A Summer to Remember...

Tomorrow I leave Oxford for two weeks and when I return, life as a PhD student will be in full swing again. Today, I've been reflecting over this summer. I've included a brief summary of its events along with a few pictures.

This summer has been one I will never forget - both for the good and the tragic moments. It is the first summer of owning a house, the first summer for Liam to have a week with his Aunt Lulu all to himself, a summer of new friends and new hobbies like triathalon training, the corn hole game, Mexican Train Dominoes, the exciting world of Harry Potter, and boxing on the Nintendo Wii. It's been a summer to remind me that family is the most important thing! I've been reminded of this through celebrating a healthy dad who is doing so well six-months after a heart attack and open heart surgery and through the tragedy of losing a wonderful cousin due to complications following a tubing accident.

Erin Arnold Smith

October 21, 1982 to July 16, 2007

Erin was full of life and fun and excitement, and I take great comfort in knowing that she's in heaven - no doubt bringing laughter and smiles to all those around her. Chris Smith did an amazing job at her funeral of telling stories of Erin that allowed everyone there to have a chance to get to know her. She would have been so honored by the words that described her and the people there to comfort those who loved her. I didn't know this about Erin, but apparently as a small child she climbed on top of buildings in downtown Franklin looking down through the skylights into the stores and restaurants below. As Chris ended the eulogy, he ended referencing Erin walking on the skylights of heaven. I love that picture! Although we will miss Erin tremendously, I'm thankful to have the hope of seeing her again in heaven. I'm thankful that she ended life here surrounded by family who loved her dearly and she was welcomed in heaven by our Papa, our aunt Anne who we've never met, and her other grandaddy.

Here are some pictures from my summer.

Girls' Weekend - Lake Trip with Lindsay, Hayley & Amy. This is the weekend that Hayley told us she was pregnant! YAY!!!

A Day at the Memphis Zoo with PopPop, Grammy & Liam.
(It's a little blurry since they were in full-speed ahead riding on bee--r as Liam said it.)

Bath Time at Aunt Lulu's House.

Liam at Cousin Janice & Cousin John's pool after a day at the Memphis Zoo - This is one sleepy boy!

Liam at the Huntsville Hospital visiting Cousin Erin. This is his response to "Smile, Liam."

Habitat for Humanity

Trigger (the trusty) Sawhorse and Hi Ho Silver (the sawhorse) Away!

Our Life Group at church has been volunteering at Habitat for Humanity in Oxford during the month of June. My good friend, Shannon, and I've had so much fun we've gone every weekend. We've learned to use a jig saw, a table saw, a skill saw...and next week we've been told we're going to get to learn to use the nail gun. Our group has worked on building rafters and saw horses, we've put anchored studs in the frame of the kitchen for future cabinents, hung sheet rock, and today some of us started building the roof. Here are a few pictures from the past two Saturdays. I'll add more as we go.

Shannon (a.k.a. Spiderwoman) working on the roof

The sawhorse team - Me, Shannon, Daniel & John

The house - prior to the fabulous roofing

And me...silly as always!

Wait For It

My favorite show these days is Grey's Anatomy. Carol and I often find God-inspired thoughts and revelations through this show, believe it or not. I found peace during dad's heart attack, open heart surgery, and hospital stay partly through what I've learned from my favorite Grey's surgeons. In my Bible study today I remembered a scene from a Grey's episode where Meredith was sad because Derek had just broken up with her...Christina and Izzy were trying to make her feel better by taking her to see a patient they had stolen from the psych floor. This patient was a "pregnant" man. (Later it was discovered he really wasn't pregnant...) As they approached the door, they asked Meredith if she was ready to see what was inside. Upon entering the room all Meredith could see was the back of a very normal looking and acting man. Meredith was like, "what's the big deal?" Christina replied, "Wait for it." It was then that Meredith saw the apparent medical miracle before her.

The theme of today's Bible study is "Wait Patiently For It" with Habakkuk 2:3 being the primary verse: "The visition is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal, and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay." Although I can see some application of Scripture with the Grey's episode, it was a simple little reminder for me that God is all around...even in the most unlikely places...putting scripture right in the middle of such a worldly symbol of popularity. God promises us that he has made himself known in the world...a general revelation through nature, beauty, etc. that he is indeed God (as pointed out by Priscilla Shirer in the introduction video of this Bible Study). Paul says in Romans 1:20, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."

Priscilla spoke about specific revelation that God wants to speak to us...answers to our own questions of what decision is best?, should I stay in my own job or find another one?, which direction should I head, etc., but this specific revelation is only available to those who are HIS. Those who know His voice and seek His path. This blog may seem weird or may not make much sense. You may read and judge...thinking this girl watches too many Grey's Anatomy episodes (which you might be right). But, for me God used this scene and this study today to remind me that although He can be found all around...in the world, His specific glory, His specific revelation is found when I seek Him and when I stand guard while keeping watch for Him, while I wait for it...not to simply find a good medical case, but to hear and to know His purpose and plan for my life. Habakkuk tells us "For it will certainly come" and 2 Peter 3:9 says, "The Lord is not slow about His promise." Priscilla had us read Genesis 18:9-18 and the story of God's promise to Abraham and Sarah that they would have a son. In Genesis 21:1-2, God gave them a son "at the very time God had promised."

The command,"Wait for it," is so much easier when you know what you are waiting for is the promise of God and that He will deliver. I hope this blog has been an encouragement...and wasn't too out there in TV land. May God bless us today as we wait for Him.

