Home again, home again, jiggity jog

I am back in Oxford now and it's always a good feeling to be wherever you call home. There's just something comforting about it. It's a little weird to me that camp would feel like home but it most certainly does. I mean, for all practical purposes, it is my home. And in fact, I've been in cabin 24 for several months now.

Mr. Joe's home which is so much better for both of us. It was really sad every time I went to the cabin door and he wasn't there waiting for me. He is pretty much my wing man and, we all know, "you never, never leave your wing man." But, we're "reunited and it feels so good." It really is great to have him back.

There's a group here at camp this weekend which is always great for me because it means I don't have to worry about meals or anything. I get to show up to the dining hall and have 3 meals/day. This group will be here until Tuesday morning and then Tuesday evening registration for Overflow will be happening. I am fairly excited about the retreat, I think it's going to be a good one. Also, I'm particularly excited about the door prizes- they are always guaranteed to be a good time.

I suppose that's about all for now. The weather is LOVELY and disc golf is definitely in order for today. Also, I need to find out about the golf courses around here because it would be a great day for it.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I am enjoying the lovely weather.

Oh my

Mr. Joe's eye has been looking pretty bad for several months now but I haven't taken him to the vet because I figure, if I can't go to the Dr., he can't go to the vet. Well, Mom took him while he was staying with her to get his vaccinations updated and to get his eye checked. Evidently he has a couple of ulsters in it... sorry buddy. I feel pretty bad but, at least now it's being treated.

Dad left today for Alabama; he will be sorely missed over the next 28.5 hours while I am in Fresno. I have had a great trip and am both anxious and sad for it to end. It's an odd combination of feelings but, they are what they are.

I am well and things are good. If I have to hear about Richard Nixon one more time I might hurt someone.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I am sorry I neglected Mr. Joe.

The Joy of Christmas

Merry Christmas to all! What a wonderful day today is. Family, friends, joy and little baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling cloth. It doesn't get much better. Uncle Paul came into town today. A blessing INDEED. Dad leaves tomorrow, which is unfortunate. Alex and I leave Saturday.

Evidently Mr. Joe has now eaten both a spool of wide ribbon and a Christmas tree skirt due to my absence and his separation anxiety. There's got to be something we can do about that... I don't know. In any event, Mom is going to meet us at the airport Saturday night, rather than waiting until after the new year to meet up so that I could get him back. Evidently him throwing up on her carpet once a day was not something she was planning on... At least she thinks of me daily.

Other than that, got to talk to Flynn today- A-Maz-Ing. Santa brought me international calling cards that I can use from my cell phone. It's one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me. Seriously.

Christmas in Fresno has been spectacular. We had a Christmas Eve party at my Aunt Evie's house last night. It was great to see everyone and to play games and be with friends and family. Today has been great as I said with Uncle Paul coming and everything. Also, we had plum pudding for dessert: NEW PERSONAL FAVORITE.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I say, "Merry Christmas!"

Home of the Raisin

So here I am in Fresno, California. It's always nice to come back. Dad is here from Alaska, Alex flew with me, Uncle Micho is here with Cousin Amy, and of course Mam and Pap are here. Life is grand. We'll see Uncle Al and Aunt Evie tomorrow night along with their family.

Well, the flight here really enlightened me on air travel and the new policies therein:
Checked Baggage: $15/bag
Soda on the Plane: $2
Uncomfortably Small Seat(ticket): $500
In Flight Entertainment: Not Available
Knowing that US Airways is a step above RyanAir: Priceless

There are some things in this world money can't buy. For everything else, hope that Dad gives you the money.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I am sad that the day of complimentary pretzels and a drink are gone.

A conversation

My friend J many times posts funny or interesting conversations he's been a part of on his blog. In the spirit of that, I recently was audience to a conversation that I found very funny.

