It's Great to be a Mountaineer

This weekend was so good! I experienced something that I have never done before, but I will get to that in a minute. I was so excited because the weekend was my cousin Forthe's birthday and he was coming to Boone for the weekend. Just a little background Forthe's mom and my mom are sisters. He is from DC and I would have never thought when we were little that I would get to see him as much as do. We both ended up at App State and it has been great becoming so close to him, I am so very thankful for our relationship! 

Saturday was huge day for Appalachian State as we faced the #1 team Georgia Southern. I went to the game with Forthe and some of his friends. When it comes to football Forthe and I are a lot alike...we are both crazy about some football and I think that is a Vinson thing because the majority of our family is football crazy. So anyway we arrive at the Rock and it is crazy, the place is packed, and I have never heard it be so loud. This was a BIG game!! Forthe and I were so pumped. Every time we did something good...scored a touchdown, got an interception, held them on 3rd down, and held them again on 4th down (which happened every time GSU had the ball during the second half) Forthe and I were jumping up and down, hugging one another (and everyone around us) and screaming!! IT WAS INSANE! Our defensive showed up for sure, there was no way that win would have been possible without the defensive, I know by the end they were so tired, but did their job and did it well. There were 5 seconds left and Georgia Southern had the ball. It was 24-17 APP STATE and we knew this was the last play of the game. I don't even remember what happened on that last play of the game I just remember us WINNING that game!! Then all of a sudden people are storming the field and you better believe that Forthe Carson and I were all up in that. I have NEVER EVER stormed the field before! I had to jump off the wall and I was so scared at first, but also so eager to get out there. So I jumped not caring if I fell on my but or what, I was just ready to go! This was one of the BEST experiences of my life! I will never forget this day and honestly I would not have wanted to share it without anyone else. It was madness out on that field, but I was loving every single minute of it. We were out there for a long time, just taking it all in, taking pictures, and enjoying the moment. So App State defeats the #1 team Georgia Southern and I get one of the best experinces of my life. It was a GREAT weekend, and as it always is but even more so today it is GREAT TO BE A MOUNTAINEER!!!

before the game started

madness of the field after the game

craziness!

yosef

woohoo!!

God is Good

God is good! So many great things have happened to me lately and I know that we should thank God everyday, but I often times find that hard when things are going bad. So here are a few things that have been going on. First of all, I got en email a couple of weeks ago inviting to be a part of Kappa Omicron Nu which is the honor society for my major. Being invited to be in this honor society means that I am in the top 25% of my class within my major! Wow-for those of yall who know me know that this is big deal. I was never in anything like this in high school and it wasn't that I didn't have good grades I guess they weren't just good enough. I was so excited when I got this email because it also means that I get to wear some chords at graduation...woohoo! The induction ceremony is next Monday and my parents are coming! I can't wait. Secondly, a few months ago I began to be in contact with Lincoln County Schools in hopes of being able to do an internship at one of the schools that has a preschool program. They responded immediately and told me that they would love the have me and all the paperwork began. I started to get a little nervous last week because they hadn't placed me yet, and I was so anxious to know where I would be working. Well, yesterday was the day. I received the email that I would be working at Childers' Elementary School!! I was so excited, this is one of the schools that I really wanted to be at because I have heard such great things about it! And also this is one less thing I have to worry about this semester because it is done! For some people it is so hard for them to find an internship so I was nervous about that in the beginning. God is showing me that he is good all of the time whether I realize it or not. He is showing me that He will provide, and I need not to be worried about the small stuff (this is so hard for me). I can't believe that in 2 short months I will be graduating college and starting me career as a child development professional...I seriously cannot wait!!

One Body

"As a prisoner for the Lord, then I urge you to love a life worthy of a calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope when you were called-one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Ephesians 4: 1-6


This was part of the focus of our service this morning at Cornerstone Summit. First let me say that I LOVE my church! I also love that this morning my pastor just sat in front of us talked to us like he was having a normal conversation. A message doesn't always have to be someone standing in front of us preaching hard and strong. Today Pastor Reggie talked to us about being one body. We are one body in the kingdom, and we are one body in this community. To be one body everyone has to have a part and everyone has to do that part out of love. All of this really spoke to me this morning because I have been in churches that have not been united together and that is when the devil tries to come in. We as a church and as a body have to stand united. All churches will have their challenges, but it is how a church handles those challenges and overcomes them. 


