You're the reason for...

Well, SURPRISE SURPRISE, I’ve done it again.  I’m an epic failure at updating my blog.

Since my last post in October – it’s been a whirlwind of emotion; highs, lows, struggles, happiness, sadness and everything in between, but I am so blessed.  Since October, the biggest events have been: two of my cousins became pregnant, two of my friends had babies, I went to Winter Camp, one of my cousins had a baby, three of my friends became pregnant, my best friend got married, birthday parties, graduations, more weddings, school, VBS, my pregnant cousins had their babies, new friendships and Summer Camp – and then everything in between.  LIFE has happened.  Sometimes when I go back and look over things that have gone on in the past few months, it’s amazing how much NEW life has been created.  Whether it being children born, marriages started, people starting their walks with God; NEW LIFE is everywhere.  I’m constantly in AWE of how AWESOME our God is.

My life is incredible.

(Also new life plans involve:  I have two semesters of school left at Auburn, graduate and then Lord willing, moving back to Birmingham and trying to go to Nursing School at UAB.)

I’m taking this Fall off of school (not by choice), but I’m hoping to take this time and reassess myself; get myself more together and spend more time focusing on my relationships – with God, my family and my friends.  I’m trying really hard at getting better about remembering to think about others more than I do.  I get so caught up in my own insanity sometimes that I forget to think about what is going on outside my day to day life.  It’s selfish, but it’s also not intentional.  I’m just trying to appreciate life and my blessings more, so I’m praying that in doing so, this will help my focus to be on others more.

"Every Good Thing" -The Afters

I heard that song not too long ago and I laughed and thought, “oh my word, this is so me.”  It’s kind of a joke at how busy I am, but it’s true.  I’m not one of those people who enjoys sitting around.  I can’t stand to be bored, and I’m constantly doing something, but I think that doing something needs to be more specific now.  I need to be doing things that mean something instead of frivolous things.  I need to do more to help others.

So camp was amazing this summer – as usual.  The theme this year was about letting the Lord Reign in us.  We had SO MANY incredible Bible studies, devotions, singings, talks, etc...it just does your heart GOOD!!!!  It really made me step back and think about how many times I don't let God reign in me like I should, and it truly helped me with my attitude on certain things.  (Although, I still have to work on my attitude.)

 2013 Seniors.  LOVE this group.

My AWESOME Senior girls.

My precious boys. :)

Every year I leave camp thinking that I have so much to work on.  I feel like I do a remotely good job for a while, staying on top of my "game" and doing what I need to be doing, but like most of us you start slowly but surely not doing as well as you probably should be.  It's a constant battle and struggle for me, but I'm DETERMINED that this year, I'm gonna do better.  I'm gonna be better.  There are so many people at camp who are a constant encouragement to me.  I have been SO blessed by continuing to be allowed to be a counselor and get the blessing of working with so many incredible people who encourage and strengthen me during that week, but not only during that week, but year round.  Those relationships are so special to me and I'm SO thankful for them.  Some of the best friends I've ever had, I've met at camp - either when I was a camper, or now as a counselor.  The friends I have at camp now, some are counselors, but even more awesome is that some are campers.  I wish I could convey how special that place and those people are, but I know that God knew what he was doing when He allowed me to become a part of it all.  I attribute a lot of who I am to camp.  I feel like it's given me a purpose and it's definitely changed my life in more ways than one and I'm just really thankful.

So, that's my personal update on life right now... 

now for my somewhat insightful something that I try to use this as a tool for...

Most of you who read this are my Facebook friends too, so you probably saw this quote that I posted the other day, but I'm gonna post it again on here:

"Have you ever wondered what marks our time here? If one life can really make an impact on the world or if the choices we make matter? I believe they do. And I believe that one man can change many lives. For better or worse."

