. The girls and their neighbors made "Movies." From vampire kidnappings to zombies, from high school drama films to remakes of a Christmas Carol, from Chipmunk movies to stories about death and letting go. These were things the kids acted in, made up, and directed all before age 15. So many "movies" under their belts. And good child actors by the way. :)

So...is this where my desire to direct came from? My desire to be a part of films in general? Just making little kid movies made me want to pursue this? So, I can shoot and edit footage, but what does that do? Why do I feel that I might be good at this? Or do I even feel qualified at all? Here's the thing. I don't know the answers to these questions. I BELIEVE God put something on my heart. That is...to tell stories and show people Hope...through true and sincere films. And I don't have to be qualified for anything....God doesn't call the qualified...He qualifies the Called.

I'm home tonight in Huntsville with a room full of everything I've collected in the last 4 years of college. I said all kinds of goodbyes the past 3 days. Sure, it's just 3 or so months....but it's a little weird. Still haven't said goodbye to my immediate family...so that'll be different. BUT...my friends...everything was really good. I've seen so much the past 4 years. Too much to tell about right now. But...I left Florence and I felt good. I left today remembering that I DO have a dream and this IS a part of my mission and journey no matter if it ends up as I think it will or not. God took me to Florence and now He's taking me to NY for a little while. I just can't get over this journey He's taking me on. God is so Good to me. I had the best August I think I've ever had...

The internship offer.
My friends.
My life.
My family.

I'm thankful for it all.

Countdown till me and daddy take off...I think 4 days...ha He's gotta find cheaper tickets!
Later!