Loving one another is another point that he touched on. Knowing the people care and love you is a big thing for me. It is such a blessing to me when I receive phone calls, text messages, facebook messages, etc that just say "hey just wanted to see how your week was going." That can change a person's whole week to receive some encouragement from their church family. I will be honest that one of the main things that got me through my aunt's death was those encouraging phone calls that just said, we are praying for you, we love you. Wow...how awesome to know that their are people out there who love and care for you so much. This often amazes me. I realized today that as much I enjoy receiving that love I often don't give it out as much as I should. I need to make more of an effort to call people and tell them that I am thinking about them and that I love them. I am beginning to work on this. 


I thank God for today, and for knowing that I am a part of a wonderful body of Christ, and that whatever my part is it will be done through love. This verse also spoke to me today "But if anyone obey's his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him. Whoever claims to love in him must walk as Jesus did." 1 John 2:5-6

Wedding Weekend

So the day had finally come this past weekend my friend Meredith and Pedro got married! We all have been waiting for this day for a SUPER long time and I could not have been happier for them. The wedding was perfect and I say perfect because it was so Meredith and & Pedro. It was fast, funny, and sweet. Pedro forgot the words, and Mer put his ring on his right hand. We were all cracking up. I loved this because I often times feel like weddings are so serious that there needs to be a little laughter in there somewhere, hello it is supposed to be the happiest day of your life! We hung out at the church for awhile just chatting and stuff and then moved on to the reception which was so beautiful. The reception was at Rock Barn country club, we ate, we danced, and just had a good time. I will tell you the most exciting part of this night for me was seeing all my old and new BBQ King friends! For once, we got to be ourselves, hang out, act crazy without the stress of work. It was so nice and so fun! I seriously had the best time. Oh, and my friend Donia caught the bouquet so here's to hoping she will be next!! Meredith looked stunning and Pedro looked so handsome. I know that they are going to live a long happy life together! Here are some pics from the weekend...

my girl erica!

donia

jared

chels

robert

erica, me, and lydia

april

sweet little travis and i dancing!

ahhh so many good memories with these girls! i love them all

mommies to be!

the beautiful bride!

Timing

"Faith in God includes faith in His timing." 

I found this quote the other day on Pinterest which is my new obsession (Thanks Tay)! I am really considering posting this in my room somewhere because I seriously need to be reminded of this everyday. I know that God's timing is perfect, but WAITING is the hardest part. Let's just be honest I am not a very patient person. This quote spoke to me in many different ways. It made me realize that not only am I being impatient with myself, I am being impatient with God, which I am sure breaks his heart. Trusting God's timing seems so easy, but when you have been single for many years and everyone around is getting married it is not the easiest thing to do. I know that God is still preparing my husband's heart and mine which is why he has not brought us together yet. So until that time, I am going to remind myself of this quote daily and will learn that no matter when it happens God's timing is ALWAYS perfect! 

In other news, I got an internship!! I am so excited. I am going to be working in a public school in my hometown with the Pre-K program. This is exactly what I wanted for my internship and God provided! I will begin in January, and honestly I am ready to begin now! Children are my heart and I am so ready to work with them day in and day out. Also, for one of my classes I have to do a service learning project and I am going to be working at the First Learning Center at First Baptist Church in Boone. More experience with children...yay! Everything is starting to fall in place which is proof of God's timing and how He knows just what I need at the right time. So I am faithfully believing, trusting, and praying. I can't wait to see what God has in store for me for this next chapter of my life!!

I do have a few prayer requests that I would ask for you all to help me with...

1. To find a subleaser to take over my room in January since I will be moving home!

2. Patience with my roommates...living with 5 girls is not the easiest thing I have ever done.

3. Stress-free semester. This may be asking a little too much, but because I stress out about  everything, I am trying to do better with this and not stress out so much.

