The Call of Singlehood

               A friend of mine texted me the other morning telling me about a dream she had the night before.  As we would love all of our stories to go, she was dating one of her good friends from her hometown which meant she was dating one of her best friends which is what all girls hope for. (Boys take note) After a good dream she woke up and realized she was, yep, still single. What a disappointment to realize this.  What we do not realize is that sometimes we are called to the "season of singleness" for a reason.  One reason I have found is to help me become more satisfied with being me and creating a better version of myself.  Another reason is because we need to grow closer to God because if we are not close to God then how will we be close to another human being.

                Being single means we have so many opportunities for adventures and to meet so many new people.  It is our chance to build up relationships because we do not have any attachments to anything but what we, ourselves choose to attach to.  We do not have the financial worries of another person or the worries of supporting another person.  We can give of ourselves to many different things because we are not focusing on the calling of a family.  I am still learning to use this time wisely.  I have caught myself moping about at times but I try to pull myself out of it because otherwise I am wasting time that could be spent living outside of myself.  I have loved living in the moment with my family and the people around me.  Even more I have enjoyed growing to become the best version of myself.  Pictures are the best way to describe one's life so without further ado here are some highlights from the summer time.

                                            Somewhere on a beach

                                                         They call the thing a rodeo

                                                   

                                                                             The three amigos

Here is to an excellent year of growing in many ways!

~A Girl chasing her Dreams
               
                

A Brand New Day

This past weekend I loaded up all my things after work, picked up a friend, and headed for the hills.....literally.  It was windy as we exited North Dakota but that was to be expected.  As we sped across the flat lands we ran into a cop heading the other way.  With my luck the cop flipped through the ditch, tailed us, then pulled me over.  This young cop walked up and kindly asked me if I knew what I had done. "Why, yes sir, I was speeding."  Being the nice cop he was, he had mercy on me and gave me a warning.  I have my mother's luck.  We arrived in Helena, MT. at about 10:30 MT time.  The next morning my sister and I went on a good, chilly, and beautiful ride on our horses.
                                                                  ~My baby girl~
                                     

Good Friday was then spent going to Church, hiking with Daddy and my sister Katherine.  It was so fulfilling to be out on the mountains that were my home and where my heart belongs. The birds were flitting in and out of the trees reminding us that new life was on its way with the Resurrection and with the entry of Spring.  

~Give me elevation~

~Someone must have wanted to sleep while hunt~

Being home taught me many things this time.  Creating my life on my own is possible because I am not on my own.  The people that love you will always be by your side.

During my quick trip to MT my Uncle and Aunt were in town.  It was great fun to visit with them and see their little kiddos grow up and be running around.  Little Pierce during one dinner, eating a drumstick, turned to my Dad saying, "I found a bone.  Uncle Shannon, look I found a bone!" Ah how little kids but especially little boys just crack me up. It was good to be teased and challenged by Uncle Alex.  He reminded me that really nothing in life comes easy and that my dreams are worth chasing.  The second thing  that I took away from my trip was that even when it gets hard it is only trying to challenge one's self to forge ahead and become the "Best version of yourself"            (Mathew Kelley)  

So for the next four and a half weeks of my sophomore year here is to Blue Skies Ahead!

~A girl chasing her dreams

Spring Break!

         Spring Break 2016 was one of the best breaks I have ever been on.  We started it off with packing five girls into my little subaru.  We took off from Bismarck around two o' clock in the afternoon.  We were all hyped to be on break and start on adventures.  Saturday and Sunday were days of seeing family, friends from college, basketball games, and enjoying no school.  Monday was spent at one of the cattle ranches.  Molly G, Katherine and I were in all our element.  It was refreshing and exhilarating to be riding around on four wheelers in the fields, feeding cows, fixing fences, watching cows give birth, and doing any work that Mr. Bignell had for us.  Finishing the day being absolutely covered in mud, hay and the smell of the ranch filled my heart.
                                                   ~How I love these little cows~
                                I wanna marry a cowboy!

~As sisters we dream; as friends we take action~

Someone teach me to rope!

The life of my girls....waiting for our ride on the highway 

The rest of the week was filled with seeing various people, enjoying the Montana air, and going on many adventures.  Early Sunday morning we picked up bagels, coffee and snacks then hit the road.  Listening to Jason Evert and talking about how we can enrich our lives to become the best version of ourselves and learn how to become a Godly woman topped off the week.  As we were singing at the top of our lungs (grant it some of us do not have a voice) my car jerked us back into reality as it swerved over the road.  We quickly pulled to the side and jumped out to check my tires.  As I was checking my engine Molly G pointed out that there was one lug nut left on my back tire.  Three and a half hours later we were back on the road after being towed into Columbus, having new lug nuts put on my tire, and trying to enjoy our delay by eating McDonalds and watching a show. The mechanics were interesting fellows to say the least as they stereotyped us a lot, making one comment, "This must be the most fun you have had with your clothes on!" We proved to them that we are tough girls by handling this very well on our own.   

