Show Us Your Life- Your Church

Kelly at Kellys Korner does a thing called "Show Us Your Life" every Friday. This week she is doing "Show us your church".

Church has always been important to me because it's always been a place where God has used people to grow me in my walk with him. I grew up in church and that's where I learned about a God who loved me more than anything else- so much that he sent his only son for me. I learned that the only way to God and to Heaven is through that son- not through a church. A church just a good place to learn more about him, to grow as a believer, and to fellowship with other believers.

I moved to Dallas in July of 2009. I knew a total of four people in this town- one was my sister in law's sister, two were my sister in law's parents, and the other was my sister, Holly, who moved with me. My sister and I decided before we even moved here that we wanted to find a church that would help us grow in our faith, would challenge us, would speak the truth, and that had a ministry for young adults. We visited two other churches, but didn't feel like they had young adult ministries for us to plug into.

Our sister in law's sister, Ashley, told us to try Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas. So we did! We went one Sunday and have gone there ever since. We love it there! They have two services in the sanctuary that are traditional (9:20 and 11:00), and two services in the Great Hall that are contemporary (same times). We go to the Great Hall service and we love it! The guy who preaches in the Great Hall just recently moved to First Baptist Tyler though. :( So the church is currently looking for someone to preach there. However, it's been really great getting to hear the senior pastor every other week! (He is switching between the two venues currently)

Anyway, the thing I love most about PCBC is the young adult ministry. We go to the Bridge Sunday School Class. The Bridge is split up in many different ways. They have sunday school on Sundays that is split into two classes- age 21-15 and 26 to early thirties. They have bible studies throughout the week that you can get involved in. (One of which is hosted at MY apartment! :) )They also have two missional communities- North and South- where we do different things throughout the city in ministry to help our city feel God's love. Then we have activities once a month where we can get visitors involved and just get to know each other better. It's a great group of young people and we always have a lot of fun with each other. I have met most of my closest friends in Dallas through the Bridge! What is even better is we are challenged weekly to grow in our faith and live life in a way that shows that Christ is the important one in our life. The Bridge is so much more than a Sunday School class. Honestly, it's a community unlike any I've ever been a part of. We really focus on ways to love others, especially the non christians in our lives, in a way that shows them we live differently but without  creeping them out at the beginning. I feel safe to say that our main goal is to learn how to live in the world without becoming of the world- meaning we don't run away from those unlike us, but we show God's love to them in a way that will seem real to them. Seriously though, the things God has taught me through this group have changed my life and seriously changed the way I handle relationships and situations on a day to day basis.

So basically, if you are a young adult in Dallas and looking for a ministry to get involved in, the Bridge is a great place!! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment. :)

Random Update

I've gotten really bad about updating about my life on this, and for those of you in Alabama who keep up with me through this blog, I apologize! Life has been so busy since spring break. I felt like last week was the longest week ever! Has it really only been two weeks since spring break? Geez!

TAKs is in three weeks, so my life has been consumed with tutoring. I tutor two afternoons a week, and three mornings a week. And starting tonight, I am tutoring on Thursday nights at my church for kids in another district. Basically, I'm so ready for TAKs to be over! It is so stressful. I think it might be more stressful in 4th grade! In 5th grade, if they failed the first time, we had time to re-teach and then they would re-test a few weeks later. In 4th grade if you fail.... well, you fail! And that stresses me out! AH!

Last weekend was so relaxing. It was incredible! Friday night I went to dinner with Pair and then we just hung out and talked. I love that girl! Saturday morning was girls monthly brunch, which was fabulous! Then I spent the afternoon shopping with Sarah and Holly. That night was Kirk's birthday party! We went to dinner and then came back to our place and hung out. It was relaxing, but fun! Then Sunday was church, lunch, and literally nothing else. I just laid around and relaxed all day Sunday and it was fabulous! This coming up weekend we have a retreat with our singles ministry at church, so I am excited about that!

So I guess basically, my life is overrun with tutoring and teaching and trying to rest in between! I am ready for TAKs to be over! I am also getting so excited about my job next year. I keep looking up the 7th grade reading curriculum and I get all giddy! I am sad that I'm not going back to my friends at Townley and I am sad about leaving my friends at Farine, but I'm also excited to see where this new opportunity leads!

