"Jesus has not given us an effortless step-by-step formula for impacting nations for his glory. He has given us people, and he has said, "Live for them. Love them, serve them, and lead them. Lead them to follow me, and lead them to lead others to follow me. In the process you will multiply the gospel to the ends of the earth."

                                                                          --David Platt, Radical

 

...from the journal (8.12.10)

Yesterday, I noted God's hand on David.

I saw that again today, but I also saw David stick true to what God had for him. Throughout David's days, he's given options and he seeks out what God has...

"he (David) inquired of the Lord," 

"Once again David inquired of the Lord and the Lord answered him" 

(1 Samuel 23:2,4). 

Can it really be that simple?

Do I believe in the power of prayer?

I know it wasn't the main focus of these passages, but it's hard to miss what happens when there is an open line of communication with the Lord. 

David couldn't help but ask because he knew that God would lead him the right way. So asking God was David's only option. And maintaining that relationship with the Lord enabled David in more ways than he could ever have imagined. 

How much more for me if I would open and maintain communication with the Lord!?

The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness.  

--1 Samuel 26:23

here's where I am...

nothing can separate, even if I ran away.
Your love never fails.
I know I still make mistakes; You have new mercy for me everyday.
Your love never fails.

You stay the same through the ages.
Your love never changes.
there may be pain in the night but joy comes in the morning.
and when the oceans rage, I don't have to be afraid.
because I know that You love me.

the wind is strong and the water's deep
but I'm not alone in these open seas.
Your love never fails.
the chasm is far too wide, I never thought I'd reach the other side.
but Your love never fails.

You stay the same through the ages.
Your love never changes.
there may be pain in the night but joy comes in the morning.
and when the oceans rage, I don't have to be afraid.
because I know that you love me.

You make all things work together for my good.

[your love never fails -- jesus culture]

fa-fa-fa-fast forward!

here's who I get to see in about a week's time...

cannot. come. soon. enough.

mmm whatcha say

I've come to the conclusion that I am way too comfortable with where I am...which is weird, because this is not necessarily where I want to be. I've let myself get caught up in me, which has caused me to become less interested in those things that I've professed to love and care for.

I don't want to complain about my situation because I am extremely blessed, but I can say that with a mixture of my selfishness and my feelings about where I am, I've become lazy in regards to a lot of things.

• God -- The Creator of the universe has chosen to call me his own, yet I have been selfish and allowed other things to get in the way of my life truly being transformed. I have been praying for a long time that He would bring me back to where He wants me, but for that to happen I need to start believing that He will do that...and allow it to happen. It's time I quit wasting the time He's given me and actually do something great with my life.

• Friends -- I have been blessed with some crazy amazing friends and I've let the fact that I don't live close to many of them really get me down. I'm good at keeping in touch with a few, but I let a seemingly "mundane" life get in the way of really loving the people that I have been lucky enough to call "friend." Regardless of distance, I am called to love...and these are people that I don't want to let down...or miss out on what God is doing in their lives...or miss out on what God can do through my relationship with them. Today, I choose to love these people that God saw fit to place in my life.

 

 Jonathan and Lindsay -- thanks for being fantastic. Thanks for panicking when you couldn't find me in my room at camp that one day. Thanks for taking mass amounts of photos with me so that I could have too many to choose from. Thanks for letting me vent, but not allowing that venting to consume my life (or yours). Thank you for always speaking truth into my life and for being there all of the time...you two mean the world to me and are greatly appreciated.

  

 Deez -- You are simply fantastic. I love that you are an amazing woman of God. I am constantly learning from you. You have been a steadfast source of encouragement and hope and I am beyond blessed to have met you. Thank you for allowing me to vent, for listening, and for giving me some of the best advice anyone has ever given. You are a true Godsend.

Sarah -- What a sweet lady! You are one of the funniest people I know. Your constant love for others is something I admire and someday I hope to be able to show that same love to others. I appreciate your willingness to listen, the names that you give to others, and funny recreations of pictures at Bellevue Baptist Church. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life even though we are 480985098 miles apart.

Nugget -- You are so you. So laid back. So willing to kill over dirty dishes (ha!) and such a lover of people. I am blessed to say that I know you. I love that I never know what to expect with you -- just when I think I've got you figured out, you surprise me once again...and that is one of my favorite things. Ever. Your prayers and advice over the past year have been a monster help and I can't tell you just how thankful I am for you.

Erin and MeLissa -- I'm not even sure how to explain what your presence in my life has done. They say that laughter is the best medicine, and when I'm around the two of you, I really believe that. I'm so thankful for your love for Nickelback and all things eating healthy (remember that pie? or playdoh? or whatever it was?). But really, I'm just thankful for you, as people...sisters, because you two have managed to speak an amazing amount of truth into my life. Thanks for being willing to take out a baseball bat and do work when I need you...that, in itself, is enough.

  

 Jessi -- you live all the way on the other side of the country now, but you still manage to be one of the best ladies on the planet. Thank you for sending me a real-life valentine! Thank you for your constant words of encouragement, love and truth. Thank you (seriously) for being one of the best examples of a godly woman that I have ever seen. You bless my days, and I love you oh-so much.

  

Valerie -- to the one girl who lives close to me, I am SO thankful! Our Sunday dates, trips to the airport, and straight up walking the streets of St. Louis have been some of the best times I've had in the last few years. You have an amazing spirit and I am so glad that the craziness of NGU was able to bring us together. I love our vent sessions and how we pick up as if no time has passed when we see each other. 

