Hold out for what is real...

WOW...it's been a while, yet again! Please forgive me! I've been super busy--had the flu, in and out of town for the past three weeks--sheer crazyness. But, I am here now NEVER FEAR! Anywho, I just read something in Perry's (pastor of NewSpring Church) blog that moved me. The blog was about True Love and how America has chosen to distort it. I couldn't help but be touched by this because I have never known true love until now and I feel I need to share this with everyone. I don't want any one to have to go through what I went through to be where I am now. The blog was amazing in it's entirity, but this is the one section grabbed me,
Singles–my challenge to you is HOLD OUT for what is REAL! If he’s trying to get in your pants…or your relationship is based on something other than true love–then you may have what Hollywood has…vomit…and the pain that it will bring will leave a scar.
Do not be tempted to sell yourself short. You are a son or daughter of the King. If you were a parent and you were going to give your child something, wouldn't you want to give them the best. That's what your heavenly Father wants for you. Don't settle for the pain that a Hollywood "love" can cause you. What God has in store for you will blow you away, it won't be peachy 100% of the time, but when God is the center of your relationship, I can assure you that it is the most rewarding experience you could ever imagine. I'll step down from my soap box now...and get into bed. I need lots of energy for tomorrow. I LOVE SUNDAYS!!!! Peace.

What a difference...

Today my roommate from freshmen year is coming to visit from GA. I haven't seen her in almost two years. She is married and has a six month old son named Gabe. It's amazing how much can happen in just two short years.
Two years from now I will be in my own classroom, about to finish my first year as a teacher. I might be engaged. I will most likely be living on my own or with roommates. Two years doesn't seem like a very long time, but think back over the last two years. How much has your own life changed?

In two years time my life has changed drastically because of the change Christ has made in me. I found my self-worth, my calling, and my mission in my savior. What a relief it is to know where I am going and what I was created for. I was created to play an irreplacable role (big theme in Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge--if you want to know more about being a woman...or men, if you want to know more about the heart of a woman, read this book). I was created to love middle schoolers, from youth ministry to the classroom. Lord knows, someone has to love them. It's a hard job, I realize this every time I teach a lesson at my field placement, but I always did enjoy a challenge. With that, I'm out like shout without the sh-.

Yes, this is # 2 for today--and that's ok!

Do you ever feel burnt out? Even with the things you truly love? This was the case with me. This year I have been a member of FCA leadership and recently, my flame for this position has been dying. I can't go into detail about the reason my flame was snuffed, but it was. I told our current prez that I wouldn't be returning to FCA next year about two weeks ago. All this leading up to the events of tonight.
Tonight at our FCA meeting we were voting for next year's Prez and VP, it was truly awesome to see the passionate hearts and ideas from those who were candidates. Passion is very important to me.
A little background info before I proceed. I grew up in a methodist church, I came to know Christ at age six, but I didn't know what it meant to have a relationship with God for 13 years, even after I was baptized at age 16. My spiritual "dance" as I like to call it--check out my blog from last July "The Dance" for further explanation--with God taking the true lead in my life happened October 24, 2005 at Anderson College (at the time) FCA. Thus, my passion for this ministry, I've seen it at work.
Back to the voting. After Cida Handal was interviewed, it was apparent that she has a remarkable passion for lost athletes. Trying to emphasize that to the other leaders, I began sharing my own experience with leadership--and I wept. Those who know me know that I DO NOT CRY. I am the strong one, I am the one who carries the weight of everyone else and unloads it somehow without entertaining the help of others. Tonight, my passion poured out in front of my fellow leadership. While my cheeks burned with embarassment and my pride leaked along with the saline from my tear ducts, I rediscovered my love for the ministry of FCA.
So, I've got a lot to pray about. God has blessed me with several options lately. I just pray that He blatantly leads my heart where I can most effectively grow His kingdom. With that, I'm out like the moon--what a BEAUTIFUL night!

SURPRISES

I hate/love surprises. Not knowing what is going to happen consumes me. I was the kid who searched the house from top to bottom for Christmas presents. I ransacked closets, climbed into attics, and pillaged every nook and cranny of the house until I found them. If someone tells me that they have a surprise for me, I do everything in my power to figure out what it is before they tell me. It's an obsession.
So, yesterday I received a phone call from Lindsey Owens, our youth minister's assistant. She set up a meeting for me and Alden and Andrew Sentell (also on staff) for Wednesday at 1:00. Problem is, she didn't tell me what it is about. I asked her, "Do you know what it's about?" She answered with an enthusiastic, "Yeeeeeessssss." Then I countered with, "Is is a surprise?" Her touché, "A BIG surprise!" Ok, at this point, I'm itching to know. I still have to wait until tomorrow to find out what the meeting is about. AHHHHH! It's killing me! Funny thing is, Will and I are reading through Matthew and I remembered this verse in the book. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." 6:34 I love how God speaks an answer directly to your heart. I think He kind of snickers and shakes His head when he does it. With that, I'm out like my deoderant...I might want to do something about that.

The Road No Longer Broken

At the request of a few friends, I am returning to the blog world. I didn't realize how long I had been away. This semester has completely consumed me. Between class and homework, leadership positions on campus, maintaining friendships, and enjoying my boyfriend--I've been spread fairly thin. Positively spread thin, though. I am so blessed by the joy of the things God is trusting me with. Today I realized that God is trusting me with small things now so that He can trust me with greater things later (not that what I'm doing now is not great).
I know that my calling is middle school students, there is no doubt in my mind about that. Right now, I'm a junior English/Secondary Ed. major with hopes of teaching middle school and I work with the most BALLER (this word means stellar, phenomenal, etc.) middle school ministry in the world--Ignite--through NewSpring Church as a small group leader. Some may call me crazy...I just think I'm out of my mind for Jesus. I LOVE middle schoolers.
Also, God has blessed me with a BALLER relationship with an amazing man of God--I like to call him "God's Will." This relationship has been so beneficial to my walk with God. Before Will, I struggled with realizing my worth in a world the demoralized women. Now, I feel blessed to be a woman. He is constantly challenging me and encouraging me. I'm so sure that God has entrusted me with this relationship because He is preparing me for even more in the future.
These things may seem small, but I know that God has me where I am right now for a reason. I'm so excited to see where the next turn leads on this road...that is no longer broken!