J, Tyler and I were watching The Dark Knight and it was on the scene where Batman has rigged every one's cell phones to send a signal to the bat cave. This is what transpired:

J: I don't know why Morgan Freeman isn't down with this
T: Because it's censorship
J:Yeah, but he's trying to catch the Joker
T: But it's wrong for the same reason that George Bush shouldn't listen in on our cell phone conversations
J: But this is different. They're trying to catch a REAL psycho
T: Like terrorists? Actually, the difference is that this is pretend and the terrorists are real
J: Still...

My name is Samantha Lewis and The Dark Knight is an AMAZING movie

Advent Season!

It's the season for waiting and expecting. Who doesn't love Advent and Christmas? I know I do. It's been pretty much all Christmas music, all the time for me since after Thanksgiving. I just got my holiday mixes from J and they are indeed a blessing. I am going to TN next week and then Fresno the week after. Oh the excitement!

I am going to Ireland in early March and I could not be more excited. Nothing says adventure like Sam and Flynn reunited. Mr. Joe is not too excited about being left behind on my various ventures. I wish there was a way for him to hide away in my carry on or something but I really don't think that that is a very good idea. He would probably end up getting a little bit stressed out about that and I may or may not get into trouble with the airlines.

In other news, I got a library card today. It was a big deal for me. I'm pretty sure I'm still at large with the Montgomery County Library so I'm glad that the Oxford Library didn't do a background check or anything. If they had, they might find that I effectively lost one of Montgomery's books and then failed to pay for it. I plan to have a better record with this library. We shall see.

I brought my golf clubs back with me after visiting Mom at Thanksgiving. What a joy they are. The CLS Golf Invitational is in April and I intend to play. It's going to be A-Maz-Ing. I just wish that I was a little better at golfing. I am fair at driving the ball but after that it is all downhill. I cannot chip to save my life. I either end up sending the ball SOARING or barely nicking it so that it goes a foot and a half and I look like a fool. There is much practice to be done before April.

I suppose that's all for now. An extremely random posting, I suppose it's been too long since the last posting for me to concentrate on a topic or two.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I am excited.

Weekend Update

Unfortunately the SNL weekend updates will be slightly less exciting now that the election is decided. On the other hand... OBAMA WON! I am very excited but keeping in mind that real change, according to the gospel, is only possible through Jesus. So, while this will be surface level better for the American people and the world, it is ultimately not as important as I've made it out to be. Social reform without the realization of Christ, is merely social reform... great for people who don't believe that Jesus is God.

In any event, life here in Oxford has been excellent. Last week I substituted EVERY DAY. It was indescribably exciting for me. The students were great and I had a good time. Wednesday was difficult given the nature of Tuesday's. I was up until 3:30 and had to be at school by 7:30... it was rough. I made it through though. It was an week of Chaucer and parenthetical citation. Who thought I would ever be enthusiastic about teaching these things? I was, however, enthusiastic. Chaucer=hilarious as long as you're not reading it for Dr. Gray in the Middle English without a translation, having her correct your pronunciation. I had one student tell me that they "really didn't like that one book Charles Dickens wrote, Moby Dick." I was not rude to them but it took a lot of restraint. I also told them about my favorite literary character, Bartleby the Scrivener, who refused to do ANYTHING responding with only "I'd prefer not to."

That's all for now.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I could write more but "I'd prefer not to."

Perspective

I received a letter today from a good friend who is serving in the Peace Corps in Ethiopia. Talk about putting things in perspective. She has electricity... most of the time and running water... about every four days, and a toilet she can flush... about every four days when the water is running. WOW. I was ready to complain about my rotten egg smelling water this morning until I read the letter and I though "hmm, I have water. Hooray." In middle and upper class America we've gotten so used to having things like water and electricity that I think we forget that there are those who don't. There is so much that I could live without and I am constantly ignoring that. It's time for me to quit ignoring the blessings in my life and start sharing them.

My name is Samantha Lewis and it's time for me to change.