Also, my students just finished making book trailers. A book trailer is kind of like a movie trailer in the sense that it previews the book and tries to get you to want to read it. We did it on books that are up for the blue bonnet award next year. Farine will show them next year on the announcements to get students excited about reading the books! We just finished our first set today! Go to my class website to check them out. They turned out so cute!

PS. 8 weeks and 1 day until SUMMER!

LiveJournal Memories

This is a picture of me and Pair from highschool......

Pair was one of my best friends my senior year! We were pretty much connected at the hip. Pair now lives in Tyler, Texas. (Although she might be moving to Dallas in the fall!!) Anyway, that's besides the point. Pair came to Dallas on Friday night to go to dinner with me. We had such a good time catching up and just laughing about old times... then she brought up livejournal. Does anyone remember livejournal?! It was basically blog... but more of a place for high schoolers to create drama. Pair and I both had livejournals, but I had completely forgotten about mine until she brought it up. So, we went and looked up mine. I would post the link here, but osme of the things I wrote are incredibly embarrassing!!

Anyway, we went through and just laughed at some most of the stuff. We were so immature! But it also reminded us of soooo many funny times (because I basically wrote my entire life in there!) Anyway, I stumbled across this story while going through it. It's about my mom, and so funny! I don't even remember this happening, but it sounds so much like my mom. I just bursted out laughing when I read it!:

"All of the principals took all of the secrataries out for secratary day. and they got coach riddle to be in control of the office, and which two PTA moms did they call in to help? mrs. cornelious and my mom. lets just make this a short version: the fire alarm went off 5 times, the bell schedule got messed up, and by the time the princapals were back, my mom just looked at mr. hamilton and said "they fire alarm wont stop ringing. we had to extend third block so that everyone could eat, but the bells went off anyway so kids left class early or late. so we dont know what period we're in or where anyone is. im going home". pretty funny. word of wisom: never put lala in charge of the entire school!"

Gosh. I miss that woman!!!

Love/Hate Relationship

Target and I have a love/hate relationship. I worked at Target in college whenever I was home on summer or Christmas break- that is where some of the hate comes in- ha! But for real, how can you not love Target? They have everything you could ever need. I love it! However, at the same time, I hate it. It's impossible for me to go to Target "just to pick up a few things". Today my Target list was as follows: contact solution, toothpaste, foundation. And I got all of that... but I also left with some other things in my life. For starters-- I love Target shoes. And I guess they just recently put out their summer shoes, because last time I looked (on Sunday....) they didn't have any of the shoes they had today! And if you know me, you know I love shoes. I just couldn't resist!

I fell in love with these flip flops- they have all my favorite colors! Yellow, Pink, and turquoise! And since most of my clothes fall into one of those three colors, I knew these shoes would match like.... every summer outfit I have. HA! Plus they are just adorable! Of course I got them.

These black wedges are adorable. I love wedges in the spring/summer with jeans, skirts, or dresses! Last year I splurged and got silver wedges and pink wedges. But I needed some new black wedges this year! And I thought these were adorable. I'm already trying to decide what outfit I should wear them with first!

This is the biggest picture I could find of these bathing suit cover ups! They have ruffles on the top, which I looooove ruffles!!! I had the yellow one last year but then I got an ink stain on it (random, I know!) So then I bought the teal one. But they were on sale today, so I re-bought the yellow one! And I may or may not have bought a coral one too... woops.... But you want to know what's great about them? They match those cute flip flops up top! HA!

Also, I love Darius Rucker. I love his voice! It's amazing. I don't know if this is a new song or not, but I heard it for the first time today. And now I can't get it out of my head!!

All the fights and the tears and the heartache I thought I'd never get through, And the moment I almost gave up, all led me here to you. I didnt understand it way back when but sitting here right now... it all makes perfect sense. Every stoplight I didn't make, every chance I did or I didn't take, all the nights I went too far, All the girls boys that broke my heart, all the doors that I had to close, all the things I knew but I didn't know, Thank God for all I missed... cause it led me here to this!

