you think you know, but you don't

 

Election time is back in full swing! Everyone around you is tuning into the debates and all of a sudden becoming brilliant political analyst.  ; ) Well at least we think we are anyway.

I recently read a blog posting that had an awesome quiz about political views.  It was very easy to read and did not take a long time at all.  I did have to google search a bit to find out my true opinions on some of the topics, but that is what it is all about.  Research! This quiz did not just focus on the two main parties either, it leveled the playing field for all parties.

So if you think you know, you probably don't.  I challenge you to take this quiz, google some of the areas you don't know about, and get informed the right way.  Yes, twitter and facebook have helped us move along into the tech savvy world we live in today, but do the research for yourself.

Once you find your voice, no matter what that voice may be you will be able to back it up with facts not just other people's opinions.  I challenge you to also share this quiz with others so they can become more informed as well.

Be the change you want to see if the world. Vote.  It matters more than you think!

It's not this simple.  Get informed.

Check out the quiz here

Oh and if you are like me and will not be in your home state for election day you might want to check out absentee voting!  

 

Thought this video was cute...even though it's a little old.





Thanks Jennifer for sharing your post! check her blog out here

september sundays

I am so ashamed that it has been this long since my last post.  Two words...Graduate School.  Enough said...

When I moved to Hattiesburg I decided to scope out some churches and find the best one for me.  My first stop was First Baptist Hattiesburg....well I didn't look any further.  This church has most of what I was looking for in Sunday services.

This past month the preacher Jeff Clark has been sharing a series called "To End Church as We Know It".  I have absolutely loved the series and it really hits home.

I want to share thoughts that I wrote down during the month...
These are all notes that I took during the sermon.  I pieced them together and sometimes had to read scribble scratch to make it out.  I hope you enjoy.

STOP being weird about the world.  God does not want us to live in a Christian bubble.  He wants us to go and serve him and others.

Many times when you think about church you think of a white building with huge columns and a steeple. uh no that is not church.  Well it can be, but we should not put God in a box.  "God said I don't live in a house.  I made the world"...step outside your comfort zone and bring "church" to others.

This is what really got me...so many people today have stereotypical thoughts about church such as business meetings arguments, prayer rooms, crazy long prayer lists with tiny font, purchasing or sitting at your own pew. cough cough John Fletcher ;)  This pushes people away.  I repeat this is what pushes people away!

Again, Don't be weird! Be BOLD.  Pray big bold prayers!  For example many times we pray for safety, but what if God doesn't want us to be safe? What if He has us right where He wants us so we can be a disciple of Him? I will pray big bold prayers for the people around me that need Christ.

We can be miracle workers.  If you get your mind off of yourself and allow Him to work through you, He can and will move in powerful ways.

Don't underestimate the impact you have on others.  God has a plan for you to not just go to church but BE the church.

God never changes.  He is always the same.  That doesn't mean that we should continue to use the same method to minister to others.  Adapt to the culture around us and use it spread God's word.  You've got to be savvy about your culture...be a culture warrior.  Jesus broke culture barriers, so can you! twitter, facebook, etc.

Engage rather than enrage your culture-create environments where children "get it".
Be inclusive not exclusive-you must understand your culture to be missional.
Relevant not Ridiculous-Good music doesn't belong to the devil, it belongs to God!
Hopeful not Harmful-you don't save people God does.

God makes it really simple...READY?
Love God...Love your neighbor...done :)

God is not in love with the future version of you.  He's in love with YOU...now!

To reach others, do things that haven't been done before.  It's not about a building, it is about a movement.

I refuse to drift; I choose to be apart of the uprising!  Roll the dice.  Be BOLD!

Check out the first 3 sermons of the series here

welcome to the jungle

Southern Miss held Sorority Recruitment this past weekend.  As a graduate student I was able to assist the Greek Life office for practicum hours and see a different side of recruitment than what I am use to.  I missed my Phi Mu girls terribly, but I knew they were in good hands.  Finally on Tuesday (Bid Day) I was able to go back to the house and visit with everyone.  The Bid Day theme was "Welcome to the Jungle!" All of the Phi (new member) assistants worked really hard to paint all of the letters, banners, and get the gift bags ready for the new girls.  I am so proud of all of the dedication put into this one weekend!  Shout out to Ashley and Cally for being great leaders to the chapter during Recruitment. 

Phi Mu To The Top! Congrats on 56 new members. 

Obsessed with this banner.  Might have to steal it and hang it up in my apartment...it will match right?

love love love these letters

Madeline...such a sweet girl.
I attempted to match the theme of bid day with my hot pink dress and leopard belt!

