It's no party without "T"

Counting my blessings

2008-10-30T23:45:00.004-05:00

Today started in a panic. The small group that I lead has met several weeks this semester at 6am due to scheduling conflicts. We had scheduled to meet today at my apartment at 6am. I woke up at 8am and remembered what day it was. Oops. I immediately checked my phone. No messages. Did they all oversleep as well? I texted them all an apology and wondered if they had showed, surprised that I hadn't got any calls. Well, two out of the three had shown up, knocked, received no response, assumed they had missed a memo from me, and left. The other overslept as well. Sorry girls :(. Gratefully, they are gracious and forgiving and didn't hold it against me that they got up before dawn without reward. After kicking myself for that faux pas, I hurriedly got ready for work and rushed out the door.

Work was a bit hectic today, but the kids were extra affectionate towards me, and it blessed me tremendously. Something that I have always thought is absolutely precious is when a child says to me, "I wanna hold you" (meaning they want you to pick them up). The thing is, for me at least, their statement is true. I always wonder if that child really knows that when I wrap my arms around them and they lay their head on my shoulder, they are the ones holding me and showing me that I'm treasured. One of the moms commented to me that her daughter was going to be devastated when I leave at the end of the semester. Oh, how I will miss her "holding" me...

After I left work and made a quick stop at home, I headed to Starbucks to meet Sarah to study for a bit. While we were there, some alumni were trying to access the campus wireless network and couldn't because they didn't have a password. I spent a few minutes helping them, and a little while afterwards, the man came and handed me a Starbucks gift card. I jokingly told Sarah that that is the third time in 2 days that God has answered the desire of my heart for Starbucks ;). What an unexpected blessing.

While I was with Sarah, I found out that a book I requested on interlibrary loan had come in. The exciting part is that it gives crucial information for my thesis--the draft of which is due Monday. The book couldn't have come at a better time. I was thrilled.
Later, I got to meet Ashley for coffee (once again, at Starbucks). We really haven't gotten to spend time together this semester and I was so encouraged by our conversation. Another blessing in the bag.

My beloved brother called me and I got to talk to him about things going on in his life and in mine, and he dealt with my being a little spaced out during parts of the conversation and I just enjoyed talking to him for a good while. I talked to him about some of the little blessings God had given me that day, and also about some of the things I was praying for wisdom about--a large one being a job for after I graduate.

I kid you not, immediately after I got off the phone, I checked my email, and I had an email about possibly setting up an interview for a position I applied for in the Dallas area. Whether it works out or not, I was once again blown away by the many simple things that God used today to remind me that He is faithful.

As I shared with Ashley tonight, I want to lean on the promises of God that He gives for those who seek after Him earnestly instead of buying into the false promises that sin offers me. Today was just an example to me of God's redemptive power and bestowing of grace... from waking up thinking I'd blown it... to turning in for the night feeling incredibly blessed.

Bittersweet

2008-10-26T22:22:00.003-05:00

Today I was reminded that my time left at Baylor is dwindling... and I had to hold back tears. I'm excited, don't get me wrong. I know God has great things in store for me. I'm sad to leave, though, especially my friends. I don't like making new friends. Coming to Baylor was really hard for me because it took time to develop real relationships, and surface relationships are not my thing. If I'm honest, I'm somewhat anxious about being in that place again. But, then, I know that that anxiety is not from God, and I need to trust Him to meet my every need. Pray for me, though, please, because my heart aches at the thought of not having people to call to go to lunch with or study at Starbucks or make a Wal-Mart run. At least I'll have some of my precious family there... I won't be totally by myself, and those precious little people I'm related to can cheer my heart from pretty much any sorrow. I know. How could you not smile at this:

The Word

2008-10-26T22:11:00.003-05:00

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does." ~James 1:22-25

I went to a Precept Training this weekend with my roommate Amanda. I was in the two day workshop on "How to Study the Bible". We learned how to really study the Bible and practiced through studying Titus and beginning to study 2 Thessalonians. I cannot tell you how good it was to be in the word. I was so challenged by the truth that people do not know how to study the Bible, and convicted that I have neglected my own study of it. I've been regaining and further developing an immense love for God's word this semester. I want to treasure it and handle it in such a way that acknowledges the authority and power of it. I want to hide His word in my heart, that I might not sin against Him, and might give Him all of the glory that He is due.

Because I meant to post this two months ago...

2008-10-12T15:46:00.002-05:00

Per a friendly nudge to post on my blog, I realized that I never posted the essay that I wrote for a scholarship from camp this summer, which I was graciously awarded. The essay just gives a glimpse of what God did in my life this summer, and while I intended to post it right after I wrote it, somehow it never happened. So, if you're interested, here it is, from August:

Over the past year, God opened my eyes and my heart to the saddening truth that many individuals with special needs are excluded from the church. I especially noticed that families with small children that have special needs face many obstacles in attending church activities and being included in fellowship with believers due to the needs of their children. My heart was filled with compassion for families who face the unique struggles of having family members with special needs. As I desire to be a part of Christian ministry to children vocationally, I began considering and praying about how to reach out to this particular part of the body of Christ.
As a part of my degree program, I am required to complete an internship, and I was planning to fulfill the requirement during the summer months so I could continue to work during the school year. My desire was to find an experience that dealt with both working with children with special needs and also included Christian ministry. In my search for an organization to work with, I decided to search for a Christian camp for children with special needs. This search led me to Charis Hills. When I found the website for Charis Hills, I was immediately attracted to the heart of the camp to serve children who are typically excluded from regular social situations through an accepting and positive camping experience. After a period of correspondence, I was hired as a counselor at Charis Hills, and I anxiously anticipated the beginning of camp.
Now, the final camp session is only days from coming to a close, and I can hardly put into words the experience I have had over the past few months. I have had the privilege to work with staff who desire to extend grace to and encourage growth in children who struggle with social and behavioral challenges. The community and diversity among the staff of Charis Hills is incredible, and I have formed friendships that I believe will be lasting because they are based on the everlasting community that is found in Christ. This summer, I have seen children experience the grace that Christ extends us through being seen as worthwhile and praised for the good things they are capable of rather than condemned for the mistakes they make. I have learned more and more about how God deals with us as a patient and gracious Father who desires the best for us.
I have seen more of my weaknesses, in which His strength can be shown perfect, and I have had countless opportunities to choose joy in the face of hardship. I have learned that I need rest! When I am physically and emotionally exhausted, and a child is telling me that I ruined their week because they have to be in the arts and crafts activity and they want to explode, it is certainly not in my own strength that I can extend patience and explain that we will do our best to provide activities that they enjoy.
During training week, we had a time in which we were challenged to consider both what we wanted to give and what we wanted to receive this summer. One central thing that I wanted to give was the love of my Savior, and what I wanted to receive was similar: an expansion of my understanding of the heart of my God. This summer, my intention was to seek to experience the love of my Jesus so that I could extend that love to the children I worked with. I wish I could tell you the depth of the love of Christ that I have experienced this summer, but the well has no bottom.
As I leave Charis Hills, I know that the experience I have gained in working with children and working with a team of staff will be invaluable. The practical skills of knowing better how to keep the attention of children, how to recognize the motivations of misbehavior, and definitely having an expanded repertoire of appropriate and engaging activities for a variety of ages will indubitably be of great benefit to me as I continue to work with children and families. I have been blessed and encouraged through the experience of teaching spiritual truth to the children at Charis Hills through camp-wide devotionals, and have begun a journey of learning how to communicate spiritual things in an age-appropriate way. This summer at Charis Hills, I have been filled with an unmistakable peace that Christ has called me to ministry and He will be faithful to lead me every step of the way. More than anything, though, I am walking away from this summer having experienced more greatly the truth that I have and never will be unloved. I will “give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever” (Psalm 136:1).

I will sincerely try to post a more current update in the next few days...Blessings!

ADDRESS CORRECTION!!!

2008-05-29T23:44:00.003-05:00

I mistakenly posted the wrong address for camp. Here's the right one, I hope:

Tamara Stringer
PO Box 1377
Ingram, TX 78025

I'm here and loving training so far. I'm learning a lot and can hardly wait for the kids to be here. :o)

In my heart....

2008-05-26T22:07:00.002-05:00

I'm in Waco for less than 24 hours, and I'm sitting in my new apartment on my free couch (Thanks, Joel!) listening to music and thinking of how blessed I am. Kenley, Jenna, and Diane came to visit me my last few days in Waco and help me move into my new apartment (You guys are the best, thanks for all of your help!). Then, we convinced my roommate Sarah the day we were leaving that she really did need to come with us. So, we all high-tailed it to Florida so Jenna could make it to her 8:30 am class last Monday. I spent the past week going to Florida and back and it seems like there was little time to sit still. It was surprisingly restful and refreshing, but definitely jam-packed. Here's the rough run-down:

Sleep in my own bed
Mail-outs for Kenley
Dinner with the fam, Surprise visit from Tori, One Tree Hill with Sarah
Four doctor appointments and lots of trying on dresses
Crispers (so good)
Bridal shower for Jessica
Definitely, Maybe at Movies 8 and Wendy's at Lake Ella by moonlight
Chased my dog down in the neighborhood when he escaped
Joined in worship led by a children's choir
Zaxby's (Mandatory for Sarah)
Babysat a precious little girl
Lunch and shopping with Granny
Toss-Up, Dominoes, and Some Good Conversation
Saw an impressive construction project managed by a friend (you're pretty up there, Dean)
Myra Jean's
Visited the old and new capitol buildings, and raided the Museum of Arts and Sciences
Steak dinner and home videos with the fam
Cape San Blas with some cool people (Diane, Kevin, Kyle, Dean, Aaron, Janelle, and, of course, Sarah)
Romantic dinner with Sarah at Captain Dave's On the Gulf in Destin (you're the best date, ever)
Spent the night with a gracious family
Church with Sarah in the car
Driving, driving, driving
Moe's and Rue 21 Stop
Visit Lacey in Highlands
Crash at Sarah's in Houston
Fresh breakfast prepared by a beautiful woman (mmhmm, Raina's amazing)
Searched the new Houston outlet mall for a restroom
Starbucks
Back in Waco to do some work in the apartment and regroup

Mmhmm, and I leave tomorrow to drive to camp! Yikes.

I have to say, though, that the past week was truly a reminder that God has put incredible people (and awe-inspiring places) in my life and far too often I don't slow down to thank Him for them. I would not be who I am today without the experiences and relationships that God has orchestrated in my life. He is so faithful. So very faithful.

And now, "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6), I will leave you in peace.

Summertime

2008-05-12T21:47:00.000-05:00

Wow. I cannot believe that in less than 24 hours, my summer will officially begin. Where did this year go? Even though the time has flown, I can honestly say that I think God has grown me more this year than I could have ever imagined. He has taught me so much about Himself and in that shown me how far from being like Him I truly am. I hope that this year has been a year of extraordinary growth for you, but, even if it hasn't, I want to extend the challenge that my college pastor Kyle Dunn extended to us this past Sunday, our last of the semester. Use your summer to seek Him wholeheartedly.

Kyle challenged us that for many of us, the reason our relationship with God isn't where it should be is because sin is running unrestrained in our lives. (I would encourage you to check out the whole sermon on Itunes. Just search Kyle Dunn or Encounter sermons and you should find it. ) Colossians 2:20-23 says "Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility, and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence." Far too often we try to restrain sin by regulations of do's and don't's. The problem is that we try to impose external solutions on an issue of the heart. We need to battle the root of the problem. I read John Piper's Battling Unbelief this semester, and I was convicted by the truth that our sin is a result of our lack of faith in the promises of God. We sin because we believe the promises that it entices us with. This will get you ahead. This will feel good. You deserve better. You're missing out. Instead, we must embrace in faith the promises that God makes us.

"'But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in Him,
He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.
it does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.'
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?
'I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind,
to reward a man according to his conduct,
according to what his deeds deserve." (Jeremiah 17:7-10).

I want to be "ruthlessly committed to walking in the ways of His truth" (Kyle's challenge) . I want to be so immersed in Him that others have a hard time finding me. What does it really look like to "do good works" in such a way that others don't praise me, but "glorify my Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). THAT is what I want my life to look like. I am determined to use my summer to seek Him earnestly and allow Him to transform my heart and my life to reflect Him more clearly. I pray you will join me in pursuing Him with renewed passion.

Now that you know somewhat the attitude I am entering the summer with, I would like to share more with you about where I'll be this summer. I'm really excited, because I know God is going to rock my world. May 27th, I will begin training to be a counselor at Charis Hills, a camp for kids who "learn differently". The heart of the camp is to serve kids who often have had negative camp experiences in the past due to behavioral and social problems resulting from various special needs. Charis Hills desires to show kids the grace and acceptance ("charis") of Christ and be a part of imparting His joy in their lives. After a week of training, camp will begin, and I will be there until August 17th. This summer is going to be full of challenges and unique experiences, and I am anticipating all that God will do. I appreciate your prayers, and I would love to hear from you over the summer about any ways that I can pray for you. I will be more difficult to get a hold of by phone or email, but not absolutely impossible. You may also write me, and I REALLY WANT TO WRITE YOU!!!! Please, message me with your mailing address and I will do my best to send you a letter this summer. If you want to write me, my mailing address will be

Tamara Stringer
PO Box 58
Castell, TX 76831

If you want to check out Charis Hills the website is www.charishills.org

You are all dear to me, and I can't tell you how in so many ways you have been a part of shaping where I am today. You will be in my thoughts and prayers this summer. Please keep me in your's.

Singleness

2008-04-13T02:54:00.002-05:00

I'm still not completely sure about posting this, but I am stepping out on faith because I feel that possibly there are some who need to hear it... As always, read at your own risk. This is pretty personal, but if it benefits someone else, then I'm willing to risk it. So, fresh from the journal, here it is:

I just finished watching "Becoming Jane" with my roommates. Supposedly the movie is based on the adult life story of Jane Austen, though I have heard that there is a great deal of inaccuracy in the film. Nonetheless, the reality of Jane Austen's singleness remains. In the past year or so, I have wrestled with the possibility of a lifetime of singleness. I have thought about the distinct possibility of never becoming a wife, never becoming a mother, never having a family of "my own". The thought is saddening in many ways, as I do dream of waking up next to my husband, snuggling with my children while watching Saturday morning cartoons, and having a home with hallmarks of our family adventures displayed in frames and memorabilia around my house. However, I have faced the reality that not everyone has the opportunity to enjoy marriage in their lifetime. They instead are blessed with singleness. This makes them no less of a complete human being as some would pressure to say, holding the notion that without having sex you are not truly a man or a woman. Christ was fully man and He never had sexual intercourse. He was complete. He is complete. There is nothing "wrong" with someone just because they are single. How often we portray otherwise. How sad. Something sinks in my stomach when I hear someone tell me it is "okay" that I am not dating or nearing marriage, as if I might even have Biblical cause to believe otherwise. The truth is, it will be "okay", rather even "ordained", if I never marry at all. Recently, I have had several people say, "You're going to be such a great mom". I smile and say "Maybe," less because I doubt that I could be a great parent, but because I do not know and am choosing not to assume that I will be a parent at all. If that's what God has for me, I will be overjoyed. But, I recognize that there is no less potential of genuine joy in the single life than in the married life, because Christ is my joy, and I may enjoy Him with or without marriage to a man. How amazing. Oh Jesus, be my joy. You are my joy. You are my joy. You are my joy. You are my JOY. I will choose You no matter if I am blessed with a man to become one with in marriage or not. May I never think that my life is any less without someone to wake up next to. My heart breaks at the thought of never being married, but God, may Your will be done in my life. I know that You use both married and single people for Your purposes, and I will praise Your name no matter if I am single or married. I trust You, sweet Jesus. "The LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly" (Psalm 84:11). I trust You and know that You will orchestrate my life in whatever way gives the most glory to YOU. Let it be so, Lord. Let it be so.

Every good thing is from Him and He withholds no good thing from those who earnestly seek Him

2008-04-08T15:47:00.000-05:00

"Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of firstfruits among His creatures." ~James 1:17-18 (NASB)

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created." ~James 1:17-18 (NIV)

"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, How blessed is the man who trusts in You! " ~Psalm 84:11-12 (NASB)

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in You." ~Psalm 84:11-12 (NIV)

Pursuing My Pleasure

2008-04-06T23:15:00.001-05:00

Through studying both Jeremiah and listening to/reading some of the words of John Piper, I have been continually confronted by and confirmed in the truth that God's fame and renown are made large in my life as I pursue my pleasure in Him. When I find my pleasure in Him, I show Him to be great. The devastating truth is that far too often we are too easily pleased and satisfied with cheap imitations of pleasure rather than seeking the eternal satisfaction that Christ is. Both today in the Highland College Ministry study of Jeremiah and a message that I listened to by Piper, the heartbreaking verses of Jeremiah 2:12-13 were employed. Check em out:
"'Be appalled, O heavens, at this, And shudder, be very desolate,' declares the LORD. 'For my people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water.'"
How deceived we are in thinking that any satisfaction we may receive from something else can compare to the satisfaction that is found in God Almighty. All joy and satisfaction is found in Him, and it is a devastating and desolate reality felt by the heavens when we forsake Him and seek to create our own means of satisfaction in other things. Oh, may we see and embrace the truth that He is the well that never runs dry instead of foolishly digging and toiling and trying to hold brackish run-off in a broken cistern.

Jeremiah

2008-03-30T15:46:00.000-05:00

Today at church we began a series on Jeremiah. I'm really excited about getting into the Old Testament as I have found that I have studied it less and less through the years and really desire to know God's word more fully. The whole Bible is about Jesus. He was there before coming to earth as a man, and the power of God Almighty and His character remains throughout the New Testament, the Old Testament, to this day, and forever. As we read today in Jeremiah I thought of the sad reality that people do not fear God. I do not mean fear Him as a super-power looking for an opportunity to strike them dead, but fear Him in awe and reverence because He does HAVE that power, yet He chose to take His wrath out on His Son and show US mercy. Whoa. God could choose and rightfully so to extinguish us when we run from Him and His glory. But He doesn't. God is just, though, and He did not and does not excuse sin. The penalty for sin is death. The beautiful thing is that the penalty was paid through the death of Christ on the cross. God's people saw the discipline of the Lord in the time of Jeremiah. But they also saw His mercy. I'm excited about what is to come in the next few weeks!