So, this quote is from One Tree Hill, which if you know me well, then you know that this is my all-time favorite show ever.  There are so many good quotes that have come from that show for me personally, but this one has always stood out.  I think it's because I've always wanted to change someone's life the way so many people have changed mine.  Have you ever wondered "if I were to die right now, would it effect someone?"  Maybe that's morbid, or maybe that sounds "egotistical", but it's something that I've thought about.  I've thought about how I truly hope that right now in my life, the way I'm living it, that I'm being a good enough example people, a good enough friend to people that if I were to die, it would change their lives, that it would effect them.  This thought isn't a thought of "selfishness" the way it might sound to someone, it's a thought of "am I being enough to others?"  I want my life to mean something.  I want my walk with God to be an example.  I want to get to Heaven one day (Lord willing) and God to say "well done my good and faithful servant."  I think that for me, it's a good way to live.  I don't want to disappoint anyone, especially not God and my family.  I'm not living my life for me, I'm living it for God, to be an example for him.  Yes, I absolutely do things for myself.  I'm selfish at times, but I think we all are in some ways.  I guess, I just think that for me I do this to keep myself out of trouble, because if I'm being "enough" for others, then I'm doing what I should be doing.  I'm helping others and TRYING to be the best example I can be for them.  I will never be enough for God...and I live my life that way so that I never settle.  I talked to my senior girls at camp this summer about this a little.  I talked to them about their choices and how their choices make a difference and they matter.  They will absolutely effect that path that you end up on...for better or worse.

So, use this quote for inspiration if you need to...but make a difference - make the right choices.  Make choices for God, not for yourself.

  

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." -Philippians 4:8

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." -Matthew 7:13-14

Pray for me while I'm on my life journey - that I continue to make the right choices and be the best example for God that I can be.

Until next time - be a blessing to others.

In Him,

Erica

 "Over every thought,
Over every word,
May my life reflect,
The beauty of my Lord,
Cause you mean more to me,
than any earthly thing,
So won't you reign in me again
Lord Reign in me,
Reign in your power,
Over all my dreams,
In my darkest hour,
You are the Lord,
Of all I am,
So won't you reign in me again."

 

when we all see Jesus, we'll sing and shout the victory.

 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."  -2 Timothy 4:6-8

Mr. Larry did a lesson this past Sunday on "Crossing the Finish Line" - and it's funny because I had already decided that my next post was going to be SORT OF about this.  So thanks Mr. Larry, because you helped me get more of a focus for what I wanted to share!

GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE!  :)

I've been doing a lot of thinking over the past week.  Sometimes I don't always know how good of idea it is that I do a lot of thinking.  (ha).  BUT, in light of the hospitalization and passing of dear Brother RJ - I've just thought a lot about him and the life he led.  Before I ever met RJ or his wonderful family, it was always sort of a joke growing up - RJ Stevens - he's like the "pope" of the church of Christ, "famous", I mean seriously, if you attend a "church of Christ" you're almost CERTAIN to know him or about him.  Even though it was a light hearted joke, there was some truth to it.  RJ made an IMPACT, along with his sweet wife Pauline by his side, and people who knew them LOVED them and respected them so much for their stand for the truth and their work for God.

(side note):  When I went to Florida College, I met his granddaughter Penny.  I remember that when she and I got to be friends and I learned that RJ was her grandpa, I always thought it was so cool that one of my best friends was not only related to but the GRANDDAUGHTER of RJ STEVENS!  :)  I mean, I felt like I had won the lottery!  haha.  Not only did I get to be friends with this awesome girl who was literally like my other half, but there was a distinct possibility that RJ would know who I was!  haha.  (so silly I know!)  I'll never forget the time that someone asked Penny "what does RJ stand for?" and her response was "umm, my grandpa!!!"  One of the funnier moments.  haha.  Still to this day she is one of my best friends in the whole world and I am so grateful and thankful that over the years of not being able to see each other very often (she lives in Texas and I live in Alabama) that we have remained close.  I'm honored that I got to be apart of her wedding 2 1/2 years ago in which Brother RJ married her and Jeremy.  What a special memory!  :)  I love you Booger!

 

Anyway, back to the subject at hand - When I think of men and their wives that have been LEADERS and made an IMPACT in the church, I think of RJ and Pauline, Dee and Norma Bowman, Sewell and Caneta Hall, Ed and DeeDee Harrell and SO many more.  I often wonder who will be the "RJ Stevens" or "Dee Bowmans" of our generation, because man do they have some big shoes to fill.

