ARM MISSION TRIP

ARM MISSION TRIP
TUSKEGEE ALABAMA

DISCOVERY!!!

Discovery 2010: Seriously Ridiculous

Pictures from: Meredith, Sarah, Bailey, Lisa, and myself!

In the midst of struggles

Even though things have been rough I serve a great God. He is faithful in all things! He is all knowing and loving. I give praise for His unfailing love. I give praise that His arms are never crossed but always open. He's there when all else fails. His love is all I need!


Remember, You can't have a rainbow without the storm!

God is Good!

Last Night Was ROUGH...

Last night was a rough night. I slept 4 hours...

That's all I have to say for today..............................................

Today has been a good day....

Yesterday I had my second round of light therapy and I'm seeing results... good results. The therapy seems to be working and I'm thankful that it is working. I'm also thankful to God for sending the right people to comfort me, make me laugh, and for those that simply come by and help me take my mind off of things.

People have asked me what seems to be the worst part of this disorder. So, here is my list...

The worst part of the disorder: No warm/hot baths or showers, itch 24/7, can't sleep, exhausted, parts of your body look like a scene/creature from an alien movie, no cure, and some days you feel like you are on fire.

I think through it all I realized I took a lot of things for granted. Simple things, like taking a nice warm bath and a good night's rest. I'm looking at things a little differently. The disorder is a sweet reminder of how blessed I am. It's a reminder of how GOOD GOD IS!

Never take the small things for granted...

I had a decent night...

Ever since I was diagnosed with a skin disorder/disease I have not had a good night's sleep in forever. I'm constantly up and down placing cold compresses on my entire body and taking medicine and making sure my body is coated in some form of "itch relief" lotion. Yesterday I even tried light therapy which seemed to help. At this moment I'm willing to try anything.

Last night was the first night of rest (decent) in a long time. It was very nice...very, very nice! People asked what I did differently but the truth is... nothing. I did everything I've been doing but for some reason I slept really well.

In my heart I think it's been the prayers of family and friends. Philippians 4:6 says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." I truly believe it's been the prayers of faithful family members and friends. God hears the cries of His children. What ever you are facing or dealing with give it all to God.

Today I will rejoice in finding five hours of sleep and not itching. Might sound funny to most, but for me it was sweet relief.

Many thanks to God and my family, friends, and church family! May God Bless YOU ALL!

FAV VIDEOS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7zweXz-XrY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSdP6PqsbJY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnXrfksTjZ8

a lesson from 7th grade girls....

I help lead the 7th grade girls FUSION group(bible study) on Tuesday nights. They often sit and listen to what i have to say but recently they began to speak up and share their thoughts and opinions... one such night I learned a Lesson from the 7th grade girls.

During one of the lessons we were talking about communication. We were discussing the way we speak to our family, friends and what our approach would be to handle arguements or disagreements. What did they teach me? Good question... ALOT!

First, If Jesus says "Speak the TRUTH", then we should. If he says "FORGIVE", then we should. What if in the middle of an arguement or a disagreement we thought "Try HIS way"? What if we were honest and sincere?

Will you let the Spirit search the ways you communicate?

God Loves REAL relationships!

Favorite Quotes.... Again!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence, but it comes from within. It is there all the time. -Anna Freud

“Friendship is like a expensive china. It can be fixed when it is broken, but the crack will remain.”

“There comes a time when you have to stand up and shout:This is me damn it! I look the way I look, think the way I think, feel the way I feel, love the way I love! I am a whole complex package. Take me... or leave me. Accept me - or walk away! Do not try to make me feel like less of a person, just because I don't fit your idea of who I should be and don't try to change me to fit your mold. If I need to change, I alone will make that decision.When you are strong enough to love yourself 100%, good and bad - you will be amazed at the opportunities that life presents you.”
Copyright © 2000

Our own heart, and not others'opinions of us, forms our true honor. -Friedrich von Schiller

There is nothing permanent except change. -Heraclitus

Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

If God sends us on strong paths, we are provided strong shoes.”

