Dennis and Allison Graduate

The Graduates--Allison graduated with a Nutrition major. She is now doing a year with the Fellow Program in Memphis. Dennis graduated with an Electrical Engineering major. He is now moving to Atlanta to work for the engineering firm Enercon Services.

And don't worry, Dennis still graduated first. Although they graduated the same day, Dennis was a few hours before Allison.

Proud parents. Such great support systems for Allison and Dennis throughout their college experience. Definitely their two biggest cheerleaders!

 

Proud siblings and Volunteers for Life.

Love any chance to have the whole family together!

Sad that Allison and Dennis are leaving Knoxville, therefore, leaving me. But so excited and proud of them. They are both incredible and worked so hard throughout their years at UT! Can't wait to continue the rest of my college experience hoping to learn and do as much as these two did. 

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."

A friend loves at all times.

I have a blog tying up my summer in the process of being written, but I am still deciding exactly how I can sum everything up. So, I am moving on for now with my blog posts.

Last year (freshman year of college), I always felt like I was really struggling with making girl friends. No, I didn't  rush because I didn't feel that was the way I wanted to make friends. Nothing against sororities or anything, they just weren't made for me. Anyways, as the year went on I kept adding close guy friends but still really hurting in the girl department. By Christmas break, I realized that those friends that everyone says you'll meet in college and be best friends with for the rest of your life still hadn't fallen into my life...and that was hard. Yes, I had plenty of friends, but no group yet that I felt really hit a core piece of me. Therefore, I considered spring rush..I didn't follow through with that consideration. So, I considered doing rush fall of my sophomore year. As the year went on, I realized that still wasn't in my plans, but I still wasn't feeling a huge connection yet. By the end of the year, I can easily say my number of close guy friends doubled my number of close girl friends.

Now, here we are sophomore year. The first week of school was recruitment for the girls going through rush. Although I didn't go through official rush, I feel like I went though my own rush. This week I genuinely feel like I have found those girls who share those same core values, interests, humor, compassion, etc. Not saying we are all identical, but we share a common bond that I feel is essential for maintaining relationships. It is funny how God works. He had them all in front of my face last year, but nothing had clicked to make me realize that these were the girls who He would put it my life. Maybe He did that for a reason though. I had a year of really searching for those certain friends and truly desiring that bond. Now, all the sudden they seem to have been presented on a silver platter. I am so grateful for such amazing Christian women in my life and I can't wait to continue growing with them.

Funny thing is, my sister told me that these girls were like me and she saw them as people I would be close with. Sure enough, Allison is right.

The one thing I hope to gain this year is a woman mentor. How I am going to find a woman to mentor me in my life remains a mystery. This is one of my biggest prayers of the year: to find a woman of God to disciple me and teach me how to live as a woman of God as well. True, I have Allison and my mom as amazing examples of what this looks like, but I feel that it is entirely different when you look at someone outside of your family. Although I feel impatient, I have to remember that if God wants me to have a mentor, He will provide one, just like he graciously provided me a beautiful group of girls.

God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:9

The Hands of Christ

Here is a series of pictures from the weeks I have had the pleasure to work on Mr. Jose's house. 

Joseph working in the bathroom
where we put sheet rock on the ceiling.

Mae sanding down the mud and tape
lines in the bedroom.

Sal helping me put sheet rock on the
ceiling of the bedroom.

Volunteers Sammy and Jase helping drill into
concrete and screw boards into the wall so
that we can hang up sheet rock.

Teaching the Sophie, Catherine, Abby, and Amy
about liquid nails so that we can add additional
support to the boards.

The sweet girls presenting our homeowner with the
scrapbook they made.

Boards up, ready for sheet rock.

Megan getting messy as she mud and tapes the corners.

Grant and Bailey showing the shelf they made in the
bathroom in front of the wall they helped put up! 

Justin, Grant, Georgia, Bailey, and Megan mudded,
painted, put in floor boards, and helped
put the bathroom back together.

Zach, Grant, Alex, and Mackenzie did a
great job tearing off tiles and replacing them
with tub surround.

They did everything from priming, to nailing
in baseboards to caulking.

Overall, these teams have been so open to learning new skills that we needed to do the jobs done on this house. They have all been such a blessing to not only our homeowner but to me as well as they remained patient when I was making decisions or helping others with their tasks. So excited to see what the next group is capable of next week and what all we can get done together! I hope that next week my group has the team work that all the other teams this summer have had! What a joy it is to hear "Whats going to work? TEAM WORK!" while working.

