Thoughts on being an "Alumni"

So, last night, my husband and I went to a Dallas Mavericks game. We sat in a comfortable suite with lots of leg space, free food of fajitas, hot dogs, chicken tenders, chili cheese nachos, fruit, popcorn, chips and salsa, and strawberry short cake. During the half time, we went down the hall to a dessert cart that had at least 5 different kinds of cake, 3 different cookies which are the size of my face, caramel apples, vanilla ice cream with chocolate, strawberry, and caramel topping, and I'm sure there were more items I didn't see. I heard that there was a complimentary masseuse, but I never saw one. The suite was on the Admiral Level of the AAC. All in it, it was awesome. I had never been to a Mavericks game so I didn't know what to expect, but whatever expectations I did have in the back of my mind were blown away when I arrived. Now, you may be wondering how we got to go to such an elaborate suite. One word: Alumni You see, mine and my husband's university had reserved two suites at the game because one of the schools musical ensemble was playing before the game (in the AT&T Plaza where WFAA is located) and on the court at 7:05 before the 7:30 tip off. When my husband was in school, he was a member of this ensemble, called Winds of Triumph, and since graduating, he has stayed in touch with the director of WOT, Mr. Goacher. Well, about 3 weeks ago, Mr. Goacher contacted my husband to tell him the exciting news about playing at the AAC. Through many conversations, my husband learned that the University Alumni Association had tickets to the game. We figured they would just be in the stands, probably pretty high up, but still we thought "what the hey, could be a good date night". So I called to ask about tickets and lo and behold, they were to the suite!!!! I was blown away. We made plans to attend and arrived at the AAC like 2 hours before the game to look around and mingle with old friends. While there, we were able to speak with the new president of good ol HPU and I asked him "How did y'all get the word out about this event?" and with a straight face he says to me "Well, we kinda went through and hand picked people to come. You know, people who are good donors and such." I said something along the lines of "Well, thank you for doing this, it sure is a lot of fun." and he moved on his merry little way. Once he'd walked off, I turned to my husband and said "I bet I really threw them for a loop when I called to ask about it. They probably thought 'Crap how did this person find out!'". We laughed it off, thankful that however it worked out, that we were there.  As time grew closer for the game to start, many prospective students began showing up and come to find out, not only had the school gotten the suites but also they'd bought tickets for some prospective students and their families. I met one girl who is a trumpet player and wants to be a grief counselor, so she was looking at being in both the music programs and the psychology program. My husband and I were able to strike up a conversation because, well, he's a trumpeter and I was a part of the psychology program in school. We shared the highs of Brownwood and some of the lows, trying to paint a real picture, but at the end, the parents both appeared to be very impressed with the school and the programs they had to offer. I hope that sweet girl goes to HPU.

Up until this point my husband and I have not "paid it forward" in the way of donating to our university. Am I more inclined to do so after last night? Yes!  Will we start? I don't know.

Love, Mrs. M.

PS: HPU Alumni, Winds of Triumph will be playing at a Houston Rockets basketball game in February, I believe it will be the 26th. I heard last night that they will be renting out a suite that day as well, so if you're interested, call the Alumni Office and see about getting tickets!!! 

Thoughts on the Holy Spirit

I have been a believer in and follower of Jesus Christ since I was 8 years old. As a now 26 year old, it would stand to reason that I would be an "expect" of sorts in my walk with the Lord. Yet, here I am, again, trying to discern what He's trying to tell me. I long to be able to understand what the stirring in my spirit means. Does it mean that the current course is not the one He wants? Or does it mean that in my flesh, I'm simply scared/nervous/anxious about the upcoming path? How can you tell? I know that James says to ask for wisdom (James 1:5) and I do, regularly, but still I feel unsure.  Just now, I have what I can "anxious buterflies" inside and I can't figure out what they mean. Do you ever have trouble discerning what the Spirit is leading you to do or say? Do you struggle with whether it's your flesh or spirit prompting you? I do.

When I read the scriptures, I see so many individuals who had amazing confidence in the Spirit. They say things like "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness." (Romans 8:26) and I can't help but feel those words were meant for ME. So often, I turn to friends, family, and my husband for strength and guidance when I'm in a "weakness" but Paul is super clear that it is the SPIRIT who helps us. Now, I"m not saying that seeking Godly wisdom from friends and family are, in themselves, a "bad" thing. But, I wonder, how would my life look if I sought my wisdom from the Spirit. First Corinthians 2:11-13 says that no one knows they thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. I am therefore left to reason that if I want to know/understand the "thoughts" of God (i.e. His plan for my life, the path He wishes for me to travel) then I MUST become better as listening to and discerning His Spirit. 

Love, Mrs. M.

Thoughts on being a "wife"

When my husband proposed to me, all I thought about was planning a wedding and becoming a bride. Those thoughts quickly faded as I realized that after June 26 (my wedding day) I would no longer be a "bride" but a "WIFE". I become frantic trying to read literature (Such as this one!), get advice from married friends I admired, and praying. Lots and lots of prayer. You see, my husband and I dated for nearly 5 year BEFORE getting engaged. We knew we were in love by about the 6th month of dating, but we were waiting for God's timing before moving forward in our relationship. Don't get me wrong, I was READY for that ring!!! But, I am learning there is so much more to love then the ring on my finger. Being a wife, HIS wife, means daily, dying to myself and putting him first.. You see, I believe that love, true love (As you wishhhhh!!!), is, well, Paul says it best:

Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. 

LOVE NEVER FAILS.

I have heard it preached that Paul is simply speaking on the Love of God; that we should be encouraged that we have a God who loves us this way but that we, as mere humans, sinners, don't need to hold ourselves to this high standard of love. Well, to me, that is a bunch of hogwash. Being a wife means LOVING my husband and that means doing all the things Paul describes in his letter to Corinth. In a society where we are indoctrinated with "put your needs first" and "think about how this effects your future", it is so easy to loose site of the way we, who are sons and daughters of God, have been called to live and love. Most days, being a wife simply means doing the laundry and picking up around the house. But some days, it means standing in the gap and praying for your husband who is struggling in ways no one else knows. It means being his best friend and letting him share his emotions while still reassuring him that he is "the man". It's on these days, that I have to remember to "not seek its own", my own. To realize that in some moments, his needs are greater then my needs. 

Throughout our year long engagement (yes, we had been together close to six years at this point), a lot of people gave me advice. Some solicited, some not. Some worth their weight in gold, others, not. But the one that has stuck with me, almost as a mantra that I chant to myself at times, is "Spend every day trying to love him more then he loves you". By doing this, I have seen potential arguments fissile, hurt feelings dissipate, and my love for my husband grow.

I have a long way to grow before I will know how to effectively communicate, love, and respect my husband, but I am confident, Christ has given me the capability to accomplish this task. How do I know? I think James tells me the answer to this question:

"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind".

Love, Mrs. M.