Holy Spirit is like the Cream Cheese inside a Chocolate Chip Cookie

Odd title.
My family finally sat down to celebrate mine (Feb. 4) and my sister's (Feb. 21) spiritual birthdays. For dessert, mom had made cream cheese filled chocolate chip cookies...Erika thought it would be appropriate to say that we are the chocolate chip cookies and the Holy Spirit is the cream cheese inside us. How true that is! A chocolate chip cookie is great on it's own, but the cream cheese makes it even sweeter. It cannot be seen from the outside, but once you bite in it is hard to deny.
The Spirit should always dwell inside each of us. It is that soft whisper that we hear and the excitement that others see in us. Here's to 11 years and 2 years! May our futures be full of insight and sweet cream cheese!

Closer to the Swing

This week has been yet another fast and furious one. Even though my time is more consumed and accounted for, I am beginning to get the hang of it. It is difficult to see myself as a therapist that provides services to people, but it takes time. My supervisor has given me great advice while allowing me to ease into sessions. I can only continue to grow and give my sessions to God.

My life has changed over the last 2 1/2 years to include an increasing passion for reading my Bible and praying on a regular basis. That was my goal for years and I would do well for periods of time, but could never delve into a relationship with my Father that was more than asking for things. I truly think that my time with the teens at Southern Hills forced a growth that might have taken several more years otherwise. Not only was I teaching, but I was learning what it all meant to me. I began to meet friends who accepted me for who I am and didn't ask me to be anyone else. It is really cool to look back and see how I've changed for the better. I am able to try things but still remember who I am and whose I am.

Just yesterday at church, I was more outgoing than I have ever been. Moving when were were told to move and speaking words to people that I normally keep to myself. Without sounding like I am bragging, I felt like the Spirit was alive in me. I teared up easily when something was said back to me...I think that is a good thing. One of my mentors prayed over me and asked that I CHASE God. I know that he is always chasing me, but am I always chasing Him? That hit me and challenged me to never stop.

Well, that's all the thoughts I have for today. Tomorrow is Valentine's day...more to come!

This Color Runs

Exciting weekend in Austin, TX! I was able to be with girls from my cohort and other friends from ACU to hang out. We came down on Thursday night stayed until Sunday afternoon. Lots of adventure: Z Tejas, Mt. Bonnell, Amy's, Sherlock's, the Drag, and 6th street.
I tried to eat at places I hadn't and see things I hadn't seen.
But the main event was the Color Run! It was very windy and cold the morning of the race but over 10,000 people were at this race. We had to walk/ride 2 miles after we parked to get there.
Since we were late, all of the color was gone during the run but there was plenty of MUD!! People lost their shoes and took them off for a section of the race. I actually ran only half of it, and climbed, spashed, scampered and walked though the rest. The festival was awesome though! Lots of color and we were covered. Blue, purple, yellow, pink, teal, orange and green! What could be better?! I escaped without any serious injury, but my friends got cuts on their feet or sick from the weather. At least we all attempted a 5K.
I had a great time and always love adventures with friends!
Live Love

Live Laugh Love

The phrase 'Live, Laugh, Love' has been gracing the walls and mantles of families for several years now. To be honest, I had lost sight of its true meaning until the funeral today. Matt Phillips embodied the phrase without fail around every person he came in contact with. He knew his life might be shorter than other people's but he would not let that stop him from living a full life. Every single word that was said about him was the exact word I would've described him with. I get so caught up in my problems that life passes me by. He sure did have an infectious laugh! He could laugh at himself more than anyone else. I think I forget to laugh at myself sometimes. And love. Matt loved in many ways. Through encouraging and including people, through his laughter, through his intellect, and through is desire to lead people to Christ. Also another thing I lose sight of at times...and I do not have a physical disability!
This little man was a giant to many people.

On another note, I have been giving therapy at West Texas Rehab center for a few days now and have learned so much. I feel like my brain will explode but that I am taking steps towards a career. I haven't decided where I want to work and God has many open doors for me. All I know, is that this next 18 months will fly by! We are guaranteed to not be the same person when we finish. The truth is, I am never 'finished', until God chooses to bring me home. Then I will be perfect, just like Matt is now.

