Sleepless in Atlanta

30 Days of 30: Day 19 - Best Question Ever

2011-08-09T23:49:00.004-04:00

When I was a little kid, I remember being asked over and over and over, what do you want to be when you grow up?

I also remember my answer changing just about as often as I change purses (and if you know me, that's pretty darn often). I wanted to be an astronaut, a rock star, a lawyer, a dancer, an actress, a writer, a teacher, the president. Let's just say I was an ambitious child...maybe even a little bit of a dreamer. :)

I also remember being crushed for a period of time when I realized that I could never be one of the things I dreamed of.

For a while, I had determined that I was going to be an astronaut. I wanted to walk on the moon, fly into space, and of course eat stale, crunchy ice cream. But when I found out that all astronauts must have perfect vision and no asthma (two things I am lacking), my dream was grounded faster than a space shuttle re-entering the earth. As quickly as I had dreamt it up, my future "identity" had been destroyed.

What I learned as I grew older though, is that people should have been asking me who I wanted to become rather than what I wanted to become.

There's a huge difference.

There are careers we can strive for that are unattainable, unsustainable and temporary...but character is always within reach and always boundless. No matter what state our health, our home or our economy is in, we can never be unwillingly stripped of our character. It is defined by the daily choices that we alone choose to make.

So now, the question is...who do I want to be when I grow up?

There are two lists of qualities I refer to when I define who I aspire to be. The first, Proverbs 31, is a great chapter about being a (future) wife and woman of noble character:

"A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life...
...She sets out about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks...
...She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hand to the needy...
...She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue...
...Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."
-Proverbs 31: 10-30

Talk about a tall order. That's some pretty lofty goals listed there. Inevitably all of us women will fall short of one or more of these qualities in our lifetime, but what a heck of a character to always strive for!

The other list I refer to is something my good friend and former boss, Joel Thomas, suggested that we create annually. It's called a "To Be" List. It's a list of about 5-7 character traits that we would like to be known for, with accompanying scripture. I keep this list near me and refer to it often as a means to keep myself in check. Here's my current list:

1. PATIENT: "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him." -Psalm 37:7

2. HUMBLE: "He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way." -Psalm 25:9

3. COMPASSIONATE: "This is what the Lord Almighty says: administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another." -Zechariah 7:9

4. DISCIPLINED: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." -Proverbs 1:7

5. JOYFUL: "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." -Psalm 100:2

6. GRATEFUL: "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

So who do you want to be when you grow up?

Jamie

30 Days of 30: Day 18 - Unexpected Blessings

2011-08-09T00:03:00.000-04:00

"I can't imagine anything more worthwhile than doing what I most love.

And they pay me for it."
-Edgar Winter

I'm not gonna lie...there has not been a single day in the last five years that I haven't looked forward to getting up and going to work. (ok, well maybe not the day I had the stomach virus...but that was for different, obvious reasons)

However if you had told me 10 years ago that I would be working in ministry, at a mega-church, mind you, I would have probably laughed in your face and told you to put down whatever crack you were smoking because it was making you say ridiculous things.

Funny how things change, huh?

It turns out, the place I least expected to be is the place I find myself most content. Most at peace in knowing I'm right in the center of God's will for my life right now. Right where I am supposed to be, even if it is not where I planned to be.

If you and I were to sit down for coffee and I were to tell you my story, the list would be about a mile long of the ways that North Point Ministries has affected my life and my faith. When I found myself walking through the doors for the first time nine years ago, I was a broken, hurting mess. But God met me in a place where I didn't even want to go.

And there I found healing. I found forgiveness. I found restoration. I found what it truly looks like to have a growing relationship with Jesus...not just one where I tell Him what I want and try to do what I think is right. I found community. I found wisdom. I found a place that I wanted to give back to for all that it had given to me.

I found home.

And when the door of invitation opened up to leave the corporate world and step into full time ministry, I found what I believe is my true calling. To love, to serve, to do everything in my power to point people back to Jesus.

Sometimes I have to pinch myself and ask, is this really my life? Do I really get to do this for a living? What an honor. What a responsibility. What a blessing. This has by far been the most challenging job I've ever had, but also the most rewarding. I am grateful every day for our senior pastor, Andy Stanley, and the small team that took a leap of faith years ago to create a church that was unlike any other. And I'm so thankful for our staff leadership team who makes it their goal to invest in us as employees, as followers of Christ and as friends.

I love the fact that I get to serve Jesus for a living.
It kinda gives the term "working for the man" a whole new meaning... :)

Jamie

30 Days of 30: Day 13 - Thumbprints

2011-08-03T23:16:00.000-04:00

So clearly I took a mini-hiatus from writing for a few days...sorry about that friends - weekend work retreat calls. But admittedly, it was nice to take a few involuntary days away from connection to any technology.

However I have found a way to catch up for the lost 6 days, and also cover 6 (ok maybe 7) very important people I am thankful for...

Sue Bates

Misty Paige

Elizabeth Pehrson

Heather Pierpont

Patti Brussat (far left)

Sharon Turner & Lisa Toomey

Who are these women?

They all, at some point in the past few years, have mentored me. They are women who have given of their time and their hearts to pour into my life, to offer wisdom and encouragement. They are women who are a little ahead of me on the path, but who are willing to show me what they've learned along the way.

They've laughed with me
cried with me
listened to me
encouraged me
challenged me
guided me
prayed for me
inspired me

And most importantly, they loved me...right where I was at. But they've also loved me enough to not let me stay there. They've helped me understand more of the woman I am and the woman I want to be. They've held a mirror to my face and helped shine a light on my path, and for that I am forever grateful.

They have inspired me to do the same thing...to invest in the next generation. To pass along unique insights and lessons that the Lord is teaching me along the way...maybe even helping to keep some young girl from making some of the same silly mistakes I made. But inevitably, helping to encourage and raise up a generation of women who seek Jesus, who seek wisdom, and who seek to continue to pass it along to the generation that follows them.

These women are a monumental part of my story and have forever left their thumbprints all over my life.

So here's my challenge for you today: on whose life are you making an impact?

"Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction."
-John Crosby

Jamie

30 Days of 30: Day 6 - The Handbook to Understanding Women

2011-07-27T23:56:00.000-04:00

Men, I have a secret tip for you...

Do you want to finally understand women?
Do you want to know how they're wired, how they think and most importantly, what they want?

Well fellas, fear no more...I am here today to tell you that there are only two "handbooks" that you need in your pursuit to understanding the hearts of women: The Taylor Swift music collection and the book, Captivating.

Now after you quit laughing, and before you give up on reading this post, hear me out. Do you know why just about every girl loves a good Taylor Swift song (whether she admits it or not)? Because inside, we're all really still just a 15 year old girl at heart. And because she's not singing anything we're not already thinking...she's just bold enough to say it out loud. But if you can't deal with the chick music, don't lose hope...you still have the other book, which is what I am really dedicating this post to. :)

I am a self-proclaimed book nerd, and writing is my outlet...so there are numerous books that have played a crucial role in my personal growth. One of those books, hands down, is Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul by John & Stasi Eldredge. It's a book that eloquently encapsulates the desires that lie deep within every woman's heart...the desire "to be romanced, to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure, and to unveil beauty."

Just as every man has certain desires that make him come alive, these three elements are the core desires that make a woman come alive. Most of us women already know that. However, the beauty of this book is the fact that it so perfectly depicts all of the things women are feeling...the hopes, but also the fears. The good, the bad and the ugly parts of who we are and how we are wired. A lot like Taylor, it puts words to countless thoughts and feelings that many women are afraid to say out loud.

It's confirmation that we're not alone.

And to a woman, that's priceless. To me, it was not only affirmation, but a great reminder of how we're uniquely wired to reflect God within our femininity. And that, is true beauty.

Because whether we're willing to admit it or not every woman, at the core of her being, simply wants to know that she's needed. That' she's worthy. That when it comes to love, yes there are risks....but that she's worth the risk.

She's worth the fight.

She's Captivating.

"Just like God, a woman is not a problem to be solved, but a vast wonder to be enjoyed...As she is sought after, she reveals more of her beauty. As she unveils her beauty, she draws us to know her more deeply. Every woman has a beauty to unveil. Every woman. Because she bears the image of God."
-From Captivating by John & Stasi Eldredge

Jamie

30 Days of 30: Day 5 - Check Please!

2011-07-26T23:36:00.000-04:00

"Map out your future, but do it in pencil."
-Bon Jovi

I'm a planner.

It's how God has wired me. I LOVE the idea of dreaming up and mapping out an entire plan, then seeing it come to fruition. Whether it be a party, a trip, an event, a goal...I thrive on taking a big picture, breaking it down into a feasible strategy and then making it happen. In fact, if you add up the money i've spent in my lifetime on planners, calendars and notebooks for to-do lists, well you just might be able to hire a personal assistant to track all that for me.

I also make lists. Lots of lists. I sometimes even put things on my lists that i've already done just so I can check them off and feel like i've accomplished more in the day (yes, I know they have support groups for that kind of thing...just call it the overachiever in me).

But even within my well thought out and highly anticipated plans, i've somehow always carried within me the capacity to go with the flow when things change at the last minute. I normally don't mind a little shift on the fly...it rarely, if ever, stresses me out or makes me mad. I'm an easy-going type of gal who can usually roll with the punches in a patient and placid demeanor.

...except when God starts messing with my plans.

Oops.

Can we say hypocrite, party of one?

How in the world is it that I can be patient and flexible with everything and everyone around me except for the God who gave all of it to me in the first place? It's simple...I put my big God in a little bitty box without even realizing it.

In my late teens and early 20's I made a plan for my life. And in my mind, it was a good plan. It was what I thought I wanted...so of course that had to be what God wanted for me right? So I mapped out my dreams and goals and then set out guns a blazin' on my trail to follow my perfect plan. And what happened?

My plan failed. Miserably.

I found myself completely broken, attempting to pick up the pieces of what was left of my shattered dreams, all the while looking back and wondering what the heck I did wrong? I loved Jesus, I went to church, I talked to Him daily, I tried to be the best person I knew how to be...why didn't my plan work?

And then the light bulb went off...

In a moment of painful desperation I cried out to God asking why He took my perfectly good plan away from me...and it was as if I heard Him whisper "because it was never MY plan for you."

Ouch.

I finally grasped that all along, even though it was, in my mind, a good plan...it was just that. MINE. I went along my life doing my own thing, charting my own path all the while kind of asking God to just "check off" on my plan as somewhat of an afterthought. When in reality, I should have been doing it the other way around all along. I should have leaned into the desires of my heart, and then earnestly taken them to God, surrendering them to Him while patiently waiting for His direction and confirmation.

I learned (the hard way) that it's ok to make a plan for my life. It's ok to dream and to lean into those God-given desires of my heart...but I need to be willing to loosen my grip and fully surrender those desires to God, and more importantly, I need to desire HIS plan over mine - no matter what it looks like. And when I begin to get anxious or impatient, I need to remind myself to trust that He knows what's best for me...afterall, He can see much more of the big picture than I will ever be able to.

Do you know what I've realized in doing that? I'm not nearly as creative as I thought I was because my life since then is living proof that God has WAY bigger and cooler dreams for me than I ever had.

...and I'm totally ok with that. :)

Jamie

30 Days of 30: Day 4 - ForGIVEness

2011-07-25T23:15:00.001-04:00

“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that
the prisoner was you.”

-Lewis B. Smedes

Close your eyes with me for a moment and reflect. (ok, maybe wait until after you read this paragraph first, otherwise this exercise is going to be exceedingly difficult to do) I want you to think of someone who has hurt you. I'm not talking about the kid in middle school who called you (and everyone else) brace face, I'm talking about someone who has truly, in every sense of the word, wounded you.

Maybe they lied to you.
Maybe they betrayed you.
Maybe they left you.

But in some form or fashion their actions, in your mind, justified a need for remorse. They've committed an act against you that warrants rectification. There is something that at some point, you feel they have owed you. There is a debt that needs to be paid.

Is your blood boiling yet? Take a deep breath and bear with me.

The irony of this situation is that in this scenario, unless you are willing to fully forgive that person (with or without an apology) YOU are the one enslaved to the offender. YOU are the one that will lie awake at night rehashing the situation, thinking through what you really want to say, if you had the opportunity to set them straight. And guess what? Odds are that they aren't losing any sleep over it. Guess what else? If just thinking about this person and this scenario is causing your blood pressure to even slightly rise, you're nowhere near close to truly forgiving them, no matter how much you think you've let go of what happened.

You see, the easy part is forgiving someone who is genuinely sorry. Someone who acknowledges the error in their ways and begs you for forgiveness. The problematic situation is forgiving someone who is not. Someone who either isn't willing to accept responsibility for their actions, or thinks they weren't in the wrong to begin with. How do you go about forgiving them? Do you forgive them? Is that even possible?

Learning this principle was a major game changer for me...so don't miss this:

There is FREEDOM in unconditional FORGIVENESS.

Forgiveness that is not earned.
Forgiveness that is not solicited.
Forgiveness that is not, in some cases, seemingly necessary.

If you look at the context of "forgiveness" you will see a very crucial word hidden within the text: give. I don't think that's a coincidence. True, unconditional forgiveness is not a feeling. It's a choice we make. It's a gift we have the opportunity to give...on behalf of the One who gave His life for our ultimate forgiveness.

Hidden within the confines of unmerited forgiveness are the offerings of grace, love and truth.

Grace says I will bless you even though you don't necessarily deserve it.

"...and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." -Romans 3:24

Love says I accept you right where you are.

"Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself." -Leviticus 19:18

Truth says I will continue to point you back to Jesus in all I do.

"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the head, that is, Christ." -Ephesians 4:15

So how do you know when you've truly forgiven someone?

For me, it was when I was able to sit down to pray for that person who hurt me...to genuinely pray for God to bless them and to know that I really meant it. It didn't happen over night. It wasn't easy all the time. But it was a daily (sometimes hourly) choice to cancel the "debt" I felt was owed to me, and to believe that God has much bigger things in this world for me to carry for Him than a grudge.

Who do you need to truly forgive today?

Jamie

30 Days of 30: Day 3 - My Golden Ticket

2011-07-25T01:13:00.000-04:00

"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone."

-Neale Donald Walsch

I love the airport. I love the whole process of packing a suitcase, going through the ticket line, sitting at the gate and people watching. Taking off on an adventure somewhere outside of your normal 9 to 5 daily grind. Exploring new cities and discovering new places.

But until about 5 years ago, I only enjoyed doing this within the continental United States.

Why?

Because it was predictable. Because it was "safe." Because it was comfortable.

When I was younger I made a list of places around the world I would like to see one day. But I never thought much of it because in my mind there were so many variables that were out of my control once I left the comfort of my home country. In fact, I used to always say that I never felt "called" to go on a mission trip. I fully supported missions and those who ventured out, but that just wasn't what God was telling me to do.

But it just wasn't true.

The reality was that I had felt a gentle nudge from God for a few years about taking a trip...but I chose, for a long time, to ignore it. And then one day, after watching a video in church about several teams who had just come back from trips all around the world, something clicked. I knew it was time to stretch myself and take a step out of my little box.

It was time to apply for my passport.

And when it arrived at my home, two days before my first mission trip, it might as well have been Willy Wonka himself standing at my door with the Golden Ticket. It was beautiful. It's fresh, blank pages just waiting to be stamped with remnants of adventures of a lifetime. It was my ticket to a new perspective. My chance to see the world through the eyes of someone else...to paint the picture of other cultures the way no book could ever do.

It was my opportunity to experience God in a whole new light. To stand with people in another country who are thousands of miles from me, who speak another language, but yet to worship the same great God is absolutely humbling and astounding. And to carry those friendships with me wherever I go, just makes this great big world that much smaller.

My passport is not just my ticket to adventure...it's my invitation to serve God in a way I could never serve Him at home in my comfort zone. It's my opportunity to shift my perspective of my reality I've created for myself in my own little corner of the world.

It's my little reminder of just how small we are and how infinitely big He is.

Jamie

30 Days of 30: Day 2-The Gift of Grace

2011-07-23T23:33:00.000-04:00

"When we are on the receiving end, grace is refreshing. When it is required of us, it is often disturbing. But when correctly applied, it seems to solve just about everything."
-From The Grace of God by Andy Stanley

Let me take you back to English 101 for a moment. Remember when you used to have to read a book or short story, and then pick out the underlying themes of said story? Well, if you were to look at the story of my life one of the major underlying themes would undeniably be the concept of grace...

...beautiful, tender, unsettling, all-encompassing grace.

Grace is the gift that can often only be truly valued, understood and given away in the midst of trials, brokenness and pain. But in the center of those dark times grace is the beacon of light. The reminder that we are loved by our creator in ways we will never be able to fathom this side of heaven.

In my journey of learning to give and receive grace, I've come to one conclusion: I always want to be known for extending too much grace rather than not enough. Otherwise I'm no less selfish than one who hoards their riches. I always want to be as generous in giving grace as the one who gave it to me.

Here's an excerpt from a blog post I wrote a few years back about the gift of grace - even in the small things...

[Blogpost from 2007]
Today I am thankful for grace.

I love it when God shows up in the smallest and strangest places to remind us of the most important things. Back in the spring, I had found my heart wrestling with acceptance. I know that my identity is firmly and deeply rooted in Christ's love for me, but every now and then the enemy tries to taunt me with self-condemnation. Even though I know that Jesus has fully forgiven me for my past sins, I find myself occasionally struggling with receiving that forgiveness. Consequently when this happens, the enemy will use that as a tool to make me feel broken - telling me that noone will ever want to love someone who has made such prodigiously unwise decisions as I have in the past.

Fast forward to Memorial Day weekend. I spent 4 fun-filled days at the beach with about 25 of my closest friends. On the way home we stopped for our traditional breakfast at Cracker Barrel. The wait to seat our group was about an hour, so we proceeded to wander aimlessly through the cute little country store in the front of the restaurant playing with toys, smelling all the candles, and basically just goofing off to kill the time.

At one point, I stood at a table full of useless knick-knack toys. I picked up this cute little wooden bird, which would balance on your finger like a perch. I placed it on my finger and jokingly showed my new pet to my friend Jessica, who was standing nearby. As I laughed and turned to put it back, it fell from my finger, breaking into three pieces. i instantly felt like that kid in the glass store who just knocked over a set of dishes. I picked it up and immediately started towards the cash register, prepared to pay for my blunder. However as soon as I stood up, one of the Cracker Barrel greeters stood directly in front of me, smiling with her hand outstretched in my direction. Apparently she had witnessed the whole thing. I apologized profusely and told her that I would immediately pay for my fault. She just smiled at me (visibly missing quite a few teeth), took the bird out of my hand and said "honey, if I made you pay for that i'd have to make every single child that comes in here and breaks something pay for theirs too...it's ok." And with that, she walked off to put it in the back room.

As she walked away, I felt so sheepish. Even though she told me it was fine, I couldn't help but feel guilty for being so careless and silly. And then I noticed something. As she walked back out of the storeroom, I noticed the name that was embroidered on her apron.

Her name was Grace.

I was overcome with emotion - I stood there and just teared up right in the middle of a restaurant, right in front of all my friends. And in that moment, I felt God whispering to me. I knew that I was the "bird," broken...but still forgiven. I got it. It amazed me to see how God could use some petty experience in a restaurant to calm my heart over what I had been fighting. I resisted the urge to go and hug the nice lady, for fear that she might think I was nuts - she had no idea how God just used her in my life in such a big way.

