The H.O.D. Blog

I'm moving!!!!!

2009-10-08T16:20:00.003-04:00

And so are YOU!

I have decided to try something new. I am going to use WordPress. The new site name is as easy to remember as this one. http://theresagarcia.wordpress.com/

I needed a change of pace and a little more variety. So, here we go! You can subscribe to my feed and I am working on setting up a following. I am still trying to figure it all out, so bear with me!

Song of the day.

2009-10-08T06:00:00.000-04:00

All My Loving

Close your eyes and I'll kiss you
Tomorrow I'll miss you
Remember I'll always be true
And then while I'm away
I'll write home every day
And I'll send all my loving to you

I'll pretend that I'm kissing
The lips I am missing
And hope that my dreams will come true
And then while I'm away
I'll write home every day
And I'll send all my loving to you

All my loving I will send to you
All my loving, darling I'll be true
Close your eyes and I'll kiss you
Tomorrow I'll miss you
Remember I'll always be true
And then while I'm away
I'll write home every day
And I'll send all my loving to you
All my loving I will send to you
All my loving, darling I'll be true
All my loving, all my loving ooh
All my loving I will send to you

Very Thin Ice

2009-10-07T06:00:00.002-04:00

To Do Today...

2009-10-05T10:26:00.002-04:00

Call a Plumber.
Call the sign people.
Drink more coffee.
Get a vacuum cleaner.
Stay dry.
Drink more coffee.
More phone calls.
Study for my Education Mid-Term.
Do a little facebook stalking.
Try to figure out how to be at 12 million different places at one time on the 20th.

Purpose.

2009-10-04T06:00:00.000-04:00

Psalm 138:8
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.

Saturday with Seuss...

2009-10-03T06:00:00.000-04:00

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind.

Dr. Seuss

Heaaded to A-town.

2009-10-02T06:00:00.001-04:00

Oh yes, today I am headed to Athens to see my sweet Kathryn and Georgia and LSU play one another Saturday. While you all know that I am a HUGE Georgia Tech fan, who turns down a free ticket to a college football game? Not me.

I will, however, be cheering on the Jackets as they play Mississippi State (my friend, Bill's-and apparently Dean Slay's-, favorite team). Pretty excited to see/hear the Jackets pull this one out!

On running. And running. And running.

2009-10-01T21:44:00.005-04:00

During small group last night, we talked about the ways in which we take time out to consider God and His awesome glory. Everyone had different answers. Nathan remarked that he saw God while he was overseas fight for our country, that while he was in these third world countries, there were moments in the dirt and grime that God revealed Himself and His beauty shone through. Kristin remarked that her grandfather once said that he knew for sure and certain that there was a God when he saw the Grand Canyon for the very first time. Chelsey said that she was in awe of God's detail in the process of pregnancy and birth (especially in light of all the pregnant women in our group.)

For me, it is when I run. Not that He doesn't reveal Himself in other ways and not that I only contemplate His glory when I run, but there is something about running that is so incredible. God designed my body to be able to persevere and push through 1, 2, 3, and 8 miles. He made my muscles strengthen and gave my lungs the capacity to fill and empty as I take each step. The fact that my body responds to the activity is amazing to me. Everything changes. Weight, muscle mass, the percentage of fat, etc.

I love that God is a God of detail. I love that He made my body to work the way that it does on purpose. He knew exactly what He was doing. I love that He created a beautiful world for me to observe while I am running (and an iPod to listen to courtesy of Anthony).

I want to be better about meditating on God's awesomeness. It is what we (I) are (am) called, as Christians, to do.

Psalm 143:5
I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done.

This week I learned...

2009-09-30T06:00:00.002-04:00

I love organization (although the back seat of my car does not accurately portray that).
Golden Girls is a must see before I go to bed.
God's plan is beyond me and my job is to live it out the way He intended me to.
Next semester is going to rock.
This Half Marathon is going to be challenging.
Massive amounts of fat are justifiable after Looooooonnnnngggg runs.
Young Life in D.C. just might be my calling.
I l-o-v-e being southern. (Not really something I learned this week...just a thought)
I have now memorized the theme song to Golden Girls.
Legal pads are the key to my sanity.

On Running a Half Marathon.

2009-09-29T06:00:00.001-04:00

So, I am super crazy and I am planning on running the Augusta Half Marathon. In all actuality, it's not so crazy. I love to run and I have lots of friends running it. I am excited about girl time and the fact that we are doing this together. Yesterday's run was pretty awesome, but short. Four miles and I needed to do eight. We'll try again today.

1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

On not being perfect.

2009-09-28T06:00:00.001-04:00

I am not perfect. Not by any stretch of the imagination. I struggle with sin on a daily basis. I struggle with big sin. I struggle with discontentment, even though I have the world's coolest job, a fabulous school schedule, a family who is awesome, incredible friends, and all the other niceities. I struggle with lust, lack of temperance or moderation, doubt, and selfishness. I complain, whine, and speak without thinking. I struggle with consistency in the word and time in prayer.

So, again, I am not perfect. I find it hard to say which one I am struggling with the most right now, but the one I am feeling the most (which I am sure can be contributed to the lack of consistency in the word and in prayer) is discontentment. Not discontentment with being in Columbus or my job or my general situation. Mostly it is with my lack of a significant other. This might sound like the most ridiculous thing ever, but it is oh so very true. I find that it doesn't so much help when three of your friends get in engaged in the span of two weeks, all of your past serious relationships (with the exception of one) are all in committed relationships (if not already married), and seven couples in your small group are preggers. Not that I want a kid right now and not that I want to get married right now, but I want/desire someone to talk to and go to dinner with and be a couple with. It sounds so silly when I start writing it out. But, I know that God has placed these desires in me for a reason. They are good in moderation and in perspective of God's sovereignty, but out of context and dealt with the way that I have been dealing with it, it is not healthy and sinful.

After a minor meltdown and some tears this afternoon, my mom reminded me of one of my absolute favorite passages in the bible and I want to share them.

Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. -Psalm 37:3-5

I love every part of that passage, but my favorites are "dwelling in the land and cultivating faithfulness" AND "Trust also in Him and HE WILL DO IT." I l-o-v-e that! Trust in Him and He will do it. Do what? Make my righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of my cause like the noonday sun. He will use me to glorify Himself.

The next part of the passage says to "be still and wait patiently on Him" and to "not fret when men succeed in their ways." So difficult, but with His help, we (I) am able to succeed in both. He is so faithful!

I am all about short term goals, so this week I am committing all my to Him. I am committing this week to the idea of dwelling in the land and cultivating faithfulness. This week I will trust in Him, knowing that He will DO IT. I will find moments to be still and wait and know that He is God. I will commit this week to Him, knowing that His plan for me is great, that His love endures forever, and that He loves me beyond anything that I can begin to comprehend. I am His and He is mine. What joy belongs to me!

Happy Birthday!

2009-09-27T06:00:00.002-04:00

My sweet baby sister is turning 11 years old today! I can vividly remember the night she was born and the days leading up to it. Mom went to the hospital on Saturday afternoon and was sent home because she wasn't far enough along. After six babies, she thought she knew that it was time, but Katie (and God) had other plans. Over 24 hours later, Katherine Suzanne Garcia was born and cuter, sweeter, funnier little girl has never existed. I may be a bit biased, but I am telling you, this chick is awesome.

Happy Birthday, lovie!

Love,
Deedah

Also-Happy Birthday to Sally VGB! Love you so much!

Life to the max!

2009-09-25T06:00:00.000-04:00

Psalm 139:1-6

God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand.
I'm an open book to you;
even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking.
You know when I leave and when I get back;
I'm never out of your sight.
You know everything I'm going to say
before I start the first sentence.
I look behind me and you're there,
then up ahead and you're there, too—
your reassuring presence, coming and going.
This is too much, too wonderful—
I can't take it all in!

You asked for it...

2009-09-24T06:00:00.000-04:00

Per request of readers, I have done some research and found clinics and individual healthcare professionals that provide affordable healthcare in the state of Georgia.

There appear to be four clinics (see numero uno) in our area (Greater Columbus) that provide free healthcare or care on a sliding scale based on your income.

There are also various institutions that provide thousands of dollars of free healthcare through out the year. Keep an eye on your local news for events like the ones below.

Also, in addition to the fact that there are affordable healthcare options available if you look, there are also groups that work together to help each other pay for medical costs. My family has been apart of one of these groups for years. It is not insurance because no one is assuming financial liability. Instead, it sharing the gifts that God has given us. It's called Samaritan Ministries.

If you need more, just let me know and I will work on researching it some more.

**As a side note, in regards to the President's remark about car insurance, let me just point out that while it is the law to have car insurance, everyone has to provide it for themselves and the government has nothing to do with it. Just pointing that out...

Quote of the day.

2009-09-23T06:00:00.000-04:00

So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads.

Dr. Seuss

This week I learned...

2009-09-22T07:00:00.000-04:00

The definition of "Tax Increase."
Driving for six hours by yourself can be lonely.
Sharing Young Life with my sister, Mary Lou, is a sweet, sweet thing.
I hate homework. (again...something I knew before...just throwing it out there.)
I L-O-V-E my job.
Relationships only go as deep as you want them to go.
Good old fashioned manual labor is a good feeling.
Home is where the heart is.
Sometimes, Anthony wakes up super smart.
Meghan Doll is a super good friend.

**Small Shout Out**Happy Birthday, Pops! Love and miss you!!!

Barack and George-101

2009-09-21T06:00:00.001-04:00

I can't make this stuff up...still don't believe me?

You can watch it here:

BFFS (Best Friends Forever Sometimes)

2009-09-20T18:18:00.004-04:00

After about five and a half hours on the road today, I am home from spending the weekend at Windy Gap. I thought my heart was going to stop working from going so fast as I drove up Coles Cove Road on Friday night. I was thrilled to back "home."

My reason for going up was to train to wrangle for weekend camps. I worked with the horses and spent all day Saturday outside; riding, mucking stalls, brushing horses, and learning the ropes of the barn. It was fabulous.

It always amazes me how quickly you become friends (or enemies) with folks that you are literally living on top of, even just for the weekend. I felt that way this summer after just a few days at Windy Gap doing summer staff. I felt that way again this weekend as I met folks who were also training. I met some great folks this weekend and had some great adventures.

Friday night was spent catching up with friends from Summer Staff. It was good to see "old" friends. Saturday was spent in the barn and Saturday night was spent exploring downtown Asheville with my new friends, Hannah and Doonie. We had dinner at camp, but ventured out on the town afterwards. We heard all sorts of music, varying from Regge, blues, jazz, and an old-timey Russian vibe. Pretty cool. We stopped at a local Cuban restaurant for some chips, dip, and RC Cola and then drove back to camp. What a night! Lots of laughter, good music, and yummy food.

Overall, it wasn't easy leaving this morning in the pouring rain to drive back to Columbus, but it's comforting to know that I will be back sooner, rather than later.

One of those days.

2009-09-17T15:30:00.002-04:00

Today has been one of those days. You know the days. There are ups and downs and seems like there are more downs. It all seems to pile on at once. And then you find this:

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Philippians 4:6-8

⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him – that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding [the wonders of His Person] more strongly and more clearly, and that I may in that same way come to know the power out- flowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers]; and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death.

Philippians 3:10 AMP

Hehehe.

2009-09-16T15:53:00.000-04:00

(404): i hope kanye doesn't show up to patrick swayze's funeral. " i'll let you get back to your funeral in a minute...but michael jackson had the best death of the year. just sayinnn ".

Procrastination is the name of the game...

2009-09-16T10:46:00.002-04:00

Or maybe the name of the game is "Theresa-has-her-hands-in-too-many-pots." Yeah...that is probably more like it.

As it now stands, I am sitting in Chick-fil-A working on a five page paper on Utilitarianism. Woot Woot. Lunch at noon, more on the paper, study for a test, meeting at five, grocery store, small group.

"Work is man's most natural form of relaxation."
Dagobert D. Runes

The Most Best-est Mother in the World Award goes to...

2009-09-15T06:00:00.000-04:00

My Mom. Why my mother above all the other mothers in the world? Well, that is simple. She's MY mom. But you probably want other, more (in your mind) logical answers and reasons. I have them, no worries.

Reason #1- She knows what my favorite magazine is and pulls it aside in the mail to give to me.
Reason #2- She is constantly available for lunch.
Reason #3- She doesn't mind late night chats.
Reason #4- She is in on the phone right now with Caroline's doctor fixing something for Caroline.
Reason #5- She rarely does anything that is just because she wants to. The motivation usually has something to do with something dealing with my or my siblings.
Reason #6- She bought me a dress for this wedding that I was in this weekend and told me to just pick it out and she would go pick it up for me.
Reason #7- She manages my dad's office, homeschools 4 kids, and runs our house. She is basically superwoman.
Reason #8- If she cooks a dinner that one of us loves and won't be able to be at, she always puts aside a plate for us to eat later.
Reason #9- She is the most snuggly mom I know.
Reason #10- She knows I am just like her and helps me work on the things she thinks aren't her best qualities.

