So much to update you on!

So George Fox is Ah. Ma. Zing. Seriously. I love it here! The campus is gorgeous, the people are great, and the Christian atmosphere is just what I need.

We had our first worship service tonight, and I basically cried almost the whole time. It was focused on how we are God's Beloved and that we can Be Known (the orientation theme) through and cast off our pasts and how we used to be known. Then singing about His love for us and His acceptance and grace, I just cried. It was so nice to know that I don't have to be ashamed of my non-Christian background, and all my past struggles. I can come here knowing that I will be accepted as a sister in Christ and supported in all that I do. It is the greatest feeling.

I'm sure some of you are probably thinking: "We've always supported you! We love you too!" I'm not saying you don't, but when you're surrounded by hundreds of other students just waiting to love you for who you are, you realize how special God's love is that it can transform a person in amazing ways.

For the first time in days, I will read my Bible before bed and look forward to it. How awesome is that?

I miss you all and love you! See you in a month!

Sending my love,

<3 Ariel

Packing procrastination

I really should not be blogging right now, let alone on my computer at all. I'm supposed to be finishing my packing. However in my defense, I'm almost done! Just a few things to pull off of my desk, the top of my dresser to go through, the piles in front of my closet and clothes. Then I just box up what isn't already in boxes!

I'm. SO. Close.

Seriously, I leave in a little over 38 hours. I'm so excited! Nervous too, but excited. I just found out today my mom won't be staying for Fred Meyer Night :O (For those who don't know, that's Thursday night from 11PM-1AM, a big shopping discount time with giveaways and stuff) She's just gonna give me money and go! Yikes, but nice too. Tomorrow I'm gonna get some stuff too, but not too much. Although I do have two whole paychecks sitting in my bank account ;) But I also have school to pay off.... *sigh*

I got my hair cut... Wanna see? :) Of course you do!

Sorry about the glare.... But basically if you can't tell I layered my bangs around my glasses so they don't fall in my eyes, and I cut a few inches off and layered it all. I kind of wish I cut off a few more inches, but oh well. I like it. :)

I am sooooooooo excited for tomorrow!!! Seriously, POWELL'S BOOKS, and definitely more we haven't even decided! I have gift cards for Aeropostale, Sears, Macy's, and Target so hopefully we can stop those places too. I need jeans BAD. It's not even funny how bad I need jeans!

I love how random my iTunes is :) It just went from Baha Men, to the Labyrinth soundtrack to the Lion King soundtrack one after the other :)

Anyway... I guess I should back to my packing. If anyone wants to help me.... Feel free to come over! And tomorrow night I'll be finishing up too :)

One week left...

I leave one week from tomorrow.


ONE WEEK.

This is crazy.

I'm excited, don't get me wrong. It's just coming so fast! I'm hoping today will be my last day at work, but if they need me next week I'll be working through Tuesday. Tomorrow is my last college group. Sunday is my last day at church....

I'm going to miss everyone so much. My friends, my family, even Dallas itself. It may be the "hick town", but it's our town.

I am excited for all the things to look forward to!

Meeting Megan!

Making new friends.

Having BIBLE SURVEY!!!! Yes, this just might be the one class I'm looking forward to :) Okay, maybe not, because I have Chem too! :D

Hopefully having time to try out Newberg's drive-in. It won't be the same, but it's a start :)

Getting another job and having money!

Getting to know people better, like Jenn :) I'm so glad she's just down the hall from me!

Even with everything to look forward to, I'm still nervous. What if I don't make friends quickly? I am pretty quiet around people I don't know. What if they take that as standoffish or snubbing? What if (heaven forbid!) Megan and I don't get along like we think we will? What if my emotions skyrocket even worse than they have been, and I push people away?

I know, "what ifs" are bad. But I can't help it.

I just hope this next week doesn't fly by TOO fast... and that I get everything ready in time.

