My name is Galilee....

and...

1. I think sugar free candy is remarkable.

2. I [usually] dread going to work. The children are terrors with sweet smiles.

{some of my babies at the playground}

3. I've been growing my hair out for what seems like 7 years and it's down to my shoulders.

{annoying. but..i'm thankful for my hair, don't get me wrong}

4. I have about 2 people that read this blog and I'm so okay with that and probably prefer that actually.

5. The Lord is my Savior but my life doesn't reflect that as well as it should.

6. I have been dating Caleb for 4 years and it doesn't seem like it. 

{on our 4 year anniversary! So glad I got to go up there!}

7. I live with my mom and am so thankful for that!

{roomies :) }

8. I love coke zero and believe it is one of God's gifts to me.

9. I don't know what I'm doing with my life. I'm at a really weird point in my life and need lots of answers to lots of questions. I need prayer is what I need. So...if you want, remember me during your Jesus-time.

10. I'm 22. And that's weird. 

11. Everytime I am with any one of my sisters, someone asks if we are twins. For real. Sometimes even twice a day.

12. Another one of my dad's fish died. A pregnant one. I was actually sad about it. Can you believe it? I was sad about an animal dying! :)

13. I really love driving with my windows down by myself.

14. Tomorrow I'm making oreo stuffed chocolate chip cookies. Get excited.

15. I almost weigh the most I've ever weighed. (Children's home summer high still hasn't been reached again. lol)

15. I just said I was making cookies stuffed with oreos and I wonder why I've gained so much weight. crazy.

16. I need to go to sleep but I don't want to because I know when I wake up I have to work.

17. I'm a whiner. I've been needing to work on this problem my whole life. It's a constant, everyday struggle.

18. I really am grateful for my life and everything in it, I'm just going through a low-point.

19. I'm thankful for Jesus. I can't imagine going through life without Him. 

20. I need to write Peter a note really bad!!!!!!!!

21. I have no friends.

22. Pinterest is a great invention.

I'm going to stop there because I'm 22 years old. Ok, thats not why I'm stopping really. I'm stopping because I am going to force myself to go to sleep because I have to get up in a few short hours with a smile on my face! :)

Peace and Blessings,

gal

Miss Webb? Not sure!

I haven't blogged in FOR-EVER. This is due to what I believe is a pretty good reason--My life is boring and there is nothing interesting to share. Hah.

I feel like all I ever do is work, eat, and sleep. Major emphasis on that eat part. I'm starving as I type. SO hungry. I'm always hungry...extremely hungry! And due to this I am gaining weight...rapidly. I've gained around 15 pounds since I graduated in December. Yes, it's true ladies and gentlemen. 15 pounds....and I still can't stop eating! Hahah. Oh gosh. It's really not that funny at all actually. It's depressing. Alice, Texas really doesn't encourage me either, since people think I look pretty much like a celebrity down here..."tall" (compared to the average height in Alice of about 5'1") and blonde is a rarity! I need some pretty people to surround me so I'll be encouraged to shed this poundage! Speaking of that, I'm supposed to start Jillian Michael's "30 Day Shred" today with my sister, and I am praying that Dixie calls me any minute and cancels. Oh, let it be! Please!

Monday was my first official day as Miss Webb (We tried "Miss Galilee", but quickly realized that name was far too hard to pronounce!). I'm a pre-school teacher! Aaaaannnddd...it sounds way more fun than it is! Close your eyes for a minute and think about the worst scenario possible for the first day of pre-school (from a teacher's perspective).

