A Marathon of Information....

I have been working at UCA and making my self quite at home.  I absolutely love the people that I work with and wanted to show you what we do at work.  Last week I made sure that Josh, the photog media guy, was fully aware of my Baylor Pride!  He was late to work (like I'm never late ha) and so I sticky noted his whole computer face!  And even drew some nice drawings on some of them!  Oh how I will miss this place... But I will be so happy to return to Baylor... to my family!
















I was driving last week, I really don't remember where we were going, but Baylor was in my lap and usually he puts his head down and sleeps, but in this instance - you can see how he has turned around and faced me and just watched me drive... obviously he was very tired as his eyes are half open. hehe

My sister was Sleeping Beauty in the school play and was absolutely adorable. She played the best little princess and I have to say I am very impressed at her acting skills.  So the baby of the family can dance, sing, and now she can act - what can't she do??  She can't do sports ;) haha - naa she could probably do that too.

She even had her first stage kiss!  It was a funny one too.  The prince went to kiss her lips and went for the forehead at the last minute and then she took matters into her own hands.  I would say she takes after me:)  Taking matters into her own hands - sounds like it came straight from my book of secrets hehe

After the play - we went to iHop and I had a hole in my tire.  So I promptly called AAA (thanks GrandMary and Papa) and had them come change my tire.  The guy was so nice!  He even taught me how to change it.  He said that it is as easy as pushing a few buttons, and of course picking up the tire, jacking up my car, and unscrewing the lug nuts! ha But the dinner at iHop was the best!  I had dinner with this cutie pie!  Little Miss Brynlee.  She wanted a happy face on her pancake so I got the honors of putting the yogurt hair on it! She was so very happy and a bit overwhelmed (that half-smile) when it came out - but she ate a lot of it, and to my surprise - did not like the whipped cream!  Who doesn't like whipped cream!  I know I LOVE it! 

Some more pictures from the play. Proud Sisters!

Proud Grandmothers!!!

(Molly Turner and Marianne Gosser)

Last Friday was Senior night at NLR - Alex (my cousin) is Number 24!  I was so proud of him!  I can't believe he is already a senior and graduating.  In fact, this Wednesday he is officially signing to play baseball with the University of Arkansas.  And one of my favorite parts of being home this semester has been getting to see him play football (and of course seeing my sisters in the play and dominate Tiger Tunes) but it is also been fun hanging out with my family.  Aunt Leigh Anna and I have a ritual of watching Revenge together every Sunday night - in fact - we are already planning Skype dates while watching it when I am in Waco!  Needless to say I love my family and we always have a great time together!!!

Have a blessed Monday!   I am preparing a Blog Hop for December - if you read my blog and want to be apart of it - please let me know!  I am sending out the information this week!

gnomEEEs winnnnnnn!

I am sooo proud of my sweet sister, Molly Anne!   She co-directed this show and I could not be more happy and more impressed with her choreography, her patience, and her perseverance for this show!
The EEE's won Tiger Tunes last night at Ouachita, giving them the WINNING show two years in a row... WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN DONE AT OBU!!
I am incredibly proud of her and will have more pictures up later.
It was a great night and a great time to celebrate.  I am o glad I was there to share it with her!

Fall into love with Tunes!!!!!

Last night marked the first night of Tiger Tunes at Ouachita Baptist University.  And it was a great night!  With my precious little Women of EEE winning Costume last night it set us up great for another show tonight and two tomorrow.  I know they are geared up and ready to bring it on.   If you don't know what Tiger Tunes is... It has been around forever (actually my mom was in the first show at Ouachita as a Junior).  It is a fundraiser for scholarships for students - which means every ticket sold is straight money for students that have OSF Scholarships.  The show consists of 8 Host and Hostesses (one of the most esteemed titles you can receive at OBU) and a 7 minute show from every club in a particular theme.  So this year the themes are: Women of EEE: Gnomes Women of Tri Chi:  Circus Women of Chi Delta:  Shipwrecked Women of Chi Rho Phi:  Freshman Dorm Francis Crawford Men of Beta Beta:  Exterminators Men of Kappa Chi: Police Men of Eta Alpha Omega: Lumberjacks Men of Rho Sigma: The Men of Rho Sigma Campus Ministries: CAMPers Campus Activities Board: Gym Class




Last night the Men and Women of Campus Ministries won Theme and Lyric and Choreography and Entertainment and The Men of Eta Alpha Omega won Musicality and  THE WOMEN OF EEE WON COSTUME!!! Look at my precious little babies!!!

My family is attached to Ouachita.  With every member of my immediate family going to Ouachita I have grown up around Tiger Tunes and the small and cozy university.  I love it.  Fall is my favorite time of year because no matter where I am - I can go back to my "stomping grounds" see tons of people I know, and watch a wonderful show that promotes students in college by giving them scholarships.  

