I Mean Really?

So I'm confused...not a hard task but beside the point. The past few days have held some bad news, and the past few months have been chaotic in my community. To start, on Thanksgiving Day a little girl in the community was severely injured in an ATV accident. She has been in Children's hospital, was close to death. but she got better and came home. Now this little girl has had to go back to the hospital in Birmingham for complications. It is so sad to think of little children having to suffer like this. A few weeks after a 20 year old fell out of a tree stand and broke his back. He has had surgery to try to repair the damage, I haven't heard any news since. A guy I graduated with, heck went to school with K-12 named Hobi Hussey was terribly injured two weeks ago. He was working with the State Dept. of Transportation on some road work. He was flagging cars to slow them down and was hit by a van. He suffered from a collapsed lung,ruptured spleen, broken legs, and all other sorts of damage! The driver of the car was supposedly texting and didn't see him. He was rushed to the hospital where he required multiple surgeries. His lungs were damaged the worst it seemed. He developed ARDS a condition with the lungs that is usually fatal. They thought he was getting better when he took a turn for the worse. Yesterday he was taken back to have another procedure done, and his body was just too broken to survive the damage that had been done. This sweet, 21 year old was taken home to heaven. Why? That's all I can think, why do certain things happen. I have to remind myself frequently that it's not my place to know these things. I still get frustrated though. Topping all of this off my very best friend is still suffering terribly from her illness and getting worse. Her family left on my birthday heading to Minnesota to the Mayo clinic. They are still seeking answers. This  mystery illness has put such a toll on them all, especially Steff. She is down to around 85 pounds and has developed more symptoms. She still has the ever present nausea and vomiting, but now suffers from tremors and episodes of fainting and even stops breathing sometimes. She walks around with a cane now. Yeah a cane. My 21 year old friend who was a great athlete and one of the most Christian people I know has to walk with a blue paisley cane. How is that fair?! Why should she suffer, I mean she's not done anything to deserve this. Once again, not my place to be questioning the big man upstairs. I just don't understand. Father, why should the innocent suffer? I pray that her suffering is not in vain. I pray that the doctors they have sought out in Minnesota will be enlightened with an answer to the family's prayers. Please give her strength Lord. I know she is weary and feels like a burden to her loved ones. Please grant her peace and serenity. Also be with the Hussey family. I pray that you bring them peace and help them accept the horrible fate they have been resigned to. I can't begin to understand what they are all going through. Having to bury your 21 year old child, who should have had his whole life ahead of him. Please be with our community. We need you know more than ever Lord. Please forgive me for questioning and for my frustrations.

Pretty lucky...Be Happy!

As it goes, I can always look at something that someone else has and think yep that would be nice. But I am so silly! I have been blessed with so much, and constantly have to remind myself that there are some people out there that would love to have a portion of what I do. It seems unfair that some people are born into fortunate, rich families, some into middle class (such as myself), and then there are the unfortunate souls who are lucky to have one meal a day. It isn't fair for babies to die, or good people to suffer aimlessly. I have to tell myself that if it happens, it's because God has a plan for that individual. I don't understand so many things, but still must keep my faith in God strong. My mind is nowhere near close to knowing all he knows, so don't worry about it, I have placed myself in his hands, and know what is meant to happen is for the best. Maybe not right away, but in the long run, every action has a greater purpose, every death has bigger meaning, etc. I just gotta stop trying to analyze things I guess. Anyways, I need to stop complaining about mundane things and be happy with what grace has given me. I have food, clothes, a house, friends, loving family, college education, and a job. What else could I need or want? Sure I can think of some outrageously expensive material item to purchase, but what can I take with me when I die? Not an Aston Martin Vantage...nope, I can take the love I've felt and bestowed on others, education can never be taken away from you, so I'm gonna be happy with what I have! I hope some other people could begin to think this way as well.

