Day 5: 10am

I am not posting Day 4: Stranger to my blog... I feel that violates privacy rights... anyways...

Day 5: Sunday morning at 10am, we were just finishing Sunday school. My wonderful class is being led by a guest teacher for the month of February as we go over the Five Love Languages.

I have done this study before, and I must say, if you are in ANY type of relationship, you MUST do this!!

It is great!

Professional

When most students involved in band graduate high school they stop playing. Few of us continue on as collegiate musicians. As a student who majored in a discipline other than music, I thought once I graduated college I would rarely play my instrument again.

Just a few weeks ago, I was given the opportunity of a life time. My heart longs for music. As and SAI, I love music, value and cherish it. And the music minister at my church asked me to play a special for a conference our church was holding. I was so nervous, as I have a HUGE performance anxiety. But I was also excited. I thought it would be just a one time thing, but about a month ago, our music minister asked me to play again! My heart leaped for joy! I thought, 'maybe I did a good job after all'!

And so it began. That night, after church, my music minister asked if I would be willing to play in the praise team, every Sunday. I joyfully agreed, and two weeks ago was my first full time Sunday. Never did I think I would need a flute stand, but last week I bought one.. It makes me feel like a professional. A musician again. It brings unspeakable joy to my soul by playing praises to my God and King.

It was very comical, even my music minister had no idea flutes could have stands, and they were all amazed when I showed up yesterday to church with my newly purchased stand.

Again, it makes me feel professional. And I have a great time playing in the praise band at my church! To God be the glory for his infinite blessings!!

Phone call!

YES, I said... PHONE CALL!! Last night we were having a blast during the closing ceremony of Bible school. It has been a hectic week, but a great one! The kids have been so cute... and the workers did such a great job! I was helping with audio/visual and was working the sound board each night. Last night, just as I muted the singers and got ready to close things down for the last song, my phone started vibrating. It was a call from a 573 area code... who in the world?? I know no one with that area code... My first instinct is always to not answer when I don't recognize a number... but then it hit me. HUNTER?!? Wait, it can't be Hunter... but, maybe? I picked up the phone and said.. Hello? And, much to my surprise, and my amazement.. Hunter's voice spoke on the other line... I was speechless. LITERALLY. The connection was poor and it was hard to hear him.. but he was there! It was so good to hear his voice! I haven't spoken to him since the week of reception, right after Mary Allison's wedding, a little over a month ago.

We were only able to speak for a few minutes.. and he called his parents for a few minutes too. His mom and I spoke on the phone afterwards, sharing what he had told each of us. Be in prayer for those guys and girls. They need it. Praise the Lord for those willing to give the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

God knows exactly what you need, right when you need it. After a rough week at work and a fun, but exhausting week at Bible school.. hearing Hunter's voice was just the boost I needed to make it another month. I met for the first time with my research professor yesterday... Wow. I am excited, yet overwhelmed. I have a lot to get done... in a short amount of time.. but all my hard work will pay off. This weekend is officially dedicated to research, but that is ok.. I am excited for the opportunities that this will open to me and the experience and learning what I will and can learn from it.

Praise God for His infinite mercy and blessings! Thank you, God!

My 100th Post

Wow. I can't believe how time has flown... It has been almost a year since I moved to Tuscaloosa and changed my life forever. Many things are different, many people have changed and most of all... I am changed. Praise the Lord for leading me through so much.. Carrying me... holding me... and growing me.

I have been super busy, as always, with school and work.. especially as the semester is coming to a close. I am very excited for things to come in my life and I can't wait to share them with you.

Some lessons I have learned over this year:

