What's the Point?

Gosh it has been a long time since I have posted on here! Pretty normal with me these days, huh? HA! The past couple of months I have been so picky about posting things on social networking sights. I have realized that in the past I have posted things that are not necessary. Why?

I thought everyone needed to see how my life is going, but at times it came out all wrong. Maybe I was trying to brag that I went to that awesome place or have the best life, which is so far off! WHY?

A couple weeks ago I came across a blog post from Jon Acuff, a known author and speaker;3 letters that will radically improve every blog and tweet you ever write. In the post, he summed up my thoughts exactly; couldn't have thought or said it better.Now, I'm not going to even try to explain anything, but will allow the post to say it all!

This is what the Lord says: "Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the riches boast of their riches..." Jeremiah 9:23

Project Serve and Being Bold

Project Serve Day

   One Saturday morning out of each month UM takes a group somewhere in the community allowing them to serve; whether it be in a nursing home, cleaning up yards, or etc.

   This month they decided to take it up notch and close the campus down last Friday. Over 1,100 Faculty, Professors, and students went and served all around Mobile. I happened to go to L'Arche Mobile, a Christian Community for disabled that live and work together.

Three members of our team having a dance party with them.

    As a sister of a Down Syndrome brother it was neat for me to sit back and watch how one's without direct relationships with special needs interacts.  As soon as we arrived we were welcomed with sweet hugs and smiles by a couple of the special needs men.

When departing they sang a blessing song over us and gave each of us a special bookmark made by them.

    Before we left I was talking to one girl about it that was nervous and not too sure what to expect, but went with a giving heart. When left I asked her,"What did you think about it?" and she replied,"I loved it!"
   As I look back on that day and the conversation that I had, all I can think about is "What can I give today that I cannot lose?" There is nothing. I need to get over myself and step out of that comfort zone!

  God has really been dealing my heart about this and to think that He directed me to a certain place at a certain time and I shall give and make the best out of it living that minute to the fullest.
Being BOLD is what it is about.




...It Was Over

  I thought I was done with my post until this morning's church service came to my mind. South Coast's first birthday was today! We celebrated with fellowship and breakfast before we sat down, oh and the ICECREAM truck afterwards!

 The message was all about how SCC was birthed and how God provided miracles and dreams for it to blossom. There are 4 G's of SCC, "Gather, Grow, and Give." For me personally, God was speaking about giving and and on our notes we wrote,"Give till it hurts."

  I didn't notice until now that I'm writing this post of how that parrallels with what I had shared before this; That I need to be bold and to give until it hurts. God will guide me there and in that time I need to give until it hurts.

   I am so blessed and happy to be apart of such a giving and loving place at South Coast Church. Come join us for doughnuts, coffee, worship, and a message. We gather at E.R. Dickson Elementary in Mobile at 10:30 a.m. If transportation is an issue contact me! :)

"They gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service..."

 II Corinthians 8:3-4 NIV

Friends Reunited and Friends Made

      I find it so ironic how God places people in your life at such a young age with such a strong connection that you cannot ever run from. A year ago if I would had been told that I'm going to be reunited with one of my old best friends I would have wondered where in the heck that came from! When I moved to Mobile I only knew two families that also recently moved from Oklahoma. Out of one of the families is a girl that I used to be best friends with when I was younger, Alesha.
   

     I didn't realize how big of an impact that they would have on my life right now. They have and are being a big support to me. Each time I see them I feel as if I'm at home. They are people that I can just hug and enjoy family time with.

Alesha and I

 I have enjoyed reconnecting with Alesha. It feels like we haven't had any years apart!

      The first week of school was a little crazy/ different for me. Each morning I had to wake up and tell myself that it would be a good day no matter what and there's a reason why I'm here. At times I felt like I was so alone, but then at times I was overwhelmed with God's grace on me to allow me to meet so many great people!


