today...

we flew kites.

and it was a glorious day.

(and now I am getting ready to watch BOLT with my Jr. High girls. Here's to a simply delightful weekend!)

((and yes, I still intend on telling you all about our mystery trip!))

today i'd like...

to fly a kite.

(I am also pretty homesick.)

today is an dreary sort of paradox...

This is kinda how I feel today...

tired and dreary and a little bit downcast.

But it is such a sunshiny day outside!

Boo on days like this...

I'm sure it will get better.

going on a little trip...

And yes, it is a mystery.

What in the world am I talking about?

633 Kingdom Life Mystery Mission Trip

Yeah, I figure you are still confused. Let me back up. Matthew 6:33 tells us to seek first the Kingdom of God. This is the focus of our Spring Break mission trip this year. A small group of us will be leaving today to be ambassadors of the Kingdom to our world. Where are we going exactly? Well, that is the mystery part of it. We have planned this trip {mostly Cody planned; I helped} and no one other than a few select people really know any of the details. We gave each team member a detailed packing list, and that is all they really know. Oh, and they know we get back Wednesday night. 

I'll be back later this week and let you all know how it goes.

Until then, please be praying for us. Pray for GOD to move in us and use us in tremendous ways on this trip. I'm going to be honest, I hope this trip is life changing for everyone on it.  I am excited to see just how HE has decided to work.

"HE who calls you if faithful; HE will surely do it" (1 Thess. 5:24). 

I give HIM all the praise and glory, right now, for all the things HE is going to do.

a favorite way to spend a saturday...

three girls

a sack lunch

a mountain

& GOD

This past Saturday, Ashley {my roommate}, Annie {my dear, visiting friend}, and I slipped away from the craziness of our lives to Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville. We packed our lunches, put on our tennis shoes, and grabbed our Bibles {and journals, and additional reading and study materials...}, ready for some much needed quiet time. We found my favorite spot, a rock ledge that is hidden away under a canopy of trees, and sat down to enjoy our view and our lunches. We chatted for a while, and then each grew quiet. We had no particular plan, though we had originally thought we would roam around a bit more, so we each settled into the silence and our spot on the rock.

I was surprised when I looked at my phone and saw that we had been there for nearly three hours. All of a sudden, a mighty wind seemed to roar around us, breaking our silence. It almost felt like GOD was giving us HIS approval or dismissing us or something. We stayed a while longer, reflecting on our individual experience on the rock, and then left to explore some more of the park {and find a restroom}.

I had been needing a day like this for a while.

In community, but in solitude, and in nature.

 I have decided that it is definitely a favorite way to spend a Saturday.

a little bit of loveliness...

I just think this is precious. 

Where can I find these flowers and some cute antique tins?

a series of unplanned events...

... led to a series of choices.

Which required faith. 

And stepping out in that faith.

Taking action.

The result?

A beautiful scene of God at work.

And an open door for that work to continue.

Let me tell you the story of what I experienced this past Sunday morning. First let me back up. I went up to Murfreesboro on Saturday afternoon to visit Laurel and some other friends. The plan was to be there for the Coffeehouse Fundraiser that night, hang out, stay the night, and go to church with them the next morning before heading back to Huntsville. 

Saturday night we were thrilled by a huge, unexpected {though forecasted} surprise-- SNOW! As in true college student/fresh out of college student fashion {I know... it has been 2 years now. Not quite fresh.}, we ventured out for some snow sledding adventures at about 1:30am. When we got back, close to 3:30, we just weren't all that tired. Seriously, I could not fall asleep. So we had some deep, late-night real talk until nearly 5. Needless to say, we were moving a little slow as we got ready for church Sunday morning.

Bible class starts at 9:30, and at 9:35, we {Laurel, Jenny, & I} were walking out the front door into {approximately} 7 inches of snow. After clearing the snow off the windows and slowly backing out of the driveway, we were on our way. Except we stopped at Starbucks. And there was a line. And as we made our way towards the church, we realized that we were way too late to make an appearance in class, so we turned down a side street, found a Hardees, and pulled in. 

