with a grateful prayer and a thankful heart

last week I heard my pastor reflect on things that have happened over the past year. One thing he mention was a close friend of my dying. this morning I heard my boss give a devotional on heaven and those we loved that are already there. he spoke on Hebrews 12:1. This great cloud of witnesses that we have. I found it encouraging as I was reminded that those who were interested and genuinely concerned with my life here on earth are just as much concerned now that they are in heaven.

i've missed my friend a lot over the past month or two. i'm not really sure why, I just know that i could really used her wisdom, encouragement, and her "this is how I got through it" stories. i'm so grateful for the things I learned from her. i'm glad to know she's in my cloud of witnesses.

well...last week was thanksgiving. i was so very thankful. thankful for great time with friends and family. new neighbors, old friends. thankful for the break from work. i love the holidays and the smile it brings to so many peoples faces and hearts. my mom and I do the big shopping the day after, we get up early and hit a few stores...nothing major. I really just enjoy the crowds and being out with all the shoppers. its just fun!

the cutest little dreamer ever

today I heard bauer start dreaming. it might be one of the cutest things I've heard in a long time! here he is....how cute is he???!!!

a lot to live up to....

so in about a week i will be hearing the cutest little whines and bark ever heard. I will have a new edition to my life...and this is him...



His name is bauer. This is him at 5 weeks old. I will get him at 7 weeks. I couldn't be more excited. I've wanted a dog for so long and I'm so thankful to my roommate for letting me get one.

Now, Bauer...like Jack Bauer, from 24. I know that's places a lot of pressure on this little guy to save the world from bombs, viruses, terrorist, Kim Bauer, etc. but I think he can do it. I went to pick him out last weekend and out of all 4 puppies he was the only one to give his best effort to either play with me or try and escape out the back door. He didn't pass either with flying colors but he's only a month old...he will learn in time. CTU training will begin immediately upon his arrival to my apartment. Now its just a matter of convincing my roommate to get a little friend name Almeida for him to take over the world with!

shhhh....

Today I heard a lot of silence. I don't usually handle silence very well because that usually means I'm alone and I'm just not a big fan of that. I was in the car today for about 5 hours...by myself, after being the car yesterday for about 5 hours...by myself. After just recently taking two road trips with friends this was somewhat difficult. After about hour 3 I was ready to let someone else drive...but there wasn't anyone. So the phone calls began. First the check in with my mom, then some voice messages, then...silence. It was kind of refreshing. I looked through my CD's and nothing seemed right (I know that is usually how most people feel after looking through my CD's, but I can always find something). So, I kept the silence.

I tend to fear silence. Today I didn't and it was nice. I don't think I require a lot of it, it's just not how I was made, but I did enjoy it today and I found it nice. A lot of me wants to now say the good Christian statement about how it turned into this amazing time of prayer and I really felt the presence of God, but that wasn't the case. I did my fair share of praying and it was nice to be alone for the first time in a long time, but I mainly just drove in silence. A lot can happen when I'm quiet. Maybe that's why it scares me. It doesn't seem to be something I crave but I didn't mind it. Maybe I'll embrace it more often. who can know.

a reacurring thought

Today I heard a class of about 20 3rd graders say, "Thank you, Emily." It might have been the cutest thing I've heard in a long time.

My mom has been substituting full time for a teacher that is on maternity leave until October. She wanted me to come meet her class and teach them some different lettering things that they could use on the project they were working on.

Now, I'm around kids a good bit. I have done and continue to do my fair share of babysitting. I've worked with youth for a while. I'm currently teaching the kindergarten class on Sunday mornings. I'm beginning to learn which age groups I'm better at than others. I used to see "kids" as a collective group and you are either good with kids or you aren't. I'm quickly learning that you can be great with a 2 year old and horrible with a 4 year old (that's me). Or you can be great with a 8th grader and not so great with a 4th grader. I can make the general statement that I love kids because I truely do. However when it comes to actually teaching them things....I think I love them once they have had a year of school and can write. That means first grade and up. I LOVE these kids. That's what I've learned.

I've tossed back and forth the idea of being a teacher. I always knew that's what I wanted to do. Always. I'm curious as to why I didn't pursue that in college. I keep saying I'll go back to school so I can teach when I pay off my loans. I'm not sure how I feel about that.

