is it just me or is it getting ridiculous with the "about me's" and posts people are making spilling out the most random and unheard of facts about themselves... to a people who honestly, probably don't even care. people are more than just willing, but almost desperate for the world to know that their favorite day of the week is tuesday, when they were seven they had a dog named sparky, they're mortally afraid of spiders, and that they have a secret obsession with twilight (which, ps... once you tell the whole world, it's not much of a secret anymore!) now, don't get me wrong, it can be cute...to a point... but i think this phenomenon is stemming from a deeper issue.
people ARE desperate... desperate to be known. they want to feel that there perhaps is at least SOMEBODY out there who cares that their favorite fruity scent is pineapple, goldfish kinda creep them out, their 7th last text message says LOL, and they can't get that special someone off their mind. they want to know that the details of their lives...the things that make them tick, make a person unique, won't be forgotten or overlooked.
as a girl, i get this. i mean, i smile to myself when somebody remembers that i absolutely love buddy's barbeque, my favorite flowers are daisies, and hearing a kenny chesney song on the radio makes my heart pound a little faster. its the fact that somebody cares enough to pay attention to these details that he (or she) took the time to remember. but i'm not looking for my entire friends list on facebook to remember that and or even care. the ones who know me enough to know these things without me spilling it out in a witty myspace survey already know those three things about me that everyone needs to know (ahem, SL yellow 08!) i would be seriously weirded out if someone i had never really met before in real life (facebook friends only) came up to me and said, "i know you're a black and white kind of girl, your favorite shirt is your red t shirt from the 8th grade, you love art, and your favorite 80's song is PYT by michael jackson..." SERIOUSLY. but that's what we expect isn't it? people we don't even honestly know to care enough about us to know us on a seriously intimate level. maybe its just getting to write these things down and putting them out there, but honestly, how selfish is that? if we are so consumed in ourselves that we honestly think everyone SHOULD remember that you prefer apples to oranges, you hate things that glow in the dark (for some odd reason), and your LEAST favorite color is green, then there are some real issues to attend to.
but this need to be known really concerns me. if so many people are desperate for someone to know the intimate details of their lives, shouldn't they look to the ONE who already knows all these things? the ONE who created all these quirks that make us unique. the ONE who, in all honesty, probably laughs to Himself about my obsession with barbeque, sweet tea, and country music. that's what we're looking for anyway, isn't it? someOne to know us inside and out and actually care about these flimsy details? and if you're one of those people who do post the "83293456 things you should know about me," i'll read it, but i can't guarantee that i'll remember every 83293456 detail. trust in the ONE who made you that way in the first place.
disclaimer: all the facts in this blog were made up. they in no way depict the real me. i DO have obsessions with barbeque, sweet tea, and country music...but you already knew that, didn't you?
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
first love
let me just go on the record now saying how much i missed playing basketball...
ever since i can remember, my dad brought both me and my brother up playing the game that he coached for so many years. as a 4 year old, i would play outside with the boys after school, sit on the bench with my dad's team, and even help keep books from time to time (i'm pretty sure that's where i learned how to add....)
when i was old enough, i started playing in leagues and teams around the area...upward until i was old enough for school ball, and then AAU (a competitive traveling team) starting when i was 12. those were the "serious days" i'd have shooting practice before school, a two hour practice after school, then when i got home, i'd have another shooting practice with my dad out in the driveway. it was a year round thing with us: camps (team and individual) in the summer time, fall ball and school ball during autumn and winter, then as soon as school season was over, AAU season would start, carrying us through the spring and beginning of summer. seriously, at that age, if you asked me what i was going to do in college, it was "play ball for pat summitt at UT" and then "become the shortest girl ever in the WNBA"
but, as always, God had a different plan for me. the summer before my sophomore year of high school, i was playing for a great school team (practice in the summer too, folks), but was really conflicted in my heart because i knew the girls that i had grown up playing with were not the best examples for me to surround my life with. then came the week that i had to choose between going to beach camp with my student ministry and a team camp for basketball. i chose church camp, thinking surely my coaches would understand... well, long story short, i was benched for a whole week when i got back because i missed that camp. when i went and talked to my coaches they told me, basically, it was time for me to choose. (sounds familiar to anyone who's recently read matthew 6?) i couldn't do both: play the sport i love, or be active serving the God i loved even more...
so after praying about it, talking to my parents about it, and shedding more than my fair share of tears about it, i resigned from my position on the team...sure that i would never play again. not at the level that i thrived on. but i knew God had better things in store for my life. fast forward over 6 years and here i am, a senior in college, and i have finally came back to my "first love" oh, i played pick up games and even coached a group of 3rd and 4th grade girls for a couple of years, but it was never enough to lace up my shoes and really go all out on the court... until last night. i was asked to play on an intramural team this year, something i had avoided for the past three years due to business, and fear that i had really lost my touch. but it took just the first play to sink back into a rhythm that felt as natural as breathing... pushing my body, not like when i run, but totally letting myself go and being a part of a TEAM again... having 4 other girls on the court with me and functioning as a unit toward our ultimate goal.
confession: as soon as tip off, i exploded....it was like everything pent up in me just moved out of my feet and hands with unbelievable force. so, i played probably a bit too rough... i made some girls on the other team not so happy with me, but it was like something had snapped inside of me and i honestly couldn't help it.
so, the team's 1-0... and we have a good chance of going all the way this year. i'll keep you posted.
ever since i can remember, my dad brought both me and my brother up playing the game that he coached for so many years. as a 4 year old, i would play outside with the boys after school, sit on the bench with my dad's team, and even help keep books from time to time (i'm pretty sure that's where i learned how to add....)
