Called to be uncomfortable.

Happy Wednesday :)

So, I am feeling very encouraged today. Yesterday was a bit hard for me. I was strangely feeling super homesick and missing all my friends and family so much back home. I seem to have these moments where I just feel bad about myself or sulk for minute. I will wish I could just all my friends and family out here or I wish I was sitting in the living room with my friends in the good old 304. I will wish I could have lunch "Honest Hour" with Tyler, Chels, Jordan, Ben, Tony..whoever joined for that day. I will wish I was watching Pitch Perfect with my Senior ladies or watching Catfish with the roomies. I will wish I had a car to get around on my own or have my "favorite spot" to just digest my thoughts on paper, play music, pray, basically just detox. Then..it happens. I just feel like when I do have these moments, God shakes his head and is like "Lyndsie, do you see what I HAVE blessed you with?" I then realize, I am lucky to even have these wonderful relationships with people to miss and appreciate from a distance. I am lucky enough that my school and family could afford to let me come to Loma, I am lucky enough to have the opportunity to come here, I am lucky enough to learn more about myself by being alone, I am lucky enough to be by one of God's most beautiful creations: the ocean, I get to see the ocean from my room, I am lucky enough to meet new people and learn from them and create long lasting friendships here, make connections, learn more about my major in a complete different environment but more importantly... I am blessed with the opportunity to be uncomfortable.

Yes, uncomfortable. I was reading a dear friends blog post today and it just really hit me in the face. She was naming her new year resolutions and the last one just slapped me.

This is what she said: " I want to get uncomfortable more."

Like okay God, I hear you.
MAN. I mean, Life is way to short to not stretch your mind and your worldview. Being uncomfortable means going somewhere, doing something, saying something you would normally not. Isn't that what God calls his followers to be: more uncomfortable.
I am just so stuck in being comfortable in the last 2 years. That is so not me and her post really just helped me realize once again, God doesn't want me to be comfortable. Comfortable for me is being around people I do know, watching pitch perfect, walking into Thomas, Yerxa and Madtes classes, it is going to my favorite spots, having a car, knowing or coming in contact with people I know every day. But the thing is God gave me this opportunity, he said Lynds, go somewhere where you know no one. Explore what is outside of what you know. I am sooo beyond blessed to be able to have this chance. I am so happy that I took that leap of faith and I am so happy to be here at Loma. It is beautiful and I have already met so many great people. I can not WAIT to see how God stretches me. I have honestly felt like God was at a distance lately. I am just blessed by wonderful friends and this life. I am thankful today. I am thankful for the day's to come.

Thank you Chels. You helped me get put in my place yet again. Love you girl and thank you Lord for putting her in my life to shake my head up and open my eyes a bit wider.

Hope you are all enjoying the sunshine, snow, rain, whatever it may be. Hope you are enjoying every minute of it :)

Luke 7:23
.."Blessed is the one who who does not lose faith in me."

This is a picture from last night's STUNNING sunset I was talking to my friend Abbie from back home and my roommate Kristin runs in and is like "Lyndsie..Lyndsie..open your blinds now. Do you see the sunset? Welcome to San Diego."

xoxo,
Lynds

We've got more bounce in California

sdfkjdhjkgdsfgsagfkdsjhfkl!

That is how I feel right now. haha! I have so much to catch you all up on!
Well, let's see.

First off, got an A on my quiz just now. Side note: Super pumped right now.

Okay but seriously, last week was a wonderful week. A lot of just hanging out with new friends, trying new things. I made it a goal of mine to try something new every single day, whether small and simple or large and crazy. I think this way, I will enjoy the little things just as much as the big. My lovely best friend bought me the cutest journal called "The Happiness Project" which allows me to write 1 to 2 sentences a day about what brought a smile on my face for that particular day. This is where I have been recording mine. So.. I'll share some with you!

Jan 21, 2013: Watched the Bachelor tonight with a new group of wonderful ladies and am OFFICIALLY part of a Bachelor fantasy league. I know, it's awesome and I am not ashamed. :)

Jan 22, 2013: Ate outside of the PLNU caf for the first time today. YAY warm weather. 75 degrees out!