Here's my question...How do you plan the future you have no control over? If there are things you know you want to do and you know God has gifted you in a way to be good at them, how long do you wait until you use those strengths and pursue those dreams? I love my job right now but I know I would love teaching as well. I know there is an element of trust. I also feel like there's an element of action on my part as well. I'm curious to see where God guides me over these next few as I continue to learn more about who He is creating me to be.

what are your passions and dreams? Are you pursing them? Are you somewhere else for the time being? I'm just curious as to others ways of handling this part of life. The real world, I guess.

christian chicken

This morning I heard the nice lady at chickfila say, "Mam, our systems are down so all we can offer you is a beverage of your choice and a chicken biscuit." Ummm...this made for quite possibly the best morning in awhile. Because of some recent moving expenses and furniture purchases money has been tight to say the least. I have done good and had not spent money on food since last Friday. For those of you who know me well, which I'm assuming if you read this blog then you probably do, know that I love to go out to eat. Meet a friend for lunch...grab dinner with gang, etc. So I've been good for about a week, I've managed to either eat dinner with the parents, cook dinner at home, and bring my lunch to work. The other night I found an old coupon for chickfila.

As I drove to work this morning, after having left on time...which is a big accomplishment for me, I started pondering getting something for breakfast. My immidiate thought was, "Em, you don't have any money." Then I remembered the coupon and how good I had been all week. I weighed the pros and cons as I neared the stoplight at Chickfila. I decided to go in. Great was my reward! I ended up getting breakfast and it was for free! I didn't have to spend any money!!!! Needless to say...it's going to be a great Thursday!

Now...I don't say all that just for you all to be jealous of my luckiness in getting free chickfila but to comend chickfila for always doing their best to please the costumer. I wrote a paper on a local chickfila store in college and in doing that read Truitt Cathy's book. It's a good read for you business folk out there. Anyway, whatever the small things are that make your days great...I wish them on you today! It's Thursday...that means tomorrow is Friday...and that's the freakin weekend baby! Be happy!!!

a true retreat

This weekend I heard the ocean. It was fantastic! 12 of us from church went on a retreat this weekend and it was truly that. None of this busiest weekend ever crap where your every minute is planned with times to eat, activities to participate in, structed games and discussions....we had no agenda. We wanted to take naps...we did it. We wanted to spend the entire day on the beach...we did it. We wanted to try our best to build a sand castle...we did it. It had been a while since I had taken a true vacation where I come back feeling fully rested. It was much needed and I am so very thankful for it. I got to meet some new folks and spend time with those I love. God is great and all His creations are beautiful works of art. I appreciate trees and the mountains but there is something about the vastness of the oceans that commands you to stand in awe and praise God for all things. He is is soverign and our God most certianly reigns. I'm ready to go back to the beach!!!


by far...the best quote of the weekend would be from my beloved roommate, "Jesus made making out...it's totally biblical."

my deepest thanks

Recently I've heard a lot of people give me compliments. I think the fact that it was my birthday had something to do with it....regardless, they were nice to hear. Most of the time I just say, "Thank you," and don't really believe thay they are being honest and I never ponder them long enough to see if I believe what they are telling me. However, I heard something the other night that I have been pondering. I had a friend start to tell me how thankful they were that I was in their life. It's crazy to think how much God will use you if you just let Him. My friend named all these things that I was "responsible" for. I said, "Thank you," like we all do, but then I sat there and thought about it. I'm not responsible for any of those things. It's hard for me to find things these days and not see God's work in it, however this is something that from the beginning I've known was God's work and I would follow Him wherever it lead. It's lead to learning a lot about myself, a lot about putting others needs before your own, and a lot of great memories that I think will continue. I hope that I'm always as willing to be used by God as much as I have been in this situation. Regardless of the outcomes, I want to be a part of Kingdom work, I want to be useful.

Pondering this compliment also made me think about the people in my life that I am thankful for. There are many. It's fasinating to think about the impact one person can have on your life. I think of family members, teachers, pastors, friends....many have people have contributed to who I am today, and for that I am thankful. I feel humbled to think that God would ever choose to impact anyone's life in the way others have changed mine. I've always had a passion for people and being social. I have a new burden for community. I want to invest fully in the lives of those around me so I can in turn be blessed by their friendships. There are great things to be learned from all people. I hope I'm always willing to be taught from them.

themes, cakes, parties, oh my!