What would Emily Post do?

2009-09-14T07:42:00.004-04:00

I feel like I have a conversation about manners at least once a week. And if not manners, then we are talking about the proper protocol for a situation. I have always loved reading about manners and have worn thin the copy of Amy Vanderbilt's "The Guide to Gracious Living" which is sitting with me right now, but has a rather permanent home next to my bed (read=loveseat) at my parent's house. Needless to say, I know my manners. So, whenever there is a question of etiquette, the guys on the campaign usually come to me.

My mother made my morning when she handed me the newest edition of "Real Simple", my favorite, favorite, favorite magazine. Ever. I was thrilled to pieces when I saw that there was an article on manners and was doubly thrilled to see that it was written by the great-great-granddaughter of Emily Post. Her name is Anna and she has a blog! The excitement triples at this point. You can click here to get to it!

Oh the joy that will be mine today as I sip a cup of tea on this overcast day and read my copy of "Real Simple." Good Morning, simple joys!

Happiness is...

2009-09-10T22:21:00.003-04:00

I love being a mom. Oops...maybe I should rephrase that. I love playing a mom. My friends, Brooks and Jennifer are off at the Georgia Tech/Clemson game (Goooooo Jackets!!!!) and I am staying with their five little girls; Josie, Gigi, Emma, Stella, and Maggie.

Today consisted of a birthday party, soccer practice, bath time, story time, a song or two, bedtime, and tomorrow will consist of breakfast, speech practice, hair clothes, a spelling test review, and getting to school on time. I am so excited.

I love these girls so much and I love playing mom with them. Their sweet hugs and kisses fill me with a love that is overwhelming. "My cup is overflowing."

Healthcare, Obama, and the Constitution...oh my!

2009-09-08T23:17:00.005-04:00

As the tension mounts across the country and the plot thickens in Washington, I find myself, once again, in the midst of the controversy. I am talking about the health care debate and my stance on the issue. I am standing on conservative ground and my left-wing friends don't like it. Shocking, I am sure. I faced criticism back in late winter/early spring when I began to seriously doubt the current administration. I was, admittedly, on the fence in the beginning of the 2008 election cycle. I wanted so badly to be able to have faith in the future of our country under the leadership of Barack Obama, but I was quickly slapped in the face with the harsh reality that that was not to be the case. So, once more, I am critical, and this time, adamantly opposed to another one of Obama's plans and my fearlessness to be vocal on the issue is causing a stir.

Obama is proposing a health care plan that will socialize medicine in this country and allow the government more, unfettered, access into our lives. Government controlled healthcare is the last thing this country needs. It is unconstitutional. No where in our constitution does it say anything about our government providing anything for the citizens of our country other than protection from those who seek to harm us and the basic rights given to all men and women by the God who created us. Note that healthcare is not one of those items. Our founding fathers never meant for our country to be ruled by anything other than a democracy. There is a chain of command in this country. It starts with God, then the individual, then the states, and then the federal government. Note that the federal government is at the bottom of the list. Small government and personal responsibility was the foundation in the making of this country. I refuse to let that go. The government has no business telling me how to go about getting healthcare. It is my responsibility to take care of that and I have no intention of giving up that job.

There are a million arguments for socialized health care. And there are some that I might be able to halfway agree on. But don't tell me that people shouldn't have to work for healthcare. Don't tell me that the government should hand it out on a silver platter. I work to be able to pay for my healthcare and so does the vast majority of America's everyday Joe Shmoe. There may be times when it is hard to pay for it and there may be times when folks go on a payment plan to get the health care that they need, but if it comes down to dying or incurring some debt to keep from dying, I am going to choose the debt.

Now, while I am one hundred and ten percent against Obamacare, hear me say this. I do not think that our healthcare system is perfect. I do believe that we have the best system in the world, but it is by no means perfect. And there is certainly room for reform. However, I do not in any way, shape, or form, believe that the solution to our problems are in socialized healthcare. "Free" healthcare is not free, my friends. It will come out of your pocket and mine. Not only will it come out of our pockets, but it will come out of our checking accounts and Big Brother will know our account numbers. It will be up to a committee of folks out of Washington telling you if you can or cannot have the treatment that you need and your personal physician, the one that you have known for years, the one that is your neighbor, friend, and former school chum, will be forced to look you in the eye and tell you that there is nothing that he can do. Not for lack of available treatments and not for lack of his not knowing what to do, but because the government may or may not think that you are worth it. I'm sorry, but I thought this was America? What America is it that we live in where the government is deciding who gets healthcare and who doesn't. The truth is, we all have the option to have healthcare and there are ways to go about getting it at little to no cost due to the generosity of doctors, dentists, nurses, P.A.'s, etc, who give of their own personal time and resources and volunteer them to communities all over the country. My own father is a part of a program here in my home town that provides free dentistry to those who cannot afford it at the regular price. So, don't tell me that you can't get healthcare at affordable prices in America.

My friends, this is no small thing. This is serious. There are other options, there is another way. If we continue down this road, the America that we know and love will cease to exist. She will fade into a memory and one day our children will look at us and ask us why we didn't fight to keep our country from going to the pits. I for one am not willing to let it go that easily. I want to be able to look my children in the eye and tell them I fought for the constitution, that I fought for them and their children.

I will continue to be vocal about my opposition to the proposed healthcare bill. I will continue to fight this issue. I will not let my America, my father's America, and my Grandfather's America go down the drain. We fought too hard for the freedoms we currently enjoy to allow this to go any further.

Best way to start the day...

2009-09-07T09:11:00.002-04:00

I got up this morning and ran. As I ran back up the driveway afterwards, my little brother Ben came to meet me. He asked me how far I had run and I replied I had run to the end of our road and back up (a little over two miles). Ben's eyes became wide with admiration and a "Wow" came from his lips. It may not have been the farthest or best run of my life, but to my little brother, I had just run a marathon.

On being a Georgia Tech Fan

2009-09-06T15:27:00.005-04:00

For the past three days, my life has been full of sporting events. Thursday night, I went to the last pre-season game for the Atlanta Falcons. Friday night, I went to the Braves game with my family. And then yesterday, I went to the Auburn game. All three games were a lot of fun and I enjoyed myself thoroughly every time. However, at the Auburn game in particular, I just couldn't get into it to the full extent that everyone else did. And thus, the following thought process was born.

I love being a Georgia Tech fan. No, I did not go there (although, future prospects are possible), but Ben Beck does go there and while we were dating, we enjoyed Tech and it's sports to the fullest. There is just something about the spirit of Georgia Tech that I cannot explain. I love everything about Tech. Football, baseball, basketball, tennis. You name it, I try and keep up with it. I love our little football field. Although it may not house as many folks as other stadiums, the atmosphere and intimacy is unbeatable. I love our cheers and chants. I love the white and gold. I love our fans and players alike.

I realized just how much I loved Georgia Tech when I attended the first Auburn game of the season yesterday afternoon. Here were my clues:

I wanted to wear White and Gold soooo bad.
I wanted to jump up and down while the band was playing "ooohhh. ooooh." (I can't remember the name...ehhh)
Every time someone said "War Eagle", I wanted to respond with "Goooo Jackets!"
The sea of orange and blue just wasn't as appealing to me as my own white and gold.
As much as I love college football, it just wasn't as good.

Overall, my three games were awesome and I had a blast. But, I missed watching or even getting to hear my Yellow Jackets on the radio. Our next game will be no different. I have Young Life All City Club. At least this time, I can catch snippets on the radio.

Gooooo Jackets!

Amen and Amen

2009-09-04T10:05:00.002-04:00

No one should die because they do not have access to a chick-fil-a, and no one should go broke because they have to drive hours to get to a chick-fil-a.

Just a little spoof of the Facebook status on ObamaCare that is going around today...

This week I learned...

2009-09-02T08:08:00.002-04:00

Sometimes, waiting it out is the only thing to do.
A quarter can buy a whole lot.
George Foreman is one crazy son of a gun.
Volunteers are fantastic and necessary when running a good campaign.
God is always faithful, even when I am not.
Sleep is something I should work on getting more of.
Down weeks are good things.
I missed my ipod.
Some days you have to choose to be happy.
The next few weeks are going to be a lot of fun.

On Resting

2009-09-01T11:43:00.000-04:00

I am not good at resting. A friend remarked the other night they wanted to know when I slept because it seemed like never to them. I can most definitely get by on just a few hours of sleep and function well the next day. Eventually, this fails me and I have to sleep for a long time, but I can do five to six hours of sleep (or less) a night for several months before the crash comes. Probably not the most healthy sleep habits to exist, but hey, it's working for now.

This is, more oft than not, what my spiritual life look like. I go for months on end with the bare minimum and then comes the crash. The crash varies. I will become depressed, feel empty and void, begin to fall back into my habits that existed before I knew Jesus, and become a cranky, crabby person. It's not a healthy way to live my Christian life.

The cure for both problems is to become more diligent about taking care of myself. I need to go to bed earlier, set aside more time to spend time with Jesus, be better at time management, etc. While the physical crash is not a fun one, I am pretty sure that the spiritual crash is a bit more horrifying.

I know I'm getting old because...

2009-08-31T17:28:00.002-04:00

today when a high school girl ordered a large Diet Coke, the first thought that came to my mind was "You are way to young to be drinking Diet Coke." What?

This Week I learned...

2009-08-18T08:20:00.002-04:00

Pedicures are one of God's greatest gifts to women (and men, if you are that kind of guy and I think that all men should be "that kind of guy")
CSU needs to rethink their parking situation.
Rain is one of God's greatest gifts to those who work at Chick-fil-A and have to work DTP.
Dinners that last from 6:30-11:15 can only have good outcomes.
I have a problem with taking on more than I can handle in the project arena.
I love politics more than I even thought I could.
Good friends are necessary to keep you grounded.
This weekend, Young Life is going to change Santa Rosa Beach forever.
God's mercy is raining down on me.
I am so glad that school is finally here.

This Week I Learned...

2009-08-15T06:11:00.001-04:00

Constructive criticism is far better than DE-constructive criticism.
Walking the walk is a lot harder than talking the talk.
Addie and Ford Depue have only added to my mounting baby fever.
God's grace and goodness far surpasses my faithfulness, trust, and doubt.
I actually like living at home-minus the drive.
Don't complain unless you are willing to do something to change the situation.
Campaigning is one of the highlights of my day. Every Day.
Young Life is going to rock my world this semester in all the right ways.
My desires exist for a reason.
I hate thinking of something to post on while driving and not being able to write it down and then not being able to remember what it was later. Argh.

An Open Letter to Those Who Pay With Cash

2009-08-14T18:00:00.000-04:00

Dear Cash Paying Customers,

Why is it that you feel the need to give me your extra change? Yes, I know that your total came to $5.71. That means that it makes zero sense for you to give me $21.64 to pay for your chicken sandwich. I am just going to give you $15.93. That is just as random and will involve more coins than giving me exact change or even better, and less time consuming, just give me the twenty dollar bill. Or a ten. You hold up the cars behind you when dig around for change in your cigarette tray or your purse or your pocket.

I'm guessing that it makes you feel better to know that you will get back just one dime rather than an odd amount of 17 cents or that you will get back a quarter rather than some other odd number. However, this really only makes me want to give you back the most number of coins I can.

So, please, next time, just give me the twenty. It will save us all a lot of time and honestly, if you do give me the strange change, I'm probably going to give you a lot of pennies.

Thanks,
Theresa

God Sightings/Moments

2009-08-10T15:50:00.002-04:00

The past two days have not been the best. I don't know what is wrong with me, but I have cried and cried and cried. I just feel blah and I feel that outside circumstances have just added to my feelings of blah-ness.

I have been repeating my comfort verses over and over to myself; "The King is enthralled with your beauty, Honor Him for He is your Lord." I still don't feel very pretty. My clothes don't fit, I hate what I have to wear everyday, boys do/say stupid things, people in general do/say stupid things, and my pride is at a ridiculous all time high. I am cranky and basically a Negative Nancy. I cannot agree with anything anyone says. None of this makes for a very happy camper. People are trying to help and I am turning them down. What is wrong with me?

I have had trouble finding joy, and so, I decided that this was the day to find joy. I decided this as I was driving to work at 5:30 AM, crying all the way. So, God and I had a little one on one. And He spoke His promises to me, sweetly and softly. And I cried some more. I am telling you, my hormones must be on fire. I haven't cried in awhile.

It all started when I was cleaning something or another and a fireman walked in and ordered his food. He was polite enough, nothing out of the ordinary. A few minutes later, he had his food and sat down to eat. I glanced over and he was praying. I immediately thanked God for allowing me to see that I am not alone. That I am a part of something bigger and that others share my search for the truest form of joy.

