Grad School Update!

BIG news!


About 2 days before beginning my roadtrip back to GA I got an email from the Director of the Marriage and Family Therapy program at Valdosta State. She told me that they wanted to schedule an interview with me. When I spoke with them, I was told that I could either do a phone interview or an in-person interview. The Director of the program explained that they were very interested in interviewing me as soon as possible. So, I set up a phone interview for that Friday (yes, the very day I was beginning my roadtrip).


At 10:15 am that Friday morning, Spencer and I pulled over and I had my interview on the side of the road in southern Utah. It went REALLY well! So well in fact that I was told at the end of the interview that I had been accepted. I got my official letter a week before Christmas!







Now we just wait for info on the assistantship situation AND admissions decisions from UGA and GA State. Keep those fingers crossed! Prayers are also welcome! :D

ROAD TRIPPPPPP!

On Thursday afternoon, I'll be picking up this lovely boy at the SLC Airport!




And then on Friday morning (early!) we're going to begin a pretty dang fun road trip. The first leg of our trip will take us to Albuquerque to visit this lovely family:




The Griffins have been family friends for as long as I can remember. They moved to Albuquerque several years ago and Spencer and I are pretty dang excited to see them! We'll spend Saturday with them, and go to Sacrament meeting with them on Sunday!

After Sacrament meeting, Spencer and I are gonna get on the road and plan to go all the way to Arkansas by that night. Then Monday we'll go the rest of the way to Columbus. It'll be a fun trip! We'll be sure to take lots of pictures for you, blogworld. The next post coming your way will likely be from the great state of Georgia! Until then...

Master of Blogging?

How is it that the one of us who is so bad about blogging just spent an hour helping Rachel set up her blog?

Who knew?

But I am excited that Rachey's joining in on the blogging fun...or failure (in my case)! :)

Day 30!!

Day 30 - My favorite song...


"Desperado" by The Eagles





My Daddy raised me right.




And with that...the 30 day challenge is done! :)

Days 28 & 29

Day 28- A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed?

Christmas 2009.

Well. Anyone brave enough to venture back to the entries on my blog from 2008 will find something really interesting. Without going too much into details (because, really...who wants the details in summary when you can go back here and here and read the details), I thought I was going to follow one career and life path...and it changed. Suddenly. And it left one of the most important relationships in my life damaged. Anyway. The year to year and a half that followed August 2008 was...trying. It involved a lot of soul searching. A lot of discomfort. A lot of prayers. By Christmas 2009, I was starting to feel a bit more direction in my life, but still felt unsettled and I was unsure why. I enrolled in graduate courses at Columbus State to get a MA in Teaching. Through Spring semester 2010 I was led back to a thought and a career that I (through to the beginning of High School) had previously considered. Thoughts of changing programs and schools began to fill my head. It was exciting. And at the same time completely overwhelming. I wasn't sure about the practicality of the decision and wanted to talk to my parents, but because I was feeling conflicted...I didn't. Initially.

Summer 2010.

This picture was literally taken like, a week after I finally talked to my parents about the idea of changing my program and pursuing a career as a Counselor (specifically a Marriage and Family Therapist). As soon as I started talking, my mom cut me off and said..."I think it's an excellent choice for you. Not that I doubt your ability to be a wonderful teacher, but I think this is more in line with your interests and natural abilities". Could I have asked for a better response? I left a couple of days later to work a session of EFY in Massachusetts and made the whole idea (as well as moving to Utah for a little while) a matter of fasting and prayer. I had 2 incredible co-counselors (who did a good bit of counseling ME that week). By the middle of the week I felt a peace about my long-term plans and goals that I hadn't felt before. So after a couple of years of frustration at not knowing...and floating...I'm making progress. And it feels great. :)


Day 29 - In the past month, what have you learned?


Well, if this topic doesn't flow right along with what I was saying right ^ there! In case you missed the memo, I moved to Orem, Utah at the end of August. I was excited about the idea of a change of scenery and even entertaining the idea of going to BYU for graduate school (and if you know me...you know that's a BIG deal!). But mostly, I was learning to be free and not feel like everything always had to be planned and detailed. I don't know when I got to the point where I felt like I needed to have a plan that I was following, but somewhere along the lines it happened. Anyway. I didn't have anything keeping me in Columbus. I wouldn't be able to start grad school until Fall 2011. AND I had a couple of friends who were talking about moving out to Utah in January. So, why not?

