April

You guys! It is April already!

This month looks jam packed!

I am currently home in Green Bay for Easter. I head back to Saint Paul Monday. I am already quite excited to head back. I cannot wait to move there in August!

Anywho, here's what is in store for the month!

April 11th I will be interviewing for the Education Program at Concordia. I am beyond nervous for this-it decides my future. What could be more nerve-wracking than that? I have yet to find out about what time I will be doing the interview process, but I am eagerly awaiting the email that will tell me my fate.
April 17th & 18th I am babysitting my cousins overnight. I am super excited about this! My aunt and uncle proposed this idea when Trevor and I visited when we got back from Spring Break. I'm loving the idea of spending more time with my cousins, and I'm hoping we watch their favorite movie: The Sound of Music.
April 18th is Trevor's 21st birthday! We don't really have plans figured out yet-but I'm hoping we celebrate at a restaurant so I can be a part of the festivities as well. I'm still in the process of buying his gift-he's so picky!

In addition to the above dates, Trevor and I need to tour apartments and find one we will be living in next year. Trevor will also be shooting for a new client, and I may be second shooting with him.

April will certainly be a busy month, but I'm excited for the adventures it will hold! I think it will be a fantastic time of preparation for the wedding as well.

Witness

With my education program interview on the horizon, I have been doing a lot of thinking.

In my Our Living Faith class, my professor has been stressing that we don't have to scream doctrine at people. We are better witnesses by our actions and showing others love.
I think this is one of the best things I have learned from this course.

Currently, it seems shoved in my face that I need to know everything about Lutheranism. It's kind of freaking me out honestly. It's a rather complex denomination and my exit interview at the end of my student teaching already seems to be looming over me. I fear that I will not get my Lutheran Classroom certification because of not knowing doctrine well enough.

So then why does one of my professors bother making the above point if it's contradictory to what the school seems to tell us?

Because it's the truth.

This article really made me realize it too: Jesus Didn't Care about Correct Doctrine, and Neither Should We

I am a proud Lutheran. I wholeheartedly believe every ounce of my church's doctrine. However, the doctrine was interpreted by man. So I do not doubt that there may be errors in it. I'm not blindly learning this stuff in my theology courses, I am questioning it. I am trying to decipher it on my own. But while I still am making sense of it all, I know that regardless of what I deduct, I can still witness for Christ by reaching out to those who need a friend, just as Jesus did.

Back At It

Coming back from a break from school is always difficult. I'm not the only one, right?
For some reason this bounce back seems even more difficult than usual.
Getting back into the swing of work, having a real schedule, and classes just isn't feeling right.

I recently did a little renovation on my photo blog. And I'm loving it.
Now you can view more of my photo collections-which means more views of my work.
Even better yet-today I noticed a new referrer link- http://exploratorius.us/
My photo is under the "My Faves of Yours" portion toward the end! How awesome, am I right?!
I'm so glad my work is getting out there!

However, it's getting me thinking. Possibly overthinking.
Maybe I want to do more in photography than I am willing to admit right now?
Could I see myself in the future just working part time at a daycare and doing primarily photo work instead of being in a classroom all day? Possibly....

Maybe I'm just stressed about my upcoming interview into the education program....

Interviewing

If you don't enjoy college-I feel sorry for you.
Well, that was a bit blunt. But honestly, college has held some of the best times of my life so far.

One huge milestone that will be coming up for me in college is my interview into the School of Education. By interviewing and getting accepted, I will be able to do my practicum and student teaching. Both of which are necessary to get my teaching license and to graduate.

I got the all important email today.

I emailed back promptly, saying that I will be interviewing this semester.

As much as it excited me as I emailed her back, it now terrifies me.

For one, I have not finished any required human relations reports. I have one in progress, but it has a bit to go.

Also, I am no where near done with my eFolio!

I have so much to do!

I voiced my concerns to Trevor.

He is such a blessing.

I love this guy.

To Do...Eventually?

Have I mentioned how much I hate growing up?!

I am so beyond stressed already this semester-it's crazy!

Last night my roomies (well the two that are also ED majors) and I are were discussing interviewing this semester to get into the ED program.
Scary,eh?
I still have one of my MTLE (Minnesota Teachers Licensure Examinations) tests to take {I signed up shortly after the discussion--FEBRUARY 10!}.
I have my entire efolio to do.
I have several letters of recommendation to have written.
I have two human relations papers to write for classes this semester.

That's just a little insight of what my "to-do list" looks like currently..
Maybe I should have bought that adorable Shit To Do book at Typo yesterday!

My Wonderful Other Best Friend

E: What's your first memory of us?
B: I met you before the beginning of the school year in volleyball practice

E: What's your favorite memory of us?
B: Probably all the time we spent together driving around to random parks and just hanging out at you house and sometimes my house. Ooo or that time we laid in my front yard and watched Dirty Dancing... There are a lot more but I will stop there
B: And getting ready for dance together senior year

E: What's your biggest dream you hope to accomplish?
B: My biggest dream is to become an amazing wife and mother

E: What do you see happening in the next 10 years? Be detailed.
B: In ten years I will be 29 (wow that is old) Well I will be done with college, so hopefully I will have taught for a few years. I also see myself being married and having children. I would see myself at this point working from home so I could stay with my kids.
E: How many children at that point?
B: Hmm I don't know at least one but hopefully more like two

E: What do you look forward to most in the next year?
B: Um being half way done with college, spending more time in classrooms, spending time with all of my friends, and of course yours and Trevor's wedding
E: Aww

E: Where is your current favorite place to shop?
B: This sounds really interesting but I like online shopping. I fill up my cart and delete it and then it gets rid of my need to go shopping. I like Amazon and TJ Maxx.
E:That makes sense.
B: I like to think so plus it is a really good method for procrastination

E: Do you have any final thoughts/comments/things you would like to share with my blog?
B: Well this is the longest I have been without hanging out with Elisebeth and I miss her a ton. So enjoy the time you have with your friends and family.

