Finding a replacement.

Well, the end is near my friends. I have one more week here, and my first year at the University of Mobile will be over. It is so weird to think that summer is already here. It feels like school just started. As the year comes to a close, I am reminded that I will soon resign my position as Freshmen Blogger, and in the words of many of the students here at UM, “Sad Day.”

The good news is that you will have a new batch of bloggers next year. I took it upon myself to work on finding you some today. Today was Preview Day/Freshmen Registration. I was in Weaver this afternoon, and I happened upon the Public Relations table on the second floor. The table is not usually there, so I was intrigued. As I approached it, I had a flashback to last June. I was fresh out of high school and similarly to Michael W. Smith was trying to find my place in this world. I found it in a little place that some people like to call “Mobile”. I am referring to UM by the way. And I am actually not sure where it is. Some say that we are in Saraland. Some say Prichard. According to weather.com our zip code actually belongs to Eight Mile. Nevertheless, our address is Mobile, so I will assume that Mobile is where I found myself. On that day that I found myself here (wherever “here” is), I found a similar table set up. There stood the good people of the Public Relations Department asking me about being a Freshmen Blogger. In case there is any question, yes, I did apply for the position, and yes, they did accept me. Standing there today, I decided to help in the new search for bloggers, so I began stopping future freshmen and inviting them to apply for the position. Over thirty students signed up, so you can look forward to a good group to read about next year.

Don’t worry, I am not done posting yet. You will see a couple more blogs from me in the next week. God bless!

Only One More Week…NOT

I’m sure you are all wondering what my golf update is, so I will gladly share. The women’s golf team is ranked right now 13th in the Nation for NAIA!! How exciting is that! I am now playing number 5 on the team which means I am going to be playing in regionals and nationals! I can’t believe the oppurtunities God has given me as a freshman! We are going to San Marcos, CA for nationals by the way. I have always wanted to go to California and now I get to while playing at a nice golf course. This is the life! We are going this weekend to Ft. Gaines, GA, which isn’t as well know. Apparently there are places in this town where you don’t get cell phone reception. We have to stay in the dorms after school is out, so techniquly we aren’t done with school until May 25 which isn’t so bad. We will practice in the morning and play 18 holes of golf in the afternoon as long as I don’t pass out from heat stroke first. Pray for us to all play to the best of our abilities from May 19- 24! Thank you!

I’ve got Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

I finally got a Saturday off to do whatever I want! I have forgotten what it is like to have a choice on a weekend. Normally it is wake up, play golf, take a shower, eat, and sleep, but not this weekend! I went to the beach with a bunch of friends. We all met up at Lambert’s which is known for the thrown rolls. Whenever you have a group of girls with minimal guys you will get hit on, so of course the roll guy threw an outrageous amount of rolls at our table. Now…I’m not wasteful, so I ate a lot of them!

We finally made it to the beach around one o’clock which was perfect. The weather was amazing!! It was warm and sunny and just absolutely gorgeous! I was beside myself, I was so happy. All the girls got our chairs and towels laid out and got the sunscreen on. Then all the girls started to lay down. One thing you have to know about me is it is really hard for me to lay out. I brought music and book because I knew this would happen, but I still couldn’t handle it. The guys and I threw the football for a while then we headed for the water which was extremely cold! We body surfed and had a grand time. The only bad thing that happened that day was while I was body surfing. The waves were really strong and so much fun to ride. I was riding a really big one when all of the sudden my body got off balance and my hip bone started dragging the sand. I have not a carpet burn, but a sand paper burn on my hip bone that hurts like nothing else! At least I have a battle scar from the wonderful day!

The Tip Top Time (FBN)

Monday, April 21, 2008

Spring Formal – I had fun on the battleship. I ate good. I saw lots of people there enjoying themselves. Took lots of pictures, but then again not a lot. I really wanted more pictures, but I was so busy dancing that I lost track of time. I love to dance, and I don’t get to dance much with my friends. I usually dance alone in my room. That’s fun too, but I have more fun when I’m with friends. A lot of people don’t know how much goes into creating Spring Formal. I applaud Tereasa, Buff, and the rest of the Cabbies for all that they did. They did a wonderful job. I thought it was a great evening!

Wind Ensemble – My friend Barbara had invited me back in either February or March to go. It was great! I kept dozing off to sleep a little bit. I was a little tired because I had been up all day, and I ate at Shiloh, where they served “dinner” for lunch, which makes you want to go to sleep afterwards. The music was awesome though, and my friend did a great job. There were a lot of people that I know, but I didn’t know they were in Wind Ensemble. So, it was cool to see them there and playing their heart out.