Ok, now multiply that by 10 and voila! There was my day on Monday. Children were running everywhere (including out the front door..for real.), peeing their pants, crying because they wanted their mom and hated school, parents were calling like crazy, my co-workers were not helping me (the new, inexperienced teacher),  and I felt like the children were just staring at me like they didn't have a clue what I was talking about when I was using super simple terms! At 3:30 when I got to my car, I cried! I was/am overwhelmed! I'm not sure if it was the Lord just testing me to see if I trust him, or letting me know that I wasn't an education major for a reason! Whatever the case, Miss Webb is tired. Very tired. I want to crawl into my bed and stay there. *Cue the rain, the song "When it Rains" by Eli Young Band, and a grande iced coconut white mocha from Starbucks.*

I am thankful to have a job though. Aaannnd, my kids are pretty cute. I mean, they're super mean and they run all over the classroom even though I've told each of them individually that we walk inside, and they are constantly using their outside voices, but......they're cute, and I do love them. I really do. When I think about their lives at home and what they might be going through, I am encouraged to keep going. Random fact: All 20 of my children come from broken homes. Not one of them has parents that are married. And that is just one aspect...I have no idea what else might be going on. One thing they will know is that Miss Webb loves them! I don't know how long I'll be a teacher, but...hopefully when I get done the little stinkers will be walking around saying "yes ma'am" in their soft voices! Oh let it be, Jesus! :)

For now, I'm a pre-school teacher. I live with my parents. I'm tired. And I'm thankful.


Going to workout because Dixie didn't call,
Galilee :)

An orphan no longer!

Today I got to meet my baby!!! What? You didn't know I was pregnant? Oh goodness. I wasn't. I am sponsoring a little boy through a wonderful ministry called Mattaw Children's Village. It's located in a small village outside of Kitale, Kenya! Did you know there are more than 1.9 million orphans in the country of Kenya alone? Makes me sick. I can't even think about it.

Let me just tell you a little about this ministry that I fell in love with before you meet my baby boy! Mattaw is still a semi-small ministry. Some of you may know Kevin Kirkland (Katalyst Ministries--he has spoken at the beloved Camp Zephyr for several summers)...his ministry partnered with the Imagine Network to help start Mattaw. 

Are you just so super curious to know why the Village is named Mattaw? I was! The word "mattaw" is the English spelling of the Hebrew word found in Isaiah 61:3 for a "planting" or a "garden."

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’S favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion — to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting (mattaw) of the LORD for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. Isaiah 61:1-4

The mission of Mattaw is simply the commission given by Jesus. They exist to rescue the orphaned and broken children of Africa and to see their eternal lives redeemed by the sacrifice of Jesus, and to train them to be strong righteous disciples of King Jesus that they might rebuild their nation. Their ministry to the orphaned children of Kenya is about much more than just feeding and clothing them, it is about intentionally training them to be a garden, a mattaw, for the display of the Lord. (I just plagiarized that from their website.)

I think I cried when I read that the first time...and second time. And maybe just now again. It is awesome. What a wonderful ministry, right?!!! Not to mention, the family that is over there running it is so super cute. 

{I told you. They are so cute!}

Oh how I would LOVE to go join them.

Now for the best part!!!! It's time for you to meet my angel. 

{Ohhhh. Ohhh. Ohhh. I'm in love.}

His name is Peter Makudi and he is 6 years old....and he is perfect! Doesn't that smile just make your heart completely melt? The info I got on him today said that he is very quiet and polite, but loves to run around and play. His favorite food is chapati (like a tortilla) and he loves chicken. His favorite sport is soccer and when he grows up he wants to be a mechanic. I could not be more in love with this sweet boy. The cool thing about sponsoring through Mattaw is that it is so small that it's very possible for me to go see him! I'm saving money, and making plans for next summer! I'm already so excited I might not be able to sleep :) Keep my sweet Peter in your prayers!

On the bottom of the letter that I got about Peter it says,

"An orphan no longer and loved by the King!" 

I'm so thankful.

It was my party and I could've cried if I wanted to.

To begin, it's 1:50am and I have to work tomorrow. I went to bed to go to sleep at 9:30pm.......and I'm still awake. This never happens. Oh brother.

I'm 22! I had a great birthday! My birthday is during, believe it or not, a weird time of the year. People are always gone or graduating or I'm still at school or who even knows, but it seems like no one is ever around to party-harty. This year my mom, and my sisters Abby and Cana made time for me! We went to corpus shopping and to Red Lobster (which happens to be my favorite!!). We had a great time and I'm so grateful they took time out of their lives to celebrate my life! Here are some pics from our evening out :)

{mom made me a cookie cake! she's the best!}

{thanks for the shoes, Ab!!!}

{I am 22 and I am proud to live with my mother. Good thing she's awesome!}

{don't leave me in Alice, baby sister!}

 It's always fun to see how much you've changed in a year or two, so...just for kicks, here are pictures from my 20th, 21st, and 22nd birthdays!

