Livin' for the Weekend

Where to begin? That is the question.

3 weeks in LA is like 3 years anywhere else. In trying to update y'all I don't even know where to begin. But for now, I'll start with the past three weekends. Since I'm a working woman, I naturally LIVE for the weekend! Love work, but love my free time more! 

Three weekends ago, I was able to have a little get away in San Diego. Background: One of my dearest friend, Miss Mallie Drew, interned with a church in San Diego this summer and lived with the Pastor and his family.  This precious family, the Phelan's, happen to be Alabama natives so I was delighted to spend sometime in a Southern atmosphere.  I was able to spend the weekend with Bradford, sweet mommy of Ford, Milly, and Virginia Grace!  As most of you know, I LOVE children so it was wonderful to play with them. We spent the weekend going to the neighborhood block party, a birthday party, had a sleepover with 7 girls (hadn't been to one of those in a while, loved it!), church, In N' Out (for those of you who don't know its a famous West Coast burger place that is DE-LI-CIOUS), and time spent with Jesus at the San Diego Harbor.

San Diego Skyline

The sun was setting while I rested in God's creation. 

While driving on night down Ventura Blvd. (my hood) I about gave Martie a heart attack.  I almost wrecked because I saw a beautiful rainbow. I have NEVER seen one so vibrant and one that you would almost see both the beginning and end. I was flipping out. I love Rainbows they always make my heart so glad to remember that the Lord keeps His promises. I took about 20 pics, but decided to share this with y'all so you could also see our wonderful little Cali community. It's is beautiful?!?!?

Last weekend was the weekend I have been waiting for since I moved to LA. Mrs. Mary Margaret Byrd came to visit Martie and I. AHHHHH it was the best weekend yet. Lots of laughter, heart to hearts, little sleep, lots of food, and sight seeing all around the city. We spent Saturday at Universal Studios. It was so fun! We rode the Jurassic Park, Shrek, Simpsons ride and went on the Studio Tour.  The 45 min tour was my favorite! If you know me well you know that I greatly dislike TV and think that very few good things come from it. BUT I now have a new found appreciation for all the work that goes into making it happen. For example, we sat in one building on our "tram" that looked like a NYC subway. Then the ground started quaking, lights were flashing, power went out, the ground broke and water started spilling in within a matter of minutes. All of this was done by the power of buttons. WOW some people are talented. I highly recommend anyone who has the opportunity to go on a studio tour to not hesitate one bit!

That night we went to Mulholland Drive so MM could see a view of the whole city. Thought I would share a pic that I snapped. Sunday morning was spent at the Santa Monica Pier. Then touring Bel Aire (my favorite part of LA), Beverly Hills, and of course Rodeo Drive. Monday morning we went to Chinatown to get to a restaurant called the Homegirl Cafe. MM started reading a book called Tatoos on the heart by Gregory Boyle. It's about a man who provides job training to ex-gang members. If you're looking for a good read, she highly recommended it and I will let you know when I've read it! The Homegirl Cafe is one place where his training is done. Next stop, the nail polish store in Chinatown. For those who paint their nails more than once a week (i.e. MM) it's practically a heaven on earth kinda place. Such a LA gem that Martie and I found. Then sadly she had to go back to VA and her hubby. But what a fabulous trip.  The weekend ended with time spent with two other great friends Genny, a friend from JH Ranch, and Carol Anne, a good friend from Samford. Needless to say I went to bed Monday night feeling BEYOND blessed by sweet friendships!

This weekend, Martie and I went on a retreat with the church we have been attending out here. It was in the San Bernardino Mountains. Such a great little get away! We made some great friends. I had a small group that taught me so much. Each and every one of us were in different places in our lives, with different personalities, passions, gifts, and talents BUT were being lead by ONE GREAT GOD. Brings tears to my eyes as I am reminded of the beauty of the body of Christ. I could write another 10 page blog about all I learned this weekend, but since this one is practically already that long I will leave y'all with two questions that sincerely moved my Spirit this weekend. May the Lord use them touch yours also.

1. What is it that God has promised you?

2. What would you life look like if you believed that what God has promised you is true?

Just had to include a pic of the mountains! Martie and I after a small hike & riding the awesome zipline!



Happiness or Contentment:that is the question

For those of your who have read previous blogs. I've been going to an AWESOME church here in LA. The Lord was so faithful to lead Martie and I to a wonderful group of believers. To elaborate a little more I wanted to share what I learned on Sunday. I think it's a message for each and every person to hear!

We as people often strive and want to be happy. You've often heard if _____ is happy, then everyone's happy. The question, Rankin (the pastor at Pacific Crossroads), brought to my attention is does the Lord desire for me to happy or to be content.