SGA Presidential and Vice Presidential Inauguration – Mr. Jared Freeman and Miss Ashleigh Hall were inaugurated Monday evening into SGA. It was really organized. I don’t think I’ve ever been to an inauguration before. It was a Senate meeting and an inauguration mixed into one. After the meeting ended and Jared and Ashleigh were sworn in, we had refreshments in the hall. Whitney Bryant’s mom made the cake we ate. It was good. The cake looked store brought, so professional. It thought it was so cool. Dr. Foley and Mrs. Foley made an appearance as well. It was a great event.

Intramural Softball World Series – After the inauguration was the intramural softball game. I don’t remember the team names, but I know that Buff’s team won the series. I enjoyed myself even though it was a little cold that evening.

Jazz Night – After the softball game was Jazz Night, which was AMAZING! Absolutely Amazing! I had so much fun. Again, Barbara invited me to go back in either February or March. I loved the music! I wanted to get up and dance, but I didn’t want to make a fool of myself. I learned later on from Mrs. Wolf that we were allowed to do dance in the aisles if we wanted to do so. So yea! I wish they had made that announcement at the beginning of the show, but it’s cool. I’m looking forward to next year.

CAB Directors Meeting – We had our first meeting Tuesday. I’m so excited about next year! I believe it’s going to be a great year. Keep a look out!

Events to look forward to -
~Lifesouth Blood Drive Thursday (4/24) from 9 to 3 in North Lobby. There will be a free t-shirt and pizza for the donors. There will also be Guitar Hero and door prizes. Sign up to donate is on Neal’s door in the CAO.
~Covers VIII Friday (4/25) @ 9 in Weaver Auditorium
~Crawfish Boil Saturday (4/26) @ 4
~Up All Night Study Break Monday through Thursday (4/29-5/1) from 10 until morning in Samford Hall. Come, study, take a break, and then study some more.

So, that’s The Latest for The Tip Top Time of the Hour. I’m Julisa for Freshman Blogger News, back to you, reader!

Spring Formal and what not.

I know that it has been a few weeks since I last posted. I apologize for that. Things have been really busy with the school year wrapping up. I will do my best to try to catch you all up. Here we go…

A few weekends ago we had our annual Leadership Retreat. This is when those involved with SGA, Campus Ministries, and Residential Life come together for training and such. Plus the food was amazing. Shrimp is one of God’s best ideas if you ask me. The chicken was good too. So were the mashed potatoes. And also the team building was good too. Not a terrible weekend.

I had a few tests last week, which I felt pretty good about. We’ll see if my professors feel the same way.

Last Friday night was Spring Formal. I took my friend Ashley. It was pretty much one of the best events of this year if you ask me. The food was good (shrimp and chicken and mashed potatoes were there too). The dancing was fun. Many of us had no idea what we were doing out there, so that made it all the more fun. Plus it was fun just getting to see everyone all dressed up. One of the coolest things about the night was that the dance was at the U.S.S. Alabama. So we got to go up onto the boat and walk around. After it was over we went and saw a movie. It was fun. As you can see, “fun” is really the only way to describe the night to you. You can look at the pictures if you would like.

Well, other than writing a paper, those are pretty much all the highlights of life here. Actually, the really are not. I had Chinese food for dinner tonight. My fortune cookie said, “Love or money, or neither.” I am still trying to figure that one out. Ok, now we are done. God bless.

The Battleship and the Beach in One weekend…

I have lived in Mobile for about 7 months now and I have yet to visit the battleship….well last weekend fixed that! Spring formal was last weekend and it was held at the battleship. It was so much fun! I went with a group of 14 people and we had a blast! I mean what girl doesn’t love getting all dress up for a super fun night! Everyone there looked amazing! The food was great and as always the dancing was fun! Also, we got to go on the battleship and look around and take pictures. Our dates decided they wanted to climb to the top of the battleship….you can only imagine how funny it was to see a bunch of girls climbing up a bunch of steps in formal dresses! The night was so fun and we took really cute pictures J

After formal, we headed to the beach for the weekend. A friend of mines mom came down and rented a condo for us all to stay in. At one time we had 21 people down there! Talk about having a good time! Saturday, we played some football on the beach, skim boarded, and I even learned how to surf! Then, we all dressed up real cute and went to eat! The weekend was so much fun! A great way to find time to spend with all my friends before we leave for summer!

