Trying to Get Even

"The only people we have to get even with 

are those who have helped us."

I'll be honest.  I am terrible at showing appreciation.  I am the world's worst person at sending thank you notes, and I often forget to show the proper amount of gratitude people deserve.  I get so excited about the act of kindness that I'm too busy saying words like "Shiny!" or "Yay! Pink!" that I forget to say the words "Thank You." 

While I've been working at Beachy Beach Real Estate for Karen Smith, someone who is simultaneously the most generous and the most grateful person I have ever met, I have changed my attitude of giving, receiving, and reciprocating.  Her life motto is "The only people we have to get even with are those who have helped us."  
  
It occurred to me recently that just because I may have missed the "proper etiquette" deadline for sending a thank you card, doesn't mean I should never send it.  While I do agree it's better to show appreciation immediately, I think the "better late than never" rule applies as well.  

There are friends that have showed me love, kindness, and support over the years that I will never be able to repay.  Among these friends are a few brothers (now alumni) of Alpha Tau Omega at Troy University.  They are friends that always go above and beyond, and they make up some of my happiest college memories.  They were always there even if that meant a midnight Red Bull run or a midnight movie premier.  

In 2010, when two of my ATO friends, Austin Bivins and Kyle Crabtree first started talking about walking from Troy, Alabama to Panama City Beach, only one word came to mind: "Crazy!".  The word that now comes to mind is "Respect".  Other than small donations, I have never gotten involved with Walk Hard as much as I've wanted.  This year, I wanted to start trying to "get even" with my ATO friends that have done so much for me.

Walk Hard is a six-day hike from Troy, Alabama to Panama City Beach raising support for The Wounded Warrior Project.  Standing in Pier Park as the Walk Hard team finished the 125 mile journey was nothing short of incredible.  It makes me wish I would've been there in previous years to support my friends and makes me regret letting my fear of PCB spring break traffic and craziness get the best of me.  In my attempt to "get even," I had the joy of welcoming my friends' littles, grandlittles, and great-grandlittles to the beautiful place I now call my home and share a little Beachy Beach love!

Panama City Beach Mayor Gayle Oberst was there to welcome the team at Pier Park declaring March 12, 2014 "Walk Hard Day."  Another special guest who was at both the send-off and the finish line was Billy Williams, a Desert Storm veteran.  While the final amount raised for 2014 has not been announced yet, the brothers of ATO presented The Wounded Warrior Project with a check for $16,200.  

When asked why they are walking, these were a few of the answers: 

"I am walking for the sake of others.  I am blessed to have legs that allow me to walk, so why not use them to raise awareness for those who are not able?  We often take the small things for granted, and I believe Walk Hard is the perfect opportunity for me to realize how fortunate I am.  I am fortunate to be an American, to have been raised by such a loving family, and ultimately that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for me to be able to spend eternity in heaven with Him when I am so undeserving.  For I am blessed, so I want to be a blessing to others!  That is why I Walk Hard!" - Jake Thibodeaux

"Many of the older brothers encouraged me to become apart of something bigger than myself. I believe that by participating in WalkHard, I will have the opportunity to do that very thing. I am so excited that I have the opportunity to support the Wounded Warrior Project through walking. This is an organization that really hits home to me, having had a brother serve in the military and by having being raised in a military-based city. I know that this will definitely be a spring break that I never forget!" - Dash Merritt

So what do a bunch of guys want to do after walking 125 miles want to do?  Go to the beach and spend the remainder of spring break resting, recovering, and rejoicing!  Congrats to the Walk Hard Team and the brothers of Alpha Tau Omega!  And to all my ATO Alumni friends, Thank You!

You can still donate to The Wounded Warrior Project by going to www.walkhard.org  

Loving Life... Just Not Birthdays

 

Loving Life... Just Not birthdays

"Why do bad things always happen on my birthday?" I asked my mother through my tears on my 23rd birthday while we were standing in the emergency room.   My grandmother had suffered a stroke and looked nothing like herself.  I went back to see her with my older brother, Josh, but I couldn't handle it and ran out of her room back to the waiting area to my Momma's arms.  Obviously I was upset it happened at all, but I was so angry at the timing.  So I asked my mom why bad things happen on my birthday.  The worst part was that I was completely aware of how selfish my question was.  While it is my grandmother that suffered, I was focused on the inconvenient timing.  Sadly, this wasn't the first or the last time I asked my mom this same question.  

