Life on the Road

Naturally with this time of the year its hard not to get overwhelmed by all the awesome things we are blessed with. So since one of those things (along with all the obvious - friends, family, etc.) is my job. I've decided to dedicate a blog about my favorite things, some random things about traveling, and a few things I wish were different.

1. I enjoy all the miles and points. Definitely a huge bonus with this job (one of my bosses in our meeting called himself a points whore). Haha but its so true. You spend a long time collecting all these points and its fun to watch them grow.

2. I really like collecting hotel keys. They are everywhere in my apartment, bags, purses, wallet, and sometimes I get them confused. My favorite is the Hampton Inn key because on the card key it reads, "Welcome to _____." So its a fun little reminder of the places I've been.

3. My favorite hotels are Hilton's. Of the Hilton family my preference is the Homewood Suites. The Homewood has separate rooms or a studio flat where there are distinct divisions between living spaces. When you stay in a hotel for weeks on end, its nice to have a kitchen area, living room/work area, bedroom/bathroom area. It feels more homey. They also have a welcome home reception between 5-7 and have complimentary cookies, snacks, and adult beverages. Some of my favorite ones have had a big fireplace with books all around the lobby area and it feels kinda like a library.

4. I'm able to travel over the weekends. Whether that's flying to another cool place, or to just stay and explore the city I'm in.

5. I'm hoping to visit all 50 states.

6. I love meeting all kinds of people. It's one of the best parts of my job. I just finished with Utah- they were really weird but I liked them a lot.

7. Every place I go has something I wish I could bring back to Texas and share.. Show-and-Tell.

8. I enjoy everyone I work with. Being on-site can have its challenges because being with anyone for several weeks can be hard, but it's a cool/weird kind of family. We are together non-stop for a few weeks (traveling, working, eating) and then we might not see each other for months. But when you do, you pick back up where you left off. I'm fortunate to have some people I really get along with and wish I could have known sooner.

9. Traveling is a double edge sword. I love seeing places, meeting people, people watching, but it can get tiring getting on and off airplanes, messing with travel arrangements, reservations, and dumb people.

10. I never travel without my iPod, iPod speaker, bible, chapstick, hand sanitizer, and a book.

11. I wish I had more time to spend with friends and family. I love the travel, but it makes it hard to have real connections or close relationships with people back at home (or wherever they might be). This job has made me realize how intentional you have to be with the people in the life and making an effort to build those relationships.

12. I miss Sundays. I miss waking up when my body does and slowly enjoying the morning. Getting ready for church without an agenda playing in the back of my mind of all the packing/traveling that needs to be done in the last hours of the weekend. I miss lazy Sunday afternoons. I miss Sunday Night church and dinner with friends. I miss telling stories before bed and catching up with roommates after a long and crazy weekend.

13. I like trying local restaurants.

14. Assuming all my clothes are washed, I can pack in less than 5 minutes. If you attempt this, don't forget your toiletries, chargers (phone, ipod, computer), and under garments.

15. I really really like driving all the different types of rental cars.

Notbroken

So I had the privilege of going to the Goo Goo Dolls concert again in Chattanooga. It was, of course, excellent, but John was telling the story of the song "Notbroken". Its a really good song but the story behind it is even better so I wanted to share it.. After one of their concerts, a lady was talking to him about how her husband had gone away to the war and come home paralyzed. The husband was skeptical about moving back in with the family because he had changed so much and didn't think he could be the person he was before he left for Iraq. John wrote this song as a love letter for her, and others like her, for him to come home. He couldn't help wondering how many other people, who had served our country, were facing this issue upon their return.

Click to listen: Notbroken

May the mighty Lion of Judah, the Holy King of heaven, the Righteous Judge, who will weigh the nations and everyone in them in just and perfect scales, fill you with the true, deep, rich, utterly delightful, and comforting knowledge of Himself. May you, childlike, kneel; may you lovingly trust, even when he shatters your box and singes your hair. May you, lost in wonder, worship, love, and adore.

Airplanes

I've been flying in seat 17A the past 4 trips to and from Alabama. Here is what I've realized:

1) I prefer sitting by older men.

