Pride and Prejudice: The "Religious" Version

John and I have a new friend. I have several classes with him, and when I introduced him to John they really hit it off. He's a super nice guy, and we all have a lot of fun hanging out together. There's only one thing that gets to me... he calls us religious. He doesn't mean it as an insult, but it still rubs me the wrong way.

I think this is because the word "religious" has gotten so twisted by our society. For example, to me the word "religious" reverberates with all the wrong connotations. It seems to imply all the legalistic and judgmental stereotypes that are so sadly associated with Christians today.

I was listening to a discussion on the radio while I was driving to Navasota this morning. They were talking about the bad reputation Christianity has gotten, and how we as Christians need to find ways to make it more fun. I don't know if "fun" is the word I would choose. It's not as if Christianity is some gingerbread house that we have to lure little, lost children into. I think it is more important to be joyful and genuine, which I unfortunately can't say I've been living up to lately.

I think the saddest part of all is how far Christians as a whole have fallen from the place God intended for us. We are most often identified by our reputation as a condescending, judgmental people who care more about our own prejudices and following a strict set of laws rather than loving unconditionally. This stereotype is even harder to overcome when there are churches passing judgment and tearing each other down, rather than uniting in the common mission of reaching out and bringing glory to God. Jesus said that "all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). Is that really the way people identify us? Are they able to see light from us and point us out by the love we exhibit? I hate to admit that in my case, I can't be so sure.

I've felt very convicted of this lately, and I have to say that I feel my pride is stealing the spotlight. I've never really considered myself a prideful person, but after listening to Pastor Justin's sermon over Philippians 2 yesterday as I got ready for class, it's been gnawing away at me. I don't quite know how to explain it. It's the kind of pride that prohibits me from making new friends. John's been telling me lately that not everyone will always automatically want to be my friend and that sometimes I need to make the first move and make an effort to talk to them, sit by them, etc. In a pathetic, childish manner, my response has been, "Well if they don't have to come talk to me, why do I have to go talk to them?" Am in 5th grade? Really, Erica? This has been going on for a while now, but I just really felt my eyes opened to it the other day and was disgusted. It reminds me of the song, "This Little Light of Mine." Am I really going to be so proud, and so quick to put walls up to fend off rejection that I'm going to keep my little light under a bushel? I don't think that's a very good idea. Thankfully, I know God is full of grace... but that doesn't do me much good if I'm too proud to ask for it.

I would appreciate prayers in this area. Also, please pray for my new friend. We had a long talk about religion after class yesterday. He's not anti-anything, but he's very bogged down in the legalities of the Christian church. He felt bad because he had wanted to order a beer when we went to lunch (he's legal), but didn't want to offend John and I since we're "religious." I admitted that while I guess I am considered religious because I believe in and love God, it's not the same sense of religion he's grown up around, full of judgment. I told him a little bit about our church and how it's about so much more than abiding by a rule book. He's a musician, so John and I are hoping he'd be interested in coming to church one week to listen to John lead worship. I pray that he'll be able to see past the stereotype and fall in love with our community and our Father just as much as I have.

Eli Young Band rocks my socks off!

Well maybe not literally. My boots did somehow manage to stay on the entire concert, but it was AMAZING! This was my fifth time to see them live, so it wasn't anything too special. Except, oh wait... I MET THEM. AND I could have practically reached out and touched them during the entire concert. It was awesome :] John's uncle was in charge of entertainment at the Austin County Fair, so he hooked me, John, and Enrique up. We did a meet and greet and got autographs, then got to sit in VIP seating at the concert, and actually ended up bumping into them again and getting to talk with them some more afterwards. It was SOOOOOOOOOOO fun!

RIP Teddy :[

My baby's dead :[


My sister ran over him. I'm not mad at her. I know it was an accident. He was really bad about running at/around cars.

She ran over him Tuesday morning. She wasn't even driving like the crazy new driver she is. She was backing out to leave and didn't see him run in front of her when she went to pull out. I had a test that afternoon so no one told me. I appreciate that, especially because I had been studying really hard and actually think I did really, really well on my test. It's just weird to know that everyone else knew and didn't tell me. But again, I'm not mad. I don't feel like they were lying to me. I understand.

My sister called John because she didn't know how to tell me. He (being the knight in shining armor that he is) told her he'd tell me, so he could be in person and comfort me when I inevitably had a meltdown. I appreciate that too.

John and I had been planning "Wednesday fun day!" all week. We didn't really have PLANS. We were just going to get out. Spend some good quality time together. Celebrate being done with our first round of tests. I had been looking forward to it so much all week. John knew that and didn't want to ruin our special time, so he was going to tell me Wednesday night after Bible study. I appreciate that too, and I really wish that was how it would have happened.