Then, a customer (a regular customer, at that) was a little more rude than usual. A friend of mine, Nick Cash, happened to be standing there and his face showed his feelings on the situation at hand. The lady walked away and Nick commented on her behavior. I told him it was par for the course with her and he still thought it was totally uncalled for-which, for the record, it was. After some time had passed, Nick came back up to the counter and said the following:

Theresa, you are doing a great job. No matter what anyone says or does, you are the apple of your Father's eye. Have a great day!

At this point, I am choking back more tears. I barely manage to get out "Thank you" before he is out the door and gone.

The rest of my day was filled with my sweet sister, a visit from my dad, Sarah Ann, and Mary Lou, sweet texts from friends, and finally being able to work on what my mom calls my "real work."

God is faithful in all things, at all times. His grace was evident today in all of the little moments He allowed me to experience.

This week I learned...

2009-08-06T06:00:00.000-04:00

Two days late, but trying to get back on track.

Sometimes, just being is enough.
I am super excited about the Young Life Beach Trip.
The drive from Upatoi to Columbus is causing me to economize.
Ten in three. I can do it.
I like being claimed.
Home is where the heart is.
I am ready for the school year to start.
Reading is a better way to spend my time than being on Facebook 24/7.
I am so glad Caroline is home.
Sleep is something that I don't do as well without as I thought.

What time I am afraid I will trust in Him.

2009-08-05T06:00:00.000-04:00

When I was a little girl, the verse in the blog title was one that I learned in Cubbies, a club organized by AWANA, a church group. I have always repeated that verse to myself when ever I am scared, whether it be because of a storm, quiet houses, dark roads late at night, or arriving home to an empty apartment.

There are other verses that have become crucial to my feeble mind. "Be ye kind one to another. Tender-hearted, forgiving one another." Mom used to use that one when we were arguing or bickering about something. "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." A great life verse and one that I repeat to myself on a regular basis. "The King in enthralled with your beauty. Honor Him for He is your Lord." Whenever I start to feel gross and ugly, I say this one over and over again.

While we were at camp, Eve encouraged us to find our "life verse." She noted that it could change for each season in your life and was just whatever spoke to your heart at the time. As I began to think about it, the women in our group began to share theirs. "By His Grace, I am who I am." "I am the vine, and you are the fruit." "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." "For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper and not to destroy. Seek me and you will find me."

As God's word was spoken over me, I knew what my newest life verse was meant to be. Psalm 86:11 says "Lord, Give me an undivided heart." As I poured over the scriptures in a rather constant state for four weeks, I found that I kept coming back to this verse and my heart was consistently coming back to contemplate it's meaning.

I will be the first to admit that my heart is divided more often than not. My focus is not always where it needs to be and I fail to just live out the life that God has given me with intention. I fail to be content, joyful. and faithful and instead suffer from a ungrateful heart, a complaining spirit, and a general discontentment with my situation. I long for an undivided heart. One that is focused Jesus and His love for me.

Any thoughts? What is your life verse?

McKoon for Sentate, District 29

2009-08-04T06:00:00.000-04:00

You may have heard me talk about a man by the name of Josh McKoon before. He first appeared in my life last year during campaign season. He was the chair of the Republican Party here in Columbus, Georgia and an attorney in the Columbus area. At the time, I was running my uncle's campaign for city council. Josh sought me out and offered a great deal of advice about the campaign process. He was instrumental in our campaign and I learned a great deal from him.

When Josh told me he was planning to run for State Senate, I was more than thrilled and was ready get the ball rolling. Josh announced his campaign on June 9th and in 21 days raised over $40,000. Pretty impressive, yes?

Josh has been backed by Former Secretary of the Army Bo Callaway, Seth Harp-incumbent Senator for District 29, Harris County Sheriff, Mike Jolley, Sam Rawls of Knight-Rawls, former AFLAC executive George Jeter, and Synovus Chairman Richard Anthony.

Josh feels strongly about education and sees a need to focus on supporting our primary and secondary schools through ensuring local control and stabilizing the budget. Josh promises to work to restore control of our schools to teachers and parents and take it out of the hands of bureaucrats in Atlanta and Washington D.C. He believes that our community needs school superintendents, school boards, principals, teachers and parents running our schools again.

Water conservation is also an issue. Georgia is coming off the heels of the worst drought in the country over the last few years. While 2009 has brought much needed relief, the latest crisis exposed Georgia’s weakness in water infrastructure. Josh believes that we need to be to preparing for the future with a statewide water plan that includes reservoirs to serve all areas of Georgia and protect the interests of the Chattahoochee Valley Region.

Transportation will also be a top priority for Josh. Under the current administration Columbus has not been a priority in the State Transportation Plan. Josh has actively been engaged with State Leaders in changing our role in the current transportation process. The change in most statewide seats gives our region a new opportunity. Currently the 4% motor fuel tax is not dedicated to transportation, it goes to fund pork projects through the General Fund. Josh wants to introduce legislation to dedicate those funds solely to transportation projects. The last major improvements to Georgia’s transportation infrastructure was in the late 60’s and early 70’s. Josh promises that he will be a leading voice in making transportation a priority for Georgia and ensure the Lower Chattahoochee’s role in the decision making process.

All of these issues are important to me and I hope to you as well. And, while I am not a voter that votes on this next issue alone, I was affirmed in my dedication to this campaign after I read the following: After giving my life to Christ, I recognized how important it is that people of faith participate in the public square. I have tried to follow the principles of my faith in all aspects of my life, including my involvement in politics. That is what called me to help author the resolution supporting the Personhood Amendment to the Georgia Constitution, which would protect all unborn children in Georgia, that was passed at the Georgia Republican Party State Convention last May. I will represent all constituents in the same manner, and my service calls on me to to represent peoples from all backgrounds and faiths.

I hope that you will join me in supporting Josh McKoon as he pursues the office of State Senante. You can visit our website: http://www.joshmckoon.com/ Sign up to volunteer on the website and we will be in contact soon!

Note: All information concerning campaign issues was taken directly from the website.

The Blind Date

2009-08-03T01:24:00.000-04:00

Last summer, I was with a friend (who will remain nameless) and her dad (who will also remain nameless) at a party for some other friends (who shall also remain nameless). The friend's dad (hereafter referred to as Tom) asked me if I was dating anyone and I said no and he said he knew someone he wanted to set me up with. I began to drill him, joined by his daughter (hereafter referred to as Lucy) and was really able to get little out of him. I later realized that it was because he knew that it was a bad idea. At the end of our conversation, all I know is the guy's name, where is from, who he works for, and that he has my phone number-courtesy of Tom.

Lucy and I "facebooked" this guy later and he actually "friended" me before I had the chance to so much as type his name. Lucy and I decided to scope out the situation and the next day headed over to Tom's place of work to eat lunch have lunch and just happen to meet this guy-who just so happened to work for Tom.

Long story short, he called me. We decided to go out to dinner. He asks me for some restaurant ideas since he was not from my neck of the woods and I gave him several. He decided on a nice Italian place.

I rather anxiously await the night. I had never been on a blind date, of sorts, and I was somewhat eager to see what would happen. I didn't have to wait long to find out. The night arrives and so does he; wearing khaki shorts, an over sized polo, tennis shoes, and tube socks. As I see him walking up my sidewalk, I wrestle with the ever so important decision to change into more casual clothing to match his attire or to stay appropriately dressed in my chosen outfit. I decided to stay dressed the way I was and opened the door to greet him. After introducing him to Surls and putting the pup away, we headed off to dinner in his car.

The food was fantastic. And I loved every bite. I had ravioli. And I loved it. I really did. The bread was good too. And I enjoyed my diet coke. And I know he enjoyed talking about his mother, real estate, and how much his college Alma mater meant to him.

After dinner, he decided he wanted to see the Springer. Not the inside, just the building. So, we drove downtown and literally looked at the building before driving back to my apartment where we proceeded to sit in his car for the next thirty minutes talking about his mother, real estate, and how much smaller, isolated, and better his college was than LaGrange College. I have to admit that I used the dog as an excuse to get out of the car and end the evening.

I called Lucy and Tom and recalled the evenings events to them, much to their amusement and laughter. Tom admitted to knowing that it probably wouldn't work, but wanted to show this poor fellow a good time in a new town.

I must not have made that great of an impression either. He never called again.

Packing, Moving, Unpacking, and Preparing to Pack and Move Again

2009-08-02T00:29:00.005-04:00

I have spent the last ten days packing up my apartment and making many trips to my parent's house with small loads of whatever will fit in my car. It's been an adventure at best. Horrifying at worst. Really hard is the best way to describe it. I have lived in that little apartment for 2 years. I moved in during the summer of 2007 and experienced some of the best and worst moments of my newly independent life there.

I had five different roommates.
One cat (Remi...A.K.A. Satan)
One dog (Surls)
Got engaged (not in the apartment, but it happened while I lived there)
Got un-engaged (in the parking lot of the apartment complex)
Bought my first Christmas tree
Had my own closet
Had five jobs
Made new friends
Lost old friends
Joined Young Life
Changed my major at least three times
Had fights
Made up after fights
Got some old friends back
Lost a TV
Gained a better TV
Lost better TV
Was loaned a TV
Had awkward conversations
Had deep conversations
Wrote epic emails
Received epic emails
Became a couch sleeper
Joined a new church
Had good dates
Had bad dates
Went on a blind date
Hosted dinner parties
Became a fan of the care package
Became a fan of "The Real Housewives"
Fell in love
Fell out of love
Cooked good dinners
Burned good dinners
Watched good movies
Watched bad movies
Became a better blogger

That apartment has a lot of Theresa in it. It was hard to load up those last few boxes and turn my keys in. A whole, long chapter closed when I locked that door. The new chapter is exciting, but I am going to miss the old one.

I am living at home for a month before Dad finishes renovating the attic above his office into a loft apartment for me, Caroline, and Sarah Ann. It is a super great deal. No rent, live with my sisters, and the ability to walk to school make this new living arrangement fantastic.

All in all, a good, but tiring ten days. Who knew you could acquire so much junk (or in my case, clothes) in just two years?

Here's to new chapters and new apartments.

My Latest Love Affair.

2009-07-30T06:00:00.001-04:00

I keep saying that the month was perfect and swooning over Windy Gap like a silly school girl. You are probably wondering what the big deal is. It was summer camp, you say. And yes, it was summer camp. And so much more.

But, what does that even mean? I mean, loooonnnnggg days with early mornings and late nights don't make for a month of rest and relaxation. Sure the food was pretty good and those mountains were gorgeous, but was it really that great? Was the hard work worth it? And kids who were sometimes rude and thoughtless, were they really worth it? And those hot days that turned into cold nights? How did that work out? What about all those times when there was work to do and everyone else was playing?

Every moment was savored. From sweet, corporate worship to conversations so deep and meaningful. Words of wisdom from Eve and Kent and going on long walk/runs with Rachel and Allie. Almost dying in the swing with Hampton and giving the weather report on Thursdays and Fridays. All of these moments were wonderful. All of them.

God showed His love to me in each one. He was extravagant and sweet. He was close to me in every moment and in ways that I never knew before. As our month began to come to an end, I kept saying that I was so excited about walking with Him in a sweet brokenness, rather than a painful one. I have walked with Jesus in a personal relationship for over two years now. But a lot of that time has been painful, filled with tears and anger and bitterness. However, so much healing has taken place in my heart and there is now a sense of sweet communion with Him that I have never felt before.

I believe that a lot of this has come from spending a month immersed completely in Him and His love. Everyday was focused on Jesus and it was hard to go long without Him on the brain. I learned so many lessons and am writing them out, slowly, but surely.

It's hard to explain exactly what it feels like to leave such a special place if you haven't experienced something similar, but hopefully I can capture some of it over the next few posts.

Welcome home, Seester!!!!

2009-07-29T10:13:00.005-04:00

From Germany...

To Georgia....
She's baaaacccckkkk!!!!

Or at least on her way. We are headed to the airport to retrieve the world traveler this afternoon! I cannot wait to see her. More later!

This week I learned...

2009-07-29T10:05:00.002-04:00

Whew! I haven't done this in awhile! Back to the grind...a fun grind though it be.

I miss Windy Gap.
I miss my sister more.
Although the food at WG was awesome, I think most would agree with me when I say the fruit was not so awesome. Fruit here at home is mucho better-o.
Running the hills of North Carolina trained me to run the slight inclines in Georgia.
I need to work on responding in love.
Eve was right about so much and my new little Columbus haven is just one thing on that list.
God is everywhere, not just at WG. (I mean, I knew that. I just might not have felt it.)
I am excited about the new chapter of my life that begins this week.
Facebook is almost painful these days.
No T.V. is one of my new favorite perks to living in the attic. (more on this later...)

