UPLIFT

Focus Focus is something our world lacks in this day and age. Our attention is so easily captivated by the next best product, the parties, school, small struggles, shiny things, and literally anything and everything. In fact, you probably won't read this entire thing without picking up your phone at least once to answer a text or scroll through Instagram. Yeah-- I struggle there too.  I've come to realize that it is crucial to focus on the Lord in order to keep a relationship with him, retain an eternal perspective, and live out each day with the mindset to follow Him. He warns us of the world; He warns us of the distractions and the doubt. The story of Peter walking on water is such a great reminder of what happens when we lose sight of Jesus.  Jesus calls Peter to come, walk on the water, and reach him. Peter gets out of the boat and begins walking on water straight toward Jesus. But then... but then Peter looks around at the storm surrounding him. He becomes af...

Imagine a Christmas present sitting underneath the tree. You have been asking for this gift for months now. You have researched, created a spreadsheet explaining to your parents why you deserve this as a gift, and know every detail about the gift beautifully wrapped in shining paper with your name written on it—but you have yet to open it. Although you know about this gift you cannot use it, you cannot invest time into it until you go and grab the box, unwrap the paper, take the item out, and actively engage with it.  This is how I identified my life-style as a Christian. I had done the research (read the bible), knew why I needed Jesus, knew the outs and ins, and had received the gift of Christ. The only problem was that I had received the gift but failed to open it.  I grew up in a Christ-centered home—going to church on Sundays, Wednesdays, and church camp in the summers. My whole life I have loved the Lord and believed in my whole heart that he died on the cross to...

This is Kennedy aka “ken” Kennedy may be one of the strongest people I have ever met. It would take the world to break this girl. Through the storm she sees the Lord advancing to the light and straying from the darkness. I am so proud of this girl. A little about Kennedy: Ken is a volleyball star. If she has the opportunity to play court, sand, or just hold a volleyball that is exactly where you will find her. Kennedy is an adventurer. She is always beaming with joy at the thought of a new place, activity, and person to meet. Nothing is holding this girl back. She loves her little sister with her whole heart and it is absolutely precious.  Within the past two weeks I have been living with Kennedy I have witnessed tremendous growth in her faith. Coming into the summer was an amazing girl who knew Jesus’ name, loved him, and did good works. Today she is an amazing girl in Christ who knows Jesus, loves him and knows she is loved by him, and knows she doesn’t have ...

This is Madison aka “Sunshine"   Madison shines the brightest light. I have never once seen her when she isn’t smiling, kindly and attentively listening, or beaming in happiness.  A little about Mads: She was raised in a small east Texas town and carries one of those strong, southern accents but speaks with such light-hearted manner. She cares so deeply for those around her-- especially her parents and two younger brothers. Each day Mads makes the time to invest in others whether that’s sitting down and asking “what’s really up” or picking up the phone for a two-hour call. She genuinely and full-heartedly cares for those around her.  She has so much joy that those who don’t know true joy cannot grasp her pure heart. Jesus flows through Mads visibily and radiantly.  Mads you have become one of my closest friends. You are a role model in my life and an accountability parter. I look up to you and firmly believe you aid me in deepening my relationship with the Lor...

This is Gracie  Gracie is a storyteller. I have never heard someone tell as interesting stories as this gal. By being a story teller she lives a life worth telling.  Grace has taught me that anything that I don’t like I don’t have to put up with. I often hear her tell me “that’s not okay” usually masked in the phrase “that ain’t it”. She truly cares for her friends and when something is off she’ll tell you. Many times this year she has set me straight and I am so very thankful for it. Without her I’d be putting up with things not worth putting up with. She has taught me the importance of strong will.  Gracie is also a friend, sister, daughter, jokester, and liver. She is a friend to many. She cares about her people and guards them with great love. She is a sister to little Hope. Grace and Hope are sister with a decent age difference. Their names truly portray their character. Gracie loves and protects her littles sister so well. It is amazing to hear ab...

