Blogging for English Class

The blogging world has hit the classroom! My little brother (Blake) is a senior in high school, and his English teacher, Mrs. Dixon, who was also mine and Trey's, asks her students to blog each week. I think this is a pretty cool concept, mixing English teaching and the evolutionary world of blogging. The way it works: she posts a topic, involving something they are studying, or something random, and they have to post a comment in various lengths depending on her criteria.

This week's blog asked each student to write about what they will learn when they leave high school. If you can find an Oak Mountain Alum to write what hey have learned/ advice they would give to graduates you get 5 bonus points! Of course, the little bro called on me! I being the blogging lover I am was totally up to the challenge, until I realized my English teacher would read my comment! I was asked to write in paragraph form... and realized what awful grammar I have! No worries, I just announced up front in my post to her that I knew I had bad grammar, that a college education did not fix. I fair warned her!

In doing this, I became a little emotional, my little baby brother is getting old. I began to ponder what I would write. I was having trouble coming up with one "ah ha!" piece of advice. There is so much I wanted to say, but this is what I left with him and those who will read it...

Blogging for Blake Jackson: Let me first say, that the stipulation to blog in paragraph form was a little daunting. I would hope that my grammar has improved with a college education, however, Mrs. Dixon, I am afraid it has not. I have two pieces of wisdom for your graduates. First, you will only reap from your college experience what you sow. Seek education not only in the classroom, but out of the classroom. You will gain invaluable experience. Find clubs, organizations and groups in which you enjoy serving and being a part of socially. Spend time actively working in your college community for those less fortunate than you. You will, I promise, get more out of your time in service than the people you serve. Tackle leadership roles in these groups, gaining experience that will carry into your career. Secondly, (this one is for Blake) serve the Lord with your whole heart in whatever you do. In your studies, your work, your play and in your rest. All of it be for the glory of His name. Be obedient to the calling on your life from Him and you will be immensely blessed. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind! Blessings and War Eagle! (Love you Blake!)

What piece(s) of advice would you pass on to a graduating senior? Sure am looking to living vicariously through him!

April Showers

Rain, rain and more rain. I don't know about where you live, but we in Auburn have seen ALOT of rain. Some like it, some hate it, I am indifferent until it fills my shoes and my toes are cold. Also, my alarm seems to snooze a lot longer in the mornings than when the sun is beaming through. So, any who... I visited a friend's blog to find "five weeks ago" under my name... has it really been that long? I am pretty sure if I don't post this tonight, I will not have posted in the month of March. Oops!


Well, if it doesn't go up tonight than too bad... the month of March was skipped. I have no idea what I have been doing since February. I could go through my camera and give a list of the happenings, but that seems to have been my last 3 posts. I was thinking I might try to give a short clip of what the Lord and I have been working through together these past few weeks, but I am not sure what is in my head would make much sense on paper. Lets just say that I am approaching the throne with boldness asking the Lord to do big things in and through me. He is a BIG God and He does BIG things, but I often believe He only does them through other people. Not so. So, that's a little glimpse of what I'm sure will be in a future post.


So, I have decided I will look ahead into April. I will list some things I am excited about, looking forward to, and will hopefully be blogging about. I think this list will serve as a goal for upcoming blog material. So here goes...



April Showers Bring May Flowers (and my BIRTHDAY!!!):

In no particular order...


1. My first Spring trip to the beach! Lupton and a few others will head to the beach for Allie's bachelorette! I am thrilled about seeing these girls and getting some one on one time with those who I don't see very often. We love to go to the Beckwith's and this will be a wonderful special occasion, celebrating Allie's trip down the aisle!

2. Work: we will have 7 events in 5 days... I know this sounds crazy that I am looking forward to it, but it's a little dose of the fall. I work best under stress! We have several events I am looking forward to, as well, one being A-Day!

3. Sherri (the woman who disciples me) and I are finishing up Beth Moore's Daniel. It is AMAZING! I am looking forward to completing it and starting her Esther study. Daniel was my first study of Beth Moore's and she is truly remarkable. The Lord speaks such truth through her.

4. Going to the lake!! It is that time of the year and I am so blessed to be so close to the lake! I can't wait to be on a boat in the bright sunshine. Just thinking about it makes my heart happy! Something else that makes me happy... the sight of Captain Bain-Stegall behind the wheel of the San Pan ;)

5. If you scroll down to the bottom of the page you will see the cutest baby ever born! John Harris Taylor will be baptized this month. I am looking forward to seeing Hal and Jess dedicate JH to the Lord. What a special day!

6. The last weekend in April all will gather in Auburn for Allie and Christopher's wedding. It will be the second time this month I will get to see all my sweet friends and this time they are coming to Auburn. I am so honored to be a part of their special day!