Random Fact**I have listened to nothing but Drew and Ellie since returning to Columbus.

Sometimes, you have to see it to believe it.

2009-07-21T22:47:00.009-04:00

Perfect summer. Hands down. God was extravagent with His love. It was rained down on me.

Remember that night you DIDN'T wake me up?

2009-07-18T08:38:00.003-04:00

Imagine this scenario with me. It's a beautiful night. It's been a great day. The campers have been told about their sin problem and then given the solution of our sweet Saviour, Jesus. Camp was completely blacked out (except for the silly Adult guests who got in their car and turned their headlights on about five times), summer staff and work crew sang on the hill, summer staff was rewarded for their speediness in setting up the county fair with treats from the Sippy, and bible study happened for the last time as a big group. Are you still tracking?

We walk back up to Cedar (the summer staff cabin) and Andy has moved one of our love seats onto our porch. I sit down with him and we are talking with Kylie, Daniel, and Gus. People come and go throughout the conversation. Andy leaves. I lay down with the blanket that was on the arm rest. Jacob and Matt join me. We start to talk and my eyelids start to grow heavy. I drift in and out of sleep, not wanting to go to bed because I might miss something. (Those who know me understand that this has been a lifelong problem for me).

The last thing that I remember is Jacob still sitting in the chair next to me. The next thing I remember is waking up to Drew and Ellie Holcomb singing "The Vally" at FIVE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING. Yes, folks, I slept on the porch, outside, all night long. Don't get me wrong. I was very comfortable. That love seat is just the right size for me and I had a blanket. That, added on to the fact that I can sleep anywhere, insured a decent night's sleep.

At breakfast, I had four or five different people ask me if I MEANT to sleep outside. Uh...no. I did not. Did you MEAN to NOT wake me up and tell me to go to bed? "Oh, it just seemed like something you would do?" What the heck does that even mean?

At any rate, my throat is a bit scratchy and there is the possibility that I could have been attacked by raccoons, skunks, bears, or badgers. I'm just sayin'...

Starting the goodbye process.

2009-07-17T19:44:00.004-04:00

Camp is buzzing tonight as campers near the end of their week here at Windy Gap, Work Crew and Summer Staff end their month at Windy Gap, and Property Staff and Interns get ready for the new session to arrive.

As I sit here in the office, I can see campers taking pictures, there are people having four different conversations in front of me, and everyone is getting sad about leaving and a bit indignant about all these new people coming in to take our places. (That last point is a joke...kinda)

Lots of packing has to occur tonight and we are all trying to cram in last minute conversations and special goodbyes. Pray for the Session Two Team as we get ready to leave this special place!

Fire and Dynamite-By Drew Holcomb

2009-07-11T10:26:00.003-04:00

This is a song that Drew and Ellie sing a lot here at camp. It gives me the "Whooshes"* everytime I hear it.

Some people talk to angels
Some people talk to themselves
I don't know who you're talking to
But everything you say makes me want you

Some people run in circles
Some people run forever
I don't know where you're running to
But everywhere you go makes me want you

(Chorus)You are a novel in a sea of magazines
You make me nervous, You make my heart beat
You are red in a sea of black and white
You are a fire, you are dynamite

Some people try to change the world
Some people just stay alive
I don't know what you're living for
But everything you do makes me want more

(Chorus) You are a novel in a sea of magazines
You make me nervous, You make my heart beat
You are red in a sea of black and white
You are a fire, you are dynamite 2x

You are a fire, you are dynamite (2x)

*Definition of Whooshes-When your heart falls into your stomache and comes back up super fast. Also known as "Butterflies."

Drew and Ellie

2009-07-10T18:45:00.002-04:00

We have had a dream team when it comes to assigned team here at Windy Gap. Great program guys, an incredible speaker, and fabulous musicians. Everyone gets along and everyone shares the same passion for telling kids about Jesus.

One of my favorite parts of this summer has been getting to know Drew and Ellie Holcomb. They are the entertainment here at camp and they are fabulous. They are quite obviously in love with one another and both share an incredible passion for Jesus and sharing His love, along with being ridiculously talented.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Ellie one afternoon and swap stories with her. It was crazy how similar our stories are. She was with a guy before Drew and they almost got married. She went through a pretty dark time and is very open about that. Her words, her pain, and her general out look on the situation reminded me of myself when Ben and I broke up. Her reliance on the Father. Her tears and depression. Her need for Jesus. As she told me of feeling love and then being rejected, my own past came back to me in a quick and nauseating fashion. We shared with each other the lies that Satan had fed us during our dark moments, the love of our earthly parents that was showered on both of us, the goodness of sweet friends, and then finally, we shared our discovery of the truest, purest love that has ever existed. Ellie's patience, faith, and sweet submission to her heavenly Father was rewarded with a marriage that is one of the sweetest I have ever seen.

Ellie tells the story of her and Drew's dating by saying that just one week into the relationship, Drew sat her down and told her that he was going to hurt her and disappoint her. Ellie's immediate response was "Oh no." Not exactly what you want to hear, right? Drew told her, "I'm human and I am going to mess up. But I just want you to run towards Jesus, because He is going to love you way better than I ever could." Just let that soak in for a minute.

Girls, when you meet the man that says that with sincerity and honesty, snatch him up. What love!

Check out Drew and Ellie's music with the link provided above. More stories to come.

Coming Home

2009-07-10T15:16:00.003-04:00

Nervous is the only word I can think of to describe what I am feeling today. Scratch that. Add fear to that list. Eight more days of camp and then I am Columbus bound and I have to admit, that scares me to death. I miss family and friends, but I don't want to go home.

I enjoy life here. It's safe and secure. It's calm (for the most part). It's structured and based on routine. It's God-filled. It's defined. I love the people here. I could go for a little more variety on the food front at this point, but it's still pretty good. I love wearing my keens every day. I love worshipping here. I love my quiet times here. I love the kids. I was made for this and I know it.

I have a lot of reflective moments here. God has certainly been working in me and has convicted me of certain things. Change will occur when I return home and I am sure that there will be repercussions in response to some this change.

Change will also happen in the form of me moving home for about a month before moving into an apartment above my dad's office to save on rent. I'll also have a new major in the fall, a new group of freshmen coming to Shaw High school, and new goals-both private and public.

My friend, Grant, probably said it the best when we were talking this afternoon. He said, "Look at this as an opportunity to shine as a bright light. " I know he is right. I just want to be ready to be the light.

Jeremiah 29:11-14-
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."

What do you know about Jesus?

2009-07-07T10:48:00.002-04:00

This is a different week at camp. We have a lot of inner-city kids from Dallas here and we also have a group of special needs kids this week. I am going to write about the inner-city campers later, but I want to focus on Capernaum kids first.

Summer Staff has the incredible opportunity to serve the special need leaders by watching their campers while they are in leader meetings. This just means hanging out and playing games, talking and just being a friend.

Yesterday, as I was going through the mail, I saw that one camper, Paul Walker, had a TON of mail. Turns out, Paul Walker is one of our Capernaum campers. I got to hang out with Paul last night and help him open his mail. He can read and write and he loved his letters. I was especially touched by a card his mom sent telling him to be a good listener so that he could learn more about Jesus. I asked Paul what he knew about Jesus and his answer was this: "He's alive! He's alive! Hallelujah! He's alive!"

Wow. I'm going to go ahead and tell you what I am sure you already know. I cried. To see Jesus in Paul's face and realize that his parents want him to know Jesus was very powerful. The joy in Paul is evident and it comes out in the smallest things. From writing out song lyrics, to hearing others sing, to his sherriff's badge and handcuffs, Paul loves life. He is a happy individual. He is made in God's image and loves him in the ways that he knows how to love.

I am so excited about the rest of the week and keeping an open eye to the work that God is doing here at camp. Please pray for us as we seek to minister to these campers!

"Give me an undivided heart, Lord."

2009-07-05T14:39:00.004-04:00

Sundays are pretty special here at Windy Gap. It's our sleep in day, our optional breakfast day, our new camper day, but most special to me is the fact that today is the day that as a whole camp of summer staffers, work crew, summer interns, assigned team and families, and staff, we worship the Lord together.

I really dig John Sharp's preaching/worship style and today was no different. He had all of us chose a verse that had been on our hearts and read it aloud to one another. Having God's word read and shared in that way was so sweet and powerful. John explained it as giving a gift to one another; that gift being the word of God. We talked about loving the Lord with all our hearts, souls, and mind, and our neighbor as ourselves. Learning to love one another extravagantly.

After the reading of the Word, John had us pray that God would take our thoughts captive. I was struck my one particular verse that was read today from Psalm 86, verse 11b. "Give me an undivided heart." It is so easy to be divided in your heart, even when you aren't in the real world. Distractions are less here, but exist all the same.

And so this becomes another part of my prayer this month. That God will give me an undivided heart. That I will focus on Him completely and be filled by His spirit. I want to be satisfied by Him alone, realizing that everything else is merely frosting, if you will.

More later. Much love and many thanks for reading and praying.

4th of July: Windy Gap Style

2009-07-04T14:32:00.000-04:00

Work, work, work! I spent America's birthday working with some of my favorite people, taking a two hour nap, eating a yummy dinner, attending club and Say So, checking cabins, and then heading into Ashville for some firework fun.

Summer staff got to go into town and see the fireworks display and then we had the option of Wal-Mart or Waffle House. And I chose Waffle House, along with five other people. We finished off the night back at camp with lots of laughter and just good quality time spent together.

Pictures to come later.

Camp Pro's and Con's.

2009-07-02T17:02:00.002-04:00

Pro's:

Food
People
Good God time
Being outside all.the.time.
Frisbee Golf
Cool mountain weather
Wearing keens every single day
Laying by the pool at least three times a week
Getting mail
Good conversations with good people

Con's

Food
Sick People
Knowing I have to go home at some point
Missing family
Being pampered by this lovely weather and knowing that I have GA humidity to look forward to

Camp, Home, Chick-fil-A, Wedding, Reception, Camp.

2009-06-28T18:49:00.002-04:00

Saturday morning, I got up, drove six hours to Columbus, Georgia, had lunch with my sweet mom and Katie (at Chick-fil-A), went home, took a shower, got dressed, went to the church, sang in my sweet friend's wedding, went to the reception that I was only planning to stay at for about thirty minutes and ended up staying for almost five hours, went home around 11:30 PM, crashed, woke up at 4:45 AM this morning, took a shower, got on the road before 5:30 AM, and was back at camp before noon.

It has been an insane weekend and I am super tired, but it was well worth it. I would not have missed Jessica's wedding and being a part of her special day for anything. The reception was fantastic and I got to swing dance all night.

Tonight is a long night. We have "Camp Tour" (more on this later) and then we have the obstacle course, which means no bed until midnight. Pray for me, please!!

Love to all!

Conversations with Eve

2009-06-26T17:38:00.003-04:00

I am going to take a moment to clarify some things before I move on to what this post is actually about.

Work Crew vs. Summer Staff- Work crew are high schoolers who spend a month working on various properties. Summer Staff are college students who do the same thing. Work Crew works a whole lot harder than Summer Staff. Camp could not run without them.
Each of the above have a male and female coordinators.
My job is in the office and it entails a lot of answering the phone, giving kids band-aids, talking on the radio, giving weather updates, writing letters, updating the blog, etc...

Ok. Now that all of that stuff is out of the way, I can write about what I really wanted to write about.

Eve is our female summer coordinator and she is awesome. She has lots of wise words to offer and I really enjoy spending time with her. Last night, we were talking about the difference between our world here at Windy Gap and our world at home. We aren't living in the real world here. I mean, we all know that Michael Jackson is dead (except, I am convinced he isn't dead and he's just hanging out with Elvis on some island recording a new duet album) and that Ed Mcmann and Farrah Fawcett both died this week. Oh, and we know about Jon and Kate getting a divorce. But that is about our extent of the real world here at Windy Gap. Our world is filled with praise and worship, bible reading, consistent Christian fellowship, and prayer. Our world here is filled with the things that we all wish our lives at home were filled with. We all wish that we were as consistent with quiet times at home like we are here. We all wish that God was less than a thought away at home like He is here. We all wish that our prayer lives were as alive at home as they are here. But that just isn't the way it is.

Mine and Eve's conversation was really centered around relationships and the fact that there is so much possibility for "purple" (pink and blue combined...girl and guy stuff) to happen here. I mean, you are surrounded by people, of the opposite sex, who all have the same passion as you. They all love Jesus and they all want to share that with high school kids. It really doesn't get much better than that. If that's what you are into. But, Eve made a fantastic point. You don't want your relationship to start here at camp, because it's not real. I'm not my true self here. I am who I really want to be, not the T who lives in Columbus, GA. And they aren't their real selves either. That's a huge part of why dating while at camp is off limits. Of course, there is the say that goes like this: "Go to club, find a hub!" Or, "Go to Young Life, find your wife!". And it's so true. Lots of matches and happy marriages come out of Young Life and summer staff assignments...they just all happen after you have finished your assignment.