Tuesday Morning-
      I was early for class and decided to sit outside at a picnic table. I noticed a sweet looking girl coming towards me and sat down by me and told me that she felt like she needed to come talk to me. As we began to talk I knew then that God had brought her to me because she was such a sweet and uplifting young woman. We only talked a short couple of minutes, but in that time I was greatly impacted (I'm not so sure that she knows how much I needed her that morning!) Thank you Chynna!! :)

Tuesday Evening-
       There was a dinner event called Tiki Tuesday at the pool that night. I wrestled the thought about going because I didn't want to walk up awkwardly by myself. I prayed and prayed and even called my mom and she had to talk me into it. I finally went and for some reason I thought I would walk to the Cafeteria first and see if they were serving dinner in there too. As I arrived there were two girls (Hillary and Jessica) that were going to get dinner too. We introduced ourselves and walked to the pool together to find it not so appealing, so they invited me to go grab food from Wendy's. For some reason I accepted their invitation and had no problem riding with two complete strangers. We clicked and enjoyed each other's conversation. I even sat by them at True Spin (Campus wide worship service) that night.

Recent Beach day with Hill and Jess

 Friday Evening-
      Again, I was trying to decide if I really wanted to go to another event by myself which was called Dinner on the Run, which I told myself I wouldn't unless somebody was to me about it. The guy that gave me a tour of the campus was talking to me that day and told me to go and join his group and to get on his bus. There I clicked with another sweet girl, named Amanda. Come to find out she wasn't even supposed to be on that bus either, but she jumped on it.

Amanda and I

HOPE
       By the end of that week I had hope that I would be able to meet some of my best of friends, but was still hard.

 
Now
I have met so many more friends and have been able to really get to know those girls from the first week. I also think I have now found my own little group that I truly fit in with! I'm enjoying myself more and more!

I may be miles away from my family, but being here feels like I'm at home.

That is only a glimpse of what has went on! Many more to come and so sorry for the length of this!


"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
                                                                    II Corinthians 10:5

New Beginnings... New Home

Have you heard of the people that exagerate and make it seem like their life is more of a bliss than it truly is?


Well this past school year or so I have became guilty of that. I wanted people to see that I was happy and for them to not worry about me. The past couple of months God has been dealing with my heart in several different areas. I have found myself in the middle of things, trying to find a way out in order to let things go without people getting upset. Finally, it came to my attention that sometimes in order to do right you are going to have people upset with you. I CANNOT please everyone.Wow! Was that hard for me to say...


I can now say that I am happy that my freshman year of college is in the past!


Okay, back to where I was going with New Beginnings... Every since this spring I have been feeling the need to get away. I had no clue or explanation why I was feeling the way I did, but all I could do was give those feelings to God.


This summer I was told to read through the book of John and as I kept reading I felt that my faith in Him kept rising and I knew that there was a reason why I was told to do so. I began to notice all of the miracles that were being performed and by the end I knew that God was going to do something great in or for me sometime soon!


In June, I felt that it would be best if I move back home. When I was asked why all I could say was,"I don't know how long I will live there, maybe only a semester or even a year. I began to look into going to different schools around here, in Oklahoma, but for some reason I felt like God was saying,"Hold steady." I wasn't too interested into looking far into schools and for some reason I was feeling the need to just quit looking until after vacation, which was in July.


Come July we were heading to vacation at a beach near Mobile, Alabama. We knew a family that just recently moved to plant a church in West Mobile and decided to attend while we were there. After the sermon we were talking to John Breland(pastor) and he asked if I had ever heard of the University of Mobile. It tugged at my heart a little bit, but I didn't think much of it until later that afternoon when my parents asked me if I would like to go tour the college. Next thing I knew I was enrolling in the University and moving 12-13 hours away in two weeks!

                                                                  My New Home

I have never felt such at home as I do right now. There is such a peace in my heart that I cannot explain! If I can tell you what I learned from this past summer is to allow God to take over and to have faith and patience in Him because He can and will do something amazing for you!




"But I'll take the hand of those who don't know the way, who can't see where they're going. I'll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country. I'll be right there show them what roads to take, make sure they don't fall into the ditch. These are the things I'll be doing for them sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute."

                                                                  Isaiah 42:16 MSG

Adult Life

Do you know a girl that has always dreamed about growing up, going to college, meeting the man of her life, and becoming a mom? Does work ever come into that dream? Yep, that's me! Since I was little I have always dreamed of becoming an adult. Now that I have been out of high school for a year I have realized that those dreams/goals don't happen easily.

Nobody told me that it would be hard work. I don't recall anyone ever mentioning having to work and do things you didn't like just to reach a goal. Though, I do know that it will all be worth it one day!

