A Dream Come True

I remember that day like it was yesterday.

“No later than 5 o’clock,” they said. So I open my email at 5:01 exactly and see an email with a single word in the subject line that would change my future as I knew it: “Congratulations.”

As of March 28, 2013, I am a University of Florida, College of Journalism and Communications, telecommunications student, with a concentration in news broadcasting. It truly has been one of the best experiences of my life. (That’s a pretty melodramatic statement, but it’s entirely true).

Living the life of a journalism student at UF has completely redefined the characteristic of being passionate. I mean, these students are so dedicated to their work that they put their social life on hold weekend after weekend for success. Every story and every student project gets better and better, as every student slowly learns the trade of being 21^st century journalists.

Faculty

Student success is made possible with the assistance of faculty who continually push each student to their limit, accepting nothing but the best. Expectations in the J-school mirror those found in the real world; not a single moment is wasted or taken for granted. The faculty therefore expects nothing but greatness upon graduation.

INR and CMIR

But truly no student success would be possible without access to top-notch university facilities! Students work half or full-day broadcast shifts in the Integrated News Room and the Center for Media Innovation and Research to become more familiar with 21st century broadcast technologies and to develop new communication strategies in which to broadcast news. 

“There are a few provisos, a couple of quid-pro-quos…”  -Genie from Aladdin

I recognize that I sound like a tour guide to UF’s J-School, so let me add a disclaimer: living the life of a UF journalism student has its many rewards, but those rewards haven’t come easily. There were times when I lacked any sort of confidence, when my work was labeled as simply “useable,” and when I counted down the minutes to my 5 o’clock shift end.

Working so closely with professors in the news facilities completely broke me down. But within one semester’s time, it built me back up as a stronger and more confident journalist - something in which I'm forever grateful. 

So what's it like to be a journalism student at UF, you ask? 

It's a learning experience,

            a media workplace opportunity,

                        a dream come true.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man.”

-Colossians 3:23

Beauty in Healing

“Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

-Matthew 11:28

Different people find healing in many different ways, although the most common thought would be through prescriptions. I mean, it’s sort of common sense to know that if you can get medicine, you will find healing. And I, by no means, am discrediting that notion.

But what do you do about emotional pain or spiritual hurt? Can I just ask for a dose of happiness or a worry-free serum?

I wish.

But among the copious healing solutions available, such as exercise, venting to loved ones, and the ever promising indulgence of chocolate, there is one that will work every time and provide a sense of healing like nothing else could ever match: time with the Lord.

“My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body.”

-Proverbs 4:20-22

The Lord makes it clear that time spent in His Word (as in just simply reading the Bible) and in His presence through prayer will give you healing spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.

There is beauty in time spent with the Lord; beauty in healing.

Home: a take on my autobiography

Home.

There is such comfort in that one word.

Home is a place of security,

a place of serenity,

a place of sanctuary.

Born in Gainesville, but raised in a little town just North of this lively college city, I always thought my home would be found in the coziness of small town life.

My hometown provided for a typical southern upbringing: growing up in the church, learning to respect my elders, and, of course, my absolute love for corn nuggets and fried chicken.

In elementary school, I won my first speech contest and my passion for public speaking took root. Soon after, the thought of finding my home in a big city in order to become the next Megyn Kelly became my aspiration. And despite my comfort and love of being a small town girl, I started to imagine my life, and maybe one day my home, in a big city.

In middle school and high school, I signed up for organizations, took leadership positions, and volunteered in ways that I knew would help me reach my big city reporter goals. I was told more than once that I had the gift of capturing the attention of those around me, that I had “that radio voice.” And with each passing compliment, my ego only grew.

In high school, my life was radically changed: I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. The love of Jesus Christ changed every aspect of my life in one single moment, including all my hopes, dreams, and future aspirations.

I turned to the Lord to guide me in all my plans for the future, that they would no longer glorify me by showing off my gifts and talents, but rather glorify God!

My parents have always emphasized the importance of education. And being born and raised a “Gator,” I prayed for the opportunity to officially join the “Gator Nation” at the University of Florida. When I was accepted (Glory to God!) I didn’t hesitate to join the J-School as a Telecommunication major. And since my freshman year, I was given incredible opportunities to further my experience in this field, including reporting for WUFT-fm and UF’s Radio Reading Service for the visually impaired. I am truly thankful!

