It'll All Come Together

My spring break started and ended with weddings. My mom and sisters hosted a bridal shower for me last Saturday and yesterday, the wedding season officially began with my friend, Cearrah's wedding.
I never thought the day would come when I felt more organized than Cearrah. I definitely never thought the day would come where I was the one helping Cearrah. Our friendship was built on Cearrah's caring for me during a rough patch my freshman year of college. Since then, we have been equals in our love of Harry Potter and books in general, with a friendship deeply rooted in fandoms, faith, and family.

Cearrah's wedding was firstly, and most importantly, a celebration of her and Tyler's vows and promises of forever. We celebrated their union. But it was not the most organized, nitpicked wedding I have ever been a part of. It was actually very scattered. And all Cearrah could say reassuringly was, "it will all come together".

"Do you have a plan for the tables?" her mom would ask. "No, but it'll come together once we're there." she would respond with an easy smile. "What about centerpieces? Do you have any particular ideas?" I ask, holding teapots and tulips in both hands. "Whatever you want to do, it'll come together." But right at one o'clock, as we settled in our seats so that Cearrah could walk to the front of the room, it had all come together. The cake and cupcakes looked great, the board games made great "centerpieces", and the guests were raving about the decorations. Because it had all come together.

I keep hearing how stressful weddings are. How busy that day is. How little time you actually get with the groom. I hear advice about delegating, about telling people exactly what I want. I spent five days of my spring break working my way through a lengthy list of wedding to-do's. I snapped at my fiance, who was just trying to help, and ranted to my maid of honor about how all I had wanted was a hot dog buffet line when we first got started. Saturday and Sunday with Cearrah really put me in my place. It'll all come together. It doesn't have to be perfect, because when it's all said and done, I get to say "I do" to Josh. Whether I have cloth or plastic tablecloths, at the end of the day, I'll be married to my best friend. Maybe I'm "more organized" than Cearrah, but she's doing it right, she's letting it come together and not stressing out about the details.

To all my brides out there, it'll all come together. We don't need to pull our hair out, we don't need to get upset. Do what you need to do to feel good about it, but don't lose sleep over the things you can't control. Order extra tablecloths if that makes you feel better. Make your centerpieces in advance. But remember, it'll all come together.

Tota tua.

Law School Update

Because I'm experiencing writer's block, and because it's basically two-thirds through the semester, I thought I would share a little update on life as a law student is going. My current most frequent questions are:

Are you stressed?
Oh, no, not at all... Yes. I'm stressed at times and at others it feels like a normal day. The worst sense of overwhelming stress was last week, waiting on an emailed assignment that I had 30 hours to write. So I rearranged my apartment. I just desperately needed to feel in control of something.

What is the hardest part?
Keeping myself motivated. There are days where you just do not want to read, you do not want to pay attention, and you have to keep nudging yourself forward. I've only missed one class because of a lack of motivation (and a migraine) so I think I'm managing it well overall.

Are you a Royals fan now?
HA! No! But I've always said that I cheer (and do) for the Royals as long as they are not playing against St. Louis. But I am falling in love with the city, something I never thought would happen.

How's Lily?
She's fantastic, and slowly getting the hang of being unkenneled during the day. Currently, she's confined to the bathroom, but we hope to have graduated to the entire apartment by next semester.

Are you sure this is what you want to do?
I have never been more sure! I really enjoy the material, I'm loving the challenge it presents, and there are tidbits of my interests scattered around and I cannot wait to actually get to help someone. My only issue with all of this is that I miss having Josh around regularly. But, we have less than a year, and I could not be more excited!

So yeah! I'm not just surviving, I am thriving. Here's a song to jam to, get pumped! It's almost CHRISTMAS SEASON!!!!

Tota tua,

LeAnn 

Keep On Trekkin'

Sometimes, we hit a wall. We find ourselves unmotivated, exhausted, and feeling all around down-in-the-dumps. Boo.

Most students this time of year are starting to hit that wall- spring break is a week of midterms away. It's hard to keep pushing through, especially when we don't have much to help push us through. There are many ways to help keep yourself motivated- time with family and friends, taking a few moments to relax, getting a little extra sleep, or working out.

I forgot something didn't I?

Prayer.

God's got your back, trust me. The last thing God would do is give you something you cannot handle. But that doesn't mean you can do it completely alone. Just throw your hands up, and ask for help.

"God, I cannot focus. Help me to focus."
"God, I don't feel prepared, help to me to find the time to prepare for this exam."
"God, I am tired and stress. Please help me find relief and comfort."

It's Lent- the time when your prayer life should be growing, not diminishing. Ask God for help, and believe you will get the help you need.

Totus tuus,

LeAnn

P.S. A quick shout-out to shabbyblogs.com for the awesome new background! It was incredibly easy to install.

News Flash

That college kid life yo- it's a busy one. 

You would think, the semester that I am only taking eighteen hours, would be a relaxed one. Funny thing about thinking, and planning. It never goes the way we plan. 

My life is a constant, manic Monday that involves way too much driving around and not enough sleep or Netflix. But let's be honest, if those are my only true life complaints, then I have nothing to complain about. I am sorry for my inconsistent posting though! 

On the bright side of things, I got my dream job. I am the new, official director of Camp Re-NEW-All on the west side of the Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese. Yeah. How does that sound? 

This past Sunday, I had the joy of listening to Bishop Leibricht when he celebrated mass at St. Mary's in Joplin. He spoke about commitments, and how they only make us stronger. One who is truly committed, that is one who is going places. He discussed many different kinds of commitments, marriage and relationships, religious and church, and other causes. 

Am I stressed? Yes. Am I tired? Often. Do I sometimes wish that my life was much easier? Sure, don't we all. But I am strong and happy in my commitments. 

Committed to my faith and family, my church and school, my goals, my camp. I'm committed to it all. Bishop was right when he said commitments make us stronger- I could never accomplish what I have without them. 

Totus tuus, 

LeAnn