Good things come..

for those who wait. Like I said in my last post, God has really been teaching me lessons on patience. And although I'm not as receptive as I'd like sometimes, He is proving His faithfulness and sovereignty one piece of good news at a time and I literally am so happy I could burst. I am sitting here in literal TEARS at how amazing God is.

I was browsing the endless posts of facebook last night when I came across a friend of mine, Morgan Servies-Smith, who has her own little hair salon downtown Crawfordsville with a room to rent out. I had thought to myself that surely someone had already reached out to her about this space but I thought I would just go ahead and message her for details and she was so quick to get back to me with exciting news and information. So with that said, after a few conversations between me, her and my parents we decided to formally hold the room for my own space. MY OWN SPACE. My own little salon in downtown Crawfordsville (right across from Little Mexico for those who are familiar with the area)..my hometown! It will be a booth rent deal but I'll have my own room! I'll get to work either on appointment only or I can come in and take walk-ins..I can decorate and set it up exactly how I want..decide what product and color line I would like..and basically learn how to run my own business. I am SO happy and honored to be working with Morgan and I am so happy to be in my hometown and be able to make some of my most favorite people in the world beautiful. I am in awe of the provision of my Savior and the way that His hand is in EVERYTHING I do. I have had SUCH a trying week with worrying about my living situation and school and the old roomate frustrations and wanting to be home and worrying about a job and now I know that God is laughing at me because I feel so silly for not just sitting back and trusting a little more knowing He will never leave me or forsake me. (Hebrews 13:5)

So now I really do sit and wait. I know that I have been so anxious for these last 6 weeks here in Georgia to fly by but now I am so excited to just chill out a little bit knowing I have something amazing to look forward to and to rest in. I really have enjoyed these 7 months of freedom that the Lord has given me. Time with one of my very best friends Katie and her precious little family, time to make decisions and think for myself and decide what I TRULY want and where I want to be, time to finish cosmetology school and time to LEARN so much about Jesus and His will for my life. There really isn't much more to be said about all this stuff other than I am cloud 9 and can't wait to start my business and get a clientelle and be around my family and friends!

Eeeeek, life is so crazy and fun. It's amazing to me how it can turn on a dime, and while it's so easy to get discouraged at a bad situation, you never know what good things will come your way. Gettin in the word and being in constant prayer has been so good for me and it has been so good for God to show through in all of this. I have obviously always been a Christian but never fully had to rely on God for everything, when I had NO IDEA where my life was going. I heard the quote once that says, "When you have nothing left but God, you realize that God is enough." Simple. God is enough to get me to amazing places and to carry me through the mud and He is more than happy to be there for us in good times and bad. What an awesome God we serve! Well thats all for now. Off to enjoy my snowday with Katie and Beckham..I already have the day off tomorrow too! Crazy what a little snow does for people in the South, but hey, I'm not complaining. :)

The song below has helped me get through all of this wondering and is SUCH a good reminder that God is faithful!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en45u0POegQ

Patience is a Virtue.

I honestly dont think I have ever been so ready to close a chapter of my life. Im gonna go ahead and admit that Ive been on and off in cosmetology school for 2 year now and the closer it gets to the end, the longer its dragging on and the more impatient I am becoming. Its just TIME. I really do think the reason I am so antsy is because I have made the decision to move home..so now its like a countdown to not only finishing school but also going back to the place that will forever be 'home' in Indiana. One week down though..plus Im going to have the opportunity to make up hours and come in extra days to knock off some time at the end which works out perfectly. But when I transferred to Paul Mitchell they could only accept 750 of my 950 already completed hours from Regency..so I technically should have been way done by now, but of course I can never get anything right the first time.

I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. Everything. Good and bad. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "Give thanks in ALL circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ." I know that there is a reason why it took 2 years, 2 schools 600 miles apart, and a lot of tears and frustration to get through school but sometimes I wish it were a little clearer. I just cant lose faith now that I am destined to be great at what I do. I absolutely love doing hair; making people feel beautiful and new..I dont even look at it as a job. And I think thats what 'your passion' is supposed to feel like. It really is such a blessing and Im so thankful..I JUST WANT TO BE DONE!!!!! I need to think like the little engine that could right now. "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.." But then I really did think about it today and I am in my prime. Once school is over its the real world until I retire. Plus cosmetology school means hanging out with great friends every single day that I wont see much once I move home so I really do need to savor this time.

