This Week

This week has been hard. This week has felt like a test from beginning to end. This week has been exhausting. This week challenged. This week. All that is to say, that I made it.

There were definitely times where I felt defeated and empty, but Abba gave me strength in so many ways. His words. Friends. My mom. Study breaks. Diet Coke. Pep talks. Laughter. Some how, He managed to fit all of these in at just the right time.

And that is how I conquered this week. Through Him and His unfailing love.

Here's to an Abba that provides strength through my weakness.

My Cry

In my distress I called to The Lord; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice; my cry came before Him, into His ears.

Three Weekends, One Post

Three weeks. That is how long it has been since we chatted last... crazy huh? To say I have been in constant motion is an understatement. Now, do not worry. I am not going to fill you in on every detail of these past three weeks... ain't nobody got time for that. How about we hit some highlights? Ya dig?

The first two weekends were spent in the always lovely kpatch aka knoxville. The first was Tonja's birthday partyyyy (where she did not even hesitate to wear a forty and fabulous pageant sash... wouldn't have it any other way)!! Rex made the drive with me and got to experience the weekend from beginning to end. The party was fantastic, and as I sat there with the people who made me who I am, the people who inspire, the people who push me, the people who support me, and the people who love me I was simply in awe. It was such a blessing to look across the table and see all of these people together. The laughter was great, and the memories are dear. The next day was the UT FL game, and man, was I ready for some football. I missed last season while I was in London, so I was more than ready to rock my orange and white, sing rocky top till my lungs gave out, and fill that UT spirit all day long. It was a great day despite the outcome, and Rex only asked if he could go out into the lobby one time... (I was unaware there even was a lobby...) Sunday, we were Birmingham bound.

The next weekend was my dear cousin's wedding!! Also, such a celebration!! I loved sharing the day with her, and watching as she began her new life with the one she loved. It was beautiful from start to finish and totally worth the two blisters I walked away with.

Now, this past weekend was simply great to be reunited with the people I share my life with and this place that has become home. We did make our way to the ATL for a little braves and a lot of coke. That's right... you caught that, didn't you? The World of Coke was our first stop!! Now if you know me, you know I have a vice for some DC (Diet Coke) and awkward high fives if we are being honest here. It is a problem, but at least I can admit it. It was everything I wanted it to be and more!! Loved it from start to finish! The game was also beyond exciting!! I had never been to a Braves game before, so I loved finally getting to experience it. We wrapped the trip up with a burger from the Varsity and headed home. Memories were made from start to finish.

Wow, we did it? Three weekends, one post. Impressive, I know right.

Here's to the rest of the semester!

 

And some days you realize just how big this world is...

today was one of those days.

Take that in. Really, take that in. 

And never forget.    

Here's to continuous seeking in His name. 

It's Tonja's Birthday!!

Remember those celebrations I mentioned? Good, because today is a HUGE one!!! TONJA IS 40!!!! Is there a bigger reason to celebrate? I think not, so if you are reading this and have not stopped to tell her happy birthday... go do that now. Then return of course.

Okay so now that we have all sent her our happy birthdays and love, I can share with you a little bit about why this day is so important to me. Birthdays have and will always be one of my favorite things; they are a celebration of life. Can you get any better? No. We have each been gifted with this life, and birthdays are a reminder of how much weight that gift can hold. They are simply beautiful reminders to take it all in and truly live.

But, this one is particularly special. My mom is my best friend. She is the person I have traveled this life with. She is my constant. Today gives me a reason to celebrate that (not that I should need one).  Her strength is one of the attributes I admire most; whatever this world throws at her she handles it with grace, grows from the experience, and allows God to use the situation   in numerous manners. It is amazing, and often I am blown away by that.

Her willingness to listen to the Lord is also something I strive after. She continues to grow and seek Abba daily, and I have been privileged to watch  this ever evolving experience. I mean who leaves their job after 20ish years? I can only hope to remain that open to God's voice in my life.

Remaining that close to the Lord has allowed her to impact so many people in a variety of manners. I have watched her care for a small group of high school girls as if they were her own daughters for four years, share her life stories with girls who found themselves in the same position she did 21 years ago, serve countless people, and truly touch the lives of many with her joy. She has impacted this world.

All of these are lessons she has taught me about this life, but what she has taught most is to simply be joyous in all circumstances. Our joy is found in the Lord, not in this world. We have the daily option to choose joy; it is that choice that makes the rest possible. Now, many people mistake us for sisters, twins, or just compare us in general (I don't mind this at all... I mean there is no denying the resemblance), but I can only hope to also mirror her joy.

These things have made me who I am, and as we have each grown separately yet together we have impacted one another in a way many will never do. That is what makes us special. I Thank her for her patience through the whole process, and for always knowing we would end up stronger through it all. She is my best friend and my mom in every sense of both words.


Today, I celebrate her life. Her goals. Her accomplishments. Her faith. Her laugh. Her dreams. Her joy. Her humor. Her love. Her strength. Her endurance. Her wisdom. Her spirit. Her patience. Her friendship. Her heart. I celebrate her.


                                                                                                                                     


Happy Birthday Tonj!!!

Here is to the life she has lived and all that is left to be lived.

London is calling...

and I will be answering come December.

BEYOND EXCITED!

Oh, and did I mention I get to return with these two lovely ladies?

Here's to returning.

A Celebration

This weekend was full of celebrations. Life, wins, art, weather and friendships were all given their fair share of celebrations. It is such a joy to be able to celebrate; we need to hold on to the ability. It is a gift.

Fridays are always celebrations... When that final class ends, freedom can be felt in the air. Regardless of the papers looming over us or the books calling our names, Friday nights are ours. They are a time to enjoy and hold dear. I spent mine with great friends, some pizza, and a movie. It was a great night with people I hadn't been reunited with and some I had. It was a celebration of friendship, new and old.

Saturday held a celebration of life (and football... I see you orange and white and bow wow bulldogs on that Samford win). Jordan Ross is one of my closest friends, and it was a blessing to celebrate not only all he means to me but to others as well on his birthday. Before, his party I also got to celebrate a little art with Brooke and Caroline. It was the annual Art Walk downtown, so we took to the streets and soaked it all in.

Sunday was spent celebrating the beautiful weather Abba gifted us with. I could not have asked for a more perfect day. The sun was shining, the wind was blowing, the leaves were falling.... Harvest is coming. I could not be more excited.

The celebration will continue... Tonja is celebrating the 40 this week! Stay tuned for that post... There might be some hidden gems of pictures. Just maybe. Oh, speaking of pictures here are a few from the weekend.

Here's to celebrating.