As a closing note, I want to post something I read from a friend this morning that put my thoughts at ease about losing my friends in college (she shall remain nameless):

My unconditional friendship for all my friends means you can trust me with anything, you can tell me anything and I'll be there for you no matter what, when you go off to college I'll still be here, being the best friend I can be. You are all my brothers and sisters in Christ and I love you like my own sibling, life may be rough, but it gets easier with prayer and friends who stick with you :)

Thanks for being my friends :)

Book review: No More Christian Nice Girl

The excerpt from the back of the book state:

Be the Strong, Confident, and Caring Woman You Were Meant to Be Tired of doing all you can for others while your relationships remain stuck in neutral--or headed in reverse? Paul Coughlin and psychologist Jennifer Degler show how being nice can harm you and drain the life out of your relationships. They explore the keys to fulfillment at home, work, church, and even in the bedroom. You'll discover that emulating the real Jesus is the key to transforming from a Christian Nice Girl into an authentic, powerful woman of loving faith. "What's wrong with being nice? Paul Coughlin and Jennifer Degler make a strong case that women need to be bold and assertive rather than people pleasers who try to do too much. I recommend this book to you." --Dr. Kevin Leman, Author of The Birth Order Book and Have a New Kid by Friday "This refreshingly practical book is a must for any woman who yearns to move from the entanglements of being nice to the freedom of being real." --Georgia Shaffer, PA Licensed Psychologist, Certified Life Coach, and Author of Taking Out Your Emotional Trash "As a Christian counselor, I see many women paying the high price of being too nice: depression, anxiety, stress-related physical ailments, as well as difficult and destructive relationship patterns. Finally there is a book I can recommend that gives women the reasons why nice isn't always good and the tools to help them stop." Leslie Vernick, Licensed Counselor, Speaker, and Author of The Emotionally Destructive Relationship and Lord, I Just Want to Be Happy. Paul Coughlin is a bestselling author, international speaker, and founder of The Protectors, a faith-based and values-based solution to adolescent bullying. Jennifer Degler, PhD, is a licensed psychologist, life coach, and a frequent speaker at women's events and marriage retreats.

My review:

4 out of 5 stars

This book is good for the women and girls who have mainly grown up in the Christian home and have always been in church. I did not, and most of this I already know. However, this book has some great ideas and I strongly encourage all Christian women to get their hands on this book!

I received this book free as a review copy from Bethany House Publishers. This review is my own opinion.

Triangle Lake

This weekend was nothing short of pure bliss. :)

I forgot how much I love nature! It may sound strange because I hate camping, but it's only because I hate sleeping on the ground. I loved sitting on the dock watching the waves and riding the peaceful sailboat. And nights watching the stars and singing around the campfire was glorious.

I was worried I would get emotional (I tend to get in my moods on retreats and camp-outs) but I didn't even cry once! And I am looking forward to a few talks later this week. :)

A few thoughts from the weekend:

Playing Fluxx: Fluxx is a card game where you start with basic rules and one goal to work towards. However, the rules can get very complicated and you can have the goal changing left and right which makes for a loooooong game. It reminded me how fast life can change. I realized today I leave for college in 19 days. Isn't that crazy to think about??? I'm excited for it, but I still can't believe it's so soon. I still have things to buy! And I'm no where near ready to pack. However, I know that as crazy as life can seem one moment, God can will work it all out and there will be peace. I know that even thought it took me a long time to figure out what to do with my life, that this is where God wants me, and I am so ready. :)

Singing around the campfire: Singing under the stars with most of the group was so nice. I even stopped singing for awhile just to listen to the others and I have never felt that way before. It is impossible to describe, but it was great.

The Sunday morning service: I won't go into too much detail on this, but the sermon Annie's dad gave got me to start thinking about a few intense (haha!) things. Not bad, just intense.

And I bought so many awesome things on Amazon!!! :D I'll let you all know when they come ;)

Giveaway!

Hey guys! I know I don't normally do this, but I have an awesome giveaway to share!

http://giveawaygal.blogspot.com/2010/08/fantasy-jewelry-box-review-and-giveaway.html

She's giving away a $35 gift certificate to a really nice, and fairly decently priced jewelry store! Check it out, and if you enter let her know I sent you!

I can't do anything right.

Whenever I'm upset, I try to express my emotions, but it always ends up in a way that someone gets mad at me.

I'm just sick of hurting people.