Friday, February 29, 2008

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.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

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.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

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.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

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.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

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.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

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.