Jesus, camp and Mr. Joe

So, the title of this blog entry pretty much sums up everything going on in my life right now. I am reading the book Resident Aliens which is basically tackling the problem that we face as Christians living in a world where people have made Christianity into something it's not AND how we respond to the issue of both being American and being Christian. It has brought a lot of questions and challenges to everything that I think. Honestly, I think that this might be the most formative piece of literature that I've ever read. It's opened my eyes to the real call of Jesus who (I think) doesn't care as much about an individual and their "personal relationship with Jesus Christ" as he does about what the church as a body of believers is doing for the "least of these" in His name. I think that it's time the church (including me) stopped sitting around on Sundays and Wednesdays and talking about our faith and trying to make it as appealing to the world as possible, and we started going and doing what God has called us to do. Helping people, loving people. I don't really think that we can sit around anymore and ignore the problems of those around us.

Camp is extremely busy right now. Constantly going, lots to do. It's good for me to be busy. It's when I'm not that I get lonely and bored.

Mr. Joe is good. He had one of the festering wounds that he gets because of allergies but it is now all healed up. Unfortunately there is a bald spot where the sore was and it kind of looks like he has the mange.

That's about all that's going on in my life right now. Dare to lead is at camp this weekend. Should be a good time.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I am ready to put faith into action.

"...a roller coaster, baby baby"

Yes, I am like a walking roller coaster. I can't seem to be able to stay at a constant. It's either up or down. Right now it's up and I'm ok with it coming down a little bit and leveling off. In fact, that would be great. I don't know what it is but I think I'm going to be able to level this out and just roll with it. I feel good today, refreshed, energized. Good.

Mr. Joe has the NASTIEST sore. Labs get these "hot spots" due to allergies and what have you. Mr. Joe's don't come up all that often, but when they do they are disgusting. It's OK though, just keeping Neosporin on it.

In other news, I am headed to Huntsville Thursday to build a fence with Dad. The one we have now is not high enough to contain our English Setter, Ben, who will pretty much jump anything he can. He's an idiot dog, but I suppose we want to keep him around.

That's all for now.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I'm leveling out.

Life Update

So, I've recently decided that I'm not nearly as intelligent as I have often wanted to give myself credit for. I cannot think on the same level as many of the people who I hang out with. I do not retain information well, I can't even talk football on their level. In fact, I can't really participate in any of their conversations. This is a major blow to my social life since I'm referring to nearly all of my Oxford friends. I like to think that once I get a masters degree I will be able to play the game but I'm still not sure. This, however, brings me to doubt whether or not I can bring people the "word" every week if I don't REALLY know how to discuss it on the next level. I know that seminary is going to help me grow exponentially but I'm just not certain that it will be enough. I'm not sure that I'm capable of that. I haven't given up hope or anything but it has certainly brought up questions. I don't want to be a sudo-intellectual. I don't want to just fake it. Perhaps I need to just stick to watching TV and reading easy, insignificant novels.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I am not very intelligent.

One more and it's a streak, but let's not get ahead of ourselves

I substitute taught yesterday! This is good considering my bank account does not yet have enough money in it to pay my minimum payment on my visa card for last month. Also, in exciting news, they called me to come in TODAY also. Folks, for someone who was ready to give it all up and be homeless the rest of her life, this is a big deal.

In other matters, I would like to add that reading the blogs of others (particularly Mr. Russler and Mr. Johnson's) improves my life greatly. A little pick me up, if you will.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I am going to work.

For every action...

... there is an equal and opposite reaction. A truth for many things in life, not only a scientific concept. Great day yesterday, less than mediocre day today. Not sure what is really my problem, just having trouble pulling out of a funk tonight after youth. I wasn't really pleased with the way that it went and I don't feel good about it. I think that having such a great time with Caroline yesterday made me long for Montgomery more than I have in a while. I have to remember that it took me a long time to get to know them too. It's not overnight that people begin to trust you and to be your friend. It's funny though, because I like to think of myself as one who easily makes friends but living alone has really made me long for a close friendship.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I am ready to bounce back up tomorrow.

