I Have A Bio...

I am involved in a non-profit Christian girls ministry called SAGE Girls Ministry. We have recently launched a new website, so I wanted to do my part to spread the word! Some of my writing is featured in the blog this month...and I have a Bio. Weird but fun! If you have teenage girls or know any, send them to this site! There is also a link for parents, girls ministers, leaders, and info about upcoming events! Be sure to check it out!

http://www.sageministries.org/Girls/Blog
http://www.sageministries.org/

Hope everyone is doing well! I will update soon about law school! Until next time be blessed and know that I am LOVING fall-it is BEAUTIFUL here!

Go, Gadget, Go!

The four books above are my case books...there is one for each week I have survived law school! These books represent my life and where I spend most of my time…with my nose in them. I wake up every morning around 5 am (which is 4 most of my reader’s time). I get to school around 6:30 and don’t leave sometimes until 5, 6, 7, 8, 9….I say that I am boring, but seeing me get to school is most definitely a sight to behold! If you cannot tell, the books pictured above are rather large, meaning they are heavy. These are only the books for my four main classes. I have two other classes and about 15 other books in addition to these (which are not much smaller!). For those of you that know me know that I am not built to carry such weight! Thus begins the sight to behold. As if I were ever cool or even thought about being cool, I have officially lost ALL cool points in law school. First of all, I have a wheely briefcase. NOT cool…but everyone is doing it here…I promise! Secondly, I pack my lunch…in a lunchbox. I have a badge that I wear clipped to my outfit that has an expander string. Furthermore, I wear high heels every day. I also park at the bottom of a hill and have to walk quite a ways to the entrance of the law school. You would think getting up the hill would be the hardest leg for me. While it is a struggle, leaving is where it gets dangerous. I have to exit by going down the hill, which means that I have to run down the hill from fear of being attacked by my wheely bag that is gaining momentum behind me (and that weighs more than I do). I feel a little bit like inspector gadget. I am doing good if my bag doesn’t attack me and my badge doesn’t hit me in the face. One day my friend said she was going to yell at me to wait on her to walk to our cars. But then, she saw my head and in an instant, I was gone (I was running down the hill.) She said it was hilarious. I can only imagine. Go, gadget go!!! Needless to say, I do not need to spend any time in the gym. My daily walk up and down the hill in heels does the job. I am hoping for stellar calves as a result soon!

Other than my overly dramatic and ridiculous difficulties of getting to and from class, law school is good! I LOVE the challenge it brings! I told a friend that I am in the early stages of love with the law, to which she responded: “That is good, but let me know when you want to divorce it!” (good thing I know a good lawyer J) So far, the honeymoon phase is not over. The Lord has been gracious to me. I have been called on about once a week over the course of the term. I say the Lord has been gracious because it is only by His strength that I have done well and been able to endure the rigor of the past four weeks of class. One kid got kicked out of class the second day of school. That is a different story for another day…while I am grateful it was not me…it has definitely been a humbling learning experience…

Since I have been in law school, I have learned a lot. For those of you that don’t know much about law school, the majority of my new knowledge has come from studying the cases on my own. While classes are an aid to learning the topics, the professors expect us to wrestle with the material on our own time. I will say that the classes have been enlightening for reasons other than learning the law: my classmates. Please do not get me wrong, I love them all dearly. Our class is made up of about 120 students-all of which are very diverse, with very different backgrounds, and very strong opinions. Imagine taking all the best of the best type-A personalities and putting them in one room…things can get hostile. It has also been a humbling, eye opening experience because I see myself in some of them…this is not necessarily a good thing. I have divided the “types” of law students into different categories. I will not bore you with all the details, but I will describe my favorite category (mostly to amuse myself). There are fellow classmates that seem to have “the case of the helium hand.” These are the students that always raise their hand and have something to say. In some instances it is insightful, but in most cases, they should keep their hand down. Their statements usually start with something along the lines of….”so hypothetically speaking….in my experience…how does that relate to contracts (said in torts class)…if you changed the facts how would that change the situation…when I filed a complaint…in my opinion…if I were the lawyer in this case…I disagree because…professor, I think you are wrong…blah, blah, blah.” These students seem very eager to learn, but honestly, they are just trying to prove themselves verbally. While it is rather obnoxious and distracting, it does become entertaining when professors spout off that no one cares about THEIR opinion-it is the LAW that matters. I prefer to be placed in the category of “the silent, yet deadly and genius.” Mid-terms are coming up in one week, so we will see about that….guess it’s time to see what I am really made of…I am sure that will be a humbling learning experience as well….

