Tuesday, March 9, 2010

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."

Thursday, March 4, 2010

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.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Gives me hope

Okay so I had a friend email me the address to this website the other day and I'm completely obsessed. I knew I would be addicted because in the description it reads, "Like FML, but for optimists!" Okay. So the website is www.givesmehope.com and it's truly magical. Basically, it's about random acts of kindness that people see and write about how that "give them hope".
Sitting here and reading them, I couldn't help but to stop and think about what gives me hope. What inspires me? And I've come to the conclusion. Other than God, who completely inspires me to do my best at everything I do, my friends and family are my ultimate hope. My friends at school who, knowing I have a bad day go on a dinner date with me. My friends who plan Spring Breaks with me even in February. My sisters who send me random texts that help me through my day. My mom and dad who call me just to say hi, or send me letters on Valentine's Day that sing princess tunes. My sister who skypes with me and texts me about stuff that only I would find funny. My boyfriend who is always there for me no matter the case and who loves me jut for being me. And finally, everyone else that I encounter on a daily basis. Those that are happy, sad, laughing and simply walking by give me hope. Because it's God's way of showing me the beauty in other people, and it truly makes me HOPE that when people see me, they see the same beauty reflecting in my actions.
I always wonder what people see when they look at me. Isn't it a crazy thought that what you see in yourself is possibly completely different from what other people see in you? I can only hope and pray that what people see is a strong willed, independant, and fun girl who reflects God's image to the best of her ability. Although I'm not perfect and I never will be, I can atleast try to have a beautiful spirit.
Stay Hopeful,
Emma

err..Spring Break?

Today's weather: 40 degrees and cloudy. It snowed last weekend. And tomorrow marks the beggining of my SPRING break? whoa, there's something new from high school.
Although I truly shouldn't complain because I am SO pumped. This week marked midterms and it was hectic. I just conquered a linguistics and a french test in the same day after an all nighter last night. The good news is that I'm pretty sure I atleast made B's on both of them which is an improvement from the last linguistics test! yayy!
I guess I have a lot of updating to do. Let's rewind to last weekend. I went to Clemson to celebrate mine and Chad's Valentines Day and it was a much needeed weekend with him! Now for the moment you've been waiting for..i'm sure. What was my brilliant Valentine's Gift? I don't know the proper name for it, but for lack of a better word, let's call it a "memory box." In it, I put 365...yes that's right, Three hundred and sixty five little notes: bible verses, quotes, song lyrics, and memories. Now, Chad can read something from me every day of the year. Precious, right?!

Chad and Justin cooked for me and Brittney this weekend, and I must say that it was pretty delicious. Good job, boys! The only down side is that now we have to return the favor. Oh goodness.
Okay blogfans, I'm off to take a MUCH needed nap. Hope everyone has a safe and semi-warm Spring Break!
Much love,
Emma

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Beautiful People

Sitting in the common room tonight (my common hang out these days), studying/not studying with some good friends, I came to the conclusion that I have been blessed to know some of the most beautiful people in the whole entire world. Not only physically, but my friends have the prettiest souls and spirits that simply make me smile and laugh without them even trying. I truly feel like that's what God has been trying to tell me all of these years throughout my constant struggle with physical appearance; it's TRULY what's on the inside that counts.
1 Peter 3:3-5 tells us "Don't be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should be known for the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is SO precious to God."
Gentle and Quiet Spirit. hm. That's a thought. I really wish society would get this stick thin, tall and tan image away from us and teach the Word. The beautiful parts of you lie WITHIN you. Not OUTSIDE of you. It's about time God taught me that lesson, and as I grow closer to him as well as my beautiful friends, I'm learning a little more about it on a daily basis.
Next time you look in the mirror, think about your inward beauty and it might change what you see a little.
Much Love,
Emma

Monday, February 15, 2010

A Pi-tastic weekend and life's little mishaps

What a weekend. While all of you were playing in the 6-9 inches of snow received Friday afternoon what was I doing? I was in a car riding through all of this for 5 hours. Oh, DLC. I must really love ADPi. But it was an absolutely AMAZING weekend! I had such an awesome time with my sisters (although not all of us made it) and absolutely can't wait to get more involved in my sorority and the sisterhood that gets stronger everyday. I couldn't have asked for better Valentines..(except for you, Chad.) Once we returned to PC yesterday afternoon, I gunned it to my hot date with James Tomasson. You know...the library. What an awesome Valentine's night.
So, from the good to the bad we go. Leaving lab today, I was heading to the library; sprits high, in a good mood because linguistics was cancelled and because lab let out an hour early...when all of a sudden, I find myself slipping on unseen ice, on my butt, with my phone flying in the air. And of course, it landed on the screen, and of course the screen is cracked. Awesome afternoon, huh?
Well, on the bright side, atleast it has character now. And a funny story.
This weekend cannot come fast enough. It has been nearly 3 weeks since I've seen Chad and I'm going a little crazy. Three weeks may not seem like a long time to some of you, but to me, it's a lifetime. I just have to make it through Student Council Speeches, Elections, and a Bio test. I can do this, right?!
Speaking of Student Council elections, I am running for Sophomore Class President and I am pumped! Let's hope the rest of my class feels the same way. Wish me luck!
Much (Pi) Love,
Emma