Since I've been gone...

2008-03-29T22:55:00.002-05:00

I know. I may as well stop saying I'll be better about blogging, because I just haven't been. This semester has been incredible, and I'm shocked that I only have one more semester left before I have a diploma in my hand. Then what?!? I've had countless people ask me that question, and truthfully, though unusually, I don't have a plan. I'm not stressed about it. God has honestly given me a peace that He is in control and I should not worry because He is powerful and faithful to work for my good, which is being completely dependent on Him. There are options, but no option is at this point necessarily more concrete than any other. I know that as I earnestly seek Him, I will bring Him glory when the time for a decision comes. At this point, I'm just enjoying Him and waiting and seeking and praying. Though the time seems so short in many ways, there is a great deal to come before I graduate :o). I cannot wait to see what He brings in that time.... I hope that you are being satisfied as God is glorified in your life. Great is the Glory of the Lord.

Been awhile....

2007-10-20T17:05:00.000-05:00

I know that I haven't blogged in a ridiculously long time. I apologize. I have to say that God has been working in my heart in so many ways over the past several months that I have hardly known how to express those workings in words. My life has changed considerably since my last post. A snapshot of my life:

Home: I now live with 3 girls (including Mabel ;o) ) from my small group in an apartment a block from campus.
School: My 3rd year at Baylor, only 2 semesters left after this one, taking 18 hours right now
Work: I'm an assistant in both the Pre-K classroom and the Infant classroom at Little Learner's Academy in Waco. I love my job... it definitely keeps me busy!
Church: I continue to love being a part of Highland Baptist Church. The newest development there is that I have the privilege of helping lead worship for the college Praise and Communion service on Wednesday nights.

At this very moment, I am sitting outside on campus enjoying the beautiful, breezy day while I study. I am in awe of the Lord at this time of my life, and I pray that my awe of Him only continues to grow deeper with every passing day. I wish I could catch you up on all that He is doing in my life, but that seems nearly impossible, so I will seek to keep you informed from this point on.

Something I was meditating on this morning:

May the glory of the LORD endure
forever;
may the LORD rejoice in His works--
He who looks at the earth,
and it trembles,
who touches the mountains,
and they smoke.
I will sing to the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
May my meditation be pleasing to Him,
as I rejoice in the LORD.
But may sinners vanish from the earth
and the wicked be no more.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.
Praise the LORD.
~Psalm 104: 31-35

Struggle

2007-04-29T02:30:00.000-05:00

I've been thinking a lot about how influential we are, and how we don't live in light of that truth. I've struggled recently with dealing with guilt over people I have hurt. We hear sermons about how to deal with people hurting us, but what about being the one that inflicts hurt on someone else? My heart breaks to think of the countless people that I have torn down, discouraged, talked down to, judged, stereotyped, labeled, misrepresented Christ to. I know I've been a tool for deep hurt in the lives of a lot of people. Satan has tried to convince me that because of my shortcomings and failures, I cannot be fruitful in my pursuit of Christ's glory. The truth is, Christ is above and beyond any mistake that I have made or will ever make, no matter how royal of a mistake it may be. There are days that I only hold on to this hope by a thread, but my grip even on that thread is unshakable. If you're like me, and you struggle with having hurt others, DON'T GIVE UP. He uses those of us who fall into the murk and mire. His Love Endures Forever. Forever. Forever.

Some thoughts...

2007-04-17T23:20:00.000-05:00

So, I'm becoming addicted to a lot of country music. That is a story in and of itself, but I just wanted to share some thoughts I've had about the chorus of this song:

Someday maybe somebody will love me like I need
And someday I won't have to prove cause somebody will see
All my worth, but until then I'll do just fine on my own
With my cigarettes and this old dirt road

Far too often I take the hope that I have in Christ for granted. I forget what it's like to be lost. I don't know how so many people do it, going through each day without the purpose and passion that He brings. I take His love for granted. I don't have to wait for "someday" like in the song. I am loved beyond what I will ever need by my amazing Father. His love never fails. God is crazy about us, His children. Find hope in that today. It's the truth, and it is powerful. There's my very abbreviated version of what this song makes me think. :o)

Don't give up

2007-03-21T23:40:00.000-05:00

She never slows down
She doesn't know why
But she knows that when she's all alone
It feels like its all coming down

She won't turn around
The shadows are long
And she fears if she cries that first tear
The tears will not stop raining down

So stand in the rain
Stand your ground
Stand up when it's all crashing down
You stand through the pain
You won't drown
And one day what's lost can be found
You stand in the rain

She won't make a sound
Alone in this fight with herself
And the fear's whispering
If she stands, she'll fall down

She wants to be found
The only way out is through everything
She's running from
Wants to give up and lie down

So stand in the rain
Stand your ground
Stand up when it's all crashing down
You stand through the pain
You won't drown
And one day what's lost can be found
You stand in the rain

So stand in the rain
Stand your ground
Stand up when it's all crashing down
You stand through the pain
You won't drown
And one day what's lost can be found
You stand in the rain

"I love you, O LORD, my strength." ~Psalm 18:1

Days to be spent by the fire

2007-01-18T00:40:00.000-06:00

Mabel and I went to visit the Arlington Stringer clan on Saturday. I'm holding Sarah above, and Mabel is holding Rachel. We spent the day snuggling the little ones. We played living room baseball and had a dance party with Camron as well. Have I mentioned that I love being an aunt??

This is pretty much what it looks like outside here. Classes were cancelled today. The forecast has said snow several times, but Mother Nature has just been teasing me as the forecast always changes right before the snow shower. I did see flurries yesterday. But mostly, it's icy outside (there are icicles hanging from my car, pretty exciting), and there is usually some sort of wintry participation stinging your face when you're outdoors.

I've been back in Waco since last Saturday. I'm so excited about my classes, and I realized how much I missed the amazing group of Christian friends I have here. They are amazing. God is working in my heart in incredible ways... showing me that He wants to change me and make me more like Him. I'm letting go.

This semester's theme song:

May the words of my mouth
And the meditations of my heart
Be pleasing to You
Pleasing to You
May the words of my mouth
And the meditations of my heart
Be pleasing to You, my God

You're my Rock and my Redeemer
You're the reason that I sing
I desire to be a blessing in Your eyes

Every hour and every moment
Lord, I want to be Your servant
I desire to be a blessing in Your eyes

May the words of my mouth
And the meditations of my heart
Be pleasing to You
Pleasing to You
May the words of my mouth
And the meditations of my heart
Be pleasing to You, my God

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."~Psalm 19:14

What are you up to?

2006-12-06T14:49:00.000-06:00

Goodness, I've been studying Christian Heritage for about an hour and a half and I just don't know if I can take it any more! I've got some pretty outrageous review sheets going on for the majority of my classes... Daunting, I must say. But I only have to hold it together for 5 more days and I will be done with my 3rd semester at Baylor University. Man, time flies. I can't believe I'm approaching being halfway done with my college career. That is just crazy. It seems that I've lost touch with a lot of people this semester. Sorry guys. I've been getting really involved in life here at school, which is a good thing, but I never intended to drop all of my other relationships. I hope you haven't felt that way! I've been reminded in the past couple of days just how much God has blessed me this semester primarily through getting plugged in at my church. My passion is for the Body of Christ and helping others to grow in Him, and Highland has fed that passion for me. I've been blessed to help teach Kindergarten Sunday school, work in Awana Cubbies, be in a Community Group (Highland College Small group), and lead a Community Group this semester. I'm absolutely loving it. Mabel and I are planning to live in an apartment with two of the girls in our community group next year and I couldn't be more excited. There is always stuff going on, and I just wish I could have everyone I love experience all of the amazing things that go on here. I've also been blessed through some wonderful classes this semester. The past week or so I've been kind of bogged down, feeling disappointed that my grades may not end up as high as I'd like. But I had to stop and reevaluate some stuff. I have learned a tremendous amount this semester. I have loved the majority of my classes and I know that I am walking into another semester better understanding how I learn and what my weaknesses are. That is what matters. It's not all about making straight A's and getting on the dean's list. I just want to walk away from this semester carrying all of the things that have helped to shape me into who I am and use those things as tools to shape others that I encounter. As I said, my passions have been fed this semester, not just through Highland, but through school as well. I'm really excited about classes next semester and I know that God has great things to teach me. I can't wait to find out what they are :o)

I hope that gives you a little bit of a taste of what my life's been like lately. I'd love to hear about what's going on in your life! Leave me a comment or drop me an email!

Let's pray

2006-12-06T02:07:00.000-06:00

I've been thinking about this song the past week or so, and I feel like it is a good reminder for us all with the stress of the end of the semester at hand. I know I covet your prayers... I'm seeking to be faithful to pray for you as well. Lots of love!

Pray For Me
I know the promises, what He said
When I'm weak, He'll be strong
And on those days when I find that I am
Losing ground on the road so long
It's hard for me to comprehend
That He is safely leading me
It's hard for me to understand
Just what He wants me to be, so...

Pray for me
'Cause sometimes I think that I'm just to weak to take it
Oh, pray for me
'Cause some days I don't have the strength I need to make it
Oh, won't you pray for me
Oh, please pray for me

I know there may be trouble
Around every corner now
But I've been told that Jesus
Is gonna get me through somehow
I need to see His hand reaching out
When I'm leaning toward a fall
I need to hear His words of hope
When I have no hope at all, so...

I know I don't deserve anything He has to give
But I know unless I learn to accept His love
I'll never really live, so...

~ "Pray for Me" by Sierra

Love in action

2006-11-04T19:24:00.000-06:00

"Don't ever let someone get away
with the idea that
they can love you just by saying it,
without showing it."

~Kyle Dunn, College Pastor, Highland Baptist Church

Do your words hold weight??

Blackout

2006-10-24T15:48:00.000-05:00

Sitting in the library studying for my Religion quiz
Boom, the lights go out
Uhhhh... what just happened?
Are they coming back on?
What in the world is that loud banging noise?
Did the elevators fall??
Where's Mabel? (We had separated when we went inside the library)
Surprisingly, I was calm
I sat there, just waiting for something to happen
For the lights to kick back on
Or someone to tell us we had to leave
Or something
I turn my head
And there's Mabel
What just happened??
We couldn't figure it out
How did she know I was there?
She didn't
She was walking up to "some random girl" to find out if she knew what was going on
It just happened to be me
After a few minutes we decided to leave
Walking out of the creepy, dark library
We turned back to look at the ominous looming stature
Laughing, we came back to the dorm
The power is out in the whole library??
God's way of telling us we need a break??

I'm back

2006-10-19T21:10:00.000-05:00

Directly from His hand who cherished her
before she came to be, the simple soul
comes forth just like a little baby girl
Who cries and laughs and doesn't know a thing
save that, moved by her Maker, by her joy,
she willingly turns to all that makes her sing.
Innocently she tastes the savor of
some lesser good, then chases it, deceived,
unless some rein or guide direct the love.

~From Dante's Purgatory

Rather than turning towards all that makes me sing, I pray that I will learn to run towards the One who gave me a voice to begin with. May the Word of the Lord that is sharper than a double-edged sword and the Holy Spirit who is omnipotent be the reins that direct my love.

Today is the first day it has genuinely felt like fall, and I looove it. The crisp, cool air, colors of pumpkin and fire-engine red, warm, snuggly sweaters, and hot chocolate next to the fire. A season of change. God has been changing me a lot lately. I pray that the changes are as refreshing to others as the coming of fall is to me. Love you all!

God is good... all the time

2006-09-07T18:01:00.000-05:00

I'm not gonna lie, there have definitely been times within the past three weeks that I've been pretty discouraged... even to the point of questioning why I'm at Baylor and if I'm really seeking after the will of Christ with my life... scary. One thing that has been hard for me in making the decision to come to Baylor and stay at Baylor, is that people are supportive of me because I am convicted about it. I've struggled with others not being convicted about it along with me. I mean, what if I misheard the message? How much of this is God and how much of it is just me? But, as I've struggled and prayed about it before coming to Baylor and while being here, God has shown me so many ways in which He has used my being here to grow me closer to Him along with closer to other people. I've learned so much about being vulnerable, about trusting Him to get me through every situation, about seeking Him out and asking questions, about being real. And though there have been rough moments, He has brought forth joy out of the struggles, through even the tiniest blessings that can speak volumes. The weekend with my brother, sister-in-law, nephew and nieces was so encouraging. I always feel loved the moment I step into their house. James, Mabel, and Diane all listened through my struggles and were just there to cry to, even though they didn't have to be. My parents have been ultra-supportive, as they always are, and I couldn't be more blessed to have them in my life. The other day at Wal-Mart, every child that passed me smiled and said hi and most of them told me something they were excited about. It made my day. I started working in Cubbies last night at Highland, and one little girl the moment she walked in the door latched on to me and picked me as her friend. Yesterday the weather was absolutely beautiful, and I smiled every time I walked out the door. God is good all the time. He's always there for you. He loves you. He will never forsake you.

Bumpy Beginnings....

2006-08-24T14:55:00.000-05:00

Hey everybody. For those of you who started school this week, I pray it went well. For those of you who start next week, I'm praying it goes well. I can hardly believe that I left half an hour less than a week ago. It's been a rough week, and I miss home beyond what I can express. But, I am excited about God's purpose for me here. I know He has an amazing plan. I love my professors and my classes in general. I get to start teaching Kindergarten Sunday school on Sunday and working with Cubbies in Awana in a couple of weeks. I've gotten to spend a few afternoons with the Colon twins already, and am excited about the opportunity to be involved in their lives. I'll be picking them up from school four days a week and spending a couple of hours with them, plus they'll be in the Sunday school class I'm teaching at Highland! I've gotten to reunite with my beloved roommate who I missed tremendously over the summer, and I've started getting back into the groove with Campus Crusade. The homework hasn't started pouring in yet, so that's been a relief, and I think I've gotten even some extra rest that I've needed over the past week. For those of you who don't know, I wrecked my car on Saturday, less than 24 hours after my parents had left me in Waco (sorry, Mom and Dad). Though I'm waiting for the official word from the insurance, the body shop guy has told me that from his observation, the car is totaled. The accident was my fault; there was a red light, and I didn't see it. Praise God for His protection. For those of you wondering--no, I wasn't talking on the phone; no, I wasn't listening to loud music; no, I wasn't trying to find something in the car.... I was watching the road. The road is four lanes and only has one light past the intersection, besides a vertical light that is hardly visible as there is a building in front of it. I almost wish that I had been distracted, because I just sound like an idiot. Though the light was hard to see, I should have seen it. But, praise the Lord for grace, protection, and insurance. It wasn't the way I hoped or planned to begin the school year, but He is faithful, no matter how greatly I fail. Thank you for all of you that have checked up on me and shown so much love and grace to me. You all are blessings. Thank you for your prayers. Please let me know how I can pray for you and better support you. I love you all!

"Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as a little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." ~Matthew 18:4

Stained Glass Masquerade

2006-07-28T13:21:00.000-05:00

This song has been really challenging to me recently. Challenging me to not only be one who is accepting of others and their pain and their struggles, to be someone who others can be open with, but also to be open with others, to take the risk of being accepted as I truly am--which often isn't the person that everyone imagines me to be...

Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small
Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they'll soon discover
That I don't belong

So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them

Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles that hide our pain
But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone who's been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who's traded
In the altar for a stage
The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart

But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be
Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay

Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles that hide our pain
But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade

Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles that hide our pain
But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small

~"Stained Glass Masquerade" by Casting Crowns~

I'm sorry for those of you who have been disappointed by my lack of blogging over the summer months. Things have been busy and I've been overwhelmed at all I could tell you about, but didn't want to write you a novel that would never be read anyway. I'll try and post a few pictures soon for you from various trips. I got to go to Ireland May 22-June 1 and was enthralled by the beauty of God's creation... both in nature and culture. I love that our God is a God of creativity, amen? I spent a week serving at Camp Charis as a counselor, but for security purposes I don't have any pictures that I'm able to post from that. We took a day trip to go tubing down the Ichetucknee River, where Kenley suffered a stabbing (it wasn't fatal, not to worry) by a protruding tree branch and saved me from suffering the same. My family traveled to Texas and Oklahoma to visit friends and family, especially to celebrate Willa Mae and L.D.'s 50th anniversary! We love you guys :o). We were charmed by the wit of my nephew, who onlyadorablere adoreable by the day, and we were warmed by the sweet baby girls that were recently added to our family. I've been busy when I've actually been home between various babysitting jobs, working at a Real Estate office, church activities, dating a special guy, and hanging out with treasured friends and family. My car was in the shop this week and my parents graciously doled out some major dollars for some repairs... and it still isn't fixed and has to go back to the shop :o(. I still haven't gone to the beach all summer, and I live in Florida... I'm seeking to reconcile this problem soon. God is challenging me to truly consider how big He is, realize I'll never even be able to remotely comprehend it, and concede that He can control my life a lot better than I can. He is stretching me to depend on Him and to be vulnerable enough to depend on others. He's teaching me to love... and it's something I know I will never stop learning. Praise the Lord I'm being taught by LOVE Himself. Well, I guess that catches you up a smidge on what's been going on with me. *I love you all*

"Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another,

because love covers a multitude of sins." ~1 Peter 4:8

Too much to say

2006-06-30T19:37:00.000-05:00

I think that I have avoided blogging for a while because I have had entirely too much to say. And when you say too much, few listen. So much has happened and yet I've had plenty of time to post something, I just havent, because it wouldn't be good enough to convey all of what I have experienced. God has been rocking my world lately. Really rocking my world...

