New.

Today I have been thinking about one of the messages that was shared during Switch from this past semester.  This particular message was right after the New Year, so it kind of was going along the lines of new year's resolutions.  It was a really cool message because it talked about how we should look back on our year before and reflect on the good and the bad.  After reflecting on the previous year, is when you usually think about what you would want to change or improve for the upcoming year. 

During the message, the leader put on the challenge to not only think about those improvements and resolutions, but to come up with a word that is going to be kind of like your motto for the year.  The pastor gave examples to use words like the fruits of the spirit (love, peace, joy, etc.) or encouraged us to come up with our own and a bible verse for the year. 
So, after contemplating the whole "find your word" thing for about a week I finally decided (well God decided) what I wanted my word to be for the year.

New

After sharing with my switch girls my word, they didn't seem to really understand why I would pick "new" as my word signifying growth or improvement for the upcoming year. 

I picked new because I felt like in the year before I was almost held down with burdens from my past.  Failed relationships, petty fights with friends, drama, and even my relationship with the Lord.  I think a lot of people get so caught up in the worldy things in life and forget that we have a God that placed us here on Earth at this particular time to do the things HE has in store for us. 
Even though I fail, I am made new
Even though I sin, I am made new

I am looking to the future with a new understanding and a new vision.  God has placed new people in my life for a reason and taken out the old for a reason as well.  God says hey- I gave you the body, the personality, the everything you have so why are you looking down on yourself? Have a new image of yourself this year. Be strong. Be happy and healthy.  Have a new mindset.
Through the death of Jesus Christ I am made new daily and I think that's something we should all keep on our hearts.

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh" Ezekiel 36:26

That was God.

I know I don't usually talk solely on the topic of my spiritual views, but I feel it's time for me to make that step and stop being so concerned with what people will think of my posts.  It is my blog after all.. right?

So I wanted to share this experience that happened to me tonight that honestly was just an "all God thing". 

So today was a normal Tuesday for me.. school, tests, trying to watch tv.. etc.  I stayed up later last night because I was studying for a test so I have felt a little dragged out today. 

Tuesday nights are the nights of "Overflo" which is a worship service my friends and I like to go to.  Its really cool and lead by all college kids (really neat to just look around and see your peers lifting their hands up in praise for Our Father).  Tonight I was deciding whether I was going to go or not, and honestly I wasn't feeling it at first.  Eventually after deciding it would be something I need, my friend and I go and meet up with some of my other girls in my sorority there as well.  We were starting worship and I was trying to do my thing and praise God and then I keep getting this feeling to go hug one of my friends that was standing by himself.  I looked around when I first got there and noticed he was sitting alone (which a lot of people like to do anyway at worship) so I didn't think much of it, so I continue worshiping. 

As the second song passes, I find the words "Go, go over to him" keep coming to mind.  After ever time it keeps coming to mind, I dismiss it immediately thinking "Woah no that's crazy.. in the middle of worship?! No God"  I continue fighting with the thoughts for about another song and half and find myself to start shaking and tearing up.
 "Go."
I tell myself ok I'm just going to go to the bathroom.. so I start to walk passed my friends and into the aisle and without thinking, I find myself walking to towards him.  Going down the rows of chairs, I look up at him and he looks at me.  I walk up to him and hug him.  He hugs me back and then looks at me with this look of almost knowing. 
"I'm sorry, I don't know why but I felt myself being lead to come and hug you," I say
He looks at me, smiles and says thank you.  I hug him again and walk away to go back to my seat. 
I focus back into the service and after several hugs from Kelsey (much needed at that point) I stop crying and shaking a glance over at him again.  He is sitting with his head down and I go back into worshiping. 

The service ends and after I leave, I get a text from him:
"Hey sorry I didn't get to say this to you before you left, but just wanted to let you know that God used you to send a message to me.  I cannot thank you enough for that"

Wow.  God used me to help send a message that someone has been praying for.  To think God would use me, an imperfect person still trying to figure out my identity in Christ, to use me for something that could have meant something so much to someone else.  Never ever would I do something like that out of the blue--to take the step, leap even,-- which makes me know that that wasn't me. That was God.

Dear 2015,

Happy happy New Year everyone! Before I can hop into my new year (school starts in 4 days..no) sometimes it's good to reflect on all of the things that happened from the previous year. So here are a couple of things that come to mind when I think of 2014:

1. In January, I finished my first full year at Oklahoma State (that seems like so long ago) and wow has it forever changed my life. I have to agree with all of the people out there that say choosing the right college is one of the biggest and most important decisions of your life.  Thankfully, I know for a fact that I choose the right college for me, and wow has it made me grow in so many different areas of my life. 