As we drove home, I just kept thanking God over and over for using something so small to remind me of something so big - that He extends us ALL grace so that we may freely receive it and live fully redeemed in His power of forgiveness. No, we don't deserve it, but He loves us so much that He gives it to us regardless. And I thanked Him for allowing me to hear his whisper, even in the middle of a busy restaurant lobby.

What are you thankful for today?

Jamie

30 Days of 30: Day 1 - Roots

2011-07-22T23:51:00.002-04:00

"Insanity is hereditary - you get it from your kids."
~Sam Levenson

If I'm going to spend 30 days sharing all the parts that make up me, it only makes sense to start in the very beginning...a very good place to start (my apologies to Julie Andrews & The Sound of Music). Ahem.

That's right, I'm talking about the two people who are single handedly responsible for fact that I never drowned because they made me wait 30 minutes after eating before getting back in the pool. The ones that made me sit at the kitchen table until I ate all of my vegetables (but who also never knew that I flung half of them behind the microwave stand because I didn't really want to eat them...sorry mom!). The unsung heroes who bandaged my skinned knees, dried my tears and refereed my knock down-drag outs with my sisters. The ones who still, at age 30, make me call them anytime I get to where I'm going when I head out of town. (and I'm ok with that)

I'm talking about my 'rents. Good 'ole Mom and Dad.

I'm one of the lucky ones. When I look back on my childhood, I get to smile and say that my mind is filled with happy memories.

Memories of laughter.
Memories of building tents in the living room out of sheets.
Memories of dancing in the den to all their favorite records.
Memories of feeling the freedom to be a dreamer.
Memories of never hanging up the phone without hearing my parents say I love you.

Did they do everything perfectly? Of course not, they're human. But there wasn't a single dance recital, band concert, game, competition or performance that I ever looked up at and didn't see both of their proud faces (well, usually I only saw one face - the other was hidden behind the video camera, of course). I never once had to question my priority in their lives. I never once wondered if they were proud of me (no matter how good or bad I did).

They've laughed with me, cried with me, and of course, grounded me more times than I care to remember...but they've always loved me. They've always shown me an amazing example of sacrificial love in their 35 years of marriage (and still going!). They've always helped pick up the pieces when my world seemed to be falling apart. They've always been there. And one day I hope my own future kids get to see just how special these two are.

Mom & Dad, thanks for loving me...no matter what. I am grateful for you and love you more than you'll ever know.

Jamie

30 Days of 30

2011-07-21T22:05:00.000-04:00

Last year was a big year for me.

Entering into a whole new decade was exciting, depressing, promising and terrifying all at the same time. (How is that even possible? Just reading that sentence makes me feel a little bit like that girl. You know, the moody one that is hidden down in the depths of each and every God-fearing, Midol-popping, chocolate-eating woman? Yeah, that one.) But so far, 30 has been good to me.

Challenging..but good. Real good.

I've embraced and rather appreciated the fact that my life currently looks nothing like I thought it would by now. I feel less in control than I ever have, yet each day I grow more and more amenable to the unpredictable path that God has been laying out for me instead. I'm not saying it's easier to follow His path, in fact, the control freak in me tries to make a calculated escape from time to time. But if there's anything that i've learned over the past 10 years, it's that His path is definitely much more fruitful, edifying and stretching. And I like that. I've begun to crave that.

So, as the control freak...er, I mean planner in me looked at the calendar this week, I realized that as of tomorrow, I have exactly 30 days left before I have my first full year in my 30's under my belt.

Wow, how did that happen so fast?

Remember the days when we used to count down until our next birthday? We couldn't wait to get older? In fact, I remember proudly proclaiming that I was ten AND A HALF, or twelve AND A HALF....because it meant that I was that much closer to being a teenager. Let me tell you, those days are long gone. In fact, if you ask me how old I am now, or if you ask me how old I am in 3 years, chances are you just might get the same number...as long as I can get away with it. :)

But I digress...

A friend asked me the other day how I was planning on celebrating my birthday this year, and the more I thought about it, I kind of had to laugh. I think at this point in my life, I have begun to find the idea of making a big deal about me on my birthday kind of odd.... I mean heck, all I did that day was show up. My mom and dad (well mostly mom) did the hard work. (we'll give the doc some credit too)

So this year, I'm not going to celebrate me.

I'm going to celebrate that which has really made me, well....me.
The things/people/places/events/life lessons that have shaped who I am and have led me to the place I am today. I am grateful for another day to be alive, and I am also grateful for the path that has allowed me to have another birthday. Beginning tomorrow, for the next 30 days, I will post about one of these said "game changers" for me each day as a way to both reflect on where God has brought me to this point, and to say thank you to those who have helped keep me alive and out of jail all these years. :)

Because too often we count our troubles more than our blessings...and I never want to lose sight of the fact that I have been abundantly (albeit undeservingly) blessed beyond measure thus far.

Jamie

Revelations of a 6 year old...

2011-07-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

Drew: "Aunt Jamie, are you married?"

Me: "No buddy, i'm not."

Drew: "Oh. Well I think you should get married."

Me: "Well ok, how about you find me a boyfriend first?"

Drew: "Ok, you can just get one in college."

Me: "Umm, sorry bud, that ship has already sailed....I'm not in college anymore."

Drew: "Oh, ok. Well you can just find one in high school then."

Me: "Yeah, I'm a little old for that too. I graduated a long time ago"

Drew: "How old are you?"

Me: "How old do you think I am?"

Drew: "Ummm. I don't know, like 87?"

Note to self: teach nephew NEVER to guess a woman's age...

Jamie

Time to Stretch

2011-07-12T01:44:00.001-04:00

What's the number one rule in just about any sport and/or athletic activity?

Of course...be sure to stretch.

Have you ever danced, played a sport all day or participated in something physically strenuous, and not adequately stretched before you do it? What happens?

You'll likely move about at a snail's pace the next day...or at a minimum, you'll encounter a significant amount of pain. That's because you didn't give your body adequate time to warm up and prepare for the impending physical impact. It's not rocket science. In fact, most athletes make it a priority to stretch on a regular basis...not because they see immediate results, but because over time as they consistently make stretching part of their routine, their muscles adapt and find the ability to go just a little bit further each time.

The same theory holds true of us internally...our hearts, our minds, our character and skills.

So if this is the case, why do we rarely ask God to stretch us? Why do we often lean into our own strengths as best we can to avoid being stretched in our weaknesses?

I'll admit, I'm not always the best at stretching before I workout. Sometimes it's because I don't have (translation=make) the time. Sometimes it's because I'm so eager to get into whatever it is that I'm doing, I can't be bothered with anything else that's going to keep me from it. Sometimes I'm just plain lazy.

And what's the result? Pain.

Most likely a lot more pain than if I had just taken the time to allow for the stretching in the first place.

I'm also not the best at proactively asking God to stretch me in certain areas, before He decides to do it anyways. The control freak in me wants to continue to plow forward, working out of the many strengths and talents that I have been blessed with, because it's comfortable. Because it's easier. Because I somewhat feel like I can control it.

And then there are the times when I feel the Lord nudging me to just allow Him to stretch me...maybe even just a little, and I resist. I resist because I'm comfortable. I resist because I'm anxious to get what I want, and I know stopping to stretch might prolong reaching the goal. I resist because I'm afraid.

But if I am confident that God is in control and He will fill in the gaps, then why do I worry? He's proved it over and over in scripture:

Moses had a speech impediment, yet God stretched him and called him to speak to thousands of people.

Peter was uneducated, but he was stretched and put forth as a leader.

Paul said it best when he wrote:

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." -2 Corinthians 12:9

I do know that if we're willing to surrender those areas of weakness to God and allow Him to stretch us, over time we will begin to see a culminated effort of growth and transformation within our own hearts...which ultimately just helps keep us dependent upon Him and brings Him glory in the long run.

Isn't that the point?

Lord, I want to be the best me you've designed me to be. I'm busting out my yoga mat and I'm ready to do a little more stretching...

Jamie

A love letter...

2011-07-11T01:24:00.001-04:00

Today my precious niece was born! (I'm not partial at all) It was love at first sight, i'm not gonna lie. She is just perfect. For her first birthday (well, technically that will be a year from now, so let's call this her inaugural birth day), I decided to write her a love letter...to be opened on her 16th birthday. It's just a letter full of love and words of wisdom that I hope one day she'll take to heart. Some of it I wish I had taken to my own heart at that age...

Sweet baby girl,

Today may have been the day you arrived on this earth, but you've been thought about, prayed for and loved long before you ever graced us with your presence. As I held you in my arms today, I couldn't help but think about how your journey is just beginning...and how exciting that is, even though you don't know it yet.

And by the time that you read this, you'll be turning the big Sweet 16. Such a pivotal time in your life. Where you get your first little taste of freedom. Where you begin to feel like you're ready to make your own decisions. Where your parents all of a sudden become your wardens instead of your superheroes. Where all your decisions on what to do/what to wear revolve around what boys will be there (some things never change, btw...and this will drive you nuts). Where you begin to wish you were just a little bit older, so you could do whatever you want. Oh yes, I remember that age.

And now, at 30, if there was any age I could go back and give some advice to, it would be the 16 year old version of me. But, since I can't go back, and us girls have to stick together, I thought i'd pass a little of that wisdom on to you in hopes that maybe you can learn in advance what I often had to learn in hindsight. So here goes:

I used to roll my eyes when people told me this, but don't be in such a hurry to grow up. You have plenty of time for bills and boys later...enjoy the time you have now to play, to dream, to stay up ridiculously late giggling with just the girls, eating cold pizza and making silly memories. I thought at 18 I knew it all...and I spent the next 12 years figuring out that I really hadn't a clue about much of anything.

Don't be so anxious to act & dress like an adult. Sure, you may get attention for it, but trust me, just any attention is not good attention. And remember, how we dress affects guys' minds just as much as what they say to us affects ours. It IS possible to look and feel beautiful without walking around partially clothed. And guys, the right kind of guys (the kind you really want), will respect that.

Take time to find out who you are before you decide what you want. College isn't as much about figuring out what you want to do as it is about figuring out who you want to be. Character will outlast a career any day.

You're going to get hurt. People will disappoint you and let you down. Some may even betray you. Boys will break your heart (don't worry, i'll kick their butts). It's ok. It doesn't mean God doesn't love you, it just means He's allowing a little suffering in your life to sharpen you, to teach you about yourself, to teach you about grace and forgiveness...two of the most important things you'll ever learn.

This one may sting a little bit, but....it's not all about you. Yes, you are important. Yes, you are dearly loved. Yes, your life matters (a lot). But we weren't put on this earth simply to selfishly fulfill all of our own desires. We were bough with a price, and we are here to glorify God. It's in continually striving to do that, we find that Jesus will fulfill the desires of our heart...the ones that truly matter. But remember, His timeline and ours are often WAY different, That doesn't mean He's forgotten about you...He can just see a little farther down your path than you or I can. Trust that He knows what's best.

Your parents may sometimes seem like the ogres who are keeping you from having any fun. (sometimes that may be true) But know they do what they do because they dearly love you, and they want to keep you alive another day. Regardless of how mad they make you, love them. Respect them. Honor them. Period. They won't be around forever, and one day you'll wish you could have that time back. They have sacrificed a lot for you, be grateful.

Most importantly...there's nowhere you can go and nothing you can do that isn't covered completely by the grace of God.

There's so much more I could tell you, but for now i'll leave you with two final pieces of advice:

1. Follow your heart, but take your brain with you.

and

2. There's always a room for you at my house. :)

I love you so much,

Aunt Jamie

Oh, and PS...if you ever decide to get a tattoo, please consult with me first. I know how to keep your grandparents from completely flipping their lid when they find out. ;)

Road Rules

2011-07-06T17:25:00.000-04:00

You can tell a lot about a person's character by the way they drive.

[that just convicted you a little bit, didn't it? If not, well it should]

And I don't mean whether or not you give someone the finger when they cut you off...ok, maybe that too.

But what about those who continually drive as if the rules of the road don't apply to them? I'm not referring to driving 5 or 10 miles over the speed limit. Let's be honest, this is Atlanta traffic...you have to do that for sheer survival tactics alone.

You know the ones I'm talking about...the ones who drive in the emergency lane or along the shoulder, passing the 2 miles of cars who are patiently waiting behind the major accident, just so they can get off the exit faster. Nevermind the fact that when they get up to the accident and stop (just like everyone else) they are now blocking the way for any emergency vehicles who may need to get through and potentially save someone's life.

Or how about those who realize they have missed getting in their turn lane, and instead of courteously continuing straight until they find a place to turn around, they stop in the moving lane, holding up not only themselves, but everyone behind them as well.

And what about when you see a car flying past you to run the [obviously] red light. Double parkers? Don't even get me started. Better yet...what happens when one of those cars has a Jesus sticker on the back of it?

Yikes.

My guess is that this is not the only area in their lives where they feel like the rules don't apply to them.

And by "they" I mean "we."

Whether we like to admit it or not, we're all guilty of it. Be it driving, or some other area in our lives, I would wage to say that we all have areas where we don't think the "law" applies to us. Albeit the actual law, or God's written law.

Maybe it's in how you steward your finances.

Maybe it's the integrity of your business practices.

Maybe it's whether or not you tame your tongue, or give into gossip.

Maybe it's whether or not you push the limits of purity in your relationships.

Maybe it's a myriad of other things...but I bet if you look long and hard enough, there's some area you're not fully submitting to the law of Christ. However, that's not how it works. God didn't send his Son to die for our sins so that we could pick and choose which parts of His word we wanted to apply to our lives. Neither did he give us these laws to confine or punish us...but to protect us and give us freedom within them.

"But those who look intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continue in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do." James 1:25

I had no idea heading to work this morning that getting cut off by a rude driver would both anger me and convict me on such a weird level. I love when God shows up and teaches me things in the most random places...where might He be wanting to teach you something today?

Jamie

Friends, fun and...baboons?

2011-04-29T18:30:00.000-04:00

I don’t know that I can adequately put into words just how awesome the past few days have been! We spent Tuesday and Wednesday in Rocklands putting on a retreat for the volunteer leaders of Southpoint Church. It was such a great time! What an honor to be able to create space for their leaders to come have fun and feel refueled. What an amazing group of people. We had a great time, and they were even such an encouragement and blessing to us in return.

Here’s a few pics from the retreat:

Some of the teams working on a few dance moves for a team competition…

Me hosting Church Family Feud!

Some of the awesome leaders!

Me at the top of our free time mini-hike.

Would you believe we saw ANOTHER rainbow as we were leaving the retreat! It touched right down into the water directly in front of us…spectacular!

Some of our team also had a first-hand encounter with a seriously massive baboon...like, in our cabin. Yikes! Don't worry - amidst the fear, Jana had time to catch him on video - we'll post that soon!

We then spent another day with some of our favorite Southpoint Church peeps checking out the beautiful coast of the cape…all the way down to the Cape of Good Hope. I can’t even adequately describe the beauty in words, you just have to see it for yourself:

Beautiful drive down the cape.

Cape of Good Hope…next stop, South Pole – straight ahead!

We wrapped up our time here today watching a little coverage live of the Royal Wedding! Since we were on the same timezone as England, we were lucky and didn’t have to get up at the crack of dawn to see the festivities! Here’s a pic of us hanging out with Prince Charles, the Queen & Camilla.

We then had a lovely evening hanging out with the amazing Hastings family for a good old fashioned home cooked meal and a winner-takes-all card game of Hand & foot. I had never played it before, but it was SO fun!

I can’t believe we’re headed home tomorrow! It’s been such an amazing time of continuing friendships and building new ones…what an absolute blessing. I’m not looking forward to the looong ride home, but I am looking forward to some Chic-fil-a, I’m not gonna lie. I’ll see you all in the states, and I hope to see all my South African friends again soon..thanks for the wonderful hospitality!!

Adventures at the Cape

2011-04-25T17:11:00.001-04:00

Today was an incredible day of adventure and fun! After a good night’s sleep, we (finally) got over the jet lag and kicked off the morning making final preparations for our retreat that we’ll be hosting while we’re here.

The rest of the day was set aside for our “fun” time in the city, so we spent the afternoon wandering around the Waterfront, doing a little shopping and taking in the sights. Here’s a few pics of our afternoon:

The ginormous ferris wheel that we rode in…talk about an amazing view of the Cape!

Me, hiding behind my little elephant friend (he was made entirely of beads)

This "little" guy was made entirely out of old Coke crates!

Gorgeous view of the waterfront...

We spent the evening taking a little journey to an area called Big Bay…and let’s just say, it was an “adventure” getting there. (that’s what happens when you leave 5 Americans in a car by themselves trying to navigate to an unknown area!) The good news is we have a great go-with-the-flow team, so we laughed the whole way there. And let me tell you, the drive was worth it…what a beautiful view, and incredible sunset we got to see there! Here are some pics:

Gorgeous rainbow…and if you look closely, you’ll see the faint remnants of a second one. That’s right, a “double rainbow!”

Beautiful sunset at Big Bay!

And I couldn’t help but post this video of Jana almost being attacked by the ocean. It’s hilarious:

Tomorrow we head off to Rocklands for the Southpoint Church leader’s retreat…the reason we’re here! I can’t wait to go create a fun environment for their hardworking leaders to get to enjoy, and to relax and feel refreshed. We likely won’t have internet at the retreat location, so I’ll be back in a few days!

Cheers! (gotta sound like I fit in here, ya know) ;)

Happy Easter from South Africa!

2011-04-24T10:34:00.000-04:00

We’ve made it!

After a LOOONG (but relatively smooth) journey, we are in Cape Town, South Africa!

It’s kind of weird to think that today is the first time in 30 years that I haven’t been with my family for Easter. But what a place to be. What a way to celebrate. There’s no better visual reminder than flying half way around the world to remind me of what a HUGE God we serve. And it is nothing short of an absolute honor and blessing that I’m getting to serve Him alongside my South African friends.

Today we celebrated Easter at SouthPoint Church…our partner church here in Cape Town. It was so great to see old friends that I met here two years ago, and to be able to worship and take communion together. After church, some of our awesome hosts here took us to a great restaurant on the bay and to check out the venue where we’ll host the retreat for SouthPoint’s community group leaders. It is so amazingly beautiful! The perfect setting to be able to bring in their leaders to give them space to refresh and replenish. I can’t wait to host them on Tuesday!

I’m not going to lie…I’m fighting to keep my eyes open right now. It’s 4pm here, and about 10am at home. We were so wide awake when we arrived last night that we really only took about a 2 hour nap instead of a full night’s sleep. But have no fear, we already found a close stash of Red Bulls…they actually have them in a vending machine at the hotel (Jesus loves me more), so hopefully I think we’ll hold up through dinner.

I haven’t snapped many photos yet since it’s quite the rainy/dreary looking day (cue the infamous Toto song…), but I’ll leave you with one for now…this is a picture of me and my good friend Shannelle at the Johannesburg airport yesterday. (please pardon my disheveled look, mind you I had just gotten off a 15 hour flight) Shannelle lives in Jo-burg and came over to the airport just so we could hang out for a little bit during our layover. SO much fun getting to chat with her for a bit…she’s such a special friend!

