I can update my blog from my phone now so hopefully I can stay more connected through txts and pics!

Life

Wow I definitely got some things put into perspective for me yesterday. All day Wednesday I was complaining about all the stuff I had to do. Granted, I literally have eight papers I am currently working on, but still...I was reminded how I need to rejoice in everything that I do. Last night I saw a friend's facebook status that a friend of ours who is the church secretary at my home church was in a car accident. I immediately called my mom to see if she knew about it since I know she would just be returning home from Wednesday night church. She said she hadn't heard anything there, which I thought was odd. Well it turns out that April was probably on her way back from working at church yesterday around 4:30 and her heart stopped. Her. Heart. Stopped! This is just devastating news to me. She was found by police not breathing and was sent to the local trauma center where she is now in a coma. I'm not a nursing major anymore, but I do understand how serious this is. It is a miracle already that she is still alive after not breathing for so long. I immediately changed my facebook status to alert anyone else that knows her or doesn't to pray for her condition. The doctors cannot fully diagnose her until she is out of the coma which could take 24-48 hours. I cannot imagine how frightening this must be for her husband Jeff so if you are reading this, I ask you to please keep them in your prayers. I pray that April will wake up without too much significant damage to her heart or brain from the loss of oxygen that was not entering in the time she was not breathing.

This is just so scary for me to hear. I have to say that I felt a little guilty for complaining so much about the business in my own life when I really should be thanking my Father in Heaven that I even have a life and that I am breathing right now.

Every Step

Every step of the journey has to be on mission. If not, it's a show not a ministry. This is something that really hit me over the weekend while was in the Lake of the Ozarks for Getaway Conference. I had a great weekend being rejuvenated in Christ and just being able to focus on Him without distractions. Lately I have been in another downward slump in my walk. I always feel so guilty when I get to this point and I wish I never had times like this. The weekend was really eye-opening in that I need to keep His plan in mind. One of the speakers said we need to stop telling God what we're going to do in our lives. Partially obeying is not obeying at all. I was reminded how much I have been doing this and I am thankful that the speakers and scriptures turned my attention to what I need to fix in my life.

I was also able to get a lot of photography practice in over the weekend. I ended up helping out by taking pictures of all the international students and the events going on for them. It was fun! I cannot wait until I can have a better camera. Hopefully this winter I will be able to purchase my first SLR...too bad they are so expensive! Anyway...I have been able to take some really great pictures for my assignments in photojournalism as well. My professor is so great! He is really teaching us how to develop a good eye for capturing the right moments to tell a story. Here are a few pics to show some of my progress so far!

Capturing motion

I took pictures of TOMS shoes for product assignment

My roommate for a higher perspective angle

A car with some cool lighting

I have a lot of writing to do for classes so even though I would love to keep writing on here to update you more, I think I've procrastinated homework enough.