special

"You're remarkable-- you really are.

You're the only one like you.

There isn't another in the whole wide world

Who can do the things you do

Because you're special--special.

Everyone is special.

Everyone in his or her own way.

Yes, you're special--special.

Everyone is special.

Everyone in his or her own way."

-Barney

[the same, yet different]

While preparing material for Blume bible studies today a specific part stuck out.

"God's power in us is meant to be used to reach the world. To change the world for Christ. How can you use the gifts God has given you to change your world? What is God calling you to do? We are all called to do the same thing, just in different ways."

I, being a die-hard Barney fan when I was younger, immediately thought of the above song. Each of us is called to do the same thing just in our own different, special way. If you've been following along you know that I want to change the world for Christ and that I've been struggling with what I think God's plan for me is. I've been going back and forth, back and forth, but it suddenly made sense. It doesn't matter what I do.

Let me rephrase that a bit. It doesn't matter what I do because God will use me wherever I am. I may eventually get the opportunity to travel (shout out to the "final 5" that just recently realized it's super fun to travel and get a fresh perspective), I may stay in Birmingham, go back home, move to a thriving metropolis or podunk, USA.--but wherever I am, I can make a difference if I'm willing to.

While I am a lover of writing and my mom affectionately calls me a "wordsmith"--I'm a firm believer that actions speak louder than words. Words can be: false, unintentional, cold or just all around flat because, in my humble opinion, it's way, way easier to say something than to actually do it. Actions, however, require premeditation (hint to my views on the recently annoucned Casey Anthony verdict), or at least they should (but that's a whole other can of worms I won't be opening today). Therefore, I have decided to walk the walk instead of simply talking the talk. I want my actions(my life choices, daily activities, and relationhips) to reflect my walk with Christ. Go with me for a sec.--I believe that it speaks volumes to consider what your friends, acquaintences and even those who don't know you well might say about you at your funeral; that's the mark you're leaving on the world. So, decide what you would want people to say about you and then fall in line accordingly.

Everyone is special and has a special purpose too.

The sooner you realize that you have something unique to offer the world the better.

Made in America

"Where liberty dwells, there is my country."

~Benjamin Franklin

This weekend, make sure you take a break from all of the BBQs, fireworks and sparklers to remember why we're celebrating. These are a few pictures from my Forever Young trip to Washington D.C.

[my friend, Carl Miller of Alabama]

[marine playing taps-vets paying their respect to friends who didn't make it home]

[one very proud granddaughter of a WWII Navy Vet from Marked Tree, Ark.]

"All we have of freedom, all we use or know - This our fathers bought for us long and long ago."
~Rudyard Kipling, The Old Issue, 1899

Now... go on, get out there and celebrate 'merica the way we were meant to...

with a PARTY!

*blog title courtesy of Toby Keith's new song of the same name

down the rabbit hole

"If I had a world all my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary-wise; what it is it wouldn't be, and what it wouldn't be it would. You see?"

-Alice

While anxiously awaiting Kelsey Jo's "American themed Beach Birthday Bash" I got to thinking of my own birthday. Selfish, I know, but what I came up with is the fact that growing up doesn't mean you don't get to have fun on your birthday. ERGO, I have begun planning my fabulous 22 (yikes) birthday.

Seeing as how my birthday is nestled right smack dab in the middle of November it's a wee bit tricky. Right before Thanksgiving and right around the time everyone wants to jump off a bridge from the ever-increasing amount of school work right before exams. Since I figure everyone's gonna be going crazy anyway..might as well give them an outlet in which to do so.

This above logic lead me to the only rational conclusion:

an Alice in Wonderland party

this is what I would want it to be like (if I had ceaseless funds)

[you get the idea]

[invitations a lil' somethin like this]

[or this, disregard that this is a "save the date"]

[refreshments]

I might need to brush up on my knowledge of the Mad Hatter's unbirthday tea party, but I think everyone is familiar enough to run with it. If not, I can spell it out:

-costumes: seriously so much fun to be had, possibilities are endless

~Mad Hatter

~Cheshire Cat

~Queen/King of Hearts

~White Rabbit

~Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum

~Caterpillar

~Doorknob

~March Hare

and much more

-everything is opposite; makin' sense?

