Ode to my 23rd Birfday

Today I turned 23.
I'm not really sure how I should be,
For the most part I'm feeling much more like an adult
and I'm pretty sure that's nature's fault.
But this year I feel I've entered the real world,
And I even sometimes got bored.
Yet, today I still felt celebrated
and I didn't even have to get enebriated.
So here's to birthdays beyond 21,
Although they do not seem quite as much fun.
Another year is always a blessing,
And I will certainly not be guessing
About God's great plans,
For He always has me in His hands.


Thanks for the birthday wishes everybody!

Ah, New England

Well friends, as some of you may know, I spent a week out in my new home of Boston reconnecting with friends and spending some good time enjoying the city. I really enjoyed getting to spend some quality time with friends and having an early birthday celebration! Here's a pic of me and my new roommate Angie!

One thing I love about living in Boston are the many folks I get to interact with that have very thick accents. As a connoisseur of accents myself, I am often gripped by the speech of my neighbors and bostonian natives. For example, while in a dressing room in the mall with a friend, the helpful sales associate made she to tell another patron that her name was Aniter (Anita), just in case she could be of service. Now that is funny.
On another funny note, New England can sometimes be stuck in the 1700's as they name their restaurants and shoppes (did you like the usage of the old english there?). For example, last year we often frequented places such as "The Black Cow", "The Weathervane", "The Pickled Onion"....It only gets better. However, during this trip a certain church won the gold medal of crazy names. As Angie and I drove by the downtown Boston campus of Gordon-Conwell in Roxbury, I was struck by this church's name....it all fits on one sign:

Zion Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of The Americas - Jesus Saves

That's right folks....all in one name. After doing some research I found that they abbreviate their name, like good West coasters might do, and go by Zion F.B.H. Church. It's a good thing.
Anyhow, I love Boston and loved my little trip out East! Good to see you friends and I cant wait to live in Southie when I return from the great Middle East!

the cutest little girl singing on ellen

Worth a listen....it will bring a smile to your face!

Finally!

I don't have any professional pics from Sarah's wedding yet, but here are some that family took. Hope you all enjoy!

Sarah's favorite flower girls!

New Brother-In-Law Spencer....always a UT fan

Cousins and the bride!

Sarah and her regal train!

Oh, and me!

Sarah's Big Day

P.S. I'll post pictures and such of Sarah's wedding when we get them! It was a beautiful day in so many ways!! She was quite regal! ;)

It's almost been a month

I vowed I wouldn't go an entire month without posting and since my month is about to run out I better get to it. This past month has been so full of joy and moments of great depth. I spent a week at a camp leading the music and worship for kids, watched my big sister get married, and shared lots of fun memories with family. However, I want to take a minute to tell you about this special camp I went to.

It's called Royal Family Kids' Camp and it is a national organization that has camps all over the country. The kids that come to camp come out of the group home and foster care system and many of them have faced abuse and/or neglect in their short lives. I had the privilege of joining up with the camp sponsored out of LA and hosted at Point Loma University in San Diego. During the week we have a birthday party for all of the kids, spend lots of time with them (the ratio is one counselor for two campers, and 1:1 during meal times), and got to enjoy learning about life, God, and doing fun things together. It is always a highlight for me to work with the incredible staff members that give a week of their vacation time to serve in this capacity. Another highlight this year was during the talent/variety show. A camper I had been spending a great deal of time with danced to a song, in a beautiful dress she brought with her, to the lyrics of this song:

Imagine Me
(K. Franklin)

Imagine me, loving what I see when the
Mirror looks at me ‘cause I imagine me
In a place of no insecurities
And I’m finally happy cause
I imagine me

Letting go of all of the ones who hurt me
‘Cause they never did deserve me
Can you imagine me

Saying no to thoughts that try to control me
Remembering all you told me
Lord can You imagine me

Over what my mamma said
And healed from what my daddy did
And I wanna live and not read that page again

Chorus
Imagine me, being free
Trusting you totally
Finally I can…imagine me

I admit it was hard to see
You being in love with someone like me
But finally I can…imagine me

Being strong and not letting people break me down
You won’t get that joy this time around
Can you imagine me

In a world where nobody has to live afraid
Because of your love fears gone away
Lord, can You imagine me

Bridge
Letting go of my past
And glad I have another chance
And my heart will dance
‘Cause I don’t have to read that page again

Vamp
Gone, gone, it’s gone, all gone


It brought tears to all of our eyes to know what these kids go through and how this song speaks so clearly to their stories and how God's provision can help them overcome all things. Her dance was a gift to us in reminding us of God's wonderful, unconditional grace, and was a great gift of empowerment to the other kids of camp. I just love that camp!