So it Begins: Football Season

It's been a while since I have blogged.  I've started traveling every other weekend to Greenville, SC to see Brett's home games. I absolutely love going to his football games.  He likes me to get to the office a couple of hours before the game starts.  I'm not sure why he likes it, but I'm glad I go early because I enjoy seeing him in his element and getting to meet some of the players.  It's so weird to drive up to the stadium three hours before the game starts and not see anyone tailgating.  Definitely a different atmosphere than at ECU. 

Three weeks ago, NGU had their first home game against Tusculum.  Brett's mom, dad, and brother drove up from home/ECU to see the game.  I love sitting next to Brett's brother Sam at the games.  He is the ultimate fan.  Actually, everyone in Brett's family are good fans.  I guess that comes with growing up around the field.  NGU ended up winning 27-7.

Brett with his guys (inside linebackers) before the game.

Three of the Hickman fellas.

Victory!!

This past weekend, I went down again for the Lenoir-Rhyne game.  I knew the game would be a tough one.  NGU lost by I think 1 last year. LR runs the triple option which is extremely hard to defend.  It was a really competitive game.  I wasn't sure if I was shaking because it was around 40 degrees or if I was shaking because of the anxiety.  That's one thing about dating a coach.  You have so much invested in the outcome of the game.

NGU dominated the game. Defense was flying all over the field, but LR capitalized on a couple of turnovers.  I'm telling you, the defense was stellar.  Those guys were so disciplined.  Brett, Lanier, Chad and the rest of the defensive staff really coached them well.  The defense ended up holding LR to 100 yards of rushing, which is not much at all for a team that runs the triple option.  NGU won 35-27!  That made for a super happy Brett, which makes me so happy.

Overall, it's been a great couple of weeks.  I really enjoy football season, aside from not seeing Brett often.  Hope you have had a great past couple of weeks!

The team getting hyped before the game. Love this.

Brett running some drills with his guys

Lanier, Brett, and Chad

Chad's little boy Jack. So cute.

So proud of him and his guys.

On Repeat: "Come To Me"

I was on my way home from work a couple of weeks ago and heard the song "Hold Me" on KLOVE.  It was unlike any other Christian song I had heard in a long time. Sort of like Colbie Caillat: a fun, relaxed, catchy song with an artist that had a unique tone.  I found out it was Jamie Grace.  If you haven't heard any of her songs, I highly recommend to look her up.

I heard another one of her songs this morning, and it is stuck in my head. The chorus of the song is a paraphrase of a couple of verses that got me through a lot of tough times during and after college.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." - Matthew 11:28-30

I know I don't say these verses to myself enough when things get hectic and I feel weary from the life's events.  I need to remind myself that Jesus desires me to walk life free of burdens through resting in Him. What truth, grace, and power rest in Him.

Have a great Monday!

Becky and Glenn Get Married!!

On September 10, 2011, my friend Becky got married.  I met Becky the first time we lived in Cary.  We attended the same church, Reedy Creek Baptist Church.  I just found this picture today when I went to my parents' house and thought I'd share it with you.

Becky's birthday from when we were younger.

When my family moved back to Cary, we decided to go to RCBC again, so I got to reconnect with all my friends from the first time we lived here.  I spent all of high school seeing Becky every Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night and whenever else the youth group would get together.  She has such a sweet, gentle spirit.  We both went our separate ways in college so we lost touch a little, but I am so glad I got to share in her and Glenn's special day and see all my old friends.

Becky looked absolutely radiant.  I could see the love between her and Glenn with every smile she gave him and all the little moments they shared.  I pray that God sharpens them to be more like Him and that through their marriage, others would see God's love, compassion and forgiveness.  Congrats Becky and Glenn!

Sad this is blurry but she looks gorgeous.

Love this picture!

Abby and Mark are perfect for each other.

Love my Mini-me Allison! Beautiful.

Mary Beth!! I love being around her. She makes me smile.

New Experiences

So it's been a while since I posted.  Labor Day weekend, I experienced something I've never done: I went to an urban winery right here in Morrisville.  A couple of my friends and I decided it would be fun to tour Chatham Hill Winery.  For years, I've seen the grape sign while driving down Aviation to get to 40 and always thought, "Well how in the world do they have enough room to have a vineyard right in the middle of RTP?"  As you can see, I have little education about the wine business; I didn't even know the difference between a winery and a vineyard.

We took about a 30 minute tour where I learned that Chatham Hill Winery, established in 1999, was the first North Carolina urban winery.  Did you know that red wine gets its color from the skins of the grapes?  They stomp or press the skins multiple times into the juice so that it stains it.  That's apparently where the extra "health" benefits of red wine come from.  One little factoid I thought I'd share with you. I also learned that French and U.S. wine barrels create different flavors in the wine. I definitely learned a lot.