BONUS: it comes with an OPI line of its own.. seriously?? I can't help myself.

This is probably just a silly dream I'm having about my birthday that's over 5 months away, but maybe it isn't...

That's the Spirit!

helplessly, hopelessly

brutally honest.

or honest to a fault. Call it what you want, I tend to just plain ole tell the truth (or rather, my honest opinion of the truth). My mother frequently refers to it as "painfully honest," my dad just stares at me, eyes wide, and chuckles in admiration of the statements I make, and my sister generally resolves to physically hitting me because she can't think of a way to respond [mind you this was when we were younger-not like, yesterday]. Regardless, you get the picture. I'm kind of a tell it as I see it kind of gal. While some find this brash, abrassive or downright rude, I view it as helpful. If people don't want the truth why do they ask?

Another notoriously dry and sarcastic lady who may understand my frustration is Kelly Cutrone (some of you may know of her from The Hills and The City- she's the fashion PR behind People's Revolution). Surprisingly, my mom heard of her books and suggested I pick one up; so, I did. Much to my delight, Kelly is as brutally honest as they come, and spares no detail when describing her rise to the top of the PR world. I find it incredibly insightful and inspiring. *disclaimer: she's brutal people. don't pick up this book if you're wary of profanity and/or the descriptions of a loose lifestyle. She outlines what it takes to follow your dreams, no matter how out of reach they may seem.

Here are a few passages that stuck out to me:

"Move toward what feels right-toward the things we know, for reasons we can't explain, that we're meant to do, the things that make us feel alive."

"I hope that you too will have a journey instead of just a life. Actually, I hope you have an expedition."

"There are people related to you physially, and then there are people we're related to spiritually, emotionally, and socially. The road to your dreams is sometimes dark, and it's sometimes magical, but The Wizard of Oz had one thing right: it's ultimately about the journey and the characters who accompany you on it, not about the destination."

"You never know who will end up being your family or where you'll find them. All that matters is that you do find them. After all, your tribe members, whether people gifted to you by the universe or people you seek out and pay, will not only add something unique and essential to your journey but make it much more colorful and fun."

so if you're brave enough for a little honesty, want info on professional dos and don'ts, or just wanna know how someone can go from blue collar to blue-blood I recommend this book.

in closing, a quote from one of my favorite movies:

"Like I always said, 'If ya can't think of anything nice to say, come sit by me'."
-Clairee Belcher, Steel Magnolias

i love my sister who....

has an american-themed birthday bash

This coming weekend is July 4th. I've always gone to Arkansas to celebrate with an "Adams Family reunion" in good ole Caddo Valley, but this year I'm breaking tradition and heading to the Alabama coast with my friends to celebrate Kelsey Jo turning 21.

While most day dream about fireworks and grilling out (I am too but it's not the point) I have obsessed with finding DIY ways to make her bday more than memorable.

First: I'm craving fruit pizza; so I'm gonna make it patriotic and slap a few candles on it

it's a win/win.

Next, who doesn't want a theme-appropriate refreshment?

These patriotic pops are made with cranberry juice, lemonade and blue powerade.

just pour into Dixie cups (appropriate, right? dixie..get it?) one layer at a time and let sit for about an hour each before adding the next layer. Don't forget to add the wooden sticks after the first layer! and Voila!

Finally, what's a 21st without a little "officially-legal" refreshment?

These frozen concoctions are courtesy of pinterest.

1- Tequila-based cocktail which gets its pretty colors from cranberry juice, watermelon schnapps and blue cracao.

2- Strawberry sucker strawberry schnapps, vodka and club soda make a fizzy afternoon drink. Add blueberries and/or strawberries for fun.

3- Watermelon Cooler: 4 cups sliced watermelon, 1/2 cup lemonade, & blackberries for garnish.

puree watermelon and lemonade then stir in vodka or tequila and serve over ice.

4- Patriotic Margarita: Blue HPNOTIQ Liqueor topped with red layer of strawberry puree, dark rum, coconut milk, pinapple juice and crushed ice.