Playing Catch Up

Last night I had the opportunity to have coffee with Caroline, a girl who was in the youth group at First UMC Montgomery while I was an intern there and is now a freshman at Ole' Miss. I expected that it would be nice to see her and that we would have an awkward chat about how my life, while not nearly a failure, is certainly not shaping up to be what everyone expected of me. After this, I anticipated we would overview the basics: what's your major? what classes are you taking? are you going to join a sorority?, etc. This was entirely off. Not that we didn't cover the basics and not that we didn't discuss my life, but there was a whole lot more than that. The awkwardness wasn't there and it was like getting to chat with an old friend. It's funny when people grow up and all of a sudden are young adults, rather than kids in the youth group. It was so good to talk about life and everything going on. It's not that I expected to dislike this, only that I expected it to be superficial while I pretended to be a role model whose life was going exactly as planned; not so at all. I got to have a real conversation with a friend. It was an excellent time.

ALSO, I had never realized that square books had a balcony outside. A-Maz-Ing. The weather here the last two days has been perfect. Not pretty good, not nice, PERFECT. On top of all that, I watched The Bourne Ultimatum which is possibly one of my favorite movies now.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I had an amazing day yesterday.

The Vision ReFUELED

So, I earlier reported that I would no longer be attempting my "don't drive" adventure. My cause was refueled without gasoline, however, when I was speaking with someone this afternoon. They commented that "driving is a necessity." I disagree. Driving is only a necessity because, in America, we have allowed it to become a necessity. We don't have to drive, we don't have to use our own cars for everything. Let's carpool, let's implement more public transportation programs, let's walk or ride our bikes. There are families in Europe with only one car for the ENTIRE family. There are families in Europe WITHOUT a car. It's not completely ridiculous, it's a lifestyle change. Let's change our lifestyle!

My name is Samantha Lewis and I am ready for CHANGE.

3 Stages of Phlegm

I had a high school teacher who once explained the stages of phlegm to us in class. They are as follows:

-Foamy
-Slimy
-Crunchy

Foamy is the one where there's not really a lot of substance to it, it's almost spit, but with some mucus mixed in. Slimy is all mucus but it's... well, slimy and stringy. Now crunchy, that's the stuff that comes up solid. If you want to swallow it back for lack of a chance to spit it out, you've got to chew it up a little bit before it goes back down.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I am currently experiencing both slimy and crunchy phlegm.

Just like that

It's funny how things can be one way and then, "just like that", they're completely different. I was living comfortably in Montgomery, good money, great job, great friends. Then, just like that, here I am in Oxford. Still fantastic friends, but I'm far away from the Montgomery friends, money is non-existant, and job... yeah, that'd be really great. But, I'm looking for a turn around soon.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I am hoping for a turn around that happens "just like that".

Walk the line

So, in an effort to save money and the world, I have been avoiding my vehicle this month. It's easier than one might imagine but I have found myself in several situation that I wish had not happened. The first of these was Wednesday morning when I decided to borrow Darrell's bike and ride to youth prayer breakfast. This was not a bad idea, except that it's an hour ride into town. Therefore, in order to be at prayer breakfast by 7:00 a.m., I left at 5:35 a.m. Again, no big deal, except that at 5:35 it's pretty good and dark outside still. Also, Hwy 334 does not really offer a lot in the way of road lighting. For this reason my ride down 334 was scary, to say the least. Due to the darkness, I very literally nearly hit a deer. Also, cars do not slow down for you if they can't see you. In any event, I made it safely to Phillip's Grocery for breakfast and then bummed a ride back to camp with Kelli, our office manager (this is not the only time she has stepped up to be a hero in my life).

