I've been MIA in the blogging world lately. This summer has been absolutely crazy. I don't even know where it began... and now it's almost over. The last month at Calvary has been "Selah" month. As a church we are encouraging each other to relax, sit at the Father's feet, push pause. In other words, we haven't had any Wednesday/Sunday night activities.
Over the last week no one has "Selah"ed like me. The week before, our youth ministry was a part of Super Summer Alabama. The whole week centered around sitting at our Father's feet. I had a minor surgery last Friday. I was encouraged to relax by, yet another person, my doctor. Think the Father is trying to teach me something? I am always going. I am always doing something. Maybe it took a slap in the face to get my attention...
As I sit. As I relax. As I Selah, I can't help but think that it is in preparation for the next couple of weeks to come. Rush. Sorority Rush. Why do they call it that? Don't they know I'm learning to Selah? It's my last one. Hopefully I'll be able to rest more throughout that week than I did in the last four years. Maybe not. I love my sorority and my friends, but I do not love rush. If only, there were some other way to go through the process without being so judgmental... mean... messy... stressed....
Monday, July 25, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Nader's A Comin'-Too soon?
Three weeks ago, Wednesday, a terrible tornado ran through the city I have learned to call home. I have been lucky enough to, unlike many college students, experience Tuscaloosa beyond the confines of campus. I almost feel like I have been here more than three years, and it truly is my home-away-from-home. There are families here that I love like my own (no one will ever be able to touch the hem of James and Katrina's garment though). Tuscaloosa is, and will always be, more than the city I went to college in.
After the storm I spent the immediate weekend at my real home to be, as my dad says, "one less mouth to feed and water" in Tuscaloosa. That weekend I was becoming anxious to serve my city. To help my neighbor. To show off my Martha (Luke 10:38-42) skills to the world. In obedience to my parents I stayed until Sunday. Then, I'd had enough. I had to get back. So, I packed up my bag and went back to the familiar place that looked completely foreign. I spent my first day out in an area that I drove through on my way to mentor at a local elementary school a few semesters ago. Once we passed through the red lights on University that over passed McFarland, I could no longer believe my eyes. The landmarks that I would use to help me know where I am, are no longer there. I remember telling people in my group, "I think that used to be the fire station." "That street used to be filled with homes." "That used to be an apartment complex." All of these places are now piles of rubble. Maybe they had one wall standing. Trees are snapped in half. It is so much to process.
Later that week I joined the group that was assembling hygiene kits at church. Here is where the Martha in me could have really gotten dangerous, if I weren't careful. Thankfully the Lord kept my mind on loving people and not on what HAD to be done. He provided abundantly more than we ever could have asked or imagined on several occasions. He taught me what it was like to rely on him for everything... it was the first time in my life I've ever had to pray for shampoo. He used His Church to keep me motivated. I was so proud to be a part of the Church last week, they blew my expectations out of the water! I was also very thankful for the community the Lord has provided me with in the college ministry at Calvary. Each night we met, ate, and leaned on one another's joys and pains to get through that day... and the next.
Last year my sweet roommate, Margaret Anne and I had a great conversation about how often we find ourselves being Martha's. So when I was in Barnes and Noble during my break week a book really caught my eye. I had seen my mom reading it, and new it had to be good (side note-I love that my mom and I share a passion for reading). As I picked it up tonight, I ran across this passage that describes the last week of my life to a "T."
Like Jesus, we must be about our Father's business. The closer we draw to the heart of the Father, the more we see his heart for the world. And so as we serve, we minister, and we love, knowing that when we do it to 'the least of these,' we have done it unto Christ.
When we put our work before worship, we put the cart before the horse. The cart is important; so is the horse. But the horse must come first, or we end up pulling the cart ourselves. Frustrated and weary, we can nearly break under the pressure of service, for there is always something that needs to be done.
When we first spend time in his presence-when we take time to hear his voice-God provides the horsepower we need to pull the heaviest load. He saddles up Grace and invites us to take a ride.
-Joanna Weaver, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World
P.S. Here's my shameless plug: If you're looking for a way to help, but want to make sure your money will be going to a place that is... "an all inclusive place of loving people living out the story of God"... that will for sure use every penny to glorify the Lord in all we do, see calvarytuscaloosa.org/tornadorelief :)
P.P.S. I'm NOT hating on Martha here! Later in the Gospels, you can clearly see that because of her encounter with Jesus, her world/life/attitude was changed. How could it not have been? My life is so parallel to hers right now. Think the Lord is trying to teach me something?
