the second time around

Life is pretty awesome. Life is pretty crazy. I find myself constantly with something going on. I cannot say that I hate it though. I love being busy & having something to do. Having recently graduating high school I am in a season of transition. I feel as if one chapter of life has come to a close and I am beginning to write the first pages of a new one. I could not be more excited for the new adventure that is college. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for me.

Summer is wrapping up and I can honestly say that it has been one of the most memorable ones I have ever had. I have had the opportunity to travel a lot more than I have in the past summers. At the end of the day I thinking I have spent a good portion of summer on the road. Not complaining in the slightest!

The first road trip left me in Virginia at Rockbridge Alum Springs- a YoungLife camp I have visited only two years before. The last time I was at Rockbridge was much different than this past trip. Being one of the 5 oldest students at camp left me feeling very sentimental. I kept thinking to myself "this is the last..." whatever it was that I was up to that day. I really do feel like there was a reason God has Lafayette return to Virginia for my final trip. I got to have the chance to get to know some awesome girls really well. Spending a week in a cabin with 17 of them, how could you not?

The first experience at Rockbridge was not one I remember too fondly. It was my second YoungLife trip. I wanted it to live up to the first time I experienced "the best week of my life" but it kept falling short. I didn't realize that camp wasn't supposed to about me this year. It was specifically aimed at the students that had not been there before. Second plus time campers are supposedly to serve wholeheartedly so those new ones can get the full experience of how life is supposed to be lived. How selfish was I? Focusing on myself when God has called me to make this their "best week of their life"?

At this time I also wasn't in a great mental state. Externally no one could really tell how unhappy I was with myself. I think looking back that summer was one of the lowest points I ever was in high school. I was overweight and let that bring me down in all aspects. This caused my anxiety to skyrocket and it just was a lose-lose situation. I am far from this now!

I have always been concerned with what other people think of me or how they view me. The older I get and the more scripture I study I realize that those Earthly things do not matter. Our Heavenly Father has made us in His perfect image. I am so worthy. I am so loved. You are so worthy. You are so loved. Everything that is of the world is telling you that you have to look a certain way/act a certain way. This is absolutely false and the day you realize that you will experience indescribable freedom. Thank you Lord. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.



Thank you for reading. See what else and where else I have been traveling this summer in my next post.

As always,
Alex

valentines and babies

Its 1:14 in the morning and of course I cannot sleep because I am in Indiana visiting my lovely Aunts & my 6 week old cousins!

[double trouble finally asleep]

[Garrett says, "what chu looking at?"]

[little monkey snoozing]

[sweet Gabriella]

["I thought I said no more pictures Alex.."]

I absolutely love babies!! My new cousins are the sweetest. Ive gotten the opportunity to feed, cuddle, and even change some dirty diapers. Much worth the 4-5 hour drive today!



[road trip fun with sissy and my trusty pillow pet]

 

Emma was a little too much wrapped up in her iPad games! Oh well...we survived and got her safely!!

Yesterday I got to spend time with my valentine :) yay! we had so much fun!!

[mirror picture at its finest]

Aren't we so adorable? I'm boasting just a little bit! And I may or may not have eaten all the chocolates gave me..okay...I totally have.

Since I haven't blogged since Sunday about the Grammys...

 

Monday: I worked out with Mom & Emma!! And then ate some sushi and went to bed early! I was quite tired!

 

 

Tuesday: Went to Jens after school with Bailey do catch up on our weekly bible study to John 4&5! I recommend that you read it! Then I made my first ever trip to Anthropologie and then went to Target to get Kendrick some Valentines day goodies! Then Kendrick and I went to watch Lafayette kill HC at home! Then we came home to check on Nerlens Noel...poor ACL. Hopefully he wont go on the the NBA and he'll come back for another season. And I made Kendrick watch Pretty Little Liars again! I still don't think he is going to get in to it...I don't blame him. Its so confusing and Ive seen every single episode.

 

Wednesday: I made cookies and brought lemonade for Love Club!!!! YAY YOUNGLIFE!! Such great fun with some great friends!!

 

Thursday: We already covered this above :) Happy Valentines Day!

 

Friday: Eye doctor so I'm finally not blind anymore! Thank you Simpson optical!! Then later we were ready for road trip fun! We hit some snow/sleet on our way here but nothing too too bad! Only 2 stops on the way made for a smooth trip as well! I cant wait to see what the rest of the weekend has in store for me!

 

God Bless, Xoxo! Goodnight lovelies :)

-A