Shasta's Song

Howdy Everybody!

It has been a long time in coming but here is an update! This summer I worked 70 hours a week to try to pay for school, rent, and other bills. I managed to make my down payment for school and pay some bills. I hit the ground running when school started. I managed to find a job off campus during the first week of school. I am a Customer Representative for Ozark Mountain Helicopter Company. My sister says I am the pretty face that just smiles. That pretty much sums it all up. I smile and inform people about helicopter rides. My second off campus job is at a watch cart there at Branson Landing. On campus I work in the school’s cafeteria. I am known as the omelet lady. I can now successfully flip an omelet in the air. The on campus job is required to pay for my education, the two off campus jobs are optional to try and make ends meat, but some how they do not always connect. I have learned to become creative with my finances.

Classes on the other hand are going really well. I have managed to have all A’s and B’s so far. I have really enjoyed digging in and studying. I guess I am a nerd so that is good. I have decided to add a second major to the one I am working on. I am adding to my Elementary Education major, Sociology with an emphasis in Social Work. Talk about adding more to an already hectic schedule! But I think it will be some valuable learning experiences that will be used for the rest of my life.

I miss the aspect of being on my own and working. I enjoyed it all really well, but I am enjoying getting to http://bgbrendle.blogspot.comknow new people. A few of the girls on the floor have nicknamed me the momma. It is a title I am okay and enjoy it. I applied to become an RA for next semester but there are only 2 positions. There will be more opportunities later. I have also gotten a chance to go to the dentist we still have a few cavities to fill but I am excited about getting them filled. Other then the dentist that is the only doctor I have seen all semester besides the school nurse. I saw her because I could not breathe, was dizzy and I could not feel my arms or legs. I had gotten a cold that turned into an infection overnight in my lungs. But I am better now. Major things have been happening in my family this semester. I never understood how going through major things affects everyone in your family. September came around with my little sister in a major car accident that almost killed her. The Lord was watching after her. It happened on a day that I was really homesick for my best friend. I had seen a car that was the same exact color, year, make, and model, it even had a Wisconsin license plate. Like a wave, the homesickness hit me in the middle of the sidewalk here at school. Murphy’s law was in affect that day and everything just was off and was not happening very well, so I went to bed early and ignored my phone when I heard my sister’s ringer. I ignored my mom’s and my aunt’s ringer also. Then I was out and my roomie answered the phone and I was on the road in 10 mins. My little sister goes to school an hour and a half from here. It took me two since I got lost. When I got there I took my confused and delusional sister to the ER. We finally left at 630am the next morning where I got an hour and a half nap after being up all night and I called insurance, wreckers, doctors, and professors. I never knew I could handle all that until it happened. It was not until the next day that reality hit me. I almost lost my baby sister. That was hard to take. Around this time my dad’s father had a stroke but he just told me that today 2 months later. Last month, my dad had surgery. So needless to say, I am looking forward to being able to sleep for a few days during Thanksgiving break. During Christmas, we are having a mini family reunion and my cousin is getting married. Life has been crazy but God has proven faithful time and time again. I am learning so much about His sovereignty and maturing with some of my attitudes.

It is now the end of the semester so things are going crazy with all those last minute projects and papers. Well, they are last minute now aren’t they. If I had time I would have started them earlier. As crazy busy as I am, I am loving every minute of it. I am so thankful the Lord has brought me here to this place at this time. Any other time I think my education would have been wasted on me. I am looking and praying as to what to do with my future. I am trying to figure out, well more like wait on the Lord as to what to do after graduation. Yes, I know I just started and I have 3 and ½ left but they fly by quickly.

Well, I need to end this so I can go and get ready for work!

Prayers Requests

Praise

• I have had a very healthy semester for me!
• I have adjusted decently to living in dorm life again.
• The Lord is continuously drawing me closer to Him.

Prayer

• That I would continue to relay on the Lord for all my needs.
• The Lord would provide for school costs.
• I would endure through all that I need to get done.

Praying Always,

Shasta

PS Please feel free to send cookies or letters anytime you think of me! I know that I have not been really faithful keeping up but when you work 30-35hrs a week and go to school there is no time. But I do appreciate those who pray for me!