It's the People, Not the Places

A couple of weeks ago, I was sitting outside of the Science Hall on campus, killing some time after a meeting with a professor and before class started. I was eating an apple and enjoying the glorious weather we had that day (80 degrees only a week after an ice storm--that's GA weather for ya). There were tons of people milling about around campus. People catching up with friends, a group of guys playing football on the field, etc. I kept thinking how this place--this university--has changed people in certain ways. How people will never forget their 4, 5, 6, 7+ years spent here. How this is "the best time of their life" for some and how it's just a stepping stool towards a final goal for others. And then it hit me. It's the people, not the places that make all the difference in the world.

It's the people who made every one of my years at Augusta Christian so special. It's the people who understood the woes of dress code and relished in the lunch privileges of senior year that make me love my time spent there. It's the people who know all the inside jokes and remember every trip we took together. It's the people who spent hours investing in me, listening to me, and encouraging me during life's trials. It's the people who helped mold me into a better person, not the place.

It's the people who play in the snow with me and celebrate the little things in life with me. It's the people who came into my life at exactly the right time. It's the people who I go to lunch with after church on Sundays and who are willing to meet up for light night Krispy Kreme or Waffle House. It's the people who embrace me because of my flaws and who teach me something new every single day. It's the people who will make my college experience so special, not the place.

*not all are pictured here 

It's the people who ended up meaning so much to me that I decided to spend another summer with them. It's the people who evolved into being another peculiar yet special family. It's the people who understand that hiking up the rappel trail scares me so much that they let me ride in the truck when necessary. It's the people who you don't see for months at a time, yet when you get to see them at that special place, you begin again right where you left off. It's the people who make me love every minute that I get to spend at Camp Cedar Cliff, not the place. 

It's the people that I fell in love with in Australia, not the place. It's the people who took me to see the native animals and who brought me Macca's cokes because they knew I loved them. It's the people who washed my clothes and listened to my struggles as I lived two months in a foreign land. It's the people who welcomed me into their homes and their lives and gave me a new family in a land 10,000 miles away. It's the people who make me miss that suburb of Melbourne every single day, not the place. 

It's the people, not the place that make life so beautiful. 

Currently...

I ran across this post that I wrote around this same time last year, and I decided to do it again this year to compare the differences!

Reading: Restless: Because You Were Made For More, by Jennie Allen. This book is incredible. Here's my favorite quote so far: 

"God is accomplishing a thousand tiny purposes at any given moment around us. There is only so much we can know, but we can leave the stuff we can't know to God and believe He has it all worked out. It may feel quiet, and we possibly even feel forgotten, but God is moving to work out His plans all around us. What is our part? Trust." 

Listening to: The Art of Celebration by Rend Collective which just came out yesterday. It is FANTASTIC. Hop on over to iTunes and buy it. Also, Tides by Bethel Music is pretty good. It's only $4.99 on iTunes. You can't beat a deal like that. 


Eating/Drinking: Baked Lay's BBQ Potato Chips and anything caffeinated...I need as much caffeine as possible to survive student teaching. 

Cooking: One Pan Chicken Alfredo.  This is one of the BEST pinterest recipes I have ever made. I will definitely be making this one again.

Running: Every now and then...I had a plan to become better at running this year, but let's be real, it's not happening. I ran some the other day at boot camp. I have all these dreams of being a cool runner, but I never put forth the time/effort to become one. Maybe one day.

Writing: Lesson plans, lesson plans, and more lesson plans. And reflections about lesson plans. It's all about lesson plans. 

Feeling: Ready for spring break, a little sad because Hannah + Jonathan  are moving, and sort of old because Jack turns FIVE in a couple of weeks. Five, people, five. 

Wearing: Gap, Old Navy, or JCrew pants + cardigans. #teacherlife

Missing: Camp, Australia, my besties, and free time. 

Wanting: To have my new iPhone...just trying to be honest here, people. 

Learning: How to trust those around me and how to trust the Lord COMPLETELY. 

Enjoying: Good books, evenings with friends, time at work, and catching up with some of my favorites. 

Thoughts on Month 1 of 7

I'll admit that this month was/will be one of the easier months of 7. It honestly didn't affect my day-to-day activities, and only people who knew that I was doing 7 knew what I was doing this month. With my class schedule and my work schedule, I didn't necessarily "give" something away each and every day. I did have a goal of 210 things (7 things a day x 30 days = 210 things) to give away, and I went over that goal for sure.

