C-A-T-S CATS CATS CATS…
Several weeks ago, mom and I had the opportunity to go cheer on the Wildcats at an exhibition basketball game against Transylvania University. Getting to experience my first basketball game in Rupp Arena with mom was so special. At the sound of the fight song, she would morph into her alter-ego cheerleader self and clap and sing along in pure delight, which of course brought me great joy…and made me laugh out loud. I so enjoyed getting to laugh with, talk to, cheer with, and simply spend time with one of the most precious women in my life.
Scratch Came to Visit
Oh Decisions…
During my senior year, I decided that I wanted to become a physical therapist and mapped out my future in my mind. After several months of being a Kinesiology major however, my true passions and desires have been revealed. It’s funny how the Lord opens and closes doors when you submit yourself to His will. It’s also funny how He reveals Himself in subtle ways to make His will known. While visiting the doctor several weeks ago, I watched through glass windows as a physical therapist worked with a patient. After watching her go from patient to patient in a monotonous routine, I realized that my desire to build intentional relationships with people would not be attainable. I began to realize at that moment, that I was not called to be a physical therapist. This was the first time the Lord knocked on my heart.
While talking to Lydia during one of our annual late night talks, we began talking about the future…a frequently discussed topic. When Lydia asked me- “What job would bring you most joy?’ I responded without thinking- “Being a first or second grade teacher.” Talk about getting caught with your hand in the cookie jar. Wasn’t I supposed to say that being a physical therapist would bring me most joy? I quickly shrugged off my answer and turned the attention towards Lydia. Knock knock…
Several days later, while riding in the car with my mom, we started talking about the future. After talking about Kinesiology and Physical Therapy and lamenting about my dislike of science and math, I broke down and admitted that I wasn’t convinced that I was on the right career path. My mom of course already knew this and responded by saying that my joy was her greatest desire and that she would support me and would be proud of me regardless of what I did. One of the greatest desires in my life is to make my parents proud and to not disappoint them, so hearing her say those words out loud was so reassuring. I started telling her about the discussion Lydia and I had had. Mom responded by saying that she had always seen me as a teacher…thanks for sharing that with me NOW. I guess I am not surprised…it appears that a love for teaching runs in the family. As I started picturing myself as a teacher, I smiled thinking about all of the precious children the Lord would entrust me with to pour into and love. I was giddy for the first time thinking about the future. Knock, knock, knock…Okay, I hear you Lord, loud and clear.
After much prayer, more conversations, and reflecting, I am excited to say that I have begun my journey towards becoming an elementary teacher. I am so excited to begin this journey and can’t wait to see where this path leads and who I will have the opportunity meet along the way. While I am at peace with my decision and am excited about what the future holds, there are of course no guarantees that the Lord won’t guide me in another direction down the road. I am going to work hard, pray hard, and continue to keep an open mind and heart and trust that the Lord will continue to reveal Himself to me and will teach, lead, and shape me into the woman He has created me to be.
The songs “Already There” by Casting Crowns and “You Lead” by Jamie Grace have been my theme songs these past few weeks. In “Already There” Casting Crowns sings:
From where You're standing
Lord, You see a grand design
That You imagined
When You breathed me into life
And all the chaos
Comes together in Your hands
Like a masterpiece
Of Your picture perfect plan
Wow- so beautiful. It gives me cold chills to think of the Lord piecing my puzzle together- adding new pieces that fit perfectly with the previous and will fit perfectly with the pieces to come, to eventually reveal the beautiful and unique masterpiece the Lord had in mind when He created me. While it can be unnerving to not know what the future holds, it is amazing to sit back and let the Lord reveal Himself and His beautifully crafted plan to us one piece at a time.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. –Jeremiah 29:11
Shift Retreat...
