vacationing with my second family.

About two weeks ago, I went on a vacation with the Lumpkins and it was a lot of fun! We went on a lot of adventures and we also got to admire God's beautiful creation. Thank you for the memories and the laughs, I will never forget this vacation.

 

 

 




                                               
 

no editing, just simple photography.
 

Waiting for the Light

Right now, life is crazy... I am currently trying to find a summer job.. which is stressful. I am also trying to finish my semester off strong, which is difficult. I am ready for summer, but I am also sort of sad. All my friends from high school have amazing summers planned out and furthering God's Kingdom.. and that is AMAZING. God is moving so much in their lives, I am just in awe. Literally.

On the other hand, I'm waiting for God to reveal to me what my summer looks like. I know in my heart he will provide, but sometimes I feel like I cannot catch a break. I feel like I'm working so hard... and God is just somewhere else. Which is dumb, but it's how I feel.. and I think that's okay. I think it's okay to be mad or doubt God sometimes, because if you never do... I would wonder about the relationship you had with God. I read a really cool quote this week, which was a great reminder and just a sign that God understands where I am and what I'm going through.


"If you're feeling alone, weak, helpless, and cut off from other believers, or if you are so focused on your troubles that you forget to watch the danger--those are the times when you are especially vulnerable to Satan's attack"

Anywho.. enough ranting. I could go on forever. I have a really blessed life, with SO MANY things to be thankful for, and that is what I want to focus on during these times of trial.

Also, I cant wait for school to be over.. but that also makes me sad as well because that means only one more month left with my roommate Liz. I got seriously blessed with such an awesome roommate. So I'm just going to SOAK it all up.. the rest of the semester whether if that is late night Sonic runs, dorms, drinking coffee at Java Cat, stressing over classes, and eating caf food.

That's just a little about me right now.

Love, Reggs.

What A Wonderful Spring Break

Spring Break 2014

Spring Break for me was super chill and super awesome. I literally hung out with Austin everyday. And it was wonderful. The first part of spring break I was under the weather. Something was wrong with my stomach and then allergies attacked me. But I got to go to Kansas City with my family to a indoor waterpark/resort place called CoCo Key. It was fun to get away, I got to float in a lazy river and relax in a hot tub.. not too shabby. We were up there for 2 days and one night.

Then when I got back I didn't do a lot, but I did enough. Went to Target a couple times, went to Panera, Starbucks, Chipotle, and Chick Fila.... so I hit all the essentials. I also went to the Nifty Nut House and had a picnic at Sedgwick County Park. I hung out with my family A LOT and that was great.

My dad and I also deep cleaned my min van, better known as Twinkie, and I got a new stereo system because my dad broke my other one while cleaning. So that's a plus. I also removed the middle counsel for a couple of reasons... one because it was smelly and two so people can get in my car easier.

But other than that, I just hung out with my Austin Lumpkins. And it was perfect.

I have 34 days left of school... AND I WANT SUMMER SOOO BAD.

I will need prayer for motivation and finish this semester out strong.

So yeah, that's it. Thanks for reading.

love, Reggs.

Java Cat

Today is a lovely day. A day off of work and no formal dinner for Chi Omega, first time I've had a day off in... I don't know how long. So I decided to soak it in with my best friends.

After classes, we took some towels, puppy chow, and just went and sat outside to soak in today. After that, we all went to this coffee shop called Java Cat, and it is the CUTEST coffee shop ever! & I actually took pictures with my camera...what?! We drank coffee, did homework, and just hung out. I love these kind of days, simply beautiful.

Also, I finished my devotion today. It has been the most impactful devotion I've ever had and I recommend it to any woman. Everyday something spoke to me or related to my day or week. I found this devotion by going to Book-A-Holic, on winter break, when I was in a very lonely and desperate place for God's strength and word after a hard break-up. The book caught my eye and has given me more wisdom than I thought it would. God is good. This isn't me bragging about how much I've grown, because I have SOOO much growing to do, but is me telling you how God works in mysterious ways. It is called Becoming a Woman of Extraordinary Faith: What If You Gave It All to God by Julie Clinton. I have learned so much about myself and God through this book, go get it.

On the last page here is a quote that stuck out to me:

"My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.  But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you." -Thomas Merton

Life is messy and hard. Sometimes I feel like what I am doing is not beneficial for God's kingdom and sometimes I feel like I am really not even doing anything or just slacking. But the desire of my heart is to be God's light, and he doesn't expect me to be perfect and the fact is that since my heart is always going to be His and what I can do to better His kingdom... That is pleasing to Him and that is enough.

Well that was a tangent... but was one worth telling about.

Thanks for reading!