Don't get me wrong.  I am grateful for my 25 years of a wonderful life.  I think of a few special people that will never see a 25th birthday, and I feel selfish and honestly silly.  But I think I can celebrate 25 years of life without celebrating my actual birthday.  Anybody that knows me knows that I'm an optimist that always tries to find the bright side of things, but statistically speaking, that's hard to do.  So this year I decided if I skipped my birthday, nothing terrible could happen.

Since I was fifteen, bad things that are so far out of my control have happened on my birthday.  I lost a woman that I dearly loved and admired, and I was in the group of girls that sang at her funeral.  My Grandmother got into a habit of being in the hospital on my birthday, a broken hip one year and then a stroke another year.  I got my first and only (knock on wood) speeding ticket on my birthday after I got the phone call about my grandmother's stroke.  Last year, after the family birthday party, 14 out of 19 of us got sick with a virus that we were all convinced was going to kill us.  I even failed my driver's license test on my 16th birthday.  And the list goes on.

And I've had great birthday memories too!  Ben Maxwell threw me a surprise party at McDonalds complete with a princess crown and a happy meal because I was in "crisis mode" thinking turning 20 meant growing up.  He threw another surprise party that night at my apartment with my friends and a cookie cake (my favorite!).  My sweet little brother, Nathan, threw me an awesome surprise 21st birthday party and even made the precious cake decorated with pink, houndstooth, and a ladybug.  One year, I saw Hunter Hayes, Sara Evans, and Rascal Flatts then got to go to WinterJam the next day.  I got amazing Philip Phillips tickets last year.  On my 18th birthday, I not only got to see some of my favorites at WinterJam, but "Happy Birthday" was sung to me afterwards in the Waffle House by.... Jeremy Camp!!  How awesome is that?!?  I've definitely been blessed, and I can't deny that.

And it's for that very reason that I decided to skip my birthday this year.  I want to celebrate all the happy times in my 25 years, not one single day that in my mind, represents fear, sorrow, and pain.  Celebrating the life in my years instead of the years in my life.  (I think that's what the cliché says).  I don't know if this makes sense to anyone else, and I don't know if that's a way to celebrate a birthday, but after years of holding my breath, that seemed like a reasonable solution.

Instead, I decided to help give someon else a birthday present.  Last night at Winter Jam in Birmingham, I decided to sponsor a little 4 year-old girl named Ji-yun through Holt International.  She is a handicapped child from South Korea, and because I used to tutor Korean children, I wanted to sponsor someone from their country.  Since I've been so selfishly concerned on how my birthdays don't go according to how I want them, I wanted to help someone else.  And I'm hoping Ji-yun's picture on the refrigerator will help me to remember to always be grateful for everything I have, even unpleasant birthdays.

I was counting on everyone else's memories to be as terrible as mine, but my plan did not work.  So to everyone that remembered my birthday or fell for my little "April 31st" white lie, I want to tell you thank you!  I appreciate all the wishes, texts, phone calls, messages, etc.  And I have to give a special shout out to my Momma Joy!  Every year that something has happened, she has gone above and beyond to try to make my birthday extra special.  I am grateful for having each of you in my life, and I'm grateful for another trip around the sun.

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." - Gandalf 

The Beauty Spell

The Beauty Spell

I don’t exactly keep my love for the Chronicles of Narnia a secret.  The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is my favorite book in the world, and even though I’ve read it at least 15 times since I was in the third grade, I still learn more every time.  I started reading A Year with Aslan: Daily Reflections from the Chronicles of Narnia by Julia L. Roller, and I continue to not only learn more and more about Narnia, but also about Jesus.  That’s the whole point behind Narnia.  Aslan, who represents Jesus, says in the Voyage of the Dawn Treader, "But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there.” 