7. I have wanted to have a Monogram's and Mimosas shower for quite some time now. I have talked my sweet best friend into letting me try it out on her. Kat's shower is going to be a great celebration of a precious couple. I'm anticipating some really good brunch food (my favorite meal) and some REALLY cute monograms.

8. My FAVORITE event in Auburn, I kid you not, is the Singers Spring Show. I LOVE it! I used to go and envy my BFF Emily for her cool moves and beautiful voice, now I go to watch little Guthrie. SB is such a pro! I can't wait to hear what they have in store for us!

9. Another favorite... my favorite holiday... is Easter! Our Savior is risen! I love the joy that surrounds this beautiful day. I also love the arrival of spring and spring clothes. I am a sucker at 23, still, for a new Easter dress.

10. Our last bible study with the girls! This year has been absolutely life changing, in so many ways. Since May, AM and I have walked with almost 15 other girls through the Psalms, "Faith is not a Feeling," and Philippians. The Lord has challenged us and pleaded with us. We are forever changed through walking this road together. Five precious girls have gotten engaged, two are leaving for East Asia in August, and most will graduate and move to the "big cities" to start their new lives, as adults! I have been so blessed by their encouragement and have loved their fellowship. Although, I am NOT excited that we will meet for the last time, I am excited to see where the Lord will take us! Oh, the places you'll go!

Blake's Birthday, Valentine's Day Party, and Thank Goodness I Don't Have It All Together

Most of the material for this post comes from my camera... and then if you stick with me to the end, a little of what the Lord is teaching me these days.

I went home last weekend for the baby boy's birthday! Precious Blakester turned 18!!!!!! I still can't believe it. My parents threw him a fabulous little party, complete with themed tables. Blake is practically an only child these days and is able to reap all benefits pertaining there too. It is so ridiculous! Anyways... back to the subject at hand... My mom collected items that represented his past 17 birthdays. For example, fire engine stickers from his 2nd birthday at the fire station, Thomas the Tank Engines, blue bubble gum cigars they brought Trey and I when he was born, etc. You get the picture! So thoughtful, and something an 18 year-old boy really could have cared less about, but the girls enjoyed it and Blake was thankful for Mom's thoughtfulness. We hosted a slew of seniors, for the most delicious ribs, birthday cake and present opening. I am so glad I was able to go home!

On Saturday, I hosted a little Valentine's Party for the beau-less (single and geographically single.) Fondue, wine and You've Got Mail made for a wonderful evening. It was a great time of fellowship and spending time with some of my favorite people.



Recently, my walk with the Lord has been very one sided. It has been all about me. I have struggled in prayer, struggled in my time in the word, and struggled to grasp the gospel. After a very fitful night of sleep, it was made very clear to me "Alley you don't have it all together!" Finally... peace. I don't have to have it all together, I don't have to make sense of it all. He makes sense of it all. He will light my path, He already knows! My time in the word doesn't have to be all about me, He thought about me and cared about me long ago. He asks that I seek and serve. Seek His will and serve His people. Freedom from life through His grace. Daily submit, and He will guide. I have loved getting up in the morning knowing I am not in control, He is!

"Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." - Habakkuk 1:5

YouTube... HA HA HA

Ok, so Christian (my student worker) and I have been alone in the office today... bad news... we have done nothing but goof off. Today is my Friday, because I am taking tommorrow off. I will be a one-time Flowerbuds employee, delivering for the next two days. Maybe I will see you, if you live in B'ham, and your significant other buys you flowers. It is so much fun to see people's reactions. Ok... back to the post... so we have been hitting up You Tube and making our neigbors in Samford a little angry with our loud laughter.

I thought I would post our favorite... I really want to meet Gladys. She sounds like she is a riot. This will just make your day and if not, well then, too bad.





I also, am a huge fan pf the E*Trade Babies! My dad and I will rewind them on the T.V. several times and still think it is as funny, as the first time we watched it. The golfing baby is my favorite, but who doesn't like, "Girl can I hit you back!" AHHHHHH!!! So Funny!



Hope you are all having a blessed day! What a BEAUTIFUL day to play outside... or play on YouTube!

I am never bored at work...

Today is a monumental day... I am bored at work! I am trying to enjoy it because I know it is short lived, but now I know why the Lord has blessed me with fast paced jobs. I do not do well with idleness. So, join me as I ramble about the things that are running through my head. Beware... some of you might not want to continue reading.

First of all, some of my very closest friends welcomed their first child on January 10, 2009 at 6:18 p.m. He weighed 7 lbs. and 12 ounces and to quote his mother, "He is as cute as can be. He is 100% Hal!"

