Where You Go, I Will Follow

With blurry vision my eyes scanned the room.

I wanted to remember every moment of tonight, ever hug, every tear, every laugh, everything.

These people, these 81 people, they were more than classmates, 'peers', or any other 'cordial' word.

They were family.

There are few times in life where I have yearned to press pause. Typically, I'm more of the "let's fast forward" kinda girl. Tonight taught me that contentment is a beautiful thing. So often in high school I was not content in any way shape or form. 

As a freshman, I wanted to be a sophomore.

In December, I wanted Christmas break.

In May, I wanted to be on summer break.

As a Senior, I wanted to be in college.

But tonight, graduation night, I was content with being just who I was: a graduate, surounded by my family of 13 years, watching relationships that had been built over more than a decade.

This side of heaven, I will probably never comprehend what a profound impact Hickory Grove Christian had on my life, but I do know that God has used that school and church in mighty ways.

I never did find that pause button I longed for tonight.

Time went on and a chapter of my life closed.

But if I could look every one of my fellow graduates in the face again tonight, I would tell them this:

I want to hear that you have done great things, that you have gone far, accomplished much, fought fair and tough, but most of all I want to hear that you are all about one thing: Jesus Christ.

Love Him, cling to Him, desire Him, seek Him, and build your life on Him.

And most importantly, I will see you in heaven someday, where we can join with one voice, and remember the times we shared.

In a time when it is common to look forward to the next thing, a time filled with so much anticipation, ironically, I challenge you tonight to be content. Soak up every moment and don't let a second pass you by, because this life is but a breath.

Complete.

Ashamedly, I got a little teary eyed making this video.

But shh, it's a secret until Friday evening 

=]

Memory Lane

As I work on putting together a slideshow as a graduation present for my mom (shh - it's a secret), I could not help but reminisce on time passed.

There were points during this week that my carpet was far from visible due to the massive amount of baby pictures strewn across the floor.

I couldn't help myself, I had to share.

Beach trips with mom = love.

The overalls suit this face.

I always could throw down some watermelon.

CT & I 

The start.

An easily amused child.

I was a purple fan.

Matchy-Matchy

This one's my favorite.

Okay, I take that back...new favorite. 

I still have little Beanie.

You, yes you.

 Going for a hike, still one of my favorite things to do.

 That face.

Loved baking back then too, apparently.

I thought this was appropriate, in light of this coming Friday evening.

Cannot believe that these days are so long gone.

Seasons.

Life As A Lifer

We walked into a very familiar room.

On the first day of kindergarten, as daunting as it was, this was the very place each of our mother's brought us. Throughout our first year of school at a place we would grow to know as home, Hickory Grove, we shared countless memories and milestones in that very room.

None of us imagined that weeks before our graduation we would be sitting in the very seats which we were assigned some thirteen years ago.

But this is, in fact, precisely where we found ourselves on the day to celebrate the Class of 2011 Lifers.

'Lifers' meaning each of us attended Hickory Grove all 13 years of school.

Needless to say, these people are more than peers, they are family.

Mr. Ward, a man very close to my heart, has been there for me through the years like few others. He has prayed with me, laughed alongside me, raced me in the gym, but most importantly he was the man that lead me to Christ some twelve years ago. Throughout the years I have always known him to be by joy-filled headmaster, until he retired at the beginning of my senior year.

Much to my surprise and excitement though, he still made time for the annual Lifer Day!

The day began with magic tricks, handwriting lessons, and Bible verses in child-size chairs...just like my first day of Kindergarten!

Mr. Ward also remembered to present us with the 'Class of the Week' prize...priceless!

Of course, a visit from Mr. Ward would not have been complete without a blow pop!

Then, the whole gang (pictured above) headed to the gym for a repeat of a race that we ran 13 years ago, almost to the day. As we watched Mr. Ward lace up his 'crazy shoes' as he refers to them, we prepared for the race of a lifetime =]

The girls might of given good 'ole Mr. Ward an advantage, but either way, he took home the W. 

The day was filled with laughs and smiles...

...Hugs and tears.

There are few people in this world that I love and respect as much as I do Henry Ward. He is a man after God's own heart to say the least and I would not be the person who I am today in the absence of the role he played in my life.

In light of Lifer Day, I dedicate this post to Mr. Ward, a man of God, who would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. 

He taught me countless lessons I will carry through life, but one of my favorites was and continues to be, "Keep a smile on your face and your eyes on Jesus."

That's gold y'all. 

P.S. - JESUS MAKES ME H-A-P-P-Y

=]

He Covers Me

Today was a good day, to say the least.