So that's the draft of a post that I started on June 13th.... guess I've just continued to be overwhelmed with all that I could say. My summer has been a rollercoaster of events and emotions thus far... not to mention I feel like I just stepped onto the ride and yet I can already see the end of the track. Being home as much as I have been has truly been a blessing. I've realized all over again why it was so hard for me to go away to school, and why it will continue to be hard. I don't let go very easily. There are so many people here that are incredibly important to me, and so many opportunities that seem to jump out at me all the time. I have a network here... and a pretty extensive one at that. I came home and jumped right back into ministry at Northwoods... singing in Adult Choir, singing on praise team, working with youth when I'm in town... I nearly immediately had people calling me for babysitting jobs, people wanting to hang out, running errands for my mother, doing favors for friends. It's crazy. It scares me that this may be the last summer that I'm home ever again, but I won't deny that it is a large possibility. It breaks my heart in some ways, but it also shows me that God has plans for me beyond what I can see right now. He is faithful, and He will provide for all of you... and for me. You know, it is often so much easier to trust God with the problems of others than it is to trust Him with your own problems. I want my faith to grow to truly trust God with anything. Right now, it's trusting Him with my financial situation. I'm beyond broke. I think money is just an area of life that I'm learning about the hard way.... I don't like learning the hard way. But, I do want to learn. God is showing me that He is faithful and He will provide for my needs, but I have to understand that He is not one to squeeze Himself into my agenda, He's there for me to hand over my agenda and say, "It's Your's, do what You will with it." Well, I think I've said too much already... I have a tendency to do that. But, I want you to know that God is faithful and He is able. "My God shall supply all my needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." ~Philippians 4:19 Amen?

I love being an aunt

2006-05-04T02:35:00.000-05:00

Mabel and I made a trip to see my two new nieces today. They are beautiful. Being an aunt is so much fun. I'm already sad that I won't see them for a while. I was reminded also that my family is an amazing example of love. The Love of Christ truly shines through my family members and I am always encouraged to be around them. Kris and Christina, I love you guys, and your babies are beautiful!!!....

Rachel

Sarah

Rachel

Sarah

Rachel

Sarah

Camron holding his baby sister Sarah

Cam and Me

Aww... all bundled up

Cam and I played with bubbles... the wind was blowing them for us!

One nephew and two nieces... so much fun...

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

2006-04-27T19:30:00.000-05:00

Hello all :o) I just wanted to post the amazing news that the Stringer twins are here!! *Yay* Sarah Marie and Rachel Elise were born yesterday evening. Sarah was 4 lb. 9.5 oz and 17 1/4 inches long and Rachel was 4 lb. 11 oz and 17 1/2 inches long. Please keep the twins, Christina, Kris, and Camron in your prayers as they experience the adjustments of having two new members to the family. So far, Christina and the twins are healthy and should be able to go home on Saturday. *Praise the Lord!* I will be going to see them next Wednesday, and I promise to post pictures as soon as I have them. I'm super excited about having two nieces!!

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
Your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
~Psalm 139:14

Be still

2006-04-24T15:51:00.000-05:00

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, be leaving, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

At the Foot of the Cross

2006-04-13T17:33:00.000-05:00

The cross is amazing. God has brought me to the fooot of the cross this week as the days lead up to the celebration of His resurrection. Jesus, thank You for being my sacrifice. Thank You that You are unfailing, that You are love, and that in You love is unfailing. I don't know why, but Satan has been attacking my self worth lately. Maybe it's because I've been preaching it a lot to a lot of people, that we have to embrace who we are in Christ and not get allow Satan to convince us that we can do nothing for His glory. Christ's glory is in me, so I can offer Him a worthy sacrifice. I can sing praises that are the sweetest music to His ears, because I am covered in the blood of Christ and I am blameless. Do I realize what I've been rescued from? I pray I never forget that I was without hope, without light, without love.... when I was without Christ. But now, I choose not to let Satan convince me that I cannot be effective. I won't let him deceive him into believing I cannot be a disciple of Christ who shines for Him in a way that people notice. That belittles God's power that is in me. No, I choose to embrace that I am perfect and holy in His sight. I lay every burden of self degradation down at the cross. My sin, my worthlessness, is wiped away. I trade my ashes in for beauty...

At the foot of the cross, where grace and suffering meet
You have shown me your love, through the judgment You received
and You've won my heart, yes You've won my heart

Now I can trade these ashes in for beauty
and wear forgiveness as a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross

At the foot of the cross, where I am made complete
You have given me life through the death You bore for me
and You've won my heart, yes You've won my heart..

Now I can trade these ashes in for beauty
and wear forgiveness as a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross

Happy Birthday Mommy

2006-04-10T18:51:00.000-05:00

I drove down to Perdido Key Beach on Friday to surprise my mom (as well as the rest of the family save Kenley) for the celebration of her 5oth birthday (it's ok, Mom, we know you're not old ;o) ). Even though I was only with them for about 20 hours, I was incredibly blessed through the time I spent with my family. Today is Mom's actual birthday.
Happy Birthday Mommy!! Thank you for being the incredible woman of God that you are and for loving me through all of life's twists and turns. Thank you for being a faithful friend in my life more than anything. I value you so much and wouldn't trade you for the world. Thank you for being you. :o)
The place where we stayed because of the graciousness of some friends was absolutely beautiful. I got there on Friday in time to go to dinner for Mom's birthday with everyone. We went to a yummy Italian place and then headed back to the condo to hang out. The guys and I went to find the game room to play a game of pool. Compared to the rest of the condo's facilities, the game room was ghetto. Not sure how that happened, but as Kenley put it, you practically have to go through the catacombs to get to the place and then you end up in this little painted concrete hole. We all definitely displayed that the Stringers were not created to be pool players, but we had fun anyway. Then, we returned to our 6th floor condo to watch Father of the Bride II. I love that movie :o) We all went to bed, I was out fast.... woke up the next morning and spent some time sitting on the balcony, drinking coffee, and talking to Mom, Dad brought doughnuts before long and the rest of the family decided that was worth getting up for... then Kenley, Kevin, and I hit the outdoor pool, the outdoor hot tub, and then the indoor pool.... then we'd worked up an appetite again so we went to get Mexican food, then came back and had ice cream, went down to the beach and took pictures, and I said my goodbyes and returned to the road to come back to Waco...
Happy Birthday, Mom. Know that you are loved and cherished :o)

Jello should not taste like beef

2006-03-30T00:50:00.000-06:00

So I took a few bites of jello from the cafeteria and wasn't real happy with what the resulting flavor in my mouth was... jello shouldn't taste like some kind of beef casserole. That's just not ok. So I used my deductive reasoning to figure out how this could have happened... I know what type of pans they make the jello in, I fix the jello cups all the time at work (as a side note, cutting jello in a pan is really therapeutic). Well, they use those pans to hold pretty much anything they cook in that place, so I'm thinking that the flavor of the previous dish must not have been sufficiently washed from the pan before they filled it with jello. Result: nasty beef/barley/raspberry jello. Blegh. Based on my reasoning there Mabel would say something like: "Ah, that's why you're in the honors college!" I love that chick. Anyway, today has been a busy but good day. I made fruit pizza for my Bible study girls... yummy. I'd like to share with you all what has become my recent addiction.... color marking the Bible. Oh my goodness, we are doing an inductive Bible Study of the book of 1 John... I sit in class listening to my teachers lecture (I really do still listen, I listen better if I'm writing or something, otherwise my thoughts just wander... I seriously doubt that makes sense to you, but oh well) and have my printouts of 1 John and my box of pretty construction paper crayons and I colormark pretty much the whole time. It is so amazing to me how much you can glean from Scripture. There's always more there. I can't get enough of it. We had Bible Study tonight and it was good stuff. I was excited about sharing with them what God has been teaching me through studying the Word, and hearing from the other girls is always encouraging. Here's just a taste of some 1 John for you: "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is." ~1 John 3:2 How amazing is that verse? We are children of God, heirs of His Kingdom, and we are continually being shaped to be more like Him... we won't fully know Him and be fully changed by His glory until we are face to face with Him... we don't even know what we will be like, because we will never fully know God until then! Something that I thought was awesome is that throughout 1 John there is repeatedly the two words "He is"... and it just triggered for me that when Moses asked God who he should tell the people gave him his assignment, "God said to Moses, "I am who I am . This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' "" (Exodus 3:14)He is! There are so many attributes of God, and we will never know all of Him in this life, but how awesome, He is. God, You are. I praise I AM. One thing that God has been reassuring me of this week is that love is patient. There are so many people that I love that I want to see certain things happen for them in their lives now. I want to see Christ's power displayed through them, I want to see God deliver them from pain, I want them to turn back to their First Love... God is teaching me to wait on Him. To trust that His timing is perfect. To be patient with Him, to be patient with others. I love you. By the grace of God, my love for you is patient. I will trust and wait on the Lord for you, with you. Ok, I think that's enough from me today... I really should be writing a 6 page paper that is due tomorrow... I'll get to it ;o) . I pray blessings on all of you! Let me know what you're thinking! *smile*

Oh, and check me and Alisha out from when we went to the movies last weekend, aren't we cute? Hehehe....Oh one more thing, the fact that it was like 34 degrees here last week was not ok... Winter Weather at the end of March... not my preference to say the least... but it did give cause to wear my new Baylor hoodie and steal Chris' hat because he didn't match anyway ;o)

Global Night Commute

2006-03-25T19:20:00.000-06:00

Hey guys, I want to challenge you all to participate in something that I believe has the potential to have a profound impact on the unjust suffering in our world. I don't know how much you all know about the situation in Sudan and Uganda, but trust me when I say we live in a sheltered country. We're so concerned that all of those close to us are safe and healthy, and we back away from risks that often I believe the Lord is calling us to take. Christ never promised that following Him would be safe. We created that idea. I plead with you to check out invisiblechildren.com, read about the suffering, pray about participating in the Global Night Commute on April 29th, pray about what it is that God is calling you to do in this situation. Tallahassee people, there aren't very many signed up for GNC in your area. Pray about being a part. If you have questions for me, I'll answer what I can. The site explains most things much better than I can. So check it out.
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." ~James 1:27

Here ya go

2006-03-23T18:31:00.000-06:00

For those of you upset me with for not posting any pics of my smile minus the braces... here ya go:

I pray you are all enjoying the end of March... Spring Break was all too short for me and it was back to the grindstone nearly the minute I stepped into my dorm here at Baylor... I just pray that God will be glorified even in the busyness. I'm here for you all if you need me. Lots of love!!

Check it out:

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

~1 John 4:12~

P.S. I love Mabel. She's also an amazing photographer ;o)

It's been more than a while....

2006-03-15T20:18:00.000-06:00

I know I haven't posted in a really long time... my life has been crazy lately and when it finally slowed down I just decided to enjoy the rest... my Spring Break has been great so far. My daddy, brother, and sweetheart of a boyfriend came all the way to Texas to bring me home and kidnap my nephew while they were at it ;o). The week leading up to Spring Break was a terror. Tons and tons of stuff, but I made it, praise the Lord. Mabel and I had our first serious confrontation session with each other... I knew it would come one day. Praise Jesus that we can challenge each other to lay down our sinful attitudes and take up our cross and follow the Lord. I don't ever want to take the blessings of my friends for granted. Mabel, I love you and cherish you and am so blessed to have you in my life. Thank you for being honest with me and challenging me to be a better friend and better roommate. I'm sorry for the ways I've hurt you. Thank you for loving me and sharpening me.
Since I've been home what's been going on.... Saturday my Mom and I took Camron to get his haircut, then Janelle, Mr. Robbin, Kenley, and I got together to practice our song for Sunday just a bit, then later we went to Janelle's concert... Bravisimo my dear!! It was awesome. I really enjoyed the music and was just inspired that Christ has blessed so many people with so many different talents and gifts to worship Him with. Keep on praising your Savior through the way He's made you, Janelle... you ROC chicka.
Sunday, we got to church at "8" (since we were actually a bit late) to practice our song again... I had a lot of fun worshipping with you guys :o) .... Sunday School was fun, Romans is good stuff... then, lunch with the fam, and to AMC to see Madea's Family Reunion... funny movie. Then, youth and then Applebee's to hang out with some of my favorite people ~ Lerah, Kyle, Ian, Erin, Paul, Ethan, Erica, and Alicia... then to Wal-Mart with Lerah and to my house to watch a movie!! Oh yes, another highlight of Sunday would be tracing David W and cutting out a cardboard child and dressing it for Lerah's biology class... fun, fun... I love you, Lerah :o)
Monday, I took Camron to get his picture made (yes, J and J, I said picture made just for you 2) which was, well, interesting. He was kinda having mood swings that morning... then I went to the orthodontist and I finally got my braces off!!!! YAY!!! I'll post you pics later, so unless you've already seen me or will see me at church tonight, you're just gonna have to wait a lil while longer... sorry... anyways, then my Mom, Cam, and I went to Chik-fil-A and then home and then James came over to see my pretty teeth and hang out, made dinner for my fam and then left to go see Ballet Magnificat... good stuff. I love the story of Ruth and to see it played out in dance is exciting. I miss ballet sometimes, but it was so encouraging to watch people who are so dedicated to not only becoming amazing dancers, but giving God all the glory for it. I had fun hanging out with Janelle and getting to talk to her some... wow, God's really been using you to bless me, girl. Thanks!
Tuesday... Kenley turned 24. Good gracious, you're old, kid. Hahaha, that was an oxymoron. Anyways, I "took" him to lunch at Broken Egg and then we went house-idea shopping at Target and then went to visit Joey at Publix. I miss my brother so much when I'm at school, and it was good to hang out with him just the 2 of us, it's hard to get to do that anymore with both of us being so busy and, ya know, so popular (riiiight ;o) ). Thank you for being such an encouragement in my life, Kenley. I never could have asked for a more amazing brother or close friend. You have inspired me in more ways than you will ever know and I count every moment I spend with you as a blessing from our Lord. Thank you for seeking after Him and allowing Him to use you in my life and so many others. After all that, Kenley had to show his house, so James and I went to Old Bainbridge Park and hung out for a while... good times. I enjoy all the time I spend with you, darling... thanks for being you. Then, to church to eat dinner with the family then to my house to watch a movie... actually, the same one I watched with Lerah, but I like that movie so it's all good. Except that my brothers and my father loooove to ruin chick flicks and make obnoxious comments and do cheesy imitations... sheesh, how did I make it growing up with all you guys ;o) ?
Today, I hung out with Cam in the morning and then we took him to Chuck E Cheese's.... that was fun. I think I heard him say "Chuck E Cheese" at least a thousand times in the car on the way there... he was really excited. He loved to play Skee Ball but the thing is he couldn't roll the ball hard enough to get all the way to the score rings so we'd have to help him roll it the rest of the way... he had a blast, that's what counts. We went to buy him new shoes afterwards which turned out to be quite an episode because he knew which ones he wanted and they weren't the ones my mom wanted to get, but she gave in, they were second choice anyway... he's growing up so fast, he was so cute making me put my foot in the size-finder thing and moving the measurer up and down. You'd never guess that getting "new socks and shoes" could be such an adventure. So soon it will be time to get Cam up from his nap and get ready to go to church... yay, I'm excited. God has been reminding me a lot lately how good it is to fellowship with other believers. We can't make it without one another, and there have been times recently that I've realized that more acutely than ever. So, to close this loooong make-up post out, I'm gonna post a song... it's for all of my friends and family who have been there through the years that I couldn't have made it this far without... and it's especially for you, Mabelina.

I need you
you need me
We're all a part of God's body
Stand with me
Agree with me
We're all a part of God's body

It is His will
that every need be supplied
you are important to me
I need you to survive

I'll pray for you
you pray for me
I love you
I need you to survive
I won't harm you with words from my mouth
I love you I need you to survive

It is His will that every need be supplied
You are important to me
I need you to survive

"I need you to survive" by Kirk Franklin

Road Trip

2006-02-27T18:17:00.000-06:00

So, Friday I headed up to Kris and Christina's house and Kris, Camron, and I set out to go up to Dumas to my grandparents' house. I had a blast. We got there Friday night at about 9 and Pa Berkley immediately bustled Camron into the toy room to show him the four wheeler they have for the little kids... we had to put it away when Avery came over the next day, cause it just wasn't worth dealing with the competition over the "bike". Aunt Saunie, Uncle Blake and Aunt Kathy, Avery, Sydne, Dallas and Heather, and Brock all came over on Saturday and we had some seriously good food and played a few games and just hung out and enjoyed being together. I love my family and always enjoy spending time with them. Camron is growing up so much and he calls me "Tamma" now... basicly, Tamara, without the "r" in there... it's adorable. Oh, and for all of you who are interested, the twins now have names.... they are:

Sarah Marie
&
Rachel Elise

I'm so excited that one of the girls is going to share my middle name :o) Marie is a family name for the first-born girl in Christina's family and then Elise is my middle name after my Aunt Lisa. Something I think is really cool is that both Sarah and Rachel in the Bible are evidence of God working through the seemingly impossible, as both of these women were barren before they conceived children. God kept His covenant with Abraham through giving him a son through Sarah... God keeps His promises, even when we may not see it as possible. Praise the Lord! So, that's the newest on the twins... I can't wait for them to get here :o)
It looks like it is going to be a crazy two weeks leading up to my Spring Break... lots of tests, projects, papers, etc. etc. But, only two weeks.... only two weeks... I pray that you are all having a wonderful end of February. Let me know of anything that I can be in prayer about. I love you all :o)
"Yes, dear friends, we are already God's children, and we can't even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns. But we do know that when he comes we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. 3And all who believe this will keep themselves pure, just as Christ is pure." ~1 John 3:2

Avery and Camron with the four wheeler...

Avery and Pa Berkley... how sweet

Brock, Heather, Camron and the puppy....Brock got a new puppy and Camron of course couldn't get close enough to it...

He is pretty cute, you gotta admit...

Hahaha... Kris bought Camron a lollipop on the way home and by the time he was done with it he had practically turned himself into a lollipop.... sticky from head to toe... it was hilarious

Love you all!!