Have I mentioned how much I love CSF? What a tremendous blessing it continues to be in my life. A few weeks ago, I went to Laurel Lake along with about 50 other freshman and CSF leaders to enjoy fellowship and learn and grow in the Lord. It was so wonderful to get away from the busyness of Lexington and be able to enjoy spending time outside and out of cell phone service. The weekend was full of laughter and great conversations.
On Friday night we played a game called Over the Mountain. Well, unfortunately I experienced yet another “Emi moment.”
In order to fully appreciate the story, I’ll explain how the game works. Over the Mountain is basically glorified musical chairs. You put your chairs in a circle while omitting one and have the one person without a chair go in the middle and say, “I’m (fill in your name). Over the Mountain if you ______” and the person fills in the blank with something that they have done. For example, “Over the Mountain if you go to UK.” After the command is called out, the insanity begins. Everyone who relates to what the person in the middle has said must get up and run to a chair that is not directly beside them. The result is complete chaos.
Okay, so now that you understand how the game works, I’ll share my moment. Let me begin my saying that we were playing with metal folding chairs and slippery concrete floor. (If you’re thinking oh boy after that side note, you’re onto something…) Okay, several rounds in someone called out something that was applicable to me so I joined the madness and frantically searched for a chair. As my options quickly began to dwindle, I whipped around to see the rest of the circle in hopes that there would be a seat remaining. Well, my head whipped one way and my body whipped another way and I sprawled out, face first on the concrete. Apparently I was already the last one remaining so everyone had a nice front row seat to my wipeout. The whole room filled with uncontrollable laughter as I sat completely unharmed on the floor dying laughing at my unfortunate clumsiness. My only regret in all of this was that the ordeal wasn’t recorded, as I am certain American’s Funniest Home Videos would have thoroughly enjoyed my graceful face plant. Three positive things came out of the fall- 1. It provided the entire room with pure entertainment and laughter 2. Everyone now knows my name (or at least the girl that fell at Shift Retreat) 3. It was yet another hilarious memory that brings an instant smile to my face.
After continuing the game for several more rounds, we ventured outside and hung out under the stars while enjoying the warmth (and s’mores) around a bonfire. Great conversations, stories, and laughter were shared and friendships and memories were made. I’d call that a successful weekend.
Luke 14:12-14…
Southland puts on Jesus Prom each year, which gives mentally and physically disabled men and women the opportunity to experience prom. They provide beautiful gowns, tuxes, people to do hair and makeup, etc. to ensure that each guest feels beautiful (or handsome) on their special night. I had the opportunity to be an escort for the prom and was paired with a sweet boy named Jeremy as my date. Boy did he have a personality. If I got a dollar for every time he called me baby or told me I was hot, I would be a millionaire. Haha. After eating Chick-Fil A for dinner and talking to him about his life, Jeremy’s girlfriend Staci showed up with her “date.” Well, once the lovebirds found each other, Staci’s escort and I became their supervisors instead of their dates. Jeremy and Staci kissed and hugged and loved on each other so many times during the night I felt like a parent awkwardly spying on her kids. While it was slightly awkward, it was incredibly precious to see the way they communicated with one another and cared for each other. Their relationship was so pure and simple. So sweet.
Post-Prom Dinner at Steak N' Shake
The night was by far one of the most humbling experiences of my life. While Jeremy and Staci were very high functioning, so many of the promers were confined to wheelchairs or were incapable of walking, speaking, eating, etc. on their own. I was reminded once again of how much I take for granted. I was overwhelmed with gratitude that the Lord had blessed me with an able body but my heart broke for the men and women who would never be able to experience life the way I could. As I reflected on this, I began looking into each of their eyes and was moved to tears as I saw the way their eyes twinkled with joy and how their smiles lit up their faces. It was then that I realized that these men and women didn’t harp on their disabilities but on their ability to love and find joy in the simple things in life. These beautiful men and women are a beautiful testament to the way we should live our lives- with joy and simplicity, how we should live out our faith- in total surrender and absolute trust, and how we should love others- like Jesus loves.
Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” –Luke 14:12-14
