Day 4. September 30th: Shannon and Susan Pruitt
I've decided to continue the high school trend and talk about another couple that had a huge impact on my life in high school. Shannon and Susan Pruitt were youth pastors at Hector First Assembly. When I was in high school, my sister, brother, and I decided to start going to their youth services. I had been raised in church but it wasn't until I started attending Pastor Shannon's services that I really started realizing that being a Christian was about having a relationship with Christ, not just "works." It was actually during a revival with Shannon preaching that I decided to fully commit myself to Jesus. That night changed my life forever, in the best way possible. I have a lot of great memories involving church activities and youth services, all with Shannon and Susan at the helm. They are now missionaries in Ecuador. They continue to live out their faith and are role models for so many people! I recently ran into them on the square in Fayetteville and I so wish I would have told them what a big impact they have made on my life. I am so thankful that we attended Hector First Assembly in High School and that the Pruitt family was there to help guide my first steps with Jesus. Thank you Shannon and Susan, for profoundly impacting my life these first 30 years. My relationship with Jesus is most important in my life and you guys definitely help build that foundation. I love you guys!
Check out their blog sometime if you get a chance: http://pruittspages.blogspot.com
Monday, September 30, 2013
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Thankful for those who take chances
Day 3. September 29th. Bill and Marcie Curry.
Taking chances. When I think of people who've impacted my life the most, I think about Bill and Marcie Curry. Not just because they are AWESOME people but because they took a chance on me. Here I was, a country girl from Arkansas calling up Bill Curry asking him if Breakthrough had a spot for me. I had never been to Chicago and had no idea what I was doing, just that I knew God was calling me out of my comfort zone and into the inner city. Thankfully, for some crazy reason, Bill and Marcie took a chance on me and set up for me to come work for Breakthrough. And, it changed my life forever. I learned so much, grew so much, and changed so much. I learned about social justice, urban education, community development, and how to love people who look and act a lot different than me. I learned about myself and about life outside of my little bubble. I was challenged daily and it was by far two of the most important years of my life. Working for Breakthrough was my dream job in so many ways and I am so very thankful that I had the opportunity to work there, even if it was for just two years. Bill and Marcie are two people whom I admire. They dedicate their lives to the people and youth of East Garfield Park. Dedicate their lives to loving Jesus and loving others. They give so much every day, without asking for anything in return. They have three pretty cool kids, too. I am so very thankful that Bill and Marcie took a chance on me and I took a chance on myself. Thanks for changing my life, Bill and Marcie! You guys have definitely been some of the most impactful people in my 30 years of life!
Taking chances. When I think of people who've impacted my life the most, I think about Bill and Marcie Curry. Not just because they are AWESOME people but because they took a chance on me. Here I was, a country girl from Arkansas calling up Bill Curry asking him if Breakthrough had a spot for me. I had never been to Chicago and had no idea what I was doing, just that I knew God was calling me out of my comfort zone and into the inner city. Thankfully, for some crazy reason, Bill and Marcie took a chance on me and set up for me to come work for Breakthrough. And, it changed my life forever. I learned so much, grew so much, and changed so much. I learned about social justice, urban education, community development, and how to love people who look and act a lot different than me. I learned about myself and about life outside of my little bubble. I was challenged daily and it was by far two of the most important years of my life. Working for Breakthrough was my dream job in so many ways and I am so very thankful that I had the opportunity to work there, even if it was for just two years. Bill and Marcie are two people whom I admire. They dedicate their lives to the people and youth of East Garfield Park. Dedicate their lives to loving Jesus and loving others. They give so much every day, without asking for anything in return. They have three pretty cool kids, too. I am so very thankful that Bill and Marcie took a chance on me and I took a chance on myself. Thanks for changing my life, Bill and Marcie! You guys have definitely been some of the most impactful people in my 30 years of life!
Saturday, September 28, 2013
My Second Family
September 28th. Day 2. Jeanie and Rick Gray.