With all of that said... It's a Saturday night and I'm working. I would love to be with friends and family right now on the Memorial weekend, but I'm here. Did I mention that I work all day Sundays? It's true. Every Sunday... I'm the girl that watches church online. For a while it was okay with me, but now it really is starting to bother me. I would love to be in church on Sundays, but it just isn't possible. Though, I am thankful that I do have a job.

I am slowly trying to save my money, but I feel like I have all of these bills needing to be paid. Wait. That is part of growing up, huh? When I graduate from college my goal is to be debt free of student loans. So far I have to say that I am doing pretty well. I guess it is safe to say that that is where my savings money is currently going.

One more thing!I am thankful for my family today. I was able to go spend some time with my sisters in the city these past two days. Last night I babysat and took Sydney and Spencer to Pei Wei and for an ice-cream treat, while my sister and her husband went on a date to the movies! It was fun just to be able to relax and have fun with family!

Just had some yummy ice-cream! They were so excited to ride in the convertible


Before I headed back to work today we spent a little time in the sun at White Water. Oh boy do I love realxing and having fun...Not work! Ha! I'm thankful!!!


Philippians 4:6
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

No Plans...Where am I Being Led?

Well to start it off I'm not even sure what all I have to say on here today...

Tragedies

These past couple of days my heart has been so heavy just thinking about all of the damages of these tornadoes. Between the Alabama, Tennessee, Missouri, and now the Oklahoma tornadoes it has taken a toll on many people. So many have lost families, friends, homes, churches, and even work places.

It amazes me to see that the only thing standing in this church and area is the cross. It truly shows that He is still for us(His children)even in the midst of suffering.

I am so thankful, but at the same time I almost feel guilty just looking at what all I have and have been wanting. As I was driving to work this morning all I could think about were those things. It makes me want to down size in the things that I do have. I do not need all of these material things. It has left me in a place where all I can do is be thankful for each person and thing that I still have in my life.

I have been looking into ways that I can help in any way. We all know we can pray, but if all everyone does is only pray then how does something get accomplished. I guess we need to pray and ask God specifically,"How can I help? Reveal to me what I need to do." I know there are many churches and towns that are trying to gather things up around the community such as, toilet paper, food, water, and etc. I do know that Life Church of Stillwater is accepting items until Friday morning and will take a group(whoever wants to join) to Joplin, Missouri. I would love to go, but due to work I am not able to right now.

How will you make a difference?Big Decisions

Right now I'm in the process of relying on God to show me which way to go. I don't know what, why, or where I will be led, but I have been so burdened lately. I want whatever will assist me in making me closer to Him. Until I feel at peace in knowing where He wants me, I will continue to believe that He will show me the way.

On a side note.. Did you know that about 1,500 people are still missing from the Joplin tornado??


Isaiah 42:16,"But I'll take the hand of those who don't know the way, who can't see where they're going. I'll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country. I'll be right there to show them what roads to take, make sure they don't fall into the ditch. These are the things I'll be doing for them-sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute."

One Year Down?

I have already accomplished one year of college? I cannot believe how fast it went! It has turned out to be a good year! I have meet and reconnected with some great people that will I will be able to call friends for life. I have learned so much about myself this year. There has been some unexpected twists that have made me realize that truly God has everything in plan. There is no need for me to plan my life out because He knows what is best and will bring what is to happen to pass. I am still walking by faith day by day.



Proverbs 3:5-6>"5.Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. 6 Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track."


Easter Weekend

My sisters and nephew.. Heidi, Emily, Bentley, Lauren, Aiden and I at The Cheesecake Factory for Heidi's birthday!



My sister Kristin and Husband Chris




My dad made carrots that are candy holders and put together the kid's Easter baskets


I do have an ANNOUNCEMENT.... One of my best friend's Jade is getting married! I am so excited to see her walk down that aisle this July! She chose Megan and I as her two friends to be in her wedding and to go wedding dress shopping. Let me tell you... It's beautiful! :)



Bonfire night with some friends.. Katie, Jade, Megan, Justin, and Chelsea
(We recruited Justin to make our pyramid complete!)





Who's the ring fingers?? Jade and Katie. Katie is another sweet and fun friend that just got engaged last week! So excited for her!
Who's the single ladies? Miss Megan and I! Our day is coming girl! ;)




Now to cheer the Thunder on...

The Vintage Pearl Giveaway

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