In addition to categorizing the “types” of law students, I have decided that being a 1L does weird things to you. For your entertainment, I will give a few examples: one classmate ripped one of his casebooks in half because he was so stressed out. If you notice the picture above, that is a lot of stress. One colleague claims that since he has been in law school, he sings song by Cher he didn't even know he knew. That same friend shot straight up at 4 am in the morning and started running down the hall. Once he got down the hall, he realized he had no clue where he was running to. I guess he thought he was late for class. You find yourself in study groups laughing for no reason (probably to keep from crying). I will say that while law school has a weird effect on people, it does give me a legitimate excuse for my absent-mindedness. For those of you wondering-No, I have not lost my keys…yet.

Law school is all consuming. My lunch conversations have moved from chit chat to deep, meaningful conversations about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness...and mostly the law. I eat, sleep, and breathe law. I cannot seem to turn my brain off from law. I had several people tell me before law school to enjoy my last few days of thinking like a normal person...now I get what they meant. Today as I sat at lunch with some friends, the conversation eventually ended up at law. While most days I enjoy it, I am beginning to think that I need friends outside the law school. I will say that I am very blessed with the friends I have. Some have referred to law school as “academic hazing.” I would say while that is not entirely true here, law school does resemble Greek life in the fact that you are thrown into a rigorous, emotionally draining experience, forcing you to rely on 60 classmates you know very little about. This causes you to grow very close to people very quickly. I spend all day every day with the same people. In this regard, it is almost like rush all over. The only difference is that I am not welcomed with showers of blessing and gifts, but loads of reading assignments…Despite all the weird tendencies of the beginning of law school, there is no place I would rather be.

On average, I study 14 hours a day. Some classmates and I calculated that we have read 1200 pages, (at a minimum) these past four weeks. I would also like to take this time to explain that reading 15 pages in a case book takes about three hours for an average first year law student to read…I will let you do the math. I think that I have learned more in these first four weeks of law school than I did my entire time in undergrad. That is NOT because Baylor did not prepare me well. In fact, that is quite the contrary. I had a classmate ask me what I studied in undergrad because I “seem to be grasping and understanding the material.” He assumed I had a degree in the letters (I am assuming Greek, Latin, etc.) and when I responded no, I had a degree in Child in Family Studies, he was shocked. Thank you Baylor education. During my first few weeks here, I have also been mistaken as a fashion design major. Now while this might not be the WORST tag, it is not the best compliment amongst scholars, CEO’s, philosophers, and politicians. While it might mean that I have good taste in fashion, it might also mean that I am viewed as ridiculous (see above description of my journey to class). Hopefully, I can disprove the theory that fashion and child and family studies are not easy nor ridiculous majors…it is all about how you apply yourself to achieve your goals…

Surprisingly, there is never a dull moment in the midst of all the studying. While I may be boring and uncool, I LOVE what I am studying. The material is always evolving, making it invigorating. I have read cases from fashion designers suing their advertisers for breach of contract, arguments over the possession of a Barry Bonds baseball, the duty of a blind person to act reasonably when walking the streets, and a brief written in poetry about two actors that scared a taxi cab driver almost to death….literally. These examples barely scratch the surface of my studies. It is SO interesting (and sometimes ridiculous what people sue over). For fear of boring my readers, I will politely resist the temptation to talk in detail about all the fun things I am learning, but I feel blessed to be able to be back in the world of academia....

In addition to a love and respect for my classmates, the faculty and staff are also amazing. Before each class, the professors lead a devotional and prayer. I really could ask for no greater place to study law. At times I feel as if I am at a seminary/law school combination because of the amount of Biblical truth the classes are laced with. Some nights I have homework requiring me to spend 3 hours (at a minimum) in the scripture finding Biblical examples and truths about the topic being taught for the day. I can definitely see God’s hand in leading me here…

I had my first client interview this week. I will not bore you with the hilarious details of the case, but it went well! I also watched the 2L/3L: moot court competition (and served as a bailiff). It was quite interesting watching these students argue before real-life judges (some of which are on the U.S. court of appeals). Advocacy is definitely a talent I fear I do not have…it is quite intimidating realizing that next spring I will have to do the very thing that I was mesmerized by this week…Have I mentioned that it is only by God’s work and strength that I will survive law school…I am however up for the challenge…not my will Lord but Thine…

I would like to take a moment and thank everyone for the encouragment and feedback I received regarding my last blog, whether through facebook, email, phone, or word of mouth. When I blog I really have no idea who reads it or how it impacts them. I genuinely love writing and pray that the Lord will continue to use this to encourage my readers! Maybe one day I will be the next Julie & Julia...ha! Thanks also for the prayers. While law school is difficult, I have felt an abundance of the Lord's presence and peace...I know that is only because of all the prayers...

