35 Days Out

March was a busy month for me! Spring Break was wedged in between assignments and clinic hours, to create a blink. I was able to visit my "ex-roommate" and great friend Kate Huggins in Memphis, TN. I had never been to Tennessee before and I am always ready for new adventures. Linley and I drove for 10 hours in the pouring rain to get there on Sunday. Scary stuff! Thankfully the Lord provided cautious drivers to surround us and good sense to stop when we needed to. Kate had prepared dinner when we arrived, so we had a chance to catch up. She would be at work during the weekdays, while Linley and I were on our own to explore the city. The National Civil Rights Museum was a big hit! I learned so much more depth about our country's struggle than I had before. It also detailed Dr. Martin Luther King's assassination, which was devastating but being the detective that I am, fascinating. My love for the cultures of the world has been growing for several years now and I saw that side as well.
I won't go in to every detail of the trip, but we ate at the famous places and went to the zoo. The zoo had a female panda named Yaya (which if you know me well, that is my nickname), so I thought it was cool to see. I've missed my friend Kate being in Texas, but it was nice to see how she lives now. We will always be friends, no matter where in the world life takes us.

On another note, I have been learning so much in my clinic placement. It truly makes me think about what I want to do the rest of my life, and if this is it. My desire to speak  God's love into people's lives through compassion, care and encouragement is growing with my knowledge. The more confident I am in my faith, the more confident I am as a person, which in turn gives me confidence to reach out. What a life God has for me! The title of today's post relates to the countdown for Zambia. I am no where near ready to go physically or mentally, because school is still priority. My heart, however, is rearing to go! Zambia for six weeks, then in July I am going to be in Peru for 12 days! This is a new development since I last posted...and one that I never expected to be real. Who gets to go to two countries that she's never been to in one summer?! God is absolutely incredible. If I'm honest, I only had the faith that he would provide funds for my Zambia trip. He has provided so much more for my sister and I to go to Peru with Southern Hills! I just picture him saying something like he does in the book of John..."You believe after this miracle? Just wait to see what I still have in store for you! It is so much greater than what you've already seen!"...or something very similar.

If God has the power to send me where my heart desires to be, then what else am I not asking and seeking for, that He already has planned? Crazy to think about. Life is passing quickly...I just turned 23 on the 27th of March! This could easily be 5 weeks of stress and depression, but I want to embrace each day with joy. My clients will see it through their child eyes and others will ask why. Hopefully it will not take me 35 days to post again...blessings!

I Cannot Be All and Do All (only Jesus can)

My life is not perfect. I have a lot on my plate for such a "little" person. I counted one time and I think there were 10 things I had a role in. Maybe I've stated that on my blog before but it still astounds me how I have trouble saying 'no'. They are all good things: HS LifeGroup leader, Bible Bowl helper, clinician, GA, student, friend, family member, MS volunteer, research and prep for Zambia. Whew!

In doing and saying all of this, I hate to disappoint people. I feel that if I like/love doing it, am good at it and someone "expects" me to do it then I should. Well today I found out that my busyness has carried over into tardiness for therapy hours. Not good. Not only is it unprofessional but it might cause me one less letter of reccomendation. It is something that is easily fixed, but will still be difficult to attain. This is a perfect example of my need for the One who can do all and be all. He is my answer and the one that I will answer to someday. Our department is making a shirt for convention and it has a verse on it that reminds us who we truly work for. The Lord is the One who will recieve all glory; not ourselves or anyone else, God alone!

That makes my heart glad :) I can rejoice and not let worry control me.

EVERYTHING works together for THE GOOD.

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.