So Long Sweet Summer

Oh my. It has been too long since I posted last. Now, I am embarking on my final semester of school and coming to the realization that blogging could quite possibly take a backseat to my semester. Hopefully not though!!

First, I never updated about the book that I read during the month of July. I am sure you have heard lots of talk about this book and have probably heard the words, "wow", "challenging", "amazing", "so good", and "convicting." All true. I read the book Radical by David Platt.

It was truly one of the most challenging books I have ever read. David Platt is the pastor of The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama. He has taught all around the world and experienced so much from each place that he has been. This is so evident in his book. All I can say is that he basically talks about we, as believers, living our lives in a radical way. So often we...ahem...I, live my life on a day to day basis not being productive, not serving, or not loving the way that I should. I have found that my thinking is at times, "how does God and the gospel look and fit into my life" when it should be, "how does my life fit and look like Christ and the gospel." I would say that this is an unintentional way of thinking, but that would be me making an excuse. My life needs to be centered around the gospel and how I can better love others, serve others, and take the gospel to others. I can't even begin to pick just a few quotes from this book. All I can say is, if you are a follower of Christ, get this book, read it, and pass it on.

At the end of the book David Platt gives you a challenge. It includes five things to do over the next year.

1.) Pray for the entire world.

2.)Read through the entire Word.

3.) Sacrifice your money for a specific purpose.

4.) Spend your time in another context.

5.) Commit your life to a multiplying community.

You really should read it and hear David Platt explain things and hear the stories that he has of his visits to other places and also of people in his church. It will convict you but also encourage you at the same time. If I would recommend one book this would be it!

Anyways, finally I was able to update you on that. As I said, I am starting student teaching tomorrow officially. I am not really overwhelmed about school as much as just knowing that my life is really changing tomorrow. I mean, this is basically my job (although I am not getting paid). This is what my life will look like for a while. I am excited and anxious. It is nice to be starting a new chapter. Please pray for me as I start tomorrow. Pray that I will be a light in a dark place and that my time with the Lord is consistent and that I am constantly reminded that He is my strength!

Hope you all had a fun weekend! South folks, good luck with classes tomorrow!

The Windy City is Mighty Pretty....

WARNING: Long Post. Lots of pictures!

Sorry it has taken me a while to blog about the Chicago trip. Last Wednesday night we packed up and headed to LaGrange for the night then woke up bright and early Thursday morning to head to Atlanta for our flight. We arrived in Chicago at about 8:45ish. We grabbed our luggage and went to the train. We spent the morning and most of the afternoon shopping and seeing some of the sights.

Mangs and Pudge

Cool fountain that randomly spit water out...kids EVERYWHERE!

Ah...Michigan Avenue

Giant Bean...? Apparently a big deal...

Pretty sweet

Oh...DON'T WORRY! We found TJ MAXX!!

Pumped!

After we were shopped out we went back to the hotel to hang out for a bit before heading to dinner and the musical Shrek! We had the most amazing Italian food I have ever eaten in the Italian Village and Shrek was so much fun and so entertaining!

Mangs and Pudge and Sam and Cherry...she's great

The next day we woke up and went to Eggsperience for breakfast. Someone take me back right now.....I had chocolate chip pancakes and could taste every delicious calorie. We did a little more shopping then headed to Wrigley Field for the Cubs game. We were blessed to have amazing seats right behind home plate and in the shade!! Unfortunately the Cubbies had a not-so-great game but we still had a blast. After the game we headed to see more of Chicago and then to Giordano's for some pizza of course! So incredibly big and so incredibly delicious. By the way...we ate a lot of food while we were in Chi town. Whoops...

Check it out...Chicago knows what is up! Roll Tide

So good...

We shopped a little more the next day but most importantly we found my new love....Sweet Mandy B's. You don't understand. Best. Bakery. Ever. Their cupcakes, cookies, brownies.....heavenly. Must go back.....

For our last night we went to Navy Pier which was so fun and then had an even more fun cab ride home. Oh, and our driver was from Nairobi, Kenya! Crazy. We were able to talk about places we had seen while we were there and even gave him a thank you in Swahili on the way out!

We had such a fun time in Chi town! I hated to leave and come back. However, I hit the ground running on Monday morning. Student teaching pretty much has started. I am not required to go until the 23rd but I have gone to my school just so I could meet the kids and learn their routines. I have some adorable 1st graders and I am really enjoying it so far.

If you made it through that long post congrats! I promise I'll be back with my update about my book for July. Sorry it is taking me forever but I read such a great book so I'll have to share it soon!!

This Weekend

After spending time with Eric, Linds, and Virginia it was time to head home to Mobile. I had so much fun with them but was happy to be getting back. I had a special guy follow me home on Saturday and it was so so good to see him. I swear....three weeks is a long time! We spent Saturday afternoon being lazy and playing in the pool.

Sunday was my 22nd birthday. Not feeling too much older although 22 sounds a bit old to me. I suppose it is because there will be lots of changes that this next year will bring. Anyways, I am thankful for another year and I hope and pray I will be able to look back this time next year and say that I am closer to the Lord than I was. With all that said, the birthday was a success. I received a new mac from my parents. I was shocked. Yes, I had been needing a new computer but totally wasn't expecting to get it yesterday! Thanks mom and dad! And......from the best boyfriend ever.....Carrie Underwood tickets! I was pretty much shocked about that too. How unexpected! He is too good to me! October 23rd cannot get here soon enough!! Thanks love! So I spent the day with family and it was so nice. Perfect day.

This post is short and sweet and without photos. My apologies. I will be back with my book for July which I can hopefully write about before Thursday. This week is busy. I go and meet my teacher I will be student teaching for on Wednesday and that night we are heading to Atlanta and then to CHICAGO on THURSDAY! I am so excited!

Happy Monday Everyone!