Today, the daily reading was also from the Dawn Treader.  Lucy faces a temptation, contemplates the consequences, but decides to fall into it against her better judgment.  You can’t judge a book by its movie, but between the movie clip and the amazing song, I think you can get a good idea of what Lucy’s temptation is from this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bFSfYp4mFM

The questions at the end of my devotion include:  “What do the pictures (in the spell book) reveal about Lucy’s weaknesses?  Even as she is tempted, Lucy has a strong feeling that she shouldn’t say the spell.  Where do you think that feeling comes from?  What quality would tempt you as beauty tempts Lucy?” (Roller). 

I’ve always been quick to judge Edmund for falling into temptation in the LWW, but I was quick to forgive Lucy even though she too gave into her temptation because the desire to be beautiful isn’t that bad as the need for power, glory, and respect.  But isn’t that what we do with sin in general?  We convince ourselves that it’s not that bad.  It’s not hurting anybody.  It’s not like I’m killing anyone or even robbing them.  But 1 John 5:17 says, “All wrongdoing is sin…”  Both Edmund and Lucy face temptations that they crave so badly they don’t see the turmoil, chaos, and ultimately death that these temptations can lead to.  So to echo Roller, “What quality would tempt you as beauty tempts Lucy?” and how far are you willing to go to get it?

The Big Bang Theory Inspired Roommate Agreement

Roommate Agreement Form

Objective:  The purpose of this roommate agreement is to provide a starting point to negotiate a variety of issues.  The terms and conditions of this agreement are subject to change.  Anything you say and sign may or may not appear against you in the court of law.  The purpose of this agreement is to avoid unnecessary murders and/or jail time.

Address:

Tenants:

1.

2.

3.

Article 1: Rights of the Tenants

Section A:        All tenants have the right to speak honestly as guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution.  Please keep in mind, words and actions have consequences. All tenants have the right to religious freedom as also guaranteed by the First Amendment.  Please keep in mind, lack of using religious freedom may end in a place with no air conditioner.

Section B:        All tenants have the right to nullify roommate agreement, having no responsibilities or obligations toward each other, other than paying rent and sharing utilities.

Section C:        All tenants have the right to call for an emergency roommate meeting.

Section D:        All tenants have the right to hold an assembly (or have guests over) as guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution.  All tenants are therefore responsible for the guests.  This includes but is not limited to: cleaning up behind all the guests, inviting them over at a decent hour (especially on school nights), and being overall considerate of the other roommates.

Section E:        All tenants have the right to be whatever they want to be when they grow up. Peter Pan Clause:   All tenants have the right to Peter Pan Syndrome and never grow up.

Section F:         All tenants have the right for their room to never be searched without a search warrant as guaranteed by the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution.

Section G:        All tenants have the right to bear arms as guaranteed by the Second Amendment.  All tenants have the right to life and to not be shot or killed by arms owned by the other tenants as guaranteed by the Declaration of Independence and the Fifth Commandment.

Section H:        All tenants have the right to disagree with the roommate agreement. In the event that a tenant does not agree with the agreement, then an agreement must be agreed upon by the other agreeing tenants, or they will have to agree to disagree.

Section I:         All tenants have the right to move out if they do not agree with the other tenants.  However, it is the tenant’s responsibility to continue to pay rent or find someone to take their place. 

Section J:  All tenants have the right to a quiet study area.  This includes politely asking the other roommates to keep noise to a minimum. 

Section K:  All tenants have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  In other words, you have the right to freely pursue happiness in your own life.  All tenants have the right to a happy life.

Article 2: Assisting the Other Tenants/Consideration Article

Section A:        All tenants have the right to ask for assistance from the other tenants if needed.  All tenants have the right to refuse to assist for whatever reason.  Please keep in mind, Karma is not a nice person.

Section B:        All tenants will help destroy an artificial intelligence that lands in, on, or near the house.

Section C:        All tenants will protect each other in the event that Godzilla attacks the home.