So what does it mean to be content you ask?

"Contentment is a sweet, inward, gracious frame of spirit which freely submits to and delights in God’s will, whatever that will may be." Jeremiah Burroughs

WOW, don't we all want this to be said about us? If you don't consider yourself to be content, then you are discontent. With discontentment comes grumbling and complaining. Grumbling/complaining is a true reflection of thoughts and feelings of discontentment with whatever circumstance we find ourselves in.  Discontentment hurts the heart of God. When we are discontent we aren't trusting Him!

Since most of us find ourselves discontent,  Rankin shared 4 lies that fuel discontentment. Before I share them, I want to explain what will follow. When I find myself believing lies from the enemy, as a  believer, I should seek the TRUTH! I wish I could say I always do this, but I don't. Nonetheless, I am going to take time and refute these lies with Truth from the Word of God!

4 Lies that fuel discontentment:

1. God is holding out on me

" No good thing does He withold from those who walk uprightly." Psalm 84:11 Simple truth. Now we only have to choose to believe it.

2. God owes me.

As Americans, we are raised to believe we are entitled to....."life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Hmm, there's that word happiness again.  The Bible says "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23 We are all sinners thus we all deserve death. May this realization break our mindset of entitledness and usher us into a spirit of thankfulness of the GIFT of eternal life.

3. The IF ONLY game

You know the drill. "If only, I had this___" "If only ____" "If only ____" and so the list could go on for miles. We spend our time and energy wishing, wanting, and waiting for ______.  Rather than being content with  what we have, what our situation is we desire more.

"Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food." Isaiah 55:2

We spend our lives trying to achieve ____ when in reality it will NEVER satisfy our deepest longing. Seek the Father to be satisfied!

4. I know what's best for me

"you knitted me together in my mother's womb, I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:13

The very one who created you and me. Before the world began knew exactly what is best for us. He created us and formed us uniquely to #1 bring Him glory, but He chooses to show His great love to us throughout this life.

The sermon had LOTS of other content, but I wanted to share this portion with everyone. The Father "has no greater joy than to hear that His children are walking in the truth" 3 John 1:4 May we walk in this truth and all strive to one day be able to say as Paul did in Philippians 4:12

"I know how to be brought low,

and I know how to abound.

In any and every circumstance,

I have learned the secret of facing

plenty and hunger,

abundance and need."

Time Flies

Two more weeks have flown by.  I'm loving LA and my rotation more each day! Somehow I still haven't done anything super touristy. I kinda like, that but since I only got 2 months left here, I plan on changing that this weekend! 

Last Friday I got off at noon. I couldn't have been happier.  Another student at work had mentioned a great hike in the Santa Monica area to me.  So Martie (my dear roommate that I sleep inches from her beautiful face), Lauren (a sweet friend from the best camp ever aka JH Ranch), and I went to Topanga State Park.  To get there we drove on the Pacific Coast Highway. This is the also known as Highway 1 that runs along the entire coast of California. One word to describe this BEAUTIFUL. The hike was fun, reminded me of how unathletic I am but nonetheless great way to end the week. 

 Everyone says California is so dry, but the mountains are green as can be.

 Loved this pic.

Just trying to fit in and be artsy.

Saturday began with Martie watching the Auburn game; which of course I have no interest in so I cleaned, ROLL TIDE!  Then Pure Barre. I've tried this once before but thanks to Martie I now have accountability and we have been going regularly. I'm just hoping the Lift. Tone, Burn. pays off. Our weekend was also spent by the pool and visiting some different parts of town. We walked and shopped around Larchmont Road, Melrose Avenue, and Burbank. 

In other news, Martie and I (keep leaving Tricia out because she went back to the home state for 10 days) went to an awesome church on Sunday!  Loved it so much we already joined a small group and my soon to be comedian, but wanting to work a little before getting famous roommate, might even work there.  We are OBSESSED, to say the least. Small world, my supervisor also goes there. It's definitely going to be wonderful getting plugged in and being in community out here.

ATTENTION: Breaking News

The World Trade Center's were destroyed by the government. Yep, you read correctly. Apparently there is no way that the planes would have caused the building to collapse so quickly. AND the NYPD and fire departments are all under a strict regulation not to speak of what was in the building.  Because the government used explosives to blow them up. AND The mortar couldn't have possibly caught on fire by gasoline it needs to have been kerosene.

Now for the background! While sitting outside for lunch yesterday, the school "Plant Manager" was informing his custodian co-workers of what really happened on 9-11. He knows this because "he made an A in science". As you can imagine, I was trying not to hysterically laugh and keep a straight face.  More and more these days I love hearing crazy people talk!