when i was old enough, i started playing in leagues and teams around the area...upward until i was old enough for school ball, and then AAU (a competitive traveling team) starting when i was 12. those were the "serious days" i'd have shooting practice before school, a two hour practice after school, then when i got home, i'd have another shooting practice with my dad out in the driveway. it was a year round thing with us: camps (team and individual) in the summer time, fall ball and school ball during autumn and winter, then as soon as school season was over, AAU season would start, carrying us through the spring and beginning of summer. seriously, at that age, if you asked me what i was going to do in college, it was "play ball for pat summitt at UT" and then "become the shortest girl ever in the WNBA"
but, as always, God had a different plan for me. the summer before my sophomore year of high school, i was playing for a great school team (practice in the summer too, folks), but was really conflicted in my heart because i knew the girls that i had grown up playing with were not the best examples for me to surround my life with. then came the week that i had to choose between going to beach camp with my student ministry and a team camp for basketball. i chose church camp, thinking surely my coaches would understand... well, long story short, i was benched for a whole week when i got back because i missed that camp. when i went and talked to my coaches they told me, basically, it was time for me to choose. (sounds familiar to anyone who's recently read matthew 6?) i couldn't do both: play the sport i love, or be active serving the God i loved even more...
so after praying about it, talking to my parents about it, and shedding more than my fair share of tears about it, i resigned from my position on the team...sure that i would never play again. not at the level that i thrived on. but i knew God had better things in store for my life. fast forward over 6 years and here i am, a senior in college, and i have finally came back to my "first love" oh, i played pick up games and even coached a group of 3rd and 4th grade girls for a couple of years, but it was never enough to lace up my shoes and really go all out on the court... until last night. i was asked to play on an intramural team this year, something i had avoided for the past three years due to business, and fear that i had really lost my touch. but it took just the first play to sink back into a rhythm that felt as natural as breathing... pushing my body, not like when i run, but totally letting myself go and being a part of a TEAM again... having 4 other girls on the court with me and functioning as a unit toward our ultimate goal.
confession: as soon as tip off, i exploded....it was like everything pent up in me just moved out of my feet and hands with unbelievable force. so, i played probably a bit too rough... i made some girls on the other team not so happy with me, but it was like something had snapped inside of me and i honestly couldn't help it.
so, the team's 1-0... and we have a good chance of going all the way this year. i'll keep you posted.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
last semester!!!
schedule:
monday:
9 am Anatomy II
11 am Exercise Physiology
12 pm teach math
3 pm Anatomy Lab
tuesday:
10:30 am exercise swimming
12 pm teach math
1:30 pm Faith and Freedom
wednesday:
9 am Anatomy II
11 am Exercise Physiology
1 pm Exercise Phys Lab
3 pm work at the Outlet
thursday:
10:30 am Exercise Swimming
12 pm teach math
1:30 pm Faith and Freedom
friday:
9 am Anatomy II
11 am Exercise Physiology
12 pm teach math
1 pm Senior Seminar
monday:
9 am Anatomy II
11 am Exercise Physiology
12 pm teach math
3 pm Anatomy Lab
tuesday:
10:30 am exercise swimming
12 pm teach math
1:30 pm Faith and Freedom
wednesday:
9 am Anatomy II
11 am Exercise Physiology
1 pm Exercise Phys Lab
3 pm work at the Outlet
thursday:
10:30 am Exercise Swimming
12 pm teach math
1:30 pm Faith and Freedom
friday:
9 am Anatomy II
11 am Exercise Physiology
12 pm teach math
1 pm Senior Seminar
Saturday, January 3, 2009
and then one day, i just felt like runnin' ~forrest gump
running has always been my outlet, my escape. just like that new balance commercial (go look for it on youtube), me and running have had a love-hate relationship over the years and there was definitely a stretch in my life where i neglected the one thing that i needed in my life. i would still run, but it felt like a chore...go out and get in my two miles so i didn't feel like a total slob.
so recently, i have made an effort to restore the relationship i have had with the feeling of pounding out mile after mile until i can't think anymore. these distances have been the place where i can think, not talk, just be me for however long i need. so i went and ran six miles today... really ran too... no treadmills, no elliptical, no run/walk business... i just settled myself in for a long run and did it... boy do i feel better.
and i plan to never get to a point where i have been away from my friend for so long ever again.
so recently, i have made an effort to restore the relationship i have had with the feeling of pounding out mile after mile until i can't think anymore. these distances have been the place where i can think, not talk, just be me for however long i need. so i went and ran six miles today... really ran too... no treadmills, no elliptical, no run/walk business... i just settled myself in for a long run and did it... boy do i feel better.
and i plan to never get to a point where i have been away from my friend for so long ever again.
Friday, January 2, 2009
2009
can't believe it's already 2009...
where's the pause button??? somebody's got to be able to just make this crazy world slow down for a second...it's as if i'm afraid that if i blink again, i'm going to miss something big because we're just spinning too daggum fast, in my opinion.
now i know i'm the one who said new years was kinda hokey...a time where everybody makes these huge outlandish promises to themselves with no intentions of keeping...and i still believe that's true, BUT i do think it's a good time to pause and reflect about where the heck your life has gone in the past year. so here's my list:
favorite moments of 2008:
* sitting on the 13th row for george strait in concert
* hot tub conversations in gatlinburg in the freezing cold
* spring break 08 at coker creek: star-watching, riding horses, and sleepovers
* a certain dave barnes concert where my life took an interesting turn...