1. Sometimes, you need to be taken out of your comfort zone so that the blessings of God can be poured upon you.
2. Most friends aren't true friends... there are very few that will stick through it all with you.. and not blame you for being you. It is that true acceptance, and true friendship.. that is worth it all
3. Coping with loss is tough, things will come your way and things happen every day that reminds you of 'what could have been' However... we each much realize that we are so blessed. God doesn't bless everyone the same... but He blesses everyone equally.
4. Family, no matter how frustrating... is the greatest gift in the world.
5. A church home makes even the toughest move bearable. I don't know what I would do without my church.. they make this place home.
6. Not everything is all you cracked it up to be... and not everything is a small as you write it off to be...
7. Be still and know, that He is God
8. God knows just what you need, when you need it.
9. Answered prayers are so abundant... wow how the Lord has worked.
10. People aren't always what they seem... but if you take the time to learn to deal with them... you can show them the love of Christ through you.
11. When you feel hopeless and alone, God is there. And when you take the time to know that He is there... He will heal you.
12. The Lord will grant you the desires of your heart... it just may not come in a way that you expected it to.
13. The peace of the Lord comes when it is a God thing.. He will never lead you to disobey his word.
14. Everything falls into place when you are seeking the Lord and His will first.
15. Wait patiently, the Lord hears your (and my) cry. WOW! what a message... I love learning to wait on the Lord!

I couldn't imagine being so blessed. God has put my dreams into place.. worked through His plan... is healing me and working in me. I am so thankful for Tuscaloosa, Rodgecrest Baptist and the Univeristy of Alabama. My job, my friends, my church.. everything up here is great. It was defintely hard coming here, uprooting life.. but in the end God knows what He is doing... and I praise Him for it every day!

Garage Giveaway

What a weekend filled with God's blessings!!! Friday night the college group got together to watch a movie and have pizza. It was a great opportunity for us to hang out before a day of service. Saturday was the church's second 'Garage Giveaway'. It is just like a garage sale, except we invite needy families to come and take, yes TAKE, whatever they need. The garage giveaway in the fall was a huge success with over 600 people coming to get what they needed.

Saturday morning we opened the doors at 7am and wow. It was amazing.  I wish I had taken a picture of all the stuff. Krista, the organizer of the giveaway said we had three times the stuff from last time. I was especially excited to work this giveaway because I missed working the first one due to being home for the weekend. I got there at 6am as we started to set things up and get ready for the day.

We registered each guest and took their information and asked them about their knowledge of Christ and salvation. We started off the morning bright and early with a woman coming to know Christ! Praise the Lord!! I was a great opportunity to serve and I thoroughly enjoyed helping ladies find clothes in their size. I had so much fun holding something up and having ladies say yes or no to whether they liked it or not. Wow... what an experience.

We had around 500 people come to the giveaway this Saturday... and so many seeds were planted. I am so blessed to be a part of a church that works so diligently for Christ and His kingdom. To God be the glory!

Church League Softball

Yesterday at work Clint and I were talking about his church league softball game... and he invited me to come. I have a special place in my heart for church league softball. It takes me back to the good old days with Mt. Pleasant... when friends were close and times were different. Boy, do I miss the Mt. Pleasant years.

Hannah, a girl from my church, went with me to the game. Lucky for us Ridgecrest had a game right after! Clint played amazingly and was his usual crazy self on the field. It was great to see that he acts just as crazy outside of work as he does at work. Clint came and talked to me after the game and it was great. Ridgecrest won their game also!

I love the sense of family that I get from my coworkers. My car battery died Monday, and my coworkers took care of me. Whether is was coming to my apartment to jump me off for work, checking out my car at work, working on my car that afternoon and then getting me where I had to go so that my car could be fixed at the end of the day... WOW. I truly work with the best guys in the world.

A lot of times I feel terribly alone up here. And I really am, I left all my friends and family behind to pursue my dreams of graduate school at Alabama. However, God has so richly blessed me with a wonderful job and AMAZING coworkers. The 80 Building Maintenance guys are my family, and my College group at church are my friends. Tuscaloosa is God's country, and I love it here. I couldn't be more thankful for my coworkers and church friends. Without them... I wouldn't be able to make it here.

Coupons

Last night at church around 80 women attended a class on 'Couponing'. I am so excited to start saving money!! Tara gave us many tips and how to's. She was just filmed shopping at Publix last week for a TV show. The Lord has blessed so many and I am excited about the work that he is doing in Tara's life and allowing her to share it with us! For a family or three she spends $20-$30 a week on groceries... that includes her 'stockpile' items and food for her family. Now, they aren't skimping to save this much. Tara and her family eat at home 5 nights a week!

I am excited to get started! As with anything new, it takes a little time and effort to get started... but the payoff is TREMENDOUS! You can connect with Tara at her blog Southern Savings and Deals!

