A Mighty Perspective

My God is mightier than any Mississippi River!!! In the name of my Jesus, those levees WILL hold, and my family, town, and state WILL be DRY!

I took a drive home last week for my brother’s spring football game and Briarfield’s graduation. As I drove home, the tension of the rising Mississippi River became almost tangible. I navigated the beautiful scenery of highway 61 all the way up to Natchez, MS. There were no looming signs warning of an attack of flooding waters or any public service announcements warning residents to flee for high ground. The ride was simply serene, until….

As I crossed the Mississippi River bridge into Vidalia, LA, I realized that this threat of flooding is a very serious issue. The newly built riverfront park area in Vidalia is now underwater. If you haven’t been there before, you would never know it existed. My heart immediately sank for the many families and businesses that would be affected by this historical flood.

A few weeks ago, I went on a motorcycle ride with my dad (my first and probably my last). As we rode Lake Providence, thoughts ran through my mind of the things I cherish about my sweet town. On my latest drive from Vidalia all the way to Lake Providence, the same thoughts ran through my mind of the things I would miss if my hometown was to be covered with the waters of the muddy Mississippi. Now, I feel the need to share. Let me take you to MY Lake Providence:

Imagine a town where the people are few and the crops are plenty. Take a ride down a local road. As you drive with the windows down, country music describes the very scenery through which you are moving. The landscape dances to the tune. Fields are full of color. The green leaves of soybean fields meet the yellow of corn peeping through its husk. The white bolls of cotton neighbor the beautiful gold of wheat fields that sway just perfectly in the rare summer breeze.

Just beyond the fields is a row of trees with leaves clapping along with the beat. Stately oaks, broad magnolias, and brilliant pines blend together a gorgeous array of green that buffers just right against a beautiful blue summer sky.

Making a turn towards home, you notice the weeds garnishing the roadside. Honeysuckle brings the smell of summer right to your nose, as buttercups wave from the ground below. Just then another car is approaching.  A nice country bumpkin just like yourself, no doubt. You don’t recognize the face, but you wave anyway. It’s an expected gesture that leaves a little warm sensation in your heart each time. Now, you’re turning towards home. You mom will be waiting with a glass of ice cold sweet tea and the relaxing aroma of cornbread and pecan pie fill your nose and tickle your belly. You’re fixna have supper with your family. It’s the perfect ending to a perfect day.

Then, I must leave. Traveling down a sentimental dirt road, the dust clouds the past behind you and the sun shines beautifully on the future you drive into. This is MY Lake Providence.

These are emotions that could be covered by water with this looming flood. I choose believe in my God to deliver His perfect creation from that threat. Again, the Mississippi may be mighty, but my God is mightier!

But you have seen the LORD perform all these mighty deeds with your own eyes! --Deut 11:7 Join with me in prayer for the town that means so much to me, my family, and my friends. God is good, and His grace is sufficient.

Mothers

Today, I struck up conversation with a very sweet, semi-hip old lady in the check-out line at Wal-Mart. It reminded me of my Nana. Of course, the lady was purchasing planters and potting soil. Yes, just like my Nana. The sweet little lady brought joy to my day, despite the crazy hectic flow of shoppers.

As I checked out, I realized all the times that my own mom and grandmother brought joy into my day by doing things just as simple as the lady in the check-out line. Coincidentally (or maybe not so coincidentally), these reminiscent thoughts are just in time for Mother’s Day. I think that makes it 100% acceptable to write an entire post about the moms in my life.

Now, my real mom is fantastic. I can’t even pretend she hasn’t served as everything I have needed for 24 years. We’ll get into that later though. First, I’d like to give a shout out to all my other “moms.” Being from a small town, you inherit a slew of moms that don’t even really belong to you. To all of those moms, along with my slew of aunts and great-aunts, I have to say that you have made growing up so much easier. It’s pretty tough to totally screw things up when you have a million mothering eyes watching you from various places. Thanks for keeping me on track. I think you did pretty well.

My grandmother and step-grandmother have been pivotal characters in my development too. They have played their roles quite well. I have always felt very loved and supported…and spoiled. Nana even gave me my first New Year’s champagne…at age 8-ish (but don’t tell mom). She’s been kind of like an older best friend who has already been through everything. I can’t even imagine what life would be like, if she hadn’t been there to tell me that I am smart and beautiful and to show me how to achieve my goal (not just set them). Nana instilled a lot of things in me, a lot of passions that make me who I am.

