"You Go, Glen Coco!"

Okay, so just for laughs, here's a video that my girl T.Randall sent me and my sisters. If you're a Mean Girls fan like myself, I think you'll find it quite enjoyable...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQeTlxhhmEo

Scheduling, Sisters, and Stress...oh my!

Sorry it's been a while since I've blogged! Not much has been going on lately.
I survived round 2 of scheduling for classes by myself! Although stressful, I managed to NOT get any 8 o'clocks and to avoid having ANY classes on Fridays! Woohoo!
Tomorrow I have my interview for Bluefish next year, and I'm so excited and nervous all at the same time. I just know that God has called me to be a part of this wonderful ministry team but I just have to survive the interview and a week of waiting first! For those that don't know what Bluefish are, it's a ministry on campus through the religious office to reach out to the students and faculty through means of worship, fellowship, and bible studies and all that jazz... It's so amazing to be a part of a campus with SO many wonderful opportunities to bless God and allow him to work through me.
Today was Thornwell's Easter Egg hunt and me and my good ole sisters of ADPi went to help out for a little while. I ended up running into my little brother (Who, by the way, Thornwell told me got adopted and was no longer there.) Well, to my surprise, I found him! It was so good to see him again, it's so amazing how little things like that make such an impact on your day. On top of that lovely surprise, the weather today was HEAVENLY. 80 degrees, a slight breeze, and sunny?! whoah. yes, please!
So, tomorrow is the housing lottery. I'm a little concerned about our housing situation but, regardless, I'll have a bed (I hope) so, I know it will all work out! PTL for Callie's decent lottery number! (PS: the whole housing system needs to be vamped up! ASAP)
Tomorrow is also the last day of classes for the week! No classes on Monday either! PTL for JC! Easter Holiday is here and is so greatly needed. Here's to great weather, celebrating God's gift to me, being able to eat fried food and soda again, and a very special anniversary with a pretty amazing guy!
Oh, here's some pics from Thornwell today!


Happy Easter! Don't forget to stop and remember what it's all about!
Much Love,
Emma

Constantly Growing

Everyday, I find myself growing stronger and stronger in my faith. Everyday, I find myself realizing how truly great our God is. Everyday, I find myself thanking him for everyone and everything he has blessed me with...and really meaning it.
Recently, my biggest challenge has been coming up with the courage to share Him with people that DONT know Him. How do you bring up the conversation? "Oh hey, let me tell you about his pretty awesome guy I know." Well...yeah. So, recently, God has been practically screaming at me to talk to share His word with someone...and guess what! I did it! I can't even begin to describe what a magical feeling I had. Those that know me know that I absolutely LOVE to talk, but more times than not, I either babble or go completely off topic. Worried that I might do one of these two things, I remembered when God called to Moses in Genesis and told him that he would give him the words...just to have the courage and the will. Man oh man, does He stand by what He says. It came so easily to me...just like magic. So the whole point of this is to tell you to have no fear in your faith. God walks with us whether we know it or not, and He's always there! There's a verse that really spoke to me the other night when I read it. It's from 2 Thessalonians 2: 13-15 and it reads:
"But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the santifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, STAND FIRM and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter." It says it right there! Clear as day. Go and tell others about Him; it's what I've called you to do. Woah. When people say that the Bible answers all of our questions, they aren't kidding. This was the exact inspiration I needed to help me continue down my path to eternal life, and it has done just that! Inspired me! So, I guess what I'm trying to say in all of this is that if you are afraid, turn to God. If you are sad, turn to God. If you are happy, turn to God. If you are searching, turn to God. If you are lonely, turn to God. Basically, In all times, turn to God.

In other news, this weekend was ADPi's "Throwdown for your Hometown"; our crush party. So to most hometowns in the South, you get your typical "rednecks" or "hicks". But I'm not from just ANY redneck town. I'm from Darlington; home of the Nascar track Too Tough To Tame. Oh that's right, be jealous. I can't properly describe my costume but to just leave you with pictures. And to clarify, no. That's NOT my real hair. Thanks.



Much Love,
Emma

God is Good!!

After going to Campus Outreach for the first time tonight, I have realized that I have one of THE BEST sisters in Christ a girl could ask for. And hey, as a plus, she isnt ONLY my sister in Christ, but my Sister in ADPi.
Here's to you, Ann Wilson. I'm so proud of you and everything you've shown me through your faith during the last few months. I know God has truly put something in your heart that is so special and that you have begun to reflect into the lives of everyone around you. Thanks for being my conversation partner and celebration partner in times of our "God is Awesome"-ness. I love you so much, baby girl!

