What it Means to Love

How could I forget Your face
When all it took was just one day
For me to see it wasn't ordinary
I could never be the same

You took my hand and led the way
I didn't even know Your name
But something happened deep inside me
And I knew life would have to change

So how could I go back to life as usual
And how could I return to who I once was
I just want to take your story to the world
'Cause you have shown me what it means to love

You healed the sick, You calmed the sea
But Your heart was for the least of these
You came to love the lost and broken
Your cross has set the captive free

So how could I go back to life as usual
And how could I return to who I once was
I just want to take your story to the world
'Cause you have shown me what it means to love

Now I no longer live for myself
Your words are so clear
Help me live it loud enough so they can hear

So how could I go back to life as usual
And how could I return to who I once was
I just want to take your story to the world
'Cause you have shown me what it means to love
-Meredith Andrews
"What it means to Love"

Thankful

I am back from New York and from visiting college friends and ready to get into the blogging world again. It has taken me a while to also think about what I wanted to say/how I wanted to say these things. A week without writing will do you in thats for sure...so here it goes.

Many of my posts have been about friendships and community, but one community I have not talked about in great detail is the community that I was born into-My Family. I have been blessed beyond measure to have a wonderful and supportive family unit. This week I have come to realize how even more blessed I am to be apart of my family.

While in New York, I have gotten to laugh, cry and push myself to the limit with walking with my family. I have gotten in arguments with my sister and five minutes later we are fine. We talk about how we would never be good Amazing Race partners due to our dispiutes but maybe they would take us just for entertainment. We have laughed at the different ways we can smile, the crazy comments that come out of my mouth (things that I don’t even think about before I say). We have enjoyed each other’s company and just being together.

I am also glad that my family is so welcoming to my boyfriend to make him feel like one of us. Its tuff stuff to be a Hill, and he fits in just fine. He packs up apartments with my Dad like a pro, he makes comments about how I need to try my food of a weird color before I decide that I don’t like it like my sister, and he can pull jokes like them best of them on any of us. I could not ask for anyone to fit in better to our family than Brett does. He goes with the flow during the moments he needs to and cares for everyone that cares for us.

The main reason I got to go to New York was to see my sister graduate from Columbia University with her Masters Degree in Social Work. She completed this degree in one year and that just makes me so very proud of her. Not only did she pack up her whole life in one van and drive up to New York one July night to embark on this Journey she finished it strong and will be one amazing Social Worker. Paula has taught me many things in my life, but being a caring individual is one of the biggest things she has taught me. Paula has taught me to Love people til it hurts and then someone. I know we are so very different, but if I can at least be half as great as a person she is when I am her age, I’ll be doing great.

I have looked up to her my whole life. She is such an example to me of how to live without letting fear get the best of you. She could have told God that she wasn’t going to embark on the journey of Columbia due to financial reasons, distance from home, and the fear of being in a HUGE city without knowing anyone but she didn’t not put a limit to the plan that God had for her and she still isn’t.

As I type this I think about the quote “Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams"

Live your life without limits. Don’t set limits for God, because he has HUGE plans for you. If you tell God you cannot do something (in my experience) your more than likely going to be doing it. Take the leap of faith, trust God and his perfect plan for your life, and live radically for him while doing it.

Remember:
"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you hope and future." Jeremiah 29:11

"Many are the plans in a mans heart, but it is the Lords purpose that prevails" Proverbs 19:21

Love,
Mindy

This week...

I will be...

here. In NEW YORK CITY!
I will get to watch my sister get her Masters Degree in Social Work from Colombia University, and enjoy LOTS of family time and enjoying the beautiful city.
Loads of fun about to happen!!!

These Days

I get emails sent from She Seeks Ministries each week. This morning I finally checked my email and I opened up this video from Mandisa, These Days. This song spoke straight straight to me. I have focused on the crazy stuff that has happened during the days that I have been blessed with. This song has put a challenge to me to be grateful for the days that I have been given, though there may be ups and downs Love each day you have been given.

I hope this song challenges you too!

Mountains and Valleys

This week has been CRAZY CRAZY CRAZY and it has also been filled with many high and exciting times, and also lows that I was just ready for the summer to be over (though I dont know why, I love summer.)

Mountains or my Highlights:

• I got to see two of my girlfriends from school on Wednesday.
• I got to go to an awesome concert and have tons of fun.
• I got to sleep late!
• I tweeted Ashley Spivey from the Bachelor and she tweeted me back and then scream outloud like a little girl when I saw it.
  
• I found out that Mac's were on sale at Best Buy (like $60 off)-I am now in debt for the rest of the summer. (that goes both ways mountain and valley)

• I am one day closer to seeing my sister get her Masters Degree, and also spend time with her and my family in New York.

Valleys or my lows:

• This week, I have had a really bad attitude
• I have not focused on the things that I should, instead I have gotten mad over simple things that should have not been a big deal.

