Readers,
My sincerest apologies.
Got in a little late tonight. I promise you this, I will post an update tomorrow — when my eyes have stayed closed for at least 6 hours consecutively. Yeah, that would be real nice. I’ll get you caught up on all the recent, wonderful activities over the busy holiday weekend.
Good Night to most and Good Morning to some,
Two weeks in. It has absolutely flown by, in a fabulous way. Today’s giving was such a treat, in more ways than one.
Our beloved youth pastor at Hillvue Heights is currently serving as a captain and chaplain in the US Army. Word came last year that his unit would be going overseas in the coming months and to honor them and show our appreciation for their sacrifices and hard work, a brigade of women from the church banned together the masses of cookie sheets. More than 3 hours later, many baking sheets used and somewhere near 200 cookies later, we were able to take a BIG box of cookies over to our pastor’s house just before he packed up to go back to his unit in Alabama. With a new wife in Bowling Green, he makes every attempt possible to come home and visit her. While she sent him away with a larger package than he came home with, I hope the men who receive those cookies don’t see them just as a treat to snack on. I hope they receive them, felling the love, faith and appreciation we have for them.
I truly wish I had more time and a greater ability to keep my eyes open long enough to share all that I desire to share with you, but for another day I suppose. I have so many thought going on inside this pea-brain of mine and so much more to share with you. God has been revealing Himself to me in wilder, bigger ways than ever before. : ) It’s a beautiful thing.
Have you ever felt so convicted of something that it drastically affects your thoughts and actions? So guilty of your inaction that it spurs you into action? In the last week, I have been working through “Get Uncomfortable” by Todd Phillips, a bible study that challenges Christ’s followers to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a world that desperately needs Him. As Todd says, “There is more to Christianity than going to church. In fact, as you walk through the truth of Scripture, you might be surprised at just how ‘uncomfortable’ God wants you to be… for your own sake–and for the sake of the world around you.” This is where my world was ROCKED this week. While diving into scripture alongside the guidance of “Get Uncomfortable”, I began to see how God calls His people to respond to the social condition of the world. The corporate church is called to care for and tend to the needs of orphans, widows, the oppressed, afflicted, poor and suffering.
Still seeking out how to live out God’s desire for His people, the following verses struck a chord with me.
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver… This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-7, 12
We are called to continue doing good as we are living our lives, not according to the convenience of the act, but according to the need. I want to help fill the need.
So what am I doing in response to the truth in Scripture?
I am joining my wonderful friend, Jessie Mathieu, for the next 40 days in putting other people before ourselves. We have committed to a random acts of kindness to a stranger, a gift of time or resources to a friend, an organization or a cause and ultimately, to create opportunities to share the Gospel of Christ through giving. The goal is to see past my own wants and needs to serve and fulfill the needs of others in accordance with how the Lord has blessed me.
For the next 40 days, I will keep an update on VivaLaVida. Check back with me to see how the process goes, what types of creative ways Jessie and I come up with to serve others and what impact it has on others and on myself.
As this journey begins, I pray that my eyes, my wallet, my calendar of events… everything I have, are open to the needs of others.
My best friend usually sparks my thinking on a lot of things in life. This is one of those times. So, Emilee and I had a long drive ahead of us recently and this topic came up. She opened up a monstrous can of worms when she said “Have you ever thought about what songs would be on your TOP SONGS EVER?” And so it began — my 23 years of ear-tickling tunes and concerts have culminated in a week-long quest to make my album of all-time favorites. So enjoy.
So, it’s my #1 for many reasons. You ever had a song that you just cannot manage to turn off when you hear it? This is mine. It reminds me of many, many good times — for my 20th birthday Emilee surprised me with tickets to see The Fray at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville plus it’s difficult to hear this song and NOT think of Grey’s Anatomy, which happens to be one of my favorite shows. The Ryman show only ignited my passion for The Fray, when two years later Emilee and I drove to Columbus, Ohio to spend a weekend there on account of our second Fray concert. Not only are they very musically-talented, with great instrumentals and lyrics, but it’s also a big plus that the boys have precious accents.
