You can now call me Master Amy

Amazing to think that after 2 years of hard work, I'm finished. I defended today and everything went really well. So, a few revisions and I'll be good to go! Whew...that was a long haul!
The funny thing is that I'm called a "Master." That is the most untrue thing I've heard in my life

D-Day minus 7

Start the drumroll, folks.....

In a week from today, I should be done with my defense and hopefully granted signatures toward my Master's degree. I honestly never thought this day would come, but it is approaching quickly. All that to say, I'm a bit nervous. I'm told it's like a firing squad... they just start barraging you with questions, one after another, waiting for you to slip. I know my committee isn't that die-hard, but you never know.

One week!!!

Not my own strength

It has been one of those months. You know the ones I'm talking about.....the one where you feel like you're going from 0 to 90 to nothing and the world has been moving even faster than you. In the past month, I have...

written the rest of my thesis (and still making revisions)
traveled to DisneyWorld
Interviewed in Nashville
Job searched
completed another paper for conference
worked for the Dean

...and that doesn't include anything of my personal life. It has been a crazy month. I've realized, yet again, that I'm a giver (Maybe it's more like "devoted" or "stubborn") I don't say that to sound self-righteous, but I give all of myself to anything I do (I don't want to seem that I've got it all figured out, because I know I have a LOT to learn. I'm also incredibly selfish at times, which is a HUGE flaw). All that to say, I have this tendency to put my problems, needs, etc., on the backburner until everyone else in my life is stable and ok. I'm really good at choosing to smile and move on, spending energy to look forward and keep marching.

It's not that I'm at an emotionally unstable point in my life right now. Things are going very well, life is great, I have everything I need. I think it's more that I tend to give to those who need extra attention from me, and I neglect my needs until, all of a sudden, they smack me in the face. Couple that with the fact that I can't sit still and be silent, and it's no wonder that I'm tired.

And I'm not just tired, but I'm empty. I have absolutely nothing to give right now, and I'm desperately needing sustenance. You know that feeling where all you can do is breathe, and hope that the rest of the body functions? Maybe I'm being dramatic, but I'm right there.

Its a great thing that Spring Break is around the corner. For the last few weeks, this verse is repeating itself over and over in my head:

" This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. " - Isaiah 30:15.

He goes on to talk about the Israelites, basically trying to take control of God's plan and not allowing Him to see it through. His writing reprimands and warns, and it's a good thing for me to take heed.

So, I'm going to be like Elijah (1 Kings 19: 1-18), waiting on God to reveal Himself in anyway He will. The interesting thing is that I remember meditating on this passage while at Summit 2004, our Challenge retreat. I was in the exact same position, waiting on Him and drawing His strength. He proved faithful, and He will again. I just need some extra "uumph" to get through :)

Gotta love surveys

This is all Mandy and Meaghan's fault... so, lets have some fun with this!

1.Link to the person’s blog who tagged you: Meaghan and Mandy

2. Post these rules on your blog.

3. List seven random and/or weird facts about yourself.
——————————————-
A. I crave Macaroni and Cheese.... blue box please!
——————————————–
B. I have a secret fear of clowns.
——————————————–
C. I'm not sure I'd ever move to a place where I can't wear flip flops all year long. Bless the South!
——————————————–
D. I will be graduating with my Master's in less than 3 months. OH MY GOODNESS- that is weird.
——————————————–
E. I am more in shape than I have ever been- trying to be able to run some races next fall.
——————————————–
F. I'm slightly obsessed with the GoFugYourself blog
——————————————–
G. I'm told that if I'm nervous, I tend to repeat myself.
—————————————–
4. Tag seven random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.

Tag, you're it!
Valerie
Mark
Anna
Becca
The Seley's

And...thats all. I can't tag anyone else 'cause no one has blogs!

Music bleeds over

Music has, and always will remain, a huge part of my life. I cannot imagine walking through my day without my iPod or a good song stuck in my head. Friends always joke, especially this week, that songs are continually rolling though my head and out my mouth. Maybe its a good thing, maybe it's a curse... I don't know....

But, this is one of those moments where music bleeds all over my personal life. I firmly believe that I have a soundtrack for my life. There are about 5 or 6 songs that permanently remain on shuffle for specific seasons in my life, and then there are some songs that transition in and out.

For this reason, I've created a separate blog to share some of the songs that touch my heart. Some of them are light hearted and fun, some are deep and reflective. All are important. I just love sharing music with others, and I especially love when music connects people in a very real way.

So, check it out! It is Lizlyrics.blogspot.com. I just posted about a Matthew West song that I've been living out over and over this week. Feel free to comment on some of the songs that are touching you and I'll definitely listen to them!

And, in the meantime.... enjoy the picture that will remain on my desktop for a VERY long time ::smiling incessantly!::...