So Much to Say, So Much to Say...

@less than a month until i'm out of illinois and onto north carolina and south carolina for training and camp. and less than a month to get everything that i have to do...done. today i realized just how much i have to do, and just how little time i have to do it. oh my...what have i gotten myself into?

@i was so close to taking a quick trip to nashville today and tomorrow to visit sarah and her friends while they are on spring break--of course, i just couldn't swing it...and that just broke my heart.

@i really need to stop biting my nails.

@i scream ATTENSHUN whenever i want.

@i recently bought a new pair of toms. and they are sweet. when you buy a pair, toms sends a pair to a child in need of a pair. it's a sweet deal. check 'em out.

@i really hate homework. and i'm an excellent procrastinator. not a good combination at all.

@plus side: door decorations for camp are done. i've finished going through the Bible study...and it's good. i think this summer is going to be a great one for students connecting to what God has for them by way of exodus.

@i know i'm not necessarily the best friend all the time, but i refuse to let someone tell me that i'm a bad friend...when they are an even worse friend, if you could really even call them that. consider that one city in that one state blown up for good.

@the cardinals lost carp to the 15-day dl. no good...they just got him back.

@i've got lots of tricks up my sleeve. so watch out.

@i'm going to get a new tattoo soon. on my left wrist. before or after camp? i'm thinking before.

@luis, from bossier city, louisiana just sent me a flat stanley. flat stanley woke up one morning to find that he'd been flattened by a bulletin board, but he was completely fine [besides being flat]! flat stanley did all sorts of neat things. anyway--luis sent his flat stanley to me, and i'm showin' flat stanley the sights. today we went to a soccer game and met some of the high school kids. tomorrow, we're going to visit good ol' Abe Lincoln at the courthouse for some photo opps...and flat stanley is even going to come to dinner and class with me...stay tuned for flat stanley updates and photos.

He Rose and Conquered the Grave

everyone needs compassion
a love that's never failing
let mercy fall on me
everyone needs forgiveness
the kindness of a Savior
the hope of nations

Savior, he can move the mountains
my God mighty to save
He is mighty to save
forever, author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

so take me as You find me
all my fears and failures
fill my life again
i give my life to follow
everything i believe in
now i surrender

Savior, he can move the mountains
my God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
forever, author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave


[may these words speak to your life. may God be mighty to save. may He be your author of salvation. take heart friends, Sunday has come. He rose and conquered the grave!]

Put Me in Coach, I'm Ready to Play

Baseball is back!





GO CARDINALS!!!

I've Been Thinkin' About Yooou

-I got my new Mac this week. I already feel like it is worth the money. There are so many neat things to find, and I'm having an excellent time on this scavenger hunt.

-I decided today that I was going to start my music career using Garage Band. I've already laid tracks. Please submit all groupie applications to leslie.metcalf@gmail.com and explain why you're a qualified candidate for groupie status...those that are well-qualified will reap the reward.

-I have some kickin' ideas for camp this summer. From door decorations to get-to-know-you type things, I think I have a really good start compared to where I was last year.

-It has now rained for two days straight. I would've loved to have gotten outside at some point, but my town just might be the mud capitol of the planet. Anyway, it's been nice to both fall asleep, and wake up to rain.

-Yesterday I had chips and salsa for lunch. I need to make that a regular occurrence.

-Since last year at this time, I have watched the complete Harry Potter series no less than four times. Does that make me crazy? ...Yes. Crazy awesome.

-Last night I may or may not have blown up the state of California. Let me know if you hear about it on the news.

In other news:

song lyrics taken from: I've Been Thinking About You--Londonbeat

My Body too Hoodielicious for Ya, Babe...

spring has sprung!
but it's never too warm for one of these...







--dedicated to Molly B.

I'm Tellin' You to Loosen Up Those Buttons...babe?

more everyday items that can be used to make beautiful things...

I Wanna Tell A Better Story

i'm learning to be fascinated by everyday things.
in this quest i've recently become interested in hangers.

it's none of your business why.
just look...