Today I heard someone tell me, "Happy Birthday!" My birthday is tomorrow so I'll probably be hearing this a lot over the next day. If you know me at all you know I love birthdays...not just mine, but more the entire concept of celebrating someone's birthday. The idea of one's birthday being very important was instilled in me from the very beginning. Since I can remember, and from what the pictures show..even before I can remember we always had a party and that party always had a theme. There was the clown party, the purple party, the lion king party, 50's sock hop, a night on the town, scavenger hunt, cajun, polka dot, luau...just to name a few. This will be party number 24. I wonder how long I will keep this up? Despite the fact I was raised to go all out for birthdays, I think there is a part of me that really does value the celebration. I think it's important, especially as a child but equally as important to adults. I feel like I could right a whole essay on why it's important to celebrate your birthday. I won't do that here, but possibly one day. Maybe I'll just write a book about throwing birthday parties and the importance of them will come across in the details of the party planning. We'll see if that happens.

It's been a fun year of being 23. I've made some wonderful new friends, strengthened some friendships from way back in the day, found a job that I love, traveled to Moldova to play with sweet orphan children, and I've found a new apartment with a great roommate to move in with. God taught me so much through my friendships this year. I learned a lot about not acting out of fear, when it's time for me to be by myself (which isn't often, but it is necessary), how to trust Him with things out of my control...which is everything in a since I guess but more specifically my future and Jimmy's health.

I'm excited about tomorrow. It means it's a new year with new adventures...new friends, new lessons to learn, new place to live, maybe better sleeping habits? (we'll see about that one) I hope that you all are able to embrace your birthdays whenever they happen. I think getting older is a treasure and a gift. I'm honored to live another year and I'm exicted that God continues to use me for His glory on earth. Happy Birthday to each of you when that day comes! I'm excited about tomorrow and what God has in store for me this year! Here's to turning 24!

i miss the kids

I've been back home for 3 days now and I'm just now able to process the past two weeks. I had an amazing trip...as all mission trips are, but this one was different. I think the fact that I'm older and more aware of the reality these children face daily made it harder for me emotionally than any other trip. The key word for me during the trip was HOPE. That's what I wanted to leave the kids with, HOPE. Because of Christ we can all have hope and out of this hope comes a joy and peace that only God can provide. After hearing many of their stories and knowing the statics of their future it was hard for me to talk about this hope because it seemed like there was none. I trust that there is. I grew a lot this week when it comes to trust. I trust that God will provide for these kids, I trust that they will find comfort is His love for them, I trust that He has great things planned for their lives just like I trust Him with my life. It was hard for me to give all these things up to God for Him to control. So much of me wanted to do it all myself but I quickly learned I am incapable of providing all their needs.

Sunday was my hardest day of camp. We had a trafficing talk with the girls. I had heard all the statics before but to begin to put faces with those numbers made it all to real. To hear their personal stories of rape and abuse brought tears to my eyes that I was not prepared to shed. I needed someone to tell me they knew how to handle these situations and tell me what to say but there was no one, I was it. I was the person to listen, to counsel, to pray. It was a hard day but God proved Himself faithful and proved that His Spirit would guide me and provide words to say.

I miss the kids. I can't stop thinking about them. I want to see them, hug them, sing songs with them, dance with them. I saw the love of Christ these past two weeks in more ways than I thought. In the kids' eyes, through their prayers, in the giving of my team mates, the sacrifices of others, the list goes on. I loved every minute of this trip. I'm humbled that God would choose to use me to love on these kids. Praise be to our God that we are all His children and He watches out for all of us!

Moldova

Today I heard my alarm go off earlier than normal. I set it an hour early so I can make sure I have everything ready to go to Molodova. That's where I'm going today...Moldova. I've never been before and I'm pretty sure the emotion I'm feeling is excited. Moldova is the poorest country in Eurpoe. It's located between Romania and Ukraine. I get to go play with sweet little orphan kids. Yes, excited is the appropriate word.

