So FaR sO gOoD!

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I got a job at Dunkin Donuts which just opened! I made it through six days of training, grand opening, and three shifts so far! ;) Oh, and I forgot to mention that those shifts were from 4:30-10:30 am....yes, AM, no typo there...and 6-12. I can safely say that I LOVE it! The managers are super nice and helpful, most of the employees are enjoyable to work with (you always have those few...), and the customers have been great! I am on the register right up front placing orders, dealing directly with customers, etc. Also, since I've been a part of the opening crew all three days I've had to prepare the iced coffee, sweet tea, clean, restock, and pretty much anything needed to get ready for the day. The mornings have started out slow, but business picks up super quick later in the morning. I love hearing people say that they're so glad to have a Dunkin around and to expect them back as regulars! Overall, I am having fun while also working which is rare to come by. Even though I have had to wake up around 3-4 am three mornings in a row, I look forward to work on my way there :) However, at the end of my shifts my feet and back hurt and I want SLEEP! I see some Dr. Scholls in my near future though. However, I can tell that this is going to be a great job, and I am so blessed to have gotten it.

It is amazing to see how God works in your life without even noticing it at the time. I wasn't looking for a job..wasn't even interested in one until the summer, and that was mainly just to pay for some classes during the summer. However, God had a different plan for me. This next semester of school I won't be getting nearly as much money back after loans, grants, and scholarships as this past semester. The money I got back was the money I pretty much lived off of for five months. I used it for food, gas, things I wanted, books, school supplies, etc. So, next semester, I really wouldn't have much money at all to support myself without any extra regular income. Before I got the DD job, I knew I wouldn't have as much money for next semester but didn't know the exact amount. Well, lo and behold I saw where a friend posted on facebook about Dunkin hiring, I was in the area, I stopped by and got the job. God saw my need before I even did. How awesome and comforting is that?!? I mean really, it all goes back to Jeremiah 29:11. God has plans for my life and yours...plans to PROSPER me and you! Even if I screw up, he still has my back. Even if I don't THINK I need something, he knows I do and prepares it for me. That is why I am truly blessed to have this job. It might be a little hard at first, balancing school, work, bible study, a social life, etc...but I trust that I will be fine because I KNOW this was God's plan for me.

Have you trusted God lately with your life? Honestly, I sometimes forget. That's horrible to say, but come on...sometimes worry overtakes us. It traps us in a place where we don't think we can find or get help. But brake out of that trap (or better yet, don't get in it!), and trust God. He knows what He's doing. I'm challenging myself along with anyone reading this to do so. To trust God.

Wish me luck on day 4 tomorrow, up bring and early once again! ;)

My work gear ;)

        

Perks of the job =D

First Semester . . . . D.O.N.E!!!

So, I'm a little late about posting how my first semester of college went. But..better late than never, right?! Honestly, college was both easy and hard my first semester. There were times that I had nothing to do...or so I thought...and then there were times that I felt like I didn't have ENOUGH time. I was chilling by sometimes, then others I was rushing around. Sometimes I was in bed by 10:00 pm, other times I was in bed by 1:00 am. So, it's hard to say college was either easy or hard. However, I am thankful for all of it! Many people do not get the opportunity to go to school, and I realize I have been blessed to get to do so.

I went through a LOT of new things this semester also! I moved into a dorm, supported myself, met TONS of new people, had a 3 hour chemistry lab (didn't do that in high school!), was a part of an awesome bible study, and a lot more! Thankfully, I don't mind change and welcomed all of it. I'll admit though, at first I was homesick. And any high schooler reading this saying "pshh I wouldn't!"....I said the SAME thing. I didn't think I would miss home, but I did.....even though it was only 30 minutes away. However, seeing my boyfriend +Lance Higdon  every day made it better!

Speaking of the devil, I'll say that it was great going to school with my boyfriend again. We went to high school together for one year (my freshman year, his senior), and that was four years ago. So always having a study partner, lunch date, etc on hand was nice! ;) The nights I had to study till 1:00 am for a chemistry test, he stayed with me in the library until I was done. <-- One of his sweet moments ;) However, our "dates" started turning into going to Starbucks in the mornings to study or working on our homework at one of our houses. Yup, we're college kids. Oh, and since we're both broke due to college expenses, places like McDonald's and Arby's value menus became our best friends! But, I have to admit..they were already close acquaintances. All and all, I have enjoyed this semester with him! Next semester we won't be together near as much because he will be student teaching. :( BUT, I am so incredibily proud of him for all that he has accomplished in college and can't believe he is graduating in MAY!!!!!! Anyone interested in teaching, check out his blog http://educatemath.blogspot.com/!

Shout out to my school, UAB, because I love it! I love the location, the setup, the professors I've had, the amazing Green, the food, the diversity, and more. I could not have chosen a better school to suit my needs and satisfy my wants. I never gave UAB a second thought when I was choosing schools, and now I know it's because God had already made my mind up for me.

Things Learned: (*advice for others*)

1. Get ahead, or get left behind.

2. When you THINK you have nothing to do...you do.

3. Give yourself an "allowance each week" to conserve money

4. Do the math to see how many meals you can eat with your meal plan each day!!!

5. Cook if you can!!

6. Do research on professors...

7. Choose roommate wisely.

8. Get dorm supplies on Black Friday!!! ( I should have..)

9. Don't have too much FUN, and don't STUDY too much.

10. Facebook is your worst enemy when trying to get things done.

Much more, but first 10 that came to my head :)

 

All in all, I had a good first semester. Up next, SpRiNg SeMeStEr!!!

