My dad made me aware of how much I have been neglecting this site...whoops. So, here's a catch-up post after several months of absence.

I believe the last time I posted was in October, or somewhere around there. I can't really remember anything significant that happened in November--other than some family members birthdays (my dad and cousin Heather) and of course the usual school and work business.

December--finished up the semester, did well grade-wise. Over the month-long break I managed to only be in Georgia at home for about a day and a half. I spent 5 days in Vancouver with my aunt, uncle, grandparents, and multiple cousins. Then, Lauren and I flew from Vancouver to Georgia only to meet up with our parents and fly down to Florida (all in the same day). The next day we hopped on a cruise and went to the Bahamas, St. Thomas, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and probably somewhere else I can't remember...anyway, we were on the cruise over Christmas. It was lovely, there are pictures posted somewhere on the internet of the cruise.

January--After coming home to Georgia for a day after the cruise, I flew down to Belize for a week-long missions trip--it was incredible. Loved every minute. Again, pictures are posted somewhere on the internet. Once coming home from Belize, Lauren and I drove up to Kentucky and stayed in her townhouse a couple of nights before heading down with a group from Danville to Roots in Alabama. Once returning from Roots, I had one day to get organized, and then classes started.

I've been keeping busy--quite busy. What with classes, work at the Sallie Center, work at the Danville Corps, church, family dinner, weekly Wednesday night Applebees' trips, songsters and band rehearsals, my weekdays are pretty packed full. This past weekend I went down with a small group to Camp Paradise Valley to help out with the KT divisional youth band--I'll be playing with them at the KT youth councils in a few weeks. I have a few more rehearsals coming up with the divisional band, all on weekends, so that's also keeping me busy. Next weekend the SASF will be traveling to Richmond, KY for a soldier's rally, the weekend following I believe Lauren and I will be driving down to Georgia to pick up her car (hopefully) and return to Kentucky. The weekend following that, the SASF has a ministry weekend, then I believe the next weekend is another KT divisonal practice, and then youth councils the weekend following that. AGH!

I'm ready for spring break. For the first time in quite a while I will be spending spring break at home. I plan on doing such things as: going to the Georgia Aquarium, climbing Stone Mountain & enjoying the laser show, watching a 3D imax movie at the mall of georgia--just for the fun of it, visiting the Atlanta Zoo, going to FernBank (if that is what it is still called...), and who knows what else. I have no idea if all those things will go through, but hopefully I'll be able to do at least a few of them.

I've applied for summer service corps--much prayer is going into that, and I'd appreciate prayer for it as well!! If accepted, I'll either be in Peru, Kenya, or somewhere in the states. I'm praying that my heart is kept open for where ever I am sent, and that even now God will begin preparing the hearts of those who will be on each team--and preparing the hearts of those who will be serving/ministering to/fellowshiping with.

My lovely roommate is doing well...she's busy being the artist she is and painting up a storm in our room. She's quite talented, and juggling a very busy schedule as well, with many classes and two jobs and SASF activities and so forth...pray for her. She's incredible, and God's showing her what her ministry will be through her talents. It's amazing to watch, but sometimes frustrating for her to figure out where-when-how further schooling will take place, and so forth. So, basically, keep her in prayer!

Well, it's late...I'm tired...and this could quite possibly be the most informative, and least interesting, post I've ever written! Hopefully I'll post again before several months have passed!

Time for a new entry, I'd say!

It's just about halfway through the semester I do believe, and this weekend is Fall Break...meaning I have one day with no classes! I know, big break.

I've been quite busy with classes and work and the like, so I'll leave you some tidbits of updates of what has happened lately:

• Vicki bought a fish. His name is Burbujito (translates: Little Bubbles)...we call him Bu.
• Tomorrow I'm going to Cincinnati for the day to shop at a Gap outlet. Yes...I will travel out of state for outlet mall deals...
• Next weekend I'll be travelling w/ the sallie band&songsters to Columbus, Ohio for a ministry weekend
• American Thanksgiving will be spent in Toronto, Canada...yes...I like to spend my Canadian Thanksgivings in America and my American Thanksgivings in Canada.
• Still working at the Sallie Center on campus--I quite enjoy it
• I carved my first pumpkin by myself...and I must say it was quite a success.
• It is only October and I have already purchased some Christmas presents...I know. I am amazing.
• I decided that I will be donating to Locks of Love as soon as my hair is long enough...and then I'll be bald. Meh...a small sacrifice
• I'm REALLY looking forward to Christmas break...I will spend time in Vancouver AND on a cruise in the Caribbean.
• Lauren graduates soon, and has found a roommate and a place to live in the area...yes. She'll be staying in Kentucky with me!
• I'm starting to run again. I realized I really missed running.
• The semester is going quite well...church at Danville is very fulfilling and challenging.
• I now have an accountability partner! It's something that I've been praying about.
• I have not been home...or even in Georgia...for the past 9 weeks.
• I miss my parents...and my kitty.