Love, Reggs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Almost Spring Break

Well, it has been a while since I've blogged last.... I really am inconsistent. Oh well. I will get better. Any who, a lot of things have been happening in my life such as

• I got another job! I am still working on-campus and I am working in a place called Hornet Express. Basically, it is like a Subway, Chipotle, and McDonalds all mixed together. I now know how to flip a hamburger and roll a burrito. I work about 15 1/2 hours a week, doesn't sound like a lot but mix that with school, sorority, and other school stuff.. its a lot.
• I am now busier with all my classes, not a lot of homework, just a lot of reading and studying. They're all going well, besides my science class. I have a "B" in it, but I want it to be an "A."
• If I'm not working or doing homework, I am usually doing something with Chi Omega, which I love being a part of, no regrets in joining.
• I got an interview to be a summer league counselor! Hopefully, I will be working there, but whatever is in God's plan!

So that is what is new in my life!

 I haven't gotten to use my camera much, which I am so mad at myself for that. I will use it more and put pictures on this blog, so ya'll can check it out. One of my dreams is to get good a photography, but I realize that can't be my first priority right now!

Other than that I have been hanging out with my best friends all the time. Last night, some of us took a spontaneous trip to Kansas City, Mo, we left Emporia around 10:00 p.m. drove all the way to KC, saw a good friend, Lexi Belden, went and ate at Old Chicago, and then drove back home. We didn't get home till 5:30 a.m. because....idk...maybe we got lost. It was a blast, I love getting the sleepy sillies.

But other than that... Everything is pretty much the same. Learning more and more about myself, and learning more about God. He really placed me here at Emporia for a reason, and He continually reminds me of that. I am just reminded of how blessed I am by Him by everything during the trials and joys He brings to me.

ALSO....I cannot wait to have a week off and be at home, a whole week of just chilling! no homework, no work, just hanging out. It will be beautiful.

Well.. just a short blog, thanks for reading!

Love, Reggs.

Proving Myself

I have always had a hard time with wanting to prove myself to people, but lately I have been reminded by my best friends and parents and by an amazing God that I don't have to prove myself to anyone. That it's okay not to be okay, and that my convictions are mine and some people aren't going to understand- and that's completely fine.
    I've struggled with wanting to prove myself to other people my whole life. Whether if that would be with grades, how I treat people, how people viewed my relationship with a boyfriend, and so much more. The weight of feeling the need to prove myself started to effect my everyday life, and finally I just gave that to God. I gave that to God not because I want to be a better Christian, but because I keep realizing that He is the only one that can satisfy me and give me peace. The fact that I don't need to prove myself to God,because He gives us grace and forgiveness, then why do I need to prove myself to other people?

I don't.

For me, this doesn't mean not taking anybody's advice who has my best interest, but to humble myself before God and truly ask HIM if this is okay and let him lead my life. I truly believe that God puts people in our lives to speak truth to us and that what they're saying is valid, but God's plans will prevail.

Letting go of proving myself will be a struggle the rest of my life because who doesn't want to be the best at something or who doesn't want to make people proud? But at the end of the day, God will be my answer and the one I want to keep being my best for.

"You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and win I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways" (Psalm 139:1-3).

My Darling Sister, Falecia.

I think this is an appropriate time to make a special shout out to my lovely sister, Falecia Parker. You are truly one of the biggest blessings in my life. I do not know what I would do without you. Seriously. When you move to Nashville, Tennessee, I have no idea how I will cope. I know that when I come home for the weekend or when I have a five week long Christmas break and you aren't home..I might die. 

I truly admire the person you are and who you keep becoming. I love that you let God lead your life. You have turned what you have gone through into a beautiful testimony. I don't think you realize how wise you are and what a light you've been to people around you, whether that's our family, younger girls and guys in our old youth group, jobs, and school. There is something about you that just makes other people feel good about themselves.

You are inspiring. The dreams you have for yourself are amazing. The fact that you are working 62 hour weeks to just afford to move to Nashville in August blows my mind. Your work ethic will pay off. Not many people dare to dream or have goals, and your goals & dreams are out of this world. They are crazy, awesome! I cannot wait to see what God has in store for you. Not many girls at age 19 have the courage to move to a completely new area, by themselves, only knowing one person, and start a new life because that's there calling. I know you will use your AMAZING musical talents to further the kingdom of God.

I love that you can quote movies, crochet, longboard, and that your food choice is primal. I also think it's cute how much you love Maggie (our cat). I love how you can super crazy and wild or super chill. I like having sleepovers with you and I like gossiping about the Bachelor with you. And that is just a very small list of what I love about you and what I love doing with you.

You know me better than I even really know myself, it's like you know my thoughts before I even think them... and that is crazy, because I'm crazy. But I think it's even crazier that I know you better than you know yourself. It's like we are suppose to be twins... I feel like we share a bond like twins.

Basically, I love you SO MUCH. Thank you for all the advice you given me, listening to me, and just dealing with me. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for us and our relationship. As I pick a career choice and you get famous (I will mooch off you... just like I mooch off your plate), as we get married, as we have children, and as we just experience adulthood. It will be hard at times, but it's comforting that I have had the privilege to have you as a sister, but more than that, a best friend.

Love, Reggs.