Today we woke up early and went to get our exercise on at Pure Barre wearing our game day gear.

As much as we disagree on the best team in the nation, SEC folks gotta stick together and show the west coast Real Football.

Need to get back to watching the Crimson Tide DOMINATE Penn State.

Rollllllllllllll Tide ROLL Y'all!!

First Thoughts

I've already been in LA for 2 weeks CRAZY. Time has flown by! 

It's the strangest thing to me, but I LOVE it here. I love the weather, the culture, my roomates, the area of town we live in, and all the entertainment that the city has to offer. I have made  quite a long bucket list of things I want to do while I am here and am set on doing them all! I promise to share details of all things fun and adventurous!

I'll start with my internship. First of all I have the opportunity of working with some wonderful people and awesome children. Of all the difficulties and challenges these children have they are the hardest workers I know. I have been able to see many different types of disabilities which will only help me become a more educated and well viced therapist. So it's been great.

Studio City: This little town is just slightly north of Hollywood and it is AWESOME. You really should come visit. We walk to the grocery store, bank, shops, and restaurants. It's also known for famous peeps. For example: we saw Hannah from Pretty Little Liars in the grocery store last Friday, Barbara Niven lives in our condo complex, and the maintenance man's wife is the news anchor on Glee. Also noteworthy is the fact that Desperate Housewives were filmed on our street on Tuesday. Now I'm not the biggest TV fan or into famous people, but there is no denying I am living in the land of the stars! Kinda cool! Really hoping I get to see a star placed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame before I leave.

FYI: If you need any "vintage" Doc Marten's or Jorts I can definitely tell you where to find them: Melrose Trading Post. Tricia, Martie, Martie's sweet momma, and I spent Sunday afternoon at outdoor market. It was so cute. Lots of funiture, clothes, food, & plenty a nic knacks.

 I wanted to highlight this neat concept: three chairs transformed into a bench.

Also, if you need a mink scarf with the heads on it let me know and I'll go back and get it for you.

Happy Saturday Y'all!



Driving to the Wild Wild West!

Hello Hello Everybody. Here is your lovely once a month blogger.  I'm back!

It's been a great past month.  Finishing up my first rotation (which was GREAT, by the way) saying goodbye to some lovely people in Columbus, GA that were so good to me, spending a few action packed days with the fam in Brentwood, and THEN heading out for the next leg of this "Sojourning" season of my life- moving to Los Angeles, CA for 3 months. Anyone who knows me well, would rightfully be greatly suprised by this move is it quite contrary to my character; however, the Lord called me to it and so I'm diving in. I'll let you know how it goes.

This blog is featuring my I-40 ride (can you tell I've still got country music on my mind?).  My dad and I started the drive at 2 am on Wednesday morning.  For once in my life, his love of hunting has benefitted me! He usually gets up that time to go hunting and is wide awake which means I slept every morning while he drove!!! He was so wonderful to drive because I hate it! Of the 36 hrs I only drove 10. Thanks Dad!

For those of you who will never make this drive I will give you some info on all of the states between TN and Cali. 

I'll skip TN because it's my home state and I don't need to tell you how great it is, you should already know!  Now for Arkansas. Confession: with the 2 am departure I slept the entire time. Now on to

****O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A. I drove through the whole state and loved it.  Just a fews things to note.

#1 Sonic has a headquarters in Oklahoma City, random but I'm a big Sonic fan so I thought it was cool.

#2 The East side of the state looks like Fall in TN full of beautiful colored trees.  My dad burst my bubble when he told me it was because they had been in drought. The West side of the state is dry and flat.

#3 In case you were wondering, the Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague is located in OK. A place you should for sure visit, here's the website if you're interested http://www.shrineofinfantjesus.com/ haha

#4 Casino, casino, casino, and more casino. If you like to gamble OK is the place to go!

****God Blessed Texas

We drove through the northern portion of TX so didn't see much other than some awesome windmills.

****New Mexico

I fell in love instantly simply due to the fact that the speed limit was 75.  The clouds in this state were beautiful.  Just before stopping for the night we saw this on the side of the road. Such a testament to our Glorious King!

 In one day (18 hrs) we made it from Brentwood, TN  to Albuquerque, NM. Long day but so worth it because we spent Thursday exploring...

****I was standin' on the corner in Winslow, AZ

First stop in AZ was the Painted Desert National Forest. We drove through the park about 28 miles and it was cool. The following is one example of the great wonders we saw in the park.

Second stop Winslow, famous for the the song "Take It Easy" by the Eagles. We stopped on the corner and took a picture. I know, I know call me a tourist, I'm okay with that! Then ate brunch inside the La Posado hotel in their restaurant the Turquoise Room. Such a wonderful restaurant and would be a neat hotel to stay at if you are ever in the area.