(side note:  the names I listed are not to discredit ANYONE, these were just the ones off the top of my head....personally at the top of my list are J.A. and Rubye Johnson, who were my grandparents and the biggest influences and role models in my life personally - I'm sure we all have those people!)

When I think about it, it's almost overwhelming...but in weeks like this past week it also makes me think about my life and look at the way I'm living and whether or not I will ever be worthy to be held in regard and with the respect that these amazing women - Mrs. Pauline, Mrs. Norma, Mrs. Caneta and Mrs. DeeDee are.

I know that right now - I wouldn't even begin to a hold a candle to them.  I have so much work to do, but all this thinking has made me realize the error in my life and what I know I need and want to work on - and it's not because I want to be able to say I'm worthy of anything other than Heaven.  I don't want to ever give a reason of doubt to myself, to those around me or to God of the "race I've ran" and where my eternity will be spent.  I don't think anyone would ever question that RJ is in Heaven right now - and when I die, I don't want there to be any doubt about where I am either.

 "The Christians hope is a powerful incentive for living."

I want to make a difference in people's lives the way the RJ did.  I want for people to see my love for God and Jesus shining through me.  I want to be a light in the world.  (Matthew 5:14)

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body."  -Philippians 1:21-24

"and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  -Matthew 20:27-28

 

So at this moment - how are you living?  Are you living a life worthy of the death of Jesus?  Are you living a life worth the hope of Heaven?  How's your walk with God?  If your time was today, would you be ready?  We are not guaranteed tomorrow - so let's start LIVING today.  I challenge you in the next week to make a list of the things you need and want to work on in your life.  If you feel the need to share them with people close to you so that they help to hold you accountable, do so - but I'm asking you to do this for you!  I'm doing it.  I'm making my list - and I am determined to conquer this list and more.  I want to be worthy - and I want to be an example.  I would love to live my life so that one day when I die, people can reflect the way they've been able to reflect with RJ and think of all the fond memories, but also the memories of times when I was an example to them.  

I want to be a WORKER for the Lord.

I want to love and trust His holy word.

I want to sing and pray and be busy everyday,

In the vineyard of the Lord.

I know my dear friends who are mourning the loss of their mentor, their father, their grandfather are so thankful to have been his children and grandchildren, and so thankful their precious "Papa J" was a worker for the Lord and had that hope of eternal life.  They said RJ still had work he wanted to do - but even when he was in the hospital, he was sharing the gospel and singing praises to God.  In his last days his family was sitting around him praying and singing praises.  What examples!  I know the people working in the hospital had to have been in awe watching their strength!  I know I would have been.  What a tribute to RJ and what a mighty legacy for God that he left behind...so in a large way, his work will be continued, because he raised a wonderful family who loves God and wants to serve Him.

"...But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."  -Ephesians 2:4-5
 

I pray that one day when I have a family of my own that I will raise them in such a way that they are soldiers for Christ and spread His word to everyone - but this starts with me.  And it starts now.

Pray for me as I work on my relationship with God - pray that I truly make a change of heart and become stronger in my faith and in my knowledge of the scriptures and the truth.  Pray that I become a stronger soldier for Christ.

and I will pray for you!  :)

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."  -2 Corinthians 4:16-18

until next time...be a blessing to others.

In Him from whom all blessings flow,

Erica

"Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace.
In the mansions bright and blessed
He’ll prepare for us a place.

While we walk the pilgrim pathway,
Clouds will overspread the sky;
But when traveling days are over,
Not a shadow, not a sigh.

Let us then be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory
Will the toils of life repay.

When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!"

**was I love when no one else would show up...**

 "Each day is a gift and you never know how you can make a difference."

Well would you look at me.  Blogging...again.  This has to be a record.  :)

This is going to be long-winded.  You've been warned.

In the last few weeks I've had to really swallow some harsh reality.  I have always been a little...okay maybe A LOT fickle where choosing a career/major has been concerned.  I guess there are just so many things I would like to do or could see myself doing with my life.  Obviously, more than anything, I want to find someone to marry and raise a family with and that's the real job I want to have in life...but reality is that currently I'm not dating anyone and have no one pursuing me, so right now -

1.  I have to be content and happy with my life being single - because if I can't be happy alone and with myself then I can't be happy with someone else.  (for the record it has taken some time but, I am happy with who I am because I am a child of God and I'm thankful that God has given me the time and opportunity to truly love the person he's allowed me to become - although I still have A LOT of work to do.)