1 Corinthians 16:43

Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength.

Praise God!!

Victory IS Jesus! (New Orleans News)

This weekend I went to New Orleans with TNOP, The New Orleans Project. After battling spiritual warfare in preparation for this trip, the team was ready to stand on the victory of our Bridegroom. God had spoken to me about how His Word says “Every knee will bow and every tongue confess” and that “He will be exalted in the nations,” He is the “King of Kings” and “Lord of Lords” there is “none other before Him,” He has all authority and power, dominion and honor. These are all promises. So, in the areas where the enemy seems to have found room, that is TEMPORARY, we need not even fret–it is time to STAND ON THINGS ETERNAL-THE VICTORY IS GOD’S-THE ENEMY HAS BEEN DEFEATED! Thank you, Lord!

Arriving to New Orleans Friday night we were able to attend “Celebrate Recovery” at Jessica’s Church and hear first-hand testimonies from those whom the Lord has defended, rescued, called, chosen, marked, and delivered. I met a RADIANT girl named Tiffany who represented the beauty and joy of the Lord greater than I have ever seen. She could not stop smiling and laughing, she kept bursting into songs of scripture in the middle of our conversations just to bless her precious Savior, Jesus. Tiffany said, “You see, I had a mental illness that robbed me of all of my joy, I was diagnosed with bi-polarism. But, you see, JESUS has delivered me from that and Satan can never take away the joy that comes from the Lord. I am just so happy! I am SO HAPPY! “ My heart felt so near to His presence as I was just sitting with this beautiful angel, the Holy Spirit moved me to tears because of His BEAUTY in her.

Later that night, a married couple testified how the Lord lifted them out of brokenness, abuse, prison, harassment, and torture from the world and the enemy. THEIR JOY CANNOT BE TAKEN AWAY! THEY WERE MADE NEW AND HIS POWER WAS PERFECTED IN THEIR WEAKNESS! After “Celebrate Recovery,” Sarah Kebrdle, Willie Mac, Jessica McLean, Hayes Parnell, Jessica Pike, Jared Carter, Ashley Turek, Alan Ostrzycki, Sarah Richards, David Delotelle, and I went upstairs to the youth room and Alan led us in a GREAT message. He spoke about loving others with a love from the Lord, agape love. We are not to seek out those who are open to our point of view, we are not to just love those who look like us and think like us. The Holy Spirit is not confined to the limitations of appearance, perception, ways of thinking. We are to love those who are nothing like us, His heart is for all! I think that was very crucial because our calling in New Orleans was to LOVE in a way that introduced others to the Lord’s heart of LOVE!

As Saturday morning came around the corner, we all drove to the Habitat for Humanity site and met Meg, who showed us the ropes of the house she had been working on. We were able to deck a roof, hang all of the sub-fascia, and hang window trim. The Holy Spirit really kept us safe and stretched us past our comfort zones. I was able to overcome my fear of heights and climb a ladder to hammer in some of the window trim planks (A side note to my Ladder Girls (Clarissa, Jo-Marie, and Michelle)–that moment meant so much more to me for our vision together striving upwards towards His kingdom). I definitely needed help and constant supervision because I was pretty shaky, but then the Holy Spirit really excited me about my time up on the ladder with Him and it wasn’t about being up high anymore. I think the team was really able to act as a body, supporting each other and work as different parts with the same vision in mind–it was exciting.