Things since I've been in Utah haven't really gone the way I planned. I was going to come out here, get graduate school applications in, find a job and be out here until the Summer at least. Wellllll...the job thing hasn't really panned out the way I had hoped. I'm still unemployed. But more than that...the school options in GA started looking really, really good. There are some pretty amazing assistantships that would have me making money to go to school! Long story short, I'm packing back up the Aveo and heading back east on December 10th.

So, the point of all of that (and the actual question of the entry)...what have I learned? No matter what my plan is, as long as I'm on the right path...doing the things that keep me in tune with the spirit that I'll be ok. Humility. Patience. Trust. All those attributes we talk about all the time, but are ever-so-hard to put in to practice.

Super relevant scripture coming..............................now:


"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy path." -Proverbs 3: 5-6


And THAT is what it's about. With the Lord directing my path, I can't go wrong.

Days 25 - 27: Bag, Friends and Why??

Day 25 - What would be found in my bag


Unfortunately blog followers...it's pretty boring. Let's see...probably sunglasses, chapstick, lots of pens, wallet and because it was Sunday...my scriptures. :)



Day 26 - What I think about my friends


Well, if that's not a broad question, I don't know what is. I feel like everyone always says "I have the best friends in the world". I wanna put a bit of a different spin on that. I have the best friends for me! I've been consistently amazed with how I always seem to encounter the most amazing people and that along with them come incredible lessons. I've been blessed with awesome, stable friends who have hung in there with me for years. I also have new friends who have blessed my life incredibly in a short period of time. Then I have people who helped mold and shape me, and then life moved us in different directions.

The truth is that I'm so very grateful for all of them. We are the sum of our experiences. That being the case, the people who were a part of those experiences are also a part of us. Good or bad. Long term or new. My friends have changed me. And I'm lucky.



Day 27 - Why I'm doing the 30 day challenge


I've had this blog for years. I think I started it in 2008. And I've completely failed with updating it. I've had HUGE amounts of time pass where it was completely abandoned. I found where my friend Kaycie was doing this challenge. I thought it would be the perfect thing to get me in the swing of regularly posting. I've done better. But clearly still failed at posting everyday...I get points for trying, right?

Thanksgiving

I know there have been people who have been doing entries everyday for one thing they're grateful for. I saved it all for today (mostly because I had already started the 30 day blog challenge). But it's Thanksgiving today and it's entirely appropriate that I mention the things that I'm thankful for. My list (in no particular order, well...other than the first few :) )...


1. My Savior.

What can you say about the person who loves you more than anyone else? There aren't words for how grateful I am to Him. He provided the way for me to be forgiven of my sins and live with Him, Heavenly Father and my family for eternity. If that weren't enough, the way that he did it was by paying for the sins that I commit. He felt the pains, sadness, hurt, anxiety, fear...all of it. For each of us. He's real. What He did is real. It happened. And because of Him, I can be better.


2. The Gospel.

I know, I know. #1 and #2 go together, but I felt that they were deserving of individual numbers. I'm grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It has made me who I am. Being a member of His church factors in to every choice I make. Having the teachings of true and living prophets helps guide me daily. Knowing there are inspired priesthood leaders who can provide direct assistance to me is incredible. Having access to another record which testifies of Jesus Christ, his ministry and divinity is an incredible blessing. I'm grateful that my parents were people who recognized truth when they heard it.

3. My Family.

Though we're all far from perfect, we're a lot of fun.



I'm grateful to know that if I ever needed them, I know they'd be there. I can count on them. They are stable forces. One of the few things that is unchanging in this life. I can't think of any other people I'd rather be with forever. :)

P.S. Look at their tender, young faces!