2.  I work on my relationship with God and continue to grow in faith and knowledge.  Be a light and work on spread the Gospel and teaching people the truth.

3.  I finish school and work on my career - become successful and save the world.  I joke about this, but I truly to want to save the world!  :)

The reality is that #3 has been a long, hard battle for me.  When I first started school at Florida College (coughcough:: in 2003 ::coughcough) I wasn't truly in a good place.  Honestly, I had no business being in school.  I wasn't focused and I didn't care enough.  I did terrible.  I had fun, but I did terrible.  So, I moved back home and worked for a couple of years (my life still wasn't what it needed to be).  Flash forward to 2006 - I happily and finally moved to Auburn (my dream!) to go to school at Southern Union.  I started back to school in Fall 06 and still clearly wasn't prepared or ready to focus on school.  Despite the fact that I had been "responsible" for myself and "independent" since Spring of 2004, it took me a couple of years living in Auburn to truly grow up and get my mind around doing what I had to do.  I went to school off and on for a few years - spent more time working and being focused on that than school.  So in 2009 I believe it was, I finally buckled down and made better grades....MUCH better grades.  For the first time EVER, I made the Dean's List.  That was a proud moment let me tell you.  I don't think I have ever been that "proud of myself", which might sound a little arrogant, but I literally just couldn't believe I had done it.  Since then I have done better in school - not perfect by any stretch but much better.  I got my GPA up and got into Auburn University... funny thing about Southern Union is they don't tell you a lot of stuff.  Part of me working hard to get my GPA up was re-taking classes and making better grades to get the bad grades taken off my transcript.  Well, in case you were wondering, Auburn doesn't accept "gaps" so all those classes I got taken off my transcript were put right back on when I transferred to Auburn, so my GPA went back down - and I literally have never been so frustrated in my life.  So this, reality that I had to swallow recently was that the plan I've had for about the last year of getting my Bachelor's in Psychology and going to Graduate school to get my Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy isn't likely.  You need to have a GPA of at least a 3.0 or higher - I'll spare you what mine is currently, but there isn't a chance I'll get it up high enough to get into Grad school.
SO - I was feeling like I'm back at square one.  I'm frustrated and have no idea what I'm doing with my life - am threatening to quit school - yes, I only have 3 semesters left and I was threatening to quit school.  BUT, a Bachelor's in Psychology is seemingly pointless.  You can't do much with it.  So I've been searching to figure out life.  I've been seriously considering Cosmetology school, which if my current plan doesn't work out is still an option.
Well, me being who I am, I don't want to disappoint anyone, and I also don't want to regret being 3 semesters away from graduating and not finishing, so I chose to stay in school and finish.  I registered Tuesday for Spring Semester and I'm pretty pumped about it currently.

So, I suppose at this point you're wondering what all this rambling about my school battles are about - I promise, there's a point.

"Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."  -Ephesians 4:32

--Webster dictionary defines bullying:  a blustering browbeating person; especially : one habitually cruel to others who are weaker.

Did you know that bullying is becoming a literal epidemic in this world, especially in the US!?!  I'm adding some links that you can check out if you want to on the statistics of bullying.

http://2011bullyingprogram.weebly.com/bullying-statistics.html

http://www.bullyingeducation.org/category/bullying-statistics-2/

http://www.statisticbrain.com/cyber-bullying-statistics/

Personally I find it sick, and it breaks my heart to think that kids literally fear leaving their house and for what?!  Because someone else finds themselves "superior" or "better" and gets pleasure out of making people feel small and like they don't mean anything.  Well I have news for those people - you're not.  I was raised to treat others the way I want to be treated.  No, I'm not perfect and I have said and done things that I wish I could take back, but I have NEVER said something and not instantly felt bad and regretted it.