I love the occasional rainy day, I turned in my very last assignment for all of high school, and I am currently savoring a Hershey's Chocolate brownie. 

Yes, a very good day to say the least.

The reality of ending this chapter of my life is really beginning to sink in and it is beyond surreal.

This has certainly been one of those moments that you wish for a million times over but never believe will actually come.

My last assignment for the year was a Memoir of my life, quite appropriate in my opinion. Each student had to pick a theme to center their project around. I chose "Perfection and Freedom Cannot Coincide," and loved every moment of reflecting on the past years of my life.

While working on the project, I came across a quote by Saint Augustine that I have absolutely fallen in love with!

"That is the very perfection of a man, to find out his own imperfections."

How simple and yet profound.

Hard as we may try to avoid it, each and every human being on planet Earth has imperfections. Yet, so often we never take the time to reflect or examine, for fear of what we may find. However, when I stopped running from reality and took to the time to be real with myself for the first time, I saw the grace of Jesus Christ overwhelm my every flaw and imperfection.

He covers me.

Currently Playing:

Never. Gets. Old.

It Slapped Me In The Face

But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Luke 18:16

I now understand why sweet Jesus demanded the little, innocent children come to Him and why the Heaven would belong to "such as these." The masquerade and facade that seems to come with age among Christians does not exist to children. They are raw, honest, sometimes brutally honest, but upfront nonetheless. 

If only we could all have a touch more of this. 

What is the root of my tangent you ask.

A little girl named Sydney who is very dear to me. I nanny for Syd's family and last night I babysat both her and her sister Avery. As she was showing me a project she did for her 5th grade class, she pointed out a verse she picked for a portion of the project. Our conversation went a little like this:

Syd: "Wanna know why I picked this verse?"

(Revelation 3:16 ---- So because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth)

Me: "I don't know Syd, you tell me."

Syd: "because it slapped me in the face."

Me: "It what?"

Syd: "slapped me in the face. Ya know, I realized, I was lukewarm."

As I drove home that night, I could not stop replaying this conversation in my mind. In churches all over America today, people are trying to find out what is "enough" to get them into Heaven. 

Church once a week or once a year even? 

A few mission trips?

Teaching Sunday School?

Well, maybe the children should start teaching us, because this one at least seems to have it.

There was no pride in this child's statement, she said it as she felt it was.

In fact, her response "slapped me in the face." 

Rather than reading the Bible as a weapon to judge and accuse others or to tweak to fit our own desires, may we read it at face value, and be just as open and honest with ourselves as Sydney was.

Mondays.

I love Mondays (sometimes).
I loved this Monday for a couple reasons.


1. Today marked the last A. P. Government class I will ever have to endure.
2. I was able to spend time with my best friend, I'm counting the moments right now y'all.

3. The tunes of the songs played in church yesterday kept coming back to me throughout the day. I love that. Through all the darkness and discouraging things in this world, insert Praise music, and Jesus drowns out all the yuck. 
4. Summer is approaching. Rapidly. 
Graduation is less than a month away. 
All these events are so bittersweet.


I hope you were able to see the good in your Monday too : )


Blessings!

Newk's

I'm in love.

It's true.

Okay, so while love might be a little much. I am in major like, to say the least.

I have a new favorite restaurant. 

This is huge for the Webb family, because we find a favorite and then never go anywhere new.

Well, last night I talked my sister and mom into stepping out on the wild side and going for something other than the norm.

Although apprehensive at first, after the first bite they were glad =]

We all got the chicken salad sandwich and it was seriously the best chicken salad I have ever tasted.

Naturally we all agreed we had to try a piece of their cake, and we went for Caramel. Yumm.

I am also beyond thrilled to announce that there is a Newk's all of 2.5 miles from Samford. 

Excitement.

So if you are driving around, feeling a little adventurous and hungry... go to Newk's.

And there ya have it... Newks.

Prom 2011

Senior year prom certainly lived up to any and all expectations!

It was such a blast and I cannot believe it has already come and gone.

I went with my bud Will Cavanaugh, which rocked. He is venturing to Samford with me next year, hence the two of us being deemed "Mr. & Mrs. Samford" at prom. 

Ha-ha. 

After taking pictures at the ever-so-beautiful Freedom Park in Downtown Charlotte, we all headed to 131 Main for Dinner and of course, Prom afterwards! 

I thought the easiest way to relive the night would be to share some pictures : )

I had minor difficulty with the flower. 

Throwin' up the trinity sign. 