Section D:        In the event of a nuclear attack, zombie apocalypse, etc., all tenants will share food equally.

Section E:        All tenants will give the other roommates a 12 hour notice of impending coitus.

Section F:         If one roommate obtains super powers, the others will be named sidekicks.

Section G:        If one or more roommates is bitten by a zombie, they will not be killed by the other roommates unless specifically requested by the bitten roommate.

Section H:        If a roommate is going to Walmart or to get fast food or take out, they will ask if the other roommates would like anything.

Section I:         All roommates will assist each other if one or more ever become a robot.

Section J:         Should a roommate be invited to a swimming party at a celebrity's house, they must invite the other roommates.

Section K:        The thermostat, lights, television, and kitchen appliances will be kept at an energy-efficient minimum in order to save money.

Section L:         In the event of a sick roommate, the other roommates must nurse and aid them to the best of their ability without risking their own health. 

Section M:       Roommates will help a stranded roommate in the event of a broken down car. However, the stranded roommate cannot take advantage of the situation and ask the others to become personal taxi drivers.

Section N:        The roommate to take the first shower of the day will take any necessary measures to ensure an adequate supply of hot water.

Section O:        No hootenannies, sing-alongs, raucous laughter, clinking of glasses, celebratory gunfire, or barbershop quartets after 11 PM on weeknights. 

Section P:        Roommates may assist each other in cleaning the house in the event of company coming to visit. There must be an appropriate, timely warning in order for this to apply.  This includes but is not limited to vacuuming, cleaning the bathrooms, washing the slip covers, etc.  Roommates may assist each other in cleaning the house in all other occasions out of pure politeness. 

Article 3: Responsibilities of the Tenants

Section A:        All tenants are responsible for paying rent on time.

Section B:        In the event a mess is made, the tenant responsible for the mess is responsible for cleaning it in a timely manner.  It is the tenant's responsibility to take out the garbage if it is full.

Section C:        All tenants are responsible for treating the other roommates with respect.  Please keep in mind, respect is earned. 

Section D:        All tenants are responsible for their own pets.

Section E:        All tenants are responsible for their own possessions in the moving in/moving out processes.

Section F:         In the event of a tenant damaging another roommate's property, it is the responsibility of the tenant to repair or compensate for the damages in a timely manner.

Section G:        It is the responsibility of the roommates to return, replace, or compensate any borrowed items in a timely fashion in the same condition. 

Section H:        It is the responsibility of the tenant to keep the house safe, secure, and energy-efficient. This includes but is not limited to keeping the doors locked at all times, unplugging all hair accessories when not being used, powering down all kitchen appliances when not being used, turning off lights, keeping the thermostat at a bearable temperature, blowing out candles when leaving the house, etc.

Section I:         In the event of an exceptionally bad day, it is the tenant's responsibility to cheer up the roommate.

Section J:         It is the male tenant's responsibility to handle man-ly things.  This includes but is not limited to: killing all bugs, carrying heavy things, and the use of any hardware tools, with the exception of a hammer and nails.

Article 4: Settling Disagreements

Section A:        Tenants must realize all roommates have disagreements.  What separates good from bad roommates is how to handle disagreements.

Section B:        If a roommate says or does something that a tenant disagrees with, and if it really affects or bothers the tenant, the tenant has the right to politely discuss it with the roommate.

Section C:        After a polite discussion has taken place, the roommates have the right to agree or to agree to disagree.  Whatever the case, the issue will no longer be discussed by anyone, and both parties will move on from the issue.

Section D:        In the event a disagreement continues, all tenants have the right to call an emergency house meeting in order to resolve the issue. (Article 1 Section C)

Section E:        All tenants will keep in mind Article 1 Section K: the right to a happy life.  All tenants will keep the Golden Rule in mind as well.

Section F:         Tenants should inform roommates of particular pet peeves or bothersome behavior to avoid situations.

Section H:        Roommates are friends-not food. (Do not chew them out, please).

My signature below means that I have read this roommate agreement and agree to ALL of its terms and conditions.  I promise to follow these to the best of my ability.  Cross my heart and pinky promise. 

