Of all the people we have the most difficult time forgiving, the person who often stands to be the most difficult to forgive is none other than ourselves. Sometimes we go through experiences that we wish we could take back; circumstances that a restart button could solve immediately. We may even have memories that make us want … Continue reading Dear Me, I Forgive You
I get pretty nostalgic during January. I mean, can you blame me? 2017 and I spent 365 days together. That's 8,760 hours or 525,600 minutes! If you prefer to be even more pretentious, that's 31,536,000 seconds. (Please feel free to check my math, but do me a favor and keep it on the down-low if my numbers are … Continue reading Dear Future Me
This past weekend, I received a disturbing emergency alert message via text message. In all capital letters it read: BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. On a chilly Saturday afternoon, a high school friend and I were grabbing lunch and catching up. Two local girls who grew … Continue reading A Sobering Farewell: How The Hawaii Ballistic Missile Mishap Impacted Two North Carolinians
It's hard to believe that the last month of 2017 is nearly half-way over. Yet, with Christmas in-tow, the nostalgia surrounding the new year is quickly approaching. The scurry of retail, the kind gestures of gift exchange, as well as the adoration of decorative lights and precious nativity scenes, will soon bring way to sparkling … Continue reading My Top 5 Life-Changing Quotes From 2017
CLICK HERE TO WATCH "STAY" VIDEO Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. According to the International Association for Suicide Prevention and the World Health Organization, "[m]ore than 800,000 individuals die by suicide each year and up to 25 times as many make a suicide attempt." That is 15, 385 lives gone every week. That is … Continue reading Remind Us to Stay
In August, I had the awesome opportunity to speak to middle school students and leaders about the concept of being "Fearless". Coincidentally, "Fearless" is my personal focus for 2016 and I even wear a Giving Key around my neck with the word inscribed. While speaking to students about being fearless for their upcoming school year, I … Continue reading A Mosaic of Sorts: A Divine Conspiracy Comes Full Circle
A year ago, I boarded the red-eye back to Raleigh from a five-week, bittersweet adventure on Oahu, Hawaii. I had not been back to my home for nearly seven years and though being reunited with my childhood playground and where I came from was incredibly refreshing, ultimately, it was not the primary reason for my … Continue reading The Comeback Kid
For the entire month of April, our church's student pastor and I have really been exploring the world of plot twists within our middle school and high school culture. You know, plot twists, the unexpected and unplanned occurrences that rock our world; the topsy-turvy events in our personal lives that we really just did not … Continue reading I Forgive You – The How & Why
A Fish Out of Water 