Brinner

Well, I just ended spring break by cooking brinner (breakfast for dinner) with my gang of friends and watching March Madness games. I love watching these games! I usually could care less who wins, but by the end of the game I always pull for the underdog. It was a lot of fun to hang with the gang again. As much as I loved being at the beach, I am glad to be back in town and getting back to a normal routine.

However, I will not enjoy that normal routine including an early wake up in the morning. Drag. (Have I mentioned that the middle school I am working at next year doesnt start until 8:15? That's like, an extra hour of sleep. Sweet!)

Well, it's time to go finish my lesson plans and class newsletter. Or perhaps I will just go to bed. Or even worse, maybe I'll stay right here on this couch with Holly, Travis, and Kirk and watch more basketball.... oh the choices!

Bye bye beach...

After 13 long hours in the car today, I am home from spring break! I am exhausted, a little sunburned, and ready for bed! I wouldn't have traded spending the past week with these people though....

I am so glad that my Dallas friends got to meet Tiffany, one of my best friends from college! We had so much fun. It was such a relaxing trip! I think I'm now ready to tackle the last 9 weeks of school! (is summer really in 9 weeks?! holy cow....)

Two little cuties!

I am currently spending my spring break in Panama City Beach being completely lazy with some of my favorite people. Two of these favorite people being my adorable "niece", Tenley....

And my incredibly handsome "nephew", Charlie.

I could seriously spend my entire life here at the beach with these two doll faces! I also can't wait until these two:

grow up and get married. Because they are so incredibly cute together! And yes, I have already betrothed them. :)

What Teachers Make

A teacher friend sent me this youtube link. It is so, so funny! And so, so true. If you're a teacher or know a teacher, watch it NOW!

Here is another one. This is a boy who gave a speech to Dallas ISD at the beginning of the year. (I don't work in Irving ISD, but my old principal showed this to us and I loved it!) If you're a teacher, watch it now!

YES!

I could update on my week and all the craziness that it entails, but at this moment in time, none of that matters! The most important thing at this very moment is the fact that in 16 hours and 15 minutes I will be done with school for a week!! And in 31 hours and 45 minutes I will be piling into a car with 4 of my best friends in Dallas and heading for my family's beach condo in PCB! And in 44 hours, my toes will be in the SAND!!!! Oh, and in three days I get to see my Tiny Tenley and in four days I get to see my Charlie bug!! In summary.... it's almost SPRING BREAK!!!!! (I love being a teacher!)

When I don't understand...

Here are some more quotes from the book "Why?". I read this right after highschool when my mom was battling leukemia for the second time. I don't own the book anymore, but I found the notebook of quotes. This was the second day of my notes from the book. I think they are powerful and really remind me of what a powerful God we serve. Not only one with such power, but one who cares for me.


"When I don't understand why, I trust Him because God does care- more than I can possibly know." 


"His joy has balanced my pain. His power has lifted my burden. His peace has calmed my worries. His grace has been more than adequate to cover me. His strength has been sufficient to carry me through. His love has bathed my wounds like a healing balm."


"When I don't understand why, I trust Him because God can life me up to soar above the storms in my life."
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31


"I have learned to love the darkness of sorrow--- there you see the brightness of His face." Madame Guyon

Give away

Megan over at In This Wonderful Life is having an awesome give away! One lucky blogger will get a $50 gift certifacte to this store. I love the necklaces! I also love reading Megan's blog. It's a good one to keep up with! Go check out the giveaway!

Why?

My mom was diagnosed with AMML (leukemia) for the first time when I was 14 years old. After a long fight, she was put into remission for almost two years. A week after I turned 18, we found out that the leukemia was back. I was so broken. I was so angry. I didn't understand why this was happening to her again.

I don't remember how I got this book. I honestly don't remember if I bought it or if someone gave it to me. But I read it, and it was so good.

"Why?- Trusting God When You Don't Understand" by Anne Graham Lotz (Billy Graham's daughter!)

I have no idea where the book is. In my multiple moves since then, I suppose I lost it. However, as I was reading it, I copied my favorite quotes from the book into a notebook. And today,  found that notebook. Reading through the quotes I posted reminded me of why I loved the book so much. If you are going through a time that you don't understand God's ways, I definitely suggest reading it. The quotes are powerful, and they remind you of how powerful our God is.

