Private Jets and Dead Oak Trees.

One of the original reasons I decided not to go to Ole Miss (aside from being ultra rebelious), was because I almost died, twice, on my school visit. Seriously.

My dad and I flew on a jet to Ole Miss early one Friday morning with a bunch of Jackson businessmen. My dad was on the business advisory council with these men and they flew up for meetings, and they just happened to let me fly along. It was horrifying. Scary. Roller coaster ridiculous. I thanked Jesus for letting us land, thankful I didn't hurl everywhere.

So then I decided to go on a stroll through campus as my dad met and my brother was in class. I considered what it would be like if I went to school there. I dreamed, imagined, was hopeful that I could potentially be a rebel. And then it happened...crreeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkkkk. I looked up and noticed one of the oldest oaks in the circle was coming down. Crashing down. It shook the earth and I was about 30 feet away. I didn't die - PRAISE THE LORD, but I couldn't believe my eyes.

We got back on the plane and headed home (I kept my face between my knees the whole way), and when we went to land the wind blew us away from the runway and we were in the trees. Score. I was about to die for real. We had to thrust back up and circle back around to land.

We landed, I kissed the ground and told the Lord I wouldn't go to Ole Miss due to all the mishaps. So I went to Miss. State. And I pledge Chi Omega (the whole reason I went to college, I mean, let's be serious).


Chi O's are known nationally for being a well-rounded sorority. We were the smartest on campus (I believe they still are), the "good girls", just all around fun group of people. Yet, I let it define me. I became extremely snobby about who I was -- defined by the letters on my chest. I was miserable.

I came to a place with Christ that I realized he was asking me to walk away from this "position" and move on. To humble myself before him, leave what I knew, and step out in faith.

So I transferred.....to Ole Miss. And to this day, I love that place. Love it. Just today I sat in the circle on a conference call, working, enjoying the cool breeze and thinking about the oak tree that fell exactly where I was many years ago. I didn't know the Lord was going to do great things within me in the first two years (via pain and misery), and then bring me into a place of great beauty and calmness.

No wonder I love Ole Miss so much. It's a place of great freedom for me -- in many ways.

FIGHTING.

I swore when I created this blog that it would be light and airy. It would be my "projects" blog, rather than where I went to share my deepest thoughts. But sometimes stuff just bubbles inside of me and I am hopeful one person may be encouraged, or at least challenged by what it is racing to the surface of my mind. So bear with me...

Over the past three weeks, I have heard of at least eight couples who are divorcing. Eight. I hear it's caused by inability to make it work, lack of love, infertility, etc. Excuses. While I am in no place to point a finger since I've never been there, I've never been there because I long for a God-ordained marriage, one that I marry a man who longs to have a heart like Christ and will work and fight with me for our marriage.

FIGHT.

I looked up the definition of divorce and it terms it "canceling the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage." That really hurts my heart. Legal duties? Whatever happened to the covenant (promise) made with a Holy God? His heart is a heart of resolution and restoration. A heart that loves us when we are so often unlovable. Isn't that how we should view marriages? You love even when it hurts to love. After all, He loves you even though it breaks His heart at times to do so. We are such a culture of getting out because that's the easy thing to do....and I think it's really screwing us up.

Fight people. FIGHT. Marriage is worth it. Honoring the covenant is vital.

A wooden cross

My friend Ann and I went and painted wooden crosses at Easely Amused. It truly is one of my favorite things to do when I have free time!

So glad she has moved back from NC!

TV shooooooottttttt

The more I do with my job, the more I find that I love the variety of projects I work on. Last week we had a TV shoot with one of my accounts and it was so fun (once we got all of the logistics nailed down). Really enjoyed working with a great team from LA.

The Pokey Little Puppy

So all this travel has made me realize that I want a little companion. I have wanted a dog for awhile now, and after having my dads rat terrier with me in Oxford week before last I realized I need a little puppy.

So, I started searching and luckily, a lady in Memphis just bred her boston terriers and had puppies last week. If you know anything about these dogs they are so hard to find and when you do find them, they are EXPENSIVE. But I bucked up against the cost, and committed to this little pup. Can't wait to meet her. Thinking of naming her Ethel. Not sure why, but it seems like a good, fun name for her.

Bambinos

I have sooooo missed these two so this weekend I spent lots of time with them -- Caro even spent the night Saturday night after having a breakdown Friday night because she missed her Mamie. I've found that the more time spent apart, the more we truly appreciate the time we spend together. Guess the Lord's getting me ready for them to move to Ohio next year....BOO!

It's a GIRL!!!!

So my sweet friend Kendall...we've been friends since the 6th grade and she is one of the closest friends I have ever had in my life. We've lived together twice, and truly seek to be very transparent in our friendship with one another -- we are always really honest; I view her more like a sister.

To be somewhat vague, Kendall and Chad have had a hard time getting pregnant. They would tell you that at times they wanted to give up....and right when a peace that surpasses all hit and did the doctor said they were on a break, did they find out that Kendall was pregnant -- a little miracle baby if I'm being honest.

So, this past weekend I got to be the one person that knew the sex before everyone else - a true blessing and great honor. Before they cut the cake, we all grabbed hands and praised God -- such a testimony of Chad and Kendall's lives. So grateful to know them!

Congrats to these two -- so thankful for them and sweet little AnnaBelle Grace!