Desire HIM

Last night at church Beckey brought a special message to us from Hosea. Hosea is a story that parallels God's relationship with Israel at the time. It is an interesting account of God working for the good of His kingdom over what someone would feel is best for them, personally.

In a relationship there is also a ratio of give and take, some people are givers and some are takers. In a good relationship each person assumes a little of each characteristic, therefore balancing out the relationship. Our relationship with Christ is definitely 'give and take'. In no way would we be EVER be able to give more than what God has already given for us and will give to us. WOW, what a merciful and amazing God. I believe that we as Christians strive daily to give back to God. And He welcomes all that we have for him. The offering of our lives, hearts and minds is so beautiful to Him. I am so grateful that no matter what, God will keep loving me, and keep blessing me.

Beckey asked us if we had ever had any relationships... be it friendships, romantic relationships or family relationships that were representative of this 'give and take' situation and described a friend who only wanted to talk when it was convenient for her, but when Beckey wasn't available at that time it was 'Beckey's fault' and she was the one who was too busy to be a good friend. I think we all have had relationships like this and I am thankful to say that God can free you from those relationships.

We must remember that as humans we often times fall to fleshly or worldly desires, thoughts and/or actions. These things hinder our relationship with others, and our relationship with God. I pray that we would all learn to become givers, and not because we feel obligated. But a giver out of the desire of our heart. God doesn't want your love because you feel you MUST give it to Him. God doesn't want you to go to church because you feel you MUST go. God doesn't want you to read your devotion every day because you feel that you have to or because you want the glory and praise from the people at church. Those who pray and worship in secret will be rewarded in heaven. Those who boast of their Christianity have received their reward already. I don't know about you, but I am striving for that heavenly reward, I would much rather have the love of Jesus than the love of humans. God wants each of us to desire to meet with Him, love Him and give to Him. I pray every day that he creates a steadfast desire in me and that I would thirst for Him alone. I pray each of these blessings for you as well and I hope you have a blessed day!

Back in the Swing...

This weekend I was fortunate enough to help some recent graduates from the college group at my church move into their new apartment in Birmingham. It is amazing to see how God worked so perfectly in their lives. Longing to stay in Tuscaloosa, neither could find a job here or in the Birmingham area upon graduation... So they moved back to her home of Montgomery, where she was able to find a job. However, he was still unable to find a job, and greatly struggled with this fact. It all goes to show you that God's timing is perfect. She applied for and received a wonderful job at UAB and he was able to find a great job in the Birmingham area as well. Praise be to the Lord!

We were able to bring all of their stuff from Montgomery, and with the help of family and a few people from the college group get them completely moved into and set up in their new apartment. I was honestly impressed with us! And it was so nice to leave there knowing that they didn't have weeks of unpacking to deal with.

Afterwards we went to PF Changs to celebrate. I had never been to PF Changs, and if you ask my friend Daniel, everything is amazing. And, it truly was. It was a fun experience with the group and it was a great time of fellowship. I then stayed in Birmingham with Tori and visited a church with her that she was interested in attending... It was a little too big for our taste, but I know God will bless her desire to be in His house.

Newest challenge for this semester: Remember the Couch to 5k last semester? Well this semester the Wellness initiative at UA is called 'Strive for Five,' and I was chosen by my boss to be the coordinator for the entire shop. Here's a small flyer to briefly explain Strive for Five.

My couch to 5K team has now dubbed ourselves the 'High Maintenance' team and we have picked out drink and move to be our two challenges to complete. I am also trying to learn to eat healthier by incorporating more fruit/vegetables into my diet... It is amazing when you actually think about these things.. the stuff that you will notice.

Now, if you know me, you know I hate water. So drinking 40 ounces of water a day has been, well.. tough. But Monday I got out my Nalgene bottle (32 oz) and filled it up... then flavored my water with Crystal Lite. From my first sip at 6am until my last at 2:30pm I literally felt like I was drowning in water... swimming, floating even. Yes, I am ashamed to say, it took me 8 hours to drink five eight ounce glasses of water....

