Content

For the first time in a long time I finally feel content with my life. I am usually so anxious and over-analytical and I feel like I am finally getting to the point where I am not like that. Yeah I still have my concerns and my worries, but I feel at ease now. That is an amazing feeling and certainly lifts a burden. I have gotten into the swing of things at school and while I am still working on a routine I feel pretty good with the way classes are going and keeping balanced with all of my other commitments.

I feel like a huge part of being content is just giving things up to the Lord. I know that my life is in his hands and that I am living (trying my best) according to his plan. I think the reason before that I felt so uneasy with my life is because I thought I was in control, it's taken me a long time to realize that is definitely not the case. People are worrying about jobs and graduation right now and I really am not worried about it. I am not in any hurry to commit myself to one set path, one set job. I just want to live my life while I am still young. I want to explore, I want to travel, I want to do everything.

I am content in the Lord right now. Philippians 4: 1-9 couldn't say it more perfectly.

Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Remembering...

Today it didn't really hit me that it was "9/11". I feel bad saying that but each year I feel like I forget more and more to take some time to think about all of those who were lost and their families, the children who never got to meet their fathers because they were lost in the attacks, they will be 8 soon, that is INSANE to me. I know the grief of losing a loved one and when I think about that it breaks my heart for all of these people. I didn't know anyone that was lost that day.

That day I was in my 7th grade science class and they sent us home early. I knew the World Trade Center Towers had collapsed, but in my 12 year old naivete, I didn't realize until I got home and saw it on the TV that the Twin Towers and the World Trade Center Towers were one in the same. I had been to New York earlier that year in May. We were supposed to go to the top of the towers but it was foggy that day so they decided we shouldn't. I took a picture of them from our river tour and when I looked at the picture 4 months later what I saw was chilling. The fog was so thick that day that the towers looked just like when they were collapsing, only half of the towers were visible.

I pray for those families and friends, some of whom are still struggling with their grief, that they find peace and solace in the fact that their loved ones are with our maker.

Missing You

One year ago today, my good friend Erik passed away. He was running in the Virginia Beach Half Marathon and collapsed, his heart stopped and they couldn't bring him back. Erik was 23 years old and at the prime of his life. He was in great physical shape and ran these types of things all of the time. Erik was a senior when I was a freshman here at CNU and was truly like a big brother. He had such a light and energy about him and really knew how to live life. I was unable to train in time to compete in this years race, which was yesterday so I decided to volunteer at the finish line instead. I had to wake up at 4am in order to get to Va Beach by 530. The weather was absolutely wonderful and couldn't have been more perfect for the runners. Watching the sunrise and listen to the ocean waves I knew that Erik was watching over everyone. I worked at the finish line giving runners cold wet towels. Being at the finish line was really difficult because that was where he collapsed. Whenever I saw someone coming through the finish with the Medical Staff I said a little prayer for them and it took all that I had to maintain composure for the whole race. I was not tired at all the whole day and it was so inspiring to me to watch over 80 people race in Erik's memory. My goal is to train so I can run it next year.

9-02-10 brings Armed Robbers and "Hurricane" Earl

Yesterday was to my excitement 90210 (September 2, 1010) ! Get it, like Beverly Hills, 90210! Although I was a little young for that show, I watched it all the time. I was in love with Jason Priestley (I thought he was related to Elvis).

Much like the drama of that show yesterday brought a lot of drama to the CNU campus. First of all we have been on our toes waiting to see if Hurricane Earl was going to hit us here, ODU and The University of Richmond?? had classes canceled because of it. We have yet to be evacuated and the only effects we have seen are a few raindrops and some wind.

Then at approximately 8:40/8:45 yesterday morning an armed robber robbed the VA Educators Credit Union in the CNU Village. CNU started sending out a barage of texts about 8:50 telling everyone to get to a secure location, barricade the doors, close the blinds and turn off the lights. When the first text was sent out I was in my bathroom getting ready for class, I had just gotten off work at 8:30 and walked back to my apartment, in the CNU Village. This means at about the same time he was robbing the credit union I was walking right by and right by where he ran off. My roommate yelled from her room to look outside and we could see the Police putting up the caution tape. CNU probably sent out about 10 text messages instructing everyone on campus that we were on lockdown and to stay put until the all clear, which came about two hours later. Let me just tell you I was not exactly comfortable walking around when they were searching for a guy with a glock.

So the weekend begins on a great note am I right?