After the storm I spent the immediate weekend at my real home to be, as my dad says, "one less mouth to feed and water" in Tuscaloosa. That weekend I was becoming anxious to serve my city. To help my neighbor. To show off my Martha (Luke 10:38-42) skills to the world. In obedience to my parents I stayed until Sunday. Then, I'd had enough. I had to get back. So, I packed up my bag and went back to the familiar place that looked completely foreign. I spent my first day out in an area that I drove through on my way to mentor at a local elementary school a few semesters ago. Once we passed through the red lights on University that over passed McFarland, I could no longer believe my eyes. The landmarks that I would use to help me know where I am, are no longer there. I remember telling people in my group, "I think that used to be the fire station." "That street used to be filled with homes." "That used to be an apartment complex." All of these places are now piles of rubble. Maybe they had one wall standing. Trees are snapped in half. It is so much to process.
Later that week I joined the group that was assembling hygiene kits at church. Here is where the Martha in me could have really gotten dangerous, if I weren't careful. Thankfully the Lord kept my mind on loving people and not on what HAD to be done. He provided abundantly more than we ever could have asked or imagined on several occasions. He taught me what it was like to rely on him for everything... it was the first time in my life I've ever had to pray for shampoo. He used His Church to keep me motivated. I was so proud to be a part of the Church last week, they blew my expectations out of the water! I was also very thankful for the community the Lord has provided me with in the college ministry at Calvary. Each night we met, ate, and leaned on one another's joys and pains to get through that day... and the next.
Last year my sweet roommate, Margaret Anne and I had a great conversation about how often we find ourselves being Martha's. So when I was in Barnes and Noble during my break week a book really caught my eye. I had seen my mom reading it, and new it had to be good (side note-I love that my mom and I share a passion for reading). As I picked it up tonight, I ran across this passage that describes the last week of my life to a "T."
Like Jesus, we must be about our Father's business. The closer we draw to the heart of the Father, the more we see his heart for the world. And so as we serve, we minister, and we love, knowing that when we do it to 'the least of these,' we have done it unto Christ.
When we put our work before worship, we put the cart before the horse. The cart is important; so is the horse. But the horse must come first, or we end up pulling the cart ourselves. Frustrated and weary, we can nearly break under the pressure of service, for there is always something that needs to be done.
When we first spend time in his presence-when we take time to hear his voice-God provides the horsepower we need to pull the heaviest load. He saddles up Grace and invites us to take a ride.
-Joanna Weaver, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World
P.S. Here's my shameless plug: If you're looking for a way to help, but want to make sure your money will be going to a place that is... "an all inclusive place of loving people living out the story of God"... that will for sure use every penny to glorify the Lord in all we do, see calvarytuscaloosa.org/tornadorelief :)
P.P.S. I'm NOT hating on Martha here! Later in the Gospels, you can clearly see that because of her encounter with Jesus, her world/life/attitude was changed. How could it not have been? My life is so parallel to hers right now. Think the Lord is trying to teach me something?
Monday, February 7, 2011
I Can Do Bad All By Myself
If you know me,I am the girl who is imfamous for calling things "boy jobs." it's been a running joke, and to be completely honest I have never had a problem asking for help. Which is most likely all part of my codependent nature. On the other hand, not asking for help in other circumstances is also codependent. But for the purposes of this post, let's go with the first.
Over the past few weeks I have made it a point to do things that I would usually call someone to give me a hand with and do it by myself. The Lord has been teaching me that, though doing life with others is essential to this life, there are certain things that I don't NEED someone else for. For example here are a few things, while minor, seem like giant leaps to me that I have done all by myself...
1. Killed a bug & disposed of it
2. Changed a lightbulb in a high & awkward spot of my closet
3. Gotten gas in the dark (not my smartest move but you get the point). (there were pleanty of people around & it was well lit, Mom)
4. Hung pictures
5. Carried my luggage up & down the stairs
Call me silly.. Call me weak. I don't care. I've come a long way!
Over the past few weeks I have made it a point to do things that I would usually call someone to give me a hand with and do it by myself. The Lord has been teaching me that, though doing life with others is essential to this life, there are certain things that I don't NEED someone else for. For example here are a few things, while minor, seem like giant leaps to me that I have done all by myself...