Tenants Signatures:

1.

2.

3.

Facing Fear, Trusting God.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

“Come on, Lacey!  If these little kids can ride this roller coaster, you can!”  I was so embarrassed.  This was my first trip with the Youth Group, one that I had looked forward to for so long because we were going to Six Flags in Atlanta, Georgia.  Who wouldn’t be excited about that?  My 12-year-old self loved every part of Six Flags… except the roller coasters. 

My older brother, Josh, was also in the youth group.  My role in the group was quickly established as the girl who was fine and content with holding everybody’s bags and Birkenstocks.  Because she didn’t want me to miss out on something out of fear, my mom finally offered me a bribe: if I could ride a real roller coaster, then she would pay me $40.  So I tried to force myself to ride a roller coaster with only two loops.  I got on the ride with my big brother, my protector.  I pulled the safety bar down, and then did the, oh so mature thing: started crying and screaming for them to let me off.

My brother, his friends, and eventually everyone who was waiting in line started encouraging me and telling me I could do it.  It wouldn’t last long.  It would be over before I knew it.  If the little kids could do it, surely a twelve year old could ride it.  I mustered up all my courage, held my breath, stopped the tears, and I told the guys running the ride that I could do it.  As soon as the ride started, the tears started back.  I screamed and cried the entire ride, begging for it to stop.  A thunderous applause awaited my return.  I was so embarrassed when the smaller kids got off the ride laughing and asking to ride it again, but I did it.  I rode a roller coaster. 

Besides roller coasters, I have several fears, and I hate the way fear controls my life sometimes.  I heard someone say the bigger our fear is, the smaller our God is.  We are ultimately telling God that we don’t trust Him to keep us safe.  The same God that parted the Red Sea, gave sight to the blind, and gave life to the dead can keep us safe on a roller coaster. 

This year's theme of VBS is Colossal Coaster World: Facing Fear, Trusting God.  We are learning about Paul and his scary life situations, and how he trusted God through all of the storms.  I signed up before I knew the theme, and I almost backed out because I’m scared of everything, including roller coasters.  I have no business telling kids to trust God when you’re scared when that is my personal struggle.  My little brother said, “Well, maybe you and the 3-year-olds can get over your fear of the dark together!”  Thanks, little bro. 

 

As a Christian, we are told that we will face trials bigger than roller coasters in this world, but we are supposed to consider trials as a joyful blessing (James 1:2-4).  God knows what trials we will face, and He will be there with us through each one.  He doesn’t want us to be scared through the trials.  He wants us to trust in Him and face the trials with courage and faith.  I’m not going to try to tell you the secret for facing your fears because I’m learning it myself, but I’m hoping this week I can learn how to face my fears and trust in God to keep me safe through this roller coaster of a life.

VBS 2013: Colossal Coaster World Decorations

VBS 2013: Colossal Coaster World Decorations

This year, we have the Pre-K class, and we wanted to make a fun environment for everybody.  With an amusement park theme, it was very easy to get creative.

Paul's Travels Sign

Candy Stand and Popcorn Stand:
We painted a refrigerator box then  taped white streamers.
Then we decorated paper plates and wrapped them in plastic wrap then hot glued them to the box.

Balloon and Plastic Table Cloth Ceiling:
This was totally trial and error.  We played with it until we got it right.