"In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets." -Matthew 7:12

"Treat others the same way you want them to treat you." -Luke 6:31

Obviously, this starts at home - but it's also a choice.  I'm pretty sure these "bullies" that are so awful and mean to the other kids, the "victims", wouldn't want to trade shoes with them.  And maybe these "bullies" do feel bad and have regret, but with how big the idea of bullying has gotten and how quickly teen suicide is increasing - it seems as though it's not something they currently feel bad about.  Last night a friend showed me this video:   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vOHXGNx-E7E

and before you watch this, be warned that it is really sad

Amanda Todd - she was 15 years old...and honestly just from everything that was said, just needed ONE friend to stand by her side and show her love.  She was a beautiful little girl, and it breaks my heart to think that just 8 days ago she took her own life because she couldn't handle it anymore.  Did she makes mistakes?  Yes.  Did she deserve to be treated and made to feel the way she did?  No.  She was a child - and even as adults make mistakes.  In her video at the end she says, "I have no one.  I need someone."  She is just one of MANY kids who have taken their own lives because of bullying.  Bullying often leads to depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses/disorders.

All this to first of all spread awareness, but also to say - I have decided that I am going to save the world.  Literally.  I'm going to use my Bachelor's degree in Psychology and POSSIBLY add a minor in Social Work to it, to work at Crisis Centers and Teen Suicide Prevention.  I would love to be involved with speaking at middle schools and high schools speaking out against bullying...and no, I can't save the world, but I can sure try.  Someone has got to do something to help these kids.  I could have a wonderful opportunity to not only reach out to kids and help them to realize that they do have SOMEONE - they have God.  This could be an incredible way to spread the gospel.  :)  Obviously, I'm sure there is a line there, but it could happen.  So I suppose the long-winded post was to spread awareness and also to tell you guys that I think I know what I'm going to do with my life!!!!  I hope.  :)

Today I'm asking for you all to spread awareness against bullying.  Teach the children in your lives that how they treat people matters, it REALLY matters.

**To the world you may be one person, but to one person, you may be the world.**

You never know how a smile or kind word can change someone's life.  Below is a story about how ONE person truly did change someone's life:

"One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school.  His name was Kyle.  It looked like he was carrying all of his books.  I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday?  He must really be a nerd."  I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.

As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt.  His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him.  He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes.  My heart went out to him.  So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks.  They really should get lives."

He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!"  There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.  I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived.  As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before.  He said he had gone to private school before now.

I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.  We talked all the way home, and I carried his books.  He turned out to be a pretty cool kid.  I asked him if he wanted to play football on Saturday with me and my friends.  He said yes.

We hung all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him. And my friends thought the same of him.  Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again.  I stopped him and said, "you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!"

He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends.  When we were seniors, began to think about college.  Kyle decided on Georgetown, and was going to Duke.  I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem.  He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football scholarship.  Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd.  He had to prepare a speech for graduation.  I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak.

Graduation day, I saw Kyle.  He looked great.  He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school.  He filled out and actually looked good in glasses.  He had more dates than me and all the girls loved him!  Boy, sometimes I was jealous.  Today was one of those days.  I could see that he was nervous about his speech.  So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!"

He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. "Thanks," he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began  "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach... but mostly your friends.  I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them.  I am going to tell you a story."

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend.  He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home.  He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.  "Thankfully, I was saved.  My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable."

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment.  I saw his mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile.  Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions.  With one small gesture you can change a person's life.  For better or for worse.  God puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some way.  Look for good in others.

Each day is a gift from God!  Don't forget to say, "Thank you!""

The first time I heard this story it brought tears to my eyes.  I challenge each of you in the next week to say hi to someone you don't know, or don't normally speak to.  Smile at a stranger - that smile could literally change someone's outlook on the day.

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."

Until next time....
(sorry (not sorry) about the seriously LONG post.)

BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS!  :)

In Him from whom all blessings flow, 
Erica

**You gotta face the clouds, to find the silver lining.**

Once again I'm updating this MONTHS since my last post.  I clearly have failed at blogging...not that I was ever good at it to begin with.  One of these days life is going to slow down (3 more semesters of school - YAHOO!) and I am going to make time for things like this for real.  It's good for me - therapeutic even, and I suppose since I'm a "Pysch" major I'm supposed to have insight to things that are "therapeutic"...whatever.

