Humbled

Today has been quite the humbling day. It began when I read this status update early this morning:

"And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?"

-Mark 8:36

Little did I know that this one verse would apply to my entire day. Yesterday began my two weeks without any hours at work. I'm not sure how to deal with this since not working means I don't get a paycheck, and when I don't get a paycheck I can't afford things like gas and food. Needless to say since I left work Friday afternoon I've been worried about how I will make ends meet over the next few weeks.

This morning my wonderful (and always encouraging) friend Casey sent me a message. We both graduated together, really dislike being "adults" and have an online browsing habit. I told her what was up and she reminded me that I'm being humbled- in the greatest sense of the word. After she told me this I began to give it some thought and realized that I have so much more than I could ever ask for. I have been blessed with a wonderful family, amazing friends, a sweet boyfriend, a precious dog and and education. What more could I ask for?! (except maybe a full-time job?)

I decided I wasn't going to let this get me down, so I made some lunch and went out and about to take care of errands. After an afternoon of being lazy I finally decided to start my biomechanics homework; however, about the time I get a good start my sweet grandmother calls me. She asked me when I was coming home again and how things were going, then she told me that mom mentioned how I didn't have any hours at work. She told me she got me some paper towels and toilet paper, and told me to bring a grocery list for when I come home next week because she was going to get me some groceries. She also told me to bring a cooler because she had put up some peas for me and also had some pickles and peach jelly ready for me. This almost brought me to tears because although I hadn't thought about how I would provide for myself in the coming weeks in a few hours, I knew I would wake up tomorrow morning and the thought would be the first thing on my mind, but my sweet grandmother took that worry away with just a phone call tonight, and she probably doesn't even know she did it.

Needless to say I am much less worried than I was twelve hours ago and am really looking forward to going home for a visit next week! I am constantly reminded just how much I have and how blessed I am!


--b

Ch-ch-ch-changes

So it's been well over a month since my last post. Guess I should catch everyone up. The Saturday after my last post I found out a friend's son passed away on Thursday. We actually talked about this on Friday, but it never crossed my mind that it could have been Hunter. I met Hunter and his family when Kyle and I began dating. His dad owned the off-road park River Rock, which has since closed down because they are building their new home out there. Hunter went off the road after school, hit a driveway culvert and flew 65 feet into a pine tree. This was on the road his family must travel to get to and from their new house. He was 18 and set to graduate a few weeks later. It was not easy sitting through his funeral, but the love and support that was shown amazed me. I know Milledgeville is much larger than where I come from, but the town still comes together in a time of need. Now, fast-forward to earlier this week when I was at work. It was Thursday and that morning on facebook I saw posts of "Keep the Renfroes in your prayers", I figured it was just more thoughts for Hunter; however, that afternoon at work I found out that the cabin they had been staying in while building their house caught on fire and burned to the ground. Everything the had was in the cabin, including all the pictures of their two girls and Hunter. It also got Hunter's dog and Mr. Steve's dog Buddy. I read a post last night from a member of Kyle's off-road club saying he had talked to Steve and that they did not want any help. He quoted Mr. Steve:

"This world is so full of love. You don't see it everyday, but we have been showered with it. We don't need one thing. This community really comes out to help others, and now I am going to help any family whose house burns who may not be in as good a position as we are. I'll know what they are going through."

Mr. Steve and his family are so sweet and have gone through so much in the last two months. Please just keep this wonderful family in your thoughts and prayers as the weeks go on that they will finish their new house and be provided for during this time. 

On a lighter note, I finally graduated from college. It was a very exciting day! My family and a few friends joined me to celebrate. We had a delicious cookout prepared by my sweet boyfriend.

 So happy! Four long years!

Such a wonderful cook

Other than that it's just been trying to work, take an online class during May and now June-July and maintain a social life.

Kyle and I did have the opportunity to go to Panama City and Lake Oconee with his friend Drew. We had a wonderful time and it was definitely a much needed break after a semester of interning. Here are just a few of my favorite pictures!

Kyle and Drew stayed up to capture the sunrise!

I was sleeping through this, Mom says I'm going to sleep my life away!

When I woke up this was all that was left

Two of my favorite boys!

And finally today I had the opportunity to hangout with my friends Alyssa and Heather. We put Heather's kayak in the lake, and I decided I wanted to take Bailey with me :)