Hiatus

.... a pause or gap in a sequence, series, or process.

Well I've been out of the blogging world for a little while now. Reading back through some of my old posts, I don't even believe it was me writing all those things. 

I've recently been inspired, thanks to alot of people. Going through my instagram, facebook and other means of sharing life events via the Internet, I noticed something. People are doing things and I love that we have the Internet to share all of them! Whether it is having babies (which is blowing up my news feed right now), getting promotions, working out and making money with it, writing books, starting businesses, traveling, producing music and/or short films, speaking at conferences, graduating with a masters degree, adopting pets and/or babies, buying houses, making amazing cakes, creating hilarious YouTube Videos, winning instagram awards, getting married.... and the list goes on. When I scroll through one news feed to the next - I can almost be overwhelmed at how much people are doing and growing and changing! 

Sometimes after a long scrolling, I am like... "Well, I worked really hard at my job this week and I will enjoy a glass of wine after I do the laundry and then will meal plan for the week. Oh, I also completed the bi weekly budget for my husband and I, while we try to break free from school loans..." 

....Isn't that enough? 

Now, this could be (and most likely is) my insecurities, that I would like to think most people develop when looking through social media. It could also be my inability to make what I do on a day to day bases look as cool as everyone else. What is that filter on instagram that everyone uses and automatically looks cool.... VOSCAM, VOSICAN?? 

The bottom line is, insecurities or inability to look cool - I'm sure I'm not alone. 

So, this blog is a place where myself and others can be Audacious. We can share opinions on TV shows, critique the easiness of a recipe, review a movie that sucked or made us cry for hours, come up with some great wine club topics and whatever else....  Whether you just bought a house, published a novel, are traveling, became a mom or are working full time... all are welcomed to share their opinions here. ... I can't wait to hear them!

My blog will consist of what I think of TV shows, food, restaurants, wine, crafts, people, movies, current events and I guess, other life things. I'm sure I'll fill you in on me every now and then. 

Latest Update: It's almost 8:00, I'm finishing my glass of wine, watching an episode of Gilmore Girls and going to bed. If I feel real adventurous, I'll bust out the chips and salsa. :) 

So, I'm back. 

I've forgotten how much I enjoy writing. 

I'll be back with my first review this week. 

- Hales

This is for all my fellow women who are thrilled to be graduating but also a little scared to death.

It's been a long time. My life has been a whirlwind of craziness, but I am happy to report- good, fun, craziness! I went to Florida a couple weeks ago and visited my grandma, who is awesome. The entire trip was sincerely needed- I was so happy to get out of Lynchburg for a while. This weekend Katie is visiting and then next Justin and I are headed to Michigan. After that my old froomie, Nicolette is visiting and then a few short weeks later, my birthday. After that, the semester ends, graduation, wedding in Michigan and hopefully back to Lynchburg for another year with all sorts of new events! So, that's my update.

Here's my post: 

I am 22. A young, entrepreneur minded, spirited, emotional, highly opinionated and incessant planner. I  do not believe I am one of a kind and that's why I am writing this post. This is for all my fellow women who are thrilled to be graduating but also a little scared to death. I came to the conclusion that I am fearful of graduation because after that is when I really start to take responsibility for my own life. Yes, I am a hard worker and I have made some pretty decent decisions in my little 22 years. But all the decisions I am choosing after gradation- are my choices, I will be held responsible for them. I made the biggest decision of my life  after high school, I chose to go to Liberty University. This was a choice that made all decisions for me for the next four years. Now, I have no decision that will hold me captivate for four years.

Today I was reflecting on freshman year. Moving in the dorms along with 60 other girls, just about four years later and we are all on different paths. Some are married, some have children, some are still single. Others have mourned the loss of a loved one. A few are still here at Liberty and others are lost in the world trying to find the next step. Some girls suffered from sickness while others remain spiritually lost. No two stories are the same. No two girls share the same life. This got me thinking, many things can happen in four years.

As a woman I tend to get lost in the details. I over complicate things. I analyze and over analyze again. I read between the lines creating issues that do not even exist. I can be dramatic and blow situations out of proportion. And all these problems seem to double when I am job and house hunting. These qualities seem to ooze out of me as a consequence of the stress when searching for life post-graduation. Remember the whole control freak thing? This does not help during the entire planning post grad process. And sometimes I think I am the only one, does anyone else feel this way? I know they have to, but you all hide it very well!

 I've really been challenged lately, to trust something will be provided. Looking back at my life now, I made the hard decision of moving 13 hours away from home. While I was scared and cried every day for a long time the Lord faithfully provided me. He provided me with so much more than I ever needed and He will provide again. Waiting is difficult because I want him to provide for me how I want and right now. But often He will provide how He wants and in His time. So, that might mean I won't get the highest paying job or  have the most beautiful hardwood floor and spacious kitchen apartment. That might mean I will get not married in my perfect timing or I move closer to my family. It could mean I will be single for 40 years and move even further away from my family! But I can honestly say, the things in my life God took away- I know were for a purpose and even when it hurts or I'm confused or frustrated and think it is not how my life should go- He knows what my life should look like and He will provide. I have been reading through the book of  Daniel and I can see how God provides throughout the book. He took care of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. He took care of Daniel. He (eventually) provided for King Nebuchadanezzer to be rescued. Before the King is restored he said,

"...and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation or generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, "What have you done?" ....for all His works are right and his ways are just and those who walk in pride he is able to humble."

I know he will take care of me. It just may not look like how I envisioned.

In the Bible Study I go to we are reading a book by Nancy Demoss. And in this book she asked questions to inspire self reflection, I have listed a couple that really got me thinking:

1. Am I purposeful and intentional in my use of time seeking to invest the moments of my days in ways that I will bring glory to God? 
2. Do I habitually verbalize the goodness and greatness of God? 
3. Do I speak works that are critical, unkind, untrue, self-centered, rude, profane or unnecessary? 
4. Am I content with the material resources God has given me? (This was big one for me)
5. Am I disciplining my mind to get to know God and his word better?

As I tend to get caught up in everything with planning and stressing, I often forget to remember how much the Lord has provided for me. When something seems to not work out- I go into panic mode. I am really working at training my mind and heart to have a thankful spirit. [I'm pretty sure that will be a life-long training] No matter what happens, I know the Lord is in control. And just because I don't have the 'next step' figured out yet- doesn't mean God doesn't. Again, like every other post, I am working on enjoying. Enjoying the time of the unknown. Enjoying and getting excited to see how the Lord will provide for me next. Enjoying the last months of my life now, because in May- it will all change. 

So, that's where I am right now. I hope wherever you are in life, you are enjoying. I hope you are not too lost in the unknown and not getting to upset about broken plans. You will be taken care of. You will be provided for. Here are some verses that have guided me through this process:

Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord. - Ps. 27:14

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth visible and invisible, where thrones of dominions or rulers and authorities- all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things and in him all things hold together. - Col. 1:16-17

Its been FOREVER.

So, I've been away from the blogger world, for any of you who read regularly (Keri Cook) I am sorry. My life has been filled with many events and craziness. I am happy (and slightly sad) to say my life has slowed down. Today I have been working on my resume and a few other things. I wanted you to have a look and if you think it is good, pass it along to anyone you know! 

Sorry about the quality, I had reformat them. If I learned one thing the past couple of months, it's that Macs are 10 billion times better than PCs. Like, seriously. People who want to argue that have to of never use a mac before. Or they haven't taken the time to learn how an Apple works, for real. It's worth the extra ca$h.

Also, I loathe shopping for plane tickets. I promise to write more soon! Feel free to give me some feedback!