Happy 50th Birthday Daddy!

This past weekend was my dad's 50th birthday! My mom planned a surprise party for him, and I flew into town to surprise him!

The party was a success and the whole weekend was a ton of fun! I was able to spend Friday afternoon till Monday morning home with my family. I am so grateful to God for blessing me with such an amazing family! They are so great! Around 60 people showed up for my dads party on Friday night. Highlight: I FINALLY GOT TO MEET HENDRIX!!! Hendrix is my cousin's little boy that is now six months old. Because of me being out of state for school, this past weekend was the first time I got to see him in person. Hendrix is absolutely adorable, and such a little cuddle bug! It was great to meet him finally, and to see Kate (his momma), Teya and Bryleigh, and so many other people that I miss so much when I am away at school. (Hendrix, Ben, and I ) (Kate, Hendrix, and I )

(Teya and Bryleigh) (Daddy blowing out his candles!)

Another highlight: HEATHER LOOKS SO CUTE AND PREGNANT!! My sister-in-law is 21 weeks pregnant, with a little girl, and she is definitely starting to show! And she has a beautiful pregnant glow to her. I am so excited for Heather and my brother. Babies are such a gift from the Lord! I look forward to seeing her tummy continue to grow, and I really cannot wait to see how wonderful of a mommy she is going to be!

(Heather, baby girl, and I!!)

I came back in town on Monday afternoon to such gorgeous fall weather!!! The days here have been absolutely beautiful with clear sunny blue skies and temperatures in the low 70s and high 60s during the day. On Monday night the thermostat in my car said 49 degrees!! Fall is on its way! : )

knoxville!

I-am-going-to-start-with-apologizing-for-all-of-the-dashes-between-words.

The-space-bar-on-my-computer,along-with-the-delete-button-and-apostrophe-button,-randomly-stopped-working-the-other-day-so-now-I-have-to-put-dashes-between-each-word!

I-spent-last-weekend-in-Knoxville-visiting-the-Hedger-family.-It-was-Mr.-Hedgers-50th-birthday-and-his-lovely-wife-and-children-planned-a-surprise-party-for-him.-The-party-was-a-blast!!-It-was-50s-themed,with-costumes,candy,-and-great-50s-decorations!-The-Hedgers-are-such-a-great-family.-They-have-been-such-a-blessing-to-me-already-and-I-am-so-grateful-to-God-for-bringing-them-into-my-life!

This-weekend-is-the-big-FLORIDA-vs-TENNESSEE-football-game!!

GOOO-GATORSSSSSSS!

here-are-some-pictures-from-last-weekend.-Enjoy!

Jeremiah 29:11

...Its been a very long time, and without going into detail, since I last blogged God has radically changed my life! !

I am back at school now and have begun my fall semester classes. I am taking eight classes this semester, which all seem to be very interesting so far. Each of my professors are great, and their passion for Christ and for teaching is truly evident in their lives. I think my favorite classes this semester will be my Art/Music/P.E. for Early Grades class and Christ and Culture class. 

Along with starting a new semester and having new classes, I have also moved off campus! I moved into a house with three other girls about four and a half miles from school. Our house is absolutely adorable, and we are loving cooking, cleaning, having our own space, and being more "independent"! It has already been a huge learning experience. 

As I said before, God has radically changed my life. My walk with Christ is stronger then it has ever been before and I have found myself falling more and more in love with Him each day. I am very grateful for all God is doing, and I am so excited about this time in my life. My prayer is that my eyes stay fixed on Jesus and that He continues to be my focus, my center, and the source of all my peace, love, strength, and joy!  A verse that has ministered to my heart in so many ways recently is Isaiah 43:1 which says, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!" Each and everyday I continue to find myself utterly amazed by God and His goodness. 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11