• First, we covered the top of the wall with blue paper and the bottom half with green paper.  
• Then, we tackled the ceiling.  We bought plastic table cloths and balloons from the Dollar Tree, and we played with it until we got it exactly how we wanted it.  We tried to make it look like the inside of a big top tent.  
• We drew roller coaster tracks with a permanent marker then attached roller coaster cars made out of construction paper and the little people made with poster paper and decorated with scrapbook paper.  We taped streamers to the bottom of the tracks to add some color and to look like the supports of a roller coaster.  Safety first!
• The children on the bottom were made from poster paper and decorated with scrapbook paper.  We added tickets, drinks, balloons, cotton candy, lollipops  and corn dogs to their hands. 
• The Paul's Travels sign was made with foam with a sticky back.  We simply used painter's tape to make the "pole."  
• We also made various games to attach to the walls for extra fun and decoration.  
• The roller coaster cars are the seats they sit in.  They are cardboard boxes spray painted, and we glued black paper plates for the wheels.  
• Our door was decorated as a ticket booth.  We spray painted yellow paper then taped red streamers to the door.  The sign in construction paper with tickets spelling out the letters.  Then we hung ticket garland around the door.  We bought the tickets from Dollar Tree.  Gotta love that store!
• We cleared out all the chairs and tables to give us more room to work with.  
• The candy stand and popcorn stand are used to cover up furniture and supplies.  
• For story time, we use place mats from the Dollar Tree as their "spots" to sit on.

Tips for Teachers:

• Eat before you come.  There isn't any time to eat when have to keep 3 and 4 year old's occupied.  
• Before the children arrive, get with your other teachers and helpers.  Read the story together and pray together.  This is very crucial.  If you can pray together, you can conquer the world together.  Lastly, don't forget the final preparation: eat a handful of M&M's.  
• Realize that most children at this age will not understand the gospel, but it still just as important for them to learn because you are planting a seed in their hearts.  
• Two words: Smart Skittles.  If they are being good, listening carefully, and sitting still, they get a Smart Skittle!
• Get creative and have fun!  

Blue Fins

Jesus said, “Come ahead.”  Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!”  Matthew 14:29-30 The Message

 

Blue fins.  All I had to do was keep my eyes on the blue fins, and everything would be alright.  I was safe.

 

I was snorkeling with my family in Florida for our annual beach vacation.  In my hot pink fins with a matching mask and a yellow snorkel, I was eager to get in the water.  The jetties where we were swimming was the home of beautiful, brightly colored fish and other sea creatures, and we even saw some wormy looking animals that I can only describe as miniature Christmas lights. 

 

When God created the ocean, He created infinite possibilities.  I believe that we will never be able to fully know and understand everything about the ocean and its unfathomable wonder and beauty just like we will never be able to fully know and understand everything about God and his incomprehensible power and love.  As humans, all we can do is to try, study, pray, seek counsel… and Google.  Although, I still have no idea what those Christmas light worms are so Google does not know everything either.  But this is part of the reason why I love the ocean: the endless possibilities, the wonder, the beauty are all fascinating to me.

 

I was on a mission to find some unique seashells, but I knew I had to be extra careful to stay close to the family.  Although I have always had a passion for the beach, I will admit that I am not exactly the strongest swimmer so I stayed close to my dad.  (Yes, I’m a total Daddy’s girl!)  Plus, I always like to stay near someone that I think would beat up a shark for me.  My dad’s fins were bright, royal blue, and I could see them pretty clearly in the water.  I would look for fish and seashells, but I kept his blue fins in sight at all times.  Those blue fins meant safety.  A few times I would fall behind the group, and if I couldn't see the blue fins, I would immediately shoot to the surface and look for my family.

 

Jesus was Peter’s blue fins.  Peter felt bold, brave, and unconquerable when he stepped out of the boat to meet Jesus.  But when Peter took his eyes off of Jesus, he got scared and began to sink.  When we take our focus off of Jesus, we get scared and begin to worry.  We worry about work, school, family, finances, friends, and everything else in this fast-paced life.  Jesus tells us that He takes care of the birds and the flowers, and we are more valuable to Him so we should not worry because He will always provide for us (Matthew 6:25-34).  

 

When life is getting hectic and blurry, when the waves are churning beneath your feet, when you are wondering how you will even make it through the day, focus on Jesus.  Call out to Jesus for help like Peter, “Master, save me!”  He is the only one that can give you peace, patience, and strength.  Mr. Worry only gives you stress, confusion, and acne.  Yes, it’s easier said than done, but a good starting point is literally looking at Jesus.  Take a minute out of your day and open God’s word.  Look for a verse about God’s love and remember that God will never leave you or forsake you, and He will always take care of you (Deuteronomy 31:6).