"Major" Excitement

So as I was doing my weekly browsing of the planner I came to the realization that the next 2 months of my life are completely planned out. Every weekend there is something to do; whether it be with ADPi or Easter Break...wanna know the weird part?! I'm SO excited about it all! Granted, that only means that Exams are approaching quickly, but at the same time, it means that summer is closer, as well!
Last week, I went and met with my new advisor and officially declared my major! You are now in the presence of an English with an emphasis with Creative Writing major; basically a long way of saying English with a focus in writing. I can't tell you HOW excited my advisor made me about making it official. Most everyone I talk about it with thinks I'm crazy because I'd rather read a book and write a paper than study for Biology..whatever. Anyways, it feels so weird that it's all official.
On another exciting note, I made my potential schedule for next semester and I am PUMPED! Listen to this: No classes ANY DAY of the week before 11, only one class on Thursdays and Fridays, and only 2 on Tuesday. Oh yes. And with the exception of Poetry class on Tuesdays, I'm done everyday by 3. I couldn't have asked for a more ideal situation..and I truly hope that it works out in my favor. I guess we'll see how it goes!
This weekend is Crush Party for ADPi and the theme is "Throw Down for your Hometown" and I am so so so excited. Representing the good ole town of Darlington, I will be modeling the best Nascar gear around. Oh yes, get excited for the pictures.
Anyways, I guess I better get back to Biology...PTL that it's my last science class EVER!
Much Love,
Emma

Back to Reality...

Ohh changes. Here we go again.
Well, I guess not changes per say, but adjustments. Adjusting to being back at school after an exhausting break, adjusting to buckling down and bringing my grades up, adjusting to being away from home with so much going on, and adjusting to just every day life in general. That's one thing I hate/love about college; every day brings something new. Whether it be a new idea or a new friend or a new class, there's always something new. I guess in the spirit of Spring the weather has started to change which has been a blessing! It has been 70 degrees in good ole Clinnon for the past two days...let's just pray it keeps. Knowing this South Carolina weather, it could be snowing next week. Come on, consistancy!
I was looking at my calendar last night and came to the realization that there's only like 7 weeks of school left, and that my schedule is so full that I only am able to go home 2 of those weekends. Oh geez. I can't believe my freshman year of college is almost over. I guess I'll save that for another blog in the future.
Hope everyone is enjoying this lovely weather, I know I sure am!
Much Love,
Emma

2 Timothy 4:5 "But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at bringing others to Christ. Complete the ministry that God has given you."

A Little Prayer

Lord,
Thank you so much for blessing me with the ability to wake up today. Thank you for the opportunities you've blessed me with so that I may tell others about you and reflect your image thru me. Lord, please watch over Grandma. Please grant her the strength to persevere and fight this disease. Help her to call on you in times of weakness and praise you in times of strength. Please give her a sign or anything, really to let her know about the awesome plan you have for her. And God, while you're all about giving out signs, do you mind giving me one to let me know that it's going to be okay?
Thank you so much for my awesome friends and family that have shown immense support in the last 24 hours and will continue to show this support throughout this whole process. Thank you for my strong mom who, at times, I don't know how she does it. Help her to help my grandma while at the same time drawing strength from you. Help my uncles draw from that same strength in their walk with this struggle as well.
Lord, you've shown me so many awesome things today while reading your word and praying to you. Help me to share this with others and to share that with Mema.
In your name, always,
Amen

Cancer.

The six letter word that does nothing but simply take my breath away. The six letter word that scares me to death. The six letter word that makes families cry in fear and mourn in sadness. That six letter word that holds the key to someone's fate at the drop of a hat.

That six letter word that will be fought and conquered by my grandmother.

After a marvelous first half of my spring break in Charleston, I came home today with the expectations of a few family dinners, catching up with old friends, and getting plenty of sleep. Isn't it funny how quickly things change? I'm not just talking about MY plans. I'm talking about plans in general. Life plans, career plans, social plans...just plans.
To save you a bunch of details, my grandmother "me-ma", has been diagnosed with, what is believed to be stage four throat cancer. I've been tossing and turning in my bed for approximately 4 hours now without much success. I've read the Word, said prayer after prayer, and simply cried. I've worried, thought, pondered, and even questioned. Never have I had to ask God "Why?". I've been SO fortunate to never have to ask that question for my own personal reasons. But tonight that changed. I caught myself questioning his intentions. Why do this to her? Why now? Just simply, Why? This is one of those things I've always had to be a by stander with. You know "I know someone who knows someone who had cancer." or, "I know someone who's neighbor's cousin..." Never has it directly affected me. Never.
So, if you are a follower of my blog, you know by now that I absolutely HATE change. Well, something new about me, there's something that I hate much more than change. And that is the feeling of being helpless. With this new chapter in my life, and with this new challenge, God is providing me with an opportunity to conquer both of these fears. You can bet that I will be home every weekend to be there with Me-ma and to provide the little support that I'm able to when a phonecall simply isn't enough. One of the biggest fears about this whole thing is being 2 hours away with absolutely NOTHING I can do but pray. That's when you gotta have faith; it's absolutely necessary. I just have to continue to tell myself that.
Then, in my struggle and Quest to God for strength, I read Isaiah 4:10. It reads,

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

Even in times like this, I am so amazed at God's ability to knock me off my feet with His grace. Do not be afraid. Simple, right? Well, maybe not simple, but with Him, it's easier. I just pray that he blesses me with the ability to pass this reassurance to those in my family who need to hear it as well. My mom who is being so strong for her mom and her brothers. My sister who is coping and trying to help the best she can. My grandfather who is struggling to accept the fact that his wife is sick. My stepfather who is being super supportive of his wife without any question what so ever. And my dad who is being so supportive for my sister and I. And everyone else who is praying.

So Cancer. Bring it on. With God by my side, I dare you to try.