Becoming Ms. Frizzle

Today marks the end of an era at a wonderful church, A&M United Methodist Church. I have grown so much and have made so many wonderful friendships and memories which I will carry with me forever and everywhere I go. Leaving College Station isn't the hard part of moving, it's leaving those I love at the church that loved me back. From the moment I stepped through the doors that fateful Sunday in February 2008, I knew I had found a church to call home.

My favorite experiences at the church come from my two years as a youth counselor with the junior high girls. Talk about kids to keep you on your toes, and I love them so much for it. Their hearts are so pure and their love for each other and the Lord is a beautiful sight to behold! Most days I think they taught me more than I taught them. They taught me how to loosen up (Lord knows I needed that), act silly, and be spontaneous. I learned how to balance the roles of "adult" and friend. I will truly miss those random, rambunctious, rowdy ruffians! (like my alliteration?)

While serving as a youth counselor I also had the opportunity to meet (or get to know better) other fantastic counselors. Anytime two people serve the Lord together, you form an incredible bond that cannot be described and must be experienced. We learned from each other, we laughed with each other, we laughed at each other, we leaned on each other, and we grew to love each other. You all have a place in my heart and lodging in Amarillo.

This last semester I joined the Quarter-Lifers book club and was fed. Not physically (except for that one time Zara brought cupcakes), but spiritually. We had plans to focus on the book, Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller, but generally the book only provided the framework for our very random and brilliant discussions. Despite my short involvement with the group, the friends I made will have a special place in my heart.

During my first year at the church I was also involved with college ministries. I met two of my roommates and best friends through the group and will proudly serve as bridesmaid on their special days. I also made several other great friends who I will dearly miss as we go on our different paths, but I can't wait to see where life's journey takes them.

Last but not least, I was entirely blessed by the Adopt-an-Aggie program at the church. Mike and Carol are two of the sweetest people I have every met and they took me in (quite literally in January) as if I was their own daughter. They provided me with a roof over my head when my house had no heat or water, they took me to lunch (which is always wonderful when you're a poor college student), they came to an honors assembly for graduation when my own parents couldn't make it, and they invited me to their home for holidays with their family. I only hope that I have made half the difference in their lives as they've made in mine.

So, if you're reading this and live in College Station and don't have a church home, what are you waiting for!? If my testimony to the life and love that seeps from this church's ministries doesn't convince you to run immediately to its services, I don't know what's wrong with you.

Now I must go out and make disciples of all nations (or Texas, as it may be in my case), but I have been well equipped by all those with whom I came in contact at AMUMC. It's my turn to make a difference, I hope I won't let you down.

Becoming Ms. Frizzle: Adventures, trials, and successes of a new teacher...

Teaching: The hardest job you'll ever love...

I was preparing for the last college Sunday School I will teach and came across this gem that struck a chord with my heart. Imagine what a prayer for our nation would look like!

"O Lord, the great and awesome
God, who keeps his covenant of
love with all who love him and
obey his commands, we have
sinned and done wrong. We
have been wicked and have rebelled;
we have turned away from your
commands and laws. We have
not listened to your servants the
prophets, who spoke in your name
to our kings, our princes and our fa-
thers, and to all the people of the land.

"Lord, you are rigteous, but
this day we are covered with
shame--the men of Judah and
people of Jerusalem and all Israel,
both near and far, in all the countries
where you have scattered us be-
cause of our unfaithfulness to
you. O Lord, we and our kings,
our princes and our fathers are cov-
ered with shame because we have
sinned against you. The Lord our
God is merciful and forgiving, even
though we have rebelled against
him; we have not obeyed the
Lord our God or kept the laws he
gave us through his servants the
prophets. All Israel has trans-
gressed your law and turned
away, refusing to obey you.

"Therefore the curses and sworn
judgments written in the Law of
Moses, the servant of God, have been
poured out on us, because we have
sinned against you. You have ful-
filled the words spoken against us
and against our rulers by bringing
upon us great disaster. Under the
whole heaven nothing has ever been
done like what has been done to
Jerusalem. Just as it is written in
the Law of Moses, all this disaster
has come upon us, yet we have not
sought the favor of the Lord our
God by turning from our sins and
giving attention to your truth.
The Lord did not hesitate to bring
the disaster upon us, for the Lord
our God is righteous in everything
he does; yet we have not obeyed
him.

"Now, O Lord our God, who
brought your people out of Egypt
with a mighty hand and who made
for yourself a name that endures to
this day, we have sinned, we have
done wrong. O Lord, in keeping
with all your righteous acts, turn
away your anger and your wrath
from Jerusalem, your city, you
holy hill. Our sins and the iniqui-
ties of our fathers have made Jersa-
lem and your people an object of
scorn to all those around us.

"Now, our God, hear the prayers
and petitions of your servant. For
your sake, O Lord, look with favor
on your desolate sanctuary. Give
ear, O God, and hear; open your
eyes and see the desolation of the
city that bears your Name. We do
not make requests of you because we
are righteous, but because of your
great mercy. O Lord, listen!
O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and
act! For your sake, O my God, do
not delay, because your city and you
people bear your Name."

Daniel 9:4-19

As I watch the days quickly tick by I realize I need to either figure out a new title for my blog or decide if I'll continue to blog at all. Please post suggestions.

I think the euphoria of finding a job and signing a lease for an apartment has begun to wane. Instead of giddy, I feel downtrodden. Perhaps it's the full weight of last weekend's events hitting me.

It is strange to think that for about two years I had a phone call to look forward to every night and that time is now over. I do not regret the time spent getting to know such a wonderful young man, but the breaking up part hurts like (excuse my French) hell. Reminders are constantly around me, I cannot escape them. It's spring and everybody's in love. Everybody except me. And am I crying? No.

What is wrong with me? Why can I not cry? What is the disconnect between my heart and my tear ducts? Am I still numb? Will it hit me head-on in a couple weeks?