{Series of unplanned events}

As we drove up to the drive-thru, we noticed 2 homeless men standing outside. We pulled together some money as we got our food and then drove back around the building to help out these 2 men. However, they weren't outside anymore; they'd gone in. So we parked the car, grabbed our food, and headed inside.

{Series of choices}

When we walked in, we noticed that there were actually 4 of them, and we really didn't know what to do, so we grabbed a booth and sat down. I mean, we didn't really know for sure if they were even homeless. Doubts and fears kept us frozen in our seats. What if they aren't homeless? What if they get mad or offended if we approach them? What if they just see as some annoying, rich girls that want to get in a good deed for the day? How do we start this conversation? We sat there for about 10 minutes before any of us made a move. Finally, I stood up.... and walked right past them into the bathroom. {ha, pansy} I noticed that they didn't have any food, so I knew we had to do something. So when I walked out, after breathing a desperate prayer to GOD for assistance, I walked up to the guys, and just started talking to them.

{Stepping out in faith}

Laurel and Jenny were right behind me, and together, we sat and chatted with the men. We found out they had slept in a Salvation Army the night before, but they get kicked out in the mornings, so they were waiting here until the library would open at 1:00. At one point Jenny {taking another step in faith} asked the guys if they would want to go to church with us. They said yes. So we called our friend T, he came, we loaded up the 2 cars, and made our way to church.

{Taking action}

It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen in church. I turned to look down the pew at the people beside me... Jerry, John, Bill, & Charles sitting between me and my friends. We ended up spending about 4 hours with these men, hearing about their lives and their search for jobs, laughing together as we sat in the back of a Chinese buffet... We dropped them off at the library that afternoon, and as we drove away, I thought about just how much this afternoon must have meant to them.... and I realized just how much it meant to me. 

Thank you, LORD, for using me as a vessel... a gift of YOUR love and mercy to these men.

Interested in learning more about the crisis of homelessness in our country and how we, as the church, can be used by God to help, even in these "little" ways? Check out Under The Overpass , a book by Mike Yandoski. I just finished reading it, and it has really given me some good perspective.

a lazy, rainy morning...

...and I am still in bed.

Yes, this morning is a lazy, rainy morning. I have been awake for a while now, but my lights are still off as I lay stretched out amidst the rumpled covers. I got up to open the blinds so I could watch the rain. It falls slow and steady. I must have rained all night long, because I can see part of a little river that seems to have formed behind my apartment building. I really need to get some things done this morning... but really, none of it is that urgent. So I will savor the laziness a little while longer...

I've got a rather exciting weekend ahead of me. Let's be honest here, my calendar reveals that pretty much every weekend of 2009 has been filled with events and excitement, and it doesn't end with this weekend. I think it is going to be this way through July and into August {and by this time, weekends will have turned into weeks}... What a life I lead! haha

What's on the agenda for this weekend?

Coffee & conversation with a couple of people, a Ladies Retreat, lunch with an out-of-town visitor, and an overnight trip to Murfreesboro to spend some time with a couple old & a few new friends {and see a very talented artist perform at a coffeehouse fundraiser @ the RFC}. Twill be fun for sure!

I hope you all have a delightful weekend!

signs of spring...

a lovely morning indeed

revealing the signs of spring

Yes, it has been quite the pleasant morning. 

I woke up at the crack of dawn, but pulled myself out of bed 45 minutes later. {I just couldn't wake up.} I was out the door at about fifteen till seven, and it was already 53 degrees and sunny. I knew it was going to be a good day. The air was cool and apparently it had rained in the night. A little after eight {after Coffee & Prayer w/my Madison Academy kids}, I pulled into my parking spot, and took in the view. A valley, scattered with cows... the mountains not too far in the distance. I opened my car door, listened to the music of the birds, and sat as I enjoyed my breakfast. I lingered for another moment, knowing I have no windows in my office, and then headed inside.

sigh....

Nothing too eventful, but oh so delightful.

Good morning.

