Senior Girls' Night

April 19th was a special night as we honored our senior girls. The party was held at the Paschal's house where we enjoyed yummy food and discussed fun ways to decorate their dorm rooms.

The girls were given some "practical college gifts" with a spiritual meaning, one of my favorite books "Radiant" and a Blessing Ring.

A Blessing Ring is a place where you can keep all of your notes of encouragement, congratulations, pictures, letters, etc. The girls can place this in a visible spot in their dorm room or apartment.

We ended the night by challenging the girls to be radiant in their new adventure ahead and shine the light of Jesus to the dark world.

The best thing about this night was the girls got to share it with their moms! What a great group of senior girls (and moms!) we have. I am so blessed to have known and worked with these beautiful women. Praying wonderful memories and to be faithful servants for the future of these girls!

A big thank you to these two ladies for helping me pull this event off!

Loving Jesus together,

Morgan

Senior Spotlight~Kasey Nixon

This month's senior spotlight is...

Kasey Nixon

Kasey is a senior at South Aiken High School. Her favorite verse is Jeremiah 15:20.

1. What is your favorite place in Aiken and why?
Odell Weeks because it's open to everyone for all recreation. Whatever mood you're in to play a sport or run or just chill, you can just grab some friends and go be active.

2. Do you have any unusual hobbies?
I love going out on fourwheelers or dirt bikes after a good rain and covering both the bike and myself in mud.

3. If you could ask God anything, what would it be and why?
I would ask him to guide me through college, to support me, and help me stay focused and connected to my family so that I can make them proud.

4. What is your favorite thing about being a senior?
I love the freedom and more independent activities that I get to take part in because you've reached an age where people expect you to be able to be mature, handle situations, and take care of yourself (ex. arriving to school late and leaving early ;)).

5. Chocolate or Vanilla?
Chocolate

When you see Kasey, make sure to say hello!

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

Spring Break: Staycation

One more day until Spring Break! I know all of you are very excited. Many of you are probably headed out of town to the beach, visit family or friends, or other places. Some of you are even going to stay home. But a spring break "staycation" doesn't have to be boring or lame. Here are some ways to make sure it's not!

1. Rest

You're over halfway through with school, and summer is so close you can taste it! However, there are still research papers and tests to be taken before that summer vacation, and you're going to need your beauty sleep. Take a full day of your spring break and devote it solely to resting. Wear your pjs, watch girly movies, eat junk food-anything that will help you relax.

2. Try Something New

Is there a restaurant in town that you've been thinking about trying? Maybe it's a new bowling alley or a few new movies that have come out while you've been focused on studying and keeping up with your crazy schedule. Have you tried the new frozen yogurt place? It is yummy! Whatever it is, get a group of your friends together and go try something different. Think outside the box!

3. Travel Nearby

Whether you believe it or not, there's probably something interesting to do in the towns near you. Find something unique in neighboring towns or cities, like Augusta or Columbia and take a day trip!

4. Volunteer

There are many ways to serve here in Aiken. Find something you're passionate about-whether it is working with children, serving at a shelter, or visiting at the senior citizen center. Seek out ways to glorify God and serve Him in your time off from school!

Just because you are staying home, doesn't mean you have to be bored! Be creative and have fun on your staycation! But always remember to keep God first in everything you do!

Loving Jesus together,

Morgan

A Message from God's Word...

You're blessed when you stay on course,

walking steadily on the road revealed by God.

You're blessed when you follow his directions,

doing your best to find him.

That's right-you don't go off on your own;

you walk straight along the road he set

~Psalm 119:1-3

Senior Spotlight~Brenna Morris

It's time to honor another one of our awesome seniors...

Brenna Morris

Brenna is a senior at South Aiken High School.

1. What is your favorite song on your iPod right now?
Well, I only really listen to my iPod when I'm working out at the gym. I love working out to Christian music because it puts a whole new spin on what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. With that being said, right now I really love the song, "This is Our God" by New Life Worship.

2. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
I would absolutely love to travel to Africa to experience a whole new culture that is so much different than ours here. I definitely think that it would be a heartbreaking experience, but it would be worth it to better be able to see the blessings that God has given myself and this nation.

3. Any advice for our girls on being a senior?
I could write a whole novel series here!
-Don't stress it. Promise you'll get through it.
-Don't wait until your senior year to decide to work AND try to bring up your GPA. Jobs are not easy to find and that number is hard to move!
-Enjoy it! Don't let it get you down.
-Stay faithful all year to God's unmoving hand! When you feel alone, remember that God has never left and will never, ever leave your side.