Can I just reiterate that I MISS HOME!? I could always tell what friends' house I had been at the next day by the way my clothes smelled. Know what I mean? Like when you go to someones house and its so comforting because the second you walk in the door you know exactly where youre at and that no other smell could replace that reminder of your friend and the familiarity of a place youve been to a hundred times? Yeah well friends have always said that about my house too but I obviously never thought so because I was so accustomed to it. Since moving away I had unknowingly forgotten what my house smelled like until I have gone home the past few holidays and walked in the door and breathed in comfort that made my heart melt. I literally caught myself stopping as I was walking up the stairs a few times to just take a second to relax, take a deep breath and be SO thankful for the time I had there. Yeah, I miss that. I miss that my moms laundry smells the same everytime and that since our laundry room is by the garage, you can sometimes smell the detergent when you walk from your car to the front door..I always know my moms home when I can smell laundry outside. I miss texting my brother from the other room late at night to see if hes awake only to discover hes just as bored as me and we pick a movie to watch that weve seen a million times but still laugh at. I miss my dad being hilarious at all hours of the day..cracking jokes, dancing to Flo Rida (go ahead and laugh) and letting me know how happy and thankful he is that Im home and how much hes missed me. I miss Makinze and Aimee and Haley coming over super late only to just begin the night..Makinze and I tanning at crazy hours and talking about the serious things in life and how itll always be okay..Aimee and I going through boxes of old things in my room and reminiscing about high school and how weve been through EVERYTHING together and not regretting a single moment of it..and sweet Haley being the most loyal person you could ever imagine, someone who I dont see all the time but we can still pick up right where we left off. I would die without them. I miss the relationship I had this summer. The same routine everyday. He worked and I slept in (muahaha) and then I would go see him or he would come over and we would swim or grillout with my family. We watched countless movies..played wii..just talked and had what everyone sees in movies. It was the best summer of my life. I miss driving around Crawfordsville and having memories at so many places. I miss holidays with my extended family that I only see once a year. I miss my room. I miss my moms food. I miss going out with my friends. I miss it all.

I am praying (still!!) that these next few weeks FLY by. That I get back to home as soon as possible. I honestly will miss the times Ive had here in Georgia but its time to go back to my roots and I couldnt be more excited. Im gonna need a lot of strength this next month and a half but I know theres nothing my Jesus cant get me through. I must be patient..something Im awful at..but something that God is teaching me how to be day-by-day and for that I am SO thankful...

"Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not grow tired, they will walk and not become weary." - Isaiah 40:31

"And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary." - Galatians 6:9

When my world is shaking, heaven stands.

I had such a good day. I am so thankful for the friendship I have with Katie and that we can always pick right back up where we left off. I am so thankful for the hilariousness that was Zumba class tonight and how good I felt after that much needed workout. Thankful that I am getting closer and closer to being done with school day-by-day. Thankful for all of the exciting things I get to go home to. Thankful for THE BEST family and friends you could ever imagine. Thankful for my ever-faithful savior.

I often wonder why God granted me such a blessed and amazing life when I am so undeserving. I am a sinner and my heart is selfish. But God sees through that and continues to show me how grateful I need to be for each and every single part of my life. I have parents that would go to the ends of this earth to show their support and make sure I was cared for; and that have raised me with a determined and caring spirit. I have family that is willing to give me amazing advice whenever I need it and make me laugh no matter what. I have Godly friends who would be at my beck and call to enourage and support me at any time or no matter what I needed. I have had every opportunity to do what I would like with my life and be who I want to be, to worship freely and openly and to go after my dreams. There are so many people who will never know those freedoms. I need to start looking at the big picture and how amazing my future is going to be..how amazing my present is now, whether I'm here in Georgia when I'd rather be home or not.

My whole outlook on things has been absolutely recharged and I owe it all to Christ. It is amazing what prayers can do..seriously. I talk to so many people on a daily basis that can't give me the comfort and unconditional love that God can..so why shouldn't I be in conversation with the God of provision and peace any chance I get!? I should be on my knees in prayer the SECOND doubtful or discouraging thoughts go through my head. It's mind boggling I forget to do that first. Yep, it should always be first.

"The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." - Psalm 9:9-10

What an amazing God I serve! Off to bed. Watch the link below for an incredible song of encouragement. Goodnight!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlL8LayF0uw

When it rains it pours.

So here I sit again at 12:54am when I have to be up at 5:40. Why oh why can't my little brain just STOP overanalyzing and just let me rest?! It seemed as though things were looking up for me this week as my time at Paul Mitchell is coming to an end and my move home is highly anticipated..but then all of a sudden life throws me curveballs. Shocker. Without details, I'm moving back to Katies (which I really am happy about, I love you Katie!!) but it was really sudden and without reason..and of course after I bought my tanning/gym membership back where I was living. I also realized how much I will have to get done in these last 6 weeks at school, find the time to move everything back to Katies, start packing up to move home, study for State Boards back in Indiana annnd maintain my sanity. Although this may not sound like a lot..it really is. I feel like all I ever do is drive..over and hour to and from school everyday, back and forth from Dallas to Locust Grove which is about 2 hours..and then everywhere else I need to go. If it seems like I'm complaining..I AM..because this is my blog and I can!! But really it's not so much complaining, but more venting about all the things on my heart right now.