Fingers and Toes

2006-02-22T07:30:00.000-06:00

Yah, so it's 3:23 am Central time... that's 4:24 for all you Eastern time-zoners... I just finished my Spanish paper that's due tomorrow and I still need to read a story for class before I go to sleep... this week is proving already to be crazy. I have two tests on Thursday and I was supposed to have a project due that day as well, but my prof postponed it, "praise the Lord!". I have my Spanish paper due tomorrow, a paper topic for Great Texts due Friday... plus, I have a few mid-terms next week. Yikes. If everything works out I'm going to see some of my extended family with my bro and his fam this weekend. I'm excited about that :o) Gotta take advantage of being in the same state as my family for a change... hasn't been that way most of my life. Anyways... I spent Friday night through Monday evening at home and it was sooo refreshing. I love how when I'm at home it's almost as if I never left, nothing is awkward or uncomfortable, it's still home. James Morrow and I are now officially dating or courting or whatever term you would like to give it for all of those concerned with that ;o) That's definitely a big thing for me... for those of you who don't know, I've had a lot of strong convictions about dating for a long time. I wish that I could accurately communicate all that God has taught me through the years, but let me assure you, I'm definitely not one to enter into a relationship like this casually. As we have both prayerfully considered this we are choosing to move forward in our relationship and praying that as we both walk towards Christ we will talk towards each other. It's pretty awesome to be in a relationship that has Jesus as the focus. Keep us in your prayers, please, cause I know the enemy has every desire to dig his claws into genuine fellowship between God's children... praise the Lord that His light pierces the darkness!
"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:5-7 The weekend was a lot of fun, hanging out with friends playing some intense Nerts and taking crazy flying pics, going to a beautiful wedding, having deep, meaningful conversation with two of my favorite guys in the world (that would be Kenley and James, I love you both! :o) ), getting lots of hugs from my Mommy and Daddy, sitting and talking with my amazing grandmother in her kitchen, etc. etc. My mom and I went and got manicures and pedicures on Monday... good stuff, I'd never gotten either done before aside from the may-as-well-be-professional services of my beloved Diane Ashburn :o) It was fun to be pampered... tho I definitely messed up my fingernails before I had even left the salon... figures. You can check the pics... So when I came back last night Mabel had cleaned the room and stuff... made me very happy. :o) She's the best, what can I say ;o) She's definitely sitting at her computer laughing hysterically right now... you would think she's a lunatic... oh, oh, the joy you bring to my life, my dear :o) She and I took some pics with the huge bear James gave me.. She's good at getting me distracted when I'm supposed to be doing homework...
OK, I really should get some sleep before I have to be in class in less than 5 hours... enjoy the few pics. Love you all and am praying for you faithfully. Let me know what's going on in your lives!!

Alright, I'm not sure if these pics are gonna post right, but I'm not gonna stay up to fix em right now... love you all :o)

Happy Valentine's Day :o)

2006-02-15T02:37:00.000-06:00

1 John 3:13 "Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action." I have been blessed to have so many friends that have shown me love that is more than just words out of their mouth. Their love rings true based on the way they live their lives. I pray that I will grow to know Love more and more, because Christ is Love, and He is all that is worth seeking after. I love you all and have you in my prayers. Thanks to all of you who made my Valentine's Day so special :o)

Lasting Learning

2006-02-12T03:49:00.000-06:00

God continues to teach me so much. There's always more to learn. I love that I can never reach an end to Him, there is always more. He is so great that I will never be able to know Him in all His fullness until the day of Christ Jesus. How amazing. I know that this often frustrates people, but over time I've realized that it is part of the mystery and wonder of God that we should celebrate. I wish I could share with you all that God's teaching me, but I think that would require you living my life, so I guess I will try and share a little that I feel may challenge you. I finished reading Kyle Lake's book "Understanding God's Will: How to hack the equation without formulas" today. It's a great book, and I would encourage you to read it for yourself. It sort of confirmed and reaffirmed things that I had been learning from God more recently, a fresh view of God's will that isn't some huge puzzle for us to try and figure out through some complicated strategy. In the book, Kyle shared a prayer by Thomas Merton, a 20th century monk and poet. It really struck me, so I thought I'd share. Maybe it will minister to you in some way too... You are all in my prayers!

My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.

I do not see the road ahead of me
Nor do I really know myself,
And the fact that I think I am following Your will
Does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I belieive that the desire to please You
Does in fact please You.

And I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this,
You will elad me by the right road
Though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore I will trust You always,
Though I may seem to be lost in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for You are ever with me,
And You will never leave me to face my struggles alone.

~Thomas Merton, 1915-1968

I love Mabel, yes I do

2006-02-12T03:47:00.000-06:00

So tonight was Creative Date night with Campus Crusade. A guy's Bible study group "asked out" our girl's group and the guys planned the night out. The plan was to go to dinner and then hit up a Korean Karaoke Bar... Marian, Mabel, and I decided we'd probably just go to dinner because we needed to be productive tonight (though I don't think our productive plan really worked out). Turns up the karaoke bar is about an hour away, so I'm glad we didn't go, because we probably wouldn't even be back yet. Anyways... dinner was fun. We actually had two guys groups and two girls groups go together. The guys treated us to Baris, a fun pizza place. We had a good time. It's cool to hang out with people in a relaxed atmosphere, knowing that everyone is there because they are involved in the pursuit of Christ through a Campus Crusade Bible study. Good times, good times. Mabel and I then had a typical photo shoot as we try and do whenever we actually have made an attempt to look nice. So, enjoy the pics :o)

Marian and Mabel, aww...

Again, again :o)

Me and Tabitha

Marian, Mabel, and Me (ooo... so many M's... hahahaha)

Mabel helped me do eyeliner for the first time, pretty cool stuff...

Eyes are so cool

Aren't we cute? Hahaha... you wouldn't believe how many attempts it takes to get cute pics of us... seriously, it's quite an ordeal, but, we usually get a lot of laughs out of it, so it's all good...

Awww....

My roomie loves me... *blush*

*Muah*

I love you, Mabel Tabeetha Macaden, and I wouldn't trade you for the world...

This is pretty much my new favorite picture... we were truly meant for each other, eh, Mabe? *wink wink*

Love and laughter

2006-02-04T01:36:00.000-06:00

Alright, today has been a day of quotes... so let me share some... first, some funny moments from the world of Tamara, Mabel, and Alisha... then some sweet, sappy quotes from The Wedding Date, which Mabel and I watched this afternoon...

"I'm sort of having a two-pronged thought here" ~Adam (we might have to start having a quote for every class time we have with Adam, huh ladies?)

"Not all relationships begin in Great Texts." ~Me

"You guys are gonna have to not run me into the wet bushes." ~Alisha

"I don't like her. She's arrogant... and she's balding!" ~Mabel

"The hardest thing is loving someone and then having the courage to let them love you back."

"I'd rather fight with you than make love with anyone else."

"I think I'd miss you even if we'd never met."

~Nick Mercer, The Wedding Date, played by Dermot Mulroney

This week has been interesting. I lost my keys... which proved for some funny moments... you guys better believe you are special if I'm willing to post pictures of dumpster diving for you. Sheesh, I must really love ya'll. Yes, we went dumpster diving looking for my keys, and we still didn't find them. So yah, we were stuck on campus for a few days. But, it's not really a big deal to be stuck on campus, at least not during the week. I now have new keys because of my ever so wonderful parents sending them to me... thanks for understanding, Mommy and Daddy. I love you guys. I had my first tests of the semester this week... what fun. The week was loooong, but it's finally the weekend, praise the Lord, and by His grace I made it without any severe bruises or scars, really without even minor ones! Alright... here's some pics from the week for you all to enjoy...

The end of the weekend and the beginning of the week are all a blur...

Yah, Mabel likes to take pictures of me when I'm trying to be productive... You're such a distraction, Mabe! Hehe, you know I love you.

Ok, I'm surveying the situation...

I can't believe I'm doing this...

In the dumpster...

Look at all that trash!!

It amazes me that we can even have fun in the dumpster.... hahahahaha

Studying, and laughing.... good times...

The way I look before the girls make me crack up ;)

Have a great weekend everyone! You're in my prayers!!

Heroes

2006-01-29T22:51:00.000-06:00

Today has been a really good day so far... and it's only 4:21 pm. Amazing. Mabel went with me to Highland this morning for the service. It was Missions Emphasis Weekend. I was challenged that I have not gotten enough involved in the mission field here and I need to stop saying I'm going to and just do it. The director of Mission Waco spoke as well as another missionary. I loved what the pastor said about how so many of us have accepted abnormal Christianity as normal for so long that when we hear normal Christians speak about following Christ in the middle of what may seem crazy, we think they are abnormal Christians. No, they are naturally responding to the call that Christ has given us. One of the speakers said that many people say there is a fine line between faith and stupid, and he is sure they've crossed "that line" on more than one occasions. "Compassion is not about feeling sorry for people. It's about getting up out of your place of safety and security and entering into the pain." Do we really allow the compassion of Christ to be extended to our world through us?
Instead of going to the college Sunday school today Mabel and I came back to the room and watched Louie Giglio's preaching from Passion '05. I had been telling her since the beginning of school that I wanted her to watch it... and well, God just kinda brought the idea to my mind during the service this morning. So, yah, that was fun. I was even more encouraged that I don't have to live the Christian life, but Christ can live it through me. "There's only been one person who ever pulled off living the Christian life. And He was so good at it--they named it after Him!" Amen to that. Everyone should listen to that preaching in my opinion, because Christ is so empowering, and Louie does an excellent job of bringing out the truth and refuting the lies that we have allowed the deceiver to make us believe. There is nothing better than Jesus.
This afternoon we went to the Campus Crusade for Christ Women's Tea. It was fun. We played "Speed Friends" (like speed dating, cept it's all girls and we're just friends). In order to get to know people on more than just the superficial level of "where are you from? what's your major" ya da ya da, we talked about who our heroes are. When she told us to talk about who our heroes are the first person that came to my mind was... my Mom.... Mommy, you are my hero. Thank you for showing me what it means to love God and to love people, to give of yourself, to laugh, to cry, to embrace the simple joys that God blesses us with, to grow deeper and stronger, to have faith that is completely merited because we serve an amazing Father who is more powerful than anything we could ever imagine. Mom, Christ's light is amazing in you, and I would never trade you for the world. Thank you for loving me and for being my mommy, for being my best friend. I love you soo much.... I have really missed my mom recently, and it was so awesome to be able to share with others how much she means to me and why she is my hero. It was great to learn about other's heroes too and to get to know more people and just be encouraged through women who love Jesus.
This post is becoming super loooong, and so far it's only been about today! But, no one said you had to read this, so I guess if you have gotten this far you have wanted to read :o) I think I am gonna post a ton of pictures after I write some more... let's see if I can make a record long post.
Oooo, I've been meaning to share this with you all because I think it is more than awesome. I'm reading a book about God's Will by Kyle Lake, the pastor of University Baptist Church that passed away in a tragic accident a few months ago. Well, in it, he talks about how basically all analogies that we try to apply to God fall short, and that's the point! God cannot be defined through something earthly, it just isn't impossible. Yes, He is Father. But He is also Almighty. He is also Holy. He is also Friend. He is also Avenger. He is also Sacrifice. He is soooo much more. God cannot be defined through one analogy because He is more than we can describe. Hopefully I am provoking some sort of thought from you about that, because I think it is incredible. I mean, we say we don't want to put God in a box, but then we try and describe Him in terms that we can comprehend... He's beyond comprehension! But, we get to discover more and more of Him by His grace throughout each journey of our lives. Incredible. That's pretty much all I can say.
Being that this post has turned into a three hour long ordeal and still hasn't been published (I've left it quite a few times and returned to write more), there have been even more awesome things to add to my day. I talked to a good friend from way back when-- Joey :o) That was happy. It was really good to catch up with him a bit. I went to dinner with Alisha and Mabel... and oh my goodness, have I mentioned that the weather was beautiful today? That made me sooo happy, because it has been cold and gray and soggy all week. Today, beautiful blue sky, warmer with a cool breeze.... gorgeous. To top off the amazing weather, as we were leaving for dinner, the sunset sky was brilliant. You can check out the pics. It got better and better. I love the sky because it reminds me that my God is truly a God of wonders.
Then, the sort of spooky moment of the day... over in the restaurant cluster that we went to for dinner, there are birds..... everywhere. Everywhere is an understatement. We're talking trees covered in them, telephone lines teeming with them, they swarm from roof top to roof top, weird. But, I think of how God knows when every sparrow falls... and He knows every detail, every intimate detail that we may not even know about ourselves.... He knows.
So, now to end the day, I have to study Spanish because I have my first test tomorrow... but God has encouraged me so much through today that I'm even a little bit excited about studying Spanish... scary.
Wow, today has been a good day. At the very beginning, meaning midnight, I was missing home but enjoying talking to two of my favorite people--James and Mabel... I have some hilarious stories from that... oh my goodness. Being challenged by the way people allow Christ to live through them is such an amazing thing. Thank you Jesus for showing Your power through those who choose You. Alright, that reminds me of something else I wanted to say to all of you... gracious, I doubt anyone is even still reading this, but oh well, maybe one day you will. I've recently been convicted of how I have allowed Satan to rule my words in a way that burdens people with the mistakes they've made in the past. I've allowed the deceiver to use my words to bring shame to the hearts of many I love, and it breaks my heart that I have been involved in that. You are free from the guilt and the shame of your past. It has been buried with Christ. I'm so sorry if I have ever tried to dig it up and shove it in your face. It breaks my heart that I may have ever hurt you, any of you. I love you and I pray you will see Christ's unfailing forgiveness through me. He is able.
OK, if you aren't screaming at me to shut up by now I'm honored... God is doing a lot in my life, can you tell? Pray for me. I'm praying for you, and if there is anything that I can pray for you about more specifically, please let me know. "God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus" ~Philippians 1:8 I love you.... Enjoy the pictures :o)

Righteousness through Faith

2006-01-24T00:32:00.000-06:00

"It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless, because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression. Therefore the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring--not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all." -Romans 4:13-16
We are justified through faith. Just-as-if-I'd-never-sinned... Christ's blood isn't for you to use to scrub off all your sins and clean yourself up... Christ's blood purges your stains the moment you turn to Him and accept that His sacrifice is a gift for you. You are blameless because you are covered in the blood of the Lamb. You know, it is so hard for us to accept that Christ's love is unconditional, and that His grace is enough to cleanse us from all our sin. No matter how many times we're told, we still think that we have to do something to earn His love. "So many in the Christian community are exhausted from trying to earn something that is FREE." Let me say that again: "So many in the Christian community are exhausted from trying to earn something that is FREE." Rest. Christ has already done the work.
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into His grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." -Romans 5:1-2
Rejoice in your salvation. Rest in the peace that you have been granted through the sacrifice of your Savior. Celebrate access to His grace. Embrace the hope of the glory of God.

Quote of the day: "Red Vines and Cupcakes: They're Crazy Delicious"

2006-01-23T05:04:00.000-06:00

I was sitting and thinking about squirrels after James' request that I make a post about a squirrel the other day and pondering why I had not seen the usual squirrels on campus. I don't know where the thought came from but I looked at Mabel and said "Do squirrels go into hibernation?" I mean, I didn't think they did really, but I couldn't figure out where they would have gone since we've been back from Christmas break. So Mabel and I being the nerdy honors students that we are decided to look it up. We discovered that squirrels are active year long but do stay in their homes in trees and such if it is exceptionally cold/wet, which explains why we haven't seen them since we've been back. Well, then, yesterday afternoon (well, Saturday afternoon since it is technically Monday morning right now), we encountered a campus squirrel. He was avidly searching for some nut he had buried in the location, and he was making these really freaky clicking noises and glaring at us as I was taking pictures of him with my phone (and dying laughing might I add), all the while being a little freaked out by the noises he was making. Anyways, so there you have it, a post about squirrels... we actually have a lot of squirrel stories at Baylor.... my friend Chris even wrote a paper about them! I think my favorite story though is this one: Some bright Baylor boys captured a squirrel and attempted to keep him as a pet. However, after only including Blueberry Muffins and Cinnamon Toast Crunch in the squirrel's diet, the squirrel's health began to decline. In a panic, the students called 911 to try and get help for the squirrel. The operator was highly upset with them for calling about something that was not an emergency and in irritation gave them the number for a veterinarian. When they had the squirrel checked out, the students were told that they should only feed squirrels nuts and berries... the students ended up setting the squirrel free, but then later recaptured the same squirrel, and that is all I know. Crazy College people!! I will make a more legitimate post in the near future, but hopefully this one will have at least made you laugh and shake your head at the crazy things that I think up. Hope you are having an amazing day :) "Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. " ~Psalm 33:8~ Even squirrels were made to fear the LORD!

Week of Wonders...

2006-01-16T19:31:00.000-06:00

So, I've been back a week, and today's a holiday... yippee :) It's been a busy week. So, here are some pics to catch you up...
First, the Lady Bears basketball game against OSU on Wednesday, the ladies of course kicked butt! Those are the games that I like to go to...

Yah, cheer em on girls

Go Bears go!

That's my child in 10 years ;o)

This weekend Mabel and I decided to go to Dallas since we had an extra day. The trip there was obnoxious because we got stuck in traffic for a long time... but we had fun

My radio was not working and the plan was to fix it while we were in Dallas... so, we wouldn't have music on the way there. So, we rigged up a ghetto system so we could have some tunes... though it wasn't even close to being as loud as we like it. We had some great conversation, though... so I think God had a plan in blowing the radio, eh? Oh, and yes, I did fix the radio while we were there... very proud :o)

Yah, now that's more like what I look like every day... hahahahahaha... hair pulled up somewhat, sweatshirt, eating chocolate, and driving... oh yes ;o)

Mabel painted her nails on the way there... she didn't quite finish her toes... hehehe

Friday night we babysat Camron so Kris and Christina could go out. He loves Mabel of course and so was dragging both of us around and having a blast. He calls her Be-bel... it's so cute. I'm so blessed to have been able to spend time with my precious nephew since I've been in Texas. My passion for children continues to grow and being a part of his life in a more significant way has encouraged me to continue seeking to love kids with Christ's unconditional love and show them that He created them for an amazing purpose. It's amazing what God can use to teach you things.
Saturday we went to an Indian basketball tournament that Mabel knew a bunch of people at... we went and hung out at their hotel in between their games and showed off our Catch Phrase skills and other stuff... we learned a new game called Watermelon... fun times.

