During an impromptu visit home to Eastern North Carolina in April, one of my dearest friends (and seriously one of my favorite human-beings) asked me if I had been "Libbed Out" by my social work studies at UNC-Chapel Hill. Yup. "Libbed out". I assure you, I was just as confused by the statement as I … Continue reading “Libb-ed Out”
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
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
One of my biggest pet peeves is hearing the phrase: "I don't have anything to do" Man. Oh. Man. Upon writing those words, I can feel my face twitch and contort into a Mad Hatter-esque appearance (the Johnny Depp version because he was brilliant with that role). Which is highly appropriate since that phrase drives … Continue reading Part-Time Pay, Full-Time Hours
Generally, when someone mentions the word Culture, we tend to quickly visualize grass huts, strange-looking natives, undecipherable language, and mind-boggling rituals midst a foreign land. You know, hula skirts, nose rings, and a violent and confusing dance around some sort of massive, blazing fire. Let's be real, People; That is not normally the case. And … Continue reading Middle School is a Foreign Land
In about 30 minutes or so, I will finally step foot onto Bangladesh in order to begin my amazing journey to 11 countries in 11 months as a missionary in the 10/40 Window. This is a good thing because the flight from Raleigh to the Far East is a long and exhausting one. I'm a … Continue reading Adventure of a Lifetime
A Fish Out of Water 