{20}

{21)               

{22}

   

Surprisingly, I think I look a little older!!!!! I mean, I know I still look like I'm 16, but....16 is better than 15! PTL my hair got a LITTLE longer too! :)

On an even better note, because I am thankful for another year of my life, I decided to help sponsor a child in Kenya so maybe he/she can have another year of their life as well! More EXCITING info on that to come :)

22?

Today is my birthday. I have officially spent 22 years on earth. I'm thankful, don't get me wrong, but...I'm 22 now. If you didn't know, 22 is pretty old. From here on out, there's not really an exciting age. I mean, I might as well be 35. Ok, that's not true :)

A few years ago, If you would have asked me where I thought I would be at the age of 22, I don't think I would have said here. I thought for sure I would have my own place to live, a husband, a deeper relationship with Christ, and I probably wouldn't have said I would have dull short hair, and live in Alice. But...I do. And it's okay. I'm here for a reason. I don't have a husband for a reason. I don't work in a Christian environment for a reason. The reason's aren't always clear yet, but, I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be, and I am choosing to be thankful.  I'm too blessed not to be thankful.

Here's to another 22 years :) I'm sure when I'm 44 I'll be exactly where I picture myself  where God wants me.

Happy Graduation time, Baby Sister!!

Sunburst Celebrations Red Graduation Announcement

Shutterfly graduation announcements and gifts.
View the entire collection of cards.

life's a trip (pun intended)

I left etbu yesterday after a long week! I'm so glad I got to take a little break from good ol' alice, texas. It was much needed!

There's just something different about going back to visit after you've graduated. It's a weird feeling. I love that I didn't have to go to class, but...I definitely feel like I just don't belong anymore (because I don't I guess). I was a little sad to leave, but...it was kind of closure. Closure that I needed. Since I've been home I've been sad because I didn't feel like I was ready to graduate. This trip confirmed to me that my time at ETBU was fun, but it's definitely over, and I shouldn't be missing it too much. I miss the memories and friends I've made along the way of course, but...It confirmed to me that I was ready to graduate, and it's time to move on.

Here are some highlights of my trip:

1. Dinner with the fabulous Karlee Wilson. I really, really enjoyed seeing her and catching up. It's nice to talk to someone who is in the same boat as you...it was comforting, encouraging, and super good for my [lately sad] heart. I wish we had taken a picture together. So thankful to call Karlee my friend. Haven't laughed that much in a while :) 

2. Lunch with Chelsi, Chelsi Pitts! So great to reminisce and enjoy each other's company. I hadn't spent time with her in a LONG time, and it was super fun! She was beyond encouraging to me.

3. I got to spend quite a bit of time with Alyssa!! Lyss was definitely my best friend in college, and every minute i get to spend with her makes me more thankful for her presence in my life. I'm thankful that I know I can always depend on her. She is going to be the best nurse ever :)

4. I got to see the boyfriend! Had a good time, as usual!! We even got some semi-cute pictures together! He can really make me laugh harder than almost anyone!

{praying for him and all his hard school work!}

5. I got to see my sister Glory a little bit! My family means the world to me...we're pretty much all besties, so...it's always a joy to get to see her :)

{love you, big sis}

  6. I got to be at etbu for tiger awards! Always entertaining! :)

{let me tell you...i love this girl! so funny!}

{sfa girls came!}

{my head looks weird in this picture}

{but...i'm thankful for this boy! totes blessed by his friendship!}

{we became friends this night. hahah. so glad you were at dinner!}

Now...the trip home...by myself. Good news is that it went well! No flat tires this time :) I did take pictures of myself every hour (gotta  have something to look forward to during an 8 hour trip!) 