There is no place like Ouachita.  No Show like Tiger Tunes.  And I encourage you - If you have not gone to Tiger Tunes before - make plans to watch it this year at OBU SIGNAL ONLINE and cheer for the EEE's!!  

This year is the first year you will be able to log on and watch it from your iPad, iPhone, Computer, and even Twitter - via the LiveStream App!  Go read about it :OBU SIGNAL ONLINE!!  

• I am in love with Tiger Tunes - which is appropriate because it is Fall in Love Friday.   
• Oh and guess what... MY BEAUTIFUL TALENTED WONDERFUL SISTER, together with her friend MaryLacey, co-directed the show!  I'll try and put a video up tonight!!!
• Thanks for your support!  Let me know what you think and if you want to watch the show!  For pictures and updates follow me on twitter (click the link above) or go to Dr. Kluck's Facebook Page - he uploads tons of pictures!!!

Have a great Friday - and don't forget to FALL IN LOVEEE!! 

My Inner Thoughts Lately

I took this from the VOICE translation and it has really been on my heart lately; so I wanted to share this with you:

ROMANS 9:20-22

20Here’s my answer: Who are you, a mere human, to argue with God? If God takes the time to shape us from the dust, is it right to point a finger at Him and ask, “Why have You made me this way?”21Doesn’t the potter have the right to shape the clay in any way he chooses? Can’t he make one lump into an elegant vase, and another into a common jug? Absolutely.22Even though God desires to demonstrate His anger and to reveal His power, He has shown tremendous restraint toward those vessels of wrath that are doomed to be cracked and shattered. 

I have been struggling with comparisons lately.  Just comparing myself to my sisters, other Miss Arkansas Contestants, even olympians like Natalie Coughlin.  I came across this verse the other day in my NIV bible and decided to take a look at it in my new the Voice bible.  I love this translation because it sounds like my dad talking to me.  Not Tab Turner, my dad, but My Heavenly Dad and with this translation I can almost hear Him audibly speaking this to me.

       

I know that we have all heard the Potter's Hand song and we have seen this before - but really let it sink it - think about it again... just one more time.  Let your mind soak it up.  You can look like work in progress (where I am most of the time), you can be a pot that might not sell for millions of dollars and look messed up - but was made and crafted with love and purpose (middle), or you can be working on the ornate designs that take years to craft... God is still working on me - and one day I hope to get to the point where I can have ornate designs - but I fear right now I have begun a work in progress and am being crafted with love and purpose - because my days, my steps, are created for the glory of God.  

What a clear picture of who God is and what he can do for us and has done.

It just really puts everything in perspective for me.  I can only imagine how selfish my mind is and how God is so disappointed in me.  These verses allow me to gain a perspective and come back to the reality that my life is worth something only to glorify my creator.  If I don't do that - then I have not succeeded and I have not done what Christ put me here to do.

As I prepare for life - I must keep that in mind.  It is NOT ALL ABOUT ME - and sometimes I might not understand certain outcomes, but I do know that God created me and knows what HE IS DOING.  And that is where I find solace.  In His Arms.

and IN HIS ARMS.... and find

CHARMED BLISS

Blissfully Happy... it's been a while

I took this picture a week or so ago while I was still in the book room.  I had taken a bite of my apple and to my surprise the inside was molded and abslutely repulsive.  Rewind to 5 minutes previous, I pulled my apple out of my bag and glanced at it - I hate apples, I don't like how the apple skin gets in between your teeth or the texture of the apple is sometimes mushy (you know the almost bad apples - the ones I always get).  So as I pulled my apple out I took a small and cautious bite. However, it was surprisingly amazing.  It was crunnchy, delicious, and super sweet.  I was shocked.  So the next bite was huge!  I mean I opened up WIDE, and those of you who know me - know that my mouth is pretty big, so I got a chunk outta this thing.  I don't usually look at my food especially when I am doing something else, you know multitasking!, haha but this time I did... Oh my gosh!  I literally threw up!  I was disgusted by what I saw.  By what had just taken occupance in my mouth!  I ran to the bathroom and washed my mouth out with soap.  I know you can already see the analogy... So let's dive in:

Galations 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

How many times have we fallen to these works of the flesh?  How many times have we been the "christian" on the outside, yet on the inside we are no different then the athiest or the sinner who constantly lives in sin and denies God.  Everytime we sin, we forsake the Lord, and fall AWAY from Him.  Galations says if we do these things we will NOT inherit the Kingdom of God.  How serious is this!  It's serious.  Just like I spit out that apple and sprinted to the bathroom - that's how we should react to sin.  Satan will try and mask it, he will try and make the sin look so pretty...