Praise and Thanksgiving

Bailey, Maggie, and Sallie

On Monday October 19th I made a post on my blog about a young man… a young man who was sick, hurting, and desperate for answers… a young man who is faithful, strong, and courageous.

Well, Today I want to give praise to the Great Physician. Bailey is doing well. The feeding tube has been removed and he is eating and tasting food again. After lunch today I asked Bailey what he had to eat and he said with a smile “the breakfast pizza and it was good”.

Bailey and I at Children's Hospital

During the time of Bailey’s illness I shared one of my favorite scriptures with him…
It says 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:30-31

Bailey and Maya (ARM RETREAT)

So the next time you think you “can’t” or you feel it's "impossible" remember the faithful words found in Isaiah “those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength… they will walk and not faint”
Thanks Be to God - Amen

REALLY AL FANS???

I'm a huge AL Football Fan. My uncle even was a quarterback under Bear Bryant. I've heard stories of bear bryant and Alabama football all my life... one such story was of how scared he was my granny. "Men", he said "never cross Mrs. O'Rear". I'm also a huge fan of #22 Mark Ingram but I must say that I am some what disappointed in ALABAMA FANS.

I think it's sad when ALABAMA FANS send a weather man hate mail or hate emails and threatening him just because he might have to come on during the game to update the weather conditions... REALLY AL FANS??? Classy!!!

I think it's even WORSE when ALABAMA FANS say that they can't function, rest/sleep, or even eat because of nerves over the big game tonight... REALLY??? REALLY??? But yet you can sleep knowing that there are starving children in this world? or that people don't have a warm place to lay their heads at night??? or that a child won't eat a hot meal or have a warm bed to sleep in???

I think we've forgotten what's truly important in life. I'm not perfect by any means... but I know that a game is not worth losing sleep over or threatening a man's life for. I know that we are to care for others and love deeply.

Priorities...

What is truly important to you???

Ezekiel 36.26

Last night while in a meeting I picked up a bible to look up a certain scripture. After finding and reading the scripture I continued to look through the bible. As I was flipping through the pages I noticed this bold print of scripture on the left. I thought it was strange for two reasons: 1.) I never look in the book of Ezekiel 2.) The words are exactly what I needed to hear (they were highlighted for some reason)

Here what the word says: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. I will remove from you your heart of stone."

Why should we try and duct tape our old lives when we can have a new one? We can have a new spirit.

God offers each of us a fresh start.

Pressing On...

Philippians 3.13-14
Today during staff chapel our pastor read from the book of Philippians. He spoke the words that are found in chapter three, in verses 13 – 14.
“… But one thing I do know: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

These words were spoken for me this morning. Even though there were others in the room I knew God was telling me that I was doing the right thing. “Forgetting what is behind” – those words are what I needed to hear. My focus is not in my past any longer. My focus is on my future. Today is a fresh start.

So today:
I will love with everything I have.
I will try new things.
I will smile and laugh more.
I will sing praises for a new day.
I will remember who I was and who I am.
I will pray more often.
I will make good decisions.
I will give honest answers.

Today, I will press on toward the goal!

HAPPY NEW YEAR - JAN 4th

I know it's January 4th but HAPPY NEW YEAR! Today is when my new year starts, my new attitude appears, my new outlook on life is starting and a whole new book is written. Today is the day where i stop being what others want me to be and become who I'm destined to be. Today is the day where I see that my dreams have nothing to do with my wants and desires but for those who are lost and lonely... may their dreams come true. Today is a day where I look back and say "only lessons learned" and not "only regrets". Today I move forward knowing that My GOD is so BIG that He can open any door, close any book, love me no matter my faults, and protect me from any thing life may throw at me. Today I can see that God's plan for me is perfect. I can see His Grace is enough for me.

Today is not New Year's Day but it's still a NEW DAY. A New day with new beginnings, new life, and no regrets.

UCONN

My New Friends

choices

"There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them.”

“Nobody ever did, or ever will, escape the consequences of his choices.”

“Remember, there are no mistakes, only lessons. Love yourself, trust your choices, and everything is possible.”

“It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”