The University of Florida also gave me countless other opportunities and experiences, through organizations like the Pride of the Sunshine Marching Band and the Signing Gators club. When I look at my time at the University of Florida and see all I’ve been able to accomplish and how I have grown, I’m truly humbled! It was the Lord who made all of it happen!

As of right now, I have no idea what exactly my future holds except the fact that I have been called to the field of American Sign Language interpreting. I don’t know how to further that calling or where to start; I don’t know what I’m going to do once I graduate. Let’s be honest:

I am a simple college student and I don’t have it all figured out!

But I do have Jesus Christ as the Lord of my life and that’s all I need.

They say, “Home is where the heart is.”

That being said, my home is not a big city like I’d always envisioned; it is not a small town like I’ve always known; it is not even Gainesville where I have lived for the last 3 years. My home is where my heart is. And since my heart belongs to Jesus Christ, my home is in Heaven with my Savior.

“All I know is I’m not home yet, this is not where I belong.

Take this world and give me Jesus, this is not where I belong.”

-“Where I belong” by Building 429

Spring Break Rest

7 days. 168 hours. Paradise.

Every student anxiously awaits this precious week knowing, for some, their semester’s academic success depends on it. Students all over the country pack their bikinis instead of their books and head to the pool instead of their professor’s office:

SPRING. BREAK. 

Beyond the spring break parties and the pool time, beyond the sun and the sand, beyond the drinking and the dancing, the anticipation for spring break is the deep desire simply for relaxation, a brain break, if you will.

With weekly assignments and papers, not to mention various tests and quizzes every other week, it can oftentimes feel impossible to keep up with school demands. Then when you add a social life and personal time to this workload, it only becomes more chaotic.

It’s hard to simply catch a break and take a breather. It’s overwhelming.

So we count down the days to spring break, highly anticipating this much needed vacation for some much needed rest.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

If we simply take the time to feed our souls with the love of Jesus Christ through the comfort of His word, we will be at rest even in the midst of a crazy exam week.

There’s beauty in the desire for a vacation, for a spring break. And there's beauty in rest. 

Beauty in the Unknown

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future.”

-Jeremiah 29:11

Surely one of the most overly quoted verses in the Bible. Even my eleven-year-old cousin can recite that verse! Unfortunately, it becomes all too easy to lose sight of its significance.

I mean, think about it:

The Lord of Heaven and Earth, the Creator of the universe, the Savior of the world has given each of us a beautifully unique future, designed just. for. us. We each have a purpose on this Earth that only we can accomplish. We are each an integral part of a bigger plan, like a small insignificant tile used to create a captivating wall mosaic. And yet, if one piece went missing, the mosaic would simply be incomplete. Our lives and futures are equally important, equally valuable, equally worthy, to God’s plan.

But what if something doesn’t go the way you’ve always planned? What if God has something greater planned for you? Something you’re not even aware of yet?

Conversely, what if you are absolutely positive what the Lord has called you to do but have absolutely no idea how to get there or where to start?

I’ve experienced both.

You see, my passion since I won the 4-H State Tropicana Speech Contest in fourth grade was public speaking:

the adrenaline rush,

the quick thinking,

the ability to capture someone’s attention-

Nothing made me feel more important.

I knew I wanted to be a broadcaster when I grew up, no questions asked. It was all mapped out: be admitted to the University of Florida. Graduate with a telecommunication degree. Work for the JoyFM…

…But the Lord had other plans.

In my past three undergraduate years, I have absolutely fallen in love with American Sign Language and the Deaf community. Never in a million years could I have guessed that the Lord would call me into the field of interpreting.

But where do I even begin? UF doesn’t offer anything in that field and my pride prevents me from transferring.

Lord, what the heck am I doing here? How is this part of my calling if I don’t even know what direction to take my first step?

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

                                                            -Psalm 119:105

Another overly quoted verse. I mean, what does that even mean??

Let me paint a picture: if you’re immersed in a sea of pitch black with the exception of a single lamp, you will only be able to see a small circumference around that light: just enough to see in order to take one single step.

And if the Lord is our lamp that illuminates just enough area for us to take that one single step, all we need is Him to guide us in the right direction that that one single step should be taken. And how do we get that guidance?

“Give us today our daily bread.”

-Matthew 6:11

The Lord’s Prayer - or rather a portion of it; Matthew 6:11 is rarely quoted without the whole prayer. Regardless, I stopped to consider what it even meant. Obviously it’s not referring to a real piece of bread. So what then?

The Lord will give us just enough daily wisdom and understanding-our daily bread-in order to take that one single step. We need only trust in Him and ask Him through prayer for that wisdom.