These are just some of Eve's wise words. I am sure I will have a lot more. We are going through the book of John and she is a fantastic teacher. I'll write about that later.

No more updates until Monday. I am headed home tomorrow for a whirlwind trip to sing in Jessica M.'s wedding and then head back to WG on Sunday!!! Pray for me!

Day Five and it just keeps getting better.

2009-06-25T17:37:00.002-04:00

Again, I am more than happy and doing quite well here at Windy Gap. My team is incredible and we grow closer each moment. Every meal is precious time spent with each other. Every free moment is another chance to bond. And we grab every opportunity. We sincerely and genuinely love one another already. I could not ask for anything better to do for this month.

Please pray for us as we love on one another and build one another up; spiritually and emotionally. Please pray for our health, that we would stay well. Please pray that we would be safe and protected.

Thank you to those of you who read and pray. You love me so well!

This week I learned...

2009-06-23T11:08:00.003-04:00

Don't go to bed at 1 A.M. the night before you drive six hours.
Big deposits are best done with two people.
High Kicks is one of the best parts of the day.
I want to be INTENTIONAL.
Hills are killer on the legs.
The food at Windy Gap is too good for my own good.
No air conditioning in North Carolina is A-OK.
Water is crucial here.
Young Life is a large/tiny community.
God is moving in ways far beyond my comprehension.

Sweet Communion

2009-06-23T10:05:00.003-04:00

First of all, I am having the time of my life. I am comfortable in my surroundings and I love the people I work with. So there's that.

Communion is a pretty big deal to me. A lot of Jesus' greatest conversations came from breaking bread with someone. Also, in order to take communion you need to be right with God and your fellow man. Sunday, we prayed together and worshiped our Savior together and then we took communion together.

In all actuality, this whole month is like taking communion. While we are here to serve others, this month is totally focus on Jesus and our relationship with Him. We are working on being right with the Father. And in all of that, we are to love one another and tackle issues before they really become issues.

Last night, as we ate BBQ on the hill and just hung out afterwards, my thoughts were on the future. What these fellow summer staffers are to me right now will totally change at the end of the month. At the end of the month, these will be some my dearest and closest friends. At the end of the month, I will look back and see this past month as some of the sweetest earthly communion that I have ever experienced.

Speaking of earthy communion, that brings me to heavenly communion. These past three days of being at Windy Gap have been filled with prayer. It's almost impossible to go through the morning, afternoon, or evening without being in some kind of conversational mode with God. Everything here screams out His name. It proclaims His creativity, His beauty, and His grace. From the scenery, to the sight of high schoolers working and serving other high schoolers, to walking into our living space and seeing ten other summer staffers in the Word as I walk in. All of these situations nudge me towards the cross and my Savior. My morning runs are spent in prayer. My conversations are spent talking about testimonies, personal relationships with Christ, controversial religious matters, and God's grace in our lives. Of course, we talk about our favorite football teams, our favorite food, what we miss about home, etc. But God is certainly present with us and it is evident that we all desire that.

Sweet communion. Three days in and I am already certain that this is the sweetest I have ever experienced.

First Day at Windy Gap!!!

2009-06-21T18:05:00.002-04:00

I am here at camp and I have Internet access! I am not sure how often I will be able to update, but I am going to try and be on top of it.

The ride up to Weaverville was pretty good. I was super tired and pulled over in a hotel parking lot (in a highly populated area, Mother) to sleep for all of fifteen minutes and I felt so much better. I was also able to stop for lunch at the Garvin's and get a sandwich and visit for a bit. I arrived at camp around six. My luggage was loaded onto a UHaul and sent up to my cabin.

We ate a dinner of pizza and salad and I met my fellow summer staffers. They are pretty awesome and they are from all over the place. There are a lot of people from Texas. And there is a girl from L.A..

After dinner, we spent time together in worship and we went over some camp business. We also introduced ourselves. We split up into Summer Staff and Work Crew (I'll explain the difference later) and had separate meetings and got to know one another better. A bunch of us had to go back down to our cars to get more stuff and we were warned about a bear that seems to be hanging around and it was not a joke. I haven't seen it yet, but I'm on the lookout.

Work has been great today. I love my job. Lots of answering the phone and filing. I also get to talk on the radio and look up weather reports. They are calling me the meteorologist because of my fancy language when I give the radar report to the guys. I am pretty good at it, if I do say so myself. :)

I am having a blast. I seriously might never come back.

Update again soon! So much more to tell. Love to all. Thank you for all your prayers!

Still packing...

2009-06-19T18:00:00.003-04:00

I know that I am going to forget something when I leave...TOMORROW! I cannot believe that it's already here.

I had a small break down this afternoon as I was saying goodbye to my dad. Actually, it happened after I got in the car and drove away. He doesn't know. Shhh...don't tell him. Again, I am a little nervous about leaving, but I know it's going to be a great trip.

Pray for me as I drive tomorrow, please! I will update the blog as I get a chance. Here is the address again, just in case some of you get the urge to write me. :)

Windy Gap (Theresa Garcia-Summer Staff)
120 Coles Cove Road
Weaverville, NC 28787

So long for a month!

On Leaving

2009-06-18T22:30:00.002-04:00

My mother will be only to happy to know that I am a little nervous about leaving for a month. For the past week, I have more than a few moments of anxiety and fear when thinking about my upcoming trip to North Carolina. I start to get all panicky and I get a knot in my chest.

I am not the kind of girl who gets home sick. Rather, I have a HUGE fear of the unknown. I am positive that the coming month will be awesome and I will have a blast. But, for all of my friendliness and outgoing personalty traits, I get shy and nervous when meeting new people in an unfamiliar place. When I am on my turf, it is one thing. But this whole new territory thing wigs me out a little bit.

It's certainly not for lack of planning that I am nervous. I have a million lists and am currently sitting amongst piles of clothes that I have packed and unpacked and the repacked. And then unpacked. (Repeat) There is the "Definitely going with me" pile. The "might-go-with-me" pile. And the "I-thought-about-taking-this-with-me-but-thought-better-of-it" pile. And I still have clothes in the washer. I am going to to forget something for sure and certain.

In all of this, I know God has called me to Windy Gap for the next month. I know how this application process works and I know that God's hand is in it from the get-go. My trust is in Him because His grace is sufficient. Please pray for me as I pack (I hate that part), attempt to remember all the little extras, and drive the six hour drive to North Carolina. But most of all, please pray for my heart as I seek to grow closer to the One who called me to this adventure.

I wish...

2009-06-17T06:00:00.000-04:00

I wish that I could spend my day playing outside. I wish that I had some sidewalk chalk. And a kite. I wish I could go climb a tree. I wish I could play in a creek. I wish I could play "Little Women", "Little House on the Prairie", and "Free Willy." I wish that my American Girl doll was still the most expensive thing on my wish list. I wish that my dream guy was still Adam from "Bonanza" and I wish that I was ok with my bunk bed being my "car."

I wish that I had the faith of a child. I wish that my unbelief was less. I wish that I didn't wrestle with doubt. I wish that I relied more fully on grace that is sufficient. I wish that I had faith that moved mountains. I wish I was more forgiving, tolerant, loving, gracious, merciful, faithful, committed, and kind. I wish I was less hateful, judgmental, disrespectful, lazy, and a host of other failures.

I am grateful that despite these shortcomings, my comfort comes from the fact that "I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him." (Heidelberg Catechism Question Number One)

This week I learned...

2009-06-16T06:00:00.000-04:00

I miss writing.
I'm Jacob.
Peggy Jenkins is an interesting lady.
I'm a little nervous about spending a month with no facebook.
God is good in all things at all times.
The less I drive the less gas I use. Shocking lesson, I know.
Sometimes, it is better to leave well enough alone.
Trust is a two way street.
However, Love can be a one way street...
I wish I had an older brother.

Chick-fil-A

2009-06-15T06:00:00.000-04:00

For those of you who don't know, and I assuming that is most of you, I started working for Chick-fil-A this past week. There were a lot of factors in my making this decision, the biggest one being money. Ever since my senior year of high school when I worked for Country's BBQ, I swore I would never work in the food industry again. However, the schedule is also going to be awesome and it is a job that I can go to and leave it there at work when I go home. It is going to be great with school in the fall.

The first SIX hours of working at Chick-fil-A are spent watching videos. Yes, folks. That's right. SIX WHOLE HOURS. A lot of it was pretty stupid, but I really enjoyed hearing the Truett Cathy story and how Chick-fil-A came to be. After watching several interviews (approx. an hour's worth), I got kinda excited about working for this company. The Cathy's aren't pulling anyone's leg with their reasons for being closed on Sundays and being a beacon of light in a dark world. This family truly loves the Lord and is committed to providing excellent service to those who come into contact with Chick-fil-A. This may sound super silly, but it made me want to truly put my best foot forward because, now, I feel like if I don't, I am letting Truett Cathy himself down. I know. It sounds absurd. It's just a fast food joint. But I swear it's not. There is something different about this company. I know what that something different is. It's in their purpose statement.

"That we might glorify God by being a faithful steward in all that is entrusted to our care, and that we might have a positive influence on all the people that we might come in contact with."

I mean, come on! How obvious can it be? It's all about service and it's all about doing it in the name of Jesus. I love that.

So, come see me at Chick-fil-A and I promise there will be true sincerity behind every "My pleasure." Every time.

Windy Gap, Here I come!

2009-06-14T15:30:00.001-04:00

This coming Saturday, I am headed to North Carolina to work for a month at Young Life's Windy Gap. I am asking for your prayers during this month. Please pray for traveling mercies as I drive up to Weaverville on Saturday morning. Please pray for me as a I seek to minister with those on Summer Staff and Work Crew. Please pray for the hearts of kids as they come to camp. Pray that God's love would wash over them and that He would show Himself in a mighty way. Please pray for Young Life staff as they give talks, conduct music and skits, and present the gospel in ways many of these kids have never experienced.

Selfishly, I covet your prayers as I spend time with the Lord in the coming month. I have never done anything like this before, but I know that God has a plan for me. Please pray that my quiet times would be productive, that I would be filled with His spirit, and return refreshed by His love. Please pray that God would fill me with grace as I serve in His name over the next month and send me home on fire for Him and His people.

I love you all so much and appreciate you more than you know. I can't wait to fill you in on all my adventures when I return home. If you feel moved to send little notes to me while I am gone, the address where you can reach me is below. :) Check out the website too! Windy Gap is pretty awesome!

Much love and many thanks!
Theresa

Windy Gap (Theresa Garcia-Summer Staff)
120 Coles Cove Road
Weaverville, NC 28787

Web site: windygap.younglife.org

An evening with two of my favorite boys.

2009-06-13T18:43:00.003-04:00

The Alford boys are three very special boys and I love keeping them. William, Henry, and Andrew always make me smile and they are a joy to "hang out" with. So, when their mom, Stephanie, called me about a month ago asking me to keep them tonight, I was more than willing to say yes.

William is spending the night with a friend, so it's just me and the younger two. When I arrived, Andrew immediately set to informing me of his love for John Deere (Of which I was acutely aware), what we were having for dinner, and the whereabouts of his big brother, William. Henry followed shortly thereafter.

After Stephanie and Bryan left, the boys and I headed outside for some playground action. As I sat there watching them play, I started to drift away into my own thoughts and before long I realized it was a little more quite than before. I looked back over at the boys and their gaze was very intent on a specific object. A small bird was hopping across the yard. Andrew started to tell Henry to go after it. Henry said "Shhhh." Andrew mimicked his older brother and Henry said "I was talking to you. Be quite." Andrew remained silent as Henry crept across the yard, head bobbing back and forth in an Egyptian way. The bird continued to hop until it was safely in a bush and out of reach from two curious little boys. We moved on to swinging and the next thing I hear from Andrew is what sounds like a college football fight song. Nope. "Bob the Builder" theme song was coming out of this fella's mouth. However, when I asked Henry who is favorite football team was, he quickly replied "Aubrin." With this mention, Andrew burst into "War Eagle! Fly down the field!..." Awesome.

Bathtime and bedtime followed shortly. After I had both of them in the bed for good, I hear "TWEESA!!!!" coming down the hallway. Andrew continued to yell his variation of my name as I walked from the kitchen into his room. I stood in the doorway and he got very quiet. "Yes?", I asked. "Is there a problem?" Calmly, Andrew replies, "I ter-sty." Off I go to get water and the rest of the evening was fairly quiet.

I love these boys and I love how much I get to laugh when I am with them.

The Road to Frontier, 2009-Day Six

2009-06-03T06:00:00.001-04:00

Thank you for your prayers for these Columbus Young Life kids and leaders. Know that they are appreciated and that I am praying that you would not grow weary in your petitions to God. Please pray that today would be glorifying to God and that He would continue to pursue these kids like only He can do!