Let's take drinking for instance.  How pretty and appealing does alcohol look?  I mean seriuosly - the girls that drink in the commercials are soo pretty.  I want to look just like them - so how can I look like them?  Put a bud in my hand, I will be cool then.  Are you kidding me?  Not Cool!  Above in the verse:  Drunkenness is a SIN - however, Satan makes it look so cool and appealing. 

Whenever we are attacked by the devil to sin and tempted to do something that does not bear fruit - we should spit it out and sprint to Jesus and ask him to cleanse us.  But is that what we do? 

Matthew 18:20

Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every HEALTHY tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ...

This is serious.  If we do not bear good fruit we will be thrown away - just like I threw that apple away.  It was repulsive.  No repulsive thing will make it into the Kingdom of Heaven.  I pray for you today that just like I realized this truth - that you realize it as well.  Be encouraged!  Just because we bear bad fruit everyday - we sin.  We are human, sin will happen.  We pray to God that he will help us not be tempted - but it's going to happen.  But that is why Jesus died for us.  He went through a painful death so that we could be accepted into the Kingdom of Heaven even though we bear bad fruit.  Thank God today for the price he made.  He gives new life to our bad branches - he makes them healthy and fruit bearing. 

BE FRUIT BEARING TODAY!!!


MY TRIP TO HOUSTON!!

Last week I drove to Houston to spend the night and quality time with my "Big Sis" Laura.  She is such an inspiration and I love her so much!!  We are so similar in so many different ways.  I probably kept her up way to late chit chatting, but she just has so much wisdom to impart into my life. 

Her knowledge is vast and deep and her love for the Lord is evident - her marriage is inspiring and the way she loves her kids and others is contagious.  I want to learn from her!  So I drove the 2.5 hours south east and made it in time for dinner.  Her daughters Hannah and Meagan are precious!!  At the dinner table Hannah insisted that I pray - so of course I did.  No big deal!  She was just so cute I couldn't refuse! 

She was also dressed in her pretty princess outfit and gave me like 10 hugs before she could go to bed!  I love that little girl. 

The nextday we went to Sprinkles - and I follow them on Twitter... And I have always gotten their tweets that say "first 50 people to whisper... get a free cupcake"  So at lunch I looked it up and sure enough they had tweeted if you whisper "all roads lead to Sprinkles" you get a free Hazelnut Vanilla Cupcake! It worked! i got a free cupcakes!

WOOOO.  I love sprinkles and CUPCAKES!!!

Sweet Meagan (left) and Hannah (right)

I can't wait until the next time I can see them!!

Thought I would introduce you to the wonderful outside seating at Common Grounds.  This morning it was a great 64 degrees!  It was beautiful!  God's earth is amazing!

I think the different seating is unique and makes common grounds a homey place.  Some place that I can really enjoy my coffee and feel like I am at home! 

I like all of the windows on the wall!  If you want a shabby chic look - this is definitely a cool idea!

I also think the tree through the middle of the outside area is a nice touch!  Makes it feel like we are in a tree house!

Took the liberty of sort of decorating my office last week - so now it feels a little more homey!  I like it I like it alot!  Hope you enjoy!

I can't have an office without MICKEY!! haha and a SCENTSY! which I brough Simply Irresistible on Friday and everybody made fun of me saying it smelt like a baby's diaper - so today I brough Skinny Dippin' and they love it. However, Bart said it smelt like Chocolate -the woman don't agree. 

Dad came in for the BAYLOR/TCU game on Friday - and if you didn't see it... we knocked off No. 14!  WOOO Go BEARS!

We went and ate dinner first at Ninfa's (poor service and disappointing Mexcian food :( oh well!)

Great seats!!!!  WE had a blast!  There is the stadium!  Very underwhelming picture but it is a huge stadium!

That is the Baylor Line.  The Freshman girls get yellow jersey's that say Baylor Line on the front and their nickname on the back!  They get to make the tunnel that the guys run out of. President Judge Starr said that it was the biggest Baylor Line ever!! how cool!

Me and Dad at the game! We had such a good time! :) and of course the military men for my little sister!!! Thought that would make her day

Hope you had a great Labor Day Weekend!  My class got cancelled... so maybe you will see a pinterest or Youtube post later today!  I don't have to tutor until 11.  What to do what to do!

Enjoy and Be Charmed today!