This is Lala Lala is my little sister who scares me because sometimes I see her across the room and think its myself. I call her lala because she has the ability to escape into her own little world.  I am so proud to be her big sister.  Ella has a heart of light and determination. She’s never to old to tell me she loves me. She still loves laying with my mom and watching movies. She doesn’t think she’s too cool for family. And I love it.  Ella is a servant. She cares about others and strives to make a difference in the world. And I’ll say, her presence isn’t shy but very loud and you know she’s there.  Ella is extremely smart and very athletic. It is amazing seeing a girl who’s in middle school excel. Not only does she shine in school and on the court/field but unlike many middle schoolers she knows who she is. Ella has never had a problem with figuring out who she is. She came into the world showing us who she was and hasn’t slowed down....

This is Mia Mia is my newest friend—a sweet soul  Mia is the purest person I think I have ever met. Her joy, mind-set, and daily routine is filled with goodness and love. I cannot wait for our friendship to flourish because she has already inspired me to have a mindset of joy—I can’t imagine what other goodness she’ll bring into my life.  Mia is the type of girl to quite whatever she is doing to help others. She is a caregiver. You’ll never have a surface level conversation with this girl. She wants to know how you’re doing, she wants to know what’s bothering you, she wants to know the good and the bad.  Mia is a doer. She wants to put into action her thoughts and goals. She runs on determination. When she has an idea she immediately said “let go do it. Right now.” I’m pretty sure I’ve heard her say “let’s do it” more than anything else.  Mia’s heart is pure gold. She recently decided she is going on two mission trips this summer. She has...

This is Hannah  Hannah oh HANNAH  I have never met someone quite like this girl. She is the most herself person I have ever met and IT. IS. AWESOME.  Hannah came full speed through the door and into my life—not giving me an opportunity to grasp what was happening. But I would choose her storming into my life every time if I could.  Hannah is on fire for the Lord. She is a leader at Delight (a girl’s ministry on campus). Her leadership inspires others to be themselves, to chose the Lord, and to be happy. I have never seen Hannah without a big smile on her face. She always gives hugs and lets people know she cares about them. It is truly amazing. Now, Hannah may not like Torchy’s Tacos but she likes my momma’s oreo pie so we will be okay. She loves to eno, run, workout, journal, make people smile, and watch Jane the Virgin.  But my favorite of those is that she makes people smile. Hannah is truly a ray of sunshine, a yellow flower, a ...

This is Kinsey  Kinsey is the first person I lived with other than my family. I did potluck matching for my first year of college in the dorms. And man did I get lucky.  I simply cannot explain how blessed I am to have gotten a roommate like her. Kinsey has a heart of gold, a mind of determination, and a faithful background. Kinsey and I push each other to be better. For example, we bring each other to church, bible study, StuMo, discuss our daily quiet times, talk about the cool realizations and new determinations, and are simply there for each other. We recently began taking a sharpie and marking our arms every time we complain so we can break bad habits.  With this I’ve learned that I complain far too much when I should be using those words to count my blessings. Having the person I live with do this too is amazing to watch.  Kinsey has grown so much as a person this school year.  I’m not gonna lie, the first time I met Kinsey was on ...

This is Mary  Mary was someone I NEVER knew I could possibly need but I honestly don’t know how I could live without her.  Mary is my mentor. She is the busiest person I know but never fails to make time for the Lord and for discipling others. At one point Mary was leading a bible study, a DMG group, attending StuMo and leadership, leading her own DMG, applying for nursing school, being trained to lead at Kaleo, meeting with girls for lunch, and being a friend. I honestly have nothing to say for her being this busy and also being the most joyous, holy spirit filled gal except that it is the grace of God.  Mary is on fire for the Lord and serves as inspiration to also be on fire. She has wisdom, love, and peace. She always knows exactly what to say/do at the same time she genuinely listens to what is being said and felt. Mary is also goofy. I have never been around her when she hasn’t said something that makes my eyebrows squinch in question followed...