Ugh :(

Wow. I am sick. And on top of that I am tired of being sick!!!!!!! I had a cold, then mama got put into the hospital. She had strep throat, the flu, and ear infection, and dehydration. So I was a good daughter and stayed in the hospital with her all weekend, and even on Monday. So now I'm sick again. I felt like I was getting a sore throat, and called to get some medicine. Good for my throat, but I am sooo congested! My chest and sinuses are clogged to the max. My poor little nose is raw from having to blow it. So naturally I don't feel at all like being a college kid right now. I just feel like staying curled up in my pjs, laying on the coach, sipping my earl grey tea and watching tv. Is that too much to ask when I'm seriously sick? I think that there should be some kind of system that whenever people feel like crap, legitimately, that they should be able to plug into this machine long enough for it to confirm sickness and feeling bad. That info relays to your boss or school and you don't have to go until you're better. Wow that went a little south. Didn't mean to go on a tangent lol. I just want to feel better! I'm ready for warm weather, beach trips, flip flops, etc. For now I'm fixing to do exactly what I just mentioned. Lay in the couch, earl grey in hand, tv on. American Pie!! Classic fun :)

Sorority Life :)

I love my sorority! We had a meeting tonight; while there I couldn't help but look around at my sisters and be extremely happy! There are about 65 amazing girls that I might have never had the opportunity to meet. Girls that are all different, interesting, and unique. It is such a comfort to be sitting in our house, and feel perfectly at home. I can be me, and not have to think twice about anything. I can't help but feel like an idiot though. Bc I always knew that I wanted to be in a sorority, but didn't rush my freshman year bc of one certain individual! I HATE that now!! I have missed out on two years that could have made my pretty awesome college experience even better! It is also sad but true that my rushing as a Junior hurt my chances with a couple of the sororities on campus. It's understandable that they want "brand new" girls that way they will have the whole 4 years to be involved. Where in my case I'll have 2 maybe 2 and a half. The sorority that I am in is the best possible fit that I can imagine, but I can't help but wonder if it might have worked out differently had I rushed when first entering college. Greek life is so much fun. I have met so many people at the swaps and socials! I thought before that the Greeks were somewhat snooty, but there are snoots in everything. Most of them are genuinely cool people.

Of course there are bad aspects to anything. As the stereotypes go Greek, actually frat, parties are pretty intense sometimes. There is an abundance of alcohol, (absolutely no one cares about the legal age), there are people smoking everywhere (yuck), and I've even seen some people stoned out of their minds! The availability, of alcohol, was the temptation for me. Although I've just recently turned 21, my couple of drunk experiences took place before I was of age. So I have pushed past this aspect of soro life now. I don't want to be one of those girls that you see at frow (frat row) that can barely walk, or throws up all over the sidewalk. I've seen both of these and many more. Beside the humiliation factor of the next day and later events, there is my faith. As a Christian, getting drunk is not a very good way to show my love for God. I want people to see me as a shining example of a true Christian on my walk with Jesus.

So just remember that Greeks don't have to be drunks, sluts, rude, or rich kids. Thought for the day: Live the life you love, and love the life you live! :)

Okay...Didn't work so well

I tried mobile blogging. Somehow I managed to mess it up. I can't sleep, bc I don't feel so good, and I'm HOT! Probably because I'm still running a little fever from my cold, I've been going from hot to cold for the past few days. Anywho back to my mobile blog attempt. I was just sitting here thinking, and I felt like putting this thought out there. Everyday I see people. Lots of different people. Different ages, races, religion, you name it I probably see it at Troy University. There are people I see that are obviously sad and lonely, and this makes me feel blessed by what I've been given. I don't mean presents or even any kind of object. I'm talking about the ability to see God's grace and love for me, and being satisfied with just that and nothing else. I went thru a time in my life, not very long ago, where God was like an imaginary friend, not real to me. How absurd, right?! The One who made me and all things didn't cross my mind until I had done something bad, and didn't want to risk going to Hell for it. I had an eye opening experience, and realized that I was a poser Christian. I learned a lot about myself, and also learned that God was the only water that would ever quench my thirst, the only putty that would fill up my empty hole, and the only Father that would ever be by my side. I am now completely in love with God. I am burning for Him! Gods grace is a cooling breeze, and kiss of sunlight for my heart. So I say thank you Lord for saving my soul; opening my eyes. Thank you for your unconditional love. I love you with my entire being. <3 your ever praising creation Caitlin

First Blog

Well, here I am...blogging. I know several people who do this, and thought I'd give it a try. I am now a junior at Troy University, in Troy, AL. I do quite a few things at Troy. I am of course an active student, pursuing a degree to be an occupational therapist. I am in a sorority, not sure if I am allowed to say which so I'll just say "We're the girls in pearls and we have some fun. We've had a party goin on since 1851!", and let any other sisters figure it out, lol. I have a work study job with the Leadership department. I am also a Leadership minor, so that makes sense right? It may not sound like much when typed out like this, but it keeps me busy. So I will be posting on these things mostly, until May at least.