Ephesians 3:14-21

A Prayer for the Ephesians

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

This week I learned...

2009-06-02T18:40:00.002-04:00

Good lunches can revive great friendships.
My best friend has a heart of gravel, smells like freshly mowed grass, and doesn't mind when I walk...er...run all over him.
There is a website that will let me watch every episode of The West Wing for FREE!
There are only eighteen days left before I leave for a beautiful month in the mountains. Woot.
A little sunshine secures my heritage as a Mexican and wipes out all thoughts making me an Asian.
A little pasta goes a long way on a college budget.
Maybe sleeping on the couch so much isn't such a great idea.
Having the Goose around is one of the best parts of summer.
"Normal" collegiate life is right around the corner.
My small group is one of the biggest blessings in my life. (Not a new realization...just a shout out.)

The Road to Frontier, 2009-Day Five

2009-06-02T06:00:00.001-04:00

Today marks the half-way point! Five days and counting. Please continue to pray. Pray for sleep for kids and leaders alike. Pray for continued zeal. Pray for the power of God's love to wash over these kids in a way that they have never felt or experienced. Pray that God's word would touch them deeply and they would see that to walk with Christ is to live life to the ULTIMATE!

John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the ultimate.

The Road to Frontier, 2009-Day Four

2009-06-01T06:00:00.001-04:00

Please continue to pray for these precious, precious high schoolers as leaders seek to minister to their hearts. Pray that God would cover them with His love and pour His spirit into their hearts! Thank you, prayer warriors!

2 Thessalonians 3:1

Request for Prayer

Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.

They are still there...

2009-05-31T06:00:00.001-04:00

It's Sunday and I will bet you anything that it's a beautiful, glorious day in the mountains.

Psalm 100

A psalm. For giving thanks.

¹ Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

² Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.

³ Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

⁵ For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

The Road to Frontier, 2009-Day One

2009-05-29T06:00:00.001-04:00

Today is the big day! As Columbus Young Life gets on the bus for the loooooonnnnngggg ride to Buena Vista, Colorado, I ask that you would join me in praying for leaders and kids alike.

Pray for kids, that God would draw close to them and speak to their hearts. As they experience His awesome creation in the beautiful mountains of Colorado, pray that they would see God reveal his awesome glory to them.

Pray for leaders, that rest would come to them in the few short hours they will get each night. That God will use their words and make them His. Pray that their time with these high schoolers will be fruitful and glorifying to our Maker. Pray for them as they draw closer to God and please pray that they will return refreshed and on fire for Jesus.

Pray for the bus drivers and traveling mercies. Pray for the program guys as they perform and draw the kids in with their music, skits, and games. Pray for the work crew as they serve in the name of our Father and set an example of service to every kid on the trip.

Thank you so much!

This week I learned...

2009-05-26T06:00:00.000-04:00

My faith is weak, but He is strong.
Jobs come and go, but bills are forever.
Rainy days are fabulous...even at the river.
Just because Mom bought Caroline a $9, er...$90, piece of luggage, does not mean that she loves her more. Obviously.
30 is more than 10. Yessssss.
Running the dish washer is a good thing to do and a pretty good air sanitizer.
I procrastinate like nobodies business.
I would trade HBO for TCM any day of the week.
Respect must be earned.
Cash is a handy item.

I know God is Good

2009-05-25T20:08:00.001-04:00

Today I know that God is good because:

All things work out for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
I got a position at Windy Gap, my first choice for Young Life summer staff.
It rained today.
I had Chick-fil-A for lunch.
I spent time with good friends.
I have peace like a river.
I spent time at the river.
I have friends like Goose and Banks.
My sister loves me.
The West Wing came on at least once today.

The Road to Frontier-2009

2009-05-23T15:01:00.003-04:00

Does it get much better than this???

AccuWeather.com Forecast: Buena Vista, Colorado

Friday, May 29

More Details

A thunderstorm possible

Low: 36 °F

High: 66 °F

Saturday, May 30

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Clouds limiting sun

Low: 35 °F

High: 71 °F

Sunday, May 31

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Cooler with rain

Low: 31 °F

High: 61 °F

Monday, Jun 1

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A blend of sun and clouds

Low: 37 °F

High: 66 °F

Tuesday, Jun 2

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Partly sunny

Low: 38 °F

High: 70 °F

Wednesday, Jun 3

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A morning shower

Low: 37 °F

High: 69 °F

Thursday, Jun 4

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Overcast with thunderstorms

Low: 37 °F

High: 65 °F

Friday, Jun 5

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Cloudy

Low: 38 °F

High: 67 °F

Saturday, Jun 6

More Details

Rather cloudy with a shower

Low: 38 °F

High: 70 °F

It's that time of year again...

2009-05-22T22:37:00.003-04:00

High schools and colleges all over the country are graduating their senior classes and Columbus, Georgia is no different. Already I have been to two graduations, one last Sunday night and one this very evening.

Tonight's honored the students at Columbus High School, a magnet school with some of the brightest students in the state. I know several of the graduates, one of them being very special to me, Ciara Pauke.

I have known Ciara for almost two years now. Although she is a student at Columbus High, she is a regular at Shaw High's Young Life club. Ciara is one of the sweetest, funniest, brightest people I know. She has a heart for others, but more importantly, she has a heart for the Lord. Campaigners (our Young Life bible study) is richer with her presence. Her quiet words of wisdom, her smile and infectious laugh, her sincere and genuine loyalty to those whom she counts as friends all make Ciara stand out in a crowd.

As I watched her walk on to the stage at the Civic Center, I was reminded of a day much like this one in May of 2006 when I sat in that same auditorium with Ben and watched as Anna Beck and many of our friends walked across that same stage. My own graduation had occurred mere hours before and I was officially a college freshmen.

As the ceremony ended and I met Ciara outside, I couldn't help but cry a bit as I walked back to my car. Gone are the Monday nights at the trailer before Young Life. Gone are our Thursday night bible studies. Gone are the prom nights and text messages letting me know they are safely home from a night of dancing and fun. This chapter is over, but an exciting new one is at hand. There will be new nights of fun, new reasons for pictures, and definitely text messages warning them to be safe as they hang out with friends.

Tomorrow morning, Ciara and I will meet back at the Civic Center to watch as Mandy Mussatti (a young woman who easily fits the above description of Ciara), Logan Bourne and others graduate from Shaw High School. More Young Life friends who are moving on to bigger and better things. My prayer for them is that they would "Trust in the Lord with all their hearts and lean not on their own understanding. Acknowledge God in all their ways and He will direct their paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Congrats to the class of 2009!

Dear Mac

2009-05-22T06:00:00.003-04:00

You graduated this past week and now you are sailing through the Bahamas. La te da. Life is good.

You are like my little sister and I love you so much (even though, like Sarah Ann, you don't say it back). I admire your humour, your eye for photography, your technical theater knowledge, your ability to think logically in every situation. You are beautiful, sweet, even tempered, a hard worker, dedicated, and loyal.

It makes no difference whether you go to Yale, Boulder, UGA, or Columbus State. I don't care if you major in Art, Theater, or Chemical Engineering. I just want you to be happy doing whatever it is that life throws your way. Whether living in a downtown loft or the barn apartment, the next few years are going to be amazing. You aren't going to love every minute and sometimes it might feel like you never left high school, but this next chapter is so important and you are going to thrive! I just know it.

As you study the stuff that makes you happy, just remember that whatever happens, my offer still stands if you want to come with me and be a National Geographic photographer. I'll do all the talking. All you have to do is grunt and sign for more bread and water. Who needs ambition when they have an offer like that from Theresa Garcia?

I've got your back.

Love always,
Geege

Dreaming in Tetris

2009-05-21T06:00:00.000-04:00

Ever played Tetris? No? Click here to see what I am talking about.

Ok, so now that you know what it is, here is my point/story. I play tetris all the time. It's on my cell phone and whenever I get bored or I can't sleep, I play tetris. For the past two weeks, I have dreamed in tetris. Weird, I know. When my mind wonders during the day, it wonders through the strategies of tetris and puts the puzzle together. I see all the colors of the different blocks and in my mind I am putting them all together.

Think I play too much?

Goals and Resolutions

2009-05-20T06:00:00.000-04:00

Goals are good things to have and can be helpful. I resolve to wear make up once a week. I resolve to spend more time in the word. I resolve to keep my room clean. (Ok...I admit that one might be a stretch, but it's worth a shot.)

One goal that I have is to memorize more scripture. My goal for this week is Ephesians 3:14-21. This was read at Kimble and Matt's wedding and I absolutely loved it.

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

This week I learned...

2009-05-19T06:00:00.002-04:00

280 from Columbus to Birmingham is a boring, but beautiful drive...mostly.
Graduations are much more interesting when you are deeply involved in a participant's life.
Change is inevitable although it can come in the most unlikely forms.
Beauty comes from within.
I missed this post last week and it has all I have thought about for the past seven days.
I am a procrastinator.
Comfort has begun to out weigh the need for fashion and I need to work on comfy fashion.
Impatience and Discontentment go hand in hand.
Normal is a relevant term.
Weddings are bitter-sweet when you are a single, dateless, discontent, impatient twenty-one year old.

On blooming where planted.

2009-05-18T09:09:00.005-04:00

I am not a patient person by any means. I would rather buy plants that have already bloomed and arrange them prettily in front of my house than plant the seeds and wait for them to grow. I would rather go into Chick-fil-a and place my order than go through the drive through and have to sit in line even though it will probably end up taking the same amount of time. I'll do anything to make myself feel like I am actually DOING something when I become anxious about a situation. I make lists and phone calls. I write blogs and I analyze every possible scenario. I get the opinions of far too many people. I think about it until I cannot think about it anymore. All of this is a show of my lack of a virtue called patience.

I have found that with impatience comes discontentment. I hate seeing these two words written out. There is something about the "im" in front of patience and the "dis" in front of contentment that makes me cringe. But I digress. With impatience comes discontentment. And I find myself in a seemingly constant state of both. College is a fine example of that. I have changed my major six times. Music and Theater, Theater, English, History, Political Science, and then Journalism and Photography. And the thoughts of what I will do with all of these change from day to day. I'll do theater! I'll be a politician! I'll be a lawyer! I'll run for office! I'll be a college professor! I'll be a journalist, a photographer, a pre-K teacher, a missionary, a Young Life staffer. You name it, I want to be it. Aside from a fire-fighter, a ballet dancer, and a stripper, I have probably aspired to pretty much everything.

I am a planner to a fault. I like to know what I am doing every moment of every day. I schedule to a tee and often to the detriment of my poor sleep deprived body and the disappointment of friends and family. I like to think of myself as a fly-by-the-seat-of-pants kinda girl, but alas, that is only a dream. Often, I find that it doesn't really matter what the plan is as long as I have a plan. One plan keeps me going until the next one comes along.

My latest string of plans have been about as wide spread as you can imagine. I applied to the University of Texas in Austin for admission (for which I was denied), applied to Mission to the World for a year long mission trip to Peru (on which I am currently waiting for the process to pick up a little speed...great...waiting), and am currently in the process of working on a back up plan for the possible failure of my world traveling adventure. This plan involves moving into a cheaper housing situation (possibly known as my parent's home), getting a job, and going to school full time (by full time, I mean as many hours as possible). There is a lot that goes into all of this and a lot of decisions that need to be made pronto. Again, the patience thing (or lack thereof) is getting in the way.

However, I feel God working in me as I go through this unsettling time. While my life is full of uncertainty as far as my earthly plans go, I find that my certainty and faith in my heavenly Father only grows. He is constantly removing parts of my life that have no business being there and replacing them with moments, people, and situations that can only come from Him. When it seems like there can be no reason for various situations that arise, He gently reminds me that I am His and He is mine. His plan is in action and His promises are good. I can call on Him day and night. He never sleeps. He longs for me to call out to Him in the darkness.

"Hey God. You there? Because I am."

I am a refuge in times of trouble. I care for those who trust in me.

"Yeah, I know that."

Do you, Theresa? Are you really trusting in me?

"Maybe..."

You do not have because you have not asked me.

"Help me in my unbelief."

For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you, and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.

It is so easy to write this down. To pretend like I have all the answers. Please hear me when I say that I do not have all the answers. I worry and panic. I stress out. I don't always ask. However, I know that when I do ask, He willing gives it to me. As I lay in bed last night with the beginnings of what I knew was panic, I cried out to Him for a peace that passes all understanding and He gave it to me. As I worry about my apartment, money, summer and fall plans, boys, jobs, and a host of other things that feel so important, God is gracious. From weekends in Birmingham, to conversations with James Rockwell, car rides with Craig, the sweet-sometimes silent- company of my sisters, loss of jobs, awesome sermons, dinners with Banks, financial uncertainty, the sound of baby chatter, trips to Frontier, time with Young Life kids and leaders, car trouble, the silly laughter of little girls, and sleepless nights, God is gracious. Through the good and the bad, the ups and the downs, His mercy endures forever. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. I will praise Him for He is worthy of praise. He does grant me peace. I know that His plan is there and I am trusting, though not perfectly, in Him.