See, if you’re like me, you may think I should attribute this one to the man himself, Eric Clapton. And as I learned as well, you’d be wrong. Derek and the Dominos is a 5-member group, one of which happens to be the lead guitarist and singer we all know so well. It is this song that brought me many laughs during my stint as a server at Montana Grille. With Sirus radio consistently on rotation in the restaurant, this song became very familiar –sometimes annoyingly familiar. One day, as I’m placing an order through the kitchen, I hear the chorus ring (probably for the 4th time that day) and decide to sing along with my manager, Chad Dennison. He sings “Layla, you’ve got me on my knees, Layla.” And I simultaneously sing “Hey Love, you’ve got me on my knees, Hey Love”. This is when I learned that I am really good at making up song lyrics that sound just the way they should. But Layla, Hey Love? I thought it sounded good. Needless to say, I have never lived that one down with Chad or any of the wait staff, because it didn’t take long for word to spread that I had thoroughly botched a classic.
. Period.Ok, so don’t be mad. I have been battling for days inside my head to pick an absolute favorite Mayer song and I have failed. I have listened to every one of his CDs and I pick one! And a couple of songs later, I change my mind to the next one. It’s a sad, sad cycle. So, I’ve decided to give you a few of my suggestions in the running for my #3 top song. If you were to put me on the spot, any one of these would come to mind: Room For Squares’ “Great Indoors”, Battle Studies’ “Half of My Heart” or “In Your Atmosphere”, Continuum’s “Bold as Love”, “I Don’t Trust Myself With Loving You” and “The Heart of Life”. Does that give you enough options? Or accurately show how much I really love John Mayer’s music? I spent some long nights in the dorm with a book in hand and Mayer playing on my computer, drowning out the madness in the halls around me. And you can’t mention John Mayer without giving some ode to his incredible talent on a guitar. He’s an amazing musician.
Oh, Daddy. He’s the only man I think of when I hear this song and that’s why it ranks so high on my list. No, I wasn’t born with this song came out — actually 19 years AFTER it came out, I was introduced to my Daddy but as soon as I popped out, this was his song to me. I only have fond memories of my Dad as he raised me and this song puts me back in a place of comfort, love and completely happy times. I even set his ringtones up so that when I call, this is what he hears. Just heard the song today on the way to Knoxville and it brought me to a reminiscent place where Daddy holds me in his arms and serenades me with a scruffy voice and wide smile. I could not help but roll the windows down, blast the radio, wave my hands out the sunroof and sing at the top of my lungs.
I’m not sure that there’s ever a time when I will not enjoy popping this album, “The Outsiders” into the stereo. That being said, it was also difficult to narrow down ONE Needtobreathe song that surpasses the other phenomenal ones and the reason I settled on “Something Beautiful” is because at my first Needtobreathe concert in Nashville, the boys put on a show of ridiculous proportion inside of a bar, singing and praying to the glory of God. It was such a neat experience when the guys turned off all the microphones, all the plug-ins to the amplifiers and asked the crowd to squeeze in as close to the stage as possible. It was then that my love for “Something Beautiful” developed, at the sound of acoustic beauty. My friend Jessie has a video of this exact performance posted on facebook and I find myself going back to it occasionally just to relive the live rendition of what has become one of my favorites of all time.
Oh, Josh Gracin. You stud, you. For every woman who stumbles on this list, I’m sure there is one song, movie or memory that makes you think of blissfully dancing, arms held out in the pouring rain, donning a long flowey dress. This carefree and sensual image comes to mind every time I hear “Stay”. Not only is the video sultry and full of passion, but what wife doesn’t want her husband to desire her the way the lyrics depict? You’d be lying is you said it wouldn’t be your childhood fairytale come true. Hahaha. So this is why Josh Gracin’s “Stay” makes the list for me. Plus it reminds me of summer nights, hanging out with Morgan Blaine and Rachel Marshall. And truthfully, I’m not even sure that we’ve spent summer nights listening to this song specifically, but I have this automatic association of this song to the two of them. You know how songs trigger certain states in your life or a frame of mind? This is it.
‘ 2006 “More Than A Man”This is another selection on my list that was as hard as you’ll soon find my #3 was to choose. I’m a huge Dave Barnes fan and found it really difficult to narrow it down to a top pick of his many wonderful songs. I chose “More Than A Man” because I think it’s a really sweet song and although, you may venture to listen to it and find that it’s a melodical-buzz kill compared to the rest of my favorites collection, I love it. I really enjoy the combination of Dave’s mellow style, heartfelt lyrics and guitar skills. My favorite line is the closing line in the song – “There’s a war inside my heart and mind, between the hope ahead and sin behind. All I ask, you believe in me. I’ll be more than a man for you.” It reminds me of the desire I have to be better than I once was. To each day be more loving, more kind and more positive than I was in yesterday’s existence. It also brings back memories of my late grandfather, James Arley Hubbs. He passed away in 2006, when I was introduced to this song. So during the time of my life when loss was the greatest, I connected his memory to “More Than A Man” because he was more than a man for my grandmother. He was an outstanding man and I cannot possibly fathom a better grandfather.
