Blackberries and C-town

Last night was my first night back in Corvallis after absolute wedding craziness. (Which by the way, was SO much fun). I'll write more about that later when more pictures trickle in from many different sources.

Anna and I had made plans to get together for a long time, so we did! We ate dinner at Cafe Yumm, which is pretty much our favorite place in all of Corvallis. We decided to go blackberry picking and bake, so we did! We got home, washed the berries, and baked this yummylicous desert that we both enjoyed!
After we ate, we both did some painting, crafting, and Lion King line reciting. We had our favorite movie on in the background and we both know pretty much every single line of that whole movie. Have you ever noticed how many life lessons are in the Lion King? There are a lot! It is such a great movie!

 We layered the blackberries on the bottom of the dish and lightly sprinkled sugar over them. Then we used a can of dough and dipped it into melted butter and rolled it in a cinnamon sugar mixture. We layered the dough pieces over the top and baked for about 20 minutes. The end result was fantastic!

The Journey

I'm going into my 5th year of college. Yep, 5th. Was this intended when I graduated high school four year ago? Nope. Would I change the journey I've taken to get to where I am today? No. I wouldn't.

I started out my college experience at Corban University in Salem, OR. I learned a lot in my 2 and a half years there. I learned about friendship, both healthy and unhealthy. I learned about depending on the Lord. I learned about my identity and making it fully in Christ. I learned how to take care of myself. I learned how to lean on my community. I learned how to tell when people genuinely care about you, and when they are after something to gossip about. Most importantly, I learned about my passions. The things that make me, me. I learned about God's character as a loving Father and how it relates to me and my life. God cares deeply about the small details. And not only does he care, he plans each and every small detail.

In January 2011, I transferred to Oregon State University. Little did I know then, this place would become my home. I love Corvallis, OR. I love the weather. (People, this is a really BIG deal.) It rains a lot here, and I used to hate it, but now, those rainy, misty, cloudy days are my favorite. I love my community. I have a wonderfully supportive loving family that is also known as 242, my college group.
In my time at Oregon State, I learned how to cook (And I learned I actually LOVE it). I learned how to navigate finding my way somewhere when I have no idea. I learned how to develop my opinion and to voice it freely. I learned more about service. I learned how to ask other people for help and actually let them help me. I learned how to move into my own apartment. I learned how to find cheap free furniture and make it look fabulous. I learned how to express myself appropriately. I learned how to make lesson plans and teach them in a classroom. I learned how to make mistakes. (Well, I already knew how, but I learned how to fix them). I learned how to budget. I learned how to worship God all day, everyday. I learned how to have a heart that is constantly praying. I learned how to love deeper, stronger, and greater, only because I have a Heavenly Father who loved me first.

I've been through a lot in my 4 years of college, and I'm nowhere near done yet. I'm excited for the journey ahead, and all the more learning I get to do with my life. I'm excited to see where God is going to move, how He is going to show up, and how he will work in all the ugliness to make it beautiful.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

What's cooking?

Last week, I made the most fabulous dinner. I was so impressed with myself because it was one of those days where I looked in my fridge, picked out random ingredients, and threw it together. It was glorious!

I used:

• 1 raw chicken breast
• 1/4 of an onion
• 1 carrot
• 3 baby red potatoes
• fresh basil leaves
• 1 drop olive oil
• 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 lemon, juiced

 I put the chicken in the roast pan and cut up the veggies to surround it. Then I drizzled the lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil over the top. I sprinkled the fresh basil over the top and baked for about an hour. When it was done, the whole apartment smelt marvelous and it tasted like a dream! This recipe is so great because it is so easy to make and good for you! (Not to mention, gluten free) :)

 Any yummy recipes I should try?