steady studying

SCHOOOOL.

That is ALL my brain will be focused on for the next week. I just got finished with a test for my Advanced Seminar class. I studied my butt off and it paid off. I think I totally ACED it!!! I'm sitting in Starbucks on campus right now, doing a mixture of people watching and studying for next week. I have THREE tests and a paper due next week. UGHHH MIDTERMSSS!!!

I have a Counseling and Human Services exam, A World Literature exam, A Social Work exam, and a paper in my Advanced Seminar class. To say the least... my brain will need a serious break after that week. And that will definitely happen. A big thanks to my cousin Kyle and his soon to be wife, Robin for having their wedding next weekend in NEW ORLEANS! It will be the perfect way to unwind and give my brain a rest. I love my family on my mom's side. They are seriously incredible. They are all so interesting and have amazing stories. I am glad that we get to celebrate with each other. I will definitely be posting about their wedding! It's going to be a blast. They are having CRAWFiSH (my fave) and beignets (idk if that's how you spell it). Typical New Orleans food. and YUMMY! No doubt about it I will be stuffing my face. haha!

Also, Seth gets to meet the whole family :) YIKKKKES! I have been preparing him slowly for my family. I think he is fully prepared by now. He knows that they are crazy and they are some of my most favorite people in the world. Seth takes the GRE next monday!! ohh I have been in constant prayer about it. I know he will do well, he is nervous though.

SOOO basically. I may not have a lot of time to post next week... (but honestly I don't know if you all want another post about me living in the library)! I have another class in a little bit soo have a great THURSDAY!

t.

free time

IT JUST CLICKED...

I am supposed to be using this free time that the Lord has given me (after losing my job and leaving my sorority) to SHARE HIS LOVE WITH OTHERS! To build relationships with people and show them MY heavenly Father, MY wonderful Savior. I've been so busy these last couple of months with non-stop work and school that I have done a LOUSY job advancing the kingdom. I told myself I was going to be intentional with my friendships and live life well. I now have been given the chance to do that without the hindrance of lack of time.

Obviously, I know the Lord wants me to know that I need to make relationships and WITNESS to my friends. I also know that He will PROVIDE for my financial needs. I do need money and I know the next job I have I will put His kingdom first. I will love those around me and show them the grace of God. He is my priority and I will strive to do everything in His name. I will work, study, laugh and build relationships in the name of Jesus.

Also, today I had bible study and I just love those girls! and cannot wait to get to know them more and see how The Lord will use us as a group.

be blessed
t.

just another day at the park..

HE IS SO CUTE :)
What a beautiful day!! It was a wonderful day to just be OUTSIDE! SOOO I went to church this morning and was itching to get outside and PLAY! Seth and I had lunch...then gathered our blankets and relative "studying material" I had homework and Seth is studying for the GRE. We went and got some great BOILED PEANUTS (I love them)!

We made our way to the park and found the perfect spot to lay down our blanket. Obviously I got bored studying so I took a wonderful nap in the sun while Seth remained studious! We always have such a great time together. He is the best. We soaked up all the sun we could get until it started to get a little chilly. We came back to my apartment and made dinner. I tried something different to get us out of our pasta and more pasta mode (but I DO LOVE PASTA).. So I made couscous with zuchinni and tomatoes.. and a greek salad. YUMMY! I loved it, I don't know how Seth felt about it though. That boy could eat anything though..

Still job hunting.
School is going to kick my butt the next few weeks.
I cannot wait for my cousin's wedding in NOLA to unwind and catch up with family.
This was such a great day.

t.

Soo not cool.

I lost my job yesterday.
Still pissed.
Dumb economy.
Looking for reasons to be thankful.
I really hope God has an incredible trick up his sleeve.

Enough about that. I am however looking forward to my free time. But I do hope that won't last long considering I HAVE to find a new job soon. Be praying for that to open up nicely for me.

But today is Friday, and I just can't cloud my weekend because of a terrible Thursday. So time to buckle up and enjoy life's roller coaster. Hopefully a nice, fun-filled weekend will do the trick to cheer me right up. The weather is supposed to be beautiful this weekend. In the 60's yay! So I am planning on being outside the rest of the weekend. Feel free to let me know of any jobs you can think of!