And last but certainly not least. THE GRAND CANYON. As you can imagine breathtaking. My favorite part was right as we entered the first lookout this was on the brick wall.

"All the earth worships Thee; they sing praises to Thee, sing praises to Thy name." Psalm 66:4

Second night was spent in Needles, CA and let me just say I wouldn't recommend that small town stop to ANYONE, EVER.  I won't share the details. 

On Friday we were in LA by 11 and enjoyed the next few days with some good meals, touring the city, and ice cream every night. Dad and I had such a wonderful time. The trip couldn't have been better. Such a sweet time with him that I'll never forget. Thanks Daddy for being such a trooper. 

More to come on all things LA. It was a great first week can't wait to share. 

If Grace is an Ocean I am Sinking

Hey everyone! I know it's been a while since I've blogged. The weeks here in Columbus fly by and I have been going out of town on the weekends.  I spent the last weekend in June with my precious parents in Los Angeles, CA. It was SO fun! I was able to meet with my second fieldwork rotation supervisor and look for places to live.  The Lord has been so good to provide for me richly in each of those areas.

After getting back from LA, the highlight of my week was treating my first ever inmate.  Let me just tell you I was scared half to death and my blood pressure I am sure sky rocketed.  It was a short week though and I soon I was on my way to Santa Rosa Beach, FL.

I spent the 4th of July weekend babysitting for The Morris family (which was highlighted in my last post) and their extended family.  I left the weekend with one word on my heart: REFRESHED.  I was able to be with children which I love and miss. In Birmingham, I was always babysitting and this is something I have missed while being in Columbus.  I had some free time and with it I went on long walks, spent some awesome time with Jesus, and OF COURSE enjoyed the glorious sunshine. 

On Sunday night this family did the sweetest thing.  All of the kids and parents gathered around for a church service at the beach house.  Five of the children lead the service, tears came to my eyes seeing the little children of the world experiencing Christ.  During the talk, one of the kids made the comment "Jesus wants us to know that we are no better than criminals."  WOW.  I think I was instantly hit upside the head by a 2X4.  WHAT TRUTH?!?!  I am NO better than a criminal and of course my mind went instantly to the inmate I had treated just a few days before.  His sin has been justified according to human law.  MY SIN however hurts the heart of my Father God just as much as what he did that placed him in jail.  All sins no matter how we choose to rate them on this earth  break the heart of God.  My sins (yes that is plural, and if we were counting the s's wouldn't ever end) break the heart of God.  One day God himself will hold me accountable for my sins.  Justice will be served.  The only Justice  in this situation is for God to condemn me to eternity in Hell. 

But PRAISE THE LORD, that God sent His only son to die for me.  I know I don't have children; however, I cannot fathom if I only had one child myself allowing him to die so that someone else could have a better life.  In my mortal, sinful nature I would never allow this and am WAY TO selfish.  Thank you Lord for not being selfish, but rather gracious!  While reading the Word this weekend I was reminded of the Lord's kindness to me, well actually, TO EVERYONE!!!!

"Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all His benefits,
who FORGIVES all your iniquity,
who HEALS all your diseases,
who REDEEMS your life from the pit,
who CROWNS you with steadfast love and mercy,
who SATISFIES you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."
Psalm 103:1-5

WOW.... isn't He great!  Through His perfect son, Jesus Christ and his death of the cross.  My horrifying, disgusting, breaking the heart of God SIN IS JUSTIFIED. The chains and bondage of my sin are broken and I am set free.  Free to live an abundant life through Jesus Christ in me!  I have been redeemed from what I deserve (Hell) and will spend Eternity in paradise (HEAVEN).  Hallelujah!  Praise you God for your Amazing Grace! 

That was just an excerpt of what all the Lord is teaching me.  But it applies to each and every reader.  In and of yourself, YOU CAN DO NO GOOD, but through Christ Jesus in you, the Lord's wondrous works can be manifested in your actions.  Have you realized the magnitude and consequence of your sin?  Have you realized what you deserve?  If so, the better question is have you believed in the Cross of Jesus Christ? Are you a part of God's big story? Have you allowed His Grace to redeem your life and set you free?

If your answers are Yes! Praise Jesus!  If they are no, may the Lord lead you to His kingdom. May His Spirit lead you to repentance and acceptance of His Grace.  I pray that all who read this I have the opportunity of spending eternity with in Heaven praising God himself. 

Last, but certainly not least

Hi folks. It's been a while. Been a busy, but good few weeks in Columbus.  I'll talk about that in the next blog, but for now I want to share a few more special peeps from Birmingham.  If you were not included in a special post here on the blog, know that you are so special I couldn't quite group you! 

