A Year Later

I stand here amazed. Amazed that I made it through 2 1/2 years of school and floored by the range of lessons God has taught me through his Spirit, his Word, his people, and the many varied cirumstances he brings into my life.

I am also incredibly thankful for my friends that I have at Bryan. Freshman year I floated from friend group, avoiding some people and trying desperately to make it in other friend groups. I found my niche at the close of my sophomore year through my friends in the ACTS project and through the girls on my hall. Although I am no longer in the ACTS class or on the same hall, I have been overly blessed by the friends and relationships I have. One special friend in particular decided she needed to add herself to my to-do list since I have a habit of making and abiding by them.

One of the coolest things this year has been rooming with Rachel. I can't even describe what a hilarious, encouraging, diligent person she is and how much I have benefited from sharing a room with her and walking through college life with her. It's funny because we've known each other since freshman year when we were in an assigned CLF group together and we have had interactions with each other along the way, but never really had the chance to get to know each other further until she and another RA approached me and my awesome roommate from last year about rooming with us.

(This is Rachel very excited about eating cinnamon rolls and sporting her new engagement ring)

The first great thing that blessed my socks off this weekend was a visit from my beautiful sister Summer. She didn't come visit at all last semester and I wanted her to come visit before things got too hectic in the semester. A summary of some of the things we did:

• watched 4 movies/shows (I fell asleep during each one)


• talked for at least 3 hours straight on Saturday


• made 2 trips to Walmart

• 1 trip to Sonic, 1 nursery session at church, 1 ride home
  
  (that would be Summer, Mom, and me back at the ranch)

The second great thing that happened this weekend was that India Team 2010 got together and hosted a dinner and sharing time for India Team 2011. It is hard to believe it's been a year since we formed our team and began the intense process of getting to know each other and praying for people and situations we had not yet met. It was wonderful to look at India pictures from this summer and hear some of upcoming India team's questions. I just was blessed to be there tonight and am so expectant about the things the Lord is going to teach India Team 2011 through India and each other.

(Shannon, Andrew, Andrew, and Katlyn)

A Summer of Healing

I asked for a summer of healing…healing for a broken body, a broken heart, and a broken life. The summer is almost over and I’m not sure if it’s happened or not. Progress has been made. My body is no longer acting strangely or without my consent. I’m able to jog and do most physical activity and I’m grateful. My broken heart has wrestled and wrestled with the issues and has come back to the conclusion that my heart is best held in God’s hands and nowhere else. My broken life seems the hardest one to get back in working order. I am the same person with all the exact same sins, struggles, and negative behaviors. Although my logical side denies the possibility, it seems as though if you have to die, it might be a pleasant surprise to come back as someone else—at least a better me. Nope, it doesn’t look like that’s the case.

At the core of who I am, I long for God to step in and fix my family. Fix all the problems I see. All the problems I am a part of, all the problems I can’t fix, and all the problems that break me the most.

Who am I to complain? I have a family. I have a good family that loves each other. And yet, the longing for more is there. The longing for the redemption I know Yahweh longs to offer us now and to complete in us.

Goodness. Am I not observant of the work he is doing? Am I too impatient? One thing I do know: I need to spend more time listening to him.

Since Then

Hey!!!
I smile just thinking about God these days...He is so faithful in our weak moments and in our stronger ones. I am so thankful for who he is and everything he has done in my life...I don't deserve it.

In response to the million-dollar question: "so how are you doing?" I am doing really well. My arm is still in a sling for another week in an effort to keep my arm still so the lead to my heart can firmly heal. Emotionally, I feel like my normal chipper self. My dear friend Emily Brooks came to stay with me for about 10 days. I love having her around--just being goofy and sharing God moments together. It was also really great to have her at the hospital--she knew the right kinds of questions to ask and watched Jimmy Stewart movies with me.

On a different note, I am headed to Young Life's Sharp Top Cove camp in Jasper, GA today. Yeah, baby, am I excited about that! I'll be there for a week hanging out with our Young Life kids from Monroe Co.

Please pray for this week in several ways:
1. Pray that the kids that go will be moved closer to the Lord as they are put in a different environment and have the gospel explained in clear, relevant ways. Pray for receptive hearts.
2. Pray that I will have good quality time with Brandi, Bridgette, and Sydney.
3. Pray that I will be listening to what the Lord is saying and sensitive to what He is doing.

Dr. Mahlow and me before my defibrillator went off :-)

Emily and me in the ER checking my ICD...fun times, eh?

Sidney and me at SHS graduation!!

Thank-you to all my fans, family, and awesome supporters in my life! I am so glad you are there!