I’m off to try and run a few laps up and down the hotel hall to keep myself awake. J Happy Easter to everyone I love at home! More updates to come!

Help Send Me To South Africa!!

2011-04-12T23:14:00.001-04:00

Dear Friends & Family,

I am overjoyed to tell you that I am about to embark on another amazing adventure for God’s kingdom! In just 10 days, I will be heading back to Cape Town, South Africa on a mission trip with North Point Ministries to work with our partner church, Southpoint Church!

Many of you know that I had the honor of getting to take a team of our high school students to Cape Town 2 years ago, and I am SO thrilled to be able to go back and continue to build on relationships that were formed then, as well as continue to serve the amazing people of South Africa. We will be helping put on a retreat for Southpoint Church’s small group leaders – giving them time to replenish and get away from the everyday life to connect on a deeper level with our Heavenly Father. I’m so excited!!

In order for this to happen…I need your help!!

First and foremost, I would greatly appreciate your PRAYER with and for our team as we prepare for the mission at hand. Please pray that God will not only work in our own hearts as we step out of our comfort zones to serve Him, but also that He would work through us to be His hands and feet to those in need.

AND/OR

Second, I STILL NEED TO MEET MY FINANCIAL GOAL of $2100 to be able to go on the trip. I know that times are tight on everyone right now, but if you feel able and willing to partner with me, please pray about donating.

Please know that your support in prayer is just as important to me as financial support!

GIVING. . .by CHECK

If you would like to be a part of our trip through financial support, simply send a check made out to “NPCC” (PLEASE DO NOT WRITE ANYTHING IN THE MEMO LINE) to me at PO Box 19045 Atlanta, GA 31126. All donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

OR. . .you can GIVE ONLINE

Simply go to www.GOglobalX.org and click on GIVE at the top right side of the page. Fill in your contact info & under the globalX Trip information, select the following:

Country: “X Trip (admin use)”

Trip: “X Trip (admin use) South Africa Group Leader’s Retreat- 04/24/11-05/02/11

In the individual field, please be sure to type my name, Jamie Waddy.

Fill in your credit card information (MC & Visa), click on “Review Donation Information” and finalize the transaction. You will receive an email confirmation that will also serve as your receipt for tax purposes.

Thank you again for considering partnering with us…it means the world to me to know that while we are serving God’s people in another land, we will be covered in prayer & support at home!

Track with us on our journey here on my blog as we get ready to head over on April 22nd!

Humbled,

Jamie

Batten down the hatches, Dorothy...

2011-02-28T13:12:00.000-05:00

It's unseasonably warm this morning in Atlanta. The usual morning sunrise is concealed by a blanket of hazy clouds and the wind is gusting just strong enough to let you know that it's not an early spring breeze. As I stand outside and take a good look at my surroundings, I don't need to turn on the weather channel to know what's about to happen.

A storm is on it's way.

If you were distracted by the usual Monday morning efforts to get ready and out the door to make it to work on time, you might even completely miss the warning signs. And this afternoon when you're sitting in your office and all of a sudden hear a rumbling of thunder, it might take you by surprise. It may even find you unprepared without an umbrella.

And that got me thinking. How many times have we missed the warning signs for approaching "storms" in our lives because we weren't paying attention to our surroundings? It's true, storms are usually inevitable and never without purpose. But in life, and in the heart, storms are often weathered better with awareness, preparation and maybe even a little shelter. An umbrella may not completely protect you from a storm, but it will at least keep you from arriving at your destination completely drenched.

When I think back to storms in my own life that I thought "came out of nowhere," I begin to reflect on the events leading up to the storm and often realize they weren't so out of the blue after all.

Did I miss the warning signs? Maybe.

Could the storm be avoided altogether? Who knows.

But I do know that even being slightly aware of what was brewing right in front of me might have prompted me to make different decisions. It might have triggered me to prepare myself or take shelter. It might have inspired me to listen more intently to God and be keenly aware of what it was he was trying to teach me through that storm in the first place.

"When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation."
-Proverbs 10:25

Jamie

My Next 30 Years...

2010-08-21T13:20:00.000-04:00

For the record...30 feels nothing like I thought it would.

I think I thought that I would feel old, maybe a little uncool...definitely more like an "adult." But the truth is I feel more alive, more like "me" really than I did when I turned 20. Maybe because the "me" at 20 was more like the me I thought I should be, and not the me that God created me to be.

There's a big difference.

And it's taken the last 10 years for me to only slightly begin to figure that out.

As i'm taking some time today to reflect back on my 20's, there are a lot of things that, knowing what I know now, I would have changed. But then again, would I really? Because some of those unwise choices, heartaches and struggles certainly have paved the way for me to reach out to Jesus in a real way, and intentionally take a look at who I really am, and who I want to be.

A big part of me feels like the majority of my 20's were a selfish struggle. God, fix me, help me, show me, define me, give me, love me...I've spent the first 30 years of my life trying to figure out and define who I am...how people see me, only to realize that I don't want people to see me at all.

I truly, from the depths of my heart, want them to see Jesus in me.

And so as I step off into this fresh new decade, fully loved and fully aware in who God designed me to be, I want to change the word from "me" to "You". God, how can I love You, serve You, desire You, reflect You more in all I do.

I am so grateful for where i've been, where I am now and where I am headed...and for all the amazing people God has placed in my path along the way.

I am grateful that God is much more creative than I am, because His plan for my life so far has been WAY cooler than what I tried to map out.

I am grateful for way too many things to list in this blog.

I am grateful.

Jamie

What are you waiting for?

2010-08-05T00:35:00.002-04:00

My wise friend Jeanne Stevens once said "when God waits He always gives a promise & when God waits it's always with a purpose."

But what does it really look like to wait on the Lord?

Sometime we wait for answers. Sometimes we wait for reassurance. Sometimes we wait for an apology, for a job, for direction, for healing, for money, for love, for someone to change. Sometimes we feel like we wait against our will. Sometimes we wait because we’re afraid to really go where we sense God leading us.

But how many times are we genuinely, truly, desperately from the depths of our soul waiting on the Lord…and how many times are we really just waiting on Him to give us what we want?

If we’re really honest, how many times do we actively wait on the Lord with confidence in His wisdom and love, trusting in His timing and promises…genuinely seeking His presence and sovereignty? And how many times do we merely impatiently pass the time until He finally gives us what we thought we should have already had by now anyways?

In the past 10 years I have found myself in multiple seasons of waiting where all I was really waiting on was for the season to be over.

I wanted clear direction for my life.

I wanted the hurt to be gone and the healing to begin.

I wanted to be out of the job that I dreaded going to every day.

I wanted to know whether or not I had a life threatening illness.

Looking back now, I think that some of those seasons may have been preparing me to actively embrace waiting on the Lord later on. Each season of waiting, in some form or fashion, has strengthened my confidence in who He is and in what He is doing.

There’s a key word in that sentence above…one that I’ve missed many times over in my seasons of waiting…

Actively waiting.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that God doesn’t intend for our seasons of waiting to be stagnant times where we’re sitting around fruitlessly twiddling our thumbs. He wants us to be actively seeking…actively praying….actively trusting that He will reveal to us our path when His timing is right, not our own.

“The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him.”

–Lamentations 3:25

So what are you waiting for?

Jamie

Play that funky music...

2010-06-22T00:25:00.001-04:00

I love music. Like...a lot.

No, seriously.

It's a pretty safe bet that 99.9% of the time, i'm singing one song or another in my head (and sometimes out loud...my apologies to all my cube mates at work).

So today I was driving in my car with my iPod on shuffle. It never disappoints me. It's like an unending game of "name that tune." Each selection arbitrarily fluttering from genre to genre. There are some songs that have been sitting in my ipod untouched for quite some time. If it were an actual cd, you'd likely need to wipe off a layer of dust before playing them.

In the midst of my eclectic mix, I look down just in time to see Deana Carter's "Strawberry Wine" pop up on the playlist. Oh, but not just any version...the karaoke version. Oh yes. You can guess what happened next...

I rocked the entire song. (at the top of my lungs, mind you, like I was Kelly Clarkson singin' for her supper)

Of course I was by myself in my car (thank goodness). But nonetheless, for a few moments I was transported back to my senior year of high school when my friends and I, with our freshly earned driver's licenses, used to belt out this song as loud as we could. And then I also recalled another line in the song. The one that says "I still remember when 30 was old..." Yeah. That one.

I recalled how we used to say "umm...30 IS old."

Aaaaand then I looked at my calendar and realized that I have exactly 60 days until I hit the big 3-0.

Ouch.

Funny how 30 doesn't seem quite as old to me now as it did then. And funny how a song can remind you of a specific time and place in your life so vividly...like a soundtrack.

So that got me thinking...as i'm about to exit my 20's and enter the world of "thirty, flirty and thriving" (a little throwback to all my 13 going on 30 movie fans), what kind of soundtrack do I want for the last days of my 20's? How can I wisely and purposefully use these next 60 days?

I can tell you I don't want to leave my 20's kicking and screaming...I want to gracefully exit singing and dancing. I have a feeling i'm going to look back on this decade as some of the hardest, yet most amazing times in my life. I want to celebrate that. And I want to look forward to what God has for me next.

I haven't always felt that way...in fact, this is something i've really wrestled with for the better part of the last two years. Mostly for stupid, stereotypical reasons. But i'm coming around, and beginning to get a little excited about the next chapter. I'm excited to enter with a much better grasp of who I really am rather than who I thought I was when I entered my 20's.

So, here's my top 5 selections for my life soundtrack for the next 60 days:

1. Glory to God Forever - Steve Fee
2. Footloose - Kenny Loggins (did you really think I wouldn't have an 80's throwback in there?)
3. Typical - Mutemath
4. You Can't Hurry Love - The Supremes
5. My Next 30 Years - Tim McGraw

Ok, your turn...what's your current life soundtrack?

Jamie

Singleitis

2010-06-17T00:47:00.001-04:00

Do you remember much about the last half of your senior year in high school?

Yeah, me either.

By then, we had all "checked out" and were so ready to move on to being a college student, that it was all we could think about. In fact, in our minds, we were pretty much already there.

Many call this phenomenon Senioritis.

I mean think about it, you're at the top of your game...you rule the school, you're basically coasting to the graduation line...but you're so anxious to get to the next level that none of it matters. All you know is that you're done, and you're ready.

So what do you do when you get this kind of feeling in the singles world?

I like to call it Singleitis.

You know the symptoms: you've reasonably established yourself and your career; you're feeling like you're finally comfortable in your own skin and have a solid sense of who you are; your social calendar is never lacking; you spend no less than 1/4 of your annual salary on wedding gifts, bridesmaids dresses and baby shower gifts; you have at least one relative ask you about your dating life at every family function...

Don't get me wrong, it's a fun and exciting season - one that I feel has blessed me and challenged me in more ways than I can even imagine. But lately, in various conversations with many of my single friends male and female alike, we've found ourselves anxious for what's next...

The problem is, that unlike high school, there is no definitive "graduation date" into the marriage world. So how do you navigate this season without "checking out?"

Whether we're willing to admit it or not, it's a tension that many of us have felt at one time or another.

(whew...there, I said it.)

So how do we navigate this tension?

I mean sure, you could sign up for every online dating/speed dating/blind dating opportunity you could find in your city as well as threaten to annihilate anyone who comes between you and the coveted prize during the bridal bouquet/garter toss at any of the 10 weddings you're attending just this year...

OR...

You can resolve to know that it's OK to live in that tension a little bit AND still know that God's in control and isn't going to leave you high and dry. You just have to make sure you don't let the anxiousness control you or cause you to completely abandon a perfectly good path the Lord may be laying out in front of you...one that might require you to remain single a little longer than you originally thought.

Just tonight, I was talking with a dear friend about this very topic. I told her that I LOVE my life, I love where i'm at, and I also LOVE the possibility of having a husband and family one day. Would I like that "one day" to be soon? Absolutely.

But what if it's not? Will I be mad at God or resent Him for it?

Absolutely not.

I mean, if God were to tell me He wants me to be single another 10 years, i'm not going to lie...I would probably do a bit of pouting and stomping my feet along the way, but I would obey. I wouldn't settle just because my life doesn't look like what I had mapped out for myself. And I wouldn't take it out on God, because I have confidence that He sees way more of the big picture than I ever will.

And that's what it's all about anyways...the big picture.

His big picture, not mine.

I never want to lose sight of that.

Jamie

In God We Trust...?

2010-06-15T00:49:00.002-04:00

I have a confession to make. I never did the "trust fall" at camp as a kid.

(gasp)

You know the one I'm talking about...where you stand on a ledge, and your friends are supposed to catch you all together with their arms? Yep. Couldn't do it. Was it because I didn't trust that my friends wanted to catch me?

No. I think it was more my fear of what would happen if for some reason they couldn't.

In the same token, why do we find it easier to trust God with things that we have absolutely no control over, as opposed to those situations where we could trust Him, but often choose to rely on our own strengths and talents instead?

Is it because our view of trust has been tainted by disappointment from imperfect people? (Insert cheesy salesman here saying "heeey, you can trust me" while winking and shooting his super-cool finger gun at you) Or is it because we allow our fear of losing control of a situation to take over and instead we faithlessly manage the things that we think we're capable of on our own?

There are so many areas of our lives where it's easy to say "ok God, you're in control...until you do something I don't like, or I become fearful that things aren't going to go the way I planned..."

Finances
Relationships
Work

(I could keep going, but you get my point)

We claim we're surrendering these things to God, when in reality, we never fully loosen our grip.

And then there are the times where I know there is absolutely nothing I can do about a situation, and so I really have no choice but to trust that God is in control. But then again, is that really trust...or just submission by default?

Our daily currency says "In God We TRUST"

Proverbs 3:5 says "TRUST in the Lord with ALL your heart"

What do you need to loosen your grip on today?

Jamie

Keep your eye on the ball...

2010-06-07T23:37:00.002-04:00

Hello old friend, how I've missed you. It's been a while since I've written, I guess you could say I got a little distracted. I've let other things garner my attention, and the next thing I know, I haven't blogged in almost 8 months.

How did that happen?

Apparently it doesn't take much.

In the last month, I've had at least two friends get in a car accident because they took their eyes off the road, for a moment. A slight distraction was all it took to lose control of their vehicle and send them crashing into the car in front of them.

You ever wonder how a dancer can spin around and around without falling over? They're taught to have a "spot" or "center" that they constantly focus their eyes on and follow all the way as they turn around. Know what happens if you lose your "spot" for even a half second? You guessed it...you get dizzy, lose your balance and everything around you all of a sudden seems to be moving in the wrong direction.

Even a baseball player at bat is told to keep his eye on the ball. I don't think he's going to be able to hit a 90mph fast ball by focusing on the 1st base that he's hoping to ultimately land on.

So what happens when you take your eyes off of God, even for a moment?

You wind up where I am tonight: frustrated, a little defeated, and feeling a whole lot like everything else in your world is out of whack.

And it only takes a moment.

A moment of getting caught up in the things of this world that don't matter. Or even caught up in the things that do.

A moment is all it takes to let a desire, a goal or a dream all of a sudden become an idol to us, momentarily taking our focus off of His path for us. It doesn't mean God doesn't want those things for us, it's just that these things aren't where our eyes should be focused...they should just be in the periphery, while our eyes are constantly on Jesus...the ultimate prize. It's an act that isn't always easy to do, with all of the distractions that are readily available to us today....i'm just thankful that even though I may lose my focus from time to time, He never takes His eyes off me.

"Our God is, jealous for His own
None could comprehend, His love and His mercy
Our God is exalted on His throne
High above the heavens
Forever He’s worthy...

We will keep our eyes on You
We will keep our eyes on You
So we can set our hearts on You
Lord we will set our hearts on You!"

Creative Corner #3: No Music Mondays

2009-10-02T19:30:00.002-04:00

"Creativity is God's gift to us. Using our creativity is our gift back to God."

- Julia Cameron (from her book, The Artist's Way)

Ever since I was a little girl, people all around me have told me that I'm creative.

I'll admit...I love it.

I love to be able to dream up unique ideas or stories, or even use my creativity in my wardrobe design. Heck, by the age of 10, I think I had started about five different "businesses" i.e., trying to sell my crap that I had created to my poor unsuspecting parents & grandparents...I mean, who really wants 10 little multi-colored dolls made out of yarn anyways? But often as we transition from a childhood dream world to a working reality, we tend to loosen the grip of our creative side.

I have to say I'm incredibly blessed to work in a place that encourages creativity constantly. But i've found recently that when I'm not "exercising" my creative muscle regularly, it's increasingly more difficult to be "creative on cue" when I need to come up with an idea for a specific project. After thinking it through and evaluating my regular routine, i've come to the conclusion that I don't carve out enough time to just intentionally think, be creative or simply dream.

Thus the purpose for "No Music Mondays!"

I love music. Or, maybe I should say I LOOOOVE music. I have it on all the time, and if I don't, I can often be found dancing or singing along to whatever song is in my head (even though no one else can hear it).

It's a disease, I know.

It's also a known fact that at any given time, if you pull up next to me at a red light, the odds of you catching a glimpse of my latest song & dance performance are quite good...and probably rather amusing.

But as much as I love to rock it out in my car, I've realized that the hour+ that I spend in the car each way to work is a great time for me to squeeze in some intentional creative thinking space. So from here on out, every Monday will be considered No Music Monday. I will purposely not listen to my radio AT ALL any time I'm in the car, every single Monday. I can't even turn on the radio to hear the traffic report. Nothing. Nada. Zilch.

And you know what's crazy? I've already seen God use that time effectively.

My 2nd week in to this routine, I found myself almost running off the road trying to furiously jot down the ideas in my head that were coming faster than I could write! All related to a vision for something that I feel God has been slowly but surely stirring in my heart for some time now. Wouldn't you know it, I carve out a little time to be silent and BAM...it was like the vision was just exploding in my brain! (that's all I'm going to say about it for now, but stay tuned...something big is around the corner!)

So what do you do to keep your creative thinking juices flowing?

Might I recommend a little bit of regular intentional silence? It just might be music to your ears...

Jamie

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: A Review

2009-09-29T22:50:00.003-04:00

There’s a reason that we’re all drawn to a good book or movie…we’re captivated by the story.

We get swept away amidst the twists and turns of the plot; wondering if the main character will come out victorious, all along knowing that it will likely resolve happily after 2 hours or 250 pages. We walk away envisioning our own life following a similar suit…full of adventure, excitement, maybe even romance. But then somewhere along the road between disappointment and heartache, we often find ourselves trapped in a life of mediocrity.

And that’s precisely where Donald Miller found himself at the beginning of this book…

But through the process of “editing” his own life while adapting his bestselling memoir into a screenplay, Miller’s eyes are opened to the idea that we have the capability to create a better story for ourselves simply by choosing to engage in a life that's both meaningful and memorable.

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years paints the picture of a bland story gone bold. The way Miller walks you through the editing process of his life and his quest to make his ‘story’ one worth reading had me doing just that: wanting to keep reading to see what happens next. This book is full of clever humor and insight that could inspire anyone to want to go out and create a better story for themselves…one that’s a real page turner.

Click here to buy the book and see for yourself!

And one to grow on...