While cleaning out drawers/closets/cabinets, I came up with a few observations about the things I've kept over the years that I don't use anymore.

1. Just because it came from Gap, JCrew, Banana Republic, etc. does NOT mean that I have to keep it. If it doesn't fit/I don't like it anymore, I don't need to keep it. 
2. Just because I have a coupon and Gap, JCrew, Banana Republic, etc. has a sale going on does NOT mean that I need to buy anything. Just because it is a good deal doesn't mean that it is worth spending money on. 
3. Just because an aunt/friend/family member gave me that scarf/purse/book does NOT mean that I have to keep it. They will probably NEVER know if I keep it or don't, and if it's not being used, get rid of it!
4. Just because I can buy a book doesn't mean that I need to (this one is still hard for me to grasp). There are things called libraries for a reason. I can justify buying books I know I'll want to write in or have for a while, but there are some books that are fun to read once but I'll never read again. Those I should've gotten from the library, not wasted money on. 

In all of my 22 years of life (well as long as I can remember), I have had two Rubbermaid totes that hold my winter clothes in the summer and my summer clothes in the winter. In March and October of every year, I switch out the clothes. NOT ANYMORE. For the first time in my life, all of my clothes are in my dressers and closet in my room. I feel incredibly accomplished. 

I learned this month that it is truly better to give than to receive. I've been able to give away some things to people who appreciated them more than I did, and that made my heart swell. Shopping is definitely one of my favorite things to do, and I love getting a great deal. But, after going through all the things I have, I know it'll probably be a while before I have a shopping spree (as much as I want to). Here's to two weeks off of the 7 challenge; I'll be preparing for the next month which will be eating only 7 foods. EEEK. 

7 White Shirts

I came across Jen Hatmaker's book, 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, on someone's blog around October. I asked for it for Christmas, and I ended up getting it a few days early. This book has drastically changed my way of thinking about things. Jen (we'd be friends in real life, so I'm going to call her by her first name) embarks on a journey with her family trying to get rid of the excess in her life. She identifies 7 areas of excess in her life and takes 7 months (one area per month) to do something about it.

For example, she takes one month where she only eats 7 foods. Another month is spent only wearing 7 items of clothing. One month she gets rid of 7 things a day. The list goes on. Ultimately, the goal is to see that the STUFF of this world is not worth it and totally materialistic. It's only STUFF. She journals her feelings about each month and she writes a conclusion about what she learned after each month. Add in her hilarious writing style, and this book is such a good read.

I knew that after I read the first chapter I was in. Some of it sounds a little absurd, but the ultimate goal is to draw closer to the Lord and get rid of my junk. I'm not bringing any of my clothes with me to heaven, so why do I idolize them so much? I was going to do the 7 foods first, because I thought that would be a good way to start off the new year. BUT, I was putting some clothes up and I could barely shut my drawers. Y'all, I have a problem. I have SEVEN short sleeve white shirts. SEVEN. Who needs that many? I can justify one v-neck and one crew neck, but SEVEN. Honestly.

So, this month I'm literally getting rid of my crap. I have more stuff than I need, more clothes than I can ever wear, etc. I've been piling a few things already, but I'm going to go through everything tonight. My goal is to get rid of 7 things a day, which would end up being 210 things total. I'm not sure that I'll meet that goal, although Jen had this goal for her family of 5 and ended up exceeding it. I also want to be able to give this stuff that I have to some organization that is local and makes a difference in our community, not just Goodwill. So I'm going to be researching that and going through my stuff for the next month. If you know of anything, let me know please! I highly encourage you to grab this book and let it influence your way of thinking!

I don't know about you...

....but I'm feeling 22! Thanks TSwift for making 22 a little more exciting to look forward to than other ages!

22 has been great so far. I brought in the new year and my birthday with a few friends at Kaila's boyfriend's house. It wasn't anything crazy, but it was spent with some of my sweet friends, so I'll take it :)

I celebrated my birthday with lunch with my sweet friend Caroline, phone calls from two sweet friends and two sweet "nephews", lots of texts and FB posts, and dinner with my parents. I'm going to have dinner with my best friends from high school one night, and I'm heading to Atlanta this weekend for a birthday trip with some sweet friends! It's been a great birthday so far.

I decided to come up with 22 things that I want to accomplish through this year. And here they are...

