Coffee, books, and sun :)

I haven't updated in a while because I have felt wordless. I will tell you though that this summer has been amazing already. I have been working at Starbucks which is changing my life and my new addiction to anything coffee. It's a free addiction for the time being so I'm sticking with it. :) I began reading the Twilight series and haven't fallen in love but I am going to finish the series to see what the big fuss is all about. I have been out in the sun almost everyday this summer and it's been so relaxing. I decided to tone it down until I head to Puerto Rico in 10 days!!! My family, Aaron and I are going to Puerto Rico for vacation and I am super excited. I will definitely post some pictures and show you all of our fun adventures when I get back. Blog to you then!

Nicole

Welcome to the big D. A. double L. A. S.

Can I just tell you that I am blessed and super excited about my life here in Dallas?!?!?!
Things are going so well, and it's so wonderful to know that I know this is where God wants me to be. Just yesterday I got offered a job teaching private voice lessons in the Plano School District. I never thought I would say this, but I am going to be a teacher! Wow. It was totally a God thing, and I knew the minute I was doing my mock lesson with a student that this is what I needed to be doing. I am still at Starbucks, no worries :), so I get my benefits and I still need that money, but in the fall I start as a private lesson teacher! Wooohooo!! Things are falling into place which reassures me that I'm in the right place. Post college life is kinda/REALLY awesome. I'm really poor. But I really don't care. Although, I should care. I work, lay by the pool, run errands, cook, read, and have no homework ever! I know this won't last forever but never the less I am enjoying this time in my life and adjusting well to Dallas!!
Well, I just wanted to give an update....sorry for pictureless post, yet again. I really get bored sometimes with no pictures. :(

Hope all is well!
Nicole

My plan is to experience.

I made it to Dallas!! After a long weekend of packing, graduating, and driving I am here safe and sound and really loving it. I have to tell you it really has not sunk in that I won't be going back to school, or that I really live here. I still feel like I am on vacation.
So, graduating was incredible and I feel very accomplished. I still feel like a thirteen year old girl with my whole life ahead of me, which is comforting and a little naive all in one. My parents moved me to Dallas on Sunday and we had a sweaty, frustrating, funny, tiring day. I think they would agree on all of those adjectives. :) I started working at Starbucks on Monday and I absolutely love it!!!! I really do, I love the atmosphere, I love having to wear my hair in a pony tail everyday, and I love serving coffee to people and telling them to have a great day. Oh, and I love getting free coffee, pastries, and insurance. :)

This is a whole new chapter in my life and it is so exciting. I feel like a woman. I was talking with one of my best friends Sarah today and she told me that her goal in her life right now is to experience. Not to experience anything in particular, because neither of us really know what we want to experience at this point in our lives, but just to experience. I want to experience the everyday, and not let a day pass me by that I am not thankful or really living in the moment. I am young with an open heart for God to work and change me for the better everyday. He is control and I know that He has great plans for me in His time.
But in the meantime, my plan is to experience.

Nicole

I will post pictures from graduation soon!!!

Barista: a person who works at the counter of a coffee shop

You are looking at Starbucks' newest barista!!

I know, it seems silly that I got a college degree and I am working at Starbucks and excited about it. But....I just don't know what I want to be when I grow up yet. I have auditioned for the Dallas Opera Chorus and have an audition for the Houston Opera Chorus next week, although that won't cut it on it's own even if they want me. So, Starbucks has great benefits, long hours, and coffeee!!!!

I have been praying about my future for a while now, cause I know if I didn't let God take this situation, I would be totally lost and overwhelmed. I knew He would take care of things. I didn't get the internship I applied for in Santa Fe, which I knew God was in control, and I guess He didn't want me there. I applied for other jobs and haven't heard back yet, but Starbucks came so easy (and it's sorta hard to get a job at Starbucks!) and I really feel at peace about being there. I think that with something I have been diligently praying about, and that's important to me God wouldn't just let anything happen. He has a plan. Maybe this could fulfill one of my ministries, or I could meet people that would be important in my life. Who knows?! All I know is that I am super excited about moving to Dallas, and beginning my job at Starbucks until God leads me to another opportunity. :)

Nicole

Recital Week from You Know Where

So in order to complete my degree I have to complete a Senior Voice Recital. This includes a full hour of music, all by myself, dressed up, family in town, reception, etc.....well. God is funny, and I've realized things NEVER go as you plan.