{by the way...  in case you were wondering... this is my favorite flower}

i need help...

it has happened.

i have lost control.

it all started the day the competition ended...

i endulged.

way too much.

and now it has come to this...

It has been a week and a half. I have no more excuses. I have got to regain control or else all the good that was done will be for nothing.... sigh... At least I am still exercising in the mornings... for the most part... It does not help that the office workroom is overflowing with cakes and cookies this week. It did not help that I was on a trip with the youth group this weekend, complete with all the snacks a kid could want. It did not help that the girls in my room had brought their own snacks as well, and bonding with 8th grade girls sometimes takes place when combining oreos, peanut butter, and bananas.. It did not help that the girls wanted to get something from the cute ice cream parlor... and I mean.. I had to buy something too... like I said, all for the sake of bonding, right?

help!

to inspire...

... means "to fill with an animating, a quickening, or exalting influence".

Yesterday I spent a little time (and by little, I mean merely an hour... ha) exploring various blogs. The list of those that I follow grew in leaps and bounds. I have accepted the fact that I AM that blogging girl now. But you know what-- there are a lot of us out there, and based on what I see on their blogs (since remember, I don't actually know a lot of them), they are pretty awesome people, so I am not going to feel creepy for this. 

As I wandered through the posts and pages, I came across this blog. Again, I don't know this woman, but her short post titled "Who Inspires You?" really, well, inspired me. Even the simple definition of "inspire" sparks something within me. (Again with the epiphanies, Jenna...) GOD moves and inspires me in so many ways through so many people. In the ways these people & I interact, in conversations, in things they write... HE leaves impressions upon me with these individuals. HE not only works through various persons, but also in so many of the smallest events or things around me. As I thought about all the simple things that absolutely delight me in a day, I recognized how GOD is in pursuit of me. 

I've thought about the different ways GOD seems to flirt with me at times. (I really enjoy seeing it as HIM flirting with me, fighting for my attention..) But for some reason, it resonated differently yesterday. I was filled with an animated, a quickened awareness of HIS presence and pursuit. 

Praise the God who can constantly delight us with the traces of Himself that He leaves scattered throughout our lives!

stir it up...

Lately, I’ve had a lot on my mind. I’ve been feeling really restless; I’m itching for springtime, a road trip, even to run (!!). The weather’s inconsistencies don’t help, teasing us with spring, then freezing us! It is like my entire being is aching to break free.

It’s like I’ve been still for too long; I’ve been sleeping or something, and I am ready to be awakened! Do you ever feel like this?

I used to go to camp every summer. It was absolutely my favorite thing in the world, and having to sit through church the Sunday morning before we would take the drive through the woods and then get me settled in my cabin was torture! I would try my best to pay attention and be still, but I felt like my head would explode if I didn’t move around and release the building pressure from within! I was just THAT excited. The anticipation for what was to come was just too much to bear for this 8 year old! (Confession: I was still feeling this way at 18.) 

As I sit here and compare these restless feelings I am currently experiencing and that antsy feeling from the old days before camp, I have a bit of an epiphany. And yes, I realize I have those often. 

Maybe this stirring within me points to what is to come...

 Sure, we keep hearing about how times are hard, but maybe God is getting ready to move in some incredible ways through these hard times in our country. Maybe He is preparing me for something that is to come in my personal life. Maybe it is something that is to come in this youth group that I am pouring my life into. There are some awesome things coming up for MYM: Winterfest, Spring Break Mystery Trip, Girls Retreat, and the summer with its new interns, and trips -- I mean, I am so pumped about the City of Children. 

God is moving. He is stirring. 

And I am craving Him with passion, ready to see His mighty works.

a little interview...

... by my sbf,Katie! I saw the post where she was interviewed and decided that I would join in on the fun (even though I usually these things... I still haven't written a facebook note on 25 random things about me. I may be the only individual on facebook that has not..). Below are the questions she sent me and my answers. Enjoy!