5- Red, White and Blue Martini: HPNOTIQ and grenadine give this citris-vodka based drink some flair. garnish with a coconut for the "white."

*basically get yourself some HPNOTIQ or blue curacao, some strawberry/watermelon schnapps or grenadine and some lemonade or coconut to make any drink patriotic.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEEK KELSEY JO!

isn't it ironic? dont'cha think?

Yes, the title is from an Alanis Morissette song (the majority of my titles are songs if you're paying attention), but I have a point. Remember how I said Crazy Love was rocking my world? Well, now it's shakin' up my core.

"The irony is that while God doesn't need us but still wants us, we desperately need God but don't really want him most of the time." Francis Chan

yikes.

*disclaimer: the enclosed video to "Ironic" is freakn weird, but I'm oddly fond of the actual song and lyrics

bible and a bus ticket home

I loved this picture because she can't see where she's going next; scary or exciting?

Crazy Love is rocking my world right now, and I'm not even one of those people who is often inspired by books. seriously, ask anyone who's ever been to the beach with me- i always start a book with the best of intentions and end up wanting to toss it in the ocean upon completion. Not this one, my friends, not this one.

I could write a novel on each paragraph, but I don't have all day, nor do you my faithful followers; so, I'll keep it short and sweet- kinda... not really.

"The point of your life is to point to Him. In about 50 years (give it a couple of decades), no one will remember you. Everyone you know will be dead. Certainly no one will care what job you had, what car you drove, what school you attended, or what clothes you wore. This can be terrifying or reassuring, or maybe a mix of both. The truth is some people waste their lives. All that matters is the reality of who we are before God" -Francis Chan, Crazy Love

This sounds harsh, I know. I was like geez, that's morbid Francis, but the truth is he's right, sort of. I mean, honestly, people still know who Pocahontas is. Ok, bad example; seeing as I'm not gonna get a Disney movie made after me, but you get my point. There are people that will be remembered for generations to come; who says I(or you) can't be one of 'em? SOo00oo0, I'm making it a point to prove Francis wrong. Anyone with me??

People may not remember everything about me, and I sincerely hope they don't. But, my goal is to make a mark on this earth, and the people in it, SO huge that people will remember it and think of God. (big dream, I know, but as I've said before--everyone always encourages little girls to dream big, I'm finally being obedient.) SOO I'm asking any and every one who reads this to think of their own journey; does what you're doing point to God? It doesn't have to be anything crazy, but it can be.. :)

Whether you're:

-raising a family (who isn't)

-working a 9 to 5 job in a cubical (me, currently)

-saving lives in a hospital (Emily Luanne, Kathleen, Courtney, Mama & MJ etc.)

-teaching the youth of today for a better tomorrow (Kelsey Jo, and my cousin Amanda)

-broadcasting the evening news (August/ all my fellow JMCers)

-selling retail (summer jobs)

-called to a life overseas

-a traveling salesman/woman (my daddy, & Suz)

-or even a curator at an art museum (miss tara white)

I challenge you to make your life point to God in every tiny little thing that you do.

This is what I want for my adventure:

(note: this isn't my Bible, but I love it when Bibles look tattered and worn, means they're doing their job)

my road map

because no matter how good it is now, my memory will fail me at some point and I want to make sure the most import things get passed on

(wish this picture was bigger)

This little beaut is the product of pure genius: a fully digital camera with all of the benefits and looks of an antique. Christmas wish list? I think YES.

Finally, I wanted to share where the title of this post came from, a Collin Raye song. My daddy and I tend to like the same music, and I may or may not have stolen this CD from him at some point, but when I read these passages, this song came to mind.

"I found a note my mamma left me,

With a Bible and a bus ticket home.

It said: 'One will get you where you're goin'

When you haven't got a prayer,

And one will bring ya back son,

If your dreams ain't waitin' there.

You're out on your own now.

We won't be there to fall back on,

But you know you're never farther

Than a Bible and a bus ticket home'."

so, pack what you want and leave the rest because, folks, it's about time our lives started pointing to God.. no matter where the journey takes us.