So to recap:  summer was insanely busy.  I worked 60-70 hours a week, had camp in July (which was amazing and so encouraging!), moved in July, moved again in August and started back to school.
--I love my new little apartment - it's so homey.  It's taken some getting used to living by myself and there are definitely pros and cons, but I am enjoying the space and having something to myself.  I also love that I have extra places for people to come and stay with me!!  :)  It's been fun!!
--Camp was in short:  amazing.  Not that it was a surprise.  Seriously I got so much from this summer personally.  I got to share a lot with my Senior girls and it was truly an amazing experience for me.  I just pray that I had an impact on them the way they did on me.  I truly loved every one of them and loved the time I got to spend with them.  Hopefully next year I will have an even better grasp on being the Senior counselor (Lord willing I get asked to do it again) and can do a really good job.

LOVE this group right here.  They MADE camp so much better this year.  So proud of each of them and the wonderful people they are.
--School is good, just busy and slightly tough but I'm making it.  It's been a good semester...despite Auburn's epic failure in football this season.  It's sad, but I still love my Tigers!  :)  It's hard to believe that I only have 3 more semesters till I graduate.  It's exciting and yet incredibly scary all at once.  I'm tackling 17 hours next semester (WHOA!) but thankfully most of them are "easier" classes and just still part of the core I'm having to get done with.
SOOOOO, that's an update on me.

Before I start this, let me preface by saying that I know we all go through things and some hard times are harder on me than they would be on you.  We all have our battles and struggles.  I've had my FAIR SHARE in life there is no doubt, but read this with an open mind and heart.  :)

I've had a lot on my mind lately...a lot of people are on my mind and in my heart.  Sometimes things happen and we don't understand why they do or how it could happen - sometimes life throws us curves that we aren't prepared for - so I started trying to put myself in others shoes and thinking "What if I was having to deal with this?  What would my faith be like?  Would I be handling myself the way I should?"  I know I probably shouldn't do this, but I think the problem is sometimes that we DON'T do this.  We don't ever truly TRY to prepare ourselves for tragedy, which let's be honest you can't ever truly be prepared for, BUT if we tested ourselves every once and a while and thought "Is my faith strong enough to see me through this or that?" then maybe, just maybe we would learn to rely on God more for strength and comfort.  Instead of thinking "WHY or HOW", think "Okay God, what are you trying to teach me?  What good is going to come from this?"  Because, let's be honest, if there wasn't a light or some kind of good to come out of a tragedy it would make the tragedy that much worse.  God's plans are not OUR plans - they are HIS, and HIS plans are GOOD.  (Jeremiah 29:11)
With that being said - I have some friends that I would like to ask that you guys remember in your prayers who have experienced or are experiencing sadness, sickness and loss in their lives:

-The Wise Family:  I don't personally know this family, but everyone that does loves them.  And there are many people I love that are being effected by this situation.  Kevin and Jessica have a 5 year old daughter named Madi who was diagnosed with leukemia.  I don't know about you, but I literally cannot fathom or begin to understand how a precious 5 year old can even comprehend something like this.  Here's a link to a blog for her:  http://madismilestones.blogspot.com/

-The Pope Family:  I had the pleasure of meeting this great family a couple of years ago through some of my family.  They lost their daughter, sister and friend in August in a tragic way.  Please remember them as they deal with their loss and the aftermath of what happened.  They have shown so much strength during such a difficult time and have been such an encouragement to so many people.  Pray that God sees this situation through and that justice is served for them.