In front of the beautiful cascading water wall with my gorgeous roomie

Dane doesn't want to be left out...

We went to dinner with Mabel's good friend Justin, talked forever, went to a movie, and then went back to catch some shut eye before getting up for church on Sunday... church was good. The pastor talked about God's will. I really liked what he had to say. He talked about a general will and specific will and how when we are focused on being in God's general will God reveals to us more about what His specific will for our individual lives is... I can definitely see that to be true in my life. I don't know if I'm accurately describing the essence of the message, but ask me questions if you want to know more.
Alright, now I know this post has been long, and I'm impressed if you made it all the way through. God continues to teach me so much with me being here so far away from home. I miss all of you in Tally-town and have you in my prayers. Please keep me in your prayers that I will grow more and more in love with my Savior every day and that He will be glorified in every aspect of my life. I hope you all had an amazing weekend! I know I still haven't posted pics from being home... I posted them on Facebook for all of you college peeps who are interested... there are so many, so I will try and pick some and post them before too long. Love ya :o)

*Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."* -Philippians 1:6

Tuesday is a really fun word....

2006-01-10T19:56:00.000-06:00

Less than an hour ago I got to talk to Lori... on the phone... how amazing, is that? I was almost convinced that it was impossible for me to get through to her... but, alas, I succeeded! YAY! That was exciting. It's so weird to think that it is even possible to talk on the phone to someone on the other side of the world. Technology is helpful sometimes. I got to talk to Lori (I'm telling you, I'm excited)! Oh, and for the record, I LOVE MABEL MACADEN SOOOO MUCH!!! (You better at least smile at that, chick). Yes, I do. I have missed my roomie and it is good to see her. Time doesn't wait for me to catch up, unfortunately, and classes are starting at full speed it seems. I'm working on buying textbooks at the moment. How exciting. I need to post all of my books for sale so that I can get some money back for them.... blah, blah. All this is so dull compared to having been able to talk to Lori!! That totally made my day. I love you, Lori Amber.

Oh, here's my verse for the day from my quiet time:
Romans 1:8- "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world." Can you imagine your faith being so evident that it is being reported all over the world? I want Christ to be that noticeable in my life, I don't know about you. Lord, be glorified!

Do you ever feel you are drowning and you only have one foot in the water?

2006-01-09T15:17:00.000-06:00

Yah, this semester is scaring me already... and I've only been to two classes. Fortunately those two classes were the ones that I was prepared to be scared about... if that makes any sense at all. I know it's all in God's hands. In my quiet time this morning He really encouraged me that He's gonna take care of everything. My key verse for the day is Romans 1:6- "And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ." God was just gently reassuring me that I belong to Him and that He has a purpose for me, in this place and in my relationships and all that jazz. Thank you Jesus. The day holds much in store. The past two days have been really emotional for me... from choking back tears to being all smiles to being angry and hurt to being excited and nervous... yah, quite a rollercoaster. Thank you to those of you who listened to me whine and huff and helped me smile. I love you, and you know it! I'm moving forward prayerfully... I get to start guitar today *cheesy grin*, I'm going to work, Mabel and I are determined to get back in the habit of working out, I'm gonna get my car back~I miss my baby!, buying books and doing homework have got to be worked in somewhere... I have friends to catch up with... the semester has begun! Let me know how I can pray for you guys and know that He is holding you.
~Lots of love~

I'm stalling...

2006-01-06T20:59:00.000-06:00

I should be packing, but, I'm avoiding it for 16 more minutes, then it will be 6:00, I'll have an hour and a half before the Cables get here to prepare to leave this house, this town, this state... to return to my beloved university in a crazed town in the bigger than the rest state of Texas (well, bigger than all but Alaska). I'm not ready!! Leaving here doesn't get easier for me... I am truly blessed to have a home that I love so much, family that I cherish, friends that I treasure. I'm excited about what this semester will bring... I know God has big plans. This break has been incredible and God has reminded me that He is bigger than any distance, He is in control of every detail, and my life is in His hands... and no matter how hard I fall, His love is unchanging for me. No matter how many mistakes I make, His grace is sufficient for me... He's teaching me...
Jesus, You are more than I could ever dream of, more than I could ever hope for.
May Your glory be displayed in the life of Your servant, may this life be only an anthem of praise to my God.
Lord, clothe me in Your love in such a way that others are touched by its warmth. May those around me know that the almighty God of the cosmos loves them without condition and without obligation. I love you, my Jesus.

"But I need You to love me, and I
I won't keep my heart from You this time
And I'll stop this pretending that I can
Somehow deserve what I already have
I need You to love me"
~from Barlow Girl's "I Need You to Love Me"

Time to Pack

Happy 2006

2006-01-02T19:21:00.000-06:00

Honestly, sometimes I get frustrated with New Year's resolutions... it's like we try and muster up our strength and do better, as if we have the power to overcome our weaknesses by shear determination... like the little engine that could or something. The new year for me is a reminder that I can't do it on my own, no matter how hard I grit my teeth... Christ is responsible for anything pure and good that I do, and it is when I'm not living in surrender to Him that I fail... because without Him, it's impossible. I think most of us can testify that we only stick to our resolutions for a few weeks, maybe a few months, before we mess up and give up because we don't think we can do it anymore and we don't see the use anyway... I love to set goals and to prayerfully seek out what God wants me to pursue and then prayerfully allow Him to make those goals either reality or something that I no longer desire because He doesn't desire it... did that even make sense? I like to set goals for short periods and long periods... for example, in January I want to share Christ with a friend from school, get involved in the preschool/children's ministry at Highland, and research about US government more because I never took the course in school... long term goals, I want to work with Student Life for Kids or some other Christian kids organization the summer after my sophomore year, I want to finish my undergrad degree in 3 1/2 years or less, finish seminary/grad school in a year and half, either study abroad or go on a semester long mission trip after I finish school... I have lots of dreams, and then I make goals in order to make those dreams practical and part of reality rather than fantasy... I am totally rambling...

In other news, I had a great week with my family in Texas! I got to see most of my dad's family and my mom's family... what a blessing. My sister in law had an appointment on Friday and found out she's having... GIRLS :o) Yay!! We are all super excited. We had an early birthday party for Camron while we were there, it's hard to believe he'll be 2 on Saturday. He brings so much joy into my life... screaming "Tay-Tay" through the house and running full speed to find me, take my hand and command me to "walk" with him to whatever it is that he wants me to join him in... he's absolutely adorable and I haven't found anyone who denies it. We watched an entire season of 24 over the week (well, two episodes we rented and watched last night after we got home)... good show, but sheesh, everybody dies... my mom's sister's family is addicted so they hooked us in, they're a few seasons ahead of us though... Kenley and I rented the last of Smallville that is available so we can finish that up before I leave too. My week is filling up fast, as I expected... but it will be fun. It's weird to even think of going back to school. Hopefully next semester will fly like this one did. Alright, enough from me... eventually I'll put some pics up from the trip and my visit home... but that may just have to wait until I get back to Waco... love you all!

Merry Christmas

2005-12-25T03:14:00.000-06:00

I cannot believe it is Christmas... where did the time go? In a week it will be 2006... wow. I am amazed at the Christmas story... Christmas: the worship of Christ. Christ is worthy of worship, and it was recognized as soon as He entered this world... I mean, angels filling the sky singing Glory to God in the Highest, "a huge angelic choir singing God's praises" (Luke 2:13)... Christ came to earth, it's a big deal. What's more, He came in the form of a human, a baby... I can't get over it. Jesus, You are all that is worthy of my adoration and my praise. You are above all, and yet You chose to humble Yourself because Your love for me is beyond what I can understand. Jesus came to earth for you... He came, He lived, He died, He conquered the grave and paid the price for sin.... for you. Don't miss the message of Christmas: worship of Christ.
I'm leaving after the church Christmas service to go back to Texas with my family to visit the rest of my family, but I will return to Tally at New Year's so hopefully I will be able to spend more time with those of you here. I pray you all have a blessed Christmas and that He takes your breath away with who He is... because believe me, He is far beyond your wildest dream.

Wow....

2005-12-17T16:38:00.000-06:00

So, I've been home since Tuesday night... like practically at the stroke of Wednesday... haha... I amuse myself. Alisha and I had a very interesting road trip here (I drove the whole way, I'm proud).... but I think only the two of us will ever understand how entertaining those moments were. Anyway... I've been busy ever since. Working at Kenley's... a lot. Church. Orchestra. Working at my mom's school. Camp Charis Christmas. It's weird, because I feel like I haven't really seen that many people. But, I have seen some of my favorite people in the world, so I'm not complaining. I'm enjoying being home... with my amazing family and my incredible friends. I hate not having a car. It makes everything so much more complicated than it should have to be. But, that's ok. Well, I practically just walked in the door... but I've got to go. I'm going to babysit now... yay :) I get to go see Narnia tomorrow... extra yay.... I'm at home... biggest yay of all time :) I love you all!

Let the adventure begin...

2005-12-11T14:29:00.000-06:00

I finally finished Captivating last night... good book, let me tell you. I am now reading Understanding God's Will by Kyle Lake. I am excited about reading again. It's something that got shoved to the backburner for the majority of the semester, and it's high time that changed. I've been spending a lot of time in prayer and reading God's word lately, and it is so good. This semester has been rocky in a lot of ways, but I know that God has used it to show me my incessant need for Him to be the One that is in control of my life, rather than myself. I'm totally inadequate for the job. But He surely isn't. I'm excited about next semester, next year, 5 years from now, because I can't wait to discover more of who God is and more of what He has for me. I cannot even begin to describe to You how excited I am.
Only 27 hours (or less if we're lucky) until Alisha's and my roadtrip to the Sunshine State begins. Yay!! I can't wait to be home. And getting to be home for multiple weeks?!? Talk about a luxury. Wow, my heart beats faster just at the thought. I am not looking forward to packing, however. How do you pack for like a month without bringing too much or too little? That is more than overwhelming to me... oh well, I'll figure it out. I wish I could pack Mabel, too. I don't know what I'm gonna do without her for so long... I miss her when I haven't seen her for just a day! But, there again, I miss my family and friends from home all the time, and I still make it. Praise the Lord, He isn't limited to one location at a time.
So, I'm taking bids on who wants to take me to go see Chronicles of Narnia ;)... I've been waiting for it since I saw the previews this summer! So yah, I want to go see it this week if I can. There are a lot of other things I want to do while I'm home, too bad I won't have my car. Poor Belle... stuck at Baylor all by herself for so long. I will miss her. Ok, I am going to make lunch, study,eat, study, read, study,.... etc... etc... Oh, and by the way, any of you who have Cingular that are bored pretty much any time on Tuesday, feel free to call and talk to me and Alisha while we driiiiive.... I love you all, am praying for you, and can't wait to see you!!!

Heart, soul, and mind

2005-12-09T21:13:00.000-06:00

Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence."
~Matthew 22:37 (The Message) ~

Finally Finals...

2005-12-05T13:47:00.000-06:00

I am done with classes... now all I have to tackle is finals! Ha, that is a little daunting I must say... I'm kinda scared, but only for a few classes. I wish I could just skip finals and go home. Oh well, such is life. Tomorrow and Wednesday are dead days then Thursday I have a final from 4:30-6:30 and have to work from 7-11 and Friday I have two finals, one from 2:15-4:15 and one from 4:30-6:30 and work from 7-9... then I have a final on Saturday from 9-11 and a final on Monday from 9-11 and I'm done! YUCK!! I got a "survival kit" for finals from my family today... I love you, Mommy (and the rest of you who get credit probably without even knowing it ;-) ). I think it is pretty much hilarious that the only thing they think we need to survive finals is a ton of junk food. But, I'm not gonna complain. This weekend was interesting... Mabel went off and left me all by myself, it was kind of sad, but God definitely worked in my life through some time with just Him... Friday I had a test and a final and then I worked on my paper for my Lit class for several hours and went and talked to my professor about it. We had our first choir concert that night and then I came back and watched a movie and went to bed. Saturday, I spent a lot of time with Jesus. I read a lot more of Captivating... and am growing more and more obsessed with that book. I think something that God has majorly been showing me is that I have often mistaken what it means to guard my heart. Preoccupied with being hurt, often I don't open up enough to allow others to see the real me and experience the freedom of that. I'm not sure if that made any sense to anyone but me, but oh well. For those of you who have read the book, you probably know what I am talking about. Letting God reveal to me His plans and accepting that His ways are higher than my ways has also been a really cool thing for me recently. Like this weekend, I found out I didn't get the job I was hoping for, I didn't get the grade I wanted on a test I studied forever for, I had to miss a lot of the Christmas stuff at Baylor for my concerts.... just little disappointments that I realized there had kind of been a lot of, but I was okay... I had been praying that God would shape my attitude so that I would recognize that I don't know His plans and I don't have to fret when my plans don't work out, because His plans are better anyway, and well, He answers prayers. I know that He has a plan and it's better than anything I could ever come up with. I could go on forever about what God is teaching me... but as I said, it would take forever, but oooo... I'll leave you with this really cool song that we sang in Chapel like a month ago... go figure it's a Shane and Shane song (I didn't know that when we sang it)... I love it ... maybe it will encourage you somehow...

Holy design
This place in time
That I might seek and find my God

Lord, I want to yearn for You
I want to burn with passion over You
And only You
Lord, I want to yearn for you
I want to burn with passion over You
And only You
Lord, I want to yearn

Your joy is mine
Yet why am I fine
With all my singing and bringing grain
In light of Him

Lord, I want to yearn for You
I want to burn with passion over You
And only You
Lord, I want to yearn for you
I want to burn with passion over You
And only You
Lord, I want to yearn

Oh You give life and breath
In You we live and move
That's why I sing

Lord, I want to yearn for You
I want to burn with passion over You
And only You
Lord, I want to yearn for you
I want to burn with passion over You
And only You
Lord, I want to yearn

~"Yearn" by Shane and Shane

Target or studying? Did you even have to ask?

2005-12-01T02:21:00.000-06:00

You know, goofing off at the store is so much more fun than studying... but no worries, I'm getting my work done :)

Kristen is so adorable.... "I'm just saying"

Just in case you wanna give up your day jobs ladies, Santa has a few openings I believe...

Kristen tries to look solemn... she has a very difficult time

This is my new famous picture... like it? It's my "French model look"... whatever that means

Puppy Love

2005-11-30T15:48:00.000-06:00

I wanna puppy!!

Uhhh.... I'm here?

2005-11-29T04:45:00.000-06:00

Yes... I just got back to my dorm like less than half an hour ago... I am, in a word, exhausted. Christina told me I can have the traveler award for the year because I was the first to experience Camron throwing up all over me.... on the plane. Bless his heart. I felt so bad cause he was exhausted and sick and was trying so hard to be good. I love that child, can you tell? Pretty much, today was the most dramatic traveling day I have ever experienced... I should have been here like 4 hours ago. I may as well have driven back, it wouldn't have taken me much longer ;-) ! But anyway, the week doesn't look so promising... praise the Lord, two weeks and two days and I'll be back at home, in my bed, dreaming dreams that I never remember. But for now, I will work my little hiney (or maybe it isn't as little as it used to be...hahahaha...) off to finish out my first semester as a Baylor bear... but, at this very moment, I am going to change into super comfy pajamas, do all those typical nightly routines... and pray myself to sleep.

There's no place like home....

2005-11-21T17:49:00.000-06:00

Can we say, "true!"? There truly is no place like home. I cannot believe that I will be home in less than 48 hours, by the grace of God. I don't have too much to say except that I love you all in Tally (and surrounding area) and hope I get to see you while I'm at home... it looks like my family and I are gonna be away between thursday afternoon and saturday afternoon... but, we are going to Wild Adventures on Friday, so if anybody wants to get a group together and meet us there, call me! Cause I would love for any and all of you to come... My flight comes in at 1:35 Wednesday afternoon for all who want to know. If you wanna do something during the time I'm actually in town, feel free to call me... I love you all!

Mabel, you're my favorite

2005-11-16T22:38:00.000-06:00

Pretty much, my roomie is amazing, that's all there is to it. I love you, Mabel! Thanks for putting up with me and for making me smile even if you're having a bad day. You rock my world, chick. May you fall more and more in love with Him with each and every moment!

I have four minutes...

2005-11-15T22:00:00.000-06:00

I can only post quickly because I have got to get back to my homework A-Sap (haha, don't you hate it when people say that?). I just wanted to let you all know that you are in my prayers and that if there is anything that I can pray for you about... let me know! This week is ultra crazy for me, 3 tests, a paper, work, Turkey dinner with Cru, project due next Monday... then, Dallas on Tuesday, HOME on Wednesday! I'm completely psyched. You have no idea. So, just have to get through all of the craziness here in the next 7 days and then I will be able to come home and see all of my beloved people... I can't wait. I miss you guys so much.... But, the reason I wanted to post was to share this verse with you, so here goes:

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Psalm 90:14

Where are you seeking satisfaction? He is the only one who can satisfy you.

Weird habits??

2005-11-13T02:57:00.000-06:00

First off.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY LERAH ASHBURN!!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH CHICA!!!

Now...I got tagged..... by Shannon

Ground Rules: The 1st player of this "game" starts with the topic "5 weird habits of yourself" and people who get tagged need to write a xanga/blog entry about their 5 weird habits as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose the next 5 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says "You are tagged" in their xanga/blog and tell them to read yours.

1) I "stare" at people... but not really at them, more like through them... pretty much ask anybody from highschool or my roommate... or Nicole (who is from highschool so I guess that is redundant)
2) I pull out my phone and play around with it if I wanna avoid looking at people while I'm walking somewhere or something
3) Apparently I talk in my sleep, and supposedly open my eyes (but I don't think I'm really asleep then, my roomie is just paranoid)... I know that like the Stringer trademark is sleeping with your eyes (sometimes only one) not fully closed... so like you still can see part of the white of the eye.. this pretty much freaks people out (is any of this even a "habit"?)
4) I eat Fruit Snacks all the time... this is definitely since I came to Baylor... I practically inhale them... Welch's... yummy... gotta love em
5) I can spend forever in the deodorant aisle or the face products aisle... I smell every thing, I look at the ingredients (that sounds funny when you aren't talking about food), I look at the price... I love to smell stuff, I love the sense of smell... except when it's something gross...