There was a family down the street from where we were working that Alan had become acquainted with and as we got to know the three children, their grandmother invited us over to their house. She showed us all of their new additions and how they have been bringing their house back together from the storm. I specifically became close with Jyree, the only granddaughter. Jyree asked if I could be her friend and she asked if she could brush my hair. This may sound silly but I am usually so afraid of sharing hairbrushes with strangers. Yet, Father has shared an unconditional, perfect love that casts out all fear. It’s time for me to give back! She brushed my hair with her brush and styled it into a side pony tail that she took cute pride in. I walked around with it for the rest of the time because I knew she wanted it to be seen. After hanging out with their family on the front porch and snapping fun photos, the grandmother went down the street to get us good ole New Orleans Cajun Crawfish, corn, and sausage. Jyree was so upset that her grandmother wouldn’t allow her to have any of the food and all of a sudden really turned on me. She got the picture her and I had drawn of ourselves and crossed it out in front of me so that I would know she was angry. I didn’t know how to handle the situation other than talk to her, smile at her, and keep reminding her that I still will always love her even if she stops loving me. She told me to leave. Her sudden attitude change was very interesting, part of it was her young age and wanting to be pitied, but my heart broke in the fact that she didn’t want to receive love and responded in anger. I could care less what she thought of me but I wanted her to know the love her Father has towards her. Sarah Kebrdle prayed with me for Jyree and we trusted Father to handle the situation. Sarah Richards found some seashells and brought them to Jyree just to remind her that we still wanted to have fun with her. That was so wise of Sarah, it really wouldn’t have been good if we acted like something was wrong between us and Jyree. Well, before we left, Jyree had come up to me with a new drawing of the two of us and wrote “I love you too. I am sorry can we still be friends forever?” OF COURSE WE CAN! I ran to her and picked her up and I felt like the Lord had taught her a lot about unconditional love and had taught me about how He takes care of those we entrust to Him. He is a great Dad

After leaving the Habitat site, we headed towards the bridge where a large community of homeless people live. Their tents, air mattresses, and belongings were all collected in their own personal bundles. I felt the Lord just pressing my heart to be WITH them, to relate to them, to love on them, NOT to offer something of myself that doesn’t even amount to what they deserve. None of us had any more to give to them than they had themselves other than just more company, fellowship, and love. As we walked around to talk to people, I would pass by a couple of people who were telling each other about Christ and how that’s all they had and all they wanted. These people know the kingdom of God! Scriptures were written EVERYWHERE on the underpass posts. I met a beautiful woman who lives under a tent that gets full of water some nights yet she gets in there and just sings. I knew she must have some great memories with the Lord and the rhythms of the rain, worshiping Him! There was another woman that I had the privilege of getting to know and I couldn’t get over how beautiful her brokenness from the world and wholeness in Christ was! Her family will not even associate with her anymore, her son was kidnapped, she works as many little jobs as she can find, and she gives God all the glory! She was the one offering me clothing and food. I mean, SHE KNOWS THE KINGDOM OF GOD!

As we sang with a group of women under the bridge “Blessed be Your Name,” “The Revelation Song,” and some others, Alan Ostrzycki was able to share the gospel with a man and the man gave His life to the Lord. He was then baptized that next day at Vieux Carre Baptist Church. Also, while we were under the bridge, a lady came up to me and the Holy Spirit had put a word on her heart for me. She said that “He is calling my voice to be one that draws deeper into His presence because it is a heart-voice. ” She also said that “He will make me an Esther and I will lead people out of captivity in Israel.” Then, she went to Sarah Kebrdle and prayed for deliverance in some areas and then spoke this over Sarah: “You will preach the Gospel from the top of a mountain to be heard from the east to the west. You will be used to minister to the young people. You will walk on water and be like Peter and stand on a rock.”

As you can see, this entire trip was HIS initiative, He was there preparing and working way before we had gotten there. Something He helped me understand was that when it is NATURAL for us to walk in the Spirit and we NATURALLY are looking to Him, then He will NATURALLY work SUPERNATURALLY. Please don’t just read that fast and then think about it later. “First comes the natural, and then the supernatural.” There is no way we would have been able to think up, create, and do what was done this past weekend. Our ways aren’t high enough. We are to cling to Master, Savior, Healer, Provider, Omniscient King and HE will make things happen through our faith and through His faithfulness. “For He remains faithful even when we are faithless because He cannot disown Himself” (2 Timothy 2:13). A man very close to my church family, Jim Newsome, said that “When His power works in us, it will work for us and around us.” It is all Him. “Every good and perfect thing comes from above” (James 1:17).

Lets make ourselves available for Him to move in our lives, move things around, refine our hearts continually, break us for what breaks Him, so that as His Spirit moves in us, it will flow out of us. That is nothing we could ever boast about for it is HIS SPIRIT. He is so good.

“Yet the Lord set His affection on your forefathers and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations, as it is today. Circumcise your hearts…and do not be stiff-necked any longer. For the Lord your God is God is gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. And you are to love those who are strangers…Fear the Lord your God and serve Him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. He is your praise; He is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes” (Deuteronomy 11:15-21).

“For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that he may strongly support those whose heart is completely His” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Thanks for being a branch for the vine.