1. Read one book a month that isn't school related.
2. Complete the 7 challenge (more to come on this later).
3. Become certified to run the high ropes course and the intermediate ropes course at camp this summer.
4. Visit someone that I didn't visit in 2013.
5. Do something completely spontaneous. (I know this is kind of ironic as I plan to do this, but you know...I'm trying.)
6. Have a phone date with a friend once a month.
7. Try a new recipe once a month (except for the two months I'm at camp).
8. Become more involved with my church.
9. Send out 5 letters each month to friends/family.
10. Redo the 4 card table chairs that I didn't redo in 2013.
11. Buy the meal or drink of the person behind me in the drive thru line.
12. Apply to grad school and/or apply for a teaching job (EEEEEEEKKKKKKK).
13. Memorize a Scripture each week; so basically memorize 52 verses.
14. Visit the Dukes with Emma Kate.
15. Go to a new place.
16. Work out more than I did in 2013.
17. Learn how to start a fire.
18. Visit the Biltmore.
19. Surprise a friend.
20. Volunteer for something.
21. Try a new food/beverage that I normally wouldn't want to.
22. Grow closer to the Lord.

2013 Year in Review

2013 was a fab year. In January, I wrote this, "21, you've been nothing short of fantastic so far! I cannot wait to see all the fun things that come with your year!"

This year was incredibly fun. I made and met some incredible new friends, God worked in magnificent ways, I fell in love with a beautiful place, and I continued on this journey that God has called me to. There are some things I wish had taken place during 2013, but they didn't, and I'm just going to have to be content in where he has me this year. So, without further ado, a look back on some of the highlights of 2013! 

January: I turned 21!

February: I led my senior girls in their last DNOW! 

March: Drew got married, and my BD and his wife got saved!

April: Kaila and I went to Atlanta, and I threw Hannah a bridal shower. 

May: I went to Hilton Head twice, and Hannah got MARRIED!

June: I went to camp!

July: I was still at camp!

August: I went back to camp for a weekend, and I went to Florida for Labor Day Weekend. 

September: I went to camp again (clearly I fell in love with camp this year).

October: I started my student teaching (and SURVIVED it).

November: I spent a lot of time with the Dukes at camp, and I hosted my first Thanksgiving dinner! 

December: I hosted the FIFTH Annual Tacky Sweater Christmas Party!

2013, you really were great. I made some awesome best friends, I slept outside two times too many, I stood by one of my best friends as she got married, I drove to Asheville and back too many times to count, I had two of my best semesters in college, I read as often as I could, I cooked a 20 pound turkey, I was a student teacher for five weeks, I made it a full summer at camp, I watched my birth dad and his wife get baptized, I became an even bigger fan of phone dates and spur-of-the-moment visits, I spent more money at Gap then I should have, I joined a new church, and I made as many fantastic memories as possible. 2014, I cannot wait to see all the joy and fun you bring! 

Two Great Causes

Lately, I've been made aware of about five or six awesome organizations/people/causes that I want to give all of my paycheck and then some to support them. That's unrealistic, and I've had to pray and wrestle through whom to give to over the past couple of weeks. That being said, I want to make you aware of two of the organizations that I think you should support. Okay, I can't tell you who to support, but I can make you aware and then you can pray about supporting them, right? :)

This summer I got to witness kids who came to camp on scholarship. I got to talk to a few parents on the phone or in person about how thankful they were that we were able to provide the money for their child(ren) to come to camp. It was so cool to see how God worked in these kids' lives while at camp. Stories that only God could have written took place at camp because faithful people gave to camp's scholarship fund. 

The video below is camp's scholarship video. My favorite quote is from Kent, the camp director. He says, "I want to thank those who have contributed to our scholarship fund, because they have given campers a chance to meet Jesus." Please, watch this video and prayerfully consider giving to Camp Cedar Cliff. (Click here to give.)

The second "cause" is a family that I absolutely love. You've seen plenty of pictures of the Duke family. I first met Matt when I went to Camp Cedar Cliff on my senior retreat in the fall of 2009. Matt is from Augusta, I went to church with his brother, and we went to the same high school (although he graduated when I was still in elementary school). If you talk to Matt for just five minutes, you come away knowing that he absolutely loves the Lord, his wife, his kids, and the outdoors. And he loves using the outdoors to bring people to the Lord. 

It was so cool to get to be under Matt's leadership this summer at camp and learn so much about life and  the Lord from him. It was also such a blessing to watch and learn from his and Katie's example as they parent the way the Lord intends. At the end of this year, they are moving to Maggie Valley, NC to work for Outdoor Mission Camp. While CCC is sad to see them go, it has been so cool to see how Matt and Katie are stepping out in faith that the Lord will provide. The video below is of Matt explaining a little bit about what they are doing, and you can read more about it and even give here.

