Thursday, May 27, 2010

Words of Wisdom

It’s always good to learn from people who have been there and done that, so here is some advice from some very nice people.

Amy Brown- Agricultural Communications student at OSU, “Don’t be afraid to chase your dreams!”

Samantha Kruger- attending The University of Houston, Marketing–Downtown, “Don’t ever lose sight of the goals you have set for yourself. Never let anyone change your aspirations. Remember that you don’t have to please everyone around you as long as you’re happy.”

Larkin Davis- attending Texas Tech University, Agricultural Communications, “Get involved in as many activities as possible when you get to school. Explore your options, but don’t lose your morals.”

Gari Sue Haddock- attending West Texas A&M University, History Education, “Take the stairs and walk as much as possible – by the end of the semester your legs will thank you. And, talk to lots and lots of people with experience and wise advice when you’re trying to decide what major you want or which college to attend. The Bible endorses getting the counsel of others many many times – it’s a wise choice! There’s no reason to try to make such a big decision all on your own.”

Chris McClure- graduate of Texas A&M University, Agriculture Economics, “Choose a degree based on what you love – what God made you to do – not on the amount of money you may or may not make.”

Evelyn Lindsey- graduate of East Texas State University, Business Administration- “Be open to accept God’s plan for your future; which may mean a change in the plans you’ve made for yourself.”

Sunni Jo Stages- graduate of Clarendon College, Applied Science, “Life is 10% of what happens to us and 90% of how we deal with it. Always remember that actions speak louder than words and most importantly, be careful with burning bridges – you never know when you may need to cross back over.”

Janelle Popwell- graduate of West Texas A&M University, Elementary Education, “Don’t be surprised if you meet your best friend at college.”

Lisa Vardeman, attended Angelo State University, Physical Therapy, “You don't see it now, but later you will look back and see how much the decisions you make at this time in your life will have the longest lasting impact on the rest of it.”

Carly Holland- attending Texas Tech University, Accounting, “Just remember, day by day, what you choose, what you think, and what you do is who you become.”

Graduation is only a concept. In real life every day you graduate. Graduation is a process that goes on until the last day of your life. If you can grasp that, you'll make a difference. ~Arie Pencovici

Happy Trails & God Bless! To contact Kristen with questions or comments, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Class of 2010

Graduation is such a joyous time. It means change, freedom and a new chapter of life. College, for me, has been a huge learning experience as well as a huge opportunity to grow as a person.

In the two years I have been away from home, I have learned some very valuable life lessons.

You will make mistakes. I am a people pleaser and like to do things right the first time, so this has been a tough one to realize. However, I have figured out that sometimes I learn the best from those mistakes. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.”

Embrace diversity. A great thing about college is everyone is different- each person has different experience, different goals and different dreams. I love to find out what others are studying. Where would we be if everyone majored in Agricultural Communications? Just like our different abilities and talents with jobs, we all have a special place in the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12)

Call your family. Make time to visit with your loved ones, even if it is just to say a quick ‘hi’. Also with this one, I’ve learned that your relationships with them will begin to change. My brothers and I all get along great now and my parents and I have become really good friends.

Find a church home. As the body of Christ, we are not created to function completely on our own. We need community; we need fellowship. Test different on-campus ministries and find one that fits.

Go to class. Trust me, if you show up on time, make an effort and study, life will be much easier. Also, take the time to get to know your professors – not only can they help you out with letters of recommendation and future jobs, but some of them are pretty cool people.

And this leads me into my next point – Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Most little kids I know ask tons of questions, but guess what, they are learning! You will never know if you don’t ask.

And finally, Colossians 3:23 says, Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.

Happy Trails & God Bless! To contact Kristen with questions or comments, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

May Days

The year is full of crazy, wacky and interesting holidays. According to the website holidayinsights.com the month of May is National Barbecue Month, National Photograph Month, Foster Care Month and National Bike Month along with several others including Mothers Day.

Special holidays that have already passed this month include Brothers and Sisters Day on May 2, National Teachers Day on May 4, No Diet Day on May 6, Lost Sock Memorial Day on May 9 (one that I celebrate every time I did laundry in the dorm) and Eat What You Want Day on May 11.

Let’s take a look at a few day specific holidays in the upcoming weeks of May. All details about the day are according to holidayinsights.com.

May 15- National Chocolate Chip Day

This day celebrates and enjoys sweet, tasty chocolate chips. They are a great invention and certainly deserve a little recognition. After all, where would chocolate chip cookies, cakes and muffins be without the chocolate chips!?

May 17- Pack Rat Day

‘Cmon, admit it… you’re a pack rat like the rest of us. You might as well come out of hiding behind those poles of valuable “stuff”, and celebrate this fun day.

It’s really easy to let things pile up. After all, each item you acquire along the road of life may have value or serve some meaningful purpose. Making the decisions to discard something of even remotely questionable value, is difficult, if not impossible to do.

May 21- National Waiters and Waitresses Day

This day recognizes the value and importance of a good waiter or waitress. When you go out to eat, they represent the restaurant, and are all the difference between a good or bad experience.

You already recognize your waiters and waitresses every time you go to a restaurant, which is the form of a tip. Today, give them a little something extra.

Waiters and waitresses should recognize this day by making sure to provide exemplary service (as always).

May 23- Lucky Penny Day

Perhaps a lucky penny will be lucky for you today. Taken at face value, a penny doesn’t buy you much, if anything. It used to, though. During your parents and grandparents day, a penny bought a lot of things. Inflation year after year after year, eroded the penny’s value. There has even been some discussion as to weather to discontinue the penny.

Thought for today: “A penny for your thoughts.”

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Chasing Lizards

I recently had the pleasure of meeting one of the sweetest boys I have ever known. His name is Ike and he is four years old.

The day I met Ike, he walked in wearing his starched shirt, nice blue jeans, boots and cowboy hat. To finish off the look, he wore his belt buckle, which was won by his older brother for saddle bronc riding. When it was his turn to introduce himself he removed his hat, had a good firm handshake and said, “Hi, I’m Ike. It’s nice to meet you.”

The next time I saw him, he and his family were branding calves. He explained to me what each person’s job was. He knew exactly which calves were to be cut and those that were left to be bulls.

Every good ranch hand needs a good horse. Ike and Fire Fly, his pony, make a good team trotting around the pasture.

Ike is excellent at spotting lizards! While searching for the little creatures, he sat down on a big rock, looked out across the pasture and said, “This is a good place to sit and talk to God.”

A tad bit shocked, I sat down beside him and thanked God for an amazing day.

Matthew 18:1-4 says: At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Ike revealed to me that day that I need to take the time to sit down to talk to God and quit being so busy chasing lizards.

Now Ike’s manners and wisdom didn’t just happen. He has some really fantastic teachers and role models with three older brothers and three older sisters as well as very kind parents.

Deuteronomy 6:5-9: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Happy Trails & God Bless! To contact Kristen with questions or comments, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com