‘ 1998 “Slide”Put yourself here: It’s summer of 1998. I’m 11 years old. My sister, Megan, has just moved back home after another year at Western Kentucky University. She’s 20, hip, full of fun and everything I want to be. And she listen to the Goo Goo Dolls. So I do too. In the days that MTV ACTUALLY PLAYED MUSIC, “Slide” and “Iris” were regularly heard from the little space under my sister’s closed door. And that’s why I love this song. It takes me back to a time with far fewer cares in the world, when all I wanted was to mimic my big sister in every way. As I type this, my car’s parked outside her house in Knoxville and my bottom’s positioned comfortably on her couch. I’m reminded of why I love her so much. We have shared the day together, sipped on Bud Light Lime as we picked blackberries in her backyard, spent some time at the pool with her beautiful babies and talked about Jesus all day long — things we’ve learned, revelations from God to each of us, ways He’s changed us and prayers that have been whispered for those around us.
‘ 1990 “Friends in Low Places”Talk about a classic country song. You cannot in your right mind claim to be a fan of country music without this song appearing in some sort of favorites list if you attempted to create one as well. I’ll credit my cousin for my love of this song. And my sister for my overall love of Garth Brooks. It was during a ride through Knoxville with my cousin, Lorrie, that I first heard “Friends in Low Places”. It was probably close to 15 years ago that I heard it for the first time and most recently, I enjoyed a scream-it-at-the-top-of-your-lungs rendition with my best girl friends on the way to the Green River Canoe Trip just two days ago. Not only is Garth Brooks a legend in country music but if I had my guess, “Friends in Low Places” probably ranks at the top of any list of most memorable, most favorite – most anything good – country songs.
I’m not a huge Coldplay fan. I can’t name every album. I have never seen them in concert. And I haven’t the slightest idea what the dashingly-handsome English lead singer’s name is. But I do appreciate quality music. Coldplay’s style is incredibly unique and soothing. ”Fix You” is one of those songs that can come on the radio, and no matter my mood, everything is hunky-dori at the opening chord. At some point I’d like to go to a Coldplay concert because I think it would be such an incredible show.
I’ve written two blogs previous that you can go back to reference if you’d like about my experiences in Atlanta, Georgia in January for the 2010 Passion Conference. It was there that Chris Tomlin released the song that makes it to my favorites list. In a crowd of 22,000 college students and leaders, Chris Tomlin led the largest, most pure corporate worship to the Lord that I have been a part of. Just being in a group of people of that caliber who seek to glorify God, as I do, was incredible empowering and refreshing at the same time. The version I enjoy the most is the LIVE version on the Passion “Awakening” CD because it takes me back to that moment of worship with people from across the country and the globe. How I wish I could relive those moments.
I think I surprised myself that this song made it to my list. Hahahahaa. First of all, who are these guys? Exactly, nobody knows. I sure as heck don’t. One-hit wonders are pretty comical to me. Couldn’t tell you a darn thing about the group, why they’re named Mr. Big, who makes up the group, NOTHING. But that’s okay. Haha. I’m not sure that I can explain why I like “To Be With You” so much but it’s one of those “Monster Ballads” that has always resonated with me. Call it strange or agree, either one.
‘s 2008 “Revelry”Oh, summer of 2008. How much I loved and loathed you at the same time. This is the same summer that the single “Sex on Fire” became popular and after buying “Only By the Night”, I found a new favorite embedded in the new album. That summer came and went with lots of good times and much heartache, staying out late and waking up early, more drinking than I should have and, in turn, more crying than is normal for me. But it also came with many opportunities to learn and reshape my being. There are many things I regret about that summer but many more memories that I’ll take to my last days and reminisce on my way there. “Revelry” takes me back to that time, reminding me of how awesome those few months were and how thankful I am to have been molded and transformed.