 

 

A Moment of Prayer. . .

I just wanted to take time out of my day to dedicate a blog posting/prayer to those who lost their lives in the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting today in Connecticut. It won't change anything, but they deserve every ounce of comfort as possible.

I absolutely cannot fathom to understand how those precious, innocent kid's parents feel right now, or anyone in relation to the victims. The thought of dropping my child off at school, never second guessing whether it's safe or not, and then never being able to pick them back up again...is terrifying. I have nieces, a nephew, little cousins, friends with younger siblings, etc. that I love dearly and thinking of losing them to something like this is just dreadful. My heart truly breaks for these people.

Sometimes it is extremely hard to think of God during times like these. And if He does come across our mind, it's usually in the form of a question such as "Why?" Well truthfully, no one knows why. However, we always have to remember that God has a plan for us (Jeremiah 29:11). He has a purpose for us and a reason for everything. No matter how awful it sounds, the truth is that God wanted those precious angels and adults in heaven with Him. We always have to trust in God with everything inside of us. When we do, He is in control of our lives. When we start questioning God, that's when we start doubting Him. It may be a simple "Why God?" or "How could you do this God?" but that is when we aren't trusting in His plan. What the shooter did was horrible, disgusting, and malicious...but we have to trust in God no matter what.

Dear Heavenly Father God,
God thank you for everything you have blessed us with God. We take so many things for granted God, so many things that you bless us with. However, I pray that you forgive us for this. God, please understand that we are weak in flesh and provide us with strength in your spirit. The shooting that happened today at Sandy Hook Elementary School is horrible God. I pray for all of the people affected God. I cannot imagine how the families, friends, coworkers, community, etc. is feeling right now Lord. But God, I know you will comfort them God. I pray your arms engulf them with your love, healing, and comfort Lord. Heal their broken hearts God. And Lord, I even pray for the shooter's family God because I'm sure they're in as much shock as the rest of us Lord. I pray you grant them peace and comfort as well God. It is sad to know that the shooter didn't know of the love, kindness, joy, happiness, comfort, hope, and strength you offer to the lost Father. God you are all anyone ever needs. I pray that we always remember this Father. God I just uplift everyone and anyone affected today Lord. God you tell us to cast our cares among you God and you will sustain us because you never let the righteous fall (Psalms 55:22). Lord, that is what we are doing now for the ones that are heart broken right now. God all of the praise is always yours Lord, and I thank you for everything Father. We love you.
In your Holy Son's name I pray, Amen.

Trust in God.Believe in God.Hope in God.Love God.

Who doesn't love coffee and donuts??

So, a quick post to end the night...I got a job at Dunkin Donuts (DD)! In the past four or so years that I've ever applied for a job, this was by far the easiest. I saw a friend had posted that DD was opening about 15 minutes from where I lived and that they were hiring. Well me and Lance (boyfriend) happened to be in that area when I read it. So I went over to see if they were still there, they were, so I got an application! Well being the perfectionist that I am, I messed up and needed a new app. I went back today, filled one out there, and BAM I was hired! Easy as that. I start training in about a week, and they open two days after Christmas. :)

Oh, forgot to mention the funny part about my boyfriend coming in with me that night. Background info first. Lance has worked at a grocery store all his college career, but he quit this year because he is a senior and wanted his last year to be less stressful. Also, he will be student teaching next semester, so he can't work. Ok, so when the lady asked him he said, "Oh no thank you, I have a real job!" ..............thanks Lance. It was super funny after we left though because he completely did not think how it sounded before it came out. He had just meant with being a teacher, graduating soon, and all. But, it was a "open mouth, insert foot" kind of moment!

I'm hoping this job will be good for me, and I will be able to save money for summer classes...which is the main motive. I'm a little worried about handling a job and school next semester, but I will be praying that everything will work out, and I won't get stressed out.

Well, that's a wrap! Goodnight all! :)

About My Blog :)

Well, this is exciting..my first post! I am totally new to this whole blogging thing, so for anyone who follows it..bare with me! ;) With that being said, this blog is dedicated to anything that happens in my life. Anything from college related things, lessons learned, advice for others, funny every day things, etc! I pretty much want to look back in the future and recall memories through my blog. On that note, that is why I...finally...named my blog Hope.and.a.Future. The name comes from Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a FUTURE." I thought it was pretty relevant :)

But it took me FOREVER...well two days...to come up with the name. I like to, how does my lovely boyfriend say it, make things into rocket science. Any other girl like that? Well because of that I didn't want to start blogging until I had the PERFECT name. But then that was taking too long (I'm also a bit impatient sometimes..) so I had decided on one of my options! Hope.and.a.Future it was!! :D

The thing is, is that God has a plan for all of us. Most of the time...all of the time..it doesn't match up with our own plans. However, His are so much better. I sleep so much better at night knowing I'm not the one in control of my future. Like I said, my impatience + making things into "rocket science" + a whole bunch of other stuff would = disaster! But the Lord love me oh SO much that He already has a wonderful future for me! And by wonderful I don't mean roses and daises...because that's not what He promises. It means He has a future to allow me to mature and grow in trials (James 1:2-4), spread His good news, be the best Disciple I can be, and so much more. My past is my past...my present is with me right now...and my Future is in God's hands. So comforting!

So to wrap my first post up, I was going to include a wordle about myself...but it's being a pain in my rear end. Maybe I can figure out how to save/upload it later...

God Bless!