This Life

Shutting Down

2008-07-23T21:47:00.006-05:00

The time has come and I have decided to close down this blog for now. I feel like I've lost my motivation to post anything meaningful, I'm not consistent, and it's become a time filler for me. Nothing against blogging--in fact, I just created a private blog for all of my family members who live elsewhere than TN (which is pretty much everyone who is related to me because I don't have any family here..that I am aware of, that is) so I can keep in touch with them. I'll be spending most of my online time there from now on.

I'm going to keep this blog active for a little while in the event that I have a change of heart...but I doubt that will be the case.

For now, I will be signing off..and don't worry, I will still be stalking all of your blogs! :)

Adios!

Past Few Weeks

2008-07-09T21:41:00.007-05:00

The past few weeks have been busy--so not much time to spend blogging.
I made an unexpected trip to Texas at the end of June (may post more about that at a later date).
Also, my friend Lucero came to visit me a couple of weekends ago...

We had a great time exploring Nashville...and taking lots of pictures (I got a new camera because my old one died on me so I had fun learning how it works).

And...got to spend a fun July 4th with friends..

We watched fireworks from the Diamond Jaxx game from the Guthrie's parking lot. Although I'm pretty sure the firework display lasted about 5 minutes..it was still good times!

Sextuplets Update

2008-06-17T21:31:00.003-05:00

About a year ago, I posted about the Masche family who had sextuplets. It's hard to believe it has been a year since the babies were born. WE TV is doing a special on their story which airs tomorrow night. You can click here for more information on the times if you're interested in watching. I can't imagine what it must be like to have SIX children--all at once, at the same stage of life and development--it exhausts me just thinking about it. And yet, I know that the Lord has given the Masche's much grace indeed.

God as Father

2008-06-16T21:55:00.005-05:00

Some of you I may have told about this amazing sermon from the New Attitude conference. C.J. Mahaney preaches on God as Father: The Doctrine of Adoption. I think it's very common to hear "talks" in this day and age on the love of God; however, this sermon paints such a great picture of what the love of God truly looks like in context of His entire character. I truly think it revolutionized my thinking (and I am still sifting through it all).

You can listen here.

A quote by J.I. Packer that goes along with this:
"Adoption is a family idea, conceived in terms of love, and viewing God as father. In adoption, God takes us into His family and fellowship--he establishes us as His children and heirs. Closeness, affection and generosity are at the heart of the relationship. To be right with God the Judge is a great thing, but to be loved and cared for by God the Father is a greater."

Father's Day

2008-06-15T15:41:00.004-05:00

In honor of Father's Day...

I love my dad!

Germans Who Say Nice Things

2008-06-12T21:31:00.003-05:00

Okay, since I come from somewhat of a German heritage, I felt like I could get away with posting this. Actually, I thought it was hilarious--it is from the Taco Bell Dana Carvey Show (which I remember watching this particular skit some years ago). Dana Carvey and Steve Carell play the Germans who say nice things. Enjoy, and laugh a little!

Earthquake Safety

2008-06-09T22:50:00.005-05:00

Many of you know that the West Tennessee area sits on the New Madrid fault line...so technically, we could experience an earthquake at any moment. Amanda emailed me this link to an earthquake safety quiz. Take it. You just never know when you might need some of these techniques, although I think the graphics in this quiz are really funny--especially when you get an answer wrong and the cartoon house in the background crumbles to the ground. (Just a little on the melodramatic side.)

Click here.
Enjoy and broaden your natural disaster knowledge!

Oh, and I should probably let you guys know that I scored 30% on this quiz, so I'm thinking that you may not want to depend on my knowledge and expertise for your survival if we do have an earthquake.

"Plug"

2008-06-08T21:58:00.004-05:00

I figured I would plug this book written by Tim Ellsworth. It's called...

Although I have not read or purchased it yet (I have read some excerpts..and I DO plan to buy it this week), I highly recommend it. In short, it is about the EF-4 tornado that hit Union University on February 5th and how the Lord worked in the lives of students through this major event. That one-sentence synopsis probably does not do it justice, so you should probably just go buy it and read it for yourself.