For the first of the last. Precious Sanders Morris. 

Many of you have heard me talk about going to play with Sanders.  I met Sanders last August through a UAB connection and he quickly became one of my buddies!  I had the opportunity to play with Sanders three days a week through the Fall and Spring. This little munchkin is a miracle! If you met him you would never know it, but he was non-verbal a year and half ago.  After much therapy and hard work he now talks to ANY and EVERYone. 

I had the opportunity of doing some home exercise activities with Sanders to help with his coordination, handwriting, etc.  Sanders and I had a COMPLETE blast every time! We made pancakes, built airplanes and spaceship all out of some puddy. We played in shaving cream with all kinds of food coloring. We swung of swings, played in rice and beans, and his favorite color is green. Just couldn't help but rhyme right there!

All of that to say, I sure do miss that sweet boy.  Don't worry I still get to talk to him every once in a while. Last week he informed me he has a surprise for me down stairs (the room we played in).  I can't wait to get back to Bham and find out what it is!

The last day I went to play Sanders I told him to work REAL hard today because it was my last day.  He said "I know" and something about a "3 yr old boy". Throughout the day he kept mentioning a "3 yr old boy". I didn't have the first clue what he meant but acted like I did, of course.  Well when we went upstairs I found out more about the "3 yr old boy". 

Little did I know, his sweet, sweet parents wanted to say thank you for the time I spent with Sanders.  So they contacted a mutual friend and found out the organization I go to Haiti with (Haiti Outreach Ministries for anyone else interested).  The Morris' sponsored a "3 yr old" little boy to go to school for the next year in my honor. 

This is Steeve the "3 yr old" boy Sanders was talking about. 

Thanks to the generosity and kindness of the Morris' family Steeve will now have the opportunity to attend school.  Tears come to my eyes once again as I look at his picture.  The Lord somehow used me to share a little piece of His heart with Sanders and his family and in return one of His precious children has the opportunity to defeat the cycle of hunger, poverty, and crime.  Praise Jesus!  Mr. and Mrs. Morris will never truly know how much the gift blessed my heart. Praise the Lord that we as believers are taking an active role in looking past ourselves and seeking after the heart of the Lord in caring for our brothers and sisters around the world! These wonderful parents also have Steeve's pic up in the house so they pray for them each day.  May their prayer be answered in abundance! Thank you again Ben and Rebecca. 

Now for the second part of this post, sorry again for the length, but these have been in my mind for almost a month now and my fingers have finally reached the key board.

Two more people I was greatly blessed by in Bham are my dearest roomies at 716 crest lane, or should I call it Casa de Margarita?  That is Margarita as in Margaret but I like to call her Maggie, OR Shlittle (she was my ZTA little), OR Maintenance Maggie (seeing as how she was the perfect landlord and fixer of all things broken!).

For a little info on Maggie: she is quite creative, thrifty, jolly, and is studying to be an Occupational Therapist also! Now for the second roomie, Mamie.  First a little confession, when I found out Mamie was moving in I was a little irritated. Maggie told me 2 days before spring semester and said she was "wonderful".  Well FYI Maggie says everyone is wonderful. So I wasn't quite convinced and in my mind was thinking "this is going to be so awkward". Now let me just tell you, I WAS WRONG, REAL WRONG.   Mamie McIntosh (isn't that the cutest name ever?!?!) is amazing, wonderful (maintenance Maggie wasn't lying), and quite possibly perfect! I knew she would be the perfect 3rd roomie when the first night we were already in deep convo about Jesus! That was the first of many nights that this sweet friendship blessed my heart. 

It's crazy to think that in a 5 short months we all became so close. The Lord himself orchestrated this living situation to bless us all uniquely and personally. Miss them mucho!  But I'm 100% confident that I will forever consider these two some of my dearest friends.

Maggie brought this pic home and it couldn't have fit more perfectly so on our last night at home we had to snap a pic with it! The brunette, blonde, & ginger!

Well if anyone is still reading (which I'd be surprised if you are) I will posting again soon about Columbus.  I have an exciting adventure planned in my head for the weekend and will share with you next week!

Peace. Love. Jesus.

As I have mentioned earlier in the blog, I had the incredible opportunity of leading a bible study with some Senior girls this year while I was in Bham.  These young women are wonderful.  The simple thought of them makes my heart happy.  From our first night where I had a three girls in tears, christmas lunch at my house, birthday parties in the NC mountains, individual dates, and our last meeting at my house I have grown to love each and every one of them!

