I voted yesterday. Almost made a mistake and voted for Obama. No thanks.

I got a flu shot in my right arm and a tetanus, diptheria, pertussis shot in my left. Today I feel like I got hit by an 18 wheeler. I don't lie. Maybe exaggerate, but not lie. :)

Tomorrow Sarah and I are taking a random adventure to Atlanta to stay with my crazy aunt and go to Six Flags. I'm so pumped. You don't even know. I like going away with friends. It's exciting, even if my dad thinks it's dangerous. How else will I discover the world? Really?

And this my friends is what my hair looked like yesterday morning when I woke up. I felt the need to document, since it is absolutley crazy and a half. My hair has a life of it's own.

Today is an emotional day in the Herbert house. I came home from my interview to find my family very sad. Maggie, our fun loving, dancing, friendly, big-hearted dog had passed away. So unexpected. So shocking. She was herself last night and this morning and then boom, things changed. My parents did all they could to try to save her.

Automatically I think of me not being able to say goodbye, but I do have those true Maggie memories. She was Maggie last night and that's how I get to remember her.

She always greeted me when I got home from work. Dancing at my feet til I acknowledged her. She ate anything and she loved to sleep right up next to my chest in the mornings. She was my favorite. She was my dog. But I do believe that she is up in heaven. A dog like Maggie would go nowhere else.

So I was rummaging through my closet a while back and found this object that I made my senior year in high school. A prom apron. YES! That is what it is. I think I had the brilliant idea to make these because of my uncanny knack for spilling food on myself. And who wants to spill food on their nice dress at prom. No normal girl does, that's who!

That's right. I said "Oh snap" even in high school. And my nickname was Hoover (long explanation that basically boils down to my last name being Herbert. Then there's the president... Herbert Hoover. Thus came the name Hoover). Honestly, I love this. Who wouldn't? How can you pass up pink ribbon, paint and dinosaurs? [maybe I can get a picture of my prom dress too :)]

All this to say that I've changed so much since high school. Two and a half years will do that to you I guess. I used to be so entirely awkward, not that I still don't have my moments. I had braces (no more of that, praise the Lord.) I wanted to be a doctor. I still have the shirt to prove it. Now I feel a little more grown up, but still young at times. I still have a LOT of growing up to do. I was naive back in high school about a lot of things. I'm still that way. Believe me. I lead a sheltered life and sometimes it's not a bad thing. There are somethings I would rather not know about. But I think more than anything, I've learned to embrace who I am. Going through high school it's easy to compare yourself to the popular people, but God made me this way. He knows who I am and loves me despite of it all.

So there. That's my thought for today. High school. Sometimes I miss ya, but most of the time I don't. :)

Fall is upon us friends. It's here. I can feel it in the air and see it in the changing colors on the trees. Oh man. My arms can't wait to be in long sleeves and sweaters.

Yesterday was a true Sunday in every sense of the word. I went to church with Jessica and Betsy. Then our afternoon was filled with outdoors things and pictures. We talked a lot about the future. What our lives will be like, our kids, our men (which was a main topic.) This is really the prime time in our lives, when we're not bound by jobs, families and real life obligations. This is the time.

I enjoy their company immensely. It was a true sunday with true friends.

On another note, we listened to the new Kings of Leon cd. It is so good. It's on repeat on my iPod now. So good. Get it.

Yay for lazy days. These are welcomed. Days where I can sleep in and wake up fully rested. Days where I can leisurely do my homework and relax the rest of the day. Days where I can fully enjoy a shower. MHHHMMM. This was today.

My mind has been elsewhere lately. Like a cloud of haze covering my eyes. I'm distracted.

I've come to embrace the change that I have been emmersed in. It's here and there's no going back now, only forward. Can't change the past, can only deal with the future.

What can you do?

I've been saying that a lot lately... What can you do?

This weekend I went to Chicago. What an amazing time!

