TWLOHA

So it's been a while since I've blogged. It's something that I always say that I want to do...but it never happens. Ever. But last night I did something that I feel that very much deserves to be blogged about.

The organization To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA) came to McKendree University on Tuesday, November 8, 2011. I had the opportunity to go, and it was a phenomenal experience. Jamie Tworkowski, the founder of TWLOHA, came to McKendree to speak to students and community members about TWLOHA. Jamie came with his friends, Mental Health Counselor, Aaron Moore, and musician Steven McMorran from Satellite. The music was amazing, the speakers phenomenal, and the message inspiring. The speakers were so eager and willing to speak with the audience members. It was very interactive, and afterwords they offered the opportunity for a meet and greet with the audience.

My friends, and myself took advantage of that, haha. While me, Nicole, and Caitlin jumped in line to meet Jamie and get our picture with him, Skylar jumped in line to chat with Aaron.

Now mind you, the friends I went with are from my church, and we knew a little background about the organization, and that it began as a Christian organization. But Skylar chatted with Aaron a little bit so definitely find out that both men are in fact strong, faithful, devoted men of God. So awesome! And they are reaching people of many different beliefs. God gifts people like these men for a reason. The impact that these men are having upon lives is great.

What is way more amazing is that what they are teaching is what we as Christians need to be teaching. Every life has more value than we can ever comprehend. Regardless of if you are aware of it or not, you are impacting people every day. God made every individual person beautiful in their own individual way. People need love. They need to know that they are cared for, that they matter, and that their life has purpose. Jamie and the rest of the staff for TWLOHA has done an outstanding job of portraying and preaching this message to people all around the world. Well done.

That's all for now.

I'm gonna try to post again soon.

But knowing me...it'll be about a year.

ahhhhhhh!

so, for the past like forever, i've known that i wanted a career in music. so why am i starting to question it now? i just had a talk with my dad and we were talking about school, and what i'm gonna do, and God's calling on my life...and i just don't know if its music anymore. i've been really drawn to history education lately and God's strengthening my heart for missions. i just don't know. i've been secure in my "calling" for music ed for years now...and now i'm insecure about it. i'm thinking about ireland. missions in ireland. and teaching is still in the picture. that i'm secure about. not so much the music......and i wish i knew why.

i'm gonna pray.

Oaxaca, Mexico 2009

Oaxaca, Mexico
July 14-23, 2009

So, I learned a lot during my week in Mexico. I discovered quite a bit about myself and my walk with God, and what I need to do to strengthen it. I have messed royally in the past. I was born into a life of sin, as we all were. When I was 8, I gave my life to Christ, and I was baptized when I was 10. My faith was pretty strong and solid for a few years. High school kinda changed me. I know that’s pretty cliché…but truthful. I started growing away from my faith slowly, bit by bit. I never fully lost it, but it was not where it needed to be. I messed up tremendously my senior year, and many of you probably know what I’m talking about. After that mistake, I started to reevaluate my walk with Christ, and I started to strengthen it slowly, bit by bit. I knew I was going to Mexico, and I knew it would help too, but nowhere near as much as it did. I learned many great things about myself, my friends, scripture, ministry, missions, and love. I would consider myself pretty decently educated in the word to begin with…I mean not like years of study and degrees, but I’ve been in church my whole life and paid attention enough. But I had no idea I could learn as much as I did. God’s love is so abounding and impactful, its insane & amazing. I learned that the power of prayer can do so much more than any power of man. And I have begun to rely on prayer a lot more. Another thing that I’m going to touch on here is dating. Sorry if this steps on some toes here…but its my honest opinion. Dating is not something to be taken lightly folks. It is something to be taken very seriously. The more you date, just to date, the less of yourself you have to give to your spouse that God has planned for you. I will be “dating” now with the intentions of marriage—meaning, I am dating to find that spouse that God has planned for me. There will be lots and lots of prayer invested into the relationship (on both sides—mine and his) and lots of friendship developed with the person as well. Prayer will be the most important thing. I want to exert God’s love in everything I do. And…I want the guy that I end up with to do the same. I’m not in any hurry. I’m 18, I’m young and just starting college. I’m ready when the good Lord says I am. Until then, I’m so incredibly content giving God all that I have. That is what I learned about my faith and relationship with Christ. I also learned that great friends can be made in even very short time periods. Jessica especially, lol...my other Thai cousin. I love that girl...I miss her too, lol. Of course I made other friends too...all of the interns were amazing and so were all the MTS people...and the staff in general. We made friends from New Mexico & Colorado & Florida. God is so good. We were all so blessed to get what we got out of it. So, to sum it all up…Oaxaca was amazing…and the Lord is better! =]

God bless y’all!
-☮Ali♪