I love mission trips. I love being away from "my world" and just getting to be completely used by Jesus with what seems like no distrations. I'm sure there will be, but they just don't seem to matter when you are on a mission trip. I'm going with my church. My pastor, Jeff, was also my youth minister growing up so I have been on many a mission trip with him...it's been a few years since our last one togther though...Australia was fun, but lately I've been thinking of all the places I've been able to go and serve. Detroit was the first, then Chicago, then DC, then Australia, New Orleans was in college. I believe in missions and I believe in the importance of going and serving.

I keep hearing my head the scripture in Esther when Mordechai is giving her the pep talk to motivate her to stand up for her people and do what she knows is right. He tells her, "you were created for such a time as this." I've never felt so called to something in my life. I'm starting to feel as though I was created for such a time as this. I don't know all that God has in store for me over there but I know I'm supposed to go. I'm ready to love on these sweet children. I'm ready to show them Jesus.

I'll be back in 10 days...I'm sure I will hear a lot while I'm over there so expect a new blog when I return!

and knowing is half the battle

Today I heard my alarm go off and it seemed louder than normal. I tend to make poor choices when it comes to my sleeping habits so the 4 hours of sleep I had gotten by the time the alarm went off did not seem like enough. You would think eventually I would learn that my body does require sleep and I should give it what it requires. I tend to ignore that...repeatidly, but appreantly that's just who I am. I need people and sometimes that means not getting sleep.

It came as no surprise to me last night when I took a personality test and it told me how much I need to be around people and in groups and how much I depend on my friends, etc. These are things I know full well. There were a few of us taking this test and reading all that we could find about our strengths, weaknesses, how we work in relationships, what we will be like as parents. Why are we all so fascinated with these things? It didn't tell me anything I didn't already know about myself. I like business, I like to be in charge, plan things, I'm trustworthy, dependable...and then came the harsh ones...anal, stiff, feels like they are always right. It was interesting to see how we were each different, but how were each necessary.

As I was driving home I wondered how much of who I am is my responsibility. Once you reach this age of awareness about yourself and you've spent enough time in counseling and analyzing life with friends that you know your querks and what makes you tick and who you clash with, how much of who you are do you sit back and accept and how much do you take on the responsibility to change? Like, if you know these are weakenesses wouldn't you want to try and work on those? Or do we just like to use those as excuses.

I know that I will continue to change a bit as life happens and Christ molds me into being more like Him, but I'm happy to say that I kind of like who I am. Granted there are weaknesses and there are traits that others have that I wish were mine, but I'm learning to accept me. If we were all alike than life would be no fun. I think it's important to know yourself, I think it's also important to know you will change.

One of the most fascinating papers I wrote in college was my senior year for an entrepreneurship class. It was this giant self-assesment that was pages and pages about myself, my core values, and my dreams. There was one part where we had to get an outside opinion. The assignment was to ask 4 friends to tell you something about yourself that you didn't know. The things people said to me I still find to be on the forefront of my mind. They had a great impact in my life. If your friends are willing I encourage to do the same...see what you find out, it could be interesting!

pale in comparison

I woke up this morning not ready to start a new week. I wanted to sleep the day away but couldn't get back to sleep at all. I had a lot on my mind and was grateful that at least last week was over with and this one should be more enjoyable.

Each Monday morning we have our staff meeting. It starts with everyone going around saying prayer request, followed by a devotional usually given by our president, and then everyone's schedule for the week regarding if they are in or out of the office. Today I asked for prayer for my upcoming mission trip to Moldova. I couldn't be more excited. I have wonderful people committed to praying for me daily while I am there and I trust that God has amazing things planned for me to see and do. Other people's requests included sick family members, sick friends, friends who had loved ones in car accidents, people looking for jobs, etc. Our devotion today was by one of my co-workers (a woman who I have grown up with and actually babysat her kids a few time when I was younger). She had just gone with the youth from my home church on their mission trip/choir tour to New Orleans. She began to tell stories, describe the scenary, help us get an understanding of the vastness of the devastation still there to be dealt with. All of a sudden my life and my worries seemed to be such a waste...I know they aren't, but they seemed so small when it came to people dying, people trying to adopt kids, people with no home, the entire city of New Orleans.