1. Killed a bug & disposed of it
2. Changed a lightbulb in a high & awkward spot of my closet
3. Gotten gas in the dark (not my smartest move but you get the point). (there were pleanty of people around & it was well lit, Mom)
4. Hung pictures
5. Carried my luggage up & down the stairs
Call me silly.. Call me weak. I don't care. I've come a long way!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
JESUS
I just got back from Passion 2011. All week I couldn't help myself from thinking about things I wanted to share and blog about. I have had a great time getting to know my Savior even better over the weekend. This post could very well turn into a novel if I were to write everything that He has taught me. I will spare you the hour. I am very willing to share to any and everyone that asks/ has the time to listen to me rant. However, after all the time I had to think on the ride home from Atlanta, the only one who IS sufficient & worthy of sharing is:
JESUS!
JESUS!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Cheese Please
It's new years eve. I'm sitting on the couch all by myself. My first thoughts were, "Man...I must be a loser." and some other things that weren't very glorifying to the Lord. Then I was thinking of ways that I could turn it around to do so. So, here's the cheesey reflecting on the past year blog post:
This year has been filled with high and lows. Reflecting back, I have almost forgotten what a big year it has been. It started out with the biggest high I could ever ask for as a student at the University of Alabama... a National Championship. Thanks to my amazing dad; he, my sister, and I got to be at the game in Pasadena. That is a memory that I will never forget.
Going back to school after the game had been won was so much fun. The entire campus was completely on fire.
The next big thing that happened this year was spring break. I had the wonderful opportunity to go to Camp Rockmont with the amazing youth group at Calvary. I, yes Emily Sanderson, climbed a mountain AND slept at the top. That part was neither fun or comfortable. All night my head was on a sharp rock and I was rolling down the mountain the whole time. However, seeing the world from that very high point was an incredible blessing. Whoever can look at that same view that we did and say that there is not a God, needs to be checked. Seriously.
I spent the rest of the semester living with my best friends, doing life with the youth at Calvary, and having fun with Alpha Chi.
My big sister graduated college. WIERD. Whenever something has happened to her in life, I usually get a kick in the face because my turn is next.
This summer was one of the most fun summers that I can remember. It began with a girls trip to Charleston with my mom. Then, the rest of my time was spent in "Tuscaloosa." The quotes are there because there were a bunch of trips that we went on as a youth ministry. This summer I had the great opportunity to get to know my best friend Carlin's fiance, Jordan, so much better than I could have ever asked for. Usually when you meet someone and they are already dating the other person, you only get to know their significant other from them. Jordan did us a huge favor and helped us out as a staff for the youth ministry. Now when I say my friends Carlin and Jordan I MEAN my friends... not my friend Carlin and her fiance Jordan. With the youth group we went to Arlington, the beach, and to Super Summer. It was constantly busy, but so much fun.
This year has been filled with high and lows. Reflecting back, I have almost forgotten what a big year it has been. It started out with the biggest high I could ever ask for as a student at the University of Alabama... a National Championship. Thanks to my amazing dad; he, my sister, and I got to be at the game in Pasadena. That is a memory that I will never forget.
Going back to school after the game had been won was so much fun. The entire campus was completely on fire.
The next big thing that happened this year was spring break. I had the wonderful opportunity to go to Camp Rockmont with the amazing youth group at Calvary. I, yes Emily Sanderson, climbed a mountain AND slept at the top. That part was neither fun or comfortable. All night my head was on a sharp rock and I was rolling down the mountain the whole time. However, seeing the world from that very high point was an incredible blessing. Whoever can look at that same view that we did and say that there is not a God, needs to be checked. Seriously.
I spent the rest of the semester living with my best friends, doing life with the youth at Calvary, and having fun with Alpha Chi.
My big sister graduated college. WIERD. Whenever something has happened to her in life, I usually get a kick in the face because my turn is next.
This summer was one of the most fun summers that I can remember. It began with a girls trip to Charleston with my mom. Then, the rest of my time was spent in "Tuscaloosa." The quotes are there because there were a bunch of trips that we went on as a youth ministry. This summer I had the great opportunity to get to know my best friend Carlin's fiance, Jordan, so much better than I could have ever asked for. Usually when you meet someone and they are already dating the other person, you only get to know their significant other from them. Jordan did us a huge favor and helped us out as a staff for the youth ministry. Now when I say my friends Carlin and Jordan I MEAN my friends... not my friend Carlin and her fiance Jordan. With the youth group we went to Arlington, the beach, and to Super Summer. It was constantly busy, but so much fun.