I don't have patience and contentment because I haven't asked for them. I struggle on blooming where I am planted because I am so concerned with moving on to the next thing, that I disregard the possibility that God could be calling me to be still for the time being. My prayer is that I would grow in patience and contentment. I covet your prayers as God begins, or rather continues, to work on these areas of my life.

I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my supplications. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

Psalms 116:1-2

Alabama the Beautiful. Seriously.

2009-05-17T08:49:00.000-04:00

I am a Georgia girl through and through. I have always lived on the eastern side of the Chattahoochee and not that I think I always will, but I am partial nonetheless. However, this weekend I ventured over into Alabama for my friend Kimble's wedding. The wedding was in Birmingham, Alabama and I was fortunate enough to have friends in the city to stay with for the weekend.

The drive up 280 from Columbus to Birmingham is not an exciting one, but beautiful by all accounts. Or it's at least beautiful once you get past Opelika. I jammed along to Chicago (The Musical), Jack Johnson, Michael Buble, and Allen Levi and went through spurts of sunshine and rain before arriving at the Deaton home. The Deatons are long time family friends and were extremely gracious to let me crash at their house for the night. The weekend was spent with good friends from all areas of life reminding me once again how good God is to me.

Kimble and Matt's wedding was gorgeous. The ceremony was performed by James Rockwell, Area Director for the Greater Columbus Young Life chapter, and full of God's word. The reception was hosted at the Carraway-Davie House where guests were treated to amazing food and fabulous band. Columbus was certainly well represented with a number of Young Life folks as well as other friends.

The weekend was rounded out by graduation at Brookstone School back in Columbus on Sunday night. Betsy Flournoy, Ann Wilson, Mary Francis Flowers, Sam Teeples, and Anna Varner among others were honored in a ceremony held in the gymnasium at the school. Rain caused the event to be moved in doors and away from the traditional location of the quad in the middle of campus. However, the rain did not prevent attendees and graduates alike from enjoying themselves and celebrating the accomplishments of the class of 2009.

Overall, the weekend was a success. I really do love Birmingham and all it has to offer (more on this later), but in all honesty, "Georgia on my mind" is the song I start to sing as I get about five miles away from the Georgia state line. Thank you, Ray Charles.

Stella

2009-05-13T06:00:00.001-04:00

Estelle Marie Yancey is number four in the Yancey line up. I have to admit, there is a spark in Stella that I just adore. Her eyes just pop and there is something about her grin that make me want to melt.

Stella is always innocent. At least in her mind. One of my favorite Stella moments was when she insisted that she had not had a snack even though I knew for a fact that she had. It was my first run in with Stella and in the midst of tears, she swore that she would never speak to me again. Two months later and she is quick to ask "Tree-sa" to pick her up and hold her. She is a girly girl who loves to dance and sing. She is a ham and loves to perform for others. She is very grown up for her five year old little self. Stella loves to play dress up and she is extremely witty. She has already had at least two marriage proposals. One from her cousin, Peter, who realizes that cousins cannot marry one another. He was not very happy with her second proposal, but understands. Stella has given her heart to Hayes and says that even though she knows that others will ask her to marry them, it is too late. Hayes has already asked her and she said yes. Plus, he kissed her on the cheek repeatedly and that apparently sealed the deal for good.

I most admire Stella's giving nature. She is very quick to share her pretzels with Maggie or her toys with the little boy sitting next to her. She isn't perfect and the sharing doesn't happen every time, but more oft than not, it is Stella that I can depend on to share her possessions with those around her.

I am in love with this sweet girl and her funny ways. I can't wait to see what kind of woman she turns into.

Dear Sarah Ann

2009-05-09T06:00:00.000-04:00

You are graduating today and I am still a little shell shocked by that thought. In my mind, you are still running around in jeans with holes in them and pretending to be the boy in whatever story we are acting out. There is no way that you are seriously a high school graduate and transferring to Georgia Tech soon.

But the truth is, you are a high school graduate and you are transferring to Georgia Tech soon. You are someone that I am proud to be related to. You are smart and funny. Strong-willed and diligent. You are one of the strongest people I know and you aren't afraid of much. I love your determination and your drive. I am thrilled that you are going to Tech and I am serious about paying your activities fee. I appreciate your candor and honesty. I like to know what you think about various situations and I am continuously surprised by your wisdom. I appreciate that you are slow to speak. I enjoy your stories about school. I sympathize with you in your hardships and I am your biggest fan when you achieve anything at all. You are smarter than I will ever be and you are humble about it all.

I love you so much. I know that you are excited about the future. I am so proud to be your sister. Know that I will always stand behind you in your decisions and I will always be there being whatever you need me to be in that moment. You are my favorite eighteen year old sister.

Love,

"Tee-Pee"

Because I miss him today...

2009-05-07T06:00:00.000-04:00

Me, Rearcous, and Caroline
April 30th, 2003
"The Odd Couple"

Bring the Rain: The Story of Audrey Caroline

2009-05-06T23:04:00.003-04:00

Over a month ago, my cousin, Peyton, introduced me to a blog written by a woman named Angie Smith. The blog is called "Bring the Rain: The Story of Audrey Caroline." Angie is wife to Todd and mom to Ellie, Kate, Abby, and sweet Audrey who has gone to be with the Lord. The whole blog is about Angie's grief over the loss of her daughter, Audrey. Angie and Todd were expecting Audrey and were told that she would not live long after birth, if she was even alive at that point. They were given the option to terminate the pregnancy or carry Audrey to full term, knowing that she would die shortly thereafter. Terminating the pregnancy was not an option for the Smith family. So for the next few months, Angie carried her sweet baby with the knowledge that she would never really know her Audrey.

Peyton and I have been reading this blog like it is a novel that we just can't put down. It's almost like my daily devotional. Angie's faith is stronger and more alive than I have ever experienced from any one person in my life. Her dependency upon our Lord and Savior is inspiring and humbling. I admire her boldness as she proclaims the name of Jesus Christ in a non-aggressive way. She is warm, inviting, and open when it comes to her beliefs. She is sincere and consistent. Her story is thought provoking and full of lessons. She doesn't portray herself or her family in a way that they are not. She is simply human and talks about life as it happens. She is quick to admit her faults and just as Paul wrote, Angie says that she is "the greatest of sinners."

Angie's words make me stand in shame as I realize that there are probably those around me who have no idea how devoutly committed I am to my faith. There are times when I sit silently as others mock the name of my heavenly Father or carry on conversations about religious and spiritual things. As someone who longs to serve the kingdom of God as a missionary here in the states and overseas, there should be no doubt in any one's mind where I stand, yet I daily fail the gospel message. I daily fail to express my faith is word and deed. I daily fail to boldly stand before the thrown of Christ as His daughter and I daily fail to bring others with me as I fall at His feet.

Our conversation in small group tonight revolved around our roll as Christ's ambassadors in the world around us. How do I effectively bring the gospel to those around me in a way soaked with humility and grace all the while being content with the knowledge that it is Christ at work and not me? How do I minister to those around me when my boldness is lacking? My life is not perfect and I am the least among my fellow believers. Yet, I long to serve the Lord, even as I fail to show that in my day to day life.

I invite you to share and explore Angie's journey with me. I promise that you will not be disappointed. God is surely using her in ways that are far beyond my own understanding.

I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my supplications. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
Psalms 116:1-2

Josie

2009-05-06T06:00:00.000-04:00

If you read this blog at all, you know that I keep five little girls twice a week. Today I want to tell you about Josie, one of the twins.

Josie is the loner. She plays well with the other girls, but she is just as content by herself. She is outgoing, but reserved. She is extremely smart and has enough common sense for all four of her sisters and me. She is a go with the flow kinda gal who loves to read. You can find her most often with her nose in a book. She plays softball, the piano, is on the math team at school, rides horses, loves her sisters, and is quick to provide a hug. She is an outdoor-sy girl and she isn't afraid of much outside of the occasional storm. Her cheery disposition and her easy going nature make her a joy to love on.

One of the things I love most about Josie is her genuine interest in others. She likes hearing me talk about my siblings and enjoys asking others about their day. She is curious, but not in a pushy way. She is better than I am when it comes to asking questions in order to solve a dispute between one of her sisters and she is a constant peace maker.

If I could see into the future and tell you what Josie will be when she grows up, I would guess that she will be a journalist. Her curiosity, her love for people, her love of reading and words, all lead me to believe that one day she will be a great journalist with a knack for adventure stories. She is a girl after my own heart.

This week I learned...

2009-05-05T21:10:00.003-04:00

I love playing hostess.
Sarah Ann graduating on Saturday really freaks me out.
I seriously love keeping the Yancey girls.
The older you get the less you want and the more likely you are to get everything on your birthday list.
Good friends show up in the most unlikely circles.
Stella Marie has me wrapped around her little finger.
While I am not ready to be a real mom, I like playing one on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Complaining is something my character could do without.
I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.
I really like packing boxes.

On my 21st Birthday

2009-04-30T22:32:00.001-04:00

Dear Younger Me,

It's our 21st birthday. I know, I never thought we would make it to this day either. Not because of anything morbid, but it just seemed so far away. There are a few things I want to share with you, so listen up.

On Looks:
You know how you hate your body? Stop it. You look awesome. Your thighs are super tiny and you look like you are supposed to look. I know you think that your hair looks awesome with that middle part, but it really doesn't. No worries, you discover the side part relatively soon. Keep running. It's good for you and you love it.

On School:
Pay attention in Spanish and do your homework. You will want that later on. And stick with the math. It stinks, but believe me, you need it. Enjoy every moment at LaGrange College and be careful in your Movement class. There is going to be a super rainy day. Watch your step going down the stairs to the science building. That fall is the worst. Don't get too sad when your time at LaGrange is over. Enjoy having your own room at home. Be willing to learn what you can at CSU.

On People:
Enjoy Grammy and Granddaddy while you can. They are gone before you know it. And call Grandma on a regular basis. Don't yell at the kids so much, you are going to want to start being friends with them soon and the past might get in the way a bit. Listen to Mom and Dad about the Plumber. They are right and you are wrong. Besides, Ben is right around the corner. Don't be so hard on Ben. Give a little more and don't expect so much. You are too young to get married anyway.

On Work:
Savor your job with Ken. There will never be another one like it. Throw yourself into Young Life sooner. The job with the B&B...yeah. Quit sooner.

On yourself:
Be willing to stand up for yourself. Be honest. Don't stay out in the sun so long when you are at the beach with Liz and Caroline, you will regret it. Watch out for that car when you are headed home from house sitting. You aren't going to be hurt, but you are going to cry. Play more, don't schedule every moment. Be ok with just "being." Slow down, you miss a lot when you go so fast. Do what you love and even though you might not like where you are, just keep being Theresa and it all turns out in the end. Read your bible more and pray hard. God is listening and you will know that for sure later on down the road. Enjoy being at home and don't be in such a hurry to grow up. Savor those roadtrips to Texas and the beach. You will miss those. Josie is awesome. (Disclaimer-Josie and Gigi are standing with me and Josie took over. You are going to love Tuesdays and Thursdays.)

Most of all, just enjoy the moment. Don't be too worried about how the future unfolds. Just focus on Today.

Love,

Theresa

Beautiful, Scandalous Night:

2009-04-29T06:00:00.000-04:00

This is one of my new favorite songs. It is by Small Town Poets. Enjoy!

Go on up to the mountain of mercy
To the crimson perpetual tide
Kneel down on the shore
Be thirsty no more
Go under and be purified

Follow Christ to the holy mountain
Sinner sorry and wrecked by the fall
Cleanse your heart and your soul
In the fountain that flowed
For you and for me and for all

CHORUS:
At the wonderful, tragic, mysterious tree
On that beautiful, scandalous night you and me
Were atoned by His blood and forever washed white
On that beautiful, scandalous night

On the hillside, you will be delivered
At the foot of the cross justified
And your spirit restored
By the river that poured
From our blessed Savior's side

CHORUS

At the wonderful, tragic, mysterious tree
On that beautiful, scandalous night you and me
Were atoned by His blood and forever washed white
On that beautiful, scandalous night

Go on up to the mountain of mercy
To the crimson perpetual tide
Kneel down on the shore
Be thirsty no more
Go under and be purified

CHORUS

At the wonderful, tragic, mysterious tree
On that beautiful, scandalous night you and me
Were atoned by His blood and forever washed white
On that beautiful, scandalous night

This week I learned...