‘s 1991 “Black or White”As I sit here watching Oprah’s special for the first anniversary of Michael Jackson’s unexpected death, it is hard to believe that I was at his Los Angeles home the afternoon before his passing. I’ve never been a King of Pop fanatic but I’ll never forget taking pictures as our Hollywood Home Tour van stopped in front of the legend’s high security home. It was a surreal moment to wake up the next morning to the news that he had passed away. Which brings me to how “Black or White” makes the list of a person who did not grow up a fan. There were always songs that were familiar to me but I still don’t own a Michael Jackson CD. This is how “Black or White” came to the forefront in the search of favorite songs. Upon hearing of his death, I wanted to recollect on the songs that I had heard coming from my sister’s room growing up.
‘s 1995 “Sold”When I think about this song, it brings me back to a time when “Sold” is the only rap song I knew. I can spit out every word, quick as John Michael does and love every second of it. Before BET spouted off rappers the caliber of Lil’ Wayne, Kanye West and Twista, John Michael Montgomery led the way in tongue-twisting raps. This is yet another shout out to my sister, who clearly (from all the references she’s obtained in my list of country songs) led the way in my love of country music. I think this song rises to my favorites list because it’s fast, fun and reminds me of my childhood on the farm. Because I lived across from WKU’s Agriculture Center, I always envisioned some ruby red-lipped, blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty being swept of her feet by her dreamboat cowboy.
While this song DID just come out, it has already become one of my favorites. It’s so soothing and sweet, I just love it. My favorite lyric is: “just as free, free as we’ll ever be… drive until the city lights dissolve into a country sky, just me and you…” Plus the video is really encouraging, with footage of our American soldiers fighting for our country, giving up the basics I take for granted in order to make this land free. I also love, in the video, that the band has gone to visit the troops, put on a show for them and gets to socialize It’s a fun song to sing and I can’t think of a Zac Brown Band song to hit the airwaves that I haven’t really enjoyed, so that’s why they deserve to be on my list.
During a very difficult time in life, this song became an anthem of love, security and continued strength. I have come to realize how strongly and passionately I intend to fight for love — as the lyric says, “Love is not a place to come and go as we please. It’s a house we enter in, then commit to never leave… Love is not a fight, but it’s something worth fighting for. ” Scriptures says in 1 Corinthians that love is steadfast and never fails. To me, that means two things: God’s love will never cease and the love I share with my future husband will be so strong that there’s nothing, with Christ at the center of our love, that we cannot conquer together.
1. “Shake ” by Drew Alexander – Look this one up. With a little techno and a little alternative together, this one was a random song I stumbled on while listening to www.pandora.com.
2. “This Is How We Do It” by Montell Jordan – I know this sounds utterly ridiculous but this song seriously makes me want to dance. Hahaha. If I had my guess, this is another song that my sister introduced me to.
3. “Til Summer Comes Around” by Keith Urban – Although this is virtually a brand new song, I have quickly become very fond of it. Before summer made its way to Bowling Green, this song left me longing for warmer weather and days to lay out in the sun.
4. “In My Dreams” by Josh Turner – Talk about a precious song. I hope to have a man who wishes the lyrics of this song into existence. And more than that, I want to be able to whole-heartedly wish the same upon my future husband. — “In my dreams, your dreams are the only things that really matter to me. When you smile, I smile. What makes you happy makes me happy too.”
5. Three Days Grace” by Riot – I’m sure this sounds nuts but this is my work out song. It gets me so stinkin’ FIRED UP, I feel like I could run for miles, lift weights for hours and punch through a concrete wall.
Ok, so I know that turned out really long but a new post is also long overdue. So I needed to word vomit, even if it is just about music and their meanings in my life. Hahah. You definitely don’t have to agree with me, but I hope you enjoy at the very least.
So if you remember, my New Year’s Resolutions went a little something like this — Go to the gym consistently and with intent. Stop biting my nails. Eat healthy. Disciple more young women. Go to no less than six concerts. Be more mindful of my blessings. Read for leisure.
My evaluation grade: C+
And I’m giving more credit than deserved. The “+” is to make me feel a little bit better about myself. Hahaha.
So, truthfully, there are a few resolutions I have been very dedicated to and have kept with fervor. But sadly, the rest fell off the cliff called life, never to be heard from or thought of again.
Gym, check.
Nails – Exnay times infinity.
Healthy eating, I wish.
Discipleship, check but I could always do more.