Keep reading (and trusting)...brighter days will come soon! Be joy

Tears and Mr. Smiley

If anyone ever thought you could run out of tears, I am pretty positive that you can't (unless there's a disorder). My last 3 days have been full of gut-wrenching cries. Most likely its what my body needed, but I also know that God is working on my heart and soul. He takes every seemingly bleak event and turns it into something good to those who love Him.
I had never fully realized the impact that someone can have on me and I on them. Whether it comes through a spoken word, a hug, or even a smile, it all means the same. I am loved! I can't decide if it's sad that I realize it differently every day, or if its just a blessing that God has created within me.All of this growing, brokenhearted and empty, is teaching me more than I could ever learn otherwise.
Mr. Smiley would be Matt Phillips. A beaming light of perseverence and faith who I became friends with at Southern Hills CoC. He just turned 16 this past Wednesday and I was able to join the youth in singing 'Happy Birthday'. How emabarrassed he was but his smile never left his face! Late last night (after I was already asleep), I was informed by text message that he had passed away. What a note to wake up to in the morning before my first real day of therapy! I had just seen him 4 days previous. While we all miss him here and will feel a hole in the youth group, I know that he is running and jumping in heaven. You see, he grew up with what is commonly known as Brittle Bone Disease and was in a wheelchair. He could not do sports, but he could swim and outspell anyone I know. I will forever be blessed and inspired by this guy.
Whatever I have been, or will face will be small in comparison. Thank you Lord, for Matt Phillips and the life that you gave him here on earth. I pray that many more people would come to know you because of his unfailing love for You.

A New Life

So after being dormant for about a year and a half, I am resurrecting my blog. A LOT has has happened since I last wrote on here! My main reason for coming back is that the upcoming months will hopefully contain experiences worth writing about. As a first year (second semester) graduate student...crazy, I know....I plan on joining the Harding Speech Pathology program in Zambia this summer for 6 weeks. More details to come!

As for now, one of my very close friends is leaving the country to do mission work in South Africa for 9 months. I will greatly miss him, but we will hopefully see each other in May/June! While I am here, I will be getting clinic hours at West Texas Rehab Center, keeping up with classes and doing some work with the youth at SoHo still.

I have been enjoying the new Bank (Student Recreation and Wellness Center) at ACU. Several of my cohort members go with me, or indoor soccer happens on Thursday nights. My sister, who is a Senior at Abilene High and a captain of her soccer team, will be at ACU next year (which I am excited about). Time sure does fly!

The only not so good thing that has occurred, was my dad having a slight stroke close to New Year's. He is doing better now. On medication, in rehab and easing back into the work life. We were very blessed with prayers, support, and the fact that it could have been much worse. God is so good!

If anyone is still going to read this, let me know. I'd love to hear from you! I also hope to be a more consistent blogger...
Love to you and yours!

Hands and Feet

Well summer is half over...sad day. I have been busy being an intern and of course watching World Cup Soccer!!! I can't believe that's I've never watched a whole cup before, but its mainly because I never had cable. Vamos Uruguay y Argentina!! Too bad the USA is out :(

Anywhoo, I just came back from our trip to New Orleans. Having been before right after the hurricane, it was nice to see all the change that had occured. The people there have a special appreciation for life and the small blessings they've recieved. I always come back feeling like I've gained just as much as I've poured out. The teenagers that went on the trip worked really hard and visibly grew spiritually.

Tonight at our McAllen mission trip meeting, a song was played. It talked about being hands and feet to be sent out into the world. The line that got me most said, "I wanna be Your voice every time I speak." That means EVERY time. Laying myself aside and realizing that there is hope for EVERY soul. I always thought I had a good handle on that, but more recently I realize that I don't. Just being a nice person will cut it with some, but truly being kind takes a sacrifice. We have been chosen and sent. I love travelling not only because of the sights but because of the people. The people are life and they all need light. Shine on :)