Until next time, be blessed…..

The Road Less Traveled...

Today was an accomplishment-I survived my first day of law school! As I sat in class this morning listening to the professor interrogate students using the socratic method by standing on a chair pretending to be a judge, I was moved. I have dreamt of this day for many years. Honestly, I had doubts that this day would ever come, but the Lord is gracious. It was more than I could have asked for. As I sat in class, I sort of felt like I was in a movie...it is all very surreal....

I guess being back in the world of academia has spurred me to reap inspiration from those that have gone before-you know-famous poets, writers, judges, politicians, historians, and professors. I have watched movies such as "Mona Lisa Smile" and "A Beautiful Mind" and been inspired not only to succeed, but to inspire others. Even as I write, I am reminded of one of the most inspirational people in my life-my father. He has always instilled a sense of appreciation for academics. Even as young children, Dad would read poetry to us-nevermind it was as punishment. When Dad first introduced Robert Frost to me, it brought tears to my eyes....and they were not tears of joy or appreciation....

Prior to last week's orientation, I decided to do some venturing around town. As I traveled the trails with a friend, I was somehow coerced off "the beaten path" to take a view of the river. Through this "adventure," I realized that in my own life, I stay on the beaten path. I rarely (if ever) take the road less traveled to marvel at God's creation or explore a different avenue-I like to stay on the road paved before me. As I stated to my friend that I normally don't get off the beaten path, Matthew 7:13 was quoted to me. I contested, "That's not true!" But, as the journey progressed, the day continued, and the week of orientation began, this concept and verse resonated in my heart and mind. Maybe I do take the easy way out...maybe I do take the road that is paved before me instead of the road less traveled....maybe I do journey on the wide road that leads to the gate of destruction....just maybe...

Orientation began with a Dean's reception. During his inspirational greeing, he encouraged us to write down all of our dreams and ambitions on a piece of paper. Next he said the unthinkable: "Take your dreams and goals you have set out for your own life and throw them away. Dream bigger because God is capable of doing immeasurably more than we could dream or imagine on our own (Ephesians 3:20)." As he spoke, my mind immediately returned to the day I hiked. The Dean in his own way was charging the new 1L class to take the road less traveled. So, feeling on top of the world from the rush of meeting people, starting law school, and having just been told God was capable of doing IMMEASURABLY more than I could ask through me, I came home and began crafting BIG dreams! I guess you could say, I am turning a new leaf....

New leaf in a nutshell: Excellence is the minimum. To whom much is given, much is required. Pray and dream the unthinkable. Inspiration breeds action. Get off the beaten path. Live under the umbrella of God's sovereignty and control all the time.

All this time I thought Dad read poetry as a means of correction, but today, I gained a new appreciation for the art of reading poetry to children as a means of punishment. Poetry is inspirational and leads to a creative mind-it sparks intellect. So, dad read poetry to spur our eager imaginations at a young age, but also to ignite a passion for knowledge that would be the driving force to fulfill our dreams and goals as we grew older. Today was a hallmark occassion in my life beginning the journey of doing just that....So, as I sat in class, I was moved-moved that I have begun the major stepping stone to accomplishing my dreams, goals, and calling on my life. Ultimately, I am blessed beyond measure. It is only by God's grace that I am here, and it is only by His mercy and strength that I will survive this year...

The Road Not Taken

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Just as I am here because of God's grace, I am also here because my earthly father told me to dream big! So, as I close this blog, I would like to thank my dad for reading poetry to us when we didn't understand, for encouraging our little heart's ambitions that have now turned into lifelong dreams and goals, for awakening our "eager young minds" to crave knowledge, wisdom, and intellect that will assist us in "making all the difference," and above all for going the extra mile in showing us what "taking the road less traveled" means by being a tangible example of our Heavenly Father and a person that truly strives to walk the narrow path towards Heaven....

Until next time, be blessed....