2. Summer 2014, I went with my best friend, Tori, to New York City! Experiencing Long Island and NYC was eye opening-- I think everyone should visit NYC at some point in their life just to get a good idea of how crazy, amazing and huge the world we live in is! When you grow up in a small town your whole life it's easy to have the idea that the world revolves around you and your choices, but after visiting NYC its almost a slap into reality that says hey Carley, look how much is out there in the world to experience other than the Main Street in your hometown. 

3. This past Fall 2014 semester was full of so much growth.  After I moved into my sorority house, I have made so many true and caring life long friends.  Honestly, I think these friends have encouraged me (in so many ways they probably don't know) into creating what I call the best version of myself.  I think by seeing these girls everyday and having them there by my side, it makes me feel like a stronger and more independent life loving and God fearing woman. 

4. I finally decided on a career choice that I am in love with.  That's huge.

5.  Last but not least, another big area of my life that was greatly affected this year was my relationship with Christ.  I found my church home in Stillwater (which has been such a true blessing) and been able to have the opportunity to help disciple to middle school girls.  (which had me so scared at first--that age group is not in my usual comfort zone) But those girls have impacted my life and my relationship with the Lord greatly.  They push me to grow closer to Him daily.  But overall, I have made much progress (despite my hard-headedness) spiritually.  I know that it is all in His plan and He will provide for me always and give me what I truly need when I need it.  His timing is perfect (even though I am so impatient lol) 

Now, It's 2015.
Time to make new memories and keep improving.  This year I pray that I can keep up a consistent, fitness routine that becomes more of a habit rather than a task I'm forcing myself to do.  I pray that I can truly focus on myself and my relationship with the Lord-- striving for a happy and content Carley that doesn't stress over things that have no value.  And that I can continue to grow with my friends as well.  I want to be able to experience my last 3 semesters of college fully.  To go ahead and make that Whataburger trip with your friends at 2 AM, to have that conversation with someone I usually wouldn't, to take the time and slow down because this life is going by so fast.

With high hopes and love,

A little somethin' somethin' healthy

It has been awhile since my last post, but I am now on Christmas break (yay) so I will have plenty of time for updating my blog. Sooo, the other day I was scrolling through Pinterest and found this recipe that I just had to try (I am really into Zucchini all the sudden) Thanks to my sister she got some good action shots of me making our snack!

 

 

 Here is the actual pin I got this recipe from if you want to check it out here! But here is my version of this tasty Garlic, Lemon, and Parmesan Zucchini:

 

What you will need:

3-4 medium to large zucchinis

2 tsp of olive oil

1 tsp of lemon zest

2 cloves of garlic or finely minced (I used finely minced)

3/4 cup of Parmesan cheese

salt & pepper

 

Directions:

 

 

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees & line your cooking pan with aluminum foil

 

Step 2: Cut your zucchini in halves or fourths (cut it in half & cut the half in half) 

 

Step 3: Mix together in a small bowl your lemon zest, olive oil, and garlic

 

Step 4: Brush the mixed ingredients onto the zucchini halves (or fourths like I did)

 

Step 5: Sprinkle on the parmesan cheese to the tops of the zucchini

 

 

 

Step 6: Place in the oven for 11-13 minutes, then place your pan on the top rack of the oven and put the oven to boil until the cheese on the tops of the zucchini are golden brown

 

 

And now enjoy your yummy zucchini with your family &/or guests as a snack or appetizer!

I really enjoyed making this little appetizer and my mom and sister sure loved eating it too! More to come soon..

 

Your cook (lol),

 

 

 

Sometimes you need a little pick-me-up



 

While I was scrolling through Facebook today I came across something one of my friends had shared (its not Ebola related I promise).  The title interested me so I decided to take a look. 



 

I suggest if you are a college student right now, that you go and find this article and read it. Through out the article it lists off 19 realities to our current thoughts, feelings, etc. of college, growing up, and just life.  Some of my favorites included:

1. You are not a mess-- stop apologizing for not having every little thing in your life together.  Your bed is not made? You need to do laundry? Stop stressing yourself out on having it all together cause in realty--nobody has everything together all the time.  Give yourself a break, man.

5. It's okay to let it go--stop holding on to little details of things. Let it go. It's weighing you down.  How can you expect yourself to be happy when you have 495934 things you are holding on to still for no reason? Move on. Drop it & just be happy. 