2) The drink trolly they roll around have every drink imaginable.

3) The overhead bins are bigger on the DEF side of the plane instead of the AB side.

Explanations:

1) On my way to Alabama 2 weeks ago, I sat by a younger women (approx 25). She was terrified of flying. If you know my friend Touchette and the way she hates big dogs, that is the exact way this girl was acting as we were sitting there and the stewardesses were cross checking for take off(what does that even mean?). She starts panting and blabbing on about how she needs a drink, but can't because they are so expensive then decides she might want to go ahead and order one anyway but she has to drive an hour home after she lands so its probably not a good idea, but because its just a small drink maybe it won't be effecting her by the time its time to land and she's collected her baggage. That went on, BEFORE takeoff. I looked up to make sure I was in the right seat, unfortunately I was. So I sat, ipod in hand inviting me to drown her out, but obviously thats rude while she's freaking out so I just sit there and listen. We take off, she's panting with that little barf bag in her face, the flight attendant had already come by to make sure she would be okay, see if she needed anything, then the attendant told me to call her if we needed anything. Awesome.

The Return flight:

There was another lady that I got to sit next to flying home (approx 50), has kids about my age and was flying to Dallas for a High School Reunion. She hated flying too. Luckily once we took off she was fine and she explained to me that she was just going to talk because she had to do something while the plane got going but I didn't have to listen. So I listen, she's planning her daughters wedding thats happening soon, nervous about her reunion, hasn't seen these people in forever, yada yada yada. I would chose her anyday over younger girl, but it was awkward when the conversation had reached its end and then what? We both just kinda shuffle around, look out the window, then I just tell her I have a magazine if she'd like to read it, thankfully she says yes and I pull out my book and all is good.

This past week was great. No delays. No issues with bags. No people freaking out because of flying. This round trip they gave me the can of whatever beverage I had chosen. It was good.

On the way I sat next to this little boy (approx 7) and his dad was taking care of the 3 kids. The dad and 2 kids were on the opposite side of the aisle. This little boy was next to me. He just sat in his chair, got hungry, so his dad gave him an apple. He starts eating it and its dripping everywhere. I hate being sticky, so I just keep an eye on him to make sure it stays on his side of the chairs. He eats the outer layer, then wraps it in his shirt. Twists it in there nice and tight and places the wrapped apple in between his forearm and bicep and squeezes. His dad comes over to check on him and ask what he's doing and he says he wants the juice out. His dad explains that the juice is good, and that his going to make his shirt sticky and smelly. His reply: "I don't care" so his dad says okay, and walks off. After his dad is gone the kid unrolls the apple from his shirt and leans his nose down to his shirt (instead of picking his shirt up to his nose) and smells it. I obviously laugh and he just continues eating his apple. The drink cart rolls by and I ask him if he'd like a drink and he looks at me and very seriously says, yes, tomato juice. I said are you sure and he said yes. So i told the lady and she hands it to me then asks for my drink order. By the time I get my drink he has chugged this tomato juice. Naturally I laugh again because what child drinks tomato juice and likes it? I've never had it so obviously i'm curious if its good. The return flight I order it. It's not good. It's thick. and smells HORRIBLE. gag. The rest of the time the kid just watches a movie on his ipod, (about an inch away from his face cause the screen is pretty little) and giggles. Funny kid.

The Return trip:

Board the plane, older man, we sit down and don't exchange anything but pleasantries. It was beautiful. I could just listen to my ipod, read, or look out the window. In conclusion, girls talk too much. Kids on planes are either really good or really bad. Luckily this little boy was good, but it could have been terrible. Old men are just cute and don't talk too much, and when/if they do its usually really funny.

2) As I explained in comment #1, I got the can of tomato juice. Well unfortunately I drank not even a sip and was stuck with the can and cup sitting there full. I looked wasteful, but couldn't bring myself to drink it. Props to that kid. He's a healthy little bean. But I'm glad I didn't go out and buy tomato juice. I decided to experiment with all kinds of drinks and never get the same thing. SO suggestions are welcome? What's your favorite drink on a plane? So far I've ordered Water, Cranberry Juice, Tomato Juice, and once I got nothing (but that was before the experiment).