Later that day, I returned to town via Kelli and went to youth group. All was good until I stubbornly passed up my ride home. This meant that I had three choices: walk back to camp, sleep on the street, or walk to J and Tyler's. (Option #4: call someone for a ride, never occurred to me). I felt as if J and Tyler's was the closest option, other than sleeping on the street which is pretty much a no go. So walk I did. From the square to that side of Ole Miss' campus was a piece of cake. But then I kept walking, and walking, and walking and... you get the point. Finally, after walking for about an hour I came upon a parking lot. I just knew I had to be close. As I continued to walk I found myself still far away from my intended destination. So, finally getting to Jackson Ave, I walked and walked and walked some more. One hour and forty-five minutes after I began my quest for the air mattress, I arrived. It was glorious.

I think that, perhaps, I slept more peacefully knowing that I had accomplished this great feat on my feet. (pun intended)

The no car thing is good. It's working. My knee, however, is not. I may have to break down and start burning fossil fuels again. It's sad. In the near as possible future, I will be investing in transportation that is not so harmful to God's world.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I may have to burn more fossil fuel.

A blog for a change?

So, it's time to start blogging again. I worked at camp this summer and there was very little time for it, but now seems like as good a time as any to start back at it.
Things at camp are going well. I had a pretty bad spell of cabin fever a couple of weeks ago. This is the first time I've ever lived by myself and it''s been a little lonely for me. I am used to being around people and not having a roommate or someone there all the time has been quite a change.
I am working with the youth at OU-UMC in Oxford. They are very similar to the youth at First UMC Montgomery. It's interesting to see the differences though. I have officially obtained a substitute teaching position and will be going in for certain on September 14th. This is a huge relief.
Anyway, just a little update on my life. It's good. I plan to be blogging more often.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I have a job... kind of.

Home again, home again, jiggity jog

So, after being across this great United States, it is always nice to come back to a place that feels like home. For me, that's Montgomery. As I drove in and caught sight of the sky line (not much by many people's standards) I was taken aback by how much I miss it here. It really is a place that I call my home. The people that I know here are so very dear to me, they are an important part of my life and I could not help but be excited about driving into the city that would lead me to them. Mr. Joe has been a faithful companion through my road trip, stopping only as often as I felt appropriate and never complaining about his seat. I think he was happy with right where he was. Anyway, it's late and, although I haven't updated in a month, I am going to have to call it a day.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I am glad to be home.

The Redcoats are coming!

This past weekend I traveled to Boston, MA for a little fun. It was amazing, to say the least. Quincy market was filled with wonderful places to eat- if you wanted it, they had it. We made it to THE TOMB, which is like an Indiana Jones adventure for those who are brave enough to face the task. We had a serious test of wit, strength and bravery. We would not have made it through if it were not for the help of our new friend Galin (an excitable young gentleman who wore a "hip pack"). We got to see the big St. Paddy's day parade and that was spectacular. My favorite part- some kid who tried to pick up every sucker that was thrown into the street. He had to have about 60. Hunter and Cassie were gracious hosts and our experience would not have been quite as good if it were not for them. Fenway might have been my favorite part of Boston (next to the tomb, of course), I sat in the oldest seat in all of baseball.

The history of the city is wonderful while mixed with the exciting atmosphere of a place filled with fun people. I have heard all my life about how rude northerners are, that was not my experience. Everyone I came accross was more than willing to help me with whatever I needed.
It was a great trip.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I had a great time in Boston.

Swimming

So, I went swimming today. In FEBRUARY! It was ridiculous, it was cold, but, like a lot of things in my life, I did it because it's a great story. I don't know what it is about me, maybe it's that I really enjoy being the center of attention, but I tend to do things that don't make sense, just because I know they'll be fun to talk about.
Talked to Shannon today, it's always good to talk to good friends. Also got in touch with Kristen and it sounds like she's doing as well as can be expected after surgery so, that's excellent news. Got to hang out with my Aunt and Uncle, went to dinner and then schooled them on the Wii (except bowling... they're exceptional). We're going to do real bowling tomorrow which is pretty exciting. They used to bowl in leagues and the whole 9 so I'm hoping I don't get slaughtered. (I'm very competitive and DO NOT like to lose).
Still waiting on recs for my application to Emory to be complete. I'm a slacker about following up but I really need those in.
Well, it's late. I watched some more of The Soprano's tonight. It really is as good as everyone has made it out to be. I don't know what I'm going to do without it this week... maybe I can borrow it...?

