1st Semester of College * CRUSHED IT

Hello all,
I got so wrapped up in finals and extracurriculars after Thanksgiving break that my blog totally took the back burner. Luckily for me this winter break will prove to be some well needed time to start writing about all my ideas I have!
       Lets just say that the first semester of college went by in the blink of an eye. Just four months ago I uprooted my life and moved in with a total stranger. Now I have a full handle on my academics and made many new friends. One aspect I know for sure about my life is I picked the right major. For any of you that do not know I am double majoring in Elementary and Special Education and minoring in Entrepreneurial Studies.
       I took a job at an elementary school and was placed in a kindergarten class. I ABSOLUTELY love my job and the children I get to interact with everyday. This helped me realize that my major is the correct major for me.
       Many have asked what I am going to do with my minor as my major and minor are not the "normal" mix. This minor was something I was extrememly interested in and hope to use for opening up a business in the future! I am excited to see where this journey takes me.
       I am so thankful for the inidividuals who have helped make this transition to college easier.


Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it. -Ezra 10:4

Lots of Love,

26 Days of Thankfulness

Throughout November I will be posting what I am thankful for each day.

1st- I am thankful for my life that God blesses me with each day.
2nd- I am thankful for my hometown and the beauty it provides. I did not realize how lovely my hometown was until I moved away.
3rd- I am thankful for my high school teachers and how they prepared me for college. I have a special place for my favorite teachers. I miss them dearly and hope to see them soon.
4th- I am thankful for my best friend and the happiness she brings to my life. I can contact her and she know just how to brighten my day.
5th- I am thankful for the college I attend, we can openly share our faith here. Just the other day we prayed for one of my teachers and his family in class. We dropped what we were doing and prayed to God. For this I will be forever grateful.
6th- I am thankful for my parents and how much the provide to me. I took them for granted in high school because I just expected that was what parents did. I do not want this attitude anymore.
7th- I am thankful for my dogs. Even though we annoy each other like siblings they listen to me and always know how to brighten my day. They also motivate me to be a better person towards animals and motivate me to work out.
8th- I am thankful for my opportunity to work with children. This is truly a rewarding job and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
9th- I am thankful for my friends I have made at college. I am blessed to know these God loving, God fearing individuals. They amaze me each day and I am blessed to be apart of this time of their lives.
10th-I am thankful for my country and the opportunites it provides me to thrive.
11th-I am thankful for the military personal who are serving our country and the veterans that fought for our freedom. I am also thankful for their families to allow them to be gone for extended periods of time.
12th-I am thankful to know where my next meal is coming from and not have to worry about being hungry.
13th- I am thankful to live in safe area where most of the time I don't have to be concerned with being harmed.
14th-I am thankful for my gift of being good with children. I enjoy being around them and teaching them new concepts.
15th- I am thankful for sharing similar hobbies with parents so we can marvel at the same things.
16th-I am thankful to live in a state that sees snow. I am unsure what I would do if I could not experiance its beauty.
17th- I am thankful for academics that challenge me and my views everyday. It is creating me into a better thinker and well rounded individual. I am also thankful for family that can come to my rescue in a time of need.
18th- I am thankful God created me and allowed me to live years ago. I am thankful for the nurses and doctors who took care of me when I was born. Without them and my parents there is a chance I would not be here today. I am thankful God spared me.
19th- I am thankful for the opportunites to serve others. I am thankful to God for providing me with a servants heart.
20th- I am thankful for SNOW!!!!!!
21st-I am thankful for my boyfriend. So blessed and excited to have him home.
22nd-I am thankful that I am blessed with a servants heart and found my passion in serving others.
23rd-I am thankful for trials that challenge my faith and allow me to grow towards God
24th- am thankful for the organization of Love Your Melon. They provide much help for pediatric cancer research.
25th- I am thankful for new friends I am constantly making each day.
26th- I am thankful for food and family God has provided me.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. -Ephesians 5:20

Lots of Love,

Ex Best Friend

An open letter to my ex best friend.