Contentment

2008-06-07T23:36:00.002-05:00

“So, how’s work going?” A friend of mine asked me the other day. I paused (probably grimacing on that particular day) before answering the question and then proceeded to unload my thoughts about the daily grind of my job and the fact that it was really a struggle for me lately to have a joyful attitude in the midst of my work. “You know”, I told her, “I just don’t want my identity/worth to become wrapped up in what I do..." I then continued in my conversation with my friend who is married and has young children. As we talked about our lives, the recent updates etc., it very ironic that...although we are both in very different places in life (her: married, raising kids and me: single, working) I couldn’t help but think that the themes (or should I say “struggles”?) are always so similar. Why is it that we always seem to long for what we do not have? If single, then to be married...if married, then to have children; if children, then to have freedom again like we did when we were single...and so on and so forth.

No matter what the circumstances, I am guilty as charged with the sin of discontent.

It tends to come in waves I think...some days I am fine...content with my place in life...geographic location, place of employment, marital status (or lack thereof), level of education, etc. And yet, on other days, I feel that I do more than just long for things that I do not have...I actually think I “deserve” them somehow. It pretty much goes downhill from that point.

So, what’s the difference between the times when I enjoy my lot in life and those times that I think I mistakenly got the short straw? I wholeheartedly believe it is my focus...when my eyes are not on the Lord and inevitably turned inward, it becomes so difficult to believe that He is sovereign, holy, loving, and ultimately working all things together for His glory. I find more and more that if I do not fill my mind with truth and allow the Lord to use His Word to turn my heart toward Him, I will easily succumb to the temptation to think that I should have something other than what He has given.

So my hope is that my focus will not be turned inward, but that I will have true contentment. I must believe that if I have a specific “lot” in life today, it is because the Lord has seen it fit for me to best glorify Him in this way. So..no matter if I am married/single, working/unemployed, educated/uneducated, rich/poor, in good health/sick...whatever it may be...I pray to be content in all circumstances...for His sovereignty and care is beyond my comprehension.

Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. -1 Timothy 6:6

Na

2008-06-01T20:48:00.004-05:00

No, the title of this post is not the periodic table reference for Sodium. It actually is the acronym for "New Attitude", a conference that I went to last weekend in Louisville, KY.

(no matter what this sign says, it's pronounced "Lou-a-vul", unless you want someone to laugh at you..)

New Attitude was started by Joshua Harris and Eric Simmons (or I think maybe Eric joined later). Basically it's whole purpose is humble orthodoxy--the pure and uncompromised truth of God's Word. It was such a great experience to be able to take a concentrated amount of time to hear truth and be refreshed, convicted, and encouraged. The speakers were so humble--always deferring to one another and being intentional to point out evidences of grace that they saw in the other person's life. I have much to learn from their humility and intentionality.

My explaining would not do the conference justice, so I recommend checking out the podcasts of the speakers on the Na blog. Visit www.newattitude.org and enjoy!

Rethinking...

2008-05-21T22:15:00.002-05:00

Apologies to anyone who actually read this blog and thought I dropped off the face of the earth. Being "busy" and transitions have consumed me over the past couple of months. I have also been rethinking my blogging...purposes, content, etc.

I hope to be back soon.

Last Weekend

2008-03-22T00:09:00.008-05:00

The past weeks have been busy...thus is my explanation/excuse for not keeping up with the blogging. Last week, Jon and Kacie came to visit me--they drove here from Mansfield, TX. We had a great time hanging out..

They helped me by working on the flowerbeds at the house...

We also had a great time cooking (yes, my brother likes to cook..and so does Kacie..I say, the more the merrier). We fixed some delicious salad, chicken marsala, and italian potatoes.

The next day we spent in Memphis...Mud Island, the Peabody, and Beale Street. Here we are on top of the Peabody Hotel, which is actually one of my favorite "tourist attractions" of Memphis.

And, we finished off the day with some great Memphis cuisine on Beale...

We had a great time--I was glad they came to see me in TN on their first "official" vacation as a married couple!