Abby

P.S. Thanks for the prayers - obviously you can tell that I love Baylor and the Lord is blessing me here for my patience and perserverance.  Now if Taylor could only be closer - my life would be complete.  But he is being the best and most encouraging BOYFRIEND ever!  I am so thankful for him.  I am just going to brag for just a moment.  ( I am only saying this because I want you to know how great guys can be and that you should NEVER settle for less - I am so thankful and blessed to have such a strong leader and man of God in my life - be encouraged by this!) 

"I mess up but I love you.  Forgive when we mess up encourage when we fall congratulate in the good and follow the Lord!  I love you!"

How encouraging is that text!  I get those all of the time :)  I am the luckiest girl in the world!!

I am blissfully happy.

Why Can't God Tweet!?

I think I told you that I went to Dallas last week and went to church with my cousin Meg at Gateway Church.  Well I really enjoyed the sermon.  He was very relatable and so funny.  So I went to the church website.  Go Here to see the sermons by Pastor Stephen LeBlanc.  This is what your screen should look like... and please if you watch any of them.  Please watch Sometimes God is Silent.

Pastor Stephen Says:  

"Sometimes God is Silent becuase we are not.  We are the servant, we are the one who is supposed to say God, I want to pour out my heart to you and sometimes we just need to stop talking and back off.  And when we back off and we turn off the electronic product de jour and the constant music and constant media - gosh you can't even watch the news without three crawls and this and that.  We are so into multi-tasking.   we are so into microwaving, but God is into marinating.  And he is saying this, listen, I still speak like I did the first seven and a half thousand years.  Come on, God needs to learn how to tweet!  God doesn't do it.  He waits until we power down.  He waits until we cultivate a place of maturity when we are ready to listen and says I am ready to listen because he will not compete on the world stage.  Psalm 46:10 BE STILL AND KNOW!"

WOW!  What a great message.  And that is only a minute of a 40 minute sermon!  Its's so great!

How many times have you wanted the answer now.  I know that recently I have been praying and wanted a straight up answer.  I wanted God to tell me know.  Even after listening to the sermon, I thought that I was doing it right.  I thought that I was praying and waiting.  Little did I know.  I wasn't.  Sometimes you just need to step back and evaluate outside the situation and prayer to see if you truly are leading and praying a life of maturity in waiting and listening.  

Listening is so hard for me.  I like decisions to be made now.  Sometimes that leads to making the wrong decision.  Making a decision that if you would have waited just a little bit you would have made a different one.  You might have seen God's providence.  

I pray today that you wait.  You see. And that you Listen to what God has to say.

This is my work place.  I was booted to a tutor room - but I am okay with that - I have a door, a plug in, and I can watch hulu and sermons all day!  I had an athlete today and I am really enjoying helping and organizing these classes.  It is a lot to keep organized in my mind but with several schedules a highliter pack and lots of excel spreadsheets _ I am able to keep myself organized and on track! God definitely placed me in this position because of my organizational skills!  Pray for my kids that they do their work and have a great semester!

From Top to Bottom Left to Right these are my kids:  Brittney, Donald, Tsuwani, and Cordarius!

Dear younger and more artistic sister,

I miss you so much.  I wish you would come and visit me in Waco, but I understand that you would rather go to Annapolis to be with... well achem, a boy!  It's really okay.  I am not bitter or anything!  But I would really appreciate some wall art for my room!  You are such a talented artist and I would love and think it was the coolest thing if my talented little sister spent time and made me a little piece of love.  You know they say that?  Art is a form of love.  Well, will you love me? haha.  I like this maybe for my room (red black and white and yellow) Love you sister

Your darling older and much wiser sister.





Thought of my good ole friend from a blog around the corner (that's a cute name for a blog if you are looking for one) at Katis Get Away.  Her little boy Ryder will one day play baseball I am sure of it.  And one day my son (who I want to name.....) okay I am so not going to tell you that because then you will like it and use it!  Stop being so nosy! hehe.  I thought these pillows were so cute especially for a little boys room!  Found on pinterest of course!

I am headed to Houston Tonight!  I am going to stay with the sweet and darling Laura Holt and precious little girls!  I can not wait!  I am counting down the hours until 5!  It will be so good to get away and be with Mrs. Laura!  She is so wonderful!  and the absolute epitome of a Proverbs 31 woman.  She is such an inspiration to me and I am so thrilled about our relationship and how I am able to be closer to her and spend some time listening to her and asking her questions.  It is important in life to find those women that are wiser than you and to sit under them and learn!  Why do you think Alexander the Great was so great?  (besides my incredible paper this summer) He was great because he studied under Aristotle who studied under Plato.  They soaked up the knowledge!  Well I want to be a Proverbs 31 woman for my man :)  So I will sit and soak. and LISTEN!

I will leave you with this:

taken from www.joyshope.com

With love you can truly find bliss.  And with bliss you will always be charmed!

Abby