Dear ex best friend,
How is your life going? I haven't talked to you in a few years, but I would like you to know that I am still here for you.  I pray for you every night and hope college is blessing you. I know there are things I would like to share with you, but we have since parted ways.  I miss you, but I know its to late to mend our relationship. I miss the stupid things we did together and the inside jokes we had. I miss taking trips with you. I am thankful for your relationship with me and the lessons it taught. Through the years there are a few things I would like to thank you for. Thank you for allowing me to express myself. Thank you for showing me what it means to have a best friend. Thank you for letting me get to know your family. Thank you for showing me what it means to not be able trust someone. Thank you for showing me that it is okay to be alone. I appreciate everything we went through as it made me into a better person. I hope you have found a new best friend in college and that you two will be life long friends. I just know we weren't mature enough then to handle each others differences. By now we have both grown into better people and I believe our future realtionships will flourish from here. I was both blessed and cursed to know you as we experienced real laughs and real pain together. I ask God to guide you on a successful path for the future and that he will bless you abundantly. In college I hope you are creating the life you always wanted. Enjoy the coming years and thanks for being my once best friend.

He who walks with the wise becomes wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. -Proverbs 13:20

Lots of Love,

To God Goes the Glory

Are we giving credit where credit is due? Are you celebrating your success's with God? Are we sharing our failures as well? Growing up my mom always use to tell me to use the phrase "To God goes the glory." This phrase has really stuck with me throughout my years. This is something I use when I pass a test or I hear bad news during the day. I know God will take care of it and he will provide. We need to give credit to God for all the beautiful things he provides to us during our daily life. God gets the glory when we thank him for waking us for another day of life. Every good and bad experience that happens in our life is because of God's plan. He is orchestrating everything we need to do to honor him. Praise God for the A on your test, Praise God for the crappy cafe food, Praise God for the little kids who make your day, Praise God for blessing you with  a job and a house to sleep in. These simple objects we take for granted everyday are brought to us by God. As Christians we need to give credit where credit is due.

Dear God,
I thank you for waking me up to another day of life. I ask that you bless me with motivation and strength. Please clear my head of any distractions that prevent me from serving you. I thank you for loving me and never giving up. Thank you for directing me towards a school that honors you. I want to walk beside you all the days of my life. Thank you for blessing me with my job, my home, my food, another day of life, my relationships and thank you for blessing me with the ability to express my faith. I thank you for this beautiful creation we live on and I thank you for creating me. Please direct my heart to glorify you. Amen.

Thanking God is a prayer you can pray everyday. It never gets old to thank him for your life here on earth. I encourage you to thank God tonight for your life, as you never know what tomorrow will bring.

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
-1 Corinthians 10:31

Lots of Love,

Finding Your Peace

College literally takes over your life. When you are trying not to gain thirty pounds from the crappy cafe food, you are trying to write a seven page paper that is due tomorrow. Next thing you know you are trying to balance all the events your campus hosts, while still making the effort to get the proper amount of sleep. Unfortunately, many people get stuck in this cycle of treading water and trying to stay on top of things. College should not be about trying to survive, but finding peace within ourselves. If what I just described sounds like you, I challenge you to find ten minutes out of your week to make peace. Ten minutes is not much and you will feel a whole lot better when you are done. Take these minutes to reflect on the events of your week and life. Whatever place you find to make your peace, return there. In my hometown I have a certain place I try to return to every time I am home, to help restore my peace. I challenge you to find a place in your college town, whether its a bench on campus, the desk in the corner of the library or a park, find it. One thing I do suggest is to not let this place of peace be in your dorm room. Get to a place where you can spend these moments with God without interuption. During these moments thank God for what he has blessed you with and also give whatever you are struggle about up to him. He will take care of these struggles and guide you on your path.  The best way I can describe this sense of peace to you is when you're driving in down pouring rain and you drive under a bridge, that split second of silence brings you relief. Even if though these moments of peace are brief like driving under that bridge, they make an impact on your day to day life. Don't tread water in college, try to really enjoy it.  Challenge yourself to take those ten minutes this week.