I already miss them dearly and while in my first night in Columbus on Sunday I wished I was sitting at O'Henry's or Yolo (our usual meeting locations) with them!  However, they probably wouldn't have made it seeing as their senior prom was the night before.  Anywho, they looked beautiful, and YES I have stalked facebook to see pics.  Well, actually, they tagged me in some.  They left a spot in the middle of a group shot just for me and made sad faces because they missed me.  (they sure make me feel important haha)  But they are just so gorgeous I can't add that pic but rather one where they are smiling and simply beautiful!

Now for the real reason I'm writing this blog, too brag a little about my art skills (or lack there of) you can decide.  With graduation coming up I had to think of a good gift for the girls.  Their visit to my house for Christmas helped with this little mission.  While visiting they toured the Casa de Margarita (aka Maggie's house) and loved an artwork Maggie's cousin had made her for her high school graduation.  This piece was a tree with many hands of the important people in her life.  It is just fabulous with a cute quote, leaves and all!  While they ooohed and ahhhed over it, I was officially on a mission.  I had to make each of them one for graduation.  I knew it would mean the world to them!

This mission began with a trip to the local Hobby Lobby and Walmart with my awesome graphic designer roomate, Mamie (don't worry more to come on the roomies in a later blog).  So thankful for other people's ideas and creative expertise because Lord knows I don't have a creative bone in my boyd! After some painting, gluing, lots of cutting, a little deception (to get their hand prints of course) and some of Mamie's wonderful handwriting (thanks again Mam) the project was done! 

 Voila! The finished products

And since this is almost the end, I must take time to explain the title of this blog.  Dearest Lelia, the second beauty from the right in the above pic named a facebook album Peace. Love. Tori.  haha.  This is quite flattering I must say, however, I don't exactly want them to glorify me so I decided to call it Peace. Love. Jesus. Because I mean HE after all the Peace Maker and Lover.  I just hope and pray that I have passed on a little bit of the Good News of Jesus to these precious daughters of His and that His Spirit will increase in their lives abundantly. 

I just had to add one more because I love them that much

The Chesters

Thinking over the past 6 years in Birmingham there is one thing that has been constant, and that is the Chester family.  They have 3 children Margaret, Claire, and Crawford.  Many of you might not recognize the last name but I bet you recognize the name, Margaret.  Many of you have heard stories and precious Margaret, but have never had the chance to meet her.  Thanks to the world wide web, you are not being introduced.  Over the past six years I have babysat Margaret and often times the others once a week.  Margaret has become one of my best friends.  She is truly such a special young girl, well almost a lady now seeing as she is almost my height and entering Mountain Brook Junior High next year. WOW! Makes me feel old to think about her as a 5 year old and now a middle schooler.  Margaret is the most fun-loving, and cheerful person I know.  A simple sneeze can bring laughter for Margaret.  Before I left Bham I wanted to spend an afternoon with just her treating her to her 2 all time favorites in Bham, McDonald's and the Birmingham Zoo.  It was such a fun afternoon so I had to share a few pics. 

Margaret can eat a McDonald's cheeseburger like no one else.  The girl LOVES McDonald's and constantly asks to be taken. This trip to McDee's I learned something about Margaret, she is picky with her french fries.  She only likes them when they are soft!

This trip to the zoo Margaret spent a lot of time climbing through the rock park. In this pic she was headed to the slide!

Visiting with the ducks.

When I went to babysit the following week, everybody wanted to go again.  So now everyone got a treat. Crawford couldn't stop talking  to his mommy about wanting to "ride the choo choo mommy."  So to the zoo I went two times in a week.  This visit was particularly special because very few times so I get to play with all of the kids.  Sweet Claire usually has dance or softball. 

Our first stop was the reptiles.  These animals give me the heebeegeebees (no clue how to spell that and I'm pretty sure that guess was unsuccessful), but that was the first place Claire wanted to go.  Crawford kept saying "Look Miss Toei, look Miss Toei". 

All 3 kiddo on the beloved Choo, Choo.  It was not quite Thomas the train aka "Ta Ta" but little man was just as happy to be aboard! 

This pic might just be my favorite.  I can hear him saying "Weeeee". Isn't he the cutest?!?  To think that I saw this little man a few hours after he was born and to see how big he is now amazes me. 

They love the carousel. The sweet man even let us go around twice.

After many attempts this was the best pic we could get of me and the kids.  I think it's pretty cute though and speaks to each of their personalities!

Great pic of Claire on the backyard swing set!

and last but certainly not least, a sweet pic of Margaret and I talking.