Tuesday was a better story, I worked hard and finished my 40 ounces by 1:30pm. And I think an hour of improvement is pretty great. HAHA. I always have to take joy in the small things. ;) So today is another challenge. I am trying plain water today... and we are going to see how far it goes. This will be my daily tasks to add for this semester....

Other than all of this... life is back in the swing. The semester has started, tests are scheduled, and homework is due. I am once again spending my days working and going to class and my nights studying. It all seems a little calmer this semester, just a little bit.. But that is because now I know what to expect. :)

2011 College Retreat

I am so fortunate to be considered a part of the amazing college group at Ridgecrest Baptist. This past weekend we had a college retreat in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, TN. We had a wonderful time in our cabin, named Renewed Spirit. This was the theme of our weekend. Renewal, before school starts and life gets even crazier. This is the beautiful view of the mountains behind our cabin on our mountain. Now that was scary! Traveling up the icy roads in the church bus! When parked in downtown Gatlinburg there was so much ice the bus was sliding out of it's parking spot!! But the majesty of the Lord was all around us... what a beautiful place to workship!

We were able to go to Ober Gatlinburg on Friday and were actually snowed in and couldn't leave the mountain on Thursday! We had a great time running around the mountain and sledding down the icy roads. It snowed the entire time we were up there, and we thought we might not be able to make it home yesterday. Well, we changed our plans and left earlier in order to beat the weather to Tuscaloosa.

We made it back to Tuscaloosa just in time to see the roads piling up with ice and many cars in ditches. My car was a popsicle!! All the rain that was falling was freezing and piling up on the roads, so of course our cars were covered in the ice. I was able to use my ice scraper to clean everyones' windshields. What a sight!! It was neat to see... but I am glad it doesn't happen that often!

So, now I am sitting and waiting to go in to work. Everyone is freaking out in the south and even Troy has cancelled classes. HAH! You can tell we don't have weather like this much in the south.

The University of Alabama employees are expecting a delayed start, but we will know for sure around 10am. That is when we are all going in. :) So, have a safe and wonderful Monday! If you must get out, drive slowly and be careful! Especially on bridges!

My new family

Yesterday morning I joined Ridgecrest Baptist Church by way of Watch Care. Watch Care is a program for college students. It gives dual membership between Ridgecrest and your home church, so that you can have the benefits of church membership while away at college. Upon graduation you can choose to continue your membership, or return home.

I love my Ridgecrest family. If it weren't for them... wow... this semester would have been even more of a disaster. From the first time I visited Ridgecrest I knew it was EXACTLY what God wanted for me. That first Sunday school message was exactly what I needed, when I needed it. I can feel myself growing at Ridgecrest and I am so thankful for the college ministry there.

Beckey, the college leader, let me know that they like to kidnap college students and keep them forever. And right now, part of me wouldn't mind that. :) In two years, we shall see where I am... you never know, I may make Tuscaloosa my permanent home. I am so happy, and so blessed.

On a sad note, prayers are needed today... I have studied since last Monday for a midterm that I have today... yes, that is 7 days of studying, at least 3 hours a day... So needless to say, I should be plenty prepared. But I just don't have a peace about this test. But God is in control.

Rammer Jammer

Well... the roommate issue has not been resolved. She wouldn't meet with me and hasn't spoken to me again... so we shall see.

I chose to stay in Tuscaloosa this weekend even though I didn't have a ticket to the football game. Thursday Anne Kimball and I went out to the movies and watched 'You Again'. I think that the main girl looks like my friend Lisa and the high school friend of the mother in law looks like Mary-Anne's dad. I am bad with actors... so yeah... but anyway.. I continually thought of you guys during the movie.

Friday night my college group at Ridgecrest had a girls night were we just hung out, had dinner and had fun. We tie dyed shirts and mine turned out AMAZING!

Isn't it cute?! Of course I couldn't have done it without the help of some wonderful girls from the college group! I am so proud of my shirt!

Saturday I was able to have lunch with my friend Leo, and then tailgated on the quad with the Ridgecrest college group. I went home to watch the game and had a very productive night. During the AMAZING Alabama game I washed clothes, started homework, clipped coupons, cleaned up around my room and organized a few things. :) I love being productive.

After the game I enjoyed hanging out with my wonderful roommate Gabby for a little while while eating a wonderful cookie from my other roommate Emily!