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still -Exodus 14:14

Lots of Love,

10 Life Savers In College

Hello!!! I have been in college now for the past two weeks and I have experienced so many opportunities. Throughout my short time here I have realized the objects I rely on.  When I was in high school, I looked at many different lists, but most always stated the obvious. I have listed a few less obvious items that do not include the general sheets and towels.

1) Command Hooks- Everyone says you should bring these to college, but I did not know what I would use them for. Let me tell you, these are the best things in the world. I have used them for everything under the sun. To hang my lights, necklaces, letters. I have used them to hide my cable cord behind my desk and to hang an extension cord so I can charge my phone in my loft. :)

2) Planner- If you did not use one in high school, I highly encourage you to start using one in college.  Classes are not 8:00-3:30 and you need to know when and where your classes are. My college is extremely strict with attendance so this is important. Also, you need a place to put all the fun events that your campus hosts and places you are volunteering.

3) Toaster- If your college allows you to have a toaster in your dorm BRING ONE. This has been my lifeline these past two weeks. I am not a huge fan of cafeteria food so this is where I have resorted to making my meals.

4) FAN- OMG THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A/C. My roommate and I currently have three fans running in our room. If we did not have this I would have dropped out and moved back home. Okay, not really, but it stinks not having air. Worst comes to worst you can just sit in front of the fan.

5) Water Bottle- Trying to stay healthy in college is tricky, but can be done. A water bottle is an easy way to stay hydrated and honestly helps keep awake in those early morning classes. There are water fountains across campus and you can keep filling it up throughout the day.

6) Portable Charger- No matter if it is the long classes that keep you away from your dorm or you have created a social life, a portable charger is a must. You do not want to be caught with a dead phone walking at night or just in general.

7) Extension cords- I invested in a pack of three extension cords right before I went to college. I obviously did not think I would find a need for all three, but impressively I have. I used one to plug in my lights above my bed and also my fan. I also macgyvered an extension cord with command hooks to keep the cord from falling down when I charge my phone. The last one I have used to plug in my toaster and Keurig.

8) Bible- This may not seem essential to you if you have never invested in one before, but this has become one of  the biggest things I rely on. I use mine every day, whether for personal use or class, but I promise this will and should be your most used book. I challenge you not to lose your faith in college because unfortunately most young adults do.

9) Envelopes and Cards- If you are anything like me you love to get mail. I have loved it ever since I was a little kid, so these two things will come in handy. Whether you need to write a thank you note to grandma for sending you a little extra money or a lovely letter to your best friend at a different university.

10) Positive Attitude- This sounds cliche, but I promise you it creates a world of a difference. A positive attitude will immediately play a role in how you and your roommate get along. There may be small things that drive you crazy when you live with a another person, but if you go into the situation with a positive attitude it helps the situation tremendously.

Last, but not least, do not forget where you came from. Remember your roots and starting college will be a breeze.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. -Psalm 23:6

Lots of Love,

It's okay

I haven't posted a blog in awhile due to my life starting in a whirlwind. On Saturday I got packed up and moved to college. This huge step in my life has not quite set in yet. I am going to be straightforward and say that these first few days have been difficult.  There have been times in these last three days where I have felt an abundance of emotions. Whether it was happiness, sadness, anxious, bewildered, or just no emotion at all. I just want the incoming college freshman to know that it is okay to feel all these sort of things. It is okay to also not know what you are feeling. I am a very solitary person and like to be alone at points. This is all okay, but also branch out and meet these lifelong friends. Also know that it is okay to not meet your very best friend on the first day or even week. This comes with time as you build relationships and trust with each other. Know that it is okay to request a new roommate if you are uncomfortable with the situation. Roommates make everyone nervous, especially for me. In the end it all works out and we are coming even better friends as the days have gone on.  College also give you so many resources to help you with any emotions you feel. Take advantage of these free services and do not be afraid to ask for help. It's okay not to feel okay. This is a huge change not only for you, but for your family. You are not the only one who is feeling this way. I guarantee that most college freshman are feeling the same way you are. Give it time and enjoy this time of your life. I am so excited for this new journey and all the options I have to recreate my life. Thank you to everyone who has gotten me to this point in life and continues to support me in everything I do. I can not wait to keep everyone updated about this new life I am jumping into.