Be a Spoon

Tonight may be one of the highlights of my summer. Have you ever been in a room of middle school students in total worship to God? Tears were spilling, noses were sniffing, hands were writing, etc. Scott, our speaker, decided on a spontaneous worship session after the message. He asked everyone to spread out around the room and focus on what God wants to change in each of our lives and what does that look like in our lives individually. His message tonight overviewed Psalm 101 in which David writes of his aspirations to praise God in every way. Scott talked about a part of this Psalm the past three nights and tied it up tonight. The Holy Spirit was extremely evident in the message tonight as it seemed to register fully with the entire sanctuary of students and leaders. You know that feeling when you know God truly has His hand in something? Well, thats what it felt like, and everyone felt it. Over and over my only thought was "God is CRAZY!" Not crazy in a bad way at all, but crazy as in amazing, huge, unfathomable. Trying to even imagine God's greatness is simply not plausible, and that is the beauty of it.

Dwight invited the students to remain in the chapel to pray or think or anything they felt they needed to do instead of leaving. Many left, but quite a few stayed. I stayed. One, because seeing God work in the lives of others is beautiful. Watching one girl cling to the front wall, which holds the cross, weeping, completely ridding herself of inhibitions and humbling herself before God was one of the most powerful sights I have seen this summer. Another reason I stayed was to talk to anyone who needed an ear, an encouraging word, a shoulder. A couple girls, in particular, I approached and asked if I could pray with/for them. Such a tender moment for me when they allowed me to pray for them. It didn't hit me until I returned to my seat how much I have grown in Christ. It is truly amazing that I now am filled with enough confidence to overflow the Christ in my life to others. I feel like I am finally realizing what it means to advance the Kingdom of God in the world.

My version of David's Psalm 101 is filled with aspirations to be a leader in Christ, to not only be a disciple, but one who disciples others as well, and also to be someone who can pour love, knowledge and wisdom into the lives of others. As I have seen over and over this summer, I was privileged growing up not because God loves me in particular, but that God loves His children. I am called to take what I have, whether that be material things or not, and give them and share them with others. For example, God has graced me with a positive outlook on others, not for me to keep to myself, but to share through smiles, hugs, words, and encouragement. 

Another part of my Psalm 101 is not limiting the gospel. The gospel is for everyone. By everyone I mean my neighbor, the student I sit next to in class, the man behind the cash register, and people in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, Antarctica: EVERYONE. The gospel seems to have become limited to words said instead of through the lifestyle of those who claim Christ as their Savior-that needs to change. The story and truth of Christ changes the way we act as it is an overflow from what we know is true inside of us spilling to reach those around. 

So, what does this look like? A boy this week wore a shirt this week that said "Be a spoon. Spoons serve." And that is exactly what my Psalm 101 looks like. Being a spoon.

Ephesians 6:7 

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people.

Confidence is Key

Best weekend in San Antonio so far.

Friday after we got off work, Reed, Doug, and I watched Reed's younger brother Jase play baseball. Jase is a very big help around Blueprint. Not only does he bring tools and supplies to us at the sites, he does it everyday with a smile. He is a constant support to us while we are working and it was great to finally be able to support him back.

Saturday I FINALLY slept in. After hanging around the house for half the day, Karen and I went out and about around an awesome outside mall called the Quarrey Market. However, the best part of Saturday was going to the Mission's baseball game with everyone. They are the AA team here in San Antonio located very close to Lakeland Air Base (we saw a lot of guys in their blue uniforms--really neat). Since it was only a AA game, there was a lot of entertainment mixed in between the innings, the favorite was the Puffy Taco Race--a little boy chased a person in a Puffy Taco costume. Only in Texas.

"I think I broke my collar bone." (The big rifle)

Sunday-Monday afternoon we spent at Reed's family's land about an hour and a half outside of SA. They refer to their ranch as Paradise Springs because they have a few springs on their land, one of which supplies water to their entire ranch house (pretty neat).  Also, it is paradise. Such an awesome escape from the world of cell phones. I did a lot of things I had never done before: driven a four wheeler myself (I did need Karen's assistance on when to shift), shoot a compound bow, shoot shotguns (I hit the clay pigeons), and shoot rifles (which we had stationary targets that I hit as well). I still cannot believe I shot a gun. I hadn't hit a clay pigeon with the shotgun yet so Doug was playing backup with the other gun for when I missed. However, I finally told him "I'm not going to need you this time." Sure enough, I hit the clay pigeon: Confidence is key- just like Austin Fullbright always says.  Besides our adventures, we really had a great deal of bonding time. We cooked, ate, played games, watched the Sandlot, and really just enjoyed each others' company.

Everyone this summer has really helped me grow in a number of reasons whether they realize it or not. Through a number of trials and events, I have learned to be confident in myself. Whether that is with fixing a roof or praying out loud, I have learned that I can be confident because Christ gives me the strength to do all things (Phil 4:13).  Coming into this summer one of my biggest concerns was inability because I am a girl. However, as the summer continues, I am learning that I am very capable to do the things the guys can do. Clearly, they can lift heavier things, but I don't need to feel incapable in comparison. Instead, I am also experiencing differences in gifts and talents. We truly need everyone to create the body of Christ. "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do no all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another."-Romans 12: 4-5 What a blessing that we are all so different.

Overall, so thankful still for all the Lord has blessed me with this summer. These memories and lessons will mark my life forever.