Snow!

2008-03-09T22:40:00.010-05:00

Tennessee has weird weather: tornadoes in February and SNOW in March. We had a beautiful snowstorm on Friday evening/Saturday early morning!

Here is the snow coming down...about 11pm or so on Friday..

It accumulated quickly (actually there was more in the morning)...I think we got somewhere between 3-5 inches.

The front of the house...

Saturday morning was so beautiful with the snow everywhere and the clear, blue sky. Here are the little evergreens lining the driveway--I thought they were pretty (they are the neighbor's--I have no trees!)

I decided to build a snowman (or in this case a "snow-woman") for old-time's sake, and I didn't want to waste perfectly good snow since this only happens like one time per year in West TN! Of course, I couldn't help myself--I had to give this snowperson a distinctive style..

That's right--business in the front..

And party in the back!

Yay for snow!

Charlie Bit Me

2008-03-04T21:22:00.002-06:00

A friend of mine showed me this YouTube Video the other night. I think it is too cute! Enjoy!

Breaking the Routine

2008-03-02T22:48:00.004-06:00

I enjoy weekends--and Sundays, because it is such a change from the normal "routine". Today, after church, some friends came over. We ate lunch, then sat outside on the back patio...enjoying the unseasonably (or maybe seasonably), warm, 70-degree, windy weather. Sarah played her guitar in preparation for leading music at a retirement home where she serves every Sunday afternoon. Amanda, Kara, and I sat and listened and sang to the beautiful and timeless hymns of It is Well and Great is Thy Faithfulness as Sarah played. We all talked about life, struggles, being women in today's world..and many other things...both silly and serious.

I thought to myself--why do I often spend my days in such a busy fury? I know it is the nature of my job and the staple of America to be constantly in motion. And yet, there is something satisfying about just "being"-- taking time to sit down, enjoying good conversation with fellow sisters in Christ, and reflecting on things that are of eternal value.

I do not do it enough...but I'm beginning to realize that taking a break from constant motion is good for my soul.

Moment of Truth

2008-02-26T21:29:00.003-06:00

Last night, I watched part of a new game show/reality show series called "Moment of Truth". It is a new game show where contestants subject themselves to a lie detector test. They have to answer questions to win money and the questions get progressively difficult--i.e. personal. The catch is that there is also a panel of family members/friends--spouses, children, etc. who are feet away witnessing the whole show. At any moment they can press a "buzzer" so that the contestant does not have to answer the question asked, so that the spouse, friend, child (whoever happens to be the 'onlooker') does not have to hear the truthful answer of the contestant. Also, whenever the contestant answers the question (stating "true" or "false") the lie detector "persona" states whether or not the contestant's answer was accurate based upon the results of the lie decector test. So there is an added pressure to answer truthfully lest you be disproved by the lie detector.

There was a particular female contestant last night who was on the show I think for the sole purpose of airing all of her hidden secrets to her husband. She first answered the "easy" questions--such as Have you ever gotten fired from a job for stealing money?
When she said "true" or "yes/no", the lie detector confirmed that this was accurate. The contestant continued to win money by answering truthfully and as a result, moved up the difficulty ladder. She went on to answer questions related to cheating on her husband, being in love with another man on her wedding night, and being deceptive in her marriage in various ways. You could tell by the expression on his face, that her husband (watching/participating as part of the 'panel') was mortified and probably stripped of whatever ounce of dignity he had left. For each question the contestant answered, the lie detector test confirmed that she was telling the truth. I was amazed that someone would even dare to admit her deep secrets on national TV. (The annoying part was that you could tell that the game show host asked probing questions for the sole purpose of evoking drama.) After the contestant had won a large sum of money and sufficiently aired her dirty laundry, the game show host asked yet another question:

Are you a good person?

The contestant thought about this question for a few moments and then stated, "Yes. I do think I'm a good person--although I've made mistakes, I think I've learned from them and have become a better person..."