Here is a rundown of my horrible week that turned out to be amazing because He was in control. :)

Sunday- Get in town after sitting at an airport for hours from a delayed flight at 1:30 in the morning

Monday- Work, run errands, a pretty good day :)

Tuesday- Start feeling a little sick, so of course this is causing stress and my mind starts racing a million miles an hour.....so I go to the doctor...

Wednesday- Walgreens tells me they can't fill my prescription!! What??!?! This leads to two trips to that same doctor and four trips to Walgreens and two calls to my insurance company...and lots of crying. Didn't get my prescription filled.

Thursday- Wake up and feel awful!!!!! Missed both of my classes to go to a different doctor, got some strong meds and felt so much better and encouraged about my road to recovery...mind you, this is now 2 days before my recital! 4 o'clock rolls around and Lubbock has a Tornado warning with golf ball size hail. My dress rehearsal is at 6. Fantastic. I make it to my dress rehearsal in the few minutes the weather has cleared up and I sing two verses of my very first piece and Ms. McNeil tells me to stop and to go home. My throat was super swollen, and I sounded like I was in pain. I was. So, now I am stressing out, worried to no end, and I can't cry because it will swell up my vocal chords even more. Last but not least, Mark calls me and tells me that he's not sure if he'll make it because Denver is having a huge snow storm. I wanted to cry...but I couldn't.

Let's just say I prayed A LOT this week...

Friday- Mom comes in town and some how makes me feel better instantly. :) I am feeling better but was told not to talk, or do anythings strenuous. So, naturally we get our nails done! :)

Saturday- Woke up feeling much better!! Also woke up to find my dad, Mark, and Sam asleep in our guest room...they got there in the middle of night!! I had a relaxing day, Aaron sent me flowers :), and my two best friends got into town from Dallas to see me sing! 6 o'clock came and I sang my recital, all in one piece, and I couldn't be more pleased with it.

God is good, He healed my voice and calmed my spirit. :) I'll post pictures soon :)

Nicole

I don't think I'll write today

I want to write but I really don't know what to write about. I have been sitting here for five minutes staring at this blank slate.

I was thinking I would write about how I am anxious for graduation, my recital, and moving but I told myself I wouldn't write about those things until they actually happened because I am trying to be less anxious and live in the moment.

Then I thought I might write about how Aaron found my first gray hair and what that could mean in my life?!?!

Maybe I should write about how God confuses me and sometimes I don't know whether I'm making the right decisions. I really just want Him to be pleased in all I do.

I could write about how I'm really nervous about growing up, but I know it's something I just have to do. It will probably be more amazing that I ever dreamed.

Or I could write about how I've been having inner turmoil about how music is going to fit into my life. I want to sing, but it's competitive and I'm not good at selling myself. God gave me this talent for a reason, I just know it.

I'll write out a list of all the things I need to get done this week, whatever, that's boring.

I don't think I'll write today.

Holy Week

Easter is probably one of my favorite holidays. It brings in the Spring, and it really feels like God is everywhere. I have been thinking earlier this week that I needed to take the time to realize the meaning of the season, and what it really means to me personally. So often I view God as being a judgemental God whom I am scared to really embrace. I feel that He is constantly shaking His head at the things that I am not doing, rather than what I am doing. It's hard to see God as someone that is so loving He smiles everytime I smile, He loves when I love, and He embraces every feeling and emotion I have because He Loves me.

Easter signifies Jesus raising from the dead after three days of being dead. What does this mean to me?? It signifies His promises. It signifies His power. It signifies His truth. He promises His grace everyday to me, and my prayer this Holy Week leading to Easter is that I really embrace that. I want to KNOW that He finds joy in me, that He sees me as an instrument, and He loves me more than I could love myself. What does Easter mean to you???

Much love,
Nicole