cheers to a new year

A lot has happened in 2012. In fact Facebook is generous enough to share your top moments of the year. When I think back a year ago at this time I had no clue where I would be or what would be going on in my life. The future is scary. Really freaking scary. I honestly find myself back in the same spot as a year ago not knowing where I will be upon graduation in July and folks...that's okay.

Last year I had the honor and privilege to represent Phi Mu as a national chapter consultant. I'm sure everyone enjoyed reading those posts compared to the lack of posts during graduate school. I started the year out in Indiana and Washington DC. and visited many amazing places along the way. Working for Phi Mu was probably the best and sometimes toughest experience I have ever had. I learned a lot about myself and who I wanted to be in the future. I had the opportunity to eat at some of the best little hole in the wall restaurants all over the country and meet hundreds of fantastic people. 2012 had a large portion filled by a job that created memories for a lifetime.

 Summer of 2012 was filled with a world wind of experiences like helping with swimming lessons for my best friend, working at my dads office (maybe for the last official time??), counseling 3 very different but amazing weeks with my BLC family at summer camp, initiating my mom into the most amazing sisterhood, and celebrating a birthday. Then BAM...it's time to move to Hattiesburg and grow up a little more.

This fall was honestly the most nerve wracking, emotionally and intellectually challenging, amazing semester! Even when I had no clue where I would be after April 22 (that is when I flew back home from Phi Mu), God had a plan. My time in Hattiesburg in graduate school has NOT been easy. My entire research methods class has our professor to thank for that realization. What I did find easy is the ability to connect with others and gain some heart felt friends through this process.

I have had so many "ah ha" moments in Hattiesburg it is not even funny! My favorite is when I learned I wasn't just in H town to attend Southern Miss for graduate school, but to grow in my faith. I have found an awesome church to call home away from home on Sundays and also a stronger relationship with the Big Man!!

Since I haven't posted on my blog since October 9th (I know I am a terrible person for that...but school comes first...hope that is a good excuse. I did make a 4.0 hooray!) there are so many things I could write about. I probably could write a novel...heck I think I am pretty close already. Anyway...

Few things to share before 2012 ends...

I have had the craziest/vivid/real dreams since I moved and I am loving it. Hope that sticks.
I'm obsessed with spotify. So if you don't know what it is you better check it out!
Hattiesburg doesn't have a single daiquiri place, which makes me miss Natchitoches desperately.
I lost my best kitty friend Rose, but received the most wonderful gift in her memory for Christmas.
Thanks for an amazing sermon series...Be the person you are looking for is looking for.
Always take more pictures! and smile more :)


Last year for New Year's I wanted to make a goal in life to think more before I speak. Although I still struggle with this one, I do think I've improved. I need a new goal for 2013...so holler some suggestions my way.

Thank you to those who read my blog even though postings became sporadic.

May God Bless you (whoever is reading this) in 2013...

xo
Jules

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...