I am still obsessed with the song “Sparks” by Coldplay. Ok, maybe I’m just obsessed with Coldplay in general. But seriously, if you haven’t heard this song, download it and get crazy. It’s beautiful.
On a different note, I am in the process of a lot of self-analysis, thanks to my Leadership Communication class. We have had to take 20 different self-assessments that reveal things about our leadership motivation, leadreship potential, communication styles, etc. I’m also obsessed with self-tests … or whatever you want to call them… so this has been an awesome assignment. I think I’ll post some of the results, since I know you’re all dying to know about my self-assessments.
And last tidbit: I recently finished the book Strengths Based Leadrship … the main point of the book is that if we spend our lives trying to be good at everything, we will never be excellent at anything. We were all born with different strengths and talents, and instead of trying to be good at everything, we should try to focus on developing our strengths. The Gallup Organization (who do all of the Gallup polls) has done four decades of research on leadership and strengths, so it’s really interesting to read what they discovered.For me, this book was incredibly enlightening because I have never really known what my strengths are. I am one of those people who is kind of good at a lil’ bit of everything. So it was awesome to take the test that came with the book, and see that I have 5 different strengths … which I may reveal later.. but not now.. Anyway, if you’re wondering what you’re good at, this book is great.
One of my best friends in the whole world, Leah Daniels, is engaged!!! I am so excited I can barely stand it… when she told me I started balling like a baby (and I usually don’t cry that easily. Well, i guess maybe… One time I cried at a TaxPro commercial). Anyway, I’ve been friends with Leah since the 3rd grade. And now she’s engaged! So wonderful… I’m feeling so sappy about this.
hmm… who’s next? I could make some predictions, but then that might make everyone feel awkward.
… have been awesome. Whenever I’m in the middle of an event (like the dirt conference, basic training, women’s event, etc), I am totally in my element, and I love it. I will expand more later, but in the midst of my eventful week, there were some random and awesome moments, all capture by my cell phone, and I want to share.
The weekend brought an awesome surprise: Cale surprised me with flowers! He had them sent to me through Tyler, who works at a flower shop and had to track me down in LR to give me the flowers. How sweet is Cale? Sending me flowers when he’s so far away..
Then, I stayed the weekend at my parents’ house and read the newspaper Sunday morning. You can always trust the Sunday paper to bring you something scrumptious like this: 
Setting up for the Dirt Conference was crazy on Sunday and Monday, but once it was finished, we got to enjoy everything. Here is a little glimpse of the creative genius that was behind the conference: 
All the while, it’s beautifully AUTUMN outside:
Annnnd, now ladies and gentlemen, the most random animal sighting of the week goes to: The squirrel on the steering wheel of the Physical Plant truck at UCA: 
I know, I know! My week couldn’t be more amazing, could it? Well, the dirt conference ended today. It was amazing, to say the least, and now we can all breathe a big sigh of relief, and settle into the feeling of acomplishment. To reward my week, my parents took me out for sushi at Gina’s in Little Rock. (Plug: if you haven’t been there, it’s amazing… it’s on Hwy 10, right before Taylor Loop/Walgreens). Thanks Mom & Dad!
A lot can happen in 5 days, can’t it?
More than anyone else I know, Callie knows how to enjoy life and see the beauty of God in everyday things. She may not even see it about herself, but her joy is the most tangible, attractive thing about her.. just look through her album on facebook and see how she can find beauty in almost anything. Not only that, but Callie is a really good communicator. She is unmatched in listening to God’s voice, and then communicating/explaining what she’s learning to others. I really, really admire Callie, and find her friendship to be one of the most inspirational things in my life. Here is one of my favorite things she has blogged about lately:
“one night last week i was in the car trying to sort through some of the stuff that’s been going through my head about my place in the church… crying to God to please just “fix my heart so you can use me..” and as i sat there feeling like a complete mess..useless in the kingdom.. i felt like God said::..using you is not my priority, your heart is my priority.”
Reminders like these are always stirring in Callies heart… and just being her friend is like winning the lottery, because I get to hear what’s going on, what she’s learning, what God’s speaking to her. Oh yeah, and I just remembered one of my favorite things about Callie– how much she laughs. She will laugh at anything. And i love it! I love you, Callie!
We love to dance..
If I am ever to have a life-long friendship, it will undoubtedly be with Erika. We were in the same 5th grade class, on the same junior high basketball team, and finally became best friends in the 9th grade. And now, by the grace of God, we have remained friends all through high-school and now all through college. Mine and Erika’s friendship was a bizarre one, to say the least. We must have hit it off because of our weird high-school humor, all centered around bodily functions and our obsession with AIM chatting on fake screen names (don’t tell my mom).
The amazing thing about a best friend is that they can see the weaknesses and blind spots that you can’t see for yourself. When I’m at the crossroads, unable to make a decision, Erika can usually see the right way for me to go because she knows my heart. I think the most amazing thing about Erika is watching how she has responded to God. In her most recent blog she writes,
“I spent the majority of the past two years begging God, pleading with Him to deliver me from my apathy. I spent countless nights in sorrow and anguish, praying for him to wake me up, to rock my world. [...] I had to learn to let go of my plans. My future is His to work with. I want to allow Him to lead me, wherever that is.” (you should go read the whole post– its incredible)
My heart is so glad to see my best friend in the place of complete surrender to God — I haven’t seen her so happy in so long, and it is such an encouragement to me. Erika is a daily reminder that when we follow God and surrender to what He wants for our lives, we will be absolutely more content and filled with joy. I love you Erika!
I’ve always heard about people complain about terrible roommate situations—one of the roommates is a slob, one is terribly obnoxious and inconsiderate, they smoke in the house, don’t pay bills on time, etc— but thankfully, I have never had to deal with that. In fact, I want to take time to brag about my amazing roommates, Callie and Erika. They are both incredibly talented, ridiculously fun, Godly girls. Now the following two blog posts are dedicated to my best friend/roomies/role models in life.
the best living situation you could ever have
The most liberating feeling in the world is to relax, release control, and just accept yourself as you are. And I’m speaking from the midst of that battle. Take a look at this video. It’s a great reflection of reality — the reality that our society is fixated on a completely fake idea of perfection. It is not reality to be perfect… no one is! So anyways, watch the video:
Cale & Katy's Snaggletooth Pumpkin
Cale and I carved my pumpkin before I had my small group party tonight. Obviously, we’re amazing at carving pumpkins. And obviously we’re happy to be home together again : )
There’s nothing but Dirt Conference planning going on a New Life right now. Here’s Neil Greathouse instructing our trusty 24-7 +Cadre Students. 
I’m not making any promises, but I just heard the word “legos” and “rice krispies” in the same sentence.. and someone just said “peeing in the halls”… Get ready.
In case your head is cocked to the side and you’re thinking “…. Dirt??” I’ll clarify: The Dirt Conference is a non-typical creative conference at New Life Church — teaching you how to take your church from nothing to something. It’s all about working with what you’ve got. Check out dirtconference.com.