2009-08-21T00:12:00.003-04:00

"Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty." ~Henry Ford

So, today I turn another year....umm....wiser (yeah, we'll go with that, I hate the word 'old'), and I have to say that I am so grateful that I am nowhere near where I had actually planned for my life at this age. God's plans have been so much cooler than I ever could have imagined. I won't say they've been easier by any means, but an amazing journey and learning process none the less.

If there's one thing i've learned over the years, it's that we should never stop learning (no pun intended). We must constantly keep our eyes and ears open to what God is teaching us - through our friends, our surroundings, and our circumstances.

So today, instead of gifts for me, I come bearing gifts for you! In a fond farewell to my 28th year (Dear 28, you've been a heck of a challenge, but oh so good to me), I give you 28 things I've learned or words of wisdom i've picked up throughout the year:

1. All of my life, in every season, you are still God, I have a reason to sing, I have a reason to worship.

2. Moving home at 28 can be more of a challenge than living on my own.

3. It IS possible to sleep on a 16 hour flight...all you need is a tray table, a neck pillow & dramamine!

4. We all need people in our lives to point out our "blind spots"

5. It's a small world after all

6. I want to pursue Gods heart with all of my heart.

7. God loves you as you are and not as you should be, because you'll never be as you should be.

8. It is still socially acceptable to make music videos with your girlfriends in your late 20s. Ok maybe not, but my friends don't judge me for it.

9. God can restore friendships, no matter the distance or how much time has passed.

10. True self awareness: the good, the bad & the ugly is necessary for authentic growth. It can be a painful, yet beautiful process at the same time.

11. There's no bad mood a motown playlist can't fix.

12. It's never too late to relive your childhood...even if it means shelling out some dough to see NKOTB

13. A red bull a day keeps the drowsiness away.

14. God's movement in my life is proof that I dream way too small for myself.

15. It's never too late to improve yourself.

16. Getting braces at 28 was one of the best decisions I ever made.

17. God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in him.

18. Faith is a verb. What are you doing right now that requires faith?

19. Trust God to the point that you believe what he says over how you feel.

20. The condition of my heart is critical to the effectiveness of my ministry. Internal health drives external impact.

21. People who cut me off in traffic, then look at me like its my fault bring out some nasty anger in me. I need to work on this. Jesus loves bad drivers too...

22. On my best day I'm just as needy of God as my worst day.

23. No one can know God who does not first know himself.

24. Love God, love others.

25. Love is to reveal the beauty of another person to themselves.

26. Everyone needs someone in their life who can ask you the hard questions about ourselves... and we need to answer them.

27. I've come a long way baby.

28. I've still got a long way to go...

and one to grow on...

29. It IS possible to write an entire blog post while sitting at red lights on the way to work. (Exhibit A)

“The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.” -Don Williams Jr.

Grateful for another year to be alive,

Jamie

Talkin' bout my generation...

2009-08-09T23:50:00.002-04:00

In a time where philanthropy is the new black, are we still just a generation looking for another great resume builder?

As we worshipped in church this morning, we sang a song that I know by heart...one we sing all the time. But today, God totally used the words of this song to break my heart for my generation in a way He never has before, and He gave me a whole new awareness of the magnitude of how culture can affect our faith. As I began to sing these lyrics:

I see a generation, rising up to take their place

with selfless faith,

with selfless faith...

I couldn't help but think, that's so not true. As a whole, we are completely a selfish generation.

If you think about it, us "Generation X'ers" have been raised in the most self-gratifying culture ever. Everything you could ever want, you can have it personalized, customized and instantly at your fingertips...

You can have a car made in the factory with your exact specifications.

You can custom build a home to fit your family's personal style & needs.

Anything you could think of can be monogrammed or branded with your name on it.

Heck, even Burger King does it "your way, right away"

With just about every company and/or product you can think of vying for our attention with their ability to personally tailor to our every wish, it's no surprise that this line of thinking would carry over into our faith. Often times I think we put expectations on God to fulfill our every desire, just because He can...and just because that's the way we want it. And i've seen it happen over and over where people try to pick and choose only those parts of the bible they want to believe that don't interfere with their current actions or lifestyle...as if God were our own personal vending machine.

I'll be the first to admit...if I look back on my journey with God, I would have to say so far, most of the times in my life when i've sought after God the hardest or put the most trust in Him were not in situations when I was focusing on someone else...it was mainly when I was struggling with something, or when I needed something from Him. This reminded me of a quote that I always keep nearby:

"Do I chase the blessings of God more than the presence? I don't want God to simply be a new vehicle for the things I want. I want God to be what I want."

I know that I don't want to be the kind of person who only goes to God for what I want...nor do I want to be the kind of person that only focuses on me, me, me...how can I grow, what can I achieve. And I don't want to be part of a generation that is known for that either. So what do we do? How do we break the cycle?

I'm not going to lie...the weight of this overwhelms me. But Ghandi says that we should "be the change we want to see in the world." So for today, i'll start with me.

Break my heart for what breaks yours

Everything I am for Your kingdom's cause

Jamie

I bless the rains down in Africa...

2009-07-13T18:09:00.005-04:00

I thought the song title was fitting, because it has rained almost non-stop since our arrival…but that has not dampened our spirits at all!! We are SO grateful to be here! I have no idea how to describe all that has happened already over the 3 short days that we have been here, and adequately paint a picture for the amazing experience we have had so far!

It has been so neat to see how well our group has really gelled as a team, and how easily we have bonded with the people of Southpoint Church. The excitement and the passion that the people here have for Jesus and for loving others is contagious…and we are so humbled to be so welcomed by their hospitality. We feel like we’ve been treated like royalty here, when we are the ones who came to serve them. Truly some of the most amazing servant’s hearts I’ve ever encountered. And I am so proud of all of our students for the way they have been stepping up and doing whatever is necessary to help – whether it be setting up for the Sunday services, helping clean out the old building which will become the new Inside Out environment, or just engaging with the other leaders and students of Cape Town that we are here to serve. God’s hand has been so evident in bringing our team together with each of our unique skills & gifts to accomplish all we have to do here…it’s so cool to see Him at work!

A couple of fun facts so far…

After Sunday services yesterday, the church threw a traditional South African Braai (which I’ve been informed is like an American BBQ, but better…I think I might have to agree on this one!). We had SO much fun playing games, hanging out and eating South African BBQ with everyone…such a great night of connecting.

Today, we spent all day preparing for the camp that we’ll be helping with tomorrow and Wednesday for all of the Southpoint students. We’ll be checking out of our hotel and going to camp a couple hours away to hang out with and pour into the lives of about 50 South African students…we can’t wait! After a long day of preparations, we took a break and went to this really cool restaurant in town called Moyo…where we had “all you can eat” African cuisine…basically every kind of meat or ‘game’ you could think of. They came around and gave us all tribal paintings on our faces, and some of us were even brave enough to get up on stage and do some traditional African dancing (what….me? Dancing on stage in Africa…? Shocker, I know.) ;) We had SO much fun experiencing the African culture!

I’m including a few pics that I have so far…we won’t have internet access while we’re at camp, so we’ll catch back up with you all on Wednesday night!

Oh, and be sure to check out another update from one of our students on our team blog:

http://capetownhighschooltrip.blogspot.com/

Beautiful view on our drive to dinner tonight:

Our crazy students up in a tree...

Me and 2 of my Inside Out students, Molly & Evan...love these girls!

Yes, I found Red Bull...yes, I stocked up. :)

Setting up for Sunday service at Southpoint Church...

Some of the traditional African music at dinner....

Me getting my face painted all "African Tribal Style" :)

Some of the team with their faces painted...

Cheers!

Jamie

We made it to South Africa!

2009-07-11T15:55:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone! We made it!

I've posted a blog on our team's blog...so be sure to check out our progress here:
http://capetownhighschooltrip.blogspot.com/

More updates soon!
Jamie

Where you send us, God we will go...

2009-07-07T00:00:00.005-04:00

"Where You send us
God, we will go
You're the answer
We want the world to know

We will trust You
When You call our name
Where You lead us
We'll follow all the way..."
-Chris Tomlin

It's so crazy to think that this time last year, I was returning from my first planning trip to Australia for Passion Sydney. I would have never guessed that a year later I would be preparing for a journey to South Africa...but I am so thankful for the Lord's hand on my path - He has a far better plan than I could have ever dreamed for myself! I am so excited to be able to take a group of our high school students with us to invest in and learn from the South Africa students of our partner church in Cape Town!

As i'm trying to prepare my heart for the task we have at hand, i'm reminded just how many distractions there are here that are competing for my time and attention: work, friends, family, social life, etc. It's so hard to "un-plug" from life when life stops for no one. But trips like these are great reminders that sometimes we just need to pause, detach ourselves from all of the media outlets that keep our minds on mental schizophrenia, and remember that we don't need a thriving relationship with Facebook/Twitter/YouTube/Google/iPhone...we need a relationship with our heavenly father and with His people..whether they be next door, or 10,000 miles away.

I hope that you'll track with us as we go on this adventure of a lifetime. I'll try to blog from here as much as possible, but we'll mostly be blogging from our team page: http://capetownhighschooltrip.blogspot.com/.

We would love your prayers for a safe, successful and life changing experience!

Our team:

"Look at the nations and watch- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." Habakkuk 1:5

How awesome is the Lord most high!!

Jamie

Crooked little smile...

2009-05-13T00:51:00.015-04:00

"Crooked little smile on her face,
tells a tale of grace
that's all her own..."
- Norah Jones

So, i've made some more changes in my life, can you tell...

What? You don't see anything different?

Good.

That's the point!

I'll give you a hint...

Yep. For the first time in my life, I just got braces.

I bet you're thinking - Wait...what? But I don't see them! That's because you're not supposed to! The kind I got are these amazing things called "Lingual Braces"...they go behind your teeth...so that grown women like me don't wind up looking like they have a train wreck on their face when they're trying to speak in front of a crowd, or even (gasp) go on a date.

Here's a view of what they look like from the inside:

Now, I know what you're thinking...what kind of 28 year old single genius waits until the END of her 1 year dating fast to move home (temporarily) and get braces? Yeah, pardon me while I wait for the boys to line up at the door...my parents door. (enter crickets chirping, stage left) Ahem.

If you know me well enough, you know that I am laughing at myself and my impeccable timing. If you don't know me well enough, well...you just might be getting ready to send me your counselor's number on speed dial. But don't worry...I have enough self-confidence to be able to look at the situation and laugh at the irony. It's not the first time in my life that i've done something completely backwards....and it's likely it won't be the last.

But here's the real irony - the way in which this external transformation is really parallel to the transformation my heart has already experienced internally over the past few years...

I mean sure, i'm making some physical improvements a little late in the game...but better late than never right? And yeah, they're not exactly attractive - but neither is digging through the muck of our brokenness. Sure, both journeys are painful (let me tell ya, you haven't felt pain until you feel what it's like to try and move teeth that have been in the same place for the last 28 years...goodbye crunchy foods, hello mashed potatoes!), but the end result of both is a newer, improved, more beautiful version of yourself...one on the inside, one out.

Kinda cool, huh?

Jamie

Creative Corner #2: Cheesy Music Video Time!

2009-03-30T23:11:00.003-04:00

Ok, so this episode of Creative Corner is a little different...but I had to give a shout out to all my Inside Out students!

We were given the challenge to come up with our own music video by picking from a list of about 15 songs. So we got a little creative and decided to do a different version of a classic song from 2006...

(embedded video)

Jamie & Maya's Group - Bad Day from Jamie Waddy on Vimeo.

Yes, that dancing skunk at the end is my co-leader. Yes, I have the most awesome junior girls ever. Yes, you wish you could be in our next video. We've been known to have guest appearances from time to time, so if you play your cards right, you might just score an audition. ;)

Jamie

I'm Movin' On...

2009-03-08T23:06:00.006-04:00

Tonight is my last night living in Dunwoody...at least for a while. Tomorrow I pack up the last few belongings left in the apartment and take up residence in Acworth again - at a place that I haven't lived in over 9 years...

Home.

Yes, when I say home I mean home...as in, with the parental units. Yes, I know that I am 28 and moving home. Yes, I know this goes against any and/or all socially acceptable endeavors. Yes, I know my commute will go from a 10 minute blip to a 1 hour excursion...and I don't care. If swallowing my pride and putting a few extra miles on my car means that I can reach my goal of entering my 30's in a year and a half debt free, then I will gladly suck it up for the next 6-8 months...it's something I probably should have done a long time ago.

When I first entertained the idea of possibly moving home for a few months to save money, every ounce of my being protested. Don't get me wrong, I love my parents, but it was like something in me was saying that I would have to give up some of my "freedom" by living under their roof again. But the irony is in the fact that if i'm still a slave to the debtor, am I really free to begin with?

I'm sad to leave this fabulous area that i've come to love over the past 3 years, and the wonderful friends and community that have surrounded me, but I think the weirdest thing is that I feel a little bit like i'm going to be a stranger in my own home. Maybe it's because I am not the same girl who left there 9 years ago. So much has changed and I feel like I have learned and grown more in these past 9 years than I did in the 20 before that.

It's funny how life works that way sometimes...it's all part of the journey.

Jamie

All my single ladies...

2009-02-13T00:46:00.005-05:00

I can't help myself....

Goodness, this is why I love JT - he's stinkin' hilarious.

Happy Valentine's Day to all my single ladies - this one's for you!

(embedded video)

Jamie

Blogspot-light: Perry Noble

2009-02-11T00:39:00.003-05:00

Folks, it's time for the first ever Jamie's Blogspot-light...where I find other peoples words of wisdom or blogs that are worth sharing, and pass their bloggy goodness onto you!

First up, Perry Noble. Perry is the pastor of NewSpring Church, and an amazing communicator. I had the privilege of hearing some of his wisdom and insight at last year's Catalyst conference, and he did not disappoint. Even through his humorous wit, he found some great ways to drive home some hard points. Enough said, i'll let his words do the talking...

The following post is straight from his blog - both posts are about relationships. Five things that single dudes and single girls should know. If you're single, you should definitely read this whole thing, I don't care how long it is - it's good stuff!

Enjoy!

Five Things A Single Dude NEEDS To Know… (by Perry Noble)

OK guys…here we go…I’ve been wanting to do this one for a long time. Please keep in mind that I made TONS of mistakes as a single dude…so these lessons are NOT all as a result of my success stories. BUT…I did manage to do some things right…and I have a red hot wife to prove it. (Thank You Jesus!!!)

#1 - If You Are Interested In A Girl…YOU Need To Talk To HER.

The Bible says in Proverbs 18:22 that he who FINDS a wife finds what is good (AMEN!) Men…it is up to you to FIND a wife…that means YOU are to be the one to initiate things…if you want to be the leader IN the relationship then you should take steps to be the leader at the beginning of the relationship!

This means, if you are interested in a girl…you talk to her!!! You don’t call HER friends and ask them to drop hints for you…unless you are a pathetic wimp. You don’t get YOUR friends to drop hints to her friends. BE A MAN! If you want to ask her out…ASK HER OUT! Trust me…her friends don’t want to talk to you about it anymore…and if you keep bothering them they are going to tell HER to stay away from you!

I did this right…when I finally decided that I was interested in Lucretia I told a couple of buddies so they could pray for me…and then I had a conversation with her and was completely honest and transparent about the way that I felt. She said she would “pray about it” and that she was “not saying no,” which was NOT very encouraging. BUT…I found out later that she always told her friends that if a guy was interested in her then she expected him to talk to her…NOT anyone else.

#2 - When You Talk With Her–BE HONEST & DON’T PLAY GAMES!!!

One of a man’s top fears is rejection. SO…in order to stay away from this pain and hurt he will not come out and say he is interested in a girl…he won’t say, “I would like to take you out for dinner.” Nope–he plays games…drops hints…all the while hoping that the young lady will pick up on his pathetic attempts to “woo her” and then begin to pursue him.

Dude–stop it, right now!!! If you are interested in a young lady–tell her. Just come out and say it. If you are not sure…but you think you would like to get to know her better…then tell her, “Hey, I would like to get to know you a little better…can we have some supper?”

DO NOT SAY, “Hey…uh…well…maybe, you know, if you like food…uh, do you like food,” hoping that she will say, “Yes, take me to get some.”

Ladies want a man that can be honest…and if you can’t be honest with her from the beginning then how in the world will you ever convince her to trust you in the future?

One more thing…another reason that dude play games is so that they can fuel their pathetically weak male ego…they string girls along…they are not interested–but do want someone to make out with on the weekends. To be honest–I want to punch guys like this in the nose. (And if you are ANY sort of man…and you have a daughter…and a dude does that to her…you want to punch him as well–no matter “how godly” you are!!!) :-)

#3 - On The Date–Be Creative

Ladies–please…if a guy ever takes you to supper and then a movie ON THE FIRST DATE…DROP HIM like a bad habit. Trust me…this relationship has started off on the wrong foot…and here is why…

When you go to a movie on the first date you learn NOTHING about one another…there is NO interaction, no conversation…and so when you get home one person will lie to the other one and say they had a nice time…when they really didn’t because time and money were spent on getting to know all about the lives of the fictional character on the screen.

Guys–think enough about her to PLAN the date…and when you PLAN…PLAN it well! (This is where you CAN get advice from her friends.) When you pick her up–don’t ask her where she would like to go eat…HAVE IT PLANNED. (There should be a conversation somewhere about particular restaurants that are liked and are not liked.)

I know one dude that took a young lady to eat and then they went to Wal Mart where he said, “Let’s get a buggy–go through and pick out five things that we identify with…and then meet back here and write them down…and then go somewhere and talk about them.” DING DING DING–we have a WINNER!!!

(Note: Movies are NOT a bad date idea…they are just a bad first or second date idea!!!)

#4 - On The Date–Be A Gentleman

Dude–you have GOT to treat her like a lady. Walk her to her car door and open it for her. I have had guys argue with me & say, “My dad doesn’t open the door for my mom.” I always reply, “Well…maybe your dad is an insensitive jerk!” Just a thought.

(Ladies…if he does not open the door…just stand outside of his car–he will get the hint. If he doesn’t find you valuable enough to open the door for you…trust me, it’s going to go downhill.)

Guys–a lady wants to feel special…like someone really wants to take care of her…and trust me, the little things matter…so open her car door.

Oh yeah, one more thing…when you come to her house to pick her up…cut your car off, walk up to the door, and ask for her like a man. If you pull up in her driveway and call her from your cell phone–you are a loser. If you pull up in her driveway and honk your car horn…you are REALLY a loser.

(A dude came to pick up my sister once a blew the horn…she got up to leave & my dad told her to sit down. The guy outside then began to hold down on the horn…my dad, who had drank a beer or twelve, got up, walked outside, opened his car door and hit him in the nose, knocking him across the car. He said he was going to go home and tell his father…to which my father proceeded to invite him to do so, telling him that he would be glad to give his father the same treatment. The dude left & came back an hour later cleaned up and apologized for the way he had treated my sister.) I LOVE TELLING THAT STORY!!! :-)

#5 - If She Says “NO,” That Means NO!

Guys–if you ask a girl out on a date & she tell you no–back off…stay away…you can be her friend but do NOT begin to try to put pressure on her…this freaks her out.

I have had so many single dudes tell me, “But Perry, you talk about how you pursued Lucretia for nearly two years before she even went out with you.”

