it will be hard before it gets easy.

Well, I have arrived in los angeles.

My friend from college picked me up at the airport and took me to her apartment where I will be staying until I find an apartment.

I literally think I am crazy. My life is a chaotic mess.

My car was shipped out here and will be arriving around 4 PM which probably means 8 PM because traffic is always bad here… so I am just assuming it will be a delayed delivery.

Yesterday I went apartment searching with my future roommate.  After our first appointment I almost died.

An accident took place right in front of me.

I don't know exactly what happened because at that moment, I saw my life flash before my eyes.

We were stopped at a red light, I think a car ran a red light and the man to the left of us was turning.

The man who ran the red light hit the car turning.

It must have been just the right angle, speed and timing because his car went flying and did two circles in the air. I'm not joking.

The car was coming right at Melissa and I.

I literally thought ... okay ... I am about to die because this car is going to land on me and crush me.

The car landed one foot in front of us.

I didn't know what to do because I knew the man would be dead and I didn't think I could compose myself.

Luckily, someone else was nearby and rushed to his aid.  Pulled him out and he was alive.  With blood over his face of course.

I must have had every guardian angel with me. 

--

I start work tomorrow.

I am apartment searching again today. Please pray that I find something. Please.

The hardest part of it all is not having my mom or dad here with me.

Or my sisters.

I just love my family so much and miss them terribly already.

I told my mom not to cry when she said good-bye to me at the airport.  Tears swelled up in both of our eyes.  (tears are in my eyes as I type this now)  

I walked up to security with tears rolling down my face grateful for my parents who have given more than I could ever imagine but so heartbroken because I am living so far away from them.

I know this is a transition stage and that things will get better, but right now it is hard.

Prayers please. 

amen.

crossing paths

Yours truly saw this beautiful sky the other night when grabbing a few groceries.

I loved that you could see the four paths where the airplanes crossed.

I started to think about the paths I've taken in my life.

The people I've met.

The experiences I've had.

The trials I've faced.

To all my friends, family, mentors, and blog readers:

Thank you for being part of my life.

I'm so glad you're in it.

Lets keep it that way.

heyyy its life lately.

1. true story

2. i love self serve frozen yogurt toppings

3. my pink chair is one of my favorite things in my room

4. love this tic tac toe game for your coffee table

5. thats the state of missouri right thur in oranges

6. charming charlie chandelier ... ooh la la so pretty!

lead me Lord.

today i have this burning desire to start seeking job opportunities in third world countries when i graduate.

seriously.

(don't freak out ma & pa)

i love children. i love being of service. i loved my time in the dominican republic.

i'll go wherever God leads me.

Guess what!

I changed my mind about the whole 'graduate early' thing.

I have officially been accepted to study abroad next semester in Athens, Greece!

(Yes, I know their country is going through a lot right now.)

But...I am thrilled.

I hope you are too because I'm always up for visitors!

Go get your passport if you don't have one already.

See you in February, Greece!

Regard one another...

The last month of college I neglected a lot of the friendships I have.

You know how it goes.

Too busy for this, too busy for that.

Always concerned about myself.

The other day, I read this Bible verse:

"Regard one another as more important than yourselves." Phil. 2:3

As humans, we tend to get caught up in ourselves. (Me in particular)  We are blinded from the needs of others. Jesus, the Savior of the World, was a perfect example of someone who regarded others more importantly than himself.

In an effort to be more like Jesus, I have set a challenge for myself.

I am trying to contact the ones who mean the most to me and spend time with them.

It may be a lunch date,

a skype date,

a phone call,

or an e-mail.

Some type of effort to focus more on others and less on me.

The picture up top was taken this past spring break.  How sweet it is to have a Heavenly Father up above who loves me despite all of my weaknesses.

LIFE

Wouldn't it be nice if the money you won in the board game LIFE was real?
and...In real life, you could spin again if you were not in the lead?

Just some thoughts that crossed through my head while playing LIFE with the sisters, my momma, and Aubrey this past weekend.

Jessica, you look oh so pleasant in this photo :)