Welcome to My Humble Abode...

This post is the result of several requests to see pictures of my apartment. Inspired by Elisabeth Elliot, I have decided to call my humble abode "The Closet," in which I describe it with three C's: cozy, comfortable, and character. While there are still some small touches and decor items that need to be bought, it is mostly put together! This is due to the fact that I have had a goal to complete this project of putting together my home by the time class started (or it might never get done) and because I have had quite a bit of time on my hands. I preferably would like to wait for the finished product before I post pictures, but since I am about to be full swing in the study of law, I figured I better have an "open house" before the door to my little apartment is locked down, and I am "in the zone." Now, I am no Lauren Darr or Nate Burkus, but I have had a lot of fun decorating, crafting, and shopping around to make my place feel like home! I have developed quite a love for bargain and thrift shopping-finding those knick-knacks and making them like new again! I have included some tips and ideas highlighting a few of the items I made for my apartment if you are trying to decorate on a poor law student budget or just want to save some money. It may require a bit of time, but using your creative side can be a great stress reliever!

You will all have to come visit because these pictures do not do The Closet justice (mostly because I am a horrible photographer). However, I have done my best to make you feel right at home! The tour begins with the outside of my apartment...window boxes are coming soon! And no, that is not my minivan.....

The stairs in the inside entrance leading to my home:

This is what my door opens to:

First decorating idea: $10 board from IKEA in the damaged goods section (may have been a table top that was missing legs?)+little paint+50 cent vases and voila!

From the kitchen looking into the living room:

My prized possession #1 room divider/shelving unit from IKEA that separates my living room from my office area: (which happens to be the most expensive thing I bought for my apartment at $200)

Prized Possession #2: $10 frame+a little paint+cork+fabric=message board

The extra cork and fabric works great in other areas (this happens to be on the wall in my hall):

The item above my desk in the picture below is an old drying rack from Laverty's in Waco for $5. I painted it, along with some clothespins and there you have another message board/picture hanger. This is probably the most clean you will ever see my workspace:

Looking out from the living room (to the left is the bathroom and bedroom):

The picture of prized possession #3 is for the Posse: I made this in an attempt to keep up with my keys. Notice both sets are on the hook: so far so good!

Hallway to the bedroom:

From the door:

Prized Possession #4: I wanted a vanity to get ready at since I don't have counter space in my bathroom. I happened upon this 1950's vanity at The Caring Place for SUPER cheap. It is a goodwill-type store in Georgetown that supports services for low-income families in the community. You can find stores like these in most communities, along with treasures for super cheap (the board from the key hook and vases from the board above the stove are from The Caring Place as well). Fix them up to suit your style, and your purchase is helping someone else! A little paint, new pulls, and a new mirror (also from IKEA), and this vanity looks brand new!

$5 vase, $5 shade from World Market, and a lamp kit (which can be found for around $3). I only came up with the design...I have to thank Jen for the construction!

Another idea: I think throw pillows are a great touch to any room, but they can get pretty pricey. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I discovered that napkins (the fancy cloth kind) and some place mats make great throw pillows. If you want to know how it can be done, just ask me! The pillow below is the result of $1 place mat at Pier 1 on sale. The unfinished artwork above the bed was a doozy to hang, but with some determination, we succeeded!

The curtain replaced the gross sliding doors that were on my closet:

So. there you go: That is my home in a nutshell! I hope that you enjoyed the tour! (and ideas). I have officially survived almost two weeks in Lynchburg. I am learning to love it here. My landlord has been very helpful. She even took me around town to become familiar with the sights, complete with ice cream from Mister Goodies (which is a trailer in the parking lot-they say it's the best ice cream EVER, but they have never had Blue Bell). Orientation officially starts on Tuesday. I am ready to finally meet some new faces and my future law school colleagues! Thanks for keeping up with my law school adventures! Until next time, be blessed!

I Think I'm Going to Like It Here...