Concerts – big FAT heck yes.
Be thankful – check.
Read, ugggh.
Success Stories
While I did take a minor hiatus through the holiday season, I’m back in the groove. Apparently, my newest definition of “holiday season” extends halfway through January. But since then, I’ve been fully committed to regular workouts and I’ve even recruited my friend Katie to join me. I feel pretty good about my workout habits — weight training for increased muscle tone and active exercises to keep up my heart rate.
Discipleship — If it weren’t for a constantly changing heart courtesy of the workings of Jesus Christ in my life, this would fall under the massive failures listing of New Year’s Resolutions. But I am happy to say that I enjoy getting to hang out with young ladies who have questions about faith and life. My prayer is that it’s all about Jesus — all the time, in every word, thought and deed. And I hope that the Lord will continue to work a miracle in me to open my heart more and more daily to see the world as He sees it, constantly on guard for ways of serving people, loving people and ministering the Gospel throughout Bowling Green and wherever He may take me.
3 down, 3 to go. My goal for six concerts in 2010 seems to be a grand slam in the making. February 26 is Tim McGraw and Lady Antebellum in Lexington, March 13 is John Mayer in Louisville — and, FOURTH row, I might add — and March 26 is Needtobreathe in Nashville. I’d call that a sure success, considering we are just over one month into 2010 and I’m halfway to the goal.
Not So Successful Stories
In my effort to be more conscious of my blessings, I have come across many days where it was hard to be thankful for my current situation. Pity on me? — No, absolutely not. It’s in those days of hardship and utter confusion that I find it easy to smile. I smile because, although my job is not pleasant all the time, I’m grateful to have work as a recent college graduate in this economy. I’m thankful, despite its broken 4-wheel drive and a CD player that hasn’t worked since I bought my vehicle in 2002, that I have a vehicle to get me around. I can always be more mindful of my blessings. There are things I take for granted everyday that others will never have the opportunity to enjoy — clean food and water; the ability to wear freshly washed clothes each day; the comfort of family; or good health. Shame on me for not being beyond grateful for the things I am so richly blessed with.
I also committed to reading more. And I have, somewhat. I’ve read more than I did last year but I would still like to create the time to delve into a novel the way I have done in the past with murder mystery books. I am three chapters into “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World” by Joanna Weaver and I just read “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan and “Blue Like Jazz” by Donald Miller, both of which I highly recommend. Still I am not satisfied, hence this resolution falling into the ‘not so successful’ category.
Let’s face it, Pure Disaster
So, my diet sucks. I use the term ‘diet’ loosely. The holidays did me in, put the nail in the coffin of my good-health grave. As much as I wish I was stuck on salads, grilled chicken and veggies, it’s lately been more like Zaxby’s fried chicken and chunks of cookie dough, just because. Some failure the healthy foods turned out to be.
Ugh, fingernails? What are those? If I didn’t see them on other people, I wouldn’t know. Haha, that’s definitely an exaggeration but still, the concept is there. My commitment to not biting my nails bit the dust about 3 days into 2010. There’s no hope for my poor ugly little fingers. Boooo.
So, there’s my progress and reasoning for my not-so-stellar C+.
Yet again, I am reminded that this world is not about me and that others are much less fortunate than myself. In the wake of the January 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti, I am frightened by my own self-centeredness.
Shame on us for seeing the aftermath of the Haitian quake and being utterly consumed with greed despite the events.
Shame on me for boasting of myself and my riches while billions of people live impoverished lives, not ever having tasted an ounce of the blessings I so quickly and emotionlessly take for granted. I am blessed beyond measure. May we all be humbled by the events in Haiti and be reminded that this life is not our own. Not for us but for Him. To be lived for the glory of God. For we do not know the time or the hour of its end.
Thousands of people have lots their lives in the worst natural disaster to hit the Haitian people in almost 300 years. As I share some photos I have stumbled upon since the tragic events of earlier this week, I must caution you that many of them are very graphic and may not be for all eyes to see.
Me and Andrew with our clay pots.
FREE THE DALIT.
THE wonderfully awesome Paige and myself.
Entering Atlanta.
Our view in Philips Arena for most of the sessions.
JESUS IS KING!
Me and Amy. What a nutcase she is! And it’s wonderful.
The epitome of our emotions after fighting thousands of people through lines.
Beth Moore, from the 4th row. She’s wonderful.