Cally: the sweet President of Alpha Omicron

President, me, Membership Director

PC 09 sporting their lion head bands!

Kelly-Phi Director working really hard on Bid Day
great job sister!

Look for more photos on my facebook page! I am so glad to be a part of the Alpha Omicron family!  

friend detour

I am very excited for today!  My good friend Nick who now lives in Charlotte and works for Push America, is on his way to NOLA and gets to stop in Hattiesburg!  After living in the library for the last week, it will nice to get to hang out for a bit.  While in Charlotte working camps this summer I had the opportunity to visit Nick's office aka the Headquarters for Pi Kappa Phi.  Other than the Phi Mu Headquarters I have never visited another national organization.  I love the history that each "museum" has to offer and also all of the stories that could be told.  My favorite part of the tour was the mug wall.  Almost every chapter in the nation has their own mug to represent their school...pretty cool.  I hope all of you are having a great week...the weekend is almost here and that means USM's first home football game!  To The Top!

MUG WALL

southern miss vs nebraska

It's GAME DAY! 

 I know everyone is pumped about college football being back in full swing. Oddly enough the first game for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles is on the road in Lincoln, Nebraska.  I had the opportunity to visit that campus and the Memorial stadium when I was traveling for Phi Mu. First of all let me say that in all of these pictures it looks like I am a Huskers fan...but that is NOT the case today.

Go Golden Eagles!  Southern Miss To The Top!

winner winner chicken dinner

Guess what everyone!? I won a giveaway on one of the blogs I read!  Pink Lemonade Design.  I am beyond excited.  It's a gift card to Shopbop!  After the crazy week of Hurricane  Tropical Storm Isaac I think a little online shopping will do the trick! Don't you think?  What are your plans for Labor Day? I think some graduate schools friends and I might go to the Hattiesburg Zoo!  Have a great weekend!

this was posted on her blog today...love it!

Check out Isabelle's blog here...

duck fest 2012

Friday morning I woke up to a ton of facebook notifications!  Most of them were junk, but a few special people wanted me to change my profile picture to a picture of when I was the Duck Festival Queen.  I represented the city of Gueydan in 2007! 5 years ago...I have yet to visit the festival since I gave up my title.  After a little peer pressure I decided to go!

Finally after a four hour drive back to Gueydan I was ready to hit the festival.  There was a bit of a hiccup because it was pouring down raining!  I mean raining cats and dogs!  If you could have seen me driving once I got there it was pretty hilarious.  Picture me scrunched over and eyes squinting....okay so maybe it is not that funny and more dangerous.  ANYWAY, the rain finally let up and I was able to get to the festival ground.

Let me just say that it is not the Duck Festival if it is not pouring down raining one day and then boiling hot the next!  I jumped in my car with my umbrella and raincoat, but not my rain boots or tennis shoes.  So the solution was to visit the local Dollar General and find shoes.  I assumed they would have boots or tennis shoes.  No!  They have nothing in my size except a pair of black $1 flip flops.  Good thing no one really cares what is on your feet at the festival.  I did not even bring them back to Hattiesburg.  Those disgusting flip flops are probably still on Mrs. Judy's steps.

Friday night we danced the night away at the Festival.  The Chee Weez played.  They are a cover band who played lots of 80s music, pop, and even a little country!  They dressed up and had costumes. Their set was pretty legit.  The keyboard was on a spinning platform and they had a huge screen with live video feed and other videos they played during the set.  All in all Friday night was a blast!

Saturday was the BIG day!  We had interviews, the actual pageant, and the parade.  It had certainly been a while since I had even attended a pageant.  It was great to see old friends and be a part of a wonderful tradition that is the Duck Festival.

Enjoy the pictures!

2012 Duck Festival T-shirt
they had so many colors of shirts to choose from

Picture of the crowd from the hospitality booth

koozie love

love me some Mischa!
2005 Duck Queen duo
She was the miss queen and I was teen

Madison the outgoing Queen
the last time I saw her she wasn't even in high school!

past queen Angelle wearing the mallard duck as a hat
She thinks she could wear it to a Royal wedding in London

past queen Angelle

past queen Hannah

past queen Jessie

We love our Director Mrs. Judy!

All the past queens that were at the pageant

I just had to put on the crown!
ouch...I feel the dent coming back already

Duck float...loved riding in this thing.
People would take pictures as were were driving down the highway with it
so hilarious!

Just a little side note...my suv is called the Duckmobile and it is all from my crazy year as the Duck Queen!  AHHHH one of the BEST years of my life!