With my really challenging pre-med major I have registered for some pretty easy classes this semester. I'm pretty pumped about most of them. I'm taking 3 KHP, or elective, classes. SCUBA is definitely the one I'm most excited about right now. It's only a once a week class though, so we haven't really done anything yet. I'm also taking Beginning Yoga and Physical Defense for Women. That one should be handy bc there was a girl who got attacked this week. She was beaten and stabbed multiple times, so everyone has been really anxious around here, bc the guy is still on the run. Hopefully I can boost my GPA a couple of points with this class load. My scholarship chair in the soro will be happy about that! Jk, I keep pretty good grades.

Just a little bit more about me. I turned 21 on Dec 19; whoop whoop legally an adult now! Not gonna abuse the privilege though. I love college football! I could literally watch it all day long. So you can pretty much figure out that I like guys who either play football or are into it as well.  Not hard to find in the South, I just gotta find the right one! I am a Southern Baptist who is on fire for GOD!! He has blessed me in so many ways. I had the awesome opportunity to attend the New Years Conference in Nashville, TN. It is a Campus Outreach event. There were like 5 or 6 different districts there, with 1800 students. It was amazing! To be in a group of that many believers and worshipping was an awe inspiring sight for me. Being from a small town, and even smaller church, it hasn't always been that way with my worship. I was raised in an "old" church where we sang old gospel songs, and everyone stood completely still holding the hymnals. Now I can raise my hands to the Lord and move with the music freely. If you've ever been to a down south Baptist church you can understand how stiff it can be. I love God! I'm reading my way through the Word with the Daily Walk Bible. I want to deepen my relationship with God, and then learn how to share this beautiful gospel with others.

With all that said, I want to eventually find a guy who is just as passionate about Jesus. One of the BEST things I learned at NYC is not to worry so much about a relationship/possible relationships to the point that it becomes an idol. I was totally in this boat! We had a really great speaker on the subject. He explained how God should be the main thought on your mind, not the fact that this guys hot and I wonder if he would date me, etc. So I'm not worrying about a relationship right now. I'm gonna trust God to help me down the right path, and I know that one day when it's time he will bring me the right guy. If anyone else has this problem just pray about it; have a little extra quiet time with God about it. He won't let you down.

Goin a little more personal, I have one brother who is 29, will be 30 next August, and that is sooo hard to believe. He is so good to me, and I couldn't ask for more in a big brother. He's still single, and I worry for him. I pray for him quite a bit. I pray that God will provide the right woman for him. He's had some pretty rough relationships in the past, and I know they have helped to make him who he is now (better or worse?).  He doesn't have such a great relationship with God, and it scares me. I love him, and can't stand the thought of where he might go if he died tomorrow. He just doesn't wanna talk religion, or anything like that. So I don't know how to try anymore. If anyone who prays reads this, please pray for him if you don't mind. I know he could sure use it.

My mom is a sweetheart! She is 51, and is a school teacher. She teaches with the K4 program at Pike Lib this year. It has a blessing of a job. My grandmother, her mother, died this year in August; August 15 to be exact. I'll blog more about that later. I could write all night about it. My dad is 52, him and my granny had the same bday, so that'll be pretty sad from now on. He works at Sikorsky in Troy. They build helicopters there. I have no idea what part he works on, something close to the fuel cell lol. He's pretty funny!

I love cats, and dogs too, I just haven't had a dog since I was 13 and our lab Dixie died on my bday. I want another dog, I have the best name picked out! I don't know what kind I'd like to get. I either want another lab (black or chocolate), a weimaraner, or a great dane. I like big dogs!

I love movies, all different genres. Same for music, I have a lot of favs :)

I'm not sure what else to write now so that tells me I need to stop. Until tomorrow y'all have a good one and Roll Tide!

P.S. Go Trojans! If I'm gonna say Roll Tide I gotta rep my school as well :)