"san antone"

i don't know what it is, but i'm really liking texas. maybe it's the flat, green land, the history here, or the cowboy boots i see all around, but yes please! it's been so fun and my friends meggan and justen have been so hospitable. i saw the san jose mission and the alamo, i walked around downtown san antonio and the riverwalk, went to a middle school fair where i made a candle and branded a piece of wood, danced at the midnight rodeo bar, and reveled in the scenery all around me. the people here on the whole are friendly and i like that. it's got cute houses and a quaint feel, but still has that city vibe too. i definitely look forward to visiting again!

i'm still struggling in my mind about what i want to do in my life. i see all these really great and awe inspiring pieces of history around me and i want to contribute and make a difference and have a hand in creating something beautiful and significant to this world. i'm searching and i want to find it. i just don't know what direction to take. i'm trying to continually submit to the Lord's plan and to ask Him where He would have me and what He would have me do. it's been great having more time to pray and rest in Him. if you would send a prayer for me as well i would love that. if you have anything you want me to pray about too, let me know! i would love that. tomorrow i leave for arkansas--onto the next adventure!

mission san jose

remember the alamo!

they call this selena's bridge, named after the singer, and it's supposed to be a romantic spot to kiss that special someone

i got to brand the state of texas on a piece of wood at a middle school faire!

texas pride barbecue: brisket, cheezy potatoes, and green beans. oh and of course we got the peach cobbler a la mode to share!

a beautiful texas sunset

only the beginning

i'm in arizona! it's been fun so far. a lot of lazing around, driving back and forth between the same 4 exits, getting to know this side of phoenix. as mentioned, i have been getting a lot of laughter in. i am constantly entertained by the pulliams. if you've met them you know exactly what i mean.

today my plans got a little turned around. but i've been embracing spontaneity so i just went with the flow. instead i had a great conversation with joanne and God convicted me of a struggle i've been fighting for so long. now i wouldn't call myself a control freak but i definitely have those tendencies when it comes to self preservation. i operate out of fear at times and that leads to me trying to control situations or people around me. i've done a great deal of letting go of control in the past and accepting my circumstances and letting God take control instead
but i guess there are still remnants i have to continue to work on.

katy and i also went to dinner at a cute 50s diner tonight. i got the "hound dog" (hot dog) and fries and katy got the "love me tenders." we shared a peanut butter milkshake and picked songs on the jukebox. it was adorable.

i tried venison tonight. first time and it was unexpected and totally out of my comfort zone. but when in rome... turns out it is really good! i also watched the hobbit for the first time and i'm about to go watch singing in the rain (for the first time). so here's to the beginning of a beautiful trip, many more firsts, and memorable times. cheers!

road trip

for the last year of my life i attended the fashion institute of design and merchandising in downtown los angeles. i am going to graduate in june and get my associate's in the beauty industry marketing and merchandising. i finished classes a week ago today and i still have no idea what i want to do for the rest of my life or what my next step should be. and i'm learning that's okay.

about 6 months ago i had a random flash of an idea. road trip. i've always loved traveling and i've gone on road trips with my family and friends before. i've even road tripped for a week on my own. but this time it's a little different. i decided to go on a cross country road trip to visit my friends and family around the country. i love traveling and i love people. it's perfect!

my goal in all of this is to learn to live in the moment. i don't want it to pass me by. "therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. each day has enough trouble of its own." matthew 6:34. through this i intend to learn to be a better servant of all, to grow stronger as a human, to find what God's will for my next step is, to show others love, to help others, to make amazing memories, to let go of worry, to pray more and more, to learn more about who i am and to be rooted in it, and to have fun!

today i set off for arizona to visit a family i have missed an abnormal amount. i can't wait to see them. i have a permanent smile on my face when i am around them and they make me laugh until i can't breathe. they are truly special. i've only been through arizona once on choir tour and we stopped at an in n out there. other than that this will be my first actual trip there!

i plan on blogging as often as possible with all my adventures. thanks for being on this journey with me. i am surrounded by amazing people that care so much for me and i am beyond grateful.

bon voyage!