Relaxing is...

sitting in my dorm room eating frosted shredded wheat and drinking flavored water...mmm...

I like to post things in bullet fashion, so here goes:

• Asbury is lovely.
• classes are fantastic. I'm really enjoying the material
• excessive reading assignments are not so fantastic, but yet I still find myself spending most of my time in a book for one class or another.
• Bible/Theo major = the major for me. I'm quite pleased.
• dorm room FINALLY fully organized. pictures may be taken at some point...
• chapel has been spiritually fulfilling and challenging
• I'm ready for Christmas in Wilmore...yes, already.
• I'm VERY excited that Beth is living in Danville. I don't think I could have spent a semester without her. What would have become of the fabulous four?! Vicki..Melon..
• I thoroughly enjoy dancing stupidly and making up interpretive moves to songs while riding to Danville in a 15 passanger van. It will most likely become a habit.
• I must now endulge in more reading...wahoo!!

UPDATE!!!!!!!!

Shocked? Yup, me too. I'd pretty much forgotten about my xanga's existence.

Well, back from yet another summer at Camp Grandview (I know. Everyone's saying it, but too bad, you just read it again). In summary, this is what went down:

• met great new people
• campers were hysterical/emotional/trying/annoying/lovable/impatient/and I absolutely loved them all.
• God moved...amen!
• name changed from Andie to Aaaaandreaaaa
• had great co-counselor
• lost 10lbs
• acquired Newfie guy
• realized my life was actually a "black abyss"

Since being home from camp, the following has occured:

• continued to reside in the dark hole of existence...haha
• been bored out of my mind
• packed for Asbury
• gained back 5lbs
• still have Newfie guy

Lauren and I take the trek up to Asbury tomorrow, leaving at some absurd hour in the AM as to avoid as much traffic as possible.  That and Lauren must be there before 4pm to check in/sign in/move into her apartment. I, unfortunately, shall be in my dorm room for a few days alone, since my roomie doesn't get to Asbury until Monday. How. Dirty!

A big hello to all those who read my sight, yet never comment! It's okay. I understand. I do the same thing.

I would post pictures of something deep and meaningful...but I don't seem to have any pictures that meet those requirements. Oh well.

Take care all! I shall write again soon...I'm sure...

Homecoming....or Coming Home?

Homecoming : generally associated with the high school dance for which ridiculous sums of money is spent (on dresses, limos, tuxes, flowers, pictures, etc.) and something which I never enjoyed.

Coming Home : what my sister and I engaged ourselves in last Thursday from 2:30-8:59 (a bit sketchy on the actual times, but it took us just under 6 1/2 hours to get from Wilmore, KY to Lawrenceville, GA...quite amazing).

Being home is strange...apparently there is some myth of fun-filled summer days after sleeping in.  I am here to attest to the fact that it is just a myth! Fun-filled? Hardly. My friends at home are all taking courses over the summer and so I am left to lounge around the house all day until June 6th, when my orientation for camp begins. Sleeping in? I certainly haven't been! I'm waking up around 8am for absolutely no reason at all!

However, I am quite excited about being home with Kochka (the family kitty) whom, I have recently learned, likes to play "fetch" with a broken rubber band.  My family has never owned a normal animal, that is another thing to which I can attest.

I do miss Asbury...and Danville...and family dinner. Yesterday just wasn't the same without gathering around the TVO tv in the basement of the Bell's house and watching American Idol and Gilmore Girls.  I truly miss going to Danville on Sunday, but it is good to be home at Lawrenceville with the Westmorelands.(An aside : Capt. Bobby Westmoreland certainly gave the corps a good laugh when he admitted *and showed* to the congregation that he had put on his wife's knee-high stockings which he mistakingly assumed to be his socks)

All this free time I have for the first couple weeks of my summer is giving me plenty of time to dive into With Christ in the School of Prayer by Andrew Murray.  It's an excellent little book that I picked up on my hall's free table and is certainly helping me to continue with the prayer study that Jonathan and Catherine Fitzgerald lead this past semester.  I know I've barely even scratched the surface of the power and importance of a strong prayer-based relationship with Christ, and I'm eager to continue learning and growing!

Please pray for the kids that are going to be at Camp Grandview, and all other Salvation Army camps, this summer.  Some of them desperately need to see/feel/experience the awesome love of our Savior!  Also pray for the camp staff...that they may be empty vessels for Christ to pour his extravagent love into so that they may pour it out all over the children at camp. Enjoy your summer!!