Anyway, that's all for now.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I do ridiculous things just for the story.

Far Far Away

So I'm here in Fresno, CA visiting my grandparents and Aunt & Uncle for the weekend. Things are pretty good here but I'm starting to miss Montgomery terribly. I miss being able to just go over to a friends and hang out, I could say that I miss the stuff there is to do in Montgomery, but really I just miss the people. My AOII little sister is having surgery tomorrow and even though we've lost touch a little bit over the past couple of months I still feel like I ought to be there. Lea's wedding is in a couple of weeks and I'm not going to be able to make it to that either. It's just disappointing to miss things that are important.
On the upside, Mr. Joe, Sadie and I are now through 7 episodes of The Soprano's... almost half way through the first season. I realize that that changes the topic quickly but there's no point in dwelling on the negative, I got it out, enough said. The weather has been B-E-A-utiful! I am planning on swimming in my grandparent's pool tomorrow just so I can say that I went swimming in February. Don't worry, I will have my grandparents take pictures and I will post them on facebook... that way, it officially happened. (Unless it's on facebook, it never really happened.)

That's all for now.

My name is Samantha Lewis and though I'm where I grew up I feel far from home.

It's been a while since I've updated. It's not really that things have been overly crazy, just that I've been distracted with other things. I got my application in for Camp Lake Stephens where I hope to work this summer, so that was a plus. I've been consumed lately with the U.S. version of "The Office" but now that I've watched every episode and there aren't new ones coming until April, I'm pretty much out of things to do.
I made a decision to start running durring the week and it's been really good. I feel better and I'm thinking that eventually I'll have to start losing weight. I'm trying to eat less and eat healthier in the less that I eat. Lent is going well and I've decided that after it's over I will remain a pescetarian (a person who only eats seafood meat, no other meat). It's good for me and I've recently read that cattle heards contribute greatly to global warming. I'd also like to get a hybrid car. That will have to be a ways off because a steady income will be important for that, although Dad mentioned that in the fall we may be able to think about it. It is rather funny, however, that I'm here talking about going green while in the meantime I'm driving a car that gets less that 20 mpg all over the United States. Oh well.
I'm very ready to get back in school and also be involved in some worship and study with people my age. It's completely different to visit a church than to go and be a part of worship in the church that you can call home.
That's all for now.
My name is Samantha Lewis and I am basking in the sun in California.

The Land of Milk and Honey

So I didn't get any posting done toward the end of my stay in Oklahoma, but it was a good stay. I really enjoyed seeing my grandparents and spending time with them, although it was definitely time to head out Monday. Tuesday night I stayed with Morgan, a friend that used to go to HC. It was so good to see her and spend some time there. It was also nice to have a stopping point between TX and CA. She has a Tibetan Mastiff that is HUGE and the cutest St. Bernard puppy of all time.
Yesterday Mr. Joe and I got started about 7:00 Pacific Standard Time. We had a pretty good journey, stopped at Denny's for breakfast, always a plus. As we got close to Dad's in Lompoc, CA I lived out this analogy which I will someday use in a sermon:

Dad had been telling me that this place where he was living was the land of milk and honey. He said it was beautiful and the weather was wonderful and nothing compares. I, of course, took him at his word and assumed he was correct. The journey to Lompoc was fine, there were spots of clouds and spots where the clouds would break and there would be sunshine. There were flat lands, hills to climb and times I drove through valleys. Then, as I was within about 45 minutes of the "promised land" a giant cloud of gloom covered the sky as far as I could see. The grayness surrounded me and was overwhelmingly depressing. I began to think that Dad was wrong about this land of beauty and that maybe he hadn't been completely honest with me. After all of the talk I was beginning to think that my dad had failed me. Then, just as I thought the gloom would never lift I looked out onto the coast. I could see where the cloud ended and at that very spot the sun danced on the water with a brilliance that I cannot now, nor will I ever be able to describe. It was like receiving a glimpse of heaven. As I continued to drive I came to more and more sunshine. The beauty of it was amazing and I found that I had nothing to doubt, I just needed to drive through the gloom so that i could experience the brilliance of the sunshine.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I am trusting in the promise of my father.