8.  Some days are unremarkable, that doesn't mean you are-- Some days you will do nothing but watch Netflix and lay in bed.  You are hungry but its 2am and all decent food places are closed.  You feel like you could fall asleep at any moment and sleep forever.  You will feel stupid for crying in your car, but you aren't stupid.  The content of your day is not the reflection of your character. 

10.  You are not responsible for their feelings--Don't let anyone make you feel miserable because they are miserable. There is a line between being there for someone & being someone's emotional punching bag.  Draw those lines.  Try to direct them to something more positive.  You and only you are responsible for your own happiness.

12. You will change and be different-- you are in college.. you are going to change a little bit.. and  your body (you're no longer a freshman in high school come on) will change too.  But don't push yourself, don't push your own personal growth.  You will make mistakes, but don't think that you need to fix your entire life all at once.  It will be okay.

19.  You are already everything you need to be-- so if you need a good cry, then cry, but after you do, get over it, and go get life.  Time doesn't stop so just keep on keepin' on, girl. 

Your feelingsy blogger,

Ending and beginning to a good week

What an eventful but tiring week it has been! From all night pomp (staying up all night to finish pomping the rest of our homecoming deck) and staying up from 7pm Thursday night to 11am Friday morning, and spending some much needed time with my mom and sister, it has been a blast. 
In case you didn't know, Oklahoma State is very well known for the homecoming celebrations every October! Thousands of people lined the streets of University Ave. Friday to check out all of the fraternities and sororities homecoming decks and to grab a snack.. or two.

Here is a shot of our homecoming deck this year.. which does not do it justice.. And here is a shot of the first place winner this year.. just to give you an idea of how outrageous our homecoming decks are:

I'm truly amazed every October when I see these decks.. so much time and effort.  Homecoming makes me love OSU even more every year.

Aside from Homecoming, yesterday my bff celebrated her 20th birthday (yeah nothing really happens at 20 but we celebrate anyway!)  Her mom made the best bunt cake!! This is a chocolate peanut butter bunt cake with peanut butter frosting and chocolate sprinkles.  My bff's favorite is this bunt cake from the store Nothing Bunt Cakes in Norman, but they were all out of this flavor for the month--soo her mom made a nice spin off of it and wow it was tasty!!

And to end my wonderful week I got the opportunity to baptize one of my Switch girls yesterday.  Wow. This picture I feel is such a great capture of this serious and joyful moment in which we were celebrating.  At my church, Lifechurch Stillwater, we had over 80 people get baptized yesterday.  It was such an honor to have been apart of this sweet girl's big day!

On a more personal note, now that homecoming is over I now have enough time on my hands to do things I have been doing but want to do more of.. aka working out, eating healthier, and reading.  I borrowed this book from on of my close friends and have heard manyyy people rave about it! I started it (finally yeah I know Tori) and am already 50 pages in.  It is definitely an eye opener.  It talks about how we live in a society that practices "religion" but doesn't practice a relationship with God.  Today, many people believe that just by "acting" like Christians that they are true Christians. I could go on and on about this book, but you should just read it for yourself!

Your (finally) back for good blogger,

Birthday fun for the roomie & weekend update

As promised, I was going to update you guys on a great past week! It included my roommates' 21st birthday, room change at theta, and the beginnings of homecoming week! 

Here is a pic of me and my old roommates! So sad that I had to leave these babes. Rachel (the girl on the far left in her sassy blue dress) celebrated her 21st birthday this past weekend and we made her a little book of memories and pictures from all of her friends! 

Here's the page I made for Rachel! I loved the cupcake scrapbook paper from hobby lobby and just knew this was the perfect time to use it! My other roommate and I also gave her a sweet little birthday card that we thought suited her and this occasion: 

We had so much fun eating together and helping to celebrate her 21st! Love you Rach! 

This weekend also included a room change for all of the girls living in house. Imagine 96 girls and all their stuff (we have a lot) moving rooms. It was pretty crazy but I now live with more roommates and am getting used to my top bunk bed. 

This weekend we also kick started our homecoming week off at OSU with football frenzy! Aka flag football with sororities and fraternities on campus. Homecoming is OSU's biggest tradition and is unlike any other celebration in the nation. This upcoming week (lol I know it's Tuesday so it's happening now) will be filled with pomping over 24+ hours, late night snacks, and sleepy eyes in class.  But also it will be filled with laughter, homecoming hoops, and house decorations. Love being here and can't wait to share more. 

Your sappy card loving blogger,