3) This might seem like a duh when you initially read that because there are more seats on that side of the plane, but when you look at it as you walk thru the aisle, they are the same length, but the DEF go deeper, so to those of you who have trouble getting your luggage in, try the other side of the plane next time and see if it helps, it did for me.

Mini Update

So I know the point of the last blog was to catch up, but obviously that didn't work out so well. So I apologize again, but I don't think I could remember everything thats happened to even do bullet points. The last one was before I really started my job, and people have been asking about it so this blog is dedicated to work/life as an adult.

I started working In May and feel so blessed to not only have a job, but one that I love. There has been a lot of learning, but unlike most subjects in school, I actually care because it pertains to what I'll be doing each day. For those of you who don't know or that talked to me before I really even understood what I would be doing, in a nutshell, I work as an implementation consult and teach people how to use the company's software. Everyone that I work with is fairly young and a good amount went to ACU. It's been a lot of learning and there is still so much I don't understand, but I'm enjoying it and can't wait to see how these next few years pan out.

In the meanwhile, I'm still enjoying the job, but the adult life is another thing. I like working and being busy all day and having fun with people at the office, but I can't say I'm a huge fan of all the other things that come with being a grown-up. Before, I guess it didn't really hit me because I was working for my dad and still had a lot of flexibility, so the bills and stuff that were "adult-ish" kinda evened out. But now that I have work all day, pay bills, don't have summer vacations and celebrate my birthday by going to work all day then dinner/bed after, it just seems real old. I know I'm still young, but this year on my birthday was the first time it hit me that birthdays just aren't as exciting anymore. Don't get me wrong, there are definitely plenty of things I love about getting older that make it fun and exciting, but realizing that time of your life is over kinda sucks.

The 4th of July this year was spent at the Lake with lots of family and it was such a joy to be around so many people that you just love. Like deep love that you just know every one of them will be there for you always and no matter what. I don't know if I never thought about it before, or realized it before, but not on this level anyways. We celebrated my grandpa's 80th birthday and it was just so cute to see my grandparents and all their children. Family is such a blessing and I'm constantly overwhelmed by it.

These thoughts sound like I've been doing a lot of deep thinking lately, but I haven't really. Haha I've just been busy and when I stop to think and pray and just look around, I just can't help but be so thankful.

I'll post some pictures this week cause I think blogs are more fun with pictures, but I just kinda tired of being on the computer. :)

"Someday I will live in a house that's built by hands that hold the world..."

Tanzania is a new song I have been listening to by Alli Rogers thats really good. Check it out if you are looking for a good new tune, I love her lyrics though..

Someday I will wake,

where the earth is clean and safe

my children have a place to play

not here in Tanzania.

Someday I will live

in a house thats built by hands

that hold the world.

But someday I will wake

in a body that won't break

On ground that doesn't shake, not here.

And someday I will live

in a house thats built by

hands that hold the world.

So since I have been a little slack regarding pictures on my blog, here are a few favorites from this last month-ish..

Mol and Chris

The engaged couple!

The dinner we all made (it doesn't look as good as it tasted)

Seth, Carly and Bennnnn

Other side of the table after church!

THe group at Joe T's before the Josh Turner Concert in FW

Shay and I at the Rangers game!

Me, Zach, Travis, Alanna, and Lars after the Spazmatics (an 80's cover band) Concert. It rained the whole time, but we got to end up right next to the stage, Alanna and I got to get on stage, and it was just a blast dancing in the rain all night. If you ever get a chance to see them GO! You won't be disappointed!

I GOT A JOB!!!!

Well these last couple weeks I have been in the process of applying/interviewing for jobs. With the help of my Uncle Phil I was able to expedite that process and I interviewed with Homecare Homebase on Friday last week and today, they offered me a position as an Associate Implementation Consultant!! YAYYYYYY!!!!