-The Fultz Family:  Where do I even begin with this amazing family... I honestly have never in my life met a family who has been through as much as this family has.  AND they still have the strongest faith and positive outlook on life.  Things are thrown at them and they just take them as they come.  Talk about inspiring?!  I am so thankful to have people like them in my life.  Mr. Barry has had health issues this year, Mrs. Sarah has been dealing with knee issues and precious Sandlyn has had yet more curveballs thrown her way.  She is having surgery tomorrow at noon to do a solid bone transplant to both of her femurs.  This is in addition to the tumor found located near her spine that they are trying to deal with as well.  They did not get good news yesterday at their doctors appointment.  Please pray for them.  They have so much to deal with and so many decisions to make - I can't imagine how overwhelmed they must feel.  For those of you who have never met Sandlyn, I hate it for you.  :)  I have never met a young lady with a heart as big as this girl has.  She is thoughtful, kind and just inspiring.  She has the most positive outlook on life and I personally have never seen her not smiling.  She is my hero.  :)  Here is a link to her Caring Bridge site:  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/nathanandsandlyn

-The Steven's Family:  Brother RJ was put in the hospital again this morning and is in ICU on life support.  The next few hours are very critical - and his condition hasn't changed throughout the day today.  Papa J has had an impact on SO many people and SO many lives.  Penny (one of my best friends and his granddaughter) told me today, "I've never met a person who loves people the way he does."  What a thing to be able to say about your grandfather.  :)  He has one amazing family, and I know that he and Mrs. Pauline are to be thanked for that!!!  I am so blessed to know them.

-The Hudson Family:  My dear, precious Hudson family.  They are like another set of parents and siblings.  I love them SO much.  Daddy Todd's mom, "Nana" hasn't been doing well for a while, but especially since July.  They honestly didn't expect her to live through July, and then she did and she's still holding on, but they believe it's close to the end of the road.  Please pray for them.  Their Nana is such a sweet, loving lady.  I'm thankful to have had the opportunity to meet her and be around her.  I know this loss will be hard on all of them.  Pray for Nana to be comfortable and in no pain and for Papa because this is going to be really hard for him as well.  They've been married 50 years this year.  :)  What a wonderful life they've had together.  So thankful for the family they raised, that I have been so blessed to become apart of.


I sit back and read through this and think how lucky I must be...first of all to know these families and to have their strength and faith as examples to follow - but also because at the end of the day when I think my life is so hard, I have people to look at and give me perspective, because guess what....life could be so much worse and every day that God gives me to live is a BLESSING.  I need to live my life in THANKS for the blessings that God has given and continues to give me.

PERSPECTIVE.
that's a powerful word.

"but you're stronger, stronger than you know..."

So today, today I'm asking you to look at your life with the perspective of someone who's life is actually hard - someone who has ACTUAL hardships in their life and still has a positive outlook.  Sure we all have down days and days that are just for lack of a better term "stinky", but seriously if we just swallowed a little bit of perspective every now and then we might all find ourselves happier, more thankful and our faith just a little bit stronger.

"Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do"

Until next time (which hopefully won't be months from now...)...

Be a blessing to others.

In Him,

erica

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."  -Lamentations 3:22-23

**I want to show the world the love You gave for me.**

"You are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven."  -Matthew 5:14-16

My life is...
-hectic
-tiring
-humbling
-blessed
....that's really all I can think of.  It's honestly not a whole lot of fun right now.  haha.  But, I guess that's what summers are for me at this point in my life.  I'm trying to work and save money - and working 60+ hours every week doesn't leave much time for playing.  BUT, my life is incredibly blessed with some pretty amazing people and I have 3 jobs!!  :)  AND, I'm going to the beach in 3 days, so there will be NO complaining coming from me.  Obviously this blog hasn't quite turned out the way that I hoped it would.  I wanted to update more, be a little more insightful...and one post since I started this blog 3 1/2 months ago definitely doesn't cut it.