4. Friends.


I've been extremely blessed over the years with good, reliable friends. That's not to say that I've always been the best at picking good friends. But it's through the struggle that you learn to appreciate what you have. I did go through a really rough patch where I learned a lot about myself and my friends...and what is important in a friendship. Through that I have found the people who are truly good friends. I've learned what a good friend is...and how to be one to others.

I'm grateful to Heavenly Father for sending me good people. People who are good examples to me. People who are honest and kind. It's so very appreciated.

(Sorry for no pictures here...see other blogs of friends. It's wayyyyyy too many pictures to post!)


5. Living in the USA.


I am increasingly grateful to live in the United States of America. I think as a younger person, it was very much taken for granted. But everyday I'm reminded of blessings I enjoy simply by living here. I can go to church without worrying that someone will injure me. I can hold a job, live by myself and own property. I can vote for individuals who want to hold public office. I go to bed at night and sleep without fear for my safety. This land is a special place. And I am immensely grateful to live here.




6. EFY.

EFY changed my life as a participant when I was a youth. Now as an adult I've had the blessing of going back and working as a counselor. It's changed my life again. I get to spend a few weeks each summer working with amazing youth and incredible co-workers.

(My first group EVER! EFY 2009)

I've worked 2 summers and 6 sessions. Total 4 sessions in GA, 1 in FL and 1 in MA. With limited distractions, we focus on the gospel...and miracles happen.

(My most recent group. EFY 2010 Amherst, MA)

I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to work with this program. It's a lot of work. A lot of sleepless nights. Lots of prayers and (sometimes) tears. But I'm so lucky. Many thanks to the counselors and youth when I was a kid, the youth I've had the blessing of working with the past 2 summers (you are all amazing!) and the other counselors who have become incredible friends and examples to me.

(A few of those incredible friends I've made)

7. Health.


While working at AFLAC from 2008-2010 I was reminded how blessed I am to be healthy. As wonderful a gift as our mortal bodies are...because they're moral, they're not perfect. They get sick or injured. I've been so lucky to avoid major illness or injury. For that I am very grateful as I know many people who have many physical struggles.

8. Servicemen and women.

Growing up near Ft. Benning, GA I've had the opportunity to meet and become friends with many of the wonderful people serving our nation in the Armed Forces. The sacrifices these people make, all the way up to giving their lives are amazing. I currently have 2 friends serving in Afghanistan and 1 who just recently completed a tour of duty. I'm grateful to know that men like them exist and are protecting the freedoms I enjoy. I'm particularly mindful of them today as they aren't able to be with their loved ones. MANY thanks to Jordan Cross, Jesse Holmes and Domonique Anderson. I'm grateful for you, your service and glad to call you my friends.

Jordan.

Jesse.

Domonique.

8. Being from the South.


Growing up in GA is something I'm very proud of. I know the south sometimes gets a bad rep for. But I tell you what, some of the best people I know are from there! And there are a lot of great things that can be said for that area. I love that people are still respectful. "Ma'am" and "Sir" are still frequently used words. Your friend's parents are Mr. Steve and Ms. Jennifer. It's beautiful (see the picture below). People will say hello to you when you're walking down the street. But mostly, I'm grateful to have lived in a place that required me to decide at a young age if I was a believer or not. It's the best place.

(The Riverwalk in Columbus, GA)

9. My former Primary class.


Man, I love these kids. They have the sweetest spirits and would blow me away with the things they would say and the concepts they would understand. They taught me so much and I miss them!

11. My Missionary Brothers (and Friends!)


I still think it's such an amazing thing that we send 19 year old boys and 21 year old young women out to teach the gospel. I also think it's amazing that those young people so willingly leave their families and lives behind and devote 1.5 - 2 years of their lives to the Lord and doing his work. I'm super proud of my brother, Matt who is currently serving in the Idaho, Boise mission.

(Elder James Matthew Harrell!)

I'm also proud to be able to say that my only other brother eligible (so far!) to have served also went!

(Elder Jonathan Harrell. California, San Bernardino Mission 2006-2008)

And to have had amazing friends who also devoted time to serving the Lord.

(Elder Joseph Pate)

(Sister Corley Griffin.)

(Elder Elijah Hall)

And there are many, many others.





I've been blessed more than I can say.