My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and portion forever.
-Psalm 73:26

Lots of Love,

Giving Back

Volunteering became my passion the summer of my sophomore year of high school. This is one activity that I have fallen in love with and I am always looking for new projects. Volunteering is such a rewarding experience for both parties involved. I get more out of giving than the people/animals I am helping. I love the reaction I get when the final results are done. With the hours I have logged over the years I have learned many important reminders and advice. I know these humbling experiences will provide a much needed outlook on life. I would like to share a few of my favorite organizations to volunteer with/for.


Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation

•   This is where my passion for working with kids who have pediatric cancer sprouted. I like to call this the catalyst that started my volunteering. This organization is founded in memory of Alexandra "Alex" Scott, who was diagnosed with nueroblastoma right before her first birthday. Around four years old when Alex was in the hospital, her goal was to host a lemonade stand when she was healthy again. Sure enough her lemonade stand raised over $2,000, which she donated back to her hospital. News began to spread about Alex and her accomplishment, that by the age of eight, she had raised more than one million dollars for the disease that took her life. After Alex's passing, her family created the Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation to keep her legacy.

•   The best part about this foundation is that you can host your own lemonade stand to help the fight against pediatric cancer. ALSF will send you a package of all the needed supplies to host your lemonade stand. Another option is to host an online fundraiser, which also benefits research for pediatric cancer.

•   Click HERE if you would like to get involved and host your own fundraiser.

•   Click HERE to check out Alex's parents' blog.

•   Click HERE to learn more about this foundation.

DoSomething.org

•   This website is full of campaigns you can join to volunteer for causes around the world. There are so many options which is one of the main reasons I love this website. There are many different causes, types of projects and all around good ideas to better our world. This website consists of four million volunteers who are volunteering to help the world "suck less." Through this website, I kicked off one of my biggest fundraisers after my sophomore year. This campaign was the "Oklahoma Tornado Relief Campaign," in which I gathered 60+ pounds of school supplies and super hero capes to the children affected by the tornadoes in Oklahoma. I encourage you to check out this phenomenal website and see what all the hype is about.

•   This website is extremely easy to navigate and easy to sign up for (It's free).

•   Click HERE to check out all the awesomeness.

•   Click HERE to see my favorite current campaign. 

Love Your Melon

•   Love your melon is a foundation that also benefits children who are battling cancer. Two students at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota founded it in 2012. In 2014 its founders went across the country spreading the word of what their foundation was about. This created the "Love Your Melon Ambassadors" which are students who help spread the mission and organization in their own city, community, campus or school. These students help get hats donated to children with cancer and also sell hats to fund this foundation. This organization's mission is to donate a hat to every child battling cancer in America. To date they have donated 45,000 hats to children. They are able to do this because others are purchasing their products. Each year 15,000 children are affected by a cancer diagnosis.

•   If you know a child who has been affected by cancer and would like to request for them to receive a hat click HERE.

•   If you would like to search their wonderful products which include many different types of hats (my favorite is their purple beanie), sweatshirts, shirts, bags and accessories (my favorite in which I have is the Love Your Melon gray headband) and help their cause click HERE.

•   Click HERE to check out their blog!

I hope you all check out these organizations and love them as much as I do. Did you purchase a beanie from Love Your Melon? Are you going to run your own lemonade stand? Participate in a campaign at DoSomething.org? How are you going to leave your legacy????

It is more blessed to give than receive. -Acts 20:35

Lots of Love,

Alaskan Courage Series

This past New Year I made multiple resolutions and have successfully kept them. One resolution I made was to read a book a month. To some people this doesn't sound like much, but I rarely make time to shut out the world and read. This helps me relax and essentially takes me to a different world. This summer I visited our local Barnes & Noble and searched for a perfect series to gorge myself over. After browsing the teen section and only finding books about science fiction, vampires, and books I wasn't interested in. I moved on over to the Christian fiction section and found exactly what I was looking for. I found a series called the Alaskan Courage series. It combines mystery, love and spreading God's word, all into a series of books. Another reason they interested me is because I was visiting Alaska this summer. I would recommend this book series to those who like many different types of books and would also like to experience Christ. These books present real world issues that are relatable to everyday people. The characters in the book often turn to Christ to help resolve their problems. Granted, these are easy reads and I tend to finish them quickly, they are still a series that I can't put down. If you are like me and don't enjoy the typical "teen" books I highly recommend this series!