* sitting on the 18th row for KENNY CHESNEY in concert! (and getting lost on the way back)
* April 28, 2008
* my brother surprising me for my 21st birthday
* my best friend getting married
* working for Student Life YELLOW TEAM 08
* driving with droogs from chicago to colorado
* christmas in july
* moving into my first apartment
* running at 6 am at lake lure
* best day ever: running in knoxville, getting cleaned up and coming back for josh turner in concert!
* interviewing at belmont
* GETTING ACCEPTED AT BELMONT!
* spending time in nashville
* thanksgiving with EVERYBODY at my house
* daniel, val, and me learning to stand on our own feet...
i'm so excited to see what God has in store for 2009!
where's the pause button??? somebody's got to be able to just make this crazy world slow down for a second...it's as if i'm afraid that if i blink again, i'm going to miss something big because we're just spinning too daggum fast, in my opinion.
now i know i'm the one who said new years was kinda hokey...a time where everybody makes these huge outlandish promises to themselves with no intentions of keeping...and i still believe that's true, BUT i do think it's a good time to pause and reflect about where the heck your life has gone in the past year. so here's my list:
favorite moments of 2008:
* sitting on the 13th row for george strait in concert
* hot tub conversations in gatlinburg in the freezing cold
* spring break 08 at coker creek: star-watching, riding horses, and sleepovers
* a certain dave barnes concert where my life took an interesting turn...
* sitting on the 18th row for KENNY CHESNEY in concert! (and getting lost on the way back)
* April 28, 2008
* my brother surprising me for my 21st birthday
* my best friend getting married
* working for Student Life YELLOW TEAM 08
* driving with droogs from chicago to colorado
* christmas in july
* moving into my first apartment
* running at 6 am at lake lure
* best day ever: running in knoxville, getting cleaned up and coming back for josh turner in concert!
* interviewing at belmont
* GETTING ACCEPTED AT BELMONT!
* spending time in nashville
* thanksgiving with EVERYBODY at my house
* daniel, val, and me learning to stand on our own feet...
i'm so excited to see what God has in store for 2009!
Monday, October 6, 2008
it's really happening
why do we always get surprised when the things we plan for and dream about actually happen? i mean, i've dreamed for quite a while now about things such as graduating from college or getting accepted into physical therapy school. well, the first steps to these processes are starting to fall into place and they always catch me by surprise.
for instance, last week i got my invitation to interview at belmont physical therapy school in nashville. and i was completely overwhelmed, kept thinking, "this is really happening!" now all i have to do is fret and worry about saying the right thing, looking the right way, carrying myself in the right manner for 18 more days... haha, i'm not counting down or anything! but yes, i will go to nashville on october 24 to try and convince these scary admissions people that i'm really smart enough and cute enough to come to their school and that by God's grace i will be the best physical therapist ever!
nathan says i'm in, no problem, cause who would reject a girl as cute as me, but i think he's biased. i just have to remind myself not to psych myself out, as i am extremely capable of doing in nerve wracking situations such as these.
and seriously, i have a million hurdles to get over before i can even be nervous about oct. 24.... my next few weeks are chock full of tests, quizzes, presentations...about a million things school related, so who even has time to be nervous?
oh well, if there's one consolation its that i get to see my favorite country music star in concert on saturday night (not daniel wilson). nathan and i are spending the evening in maryville at the JOSH TURNER CONCERT!!!! i'm so stinkin excited! wahoo! definitely stay posted for details and pictures!
for instance, last week i got my invitation to interview at belmont physical therapy school in nashville. and i was completely overwhelmed, kept thinking, "this is really happening!" now all i have to do is fret and worry about saying the right thing, looking the right way, carrying myself in the right manner for 18 more days... haha, i'm not counting down or anything! but yes, i will go to nashville on october 24 to try and convince these scary admissions people that i'm really smart enough and cute enough to come to their school and that by God's grace i will be the best physical therapist ever!
nathan says i'm in, no problem, cause who would reject a girl as cute as me, but i think he's biased. i just have to remind myself not to psych myself out, as i am extremely capable of doing in nerve wracking situations such as these.
and seriously, i have a million hurdles to get over before i can even be nervous about oct. 24.... my next few weeks are chock full of tests, quizzes, presentations...about a million things school related, so who even has time to be nervous?
oh well, if there's one consolation its that i get to see my favorite country music star in concert on saturday night (not daniel wilson). nathan and i are spending the evening in maryville at the JOSH TURNER CONCERT!!!! i'm so stinkin excited! wahoo! definitely stay posted for details and pictures!
Monday, September 29, 2008
the best run ever
trying to put into words what happened saturday morning is near impossible... but i'm going to try because i have to get it out there.
we were at the lake (lake lure, nc) and woke up before dawn to go run. me, sarah, j.r., and heskett drove to the beach at the lake to start our run there. it was chilly, enough for me to enjoy my running shorts, but still break out my under armor top.
after stretching we got together and prayed before we started. we decided not to talk so much during this one, but really try and spend the next moments with God and connect with Him. i think if any of us had a clue what was about to happen, we would have just gone and jumped in the lake right then.
we started off at a good 10 min/mile pace, with me leading the pack over the boardwalk, watching the fog lift and the sun coming up over the mountains. my breath literally caught in my throat (which is NOT a good thing when you're running) as i was completely astounded by God's beauty and goodness. we ran out of the tiny town of lake lure and on to the small village of chimney rock. when we hit chimney rock's town limits, we transitioned without so much a word into an indian run. i would start out at the front, then heskett would come from the back to take the lead and set the pace for a while, then sarah would move from the back to the front, then j.r... we moved like that the entire length of the town and back... not speaking so much, but completely feeding off each other's energy and just enjoying what i considered to be the truest fellowship i've ever had. when we once again reached the lake, we veered off onto a path through a small park that was possibly the most peaceful place i've ever witnessed. it was still quiet, still semi-dark...the only movement besides our rhythmic pounding were the ducks waking up in the marsh beside us. we ran this half mile in twos, but still close enough together to feel like one unit.