During the Spring semester, I started the process of becoming a "Big Sister" figure to two youngsters in the Auburn community.  I became a part of 'Project Uplift.'  It is an organization through Auburn University that helps kids in the community that come from 'tough' backgrounds. (I think they have programs like it a lot of places!)  I started this process back in February and finally got to meet "my kids" in May if that tells you anything about how long and drawn out the background process and work to becoming a part of this organization is.  Basically with this program, I am supposed to be a mentor and a role model for the kids that I get to hang out with.  When I first started looking into becoming a part of this, I didn't exactly realize what I was getting myself into.  I didn't realize the kind of lives and lifestyles I would be possibly connecting myself with, I didn't realize the responsibility I was going to be given to be a constant and a true role model for kids who for the most part don't have someone to look up to.  Obviously, even after I found this out I stuck with it and decided it was something I wanted to do - and I'm so glad that I did.  I think I lucked out - the brother/sister duo that I chose are awesome kids and they have a great Mom who has raised two very respectful and well-mannered kids.  They are truly GOOD kids and yet I still have a HUGE responsibility.  And that's when I realized, that in the hustle and bustle of my constantly crazy life in which I have clearly still NOT gotten a grip on the whole time management thing, this was God's way of helping me.  Since I was struggling with making the time I should in spreading the world and being the example I wanted to be to people around, God gave me an incredible opportunity - and not only do I get to be a good example to them, I might even get to make a difference in their lives for the better.  Be someone they can depend on.  God is so awesome and I am truly so excited for this opportunity!  Everytime I go pick them up, I get more excited...and it definitely helps that they run over, hug me and are geniunely excited that I am there and that they get to hang out with me!  :)

"I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You"

I've been reading James a lot lately.  I have been working on my devotion for camp and the book of James, especially chapter 1 is a vital part of it.  (I'm planning to share this devotion with you, but I want to share it with my girls at camp first!)  I've had a couple of awesome people be willing to sit down with me and discuss my ideas for a topic and give me advice on what to say and what not to say (I appreciate the words of wisdom I've been given SO much!) but my boss at the Marriott was the one who suggested that I read James 1 when I was talking to him about everything.  I am SO glad he did.  It was exactly what I needed to read at the exact right moment.  Don't you love that!?  When things happen and you think, "man that came at the perfect time....God's perfect timing!"  Just another example of those "God's time, not my time" moments!  I love those.  The same thing happened to me on Sunday.  I was driving home from LaGrange - thinking about a lot of stuff....lifeeeeeeeeee is so frustrating to me sometimes - but during all the thinking I was doing I was listening to a CD I made myself and Kaylee that night.  It was a mix CD with Christian contemporary songs on it.  I know there are people, maybe some of you that are reading this, that don't listen to Christian music or think that it is wrong, and honestly that's fine, because I respect your stance and beliefs on things - but for me, it does my heart so much good (not to mention, I would rather listen to positive and encouraging music versus the other junk on the radio).  Sunday night, I was driving home and was definitely having a down moment - just thinking about stuff that I've been struggling with when a song came called "You Are More" by Tenth Avenue North and I just started crying while I was listening to it.  I was crying for several different reasons, but the main one being because I feel so selfish sometimes.  I am constantly thinking about myself and not others.  I am constantly feeling sorry for myself when I have been blessed more than SO MANY people.  One of the other reasons was because that song reminded me that I am a Child of God...I am HIS child and I am forgiven!!!  "I am more than the choices I've made, I am more than the sum of my past mistakes, I am more than the problems I create...because I have been remade" and redeemed by His sacrifice...His perfect sacrifice!!  It's funny to me sometimes how we live in a world where there is so much sin around us...and we are going to fail at times - but instead of picking ourselves up and remembering that we aren't perfect and that we just have to keep trying to do better and live better and asking God to be with us and forgive us - KNOWING that as long as we are children of His and are baptized for the forgiveness of our sins and trying to live our lives right that we are forgiven, we beat ourselves up and we don't forgive ourselves for mistakes we make.  God forgives us when we ask - so maybe we should start asking ourselves to forgive ourselves when we mess up...maybe we should learn to love ourselves the way God loves us...because I think I live in the past WAY too much, and when I mess up - I let it hang over me for a really, really long time.  It's something I need to work on for sure.  (Please note:  I am NOT saying it's okay to sin...what I am saying is that we all sin and fall short of the glory of God, and if wasn't for Him, I wouldn't have HOPE!)

"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus..." -Romans 3:23-24

I hope someone has found this longwinded post to be somewhat helpful - or thought provoking.  :)  In the meantime, pray for me and I'll pray for you and let's help one another grow in LOVE for God and the TRUTH!  :)

"We are called to the spread the news
Tell the world the simple truth
Jesus came to save, there's freedom in His Name
So let His love break through"

In Him from whom all blessings flow...

Erica  :)