1.  What is your biggest goal for 2009?

My biggest goal for 2009 can pretty much be summed up by one word:surrender. At the end of '08, I was very convicted about the things I had been pursing. When I moved to Huntsville to work at Mayfair, I put a lot of pressure on myself in my ministry. Because of this, I started pursuing my "ministry" WAY more than I was pursuing GOD. I was really feeling the effects of this by the end of the year. I also found myself pursing relationships with other people over HIM. My goal for this year is to surrender all of these things, and everything else, to HIM, and pursue HIM above all else. 

Let me just say, this is not easy.

 

2.  What would you call your perfect Saturday afternoon?

Hmm... my perfect Saturday afternoon... I have trouble with these type questions, because I can dream up all kinds of wonderful scenarios, and I have no idea which of these delightful ideas I might call "perfect." Even though this may make me sound like a silly little dreamer of a girl, I think the perfect Saturday won't be composed of a series of perfect events, but it will include a certain special individual... this individual will be my love... and I don't know who this man will be, but I look forward to some lovely, lazy (or adventurous) Saturdays with him.

 

3.  If I were to come visit your hometown, where would you take me and why?

 

Oh my hometown of Cleveland, Tennessee. I'm not going to lie, there's not much happening in Cleveland. (Katie, it is NO WHERE NEAR as cool as Greenville.) However, there are still some special places I would take you. 1)My home - my favorite place in Cleveland. We would hang out with the fam.. sit in the dining room chatting with Mom, go out into the field to look for golfballs with Dad and the dog, and chill with the sisters in the basement. & 2) Tinsley Park. The courts I played high school tennis on are there, as well as an AMAZING playground w/ walking trails. I like spending time there; I don't do it nearly enough...

4. What is your most embarrassing moment?

 

When this question comes up, I have my one go-to answer. But honestly, I don't think it is my life's MOST embarrassing moment. But I can never seem to think of these moments when the questions are asked... maybe I've blocked them from my memory for some reason... Since I can't think of a really good one, I will use my go-to answer. It was the 4th grade. Gym class. We were doing volleyball drills... practicing our serves or something, and the boy I had SUCH a crush on was in my group. (So of course I was really excited about this fact.) Short version of the story - there was a HUGE hole in the back of my pants & somehow I hadn't noticed. Couldn't get in touch with Mom to bring me new pants, so I walked around with my principal's sweatshirt wrapped around my waste. It was a Wednesday, so I had church that night. Because I was SO cool (ha) I decided to wear this navy sweatshirt with bold golden yellow letters to church. With bold golden yellow leggings. What did the sweatshirt say?

Cause I'm the Principal - That's Why.

(ha!!!) That part of the story may be the most embarrassing thing..

5. If you were a cookie, what kind would you be and why?

Oh dear, another one of these type questions. If I were a cookie... hmm... Because I have been on an extreme diet for this stupid weight loss contest (can you tell I am tired of this ban on sweets?), I have a very strong craving right now... And I don't know if I would be this cookie and why or why not.. but right now I really want a big, thick, warm & gooey, chocolate chip cookie. And some milk. And I want it to be really big... like.. never-ending. So there you go. This question was torture.

If you would like to play along here are the directions:

1. Leave me a comment & your e-mail address saying, "Interview me."

2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the questions).

3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.

4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.

5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions. (You get to choose the questions.) The first five 'askers' get the interview (if I even have that many out there reading)!

cravin' a roadtrip...

For real...

What I would give for

 just a carload of friends

 & the open road...

I want blue skies. 

I want flip flops. 

I long to be free from all responsibilities... 

(I mean, just for a week or something.) 

I want unknown destinations

& hole-in-the-wall eateries.

I want the beach...

And the mountains...

I want the West Coast...

And Maine...

And I want to stop at home...

sigh...

Instead, I suppose I will get back to work and keep my eyes open for some open space on my Google calendar.

(Can you tell that I am suffering from some insane spring fever?)

i need your imput...

I want a better title for my blog. 

This one is too long and just not all that catchy. 

Help! 

Do any of you few wonderful, faithful readers 

have any suggestions for me?! 

fun times with numbers...