when we reached the boardwalk again, heskett encouraged us to leave completely everything behind and let any hinderances go that were weighing us down (see HEBREWS 12:1 for more). i honestly didn't think i had that much more to give, but i sprinted those last 100 yards and felt like i hadn't in a long time...i felt new, whole, pure...even though i was sweaty, gross, tired, and had a cramp settle in my calf muscle.
when we got done, JR stopped his watch and to all of our amazement, we had been gone for 45 minutes. we drove our route to check the milage and had completed FOUR AND A HALF MILES from start to finish. and i had never felt better. we talked on our way back about how each of us had experienced God throughout the run and were encouraged by each others' stories. i don't think i'll ever have a run like that ever again, and i'm scared that i'll lose that feeling i had on the beach, gasping for breath, but smiling at the communion i had just taken part in. it was a morning where i truly met with the Living God.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
singin' my hallelujah song!
currently sitting here in my best friend's backyard, enjoying the FALL weather, while he sits and picks his guitar. i'm sittin in the bed of tito's truck just killin time until night class. daniel says its a sin to not enjoy this amazing feeling, so here we are. doesn't get much better.
Monday, September 1, 2008
feels like home
i think every weekend should be a three-day weekend. it's been great.
i got to spend a lot of time with nathan before he started traveling today. he's got eight weeks ahead of him recruiting for king college, traveling around the area for college fairs, so i won't get to see a lot of him in the coming weeks, so it was GREAT to spend that time with him this weekend :)
beka and i went to booms day last night and for some reason, both of us were still wired when we got home so we sat up and had one of our infamous late night beka-laura heart to hearts. once we had solved all the world's problems (at approximately 3 am) we finally went to bed & promptly slept in until noon today... which was fabulous considering i NEVER sleep past 10 or so.
today was a great day just to lounge around and chill out, enjoying the official last day of summer. this afternoon i went out with some friends and made a giant slip-n-slide on the front lawn of campus. it was so much fun :) pictures will be sure to follow of our crazy afternoon!
beka and i semi-cleaned up and headed over to mom & dad's for BARBEQUE NIGHT...WITH jim & nick's barbeque sauce... my favorite barbeque place down in birmingham. it was a great night just to spend with my family. just catching up on life and having a good heart to heart with my sister :) and my mom.
now we're back at our fabulous apartment and beka's cooking up a storm! it's weekends like this that get me through weeks that make me feel like i'm going crazy.
i got to spend a lot of time with nathan before he started traveling today. he's got eight weeks ahead of him recruiting for king college, traveling around the area for college fairs, so i won't get to see a lot of him in the coming weeks, so it was GREAT to spend that time with him this weekend :)
beka and i went to booms day last night and for some reason, both of us were still wired when we got home so we sat up and had one of our infamous late night beka-laura heart to hearts. once we had solved all the world's problems (at approximately 3 am) we finally went to bed & promptly slept in until noon today... which was fabulous considering i NEVER sleep past 10 or so.
today was a great day just to lounge around and chill out, enjoying the official last day of summer. this afternoon i went out with some friends and made a giant slip-n-slide on the front lawn of campus. it was so much fun :) pictures will be sure to follow of our crazy afternoon!
beka and i semi-cleaned up and headed over to mom & dad's for BARBEQUE NIGHT...WITH jim & nick's barbeque sauce... my favorite barbeque place down in birmingham. it was a great night just to spend with my family. just catching up on life and having a good heart to heart with my sister :) and my mom.
now we're back at our fabulous apartment and beka's cooking up a storm! it's weekends like this that get me through weeks that make me feel like i'm going crazy.
Friday, August 29, 2008
new favorite
okay...so i played this for the first time last night and am TOTALLY hooked. (not to mention that i completely dominated last night ;)...) seriously, this is going on my christmas list!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
rainy day tuesday
okay, so it's been raining non-stop for the past two days... and i'm just about to give up on finding my rain jacket and just enjoy walking in the rain.
quick update now that school has started:
ugh, school HAS begun and it's hit hard with full force this semester. the next fifteen weeks will be a doozy with a schedule that looks something like this:
art 8-10 (i never took my fine arts credit until now!)
project meetings with dr. boyce 10-11
kinesiology 11-12 (yes that's a real word)
kinesiology labs 1-3 (just on wednesdays)
directed readings 1-2 (just on fridays)
working at JMH PT clinic 2-5 (mondays and thursdays)
anatomy & physiology 10:30-12
A&P lab 3:30-5:30 (tuesdays)
ecological psychology 6:30-9:30 (ugh...night class...)
add to that the fact that i'm writing my honor's project this semester and still working at manley...
but the cool thing is that, for once, i'm not stressed about my schedule, like i usually am. i know God is in complete control of everything and i'll just have a survival celebration during Christmas break. i'm trying to stay balanced by running and having down time when i can....spending time with the roommate and boyfriend always help with that!
so, now that i'm dried off a bit, i'm gonna make a break for my car to grab some lunch and run errands before my lab this afternoon! lata!
quick update now that school has started:
ugh, school HAS begun and it's hit hard with full force this semester. the next fifteen weeks will be a doozy with a schedule that looks something like this:
art 8-10 (i never took my fine arts credit until now!)