  

 Molly -- I don't even know what to say about you, except that you have been one of the biggest influences on my journey. I have seen God do amazing things through you and I am always excited to hear about your life -- because you are always doing something grand. I love that you are real...all of the time and that you don't put up with my crap. I am beyond blessed to call you friend. I mean, everyone needs someone like you, don't they?

  

  Jamie -- Since 2006, you have been one of the biggest influences for me. Your ridiculous strength, faith and wisdom have helped to guide me. I am so thankful for your witness and your love for others...I really have learned so much from you. Thank you for being willing to teach me, listen, drink Dr. Pepper, give me all of your candy canes and for just being there. You are one fantastic woman.

Well, that turned into a long post...but it was definitely necessary. God has given me life...and I refuse to waste it any longer. Your prayers are greatly appreciated as I seek to get priorities back to where they need to be. Love.

Enjoying Life...and with good reason.

list. list. list of reasons to celebrate.

renewed grace, each and every day. smiles. being close-to-done with classes. singing. colts football. cheerleading competitions. spongebob shaped macaroni and cheese. uk blue snuggie. curly hair. jokes. trips to visit friends. snarky comebacks. sleep. skinny jeans. my toms (or Thomas', as JEspy would say). harry potter -- books and movies. tights, tights, and more tights. laughter. skype conversations. text messages. sound effects. receiving mail. quality conversations. the beginning of student teaching. plane flights. my ninth grade girls from Picayune. thoughts of graduation. kitkats. funny gifts. Lost. ballet flats. belts. scarves. creating things. continued work on loving others. being encouraged by good friends.


see? life is good...

Today was my last formal day of observations before I start student teaching on Monday (yay. Yay. YAY). The next 16 weeks will be an intense time of me "playing" teacher and learning from someone who is already in the profession. I'm really excited to get started because this is something I've been working hard at for the past two years.

That said: this semester will take a lot out of me. I'll be doing all the work of a teacher without getting paid. I'll be investing in kids' lives and learning what it means to reach out to and connect with them on an educational level. Sounds easy enough...

I'm hoping to be better about keeping up with this blog from here on out...I'm asking that you (my creeper friends) would help to hold me accountable to some things during this time.

My prayer this semester is that:
      -I would seek out wholeheartedly what His plan for me is...no reservations. no regrets.
     -God would take me and turn me into the teacher he wants me to be.
     -I would be so in love with the kids placed in my path.
     -I would make it my ministry to serve them in whatever capacity I can.
     -all the work and time that has been put into getting to this point would not be in vain. 

love.

it never gets old --

i will always love these.

a year in pictures...

laughing all the way. [ha-ha-ha]

just when you (and I) thought that life was dull and boring sometimes...

JEspy already flew out there and kicked him where it counts...see? You don't want him!
He's damaged goods! -- Lindsay Evancho

Shasta, You may be wondering...Who's Shasta? Why is this piece of paper sort of a triangle,
or why do fools fall in love? But all you REALLY need to know is...

don't make me take this shoe off and throw it upsidet your headt! I love that trash.

Sh-sh-sh-sh-sha-shake it! Les-Les-Les-Leslie Metcalf! --Sherqwnt (Jeremy Wicker)

Me: You need to have all four chair legs on the floor. That is very dangerous.
Tyrist (2nd grade): I don't need to be safe. I'm seven!

Ian (2nd grade): Miss Metcalf, why are you wearing a skirt?
Me: Why aren't you?

Cousin Jackie: Come here, Caydence.
Cousin Brittany: We call her Tink.

Cousin Jackie: Tink? You should be calling her Tank!

Miss Metcalf...I have my own MySpace. Do you have a MySpace?  --Marten Cates, Jr. (first grade)

Trevor (2nd grade): Miss Metcalf, how old are you?
Me: Twenty-six.

Trevor: Can we date?
Me: That's probably not the best idea.

heyo...ZAP! --JEspy

Me: Laura, what's something we can do outside on a sunny day?
Laura (3rd grade): SEAWEED. [hahahahaha]

breath of heaven [creepy style]... --cousin Jackie

MMM! Dang, girl!

--randon man on Memphis trolley

ATTENSHUN! My grandmother is gone and won't be back for a long time!
--Marten Cates, Jr. (first grade, then, kindergarten)

I say, GIVE ME THAT NUMBER and it will happen! --MeLissa G.

[BJ, then, kindergarten, tapping on my shoulder]

Me: Yes?
BJ: I have two secrets to tell you.

Me: What are those?

BJ: One (holds one finger up). You look very pretty today.

Me: Why, thank you.

BJ: Two (holds two fingers up). You are invited to my birthday party in March.

sweating excellence... --Alan Smith

Miss Metcalf, I didn't eat breakfast at home.
And I didn't eat breakfast when I got to school either...

Why? I forgot my backpack. --Marten Cates, Jr. (first grade)

It's sort of like that big boat...you know...the Tie-tan-tic. Right? The Tie-tan-tic?

--Kalee Hughes (junior, cheerleader)

Holy Ghost crunk mode. --Tuni Barner

BJ (first grader): I just loved this conversation.

Me: Yes. Very stimulating.

BJ: That is was.

i know funny people. they say funny things. i laugh.

[Jingle Bells -- James Pierpont, 1857]