In case you can't tell, I LOVE this family and will miss them dearly.  Tomorrow is my last day with them in Bham which makes me sad, but I'm expecting to see them in Columbus sometime this summer...hint hint Mrs. Chester :)

Lordship

Since graduating from college, the Lord has taken me on a fun and exciting journey.  He has blessed me with deeper fellowship, greater understanding of His love, and has revealed himself to me in new ways!  This has truly been the best season of my life.  I've known this whole time he is teaching me more and more and have finally put this season into one word. LORDSHIP.  I've know Jesus as my Savior since the age of 11, but just in the past two years have I began to understand what it means for Him to be my Lord.  When I allow Jesus to be my Lord, that means He leads my life.  I no longer live, but Christ lives in me!  This has and will be a process.  A process of submitting my will, mind, emotions, and plans to Him and yielding to His plan for my life.  The idea of Jesus as Lord of my life has lead me to cling to His Sovereignty.  To trust in His sovereignty rather than my on plans.  I had loved the following verse since I was a freshman in high school, but it now has a new meaning to me.  "The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." Proverbs 16:9

Praise You Lord that I can yield my wandering heart to You and trust that Your ways are perfect!

Thankful

Well folks, I leave Birmingham in less than a month. Ahhh. So sad to think about.  I have considered this wonderful city my home for over six year now.  My next few blogs will feature all of the wonderful people I will miss once I begin this Sojourning season.  Some of the first people I truly got to know in Birmingham are some of my college ZTA pledge sisters.  My first four years in Birmingham wouldn't have been the same without these girls.  They have seen me at my best, at my worst, grow, learn, change, and have truly became my family.  Since graduation, we have all gone different ways even while living in the same city.  Three of these beuaties have gotten married (congrats again to you girls), and well, the rest of us have decided to go to more school. I think we all know who got the best end of the deal. haha. 

Anywho, all of that to say we got together for dinner last night.  We tried so hard to go somewhere new and exciting, but our hearts once again returned to Cocina Superior! I guess there are just way to many memories and great conversations that were held within those walls and it simply holds a special place in our hearts.   

 Julie (now) Reagan, me, Jamie (now) Holmes, and Susan!! 

Since the group pic wasn't the best, Jessica (now) George gets her very own pic!  Jess you can thank your Iphone!

As with most times since graduation our night was spent catching up. It's so exciting to see where the Lord is taking each of us.  Julie just got a  promotion (way to go Jules) and is very happily married.  Jamie just got a new job, something she has wanted for a while now.  We are so very happy for her.  Susan is about to graduate with her business degree.  This is a HUGE accomplishment for her and I couldn't be prouder.  Jess is getting her Teachers Certificate and looking for teaching jobs in the fall.  Best of luck with that Jess!  I know that I will miss these beautiful women like CRAZY when I leave but have assured them I am a phone call away from a weekend trip to Birmingham and have begged them to schedule a trip to LA in the Fall to come visit me. 

As always, beyond thankful for the blessing of these friendships and the city in which they all began! 



Only Getting Started March 28th

I recently read this verse:

“O Lord God, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand.  For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and might acts as yours?” Deuteronomy 3:24

When I read that, it just hit me. I am only 23 years old, and in those short 23 years I can think of SOOOO much great things the Lord has done for me.  He has provided for me richly, blessed me with wonderful friends, given me examples of what God fearing community is, and the list would literally NEVER END if I didn’t stop it somewhere.  But His Word says He has only begun. 

This thought reminds me of an old Stephen Curtis Chapman song (yea yea I love me some SCC!) that goes as follows:

I was just a little kid when
I heard about You for the first time
And all I really, really knew for sure
Was You were God, I wanted to know You
And now the years have come and gone
I'm still singing that same song
You might think by now I would have reached the end
But the truth is...

I am only just beginning
I am only getting
Started to know You now
I'm only getting started
And when I start thinking I'm getting
Close to the end, You just smile at me and say
Hey, kid, you ain't seen nothing yet
I'm only getting started
I'm only getting started now

Now Your love it is an ocean
Deeper than my deepest notion
Your grace, it is the sky above
It just keeps on going forever
And with every new sunrise
You come and open up my eyes
Show me just a little more of You
And again I see that...

Praise You Jesus that you are only getting started in making MUCH of You in my life!  I just love the newness of the Father!

Dreaming March 20th

I’ll have to say, I wouldn’t consider myself a dreamer, but lately I find myself constantly thinking of the gifts and talents the Lord has given me and how He wants to use those.  I’ve thought of about 20 things I would love to do upon graduation and how they would each pan out.  For those of you who have so graciously listened to those, I now take the time to say thank you again. 

One of those dreams includes moving to Haiti. I know no one that knows me is surprised by this. Or maybe you are?  But either way, since I left that beloved country on March 20, 2010 my life hasn’t been the same. I love it there. I love everything about it.  I love the mosquitoes nets over the bed, the air mattress (that deflated after 20 minutes on that trip), the people, the need, the community, and the list could go on for years so I won’t bore you now.