YEP–that is true…but I was her friend and not a freaky stalker. During my two year friendship with Lucretia we maybe had five conversations about the possibility of us dating one day…and she NEVER told me NO or to never bring the conversation up again. We were friends…we hung out…with NO strings attached. She never told me to back off.

If a young lady tells you no and you continue to pursue–dude–you are NOT being romantic…you are being stupid. Let it GO!!!

That’s about it for now–just curious–what are some things a single lady needs to know? (I will post about this–but remember–this Sunday is the message for the women at NewSpring…the men came out in full force…ladies…don’t miss this!!!)

Four Things A Single Girl Should Know (by Perry Noble)

Last year I did a post entitled “Five Things A Single Dude Needs To Know” that I felt like really challenged guys and gals…at least the e-mails proved that to be true. AND…one of the questions I received for several week after was, “What about the girls, when are you going to challenge them?” Well–after about eleven months here goes…

#1 - Girls Chase Boys, Women Wait To Be Pursued.

Ladies, please believe me when I say that if you are pursuable then a godly man will take notice at just the right time…wait. If you have to pursue a guy and initiate all of the conversations and planning then the dude is not ready to lead…which would automatically disqualify him biblically from being your husband.

Ladies–admit it–the desire of your heart is to know that someone thinks you are lovely enough to pursue…and when a guy makes an effort to win your heart–there’s just something about that that makes you feel special.

God created you–designed you…and it wasn’t so you can throw yourself at a guy, hoping that he notices. Fall in love with Jesus and a godly guy will notice, I promise.

(If you are whining right now saying, “But I am in love with Jesus and no one is noticing” then you need to stop and listen to yourself…trust me, a dude doesn’t want to pursue a woman who whines!)

#2 - Set High Expectations

This sort of goes along with the first thing…but ladies–let me say this clearly–Ephesians 3:20 says that God is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, which means that you should not look at a guy and say, “I can fix him up and he might work.” As I often say, you are NOT the Holy Spirit–”fixing people” is the job of Jesus…not you!

When you get married you need to be willing to say, “I will love this person AS IS for the rest of my life, if NOTHING changes I will love them!” BECAUSE, when you get married, change is NOT a guarantee…so don’t listen to promises of change if evidence is not shown beforehand.

I am SICK and TIRED of godly Christian young ladies settling because of insecurities in their lives OR because their friends are getting married and they think that they are going to be 28 and single–which would be the end of the world!!! I have seen girls get here and panic–and then date and marry some dude, only to be in divorce court in less than five years–which brings about another set of issues altogether!

Ladies–remember–Ephesians 3:20! Is he more than you could ever ask for or imagine?

#3 - Don’t Over Analyze!

Girls are HORRIBLE as this…a guy will ask them out and they will think the following…

“He just asked me out–what does he mean by going “out?”
“If I go out this once then does that mean we are dating?”
“What if I don’t like going out with him–and he asks me out again?”
“Is he thinking marriage? Oh my–if we had kids they just wouldn’t be cute!”
“He hasn’t called me in a day, he hates me, did I have broccoli in my teeth?”

I could literally go on and on…but ladies, if a guy ask you out and you want to go–then go, and don’t spend the 72 hours before and after trying to analyze things that probably will never happen. Seriously, God probably hasn’t even invented some of the problems that ladies get stressed out about–CHILL!

#4 - Be Honest!

If I have one pet peeve with girls…it’s this–they will go out with a guy, say they had a great time…he will ask can they go out again and she says, “Call me.”

So he calls…and calls…and calls! The girl never answers when she sees its him on caller ID, she thinks if she ignores him then he may just go away. BUT, because he’s a guy and probably a little clueless–he keeps calling.

Finally they accidentally run into each other somewhere…I say “accidentally” because she had NO INTENTIONS of ever speaking to him again. He says, “I’ve been trying to call you,” and she replies, “Really…yeah, uh, I’ve been…uh…you know…busy.”

He says, “That’s cool–I understand…so, what are you doing tomorrow night?”

“Tomorrow night? Uh…well…uh…I have plans.” (This is always the safest answer, right?)

“Plans–well what about the night after that…”

This conversation goes on and on with the girl making some obscure reference to having to check her schedule and for him to call her–and the game goes on.

Ladies–please–be honest. If you like the guy and want to go back out–and he asks you–then say yes. Don’t play games…say yes and go. BUT…if you have no intentions of ever going back out with him again…then please, tell him because he is probably driving his friends crazy!!!

Joy Comes in the Morning

2009-02-06T00:14:00.003-05:00

I'm not going to lie...hitting "publish post" on my last blog entry scared the crap out of me.

I was terrified to put some of those words in print - partially because I knew how vulnerable it would make me feel, and partially because until now I have only shared those feelings with my inner-circle of close friends. It kinda feels good just to have it out there...to be honest and admit that I have hard days, even as a "professional Christian" as some call those of us who work in ministry.

Yes, I have days where I doubt God.

Days where I get mad at him.

Days where i'm sad or hurt or lonely.

And i'm glad that I do, because that makes me know that he loves me enough to test me...to allow some hurt in my life that will ultimately just draw me even closer to him. As Todd Nighswonger put it ever so perfectly, "do you believe that if God sacrificed his own son on your behalf, that he will go all the way - do anything it takes - to make you who you need to be...even if it means pain?" Yes I do believe this, but it wasn't until I experienced this kind of deep pain 7 years ago that I fully began to understand the impact it could have on the course of my life and on my ability and need to lean fully on him.

But here's the good news..."weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." -Psalm 30:5. I will spend my painful moments cradled in the arms of my Father, earnestly listening to what He wants to tell me in those tender times, and I will rejoice in the morning at the beauty He has created out of that pain.

So now I turn the question to you...when have you experienced a time of hurt transform into a time of rejoicing?

Not my finest hour

2009-02-04T22:00:00.004-05:00

I came home from small group tonight and did what any other self-respecting 28 year old woman would do...

I pitched a fit in front of my dad (and by dad, I mean the heavenly one).

No, I didn't lay on the ground kicking and screaming, but don't think that I didn't contemplate it. First, I had it out with him in the car on the way home-I mean, almost to the point of yelling. I turned the radio up as loud as my ears would tolerate, hoping that it would drown out my thoughts....but no luck. When I got home, I threw the car into park so hard I thought I might have broken the gear shift. I stomped up the stairs to my apartment, slammed the door, proceeded into my room where I aggressively chunked my purse and phone across the bed and began tearing off my coat. Unfortunately none of this really did anything to make me feel better. Well, maybe just a little...

But the frustrating part is, I don't know who I am more irritated at - myself, or God.

For the past year or so, I have been on this incredibly humbling and sometimes just downright laborious journey of self-awareness with God. I've learned more about myself in the past year than I have in the last 5 years combined. And for that, i'm very grateful. Sometimes it's beautiful, but sometimes it's just downright gross. I've been forced to dig back into pain from my past that has brought new pain and frustrations to the surface, but also freedom and release. With that process comes a wave of emotions. I've cried more in the past 2 months than I have in the past 3 years combined. I feel like for the last year i've been on a constant emotional roller coaster. If I were to be completely honest, here are some of the thoughts that have, at some point in recent months, run through my head:

I'm mad at myself for letting little things distract me and take me way off course

I'm frustrated with God for not fulfilling some of the desires of my heart already

I'm disappointed that i've let myself fall into the same trap multiple times

I'm tired of being emotionally drained

I'm humbled at the fact that God is still using me amidst this season of refinement

I'm ready to be pursued

I'm afraid i'm not good enough

I'm overwhelmed with the thought of how much I still have to learn

I'm thankful that God loves me in spite of all of these thoughts...

I don't share these thoughts because I need encouragement or affirmation. I share them because it's where I am. I'm in a season of refinement...and in that season is some ugliness.

But I welcome it.

Every day isn't like this. There are many, many days where I laugh constantly and I can't stop thanking God for all the blessings he has bestowed on an undeserving sinner like me. Blessings which include those few and far between ugly days where my heart hurts so much I can hardly stand it. Because I know that in pain, there is redemption. In hurt, there is hope. And in brokenness, there is beauty.

Creative Corner #1: Girls Night Out at the Movies!

2009-01-13T14:05:00.028-05:00

Welcome to the first installment of Creative Corner! This is where I share with you creative ideas i've come up with (or sometimes snagged from other creative geniuses) and show you the design in action! Because my strong suit is typically event planning - I have a feeling a lot of my creative corners will revolve around events. The first CC is no exception!

This past weekend, I got together with 20 of my favorite gal pals for one of our infamous Girls Night Out events! With everyone's budgets a little tighter this year, we decided to do something that wouldn't break the bank - movie night, with a sweet twist! Because we're girls who love a good chick flick (and let's be honest here, our eyes all get a little twinkle in them when we get to see a woman in a Vera Wang wedding gown), we decided to check out Bride Wars with Kate Hudson & Anne Hathaway.

We had a little fun re-creating the movie poster with two of our own recent brides:

But before we hit the theater, we gathered at my place for a little girl time and some pre-movie treats! If there's one thing I hate, it's spending a fortune on snacks at the movies. I refuse to give up that much of my hard earned money for something I could get for half the price elsewhere (and for something that's going to go straight to my hips anyways)!

So to make things fun, I created a "Candy Bar" (yes, pun intended) for all the girls to choose their own delectible sugary goodness in a pink (of course - we're girls) little "to-go" bag that we could take with us!

Here's some shots of the bar:

We had such a fun night just getting in some quality girl time and taking over the theater, that we decided to do it again next month... the movie of choice? He's Just Not That Into You.

Let's hear it for a night of estrogen!

Jamie

Under Construction

2009-01-12T23:49:00.003-05:00

So…it’s a new year, and in case you can’t tell by the slight face lift that my blog just got, things are a changin’…can you handle it? That’s right boys and girls, there’s some new things coming your way here at good ole Sleepless In Atlanta, and some of them are not for the faint of heart. Ok, maybe they are, but with the dwindling economy I had to resort to my own marketing…I’m trying to entice you at my best angle. ;) Here are some new additions that are coming soon to SIL:

1. Creative Corner – I love to be creative. I thrive off of it. Believe it or not, people have actually told me I have a lot of creative ideas, and recent personality & leadership tests have confirmed. That’s right folks, you’ve got a genuine creativity nut on your hands here (well, at least the nut part is true), so why not share in the fun?! At least once a month, I’ll be posting some of my creative ideas from random arenas in my life and showing you how you too, can scratch that creative itch in many…..um…..creative ways. Look for these ideas under the “Creative Corner” category on the right side of my blog.
2. Jamie’s Favorite Things – hey if Oprah can share all her favorite new discoveries, I can too. Why not?! I love learning about new technologies, books, destinations, etc….if I’m exploring, I might as well pass along stuff that’s worth your while!
3. Blogspot-light – I read blogs….lots of them. It’s how I keep up with family, friends, and keep a pulse on lots of different things going on in the world. Sometimes I come across blog posts that are worthy of sharing, and that’s just what I’ll do. Be on the lookout for intriguing stories of interest periodically. Hey, it’s a blog eat blog world, somebody’s gotta dig in and find the good stuff.

And perhaps the most significant change you’re going to see on my blog has nothing to do with topics or technology or even global news. The biggest change I hope you will see in my posts will be a deeper dive into the trenches of my heart.

Over the past six or so years, I’ve really been learning what it looks like to be vulnerable, transparent and willing to share my finest moments as well as my not so finest moments. And until recently, I thought I had been doing a pretty good job at it. But thankfully, I have been blessed to have some amazingly wise people in my life who have helped hold a mirror up to my face to see some of the real depth that I’ve been hiding, and God has been revealing to me some amazing truths over the past 8 months.

You see, as a kid, I can remember working on a surprise or a project for my parents or sisters. Like the time I made something for my mom, or the time I wanted to surprise my folks and re-organize my room all by myself. I can remember mom poking her head in my door and me telling her to get out because I wasn’t finished yet…I wanted her to see the final product – not a work in progress. It didn’t even occur to me until now, that this trend had carried over into my spiritual life. I have had no problem over the past couple of years in sharing with anyone what I have learned through some of the trials God has brought me through – but I was sharing most of them from the “finished product” perspective. In other words, I would wait until I had essentially “come out” of a situation, had time to process and assess what it was that God was trying to teach me through that, and then share what I learned out of it. I think I was afraid for people to see me in the middle of my mess. Sure there are a couple of super close friends that saw me through the entire process, but to most of the known world, they were just getting the polished, ‘I’m wiser for having learned that’ aspect of me. And that’s not who I want to be.

As a wise friend told me, there is beauty in brokenness…with emphasis being on the word IN, not past the brokenness. Sure, God can certainly use our brokenness once we’ve come out of it, but think of how much he can use us while we’re right smack in the middle of it.

So that’s my goal..to be more real. To be more “raw,” so to speak. And to not let fear of judgment or appearing imperfect keep me from sharing the real depths of my heart…not only in my writing, but in my friendships as well.

I believe I’ve quoted Steven Furtick in my blog before for this line, but I’ll quote him again: “between the promise of God in your life and the payoff is a process.”

Welcome to my process.

Jamie

Extreme Makeover: Buckhead Edition

2008-11-25T12:12:00.003-05:00

Happy almost Turkey day folks!

I have written a blog for today, but you wont find it here!! Today I was the guest blogger on our Buckhead Church Blog to tell about an awesome project that I got to be a part of with some of our amazing volunteer leaders! If you like any kind of show where a room is madeover into something awesome, you'll like this story! :)

To read my blog for today, click here: Buckhead Church Blog

Happy Day o' Thanks followed by Happy Day o' Crazy Shopping!! :)

Gobble Gobble!

Crazy Love

2008-11-12T23:41:00.004-05:00

I've been back in the states for about two weeks now. All my bags have long been unpacked, but I am just beginning to unpack all that God has revealed to me through the amazing experiences I had in Sydney. He has grown my heart for students even more than it already was. He has given me a heart and a desire to truly love and pray for the people of Australia. I hope that one day soon I get to see all my new, sweet friends there again. But even beyond the actual experience, God is (and has been since April) stirring up something in me. Something big. Something different. Maybe it's multiple something(s). I'm not 100% sure what it is either. But I do know one thing...

...I am stinkin' FIRED UP!

I haven't felt this alive in a while, and while it excites me, it also scares me a little. Partially because I know myself - I can get super excited about the potential of something or what's to come, but get distracted by the "tyranny of the urgent" and lose the wind in my sails...then get mad at myself for losing focus, and so on and so on. It's a vicious cycle. Part of me is scared/excited because I feel like I might be venturing into uncharted territory in my life. But seriously God, no matter how much I might kick and scream at times, bring it on. I need it. I desire it. We're called to it, by you.

My small group is reading an amazing book right now by Francis Chan called "Crazy Love." I'm not kidding when I say this book is seriously rocking my world. If you haven't read it, go get it. Now. Seriously, stop reading this blog, go order it on Amazon and come back.

Go ahead, i'll wait.... :)

Ok, did you do it? Good! Anyways...In the book, Francis makes a great point. He says:

"Life is comfortable when you separate yourself from people who are different from you. But God doesn't call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn't come through."

Then Francis asks a great question that I realized I need to be asking myself DAILY:

"What are you doing right now that requires faith?"

As I hashed this question out with my small group tonight, yes, I realized that there are some big things in the past year that I have done that required faith, but how much am I asking myself that daily, in the small things AND the large things to come? I think I have been missing out on tons of opportunities to do so, simply because I haven't been consciously asking myself this question on a regular basis.

Back in April, I honestly prayed hard that God would make my 28th year a "year of transformation." So far, He has seriously answered my prayer in ways that I would have never imagined. But I think there's more to come. I know there's more to come. So what's next, you ask? I'm not quite sure yet...but I do know that i'm ready.

And i'm excited...not because I know what's on the horizon - because I have no idea what's to come.

Soaking it all in

2008-10-23T21:45:00.002-04:00

I can't believe this week has already come and gone, and I have just over 24 hours left in beautiful Sydney. I've spent the morning soaking in the sights as much as I can...grabbed my staple Vanilla Latte at Starbucks and headed over for a gorgeous walk across the harbor to the Opera House where I sat on the steps, journaled and just enjoyed watching all of the people pass by for a little while. It's so weird to think I may never get to see this city again in person, but who knows. I pray that one day God will bring me back to Sydney.

We're packing up now and heading out to Bondi Beach for the night. A little change of scenery sounds fun, and the beach on a beautiful day like today...who could ask for more? I am unplugging for the rest of the trip - so likely no internet. If I don't get a chance to blog again before I leave, i'll see you all back in the states!

Cheers!

God of This City

2008-10-22T04:01:00.012-04:00

Wow.

I don't think I could write an entire chapter and adequately describe to you all the amazing night that we had last night here in Sydney. I am so humbled and amazed to be here, to see and experience first hand the work that God is doing through the Passion team all around the world.

And it wasn't about the fact that I got to travel around the globe to one of the most beautiful places ever, it wasn't about the fact that God filled the auditorium with over 8,000 students. It wasn't about the cd's that were sold, or the songs that were sung. It was about uniting the body of Christ and students from over 86 universities all under one roof for His renown, and hearing and seeing what He was doing in and through that...from the moment we started planning months and months ago, till the very last person left the arena.

Stories are already pouring in about God at work last night, both inside and outside the arena, and I was blessed to experience one of these moments first hand. At about 2 hours to go before the beginning of the event, hundreds of students were already in a line that stretched halfway around the entertainment center. As I walked outside to check on the status of things, I was approached by a guy named Mike who walked up off the street. Mike is from Germany, and he is in Australia on a work visa. Our conversation went something like this:

Mike: "So what is going on...why are all these people lined up out here?"
Me: "It's an event for University Students"
Mike: "An event? What kind of event?"
Me: "It's a Christian event - we'll have worship and teaching and all that fun stuff...it's gonna rock."
Mike: "It's for Christians? You mean all of those students are lined up for an event for Christians?"
Me: "Yep."
Mike: "You have to be kidding. Are you kidding? Something like this would NEVER happen in Germany where I am from. There's just no way."

We continued to talk about the event - I told him it was a free event and asked if he would like to come. His eyes were as big as saucers, and he shouted "YES!" I handed him a ticket, and then he realized that it started at 7pm, and he was scheduled to be at work at 7pm. He thanked me, and then asked me to give the ticket to someone else who could use it...and then he just stood there for a moment looking at the students, somewhat speechless. Then he said that even though he was not going to be able to attend, God was speaking to him. He told me, "you have no idea what this has just done for my walk with God - seeing all these students in a time when I have been questioning things...you just have no idea." I prayed for Mike for the rest of the night as we worshipped there without him...I don't know anything else about his story, and it's likely I never will, but it was so cool to see God using this night to reach people in this city who never even set foot inside the arena doors.

I was reminded then that, even if everything else the rest of the night went wrong, it didn't matter - God was already at work and He would accomplish His mission anyway!

The rest of the night was great - it was so amazing to just stand back in the arena and watch 8,000 university students just worshipping the Lord with all their might - unified across campuses, across cities, and even in some cases, across continents. I pray that something sparked in the hearts of those students last night that they will carry out back into their campuses and homes and just be alive in Christ to all those around them. I pray that they become a generation who will not hold back when it comes to proclaiming the name of Jesus!