This thing tasted as good as it looks! :)

Today, Sunday, was filled with homework and church. I also managed to sneak in a two hour nap. Weekends are my time to sleep considering I get only a few hours to sleep during the school/work week. The messages at church were astounding words from God and the worship was amazing. I am so blessed to have found a church that is richly on fire for Christ and a college ministry that is so loving and caring that they make me feel at home.

Lots of ideas are bouncing around in my head lately... And we will see how God leads and things play out. To all my blogger friends, the members of the AIM project lost their jobs this past week as our President took away all money for abstinence education and put it towards abortion and planned parenthood. Please be in prayer as these people, including Sean, try to figure out what the next step in their lives will be. And be in prayer for our nation's youth, as well as our president. If you didn't vote, you should be ASHAMED. God's people need to WAKE UP and look at what we have done to our country. Stand up for what you believe in. Take the USA back for Christ. If you aren't planning to vote this November I suggest you get it in gear, register to vote and get your head in the game. These decisions affect us all... whether you like it or not.

Now. After my rant. I hope you all have a safe and wonderful week. Take time this week to notice how blessed you are. Stop complaining, because when you do, you are letting the Devil win. Think of how fortunate you are. I know without a shadow of doubt that I am truly blessed beyond imagination. And you are too, Praise be to God!

The Pruning Process

God has really been dealing with me the past well.. forever. But especially the past six months. Last night I became broken before God and just couldn't contain my tears. I had a pretty good and relaxing day and even went to dinner and saw the movie Eat, Pray, Love with my roommate Emily. But I found myself last night unable to contain my emotions. I couldn't wait to get to my apartment and my bedroom so that I could let it all out, or at least try to calm down.

So there I was, in my room, uncontrollably crying to the point where I couldn't breathe. I called Charity and texted Courtney. Charity always knows how to calm me down just by talking with me. She is such a spiritual inspiration to me and I love her. So after sobbing and telling her that nothing really was wrong but that everything was all at the same time I was thankful that she understood what I was feeling. As much as I love it here I have recently realized that I dropped my entire life back home to pursue this college dream of mine. Sometimes, I have an overwhelming heartache to go back to the comfortable wonderful life I led. And I miss that life. But I know that something, well, many things that are great will come out of this.

God gives me assurance that this is his will through many things. As Charity told me, it's hard, but God has opened this opportunity for me, for a reason. This morning I attended Ridgecrest Baptist Church, the church my sister Beverly attended while living in Tuscaloosa. In the College Sunday School class God clearly spoke to me. The class has been going through the book Secrets of the Vine talking about John chapter 15. Today the lesson was on the pruning process and how God works in our lives and prunes us so that we may bring forth more abundant and better fruit.

I believe that in my quest to follow God's direction for my life there will always be, and should always be pruning. When nothing is going on in your life, you are in the hands of the devil. But for the past two years I have been focusing on God taking out of my life what hinders me from fully following Him. Now, I knew this request wouldn't always be easy... And that is what I am experiencing right now. God however, won't give you anything you can't handle. And I have realized that he has prepared me for this in many ways. Last summer I went through some smaller pruning when I first began to seek out God's desire for me to de-cluter my life. In a matter of months I found a new job with the math department and was able to quit my HORRIBLE and stressful job at the Bookstore on campus. My friendships changed, and as much as that hurt I realize what a blessing it has been and I am thankful. And Sean found an amazing job as well. My life was ridded of excess stress, drama and financial burdens all in a week. I am in AWE of God's power.

Now looking back, those things were a lot easier to handle than this prune that I am going through. I have totally removed myself from my comfort zone. The friends I love, the family I cherish, and the relationships I hold so dear. I am not exactly sure what God is going to do with my life and what he will eventually completely cut out through all of this, but I know that in the end it will be a true blessing. As Becky said today in class, God knows what is best for us. And we as Christians are like teenagers, always thinking we know what is right.

This pruning, though painful and hard to bear, will give me a greater understanding of God's plan for me, and a simpler, more blessed life. I trust God and I commit all of this into His hands. I pray that He lead and guide me, and for Him to also comfort me.

Nothing worth it is ever easy. Praise be to God!