Click Here if you are interested in purchasing or reading more about this series!

For you are my hiding places; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. The Lords says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." -Psalm 32:7-8

Lots of Love,

Distance

This year I have been blessed with the opportunity to experience a long distance relationship. Most would not call this a blessing, but for 6 months it has showed me how to make a relationship work no matter the circumstances. Even though we aren't in the ideal situation, we make it work. This distance is short term,but most days it doesn't feel like it. For those who have experienced this you know how hard some days can be. We aren't only fighting the distance, we are also fighting the situation of having little to no contact with each other. This is difficult as there is so much I want to share with him and let him be a part of. This blessing in fact has only made us stronger. It had showed us what our relationship can withhold and how much we mean to each other. It has taught us to be a couple and work together, but how also to be an individual. It is okay to feel alone sometimes, but know they are probably feeling the same thing. Just know that the distance means nothing in the end if you really care about one another. The hug you receive after your time of waiting makes you forget you ever lived without them, it is so worth it. If you are serious about making it the work, you can and will. Distance is only a matter of what you make it. 

The Lord watch between you and me, when we are out of one another's sight. 

-Genesis 31:49 

Lots of Love,

Parents Are the Best

I love my parents. For most teenagers this would probably be an embarrassing statement, but for me it's not. This is because I learned the hard way it is easier to accept your parents' rules and disciplines than it is to fight them. Over the past four years my parents and I have grown to be exceptionally close. I am so blessed to have three people that care for me so much and help me live a life by leading by example. My parents teach me new things everyday and vice versa. Some things are funny, some things are practical and most are to help me survive. :) The following list are a few of the many things.

• If you crash your car, it will be okay as long as you are not hurt. (I have learned this one a few too many times)

• They will always love you.... no matter what.

• No great mistake is enough for them to stop loving you.. unless you are six feet under.. even then they will love you.

• If you are going to scare or tickle them prepare for the repercussions.

• Always take the gas money when they offer.. Even if you're like me and dislike receiving money. (I know I am weird)

• Try your best at everything you do.. even if you do not succeed you have the satisfaction of knowing you gave it your all.

• If you fall down, get back up and keep truckin.

• Learn how to defend yourself

• If you're using a vacuum always look up. (Broke a few lights not following this one)

• When you turn 10 you can no longer fall asleep on the couch and magically turn up in your bed in the morning.

• If you can not find something.... keep looking before you go ask them where it is... it's usually where they said it was.

• Always bring a coat in the winter. Even if you do not want to wear it, always bring it. I promise you that your parents are especially right about this one.

• They will keep your secrets a secret and it is okay to open up to them every now and then.

• It's okay to cry, but it usually will not solve your problems.

• If your battle is too big for you, give it up to God.

Even though my life still has many more years, I can not thank my parents enough for the wisdom they have instilled in me. I appreciate all their hard work and effort to ensure I have a good life. I am thankful for realizing this early in life, so I can be blessed with many more lovely years with them. Take the time today to tell your parents you love them. They may not be here tomorrow because you never know what life has planned. Also, if your parents are as cool as mine, do not think God won't take them to have one awesome angel. Thank your parents for blessing you with your life and for loving you. Even though you may not agree on something or they get on your nerves. They love you so much that you can not even comprehend the amount.

Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. -Proverbs 22:6

Lots of Love,

Yes.....Just Allie

On Twitter lately I have seen hashtags such as #Growingupwithsiblings and #Growingupshy. The hashtag that I resonate the most with is #Growingupwithmyname. Soooooo... By this point I have a feeling someone is curious why I named my blog "Yes... Just Allie." Wellllllllllll let me tell you. My full name is Allie... Yes... Just Allie. My entire life this has been a struggle. I have gotten so many questions like "Your name is not Allison?" Or "No, what is your full name?." My personal favorite is "Please write your full legal name." *I proceed to write my full name* "No, no not just Allie your FULL name." I swear lady..this is my full name. Sooner or later I am going to have to start carrying my birth certificate along. It's not Allison, Alyssa, Alexis or Alice... JUST ALLIE. You probably can't tell this is one of my biggest pet peeves now can you? It drives me utterly insane to be called anything that Allie is short for. So, long story short, this is where my blog name sprouted. Sorry for my rant, but.. Yes, my name is just Allie.

He counts the stars and knows them all by name. -Psalm 147:4

Lots of Love,

Just Breath

God has given me breath in this beautiful life, but he has created so many phenomenal places, humans and objects that counteract his original intentions. Over the past year I have experienced many milestones and have been blessed to travel. These adventures have brought many new experiences. Here are the things that take my breath away.

• The way public places can be so still and lifeless during the wee hours of the night or early morning.

• How little, baby's extremities are when they are born and how fast they grow.

• When traveling to Alaska the past few months it amazed me how blue/green the water is and that there is clearer water than the dirty Missouri. 

• How our pets can be so loving even after you left them home all day.

• The flat landscape of the Midwest. I never realized how incredible it is to see for miles and miles in a single glance.

• How a single voice of someone can create so many emotions.

• Rain. Ever since I can remember I have always loved rain. The peacefulness that it brings to me is marvelous. 

•Running with my dog on a dirt road and forgetting about the rest of the world. 

• Life. We all start with different experiences and come from different backgrounds. No two of us are the same. 7 billion people in this world and no one is identical. This is so intriguing to me. God has created us all to be different.

There are so many moments in life that take your breath away if you just stop, put down the phone and look around. We get so sucked in by life sometimes we don't realize how truly blessed our lives are. Today... take a moment, breath and thank God for your life.

The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life. -Job 33:4

Lots of Love,

4 years

Four years ago I never knew what my life would amount to. You go through each day and feel as if they are so long, but in reality time passes so quick. When you look and analyze what has happened in the last couple years you begin to realize all of your accomplishments and failures. I didn't know that I would go to Puerto Rico spreading God's word or have a family member tragically ripped away from me. I never could have predicted that volunteering would become a passion or my heart would be shattered into a million pieces. You can never predict what happens day to day. I've learned many lessons in just my short 18 years.Always be slow to speak and quick to listen. Never go to bed angry and always tell your parents you love them. Trust your gut because it's usually right.... I also never knew people could mean so much to me. I've loved unconditionally and I've hurt uncontrollably, but it's all built me as a person. It felt like just yesterday I was a freshman walking through the halls and couldn't wait to be a senior. Now looking back, I wonder why I wanted to grow up so fast. Knowing that a year from today things will be so different. My home will be different and the people you thought you'd never lose touch with will fade away. I just have learned that we should pray  to God daily and thank him for the people he has placed in our lives and the people he has taken away. Each was brought into our life for a reason, to teach us something. Protect your heart and keep your head up. The storms pass and the light will shine through. Thank you to everyone who has made me into the person I am today. Never take a day of high school for granted because it goes by quicker than you think.

Be wise in the way you act; make the most of every opportunity. -Colossians 4:5

Lots of Love,

Me

Hello my friends.
I am Allie and new to this blogging thing.
Over the past few months I have wanted to try my take at blogging. A public journal in a sense. I have decided to give it a shot.
I thought I should give a run down of who I am and what my interests are.
1. I have many passions that I fulfill through volunteer work.
2. I love to box on my free time and picked up the interest about two years ago.
4. I have grown up the Midwest my entire life and have no intent on leaving to start my family.
4. Outside of my faith, family is everything to me. Even though we are dysfunctional I wouldn't trade a single one of them..

On my blog you will find many things that pertain to many interests. From girly things, to outdoor things, to things that deal with animals and everything in between. I hope you enjoy my blog and the events which are about to be unraveled. Sit back and enjoy the ride.


Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. -1 Timothy 4:12

Lots of Love,