It's really hard to pick just thirty people who've impacted my first thirty years of life the most. Yet, these two, Jeanie and Rick Gray, came to my mind almost immediately. The Grays were my second family growing up. I think I spent more time hanging out at their house than I did my own. From the days of saying "Wicky" and doing "gymnastics," to the days of baking five different types of cookies in their kitchen (and making a huge mess!), their home was always open to me. I was so close to the Gray family that I even went on several beach vacations with them. Those vacations were some of my favorite memories. I've known their daughter, Lori, for almost twenty five years. From headstart to high school graduation, we were best friends and so sometimes I felt like I spent more time with Jeanie and Rick than I did my own parents. They were always supportive of me, even after graduation and moving on to college and adult life. I have so, so many memories that include them. They helped raise me and shape me into the person I am today. I can't imagine what life would have been like as a kid and teen without the Gray family. I know I would be a different person and I wouldn't have the millions of memories (and embarrassing videos) if not. Thank you Jeanie and Rick Gray for being such a big impact on my life over the past 30 years. You two are definitely one of the 30 most impactful people of my almost 30 years of life. I love you guys!
Oh and recently there was an article about Jeanie, Lori, and Melissa: http://www.couriernews.com/view/mobile_full_story/23575519/article-Mother--2-daughters-are-school-librarians
It's really hard to pick just thirty people who've impacted my first thirty years of life the most. Yet, these two, Jeanie and Rick Gray, came to my mind almost immediately. The Grays were my second family growing up. I think I spent more time hanging out at their house than I did my own. From the days of saying "Wicky" and doing "gymnastics," to the days of baking five different types of cookies in their kitchen (and making a huge mess!), their home was always open to me. I was so close to the Gray family that I even went on several beach vacations with them. Those vacations were some of my favorite memories. I've known their daughter, Lori, for almost twenty five years. From headstart to high school graduation, we were best friends and so sometimes I felt like I spent more time with Jeanie and Rick than I did my own parents. They were always supportive of me, even after graduation and moving on to college and adult life. I have so, so many memories that include them. They helped raise me and shape me into the person I am today. I can't imagine what life would have been like as a kid and teen without the Gray family. I know I would be a different person and I wouldn't have the millions of memories (and embarrassing videos) if not. Thank you Jeanie and Rick Gray for being such a big impact on my life over the past 30 years. You two are definitely one of the 30 most impactful people of my almost 30 years of life. I love you guys!
Oh and recently there was an article about Jeanie, Lori, and Melissa: http://www.couriernews.com/view/mobile_full_story/23575519/article-Mother--2-daughters-are-school-librarians
Friday, September 27, 2013
Comfy. Oh Comfy
September 27th: Comfort Olugbuyi.
I still can't say your last name. Comfort and I have known each other for sevenish years. We met at Kids Across America back in the days of yummy camp food, lots of loud Christian rap music, and hundreds of children running around in the hot summer sun. I could think of a million reasons why she and I are friends and why Comfort belongs on this list but the biggest reason she has impacted my life came after we had known each other for a few years. I moved back to Arkansas in 2009 after a two year stint in Chicago. It was the hardest, most difficult move of my life. Cue Comfy. Thankfully, Comfort was living in Siloam Springs, where I happen to move to. Through the next few months, as I began to transition back to life in a small , homogenous town and away from the place I had called "my dream job," Comfort was there the entire time. There to make me laugh, there to see my through some rough days, and there just to be my good friend. I cannot imagine how I would have made it through those first few months of being back in Arkansas without her by my side. Comfort is one of the most fun and joyful people I know. I am so, so very thankful for our friendship, so thankful that I am still trying to get her to move back to Arkansas (she moved to Palm Beach...I mean come on, is Palm Beach really that much better than Arkansas??? Oh wait, it is!).
In fact, she is such a great friend that she drove five hours from Denton (while on vacation from work) to come see Izzy and I last night and this morning. Here are a couple pictures from yesterday:
Thank you for being my friend, Comfy! You have definitely been one of the 30 most impactful people in my 30 years of life!
I still can't say your last name. Comfort and I have known each other for sevenish years. We met at Kids Across America back in the days of yummy camp food, lots of loud Christian rap music, and hundreds of children running around in the hot summer sun. I could think of a million reasons why she and I are friends and why Comfort belongs on this list but the biggest reason she has impacted my life came after we had known each other for a few years. I moved back to Arkansas in 2009 after a two year stint in Chicago. It was the hardest, most difficult move of my life. Cue Comfy. Thankfully, Comfort was living in Siloam Springs, where I happen to move to. Through the next few months, as I began to transition back to life in a small , homogenous town and away from the place I had called "my dream job," Comfort was there the entire time. There to make me laugh, there to see my through some rough days, and there just to be my good friend. I cannot imagine how I would have made it through those first few months of being back in Arkansas without her by my side. Comfort is one of the most fun and joyful people I know. I am so, so very thankful for our friendship, so thankful that I am still trying to get her to move back to Arkansas (she moved to Palm Beach...I mean come on, is Palm Beach really that much better than Arkansas??? Oh wait, it is!).
