5 minute ramble.

People keep asking me what I want to do when I finish school. GREAT QUESTION. Here's a list. And reasons why.

-Work at a church doing design: I love combining art with reaching people to glorify God.

-Wedding planner: hello. weddings are awesome. and they should be completely representational and unique to that couple-it's the details.

-Interior decorator: I love walking into spaces and just going ::aaaaah:: it's a sign of comfort and welcoming and I want to do that for places.

-Invitation/print designer: I loooove keeping wedding invites, birthday things, etc because they can be so beautiful. They say print is dying. I say "long live".

-Event coordinator: kind of like the wedding thing...except for birthdays, showers, etc.

-Photographer: this one is more for a personal enjoyment thing. I love detailed shots of things. Finding the beauty in the small things. thrumilens.tumblr.com/

Artsy stuff you know. I just adore design and color. I just pray that whatever I do in life involves these things. :)

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Anyone who knows me-I mean-REALLY knows me could tell you this: where I am at now is not where I expected to be.

Four years ago I graduated high school. I don't remember where I sat. I don't remember who I sat next to. I don't remember who talked or what they said. I don't remember what the choir sang. I remember what I wore only because it was awful. I remember who came because they were important. I remember where I was heading.

I feel like so many people can relate. Maybe not to the awful outfit choice.

Here was the life plan:

4 Years at Taylor University with a degree in Graphic Design. Maybe a job.

Here's a lovely little timeline of what actually happened:

Aug '07-May '08: Taylor University

June '08-August '08: Kanakuk

August '08-December '09: Kishwaukee Community College

January '10-May'10: NIU

June '10-August '10: Ducky's, Cornfields, Acquaviva Winery

September '10-December '10: Focus Leadership Institute

January '11-present: NIU

So what's the point of this post? Maybe the fact that most of my good friends just graduated college is getting to me. Maybe I'm exhausted from work today. Exhaustion=vulnerable moments.

Here's what I do know.

I AM OKAY WITH THE FACT THAT I WON'T GRADUATE COLLEGE UNTIL I AM 24 GOING ON 25.

also.

I HAVE HAD WONDERFUL EXPERIENCES THE PAST FOUR YEARS.

also.

JEALOUSY GETS YOU NOWHERE.

also.

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR MY LIFE BIGGER AND BETTER THAN ANYTHING I COULD PUT TOGETHER.

yep.

I guess there's a lot of things I want to do with my life right now. Get better at photography. Get out of debt. Find dates for weddings. Do more art. (oooooh might get to paint a mural at a new local restaurant) More things. I also want to get involved in the prison ministries. I just need a girl who is over 21 to team up with me. Praaaayer.

Okay. That's the end of my ramble. To those of you who actually read this, just keep me in your prayers. Send me messages and I will pray for YOU. :)

the end.

Oh hey HIGHLIGHTS

Do not be misguided by this title. I did NOT get highlights. Yes, there are feathers in my hair, but no dying of these strands has happened lately.

Okay. So here you are. Highlights of my 21st year of life!!! (in reverse order)

COLORADO!!

Technically this was my birthday...but...it was a highlight!

Hiking!!!

Spent a TON of time with Andrew and Maggie!!

Got to see these wonderful women graduate!

Hung out with Jules in Chicago!

Allison :)

Sushi girls night!

Jess got ENGAGED.

Coffee date with Heids!

Spent time with the cousins!

Our cousin/sister Laura got married!!! (Seriously...couldn't find pics on my computer! shoot)

You're Forever Written on My Heart

This was my fierce lifegroup that I spent the semester with!

Breck!! Sarah and I spent the whole day wishing we were boarders.

Garden of the God's hike!

P31 Bible Study!

Every single sunrise and sunset.

Women's retreat hike!

Halloween with Joooooy! (and everyone else!!!!)

These women :)

Bishops Castle!!

Going to a wedding with these boys :)

hehe.

My semester at Focus Leadership Institute.

Roommates. :)

Our "bonding" hike!!

Time with the sister!!

Heidso and I visting Rutzen at LGYC!

Bigger and Better with Allison :)

After surprising L2 at the airport when she got home from her super LONG mission trip.

Biking with Netty!!

My friendship with these women!

Seeing Shena and Dave get hitched.

Yes. Finding this advertisement was seriously a highlight.

CRAVE Chicago boat tour!!!!

Turning 21 and celebrating it with Heidi, Justin, and Maggie!!!!

A ton of other stuff happened as well! This is just the stuff I could find pictures for. God blessed me in SO many ways and I learned so much about myself. Things not included: stuff with family and PASSING portfolio review!! I'm thankful for all the adventures and am excited about this 22nd year!!!