Tori

urgency

SOOO..
I have a bible study on Monday nights with about 10 great college girls! It is pretty great. We are going through the book of Daniel right now, and I am loving it. We just go through and highlight what we found interesting and let the holy spirit guide what we talk about. This past Monday we talked about urgency to share our faith with the lost. We always say, oh maybe tomorrow. or maybe the next day. BUUT why wait? WE DON'T have all the time in the world! Our lives are only a blurp on the overall time line of humanity. I want to start using my time wisely and sharing this love with those around me. I want the Lord to use me in miraculous ways to impact my friends, family and even strangers.

ON A LIGHTER NOTE
I had a pretty great day today! Obviously I had class... I do LOVE my counseling class though! We learned a bit about abnormal psychology today and I have to say that is was really interesting! I love when I get excited about school! Call me a nerd, but I just want to enjoy what I spend a ton of my time doing! After class, I finished my paper, came home ate HUMMUS and watched a bit of TV. I then took my FIRST NAP OF THE SEMESTER! it was great :) Then Lindsay (my roommate) and I did YOGA! it was fun!!

I have volunteer hours at a local nursing home on Wednesdays.. it was fun today! they were making me laugh! I can't wait to learn more about them, they have great stories! then I went home and I cleaned THE WHOLE APARTMENT! Then went to eat mexican and fro yo with Lindsay and my friend Katie! We had a great time. I laugh so hard with them!

So basically I had the most productive day ever. I was free to do what I wanted (bc I didn't work) and it was soo good! I needed a day like this! I don't know if everyone wanted to know every little detail of my day... BUUT now you do :) Til next time.

ciao,
Tori

blahhh.

OHH EM GEE.
Do you ever feel like your whole week is planned to the second? I WANT TIME TO PLAY! I am at work right now. BORED. As usual. Even though it is really cold outside today, I want to just be outside. On a blanket, in a park, reading and hanging out with Seth. That would be glorious!

BUUT instead. I have to work, volunteer, write papers, read research articles, and pretend that I enjoy it :) haha! BOOOORING!!! I want an ADVENTURE!! I want to travel the world and pretend that I am the hippest person in the world! Maybe Seth and I will travel sometime. That would be awesome! I am going to New Orleans in a couple of weeks (hardly world travel, but still fun)! YAY :)

ohh also, valentine's day was yesterday (DUH)! EEK we had so much fun! Seth and I went to the Georgia Aquarium (biggest aquarium in the world I might add). Seth had SO much fun! He is cute when he gets excited :) we had a ton of fun! Seth also met my grandma (deedee) and my two aunts! meeting the family! yay!

Okay, I have to go back to my schedules and my lists. The adventure is in my heart for now! but I am going to bust it out someday!

peace,
Tori

...And That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles

SOOO ever since Seth MOOOOVED to my sweet little college town, things have been so much easier. It is incredible how big of a difference one person can make in someone's life. I am not saying it's been smooth sailing... BUT he is the best, and I love him. He is an incredible encourager and I am so excited to see where this relationship goes. Long distance to practically my next door neighbor (I LOVE IT)!!!

But moving on, life has been throwing some punches my way as of late. Nothing I can't handle without the help of the Lord though. That is something I have been learning a lot about lately. How many times do we think we don't need His help? Why are we so arrogant? I mean we know we are going to fail time and time again... so why do we insist on pretending we have it all figured out?

I am turning a new corner in my college career. I am now a junior and its getting HARD! like FO REAL! And, I am now in this INCREDIBLE bible study, full of some amazing girls who have wonderful hearts! We are studying Daniel right now! I just know it is going to be so great! The Lord has definitely blessed me this semester along with these hardships. I am so grateful! He is mighty, and powerful.

A side note: I am feeling very sick right now... my throat is sore and if I get strep one more time... UGHH! What is it about February that gets me so antsy? I think I am officially ready for SPRING! I need to hear those birds chirp, and I need to feel that warmth on my skin again! Can I get an AMEN? ha!

Thanks for letting me ramble.
Tori