Obviously I'm freaking out and today at work I probably won't get much done. I want to go frolic in the field and sing praises! God is so good. This is at perfect timing and I can't wait to start this new job. I will get to travel part of the time, be home for the other part of the time so it seems to be such a great balance for me! Also, I have a couple good friends in the office so that makes the prospect even more appealing.

It's such a beautiful day!! haha well I just thought I'd update the blog world. I'm gonna try to get some work done!

High's and Low's

It has been over a month since my last post. So to those of you avid readers (mom), I apologize! :) SO since I don't really remember everything that has been going on since my last post, I'm going to do my High's and Low's of March.

High's (working chronologically through March):

A mini road trip with Travis to visit the Hamiltons and Seth in WACO.

Snowboarding in Crested Butte with the Fam. Always loads of fun!

Kristin (a JH Ranch friend) came all the way from B'ham to visit for a couple days!

Molly and Chris came in from Cali for their Engagement Party

Primerica IPO. Now publicly traded on the NYSE!

Chad and Kelley Clinch got hitched.. (Justin's best friend) so it was great to hang out with him and his friends since I hadn't seen most of them in years!

Texas Rangers are now in season and I got to go see the Mariners with my lil sis! Even though she hates baseball, it was kinda fun to experience her first baseball game.

Lows/Prayer Requests:

Justin burnt his eyes in Colorado. That was more funny (for me, not him) than anything, and they have healed but that was an unfortunate part of the trip.

We managed to pick the 2 best travel days and got to travel to/from Colorado in a white out.

Dad is having heart complications. He's been going to a cardiologist to get some tests done, but keep him in your prayers as we try and figure out what's going on

Katie (Mack) Browder's momma is a constant in prayers as she continues fighting cancer.

On a lighter note, I'm applying for jobs and have had interviews this week (Monday and Friday) so just prayers that the Lord opens doors if one of these positions is right for me!

That's all I've got.. Things have been so busy and I just kinda forgot or didn't feel like blogging, but now that I'm up-to-date it won't be as much effort and you will start seeing my random thoughts again.

Finding Kind

I am super excited for Mol and Lauren in this and just wanted to share this:

Here is the link to their trailer (scroll down and click on Watch Trailer right below the picture)!!

This is the main website to check out more of what they are doing: Kind Campaign Website

Looks like Love

This morning I was listening to some of my favorite music that reminds me of the JH Ranch and I started looking through old things, notes, pictures, etc.. I stumbled upon some things from when I was in Georgia and found a sweet note that I had written that I thought I would share:

There was a little boy who was about 8 years old. He was autistic. If I remember correctly he was H1N1 positive and we were trying to start an IV to get some fluids and medicine in him. Knowing that we would only be able to poke him one time before he completely lost it, we had to do it right the first time. His mom asked if she could come in while we were starting it, but we said no as we typically don't encourage parents to be in there because its harder to get stuff done with the kids freaking out and reaching for their parents all the more. As we were putting the tourniquet on and cleaning the area with alcohol prep pads, he begins freaking out. At this point he is absolutely hysterical and it seems as its going to be a challenge to even calm him down, much less get his IV going. We allowed the mom to come in with hopes of calming her son down. She came right beside him on the bed and grabbed his face. She had her hands around his face (kind of like blinders) and her face was right in front of him so they could only see each other. She said, "look at me!! Look at me! Look at me... 1... 2... 3..." He slowly joins in as he's calming down, "4... 5... 6... 7... 8... 9... 10" until he stopped freaking out and was focused on her. In the midst of that the nurse had still been holding his arm and just rubbing over the spot where she would poke him but as he was focused on his mom the nurse poked him and by the time they were done counting she had poked him and had him ready to go.

It was such a sweet moment to witness because you could tell that was their thing. What she has probably done with him countless times in order to help him relax. Later I started thinking about how the Lord desires us to do the same thing. If we would just focus on him instead of the the chaos and confusion around us it would make every situation better.

Change of Time

I have nothing in particular to write about but these are just a few things that have been on my mind lately..