I've decided to update my blog every now and then with quotes from this book. I think it will be neat to show you the quotes that meant something to me then, and how they have played out in my life since. It's always good to be reminded of how God has worked in your life, especially when you look back on the past and how it's happened without you realizing it. I will tag all of my posts at the bottom with "why", and then link them to a side link. That way they will eventually all be on the same page!

Here is the first quote I copied:

"I lay my "why's?" before Your cross in worship, kneeling, my mind beyond all hope, my heart beyond all feeling, and worshipping- realizing that I, in knowing you, don't need a "why?"- Ruth Bell Graham

Isn't that the truth? I remember nights when my heart ached and I had no more tears to cry. I remember crying out to God "WHY?!". But isn't it refreshing to know that in knowing Christ, we don't need a why. He is our why. He has our entire lives mapped out. We don't need to question it.

"Trust Him. When guilt takes the edge off every joy, when there are no answers to your questions, trust Him when you don't understand. Trust His heart. Trust His purpose. Trust Him when it's your heart that's broken. Trust His goodness. Trust Him beyond the grave. Trust Him to know best. Trust His plan to be bigger than yours. Trust Him to keep His Word. Trust Him to be on time. Trust Him to set you free. Trust Him- and Him alone!!!"

I think the hardest times to trust Him are when we want to ask why, when we don't understand, and when it is us that is hurting. However, those are the times that it is the most important to trust Him. At the time, it was so hard to do. But now, looking back, it was truly the only thing to do. He has written a beautiful story for my life. Losing my mom was part of my story. Trusting Him and His plan is how I get to see the rest of this beautiful story. We serve an amazing God, who can handle our "why's?" and heal our hurts. Trust Him!

Meet me in the memory...

Last night was the Sister Hazel concert! I was so pumped! Ty, Holly, Katie, Scott, Sarah, Matt, Stephanie, Kirk, and I headed to an early dinner at Hard Rock Cafe. It was relaxing and fun! We then walked across the street to the House of Blues. We got there plenty early, so we had front row spots! I was pumped. It was my 10th Sister Hazel Concert, and my fourth time to be on the front row! Some guy from Birmingham played first- I don't remember his name. He was ok, but nothing memorable.

Then Edwin McCain played! He was good, but the fans were the best part of his show! There was one girl who was sobbing while he sang "I Could Not Ask for More". I mean, it was seriously hysterical. She was smiling and sobbing. Her date was just patting her on the back and had the look on his face that screamed, "Someone save me! I don't know what to do!" Then there were two girls who were going crazy for him too. They had hand motions to his songs and everything. It was so funny!

Finally, after standing for forever, Sister Hazel came on! They started with "Shame", which I thought was perfectly fitting for different reasons. They then played a whole list of my favorites. It was incredible! I hadn't seen them in concert since my last semester of college because they never come to Dallas. I loved being back at a concert and I loved taking my Dallas friends with me! We had so much fun! Here are some pictures... however, I think Katie has more on her camera so I will add more to this post once I steal them off her facebook!

Sarah was excited about seeing Sister Hazel!

Holly, Sarah, and Stephanie waiting for Sister Hazel to come out!

Katie & Me waiting for Sister Hazel to come out!

Sarah & Me waiting on Sister Hazel!

FRONT ROW!

We ended the night with homemade pancakes made by the lovely Katie and cooked by Ty! They were delicious! I was exhausted by the time I got home early this morning! But it was completely worth it. It was a great Friday night and a great way to celebrate my new job! A night with Sister Hazel and 8 of my favorites... perfection!

My Moho

I met Molly in 7th grade when her and her family moved to Trussville. Her dad was our youth minister for a few years. We became good friends and remained good friends ever since! In college we were roommates for a year. She is one of the funniest people I know! She is so unique and isn't afraid to show people who she really is. She is one of the most real people that I know! I am so blessed to call her a friend.

At one of Jake's infamous parties!

Molly and I have been through plenty of ups and downs. From awkward middle school years to dramatic high schools year to changing college years.... from laughs to heart breaks... she's been there for them all.

Ready to Tailgate!

