I 'heart' good things..

I have just completed what is for me each year one of the busiest weeks of my life. Our amazing new Freshmen are here and moved in officially beginning their classes. Anyway-- before they all get here there are just a few things that I always must do....well, first of all house them....we are right now right at just over the 500 incomings students....and with the returning students we are talking about housing about 1300 people....so...that has been something that I have been working on for awhile....I love this time of year- it is a wonderfu time for me to meet our new young "family" members and do all I can to make this transition as smooth and enjoyable as possible for all. But believe it or not that isn't what has been keeping me busy...I am busy because I have 9 wonderful Residence Hall Supervisors that I work with, take care of and go to bat for....and we do our training before any of our students arrive....it is a blessing and sometimes stressful...but wonderful to remind them that they have a great job...a great opportunity to make a difference for young adults.....we work on our training and planning for a full day....and it mostly takes every minute of it....but it is good and enjoyable....and I am thankful for them- there is not one of them that does this job for the money- and yes, they could all do other things- but they see this as their own ministry- being a mentor and a friend- a confidant and a parent away from home. I have also just completed about 4 days....worth of training with some of the best people I know. I get the opportunity to work with and train and teach our 34 Resident Assistants......we spend lots of time together...get to know each other-- learn about each other.....praying together......thinking and planning and working on all the ideas we hope to accomplish....I spend tons of time talking to them.....telling them about what a great great job they have-- what a joy it can be to them and to others if they will use it....we go through extensive training and planning and find a bit of time for some fun....but these young people.....they are nothing short of amazing! They are special and they care about those they work with....they have to deal with some pretty serious stuff that goes on in the halls and yet they do it with a good attitude and a spirit of service....what a joy! I know this because- I see it or hear about it everyday. I grow to love these students each year....because of all that they do.....during one of the recent training days I sat and listened as they told what their purpose was- as they shared things like: to be a servant, to make a difference, to love those that have no one to love them, and yes, to represent Christ... and then we prayed together.....I sat and wept as I thought about the way God sends things to us at just the right time...when we are hurting or upset we look around and God has sent something wonderful......He is good. The earliest I left work during this training was 9 pm and I love that we are getting so much done-- the gift of these young people that I have been blessed with....the good things.....WOW. I can't begin to describe it. I watch the faces of these young adults and I see their passion for what they do....it gives me a feeling that I can only describe as good. I think this must be how God's heart must feel when he sees the good things that we strive to do-the feeling I have about these young people is so strong- so joyful- so overwhelming and I want to spend my life giving that feeling to my Father. These are good things... and I 'heart good things.

Just 3 calls and a question

Somedays are just tough…i do not know why I let these days get to me- I have most of my life, looked very positively at things and at people-trusting and believing that people are Great…but as I said somedays are just tough. This past Thursday had been one of those days— I had been prayerfully wondering where the good was-:) Work was tough- my co-worker and friend was sick-I had about 25 thank you notes to write and had not completed ANY of them, and to top it all off- I had emotionally eaten twice in the same week…and this makes me so unhappy with me. Ok…basically it was a bad day-
Well, it was about 4:00 and the day was winding down- I was working on some things with my amazing student worker, Kate- when I got a phone call from one of my dorm supervisors- she sounded a bit upset and after I listened a bit- I realized that there was yelling in the background. She told me that there was a young woman who was being treated unfairly by her roommate…..I do not get this situation alot..but occasionally this happens and we work through it—lots of talking and lots of discussion and a prayer for and with each other- and things are usually fine. This time the upperclassmen roommate was being very hard on her newly acquired freshman roomie- not only was she being pretty harsh to her- she also had the suitemates of the room being pretty tough on her as well. It was harsh— the upperclassman suddenly wanted a private room and the younger girl- did NOT get it….the young girl was crying and saying, “What did I do wrong? Why don’t you like me?” Those of you who know me- know that I am a VERY emotional person- crying in worship, at commercials, at movies, at people….. so this- well this just broke my heart. I tried to talk to the older girl- I told her that if she wanted a private room- I would give her one- but that I would move her. She was very upset over this and started yelling again….it was pretty evident she wasn’t going to listen. I finally had the opportunity to talk to the young freshman student- I told her not to cry- that I promise I will take care of her and if she will just hang on and trust me- I will make things right for her. I told her that I did not want her living in the suite she was in and that I wanted her to let me do better for her! She calmed down a bit and then she started crying again- she told me that she couldn’t move- her mom and auntie and grandma had worked so hard to set up her room so pretty and that they lived in Memphis and she couldn’t ask them to come back….or tell them that she was moving all they worked so hard on. Wow, what an amazing attitude- what a heart. I asked her if she would mind if I called her mom and talked to her- she said no and immediately gave me the number…adding-I talked to her, she is REALLLY mad. I hung up the phone and literally said a prayer before calling this mom. I was crying by the time she answered- not sure why- maybe I just needed a good cry, maybe I was a little fearful of my words, but mostly because I knew what this mom must be thinking about her sweet child dealing with this and how far away she felt! I spoke with the mom and told her that I wanted to call and let her know that I wanted to move her child- I told her that no one ever deserved the treatment she was dealing with and that I was going to take care of the young girls who put her child through this- in a manner that they might learn a lesson… I also told her that I was going to take her daughter under my wing and love her and make sure she found the love for FH that I had found…. The mom said- do I need to come there and I told her that I would take care of everything and if she wanted to come she could but that I would make things good for her sweet little girl. I also mentioned that I would handle helping her child move-she thanked me A TON and then hung up the phone- I immediately called the little girl back and told her we were moving…..to wait there and in a bit there would be some people there to help her. She said she would wait. I felt a little sick— I knew that it was supper time on campus and that most of my dearest student friends were busy with interface stuff….but I made 3 calls— 3 — told them the smallest bit of info— basically, there is a girl I need to move- she has not been having a great experience- and she is scared-I would love it if you could go over and help move her and show her how great FH people CAN be. They all answered with ok but not sure if I can get anyone else to help…. everyone is pretty busy. I told them that was ok- we could all handle it. I had a bit more to do in paperwork for the move and made a call to the new roomie- who was so excited to be finally getting a roommate. :) It took me about 25 minutes and then I headed over to the dorm- she was leaving- As I made my way to the second floor- I could hear noise— lots of noise-oh well, it is a dorm….I opened the door and made my way to the girls room— I took a peek inside and there they were— literally 23 people!!! 23 people…surrounding this young girl- with love and laughter and a desire to help. I couldn’t really contain my feelings and I teared up— I again realized the greatness of this place that blesses my life and so many others everyday. I watched as the whole process took place and saw this young girl feel the joy of friends and the peace of God through these servants… it was beautiful. I know this is a long way to get here…but- 3 calls and a question and a life is nurtured, touched, changed. I am blessed.