I don't understand why its so cold. A constant cold. In Dallas. I think it has to be some kind of record because the constant cold temperature around these parts is unheard of. I'm ready for it to be warm. Not hot. Not 110 degrees, but 70 with a slight windchill would be nice. :)

As I prepare to head to Abilene for Sing Song I think of all the crazy things that will happen this weekend and I'm a bit overwhelmed. I can only imagine how many old friends and familiar faces I will see and I can only wonder how many names I will remember. I laugh at how we have slightly overcommitted our car to hold not just us 4 girls but an additional 4 people.. Should be interesting. The entire idea of Sing Song is absurd to me. I'm not hating on it as I have been apart of it, but I think the idea of it, how big of a deal it is to people is something I don't think I will ever understand.

I am on this never ending journey to figure out what I really want to do with my life I have begun to realize that the big decisions don't really matter. Alanna (my roommate) recently got a job and 2 days into it she has begun to dread going to work.. To her credit she is still just learning the ropes and doesn't have much responsibility and doesn't know a whole lot of people, but I think we have this perception that a job will magically fix things because it is our focus throughout college and even after. Although it does help in aspects, it's not an end all. I've realized that you never really arrive. Even if you try so hard to obtain something, after the excitement wears off, its not usually as great as you thought. The grass is always greener. It's the stolen moments.. like waking up to coffee already made, or sitting watching ridiculous television shows for hours, or late night conversations. Those are the ones that are the precious ones- the ones that have nothing to do with big life decisions or figuring out answers.

I have a few favorite words right now: ticky tuck, amoebic, bam bam, and shaggy. I don't know why so please don't ask.

I think I might take a break from the book. I have thought about it again as I sometimes get annoyed with all the commotion on there. So if I disappear off facebook for a while, don't fret. I'll be back whenever I get bored..

The Bruised Reed

Since I have been back in Dallas I have found a church that I absolutely adore! The Village Church has just opened the Dallas Campus in September and I am so blessed that it is close enough that I get to attend weekly. So this is mainly about what I love and why I love this church:

Matt Chandler is our lead pastor and he is such a gifted communicator. He was recently diagnosed with cancer and just had 1/4 of his brian removed due to a tumor. I am in awe by Matt. I love that he is going thru this time publicly and not being vague about what is going on. I think people need to see real faith lived out and not just the good sides, but every aspect of it. Matt does such a great job of keeping everyone informed about what is going on and allowing people to see how he and his family deal with this on a day to day basis. Things he chooses to tell his children, the ideas and mentality he and his wife share, and the questions they are asking. He is being so open and he given people a chance to go thru this with him and in that be able to see what the Lord is doing first hand.

"After conversion we need bruising so that reeds may know themselves to be reeds and not oaks. Even reeds need bruising by reason of the remainder of pride in our nature and to let us see that we live by mercy and mercy alone. Such bruising may help weaker christians not to be too much discouraged when they see stronger ones shaken and bruised. Thus Peter was bruised when he wept bitterly, this reed, till he met with this bruise, had more wind in him than pith when he said, 'though all forsake thee, I will not'. The people of God cannot be without these examples. The heroic deeds of those great worthies do not comfort the church so much as their falls and their bruises do (Richard Simmons, The Bruised Reed).

I love music. I love the worship at this church. I love the freedom that it allows. I love that people stand up and sing, feel comfortable raising their hands, or even to sit down and meditate to read or pray.

I attended our first meeting for our women's bible study. There are about 40 women but we are sitting in table of about 6-8 allowing for a little more intimacy. Its from 7-9 and a lot of weeks the girls get together before to eat dinner and fellowship. We are reading Ephesians and its a precept bible study. I have never done one of these but several of the women had done them before and love them. Most of the girls that had done it before said it was one of the things that they can point to and say not only increased their faith, but multiplied it. It's a lot of coloring (if you click on the link and click the picture of the workbook you can see what I mean) but everyone that has done it says that it really opens your eyes to different aspects of the word.. Each passage gets intensely broken down.. Kay uncovers context, encouraging you to look not only at the who, what, when, where, why, but also looking at how many times key phrases are used and the implications they have and why a certain word was used looking at the greek/hebrew words. More to come later after I have had the chance to figure out for myself what this will look like.

Some Kind of Wonderful..