project meetings with dr. boyce 10-11
kinesiology 11-12 (yes that's a real word)
kinesiology labs 1-3 (just on wednesdays)
directed readings 1-2 (just on fridays)
working at JMH PT clinic 2-5 (mondays and thursdays)
anatomy & physiology 10:30-12
A&P lab 3:30-5:30 (tuesdays)
ecological psychology 6:30-9:30 (ugh...night class...)
add to that the fact that i'm writing my honor's project this semester and still working at manley...
but the cool thing is that, for once, i'm not stressed about my schedule, like i usually am. i know God is in complete control of everything and i'll just have a survival celebration during Christmas break. i'm trying to stay balanced by running and having down time when i can....spending time with the roommate and boyfriend always help with that!
so, now that i'm dried off a bit, i'm gonna make a break for my car to grab some lunch and run errands before my lab this afternoon! lata!
Friday, August 22, 2008
i never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop i love so much...
one of my favorite songs that always makes me smile... "falling in love at a coffee shop" by landon pigg... its great...you'll probably recognize it from the jewelry commercials on tv, but seriously, it's great.
so in celebration of my buying this song from iTunes and the fact that it's friday, i thought i'd share some other things that make me smile:
* falling asleep for a good nap in my recliner or my hammock
* baking in my new kitchen with my roommate
* going to the lake with my dog
* late night dinners with my favorite rockstar
* "good morning" notes from my boyfriend!
* playing mario kart on the n64
* laughing with my high school girls on wednesday nights
* black and white pictures
* going to the county fair and riding all the scary rides til i throw up
* having a reason to get dressed up
* going to the farm to feed the baby cows
* when my favorite song comes on the radio, even though i can listen
to it anytime i want to on my iPod
* Josh Turner's voice...and the fact that i get to see him in october!
* the fact that my very first friend and i have one last class together at CN
* the fact that my boyfriend is 6'5" and i'm 5'3"...
* gummy bears, sweet tea, and barbeque
* the fact that frisbee & football seasons are just around the corner
* hearing songs from the Student Life "banana" soundtrack
* dancing around my apartment in my underoos singing at the top of my lungs :)
hope everyone has just as a fabulous friday as this little girl!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
the beginning of the end...
okay, so today it hit me just today for the first time that this is my last year at carson-newman. it's sad and scary on a few different levels.
sad because CN represents all the comfort of home to me. i mean, i've been at, around, or a part of the newman for as long as i can remember...always coming here to play some sport or another and always football games in the fall. when my big brother started here, it was so much fun to act like i was a college student and come hang out with him on the weekends. and my own 4 years there have been nothing short of amazing. its where i've met so many lifelong friends, where i've had so many adventures, decided on a future career, and become the young woman God has called me to be. its weird and slightly overwhelming that i'm entering the twilight of my time with everything i've ever known. and scary too.
scary because right now, i have 3 applications out for the next phase of my life--physical therapy school-- and the admissions people there are literally holding my future in their hands. they will be the ones determining where i'm going to be for the next 3 years after i graduate in MAY (!)...
it makes me want to take every precious second that i have and put in a bottle or somewhere special where i can hold on to them forever. every adventure, every warm saturday afternoon at the stadium..i just want to stop time and be able to cherish the memories...
anyways, enough sob stories from me.... happy last month of summer!
sad because CN represents all the comfort of home to me. i mean, i've been at, around, or a part of the newman for as long as i can remember...always coming here to play some sport or another and always football games in the fall. when my big brother started here, it was so much fun to act like i was a college student and come hang out with him on the weekends. and my own 4 years there have been nothing short of amazing. its where i've met so many lifelong friends, where i've had so many adventures, decided on a future career, and become the young woman God has called me to be. its weird and slightly overwhelming that i'm entering the twilight of my time with everything i've ever known. and scary too.
scary because right now, i have 3 applications out for the next phase of my life--physical therapy school-- and the admissions people there are literally holding my future in their hands. they will be the ones determining where i'm going to be for the next 3 years after i graduate in MAY (!)...
it makes me want to take every precious second that i have and put in a bottle or somewhere special where i can hold on to them forever. every adventure, every warm saturday afternoon at the stadium..i just want to stop time and be able to cherish the memories...
anyways, enough sob stories from me.... happy last month of summer!
Monday, July 28, 2008
"remember that time..."
last week of camp...
holy cow, i thought this week would never actually get here. but here we are, sitting at approximately 10,000 feet above sea level in the Colorado Rockies. and man, oh man, is it gorgeous. AND COLD! we tried to sit out tonight and watch for shooting stars, but i started shivering and got really cold. i think the official low was like 45, 50 degrees. but the stars were beautiful. i love being out in God's goodness. it completely overwhelms me sometimes when i look up and stare and think "wow. You did all that, for me. just for people like me to look up and say 'what an amazing God that he would create such a great canvas of artwork for me.'" it's funny cause i definitely wouldn't mind sittin' out here on the roof for the next five days, but we still have to do CAMP. there are 800 more kids for me to keep tellin' about Jesus and one more week to keep them from dying on the rec fields.
its weird that my summer is coming to an end. may 25 in talledega, alabama seems like a lifetime ago. i really do now have a 25-member family. people that are a little crazy but i love with all my heart and can't believe that after friday, there will never be a time when all 25 of us are together in the same place ever again. it's like God has thrown us all together in this moment, in this time, to learn from each other what it means to fall in love with Jesus.