 {well that was fun! Haha.}

{Btw...it's hard to take a picture of yourself holding up two hands...and driving...at night.}

It was sad to leave, but...i'm thankful to be back with my family. I was kinda/super depressed today and my sisters tried hard to get me to snap out of it and count my blessings. My life would be stupid without them. For real. I praise the Lord for them. I really really do. They are my number one fans [for some strange reason], and I love them so much!

 {this is our most recent picture together!}

enjoying the journey,

gal

I'm just thankful.

Pretty much friday morning, I officially decided that i wanted to go to east texas to see my college bestie, Alyssa, perform for Miss ETBU and then I could just stay there until next Saturday, when I will judge Tiger Awards. Well, here's an update on how my trip went yesterday:

I planned on waking up at 6:45, and leaving by 8:00am saturday morning, but...i woke up at 8:30 and left at 9:45. Awesome.

I then decided that since i was already late i would go to sonic and order a Dr. Pepper....because it is definitely a necessity this early in the morning. Well, I ordered a Dr.Pepper with EASY ice, and the sweet woman brought me one with EXTRA ice. Perfect. Thanks.

So then I left....and all was pretty well (I mean, as well as it could have being about 6 1/2 hours in to an 8 hour trip!) and then...I heard a pop...then my car kinda jerked off the road (going about 70...plus about 3 or 4), and i pulled off to the shoulder to find my back left tire completely flat. Great.

So, I called caleb, my sister, my mom, my brother, my brother-in-law, and then....sat in my car. I was scared. All by myself. Around no one that I knew. And no idea what to do. I cried. It was sad and pitiful.

Then caleb called and said he called someone that he knew to come help me (at which time he informed me that the man coming to help me was a real nice, chubby man, so i felt better about life.) While I was waiting, two teenage boys stopped to try to help me...so nice. And then a rather manly woman in a hatchback stopped to help me. I kindly told her I had things under control. Haha. I'm sure she thought i was crazy....standing on the side of the road with a dress on, looking at my tire like i was completely clueless...

So finally, the nice man came. he was the best. Words cannot describe how thankful I was for him. It was so sweet of him to ditch whatever he was doing to come help a dumb girl. I prayed God's blessings upon that sweet man. 

So...i got on the road with my baby spare tire (that looks like a bicycle wheel, btw) and went 50 mph for the next 100 miles. Do you realize how slow 50 is? I don't think you do. I almost lost my mind.

I finally got to my bestie's pageant 20 minutes late.... lookin a hot mess, hair up from sweating from the tire incident. But, I didn't miss anything of hers! And I got to see her win Miss Congeniality. Yay, Lyss!

When I started thinking  about my day, I saw God's hand of provision in so many ways:

1. I was safe the entire time.

2. for some reason, i stopped to get gas earlier than i usually do, so I had plenty when I was stuck on the side of the road, so I got to leave my car on for a little longer so i didn't sweat to death.

3. One of my rear tires is the one that messed up... the sweet man that helped me said if it was one of my front ones that it would have been really bad. 

4. I was on the side of the road close to someone that Caleb knew.... instead of in the middle of no where where we knew no one.

5. I was only about 2 hours away from ETBU, so I could make it on my spare tire. As opposed to being like 5 hours away, and all tire places being closed since it was Saturday.

6. The two cars that stopped to help me before sweet Andy weren't creepers. They were actually nice and I didn't get raped.

I'm very blessed and very thankful for my current situation. Here's to hoping the rest of my trip goes well! Pictures to come hopefully...

For you have been my help, and in the shadow

 of your wings I will sing for joy.

Psalm 63:7

Philippians 4:11

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content."


As I began thinking about it, there are quite a few things that I am not content with in my life. I would love to have a job, a house, be with my friends, etc.


The words in Philippians 4:11 show us that contentment is not something that just occurs naturally. It is natural for man to be discontent, and to complain. If we want contentment, we have to foster it. Paul says, "...I have learned...to be content." Which basically seems like he didn't know contentment at one time. He had to continually work at it. When he could finally say "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, to be content.", he was and old man stuck in prison! Contentment is something we have to gradually work at.