The Lord does that on purpose: what would be the point of illuminating our whole future? Where’s the fun in that? But really, where would trust come in? How could we lean on our God if He gave us all the answers straight up?

There’s beauty in the unknown. And there’s beauty in how the unknown becomes the known.

When I take a look at the crazy opportunities and experiences that the Lord has given me, I’m truly humbled. But beyond a humility check, I finally understand why I was given these opportunities and experiences: because they played a much bigger role in defining my future than I could realize at the time.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

-Romans 8:28

Valentine's Day Love

A dozen, long-stemmed red roses; heart-shaped chocolates; sweet “I love you” gestures like breaking out of jail to see your valentine: a normal Valentine’s Day, right?

Ha!

For most of us, Valentine’s Day consists of a night curled up on the couch watching the latest Nicholas Sparks movie while enjoying the box of chocolates we bought for ourselves earlier that day.

But why?

Because we are wallowing in our non-existent love life?

Because we’re afraid of heartbreak again?

Because we think we’re not beautiful enough for someone to love us?

But the reality is we have the best love story of all time! Jesus loves us and He is our perfect valentine! He thinks you are beautiful, no matter what society says. He loves each of us so much that he took on all our sins and, despite His absolute perfection, died so that we could have eternal life with Him in Heaven-the perfect gift.

1 John 4:19 says, “We love because He first loved us.” God’s love is the source of all human love. Once we understand His love, we will understand that Jesus Christ is our perfect valentine. And there’s beauty in that.

Beauty in Photoshop?

Arched eyebrows. Long lashes. Small nose. Plump lips. Rosy cheeks. Long, wavy locks. Cleavage. Flat stomach. Thin Waist. Big Hips. Long legs. Tan.

Perfection.

And even when we are not wired to look like this, we turn to eating disorders, fake tans, Photoshop. That’s what society demands. This is what is required to be beautiful, to be seen, to be worth it.

But it's all a lie. Below is a post with the truth: Beauty in Jesus Christ.

Beauty in Jesus Christ!

We are each uniquely beautiful because The Lord Jesus Christ made each of us who we are, because the Holy Spirit runs through us, and because the peace and grace of Jesus Christ is our foundation.

Our beauty is not seen in our appearance; it is not seen in what we accomplish; it is not seen in financial circumstances; and it is not seen in comparison to those around us.

Our beauty cannot be defined by the make-up we don or the designer fashion statements we make; it is not defined by what others think and it most certainly not defined by the contents of Vogue.

Our beauty is defined by Jesus Christ. He came to Earth, and despite His absolute perfection, he took all of our wrongdoings to the cross. He forgives us for everything, if we but ask for it. And in return, we have eternal life in Heaven with Him.

There is beauty in the knowledge that, despite our background, despite our past, despite our sin, we can live a beautiful life with Jesus Christ. There is beauty in His redemption.

Beauty in Expression

I remember that day like it was yesterday…

Dressing in my “Sunday Best,” I headed to see my first touring musical with my family. I was eight years old at the time.

I thought for sure this performance would be just like I imagined: wonderful energy, magnificent music and complete enjoyment…

…and it was.

But what I didn’t expect was finding just as much enjoyment watching the American Sign Language interpreter as the actors and actresses in the actual musical.

She took such pride in her signing. She commanded the corner of the room where she stood. With every gesture, you could see, not only enjoyment and enthusiasm, but also passion and happiness. She exaggerated her facial expressions to such an extent that it became a struggle just to try to stop watching her. It was as if she were one of the actresses who was determined to put on a brilliant show for her audience…

…and I wanted to be part of it.

Fast-forward about 13 years, one month, and 21 days later to today.

I was standing as a teaching assistant for American Sign Language 3, signing with a friend when I thought about the way in which American Sign Language has allowed me to express myself: when words fail, ASL works miracles.

I found myself signing worship songs the other day because my emotions overtook me and my hands expressed what my heart was speaking. Yes, it sounds crazy or even a little ridiculous, but American Sign Language has become a means of expression that, as cliché as it sounds, allows me to praise the Lord in a way I never imaged.

Who would have thought that in the span of 13 years, the Lord could work in unimaginable ways. 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, 

who have been called according to His purpose."

Romans 8:28 (NIV) 

There’s beauty in praising the Lord.

There’s beauty in American Sign Language.

There’s beauty in expression.