 She is seriously one of my favorite people in the world! She lives in San Francisco now where she goes to seminary. Even though we live hundreds of miles away from each other (if not at least a thousand!) she is the type of friend that I can see and it will be like nothing has changed....

Freshmen year of college

 Have I mentioned that she is one of my favorite people ever? Because seriously. SHE IS!

I love my moho!

 Well, Thursday night my Moho had a boy get down on one night and ask her to spend the rest of their lives together. Of course she said yes! That boy must be something special for Molly to fall in love with! I am so, so, so excited for them!!!!! I can't wait to see Molly as a bride. She will be beautiful! Breathtaking, I'm sure of it!

Roomies Sophomore year

 So to Molly and her husband to be, Eric. I wish you both the best! Eric, you got yourself a winner. Molly, I couldn't be happier for you!!! I love you so much. Thank you for always being a Godly friend to me, and one that can always, always make me laugh. I treasure your friendship!!!!

There are more pictures of us below! :) I LOVE YOU MOHO!! LOVE, HEATHERPOO :) :)

Christmas Break

My best friends from high school

I love her!

At my going away party! I look scary... She looks beautiful, as always!

Senior Trip '05

At a basketball game!

Moho and Heather Poo :)

Show Us Your Life-- Your family!

Yesterday, Kelly at Kelly's Korner hosted Show Us Your Life (as she does every week). This week the topic is "Show us your family"... as in the family you grew up in! So I was thrilled to brag on mine! I'll start with....

My mom- my beautiful lala! If you've been following me long, then you have heard lots about her. She was a beautiful woman inside and out. She always had a smile on her face, was always laughing, and was the easiest person to talk to. Most of my high school friends loved her more than me!  She was the most sincere, amazing person ever. She taught me so much about life, love, and following Christ with no abandonment. She passed away when I was 18, and a piece of my heart went with her. She was my best friend and I miss her every single day! I was so blessed to have her as my mom for 18 years and I cannot wait until the day we are reunited once more.

My dad- when I was a little girl, I was a huge daddy's girl. I thought he had hung the moon. He coached me in basketball and softball growing up, and I thought that was the coolest thing. My dad was my hero! I loved laying in bed talking to him about life and laughing. During high school and early college, we went through some rough times. There were times when I wanted nothing to do with him. I learned a lot about my dad and who he was during that time. I learned a lot about forgiveness and giving things up to God during that time too. The struggles I went through with my dad taught me a lot about my heavenly Father, accepting people for who they are, as well as other aspects of my life. Today, God has restored our relationship. I enjoy spending time with my dad once more, and I consider him a close friend.

My big brother, Kevin. He is two years older than me. Growing up, I thought he was seriously the coolest person ever. He played basketball, baseball, and football and hung out with the "cool" crowd. He was a genius and his teachers loved him. I don't know if I had a single teacher that didn't ask me, "Harwood? Are you related to Kevin Harwood?!?" They loved him! And I did, too. We have gotten closer as we have gotten older. I am honored to have a brother who is so passionate about God, his family, and life in general. He is so funny and I treasure the time I get to spend with him!

My twin sister, Holly. She is seriously my other half. I am blessed not only with a twin, but with a best friend! We have lived together our entire lives (except for 3 months one summer when she lived in Colorado) and she is the perfect roommate. Holly is one of the kindest, funniest, silliest people I know. I love spending time with her and learning more about her heart. She is my better half! I am blessed to have someone to walk through all areas of life with- the ups and downs.

My little brother, Chase- or as I lovingly refer to him as- NoNo. The day my parents told me I would have a little brother, I was so upset. I wanted a little sister that I could dress up, not a smelly little brother! But I wouldn't change it for anything. He was the cutest little baby and has always been a joy to be around. When our mom was sick, Chase and I got really close. I took him everywhere with me- he was my mini me! He is now so much taller than me- it's crazy. He is seriously the funniest person I know! I laugh the entire time that we are together. He is probably the person I miss the most in Alabama!

So that is my family- the ones I grew up with! I was blessed for sure, especially with my siblings. My siblings are the best people I could ask for. I am so honored to call those three people my family!! I love you Harwood gang! :)

With my sibs :)