And the lie detector test said her answer was false--i.e. that she truly did not believe she was "a good person"! I thought this was extremely interesting and thought provoking. It just goes to show that even though we, as humans, may say or think that we are "good" people based upon what we have overcome or mistakes we have learned from; when it truly comes down to it, something deep within our hearts knows the truth--that we are wicked and that there is no one good, no not one.

Now...I do not write this post to discuss the morality of a TV Game show that asks such personal and often inappropriate questions for viewer ratings and glorification of "drama" on national television (that is another topic). It just made me think about the status of our hearts as human beings. We are completely wicked without the redemption of Christ. It is true that God has set eternity on man's heart and that we are all without excuse. The very fact that someone cannot truthfully admit that they are a "good person" without being disproved by a man-made lie detector test is evidence in itself. We try and we work and we slave to meet a standard we have created for ourselves...we think we are good and yet we fall so short--even if we are guilty of only falling short by a "small" measure compared to some. The truth is, we can't escape our depravity. Our only hope is Christ. And even if we try to deny the status of our hearts...the truth will come out..eventually.

As a side note: I do hope that the woman on the game show and her husband were reconciled to one another; however, I can't say either way that was what occurred afterward. In fact, I can only imagine what pain this must have caused both of them when the delirum of national television subsided and they were faced with the reality of their broken marriage. My hope is that somehow this couple will hear the gospel and be reconciled to God and one another.

Union University Update

2008-02-25T22:17:00.004-06:00

For most recent updates on Union University's rebuilding process after the tornado, you can visit www.uurebuilding.com. It's amazing how quickly they have already broken ground for the new dorms.

I am sure that prayer continues to be the most needed thing for the leadership at Union, students, and faculty/staff as they resumed their semester last week and are now in an adjustment phase.

Caedmon's Call Tour

2008-02-23T17:53:00.003-06:00

Caedmon's Call and Derek Webb are coming to the area on 4.4.08 for the Overdressed tour.

They will be at Dyersburg State Community College at 7:00pm.
Check it out here.

Total Eclipse of the...

2008-02-21T21:34:00.005-06:00

Moon.
(you thought I was going to say "heart", didn't you?)

For anyone who saw the lunar eclipse last night, I'm sure you would agree that it was pretty amazing. I stood outside for about ten minutes watching it (while simultaneously freezing...). I think there is something so powerful about watching the sky at night. It truly makes you realize how small you are in the scheme of this universe--to think that the Lord, our Maker, created the heavens and all that they contain and that even the vastness of the sky speaks of His glory. And then to think that He would choose us to be His before the beginning of all time? We can only find ourselves undeserving of such grace.

To see a picture of the eclipse, click here. This is my brother's blog--I think he took this photo himself.

If You Ever Think You're Coordinated...

2008-02-19T22:07:00.005-06:00

Then you should try a step (aerobics) class...

Although it is a great workout and a lot of fun, it has been confirmed that I am definitely NOT the next "So You Think You Can Dance" contestant (in case there was ever any question).

Enough said.

Exploiting Disaster?

2008-02-14T23:28:00.003-06:00

If you live in Jackson, go to the corner of Highland and Carriage House, and you will see a street vendor selling West TN tornado t-shirts. I can't remember the message on the shirt...it possibly has the date of the storms and something like "I survived" with a picture of a cartoon, swirling tornado on a colorful map of West TN.

I drove by at about 12:45pm today and the price was $10 per t-shirt. I drove by again at 3:30pm and I saw a guy holding a sign that said "2 for $9.99". Not that I am an economist by any means...but I would venture to guess that the whole supply/demand principle caused him to go to a reduced price. I'm sure this guy was just trying to make some money...but seriously, could you pick something other than a devestating tornado as an opportunity to make a little extra cash? I'm definitely not opposed to t-shirts--but really, this has got to be an example of capitalism at its "finest".

Appreciating the Little Things

2008-02-13T23:50:00.002-06:00

Okay, so I know it's nothing to get excited about; but it was a pretty sight to see this morning (in case you're still wondering why I took a random picture of patio furniture...look closer and you'll see some snow..I know, I know..it's obvious that I have never lived in a cold climate.)