the end of camp brings on a mixture of emotions. i really am sad to be leaving, but have never been more ready to get back home. it's funny, cause on may 24, i couldn't WAIT to get out of the little town that i've lived in for the past 21 years. but i am very thankful for my home now, and all those who are waiting... patiently (and not so patiently)... for me to come back home. i miss my parents, my family, my kids at manley, my roommate, AND MY DOG. i miss waking up to miley dog every morning and can't wait to fight for my place in the bed with her again. :D
going home has its own mixed feelings in return... i feel like i've taken a time out from life for the past three months and it'll be not so easy getting thrust back into the real world. back to the ginormous paper that i've put off all summer, back to school and attempting to get accepted into PT school, back to dealing with my family and my granddad's cancer. back to taking care of people instead of being the one being taken care of. but i feel that i've grown a lot this summer and God's at my side now (or i've finally drawn back to His) and He's prepared me to take on my world again. i have a new sense of purpose, of vigor, of self-discipline. hopefully, that will help with every trial i have waiting on me back home.
well, we're all snuggling up in front of our fireplace (seriously, we need one, it's so cold) watching a movie in our AMAZING cabin. for those of you reading...i'll be home in 5 days. can't wait to see you!
holy cow, i thought this week would never actually get here. but here we are, sitting at approximately 10,000 feet above sea level in the Colorado Rockies. and man, oh man, is it gorgeous. AND COLD! we tried to sit out tonight and watch for shooting stars, but i started shivering and got really cold. i think the official low was like 45, 50 degrees. but the stars were beautiful. i love being out in God's goodness. it completely overwhelms me sometimes when i look up and stare and think "wow. You did all that, for me. just for people like me to look up and say 'what an amazing God that he would create such a great canvas of artwork for me.'" it's funny cause i definitely wouldn't mind sittin' out here on the roof for the next five days, but we still have to do CAMP. there are 800 more kids for me to keep tellin' about Jesus and one more week to keep them from dying on the rec fields.
its weird that my summer is coming to an end. may 25 in talledega, alabama seems like a lifetime ago. i really do now have a 25-member family. people that are a little crazy but i love with all my heart and can't believe that after friday, there will never be a time when all 25 of us are together in the same place ever again. it's like God has thrown us all together in this moment, in this time, to learn from each other what it means to fall in love with Jesus.
the end of camp brings on a mixture of emotions. i really am sad to be leaving, but have never been more ready to get back home. it's funny, cause on may 24, i couldn't WAIT to get out of the little town that i've lived in for the past 21 years. but i am very thankful for my home now, and all those who are waiting... patiently (and not so patiently)... for me to come back home. i miss my parents, my family, my kids at manley, my roommate, AND MY DOG. i miss waking up to miley dog every morning and can't wait to fight for my place in the bed with her again. :D
going home has its own mixed feelings in return... i feel like i've taken a time out from life for the past three months and it'll be not so easy getting thrust back into the real world. back to the ginormous paper that i've put off all summer, back to school and attempting to get accepted into PT school, back to dealing with my family and my granddad's cancer. back to taking care of people instead of being the one being taken care of. but i feel that i've grown a lot this summer and God's at my side now (or i've finally drawn back to His) and He's prepared me to take on my world again. i have a new sense of purpose, of vigor, of self-discipline. hopefully, that will help with every trial i have waiting on me back home.
well, we're all snuggling up in front of our fireplace (seriously, we need one, it's so cold) watching a movie in our AMAZING cabin. for those of you reading...i'll be home in 5 days. can't wait to see you!
Monday, July 14, 2008
WHAT. A. DAY.
so let me preface what i am about to say with a quick look at how my day went:
woke up late, didn't get to go run...
at staff meeting this morning found out that:
a. the sound board was frozen
b. the genies that lift up our front lights were both broken
c. our camp pastor's flight had been delayed
kasey and i went to do our pre-registration duties with bo and listened as he tried to rent us a soundboard, they didn't have any like ours.
found out that about half of our signs that we usually put out went missing
found out that camp pastor's flight had been delayed again, as well as our supervisor's flight.
registration, kasey and i got the cops called on us as we tried to park and greet about 57 churches all with multiple vans and youth ministers.
found out that the truck that was delivering the rented soundboard had a flat tire
found out that camp pastor's flight had been delayed for a third time and would not make it to celebration
found out that supervisor's flight had been cancelled and he couldn't come til wednesday.
kasey and i again had the cops come by and reprimand us for blocking the public bus stop (this was because we had moved to where he had told us to go...go figure.)
survive the rest of registration and when we go back to pick up all the signs we put out, found out that two of them had been stolen during the day...
needless to say, we were quite happy to skip dinner and just head back to the apartments for some peace. i tried to gear myself up for worship as best i could and headed in just completely exhausted. then dr. robert smith just totally rocked my socks off...well, i guess God did more through him, but he is seriously one of the better communicators i've heard, and definitely the best i've heard all summer. and so God and me had a little heart to heart last night, and through the message, this is what He revealed to me:
okay, enough deep thoughts for one night... that's just enough to chew on. staff devos start early tomorrow! night world!
woke up late, didn't get to go run...
at staff meeting this morning found out that:
a. the sound board was frozen
b. the genies that lift up our front lights were both broken
c. our camp pastor's flight had been delayed
kasey and i went to do our pre-registration duties with bo and listened as he tried to rent us a soundboard, they didn't have any like ours.
found out that about half of our signs that we usually put out went missing
found out that camp pastor's flight had been delayed again, as well as our supervisor's flight.
registration, kasey and i got the cops called on us as we tried to park and greet about 57 churches all with multiple vans and youth ministers.
