Change...What is it Good For? Maybe Actually Something???

For those that know me, you all know one thing is for pretty darn certain, change is indeed NOT my middle name. I remember one instance in particular, I was about six or seven and my dad and stepmom decided to start house hunting. We were looking at different houses one day, and I immediately shut down. I "grew up" in the house they wanted to sell (please Soph....you were seven and just really loved the pool in the backyard) how could they do this?! I remember my stepmom pulling me aside asking me what was wrong and I had heard the phrase before "I just don't like change." So I said just that knowing she couldn't get angry with my attitude. She sympathized with me and told me everything would be okay. Fast forward five years when my mom and stepdad got married. Guess who wasn't a fan *insert purple shirt emoji girl* why not? "I just didn't like change." I was hardwired at a young age to be terrified of the idea simply because I had heard a phrase and it sounded like the easiest way out of new, scary (in my immediate opinion) situations.

About a year and a half ago, my sweet friend Taylor lent me a book titled "Girl Meets Change" by Kristen Strong. I was going through some transitions, moving back to Austin, entering the work field, living and supporting myself and boy did I think I had met the pinnacle of changes. I started to read the book and for some reason my heart just was not in it. I couldn't get into it too much and wasn't exactly sure why.

Let's fast forward again. This time to May 2016 (yes it's been forever since I opened this pretty little blog). I was driving home to San Antonio from Austin for the weekend and decided to take the Hill Country route. Less traffic, pretty scenery, less traffic...sign me up. I decided to turn off the radio and just have a nice long talk with God. I was at a good spot in life. I had not one, but two fantastic jobs surrounded by people that absolutely loved me and appreciated me, I had friends that evolved into family and gave me all the support in the world, I was in a city that couldn't fit my lifestyle, and my personality more perfectly, and yet I was stuck; something didn't feel right. I asked Him to speak to me; to give me some sort of sign that I wasn't just feeling crazy. "Lord, you know what is in my heart, and you will lead me in the right direction. I believe in You, and I trust in You." I put on a song by a worship group that I had just been introduced to called Here as in Heaven by Elevation Worship. The song begins:

The atmosphere is changing now 

For the spirit of the Lord is here

The evidence is all around 

For the spirit of the Lord is here

I knew He was with me, in my car, on that ride, wanting to open up my heart and eyes and truly speak to me. The song continued on, and out of no where I began to absolutely ball and at the time I didn't understand why.

Spirit of God fall fresh on us

We need Your presence

Your kingdom come

Your will be done
Here as in heaven

For months I had toyed with the idea of going back to school. I was missing the world of athletic training, but thought surely that time in my life was over. Going back to school, meant moving, either to a different city or state and I couldn't do that. My life was figured out in Austin. **PSA: I'm actually an idiot for thinking I had my life figured out in my early twenties. HAH!**

Your will be done. Your will be done. Your will be done.
It echoed with me with the rest of the ride, I realized I was crying not because I was sad, but because I knew I was avoiding His direction the whole time and a huge CHANGE was about to come. I was going back to school, I was going to have to move. And I was scared, af. (that's what the cool kids say).

In January of 2017, I made one of the biggest decision I knew of thus far. I quit my job. I spiraled myself into the unknown world of unemployment to prepare for going back to school come June. Along with teaching bootcamps, I began nannying (for the most amazing family might I add), weekend babysitting, dogsitting, any odd job...you name it. I hustled my way to June. I kept up with my bills (by the absolute grace), was still able to maintain a social life, be my best friends maid of honor (even gracier) AND planned a move to Arlington, Texas where I would begin a Masters Program in Athletic Training.

The first Friday of June, with the help of my roommates, packed up a majority my room and on that Saturday I loaded up my car and headed north on 35. But just before I left, I looked at our bookshelf and saw that little green book staring at me; Girl Meets Change. I smiled, picked it up, and added it to my book bag. Ya'll let me tell you....I thought I met change two years ago. Living a life of employment, comfort, direction, nay. Six months ago I didn't just meet change. I dove head first in the pretty little word, and although I can't say I am 100% comfortable with the little sucker, I have come to terms with the fact that with love, support, and encouragement...it may actually be good for something.

"I must be continually ready to give up the parts of my life that God wants to replace with trust in Him, even if what I need to give up are my own expectations and continual need to be in the driver's seat of my life."                                                                      -Girl Meets Change, Kristen Strong
           
                         

Here goes nothing! ...or maybe a whole lot of something 

A quick view of my actually having downtime for once

Weekend Recap

Oh boy, Monday already?! That means I have just two more days here in San Diego, and the sadness is starting to take effect. Emily had asked me to hold Sam Friday morning while she got ready for the gym and I just starting balling right then and there. My time in San Diego has been nothing short of amazing and I'm gonna miss it way too much!

This weekend was an adventure for sure! I took a drive up to Sierra Madre to visit my Aunt Cindy and cousin Caroline. Let me tell you that a two hour road trip in California is NOT a Texas road trip by any stretch of the imagination. I was driving through mountains and it was absolutely gorgeous! Taking that small little trip was a fantastic way to spend my last weekend in California. It was just me, the radio, open roads, and family!

Beautiful, amiright?!

When I got there we took a trip to Ulta where a lady ended up giving me a free makeover? Uh, yes please! She was doing waterless manicures using Butter London products which I absolutely love! She started with a cuticle treatment that allows your cuticles to rub off super easily cause it's bad to cut them. I actually read that the other day in Women's Health too. Before I knew it, she put on two coats, and was putting makeup on me. It escalated quickly. Haha! I love the products cause they never add Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP, phthalates or parabens (aka, gross, gross, gross) to any products, AND they're really good for sensitive skin. Even better, right!? 

Melt Away, Cuticle Eliminator
$19.00 online

Yummy Mummy (the color she did on me)
$15.00 online

After that, we went to Philippe's in LA. Talk about delicious sandwiches! It was so good. I got the Lamb French DOUBLE dipped sandwich. Remember those splurges I talked about? This weekend was definitely one of them! My aunt and I ended the night with a bunch of her friends at a local hangout in Sierra Madre. It was too much fun! 

Me and Caroline 

Aunt Cindy and I at the Buc 

However, I'm gonna chalk this up to a mini-vacation, I didn't do as well as I had hoped for the first week of the #4WeeksFit Challenge. 

Goal 1: I wanted to workout 4-5 times a week and I've only worked out three times this week, but I DO have my last training session scheduled for tomorrow so that will make four before the official week is over. (I started on Wednesday).
Goal 2: Eating out once a week? ...............oops? :/ next week will FOR SURE be better!
Goal 3: Meal prepping. I haven't done an official meal prep just because I am waiting to get back to Austin, but that will be coming up on Wednesday!
Goal 4: 6 miles......I'm still trucking at a solid 4. So we'll see how that one comes along!

Happy Monday! Here's to a happy and healthy start of the week!