As the summer ended, rush began. We were so completely blessed with an AMAZING pledge class. Then the semester started and football season began. School was rough this semester. The Lord has definitely taught me all about perseverance. That is a lesson that I think I have mastered...until the next season of life. Then, He teaches me a new way to hold more closely to Him and His throne of grace. For that I will be forever grateful. This semester I have also learned to take care of myself, get out of my comfort zone, get to know new people, and just have fun.
As I look back I see how much has happened. I also see that a year is much shorter than it used to be. I am excited to see where the Lord and I will be on our journey this time next year.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
ZAP!
The new addition to my blog is the picture underneath the header. Though it is about a year old, it is quite possibly my absolute favorite picture from all of college. So, I thought it deserved a worthy place. It's my favorite because it has some of my favorite girls in the world in it. The picture is also from formal my sophomore year, and it was a lot of fun! This blog is dedicated to these sweet girls: Becca, Margaret, and Katie.
Becca:
My first memory of Becca is from our pledge retreat. She was one of my roommates for the weekend. All that I really remember is the fact that there was a terrible storm in Baton Rouge (her home) and she was on the phone begging her "friend" to evacuate. This "friend" is now her amazing boyfriend Drew (who is also in the picture). For a little while there I kind of thought she was freaking out a little bit too much... ha! love you Becs!
Becca is one of the sweetest women I know. Deep down, she has a tender heart and really cares for the ones she loves. Becca loves the Lord more than life itself. She is the friend that knows just about everything about me. She is a great listener and very understanding. Becca is my friend that always calls to see how I am doing, even if we haven't seen each other in a couple of days. For this, I am really thankful!
Margaret:
Marge and I grew up about fifteen minutes from each other. Our paths could have passed about a million times when we were younger. We have so many family/friend connections, it's not even funny. However, the Lord chose to keep our paths from crossing until we were in college. I don't exactly remember my first interaction with Margaret.
Marge is ALWAYS good for a laugh. No matter how bad I feel, I will be guaranteed a laugh while spending time with Margaret. I am constantly having to "call 911" because she is so terribly "ill," "hurt, or "dying." Marge's joy in the Lord is so incredibly contagious.
Katie:
Katie also grew up a few minutes away from me. We have so many mutual friends it is not even funny. I remember gravitating toward her at the beginning of our pledgeship because I knew she loved the Lord. I also knew that if she was anything like the friends we had in common, then we would definitely get along.
Katie is really fun. She is level headed. She can look at a situation and see both sides and pick the best outcome. Katie is compassionate. She's task oriented and very smart. I am thankful for her friendship. This past semester, Katie has been my friend that has kept my lazy butt involved in Alpha Chi.
I am so very thankful for ALL of my great friendships with girls. Since college, God has truly blessed me with SO many great friendships. I am truly grateful for this season of life. Without these friends, I do not know what I would do.
(Disclaimer... if you are not in this post, your time will come... I promise!)
Becca:
My first memory of Becca is from our pledge retreat. She was one of my roommates for the weekend. All that I really remember is the fact that there was a terrible storm in Baton Rouge (her home) and she was on the phone begging her "friend" to evacuate. This "friend" is now her amazing boyfriend Drew (who is also in the picture). For a little while there I kind of thought she was freaking out a little bit too much... ha! love you Becs!
Becca is one of the sweetest women I know. Deep down, she has a tender heart and really cares for the ones she loves. Becca loves the Lord more than life itself. She is the friend that knows just about everything about me. She is a great listener and very understanding. Becca is my friend that always calls to see how I am doing, even if we haven't seen each other in a couple of days. For this, I am really thankful!
Margaret:
Marge and I grew up about fifteen minutes from each other. Our paths could have passed about a million times when we were younger. We have so many family/friend connections, it's not even funny. However, the Lord chose to keep our paths from crossing until we were in college. I don't exactly remember my first interaction with Margaret.
Marge is ALWAYS good for a laugh. No matter how bad I feel, I will be guaranteed a laugh while spending time with Margaret. I am constantly having to "call 911" because she is so terribly "ill," "hurt, or "dying." Marge's joy in the Lord is so incredibly contagious.