I am sitting on my landlord’s back porch listening to Brooke Fraser and watching the rain (and the rabbits). Other than lacking my coffee, life is pretty good. Here is the view I am looking at:

My family and I I arrived in Lynchburg last Monday. They left at 5 am on Thursday morning, leaving me to the real world. Despite a few challenging moments, I am learning to love this new phase of my life. For those of you that don’t know, I am living in an apartment above a lady’s garage. I moved here never having seen the place: it really was a leap of faith, but has worked out better than I could ask! The Lord really knew what he was doing when I found this living arrangement. I feel very safe, and my neighbors are wonderful! There are still a few last minute touches regarding décor, but my apartment is mostly set up and starting to feel more like home. I have no internet (hence the reason I am stealing wireless signals from my landlord’s porch), no cable, and my phone hardly gets any service in my apartment. I went to the AT&T store to see what could be done about this (and hopefully prevent getting a landline). The lady that helped me suggested leaving the phone where it gets service (aka: the back porch or propped up in the window) and to use a Bluetooth. So, if you call, just imagine me using my Bluetooth…yes, I know, I am a nerd. Hopefully, I won’t forget to take it off before I go into class…

People say that it is backwards here, but in the words of a Lynchburg native, “That is how we like it.” I would not go as far as saying it is backwards, as much as saying it is a little behind the times. For example, there is no 3G network here at all and AT&T has only been in Lynchburg for three years (not to mention the shopping is not quite up to par). Even though it seems a little outdated, everyone I met have been beyond hospitable. I think it is going to be the perfect setting for me to focus on law school, without all the high pace of life. It is amazing how productive one becomes without access to the outside world. I think I am going to like it here: it is very peaceful. I will post more pictures as my apartment becomes more “showable,” but until then, here is my peaceful little porch where I have found I spend most of my time. The weather is perfect for it right now!

Saturday morning during my exploration of the city, lookouts, and mountain trails, I stumbled upon the farmer’s market, where they have home grown fruit and vegetables. Since I was feeling a bit down, I decided to treat myself to some fresh flowers. I felt like they came straight from the flower shop they were so beautiful! There were so many, they filled a part of my entire house (and they were so cheap!). I have found that while the roads in Texas are grid-like, the ones here wind like a circle. It can be rather confusing. Last night, I got lost and wound up in the historic downtown. I was not disappointed and almost caused a few wrecks because I could not keep my eyes on the road. The homes were elaborate and really did look like something straight out of a movie. Did I mention that I think I’m going to like it here?

Other than shopping for my apartment, running errands, and exploring Lynchburg, I am already in full swing with homework. Classes do not start until August 24th, but I already have a lot of reading to do. Even so, I am finding time to relax, enjoy myself, and do a few fun things before the craziness of school begins. I am realizing more and more what I have gotten myself into with law school. While I am a bit intimidated and overwhelmed by the rigor of the program, I am mostly exhilarated at what is to come. This morning while doing my quiet time, I came across 2 Timothy 1:7 (Ironically, Jess also mentioned this verse to me before I left Texas). I will not be filled with “a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” I have a feeling that this verse will be the driving force behind many of my days…

Thanks for all the prayers as I journeyed here. I have felt so loved and encouraged by the support of those I left back home as I have ventured across the country to fulfill my dreams and goals. Even so, I am realizing more each day that absence truly does make the heart grow fonder.

Until next time, be blessed….

Load Em Up...Move Em Out!

Whoever thought ALL my stuff could fit in a pull trailer all that way to Virginia...well let's just say I had to leave a few things behind...but the trailer finally did get loaded and packed thanks to my wonderful friends, Dad, Jen, Mom, and by the grace of God. Miracles do still happen. The rubber is about to meet the road (literally) in regards to living simply...poor law student life...here I come...as well as a HUGE wake up call of what the real world is REALLY like...I have a feeling that my "romantic" view of life is about to be altered a bit. To this I say, "Bring it on!" I am a mix of emotions right now. In just a few short hours, I will be moving across the country to start law school. It has been a crazy week of goodbyes, packing and cleaning, and reminiscing. At the same time, it has been a week of looking forward to a fresh beginning, independence, meeting new people and seeing new places, and being back in the world of academia. While it is a wave of emotion and hard leaving family and friends behind, I would say I am mostly feeling excited about the adventurous journey that lies ahead in the coming days! Thanks for all the prayers, love, support, and encouragement! I have truly felt a peace that surpasses all understanding these past few days! I look forward to all that the future holds!

Next time we meet, I will be in my new home (and in a different time zone)! Until then...be blessed!

My Cup Runneth Over...

I would just like to take a brief moment to thank Ashley Dubose Bouwer for my blog makeover! I didn't lie when I said that my blog would be revived and alive-Isn't is great? It is inspiring me to write with intention...I guess you could say my cup runneth over...or maybe my mind...or maybe my mouth...either way...stay tuned...