Happy Thursday! 

September 11

On September 11, 2001 I was sitting in Mr. Shanklin's ELPS class at East Lincoln High School. We had just returned from lunch and Mr. Shanklin had the tv on. We saw what was going on and I think we were all shocked. I can't even imagine what the look on my face was. I was thinking what in the world? I have never witnessed anything like this in my life. What do I do? What do we as a nation do? How could someone do this to our country? All of these thoughts were running through my head. Luckily, it was good to be in that class at that time because being in an History class, Mr. Shanklin wanted us to know that this day would be a huge part of history one day. He started to explain things, but we all pretty much just stared at the tv for the rest of the day. I was shocked, my heart was breaking, and couldn't imagine being someone who had lost a loved one in those towers. Now, when the plane hit the Pentagon I was even more of a wreck because my Uncle Trey works there, and oh my goodness I was in panic mode. I was calling my mom, she was calling my grandma, who was calling my aunt (uncle trey's wife). When we finally received word that he was okay, I thought I could rest easy for a little bit. 
I say all of that to say this tomorrow marks 10 years since this tragic event happened. Honestly, to me it still seems like it was yesterday. It is hard for me to believe that there are people who were so young or not even born yet who have no idea what happened on this awful day because for me this is something that I will NEVER EVER forget! 
As we remember those who lost their lives, let's remember their families who have to deal with the daily struggle of living their life without the person they love. Let's remember those who are still fighting for us everyday. For those who have served and are currently serving in our armed forces...THANK YOU! A big shout out to my cousins Justin, Josh D., Seth, and Josh P. I hope you all know how much I love and appreciate everything you do for this country! 
Let us never forget that we are AMERICA and we stand UNTIED now and always!!!

Tyler Hilton

I have been trying to write this blog for a few days, but I am having a really hard time putting into words how great this night really was. Most of you know that One Tree Hill is my favorite show in the whole world. I love everything about it! Before this concert, I didn't really know any Tyler Hilton songs except for the ones that he played on One Tree Hill which I loved. My friend Matt loves Tyler Hilton so I thought why not go this could be fun! This concert was SO GOOD!! I loved it, everything about it. Well almost everything the things I didn't love were the crazy drunk girls and the jersey shore boys (at least they gave us a good laugh). One of the main things that I loved about this concert was how laid back it was. Tyler was so laid back and even forgot the lyrics to his songs twice. Most singers would have a panic attack about this, but he just brushed it off. The second time it happened a girl in the audience had his cd in her hand, and handed him the lyrics...this was hilarious! Needless to say during this concert I found a new love for Tyler Hilton. After the concert we hung around because Tyler signs autographs and takes pictures...this would be my favorite part! I am all about meeting famous people. We hung around until the line died down because Matt wanted Tyler to sign his guitar (so cool) so we tried to wait until the end of the line. When we finally got up there Matt asked him to sign his guitar and so Matt went to get it. I was next, I went up. Tyler asked me what my name was and this is how the converstation went. 
Tyler: What's your name?
Me: Winter
Tyler: Really? That is such a badass name!
Me: Thanks (ps. i was dying at this point..haha)
We take our picture and then...
Tyler: If I have a child I may just have to name them Winter!
Me: You can...I'll let you. (again I was dying)!
For those of you who know me can imagine my reaction at this point...I WAS FREAKING OUT!! I was trying real hard to hide it, but that is not my nature. Our picture was perfect, he was wonderful, and the night was amazing. After this Tyler signed Matt's guitar and Matt was in heaven. Have I said that Matt loves him? Cause he does. When we were leaving, My friend Cindy said I am going to start telling people that I have a cool name because every time we met people like this they make a big deal about my name! 
The next morning I got home and went in the kitchen. I said to my mom thanks for naming me Winter and she said WHAT? Someone write that down. Because I have not always loved my name. I told her the story that I told yall above and she just laughed and laughed! I am so thankful that I got see Tyler in concert. I had the best time...here are a few pics from the night!