Katie:
Katie also grew up a few minutes away from me. We have so many mutual friends it is not even funny. I remember gravitating toward her at the beginning of our pledgeship because I knew she loved the Lord. I also knew that if she was anything like the friends we had in common, then we would definitely get along.
Katie is really fun. She is level headed. She can look at a situation and see both sides and pick the best outcome. Katie is compassionate. She's task oriented and very smart. I am thankful for her friendship. This past semester, Katie has been my friend that has kept my lazy butt involved in Alpha Chi.
I am so very thankful for ALL of my great friendships with girls. Since college, God has truly blessed me with SO many great friendships. I am truly grateful for this season of life. Without these friends, I do not know what I would do.
(Disclaimer... if you are not in this post, your time will come... I promise!)
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
5...Almost 6!!
Okay, so I'm still getting the hang of this blogging thing. I can't promise that I will be very good at keeping it up, but I will try. I don't want to bore you with things that aren't necessarily blog worthy. To be honest that's why there has only been one post so far. The first part of my Christmas break was pretty boring to say the least. As soon as I finished my last final I went over to Audrey's house and borrowed all four Twilight books. I know... I know... Twilight. No, I don't want to be a vampire or a werewolf... and Stephanie Myers is no Shakespeare, but I will admit that it is good. Give it a chance. I may or may not have read the first three within a week... It's that good.
The purpose of this blog post was not to tell you that I've been reading Twilight. It is to say that my big sister, Sara, is ENGAGED! Here's how it all went down:
We had a fam trip to Nashville all set up. We were all pretty excited to spend some much needed time together. Being the house of three emotional girls that we are, we were having some kind of argument on the way up there. My mom was frustrated and turned around told us to get along, and said something to the effect of "This could be our last family trip with just the 5 of us." She was the only one who knew exactly how true those words were (she was in on the whole engagement thing). It took us about 6 hours from our front door step until we were checked into the hotel. (Nashville is only 3 hours away from our house FYI). So, we missed our chance to see the Grand Ole Opry. We did end up getting the opportunity to see the Rockettes on Saturday.
The next morning we woke up early and went to go see Ice and Snow.
While standing in line for those beautiful coats Dad leaned down and he told me the plan for the engagement. We kept Jill in the dark about the whole thing, because even she admitted that there is no way that the secret would be kept if she knew. I was to help distract Sara while Drew and his family were getting set into place. Later that afternoon, I did my job and kept her from seeing him. While walking toward him she and I were talking... ok Sara was talking. I was too preoccupied with figuring out where he was exactly! Then, all of a sudden she stopped mid-sentence and said, "That girl looks like Melissa." (Drew's sister).... and the rest was history......
We are so honored to have Drew as a part of our family! I could not think of anyone more perfect for my Sissy. He loves the Lord. He is laid back. He's funny. Thanks Drew for putting up with the craziness that is the Sanderson family! We love you!! I can't wait until you're my brother-in-law!
The purpose of this blog post was not to tell you that I've been reading Twilight. It is to say that my big sister, Sara, is ENGAGED! Here's how it all went down:
We had a fam trip to Nashville all set up. We were all pretty excited to spend some much needed time together. Being the house of three emotional girls that we are, we were having some kind of argument on the way up there. My mom was frustrated and turned around told us to get along, and said something to the effect of "This could be our last family trip with just the 5 of us." She was the only one who knew exactly how true those words were (she was in on the whole engagement thing). It took us about 6 hours from our front door step until we were checked into the hotel. (Nashville is only 3 hours away from our house FYI). So, we missed our chance to see the Grand Ole Opry. We did end up getting the opportunity to see the Rockettes on Saturday.
The next morning we woke up early and went to go see Ice and Snow.
While standing in line for those beautiful coats Dad leaned down and he told me the plan for the engagement. We kept Jill in the dark about the whole thing, because even she admitted that there is no way that the secret would be kept if she knew. I was to help distract Sara while Drew and his family were getting set into place. Later that afternoon, I did my job and kept her from seeing him. While walking toward him she and I were talking... ok Sara was talking. I was too preoccupied with figuring out where he was exactly! Then, all of a sudden she stopped mid-sentence and said, "That girl looks like Melissa." (Drew's sister).... and the rest was history......
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