man…i don’t even know where to begin. there’s been LOTS of hurricane katrina coverage on television, and quite honestly…the damage there is heartbreaking. i honestly could not imagine losing EVERYTHING…including my family and/or friends in the span of a few hours. there have been lots of issues dealing with the whole situation…concerns about how the media has portrayed blacks and how long it has taken the federal government to administer aid, and if that is a racist issue too. while i have a lot of my own thoughts on this…and i do feel like some valid concerns have been brought up, i feel that there’s no time to bicker over the politics of the situation. bottom line is- the hurricane katrina victims need help NOW…and people need to come together and help out our fellow americans. hopefully i can join the efforts and head down to louisiana and/or mississippi next week, or at least participate in some local efforts.

on another note, school is going well…i turned in my first assignment on monday night and i have my first test on tuesday. i’m a little nervous about it, but i’m claiming the victory on it in JESUS name. so i’m studying to show myself approved (that 2 timothy 2:15)…and…i’ve got an interview TOMORROW for this really tight assistantship on campus. i’m so excited! thank GOD for the opportunity

more and more i’m realizing that you’ve got to be careful who you let into your life and the effect that can have. sometimes being by yourself is good (i’ve realized this over the past few weeks of being in athens)…and at the same time it’s good to have someone there that cares for you and looks out for you. praise GOD for my friends who have been there for me and have been praying for me. at any rate, i’m excited about the things that are to come…

quotes that i’m feeling…courtesy of some friends:

“You’re still a mystery
But there’s something so easy
How you’re sweet to me
I feel completed
Like you’re
Something I needed
For this heart…of…mine”
~peter salett (thanks elizabeth!)

“my prayers are answered, i’m just waiting on the LORD”
~one of the bestest…nicole wilson

if you know me and pay considerable enough attention to my life (as well as my IM profile), you should know that my birthday is coming up in approximately ONE week. yay for me…i’ll be on that for real grown person status as i turn 22. i won’t lament about being old, but i’ll just say that time flies when you’re having fun!

there are several things that i’ve been considering would be good birthday gifts. remembering that i’m casually unemployed, i’ve reminded everyone i know that gifts such as kroger gift cards, walmart/target gift cards, bp gift cards are all useful gifts. there’s no time for extravagance…gotta be practical about the things that you need (i guess that’s part of being grown and stuff). anyhow, i’m reconsidering what i would like…

in the traditional view of some material possession…i’d prolly say that i want money (i mean, i do need to be able to pay my bills) or some cute uga hoodie or a cute purse. however, this morning i had insight as to what i REALLY want for my birthday…so here goes…

for my birthday…i’d like to have the means to drive to louisiana (leaving on wednesday) so that i can go and participate in some type of hurricane relief effort. i’d like to be able to know that i can sufficiently gas up the honda (to travel there and back) and pack it with supplies for those who are needy. then upon getting there, i’d like to connect with a local church and do whatever is necessary to aid in the relief. that would be the perfect birthday gift.

and now…in traditional fashion, i’m out somewhere trying to figure how i can make my wishes for a birthday present a reality…

“the greatest among us are those who serve” ~upper room daily devotional

“everybody can be great. because anybody can serve. you don’t have to have a college degree to serve. you don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve…you only need a heart full of grace. a soul generated by love.” ~ rev. martin luther king, jr.

peace and blessings…