It's not that I doubt that I can get it all done, but it's the worry that consumes me. But Matthew 6:34 says, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Thus to anticipate future troubles is to doubt God's plan and will for my life. And though troubles may visit daily, so does Christ. And it is by His grace that I will be able to get through this rough patch, learn from these troubles and be strengthened by this journey. That is a blessing in itself. Just by writing this I have been given rejuvenation and peace and am remembering that God knows my every move and has even my next breath in His plan. I just have to face these trials head on and get through them. Although right now it is so hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel I need to take it ONE DAY at a time. Life is precious and I need to savor every moment, difficult or not, for it is shaping and molding me into the person I need to be for my upcoming triumph over school and difficulties I am facing now.

It never ceases to amaze me that when I am at my worst it literally feels like God is shaking me to wake me up and TRUST HIM. Trust that I am exactly where I need to be, I am capable and more motivated than I think, and that I can do this. I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. This post quickly turned from discouraged to encouraged and that alone proves God's sovereignty and how much He cares for me and wants nothing but good things for His children even when we doubt. I'm off to sleep a comforted peace. (Although I still want my bed at home and my momma more than anything!)

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." - Psalm 118:8

"And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great ENDURANCE and PATIENCE, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light." - Colossians 1:10-12

It's 2:39am

...and I'm still awake. And guess what? I have to be up at 5:30 to start another week at Paul Mitchell. Not to say I'm not excited to get back into a routine but this whole 'time off' thing has completely wrecked my sleep schedule as I'm biased to staying up way too late and sleeping in way too long everytime I get the chance. Awful routine to continue until the night before I go back.

So I've tried saying my prayers, which usually works but I guess I was just wide awake..reading countless Texts From Last Night..perousing facebook..and simply closing my eyes and waiting as I was told "always works" by the wise Brady Young..but even his advice has failed me. So here I sit listening to William Fitzsimmons (check him out) with a powerade wondering how the heck I'm going to function here in about 3 hours. Oh, joy!

Hmm..I bought a gym membership today! For all those reading who know me, I'm almost positive you just passed out mid-read. Yes, I, Bailey Ranard, joined a gym. For those who don't know me..I hatee working out and would rather sit on the couch and watch E! than even begin to think about treadmills, weights, and sweating. But I had a rather funny moment in the airport last week when I had to run to catch my flight and found myself completely worn out and exhausted after about 3 minutes of frantic jogging. That right there did it for me. I need to get in shape! I don't want to lose weight or anything..but just tone up and be prepared for any close-call flights in my future. So I'm actually motivated for once. I bought a tanning package and even tried to buy healthy food at the grocery tonight too..here's to a new me! Good way to start the new year, I'd say. So my first workout rendezvous starts tomorrow..complete with a Zumba class, which I've actually done before and love..so wish me luck!

I'm still amazed at the amount of peace Christ has granted me over the last week. Everything seems to be falling into place. Like I said yesterday, I have so much to look forward to in regards to my humble return to Crawfordsville. I am so thrilled to have a job lined up in a salon that will be starting up at the end of my dad's Workforce Plus building and I will be working off booth rent which means I will be able to have my own station, work my own hours, use whatever product line I would like, and name my own prices. What a huge blessing. Plus the idea of being around the people I love most in this world is just so exciting. God is so good. Pleaseeee next 6 weeks hurrrry up!!

Alright, if I don't attempt sleep at least a little I clearly won't be able to stay awake tomorrow. So here I go again. Maybe I'll try counting sheep...

Goodnight. xo. Psalm 34.

Do you ever feel...

everything and nothing at all? Like you're finally doing the right thing and things are starting to look perfect only to still feel..a void. Like something actually isn't right. I've always thought Georgia is where I wanted to be; warm weather, good friends, freedom, new opportunity. But actually it's just a place I want to be vacation again. But do I succumb to the magnetism that is Crawfordsville, Indiana and move back after I GOT OUT? I left my small town with hopes of never looking back...wrong.

I have never been so conflicted in all my life about a decision. I was so set on coming here and having it be all that I've ever wanted. Not to say that it's not been amazing because I finally got on the right track with school (only 6 weeks left!!) and spent unforgettable times with friends and even made new ones but it's just not HOME. Everyone always says to move and go experience new places and people and such when "you're young and not tied down" but the more I think about it..that's wrong. I feel as though you should spend as much time with your family and familiarity while you still can. I had a friend who married young once tell me that marriage and growing up is so weird because there comes a time when you can't just run home and stay at momma and daddy's when everything is going wrong..and you can't just forget the responsibilities of your own home and husband when you want to have a silly girls night out. All these things are for now..when you're independent and free. How I am now. I need my momma when times are tough. I need my best girlfriends to be able to go get slushies at 2:00am and then talk all night. I need that. I NEED Crawfordsville, Indiana.

