Hinton Happenings

I love the spring season. I love the way bluebonnets and indian paintbrushes spring up and line the highways. This time of the year seems to begin a change in everyone's attitudes. People stand a little taller and smile a little more. I swear it has something to do with the fact that the sun starts to show itself again. Who can be depressed when the sun is out? Spring gives us the promise that summer is around the corner and that school will soon be out for three full months. Oh yeah, and my birthday is March 26th. I love springtime!

Here are a few pictures from this spring so far...


This a a few of the BRH girls from Kristy's lingerie shower


Luke and I, just hanging out with the cat over Easter weekend


My sisters, my boyfriend and I on Easter


Luke and I on an Easter walk


My roommates and I at Tri Delta formal


My friend boy and I at formal on Lake Austin

Hello friends. So much has happened since the last time we conversed. Well, I spoke and you read:) The spring always seems to be a busy semester until spring break (which starts friday at noon, btw) and then things seem to slow down a bit. This has definitely been my busiest spring in college so far and its been one heck of a rollercoaster ride. Now, I'll update you!

Last weekend, after about 7 weeks of practice, my sorority won 1st place in Baylor's 2009 All-University Sing competition. For any Baylor alum, family, or friends, you know what an achievement this is. For those of you who don't, Sing is an event where greek organizations put on a 7 minute production that includes singing, dancing, great music, loud costumes, huge props, and a ton of talent. Baylor Tri Delta is sort of known for always doing well in Sing, but it was an amazing experience to perform in and win a Sing competition, not just watch old videos of past performances. By the way, did I mention that I had a solo in our act this year? Oh, well I did:) It was such an amazing experience and I loved everything about it! Check out our act by clicking on the title of this post and let me know what you think!

Also, I received a letter yesterday announcing that I have been accepted into the Baylor Communication in New York program for the spring of 2010. I am uber excited for this amazing opportunity! I'm not going to lie though, I am a bit anxious. But I also know that this is an opportunity that I have been dreaming about since I was a little girl. Going to New York for my last semester at Baylor will help me make that transition from college student into the work force and teach me some valuable lessons about life. Plus, its going to be hella fun! I will take 6 hours of classes, plus have a 6-hour PR internship. I don't start looking for my internship until next October, but they already want a $750 deposit before I leave for spring break. I guess its time to commit:) Do you want to know one of the best parts about finding out this extremely great news? When I told my boyfriend, Luke, about it, he couldn't have been more excited for me. It is such a blessing to know that I am dating a man that supports my education and encourages me to follow my dreams. I love that boy so much!

Last, but certainly not least, I have an internship this semester at Central United Methodist Church, where I am the youth and rec sports intern. I absolutely love this job! I am learning so much about myself, how to spread my wings, and the different ways other ministries work. God has continued to grow and strech me beyound what I can imagine and He is equipping me for big things. I can feel it:)

So, that's whats been going on. I'm leaving for Florida on Friday to spend about 2/3 of my spring break with my roommates and friends on the beach and then I'll be down in South Texas for my best friend's birthday, a friend's wedding, and to see the boy, of course! The next week I'm going skiing with my family in Durango, CO and at the end of March I am running in the Capitol 10k in Austin, TX with my little sister, Claire. It doesn't look life my life with be slowing down anytime soon. I guess I shouldn't bank on that whole "life slowing down after spring break" theory. I'll keep y'all updated!

"Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light...
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O ruler of all."

Peace,
Sara

This past weekend I drove down to South Texas to run in the Corpus Christi Harbor Half Marathon and Relay with my little sister, Claire. Our team name was "They're Done!" That way, when the announcer said our team name at the finish line, he yelled, "They're Done!" Oh well...we thought it was funny! We ran the half marathon as a relay team, each of us running 6.6 miles. It was hard but definitely worth it. At 7 a.m. we took off running up and down the Harbor Bridge and I was blessed to watch the sunrise as we ran across the 181 Causeway over Corpus Christi Bay to Portland. This was a really cool race!

Because of this race, Claire and I were able to hang out, just the two of us, and that in and of itself was worth the trip. She and I have not spent time together like that since before I left for Baylor! We met up in Corpus on Saturday night (I had been at Zephyr; she in Beeville) and went to Academy, where we bought matching pink, long-sleeved running shirts. Then we stopped by Forever 21 in the mall and after that, grabbed a bite to eat at Chick-Fil-A before heading over to Luke's Aunt Brenda's house.

Brenda was nice enough to let us stay at her house since she lives so close to where the race began. Little did we know that when we arrived there, we would find tons of healthy drinks and snacks for us to eat before the race and after for breakfast. Brenda also offered to drive Claire and I to the race at 6:15 in the morning! Just like a mother would, she took pictures of us before and after the race, picked us up after the race, and let us clean up back at her house before we left to go back home. She is an amazing hostess and friend!

At the race, Claire and I met up with Terri, a friend from church, who was also running the race. It was nice to see another familiar face running with us. I ran the first leg and Claire ran the second. It was hard, I'm not going to lie; running up the Harbor Bridge is not easy! But the race itself was beautiful and the weather couldn't have been better!

Looking back, I'm really glad that I let Claire sign me for the Harbor Half. It made me realize that I really want to get back into running and maybe even look into some other races. We even talked about a mini-triathalon! I'm putting a couple of pictures on this post and when I get a couple of more from Terri, I'll add those too. Woohoo for really cool experiences like this one and for making memories with families and friends!