Sarah and I ventured out to the windy city on Friday and met up with her friends, Hailey and Chrissie on Saturday. We shopped like girls do and walked in the intense rain. I had my first experience in a taxi cab. I am on of those people who likes to be in control in certain situations and in this one... I was not in control. The man drove like a maniac. Needless to say, I had a ball. Sarah's friends (who she actually knows through Paige) are amazing. I like them. I will definitely be going back to Chicago again.

Yesterday, Sarah and I left Chicago at a decent time (10:30) and didn't make it even an hour away when we got stuck in massive traffic. We're talking moving a half a mile in 1 hour. So we sat in traffic for 3.5 hours. Our trip was suppossed to only be 8 hours, but it turned into a 13 hour extravaganza. Even though we spent so much time in the car, we didn't fight. We laughed. We sang. We talked. No fighting. No drama. It's good to have friends like that. I appreciate our friendship.

Of course, there are more details, but I have to read a children's book for my Children's Lit class.

School has started. I think this semester will be a good one. I'm finally getting into the teaching classes. Finally something more than just learning about the No Child Left Behind Act, although it's very important. Something new and refreshing, not just the same ole things you learn in every education class. I have one class about the school health system, which I know sounds lame, that I think will be very helpful. I've only been to the class two days and it does by so fast. The teacher gives us real life, tough situations that college or class really doesn't prepare you for. It's great. It's going to be one those classes and teachers that I remember from years to come when I have my own classroom. Very good.

Lately I have been in this weird mood. Weird is really the only word to describe it. I'm not a depressed kind of person, but that's really the only word I can use to describe it. I don't know why... I mean I do, but I don't. I'm weird. I just feel like there is so much that I want to do, but I'm here. I'm at home, working at the Gap and going to school. I want so much more than this.
I want to travel.
I want to build relationships.
I want to be independent.
I want to be me.
I guess I'm just restless. I have a restless heart. And through all my weird moodness, I think I've realized that through all this I need to rely on God. When the time comes, I will do all of these things. I am at home for a reason. I am back at a job that I hate for a reason. He knows the plan. He freakin' made the plan. Now I just have to have faith.

My phone keeps dying. It's rather annoying to be in the middle of a phone conversation and your phone just dies. Ka-put. Bam. It's dead. Rather annoying. So as an attempt to fix this annoying problem, I went on the search for the AT&T store near my house. I drove there. It wasnt' there. Closed? Maybe. Basically, instead of fixing the phone problem, I busted $1.08 for a precious dip cone from McDonalds. I feel like they know me there. Mhm... not so good. Maybe I need to switch locations.

In about an hour, Behrsy and I are going to Murfreesboro to see the boy's new house and celebrate the birth of Whitney. Fun times.

I am a little unsettled about not moving. As always I am very indecisive. My heart wants one thing and my head another. Financially, it would be stupid for me to move out. I am by no means rich. But other than that I can't see a problem. I hate having to be such a people pleaser, constantly wrapped up in what my parents will think about things, but I guess that's what makes me Lindsey. I am an indecisive people pleaser...

and I'm possessive about my food. Last night Surupa, Tim, Jessica and I discussed the rules of when it is ok to eat off my plate or not. Basically if I have it on my plate, don't touch. If we have bought something to share though, it's fair game. It's probably in your best interest to ask though before you touch the food on my plate. I may be nice, but when it comes to food... I do a 180. :) Just ask my friends.

Call me crazy, but I'm ready for school to start. This sitting around business ain't working for me. I don't think I could have handled this all summer. Thank goodness for camp and it's busy schedule.

And I'm out like trout, for real.

As I get older, I think I start to appreciate my parents so much more than ever before.

My dad is the tough, military man who runs a tight ship, but I call him "papa." He sometimes pretends to be ghetto. I love him for that. Lately though, he has been understanding and sympathetic. Even when I cry, he consoles me.

My dad and mom are redundant sometimes.
Lani: So what would happen if you give the dogs these bones?
Victor: They'd get sick.

This happens many times a week. I love them. I appreciate all the work they do to keep us going as a family. I am proud.

And I'm moving out. To Murfreesboro. Woo.

Right now my heart is longing for everything it once knew.

I miss camp. My heart wants to be back in that bubble where everything was perfect and I didn't have to worry about anything.