Adventure Thursday

Today Grandma, Grandpa, Mr. Joe and I set out for Grove, Oklahoma where my Great Uncle Charlie and Aunt Wilda live. It's normally about a four and a half hour trip but don't worry, I made it five and a half. I decided that this was a perfect opportunity to take pictures at every town we went into, as well as every "Historical Marker" we passed. There were PLENTY. I also got a picture of the McDonald's that goes over the freeway... WOOHOO.

It was a pretty big day for us and it has been great to see my aunt and uncle. We played Yhatzee and dominoes, both of which I won! (I know, great, I beat an 80 year old woman and a 70 year old developmentally disabled man, but seriously, they're good.) My grandmother and her sister talked to me for quite a while about making sure that I don't let doctors just go in and do surgery because they go in there and mess things up. Be that as it may, I still trust the medical experience of a doctor more than my "human instinct." I've grown up in this century, my human instinct hasn't gone to med. school.

All joking aside, it has been a great day. I hav eenjoyed this time and look forward to continuing the adventure tomorrow.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I am on an adventure.

Ash Wednesday

I went to an Ash Wednesday service in Watonga, OK today. It was much smaller than the service at First UMC Montgomery but still a great service. A great time for reflection and repentance. I did, of course, get to come home to my cousins saying (in a VERY country accent) "What's on your head?" And the concept of it was too much for one of them.

Tomorrow it's off to see Great Aunt Wilda and Uncle Charlie. I'm pretty excited, although not as excited as Mr. Joe. I'm not sure if it's the fact that he gets to ride in the car or the fact that he gets to be with us ALL THE TIME, but Mr. Joe, even after a 14 hour car ride, still gets excited every time I get my keys out. It will be good to see both Aunt Wilda and Uncle Charlie. They are both, in a sense, medical miracles. Uncle Charlie is developmentally disabled and the doctor said he would not live to see 40... he's 70. Aunt Wilda was sent home from the hospital at the end of November with a death projection of no later than December 15th... tomorrow will be February 7. It's good to see that there are still miracles.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I am amazed.

Lent

After a wonderful season of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, Lent seems like it has snuck up on me this year. Although it is a season for prayer and repentance, it is also time for me to give something up in remembrance of what was given for me, as well as recognition of the time of fasting. This year I have decided to give up sweets and meat other that fish. The sweets are because I too often indulge in these things. The meat is because I think that it is something that I take for granted and it will remind me evertime I eat that I am in the Lenten season. I like this season because it gives me time to truly reflect and dig down deep. It seems like it's meant to be a hard time but I think that it is an exciting time. It's a time waiting for Christ's resurection.

My name is Samantha Lewis and I am waiting for Easter.

Welcome

I feel like I should give an introduction before I start any real blog entries. The purpose of this blog, in addition to serving as a journal, is to keep those who are interested updated on my life and to have a space to discuss some things that are on my mind. I am 22 years old and am currently on a 2 month road trip visiting family. I hope to become a minister in the United Methodist Church and am currently pursuing the candidacy process in order to do so. I have a 10 year old Labrador Retriever named Mr. Joe who is my sidekick in all that I do. I hope to soon own a motorcycle with a side car for Mr. Joe. I graduated from Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama this past May and it is, in my opinion, one of the greatest institutions for higher education available. I am blessed with many wonderful freinds and a supportive family.

My name is Samantha Lewis and this is my Blog.