In fact, she is such a great friend that she drove five hours from Denton (while on vacation from work) to come see Izzy and I last night and this morning. Here are a couple pictures from yesterday:
Izzy thought Comfort was the coolest thing ever. As soon as she walked in the door, Izzy came waddling down the hallway and reached up to Comfort. They were instant buddies. We had such a wonderful time laughing and reminiscing last night. I so wish she lived closer to us!!!
Thursday, September 26, 2013
My Challenge!
So, after mulling this over for several days and asking friends, co-workers, and family for their input, I've decided on what my 30 days to 30 challenge will be. Over the next 30 days, I will be thanking the 30 people who've impacted my life the most. I've had so many people, even if it was for a short time, shape who I am today. When I look back over my 30 years, I can honestly say I have lived a wonderful, blessed life and I want these people to know how much they have meant to me in the 3 decades I have been alive. I know it's going to be hard to pick just 30 people, but I am going to try my best!
I'll be detailing it on this blog and hopefully thru Facebook (maybe Mark Zuckerberg should be on the list!). I am super excited to begin thanking these people. I hope you all enjoy!
God bless!
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
2 Days
Okay, so I have two days to figure out what I am going to do for my "30 days before I turn 30" challenge. I've got about three to four ideas in my head right now, but I do not know which one to do? Will it be 30 acts of kindness? Trying a new thing for 30 days? 30 blogs in 30 days? 30 scriptures memorized in 30 days? Hmmm...maybe I could do all of them? Who knows. If you have any ideas, comment on my blog!
Oh, and here's a great photo of my beautiful child this morning. We are working on trying to get her to start feeding herself. Let's just say it's a sloowww process!
Oh, and here's a great photo of my beautiful child this morning. We are working on trying to get her to start feeding herself. Let's just say it's a sloowww process!
Oh how I love this kid so much. She brings joy to even the worst of days. She's definitely the cutest thing on earth!
Monday, September 23, 2013
Why the Name?
Good morning blog world! So, I must start off this blog by saying, it's been awhile! I haven't blogged consistently since I moved back from Chicago which was 4, yes 4, years ago. I cannot believe it has been so long since I moved. I love to write but I do not have a lot of time to write and to be honest, haven't had a lot of inspiration on what to write about. I definitely don't want to waste people's time writing a boring mantra about my life, so it's been a long time of thinking about what to write and when to write it. So here goes an attempt to chronicle my life...please feel free to never read it again!
The title of this post, Why the Name?, is referring to my blog title: The New 30. Yes, yes, I am about to hit the big 3-0 and I still can't believe it. That seems so old (sorry my 30ish friends)! No, I'm not going to have a crisis about it, mainly because I don't have time to, but it is weird and crazy to think that I am a certified, never "young" again woman. I am determined to make the best of my 30th year. I am determined to live this decade as I have never lived before. I am determined to choose life and love in every situation I encounter, whether it be in the midst of dirty diapers and cooking dinner, or in the drive-thru line at Starbucks, or even while driving in Fayetteville traffic. I am determined that 30 isn't the new 20 but in fact, 30 is the new me.
Oh, and I have decided to try and do a 30 days before 30 activity. No idea what it will involve yet but I am excited to embark on a fun journey...after all, I gotta live up these last few days of being in my 20s!
God bless you all!
The title of this post, Why the Name?, is referring to my blog title: The New 30. Yes, yes, I am about to hit the big 3-0 and I still can't believe it. That seems so old (sorry my 30ish friends)! No, I'm not going to have a crisis about it, mainly because I don't have time to, but it is weird and crazy to think that I am a certified, never "young" again woman. I am determined to make the best of my 30th year. I am determined to live this decade as I have never lived before. I am determined to choose life and love in every situation I encounter, whether it be in the midst of dirty diapers and cooking dinner, or in the drive-thru line at Starbucks, or even while driving in Fayetteville traffic. I am determined that 30 isn't the new 20 but in fact, 30 is the new me.
Oh, and I have decided to try and do a 30 days before 30 activity. No idea what it will involve yet but I am excited to embark on a fun journey...after all, I gotta live up these last few days of being in my 20s!
God bless you all!
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