Jan 23, 2013: Got told I look like I could be an native Australian. Biggest compliment EVER. haha! Now can we arrange for the accent to take place..about..now? :)

Jan 24, 2013: Tried Thriftys ice cream for the first time ( A thing you HAVE to do in Cali) ALSO drove in Cali for the first time. Wooop woop!

Jan 25, 2013: On my way to LA for the very first time eva! Tried/ saw soooo many different things with Shel.

Jan 26, 2013: Saw the Hollywood sign, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, met someone new, tried a Sprinkles Cupcake. Started reading a new book. Watched a new movie. ( This was a day of A LOT of "new's"

Jan 27, 2013: Designed something that I can't share quite yet but am super excited for. (Hint: something for my best friends Bridal Shower) :)

See, it is so MUCH fun to already look back a week ago and see what I wrote. I reccommend this for anyone! :) It really is super cool and it you don't feel like you have to write this loooooong journal entry, that takes up all this time. It takes 60 seconds and is one to two sentences. It is great.

So, LA was a blast. I posted a few pictures on Instagram if you don't follow me but want to, my name is Lyndsiemarie37. But incase you do not, here are a few pictures anyways:

The FAMOUS Hollywood Sign

 

Dolby Theatre

 

 

Shel, Nicolle and I at Sprinkles

 

They had a cupcake vending machine. I need one in my house! haha :)

 

Smores flavored :) Graham cracker crust, molted chocolate filling and a real marshmellow on top scorched.

 

Coronado Beach is gorgeous! This is the day when it was 80 degrees out! Hello January!

 

Kristin and I at Basics

 

Roomie ( Adilene) and I trying THRIFTYS

 

SEAWORLD!

SHAMU!

 

Okay, I am sorry for the picture overload! Enjoy your day! :)  ESPECIALLY the simple things.

 

xoxo,

Lynds

Just be.

Gah, it's January and I am laying on a pink towel in a oversized Oakley tank, Pacsun shorts in 80 degree weather..in SOCAL. Is this real life?

I forget that it's winter about every day, until I have to write the date on something...then it hits me like..woo! :)
I talk to all my friends back home and they are all bundled up in layers in 8 degree weather. This is probably a good time for me to thank God again for this cool, cool opportunity. Or shall I say (warm, warm) opportunity. ;)

I have to admit, it has been a weird transformation for me. Weirder than I thought it would be. I am normally the girl who can go anywhere without talking to my parents/family for weeks. Not because I don't love them or miss them, but I just enjoy my independance and get lost in the "new" but this experience is a bit different. I want to talk to my family and friends back home as much as I can. I guess this is me just getting older, realizing what is important. Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying every moment here in Cali. I love all the new friends I make and am sure I will continue to. It is like I am in a funk but at the same time, I'm not at all. haha! You are probably thinking, Lyndsie..what does that even mean? I know, believe me, it's weird but I mean...I am about to be going through SO many life changes. I graduate in 3 1/2 months! AHH! Holy smokes. Who knows where I will be working, living, involved in, anything. Everything could change drastically in 4 months. I am so stinking pumped but terrified all at the same time. My roommates and I were talking today about where we thought we were going to be when we graduated and were looking at jobs. Two of them want to move to Europe and work there for about 6 months and asked me if I wanted to and then my other friend totally is up for me living with her in Nashville, I could always work in Cincinnati or Columbus or even here, in Cali. It is all just so crazy, it so crazy to think about the endless possiblities.
I do not feel prepared at all. But is that okay? Is this an opportunity for me to trust the Lord with all I have; that whatever lies ahead of me, will be perfect in that moment? It will be just what I need at that specific time. When I really take a moment to think it about it all, I mean this time last year I was applying to attend PLNU in Fall of 2012 not knowing if I would even be able to come out here..and look..I am here. Maybe I am just being reminded today that every day is a blessing. No matter what happens. The fact that we are able to wake up in the morning, able to breathe after a quick run and are able to sleep in a bed at night is the best blessing in itself. Why is that so easy to look over? Why is that not enough for some of us or all of us?
Sometimes I just forget about living in the moment because I am so worried about making that "moment" happen or too anxious about the future. It is so hard for me lately to "just be or just live" as my mom would say. I get so wrapped up in all the whoop la of my day, or the next day, next week, next month, next year...that I don't even focus on today. I am always worried about figuring things out on my own.
The truth is I may not have tomorrow. We never know. All I know is, is that I want to be more thankful for every day that I have and to just BE. God wants us to enjoy life, not take it too seriously.