I don't think my "habits" were that exciting... I don't really know what my weird habits are... observe them for yourself if you want, or feel free to let me know what they are... I don't really feel like tagging people... most of the people I would tag don't have xangas/blogs... blegh... sorry, I'm not continuing the game, but I "revealed" some weird habits for you, ok Shay Shay? I love you, chic...

Hmmm....

2005-11-09T17:44:00.000-06:00

Well, I don't really know what to talk about but I guess I'll just tell you a little bit about my week... since that is so interesting and all... well, Sunday was pretty cool (normally I constitute Monday as the beginning of the week, but I wanna talk about Sunday, so...). We were late to church, but we were still there for part of the music and all of the preaching. The pastor spoke on Grace to Accept the Things We Don't Understand... it was good. Then, came back and after going on a trip to pick up Trish I went to Steppin' Out with FCC by invitation of Kristen. Steppin' Out is a big biannual service project that Baylor does where each group has a different project in the community for the day... we painted a small motel. It was fun. I still had paint in my hair even after showering, but it's all good... Monday was pretty typical... the guy who spoke in chapel was really good... Yesterday. Last night I got to babysit which was super exciting. YAY! It's actually a weird connection with these people, we have family in common... I only met Elizabeth cause Tim was in class (he's in grad school). She's really sweet and their kids are absolutely adorable. I was really excited because I miss babysitting so much. It has been a big part of my life for a long time and I miss all the kids that I babysit at home. I miss my preschool choir kids and having them give me hugs and sit in my lap and fight over the drum and beg to do their favorite song... I miss kids. I miss my nephew too... I was kinda upset with myself for always being asleep or away when he was awake during Fall Break while I was there... I got to see him a little, but not as much as I wanted to... my own fault though. I get to bring him home with me again for Thanksgiving, so that is exciting. I like getting him to myself :) I love Camron, yes I do :) I'm counting down the days till I get to come home... I miss you guys soooo much right now. Hopefully I will get to see everybody when I'm home... but I'll be back like December 13th anyways... YAY!!! I'm so excited about Christmas break. This weekend my cousin and fam are coming for a Baylor preview type thing (for the extra- smart kids, you know I love you, Matt :) ) so I'm excited about that. Matt, you're my favorite cousin :) Hehehe... they were here last weekend for homecoming... so here's a pic of me and my cuz... love all of you soooo much!!

Some thoughts of mine...

2005-11-02T14:48:00.000-06:00

O God, you are my God,
I earnestly search for You.
My soul thirsts for You;
my whole body longs for You
in this parched and weary land where there is no water.

I have seen You in Your sanctuary
and gazed upon Your power and glory.
Your unfailing love is better to me than life
itself;
how I praise You!
I will honor You as long as I live,
lifting up my hands to You in prayer.
You satisfy me more than the richest of foods.
I will praise You with songs of joy.

I lie awake thinking of You,
meditating on you through the night.
I think how much You have helped me;
I sing for joy in the shadow of Your
protecting winds.
I follow close behind You;
Your strong right hand holds me securely.
But those plotting to destroy me will come to ruin.
They will go down into the depths of the
earth.
They will die by the sword
and become the food of jackals.

But the *princess* will rejoice in God.
All who trust in Him will praise Him,
while liars will be silenced.

~Tamara's slight personalization of Psalm 63~

Last night I was lying in bed awake... ready to sleep... but God had something different in mind for me for just a little while... He brought this song to my mind and I kept meditating on it, praying for God to always make this true in my life... I want to sing and praise God no matter what trials I may face, though I may not always understand why things happen the way they do in this world, I want to grasp that God is bigger than any disappointing circumstance that may come my way. He is good, and I trust Him...

Lord, you seem so far away, a million miles or more it feels today
And though I haven't lost my faith, I must confess right now, that it's hard for me to pray
But I don't know what to say, and I don't know where to start
But as You give the grace, with all that's in my heart

I will sing, I will praise
Even in my darkest hour, through the sorrow and the pain
I will sing, I will praise
Lift my hands to honor You, because Your word is true
I will sing

Lord, it's hard for me to see, all the thoughts and plans You have for me
But I will put my trust in You, knowing that You died to set me free
But I don't know what to say, and I don't where to start
But as You give the grace, with all that's in my heart

I will sing, I will praise
Even in my darkest hour, through the sorrow and the pain
I will sing, I will praise
Lift my hands to honor You, because Your word is true
I will sing

Then, today in chapel, they sang Hallelujah God is Near... how awesome is that... God, thank You that even when we don't feel You, Lord, You are near... nothing can separate us from our Father, PRAISE THE LORD!!

May our hearts be broken

2005-10-25T12:17:00.000-05:00

"Train me God to walk straight;
then I'll follow Your true path.
Put me together, one heart and mind;
then, undivided, I'll worship you in joyful fear"
Psalm 86:11

Jesus, You are good. You are merciful, pure, loving, true, gracious, just, abundant, unquenchable, unstoppable, unchangeable, amazing, awe-inspiring, righteous, perfect, holy, incredible, faithful, the giver of hope, my rock, my refuge, my redeemer, my friend, my love, my stronghold, my creator, my all in all, my awesome God. Yes, You are. And yet, I lose sight of that. I let Satan convince me that I should be "in control", that I should get to live my life the way I please, the way that "brings me satisfaction". But all that happens is I find disappointment, because I am weak without You, hopeless without You, desperate for Your truth. You are all I need. Lord, help me to embrace who You are and who I am in You. I want to worship You in joyful fear, undivided Lord, completely consumed by You. Lord, you have said that if Your people, who are called by Your name, will humble themselves and pray, then Lord, You will come, and You will forgive, and You will heal our land. God, our hearts are breaking. Lord, restore Your people in Your truth. May Your name be exalted above all. May only You be praised. Break us, Lord. Make us who You want us to be.

Break our hearts, oh God
Break our hearts
Break our hearts, oh God
Break our hearts

For the sin in our lives
Break our hearts
For the sin in our land
Break our hearts

We cry out, we need Your help
Come back to our land
We confess, we've lived in sin
Please show Your power Once again

Locks of Love

2005-10-24T02:53:00.000-05:00

I finally gave my hair away this weekend. I've been growing it for what seems like forever, and well, it was just time. Though the lady cut it much shorter than I had intended, I really like the way it turned out... you are welcome to form your own opinion... I know there is a lot of stuff going on in a lot of your lives right now, and I want you to know you are in my prayers. I am so grateful to have been blessed with so many wonderful friends who have been there to encourage me through so much.... stuff.... you are loved. If you need someone to talk to or pray out loud with you, or anything, feel free to give me a call.

I always thought my hair wouldn't do this... but I was delightfully surprised.... yay for ringlets :)

I could say many things... but, I won't. I will however share something that has been encouraging to me recently... this verse continually reminds me of God's goodness and His grace... Praise the Lord

"So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
~Isaiah 41:10~

Mickey and Minnie

2005-10-23T18:53:00.000-05:00

Leah, you inspired me....

Which DISNEY character are you most like?
brought to you by Quizilla

I'm not so sure about all this... but I'd love for it to be true. I'm definitely optimistic, but with some people, that just irritates them more.... so I don't know that I can lift anyone's spirit "just with my smile", but I don't know... the joy of Lord does that to people... and I pray His joy overflows through me. Ironically, my roommate is most like Minnie Mouse... no wonder we get along so well... we were made for each other! Hehehehe.

A Cow for Lerah

2005-10-18T18:33:00.000-05:00

I have recently developed an obsession with modeling clay. So, in telling the amazing Lerah Ashburn about my new hobby, she requested that I make her a cow. So, here is a cow for Lerah...

You've got to admit, he's pretty cute :)

Lerah is such an amazing person and I love hanging out with her. I love that she watches Smallville with me even though she doesn't like it, but just because she wants to spend time with us. I love how she isn't afraid to try new things... well, except maybe new foods. I love that she is growing in Christ and that I get to watch her grow more in love with Him. I love that we can always pick up right where we left off and that she is always excited to see me and always gives me hugs. I love Lerah... yes, I do. "A friend loves at all times" Proverbs 17:17 ~Better believe it!

Spiced Tea and Castles

2005-10-15T23:52:00.000-05:00

So... it's the weekend, yay :) I love weekends... I didn't really even have plans for this weekend but it's been such a good weekend so far! And I even spent a good part of my Friday night working on a group project for next week! God has really been working in my heart this week and challenging me about relationships and stuff... I'm telling you what... God's word is amazing. I have definitely been challenged to not try so hard to water everything down so that my feeble mind can comprehend it and just embrace the mystery that God is God and He is bigger than my mind can handle! Anyway... I decided to jump on the bandwagon as Diane would say and dye my hair (I miss you people, thanks for the inspiration PCBSers...) It will probably all be washed out by the time I see any of you from home... we had fun taking pictures during the whole process and stuff... So here you go....

Before... these pictures are gross... and the sad thing is these are the better ones.....

Dang my hair is long.... I'm really starting to get anxious to cut it and give it away to locks of love.....

During... Trish is amazing and I convinced her that she should dye my hair for me... she's very proud of it now... it was kinda a long process because I have so much hair... very funny though, because it was like 2 in the morning.... yah....

Do you like my bleeding and dying picture??? Hahaha... dyeing... dying.... ok, I'm not gonna try to be funny because it just doesn't work out....

After... I like the change, what do you think?

Here are some pics of me spinning and dancing in the courtyard of Draper... pretty much my favorite Baylor building because I feel like I'm in a castle or something... I love it... it's so pretty... anyway... spin away....

Alright... me and my beautiful friends Trish and Mabel... I love these girls... we have so much fun together and I am so challenged to be all that Christ calls me to be through spending time with them... I love you Trish and Mabel...

Gotta love Trish's shirt.... "What Boyfriend?"

I looove this pic of me and Trish... I love Patricia Akinfenwa!!!

So... if you don't like my "Spiced Tea" dyed hair (yes, that was the name of the color), then it's all good because unless you are gonna visit me at Baylor in the next... hmm... 28 days... you won't have to be confronted with it... but if you like it... well, sorry, but you will just have to enjoy the pictures :)... In other news... I have started what I call a "Prayer Panel" on my wall.... let me know of prayer requests you have and you will get a sticky note on the prayer panel... it's cool because every time I see it I pray for people, and I can pray specifically for them and stuff (most of you are probably already on the Prayer Panel, I pray for you all a lot, so let me know of anything new or whatever that I can pray for)... I love you :)

Life is Precious

2005-10-10T00:55:00.000-05:00

It's Sunday... my week was... different. I don't even remember a lot of it. Let's just go with the weekend. Friday I had a test in the morning and that was it, so I was done with school at like 9:30, sweet. I came back to the room and Mabel was still in bed, had decided to skip her class... sooo... the lights were off and everything... I got back in bed. We got up at like... 1 maybe? I don't even know. And then we went and worked with Habitat For Humanity for a couple hours... afterwards my amazing sister in law had left me a message to call them so they could tell me about their first doctor's appointment since she's pregnant... sooo... turns out... there are 2!!! How cool is that? I'm really excited... I still don't understand how they can be having twins when they don't run in our family or her's as far as I know... but, hey, I'm not complaining. Please keep them in your prayers as it is a very high risk pregnancy because of certain details about the environment the twins are in in the womb. I'm super excited though... I love being an aunt. It's so much fun. Now I get two more babies to spoil... yay! Hehehe... the rest of the weekend, since I haven't gotten past Friday afternoon... went to two movies Friday night... that was fun... then came back and was just chilling writing letters to some very special chikas in Tally and Chris called and wanted to go eat.... so we went to IHOP at like 2 in the morning... crazy college kids. Yes, we are. Saturday... got up late... went to lunch.... then went bowling for this Sorority tournament thing... I still don't really know what it was... I paid money, got a shirt, and got to bowl for like an hour and a half... it was fun. And I was bowling pretty good for a change... I got two spares in a row at one point... fun stuff... I love bowling, even when I'm not any good at it. So yah... I helped Chris and Mabel plan out their schedules for next semester... that was great fun. We are all planning to take guitar together. YAY :) Hopefully I can make it work... I'm not really happy with the way my schedule looks for next semester right now because of courses that are only offered at one time... dumb. But, we'll see... it will work out. Today was church... I went to Highland finally... and of course, I loved it. Go figure, why didn't I just go there the first week? I really like it and now think I may end up going there... crazy. I'm still praying about it though. Ooooo, Mabel and I went and enjoyed the swing on the porch of Alexander tonight... the weather is sooo beautiful right now, I love it!!! I didn't ever want to get off of that swing. OK, this post has pretty much just been me rambling... sorry bout that. I've been sick since Wednesday night and I'm finally feeling a lot better (Robitussin CF.... disgusting, but it works). Be proud Mommy, I'm taking medicine :) I'm really tired... so, I'm gonna take some more medicine, finish my laundry... and go to bed... good night....

I miss you already

2005-10-04T23:30:00.000-05:00

This weekend was good. I knew I missed home... but I didn't really realize how much. In fact, I'm sitting here trying not to cry... home is where the heart is, huh? I love you guys more than you know. Being away from home has been one of the biggest growing experiences of my life so far... and I haven't even been gone that long. God continues to stretch me and pour His grace out on my life with every waking moment. I'm learning so much, but I have so much to learn. I can't even imagine what He has in store for us as His children... how amazing is it that we get to be a part of the story of the Almighty most Holy, Everlasting, Unfailing God of all that is and all that ever will be? You know, we always say the God of the Universe, but even that is an understatement. The universe cannot contain our God. I'm listening to my new Robbie Seay CD that I got in the mail today (Thank you, Paul :) )....

I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
And in the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms....

Thank you guys for helping me have an awesome weekend... yay for parties, for Smallville, for birthdays, for orthodontist appointments (though my teeth still hurt.... grrr.... ). Yay for friends! You guys have no idea how much I value you. Being at youth was really encouraging.... God is gonna use all of you to do amazing things to further His kingdom. He is a God who answers prayers... and I sincerely believe that the youth group shows that there is hope in a dark world. You guys rock. Thank you for allowing Christ to take hold of your hearts and transform them... I have been realizing lately how shallow of a person I am... how I run away from a lot of things that I don't understand instead of wrestling with them... I want to know Christ in a deeper, richer, fuller way... I want to struggle through the things I don't understand and grow in my faith... I want Him to be bigger in me.... "He must become greater I must become less"- John 3:30...

Living it Up

2005-09-27T02:42:00.000-05:00

I know, I know... I'm a horrible person for not having posted this sooner, but finally I am posting pictures of our room at Baylor :) I haven't had a digital camera till now so give me a break! ;-) But now that I do have a camera I will try to post pictures more often... Alrighty, here is a peek into the the living space of Tamara and Mabel... we'll pretend it looks like this everyday, haha...

Isn't it beautiful?

More, more...

And yet more...

This is our comfy chair that I love to sit in and talk to people on the phone... Good times... Now, hold, your breath....

Mood lighting!!

Alright, now to see the lovely roomies... here's me and Mabel... trying to take pictures was interesting... I think we need sleep.... haha

So, this is the best picture we could get... isn't she gorgeous?

Believe it or not, we were containing ourselves in this picture...

Now, that.... that is just us cracking up... I'm telling you, this photo shoot was hilarious... had to be there to understand. Well, I hope you all enjoyed that.... for those of you at home, don't forget to come out to the party on Saturday night!! Check my previous post for more info... I love you guys!!!

You're Invited

2005-09-23T02:26:00.000-05:00

This is for everybody in the Tallahassee area that knows and loves either Janelle or me or both and wants to celebrate our birthdays with us ;-) I get to come home next weekend (I can't tell you how excited I am), and so, we are having a party to celebrate that Janelle and I are 18 (well, Janelle will be 18 on that day and, for those of you who missed it, I turned 18 last Monday, September 12). So the party is Saturday October 1 at my house (yes, my house in Havana, FL... more like pseudo-Havana, hahaha) starting at about 6:30 pm... good stuff. If you need directions or anything feel free to email me at Telise87@cs.com or call my cell phone (sorry, not gonna post that). I miss you guys sooo much and would love for you to come if you can, you can come whenever works for you... though we will be eating dinner and if you want to guarantee you get food you might wanna come towards the beginning :) .I just wanted to let you all know about this now, hopefully before you have jam packed your weekend with other plans. It'd be good to know roughly how many people are coming, so if you know you are coming, leave me a comment, send me an email, call me or Janelle or my mom, whatever. But, don't use the excuse "I didn't RSVP" if you don't show up... that won't fly, all are always welcome ;-) .Thank you guys so much. I love you all and can't wait to see you!!!

Blessed

2005-09-19T00:28:00.000-05:00

I am blessed. We live in a "get more" society. We have a mindset that we need to accumulate and accumulate in order to be happy. But you know what all that stuff becomes, and ultimately, what it is? Filth. Rubbish. Trash. It doesn't last. It doesn't satisfy. It doesn't fulfill. There is more to life than material things. This weekend I got to see people who had no "stuff" left to fill their lives. Some of them didn't have hope... but some of them did. There is nothing in this world that satisfies like Christ Jesus our Lord. He is greater than anything. Our group had a time of sharing what we were taking away from the weekend of serving Katrina victims in Slidell, Louisiana and one of the guys said that he was taking away an appreciation of what he had, and a realization that it really isn't worth that much. So many of us don't appreciate how materially blessed we truly are. But I would bet that more of us don't realize how worthless our "stuff" is. Stuff isn't worth holding onto. Don't let the world suck you in. Let Christ be your all. I had the privilege to work in the homes of people who lost nearly all their material possessions through the havoc of Katrina. These people were so encouraged by our being there, but they encouraged us so much. They offered us everything they had... and they had just had nearly everything taken away from them. I don't think I have the words to describe what I experienced this weekend. I can't tell you what it is like to have a joy that wells up inside of you even in the midst of heartache. My heart hurts for you, but I know that God's purpose is bigger than your pain. There has been so much pain that I have seen in the lives of friends, family, people of our nation, people of our world. I'm sure the majority of you have heard the song Held by Natalie Grant... it has become a great song during this time of tragedy. I never tire of hearing it... Maybe you will find some encouragement from the words...