Mom. Mothers are supposed to be that driving force that shows a girl what she can be. My mom did a great job. From carting me around from cheer practice to basketball game to track meet all the way to her newest task, mom has been the most steady, supportive influence in my life. Mom’s aforementioned newest task is to let me go. Because she’s good at hiding her hurt, I assume Mom is doing a great job in this role too. I am getting married to the love of my life and moving with him to Pennsylvania. Some moms would not allow this to happen. My mom realizes that this is the best opportunity I have ever been given. I now have the chance to start my family with a man who loves me unconditionally in a state where we can both flourish professionally. I know it must be hard, but this is probably the time that I will appreciate most from mom. Mom has done her best raising me, and I think I turned out alright. Now, I’m moving on. Thank you, Mom, for teaching me everything I need and being supportive as I fly the coupe to start my own journey through life. I’m not leaving you. I’m leaving Louisiana. You’ll always be a part of my life. I love you.

To all of my MOMs: I love you so much. Thank you for shaping me into ME. Y'all bring the JOY into all daughters' lives.

P.S. I’m also getting a new mom soon! I didn’t forget you Mom Watson. You’re pretty awesome too. You’ve done a great job raising my future husband. I’m glad we’ll be close enough that I’ll get to know and learn from you too! I love you!

Looking Forward Joyfully

So, Spring Break has come and gone. The good news is it was GREAT! Also, I’m done with classes/teaching at LSU! One more presentation and I’m ready for the move to PA!!! Anyway, more on Spring Break…

Easter: Of course, it is so easy to find the joy in the day my LORD rose from the grave. It is so sobering to think about my Savior going through all of the pain resulting from sin I committed. It is even easier to see His wonder when the Easter celebration is wonderful. I got to spend the Saturday prior to Easter Sunday with my family...eating crawfish!!! It was such a wonderful, delicious time. Then, I woke Easter morning to attend sunrise service with the wonder people of Providence Church. I just cannot explain how much those sweet people bless my heart every time I see them. If you would like to see a good example of loving others, visit Providence Church. They WILL bring you in just like one of their very own children. It is beautiful. After sunrise service, I had a delicious breakfast with my Nana, followed by another church service. The youth at Kilbourne Pentecostal Church did a performance of the death and resurrection of Christ that was beautiful. It was so great to see my brother involved in a wonderful performance. Shasta and I were also privileged to be a part of it, as we read two poems: one on the death of Christ, and one on His resurrection. I was humbled by the words of each. After church, we were able to spend another day with family. We ate, fellowshipped, and hunted eggs. It was a great time of bonding. I am growing to appreciate those times more, now that I know I will be moving to Pennsylvania in a short time.  

Monday: LOOOOONG day! I drove back to Baton Rouge, flew to Atlanta after a delay, flew to Philadelphia after another delay, and rode Morrisville with my fiancé. That’s traveling from 8am to 1:30am! It was all worth it when Mike stood at the baggage claim to welcome me with a warm, wonderful hug.

Tuesday-Friday: Can you say JOB HUNT? Most of my time during the week was spent meeting principals, making calls and trying to find a school with an elementary opening (and enough money to hire someone to fill the position). On Friday, Jen (Mike’s sister) took me to work with her. She works with children with hearing impairments. It was such a fun day! Jen is absolutely wonderful at bringing joy into her students’ lives, and I am so glad to see her bringing happiness into those kids’ days. It was a wonderful day!

Saturday: PHILLIES! I got to attend the Phillies vs. Mets game, sit in a suite, and enjoy a baseball day with Mike! We also got to tour the Eagles’ facilities, and I got to see him do a little work. It was a perfect date day!

Sunday: We looked at a great new apartment, finalized a guest list, and chose our ceremony music. It was a busy busy day! The day/week had a wonderful conclusion when we celebrated Jen’s birthday with the whole family (including Mrs. Chris and Kelly).

It was really a JOYful trip. I was able to relax in the presence of my favorite person in the world and really explore the area as my future home. I am very excited, and much less nervous, about the future now. I just ask that you all pray for direction and opened doors in the career and housing area. God has big plans in store!

Check out the new prayer request! Support those diligently serving the Lord!