+i think it's time to repaint myself maybe blue maybe green maybe something in between

"Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Colossians 3:12-14)

I think it is a humbling experience when you realize that your Bible has been a passenger in your car more than it has been open in your hands. I couldn't find my Bible today. In fact, I didn't even remember when I saw it last. Oh that's right, in the back seat? No, the trunk. When did that happen?

Broken. How do I do this to myself? I love prayer, but why do I neglect to crack open the love letter written for me? I search for verses online and all that, but there is something about actually reading from a book that gives me a little more focus and attention.

Devon pointed me to Colossians 3 today - lots of identity talks we've had in the past few months can really be seen in these verses. It was good to read through it all, but the few verses above made me want to stand up and shout (in a good way). I believe so whole-heartedly in compassion (understanding), kindness and humilty (because everyone comes from different places), gentleness and patience (because who knows what kind of day someone had, and much more receptive are people when you are gentle while you are patient with them??).

Oh and then that final verse - "put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." -- doesn't it? When you love someone how much easier is it to show them compassion, kindness, humility, patience, and even gentleness. Love ties all things together. Respect, love, humility. It's so refreshing.

Most people I work with and see on a normal basis understand these virtues and practice them to the best of their ability from what I can see. I need to learn to be so much more patient with those Christians I see who are constantly abrasive, short-tempered, and impatient. It literally twists my heart to see it, but I need to love above all else. "all together in perfect unity."

Just some thoughts for the day. What an encouragement.

+mondays need humor

Cute things. Nataliedee.com

+tonight maybe we're gonna run, dreaming of the osaka sun

I am calm, and that's new.
Transitioning well. I feel confident and content and I feel very grounded in my walk with Christ, who is typically the root of my joy, happiness, and peace.
I am happy to report that I have 48 lovely new pretty faces on my floor and actually got to see them all last night at our first hall meeting.
I am getting too old for my job though... even 11pm is pushin' it for me - someone shake me out of that habit!

This weekend I'm headed back to Evansville for a night to pick up Devon's car and to see his family, of course Tucker, and to go back to Charlie's Mongolian Barbeque. This place is phenomenal, I promise to actually take a picture of it this time.

Lookin' forward...

+i'll let you borrow my four leaf clover

So I guess this has been my final day to open the school year at Belmont University. So much anticipation and preparation - so worth it all. I forgot how neat it is to be in a Freshmen hall and had to place myself in the shoes of all those emotions again. It is such a difference from high school. It is such a difference from living at home. My parents came to take me out to breakfast this morning and we walked around campus. It is 70 degrees out with a beautiful breeze. We reminisced about my own move in day to Wright Hall and all the things that have happened to our family and Belmont's campus. Oh goodness! I feel old. I'm going to keep batting away attempts at looking back. I still have a semester to look forward to!

I feel very refreshed today. I got to go to a small party for Sarah last night and got to see some of my old residents. Mm, they make me smile. Then a birthday party for Dale. With lots of people my age - our conversation was "what's next"...."what're you doing when you graduate." Such a change from "what are you planning on studying" and "how far from home are you." I truly love the university setting for the varying range of mindsets. It seems impossible to become complacent!

Fun pictures to celebrate back to school:

My sister's first dorm room at Samford:


My first dorm room at Belmont:


My orientation with new friends:

+well i try to make you proud, but for crying out loud

What do you do when you care so much, feel so much, work so much, and yet there is still so much more to do, so many more people who you need and who need you, and there isn't even time enough to sleep?

I have never had a week like this one. It takes a lot for me to say that.

Opening day Saturday morning. We've got this. I promise. Why am I so scared?

+this is that old dream i told you about

Every season I collect things from everything I do and tack them up slowly but surely to my bulletin board (refer to the newer Sabrina movie... she does this when she is in France and every since I was little I wanted to be like her). So here is the Summer. Just a glance at it makes me smile, but it's empty in my new room ready for the Fall now!

"And if I knew the answers, I would tell you now.
Just what would be the chances, that I could show you how?
If I knew where all the tears were coming from,
add up all the years that you've been gone.
This is that new song I told you about... 20 years ago.
Do you know what true romance is and could you show me now?
Just what would be the chances that I could tell you how?
If I knew where all the tears were flowing to,
got them to a river where I'd swim with you downstream.
This is that old dream I told you about... 20 years ago.
And could you hold me now?"
-Badly Drawn Boy

+take me from the place i know, take me from the place i can go

Today is the move day over to Maple Hall! So I guess with RA Training starting Saturday, this past weekend was the last one of the Summer. Crazy! Just a few days left working in the Office of Residence Life, then a jam-packed week! Thankfully this last weekend I got to meet Devon's adorable dog, Tucker, and some of his relatives. Such a good way to finish! Still sore from moving the roomates out, but ready for a little more.

+our plans so big and bright, we'll think about them twice tonight

I guess I'm late on the Steve Moakler bandwagon... he's a musician, and in my class year at Belmont. He plays at local venues all the time, but for some reason I've never given him a significant listen. The other night, when my friend Lauren was in town, we went down to 12th & Porter for his show. I enjoyed myself so much, and have been listening to his music ever since. Check his myspace out!

"Same car, same parking lot. In the park one mile from your house. We make laughter to stop tears, we don't know where to go from here. We come tired from chasing dreams, with you I swear nothing's changed. Though they have come half true, reawake in minor view.

Could it be that easy? I don't know. How many time do you set love free, before you know it's supposed to be? And how long do you wait and see? Before you know to run to me?"

+singing don't let me into this year with an empy heart

I know that I will be graduating from Belmont with a Political Science degree, but up until this Summer I had no concept of initiating or creating change. In fact, I've always left courses feeling a little beat up and thinking that my voice was small and insignificant. I am encouraged by stories of people who stand up for what they believe in, but always find them a little idealistic. I have floated through undergrad assuming that tolerating one another's ideas is the best way to go - because then we won't get into arguments or hate each other later.

I am so energized by conversations I have had lately. I know dozens of people who have a heart for change and for accountability in organizations. I have heard grievances, worries, genuine concerns. I have really listened instead of excusing those circumstances as "venting sessions." No! People say these things for a reason. AND, if they have taken the time to look at the situation from different perspective and are still coming back to the fundamental injustice, shouldn't these instances call for action?

I think so. I am currently underway with a project that gets me more fired up every time I sit down to research it. I know, I know, "Heather, you're being vague!" And this I realize. I just needed to excitedly tell someone and my blog is, after all, my little place to write.

More to come. Just know that I am finally realizing I have a voice. I'm willing to do the research. And I'm understanding that there is a way to get heard.

+i'll try for one ray of sunlight to hold in my hand

Ah, my prayer for energy was answered ten-fold. This weekend with Lauren was so perfect. Catching-up conversations feel like what this summer has been all about and while many of them can leave me exhausted, this weekend was not that way. Kindall came along for our kayaking the Harpeth River. Fresh coffee and muffins began our morning and we were off to float/paddle/explore the outdoors (PB&J's packed for lunch of course). We kept mentioning how great the river was - easy, level one, but sometimes the current would carry us, sometimes it would be so still you could take a nap, and sometimes the rapids were choppy and hard to manage. Refreshing and completely contented.

Lately I have been in dire want of cooler weather. I am not unhappy with the heat, but it would have been spectacular to travel that river with the cool wind on my face or with layers of warm clothing wrapped around me. Oh, and can you imagine the trees changing color as scenery? Such a daydream.

I didn't take my camera (which I wholeheartedly regret) but Dad took a couple from our vacation at the beginning of June. They make me quite happy!