So, even if you don't give to either of these, will you please keep camp and the Dukes in prayers? 

beyond measure

It's no secret that I absolutely love camp. I adore every minute that I get to spend in those beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. I have just fallen in love with that beautiful place. However, as beautiful as camp is, that is not the reason why I love camp so much. I love camp so much because of the extraordinary way God works there through the ordinary people He has in place there.

I've honestly been looking forward to being at camp for the past two or so weeks. Even though I've seen and talked to some of my favorite people from camp, I just wanted to be there with them. Even if it meant working one looooooooooong retreat. I drove to Greenville on Friday and met up with my friend Emma Kate. We then headed to camp, where it was freezing, and I got to see lots of wonderful staff from this summer! And on Saturday morning, it just got so much better...

...I got to meet the newest member of the Duke family, sweet Levi Jude! I love the Dukes, and they are in their last couple months at camp. I'm going to miss them lots as they head off to Maggie Valley, so I'm extra grateful for this time I got to spend with them!

How SWEET is this picture of big brother Elliott with Levi?!

Of course, no visit is complete without time making this girl smile and laugh. 

Favorite quotes of the weekend from Anna: "Mom, can Ashton and Emma Kate come pick me up for dinner?" and after dinner, she's chewing something, so when I ask her what she's eating, she says, "I found a little piece of chicken stuck in my mouth so I had to finish it!"

Gosh, I just LOVE her. 

Like I said, camp is an absolutely beautiful place. I've been there in the spring, summer, and winter, but this was my first fall experience at camp. Lots of the leaves had fallen, but there were still a few trees that were just screaming for their picture to be taken. Gorgeous!

It was Abby's birthday on Sunday, so we all got the chance to sing to her, eat some brownies with her, and celebrate sweet Abby! She was my supervisor and mentor this summer, and this woman is full of wisdom and grace! I so enjoyed getting to be with her. 

And to top off my wonderful weekend, I got to have dinner with this girl on my way home on Sunday (photo taken this summer). One of the staffers that was at camp this weekend had been in Clemson earlier last week and got to see Mary Leslie, so I decided to text her and see if we could meet up. It worked out well, and it was just such an encouragement to be with her. 

This past weekend, I felt so blessed. I kept thinking that if I'd stayed at camp two summers ago and hadn't broken my ankle, that I wouldn't have met some of the people who made this summer so special and who still bless me every single day. God has really blessed me beyond measure, and I'm so incredibly grateful for this season of my life. 

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21

where they're at

My roommate for this summer, Mary Leslie, was big on "meeting people where they're at". There were countless mornings where she would wake up super early to run with one of the ACITs. Even though we didn't have to be up for about two more hours, she would wake up and run with this girl. They would pray over camp, over staff, and over campers. While it was a sacrifice for ML, it meant a lot to this ACIT.

There's this athletic field at camp where we play lots of our big group games. At one end of the field, there's this huge hill. Whenever Day Camp has their slip 'n slide, they set it up here, so you go down the hill. At the top of the hill is a building where there are bathrooms, and it's common for campers to go up to the top of the hill and roll down.

On Monday nights, we had dinner out on this field, and like at many meals, I was sitting next to my tiny BFF for the summer, Anna. As we're finishing our food, campers are rolling down the hill a little more than usual, and it caught Anna's attention. She looked at me and said, "Will you roll down the hill with me?" I'd just eaten a cheeseburger, baked beans, and chips, and I could already feel my stomach reacting to camp food like it did daily. But, how could you say no to this sweet face?

So, I headed about halfway up the hill with Anna, and we started rolling. We only rolled a few times, but I knew it was something she'd remember for a while. We got all itchy and scratchy from the grass, and more than once I thought I was going to throw up. But, I met her where she was at. While she's only four, I was able to see the sacrifice in my heart and do something to show love to this sweet girl. 

Jesus met people where they were at all the time. Whether that meant healing them in that moment or feeding them or meeting whatever need it was, Jesus was there to meet them. He got on their level, he loved them, and he met them where they were. He showed them that He wasn't too prideful or too important to get down in the trenches where they were at and do something with them at that moment that was important to them.

It was beyond easy to meet Anna where she was. She's absolutely adorable, and she's just so lovable. My small sacrifices were nothing compared to those that other people sacrifice on a daily basis. But, it was a learning moment for me. I try to meet my friends where they're at, but there are plenty of times that I don't do that. Not only am I convicted to meet my friends where they're at, I'm convicted to meet my classmates where they're at. I spend literally all day with a group of 15 or so girls on Mondays and Wednesdays, and I'll spend the rest of my college career with them. I know a lot about them, even after only a few days of class. How can I meet them where they're at and show them the love of Jesus?