Two Days Late and A Dollar Short

So much for my renewed commitment to blogging. Well, I am back...I had a few technical difficulties but I think I have some of the kinks worked out.

Today I started a Ladies' Bible Study that meets at my house on Tuesday nights. We are studying Priscilla Shirer's "Discerning the Voice of God." What a blessing it has been already and today was just the introduction. Tha main point today is that we should anticipate that God wants to say something to us. The main take-a-way for me today is "The good shepherd I serve has something to say that cannot wait to hear!" I have a feeling my blogging over the next several weeks may reflect what God is doing in my life and teaching me through this study as I learn to listen for His Voice. What a blessing to be able to be part of such a study.

As for other things going on...I'm training for the Rebel Man Sprint Triathalon which will be in Spring 2008. You may wonder why I am starting my training 10 months in advance...the answer is simple. The race is a 400 yd swim, 12 mile bike ride, and 5K run and currently I do not swim, ride, or run. I'm starting very, very slow. I have set this goal because the race is most likely the week of my 30th birthday. I couldn't think of a better goal than being in the best shape of my life the day I turn 30 (which is the new 20 by the way). (:

I am also excited because I found out today that Liam is coming to visit me next week. We're going to have a few days of just the two of us...the 1st annual week with Aunt Lulu. Since he's just a little guy it won't be a full week this time, but I'm glad to get to spend some time with him. He's started saying "Lulu" which is a new development since the last time I saw him. On Monday he was at my parents' house and walked over to the bottom of the stairs leading to my room and started calling "lulu, lulu." He apparently started crying when Scott & Carol explained to him that I wasn't there. Sounds like that cute little boy needs some QT with Aunt Lulu. He's stolen my heart for sure!

Sister's Inspiration

So, my awesome sister Carol has inspired me to start back with my blogging so here I go. Since the last time I wrote, I have finished my first year of my PhD program and have settled in to this little town of Oxford, MS. It's been a great AND tiring first year. I know there are many, many details to include between September of 2006 and today, but the thought of documenting a summary of them is overwhelming. So, tomorrow I'll start over...with a renewed "commitment" to blogging. It'll be good to share this journey with those of you who choose to endure it with me.

(By the way, this picture was taken at Scott & Carol's wedding a few years ago, but I just love it!)

I'm a homeowner now!

Condo pics...kitchen

Living room with view into kitchen, entry and guest room

Living room

Well, I've been in Oxford since August 15th...even though it feels like I've been here for about a year. As of one week ago, I am a homeowner of my first condo! So exciting - it looks so good and I finally feel settled! Luckily, I don't have all the responsibilities of typical homeownership like mowing the lawn, landscaping, etc. Although, those chores would be a welcomed break from the reading and requirements of my PhD program! I am reading or studying ALL the time!!!

My thoughts of Oxford so far... it's a great college town! It's super small, which is a nice change from the Nashville/Franklin area. I know Nashville's not big, but when you drive up and down Hillsboro Road between Franklin and Green Hills every day, it's good to be able to drive from one side of a town to the other in about 7 minutes. I can go almost 3 weeks before I have to fill up on gas. Ole Miss is a BEAUTIFUL campus. Unfortunately, I don't get to venture out across campus very often. I find myself in Holman (Business) Hall, the Library, and the Student Union...the most often. They are all lumped really close together so it's a treat on Fridays when I get to go across campus to the Pharmacy school, where I take my Statistics class.

I've met good friends so far...at school, at church, and at the Christian Student Center. I'm looking forward to meeting more friends and to getting to know the ones I have met better. I have spent A LOT of time on my own since I've gotten here so when I do get to interact with others, they get an ear full... I just have SO much to say. (I know that's not hard to believe for those who know me well.)

Football season starts this weekend so I'll get to experience "The Grove" for the first time. I have looked up the words to the infamous Ole Miss cheer, "Hotty Toddy," and discovered it makes absolutely no sense. So for those of you who think the whole War Eagle/Tiger thing makes no sense, start picking on Ole Miss for at least in Auburn, we have a story behind our battle cry! There's apparently not one in Oxford. In case you are wondering, the words are rated PG-13 so if you would prefer not to read words that can be taboo in the U.S. but are perfectly fine in Australia, don't read any further....

"Are you ready? Hell yes! Damn right!
Hotty Toddy, Gosh almighty
Who in the hell are we - Hey
Flim Flam, Bim Bam
Ole Miss By Damn."

Oh well, I guess I get to embrace yet another SEC cheer with cuss words!

This picture is from my first Ole Miss game against Memphis. We actually won!

I hope things are going well with everyone! I will try to be more diligent about posting entries when exciting things happen. I know you guys are SO interested in what happens in my life! (SARCASM!!!) I miss you all!

Last two weeks in Nashville

Well, I guess it's time to start blogging...

I'm leaving on August 15th to start a PhD program in Organizational Behavior at Ole Miss. This is my two week notice for those of you who might be interested and haven't already heard I'm getting out of Nashville. Once I get to Oxford, this blog site will be much more interesting!

But for now, I'm starting to pack up, reading books and articles on my pre-entry reading list, and catching up with friends. I'm VERY NERVOUS (not going to lie), but I'm so excited about this new chapter in my life and everything God has in store for it!

I can't wait to keep you updated on the adventures of a PhD program, new home ownership and on-campus SEC football!