After the tour, we had a tasting.  They taught us how to properly taste wine.  First, you swirl it to start the oxidation process right before drinking.  Then, in no particularly classy way, you stick your nose in the glass and take a big whiff.  After, you take a small sip so that the wine could touch the variety of taste buds in your mouth.  Apparently, too many people just gulp wine and don't get the full experience and all the different tastes.  Lastly, you another sip and get the full experience of the wine.  They let us try 10 different wines and gave us a sheet with what you should taste and smell with each one and what types of foods would be good with it.  I greatly enjoyed the conversation us ladies had together while sharing this experience.

My lovely friends.

Yep, that explains their personalities. Wish it weren't blurry.

Love spending time with my new friend!

All of us girls. Some of my closest friends.

Are you ready for some football?

I grew up loving football.  Now I realize God placed that passion in my heart because I would be dating a football coach, and dealing with the subject every day. (If you didn't click on the link, do it.  You can see how awesome my boyfriend is).

I love the atmosphere of a football game.  The hustle and bustle in the coaches' office pre-game.  The hype of the coaches and players.  The crisp fall air.  Pure competition.  I even sometimes like the smell of the field (before the game, not after).  Not to mention fantasy football.  Talking about it makes me antsy for the first NGU home football game on September 17th.  I CAN'T WAIT!!!

He'll be in the box this year instead of on the field.

Excited to spend more time with Laura.

Brett has such a supportive family.

Stud.  And yes I am wearing a Black Swarm shirt.

Confessions of a Football Coach's Girlfriend

I'm selfish and needy sometimes.  I know.  Shocker to those of you who know me :)  Well it seems to have escalated now that it's football season.  Brett started his season two weeks ago, which means we won't get to see or talk to each other as much.  He's been having to work at least 12 hours a day and his blood is probably caffeine from all the coffee, soda, and 5-hour energy drinks.  Thankful I wasn't called to a job like that.  I like my sleep too much.

Anyway, the past couple of days, I've been craving affirmation from him since we don't get to talk as much.  Last night, after I complained to Brett that I needed more affirmation, I hung up the phone and felt terrible.  Here I was complaining about him not paying enough attention to me, even though he texts me when he can and we talk every night for a couple of minutes.  I know that he is doing what God has called him to do.  He is ministering to the young men that he coaches about work ethic, responsibility, and being a good student and teammate.  He's showing them the love God has for each of them through his actions and caring about not just how they do in football, but how they do in life.  And I'm complaining.  Talk about a wake up call. 

Then I thought, "Well why am I craving affirmation from him so badly?"   I don't like asking myself uncomfortable questions where I have to admit a weakness or a sin, but I know if I don't confront these issues, they'll keep me in bondage.  So I thought.  It didn't take long to realize I put Brett in a position that he was never meant to be in.  I was looking to him for my ultimate affirmation and to fill that need. 

I should be resting in the fact that through Christ, I am a daughter of the King and deeply loved.  God loved me so much that He sent His only Son to die the death I deserve so that I could have eternal life in heaven with Him (John 3:16).  I know it's the most quoted verse in the Bible, but think about it right quick.  I don't know of any parent who would choose to send their only son to die a horrible death for a person who wanted nothing to do with them.  Jesus was beaten so badly before being crucified that he didn't look human (Isaiah 52:13-14).  And why?  So that we, who have sinful hearts that keep us separated from God, can be united with Him. 

Being aware of this and what the Gospel means should make me feel whole and so deeply loved, not the number of times Brett tells me he loves me (that will never be sufficient enough).  I know it is probably something that all couples struggle with: putting the other in the place of God.  I am thankful that God made me aware of this sin, and at the same time, showed me His deep love for me.  Now the task of living in this love day after day.....

À la carte Faith

I'm in the process of reading through the Bible in a year.  I'm using the ESV reading guide, which assigns a couple chapters from the Old Testament and part of one from the New Testament each day.  A couple of days ago, I was in John 3 and one verse jumped out at me (John 3:33): "Whoever has accepted it [Jesus' testimony] has certified that God is truthful."  As a believer, I accept Jesus' testimony the He is who He says He is: the only way to heaven (John 14:6).  Using John 3:33, I have certified that God is truthful.  That means everything He says in His Word is Truth.

Now think about it: EVERYTHING He says in the Bible is Truth.  When I got to thinking about this, I realized that sometimes I have an À la carte faith.  I decide which parts of the Bible I choose to believe depending on what I'm going through.  When everything in my life is going well, I think, "Your love reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies" (Psalm 36:5).  I know He's "working all things out for the good of those who love Him" (Romans 8:28). 

When I'm in a rut or going through something tough, I question whether or not His Word is true.  For instance, I have a hard time believing Him when He says: “Do not worry” (Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 12:22-30) when I’m stressed about money or work.  Or that He is always there and never leaves me when I feel lonely (Deuteronomy 31:6).  When I've sinned, sometimes I don't believe that He has forgiven me and removed my sin as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12).

I don’t want to have an À la carte type faith where what I believe about God and His Truth is circumstantial.  I pray that I have the type of faith that makes my circumstances succumb to God’s Word and His Truth.  I want to speak God’s promises over my situation and KNOW that they are true.

I'm thankful that God has challenged me in this area of my faith.  Guess I need to memorize this verse and say it over and over and over and over...

"For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does." – Psalm 33:4