I want to be back.

And if I could express all of my feelings in words right now, I would, but I can't.

I guess it could be simply put as heartbroken.

I got a new Bible yesterday. There's nothing like those crisp, clean pages waiting to be read and discovered. In some ways, I feel like I'm cheating on my NIV, but hey... it's God's word, so I'm not. :)

Last night we saw Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. Man, what a good chic flick. It made my heart all warm and fuzzy.

Madi, me, and Anna

My Teepee home

Ask me

Man oh man. Camp is over and my heart is heavy. I think I left a piece of my heart in Indiana.

This week was a great way to end the summer. Willow Creek Church from Chicago took over the camp for the week with 250 junior high students. I was a little nervous about working with older kids, but the presence and security of the Lord was there all week. I was able to bond with these girls. Oh baby, hot gravy. They were amazing!

One girl named Paige really opened up to me and my co-counselor, Cat. She was one of those girls that seemed to have everything together in her life-spiritually and emotionally. She was awesome. On Wednesday, she came to me and Cat with a heavy heart, anxious to talk to us. I sat there in the amphitheatre as she talked about issues with her body image and her family problems. All I could tell her is that she was a beautiful creation of the Lord, meant for greatness and wonder. I was surprised at how she could recognize her need for change. We prayed with her. She was probably the hardest to say goodbye to, simply because of the bond we had created.

After the kids left and numerous hours of work projects, we gathered in the dining hall for dinner. We had worship and then we circled up in the dining hall for our typical goodbye song. A song that we had sung so many times brought tears to my eyes.

My friends may you grow in grace
And in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior
My friends may you grow in grace
And in the knowledge of Jesus Christ

To God be the Glory
Now and Forever
Now and Forever, Amen
To god be the Glory
Now and Forever
Now and Forever, Amen.

It's so hard to leave, but I know I'll be back. This is something I'm certain of.

But now it's time to get to work. I want to share. I want to be bold. I want to proclaim his name from the rooftops for all to hear. I want to tell you how God has changed me this summer before I tell about those kids-say-the-darndest-things moments.

I want you to know how God provided.
I want you to know how God strenghtened and empowered.
I want you to know how God changed.

Ask me.

Need an update?

Let me start out by saying that camp is amazing. I love it. God has blessed me so much through this experience and I feel so close to him. He is good. All the time. He has been teaching me a lot about selflessness, a lot about loving others because really who am I to deny them love? When it gets hard, it's Christ's love that I have to let show through me. I am also learning a lot about patience and a lot about my capabilities. I have answered questions this summer that I have never thought about or would never have known the answer. Amazingly, but not surprisingly, God provides that answer. He gives me the words to say when I am simply speechless. Oh man my God is amazing. Let me tell you what.

I've been home from camp for a week. Things have been different. My parents always said that when you leave and come back things are different. They were right. Hate to say so, but they are. So I've been reveling in this new change, feeling somewhat out of place. Life at home has moved on and I guess I have moved on too. Maybe changed is the better word. I've changed too. Who wouldn't? Although a month doesn't seem that long, it is. Life continues.

I was feeling out of place and nostalgic, but tonight was a good end to the week. It brought me back home, to comfortable, to normal. Everything that I hate about our group is everything that is normal and comfortable to me. It's everything that I really love. We loiter very badly. We are very indecisive. This is true. But this is what I needed. Being with my friends in that moment of indecision and craziness is what I needed. Oh man, it was good. I miss them.

Tomorrow I go back to camp. Back to my teepee in the woods with no air conditioning and a port-o-potty to boot. Believe it or not, I'm ready to go back and finish these last 4-ish weeks. God has much in store and I'm ready.

Until next time.
Lindsey

Adios and that sort.

Here goes nothing.

Ready or not, here I come.

Camp. :)

Woo. I am so tired. We played ethnic dominoes last night. Who knew that dominoes could be so fun? I sure didn't. Betsy and Jessica made me cupcakes for my last Wednesday night. They were good.