Today....

well, here it is again....today--my moms birthday- it is a day that leaves me torn.... I hate the day because it is just another reminder....but I love the day because without I would have never had her. I miss her every moment.....it isn't that kind of -- do a few things and something reminds me of her....it is a constant- a costant hole in my heart and in my life. I know this blog is going to be sad.....because today....I have been sad. Longing for Heaven more than normal....wanting to be with her again and to see her....to think the thousands of things I have said outloud to her since her death--wondering if she has heard and is laughing or crying with me.....oh how I would love to have another little while with her. To get her advice about my life...to laugh with her about my ability to fall down stairs so much....I fell this past week and I cried mostly not because of being hurt (breaking my toe and twisting my ankle) but because I wanted to call her....and hear her laugh at me....tell me that it was because I should never wear heels! I want to pray with her-- she didn't like praying outloud but she knew I did and she would let me go on forever....and how I long for that look-- the one that told me she thinks I am a good person- that she is proud of me.....I even miss her telling anyone who would listen about her kids......her grandkids....her husband. She loved us.....and I miss her like crazy. I have a voicemail on my phone from her...she had left it about a week before she left us....she knew that I was speaking at a youth even and was nervous about it.....she called me sometime in the night and left a message...it just say-- hey this is mom-- I just wanted you to know that you are the most precious wonderful girl ever and I am so very proud of you too....I love you-- talk to you later. now....I will probably never delete that message-- I have resaved at least 100 times in these past two years.......and maybe it is strange and some would call it morbid.....but it is my only chance to hear her voice.....and I don't listen to it often but when things are hard.....I do-- I listen and want to do better and be stronger and live better so that I can be with her again! Okay- I told you it would be sad......but I had to talk about her....because Today....is her birthday.

jackhammer!!!!

OKay...no I am not using a euphemism (probably misspelled) -- it is what I have been hearing outside my office all week! And I am incredibly excited to hear it....because our students are going to have the most amazing new Student Center when they return in just 18 days!!! WOW-- they are going to be excited..and I am too. I said that to say this-- when I was watching and listening to them knock a wall down in front of our office yesterday-- I was thinking about persistence-- these guys kept pounding and pounding away at this wall....it was quite funny (because we never thought they would get it down) and it was loud..but I was watching it....I actually spent 10 minutes of my lunch break watching it. ( you might be a redneck if you watch someone jackhammering for 10 minutes) Anyway they were at it.....and they kept at it...and yes even this morning they are at it again. Persistence-- what a great thing...keeping at it. I relate to that because of lots of things....my prayer life for one....my weight loss for another....my constant effort to love running!!!....and of course persistence in my desire to go to heaven (to see God and Jesus....to be with my mom again) So what is it about keeping on keeping on that is so important-- the obvious is that if you want to get something done you MUST try.....the underlying is the feeling it gives you-- to know that you are continuing to strive...to be better, to do more, to feel like you are making a difference in others and yourself. Persistence is Biblical--Noah kept building a boat in a drought, Moses kept working to get God's children freed, Jeremiah continued to pray for 23 with no results, Paul fought the good fight, the list seems endless....persistance.....what a blessing we have to know what we are keeping on keeping on for-- to know that we have a Father who will never leave or forsake us. Our reward is great when we strive to go forward-- when we don't quit-- when we keep our eyes focused on our goal-- oh that wall -- it has a gigantic hole in it..the sun is shining through and the men are proud of their work!! So whether your praying, loosing weight, exercising, striving for heaven or just wanting to knock a hole in a wall-- Keep on Keeping on!

