mocha club has launched a new platform called

“I need Africa more than Africa needs me”

the basics: (this is written on the inside of each tee)
“When I think of Africa, the following images immediately come to mind: Starvation. AIDS. Child soldiers. Genocide. Sex slaves. Orphans. From there, my thoughts naturally turn to how I can help, how I can make a difference. “I am needed here,” I think. “They have so little, and I have so much.” It’s true, there are great tragedies playing out in Africa everyday. There is often a level of suffering here that is unimaginable until you have seen it, and even then it is difficult to believe. But what is even harder is reconciling the challenges that many Africans face with the joy I see in those same people. It’s a joy that comes from somewhere I cannot fathom, not within the framework that has been my life to this day.

The images spilling out of my television showed circumstances that could seemingly only equal misery, and I was fooled. I bought into the lie that circumstance defines happiness. The truth is, in Africa I find hearts full of victory, indomitable spirits. In places where despair should thrive, instead I find adults dancing and singing, and children playing soccer with a ball crafted of tied up trash. Instead of payback, I find grace. Here, weekend getaways are not options to provide relief from the pains of daily life. Relationships and faith provide joy. Love is sovereign.

My new reality… I know now that my joy should have no regard for my circumstances. I’m ashamed by my lack of faith, but at the very same moment I am excited by my new pursuit. I’m forced to redefine the meaning of having much or having little. I’m uneasy with the prospect of change and of letting go, but just the thought of freedom is liberating. I want what I have learned to trickle down from my head into my heart – I no longer want to need the “next thing” to have joy.

I’m not saying that Africa does not need our efforts. It absolutely does need our partnership. But for me, I’ve come to understand that I NEED AFRICA MORE THAN AFRICA NEEDS ME. Why? Because it is Africa that has taught me that possessions in my hands will never be as valuable as peace in my heart. I’ve learned that I don’t need what I have and that I have what I need. These are just a few of this continent’s many lessons. I came here to serve and yet I’ve found that I have so much to learn, and Africa, with all its need, has much to teach me.”

be sure to check out the video (about half way down the screen) on the website.

[i’m buying a couple of these tees for xmas presents]

also, marisa writes about it here and annie, here.

This is more a season of change than any other. Ok, well maybe not as much of one as getting married, moving to Atlanta, working two jobs, and doing school, but still. Go with me. I’m graduating Saturday, closing the door on a whole chapter of my life that, oddly, Grant wasn’t really a (physical) part of. (Shout out to Mason, who’s also graduating Saturday–what a rock star.) I’m stepping out into the real world–yuck. Hannah’s having/ has had her baby [i wouldn’t know b/c i can’t see her new blog and that makes my heart very very sad]. Christmas is coming. Jesus is come.

This season of change just brings a lot of newness, uncertainties, expectations, hopes, fears, and a whole lotta waiting around, being patient for everything to work out.

what I want to be prayerful about in the midst of all this change: hannah and aswan’s little miracle, a j.o.b. for me, future and further interviews, Christmas time with the fam (actually we’ll get to see both, but we’ll spend the actual day with mine), Stahler finishing up high school, heidi being far away at Christmas, Coco and Nida working during the holidays, Ashley and Mason tackling a new semester in fla, Zach and Steph being home and together, Maggie starting at UGA and moving into Creswell, little MegaMoo [aka spaghetti] at auburn, Leen and Brandon’s engagement as well as Sara and Andrew’s, Carrie and Andrew as newly weds over the holidays, Laura who recently had a birthday!, mama and daddy preparing for an empty nest, our small group, our finances, our love. And I’ve been a little down and out lately, no big, just feeling a little left out of things. What things? idk. life. I think it’s just the changing of the seasons, but pray for my little heart. All in all things are good and we are thankful. “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” Ps 126:3.

ps. “wind of change,” if you didn’t catch that in the title, is the name of a sweet sweet 80’s monster ballad. it rocks. you should check it out if you’re into that.

Grant and I have found the most incredible small group–we’re so so thankful! Fits the season. Anyway, we all kinda met together for a structured 8 week thing, but we didn’t want to lose the friendships we found so we’re continuing it at our place! Last night was the first real meeting. It was awesome. We’re going through Andy Stanley’s iMarriage. So perfect for us “MWok”s–Married WithOut Kids. Fresh perspective meets local favorite (andy) as five couples sit around and discuss the woes and wonders of marriage. It rocks. quick shout out to chris and jen, josh and amanda, erika and brian, and chris and caitlin! love yall!