Paige, Amy and Laura.
Just a glimpse into the massive amount of people who took over Atlanta.
Socks and Towels collected for the homeless of Atlanta.
Isaiah 26:8
“I’ll stand with arms high and heart abandoned, in awe of the One who gave it all.
So I’ll stand my soul Lord to You surrendered, all I am is Yours”
Andrew writing down his One Verse from Luke.
Jacquelyn, Garrett and Joshua smashing their clay pots to free the Dalit people from oppression.
It would be the understatement of the century to say God absolutely rocked my world and blew my mind this weekend at Passion 2010. But those are the only words I can come up with amongst all the thoughts in my head about our great God and the Passion experience.
Astounded.
Speechless.
Amazed.
Humbled.
No words can adequately describe how phenomenal the past four days have been.
No words can do it justice.
22,000 college students gathered for four days – praying, loving, worshipping, giving, soaking up God’s glory, praising His name, learning of Grace and Mercy, being broken by the love of Jesus and glorifying the One True God. I am so privileged to be among the body of Christ so giving – loving – selfless. The amount and depth of overwhelming love in Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia was so thick and overpowering that there’s no way a person left the city either with a heart unchanged or with eyes dry.
I had an awakening Monday morning, 7:30. My eyes opened, wide awake – with a song in my head. “Oh no, you never let go. Lord, you never let go of me.” It repeated over and over again. He was speaking to me and I longed to embrace the words. God wants my heart. He desires that I desire Him wholly. And know Him. He knows me, inside and out, every cell in my body, every pet peeve that drives me nuts. I am no secret to Him. And yet I have failed Him – miserably. I have failed the God who drew me to Him. He desires for me to know him. This was the first of many realizations over the weekend that brought me to tears.
My tears culminated on the final morning. Louie Giglio stood on stage, absolutely humbled by the love and compassion of the 22,000 people before him and the God who makes all things happen. LG shared with us the total contributions from the pocketbooks of college students. The $500,000 goal seemed farce to me. I lacked faith in the people of God and in God’s ability to move. And with no surprise, God showed me who’s boss. I was wrong.
By Monday night, LG announced that we had accomplished the goal. In fact, it had been far surpassed – $562,000. Come Tuesday morning at Closing Session, we were stunned again at the additional gifts received since Monday night that brought in another $106,000. In the span of 11 hours, the total was brought to $668,597.95. And that’s absolutely astonishing to me. But God had much more in store for our ears to hear and hearts to love on Tuesday morning. Louie told us that one very loving and selfless person wrote a single check to match the entire pot.
Another $668,597.95 from ONE PERSON. Unbelievable.
In the moment the totals were revealed, the power and drive among 22,000 of us reminded me of Romans 8:28. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
$1,337,195.90 going to the people of Mozambique, East Asia, Afghanistan, Shatika and Rom, the Middle East, India, Guatemala, Haiti, Nepal, Indonesia and Ethiopia.
In this moment, I was broken. Absolutely shattered and mangled in the presence of God, desiring His full glorification through my existence. To be standing among people who love the Lord and His people so much, whole-heartedly worshipping Him in their giving. Again, words cannot do it an ounce of the praise it deserves.
Wednesday.
December 30.
1:03 p.m.
Quiet chatters around the office.
“I’ll Be Your Shelter” by Taylor Dayne entertains me.
1987.
Back track – Look it up.
I was only a few months old.
Little ‘ole me.
With bleach blonde hair.
Would never guess it though.
Brunette now.
To match my big brown eyes.
Natural change.
Don’t want to fry my hair or turn it orange.
But orange is a good color.
Tennesse Vols.
I have to love them.
Pops, my grandfather, coached baseball there.
Born and raised a UT fan.
None of that UK blue.
But for Daddy, all blue.
He’s an outcast for that reason.
We tolerate it, I suppose.
Mommy married him, knowing his blood runs blue.
So I guess I can let it slide.
Slide, slide, slippity slide.
Ok, Coolio.
Way back in 1994.
Whatever happened to you?
I guess Megan liked his music.
I was 8. She’d be 17.
I hope my parents sure would not have bought the album for me.
Coolio did have cool dreads though.
Dreads.
Remind me of Jessie.
And Cliff Dixon.
And football games.
And football games remind me of Soul Train.
And he brings a smile to my face.
Emilee’s Mass Media encounter.
Feet.