This Picture describes our relationship perfectly!

The Gang!!!

Can't believe my sister went this year too, surreal!

Also can't believe we wore the same color.

#wewould.

Everyone at Freedom!

Seriously, it is just now setting in that this prom marked my last...ever. 

It was a great one though! 

I am so blessed to have such amazing friends to celebrate fun nights like these with. 

The Firsts and The Lasts

Today was tough.

I never thought that the end of senior year would be marked by much else than feelings of excitement about the upcoming chapter.

I constantly look forward to my first day of college classes, my first Samford football game, my first discipleship group in AL, so on and so forth. 

I forget about the lasts though.

The last time I will walk into Hickory Grove as a student, which I have done for the last 13 years.

The last time I will complain about having to find a collard shirt to wear.

The last time I will take my sister to school and jam out to Michael Jackson.

Then there was today, which marked the last time that I would ever have discipleship with the beautiful group of girls in the photo above. 

I have met with these girls nearly every Wednesday over the last 4 years. I have cried and laughed with them, grown alongside them, been encouraged by them, traveled to the Dominican Republic with them, and so much more. I can honestly say I am blessed to have them in my life. They love the Lord and as I told all of them today, no matter where in this world the Lord takes us, no matter how many miles come between us over the years, my prayers will forever be with them.

Thank you, Lord, for sweet Jesus girls.

She Speaks, You Speak, I Speak...We Speak!

It is no secret that us women speak.

Constantly. Commonly about whatever comes to mind even.

But what if an entire movement of Godly women decided that they were going to speak in order to bring glory to our Heavenly Father?

In fact, what if we made the choice and were empowered by God to speak with "wisdom and faithful instruction" (Proverbs 31:6)

Would not our day to day lives look drastically different?

Imagine the potential of Godly women, willing to speak with the urgency and persistency that is so often used for frivolous matters.

This thought brings conviction to my core.

Well, there is a ministry who caught that very vision, and has since drastically changed my life: Proverbs 31. The host of the annual 'She Speaks' conference.

In fact, God utilized this very ministry to continue to crystalize the call on my life to women's ministry. Y'all I can not adequately convey with words the burden I feel for women living in captivity, living under the domain of darkness, trapped by controlling lies. There is freedom in Christ, and only in Him and I yearn to spend my life telling each and every precious daughter of Christ who I possibly can just that. 

Upon discovery of Proverbs 31, while not personally knowing a single staff member of theirs, I felt an immediate connection because I knew that they understood what makes me tick, my passion, my God-given calling. 

These women also understand that upon receiving a calling, whether it be to lead a women's small group, enter into full time women's ministry, or even just hold a couple mom's accountable, there comes a point where we all ask "how" or "what now?"

In order to answer those questions by equipping women for ministry, Proverbs 31 ministries has created the amazing, inspiring...She Speaks Conference.

During this three day conference held right here in my home sweet home of Concord, the Proverbs 31 team discusses an array of topics from speaking, to writing, to leadership...you name it really.

I tell you all of this to say: attending this Christmas would thrill my heart more than having Christmas, my birthday, and 'all you can eat Ben and Jerry's' day...all in one!

Extreme, but true.

Two years ago, I knew I was called to ministry, but never would I have ever dreamt it would be women's ministry. Now, I could not imagine doing another thing on this planet. After having endless confirmation these past couple months that women's ministry is most certainly the area the Lord has called me, having the opportunity to learn from this group of women who have so much so touched my life would be like none other. I would soak in every second of it all.
 Honestly, the idea of this area of ministry is still daunting to me, in more ways than I can describe, probably because I know...me. Therefore, being equipped to lead my sister's in Christ from a team of my own role models would be a blessing comparable to none other.
As I read the description of the conference, I could not contain myself. Speaking, writing, ministering to the needs of hurting and broken women, distinguishing direction.
Countless discussions I would hang on to every syllable of. 
However, financially, attending the conference would not be feasible this year with college on the horizon. Hence why I literally jumped out of my chair when I found an opportunity for a scholarship! 

I know two things as well as I know my name: 

First, I love my precious savior more than life itself.

Secondly, I was created to do women's ministry.

My strong desire to attend the She Speaks conference to be equipped and trained is nearly inevitable coupled with those two things.

I may be young, I may not be the most experienced, but I know a God who does not look upon either of those factors.
Next school year, my first in college, I will begin my first year as a part of the Preministerial Scholars Students, as we seek to discern and prepare for the Lord's call on our life. Having this training under my belt, if you will, would prepare me for more than I could even fathom.