So tonight as the new week begins and an old week ends I am looking back at the mountains and the valleys that I have climbed over this week. And to reward myself for getting throw it alive cause like I said it was CRAZY, not just for me but for all included, I am watching Tangled. I have been wanting to see this movie so badly, and now I finely get the chance. I have heard great things, so I hope it can live up to its expectations.

Love,
Mindy

Things Im Missing...

They say you leave your family and go off to school to create a family of your own. My first year of college I did not have that family feeling, but this year I have a family in Boone. I have a support system that at any time I can call them and say "hey you wanna hang out" and me and my girlfriends will go get coffee, watch movies, shop, or just have fun spending time together. I am so blessed to have this, because this type of community is what makes your college experiences.These are the times that you will sit and tell your children about. These are the people that your children will meet and call your family friends one day.

Now I am home for the summer, and my friends are hours away, and my family is at work everyday all day. My job has not started yet so boredom and loneliness has kicked in. I am very much a people person, and I love being around others the majority of my day. Dont get me wrong, I LOVE BEING HOME! but I am missing my community that I formed in Boone. I am missing the "hey girl you wanna hangouts" that will appear on my phone at any random moments throughout the day. I am missing the laughter with my girlfriends, the tears when we think that we wont pass a class, or we cant get through a project or a relationship problem. I am missing the support of good girlfriends that I know will be there anytime I need them.
I got to reunite with two of my girlfriends on Wednesday and it was oh so good for the soul. I loved every moment of spending time with them! We shared many laughs, many stories, and many memories as we were helping fight childhood cancer while listening to some of our favorite country singers.

Though it was a short time with my friends, I know we will plan another adventure before the summer is over. I thank God for my community and the relationships that I have established at school. It is so nice to finally see how happy I am with the decisions I've made about schools, and how God provides for those that trust his guidance.

.
Katie, Me, and Holly before the concert.

Me and My boy enjoying the concert

our favorite singer of the night. Chris Young <3

praying for Humility

This year I was introduced to Elevation Church through my sorority and also the new Elevation Global:Appstate that is now on campus. I have fallen in LOVE! I love the sermons that Pastor Steven Furtick brings each week. This church is based out of Charlotte, NC but has several Global sites as well. Since Charlotte is a drive I am unable to attend on Sunday's but I always watch the sermons online each week. This week, Pastor Stevens wife, Holly brought the message and boy was I inspired.

The sermon before Pastor Steven said "Before you can speak life into someone, you have to be humble." Holly talked about how to live out humility and be Jesus in our relationships.

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."
-Philippians 2:1-3

In our relationships we must embrace humility. We must strive to serve others and be Jesus. We sometimes use the excuse that they were not doing this or they didnt treat me this way, why should I be Jesus to them? Jesus humbled himself to serve others, and God lifted him up. As we humble ourselves to serve others God will be there to lift you up too. "You be Jesus, and let God be God. God is asking you to be Jesus in every relationship you are in. Friendship, roommate, marriage, dating, and even family. You be Jesus, and God will work on your behalf.

"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."
-Philippians 2: 12-13

Be Jesus, and Let God be God.
Pray along with me for Humility to be filled in your life and relationships.

Love,
Mindy

W.O.W

My Mom loves the phrase "Wow is Mom spelled upside down." She loves it so much she even has a tshirt with the saying on it. When she first got it I totally thought it was the corniest but she loved it. She signs all her emails and texts to me and my sister Wow. Not mom. Not her name. WOW.
Truth be told she is a WOW mom! What makes a wow mom you ask? well here we go.
A WOW MOM is...

1. Someone who sits at all your ballgames from 1st grade to 11th grade with no complaints
2. Someone who will drive you, pick you up and take you to practice, tryouts, and then sit with you when you dont make the team.
3. Someone who will stay up late to finish your science fair project and let you go to sleep.
4. Someone who helps everyone before she helping herself
5. Someone who after you get her on the phone, you can sit and tell all your problems too
6. Someone who as you right this comes into your room and sits on your bed to tell you something funny she saw on tv.
7. Someone who encourages me to do my best, and everything will work out.
8. Someone who you can send your math homework too and she will look over it for you.
9. Someone who will walk allover the mall to help you find a prom dress that looks just right.
10. And someone who is your best friend.

Motherhood is not easy, but my mom has done a great job raising two daughters and working as a middle school teacher. I have had a great example of what a mom is and how I should be as a mom when I have children.
Though we had many detours on family vacations to see covered bridges, and back roads she has always made them enjoyable. Esepically when we were both told to be quiet by my dad, but all we could do was laugh. My mom has taught me the art of peeing in my pants when I laugh too hard, and also how to be a woman. My mom has displayed a woman who loves the Lord all throughout my life, and has help mold me into the Godly woman I am today.

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. ~Washington Irving

Celebrate your moms today!

Love,
Mindy

To have and to Hold

I have now realized that many of my friends come to me for relationship advice. It has happened all my life even when I was the one who had never had a boyfriend, never even held a boys hand, they still yearned for my opinions of what they were going through. I am going to start a series of blogs about relationships advice and my opinions. I am by no means the expert when it comes to Love, Love lost, and Love regained, but I have been through it all first hand. I hope these blogs help you by showing you what true love really is like and how we as believers should be willing to die for Christ.