Leadership Retreat…

This weekend was the Spring Leadership Retreat. It was my first time attending and I have to say that it was great! Friday night, we had an amazing supper and then we had a guest speaker. The speaker was very encouraging. He encouraged us to dream and to achieve those dreams. After the speaker, we split into groups and went to different locations. The group I was in went to Carpe Diem, a great place for coffee. Then we got to know each other and looked at different college’s websites. We tried to find ways to improve our school. Saturday, the leadership retreat started at 8:15 am….real early! We broke up into groups of campus life, campus ministries, and residential life. Each group brainstormed on what didn’t work this past year and thought of ideas for next year. Finally, we all met back together and shared our goals for next year with each other! I was really worried that this was going to be a waste of time but I can honestly say that the leadership was very productive and necessity when it comes to planning for the upcoming semester! I am really excited about getting to serve! Keep your eyes out for some drastic changes! After leadership retreat, some girls and I had craft night! We scrapbooked and painted! It was so much fun! I am going to miss these people so much over the summer!

Proverbs 18:24– A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

Finally A Weekend In Mobile!

Last weekend was my first weekend to be in Mobile in over a month! So I decided to make good use of it and go to the beach! On Saturday, we had a girl’s day and went to Gulf Shores. We layed out, went shopping, and ate dinner at Sea N Suds! It was so great to just have a day to relax and have fun with the wonderful friends God has blessed me with! Sunday, we had a double birthday party! We had cake, ice cream, and a fun hang out time! I am just so thankful for the relationships God has allowed me to build this year! Tuesday night was a big night on campus. Leeland came and did a concert for us! I have to say that I am a fan of Leeland! The hearts of the guys in the band are so amazing and sincere! It was a great worship experience!

With all the fun things keeping me busy, I have almost forgotten that I don’t have a lot of time on this campus before summer starts. You can see it in everyone’s faces! Anticipating summer (and some graduation), getting stressed because of finals and papers that have snuck up on us, and saddening looks of saying goodbye to friends for a few months! Right now I am just focused on the two papers I need to write….soon!

1 Corinthians 3:16—Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s spirit lives in you?

Happy April Fool’s Day!*

4/1/08

A lot has been going on since my last blog. Easter break was great. It was fun spending time with family, which is pretty much all I did. It was great. I came back busy as ever. I had interviews, papers to do, reading to do for two classes, fun time with friends (which I did too much of), lots of other assignments, and some me-time to do for the rest of that week, including the weekend. I was frustrated with myself for procrastinating. I even had a slight breakdown that Wednesday (3/26). It was like a whole bunch of work piled on me, and it seemed like I had no time to do it all. God reminded me that I had plenty of time, but I need to manage my time correctly. So, Wednesday morning, I was really sad, almost to the point of tears, but that afternoon I was happy again, because I spent sometime with the Lord*•*. Even though last week was a short week, it felt like the longest week ever. Anyway, I believe my interviews went well last week. I was interviewed to be apart of SGA and to be a Ram Rush Leader. I haven’t heard anything yet on the Ram Rush, but I am apart of the CAB team for SGA. I’m really excited about it. It’s going to be a lot of fun next year being apart of SGA*•*. I remember during Spring Preview last year around February, UM was having SGA elections when I visited. I saw all the signs up and everything. I told my older sister that I was going to be SGA President when I come here. Now, I’m in SGA. I’m going to work my way up to that spot. If you don’t know who our SGA President is, his name is Jared Freeman. I haven’t hung out with him yet, but he’s pretty cool. I admire him. He is only a junior. His freshman year, he was in Freshman Forum (like I’m in now), then he was Treasurer the next year, and now he’s president of SGA. I’m really excited for him and this campus! That gives me hope that I can do the same. You know follow in his footsteps. I hope to get to know the people that are in SGA that are still here (because a lot of them are graduating) a lot better. Next year is going to be great!!

*•*Prospective and Current Student Advice - Stay connected to the Lord wherever you go to college. He will help you with whatever you need help with. Talk to Him and listen to Him. Also, be apart of something on campus. Don’t just be a person that sits around and does nothing, and then, complain that there is nothing going on campus. There is always something going on. Whether it be among friends or campus wide, there is always something going on.

Here’s a random thing you can pull on someone whether it be April Fool’s Day or not:
Walk up to someone (someone you know preferably unless you have the boldness to walk up to some random person) and then point somewhere and say ‘Dang that cat flying.’ It will be hilarious if they look!

*Everything I said in this blog is true. This is not an April Fool’s joke!