found out that the truck that was delivering the rented soundboard had a flat tire
found out that camp pastor's flight had been delayed for a third time and would not make it to celebration
found out that supervisor's flight had been cancelled and he couldn't come til wednesday.
kasey and i again had the cops come by and reprimand us for blocking the public bus stop (this was because we had moved to where he had told us to go...go figure.)
survive the rest of registration and when we go back to pick up all the signs we put out, found out that two of them had been stolen during the day...
needless to say, we were quite happy to skip dinner and just head back to the apartments for some peace. i tried to gear myself up for worship as best i could and headed in just completely exhausted. then dr. robert smith just totally rocked my socks off...well, i guess God did more through him, but he is seriously one of the better communicators i've heard, and definitely the best i've heard all summer. and so God and me had a little heart to heart last night, and through the message, this is what He revealed to me:
The heroes of our faith (those names you learn early in Sunday School: Abraham, David, those guys) were all obviously used in a big way by God. And i think that the cool part is, these guys didn't know they were going to be heroes. The were just being obedient and taking the next step of faith. But when God called them to step up to the plate, it wasn't their first time hearing from God. They had already become familiar with God's voice. The Bible...well, David, addresses this in 1 Samuel, right before he went and killed Goliath. David had prepared himself in the quietness of the fields for battle in front of his entire nation.
okay, enough deep thoughts for one night... that's just enough to chew on. staff devos start early tomorrow! night world!
Monday, June 30, 2008
using my phone for this one, so bear with me
Officially set a student life record today! Most students ever to have in rec at the same time! We have 2400 students at camp this week and almost 1800 of those kids are participating in rec this week... It was a little crazy, a little scary at points, but all amazing!
Dave nasser and steve fee are speaking/ leading worship this week and its pretty cool.
More later; peace!
Dave nasser and steve fee are speaking/ leading worship this week and its pretty cool.
More later; peace!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
"you know the cockroaches from MIB? i think they live in my toilet..."
good morning from rustin, louisiana! yep, this officially marks the halfway point of my summer...the jury's still out as to whether that's a good or bad thing. but, we're in a new place, out of talladega, so i'm excited to see what's going to happen. here at LA tech, we're going to have our biggest camps yet. 1500 & 2400 students if you're keeping up with numbers... still don't know how i'm going to do rec with a squad of almost 300, but we'll figure something out, i'm sure. i mean, i'm no rookie anymore!
last week was a great week at camp. wade morris was our speaker, and it was so so so good to see a familiar face. wade and i go way back and it was great getting to catch up with him and just have a sense of grounding, knowing someone OUTSIDE of CAMP. there was a church from knoxville there last week too, so i felt like i had a little piece of home there with me. :) also, i found out that i'm going to get to see my brother & sister in law while i'm in toccoa falls, which will be AWESOME. i had a bit of homesickness the other morning, but i'm pushing on, knowing that God is guiding me through this summer and He has bigger plans for me.
i'm getting some crazy tan lines this summer...i wish i had my camera cord so i could upload a picture of my chaco tan (it's pretty sweet if i do say so myself), but i also have a pretty nasty farmer's tan and i've brought a whole new meaning to the word "redneck." but, that's what camp is all about i guess, and what would you expect from a girl who spends 6-7 hours everyday outside? :)
yesterday we loaded out and had our first travel day on the road as a team. i drove for about 4 hours of the way to rustin, and had never been more excited to find an exit with a starbucks in my life. we finally got to our apartments (yes, i have my very own space for two whole weeks) around 1:30 this morning, and...bum ba bum...GOT TO SLEEP IN AS LATE AS WE WANTED!!! it was the most amazing feeling in the world when i woke up around 8, looked at my watch, then promptly rolled over and fell back asleep for a couple more hours. today we have a complete day off...no work AT ALL. we're even saving load-in for tomorrow. so i'm enjoying my Sabbath by just chillin out as much as possible.
campers get here monday, so look for a post about my crazy packed next two weeks! lata!
last week was a great week at camp. wade morris was our speaker, and it was so so so good to see a familiar face. wade and i go way back and it was great getting to catch up with him and just have a sense of grounding, knowing someone OUTSIDE of CAMP. there was a church from knoxville there last week too, so i felt like i had a little piece of home there with me. :) also, i found out that i'm going to get to see my brother & sister in law while i'm in toccoa falls, which will be AWESOME. i had a bit of homesickness the other morning, but i'm pushing on, knowing that God is guiding me through this summer and He has bigger plans for me.
i'm getting some crazy tan lines this summer...i wish i had my camera cord so i could upload a picture of my chaco tan (it's pretty sweet if i do say so myself), but i also have a pretty nasty farmer's tan and i've brought a whole new meaning to the word "redneck." but, that's what camp is all about i guess, and what would you expect from a girl who spends 6-7 hours everyday outside? :)
yesterday we loaded out and had our first travel day on the road as a team. i drove for about 4 hours of the way to rustin, and had never been more excited to find an exit with a starbucks in my life. we finally got to our apartments (yes, i have my very own space for two whole weeks) around 1:30 this morning, and...bum ba bum...GOT TO SLEEP IN AS LATE AS WE WANTED!!! it was the most amazing feeling in the world when i woke up around 8, looked at my watch, then promptly rolled over and fell back asleep for a couple more hours. today we have a complete day off...no work AT ALL. we're even saving load-in for tomorrow. so i'm enjoying my Sabbath by just chillin out as much as possible.
campers get here monday, so look for a post about my crazy packed next two weeks! lata!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
3 camps, 12 days...you do the math...
greetings from beautiful, aka HOT talladega, alabama!