Today was a wonderful, and also bittersweet day. I felt a huge relief that everything that our team has been working on for months and months had finally paid off, but i'm also a little sad that it's all over and that i'll be going back home in just a few short days. My heart has grown very attached to the people and the students in the city of Sydney. It was a cold and rainy day today....and I was so thankful. Thankful that the rain held off until today, and that the students stayed dry last night. As I type this, I am looking outside my window at quite possibly the most beautiful rainbow I have ever seen, sweeping over the Sydney Opera house and touching down into the Sydney Harbour. It's colors are brilliant - the brightest i've ever seen in a real rainbow. I'm listening to Tomlin's song "God of This City," and looking at this rainbow - a symbol of God's promise - couldn't be a more fitting end to a perfect day. Just as the song says "greater things are yet to come, greater things are still to be done in this city." That's my prayer tonight. That God will continue to do great things in the city of Sydney, long after we are gone. Who knows if i'll ever get to come back here again. But I can assure you - the people of this city will remain in my heart forever.

Here's a little glimpse into Passion Sydney, with some of my photos and videos, and also a few photos from our amazing tour photographer, Jeremy Cowart (you can tell which ones are his -they are the phenomenal pics. I'm not that great of a photographer - he's stinking amazing with a camera!).

Cheers mates!
(embedded video)

It's almost here!

2008-10-19T16:48:00.011-04:00

Hello again from down under!

I can't believe that we are just 24 short hours away from Passion Sydney! The excitement is building as the team is making final preparations for tomorrow. We've been scurrying all over the city for the last few days finalizing details, picking up last minute items, and praying for the students who will ascend on the SEC tomorrow night. Please pray that the weather holds out!! Before we left Atlanta, the forecast for Sydney showed blue skies...but since we've arrived, that forecast has changed to rain. Rain, rain, go away!

I haven't really done any sightseeing since we got here this time (besides the quick jaunt at the markets) because we've been working around the clock to get everything ready for tomorrow night. However, Mark and I did witness the strangest (and coolest) thing yesterday as we were running some errands in the city. We were waiting at a busy intersection to cross the street, and when the crosswalk sign came on, instead of crossing from one side to the other like normal, everyone just crossed right in the middle! It looked like a fun version of fruit basket turnover! We thought it was so cool that we made a little video of it, check it out...(embedded video)

Isn't that bizarre?! We thought it was so cool, that when we ran errands the next day we decided to do it. :)

Ok, time to run...gotta go do our last visit to the venue to make sure everything is in place! I'll leave you with a few of my favorite pics from this trip so far...more updates to come soon as we prepare for the big night tomorrow! Keep praying!

This is the cool shot of the full moon from the plane..

A fun fountain in Darling Harbour...

More of Darling Harborur...

The Queen Victoria Building...

More fun than the Queen Victoria building... :)

Passion Sydney: Day 1

2008-10-16T05:57:00.002-04:00

Hello mates!

I apologize in advance for the lack of length in this post, but it's now 9pm Sydney time (which is 6am our time), and I am barely still functioning...trying to hold out a little longer to adjust to the huge time difference.

We made it here safe and sound, with two great flights! I got a good bit of sleep on the 14 hour flight, managed to watch 2 & 1/2 movies, and made a new friend....all in a day's work! When I got to the Sydney airport though, it was like deja vu of my last trip here all over again....picture me standing at the baggage claim waiting....and waiting...and waiting. Suitcases revolving over and over as one by one their owners claimed them and went on their merry way. Guess who was the last one left...again. :) Apparently my luggage never made it onto my flight! I couldn't help but laugh at the situation...I mean, things happen - there's no use getting upset, plus I got a $100 supplement to cover my "necessities" while I waited for them to track down my bag...not too shabby! My luggage finally arrived at the hotel just about an hour ago, so I am a happy camper.

We had a great start to our journey here - we hit the ground running with a prayer meeting amongst some of the Uni leaders in the city. It was so great to just sit in a room together, all praying and lifting up the students of this city all in the name of God's glory...I couldn't think of a better way to start our trip and align our minds and hearts to the reason we are here in the first place. We made a few other stops and now we're back at the hotel resting and getting ready for a busy day tomorrow.

That's it for now...Passion Hong Kong is going on as we speak, so please pray for the students there and also pray that God will just continue to make everything fall into place here in Sydney as we countdown to the big event on Tuesday.

Must get sleeeeeeeepppp....good Thursday morning to you all at home, i'll update again soon!

Cheers!

The Process

2008-10-10T22:05:00.003-04:00

"Between the promise of God in your life and the payoff is a process."
-Steven Furtick

I'm sorry that I haven't written in a while. I'm still smack in the middle of a season of sifting and pruning from God. I've found that often times it's better to get well into the process before you pause and try to assess or analyze why you're there in the first place, and what exactly it is that God is trying to teach you in the midst of it all. But we'll get to than in another entry.

I just experienced my first Catalyst Conference over the past three days, and it couldn't come at a better time. Three solid days to sit and soak in wisdom, insight and inspiration from some of the world's most anointed church leaders...without having to worry about getting all the volunteers in place to open doors, setting up and tearing down, or making sure that all of the lower thirds are spelled correctly. I was able to sit and observe - to be fully present and fully engage in what it was God wanted me to learn.

And boy did I learn. Reggie couldn't have phrased it better - it was like "taking a sip of water from a fire hydrant." So much wisdom, so many personal challenges and convictions. It's going to take me days to unpack it all - but it is too important for me not to. See, that's been my problem before - I'll go and learn and in the moment, think "wow, that's great insight that I need to take home, process and apply." Then what happens? Life. I get caught up in the busyness of life and often put process and application on the back burner until I've forgotten what was so important in the first place.

There's no way I could even begin to explain or describe to you all that I learned over the past three days, but I would love to share some of my biggest takeaways from the week:

Wisdom from Perry Noble about Passion and Calling:
"To be good leaders, we must be excellent followers."
"Are you more concerned about being discovered, or being developed?"
"We cannot expect the spirit to lead us professionally if we are not yielded to Him privately."
"In order to attain God-sized vision, it takes God-sized risk."

Insight from Jim Collins on Good to Great:
"Good is the reason so many things don't become great."
"The presence of a to-do list without a stop-doing list is a lack of discipline."
"Greatness is not a function of circumstance."

Inspiration from Craig Groeschel:
"There is more in you."
"It's about having your heart break for the things that break the heart of God."
"If not you, then who? If not now, then when?"
"To reach people no one else is reaching, we must do things no one else is doing."
"To stretch you, God has to heal you, and to heal you, God has to ruin you."

Points from Dave Ramsey on Unity:
"By definition, gossip is when a negative is discussed with anyone who can't help solve the problem."
"If we're going to be Christians, we'd better have an excellence that is stunning."

Wisdom from Andy Stanley on Leadership:
"Pay attention to the people who are breaking the rules."
"No pain, no change."
"Success breeds complacency, and complacency breeds failure."
"Become preoccupied with those you haven't reached as opposed to those you are trying to keep."

But perhaps the moment that grabbed my heart the most was when I witnessed the Daraja African children's choir come in and lead us in worship. I watched these children, who came from absolute poverty, come running in with the biggest smiles on their faces, singing and dancing their hearts out for Jesus...quoting His scripture in a language other than their native tongue.

And then I thought about my own life. I have never known what it is like to not have a roof over my head, clothes on my back and shoes on my feet, a comfortable bed to sleep in, or any kind of food I could ever want. I drive a nice car to my amazing job where I make more money than some of them will ever see in their lifetime. I get to serve God and His people for a living. I have more friends and family than I know what to do with.

And sometimes I feel so "weary" that I have to find the energy to worship the God who gave it all to me?

Father, stretch me.

Roomie Spotlight: Welcome K-Schlag!

2008-08-05T11:45:00.004-04:00

I'm so very excited to welcome my newest roomie Kristin to the CG Family! (that's Colonial Grand for those of you not in the know...it's only the coolest place to live this side of the Mississippi) Kristin and I have been buddies for several years and now I can't wait to embark on many crazy roomie adventures with her! We're going to have so much fun!

Welcome to the hood K-Schlag!

(PS....watch out boys, she's single and fabulous...better bring your A game!)

Jamie

It's like watching paint dry...

2008-07-31T01:15:00.003-04:00

Well....sort of.

Thanks to the great suggestion by my buddy Erin, and with a little help from the ever fabulous Carlos, getting ready for a new roommate turned into a fun video experiement...enjoy!
(rss readers - embedded video)

Jamie

The fasten seatbelt sign has come on...

2008-07-19T00:07:00.002-04:00

Buckle up ladies and gentlemen, it's about to get bumpy around here.

Sorry that I haven't written since I got back, God has really just been stirring up so much in my heart that I really just had to take some time to sit on things, process them, and attempt to figure out what it all means. I'm heading into some unfamiliar territory in my life currently, and since I just recently returned from some world travels, I thought the turbulence analogy would only be fitting. :)

Right now my heart and my head are in a place of uncertainty. For the first time in my life, i'm learning how to truly surrender multiple desires close to my heart willingly before it is my only option... that leaves me a little nervous, but definitely willing to rely on God's faithfulness to honor my actions that I feel Him prompting me to act upon. God's gentle tug that i've felt to get out of my comfort zone has only been countered by satan's attempt to distract me with other heartaches and frustrations, and I find myself incredibly vulnerable and stuck in the middle of what seems like a battle between good and evil.

But I do know one thing...I never want to put God in a box.

I never want to limit Him to the sometimes ridiculously insignificant ambitions and plans that I might think up for my life. I have learned that His plans always far exceed anything I could ever dream of. They always will. And I also have to remember that my life is not my own...I was bought with a price and I am not here on this earth to serve my own selfish desires of the flesh. I am here to serve a God that loves me beyond comprehension. And that's what I have to give back...trust beyond all comprehension.

My dear friend and prayer partner, Shae was just reminding me tonight that in times like these we must constantly cling to God's word and bury his scripture in our hearts as a tool to battle the enemy and charge on towards whatever it is God is calling us to do. Tonight I am clinging to the words in Isaiah 41:10 that say:

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

So now I go into this bumpy season of life...I don't know how long it will last, and I don't know where i'll be when I come out on the other side...but I am trusting that God is my seatbelt...He will keep me secure and in His will as long as i'm willing to trust, obey, and not be afraid to follow Him at any cost.

Jamie

Rice-A-Roni...

2008-07-02T15:06:00.002-04:00

Hello from the west coast!

We survived the 14 hour flight from Sydney to San Fran, and we're now waiting in the airport for the last 4 hour flight home. It's noon here, 3pm at home and 5am in Sydney, so right now my body cant tell if it's coming or going. I'm so tired, yet still awake and hungry as all getout. :) We should be landing in Atlanta around 8:30pm, so here's hoping that I can sleep tonight. It's back to work for me tomorrow, and i'm sure i'll need Starbucks in hand!

I'm sad to have left such a beautiful city, but also glad to be almost home. Oh, they're calling us to board now...i'll see y'all in the ATL. (and yes, I was laughed at for saying y'all in Sydney.) ;)

Jamie

Meetings, Greetings & Sightseeings...

2008-07-01T10:45:00.003-04:00

Our time is winding down here at Sydney, and it makes me sad. I have fallen in love with this city and especially it's people. I am already counting down the days until we come back, and I haven't even left yet. I am so very excited in anticipation for the things that I know God is going to do through Passion in October!

The last two days have been a whirlwind of meetings. We've met with church and campus leaders, media distributors, radio stations and on and on...it's been crazy, but great! We are leaving feeling very optimistic about the relationships that are being built and the potential to get the word out to a ton of the university students in the city. I could write so much more about all of this, but right now it's 1am here and I am absolutely exhausted. The bottom line is that we have a lot to do over the next 4 months in preparation, but we are very excited about what is to come. To quote the song that's resonating in our hearts right now..."greater things are yet to come, greater things are still to be done in this city." I'm so humbled to be a part.

Today we also had a prayer gathering with some of the Uni students here on the steps of the Sydney Opera House. It was so great to meet some of the students and actually be able to pray with them for their campuses and for the city. I am excited to be able to remember their faces and pray for them and all their peers specifically over the next few months. What a privilege!

Just for fun, here's a little snippet of some campus visits we made in the city....enjoy. I'll see you all when we get back to the states!

(RSS Readers - Embedded Video)

Jamie

Adventures in public transportation

2008-06-29T20:47:00.001-04:00

(RSS Readers - Embedded Video)

Sunrise in Sydney

2008-06-28T16:32:00.004-04:00

Magnificent.

It's 6am here, and I have been awake since 4:30am...courtesy of jetlag. :) But if it means that I get to see amazing sights like the one above, i'm ok with that. This is the second amazing sunrise i've been privileged to see since I embarked on this journey. The first was from my plane as we were about to touch down in Sydney. It was amazing...to see the fiery colors just above a layer of marshmallow clouds. For a split second, I thought I caught a small glimpse of what it might be like to be God every morning..basking in the beauty of creation, and looking down on the world where things that seem huge to us, really in His grand view of things, are very small. Here's a glimpse of that one as well...

I'm excited about the day today...we will get to experience worship at two different churches - Hillsong and Christian City Church. We've made some great friends at both of these places, so it will be a treat to get to worship with them. The next two days will be hectic, we have back to back meetings all day, so I am thankful for today, to be able to take in some time to praise our creator who sent us over here in the first place!

My heart for the Uni students of Sydney (i'm picking up the terminology here!) grows more each day...even though i've only met a few of them so far, just the fact that I am being given the opportunity to play a very small role in helping unite them for the glory of God humbles me beyond belief. There are some great leaders doing some great things here, and I am so grateful that we can come here in October to create a space where they can take off the planning and teaching hats, and just come in to worship and praise with their students. So cool.

Well, that's all for now...I need to go and get ready for the day. Happy Sunday, by the way! I know it's Saturday evening at home, but I just thought I would send you a little preview for what tomorrow looks like! Weird, huh? :)

Jamie

Sydney Update: Part 2

2008-06-28T00:02:00.003-04:00

We are now half-way into our second day here….yesterday was a long but exciting day. As soon as I rolled off the plane, I went straight to the hotel, dropped off my carryon luggage (sans my actual suitcase) and went straight downstairs to meet with my team for our vision cast meeting. We met with church leaders and campus pastors from all around Sydney in order to give them a better vision and purpose for why we want to bring Passion to their city. It was really great to see all of the leaders across the various ministries and denominations in the same room interacting, connecting and praying together. It’s a rarity here. Please continue to pray for the unity of the body of Christ here.

After the vision cast meeting, it was off to lunch with a few other leaders of campus ministries in the area, and then time for a little sight seeing before dinner. Jen and I walked all around Circular Quay (pronounced key) taking in the sights of the Harbor Bridge, the Botanical Gardens and of course, the infamous Sydney Opera House. It was so cool just to walk through the streets of the city and see all of the diversity amongst the people of Sydney. I’ve also decided that I want to trade in my southern accent for an Australian one…they just sound way cooler than me. ☺

A few minutes back at the hotel trying to catch up on a few emails, then it was off for a team dinner at Wolfie’s on the harbor. I will say that so far, the food here has not been my favorite part, but then again i'm picky. :) The 14 hour time change caught up with me about halfway through dinner, and I could barely keep my eyes open to walk back to the hotel. I passed out at 8:30pm (which would be 5am at home) and got a good solid 12 hours of sleep so I could start off today ready to go.

We got an early start this morning with an awesome breakfast, then after stopping at Starbucks for a little taste of home, its off to an afternoon of brainstorming with our team and a trip to Bondi beach this afternoon just to think outside of the box. Tomorrow will bring visits Christian City Church and Hillsong Church for two of their services, and I am very excited about that…stay tuned for more updates!

Thanks again for all your prayers and encouraging emails…that means so much! Keep praying for the students of Sydney!

And just for fun, this is my favorite pic so far...

Jamie

Sydney Update: Part 1

2008-06-27T02:18:00.004-04:00

G'day Mates!

I have arrived here in Sydney! It's 4pm here, but 2am at home and i'm just now starting to struggle a little bit. Bring on the coffee. :) I have so much to tell, but not a lot of time right now, so here's a quick video update and some pics...I had a GREAT 26 hour journey if you can believe it - smooth flights, met some great people, and even had a quick layover in Tahiti. More on all that later...stay tuned! (RSS Readers-embedded video)

And a few pics...

A layover in Tahiti!
The view from our room..
A closer look at the Opera House...
Me & Jen checking out the city..
Sydney!

Australia Bound

2008-06-24T23:53:00.005-04:00

Tomorrow is going to be a busy day.
Tomorrow I get another stamp in my passport.
Tomorrow i am going to embark on the adventure of a lifetime, all in the name of serving our great God and making Him known!

Tomorrow I head off to Australia to continue planning and preparations for the last leg of the Passion World Tour. It's absolutely unbelievable that I am even getting to be a small part of this. It's opportunities like this that remind me I should never again doubt God's plan for my life, because it is waaaay better than anything I could ever dream up. :)

Right now I am a mix of emotions. I'm excited about the opportunity to get to travel abroad, and to do so with a purpose. I'm a little nervous because this will be the longest flight i've ever been on, and i'm going it solo. I'm amused at the fact that I have a layover in Tahiti. Yes, Tahiti. (it's a tough life, but somebody's got to do it) I'm a little overwhelmed at thinking about how much needs to be done between now and the actual event in October. And i'm also feeling an overwhelming sense of responsibility to make this event the best it can be so that the students of Australia will walk into an awesome environment, ready to encounter God in a way they haven't before. The thought of it all is a little daunting, but I have no doubt that God has me here for a reason, and I am more than willing to take on the challenge.

Right now I am praying that our team makes it over safely (Jennifer & Garrett tonight and me tomorrow). I pray that God will focus my heart and mind, taking away any distractions that would keep me from doing what He is sending us over there to do. I pray that He will open doors for us and give us multiple opportunities to connect with the students, the church leaders and the campus pastors around Sydney in hopes of spreading the word to as many University students as possible. I pray that I will constantly be reminded that this is not a personal vacation to Australia...that while I can enjoy the trip and the scenery, I am there to do work...God's work, and I will not let myself or my personal desires get in the way of accomplishing the task at hand. And finally I just pray for His hand and provision over any and all plans that are made.

Will you partner with me in prayer for the students of Sydney? I sure hope so!

Be sure to check back often in the days to come, more updates will be on the way! See you on the other side of the world!

Jamie

Making the Video: LDR Style

2008-06-09T19:41:00.005-04:00

Just a little sneak peak at the making of the Singles Labor Day Retreat promo video for this year...
(RSS Readers: Embedded Video)

I love the fact that this is part of my job... :)
Check back later for the actual finished product!!

Jamie

Learning to swim

2008-05-25T11:06:00.003-04:00

Today as I laid out by the pool I watched a man with his son. The dad, holding his son (who looked to be about 6 or 7) was backing slowly into the deep end of the pool. As the son began to realize where he was going, he immediately began to protest and attempt to squirm his way out of his fathers arms. As the boy panicked, I could see his father whisper something very calmly into his ear and then he tossed him out about 3 feet in front of him into the water. At first when the boy popped up he instinctively began to flap his little arms, but when he realized he wasn't paddling quite hard enough to keep his whole head completely above water, panic set in and he began to flail and scream for his father. The dad continued to coax and encourage him as he calmly made his way over to get his son. As soon as he was close enough, the boy, in tears, latched on and clung for dear life as his dad told him over and over "its ok son, its ok." The father held him out and showed him how to kick, and then how to float.

