I Am Alive... Barely

So, Its been a little while since my last post, and in that amount of time ALOT has happened. I packed up my life and moved it to good 'ol Miami. I am now officially a student at Florida International University. Yay me (sarcasm). There are a few things I have learned in my short time here in Miami: 1) I am such a gringo 2) Drivers here are HORRIBLE!!!! Now i see why Jesse and Abel drive the way they do ;) (just kidding guys). 3) Dorms...well... suck.

I wasnt expceting the Ritz or anything, but... well this is what $2,500 for 6 weeks gets you in college. Hey... at least I have my own room.

People ask how it is with more freedom and such... its really about the same.. just more lonely.

Its only my first week, im trying to be positive so wish me luck with that.

I have seen in a very short amount of time God working in incredible ways in my life and my friends. Shannon Bower/ Kenneally found out this week that her health issues have been caused by severe migranes and not a stroke THANK GOD! My best to Shannon... Also, her husband Scott will be having surgery the 1st of July. Please pray for him as he goes through this ordeal.. he likes... no... loves coffee... so i would suggest a venti from starbucks instead of flowers if anyone is interested.

Being away has made me appreciate those i love. If you know me, Im extrememly independent. I dont like to ask people for help, in anything, but mostly monetarily. I hate asking for money or admitting that I need financial help. I have been kicked to my knees this week. First I not only recieved one ticket, but 5 from the wonderful FIU Campus Police. While moving in, I decided to park in the handicapped spot... you know how it says on the sign $250.00 fine.... well they enforced it. Yay me.

Its been a rough start, and I can see how it is so easy to walk away from God and church at this age. I didnt grow up in a christian home, nor was I a sheltered child, but I chose to cut myself off from that "world" as much as possible. But God has me here for a reason, and throughout this week... I've learned that when Life kicks you to your knees, your already in a perfect position to pray.

Pray... Pray Hard... Pray Faithfully... and Let God do the Rest... Until next time.. love you all

Hasta

GRADUATION... FINALLY!!!

June 3, 2008 I officially graduated from high school. We had practice early that morning and I had the ability to sit and watch. If you know me, Im a people-watcher. I'm not wierd I just love to observe people... in their actions, their clothing.. its funny how much you can find out about a person just by watching them. Anyways, I was watching the people around me. Some people I have known since I moved to Florida 10 years ago, and others I have never seen before (not a difficult task when you have the largest graduating class in the nation.. seriously)

I reflected back on my past 4 years. I thought of my first day of high school and how I was late and woke up crying because I was going to miss class. I thought of the friends that I have had that have come and gone, I thought about those that stayed, and the friends that help to change my life.

I looked back on accepting Christ at 16... I looked back on my relationships and the one that changed me forever. Most of you know who I'm reffering to. God has a strong sense of humor... It was finding, loving, and losing him to change me into the person God had been trying to mold me into all along.

Graduation wasnt just the ending of high school for me, it was the timeline of my life for the past 4 years. I look back on all that has happened both good and bad and I'm so thankful to God that they did.

I walked across the stage expecting to feel some kind of incredible feeling, but I just felt complete. I made it through high school.. and while some compromises were made on my part throughout, the things important to me I stayed true to. I'm 18.. a high school graduate the day has come and gone.. and now its just another chapter in my book of life....hasta