So to the She Speaks Conference Team: I would love to be able to look back on July 22-24, 2011 twenty years down the road, while serving in women's ministry, knowing that is where the Lord began to equip me for the call on my life.

May we speak with wisdom and faithful instruction today. 

Yup, He's Still News Worthy

Check This Out:

I cannot count the number of times I have visited CNN over the years, reading articles that have made me read in the face, leaving discouraged at the declining morality of America and other nations.

However, this time, I left CNN amazed and encouraged.

Right after returning from Passion 2011, I got word that there was an article about the conference on CNN. 

After reading the article, I was so thrilled, not because the article was right on target with the Passion Movement. 

In fact, I do not believe it was. The article focused more on the numbers, the speakers, the bands, the glitz and glam. 

I was thrilled because of the quote of a man who gets it, Louis Giglio. 

Louis told the reporter "Church was never meant to be an island of self-indulgence, but a missional community of Jesus-followers so in love with Him that they can do nothing else but carry His name to the world."

See that is just the thing, the commonality between the 22,000 Christ followers that attended the conference, the link between all of those who gave at the 'Go Center,' the bond shared between teens and twenty-somethings: a love, a passionate and zealous love, for Jesus Christ.

That love spurns us to carry His name and whether CNN realizes it or not, that article helped do that, because I have to believe that maybe even just one person read that article and decided to register for next years conference, maybe even just to figure out what all the 'hoopla' is about.

I pray that they come, that they hear, and they experience the Passion.

However, more than that, I pray that all 22,000 of us GO. That we take that Passion, that love, and we carry His name to the ends of the Earth. That is my hearts cry. 

That is my Passion.

Tears and Target

Today, I cried. Right in the middle of Target.

Target of all places!

Call me crazy, maybe I am, I was simply overwhelmed. 

Overwhelmed by God. His sovereignty, His goodness.

Let me explain.

I'm not sure I've fully conveyed how much so the Lord's hand of guidance and provision has been upon my college search process. It is simply breathtaking to me.

As I abandoned my dream of going to the school I fell in love with over the summer, Samford University, because of the daunting financial aspect, I reasoned my way right outside of God's will.

In fact, I enrolled at a school that is absolutely amazing, wonderful, and Christ-focused, but not where the Lord is leading me for my college career.

The doors began to close, or should I say slam.

I had door after door after door forcefully shut right in my face.

Midway through my senior year, having only applied to one school, I felt like a lost puppy dog in a big mess. I fell prostrate on my bedroom floor night after night...after night.

I was broken and confused, but the sovereign Lord wanted me to bring my burdens to Him, and after quite some time I finally did, and when I finally handed the situation over to the Lord, the most glorious thing happened, I was able to watch Him work! 

I knew that I would have to begin applying other places as I took it to the Lord in prayer day after day. So in faith, I sent out a couple applications, the first of which was to Samford. I did not know why in the world, because it was too expensive, too far out of my reach...but not God's.

Within a couple weeks I received a YES from Samford and heard not a word from any of the other schools, in fact I still have not. As I began to seek the Lord's guidance about the financial aspect of it, I stumbled across a couple scholarships that really caught my eye.

One was entitled the Presidential Scholarship for academic achievements, worth up to full tuition and the other entitled the Premin Scholars Program.

The later of the two captured my heart in essence. This program is specifically designed for people called to the ministry, to strengthen and support them in their call. I discovered this scholarship the week the deadline was approaching and submitted my materials just in time.

A couple months went by and the greatest news EVER came.

I received letters within a couple weeks of each other saying that I had been selected as a candidate for BOTH scholarships! 

From there it has been a whirlwind...I have traveled to Alabama twice in the last month, interviewed, done writing assessments, met with professors, had dinner with the president, and I could go on. 

Honestly some of the most nerve wracking and exciting experiences of my life.

Well, this weekend I heard back that I received both the Premin and the Presidential Scholarship!

PRAISE HIM. Oh my goodness y'all, my neighbors must know that I got the news because my vocal chords have never reached such a high pitch shrill. 

Then, for the cherry on top, the Lord answered my very very very fervent prayers about the roommate situation (all in the same weekend might I add). The girl who I had been in contact with the past couple months just received a scholarship this past week as well that will allow her to attend Samford next year so we have both agreed to enter this next exciting chapter as roommates. Our prayer is that as two girls seeking to know the Lord's heart, we might grow and learn together, while striving for His glory.

Hence the tears in Target. I don't know why then or there, but all of this just hit like a tidal wave.

Y'all God is good. Don't forget it!