A Look Back

Most people claim it is impossible to go back in time. In first grade at VBS, our Kid's Church room held the world's first and only time machine. Sitting on the edge of my seat, I watched as volunteers walked into the time machine before walking back out as "babies." Embarrassing as it is, it took me a little longer than the average six-year-old to figure out the whole thing was a sham.

To some extent, however, I believe time travel is possible. This belief fuels my journaling habit, as I love nothing more than to look back over years gone by and marvel at how my life has changed. By taking photos, writing things down, and collecting tidbits of life as days come and go, I have the secret superpower of going back in time, even if its only possible through memories. God even charges us to take a look back every now and again, just to remind ourselves of His faithfulness. 

So without further ado, at this time last year....

 1. I was still a cheerleader. My hectic schedule included games and practice almost every night of the week. At this point, we were preparing for NCA Nationals in Daytona Beach, FL and I was equally terrified and excited. After 8 years as a cheerleader, I finally hung up my poms for good this fall. I felt God was leading me to bigger things, and after much prayer, I knew what I had to do. I treasured my years cheering on both the Warriors and the Wildcats and have no regrets!

 2. I had some brand new friends. God ushered these friendboys into our lives at the perfect time! Spring last year was filled with hilarious game nights, football on the roof, Lord of the Rings parties, "homework" nights in Teter, embarrassing 1-10's, and galavanting around Indianapolis in the unusually gorgeous weather. I looked forward every day to getting to spend time with these crazies every free second I had.

3. I was questioning my life calling and contemplating going into Forensic Science. Just kidding! While I enjoyed my Forensic Science lab last spring (that's a real human skull I'm holding, by the way), I was just beginning to grow my passion for public relations. Since this point, my love for the field has only progressed, and I am beyond excited for my future as a PR princess.

4. I was skilled in the art of the snarky note. Ok, so I guess not much has changed in that arena. But seriously, who wants to use a towel after knowing someone else used it right before?! Sick!

5. I barely knew the people who would become my best friends. Last year at this time, I was praying fervently that God would bring more friends into my life. Throughout my time in college, I always envied the friend groups who studied together, hung out on weekends together, ate every meal together. Thanks to the grace of God, I now have one of those groups. Joelle, Nicole, Bre, Sidney, Elese, Heidi, and Kristin, I'm so glad you are now a part of my life!

Kate the Accumulator's Top Spring Break Picks

Strutting through the airport last week, I think I had three different boarding passes stuffed into my wallet at one point. Something about the slick pieces of paper brandishing proof of my travels seemed too sacred to throw out. This was not an odd phenomenon, as I sometimes feel a little like a faulty vacuum cleaner: picking up random junk as I go through life trying not to trip over things. My incredible week in Florida for Spring Break with my main compadres was no different. Over the course of seven sunshine saturated days, I accumulated...

5 boarding passes
2 take-menus
2 church bulletins
1 free CD
3 seashells
1 piece of a coconut
....and that was just the stuff I found!

I have often heard it said to collect moments, not things. For Kate the Accumulator, however, this is much easier said than done. But on this past Spring Break trip, the memories in my heart way outnumber the objects in my pockets.

13 Best Moments from Spring Break 2013

13.  Celebrity status at church. Being the only attendees under the age of 65 at Jo's grandparent's church, we were asked to stand and introduce ourselves in front of the entire congregation! Our new elderly neighbors for the week seemed so happy to see us. The feeling was definitely reciprocated!

12. Making a friend on the beach. I met Zach the half frog half dog half human half fish when he hopped past my towel one afternoon. Poor little guy had no one to play with, so I struck up a conversation. Then he asked for my phone number. Then he asked if I could come over. He was sweet, don't get me wrong. I just wasn't feeling the 16 year age difference.

11. Old TV show reminiscing. We literally spent an hour laying on the guest bed trying to remember theme songs to old TV shows. Frustrating, but awesome.

10. Tuesday beach day. Iced coffee in hand, sun on skin, not a cloud in the sky, and Greek food for lunch. Perfection.

9. Fish tacos and live music. Nuff said.

8. Dinner conversations with Grandma and Grandpa Cobbs. I could have listened to the two of them all day! Their bits of wisdom sprinkled with hilarious comments kept us constantly entertained. They were the absolute sweetest, making us feel special all week long, especially when they laughed at our "stories." 

7. Operation Scare Lauren. Lauren walks into bathroom. Nicole, Jo, and I squeeze into closet. Lauren searches house. Lauren walks back in. Closet door opens. Mission accomplished.

6. Tornado trek to McDonald's. We braved four lanes of traffic, winds that could flatten a small town, a toxic swamp, and a woman with a lazy eye to get our McFlurry fix one afternoon. So worth it.

5. Card night. 7's and euchre for hours with some ice cream on the side. The four of us were feeling hyper and mischievous...you know, that mood where EVERYTHING is funny? Even black suits and crow mating calls?

4. Beach tumbling. I still got it. ;)

3. Deep conversations till almost 3 in the morning. Nothing beats a great talk with your best friends after a good movie. 

2. Falling asleep every night exhausted and happy, knowing the next day would be even better than the one before.

1. Marveling at how God brought two sets of roommates together who barely knew each other at this point last year. I would have never guessed that the girls living right across the hall from me in which I only exchanged casual hello's would end up being some of my best friends.