4. What is one thing God is doing in your life right now?
God is doing so much! One big thing, though, is this-Deuteronomy 11 has been laid in front of me and it's slapped me in the face a bit. I've been a Christian for a few years, but I've never really been in His Word. I never really felt like it was all that necessary. You know, I was getting my Sunday scripture and that was enough. But I was way beyond wrong to think that way. Deuteronomy 11 talks about obedience to God and how when we are obedient, He pours His blessings out over us. Colossians 3:16 says "Let the Word of God dwell in you richly." That's not something that is up for debate or question. That's what I, as a Christian, am called to do. He has totally changed my heart and made me see that His Word really is His truth, His promise, His love, His grace, His kindness, His mercy, and overall, His story. It took me awhile to realize how crucial and mighty to save it is, but now I have a passion for His Word.

5. Sweet Tea or Soft Drink?
Funny that this question is for me! I've become somewhat of a health nut over the last few years. I gave up soda four years ago and sweet tea three years ago. It was all down to lemonade until a month ago, when I gave that up, too. Haha, so it's all water now!

Thanks, Brenna, for letting us get to know you just a little! If you run into Brenna around the church, make sure you take the time to say "Hey!"

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

True Love Waits

Since today is a day of celebrating love (not just for our husbands or boyfriends!), and we are talking about purity in both REVEAL and Sunday school (isn't it funny how God works like that to be talking about the same topic at the same time), I thought I would share a few words on True Love Waits.

Love. I just love the word love. Don't you? Isn't it strange that in the English language we use the same word to describe our feelings towards pizza, our best friend, our pet, God, and then the man we marry! The Greeks had it figured out-they recognized the various forms that love takes.

Eros is a love that is passionate and intimate.  A married woman might describe her love for her husband as a mix between eros and agape.

Storge is a love that is felt from the bond between family members like your mom, dad, siblings, etc. "I storge you, Dad!

Phileo is a brotherly love. One might use phileo when they talk about their feelings towards their best friend, the hurting people of Haiti, or for their job or hobby. I have a phileo for cheesecake, for example!

Agape is the highest form of love. It's unconditional. It's "true love." It's the unchanging love between a husband and a wife or unchanging love a parent has for a child.

When I turned 15 my parents gave me a True Love Waits ring. It was a simple, thin, gold band that I wore on my left ring finger. I loved it! I never needed that symbol in my possession to keep me from making a bad choice, but there was something so special about looking down at the finger that would someday wear an engagement ring and see my promise to my husband there. It reminded me not to get jaded when a dating relationship would end. It reminded my to pray for my future husband. And it reminded me that I was valuable-a treasure-and that I shouldn't compromise anything for anyone.

When I was 17 (yikes) I met the man I would later marry. 4 years later he replaced my TLW ring with a beautiful diamond engagement ring and we were married 10 months later. I was so thankful that on my wedding day I was able to look in my new husband's eyes and stand before God having never compromised my standards.

As we have been studying about love and purity and February is the month of LOVE, spend some quiet time over the next few weeks with God. First, make 2 columns on a sheet of paper-one for desirable qualities and one for non-negotiable qualities. Desirable qualities like hair color, college major, or level of musical ability can be negotiated if you feel led in another direction when you meet someone, but those non-negotiable qualities like their faith in Jesus Christ, love of family, or other qualities that are important to who you are, should not be. Jot down a few notes in both of those columns of what you would like in the man you someday marry. Pray over the list and for your future husband, wherever he is, that he would surround himself with godly people, make wise choices, and pursue the Lord with this whole heart, especially not stumbling in staying pure for you!

Secondly, make a list of standards for your dating relationships. Think about the physical and emotional boundaries you want to create and then write them down and keep them somewhere to refer back to as a reminder. You may not be in a relationship now, but it's always easier to take a stand before you get into a physical relationship rather than having to back-track once you've already gone farther physically than you would have wanted to.

I hope this encourages you in making a commitment to the Lord and to your future spouse! I am praying for each of you on your journey in life!

Now, go use your new-found knowledge of the different words for love and spend some time thinking about the things in your life that you love!

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

Twelve: Twenty Twelve Challenge

Hello ladies! I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year where you were able to spend some time with family, friends, God, and rest! We have some very exciting events planned for this year so I hope you will be apart of them!

At REVEAL this past Wednesday night, Stephen gave a wonderful challenge for the new year: 2012. Not to be biased by any means (I know he is my husband), but I believe this was his best message yet! He gave 12 things to do this year with the most important one last: Tell 12 people about Jesus. Here is the list of 12 Things to Do This Year in case you missed it:

1. Speak less and listen more.
2. Jump More/Have More Passion
3. Treat others as you would have them treat you.
4. Help others.
5. Don't worry.
6. Read the Bible.
7. Give thanks and be joyful.
8. Pray more.
9. Forgive your enemies.
10. Be careful what you say.
11. Look upward.
12. Tell 12 people about Jesus.