Sarah spent the night, which resulted in staying up way too late to wake up way too early. We talked a whole lot and laughed a whole lot too.

So Betsy and Jessica also bought me one of my favorite snacks that everyone else thinks is disgusting, circus peanuts. Oh man. I was thrilled. I put them near my bag during ethnic dominoes time. Then I left later. At home Sarah and I were nearing the end of our conversation when I realized that I had no circus peanuts. They were gone. I literally got up out of bed, checked my bag, and called Justin because he hid them. Needless to say, it was funny.

I leave tomorrow. What the frick? Camp has always been so far in the future, now it's here. Woa man. It's crazy.

I don't know what it is, but lately I have been so very emotional. This morning I was watching the 90's movie The Little Giants and I got all teary eyed.

Saying goodbye to people at work broke my heart.

This week I'll say goodbye to family and friends for 2 and a half months. Not forever, but goodbyes in any form still suck. What the mug? I hate them.

The nerves are starting to hit me. As my days at home dwindle, I begin to doubt everything.

Do I really want to be away from home that long?
Do I have what it takes to teach these kids about Jesus?
Will people like me?

The list goes on and on.

But as I worry and doubt myself, I realize that God has a plan. Really, it's not about me. It's not about words I can say or things I can do to reach these kids. It's what he gives me that will do it. It's the message and actions that he leads me through. It's him, not me. Thank you Jesus for that. Oh man. If I had to lead kids to follow Jesus by just being frickin' awesome, it wouldn't happen.

This summer will be trying. I will grow. Hopefully I will come back a little different, a little tanner(yea right) and still frickin' awesome. Don't you worry. I will come back with great stories and wonderful memories. I will want to tell you all about them. All the kids. All the fun activities. The trips. Everything.

I have two more weeks left. As I sit here, I can tell you what each day holds, trying to fit every bit of time with family, friends, and home in before I leave. It's weird. But as nervous as I am, I'm ready. It'll be an adventure. And I know I won't be alone. That's for sure.

Tractor Tales

Today I was driving home, speeding down the back roads with music blaring, when I got stuck behind a tractor. Everything in me wanted to pass him. I was going a very good speed, but now I was moving like a snail. I didn't understand. As soon as my impatience was almost unbearable and I was about to pass, the tractor turned.

Then I realized something. I need to learn to take life slowly. I need to learn to take life for what it's worth. Lately, I have become a planner. From this time to this time I will do this and starting at this time I will do that. Who does that? Apparently, the whole world since we all seem to have jam packed schedules with barely enough time to sit down for a meal (this is something I will always take time out for). I mean, being a planner is good. Everyone needs a plan now and then, but it shouldn't be what life is about. You need excitement and unpredictability. You need this.

So, next time I get stuck behind a tractor, I'm going to enjoy it. Soak in the scenery. Look at God's beautiful, hand-crafted creation. Next time, I'll be patient and take life slow.

Wrapping up and moving on.

School is almost over my friends. For this, my heart fills with joy.

I cannot wait for the end of the semester. But with the end of the semester, comes the piles of projects, papers and tests. It's almost impossible to keep your head above water. Somehow, this semester, I am managing. Maybe I'm more laid back about school. Maybe I have better time management skills. Or maybe, right now, I am so ready for summer that I don't care. Maybe...

Ever felt like you were losing a friend? Yup, I feel that. They are so caught up in some one time experience they had that they forget about your friendship. You have been replaced by others, who they don't really know or doesn't really know them. It's awful. It breaks my heart. But I guess that's life. You are close to someone and things happen. Life changes and people move on. I just hate being the one left in the past of the way things used to be.

Camper?

This summer has so much in store for little ole Lindsey. I'm going to be a camp counselor in Indiana. Yes, that means being away from home and everything I know for 8 whole weeks. It's scary. Things are going to change. Heck, I'm going to change. I don't want to leave my family and all my friends. It's me being selfish, but I absolutely know it's what's suppossed to happened. It's been confirmed many times after much prayer.