Upon my meeting John Harris, I immediately told him that I would be one of his favorite people. He doesn't really know that yet, due to his age of course, but I will be, I am almost positive. I agree with Jess he is so cute, more accurately, he is beautiful! Mom, Dad, and JH are finally home and I am looking forward to an extended visit and a photo session with JH. John Harris is a perfect example of the Lord's faithfulness!



The Inauguration... well, I have been hooked to the T.V. all weekend watching the coverage leading to today. I witnessed Jill Biden's mistake on Oprah. She makes me never want to be a politicians wife. In the middle of taping, she blurted out information she was not supposed too... her word vomit was followed by her husband shushing her and then hugging her realizing they were on national television and his wife had just seriously messed up. I felt for her. She is a teacher whose husband is now second to the President, I am almost positive this will not be her last word vomit. I was much more pleased that the Obama's children were dressed as children today instead of little adults, as they normally are dressed. Enough of that... it doesn't really matter. I told you to beware.

Well, I now have work to do... I'll be back with more thoughts.

PS... I love the drudgereport.com (fast, easy, and informative)

Hare Avenue

I have taken up residence in a new home! I absolutely love it! Here are a few pictures of my new place... Come visit!

Thinking Back and Looking Ahead

I have been harassed again by Lacey to update and have been feeling the pressure of an empty blog for sometime, so here I go. I apologize for my absence but a lot has kept me busy, also known as Christmas. A friendly blogger whose site I frequently visit talked of her efforts this time of year, "In a frantic last-ditch effort to tack a little Jesus on to the pagan parade of materialistic magic season." I think she hit the nail on the head. I told a friend, I looked up a few days after Christmas and realized I had basically run through the last month without stopping to really enjoy any of what was going on around me. 

 

This crazy season began with Black Tie White Christmas in Birmingham. It was great to spend time with friends and attend a party instead of host one, quite a change in my life. I love this group of friends and really enjoyed some one on one time with Lauren. It was quite a little throw down. I raced back to Auburn to start the Christmas madness. 

The Gogue's hosted six parties in eight days and in between we had an open house for two days, from there we sprinted right into graduation. My mom came down to Angel Tree shop with me and gave me a night of reprieve from work. It was truly the first time I shopped and two weeks before Christmas. I stuck around Auburn for a couple of days to attend a few more parties, as a guest, thank goodness!!! 

We celebrated Allie and Christopher's engagement and welcomed several of the Lupton crew into town for a night. I then started the journey home with a quick stop in Montgomery to witness the dedication of Kim and Jonathan's youngest. Anne Gait looked absolutely beautiful in her gown. It was such sweet time with friends and the last time I will probably see Hal and Jess before John Harris comes. 

I then finally made my arrival in Birmingham. The break was absolutely wonderful and much needed! I ate dinner and spent time with lots of different friends. I thoroughly enjoyed catching up on life and not through a phone. I love listening and seeing how the Lord is moving and working though my friends. I spent some time thanking the Lord for blessing me with such gracious friends and loving family. I stayed close to home for Christmas and enjoyed some good family time and continued to see friends before leaving on Tuesday for Park City, Utah! I love to ski and jumped on the opportunity to go with a great group of people for a little New Year's vacation. It was beautiful weather and even better company. I arrived home last night and am sorely depressed that my playing has now come to an end. Back to the real world. 

I will say that over the course of the past few weeks at home I have spent some time thinking about what I will leave behind in 2008 and what I will carry with me into 2009. 2008 held a roller coaster of emotions and many, many blessings but I have vowed to leave some of it where it belongs, in the past. The Lord offers new blessings with each morning and I feel the same way about a new year. Oh the places i'll go...

My Bible Study girls and I are walking through Philippians and Joshua. I can't wait to see what the Lord will teach us through the study of both of these texts. I will spend my first Spring in Auburn as an adult. I always LOVED spring as a student and I think it will bring a calm pace and easy life style; something a fall in Auburn does not offer. I am blessed to return to Auburn with both of my best friends. AM, Katherine, and I will have the rare opportunity of living in the same town as adults. I recognize this is unique and will most likely be the last time we will all live in one place. I can't even begin to imagine how great it will be to walk hand in hand together in the same town, no more phones! Several sweet friends will get married this summer and starting in January, my Montgomery parents will welcome their first child. These are the things I know but there are so many more unknowns; however, I know the Lord will not disappoint. He will continue to unveil the glorious path He has created for me. 

I have no New Year's revolutions... I never keep them anyway. I simply want to grow more intimately with my Lord and Savior. I want to live radically and love more deeply. 

"He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

Happy New Years! Below is a Christmas pic Mom required one night before we bolted out the door our separate ways. Because it was never sent.... Here is to you and yours! 

Love, The Jackson's (Stony and Janet - Blake, Alley, and Trey)