My Wonderful Best Friend

E: What is your first memory of us?
A: I think it was winter league for volleyball before freshmen year.
E: I wasn't here for that lol
A: Haha oops... Oh! Oh! It was Sarah's party!
A: I completely forgot about that!

E: What's your favorite memory of us?
A: I don't think I have just one haha
A: I remember getting ready for snowball and Steinhaus was there at your house.. Creeper..
A: Or when you were here at my house and my dad started to sing karaoke with us
A: Or stage one
A: Or when we did solo and ensemble together
E: Wow, so many good times

E: What's your biggest dream you hope to accomplish?
A: Right now it's to discover who and what I'm supposed to be
A: And probably somehow make it into the fashion industry
E: Like as a designer? Model?
A: Both or either or!

E: Have any wedding plans you want to share with my blog? (Ana got engaged December 2013!)
A:

A: Well... Where to begin... First off I'm going for the rustic/vintage/boho theme with sage green and blush as being the primary color scheme..
A: As for flowers I'm thinking peonies and helaboris because of the time of year I'd like the wedding to take place, ideally either the last weekend in June or the first weekend in July of 2016.

A:

 A:

 A:

A: Here are some examples..
A: A lot of the decor and such is going to be DIY and things that I've had people so kindly offer to let me borrow. Even the wedding favors are going to be made by my grandma and I; we're going to make jam to give away as gifts.
A: The ceremony itself I would like to be held in the middle of the woods behind my grandparents'
house with the reception to be held in their barn or if that is not possible, I would rent a large event tent and have it in their back yard.
A:

 A:

A: The wedding party and overall guest list is going to be small, with only 75-115 people invited and 3 bridesmaids including the maid of honor and three grooms men.
A: I have yet to decide on a menu so that is still up in the air
E: It sounds like you have pretty much everything else figured out! You should just plan my wedding ;)
A: We don't have a big budget at all for this wedding so we are probably going to keep it relatively "simple". I used the "" because as you well know I have my ideas and they can be pretty complex haha
A: I would love to plan your wedding! Haha
A: And as for my dress I shall keep that one a secret ;)
E: Smart!

E: I can't believe you have all of that figured out already!

A: I've had that figured out for a long time haha

E: What do you see happening in the next 10 years? Be detailed.

A: In the next ten years... Hmm.... Well, Nick and I get married and hopefully by then I will have a set idea as to what it is I would like to pursue career wise. Once Nick is out of the Marines we plan on moving back here and probably getting an apartment to start of with, but eventually we would like to buy a house with land so we can have a small hobby farm with chickens, goats, horses, cats, and a dog. After he's out he is thinking of going into the police force. We also have dreams of traveling the world together before we completely settle down and start a family; which probably wouldn't be till we're 30 or so.

E: Seems like you have it all figured out!

A: Or so I like to think haha

E: Do you have any last comments/words of inspiration/things you need to share for my blog?

A: Well I should say that though it may seem that I have this grand plan of how I want everything to work out I don't expect it to. I don't mean that in any negative sense at all, what I mean is that I know God always has a plan as to how the events in my life, in everyone's lives, will play out for the better even when it seems like things are not going at all the way you had planned them. I always have to remind myself that God is in control and that in the end what he has planned is so much more amazing than anything I could have come up with and that it's times like those that shape who we are and who we become.

A: There I think I said all that I needed to say haha

My Wonderful Fiance

E: What is your first memory of us?

T: Lol

T: Us, going to the ranch

T: For lunch

T: Or dinner

T: Whatever it was

E: What is your favorite memory of us?

T: I think seeing Hillsong with you

E: Wow, going way back to the beginning..

T: What??

E: What is your biggest dream you hope to accomplish?

T: Me?

T: Or us?

E: You.

T: Hmmm
T: I don't know, just be successful in something I love
T: Photography...Music

E: What do you look forward to most in the next year?
T: Um
T: Getting ready to live life together daily I think
E: Aww

E: What do you expect to happen in the next 10 years? Be detailed.
T: Ughhhh
T: Hm. Well... I'd like to finish school and move somewhere with more opportunity for us to do stuff! California preferably. I'd like to continue doing photography together since we both enjoy that. I'd like in a few years to grow our family as well and grow together in faith.

E: Do you have any last comments you would like to say for my blog? T: No comments. Yolo. Idk lol

My Wonderful Sister

E: What's your first memory of us?

K: Uh it's a toss up between when I showed the neighbors your bra once or you showing me that you could do a tummy roll thing and I couldn't so we were arguing over whether or not you were fat or I was.

K: lol. good times.
E: I don't remember either of those times!

E: What's your favorite memory of us?
K: Idk. Just talking in the kitchen when mom and dad are asleep.
E: Why?
K: Idk. cause it was bonding time.

E: Do you miss me when I'm at college?
K: Sometimes but sometimes I forget you are away
E; Ouch
K: Well you were gone a lot right before you left so

E: What is your favorite thing about having an older sister?
K: Same clothing size
K: Like having two closets

E: What's your least favorite thing about having an older sister?
K: You're crabby a lot so I guess that's a thing and you dance rape me sometimes(you can word that however you want)
E: Uh lol

E:What's your biggest dream you hope to accomplish?
K: Idk ummm I haven't thought that far ahead I'm just focused on school and crap like that right now

E: Do you have any idea where you want to go to college?
K: Idk. Probably a Concordia. Maybe Bethany.

E: Do you have any last comments for my blog?
K: School is hard. Don't do it.


Well there ya have it! My baby sister! Love her, even though sometimes she forgets about me... <3