I was never a huge fan of math.

I made my 1st B in the 5th grade. Honors math was not my friend that year.

(Thank you to Michelle King for helping me. By help, she sometimes let me copy her homework answers. I know. That is cheating. I have always felt bad for it. I felt worse that it didn't help any. I still got a B.)

I despised the complicated theories that mathematics always seemed to bring with it; however, I loved numbers. 

I know. 

This is strange. 

I think it has something to do with the somewhat obsessive compulsive aspect of my personality. I like patterns. I like order. I like when things fit together. I like for things to balance. Sure, I am just now really getting the hang of a budget, and I've not fully mastered the art of balancing my checkbook, but I am making progress. 

When I was in elementary school and I had math homework that I did not feel like doing, I would sometimes pretend that I was a business woman at work in my office. I would sit at my desk with a lamp pointed at my homework or "accounting papers" and think/talk to myself in a British accent, pausing pensively for dramatic effect. Yes. I was alone in my room. 

This afternoon I:

- checked the status of my financial loan, figuring out how much of my last payment went towards the principle & how much towards interest. I was giddy when I realized what a chunk of principle I paid off.

- while trying to figure out the prospective expensive for my upcoming Girls Retreat, I was, with much delight, adding numbers and dividing them and doing all that wonderful simple math. The best part was catching an error on the hotel's part that would have cost us almost $2,000. 

- I also checked my bank account online to see what checks had cleared and how much money I actually had in my account. 

It was then that I realized -- as an adult (cough cough), I am living the dream... 

It is no longer pretend. 

It's real life. 

But maybe, at times, I still use a British accent.

this was no protein bar...

Dear Denny's,

Thank you for the invitation to dine with you today! You added much excitement to my day. It was nice of you to hand out rain-check coupons for those of us that did not have time to wait around. Even though I didn't take one, my friends and I were up for the wait, I still appreciate the gesture. The pancakes were really good, and I didn't even run out of syrup! I was surprised that I cleaned my plate-- I even enjoyed the sausage. (I'm sorry that I was kinda scared of it at first. You proved me wrong.) 

I may get in trouble for hanging out with you today, (nothing against you, you've just got a lot more calories than my Special K meal bar) , but I am willing to suffer the consequences. I've probably got a date with a certain treadmill later this evening.... misery, but today, and only today, you were worth it! 

Thanks again! Next time you host such a big event, let me know! I'll be there!

Sincerely,

Jenna 

(as well as Cody, Brock, & Autumn)

feeling a bit nostalgic...

so... 

I looked through old pictures

found these

they made me smile

& so I decided to share them

sweet memories...

simply adorable...

This is precious.

I want it to be spring.

I want to be 5.

I wish I could do a cartwheel.

a distracted moment...

I am daydreaming a bit this morning...

(Don't worry; I don't plan on wasting too much time in my fantasy world. I've got much work to do. But for now, for this moment, I plan to dream a little...)

If I had more time in my day, I would read more.

And if I lived in this particular daydream, I would find myself in the cozy front room of my lovely little home. I would be curled up in the most perfect reading chair by the fireplace. There would be such big windows in this room that I wouldn't need to have the lights on, even on this cold and cloudy day. Maybe I would be sipping on a morning cup of coffee (even thought I don't particularly care for coffee). Better yet, make that tea. (I don't like tea much either, but it seems more appropriate for this daydream)...

And if I had more time in my day, I would write more.

My journals would be filled with the most beautiful and profound thoughts. And, since this is my daydream, a pen such as this (above) would be found in my hand, elegantly dancing on the page as my thoughts are poured out in ink... 

And in my spare time, I would take these thoughts and publish them.

Because in this daydream, all of my thoughts would fit perfectly together and make a most incredible piece of literature. I would sit and type for hours, until the last page was pulled from the typewriter, (I must be daydreaming in another era, because yes, it is a typewriter I am using, not my macbook.) and my complete masterpiece was in hand...

Well, I suppose that is enough distraction for this morning. Time to get to work. 

Perhaps I will find some time to read today....