Beauty in the Sunrise

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. And yet, I can’t think of a single word that could possibly describe the emotion that welled inside me when this sunrise was before me. Every word that came to mind seemed…lacking.

You see, I’m a night owl; I rarely ever see the dawn. There are pros and cons to this, a pro (beyond the obvious) being a greater appreciation for the sunrise.

On the rare occasion I wake early enough to see the start of a new day, I can’t help but recite the song my mother sang to me every morning growing up:

“This is the day; this is the day that The Lord has made!

I will rejoice; I will rejoice and be glad in it!”

Don’t you see?? It’s a new day, a fresh start. No matter how yesterday or the past week or even the past five years have treated you, today is the day to start fresh, to get right with the Lord!

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come!”

There is beauty in the promise of a new day; beauty in its greeting: beauty in the sunrise.  

Beauty in Song

This has been my view for the past three hours:

It’s rare for me to remember a time when I stared at a piece of music so full of quick, hardly-playable, super-high thirty-second notes. And let me be frank: there has been absolutely no beauty in a piece of this caliber…

…until today.

This paper full of random notes and octave runs may seem a jumbled mess at first glance. But after this music is carefully diagnosed and practiced, it starts to take form. The brass voices in the room pass the deep and eerie-sounding bass line around the room as the high woodwinds play these ridiculous runs underneath. What takes form is a dark and mysterious ambiance with what can be imagined as a “run-for-your-life” undertone. It’s truly remarkable.

But let’s be honest, you’d have to hear it to understand, not to mention that half of the people reading this have no musical reading background and haven’t the slightest idea what I’m trying to convey. Let’s get to the point, shall we?

To say that I hated this music at first is an understatement. Then just this past week I ran across Psalm 105:2:

"Sing to Him, sing praise to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts."

And then I thought about it: what if I went in to band today with the thought that, granted, I don’t really deserve this spot in this band considering I can’t even read this crazy music, but the Lord showed me grace and gave me the spot anyway. What if I played the music in thanks to Him? What if I played simply for Him, regardless of how much was actually played correctly?

So I did.

And the result was beautiful. I was no longer reading music; I was playing what became a song. There's beauty in song. 

Beauty in Friendship

I live in The Enchanted Castle. My roommates and I have designed each of our individual rooms to remind us of our homes, a place of comfort and sanctuary. I live in the library. Although it may not sound like an ideal living situation, the gift of the library meant the world to me and quickly became my place of retreat and relief. The people of that poor provincial town never understood me, anyway. My roommates on the other hand understand me all too well:

Poor Cinderella was only ever seen as a housemaid in her hometown. When she fell in love with Prince Charming at the ball and started her happily ever after with him only a few short days later, she was quick to remark that her room in the Enchanted Castle would resemble that of her beloved ballroom.

And Ariel and Rapunzel may go home to a castle, but their upbringing under the sea or in the tower, respectively, was where they grew up, all they ever knew of a home until only a short while ago. So naturally, The Enchanted Castle would also come complete with a room designed for life under the sea as well as a room up near the cloud line in the tower.

Adorning the walls of our quaint little castle are uplifting bible verses and scriptures. What else could make The Enchanted Castle more complete than words of the Lord? Each one of us has learned that the Lord is, quite frankly, the only thing that can truly complete anything, or anyone, for that matter.

That is what I call home.

…But let’s be real. If you asked any of my other friends about my home, they would all say the same generic thing: a simple apartment in a small college town; not fancy or elegant or even grand by any means, but it gets the job done. 

They would comment that my name is Sarah, not Belle, and that I live with three other friends who have names that don’t resemble those found plastered around Walt Disney World. I lead a generic college student life, with the same worries and dreams as any other undergrad.

But they simply don’t understand.

We don’t call our apartment The Enchanted Castle because we are naïve little girls who believe in love at first sight and happily ever after. We call our apartment The Enchanted Castle because we are four 21-year-olds who simply like Disney.

We believe in the outcome of hard work and the simple but truthful knowledge that love isn’t easy.

But most importantly, we believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which gives each of us eternal life.

Our faith in the Lord has become the foundation of our friendship. Our shared morals and values are built upon that foundation and our simple love for the same movies, extracurricular activites, and worldly subjects become the cherry on top. Our friendship is deeply rooted in Jesus Christ, creating a bond that is not easily broken.

There is beauty in friendship. We are not made to be alone. We were created with the need for companionship. The Lord delights in friendships:

            "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." 
                                                                                                  Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV)