Down to the wire.

This afternoon I received this email from HSOP, Harrison School of Pharmacy for those of you not up on the lingo:

"Region Selection-- we will open the selection period next week and I will email everyone when the link is live and include instructions. At this time, EVERYONE ( even those who have submitted special circumstances) in the class will need to log in and rank their preferences for each of our regions. This process will take 5 minutes max. The link will be live for 5-7 days. More details to follow next week. Students who fail to submit preferences will not get a choice in region.

Dr. Stevenson and I hope to have the information available 1 week later and I will notify you of region assignments. At that time students will have a week to make swaps with other students if desired. "

So basically, I'm flipping out. Rotation selections are officially inevitable. Sooo...I've decided to take a poll (top of the blog). There are 6 regions to rank, 3 days to rank them: Auburn, Birmingham, Mobile, Tuscaloosa, Huntsville, and Columbus. I may get my first choice and very well may get my dead last.

An afternoon of pros and cons has brought me to the main dilemma: Do I choose Auburn or Birmingham as my #1? Do I stick with the familiarity of the plains or learn to navigate the unfamiliar with a new Garmin? I know that God is good, He is faithful, and He is bigger than any decision I will ever make. Now that we've established the fact that it's not up to me anyway, I'd like for you to cast a vote. Just for fun. I'll be back with the results soon.

On a ligher note...I'm loving my new home and my new roommate. Here's a picture of our (very) casual first dinner in the living room. Thank you self-timer.

GPS

I will explain the title of this post eventually, but let me begin with this fact: the majority of our lives are spent waiting. Waiting in line at Kroger. Waiting for the light to turn green. Waiting to graduate. Waiting to get off work. Waiting on the Lord-- probably the most important, most difficult, yet most rewarding "wait" of all.

Hailee told me about a sermon series her church is going through entitled "The Waiting Room." I listened to the first sermon last week and the second one this morning after a failed attempt at an early morning run. God knew exactly what he was doing as he allowed the rain to literally pound me, sending me back home soaked and frustrated, yet prepared for Him to speak through the story of Abraham and Sarah.

No matter where we are in life, we are temporarily stuck in a season of waiting of some form. For Abraham, it was waiting for a son. It's easy to feel as though God has forgotten us, and I'll be the first to admit that I so often question when he's going to remember me. As the first sermon reminded me, God has not forgotten us. He is preparing us for whatever season lies ahead. So what do we do in the meantime?? Well, to state the obvious, we wait--and we systematically remember God's faithfulness to us in the past. Remembering what God has done for us gives us confidence to trust in what he will do for us.

So what's with the GPS??
G: express GRATITUDE for God's faithfulness
P: be PERSISTENT in prayer
S: SURRENDER what you are hoping & waiting for to Him

I'd encourage anyone to listen to this series by Jeff Henderson on the Northpoint Community Church podcast. This is a just a watered-down summary, as I interpreted it.

There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord. Genesis 12:8

7.11.09

Mary Lindsey and Chris tied the knot and Aliceville's population nearly doubled for the night. I think it's safe to say the entire town was at the reception. I'm almost positive those who weren't could hear the band from their living room.

Buttoning up the beautiful bride.

White House. Corner House.

Gettin' down with the Groove Factor

Mr. & Mrs. Chris Newlin! Jamaica bound.

RP for LIFE.

another one bites the dust.

I love Mark because.....

a) he wears bowties

b) he loves Kristen

c) his last name is DiCristina, meaning her's will be too

Meet the future Kristen DiCristina! If you don't have fun saying this name over & over & over again, something is seriously wrong.

For my Dad

His favorite movie is Sling Blade. He grills a mean hamburger. He likes nicknames. He quotes Napolean Dynamite and The Office regularly (don't worry, not in public). He would choose strawberry over chocolate any day. He loves to golf. He's always the first one awake. He can brew a pot of coffee that tastes better than Starbucks. He's loving. He's compassionate. He's humble. He's considerate. He's selfless. He's encouraging. He's a Godly leader. He's fun to be around. He's my dad. And I look exactly like him. Happy Father's Day, dad!


Dads really are a blessing. On the drive back today I couldn't help but think of those who have lost theirs. So...here's a Happy Father's Day to those who are absent from this world, but present with the Lord.

6.13.09

A day (or rather couple of days) to celebrate Kasey & Matt! A few pictures to recap the weekend, a FUN one at that.

Thursday night dinner at Baird & Mary Colleen's


Kasey with her charm cake at the Bridesmaids Luncheon


4H minus one


Mr. & Mrs. Matt Jenkins. Hawaii bound.


Wedding festivities are officially over.

Get in my belly

Auburn just got a new one of these.










*image from here

Trust me. You won't be disappointed.