Half an hour later, the boy was jumping off the side of the pool into his father's arms, into the deep end...with a smile.

As I watched this scene unfold right in front of me, I couldn't help but flash back to an almost identical situation with me and my dad at about the same age. I was terrified of the water, and refused to take swimming lessons. As soon as my dad even began to loosen his grip on me, I remember freaking out and clinging on for dear life. The difference in my story though, is that my dad didn't toss me in. Maybe it was the fear in my voice or my little claws in his arm, but my dad opted to heed my panic and hold onto me. Even though it would have scared the life out of me then, and even though I know he didn't let go because I was begging him not to, now as a 27 year old who is still afraid of the water...I kind of wish he would have just thrown me in.

This little moment between father and son and the reflection of my own moment with my dad made me think about how many times in my life i've been in this same situation....but with my heavenly father. There have been so many times that i've been scared to death of what lies ahead, or terrified of a challenge or burden at hand...but God, all along, is standing there saying "it's ok, it's ok" right before He throws me in the deep end.

Why?

Because sometimes the fear will overcome you. Sometimes the anticipation of stepping out into unfamiliar territory will paralyze you and keep you from completing the task at hand. Sometimes we need to just be thrown in the deep end, under the watchful eye of someone who knows how to save us if we were to start to drown.

There are a few areas in my life, two in particular right now, where I feel like God is holding me out over the deep end. Even though I barely know how to keep my head above water, I'm ready Lord, and I trust you...toss me in.

Jamie

It's the little things

2008-05-21T22:06:00.004-04:00

Here's a great thought for the day that I found...

"We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee."

– Marian Wright Edelman

So don't forget to...
... hold the door open
...say thank you
...make eye contact and smile at total strangers
...write a thank you note or a note of encouragement
...pick up the phone and call the friend that's been on your heart
...give a couple extra bucks to the homeless man on the corner
...tip well
...hug someone
...ask the cashier at the counter how their day is, and genuinely be interested in their response
...let someone go first
...go the extra mile, even though you don't have to

To you or I these may be small gestures...but to someone else, it very well could just turn a bad day into a good one. :)

Jamie

Happy Birthday Tat!

2008-05-21T11:54:00.004-04:00

Just a little birthday shoutout to one of our favorite security guards here at Buckhead Church...Tatiana!

Chances are, if you've been at Buckhead Church, then you've seen the fabulous Tatiana (or "Tat" as we call her) doin' her thing. She's a rockstar...always has a smile on her face, and always taking care of us staffers as well as the entire church. I'll just say it....if you get outta line, she isn't afraid to lay the smackdown on you...so watchout. We are so glad that she's a part of our Buckhead family.

Tat...we love you and we're so thankful for you - hope you have the BEST birthday ever!! :)

Jamie

Passion Sydney

2008-05-20T23:51:00.001-04:00

It's coming....

Are you ready? Stay tuned....

10 years and a million miles

2008-05-18T01:47:00.009-04:00

Tonight was my 10 year high school reunion. It made me remember just how much some things never change...and how much some really do.

I won't lie, I wasn't overly excited about attending in the first place. Maybe because most of the people I wanted to see, I still keep in touch with. Maybe because I feel like I was a completely different person then...one who was often shy, fairly insecure, and wet behind the ears in terms of the realities of the "real world."

I'll admit - there was about an hour of the day today when I genuinely panicked just a little bit. Fearful that my old insecurities would come back out, and fearful that the reunion would be just like high school...a popularity contest. The old me back then would have never dreamed of braving an event like this alone. But here I am...27, single, and happy to attend date-less. By choice. No longer do I feel the need to constantly show up accompanied. I learned that through experience...multiple years of having no other choice. In high school you can take your buddies every where you go, but in real life, not so much. I've grown comfortable in my own skin...not that i'm 100% satisfied with it, but comfortable with who God made me to be, nonetheless.

The crowd there tonight was an odd mix...probably about 1/4 of our graduating class. It was an eclectic intermingling of the old "cliques," and I felt like the only people there not drinking were me and the 4 pregnant ladies. It felt as if I had pressed pause on a movie (we'll go with Fast Times at Ridgemont High just to give you a visual), and came back to that same scene ten years later. It felt like everything in the scene was exactly the same...everything except me. I can't really explain it. I know some people have changed (some for the better, some not-so-much), and some are exactly as I remember them...but I felt somewhat like Marty McFly watching himself have a conversation that had already happened.

I think tonight just made me grasp that I have grown a lot in ten years....more than I realized, I think. Don't get me wrong...I'm still a work in progress, but I feel like i'm lightyears away from the girl I was at EPHS.

And then I realized that the next time I will see a lot of these people, we will all be close to 40.

Wow.

I can't imagine how much will have changed by then....and how much will still be just the same.

Busy is an understatement...

2008-04-28T21:55:00.014-04:00

Do not adjust your screen. This is not an illusion. Yes, my Red Bull can is practically the size of my head.

And that's a good thing. :)

It's a good thing because yes, I may be tired sometimes and yes, my calendar for the next several months is ridiculously full...but it's full with so many exciting options that I feel overwhelmingly blessed. 2008 is turning out to be a year full of incredible journeys, experiences and once in a lifetime opportunities. I think that I have walked into probably the most complex "busy season" of my entire life, and I intend to savor every moment of it.

Here are just a few highlights of my adventures to come over the next 6 months:

1. DRIVE - next week I get to play a small role in helping our staff teach over 2100 church leaders from around the country all the in's and out's of how we do ministry...what has worked for us, what hasn't, and most importantly, help equip and encourage them to go back to their parts of the world and create irresistible ministry environments where people can come to learn about God and experience His love and grace. I can't even describe the coolness of this conference - you'd have to see it for yourself.

2. The continual opportunity to pour into the lives of 25 high school girls that i've been leading and tracking with for 3 years now. They're almost juniors, i can't believe it. I'm so honored and humbled (and sometimes terrified) that I get to be a person of influence in their lives. Someone who gets to love them, laugh with them, cry with them and invest in them...and hopefully keep them from making some of the mistakes I have growing up. We get to spend a week at the beach this summer again for our annual camp, The Walk. It's always an incredible time of bonding, sharing and learning. LOVE IT. LOVE THEM. These girls continue to challenge me in ways I could never imagine.

3. The honor of walking alongside and standing at the altar as two of my best friends, Rosie and Cristin marry two amazing men that God has clearly chosen for them. It has been such a privilege and blessing to watch these two extraordinary women meet, fall in love with, and now prepare to share the rest of their lives with such great guys. And I am so blessed to be able to have witnessed all of it. I couldn't be happier for them and I feel so truly honored that they have asked me to be part of their special days!

4. LDR...one of the biggest catalysts in my life four short years ago when I was desperately wanting to get 'connected' and do life with other singles who were on the same page as me. I have met so many people and been touched by some incredible communicators who have taught me and challenged me...and now i'm blessed to get to be on the planning side of this event. I'm always so excited that I get to be creative and help put this event together with my dear friends in mind - knowing that it's such a great weekend for connecting and growing. Just plain awesome.

5. And for this last one, I barely have words. I'm completely blown away by the fact that God is going to use me to hopefully play a small role in helping connect college ministries for students on the other side of the world. This year I will be traveling to Australia. Not once, but twice! I'll be part of a team that's leading the Sydney leg of the Passion World Tour. I could write an entire book on this, but i'll just wet your appetite for now. MUCH more on this in blogs to come.

Fasten your seatbelts folks, it's about to be a crazy ride. And i'm rollin' full speed with the top down...care to join me? ;)

Jamie

What's A Girl To-Do?

2008-04-17T11:03:00.004-04:00

If you don't see or hear from me over the next 5-7 days, this is why...

That's my to-do list for the next few days. Yes, it's long but i'm super excited about every single event on there. And yes, it's blurred for a reason. We can't be letting out ALL our secrets for the cool stuff at 7|22 that is coming down the pipes soon....you'll just have to wait and find out!

But trust me...you DON'T want to miss it.

Jamie

Don't spoil your dinner...

2008-04-14T19:50:00.008-04:00

I remember one Saturday afternoon when I was about 10, I came in from playing outside all day and I was starving. It was late afternoon, and mom was already at work in the kitchen beginning to prepare dinner. I asked her if I could have a snack but of course, her answer was an emphatic "no, you'll spoil your dinner."

I almost walked away in defeat, but my stomach wouldn't take no for an answer. Inevitably I began to nag my mom, confidently proclaiming that I would just die or at best, wither away to nothing if I had to wait a whole hour for dinner. Afterall, I knew best the needs of the stomach that was attached to me, not her. The more I begged, the more frustrated she became until she eventually said ok, knowing full well what was going to happen.

With the green light in my court I proceeded to help myself to a rather sizable amount of junk food, undoubtedly stuffing myself silly and meeting my seemingly "urgent" need for sustenance. Shortly thereafter, mom called us down for dinner. Wouldn't you know, she had made my favorite -mom's world famous (ok, maybe not world famous...but it sure is #1 in my book) spaghetti. Just the sight of it though made my full little stomach ache. I knew that there was no way I was going to be able to put one single bite of that in my mouth without getting sick.

My mom was right, I had spoiled my dinner.

At first I was just sad because I was missing out on something great, something I loved. And then I felt guilty, when I saw the look on my mom's face...she had worked hard to prepare a good meal for us, something far better for me than all the chips and cookies I filled myself up on, and what did I do? I wasted it.

I thought about this moment today, and it made me wonder...how many times have I done that to God? How many times do I want something so badly, that I beg and plead with Him until He gives me what I want, knowing all along what I will miss out on as a result - rather than waiting for something better that He is preparing for me? He created me, why do I sometimes lose sight of the fact that He knows my every need, and knows when they need to be met?

I'm not sure I really know the answer to that. Maybe it's the fact that we live in a "get it faster" society. Maybe it's the fact that patience is often a learned trait for me - I don't always execute it naturally. Maybe it's because we live in a fallen world and we are all tempted by the enemy who knows our weaknesses.

Maybe it's none of these.

Maybe it's all of them.

Lord, it is my sincere prayer today that you withhold from me selfish or impetuous desires that I might 'think' I want for my life right now, especially if receiving the means that I might miss out on an opportunity to better glorify or serve Your kingdom. I ask that in times when I want something before you're finished preparing it for me, don't just tell me no...shoo me out of the kitchen. :)

Jamie

Reason #153 why I love my job...

2008-04-10T20:01:00.004-04:00

For my readers who have ventured over from other blogs and who don't know me, I work at a church. Yes, I said a church. It might not be obvious from the video above, but it's the truth. I work at Buckhead Church, a campus of North Point Community Church. We are located right in the heart of Buckhead and I love it.

I love that I get to serve God for a living. I love that I get to serve my friends. I love that I get to serve the community. I'll admit, sometimes I feel guilty for loving my job so much. I love the fact that although we work hard, we are also encouraged to play hard, have fun, and build community. I feel so fortunate to have a job that I love, I wouldn't trade it for the world!

If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?

Jamie

Music Videos: Part II

2008-04-09T01:21:00.002-04:00

Ok, yes I have noticed that there is a bit of a boy band theme for my last two posts, but I couldn't help posting our latest video....just some fun with the girls a few weeks back. What can I say, we may be drifting out of our 20's, but we're never too old to shake a tailfeather...

The Year of Reunions

2008-04-02T21:20:00.009-04:00

Ok, so believe it or not, my 10 year high school reunion is coming up in just 2 short months. Yes. I know. You can't believe that it's my 10 year reunion because I look like I'm still in college, right? (well, at least humor me anyways...i'm a girl, we don't like to feel old) ;)

But I did find out one thing today that made me feel a little like a kid again...

That's right...my boys are reuniting and they've all grown up...

Looks like the years have been good to 'em. Can't wait to bust out a few of my NKOTB dance moves, no matter how silly I look...I mean, hey, who says you can't reminisce? I have a history with these boys. Finally got to meet Jordan (cough cough, at age 25, cough cough) That's me on the left (I am a recovering blonde)

And who could forget the fact that these boys are the inspiration to many of our musical video musings...

So here's to you Danny, Donnie, Jordan, Joey-Joe and Jon...you may have been "Hangin' Tough" over the past 10 years, but "Step by Step" you've shown us that you've still got "The Right Stuff."

Signed,
Your #1 Fan

Jamie

Strength Will Rise...

2008-02-21T10:59:00.007-05:00

The last two weeks at 7|22 have been so good for my soul. Not only because Jeanne Stevens communicated two amazing messages of God's truth, but also because the topic of spiritual waiting is something that resonates intimately with my heart.

Over the past six years God has continually confronted me and challenged me to be patient and wait...wait for clarity, for understanding, for restoration, for wisdom, for healing and for HIS timing - not my own. However, Jeanne's messages reminded me that while I was (and/or am still waiting) for these things, the most important thing I am waiting on is for God to leverage this time to make some radical transformations in my life.

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord...

I have not always been at a place in my heart where I readily welcomed periods of waiting...especially long ones. I could go on for pages of how God pulled me out of a very dark time in my life, primarily through an extensive waiting period, but i'll spare you those detais...for now. I can, however, pinpoint one specific trial in my life during that time when God tested me more than He ever has, and at the same time, has never felt so close.

At the age of 22, God met me in a much needed period of restoration. I had been through a life altering ordeal that left me utterly broken, hopeless and crying out to Jesus to mend what was left of my shattered dreams. I remember the night I broke down and had it out with God...I finally understood and accepted what it meant to surrender my plan (not just say that I did), and I willingly did so - asking and welcoming God to do whatever was necessary in my life to break me down and build me back up into the person He created me to be.

And He did.

One by one, I experienced God completely break me in every aspect of my life...emotionally, relationally, mentally, financially, and in December of 2003....physically. I don't know why I never thought that this would be an area that God would use to reach out to me. I guess I just assumed that all the work He needed to do was in my heart and my mind. I learned to never underestimate the ways or the means in which God will get our attention and repair us.

That month, I started having really bad headaches...the kind that are so debilitating that I didn't want to get out of bed. I remember sitting in church one Sunday, as the headaches continued, and noticing big black spots that were blocking my vision. I had heard that people who suffered from migraines often saw spots, so I self-diagnosed that I was having migraine issues, and decided to make an appointment with a doctor to get it checked out. When Monday morning came, the pain was so bad that I could not wait to get an appointment. I had to have my mom drive me to the emergency room, for what I thought would be a quick visit. I thought that they would just do a cat scan, decipher that I had migraines, write me a prescription and I would be on my way.

Boy was I wrong...

When the doctor came back after hours of waiting for my test results, he very casually told me that they found something on my scan that could be an aneurysm or potentially even a brain tumor. The next few minutes were a blur as I heard words thrown around such as "emergency brain surgery," "radiation," and "permanent vision loss." For the record, the words brain and surgery should never be used in a sentence around me...the outcome is not so great.

In a matter of minutes I went from a girl with a bad headache to potentially a life threatening illness. Talk about a "where's God" moment. After running more tests that day, the doctors ruled out an aneurysm (to my relief), but could not rule out the potential of a brain tumor. At this point, we determined that I had lost a good portion of my peripheral vision in my left eye, and I was told that this vision loss would be permanent. The following week brought more tests, awful medicine that made me swell to almost twice my normal size, and word that I was going to have to wait 3 months before they could determine exactly what was wrong with me, and what to do. I can remember going home that night and crying out to God...

"I might have a brain tumor, and you want me to wait?!"

For the next three months, that's all I could do. I was told to go about my normal life (with the exception of no exercise), and just wait to see if new test results after the waiting period showed a change in the spot they found on my MRI. Yeah right...all I could think about was how in the world I was going to function normally knowing that at the end of the three months they could tell me that i'm going to die.

For the first week I went home every night and prayed for hours...prayed that God would miraculously heal me, and that God would make it all go away. I was frustrated with God for throwing this on me at a time when I was already at my lowest of lows, and couldn't understand why He could potentially want to end my life at such a young age. And then one night, I got it. In the midst of my prayers I felt this overwhelming peace consume my heart...and I felt Jesus there, wrapping His arms around me. I could hear Him asking me "Why are you trying to control something that you can't? I will decide when your time on earth is complete, and I will decide if you have more work to do. Whether or not this is your time, just trust me..."

God knew in that moment that I had no other choice but to surrender my life (literally) to Him...the control of whether or not I was about to die was never really mine to begin with. Praying for God to make it all go away over and over wasn't going to fix things. God is not a magic genie that has to grant my every wish. That night I began to change my prayers, and every day thereafter I prayed the same thing:

"Jesus, I know you are a loving father and you have a plan for my life for a reason. Lord, I feel in my heart that I still have work yet to be done on this earth, but if your plans say otherwise, I willingly accept them with open arms. Give me a peace to know that you know my next steps before I do, and that they are all part of YOUR story. I want to bring glory to you...in life, or in death. Thank you for every day that you've given me so far, and thank you for any that are yet to come."

For the remainder of the three months, I entered each day with a peace in my heart that no matter what the doctors said at the end of it, God was in control, and He ALWAYS knows what He's doing. It was an unexplainable peace that I still can't adequately describe to this day, but I know that in the midst of my suffering, my Jesus was there carrying me along the way.

As it turns out, it wasn't a tumor - but rather an abnormal blood vessel on my optic nerve that burst and bled...which is what caused my partial vision loss...a loss that the doctors said was permanent. But even through this trial, I got my own little miracle...months later despite the doctors' prognosis, I got about 50% of that vision back! I still have a small blind spot in my peripheral vision on my left eye, but rather than be angry at the annoyance that it sometimes is, I am thankful for it as my daily reminder that God is in control, and when I wait, He WILL meet me where I am and reveal himself to me in ways I might have never imagined.

10 Random Things About Me

2008-02-16T17:48:00.005-05:00

So, i've been tagged...by my friend Delane's blog, and I am supposed to list 10 random facts about myself. Here they are in no particular order:

1. I have to make my bed up every morning before I leave the house, if not it drives me nuts all day.

2. In the 4th grade I won 1st place in a rapping contest for a rap that I wrote about "Hugs Not Drugs."

3. I could watch reruns of Friends all day and never get tired of it - no matter how many times i've seen them.

4. I am working on writing my first book.

5. I don't drink alcohol, but I like to drink cherry coke or tea out of wine glasses because I think they're pretty.

6. I have a New Kids On The Block Super Hits cd....autographed by Jordan Knight. No, i'm not kidding.

7. I have a weakness for purses and jewelry...i'm an accessory girl!

8. I live 3 miles from the hospital that I was born at.

9. I love to fly (but i rarely get to do it) and I love people watching at the airport.

10. I love planning surprises for my friends or loved ones.

Now I get to tag some friends! If I tag you, then you must post a blog like this with 10 facts about you on your own blog then let me know! I tag Shae, Tiffany, Jerry, Allison and Jessica. Have fun!

Jamie

Happy Day of Love

2008-02-15T02:58:00.004-05:00

I think this year was hands down the best Valentine's Day I have ever had. Period.