2009-04-28T20:46:00.003-04:00

Today will be a wonderful day.
Joy comes in the morning.
C.J. probably didn't give up. Yeah...I don't think she did.
Really, Paula?
Paul Revere did not make the Midnight Ride.
The Count left the Countess. What?
Lame movies are more fun with my siblings.
My birthday is only two days away!
I'm addicted...to The Real Housewives of New York City.
Apparently, eyebrows are never too big.

Does C.J. ever get a boyfriend?

2009-04-27T06:00:00.001-04:00

Seriously, Simon was shot and killed? What was the point of that? Does C.J. not get the bad end of the stick enough from the writers of The West Wing? She says it herself! She is the second most visible person in the administration next to the President. She handles all of his dirty laundry 24/7 and the writers kill off the guy that she just kissed and I am pretty sure just fell in love with?

It doesn't make sense. Just like Rearcous not being here doesn't make sense. Just like academy kids writing messages to Rea on paper in the green room doesn't make sense. And just like the fact that we are planning a memorial service for Rearcous Smith doesn't make sense, it makes zero sense to me why the writers of The West Wing can't let C.J. get the guy.

It's situations like these, real life and fictional, that make you realize that you never know when someone is going to leave you. Like the grief councilor said last Tuesday, it's when stuff like this happens that you need to look at the person next to you and tell them that you love them. Tell them that they're ok. They're good people. Or tell them that they stink, but you love them anyway. And I am hearing a lot of "I love you" around the Springer community right now. I like it. I say "I love you" a lot and I like hearing others say, to me and to those around me.

I was supposed to see Charm School last Friday night and I didn't because I had something else that I had to do. And I was supposed to call Sally after my other thing and meet up with her and if I had done that, I probably wouldn't be kicking myself right now. I probably would have seen Rearcous and would have heard "Hey, Baby" one more time and gotten one more kiss and I probably would gotten to hear that infectious laughter one more time. But I didn't. I am still not really sure why I didn't. I just didn't. And I have to be ok with that.

But I don't want to mess up like that again, even though I am almost positive that it will happen again at some point in my life. Somewhere down the line, I will not be where I should have been and I will miss out on that last chance to just be. And I have to accept that that is the way that life works.

This week will consist of a memorial service honoring the life of Rearcous Smith and a funeral service in Macon, Georgia on Wednesday. The week will consist of moments of intense tears and laughter, realizations of the reality of the situation, and a sense of unity amongst our community.

The past week has already paved the way for opportunities for people to to express love to one another, to set aside differences, and just "be" with one each other. How fitting. Rearcous was all about talking and resolving. It seems only right that his death would bring more of that about.

Today,
Will be a wonderful day
because I have made such a positive change in my life.
I'm gonna make the choice to be all I can
because I know things are gonna work out right
if I have faith.
I can do anything, if I try.
I know that I can, I know that I will,
Today.

Today,
Will be a wonderful day
because I have made such a positive change in my life.
I'm gonna make the choice to be all I can
because I know things are gonna work out right
if I have faith.
I can do anything, if I try.
I know that I can, I know that I will,
Today.

I can do anything
I can do it if I try
I can do anything
Anything
I can do it if I try
If I try
Just watch me and see
I got love
I'll use it to treat my neighbor right
I've got faith
I'll use it to come alive
TODAY!

The Longest Weekend Ever

2009-04-26T17:26:00.003-04:00

I feel like I haven't slept in days. Friday consisted of a day with Luke, "Charm School" at the Springer, dinner at The Market with Anthony, some cousin time, and finally a few hours of sleep. Saturday was a bit more hectic with the Young Life pancake breakfast, a 5k (that was really more like a 10k...SURPRISE), lunch with Mac, an hour's nap, and babysitting the Yancy girls. Whew. After that it was once again bedtime for T. A few more hours of sleep, church, a couple of errands, and now time with my family before starting what I am sure is going to be an eventful week.

Don't get me wrong. The weekend was awesome. Nothing compares to The Market or time with my Young Life family. And keeping those girls is always a highlight. Allow me to elaborate.

Stella: Here, you can sleep with this doll.
Me: Thanks, honey.
Stella: Where are you going to sleep?
Me: At my house.
Stella. Oh...I'm going to need that back.

Maggie: jhdsgfiutjndlgjargnr;g
Me: Say what, Maggs?
Maggie:LKDFLKJDFKLJDFKJDFLKJ
Me: Can you show me?
Points to her covers.
Me: Do you want the covers pulled back?
Maggie nods.
Me: OK.
I went to tuck Emma in and when I came back down the hall I heard:
Maggie: Ewe down't do dis wite.
Me: What is it, sweetheart?
Maggie: sdfkjghlsrjdhkslhd
Me (disparagingly): Show me, Maggs.
Maggie: Cuwtains.
Me: Pull them together?
Maggie: Wes.
Me: OK. Got it. That all, Princess Maggie?
Maggie (Sighs deeply): Wes. I wuv ewe.

And this is why I love keeping the Yancey girls.

Weekends are great, although I am partial to Sundays. I am sitting here watching a really lame movie with my family. And even though it is a lame movie, we are together and Ben is making silly remarks and Jess is doing his cockney accent and Mom and Dad are laughing our silliness. Yes. Sundays are good.

On to a busy week. More on that later.

A letter to my Dad

2009-04-24T14:51:00.003-04:00

Dear Daddy,

Thank you for being there last weekend when I ran my 5k. Not an unusual thing for me to do, but for some reason I wanted you there and you were. And that means the world to me.

Thank you for being a provider. Thank you for knowing how to fix anything and everything and for figuring out how to fix it if you just happen to not know how. Thank you for being good at math. Thank you for letting me drive your car while you have mine fixed. Thank you for all the lunches and chit-chats about nothing in particular. Thank you for being excited when I tell you how far I ran today. Thank you for understanding when I needed to move out and when I needed to find a new church. Thank you for being committed to preaching Christ's name in our home. Thank you for getting us together on Sunday afternoons for bible studies, cereal dinners, and movies. Thank you for praying the same prayer every morning because when I don't know what to pray I pray the words I have heard you say over and over again. Thank you for teaching me how to sing. Thank you for teaching four measures to a dozen or so hymns.

Thank you for being consistent. Thank you for being my dad. Thank you for giving me your name. Thank you for sharing your faith, your home state, your love of tacos, baseball, boxing, running, and tradition. You aren't perfect and heaven knows we don't always agree, but I love you so much and I am so glad that I am a Garcia.

Love,
Deedah

"We are close."

2009-04-22T10:37:00.000-04:00

Rearcous Smith was a man among men. A killer smile, the voice of an angel, a talking voice that I could listen to for hours, a loving heart, a kind word for everyone (to their face and behind their back), and a way of saying "Baby" that could make my heart melt, Rearcous was just special. Plain and simple.

Several summers ago, I was interning at the Springer and I was the personal intern for Ron Anderson's son, Max, who has autism. At the time, Max was really struggling, although he is doing really well now. Anyway, Max was having a particularly hard time in Rearcous' Musical Theater class and everyday it seemed like there was something else. Rearcous' heart hurt for Max and I remember one specific day that we both just sat and cried together. The following days were much better as we worked together to make Rea's class the best possible experience for Max.

Another example of Rearcous' sweet heart was when we were both cast in "Suessical, The Musical." A heavy dance show, I have no idea what possessed Paul Pierce to cast me, but he did. Rearcous worked with me before and after rehearsal to make sure that I was ready for opening. And I was...for the most part.

Rearcous was a talented teacher, a triple threat in the world of theater, one of the kindest people I have ever met, and a very dear friend. I love him and I am going to miss those hugs and "Heeeeyyy, Baby!" mixed with that infectious laughter.

"Today will be a wonderful day because I have made a positive change in my life. I've made a choice to be all I can, because I know things will work out right if I have faith. I can do anything if I try. I know that I can, I know that I will. Today!"

This week I learned...

2009-04-21T08:38:00.002-04:00

Busy weekends lead to tired Mondays.
I really am a runner.
Joe Garcia is going to be a great wedding date.
I am a sound sleeper.
Jesus loves me this I know for the bible tells me so.
An hour or two with mom can make the whole day better.
His love will quiet me.
The Young Life community is one of my favorite aspects of my life.
Chili's has the BEST salad.
A Country's BBQ sandwich tastes good at anytime of the day.

Good Friday and Easter

2009-04-14T10:24:00.003-04:00

Good Friday started off like a normal Friday with little Luke. His sweet baby smiles and laughter filled my morning with serenity and calm. By mid-morning, though, I attending a funeral service honoring the life of George Holbrook, father of my friend, Jeff. It was at the graveside that I heard Sally say something I have heard a million times but hadn't truly thought about until that moment. She said, "I love Good Friday because it is the day that Jesus died on the cross for my sins." If you read my blog at all, you know that I am a Christian and have been a believer for almost 21 years. But, if you read my blog at all you know that it was in November of 2007 that I rededicated my life to the Lord and began my personal walk with Him. So, obviously, this thought it not a new one for me, but it is one that I pondered over a great deal this weekend.

This past weekend was Easter weekend. This is possibly the most celebrated holiday on the Christian calender. I personally love Easter. I love that the white shoes come back out, the dying of Easter eggs, the smoked hams, the gathering of family and friends, and the sugar coma that I am sure to fall into. But, it's the true meaning of Easter that I love the most. However, this is where I get hung up. What is the most important part of Easter? Is it the death of Christ or His resurrection?

This baby was born, in a manger in a barn, and he lived a normal little boy's life-only one with no lying, cheating, or sin of any kind-and he was a carpenter until he reached the age of 30 when He began a three year ministry to people of all stations in life. Then, at the age of 33, He was charged with no real crime and executed in the most horrifying and humiliating way between two thieves on a cross. And then, not only did He die, but He rose from the grave on the third day. He conquered death and ascended into heaven where He sits at the right hand of God, the Father. And I believe all of this to be true because of the accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, all eyewitnesses to Jesus (with the exception of Luke, a doctor and a gentile), each book written within one generation of Jesus' ministry, death, and resurrection, leaving little room for dispute since eyewitness accounts are in all five books dedicated to Jesus' life. Jesus, who lived this sinless, perfect life, died that horrific death because He loved me. Me. This sinful, ungrateful, wretched little person who doubts her heavenly father at least once a day and is less than faithful in our blossoming relationship. Yes, Jesus died on the cross out of His love for me.

Friday was a miserable day for Jesus. He was beat up, spit on, whipped, and He was nailed to a cross where He died. And yet Friday is a day of joy for sinners everywhere because it is in His death that we were set free for our sins; past, present, and future. On Saturday, Jesus lay in the tomb and early Sunday morning, He was raised from the dead.

I believe that it is the sacrifice of Jesus' life on the cross that is most important to sinners, but like love and marriage, you can't have one without the other. His death had to be accompanied by His resurrection. Without conquering the grave and death, His sacrifice would have been lessened. It's because of these events that God and sinners are reconciled and for that I am so very grateful.

This week I learned...

2009-04-14T10:14:00.003-04:00

Afternoons with nothing to do are nice.
While I love thunderstorms, if they are accompanied by tornadoes I am not as big a fan.
I love Good Friday.
Always saying yes can also be described as "being stupid."
Seeing Sally V.G.B. twice in less than a week is super nice.
It's ok to not be ok with going back to the way things used to be.
10:00-10:30pm is my new bedtime.
It's bad when you go to enough funerals to tell a good one from a bad one.
Helen Keller was a communist.
News can be spun however the network likes.

69 days

2009-04-08T09:40:00.001-04:00

It took me 69 days to realize that there wasn't going to be a call.
69 days feeling like I was going to fall.
Crying and trying not to cry.
Wondering and really knowing.
And has taken me 17 months (and counting) to regain all of my confidence.
17 months to know that it was for the better.
17 months of searching.
But it only took me about 69 seconds to realize that I was better off.
69 seconds to know that it's not too much.
It took me 69 seconds to realize that saying hello would have taken all of .69 seconds and I wasn't going to hear it.
69 seconds to know that not hearing "Hello" was just one more step towards regaining that confidence.

"...and you learn that love doesn't mean possession and company doesn't mean security...and you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes ahead, with the grace of an adult, not the grief of a child. And you learn to build your roads today because tomorrows ground is too uncertain for plans and futures have ways of falling down in mid-flight... And you learn that you really can endure, that you really are strong, and you really do have worth ,and you learn, and you learn..."-Veronica A. Shoffstall

This week I learned...

2009-04-07T09:56:00.002-04:00

Subtle awkward or obvious awkward, it's all awkward.
I don't need a GPS. I have Richard.
I like to cook.
I need to put my smoke detector back up in my bedroom.
One good morning to sleep in is much needed and overdue.
I don't mind filling out forms.
Diet coke does not need to be back in my fridge for a long time.
Easter is only six days away!
I feel teased and vulnerable after Saturday's beautiful weather and the past two days ridiculous craziness.
Communication is key.