This Time

There is a verse in the Bible that I completely love today.....mostly because I need it today....alot! It is found in Esther 4:14...I know you have heard it a thousand times...but today I needed to remember it and thankfully I did! The scripture makes this statement: who knows that you were not put here for such a time as this? WOW-- I keep thinking about my life and the whining and complaining that I do in my Missie world...and then this scripture comes to mind....what am I doing with MY TIME...with THIS TIME? It seems so easy to get into a rut with life--- it seems so easy to want to complain or fuss about this or that but what if we didn't...what if for just this time-- we thought about the purpose of us being here..right now? I was in my office this morning when I had been dwelling on this scripture when the phone rang.....it was a mom who has an great amazing wonderful new freshman coming to FHU in about a month....she was talking about sheets..yes, sheets (length, style, width) and all of the sudden she got really quiet and I realized she was crying....okay...honestly, I wasn't mean to her or anything....and we were just talking sheets...but yep, she was crying! And I ......well, I completely related! :) Because there are defintely days that the thought of what size sheets Blake and Drake will need on their college beds makes me cry too... anyway, I said are you okay...and she just poured it all out there....I mean lots...she told me how she was so worried about her daughter being so far away and how she wanted to know that she was going to be in good hands and in good care..where someone would look after her......well, we chatted for awhile...this is my love, my reason for being here....FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS. Now, I am no Esther but what a gift...to be able to be there for others...God blesses me over and over again with this. So for this day--- this time....I am thankful for such a time as this. I hope this day brings to you the meaning of your time.

Gifts

Well, my thoughts are racing and I am not sure what to do .....this week has been quite busy already for me and now I have added something to my small mind to think on.....and so I thought I might share it with you and see what your thoughts are..... my week has been full of regular work and also on teaching at Horizons (a little thing FHU does each year....maybe you have heard of it) Anyway-- my subject that I was assigned was Growing up in Love with myself.. so I have taught for two days so far and one of the things I have asked these young girls is what are your special gifts?? So far NOBODY has said they had any? I mean seriously they have not felt they had any great special gift....wow! That makes me somewhat sad?? that makes me somewhat afraid??? and that makes me feel like somehow we have not being training our girls to realize their gifts. I have told them all they do-- definitely have special gifts.....and I have told them that they may not yet know what they are but to search for them. To know that He has given us all things that are for us!!!! THINGS we can do to make a difference....things that we can do to change lives and make this temporary home better.... Gifts are great-- they can be simple or they can be grand..... but they do inspire us and they are in each of us. Search for your gift.... I told them that one simple one that I have is that I don't mind at all standing in front of a group of young girls and letting them laugh at me or learn from me...it is their choice and I am sure they do both sometimes....but search for that gift...it is there-- use it and share it.

An escape (part 1)

This past week was an escape and a fun one at that-- we set off for the great an beautiful state of sunny Florida-- at about 1:00 a.m. on Saturday morning- we touched down in Destin via Chevy Venture on Saturday morning about 10:30- the ride itself was an experience- it was my three sons: Ren, Blake and Drake and a good friend of theirs: Preston Wade. The boys had convinced me that this drive would be a piece of cake- I mean they were going to sing and talk to me and keep me awake the entire trip-- I must say that about the time we reached the Corinth, MS exit (45 minutes away from home) it was just Ren and I....it remained that way the entire trip-- my oldest son says he never wants to see me drunk-- because sleep deprivation is bad enough! We had a great time (you know those moments when your child is your literal captive) and they have to listen to you-- it was terrific- we did not stop for gas and only once for food the entire way-- it was fun and simple and an escape!
When we checked into our amazing beach front condo-- I realized that it had been way to long since we had done this-- the WELL rested boys were estatic and they we all headed for the beach-- somewhat empty and totally beautiful! Wow! I had fun! I read two great books and I prayed more than I have in at least a week or two-- I played with my children (such a great blessing) and we stayed up late late late and woke up early to get a nap on the beach! We ate mostly in the condo and it was great-- we kinda took turns cooking- Our wonderful friends Jason and Sara came to stay with us on Monday--they are moving away from Henderson so it was one of our last times to just see each other everyday!! They of course are two of the craziest folks I know and I love them dearly-- everyone had just simple fun! An escape!!! I won't bore you with details of each day but lets just say that I kept remembering the phrase-- this is really living! So this escape of course made me grateful-- made me long desperately for heaven-- and made me want to be better and strive harder to take others with me. I hope you find time in your busyness of life to have an escape....to get away and make memories with your family and friends-- to live each day to the fullest and to just... escape!