So it has been a little bit since my last post, so I apologize to my avid readers.. haha but for real, I miss writing and now seems to be a good time to update. It's a rainy day here in dallas and it seems to be a perfect change. I love how the rain seems to slow people down. The change of pace is welcomed and its been refreshing to take a deep breath and re-screw my head on straight.

Here are some things going on in my life in no specific order:

I'm currently working for my dad as his personal assistant and I am licensed to sell insurance but I don't do that aggressively at all. The main reason I got my license was because dad thought it was a good idea while I was working here that way I could write some business and make some extra money. And I thought this was a good idea because that way I have something more to show from my time here on my resume. We had our Leadership Conference this past saturday morning and the Gala that evening. It was hectic but there was a lot of planning and stuff to do, so needless to say, I'm glad its over.

I'm all moved into my apartment, which is nice. It's about 8 minutes away from work and I love that I don't have to get on any highways. I'll post pictures once we finish getting things hung up. We had it decorated but it was all Christmasy and now that we took all that stuff down it looks bare again. I would like to get pictures posted soon but since we are getting the majority of our decorations from second hand/consignment shops its more of waiting for things we like to show up in those stores. So well see.. These are the girls I'm living with:

Me, Alanna and Emily:

Emily, Me, Alanna, Paige (basically a roommate):

I applied for a little brother/little sister through Big Brothers Big Sisters while I was in Georgia and that process finally finished. I got a little sister last week, her name is Natashay (but she goes by Shay) and she is 13. We have hung out twice but she's still a little shy. I know this will change as she told the match specialist she gets in trouble at school for talking too much haha but I'm excited to get to know her better!

I'm currently looking for a new job. After being in Rome, I don't think Child Life is for me. I love the field, the idea of the job, I love the people I have been privileged to get to know along the process, but I don't think its for me. So.. back to square one. I don't know what I want to do but I know I can't work for my dad much longer. So we'll see where I end up!

Carly Hamilton came to visit this past weekend which was fun! I'm so blessed to have her not only as a cousin, but a good friend as well. There is a World Mandate meeting conference in Waco that I am thinking about going to which will be a great chance to learn and hang out with the Hamiltons!

Christmastime was good... I love the holidays. I love the music. I love the weather. I love focus and how people seem to forget and forgive. I love Jesus. I love the decorations. I love theChristmas lights. I love the specialty seasonal drinks at coffee shops. I love the baking. I lovefires in the fireplace. I love giving and receiving gifts. I love friends and family. SO here are some of my favorite pictures from the Holidays:

Thompson get-together's would be nothing without a little sport, This year: Soccer.

BUT I love this picture because I caught Bryce in the middle of getting Justin..

And the chase begins...

Making cookies!!

Cousin love

Grandparents enjoyin the festivities!

The parentals overseein the cookie business

Like father like son

Cousin Seth... There are no words

Summer and Ava being adorable..

The HAM'S!

Phil and Patsy!

Grandma beatin Bryce in Ping Pong

In the car to Rosa's

I love this picture

Summer, KP and Ava

All the new parents!

Notice the hands in the pockets.

Sweet Jude

Cousins

Brandon being sneaky..

Carly getting payback

Chris being a little too intense

Bryce probably up to no good

Poor Carly Ann

Diana just can't be normal for pictures... :)

Pierson being a walking target

Ben and Justin so excited about their new games

All the parents taking pictures after the gift exchange..

Kim came to visit TEXAS! Kim lives in Nassau, Bahamas doing mission work. The area is well known for the tourist attraction Atlantis. But all the area surrounding is crazy. She had her luggage stolen right out of her friends car. She's thankful they didn't get her purse which had her laptop in it, but thats never easy. She is working with her pastor from the discipleship school she previously attended. Here are a couple pictures from her visit!

The view from our Hotel looking left:

The view from our Hotel looking right:

The view from our hotel looking down.. The Alamo is the one running horizontally:

I had to take Kim on a tour of the Alamo...

Our Hotel: Emily Morgan!

Our cute hotel room:

Kim attacking her veggie sandwich at Bear Moon Bakery (A Mack/Browder favorite stop):