Wishing she were anywhere else but there.
In that moment.
Wanting to run away.
Get away.
Headphones blaring.
Go away.
He left.
Awkward.
But the story will live on.
Be laughed at.
Passed on.
Passion.
In three days.
ATL, GA.
Thousands of students ready to encounter Christ.
21,000.
In one city.
Two arenas.
For four days.
One God. One voice. One hope.
Hopeful of the experience.
Ready for Saturday – van ride.
I’m ready to hear God’s Word.
Hear His voice.
Speaking truth.
Jesus celebrated.
I hope the impact lasts beyond four days.
Lives changed and people dependent on Him.
I’m unsure of what to expect.
Get caught up in the motions of it all.
I hope not.
I want to see Jesus.
In a real and powerful way.
God saying “I’ll Be Your Shelter“, like Taylor Dayne.
Shelter. Comfort. Strength.
Change.
Now is the time we all look forward to and dread simultaneously. The beginning of a 2010 means the commitment to not-so-committable resolutions. Such resolutions go from hopeful thoughts to empty promises and, in a few weeks, become distant memories. We’re all guilty. And don’t you dare try to lie.
We resolve to get a gym membership and shed some pounds, set aside money for savings, build stronger friendships, mend broken relationships, go to church more often, organize the house or end a bad habit.
And let me say, EVERY SINGLE ONE of those has been a resolution of mine at some point along the way. Well guess what? Surprise, surprise – This year is no different. Although they’re the same old resolutions, there’s much more fervor to back each up.
The key is commitment, dedication and desire.
So here goes — in no particular order, accept that it’s the order they come to mind first, so maybe that dictates importance. Hence, sure, a particular order.
I resolve to –
Go to the gym consistently and with intent.
While I have been going to the gym regularly since September 2009, I hope this year to make it a priority. I will remain committed to the gym four to five times a week. It’s Day 17 of a Navy Seal workout program, which keeps me motivated and regimented to a schedule. In general, my goal is to be fit, healthy and look nice for my future hubby.
Stop biting my nails.
For those of you who know me, stop laughing. Yes, you’ve heard me say this some 2,817,984 times and I’ve never been fully committed to any of those promises. You can bet me a million dollars and I’d have trouble ending the habit. So, what’s different this year, you say? Frankly, not a darn thing. Michael Jordan said it well. “I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” So, yet again, I commit to letting my nails grow. Check with me in a few weeks, see how it goes.
Eat healthy.
If you’re like me, you enjoy a little junk food or greasy fast food every once in a while. You’d be crazy or a nutritionist to disagree. But through a little birdie named Jessie Mathieu, I’ve come to realize that eating healthy isn’t that hard. It comes down to lots of colors and grains. I am committed to making fruits, veggies and whole wheat a part of my daily intake.
Disciple more young women.
I have recently become more and more aware of the impact that older Godly women had and continue to have on my life. While I ultimately can thank Jesus Christ for bringing me to a deeper relationship with Himself, I owe much of my growth to the women who poured themselves into my life and into my spiritual walk with Christ. It is because of women who cared enough to disciple me that I feel driven to do the same for others. We should all continually be in discipleship and fellowship within the community of Christ but let us not forget those who have not come to know the Lord. I will be committed to building deep friendships with young women who I can pour into as well.
Go to no less than six concerts.
This makes me happy just thinking about it. While realistically, I may end up going to as many as ten shows, six is a good goal to shoot for in case money and time are minimal. I’m on my way… One’s already written in the calendar for February 26th – Lady Antebellum and Tim McGraw. Who’s with me for more concerts in 2010?
Be more mindful of my blessings.
In a world consumed by ourselves, our possessions, our wallets and our own selfish ambitions, I so easily forget that what I have in this life is nothing we provided for ourselves or did by ourselves. All glory returns to God, for there is nothing we have that He didn’t make possible. In this year, my goal is to be more conscious of the many blessings in my life and to be thankful for what I take for granted.
Read for leisure.
I’ve been trying to get back into reading just because I want to. I used to hate it because it was forced upon me by teachers but now that I’m out of school, I want to revamp my childhood passion of reading. I have a list of books that I’d like to read, starting with “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World” by Joanna Weaver and “Searching For God Knows What” by Donald Miller.
So, wish me luck.
And I hope you have a wonderful year in 2010, with a conscious mind of all the blessings the Lord bestows upon us.