Thanksgiving: we’re having 10 people over for Thanksgiving! Yay for family! Rick and Janice, Mama Heath, G-ma, Grant’s fam: Perry, Leigh Ann and their girls Evan and Aubrey (remember, from the wedding 😉 and possibly my uncle merrill. You probably noticed that MY DAD AND BROTHER aren’t listed. I KNOW! Stahler’s football team is like a big deal (like 4th in the state), and they have to practice on Thursday, play on Friday–LAME! So daddy and Stahler man will not be with us on MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY. so so sad. We’ll make it up at Christmas!! I will, however, be cooking for 10 no less. (omg) I’m really really looking forward to it. It’ll still be fun and we have so so much to be thankful for.

School: I only have one more week of driving back and forth PRAISE JESUS! Looking at our finances tonight, we noted that gas will be significantly lower, meals out (since I eat out when I’m gone each week) will be much less, and we’ll have so much more time together! It’ll be like a second honeymoon just to spend all 7 days of a week together in one home–no more couch surfing, though I have enjoyed staying with Mason and Harrison–yall rock. seriously.

I graduate December 13th at 9 am in Tuscaloosa! We’re spending the rest of the weekend at the LAKE with the fam! What a treat! But before all that I have two HUGE papers… dun dun dun. They are 30% and 50% of my grade in two of my three classes… can you believe it…? ughhgghh. Anyway, once I tackle those (then immediately forget them in order to enjoy thanksgiving) I can breathe easy.

Hannah: IS HAVING A BABY!!! still not sure it’s registered with me the magnitude of that statement. wow. And we can’t WAIT to meet little man Nile! If everything works out, hopefully Grant and I will get to make it up to Charlotte before he arrives! But who knows–babies have a mind of their own about being born on time… love you hannah bear.

Job: Please continue to pray for me in this. We kinda really need a second income (more significant than the pt check I get from Bulloch, tho I LOVE what I’m doing there) and I think one may come my way soon. I have an interview December 10th with a headhunting firm. We’re just praying over and over again: YOUR will be done, Lord. I know it will work out in His time and with His provision (it sure would be nice if that happened before Christmas…) xoxoox

That’s about all that’s new with me (total chaos as usual). What’s new with you?

For the past 4 days I have been lounging on the beach with Nida and Ashley spending some much needed quality time. While I have much to blog about that, for now I’ll leave you with my quick fave from the entire trip. On Sunday at church we heard a gospel choir sing–Amazing! This is my favorite quote from that service and one I want to remember forever about the body of Christ:

I pray for you
you pray for me
I love you
I need you to survive.

More to come…
[miss them already, especially as I’m thrown back into school work…]

I Am: a wife, a student, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a lover of Jesus
I Have: all that i need. actually probably more than i need
I Think: constantly–i’m always in my head
I Know: where my treasure lies
I Dislike: ignorance
I Miss: my fam–esp precious stahler
I Fear: failure
I Feel: loved, blessed, happy, and content
I Want: peace
I Smell: grant even when i’m away each week b/c i put his cologne on my pillow
I Crave: dexter dvds. that serial-killer is awesome
I Cry: every once in a while. sometimes just because
I Usually: am contemplating the future
I Search: for jobs constantly, continually, daily, hourly, all the time
I Wonder: where we’ll be in 5 years
I Care: so much about family, traditions, love, seasons, and holidays
I Love: grant grant grant and of course, dane cook and Jesus
I Regret: not soaking up every minute at uga
I Always: search for the good in people or circumstances
I Worry: that i wont ever reach or respond to my full potential
I Am Not: excited about working in the ‘real world’
I Remember: my sweet granddaddy and our ‘dates’–lunch most fridays of my senior year in high school
I Dance: ALL the time, in public, alone, with music, without, all the time my heart sings and i dance
I Don’t Always: do anything
I Write: all the time. i love reading, writing, exploring words’ meanings in written form. words are all we have to discribe this life and all its beauty
I Win: nothing. incredibly unlucky
I Wish: everyone could feel what i feel as a newly wed. seriously, this is the greatest thing ever and i hope everyone is emersed lavishly in love at least once
I Argue: when i should conceed
I Listen: to better understand (but never enough)
I Lose: the backs of earrings
I Don’t Understand: why some people choose not to get better, not to change, not to heal
I Can Usually Be Found: with a good book and coffee out on our back porch
I Am Scared: to have children. that’s a lot to be responsible for.
I Need: love
I Forget: the hard parts of seasons and somehow remember mostly the good
I Am: grateful