How can you meet the people in your life where they're at? How can you show them the love of Jesus? How can you say no to your pride and get down on their level? I hope that God will show you how and who you can do that to this week!  

Dear Maggie,

I've literally watched you grow up. I remember the days where you were this young. It seems like just yesterday you were in middle school tagging along with all of us as we headed to Chelsea's house or to the movies or out to eat. I can't believe you're going to college. 

Times spent with you have always been fun. Whether it's been sleepovers or church events or just random hangouts like going to Bruster's one night, we've always had a blast. You've never ceased to make me laugh!

I can barely remember going to any church thing without you being there. Whether it was Bible studies that I led or summer camp or any of the other numerous events we went to, you were there. So many of my favorite memories from youth group include you, and for that I'm so grateful!

Probably some of my favorite memories include our constant trips to Moe's and Starbucks. I always loved catching up on your life when we would go there, and I loved getting to spend that time with you. Whatever the latest dilemma was, we would talk it out there. If only those walls in Moe's and Starbucks could talk...

Another of my favorite memories would be all of the football games that we would go to. We'd either all pile in the Browns car or your parents would drive one and we'd be in the other. One of the best of those weekends was the weekend we all stayed in Hilton Head and spent Saturday at the beach. 

Senior year was a blast for me, because I got to watch you experience the first of all the things I was experiencing the last of. Homecoming was one of those times, and of course we all had a blast! And who can forget all of our talks by our lockers? Only the Lord could've planned that out!

Since Drew was going through all of the stuff I was going through, you got to be at all of the fun moments of senior year. You made it all the more fun, and you were always excited for me and for what the future held!

The summer after my senior year was sort of hard for me because I knew I would never get to experience some of my favorite years of high school with you. After plenty of years of spending time with you, I had to trust that the Lord was going to watch over you, and that He definitely did. 

Over the past three years, it has been wonderful to get to see God work in you in some really cool ways. You have grown up to be such a beautiful, loving woman of the Lord. A woman that I am proud to be able to call a friend. 

We spent a lot of your senior year talking through what would happen next. We both loved our senior years at ACS, and the idea of doing something different scared us both to death. But, I lived through it and have enjoyed it and so will you!

We also spent a lot of your senior year having sleepovers with Jamie, going on road trips, and talking about boys...wait, we've been doing that for years!!! I was able to watch you become confident in who you were in Christ, and what a blessing that was for me!

There were plenty of crazy, ridiculous times during your senior year as well. From the fireworks on New Year's Eve to all of the beaver adventures to countless other things, it's been a blast. 

During this year, I've gone through a lot, but you've been the most supportive "little sister" I could ever ask for. You've listened, and I've listened. Our relationship has turned into more of a friendship instead of me being the older one and you being the younger one. 

I'm so glad I got to spend the night before you left town helping you pack up. I cannot wait to see all that God does in and through you during your first semester in college. Mags, you are the sweetest and one of my favorite blessings in life! Love you so much!

end of camp

Whether we wanted it to end or not, camp has officially come to an end. My time in Asheville has finished, and I'm back in the land of heat and humidity. I could not have asked for a better summer, and I'm so grateful for the relationships that I made. The last week of camp is known as "Epic Week", and we definitely made that true. It was an epic week, and we went all out every day. It was fantastic, despite how tired we all were (and still are). 

Last Thursday night Waffle House run with Senior Staff. It was the first time we ALL went!

We took the ACITs to the Overlook. What a beautiful view!

Abby (my supervisor) and I matched on the last day of camp!

Two of the sweetest friends in the world, y'all. 

Everyone needs a Kasey in their life. She's fantastic and such a blessing.

Fishy faces with my tiny BFF. 

The best senior staff you ever could ask for (but, I may be just a little biased). 

Kasey and I spent one day last week with this as our view. It was the perfect way to decompress and relax after camp!

I spent one last time under this thing on Saturday, taking campers off the high ropes course swing. It was a cool moment for me, because I realized then how great of a summer I had. I worked with some incredible people, I saw God do big things in the lives of staff and campers, and I made new, incredible relationships with wonderful people. I could not have asked for a better summer! And the best part about saying goodbye on Sunday? I'm heading back next Friday to work the ACS Senior Retreat!