if anyone could do it,

she could!

this is my best friend from middle school! when she requested my friendship on facebook last year, i almost denied it because that wasn't her name when we used to do spice girl videos & buy glitter eye shadow at carolina place but luckily i clicked on her picture! i am so proud of her...she always wanted to be a singer so she moved out to L.A. and she is making it!

p.s. - i give m(on)i(c)a all the credit for my love of fiona apple & awesome girl music overall. :)

congrats to my friend across the country! buy her music! her new cd will be coming out soon too!

one day at a time

my wonderful friend katie gave me a bracelet that i wear everyday - it's simple thin, silver cuff bracelet and on the inside is inscribed "ONE DAY AT A TIME." she gave it to me a few years back when i was looking for a new job (while working at campbell) and i literally wore the thing out - she actually had to bring me a new one this past december for my birthday because i broke the thing in half one day! too many times pulling it off and putting it back on! i also noticed that i am wearing it in every picture of me since then...this bracelet is no joke, it has changed my focus for everyday life!

all that to say, the "one day at a time" concept is something i constantly have to work on (as far as not being overwhelmed is concerned). don't get me wrong, i realize there is a great purpose to having a long-term vision and focus, but for me personally, i want to be able to grasp the truths and harsh realities of the world and be able to move forward with a plan without wasting time being frozen by hurt/worry/upset. the point is, when you have faith in a God that knows the deal, is with you everyday and has perfect timing, you are able to take things one day at a time with good faith (and without scrambling to MAKE things happen).

that being said, there are so many incredible things happening in my life lately...i have truly been overwhelmed to tears a number of times realizing how often i've tried to take the lead in this waltz with the Lord, and end up tripping over my own feet, when all He wants is for me to follow His lead and listen for/feel His guidance and follow.
_____________

i was telling someone the other day that it's surreal and very humbling when you come to those moments in your life where it is (again) confirmed that God is sovereign and He has a plan for your life and that there were no "pointless" moments that He did not at least incorporate into that plan, even if they weren't the preferred route. for the last few years of my life, i've felt often that i am spinning my wheels and that things were happening that made absolutely no sense in the grand scheme of things (as if i know what that means). i don't think God faults us for our thinking because we are, after all, human but i do think He wants us to allow it to be transformed. He does this slowly and progressively with these moments where He says quietly or very loudly "I have never forgotten about you...it's just not possible...you're my kid!"
_____________

michelle's updates/highlights (ha!):

• i am more than halfway through my "welcome" class at lake forest to become a ministry partner (a.k.a. member) and it has been such an awesome class - i am incredibly impressed with the foundations and purpose of the church, as well as the heart of the staff members i've heard from thus far and i am so excited about getting more involved and building relationships there. the first two weeks, mike talked about core concepts of Christianity & "who we are to God" and it was such a good reminder of simple Biblical truths that you overanalyze and make complicated when you've grown up in the church.
• i have also had the opportunity very recently to get involved with SIM, a missions organization with the US headquarters here in charlotte. it honestly makes me antsy to get my hands in there full force and work with them on all the different projects they have going on, so i am working on being patient! :) the people there are great and i am so looking forward to seeing what develops of that relationship!
• charlotteONE is one of the most inspiring, energetic organizations i've ever been a part of and i'm thankful i got into it this year - randomly enough, on the first week of my class at lake forest, dave hickman walked in the door (he's the ED of C1), so of course i intro'd myself to him and since then, have had the opportunity come up to work with the leadership team as the connections team lead. i am SO excited about the opportunity - it was an immediate "yes" reaction from me because of how much i believe this ministry is doing in the city of charlotte. if you live in charlotte & you haven't tried C1 yet, please let me know if you want to! i'll meet you outside on the steps! ;)
• i saw amos lee on tuesday. he was absolutely amaaaazing! beautiful pipes. (really, did i just say that?)
• my little girl is graduating on saturday!!!! haha....the one & only justine is graduating on saturday from campbell & i'm so every excited she has saved a "family ticket" for me to attend her graduation. she was a freshman during my senior year at campbell and i have seen her grow up, mature & come to know the Lord in a BIG way since then. happy graduation little mama!
• oh, if you haven't seen this video, get on it! (i hope it's as funny to you as it was to me...i actually cry-laughed.) "kittens inspired by kittens"
• i get to go to raleigh tomorrow and spend some time with me-linda!

more things to talk about soon but for now, that is all! oh, i've also added the link to donald miller's blog on my "amigos" column on the right - i debated on placement for the link, but i'm fairly certain that if i met donald miller, we would want to be friends, so i'm gonna go ahead and graduate him to "amigo" status!

~~~

be Thou my Wisdom & Thou my true Word; i ever with Thee, Thou with me, Lord;

Thou my great Father & i Thy true son; Thou in me dwelling, and i with Thee one.