yup, we're still here, still pluggin away. today marked the end of our second camp...700 crazy middle schoolers runnin around. funny thing is, i feel right at home...maybe its because i still have the mentality of a 12 year old on most days. one thing i do love about crazy middle schoolers is that if you give them an idea and act excited about it, they'll run away with it. all i had to do was pump them up about being part of the yellow swarm and by today (last day of camp) they were all decked out head to toe in yellow, most with face paint, bandanas, cheerin their little hearts out. i felt like a proud momma/rockstar/worn out rec leader all rolled into one.
i've been battling homesickness a lot this week. i talked to my momma for about 30 minutes and started boo-hooin in the middle of wal mart today. most days i'm busy enough to not think about it, but honestly, i miss home. i miss my kids at manley and i HATE missing out on what God is doing in their lives. i got a two page letter from one of my girls trying to give me every detail about camp and once again, i was having a boo-hoo, snot-slinging moment in the middle of the office. i hear how God is moving back home and it breaks my heart that i'm missing out on this phase of their lives. i mean, i know God has me here for a reason and i know that i'm supposed to be (and i am, trust me) learning how to stand on my own two feet out here in this big ole world, but i am also learning how much i love my home and my babies (sorry guys, but ya'll are) at manley.
the next two weeks are going to be ca-razy busy here in shocco springs. we have a group of 1325 students arriving in the morning for a 5 day camp... don't know what we're gonna do with all those kids, but they've gotta go somewhere. after that, we have a 2 hour turn around (our first)...we say good bye to the current campers at 10, the next buses start pulling in at noon...that camp is just a 4 day-er, but once again, after that, there's another 2-hour turnaround for a 5 day camp... and that's the rest of our time in talladega! then we hit the road, so i feel like (and hope) the rest of the summer will fly by...)
i do love my teammates and am beginning to think of them as family. they've been great in lifting me up in prayer and encouraging me, as well as the whole team... it's just days like these, when i have some down time, that i really start to miss home. so say a little prayer for me that i'll make it to august 1! love ya'll & good night!
yup, we're still here, still pluggin away. today marked the end of our second camp...700 crazy middle schoolers runnin around. funny thing is, i feel right at home...maybe its because i still have the mentality of a 12 year old on most days. one thing i do love about crazy middle schoolers is that if you give them an idea and act excited about it, they'll run away with it. all i had to do was pump them up about being part of the yellow swarm and by today (last day of camp) they were all decked out head to toe in yellow, most with face paint, bandanas, cheerin their little hearts out. i felt like a proud momma/rockstar/worn out rec leader all rolled into one.
i've been battling homesickness a lot this week. i talked to my momma for about 30 minutes and started boo-hooin in the middle of wal mart today. most days i'm busy enough to not think about it, but honestly, i miss home. i miss my kids at manley and i HATE missing out on what God is doing in their lives. i got a two page letter from one of my girls trying to give me every detail about camp and once again, i was having a boo-hoo, snot-slinging moment in the middle of the office. i hear how God is moving back home and it breaks my heart that i'm missing out on this phase of their lives. i mean, i know God has me here for a reason and i know that i'm supposed to be (and i am, trust me) learning how to stand on my own two feet out here in this big ole world, but i am also learning how much i love my home and my babies (sorry guys, but ya'll are) at manley.
the next two weeks are going to be ca-razy busy here in shocco springs. we have a group of 1325 students arriving in the morning for a 5 day camp... don't know what we're gonna do with all those kids, but they've gotta go somewhere. after that, we have a 2 hour turn around (our first)...we say good bye to the current campers at 10, the next buses start pulling in at noon...that camp is just a 4 day-er, but once again, after that, there's another 2-hour turnaround for a 5 day camp... and that's the rest of our time in talladega! then we hit the road, so i feel like (and hope) the rest of the summer will fly by...)
i do love my teammates and am beginning to think of them as family. they've been great in lifting me up in prayer and encouraging me, as well as the whole team... it's just days like these, when i have some down time, that i really start to miss home. so say a little prayer for me that i'll make it to august 1! love ya'll & good night!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
1 down 10 to go!
first week of camp is officially over. and boy, what a week it was...
i was up every morning at the rec fields by 6:30 am to start setting up for the day,
staff devotionals followed by morning celebration, where the yellow team competed for the spirit stick every morning (we won on tuesday, GO SWARM) morning rec, lunch, and then afternoon rec with my own squad...they were so precious! FTO (free time options...everything is abbreviated) were led in the afternoon...me and my girl whitney dominated in some soccer and i just tore up the frisbee field...definitely hurt some little high school boy egos :) evening worship, where i handle all the student staffers backstage and make sure no one goes crazy. then late night, and finally bed... except for the last night of camp, where i'm on the coveted 4th night patrol...but i can't talk about it. ;)
week two is entirely middle schoolers, so i'll definitely keep you updated. much love!
i was up every morning at the rec fields by 6:30 am to start setting up for the day,
staff devotionals followed by morning celebration, where the yellow team competed for the spirit stick every morning (we won on tuesday, GO SWARM) morning rec, lunch, and then afternoon rec with my own squad...they were so precious! FTO (free time options...everything is abbreviated) were led in the afternoon...me and my girl whitney dominated in some soccer and i just tore up the frisbee field...definitely hurt some little high school boy egos :) evening worship, where i handle all the student staffers backstage and make sure no one goes crazy. then late night, and finally bed... except for the last night of camp, where i'm on the coveted 4th night patrol...but i can't talk about it. ;)
week two is entirely middle schoolers, so i'll definitely keep you updated. much love!
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