I was very challenged by this list. I am not one to make New Year's Resolutions, but this list is a great set of goals to follow for any day of the year! I have challenged myself to all of these and I hope you will too. I know you will hear these 12 things many times throughout the year. Write them down where you can see them everyday as a challenge to you. Hold your friends accountable for the 12 as well. I know you will have a blessed year! But most importantly, every 12 minutes someone dies and goes to hell. It is our challenge to you and to ourselves that we would make Christ known in our daily lives and the lives of everyone you come in contact with. Don't be afraid to tell others about Christ. Invite them to church, REVEAL, church activities, etc. 12 people in a year, One person a month! Think about the impact and lives Christ could change!

Will you accept the challenge?

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

More Than a Little Story

Picture this: A teenage girl will get pregnant but she is still a virgin. When it's close to time for her Baby to be born, she will travel with her future husband to a small town where she will spend the night in a stable and have a Son who will turn out to be the Savior of the world. Not long after the Baby's birth, people will spontaneously start showing up to see Him-from society's elite to social outcasts.

Now, that's more than a little story.

Take the time right now to read the Christmas Story in Luke 2: 1-20.

Mary. Joseph. The shepherds. The wise men. Even though every one of them sounds like an unlikely character to be part of Jesus' birth, they each played a crucial role in the events of the Christmas story.  These individuals faced situations that caused fear and doubt, yet each one chose to fully obey God, even when it didn't make sense, and He used them in His plan to bring salvation to the world.

Let's look at Mary since she is the only girl in the story! Mary is a typical Jewish teenage girl (yes, a teenager) who lives in a small town with her parents. She is planning to get married to a local carpenter named Joseph and lead an ordinary life. But in the midst of a regular day, a single moment will shatter the normal routine of her existence.  Through an angel, Mary will be asked to surrender her life to God's plan to save humanity. This plan includes her becoming supernaturally pregnant with the Son of God so that He can enter human history. Regardless of the risks or costs involved, Mary must be willing to do what God asks of her with no assurance anyone except Him will ever understand. After wrestling with the consequences of her decision, Mary will be eager to be used by God and will make herself fully available to Him in spite of the shame, ridicule, and loneliness she will undoubtedly face. When Mary accepts what God asks her to do, she will do so with no guarantee Joseph will believe her.

Granted, God may never make an extreme request  of you like He did Mary. Yet, you have the same choice as Mary did that first Christmas: you can choose to trust God enough to allow His Son to come alive in your witness to those who are in need of Him. The story of Jesus' birth is YOUR story, told to you and for you. God is still writing His story in this world and He is calling YOU to be a part of it. While you may not understand everything God has planned for your life, you can know God has a purpose for you and will use you to accomplish His desire to bring salvation to the world.

My prayer is like Mary, you will say yes to God's calling on your life, whatever it may be, so that you can tell others about the greatest gift and story ever told. Allow God to accomplish great things through you!

Merry Christmas!

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

Senior Spotlight~Michaela Grooms

This month's senior girl is...

Michaela Grooms

Michaela is a senior at Aiken High School. Her favorite verses are Philippians 4:6-7 and James 1:5.

1. What do you like to do in your spare time?

Listen to music, read and practice.

2. What are you asking for Christmas?

For my family and friends to be safe and healthy. Not to get sick over Christmas and of course Technology.

3. How has God impacted your life?

God has impacted my life by allowing me to play an instrument and using it for His Glory.

4. What is your favorite thing about being a senior?

Graduating

5. Summer or Winter?

I love them both!

The next time you see Michaela, make sure to say hello!

Thanks Michaela!

Loving Jesus together,

Morgan

DIY Christmas Ornaments

For this week's Christmas Gifts on a budget, I am going to give you some ideas to make using cheap Christmas ornaments. All of these are super easy that even the non-crafter can do! All the materials are inexpensive and you can find at Walmart, Target or Hobby Lobby! Many of the ornaments come in packs which is great! 

1. Santa Ornament

For these cute Santas, you need clear ornaments, red construction paper and black and white paint. Fill the ornament with curled construction paper (wrap around your finger to curl) then paint a belt on the outside! Simple and cute!

2. Pearls

For your girly girl friends, get a clear ornament and fill with pearls! Tie a bow on top! Love this!

3. Feathers

Fill a clear ornament with feathers! You can choose certain colors or fill with a rainbow of colors! Beautiful!

4. Memories

This one is great and perfect for your best friends. Take any color ornament and write all the memories, jokes, verses, etc. shared by your friends with a sharpie! How easy and personable! 

Hope this inspires you to be creative with your gifts!

Loving Jesus together,

Morgan