Today has been one of the most wonderful and exciting days I have had in a LONG TIME.
I was walking through the rain rather gloomily to my car today and I overheard this girl on her cell phone talking about the HOPE scholarship. She was telling the person on the other end that the government had extended the award to fifth-year seniors. I thought, "wow, I really should check into that" and just kept walking. I got home, sat around for a while (while Jared napped) and eventually mentioned that we should probably try to head over the Financial Aid office today. I ALMOST didn't go, primarily because of the inevitably long lines and hassle etc.
Well. Let's just say those two hours were some of the best I have EVER spent. I got up to the counter, told the lady what the deal was...she left for about 5 minutes. (Besides one or two pregnancy tests I have taken, they were the slowest couple of minutes of my entire life.) She came back and said that not only was I eligible to regain the HOPE due to my high GPA, but my adjusted gross income made me eligible for an extra $750...bringing the total to...$2750.
TWO THOUSAND, SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS.
In other words, MY SCHOOL IS COMPLETELY PAID FOR FOR THE ENTIRE SEMESTER.
It was...unbelievable. I thought I was going to cry right there in front of her (and I almost did). I thought Jared was going to faint with joy, he lunged back and kept gasping for air. I just couldn't stop smiling..the lady was like "Wow, it's so good to see someone come out of here happy..."
So, PRAISE THE LORD for providing that money. This is really an answer to prayer...we have both been really stressed over our financial predicament. We had no idea how that money was going to ...show up. But it did!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Funny little story.
I was running yesterday at the new ETSU half-mile track (around the new soccer fields). I was on the last stretch of the 2 miles and I was feeling ok, but it was HOT outside. This guy was on one of those ginormous field mower things and was right next to the path as I was coming by. He looked at me and smiled so I smiled back, trying not to make eye contact (something that was ingrained in me during our London trip, it's a long story). I guess my smile wasn't too convincing, because he laughed and said, "Get cha some water, mama!" I just kept running.
I don't think I have ever been called "mama" before. It was strange.
I was running yesterday at the new ETSU half-mile track (around the new soccer fields). I was on the last stretch of the 2 miles and I was feeling ok, but it was HOT outside. This guy was on one of those ginormous field mower things and was right next to the path as I was coming by. He looked at me and smiled so I smiled back, trying not to make eye contact (something that was ingrained in me during our London trip, it's a long story). I guess my smile wasn't too convincing, because he laughed and said, "Get cha some water, mama!" I just kept running.
I don't think I have ever been called "mama" before. It was strange.
Monday, August 04, 2008
this is going to be a random post, just warning you...my stream of consciousness for today, if you will.
Today is the 5 month anniversary of Papaw's death. That is so weird...it's weird to think about him not being here. That period of time doesn't seem real, it seems fake, or like a joke...like he is just away or on vacation to an antique car convention. I don't really believe it yet. I can't. It's weird to me that Mamaw is doing surprisingly well...I mean, I am glad, but I am not living it every day, and I am not doing well...so I can't imagine how she doesn't just sit and weep all day every day. I understand why my dad is doing worse...every month is another month his dad is gone. Speaking of which, I am worried about Dad. He has a court hearing tomorrow...he may go to jail. He doesn't need this. Not now. All of the hazardous/potential risks for someone his age are already present and abundant: alcoholism, depression, feelings of self harm, coping with loss, in debt, single (divorced), unemployed, unaccomplished, and irreligious.I wish he knew that these things don't matter to me, or to God...and that I love him and I am here willing to support him, unlike anyone else. I want to enable him to succeed, not to fail. I wish I knew how to tell him, or, better yet, how to make him believe me. I wonder if he would come to church if I asked him...he might be embarrassed. I don't know. I would like to, though. Church was really good today, it was good to be back and see everyone...I am excited about the work we are going to get started in this city. I am excited about the training and teaching Jared and I have received over the past two weeks. I am excited about the opportunities for evangelism that are continuing to open. I am not excited about the fact that I have a scratchy throat...I haven't been sick in like, forever...ugh. I really want to start running and/or walking and doing some weight training...but it is just so hard for me to get motivated to do it alone. I can't keep up with Jared...we're on different fitness levels (those being his-I can do nothing for decades and still be fit as a fiddle- and mine-if i think about being inactive I automatically gain 5 lbs). I really wish there was someone who could be like a fitness accountability partner to me or something. I need to do something. I am sick of crying every time I look at myself in the mirror, every time I see a photo of myself. I feel like I don't have time to do anything but I just need to make the time...I can't handle being depressed like this and feeling ugly and overweight constantly anymore. Right now, though, I really just want to go to sleep. My eyes are heavy, so I think I will let my worries and thoughts dwindle again until tomorrow.
Night.
Today is the 5 month anniversary of Papaw's death. That is so weird...it's weird to think about him not being here. That period of time doesn't seem real, it seems fake, or like a joke...like he is just away or on vacation to an antique car convention. I don't really believe it yet. I can't. It's weird to me that Mamaw is doing surprisingly well...I mean, I am glad, but I am not living it every day, and I am not doing well...so I can't imagine how she doesn't just sit and weep all day every day. I understand why my dad is doing worse...every month is another month his dad is gone. Speaking of which, I am worried about Dad. He has a court hearing tomorrow...he may go to jail. He doesn't need this. Not now. All of the hazardous/potential risks for someone his age are already present and abundant: alcoholism, depression, feelings of self harm, coping with loss, in debt, single (divorced), unemployed, unaccomplished, and irreligious.I wish he knew that these things don't matter to me, or to God...and that I love him and I am here willing to support him, unlike anyone else. I want to enable him to succeed, not to fail. I wish I knew how to tell him, or, better yet, how to make him believe me. I wonder if he would come to church if I asked him...he might be embarrassed. I don't know. I would like to, though. Church was really good today, it was good to be back and see everyone...I am excited about the work we are going to get started in this city. I am excited about the training and teaching Jared and I have received over the past two weeks. I am excited about the opportunities for evangelism that are continuing to open. I am not excited about the fact that I have a scratchy throat...I haven't been sick in like, forever...ugh. I really want to start running and/or walking and doing some weight training...but it is just so hard for me to get motivated to do it alone. I can't keep up with Jared...we're on different fitness levels (those being his-I can do nothing for decades and still be fit as a fiddle- and mine-if i think about being inactive I automatically gain 5 lbs). I really wish there was someone who could be like a fitness accountability partner to me or something. I need to do something. I am sick of crying every time I look at myself in the mirror, every time I see a photo of myself. I feel like I don't have time to do anything but I just need to make the time...I can't handle being depressed like this and feeling ugly and overweight constantly anymore. Right now, though, I really just want to go to sleep. My eyes are heavy, so I think I will let my worries and thoughts dwindle again until tomorrow.
Night.
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