Two months is too little,
They let him go.
They had no sudden healing.
To think that providence would
Take a child from his mother while she prays
Is appalling.

Who told us we'd be rescued?
What has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares?
We're asking why this happens
To us who have died to live?
It's unfair.

This is what it means to be held
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

This hand is bitterness,
We want to taste it, let the hatred numb our sorrow
The wise hands open slowly to lilies of the valley and tomorrow

This is what it means to be held
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved
And to know that the promise was
when everything fell we'd be held

If hope is born of suffering
If this is only the beginning
Can we not wait for one hour
watching for our Savior?

This is what it means to be held
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved
And to know that the promise was when everything fell
We'd be held.

Katrina Trip

2005-09-16T02:09:00.000-05:00

For those of you who didn't read my super long post from earlier this week... I am going with Campus Crusade to Slidell, Louisiana to help with hurricane relief work all weekend. Please keep us in your prayers and remember to pray for all the victims of Hurricane Katrina. I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am about this opportunity to serve these people, to go beyond prayer and financial support and get out there and help through my actions. I know God is going to do amazing things this weekend. We are meeting for departure at 5am today (Friday) and there is a group of 45 of us going (of whom I know one person!). Pray that God will use this trip to open our eyes to who He is and who He has called us to be. Pray that our lives will show that God's unfailing love exists beyond any circumstance. I love you all and wish that you could all share in this opportunity with me. You can though, through your prayers. Prayer is powerful... I think many of us have seen a glimpse of just how powerful it truly is... don't let that glimpse be enough... go for more. Thank you for your prayers.

Baylor Line Beauties

2005-09-12T15:43:00.000-05:00

We are hot and you know it.... Tiffany, Patricia, Tamara, Diana, and Mabel being held cause she's a princess.... hahahahaha.... go Baylor Bears :)

So many things I could say... maybe I will say them

2005-09-12T01:18:00.000-05:00

It's been a good week. I'm kinda reminded of how God's goodness prevails even through trials and tribulations when I can look back over a week where I have experienced emotions on such a wide range, with times of missing home deeply and being discouraged about finding my place, to times of laughter and strong encouragement that I have needed... and still, even in different emotions, having an everlasting joy that overrides the emotions, a deep-settled confidence that God is in control of the details... not just the big picture, but each tiny pixel that makes up the picture. Hmm... things I have missed a lot this week....

Church-- I miss having a church that I can call my home church, somewhere that I have friends but beyond friends, family in Christ. I knew I would realize how important the body of Christ is in my life... I feel like I'm a toe without a body to connect to or something. It's been a month since I've been at my home church, and I miss it a lot. Even with all of its problems, there is still a support system there...
Family-- I miss my family more every day. I knew I would. I love you guys so much. I miss having my mommy to hug me and my little brother to test my patience in the morning and my dad to share jokes. I miss watching CSI and talking about our days and hearing about everyone's stuff that is going on. I miss coming home and hearing Kevin playing his heart out on the drums or randomly singing Gospel songs in the shower. I miss handing the keys to Kenley and telling him to drive, even if it means we will take a few detours. I love you guys.
Guy friends-- I miss hanging out with guys! Not because I'm boy-crazy... I think you all know me better than that, but because I have like... hmm, no guy friends here. I've grown up being around guys all the time! It's kind of unavoidable when you have four brothers... I miss not worrying about being perceived as thinking someone is "hot" just because you talk to them. I don't want to be perceived as "having an agenda" if you know what I mean....
Girl friends-- I miss my girl friends who know me, accept me even when I'm crazy, love me, come to me for advice, laugh at me, give me hugs, share about struggles and achievements... I miss having friends with inside-jokes, so you randomly start laughing in a conversation because you both (or all) think of the same thing... Yah, I miss ya'll.
Driving-- yah, this may sound dumb, but I miss driving. I don't miss driving for like 2 hours a day as I normally did when at home, but just having time in the car... to relax, to pray, to sing, to talk to people... down time, instead of hauling butt across campus to get to my next class, though I do enjoy walking when I can take my time...
Cooking!-- I haven't cooked a meal in forever! That's not normal... I miss making meals and making things taste the way I want them to taste... but I'm gonna remedy this before too long and cook for my 3rd floor Memorial homies ;-)

Alright, enough of things I miss at home... no more crying for the rest of this post, only smiling and laughing allowed. Hahahaha.... I had some really great things that happened this week and there has been so much going on. Good stuff... plus, I have really cool plans for next weekend that I am super excited to see what God does with... so cool stuff from this week... I doubt I'll hit everything....

Amanda-- I met this girl named Amanda in Chapel on Monday. She's so sweet and I was really encouraged just getting to worship with her and stuff. We exchanged numbers and I was really hoping to try and get to know her better.... well, turns out she's in Women's Choir with me! How cool is that? We had lunch on Thursday and just talked a lot about what God is doing in our lives and why we are at Baylor and where He is leading us, and how He is answering our prayers (one being for strong Christian friends, which we can be for each other, how cool is that?), and all kinds of good stuff. So yah, meeting Amanda and spending time with her was super encouraging this week.
Wednesday Chapel-- the Skit Guys came... fun stuff. They were really good and it was cool to hear people talking about it all day. People who hate Chapel were talking about how good it was and stuff... and they delivered awesome messages about who we are in Christ and stuff through their dramas... good stuff.
Campus Crusade-- I went to Cru and Bible Study this week and getting to know more stronger Christian girls on my floor and around Campus is awesome, plus getting to worship in a bigger group is cool.... Cru is cool... more on that in a minute.
Friday-- Friday was great. We had our first Choir concert. Kris and Christina came and heard us and then took me out to dinner for my birthday :) Thanks guys. I love you people and I love that you are so close! Then we had free dessert by the Sciences Building cause it was Parent's Weekend so there was all kinds of cool stuff going on. Then, Mabel and I went to After Dark. It basically was like a campus showcase.... some seriously talented performers. That was fun...
Saturday-- Patricia, this awesome chick on my floor, oh yes, now Memorial and Alexander representative, go Trish... got her mom to cook us amazing food (she helped) and we had a delicious meal... mmm (plus I got leftovers today... yes!). Then, a bunch of us went to the game, go Baylor Bears.... it was fun getting all decked out in our line jerseys and face tattoos and ribbons... and we WON!!! GO BEARS!!!! Very exciting... then we went to eat and then played cards and Speed Scrabble in the dorm drawing room... good times.
Oh yes, Cru exciting story... next weekend Crusade was supposed to be having what is called the Freshman Overnight, which is basically a camping trip for all the freshman to get to know people and stuff. So, I was signed up to go... but then, we got an email that they were planning a trip to go to Louisiana and do Hurricane Relief work and so the Freshman Overnight was being replaced with this new trip.... I really wanted to go, but wasn't sure I should spend money, but I prayed about it, and now I'm signed up and am so excited to go.... please pray for us next weekend as we surrender to Christ and serve Katrina victims in LA :)

OK, if anyone actually read this whole post I will be very impressed.... It just goes to show that it is much more natural for me to write looong posts. I like to write, what can I say? I should get back to doing my homework though.... I love you guys :)

Short and Sweet for Jake the Cake

2005-09-06T15:23:00.000-05:00

This is to prove to Jake that it is possible for me to write a short post, even if I haven't posted in nearly a week. My weekend was fun because Kenley, Diane, and Lerah came to visit me... it was really good to see them, because I'm starting to miss home a lot. Though seeing them did make me miss home even more I think... but it reminded me how blessed I am to have friends and family that love me so much. I love you guys! Yesterday I got to talk to my mommy, my daddy, Kenley and Kevin, Shannon, Paul, Daniel, and James on the phone... that's more people than I've talked to the whole time I've been here. It definitely made me happy. I miss you guys! Alright, enough... I'm praying constantly for all of you... and please remember the Katrina victims in your prayers... I can't imagine what they are going through.... was that short enough Jake? ;-)

"You're busy already, and it's only the second week of school..."

2005-08-31T00:53:00.000-05:00

That was the comment of my CL as Mabel and I tried to work in a mandatory Strengths meeting into our schedule. It's true. The past few days have been crazy... with everything going on at home that I wish I could be there for, wanting to get involved in organizations, reading endless chapters in textbooks, forgetting homework assignments (no worries, the due dates were postponed). I'm constantly reminded that my planner is my lifesaver, but more importantly, Christ is my center. I told Mabel today that even though we are trying to get involved in a ton of stuff... I feel like I have more time then I ever did in high school. Maybe because 20 hours of being in class is spread out over the week... instead of having 20 hours in less than three days, and still having two more days full of class... I've had so much good quality time in the Word and in prayer since I've been here, Mabel and I have already gone and worked out twice (yay! we're 2 for 2!), I love that I can talk to my friends for hours at a time on the phone and not feel like I have things pressing on me that I "should be" doing, and I love talking to them (yes, I am becoming a phone person again, I knew it would happen when it was my only option). It's hard being away from friends when they are going through hard times, and when they are going through good times, but in some ways, I feel like I have grown closer to some people at home just since I've left. If my friendships and family relationships can be sustained even across such a great distance, I'm confident they can be sustained throughout the struggles of life. I wish I could be at home to cry with you and celebrate with you, but know that I'm here for you and just because I'm far away doesn't mean that our friendship can't grow. I will always make time for you. Even with everything going on, I've spent a lot of time studying, and I'm sure the workload will become more intense... but still, I feel like I'm managing my time well, which is a new experience for me. We went to Campus Crusade tonight and I think that I'd like to get involved in the ministry... I caught my first prize thrown into the audience ever, a free T-shirt, rock on... and it seems like the students involved really have a heart for Christ and a heart for getting other students plugged in. Then we went to the Swing Society... it was so much fun. Swing dancing is so cool. There weren't exactly enough guys to go around so the girls stood in line waiting for a turn... but it was fun. They taught us basics and a cool move called "The Slap" (lovin' it). We had a great time. I danced with three guys, who were all really good dancers... and Mabel and I decided to come back because we both have things to do before we call it a night. But yes, the swing society is definitely gonna be a new thing for us. Good stuff.... It's Kyle's 16th birthday today, I love you bro! It's so crazy to think that he's 16... that I'm almost 18... when did we "grow up" so much? Kyle and I have always been friends... I remember when he was still in a crib, but he was probably close to a year old, and I woke up on a Saturday morning early, before the parents were up, and I went into Kyle and Kevin's room and climbed into Kyle's crib with him and we just played. I wanted to be close to my baby brother and to spend time with him. I'm glad that we've always gotten along and spent time together. I love my brothers!!! It's amazing to me to think about that simple memory from so long ago... Where did the time go? I'm reminded that our lives are like a vapor, quickly fading. Think about this, if Christ makes our temporary "vapor" lives on earth rich, how much more magnificent will heaven be... everlasting, never fading and never ending, life. Sweet....

The hills are alive with the sound of music....

2005-08-25T02:40:00.000-05:00

So, I've been reading for my classes for like... probably 2 1/2 hours... maybe longer actually. Though I did have to read some parts multiple times because my mind was wandering... but, just goes to show that they don't waste time before giving work around here. Today, well I guess yesterday now since it's after midnight, was a good day. My psych lecture was fun, the professor is interesting and was easy to listen to. Chapel and design were alright... but then I was done with class... before noon. Sweet!... and as I was walking back to my dorm the bells were playing The Sound of Music... that made my day. I should have done homework in the afternoon, but I just wanted to chill... so I did. Then, I went and kept the Colon twins at their school until Dr.Colon (Susan) could get there to pick them up. That was fun and I get to do it every week from now on. The girls are so sweet and extremely intelligent for their age. We read books, did puzzles, sewed little letter things... I love kids so much. I'm excited that I get to have a little bit of time to spend with the girls every week. I miss all the kids at home. The kids in preschool choir, the kids I babysit, kids I've had in my cabin at camp or at VBS that give me big hugs whenever they see me.... What can I say? I love kids!! I pray one day I'll get to have my own, but I love working with everyone else's and being blessed by their innocence, their love for learning, their blind faith and trust. I'm no greater than any child... and we are all God's children. Pretty amazing that our parents, our grandparents, our authorities, our peers, our friends, our mentors, our brothers and sisters.... no matter the age, we are all just children. Pretty humbling when you realize the gravity of that. Sometimes I get discouraged because I feel like so many adults stereotype all youth to be immature and without a substantial relationship with Christ. It's almost as if they think we could have nothing to contribute to their lives because we haven't lived as long as them and had as many experiences as them. But we're all children. We can all encourage and inspire one another, no matter our age or background. When we are followers of Christ, we are equal through His grace. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it is right to rebel against authorities or fail to recognize that others may be wiser than us in areas. I'm simply saying that we can all impact one another... we are the body of Christ, and no part is more important or more needed than any other. Incredible. Alright, I'll get out of the pulpit... I have about half an hour more until my clothes are done in the dryer and I can fold them, put them away, and go to bed. I'm off to go and get some more time in His word... isn't it good? Here's a little taste....

God's blessing makes life rich;
nothing we do can improve on God.
Proverbs 10:22

Fickle Decorations, Fun Classes, Frazzled Emotions...

2005-08-23T18:24:00.000-05:00

So I've been to all of my classes now... except for my lab which doesn't start till next week. So my weeks promise to be full of reading, learning, studying, etc. Supposedly the average high schooler spends 5 hours a week studying (now, I know I spent way more time than that every week). Here, they encourage you to study for at least 20 hours... big change, eh? But, you don't have as much time spent actually at school in class... so I think it will all pan out. I'm taking Psychology, Principles of Art and Design, Professional Perspectives, Exploring Environmental Issues, Prophets and Profits: Profession and Vocation in Victorian Britain (and Today), Introduction to Information Technology and Processing, and Women's Choir. A wide variety most definitely. Plus, we have required Chapel Monday and Wednesday, and Friday for the first 6 weeks. Busy, busy. On Sunday, Mabel and I hung up the paper lanterns... I was near death many times since I was standing on a stack of books and paper on top of the desks that we rigged to get me high enough, or on top of the bookshelf headboard... fortunately we managed to get it done without any injuries. So our room is even closer to being done now... I ordered pictures that should be here in the next couple of days and that should add most of the finishing touches. Monday was full of classes and then rule meetings for our dorm hall. Plus I went to the BSM (Baptist Student Ministries) free cookout and finished reading my book for Honors (the "summer" reading project... hey, Mabel is on page 65 or something now... and we have till tomorrow anyway, but I'm done :) ). Today I had class at 8am.. yuck. But it's all good... ooo, this was weird. In my 8 o'clock class the professor was calling role and he said Joshua Cuyler... I know I like bugged my eyes out... he's like my second or third cousin (second I think). I mean, I knew he was coming to Baylor and stuff... but I haven't seen him in years and I didn't even know what he looked like... but yah, so I "met" him today... he twitched when my name was called too... I went up and "introduced" myself after class.... yah, weird. It started to finally click that I was here for good after classes yesterday... so I cried awhile when I was reading my book last night. I hadn't cried yet. I'm happy to be here, but I do miss you all at home, and I miss those of you who are away from home like me. I hope you know that. It's so good to talk to you guys. Nicole called me yesterday. I love you babe and I miss you... I went to lunch by myself today, how sad is that? I called Kyle yesterday, I hadn't talked to him since I left, and he and my mom were at Wal-Mart. It made me think about how Kyle and I can spend hours in Wal-Mart... cause we just take our time. I love you, kid. I got to talk to James this afternoon and that was encouraging. I love you James! I miss my family. I miss my friends... I've only been gone a week! But, I do love it here... I'm so excited about all the opportunities, experiences, traditions, growth, challenges... It is so good for me to be stretched and encouraged like this all at the same time. I mean, always being challenged to pursue Christ first... that's awesome. Being so far away from home is hard, but it's good. Hahaha... here are a couple funny stories for you guys... Okay, my dentist put me on this fluoride stuff that I'm supposed to swish every night right before I go to bed, right? Well, I've always heard that fluoride can turn your teeth yellow and stuff... but I figured they knew what they were talking about, so I'd obey and use the stuff. I was brushing my teeth a few nights ago and as I stared in the mirror I realized something was a little funky... my brace bands weren't the cute periwinkle blue anymore... they're like this really light key-lime green. Pretty funny... fortunately it's not like bright lime green cause that would be just gross... Oh, and then last night, I woke up in the middle of the night cause Mabel had left a light on. I got up and turned it off and then climbed back in bed... I was starting to doze off when... CRASH! Something fell on my face... what the?? The curtain rod and the curtains fell on top of me... in the dark. It was funny. Only to me though cause Mabel was asleep, though she laughed about it this morning when I told her about it. So yah, I got attacked by the curtains in the middle of the night. They are back in their place now, though... looking beautiful again. Well, I think that covers the highlights of the past few days... tonight there is an ice-cream bash for Campus Crusade... yummy... and the first meeting of the Swing Society (anybody wanna dance?)... I'm not sure if I'm going to that or not because some friends from Welcome Week said there are a ton of people the first couple times and then it dies down... so I might wait. I need to do all my reading for my classes... hahaha. Mabel and I are gonna go buy her books and stuff shortly and I have a few more things I have to buy. So, that should be fun. This one's for all of you...

You're my brother You're my friend
You're my beginning and my end
You're all around me when the world
just turns and walks away
You're my sunshine on a cloudy day
You're the rains that wash my blues away
And I can always count on you
Cause you're my brother (SISTA!)
And you're my friend

Into the town of green and gold...