All in all it was one of the best trips I have ever taken and I look forward to many adventures with these ladies!

My Emotional Side

        The first semester is over and I cannot believe where time has gone.  Just the other day it seemed I was moving into my dorm room, waving goodbye to my Mom and Dad.  There was the highs and the lows as I have tried to meet and engage with people as a transfer student.  Who ever said that transferring is not that bad is disillusioned! A transfer student has to enter school with freshman yet they have already experienced the freshman year, transfers do not have the same experiences as the others in their grade, but in the end their is a special place for transfers.  I have experienced so much more than others because of what I have come from.  From this change I realized how strong I can be, yet I do not always have to be a solid rock to the world.
         This semester I started to embrace much more being a girl.  I formed a fantastic group of girl friends.  I learned that I will not always be loved and liked by all people.  I formed a much stronger relationship with Christ and I hope to continue to strengthen my relationship with Him.  The beginning of this change and new adventure has offered me yet another chance to become even stronger in my life.
       

                                            ~I was able to become friends with this crazy lady~
       The thought and lesson that I have taken away from this past semester is that you are not meant for everyone nor can you live for everyone.  It is not possible so you should not try to make it possible.  The other thought is a quote that my cousin James sent me, "You have enemies? Good, that means you've stood up for something in your life." ~St. Josemaria Escriva

        Here is to many more memories!

                                                ~Good Friends make for Good Memories~

UMary~

    The University of Mary has been a brand new change.  I moved out to Bismark, ND last month and hit the ground running.  I was worried that I would not be able to find my nitch but there are so many good people here that it is hard to not have people around you.  The school has a fantastic Catholic identity, making me feel so whole. North Dakota is the barren lands compared to the great state of Montana but it is like farmland which reminds me of Germany, making me feel a little bit at home. And last but certainly not least my cousin, that I had never met til a few weeks ago, contacted me.  She has taken me into town to meet my great aunts again and it has brought me comfort to know that I have family on campus since I am so used to always having family members around.
The running is fantastic (as of the past few weeks and not running now, don't worry Mom)

                                                          Ladies Get Dressed Up!

The sunsets are be-a-u-tiful here!

We like to dance!

What happens when you leave your phone alone

All in all life at UMary has had a good start! Now just to continue it and enjoy studying and training!

A new way of life

                    This past fall semester was something that I have never experienced before.  It was crazy, challenging, and definitely different.  I wake up early in the mornings (about 5 o'clock) and go to town to my ROTC workout.  From those early mornings I would go to my classes and wrap up right about noon almost every day.  It was enjoyable yet challenging.  I met many new people that I absolutely love.




As the semester wore on I pushed harder in my ROTC 'duties'.  I felt that I was coming to a peak in the mountain.  We were getting ready for our APFT and I was nervous yet excited for the test.  One morning while playing basketball (my favorite game of all time) I stole the ball and ran down the court to lay the ball in for a layup when my foot stuck to the ground and I heard a familiar popping noise.  I was in shock and denial that I had torn my ACL.

                From this time forward I fell into frustration with life.  I had felt so invincible, so ready for life, and then everything was taken from me.  I was benched..........again for the next few months.  Spring semester was a rush.  We started it out running as soon as all the renegades were back together.  Life was crazy yet so enjoyable because I was beginning to find my nitch.  I love my ROTC people.

                To sum up my first year of college, I would say that I have grown.  I am more complete.  I have grown closer to Christ and to the people who matter the most at this time in my life.  I would not trade in my adventures, mistakes, and experiences for anything in the world.  Looking forward to the next three years!

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

It has been quite crazy the past few weeks.  On top of going to classes, catching up on sleep, and trying to not snap with everyone when the days get long, I have had the tremendous joy of using my crutches........again.  On one of the early mornings at PT we were told that we could play basketball.  Running in for a lay-up my leg locked and I heard a snap.  After slamming into the bleachers and falling to the ground I began to worry that I may have torn my ACL again.  I argued with myself for the next days that it had not hurt near as bad as the last one so I for sure did not tear it.  But, I was wrong.  So for two more weeks I am going to be perfecting the use of crutches!

On the bright side I have had a chance to really get to know some people.  I have learned to joke and find the joy in every moment of the day.  Because I must laugh, I am forced to go slower, and to not be so focused on just my mission.  Many memories have been made for which I will be eternally grateful.  One memory is my sister coming home to get me to go hunting.  Dad, Katherine, Eric and I trekked up the hill with me on crutches.  Forty minutes later I army crawled with one leg to a position, settled in and three shots later had a nice buck on the ground.  Many more memories have been made but this one will be forever in my heart! It reminds me that with every bad time or trying time there will always be the good light that shines through the darkness!

A lot of muscle work but a memory for ever!