I Just Want to Say, Thank You

thank you.

for those of you who don't know, my pastor all through college [Fred Winters], was the pastor who was shot and killed during service on March 8, 2009.

as a pastor, Fred was clear and concise. he was not afraid to speak the truth--and he spoke the truth in a loving way. he was such a friendly face on sunday mornings, and he went out of his way to remember anyone and everyone that set foot inside the FBCM building. i remember the first time i walked into the biggest church i'd ever been to, and he was one of the first to greet me. from there on, he never forgot my name and made sure to make contact with me everytime he saw me.

from the moment i heard of the shooting and death of Fred, i had a peace about the situation, and my heart immediately went out to his wife [Cindy] and their two daughters [Alysia and Cassidy]. the family is a sweet one--i had the chance to spend a lot of time with them. Cindy was my sunday school teacher, and i used to babysit the girls on regular occasion.

the Winters family was a family you couldn't help but want to spend time around. i remember waiting for Fred and Cindy to leave the house for a ballgame/meeting/weekend getaway, and i would just watch the way the family interacted. it was obvious that Fred was madly in love with his wife, and that his love for Alysia and Cassidy was not easily matched.

it has been nothing but obvious to me through this situation that God has been completely in control. from the first bullet the gunman shot going through Pastor Fred's bible, to the fourth shot jamming the gun so that churchgoers could subdue the gunman, to the amount of love that has been showered upon anyone and everyone that was, or has been involved with FBC Maryville at some point in their life, to the reaction of this tragedy by Fred's family...there are so many things surrounding this situation that point to God's hand, and i can't help but be amazed at that.

if nothing else since sunday, i really have seen and learned that God can and will use anything for his glory. my mind can't wrap around that, but i'm ok with knowing that He's in control.

i will be attending the visitation and funeral [thurs/fri] and ask that you would continue to pray...for healing...for Cindy, Alysia, and Cassidy...for First Baptist Church Maryville, IL--the most loving and real church i have ever been to...for strength--that those closest to this situation would not fall away, but would grow stronger in Christ with each other...for the ability to move forward while keeping the memory of Fred Winters alive...for the churchgoers that helped to subdue the gunman...and for the gunman [Terry Sedlacek] himself...

the Winters family:
Alysia, Fred, Cassidy, and Cindy.

[if you would like to read more about the Winters family,
please go here and see what others have to say about Fred and his lovely ladies...]

you all are much appreciated.
i thank you for your love and friendship.
thank you.

I'm So Excited. And I Just Can't Hide It

just a few reasons why i'm excited about the "Walkin' in Memphis Wedding Weekend Extravaganza [in no particular order]:

-laughter.
-mass amounts of hugs.
-jon and sherryl's nuptials.
-beale street.
-the love of Jesus.
-civil rights museum.
-jenness roommate reunion.
-sabrina?
-late nights.
-rap music.
-sarah walker.
-candace watson.
-rebecca miller.
-joelle seesing.
-will snipes.
-thad burkhalter.
-micah szopinski.
-jj yount.
-darin wong.
-michael morrison.
-rusty long.
-dressing up.
-good conversation.
-jokes.
-photoshoots.
-the 'bees?
-singing loudly.
-camp talk.
-love.Love.LOVE.

it doesn't get much better than this folks.

[lindsay, eric, eric, amy, anna, and fletcher...you will be missed.]

Slow Down--You Move Too Fast

i started reading through crazylove by francis chan this week.
it's not a big book.
and some would consider it an easy read.

but i'm taking my time with it.
reading it slowly.
because i don't want to miss anything.

i know that my time is short.
i know that.
but i act like i'm going to live forever.
i act like my life is all about me...it's not.

my ultimate purpose on earth is to glorify the One who created me.
on good days. on bad days. when it's easy to follow. when it's not.
but i'm selfish, and i let that get in the way.

over the past few weeks, i've really been working at taking in my surroundings (places, people, etc.) and appreciating them. i've really been working at being thankful that God allows me to be a part of all of this. and now i'm looking to be less selfish. to be more loving. i'm looking to follow, with reckless abandon, the God that gave [and continues to give] me life.

all i ask of you is that you pray that God would continue to work. that i would take my time with Him. that i won't be afraid to be patient and wait. that i wouldn't miss anything. that He would continue to make more of himself and less of me. that my life would be for, and glorify only Him.