2005-08-21T17:00:00.000-05:00

Ugh, classes start tomorrow... back to real life. I love this place though... and I'm actually excited about classes. Yes, I know I'm a nerd, but I'm ok with that and if you're not, well, then that's too bad ;-) . Yesterday was fun... Mabel and I went and found our classes after sleeping in and eating Cinnamon Toast Crunch in our room--oh, and I managed to get strawberry syrup on my clothes so I had to change before we had even gone anywhere, we went to the dining hall for lunch, came to the dorm and hung out (I took a short nap also, yes), had an honors living learning center get-together (free cookies and stuff), went and bought my books (ouch, I'm always open for donations!), went to dinner with some girls from our hall, chilled some more, went to Bear Country-- kinda reminded me of Cowboy Up... cept everything was free--cotton candy, awesome kettle corn, drinks, free pictures, caricatures, a wanna-be mechanical bull (I'm not gonna try and describe it to you, I need to do hand motions for that one), square dancingand some other dancing (hooray for the Cha Cha Slide). Then we had breakfast outside at like 11pm... good stuff. Today, we went to University Baptist Church, where David Crowder is the worship leader, for those of you who don't know that. The worship time was good... I hope God enjoyed it. I called Daniel to brag... I love you, Daniel! :) Mabel and I want to try some other churches though definitely cause the message was just a little shallow for us... though the pastor seems like a great guy and had some good stuff to say... he talked about evangelism. Then there was free pizza... good stuff. Then, the hunt for Wal-Mart... we weren't sure where it was... and when we stopped and asked we were really close, we just gave up too soon, we hadn't gone far enough. So we bought more stuff for our room... paper lanterns that we are going to try and hang in a little while... we'll see how that goes... some little things we forgot, you get the picture. It's been a good day so far. I think Sundays will be the day I miss home the most. Youth at home starts in less than two hours... maybe I'll call somebody afterwards... it's interesting going "church-hunting" without your family and stuff. I will be excited to find a church to plug into though. God will work it out, as He always does. I've started the David Nasser book "A Call to Die" since I got here. Nasser encourages you to fast from something for the forty days of the study, so I finally decided to fast from coffee... since it is something I often become too dependent on if you know what I mean. I love that Christ is becoming my obsession... He is so incredible.

Give me one pure and holy passion
Give me one magnificent obsession
Give me one glorious ambition for my life
To know and follow hard after You

To know and follow hard after You
To grow as Your disciple in the truth
This world is empty, pale, and poor
Compared to knowing You, my Lord
Lead me on and I will run after You
Lead me on and I will run after You

Craziness...

2005-08-20T02:02:00.000-05:00

It was only yesterday that I got to Baylor?? What? It seems like it's been so long... there's just been so much going on. We've had so many opportunities to meet people and stuff. Right now there are guys outside serenading our dorm... this is the fourth group I think. We can hear them from our room loud and clear. They are singing My Girl... Mabel and I just came in from outside cause we are so tired... they sound pretty good. Haha... the first group that came was from Penland, I think the biggest guys dorm... and they were great and I got a flower from one guy :) Alright, these guys have the best sound system thus far for sure... this is a fun tradition at Baylor, I like being sung to (any of you guys are welcome to take the hint). The guys sing and do some cheer for their dorm and then they all come and mingle and introduce themselves and stuff... fun. I can't accurately describe it. I love how Baylor is so full of spirit and traditions. Everyone loves this school. I definitely love it.

I'm here!

2005-08-18T21:02:00.000-05:00

Wow, I can't believe I'm here... at Baylor... in my room... with my awesome roommate. Today has been exhausting so far, but fun in many ways. We left Dallas around 6 am or so, stopped at Sonic on the way, and entered the world of Baylor around 8 am. I met Mabel and her parents and we started tackling our room almost instantly... it's so much fun. I love all the color, and we aren't even done yet. We made a Walmart trip to get all the finishing touches for our room... though we will probably think of many things throughout the next week that we forgot. Mabel and I searched the whole music building before we found the sign up sheet for choir auditions... that was pretty funny, three different people told us "where to go" before we found it. Our parents left (and Kevin, too), and they did a good job, only a few tears as they walked away, though I'm sure many more came after they left. I love you, Mom and Dad! It's just so weird... it doesn't feel like we are here yet. But we are! Our suitemate is the CL (Community leader, basically the Baylor version of an RA), so we only have three people sharing a bathroom, rock on! Mabel and I are both really tired so we came back to the room after the picnic on the Quadrangle to rest before all the other crazy stuff planned for tonight. So... I'm pretty much about to go take a nap... I love you guys!

I'll always love you

2005-08-15T01:30:00.000-05:00

Well... I have one day left... one day... tonight was really emotional... I love you guys so much! Tonight was encouraging to me in so many ways, it's so hard to say goodbye... but it's not goodbye, just see you later, right? I'm still in shock that I'm leaving in less than 36 hours to go to Baylor University, so many hours away, without my family, without my friends... this is definitely the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. But I must say, guys, that I am so excited. It's so difficult for me to leave home... but, I can't wait to find out what part of God's story I get to have at Baylor. Tonight after youth, all of us "graduates" (funny how now we're back to being freshman, eh?) had a time of prayer for one another (thank you for initiating it, Paul, you rock). The whole time we were praying I was thanking God that He blessed me with such wonderful people in my life. Thank you guys for supporting me and praying for me as I go on to something bigger than I ever could have imagined... I pray that you all will grow more and more in love with Christ every day... Please pray for me... I need all the prayer I can get. Let me know how I can pray for you, laugh with you, cry with you. I love you all so much... I'm not leaving you... I'm here for you if you need me. Mark Schultz's song Think of Me has kinda been my theme song this summer as I have been preparing to leave and go to school... it kinda shows where my heart is, though you have to hear it to get the full effect, the lyrics are all that I can provide at this point... I'll always love you... always.

Packing my bags this morning
was the hardest thing to do
But packing my bags was so easy
compared to standing outside your door right now
to say goodbye to you

Think of me
I know you've never seen me cry
Think of me
But it's so hard to say goodbye
Think of me
What can I say to show you
I'll never give up on you
I will be waiting for you

I will be there when you call
I will see you through it all
And even in your darkest hour
I pray that the Lord we've found
Will set you on solid ground

I know that it feels like leaving is a part of letting go
But I'm praying with hope and believing
That I'll see you once again down this road
I hope that it won't be long

Think of me
I know God brought you as a friend
Think of me
I know He'll bring you back again
Think of me
What can I say to show you
I'll never give up on you
I will be waiting for you

I will be there when you call
I will see you through it all
And even in your darkest hour
I pray that the Lord we've found
Will set you on solid ground

I will be there when you call
I will see you through it all
And even in your darkest hour
I pray that the Lord we've found
Will set you on solid ground

Life is Good....

2005-08-12T02:16:00.000-05:00

It's so hard to believe that I only have 4 full days left before I leave for Baylor... whoa... sometimes I wish time would slow down. I've had an amazing week just spending time with people that I love so much. I'm gonna miss you guys! Let's see... Sunday, what a great day. After church, Shannon went to lunch with me and my family and then she and I went to the new Target (great place) and shopped for fun stuff and then went to my house and watched Raise your Voice... a very good movie. I rented and watched it by myself and really liked it and have spread the love to a few people... ;-) Then youth was awesome at Crenshaw... I love bowling, though I'm not good at it, and pool... wow, really not good at that... but it was tons of fun just hanging out with everybody. Then Diane and Lerah and Kenley came to my house and we watched Aladdin. I love that movie, and I love those people. Monday, went to lunch with Lauren, I love you chika! It's so cool to me how we can just pick up where we left off in our friendship... no matter how many weeks it's been since we've talked... though it's never too long, a lot can happen in a few weeks, and with us living in completely different places... things change. But yah, that was fun... then Monday night my family began practicing for our big hit for Sunday (we're gonna try and be black, people... hehe)... so we practiced for awhile and then Kenley had to go do some stuff for Real Estate life so I went with him... well that turned into an adventure... these people live out in the middle of nowhere let me tell you... it was really sketchy... but then we went to see Matt and Lindsay Morrow's house in Quincy (the neighbors probly thought we were robbing the house cause it was like 10:30 and we were going through their house with flashlights) and went back and forth from Quincy to my house multiple times picking up and returning Sale signs from houses... Needless to say, Kyle was watching Raise Your Voice when we dropped my mom back at the house before returning to Quincy again and Kenley decided he wanted to watch it when we got back... so I watched the movie again with him... at like 12am... that was fun. Tuesday... breakfast with Mom, she's the best ever... dentist appointment (they were not very nice to my mouth)... work... lunch with Kenley... work... shopping with Mom... and home... Wednesday, babysitting, lunch with Ted from school... that was cool, cause I haven't seen anyone from school since graduation except Nicole and Ted rocks... and he bought me lunch... awesome. Then I went to work and afterwards I went and picked up Erica F. ( I LOVE YOU!!) and we went and got ice cream and talked and went to Wal-Mart and bought cool stuff for my dorm room (which is gonna be stinkin' awesome by the way). Then we went to church and orchestra... Can you tell my life has been busy this week?? Well, finally, today (well, Thursday)... I got to sleep in, no work, hallelujah... and then I went to lunch and went shopping with James (you rock, kid) which also meant more free food for me (thank you :) )... I bought a phone for my room and he got a new cell phone... we talked a lot and just had a good time... thanks, James. Then, he went to work, I went to Target to shop for a baby gift... but they didn't have what I was looking for so sad day, I walked through the rain for nothing... oh well. I came home and worked on packing some more and then we had dinner and practiced more for our song Sunday... Kenley and I had fun dancing to it... Hehehehe... Then, family game of Scattergories, funny stuff... my dad tried to get away with "Giant Lizards" as an excuse for being late and "Gravity" as a thing you find in a park... he was tired... laughing so hard he was crying... pretty dang funny... though Kyle's "gift" of pretty pink polka dot panties was pretty funny too... I love my family, can you tell? So... those are my last 5 days, the condensed version... Now it's actually Friday, time for me to start thinking about sleeping so I can get up later today... I'm telling you, time flies... I just want you all to know that I love you very much and value the friendships I have with each of you. This summer has been such an amazing blessing to me in the area of friendship... You all rock! It is so exciting to watch as God uses you in ways that I couldn't even imagine if I tried... Thank you for bringing such joy and depth to my life... I don't know where I'd be without you!

Leap Frog, Caesar Salad, & a Pink Inner Tube

2005-08-07T01:59:00.000-05:00

Jesus is so amazing. I just can't get over it (which, I'm pretty sure, is the idea). Today a bunch of us (David K, Kenley, Kyle, Erin G, Diane, Lerah, Anna W, Hannah, Jed, Nicole, Jenna, Brandon, Linda, Jessica K, Katie G, Kimberly G, Leah, Lyndsey W, Shannon, & Me) went to Ichetucknee Springs and went tubing down the river... great fun, if you've never been, you're definitely missing out. The ride there was lots of fun-- Jenna, Nicole, Kyle, and Lyndsey were in the car with me and we played leap frog with Diane's car and pretty much every time we passed each other we would break out a different dance move... lots of laughs. I'm telling you, I love to dance. We got into the park, which they now charge you $5 per person to get in!! WHAT?!? It used to be like that much per car... talk about inflation, no wonder they could afford those new tram things, right guys? But anyway, we had lunch and the caesar salad that Jenns brought was really yummy (good idea). We then headed for the river and I gladly jumped aboard my beautiful pink tube (I'm lovin' it). It was great fun... Shannon and I swam away from David pretty much the whole time and actually managed to not get flipped (we rock, babe, and we love you Dave :) hehe). We sang songs and Leah and I managed to disentangle Anna from the grips of the tree fingers a few times.... fun stuff. We were floatin' along and I was talking to Leah about how I thought it was cool that God gave us so many fun things in creation to enjoy... like a river to float down. Pretty awesome, eh? So yah... good times. The ride home was fun once more, Diane and Erin swapped out with Jenna and Nicole and we busted out the Disney CD and sang our hearts out and listened to some good country music from Lyndsey's iPod and other good stuff. Then most of the gang went to Shannon's house to swim and eat pizza and stuff... we also watched Happy Gilmore on TV and then the Parent Trap (the newer one). Busy day... on the way back to the church to take Erin, Jenna, and Brandon back we listened to some of my new Passion CD... I love the song Indescribable....

From the heighest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming...

Indescribable, uncontainable
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing, God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing, God
All powerful, untameable
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Indescribable, uncontainable
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing, God
All powerful, untameable
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing, God
Indescribable, uncontainable
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing, God
Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing, God
You are amazing, God

Alright... so I told my car buddies that every time I sing that song now and I sing the line about every creature unique in the song that it sings I think about the stars making music and how God created each of us to sing His praise, and each of us has a unique song.... God, truly, is amazing.

My Life Be Like... Oooo Ahhhh

2005-08-06T02:07:00.000-05:00

So it's official, I have the coolest friends in the entire world. Hehehe... I just got home from Kenley's house where the party was hoppin'. I'm gonna miss you people so much when I leave in... ahh! 10 days! No way... Today was a great day. I went to work this morning and didn't get all that much done cause the phone started ringing alot and some people came in to the showroom to check out the windows... hmm.... should we get white or pay the extra for beige? I don't think I'll need the Low E option because my house is in the shade... you can have some interesting conversations with people looking at windows. Diane called me and we confirmed that having a party at Kenley's house was a good idea and that we should go to Ichetucknee tomorrow and go tubing... so I started calling the world to invite them to all the fun stuff. I called Jenna and told her she should get dressed and I would come get her and we'd go to lunch. We went to Los Compadres (yummy!) and it was awesome to just talk about our friendships and how they've changed and grown and everything that happened at Student Life... I love you, Jenna! You are the best. God has really solidified my relationships with people here this summer and because of that I'm encouraged that my friendships will brave the distance when I go away to school... God is way bigger than 1300 miles, eh? It's a good thing... cause I don't know what I'd do without you guys. Tonight at Kenley's house was great fun... watching Jenna act out crossing the finish line, dancing (why have we not done this more often??), eating some for real good snacks, being amazed by Brandon's knack for completely random trivia, laughing and singing songs from nearly every genre... what a fun, eclectic night. And tomorrow... freezing cold water, rubber tubes, sea weed (should it be called river weed if you're not in the sea?), and undoubtedly lots of funny stories. I can't wait! Well, yes, the bathroom is finally free so I can stop rambling now... I love you all!!

God is Hugeous

2005-08-05T12:11:00.000-05:00

Hello Everybody. Yes, I suppose it is high time for me to join the blog world officially. Don't get too excited though, cause I make no promises to post every day or provide hilarious jokes or anything... I do hope to use this blog to sorta keep in touch with people as I go off to college (Go Baylor Bears!). Where do I begin? This summer has been one of the most incredible summers of my life... and no, I do not say that lightly. Everyone that went to Student Life Camp at Covenant College this past week can agree with me that it was an awesome experience. Most everybody else in blogworld has already raved about it. God is hugeous, guys. Don't you love that word? We (Kenley, Nicole, James, and I) discovered it when we were looking on dictionary.com for the word hubious... which, James, is not a word, I'm nearly wholly convinced (it wasn't on dictionary.com!). Hugeous just means huge... but it's so much cooler of a word. Anyway, back to God. It has never ceased to amaze me that God is so big, and yet so personal, that He can work in every single individual's heart at the exact same time and be teaching them so many different things. None of us are in the exact same place in our relationship with God, guys, how could we be? But isn't it amazing that we are all invited to be a part of God's story? The God of the cosmos created you, loves you, and wants for you to be a part of His story. Now, as everyone who knows me knows.... I love to pray. I have grown more and more in love with God through watching Him work through prayer this summer. Friends that I have prayed for for it seems like forever... God has grabbed hold of their hearts in mighty ways... struggles in our youth group that I haven't known how to handle... God's taken care of it. God has shown me in very real ways that He hears my prayers and is faithful to His promises. Not only in big things, but in little things. You know what I thought was awesome... Anna Kuder (I love you!) was in my room at camp and we prayed that her family would get a new dog soon and we came back and Melissa and Mrs. Gail had bought a puppy that day! God answers prayers, and none are insignificant to Him. Now, if you check out Calyn's blog you can see some of the amazing things that God breathed in existence that are trillions upon trillions of miles away from us... God is hugeous, and He cares about me? Whoa. I'll leave you with that thought....

It's no party without "T"

Counting my blessings

Bittersweet

The Word

Because I meant to post this two months ago...

ADDRESS CORRECTION!!!

In my heart....

Summertime

Singleness

Every good thing is from Him and He withholds no good thing from those who earnestly seek Him

Pursuing My Pleasure

Jeremiah

Since I've been gone...

Been awhile....

Struggle

Some thoughts...

Don't give up

Days to be spent by the fire

What are you up to?

Let's pray

Love in action

Blackout

I'm back

God is good... all the time

Bumpy Beginnings....

*Stained Glass Masquerade*

Too much to say

I love being an aunt

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Be still

At the Foot of the Cross

Happy Birthday Mommy

Jello should not taste like beef

Global Night Commute

Here ya go

It's been more than a while....

Road Trip

Fingers and Toes

Happy Valentine's Day :o)

Lasting Learning

I love Mabel, yes I do

Love and laughter

Heroes

Righteousness through Faith

Quote of the day: "Red Vines and Cupcakes: They're Crazy Delicious"

Week of Wonders...

Tuesday is a really fun word....

Do you ever feel you are drowning and you only have one foot in the water?

I'm stalling...

Happy 2006

Merry Christmas

Wow....

Let the adventure begin...

Heart, soul, and mind

Finally Finals...

Target or studying? Did you even have to ask?

Puppy Love

Uhhh.... I'm here?

There's no place like home....

Mabel, you're my favorite

I have four minutes...

Weird habits??

Hmmm....

Some thoughts of mine...

May our hearts be broken

Locks of Love

Mickey and Minnie

A Cow for Lerah

Spiced Tea and Castles

Life is Precious

I miss you already

Living it Up

You're Invited

Blessed

Katrina Trip

Baylor Line Beauties

So many things I could say... maybe I will say them

Short and Sweet for Jake the Cake

"You're busy already, and it's only the second week of school..."

The hills are alive with the sound of music....

Stained Glass Masquerade