To have and To hold...
I hear many of my single friends say they NEED a boyfriend. I always tell them you do not NEED a boyfriend. Happiness does not come from guys. Happiness should not come from having a boy that you call up every night or go out on dates with. Yes guys and boyfriends bring all those things but bringing yourself happiness is how you do that yourself. I find simple pleasure in reading a good book on my bed. Or watching a movie with my girlfriends. As a human we are made to want that inmate close loving relationship with the opposite sex but we do not NEED it.
I want to point this out though:
To have and to hold love in any relationships we have is important. We must love our Neighbors, love our enemies, love our family, love our friends, and most importantly love our God. We must first have a relationship with him and him alone. This relationship between you and God will become so strong that when another person inters it what a wonderful day that will be. They will bring out new points in the scriptures that you never thought of, and you will build them up in Christs word. Your two relationships with Christ will blend but it all starts with one solid foundation with you and your creator. Holding onto these principles will bring you closer to you and to the one of the opposite sex that God has designed you for. Hold on to these beliefs and capture them in your heart. You were made to crave relationships.
Holding love in your heart will help you build up your relationships with people. We can all think about the one person that is always negative about life. Hold onto love, speak Godly words and aspirations into peoples hearts and let them know you have faith in who they can be.

Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead.
Oscar Wilde

Hoarding

I am sure by now, you have all seen a episode or a preview of TLC's show Hoarding: buried alive by now. Well that is what I feel like I am right now. I packed all my stuff up out of my apartment between Friday-Monday and brought it all back home. Thankfully we have a basement and all of my big furniture can stay down there for the summer. But trying to figure out what can be stored and what you need for the summer is one hard task.
I am a girl that always likes to have her options. On vacations I always have the biggest suitcase, and clothes that I dont even remember that I brought on the trip-even if its just three days. I can not just pack up what I know I will need and use it. I feel like I have to have everything. Growing up my Dad used to tell me I did not have to bring the whole house. But now I really do have to bring the whole apartment because I will be moving into a different apartment next year. I can not even be in my room for long periods of time because it makes me sick with the stacks that I have in there right now.
Though I will get it worked back into my room and everything will find its place it takes time and I will have to dedicate time to doing it.

Fight Like a Girl

No, This post will not talk about the battle with Cancer that many women these days are fighting, but this post will talk about my fight to get through my Sophomore year of College without a mental break down and keeping my faith.
I want to first off say my Sophomore year despite a few things has been amazing. And this is why.
1. I LOVE ASU
I would not want to be anywhere else. I love the college, my professors, my major, and I love Boone. I love waking up and seeing the work of God as I go to classes. I love how close I am to go home or my parents can come up. I love how Boone reminds me of my own home and I dont mind staying here a few weeks at a time. I love parkway dates and what will soon become Frolicking Fridays with my new roommates next fall.
2. I Have yet again Survived another year of Distance
Me and Brett have survived our second school year in a long distance relationship, and we are doing great. I love that he tries to come up twice a month. I love that he LOVES Boone just as much as I do. I love that he is getting involved in my college life, being friends with my friends, and enjoying my experiences with me and also encouraging me on my bad days.
3. I Gained EVEN MORE SISTERS
I love my sister but she is very far away this year in New York. I have gained so many girls in Sigma Alpha Omega that feel like my real sisters. I can cry with them, I can laugh with them, I can be silly with them, and I even grown in my relationship with God with them. I am so glad that I joined this great God filled organization. I am already praying for the new girls that I'll meet next year and hope I can be just as amazing as the sisters were to me this year!

This year has not been rainbows and butterflies by any means. I have had struggles everyday. I have been mocked because of my faith and my morals. I have been beaten down. But I fought to make it through. On Friday, I thought that I was not going to be able to take much more, but again thanks to my sisters, my boyfriend, and my mom and dad: I pushed through.
Tonight I read a verse that helped ease my mind about this whole situation. It comes from Matthew 5:10 and it reads "blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." God has given me the kingdom of heaven because I have been persecuted for my faith, for my morals and for how I live my life according to Gods will. Not many my age are living their life daring to ask God to radiate through every situation. Though I know that many situations I could have handled better than I did this year, I feel that it has been a growing experience for me. I have been hurt in so many ways, and continued to love. And that is what we as Christians are called to do.
My sister put this quote up on her blog the other day and I fell in love with it. It sums of Christianity and what we as believers are called to do.

"No one can be to the people in your life who you can be to them. No one can offer what you can offer. There are many things God calls us to do, but loving well always comes first. The relationships with the people in your life must be fought for." -Captivating

Be Jesus to Someone despite the pain they have caused you. Be their light during their darkness. We are called to Love and to Love with our full heart. Go out and be Jesus today, and let him fight along with you during your weaker days.

Love,
Mindy