This is Catherine  Called “Cathy” by her close friends. Cathy is my best friend. You can betcha this girl made my life better. Cathy and I became close friends the last two years of high school. We have some memories together that can’t ever be taken away. I LOVE this girl.  Catherine is a hard worker. Whatever task she is given you better believe it’ll be done to the full potential. Through One Act, she was viewed as one of the greatest leaders. Catherine is a leader who will never disappoint. She leads with grace, integrity, and passion for the job at hand. Not only is she a leader but an encourager. Through hard times, good times, sporting events, rolled ankles, and just in general Cathy always has something to say that will boost you up.  The summer before we left for college Cathy and I had lots of deep conversations, drives around town, crying sessions, faith talks, and would even go swing at the park. She is a true friend. Always taking into cons...

This is Ellen Ellen is my big in Theta. When I first met her as my big I had no idea who she was. I tried so hard to look so happy and enthusiastic while at the same time trying to figure out what her name was. Even though I didn’t know her I felt in my heart that I already loved her. We turned and began awkwardly dancing at each other instead of speaking but that language was good enough for us both to know that it was a match.  Ellen is the blessing I never knew I needed. She is a role model and a mentor. Ellen has spent the majority of her summers working for Camp Ozark ministering to young children and serving as influence. Her fire and flame for her position here is so strong and so amazing.  This year I have had the opportunity to watch Ellen’s relationship with the Lord spark. I’m not even sure if she knows it has—but girly, it has. One day at bible study Ellen had an “ah haaa” moment when she discovered her relationship with Christ wasn’t just a “hey...

This is Lauren Lauren is the big sister I never had. I have never met someone that pushes me to be more faithful than this gal right here. If it wasn’t for her I would be in a much different place right now.  The first time we met she stood up in front of our newly formed member class for Theta and told them her fun fact was that she raced with her dad in the desert—my dad does that with his brothers, and I was SHOOK. I had never met anyone who knew what that was. It was destiny.  A couple days later Lauren reached out to a group message of 80 people to see if any of them wanted to go to StuMo with her. I had heard about StuMo and knew I wanted to go. (StuMo stands for Student Mobilization and exists to train and create disciples to go out and share about faith all while challenging college students to strengthen their faith in the college environment) Lauren and I were the only two out of the 80 to attend that first StuMo. She came and picked me up and ...

This is lacy Lacy was the first person I met in my sorority. Oddly enough we met because she walked up to me and said, “Do you know Emily Alexander? I went to a camp with her and I think ive seen pictures of you.”  Just the fact that she knew one of the sweetest sould meant this was bound to be an amazing friendship. Lacy is the type of person not only to work hard with whatever she has in store but to work above and beyond crushing expectations. Her work ethic is unlike anything I have ever seen.  This past year I begin to train for a half marathon that benefited a hospital I was a patient in as a child. This run meant so much to me. As I told lacy and our other bestie, Lauren—they immediately decided to run it with me. We begin to train and run almost 5 days a week for two straight months. This is the type of person she is. The type of person to always be there for a friend—working hard and doing what others wouldn’t.  Lacy opens her home to her fri...

This is Emily Emily has been my friend since grade school. During high school we became super close. Like me, Emily is very much herself and exhibits a FULL personality. As classmates, teammates, and friends we made each other better. Putting two very outgoing people into one room would usually result in a competitive nature of “who is funnier” or “who is better”, but we worked off each other laughing and living in a co-inhabited atmosphere.  The most amazing thing is that she hasn’t stopped pushing me to be better. Emily still invests in me as a person. We have both have thrived in our faith this year and she is an amazing accountability partner. Last time we met she asked me how my relationship with God was doing (It wasn’t well). I began to confide in her and tell her that I felt distant from God, but I was doing all the right things. Here is what I took away from her reply: In the book of Luke, Jesus comes to Mary and Martha’s house. When he comes in ...