Rebuilding

2008-02-12T22:08:00.004-06:00

I find it ironic that today we were under a Winter Weather Advisory, and yet just a week ago, it was 75 degrees and Jackson had just experienced the devestating tornadoes that ripped across the midsouth. Interesting how even the weather reminds us that things can change so quickly.

My thoughts have been consumed for the past week with the recent storms and specifically with those at Union. I have been so burdened for the students, the staff/faculty, and the president of the university as they make decisions and begin the rebuilding/healing process. Over the past week, I have come into contact with many students who have varying stories from the night of the storm, and yet; the themes are the same: God's protection; His grace; His mercy.

I know this is not the end. Union is now entering the phase of rebuilding--finding housing for students, returning to scheduled classes, preparing to reconstruct dormitories, and repairing what has been damaged. As students seek to return to some sense of normalcy in their lives, we are foolish to think that it will ever be the same. There will be times of great struggle--when stress comes; flashbacks from that night; fears. And yet, even though these things are both difficult and normal; it will be the Lord who can ease emotions and heal trauma in the same way that we rebuild buildings. The memory will remain but the end result has potential to be much more beautiful than what once was.

My prayer is that the Lord will give much grace to the students and faculty/staff at Union and that He will begin to rebuild something glorious in their lives through this devestating event. Moreover, that the name of Christ will be proclaimed with much urgency and passion so that His truth will be known by many.

It is amazing to see the community response to the tornados. Not only toward Union but also toward those who live in the Huntersville, TN community. Recently, a church in Jackson who owns a local hotel (Old English Inn) donated their building to the University for the semester to use as dorms. Many people have stepped in to help those affected by the tornados physically, monetarily, and instrumentally. Many others have supported through prayer.

I think it is a great testimony to the truth of Christ to see so many people coming together to help Union (and others) rebuild. Though the days and weeks to come will be difficult; by the grace of Christ and through His Body functioning well; there will be healing and restoration.

Union Videos

2008-02-10T23:21:00.000-06:00

Here are a couple videos from YouTube compiled of Union post-tornado:

It's impossible to watch these and not be awed by the grace and protection of our all-powerful God!

Back to Blogging...

2008-02-09T23:50:00.000-06:00

I am finally back from my “blog hiatus”. My return would have been sooner; however, any blogging this week was rightfully undermined by the events that transpired this past week here in Jackson. As many of you know, Union University was hit by an f4 tornado which caused much devastation and destruction to the campus. Thankfully and by God’s grace, no one was killed in this particular storm; however, there were forty plus persons who were killed in this storm system that swept across the Midsouth this past Tuesday. I vividly remember the time that Union’s campus was hit by a tornado back in 2002 when I was a student (it actually hit the building I lived in); however, Dr. Dockery has said that the tornado that hit this week was 10-15 times worse than the one a few years back. So..my "personal experience" is nothing compared to what these students faced this week.

While the campus is now in shambles and what students once knew as “home” is barely recognizable; it has been interesting to see how in times of disaster, you see what is truly at the heart of a person. I have had the privilege of spending time with a lot of college students this week as some girls have even crashed on air mattresses here in the spare bedroom for a few nights and, as a result, I have heard many stories from the night of the tornado. It never ceases to amaze me how the Lord protected so many from harm that night. Furthermore, while many of the college students have lost personal belongings, housing, and other material things of importance and value; I have yet to hear anyone complain. On the contrary, they are thankful for the Lord’s protection, amazed by His power, and hopeful of how He will use this disaster to move hearts within the campus, the community of Jackson, and worldwide.

This week has been a lesson in perspective and a reminder of the power and total sovereignty of God. I have been reminded of the book of Job so many times this week and how the Lord allowed Satan to sift him so that ultimately, the Lord would be glorified. I have so many thoughts; and yet, I think I will shift now from the introspective to the practical:

There are many needs that Union has right now (and many others who were affected by the tornados). Here is a list of things to pray for that I got off of Tim's blog.

And here is a link to some pictures taken/compiled by Cam Tracy (staff member at Union).