Today I heard God try and tell me how big He is and in His hugeness how much He still cares. "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." 2 Corinthians 4:17 My troubles are momentary. My God is forever.

to be a kid again

Today I heard one of my co-workers say, "They are just smelling themselves." This was in reference to middle schoolers, you know 12 and 13 year olds. We all thought it was hilarious. My boss says, "oh yeah, when my son was 13 we used to say, 'don't mind him, he got a hormone.' " You never know what will be discussed around Friday morning breakfast with the co-workers. I'm just glad I'm done with that phase....gosh!

The conversation started because I was talking about working VBS all week. I was the lead teacher for the 5th and 6th grade bible study. Needless to say this was quite different from the Team Games track time I was originally supposed to lead. Anyway, it turned out to not be all that bad. I had such a great team of teachers that were so flexible and ready to do whatever! The kids were good too. As much as I don't want to be in 5th and 6th grade again...since majority of them were "smelling themselves" but they did teach me some things along the way. It was nice to read back over some of the "classics" in the Bible and try and think of fun ways to memorize scripture. I'm glad it's over but I'm just as glad that it happened!

I pray that each of you has the courage to know...to trust...to believe...to follow...to speak out. They seem simple and somewhat childish...but I realized this week that I was trying to teach the kids these things I needed to be teaching myself.

graveyards and the D.A.R.

Today I heard my brother tell me briefly about his most recent trip to Louisiana. Let's stop right here and get everyone on the same page. 1. My brother: Stuart, he's great and you should all meet him. I feel like if I ever happen to say anything remotely funny or sarcastic then I probably learned it from him. Smart, amazingly witty, the best trivial pursuit player I know, and all around good guy. 2. My family is from Louisiana. Both sides. My mom's side is more central Louisiana and my dad's is up north. Now...back to my brother's trip...

As long as I can remember my dad has been fascinated with family heritage and lineage and stuff like that. Considering that my dad and brother have what I feel like is all the same interests my brother has recently become interested in our family background. A few months ago he was going down to visit our grandparents. On his way he stopped at this graveyard where our great grandparents, great great grandparents, and some others were burried. He began to tell me that he this "moment" of standing there seeing all this...Is it odd for me to say that he was excited? Because he definately was. My grandmother ended up taking him to some other graveyards where other family members were burried while he was staying with them. This past visit however he said he stopped at 7 different locations where our ancestors were burried while he was with my mom's parents and then when he went up to my dad's parents he and my aunt went to 12 different places in north Louisiana. I asked him if I should feel bad that I wasn't as excited about all of this and he was. My brother doesn't spend time on anything he doesn't think is important so for him to dedicate all this time documenting, researching, traveling, etc. I knew it was a big deal. He said I shouldn't feel bad, most people our age aren't interested in this stuff.

It made me think about family and family history and my ancestors. Come to find out I can be a member of the D.A.R....who knew? Apparently you have to have really accurate documentation to prove that you really are a Daughter of an American Revolution Solider and Stuart said they found of picture of one of my relatives with a D.A.R. certificate and it wouldn't be hard to trace me back to her. SWEET!!!! Anyway.....I don't think I will ever be all that interested in my family tree and who is connected to who and where everyone is burried like my brother, but I don't think that means I don't care about them...right? I hope not. I do care about my family. They are wonderful people. I think it's interesting how we each show our appreciation, love, and loyalty to our families differently. I would rather make everyone in my family a card, a personal card, and give it to them with a treat or flowers or something. That's how I would show I care. My brother would rather visit gravesites with my grandparents and learn about who is burried where and why and such. I think both are great. I think families are interesting. Everyone's is different yet we all have the crazy cousin, or the side of the family we don't talk to as much, or the aunt that moved away, and it goes on and on.

all this to say....I encourage you to appreciate your family, however that looks to you. After all...they are family.

these are the days of miracle and wonder

Today I heard a friend of mine say to me, "You are making such fun memories!" I smiled because I totally agree. I had grabbed dinner with this friend and then took her over to a house where I spend a lot of my free time. It's a nice home with wonderful people there. Hopefully in a few months I'll be in a house with wonderful people...I'm real excited about that. Anyway...there was a strange since of relief when she confirmed what I already knew to be true. A lot of times I watch my friends who get married, move away, go on travel endeavors, etc. and part of me gets slightly jealous or somewhat anxious about when it's going to my turn to do those things. I felt at peace about all of that last night. I was reassured that my time will come and if for whatever reason it doesn't I am making some of the best memories of my life!