Not because I had a "valentine" in the traditional sense of the word, or a hot date, or even a secret admirer. But it was great because I was completely surrounded by love. The love of my family, love of my dear friends, and love of my savior. From the moment I woke up, I felt loved. I am so incredibly blessed to be surrounded by so many amazing friends and family that I love dearly, and that I can count on through anything. And I am speechless at the thought of my God who loves me so much that not only did he send his son to die for me, but he continually protects my heart and gives it just the right balance of joy and heartache that it needs to be the person he has designed me to be. There is only one true love that I desire in my life right now, and that is with my Jesus. Today was a wonderful reminder for me that just because my life may currently be without a boyfriend or spouse, it doesn't mean that it is without love in abundance.

And to wrap up a perfect day, I had a wonderful intimate dinner with 7 of my closest girlfriends...we had such a good time eating, praying, talking, and more than anything, laughing. What were we laughing about? Well let me just give you a taste...

We started with a little video warmup...

Then moved to a little JT to add to the comedic entertainment...

And wrapped it up with a classic favorite...

I love my friends...can you see why? :)

Jamie

Jamie's Travels

2008-02-09T21:11:00.001-05:00

Lately i've had the insatiable appetite to want to travel...a lot. There are SO many places that I have yet to go. If it wasn't for such a tight budget, I would have hit a lot of the spots already. Here's my top 10 list of places I want to see at some point in my life:

10. Colorado...I want to see what it's like to try 'real' skiing.

9. Washington D.C.....sadly I have yet to tour our nation's capital.

8. Paris...the land of the Eiffel Tower and the french-kiss...my kinda place ;)

7. Hawaii...I want to learn to do the hula!

6. China...I'd love to see that many people crammed into one city - but i'd have to pack my own food - I don't eat chinese food. :)

5. Australia...let's put another shrimp on the barrrrrrby. haha

4. Tahiti...four words: over-the-water bungalos. Ahhh.

3. Ireland...i've heard it's one of the most beautiful places to revel in God's creation.

2. England...I want to see where my family came from, and visit the cousins i've never met.

and the number one spot I want to vitst.....

1. Florence - pasta and the city of romance...what more could a girl want?

Ok your turn...where is the one place you want to visit that you have yet to see?

Jamie

Bella

2008-02-08T16:50:00.000-05:00

Yesterday my staff team and I went up to Camp Highland to take a tour and begin preparations for our upcoming volunteer retreat. What we didn't know was that we would be bringing a new friend back home with us.

Meet Bella...

After taking a tour of the camp, we came back to the main office to find this sweet little puppy, starving and thrilled to see an actual person. From the looks of her, we guess that she hasn't seen anyone or eaten anything in weeks. She reminded us of the Taco Bell dog...so we named her Bella. Even though none of us could keep her, we obviously couldn't leave here there, so she became our 5th passenger on the way back to Alpharetta.

We spent the better part of the hour and a half drive back calling and texting everyone we knew trying to find a home for sweet Bella...to no avail. And unfortunately, every single pet rescue and humane society office we called refused to take her as well. In a last ditch effort, we stopped at an animal hospital that we saw on the way home...and we met a nice woman that worked there who agreed to take Bella. We were so happy!

I mean seriously, how can you say no to a face like this...?

Jamie

Bless his heart...

2008-01-10T14:33:00.000-05:00

Now I know that GPS is supposed to be the most amazing thing, but really...?

Man follows GPS directions onto train tracks, into dummy hall of fame
Posted Jan 4th 2008 2:57PM by Joshua Topolsky

Once again proving that "people be stupid," a Bedford Hills, New York man allowed his GPS to navigate him onto train tracks... while a train was approaching. Entering a long line of folks like Cherry Tree Guy and the Narrow Lane Invader, this mentat in question apparently followed directions to "turn right" onto a set of tracks, which he then inexplicably became stuck on. Upon noticing the speeding locomotive heading towards his car, the man jumped out of the vehicle and tried to warn the engineer by waving his arms frantically -- to no avail. The train slammed into the truck at 60 MPH and pushed the vehicle more than 100-feet, damaging 250-feet of track. The man was unharmed, though we understand his ego has filed for divorce.

Jamie

Helllooo 2008!

2008-01-03T16:42:00.001-05:00

So how did you ring in the new year? This is how I did... (embedded video)

3 days + North GA Mountains + 27 of my closest friends + 30 rounds of Crazy Uno = PERFECTION

Happy 2008!!

Jamie

Waddy Family Christmas 2007

2007-12-25T20:02:00.000-05:00

Just a little glimpse of my Christmas with the fam... (embedded video)

I'm never eating again.... :)

Merry Christmas

2007-12-24T22:43:00.000-05:00

(Rss readers..there's a video embedded - you'll have to go to the actual blog to see)

I couldn't have said it better myself, Linus.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

JW

Christmas Top 10

2007-12-21T10:58:00.001-05:00

I can't believe that Christmas is already almost here! The fun and the festivities have flown by in a flash...it's been so exhausting, but I love it! In Letterman fashion, I thought I would list my top 10 reasons I enjoyed the holiday season this year:

10. It IS possible to start listening to Christmas music after Halloween and not get sick of it.
9. Getting up at 3am to go shopping with my sisters and cousin the day after Thanksgiving is the MOST fun a girl can have while running on no sleep and caffeine.
8. Elf is just as funny the 7th time watching it in one month as the first time.
7. One can never eat too many Christmas cookies.
6. Picking out a real tree in the freezing cold with friends is always fun. (even if I do cut off tooooo much rope, Leah. haha)
5. It is actually possible to attend 14 Christmas parties in one month and still go to work occasionally. ;)
4. Classic Christmas movie night every Sunday = fun childhood reminiscing. (PS...you'll shoot your eye out!)
3. Staying up all hours of the night with my high school girls and eating cake an waffles for breakfast. Enough said.
2. Spending priceless time with family and friends always warms my heart.
1. Remembering the REAL reason we celebrate the season in the first place.

Merry Christmas friends!

Price check on aisle 2...

2007-12-17T21:15:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I apologize in advance for the content of this post...it's written for my girls who understand where i'm coming from. Gentlemen, if you tend to get a little queazy at the mention of certain "girlie issues," you can just stop reading this post right now - I wont be offended. Otherwise, read at your own risk...

This afternoon as I ran a few errands, I made a quick stop at my neighborhood Publix to pick up a few necessities. You know, those "necessities" that we women only have to purchase once a month. At age 27, one would think I would be over it by now, but for some reason I still find it incredibly awkward to purchase said items from someone of the male persuasion. Alas, to avoid such awkwardness I opted to head towards the U-Scan. I ring it up, I bag it up - it's the perfect solution. Well, almost...

As I proceed with scanning my purchases, I hastily avoid the awkward stares from the high school-age boy who is "supervising" the U-Scan lanes. And wouldn't you know it, but there is ONE item in my basket that just absolutely refuses to scan. Yep. Lovely.

As I see him head over to my register, I refuse to make eye contact...I furiously try to scan my purchase so I can just put it in the bag and move along, but nooo...he walks right up and takes it out of my hand! Now i'm utterly mortified. And now the guy at the U-Scan lane next to me has stopped what he is doing to look and see what it is that the cashier is trying to ring up for me. Even better.

Where's the guy in the Dr. Pepper commercial when you need him??

Worth: Songs of Hope

2007-12-17T15:27:00.000-05:00

Since 7|22 isn't meeting tomorrow night, what do you have planned? Nothing you say? Well you do now!!

Come join us at Andrews Upstairs tomorrow night at 7pm to hear great Christmas music for a worthy cause. The Romania mission trip team from Buckhead Church came together and made a CD of 10 original Christmas songs as a means of response for how God broke their hearts for the people of Romania. Here's a little exerpt from their invite:

"Our GlobalX team recently returned home completely wrecked from our experience there...not quite sure what God wanted us to do with what we saw, what we felt, and what we did. God has broken us for the loss of life in Romania, and so we respond. We respond by singing songs of life. Songs of children. Songs of praise. Songs of celebration. Songs of worth. Songs of hope.

And we want to invite you on journey with us into one of the most special moments of our time in Romania. It was the day we spent at Estera (Esther - for such a time is this)...a crisis pregnancy center founded by Rodica, the wife of the pastor we partner with in Romania. It was a day that we will never forget. We are changed forever. What we will share is an amazing story of God's story - the worth and value he places on every single life. Every Life."

The cost is $20 at the door, and it includes a free CD...with all proceeds directly benefitting the Estera Foundation in Timisoara, Romania. So come on out and join us for some holiday cheer and help those in need.

Click here for more info - Worth: Songs of Hope

More Than Enough

2007-12-12T17:12:00.001-05:00

In an all too often "gimme-gimme" and "buy me-buy me" time of year where marketing geniuses emphasize that our Christmas is not complete without "the perfect gift" and "that special someone" to kiss under the mistletoe...it's easy to get caught up in the mindset that we are missing something. I'll admit that it does get a little daunting sometimes to RSVP for "party of one" to invite after invite for an entire month. And the shopping malls with their super sales make it hard for a shopaholic like me to resist.

But I constantly must remind myself that these "necessities" are of this world...and I am not. There is nothing I need that God will not provide, on His time and His terms. Although I can only see the small picture, I choose to trust in an all-knowing God who knows the WHOLE story, and who knows the desires of my heart. To quote John Piper, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisified in Him."

Lord, it is my prayer that no matter what this world tempts me with - I will always find my fulfillment in you alone.

All of You is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You is more than enough

More than all I want, more than all I need
You are more than enough for me
More than all I know, more than all I can see
YOU are more than enough for ME.

"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."
Psalm 37:4

Monday morning distraction

2007-12-03T10:18:00.001-05:00

So, I opened my inbox this morning and got a cool email from a friend that says "God is really big, just in case you forgot" with this picture attached....

Amazing.

Thanks for the reminder, Matt.

"Where were you when I created the earth? Tell me, since you know so much! Who decided on its size? Certainly you'll know that! Who came up with the blueprints and measurements? How was its foundation poured,and who set the cornerstone, while the morning stars sang in chorus and all the angels shouted praise? And who took charge of the ocean when it gushed forth like a baby from the womb? That was me! I wrapped it in soft clouds, and tucked it in safely at night."
Job 38:3-9 (MSG)

little me. BIG HIM.

Oh Christmas Tree....

2007-11-27T23:43:00.001-05:00

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree.....i'm gonna stare at you every night!

Ok, so that's not exactly how the song goes, but if I happen to disappear sometime in the next few weeks, it's likely that you'll find me sitting in the dark in my living room with a warm cup of joe, Christmas music playing in the background, and this beauty gleaming before my eyes...

I'm not even being biased when I tell you this picture doesn't even do it justice! You're all welcome to stop on by for some warm coffee (or hot chocolate) perhaps a Christmas cookie or two, and of course some warm fuzzy time of gawking at our masterpiece.

Just another holiday favorite that makes me smile...

Family, Food, Freaks and Football...

2007-11-26T16:48:00.000-05:00

What a wonderful Thanksgiving! So many fun memories - here's a quick recap of my weekend...

First, it started off with our usual massive family Thanksgiving lunch. In the words of Buddy the Elf, my family is kinda "ginormous"...so we all gather at the FBC of Smyrna for our traditional lunch. Homemade dishes as far as the eye can see, Turkey and desserts galore...we're all stuffed when we leave there, ready for an afternoon nap!

Then, it's on to my sister's house for our annual shopping extravaganza/slumber party! My sisters, my cousin Julie and I all spend Thanksgiving night together every year, watching Christmas movies, eating leftovers, and getting ready for our early morning shopping rush on "Black Friday" with all the other crazy shoppers! This year we hit the Mall of Georgia, and we were not disappointed. When we hit the parking lots at 4am (yes, I said 4AM)...you would have thought it was the middle of the afternoon...it was packed!! If you ever want to get in some GREAT people watching, head to any local mall the day after Thanksgiving. It's sure not to disappoint - and you might find a good deal here and there too...if you get there early enough!

After 12 hours of fighting crowds, being silly and burning a hole in our checkbooks, it was time to unload our SUV that was busting at the seams, and head home to collapse. I made it home just in time to drop my bags and pass out on the couch...needing to rest up for Saturday's big tailgate!

Saturday morning brought cooler temperatures and the anticipation of an afternoon full of exciting football! We all decked ourselves out in our respective team colors (GO DAWGS!) and headed downtown for a little friendly rivalry fun. It was a great afternoon of hanging with friends and cheering my boys on to victory! And we even got to witness a Tech fan relieving himself off the side of the bridge onto the interstate....uh, yeah....gotta love those college kids.

And...to wrap up the weekend with a big red bow, we watched National Lampoons Christmas Vacation last night while eating cookies by the Christmas Tree. I have so much to be thankful for always, this perfect weekend was yet just another reminder!

Ahhh....let the Christmas season begin!

Monday, Monday...

2007-11-19T09:44:00.000-05:00

Day 18: Today I am thankful for Mondays, clouds and Christmas music!

It's Monday and it looks like it's going to rain....YES!!! Normally, that is not a prognosis that would make me overly excited, but today I can't help but smile. Why? First off, because the Lord knows that we need the rain desperately...bring it on! And because even though it is Monday, it's the Monday before Thanksgiving - which means a three day work week, followed by time spent with my extended family eating myself silly with the best home cookin', shopping till I drop with my girls, followed up by some good ole fashioned Georgia football rivalry...can it get any better?

Yes, yes it can. I have come to the conclusion that it is practically impossible to be in a bad mood while listening to Christmas music. I know, I know, i'm not supposed to "officially" listen to it until after Thursday, but I just couldn't help it. And I don't care how many people cut me off this morning on the way in, they still can't put me in a bad mood! (and it probably doesn't hurt that i'm breaking in a brand new pair of heels today too...girls always love a new pair of shoes!) Just trust me, the cure for the common Monday: Christmas Music. Unless you're scrooge, try it...it'll ad a little extra pep in your step - I mean really, can you be in a bad mood singing about kissing someone under the mistletoe? ;)

Happy Monday!!

Ho, ho...huh?

2007-11-15T20:18:00.000-05:00

Check out this crazy article I just read:

"In the latest blow to the no-longer-holy holidays, Santas in Sydney, Australia are being urged to say "ha, ha, ha," instead of "ho, ho, ho." Recruitment firm Westaff (NASDAQ: WSTF), which contracts with hundreds of Santas, sending them to stores and social appearances throughout Australia, has re-vamped its training. It's telling would-be Santas that the "ho ho ho" phrase "could frighten children and could even be derogatory to women," according to an Australian newspaper."

In the words of Schroeder from A Charlie Brown Christmas...."GOOD GRIEF!"

Road Trip Fun!

2007-11-15T00:00:00.000-05:00

Just some random fun with my camera last weekend...

Beauty

2007-11-09T10:50:00.000-05:00

Sorry for my absence...i've been sick the past few days. Yet another thing i'm thankful for - cold medicine. :)

Day 8: Today I am thankful for beauty.

Yesterday I was blessed to experience one of the most peaceful, beautiful drives i've ever been on. There's something freeing about driving across 4 states by yourself. I took the seven hours to just relax, and enjoy some quality time of solitude...something I haven't had in large quantities in a while. As I drove through the Tennessee mountains and on into Kentucky, what I witnessed before the sun went down was nothing short of breathtaking. It was mile after mile of rolling hills and mountains painted with the most amazing hues of amber, yellow, burnt orange and crimson that i've ever seen. And then I thought about something that my roommate reminded me of the other day - the leaves are changing color because they are dying. God could have chose to just make the leaves fall off the trees in a dreary way, but instead - He made it a beautiful process that we get to admire and enjoy.

Thank you God for giving us beauty, even in death.

Silence is golden

2007-11-04T20:36:00.000-05:00

Day 3: Today I am thankful for silence.

For the past two weeks, we have been teaching our high school students about being still. We've talked about what it looks like to fully halt the busyness of our lives and completely be still as a means of communicating with God. To let Him do the talking, for once. I encouraged my girls to carve out some time each day to get away from everything and just be silent: to take a moment to focus on what God is trying to tell us, and not worry about what we're trying to tell Him we want.

Conveniently in the middle of all of this, I lost my voice.

All day, I couldn't talk on my phone because noone could understand what I was saying. I couldn't sit and have a face-to-face conversation because it hurt my throat (and surely the other person's ears for having to listen to my squawking attempt at speaking). All I could do today was be silent. And not for just the few minutes a day that I had committed to with my girls. ALL day long. It was refreshing and difficult all in the same token. But it made me realize that I should do that more often. I think it's in our silent moments that we find our strength. When we listen for God's whisper into our hearts rather than trying to do His job ourselves.

This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says:
"In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength...
-Isaiah 30:15

And so i'll extend to you the same challenge that I have given to my high school girls and myself:

"Be still and know that I am God."
Psalms 46:10

That's it. There's no intense study, there's no parable to analyze. Just take this week to stop in the midst of the busyness of your life and be still....remember that God is our God - one who loves us and is with us every step of the way...no matter how hard it seems. We don't have to do life on our own...in fact, it's when we try to do it on our own that we feel the overwhelming burden of our personal limitations. Talk to God, but more importantly, LISTEN to Him. In your prayer time this week, don't say much - let God do all the talking.

You just might be interested in what He has to say...

20 Days of Thanksgiving: Day 2

2007-11-03T23:56:00.000-04:00

Day 2: Today I am thankful for healing.

One of my best friends lost her grandmother today to cancer. A reality that hit pretty close to home. When I got the text message from her this morning with the news, the first thing I did was pray. I asked God to comfort her family during this time, but I also thanked God for healing her grandmother. Not healing in the way we typically think of it, but healing in His way - the wisest way. I thanked God for allowing her time of suffering here on earth to be brief, as she was diagnosed with cancer not long ago. Only because i've recently walked through this in my own family, did I understand the signifigance of God's timing and His will.

The view of healing through God's eyes can sometimes look different than our own. But our desire for healing is often a self-driven desire. We don't want to watch those we love suffer. We don't want to suffer. We want to be over him. We want to be over her. We want to move on. We want to be at our best. We find ourselves praying for healing from a variety of things:

Healing from an illness
Healing from an injury
Healing from a broken heart
Healing from being hurt by a friend

We also find ourselves sometimes angry at God if He doesn't "heal" the way that we visualize healing for a situation. I can remember 13 years ago, as a freshman in high school, getting angry with God when He didn't heal my grandfather of cancer. I could only comprehend that He took him away from me, and it hurt. Bad. Looking back now, I realize how incredibly long my grandfather suffered through treatments and radiation, sickness and pain - and now, years later, I can thank God for taking him home when He did, and not making him suffer any longer. It took me watching my other grandfather struggle with every breath, just a few short weeks ago, to understand that.

Then there's times when we don't understand why God doesn't heal our broken heart immediately after it's been crushed. Another painful lesson i've had to learn first hand. But again and again the words of James 1:2-4 keep ringing in my head- “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” John Woodall described it so perfectly not too long ago when he said that God often wants to break out hearts because that is the only way we can minister to the brokenhearted. We have to suffer to be able to connect to their suffering. In other words, the more we suffer and persevere, the more we become like Christ. I have experienced this first hand in my own life - God has completely taken moments of absolute heartbreak and healing, and allowed me to share them with others who where enduring those same struggles. For that reason, even though it is painful, I gladly welcome suffering into my life for the glory of God.

Why? Because I know in the end, He will be the ultimate healer of ALL things....all pains, all sickness, all hurt, all heartache. All in HIS perfect will and timing. And ALL for HIS glory.

O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.
Psalms 30:2 (NIV)