I read two verses today that really just hit home with everything I was thinking about.
Psalm 52:8
"...I trusted in generous mercy of God then and now."

Proverbs 3:5-8
" Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure everything out on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do; everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume you know it all. Run to God. Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life."

Hope you can take a moment to "just live" and be thankful for all you have and who God has made you and will continually mold you to be. Praying for anyone who reads this post. I love you and you are awesome. Hope you have had a FABULOUS tuesday :)

xoxo,
Lynds

Driving up Lomaland Drive

Hello, San Diego!

Woooo! Made it here safe and sound. I know I am so delayed on posting this thing but hey..it's me and I am late for everything. But fashionably late is an exception, right? :)

Well man where do I start?
Lets see, I flew out on January 4th with my momma, grandma and my practical third grandma Mildred. Oh my word, let me tell you something. I am already awful at packing but packing to live somewhere for four months trying to be a minimalst was a bit difficult for me and believe me I hate admitting to that but I am so one of those people who overpack, they pack for a month when they will only be there 7 days. haha. But I think I did alright and walked out of the house with 2 bags checked and one carry on. We arrived at San Diego, CA around lunch time and was able to check out the school and man, is this school one of the most beautiful school's I have ever seen? I think so. I am so grateful to be able to go to a school like this. Thank you God, Mount Vernon, and Mom and Dad. It is seriously gorgeous. I have a little sliver of an ocean view from my apartment window and will never get sick of it. We got to check out many cool places around the area before I moved in. Balboa Park and Coronado Beach were my two favorites. So pretty and we loved the little birds at Balboa that would sit on our arms. So cute.

One of my bags I checked. Jammed Shut. 

People out in OB have an obsession with cows? We aren't sure. haha

Sunset view from Ocean Beach that a new friend showed me.

My room when I first got there. SO BARE. 

Marrisa, Kristin, Sara and I hiked up the La Jolla Cliffs on Sunday. So stinking pretty. That is the day I decided I am SO going to go para gliding while I am here. :) ( Mom you freaking out yet? :))

So...Jan 7th I moved in. Everyone is SO nice here. I was so happy to see that everyone was so friendly to one another. I am so used to our Midwest charm haha ;) that I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was so happy with the outcome. It is very different here. All the way from the scenery, location, people, classes and even to the new slang like "gnarly and wicked".  But a good different. I got really lucky with my roomates, they are the absolute sweetest. Their names are Kristin, Marissa and Adilene. I now share a room with Adilene and she is so bubbly and fun. I know her positive attitude with everything will be so nice to be around. Everyone here is so driven and so talented and beautiful. Let's just say these girls have "The Bachelor" parties. I think I am going to do great here. :)haha!  

But aside from all that, California is totally about opportunity and I am so ready to explore that. Already trying to go to the beach or cliffs as much as I possibly can, and am always trying to catch the sunset every night. Have already met some super cool people.  I can not wait to get more involved on campus and in the community. I have already been to a lot of sweet places in just the week and a half I've been here, can't imagine what's to come. I am incredibly blessed to be able to have this experience and can not WAIT to see what God has in store for me the next four months. Know though, that I miss you all so freaking much and am always keeping you in my prayers from a far! :)

That's all I have for tonight but stay tuned :)
and have a gnarly weekend!

xoxo,
Lynds