Nita Hiatt: a true blessing to all.

You know those people that everyone loves? That people gravitate towards? That always know the right thing to say? That always smile no matter what? That persevere no matter what?

Growing up, I was so blessed to have one of these people in my life. Her name is Nita Hiatt, also known by Nanny or Nana to everyone. Not having grandparents within 10 hours never seemed to really phase me because I knew I had a grandmother in my life whether or not through blood. Nana is my best friend's, Lindsey, grandma. I borrowed her though. =)

Each week at church, I had to go find Nana to give her a hug. Walking up each week she would always tell me "You better come hug me." How could I not? To be able to love on a woman so incredible and so full of purpose to love others is such a high light in my life. She showed me how to genuinely care and be excited for life. One of my favorite things to watch her do was to love her family. I have never seen anyone love every member of their family so equally and so fully. She would do anything for her family. Every basketball game Lindsey and I ever played, there Nana was, on the bleachers cheering us on. After the game, while telling us "good game," we were also coached in what we could do better. Such a spit fire. Her sweetness was out of this world, but paired with a tough love that was so admirable.

For almost as long as I can remember, Nana was battling cancer. In the fourth grade, I remember Lindsey's mom giving me a Livestrong bracelet in honor of Nana. Little did I know what this stretchy yellow bracelet meant. Little did I know that it truly described Nana to the fullest. She lived strong, lived brave, and lived in love. She was a fighter. Her inner strength seemed to overflow and help her overcome any illness she faced. There will never be enough words to truly describe her, because she is indescribable. People like her don't come around often.

I hope someday to be able to fight like Nana. Fight to love. Fight to live to the fullest. Fight to be an example of Christ in the world no matter what.

Now, God has the best angel, and we have the best guardian angel. Her attitude towards life and how she treated people will always be an example of how we are called to live. A true inspiration and a true blessing. Thank God for Nita Hiatt. May we always remember her spirit, her hugs, and her love.

The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you'
The Lord light up His countenance upon you,
and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26

Amen.

Here we go 2013.

2013. Already made it through February, but decided I wanted to get started with my blog again.

19 credit hours of class, Sport Nutrition Internship, Bible study, CRU Core, CRU weekly meetings/events, Publicity team, intramural sports, as well as trying to study, work out, read, and sleep. Needless to say I have stayed very busy. However, it is a good busy. Yeah, many days I think "Why did I do this to myself!?" Over scheduling, overworking, over booking, it's just the way I seem to always do things. Although not always the best to be continually on the go, it does help me encounter so many people on campus.

I am reading a book by Jen Hatmaker called 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess. In her book, she addresses 7 areas of her own life, which is probably common to most people as well, in which she experiences excess: Food. Clothes. Spending. Media. Possessions. Waste. Stress. She writes this as a blog as she sifts through one of the subjects for a month by evaluating her dependency and focus on it as she sets rules for herself regarding the tenant. For example, for the month pertaining to Possessions, she donated something in her house for day 1. For day 2, she donated 2 things, day 3, 3 things, and so on. By the end of the month, she still was finding items she didn't use and could donate to others. Such a powerful book, seeing her take active, faithful steps in order to live a simpler life. Jesus was a man of simplicity. He didn't need all the bells and whistles, or any of the distractions that we have in our lives.

As humans we are pulled in so many ways. Although the various ways we are pulled may not be directly bad, but they may not help us to produce fruit. If we are so focused on all the menial aspects of our life, how do we have time to focus on our true calling in life: to share the gospel, do all things for the greater glory of God, to go and make disciples.

Matthew 21:43 says "Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit."

Now that is a convicting Bible verse. The kingdom of God will be taken away from you. Producing fruit for Christ isn't done by what shirt I chose to wear, how many hours I am taking, which restaurant I decide to go to, etc. It is done by reaching out to others, engaging in their lives, loving other people, speaking truth, being kind, making decisions not based on worldly views but on the view of advancing the kingdom of God in the world.

This semester in CRU, we are changing things. Instead of waiting for people to come to us and praying that others on campus come to Christ, we are going to them. We are showing people what it looks like to live like Christ did. Christ didn't hang out with the "good people." He didn't stay inside his own bubble of disciples and wait for the sick, the broken, the poor, the hopeless. He went. He sought out people. He was intentional. As followers of Christ, aren't we supposed to actually follow what he did?  I believe so.

So, my goal for this semester is not going to be focused on how I can be involved in everything I can, but it will be on spending time getting to know people, so that, if, God-willing, the door opens for me to share how He has moved in my life, I can share it more effectively, and be ready to share. True, that is not to say it will be easy, but I will be better able to recognize it. By no means do I say I will not work hard in classes, because I feel that being passionate about what I am called to do is another area to show Christ in my life.Through my busyness, I will learn how to be intentional with my words and actions, so that my busy schedule and my calling to show Christ to others work hand in hand, not on parallel tracks.

Disciples of Jesus are known by the fruit they bear.

John 15:16-17 "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other."