So, although i'm honestly not the most content person right now, I am working on it. It's crazy to think about how blessed I am, and so sad to think that most of the time I take my blessings for granted.  Hopefully one day I can say what Paul said and really be content! I'm just thankful that God continues to be merciful!


xo,
gal

undeserved blessings

This past weekend I had the huge privilege of going back to visit with my South Texas Children's Home (STCH) kids and to help with a Disciple Now for the STCH teenagers. I didn't realize how much I have missed everyone! I really do feel like they are part of my family! I had a wonderful time with the teenagers all weekend! God even used me to help lead a girl to Christ! Her name is Shania (I called her Sha-nay-nay)! Please pray for her if you think about it...she needs a lot of discipleship and encouragement, so pray that she is surrounded with people that will lift her up and help her in the right direction.

As most of you know, the little boy (along with many other kids) that stole my heart this summer was O'dell. He's the little 2 year old with the curly hair wearing my sunglasses in that picture to the right! I had not seen him at all since the summer (so it had been about 6 months). I was bracing myself for the fact that since he was so young, he would not remember me. Much to my surprise, he did!! As soon as I saw him, he ran up to me and gave me the biggest hug I've ever gotten from him, and he said "Da-yee!!!"  (which is how he says "Galilee"). It totally made my weekend...and week....and month..and probably my life. Haha. I love him so much and  am so glad I got to hang out with him for a little while.

God has been being so wonderful to me (As usual). He has been giving me small jobs to help provide me with a little bit of money, he's allowed me to help other people due to my open schedule, and he has placed so many people in my life that are so encouraging about my job hunt!  I know he has a job all lined up for me! I can't wait to hear about it :)

"I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with unfailing kindness."
Jeremiah 31:3

Snap back to reality...

...oh, there goes gravity...
Thank you, eminem. You know, sometimes I love eminem. I really do.

 But for real...i'm snapping back to reality. College, Graduation, Christmas, frequent dates with caleb, and all that fun is over. Things to look forward to now:
1. Finding a job.
2. Living out of boxes/bags.

I can't wait to see the job that God is going to give me! I know it's going to be great! Living out of boxes is just a little irritating...or a lot irritating. I have no idea where anything is. ever :)

Trying to cherish my time though!

Precious memories (how they linger? ha)

{haha. ok ok, i went to far with the video and everything, but you know i love me some willie!}

Wow, lots has gone on since the last time I blogged! Here's an update on my wonderful life:

I finished off my last week of college, and it was super fun! Lots of activities and memories made :) And I got all "A"s my last semester! Woohoo!

{i finally finished my etbu t-shirt quilt!! I did it all myself! I was so excited!!}

{i dressed up like a present....for no reason. ha. thanks, lyss:) }

{senior friends at a fun dinner!}

{girl friends at dinner!}

Ok now for the BIG news...I graduated!!! I am officially an alum of East Texas Baptist University!! It feels wonderful! The depressed feelings might hit me a little later, but right now I'm very excited!

{happy day!}

{Caleb's family threw me a graduation party! They're so sweet!}

{They also bought me a Keurig coffee maker!! So exciting!}

{my parents bought me a gorgeous pink sapphire ring!! I love it!!}

{My gorgeous sisters and best friends!}

{my ENTIRE family got to be there! I felt special!}

{Sorry this is a pretty terrible pic...it's kinda hard to get 12 people situated!}

{finally got a picture by the ETBU sign}

Now on to why college was so wonderful for me! Besides great professors and my sweet job and lots of wonderful friends, ETBU wouldn't have been close to the same or near as much fun if it weren't for my best friend and boyfriend of 3 1/2 years, Caleb.

I am SO blessed to have found such a godly, hilarious, intelligent and encouraging man. I think I took for granted that we got to be together all the time because we went to the same college.

He came down to my town for new years...and he left today.

It's so weird that we're not going to be in the same town anymore. We're not even going to be relatively close...we'll actually be about 8 hours away. I'm sad. Real sad. Hopefully there will be multiple roadtrips this semester!

Let's hear it for long-distance relationships!!! Woohoo!

Enjoying the journey,

Galilee