This is my friend Missy who is traveling across the country with me this summer. It was she who convinced me that we MUST stop in Nashville and take a picture in order to keep the vision moving forward. :) She is a faithful friend. 

Playing with my camera again. I like the way it turned out. 

Twenty six hours after leaving, we arrived in Jax (aka..Jacksonville, FL). Lots of rain on the way here...have I ever mentioned how much I hate driving in the rain at night? Missy did a good job of getting us through.

We stopped in Nashville at 5:30 am and took pictures in front of the Ryman Auditorium. I will be posting the pics as soon as I figure out my parents computer and have more time.

Florida is picturesque from what I have seen so far...lots of green trees and lots of water. My backyard alone is full of turtles, geckos, ducks, frogs (including tree frogs), and who knows what else?

It's good to be here. I'll post more later...for now, I'm off to bed to get some sleep before my first interview tomorrow.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Ugh..I should have packed the kitchen stuff when mom and dad were here. I have acquired quite a collection of dishes and appliances. Almost done packing at 2:41am. I will be waking up in about four hours to start again, go to breakfast, get last minute walmart items, pack up my car, take a picture of my oru bench.

I won't be posting for a couple of days. Prayers and phone calls are appreciated while I am on the road. Missy will be with me...we're excited about our last road trip together...she is getting married this summer.

To those of you in NY....I will see you soon (2 weeks!). Please plan accordingly. :) Pip, too bad we haven't synchronized our watches.

Goodbye, Tulsa.

Picture of the evening.

I'm coming back to the heart of worship...and it's all about you Jesus.

One of the most important things to me in life is to let people know that they are loved and accepted. I cringe at the sound and sight of someone who believes that they are not worth being loved. I want to run to them right away and tell them the truth about who they are. And although this is one of my strengths, I have recently found that it is also one of my downfalls.

What gives me the right to reject who someone is or how they live? Because if I reject them then how will they ever come to know God? How will I ever be the light that Christ has called me to be? That is the process that goes through my head every time I want to say, "no". Who knew that the desire to make the people that you love happy, could turn into hurt and regression and dishonesty.

Ughh...I have been looking at the patterns in my relationships, and I see that I have not spoken clearly about what I have felt is right or true in my own heart. Instead of trusting God's truth, I have found ways to change the subject. Instead of trusting God's promise to work all things together for good, I have taken action when actions were not needed. Instead of trusting God to speak for Himself, I have spoken when I should have been silent. Instead of trusting Him to order my steps and the steps of those around me, I have held on when I should have let go. Instead of trusting , I have spoken and related and loved on my own terms, and I have held too tightly to the role of savior.

Pleasing people will never lead them to God. I am learning this. Truly loving someone is being able to tell them "no" even when it is highly uncomfortable and you want with all of your heart to say "yes". I saw that this week and I saw people walk away. And it hurt. But I know, all of this will turn out for my good and ultimately it will turn out for their good too.

Tonight, I am glad and it would be a long story to truly explain why. I will say this though, that I have found strength that I once did not think I had. It is strength that came through seeing my own weaknesses. It is strength that I prayed for at the moments when I felt like I was going to give in. Change is coming to my heart...I am so thankful.

A Summer Evening in Tulsa


The great thing about Tulsa is that there are parks that continue for miles along each side of the Arkansas river. My good friend Paul and I began our evening adventure along this spot.

This is a view of the City of Faith...part of the Oral Roberts University campus. It used to be a hospital...now it contains many businesses as well as a cancer treatment center. Fun Fact: the heighth of each of these buildings equals the exact same measurements as the heighth, width, and length of Noah's ark. This is only one example of ORU's unique architecture.  

This is the dam along the Arkansas River....I just learned it's name only a few days ago...and I have lived next to it for how long? :)  

Fountains. 

Paul and I were watching the water pretty closely...there were huge fish caught in the waterfall. Too bad they wouldn't jump up for the camera shot. 

I think this picture of swirling water speaks for itself. 

I don't know how old this bridge is....up above it is actually where train tracks used to be. Anyways, I enjoyed the built-in bench and had to stop for a picture. 

What kind of Oklahoma tour would be complete without spiders? As the sun begins to set on the walking bridge, hundreds of spiders come out for their dinner. They were everywhere! ...which is why this bridge is also called "the spider bridge". Umm..I did not get this close to the spider...notice the blurryness...it is called zooming in with the camera.

Tulsa skyline as the city lights begin to turn on. 

Psalm 27:13

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed

that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

The sun just slipped its note below my door

And I can't hide beneath my sheets

I've read the words before so now I know

The time has come again for me

And I'm feelin' the same way all over again

Feelin' the same way all over again

Singin' the same lines all over again

No matter how much I pretend

In the words of Norah Jones, the final week in Tulsa has begun. I know how this process runs its course. I've done it all before. But goodbyes do not come easy and I still do not know what the future holds. I am sad. I am reminiscent. I am excited and ready for adventure.

All I do know is that God has prepared the way ahead of me. My only peace is the one that surpasses all of my understanding. Why Florida? Why now? Why me? All questions I hope to have answered in the coming weeks and months, perhaps even years.

Putting a rough year behind me, and moving forward, I want to believe that there are good things ahead. I want to believe it with all my heart. Lord, renew my hope and help me to see what you see.

The skies lit up over Tulsa tonight. I was out on my balcony hoping not to get blown away by the 90mph wind!!! (no exaggerating folks) Actually, it wasn't that bad in my neighborhood, but lots of trees were blown down elsewhere. The thunder was so loud it shook our apartment. 

Scribbles. 

Kinda makes you wonder what's hiding up there in those dark clouds... 

This is one of my favorites this evening.