Still the decision lies ahead! Although I have great reason for moving home (a job lined up, friends, family, a few bribaries from my parents, haha..) I wonder if I'll get home and get bored. Miss this crazy fast-paced life in Georgia..all the fun times and new friends and relationships I've developed. But I just have to remember what my heart tells me. I was having a heart-to-heart with my precious and wise mother on the way back to the airport on friday night just about how I was so torn. There's a little more to all of it and to why it's so hard but I'll spare you my girl drama. :) And she told me one thing that is so VERY important that I had forgotten about : Our God is NOT a God of confusion. He will always direct your path. I've been so impatient waiting on an answer for my future because honestly I've been in more prayer the past 2 weeks than EVER in my life before with little to no REAL assurance of what was going to happen. But I do have to step back, reevaluate and remember that my merciful and ever-knowing God will not leave me in the dark. And for that I am so thankful. God is constantly teaching me lessons in patience because it is something I lack so much of. What an amazing provider my Savior is.

So for now I wait. :) And follow my heart. My dad always told me to do everything for the glory of God..so I'm gonna soldier on, kick butt these last few weeks of school and prepare for a new life back home (if that's even possible..) filled with late night talks with my mother, sitting on my kitchen counter and tanning at 4am with the 3 best girlfriends God could have given me, endless laughs with my baby brother (who leaves for Marine boot camp in February by the way, but I can't even think about that right now..prayers people!!), dinners with my hilarious dad, rekindling old relationships that should never have been torn apart in the first place, getting back into regularly attending church, and just the love and compassion of all that I know and call HOME. Thank you, Jesus, for peace.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a FUTURE. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and you will find me when you seek me with ALL your heart." - Jeremiah 29:11-13

The last few months in a post..

Slacker. The only word to describe my blogging ways in the past few months. I was so excited to update everything since I moved 600 miles but I guess you never realize how much you don't want to get on the computer after 40 hours of school a week and balancing friends and everything else. So if you're still following this..thank you for not giving up. I promise I will do better..not that my life is that significant to anyone. Haha. Since I've been on here I've been home 3 times and each time has been wonderful and I've learned a lot about myself. There really is no place like home. I never knew a heart could ache so much for the people you call family but it's honestly the hardest thing I've ever done. Don't get me wrong, I love my life in Georgia more than anything and I'm so thankful for this learning experience but it will never be home. Going home I recognize things I never realized: how my mom's laundry smells the same everytime, how the windows in the kitchen vibrate on cold windy nights, how cozy it is to curl up on the c0uch and watch TV with my brother, and how comforting it is to be a 5 minute drive away from your best friends in the entire world. I definitely took for granted growing up in a close-knit home in a small town, but I'm so thankful I've learned to appreciate it more than ever lately. I seriously have the most loving parents, coolest brother, and amazing and hilarious friends in the entire world.

As for life in Georgia, things are going as planned. I started off living with one of my best friends, Katie, and her little family (see previous blogs) but since she's pretty far from school and we're both so busy I've kinda moved in with my friend Chelci, who I met at school and have become such good friends with. God is SO faithful in bringing friends in at just the right time and when you least expect it. So things have been great here and I've loved being in a small town and getting to know Chelci's friends as if they're my own. I couldn't be happier with how things have turned out.

Chelci and I at school :)

..oh and this kid Austin I'm kinda fond of..

School is going great..I'm almost done! It's crazy that all the trials and tribulations I've been through since high school are finally going to pay off! Paul Mitchell The School Atlanta was one of the best decisions of my life and I just look back and thank God everyday that he has me where I am. I have a lot of decisions to make coming up as to where I'm going to go after school..work..live, etc..but Gos has been SO faithful thus far and I know that he won't leave me hanging now. Such a good feeling knowing I am constantly in God's care and sight even when I can't see that myself. I am so blessed and Christ is way too entirely fgood to me. :) I'll be back in Crawfordsville December 23-31 and I already can't wait to see my family and friends!! This was just a quick update of my new(ish) life in Georgia and I promise I will be better about writing. I'm so excited about my future and all that's going on. I have to sleep..must be up at 6:00am for school in the mornin but there's so much bouncing around my head I need to share!! All for another post though! Sorry to all of you back home with negative temperatures and snow!! Another great thing about Georgia!! Sweetest dreams. I'll leave you with a few shots from our family pictures that my talented and beautiful cousin Shea took last time I was home..enjoy: