A New Chapter Begins

I first blogged during the summer of 2008 while I was serving as a summer missionary and Journalism intern in Alaska. Check out http://alaskamissions2008.blogspot.com/ to read about my adventures in Alaska! Lately I've been reading a lot of my friends blogs and have decided that I should start blogging again. There are so many things coming to a close in my life, as well as some new things happening. It is sad in some ways, but also exciting! I guess you could say that it is a bittersweet time in my life.

Things are beginning to wrap up as I finish up my time in Clinton, Miss. I've thoroughly enjoyed my past four years here. I have been blessed with a great workplace and church, as well as amazing friends and professors. A few weeks ago the Communication department had a nice lunch for all of the graduating seniors. The following picture is from the lunch, as follows: Rebekah Langley, myself, Mrs. Kucia, Hannah Loden, Dr. Fortenberry, Vicki Williams, and Ms. Seawright. Last night I worked my final shift at the Baptist Healthplex. Virtual tour: http://www.mbhs.org/med_serv/wellness/healthplex_clinton_video.htm It is such a nice fitness facility and I will miss the staff and members. I am glad to be hanging up my six year career as a lifeguard though! I hope to continue to teach private swim lessons on the side.

I am also going to miss my friends and church. Pinelake has been such a place of growth and encouragement for me. We had our last small group Bible study get together on Monday night. We had some delicious hamburgers and a nice time of fellowship. I've enjoyed going through Crazy Love this year, and also want to read Francis Chan's book--Forgotten God. Tonight will be my last night at Pinelake. I will really miss working with the kids each and every Sunday morning. I hope that I'll be able to find a church in Nashville that I can call 'home'. Here is a fun video that they played on Sunday at Pinelake, what kids have to say about heaven: http://vimeo.com/11436275

College is coming to a close. I'll graduate from Mississippi College with my Bachelor of Science in Journalism this Saturday at 10 a.m. My family is coming in on Friday to celebrate with me! Then on Sunday we will drive back to Tampa. This is about a 10-11 hour drive, and we will have three vehicles since my brother will also be driving home from college. Michael will finish up his first full year at MTSU today! I'm so proud of him, and know that he will be a great pilot one day. It's hard to believe that he has already flown solo multiple times!

I'm looking forward to being home and getting to see some of my friends and family that I haven't seen since New Year's/Christmas! I was in Colorado for spring break and then in Memphis for Easter, so I haven't been home in quite awhile. The two things I'm anxiously awaiting next week are: going to see my grandparents and hanging out with Sarah. On Wednesday of next week, Sarah and I are going parasailing!! I have a lot to do in the 6-7 days that I'll be home.

For those of you who are not familiar with LifeWay Christian Resources, I will be working at their corporate office, not at one of the bookstores. I'll most likely head to Nashville in 10 days and then on May 17 I'll start full-time work at LifeWay! I interned there last summer in the Childhood Ministry Publishing department. The vision for LifeWay is"As God works through us...We will help people and churches know Jesus Christ and seek His Kingdom by providing biblical solutions that spiritually transform individuals and cultures."

I will be doing contract work for 6-12 weeks while Lynn Cowan is on maternity leave. Again this summer I'll have an office with a window. I don't know how I managed that again, but I'm so thankful. I will be living with Alyssa Reeves this summer. We interned together last summer and now she works full-time as a Production Editor at LifeWay! She is a triplet and a 22 year-old from Kansas.

I will be editing a lot this summer, but I am also writing for Bible Express and Adventure. These are two of LifeWay's devotional magazines. I participated in the Adventure Writer's Conference online, which was a neat experience! I was able to hear everything live on my laptop, and although I did not have a mic hooked up, I was able to ask questions and respond live through chat.I'm really looking forward to being back in Nashville! Be in prayer for those still dealing with the flooding.