Teaching these kids about Jesus is going to be awesome and stretch me in so many ways. I can't wait. This summer is going to be absolutely amazing, even though I'm kind of scared. I won't know anyone. I'll have to completely start over and make new friends. It makes me nervous and excites me. This summer is sure to stretch me in some good ways.

Oh my word. I am a freakin' lesson plan making machine. Word up. Something about working in the details and seeing the finishing product makes me proud. Seriously, this is what I'm suppossed to do. I've found my niche.

Tennessee weather is so weird. Last week was so much like spring. Today is cold. What's that about?

Well, I'm off to go relax a little before dinner and heading out with Betsy. I worked a lot today. I am tired. For real.

This weekend was quite an adventure. Snow hit Nashville and this left all of us stranded after the boy's show. We went to Morgan's house for a sleepover. Good times.

I called out of work on Saturday and we basically sat around all day until the video shoot. The location for the shoot was freezing. I felt like I was camping again. After that, I went home and slept.

Yesterday was pretty exciting itself. Church in the morning, wonderful Panchos, then to Betsy's to find something to do. After much contemplation, we went to Opry Mills, where we got paid to test drive a truck. I drove it. Trucks make me feel powerful. I like them. I don't think I've ever laughed so much as I did yesterday.

So it was a good weekend. I love those action packed-non work related weekends. :)

Back to School.

Today I went to school. Not college, but elementary school to observe. Third graders have stolen my heart. I love them.

I was nervous this morning, running late as usual and running out the door with lunch and papers in hand. When I walked into the classroom, I was greeted by the teacher, Ms. Watson. She is so nice and so honest. This is something that I value. The kids are so well behaved, let me tell you. And if there is any "rowdiness", she cures it with one simple look or request. I want my class to be like this.

It's amazing to see the different personalities of the kids and the development. Sitting in the back of the classroom, I had the perfect view of what was going on with the kids. All of them are spunky and eager to learn. This excites me. The kids seemed excited for a visitor to be in the class with them. I kept getting glances during the class and I even got to help with their times tables. Yes, I did. :)

So tomorrow I go back. Not so nervous this time. I'm ready. After today, I realized that this is where I'm suppossed to be and I'm glad. There's something reassuring about knowing that you are where you're suppossed to be in life. God has a plan for everyone and I like to think that I have partially discovered his plan for this time in my life.

Until next time.
Lindsey

Lazy Days

Not having to go to work or school makes me realize how much I miss sitting at home sometimes. During the week, I feel like I am never at home, except to sleep or eat with my family. Other than that, I live at the Gap or MTSU or friend's houses. It's crazy. I miss this home stuff. I miss this doing nothing stuff too. It's something that you hate doing because it's boring, but when it's gone, you're like "where did that time go? i miss it."

Last night, we went to Nashville to see a show. Satco happened beforehand. I love that place. Who doesn't love cheap Mexican food and Vandy boys? The show was good. I'm not sure the city is where I belong though. I like it, but maybe not the place for me. I think I'm so comfortable in the suburbs where everyone is like me. Crazy, I know.

Well, I really need to go change my oil. Rather have someone else change my oil. My car is in dire need of that stuff. My dad always tells me "if you take care of your car, it'll take care of you." So I'm going to go take care of my car.

Enjoy this lovely Friday.
Lindsey

Again.

Hello there.

I've had one of these blogs many times before. They serve as an excellent distraction for homework and other semi-productive activities. I guess this is why I decided to make another. I'm avoiding homework. Who wants to read about Tennessee History in prime nap time anayways?

Today, I worked. I don't mind being there on weekdays. It's actually kind of enjoyable. Saturdays about kill me though. I don't want to be there, because everyone else is out having a normal Saturday. I want those back.

I think I ate too much at lunch. Maybe those two apple pies added onto the burger and fries I had was a little too much. Who would have thought that would have come out of my mouth? If you know me well enough, you know my serious relationship with food. Someday it will catch up to me. I can feel it. Until then, I guess I will enjoy it. :)

I guess I should actually start reading again. Or take a nap, which is another one of my specialties.

I hope you have a wonderful day. We will talk again soon, when I have more homework to do and less motivation. :)

Lindsey