{Encouragement}

Wow! I do not know what it is about this week, but I have been in a huge rut.  Life seems to be going in slow motion, yet I still find myself to be a step behind.  It is times like these when encouragement is so important.  Encouragement can be found in the most unexpected places.  For me, I love inspiring quotes.  For example, today I woke up at 7:50 when I am suppose to be at work at 8.  Miraculously I walked into the office at 8:05, but was merely going through the motions all morning. While trying to finish up a couple of projects, I stumbled across the quotes above.  Immediately I felt encouraged and inspired.  Wow, God shows up at precisely the right times!

The next few weeks are going to be absolutely crazy.  Between working my full time job, taking the GMAT (19 days away) and beginning to train for my first triathlon, it is safe to say that I am the busiest I have been since my college days.  And while I spent my entire college career with a packed schedule, I have gotten quite used to getting off work at 5 and relaxing.  

I am so thankful for all of the encouragement in my life.  I look first and foremost to my creator.  When I find myself stressed or discouraged, I remember that the Lord will never put me in a situation that I am unable to overcome.  And. That. Is. Awesome.  

On a lighter note, tomorrow my Bears play for a chance to go to the Elite 8!  Oh, how I wish I was in Atlanta this weekend.  But I have to save my time and $$$ for New Orleans and the FINAL FOUR! I am completely confident that Baylor can make it there.  We just have to play like a team and not get discouraged (I say WE as if I am part of the team).  Baylor is one of the most talented teams in college basketball, but sometimes I am not quite sure that they realize their true potential, or maybe they have just been saving the real show for when it matters most! I wonder if Brady Heslip can beat the 9 three pointers he made last game.. That would be quite the show.

Alright, that's all for now.  Thank you for listening this dramatic post of mine and be looking for some exciting new things that are developing in my life! Despite having a rough week, there is still so much to look forward to! 

Friday Favorites//St. Patrick's Day

Happy Friday everyone! I am currently sitting at my desk, trying not to be distracted by the stress/excitement that is often referred to as March Madness.  I am so thankful that my Bears were able to pull off a win last night, despite a not so stellar performance.  

In a few hours, I will be heading up to Dallas for the weekend to celebrate a friends birthday and St. Patrick's Day.  It will be a nice, short break from reality.   I can't wait to share pictures with you on Sunday (I told you I would get better at this whole blogging thing eventually).  

For now, check out these St. Patrick's Day inspired images. 

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My Life//March Madness

It truly is the most wonderful time of the year!! March Madness is here and I am expecting my Baylor Bears to make a pretty far run in this year's tournament.  I have no problem admitting that I have a not so slight obsession with college basketball and I have been beyond giddy all day knowing that the first round of the 2012 NCAA Tournament is now officially underway! 

Each year, my Dad and I sit down and spend what seems like hours analyzing the bracket in order to choose as many correct outcomes as we can.  I think this year we might be onto something.. check out our bracket below:

 

 I also have my "fantasy bracket" where I have Baylor winning it all.  That would be nothing less that awesome! I'll keep you updated on how my bracket is doing throughout the tournament.  

I also wanted to share some pictures with you from this past weekend.  My friend Ashley and I decided to spontaneously road trip to Kansas City to watch Baylor play in the Big 12 Tournament Championship game on Saturday.  Despite the fact that the Bears did not end up victorious and and even though I got lost in downtown Kansas City, I would do it again in a heartbeat.   

FYI: I am in the middle of reconstructing my blog, so please excuse the mess :)

40 Before 30

I am sure most of you have heard of "30 Before 30" lists.  Well why stop at 30?  I have so much more that I want to accomplish and to limit myself to a list of 30 is just silly.  I would like to introduce you to my "40 Before 30" List (the ones crossed off are the ones I have already completed): 

1. Read the Bible cover to cover
2. Attend a Duke vs. North Carolina basketball game at Cameron Indoor Stadium
3. Take a picture at the top of the Swiss Alps (picture below)
4. Read the entire Harry Potter series
5. Start a family
6. Go back to Italy
7. Attend a Jay Z concert
8. Go gator hunting in Louisiana 
9. Get my concealed handgun license
10. Learn to surf
11. Get my MBA
12. Complete a triathlon
13. Learn to snowboard (picture below)
14. Learn to box
15. Lead someone to the Lord
16. skydive
17. Watch a cirque de solei show in Vegas
18. Move out of Waco
19. Go on a mission trip
20. Complete a half-marathon
21. Take pole dancing lessons (thanks to Keely Foster's bachellorette party)
22. Learn to play guitar
23. Become a graphic design guru 
24. Customize my blog
25. Make a donation to the Make-a-Wish Foundation
26. Go to tea at the Ritz (I'm currently trying to find my picture from this moment)
27. Take an adult ballet class
28. Pay for someone's meal behind me in the drive thru
29. Attend Tomorrowland in Belgium
30. Become a Big Sis in the Big Brother/Big Sister Program
31. Be in better shape than I was in high school
32. Own a puppy (King Charles Spaniel to be exact)
33. Be able to splurge on something nice for my parents 
34. Go skinny dipping
35. Get a tattoo
36. Run 1000 miles
37.  Own my own home
38.  Play each golf course on the British Open rotation (I can mark St. Andrews off the list already)
39. Conquer a fear
40. Live without regret

John 10:10 says: 

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.  I came that they may have life and live it abundantly."  

This verse has always been one of my favorites, but has really caught my attention the past few months.  There are times where I catch myself becoming idle and complacent with where my life is at the moment.  But in reality, I am light years away from fulfilling the dream that the Lord has for me and while I may not know what my final mission is yet, I know that I am called to always live life abundantly. 

I do not believe in regrets.  Every moment and event in my life has helped shape and mold me into the person I am today.  Regret is merely a setback and life is too short for setbacks :)

I am excited to be able to update you on my "40 Before 30" progress! Below are a couple of pictures from a few of the items I have marked off my list already. 

During a summer trip to Europe with the Baylor in great Britain program, my family and I were fortunate enough to visit the top of the Swiss Alps!! It was one of the most breathtaking sights I have ever seen.  God is so good!!

Alex Benda (who is now a very successful marine) taught me to snowboard over Christmas Break of our senior year! She forced me to face a personal fear and for that I am thankful!

Last spring break I went to Las Vegas with three of my best friends.  I don't have a picture of us at the Cirque de Solei show we went to, but I figured I would put up a picture just to prove that we were actually in Vegas. 

xoxo,
Ashley