One of my questions mentioned earlier was what would it look like for my OT skills to be used in Haiti?  The October trip I went on was to explore just that.  As you can imagine, OT for what we found didn’t exactly exist in Haiti.  Immediate medical care was first priority.  However, what happens when these patients are medically stable? (hope you like that medical terminology!)  

I’ve always loved the organization I have gone to Haiti with (Haiti Outreach Ministries http://www.haitioutreachministries.org/ please take time to click on the link and look at all the great things they are doing).  But in my small mind, OT didn’t have much of a place within it. The medical clinics only have doctors and nurses and are run by other agencies just on the HOM property.  Well as usual, God knows better than I and has an Awesome plan!

At the end of Spring Break, I went to the wedding of our dear friends from Haiti, now Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Bxybe!  During the reception, I was able to meet the President and a board member.  After introductions, the president was talking to me about my plans after graduation. I told him I wanted to do OT missions and thought that might happen in Haiti, but just haven’t found a place to plug in.  Without a 2 second lapse in time, he offered my fellow lover of Haiti, Miss Katy Crane and I a therapy room in the new City Soleil clinic of Haiti.

There I was sitting in the middle of a wedding reception, in shock and almost tears.  WHAT? Me? Us? With HOM? Nooo way? Seriously? Now as you can imagine the next few days were like a blur in my mind. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, but for sure thought it couldn’t be real.

The When and How haven’t even begun to be answered, but Lord willing one of my dreams may just come true! I’m honored to serve and AWESOME God, Worthy of my Awe.

***Crazy, after just finding the date in my journal this way exactly one year after I left Haiti the first time! That just makes Him timing even MORE sweet.

Believing for Feb 20th

I have a dear lady I look up to that has more faith than anyone I have ever met.  She truly believes the Lord for radical things in her life.  With that in mind, I have been challenged to believe the Lord for things so that an increase of faith will occur in my life.  I don’t have faith that can move a mountain BUT I sure do desire it and choose to exercise my faith so that God himself be glorified. 

This year I have had a most blessed opportunity to lead a Senior girls Bible study.  A few weeks ago, I has asked the girls to think about something they were believing the Lord for in this upcoming year and get back with me the next week.  On the way to Bible study the next week, I was thinking of what I was going to believe the Lord for in this year.  The Lord graciously recalled to me a verse,

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8

This verse is already dear to me because it put my soul at rest one night my Freshman year of college, but this year the Lord wanted me to re-visit it.  I was thinking about what it means to instruct.  Teachers are often called instructors.  A good one reveals information to you, is patient with you, and wants good for you.  God is a GREAT one.  He promises to instruct me, guide me, counsel me, and watch over me!  So comforting to proclaim those truths. 

As I Sojourn, I am believing for His instruction!  May He alone be glorified as He instructs and my faith is increased.

A Glimpse Feb 4th

Well here goes nothing.  I’ve been thinking about starting a blog for a while, but recently the Lord gave me a small glimpse of what he has next for me.  I was reading in Genesis a month or so ago and read the following:

“And Pharaoh said to Jacob, ‘How many are the days of the years of your life?’ And Jacob said to Pharaoh ‘The days of the years of my sojourning are 130 years…’ Genesis 47: 8-9a

The word SOJOURN stuck out to me, but I kept on reading.  When I finished reading the chapters for that day, I was still thinking I’ve seen that word a lot, I wonder what it means?  So I googled it on my phone and I found the following.

Sojourn: to reside temporarily

I read that and thought YES Lord! What a beautiful picture this world is not our home, heaven is!  I was sharing that sweet reminder with a dear friend the next day when the Lord said STOP, WAIT a minute!  I didn’t mean for that to simply be a reminder for you, I wanted it to guide you.  He just brought me this sweet glimpse that He is calling little ole me to Sojourn.  To reside temporarily.  Wherever he takes me, whenever he takes me.  As many know, since March of last year my world has been turned upside down. Praise the Lord for that! I was living all for me, and merely planned my life while letting God be a small part of the side yet had not truly given all over to Him.  It’s crazy to look back on it because in my mind I was walking with Him, but He wasn’t going to just let me walk He wanted me to dive in and give up myself so that He could reign. Hallelujah! 

All that to say, since last March I would consider my life a big ball of Questions.  One night I literally wrote 5 pages in my journal of questions, knowing full well that they well be answered in the fullness of time, yet still I just had to get them out.

This Sojourn glimpse doesn’t give me any specifics except that He has a lot in store.  A lot of great things at that. A lot of change, and unknowns, but right now that’s all I desire. Whatever He has I say YES Lord!