Sometimes I get nervous about growing up. I'm not sure if I know how to do it or if I will make the best decisions. Praise the Lord I'm not the one in control! I've been listening to song "Mended" by Watermark a lot recently. The chorus says,
"You've got all this suspended, all things connected
Nothing was forgotten because Your love is perfect.
You are our healer and You know what's broken.
We're not a mystery to you."
I find it comforting to know that the God who created the universe, created me and cares enough about me to not forget me and the plans He has for me. So I can fear not about the future because it will be full of great memories day after day!


It's summer. That's always a great time for making more memories! I'm excited to see what's in store!

me...a prankster??? never!

recently I have been accused of pulling a "prank" if you will. though I'm not sure it's really prank...but whatever. I am the one being accused because in the not so distant past I was the mind behind the overtaking of one myspace page.

I'm not really sure how I feel about this label of being a "prankster." My initial reaction was to not like it. I felt like that meant people looked at me in way that they couldn't trust me and that I was always up to no good. Is this true? Is this how I'm viewed? Surely not...hopefully not. It was brought to my attention that this may not be a bad thing. I could look at it from the angle of it meaning I was quick, smart, cunning, etc. Maybe I should take it as a compliment...not everyone could pull off things I could. But I don't think that's what they meant when they called me a prankster. Maybe I could take it from the view point that I like to play games. I like the thought of a prank war and while I always fear that I will loose miserable maybe I have more wit than I thought, more brains to fuel a good prank...who can know! Who knows if it is good or bad...I think the bottom line is I'd rather be decribed differently.

So...did I pull this last prank? Maybe, maybe not. who can ever know. But I'm not sure my personality deems me to be the first one to blame.

a solid rock

Today I heard my mom tell me with tears in her voice, "Today is not a good day." It is amazing the impact that has on me. Here is this person who has been my rock, my one true parent, my constant encouragement, source of unconditional love dealing with things no one should have to deal with. She's amazing. And I will never be able to thank her enough for all that she has taught me, shown me, given me....I hope to be as strong as her when I grow up. Not so that I'll be able to have a tough face and never let anyone see my heart but so I'll be able to take life with joy, whatever comes my way.

I'm going to go see her, maybe that will cheer her up!!!

must see TV

Yesterday I heard a friend of mine say, "I wish TV shows didn't affect me as much as they do." The more I thought about it, the more I realized that TV shows will always affect us...that's why we watch them, right? If they didn't have an effect on us then we wouldn't be watching them. Whatever the affect is, it is what drives us to watching it every week....or non stop if you buy the DVD's.

I'm not one to be obessed or become addicted with a TV show like others I know (certain teen angst love triangle dramas that are now off the air excluded). I'm not saying it's a bad thing, I'm just saying it's been hard for me to do. I've watched LOST and I enjoy it when I do, but I go weeks without seeing another episode. I am thoroughly entertained by 24 and think it is a great show but I'm good to just catch an episode hear or there. I bought the first season of Arrested Development about 3 months ago because I fell in love with the show but have yet to finish the second disk. I like TV though. I probably watch too much of it, we probably all watch too much of it, but it's fun, right? It allows us to escape reality and hear other say the things we've always wanted to say. To watch people accomplish tasks we will never be able to. To meet a variety of people in various situations.

Good characters...that's what affects us. It's the same with books, movies...it's about the characters. If you don't connect them then you aren't affected and thus you probably won't enjoy it. So if it is all about character development....why am anxiously awaiting May 31st when the new season of celebrity poker showdown starts??? you all figure that one out! All this to say....I don't think we should feel ashamed if TV shows have an effect on us. I would say there is line that one can cross to where it becomes unhealthy if your own demeaner and outlook on life is completely changed after a show. For instance...if you happen to catch an episode of Boy Meets World and it is one where Corey and Tapanga are not together, things are still ok in the world, life will go on, rest assured that they do get married. It's all about perspective I guess. Everything in life will influence us...the good, the bad, the untruth, friends, family, jobs, etc. The scale to which you let the small things in life (tv shows about people who aren't real) affect you is maybe something to consider.