Instead, I got an email from my grandma on my way to pick him up for class to get "Wednesday fun day" started. I only read the first line: "My condolences on the loss of your Teddy." I instantly called my mom and then she was forced to break it to me. I was sobbing when I pulled up to get John. My grandma thought they were going to tell me the night before. I'm not mad at her either. It was nice of her to care. Just unfortunate the way it played out. Needless to say, "fun day" wasn't very fun. Especially when we realized at 6:30 that Bible study started at 7 instead of 8 like we'd been thinking, invoking another meltdown. We did end up finding a really good new Mexican food restaurant for dinner at least...

My dad went out and buried him for me today. He even made him a little tombstone. That was nice.

I'm so sad :[ SO sad. And I'm not even that crazy of a pet person. It's just... so sad. I've been blessed enough not to ever really even have to deal with any human deaths before. Just my great-grandparents, but I was pretty young and it wasn't anything traumatic. Plus, Teddy really was my baby. He was my first puppy that was all mine. He was my roommate last year when I lived by myself. I trained him and let him sleep with me every night and loved him so much :[ He didn't even get to have his first birthday.

RIP Teddy. I love you. You were a good dog.

Oh yeah, I made these too.

"Fruits of the Spirit"

I think I need to give Geography a little more credit.

My professor wore a bow tie today :]
Awesome.

My Choreography for CHS

Here are some vides of the Columbus High School Cardinal Belles I choreographed for this summer. "Poker Face" was one they requested I learn from a UDA video, then I taught it to the girls. "Smoke on the Water" was one I choreographed myself. Enjoy! :]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2r6ZktLZY8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUVmphfrZII

School is in full swing!

I have to admit it's way better than I expected. I'm taking a Reading class for teachers, a Writing class for teachers, a Middle School Education class, History of Modern American Women, and U.S. Geography. I was pretty bummed when I got my schedule, but so far I'm actually really enjoying my classes! My favorite is without a doubt my reading class. My teacher's super sweet and we get to read lots of fun books. Plus, John's in there ;] The only one I'm not too crazy about is my geography class. It's my only basic level class, so it's pretty big and straight lecture. It's a lot more difficult for me to focus and stay awake. My professor is this older, very serious and proper man, but sometimes he makes little jokes and I think it's cute :] It makes class bearable.

Last week I had my first day of field experience. I've been assigned to a teacher at Navasota Junior High with a Target Reading class and a 7th grade Language Arts class. I go there every Friday morning to observe, and maybe eventually lead a few lessons. I wasn't expecting much from Navasota, but the school is actually really cute and happy. My teacher lives in Brenham, so that is a possibility to keep in mind... :]

I have finally settled into a dance groove. I joined the Dance Arts Society and it's working out really well. It's entirely student run. They offer several different classes throughout the week (Contemporary is my favorite!!!) and put on a show at the end of the semester, called Curtain Call. The girls that wanted to choreograph pieces for Curtain Call had auditions this past week, and I made a really fun Jazz dance to "It's About That Walk" by Prince. It's so prissy and fun! I can't wait to be in the show! It's November 14th if anyone's interested :]

My oldest cousin and his wife had their first baby last Monday. They had a little girl, Bella Reese, and she's sooooooo precious! I went home to see her this past weekend. I held her for about an hour when we visited them one night and she slept almost the whole time. My cousin told me I need to come by more often so they can get some sleep :] I forgot how much I love babies!!! I can't believe it's almost been 7 years since Rebecca was born. It still feels so natural. I want a baby! (But not right now of course.)

I'll try to post more regularly... but no promises. Actually reading textbooks is very time consuming!

My apartment!

I finally have some pictures of my room and bathroom up! I'll have more to come of the living/kitchen area and our balcony view soon. Enjoy! :]

So long, studio.

I taught my last round of classes at the studio tonight. I can't really say I'm going to miss it. It was fun and everyone was super sweet and what not, but its just not what I want to do. It opened my eyes that much more to the fact that I want to be a director. I just love the family-ness of a team, where its not just a group of people you teach once a week, but kids you get to really know and spend pretty much every day with. Plus, I'm a drill team addict. I love the boots and hats and all the silly little traditions. I'm headed back up to Columbus tomorrow (for the 3rd time this summer! I've been quite a hit, if I do say so myself :] ), so hopefully that will just prove this theory even more.

I move to College Station Sunday!!!!! :]

Anyone fluent in the 5 love languages?

I've been reading the singles edition, and its actually pretty interesting. I don't know if I'm totally on board, but it has given me a lot to think about, and at least opened my eyes to different ways of expressing love and appreciation. I've been trying to guess my family member's languages and practice speaking them a little bit more. Nothing has really changed, but at least it makes me aware instead of just not even worrying about it.

One relationship where this theory actually seems to make a lot of sense is between me and John. For whatever reason, we fight a LOT more when we're apart. It doesn't make summer too enjoyable. But, after reading that book I've kind of guessed that John's primary love language is physical touch and mine is quality time. Obviously, these are a little more difficult to act on over long distances, so maybe that has something to do with our crankiness? It's a theory.

Just curious if any of yall have read any of the Love Language books (Gary Chapman) and what yall thought.

There's a hole in my Bible!

Why isn't there a 16th verse in chapter 7 of Mark???

I want one of these in my backyard.

We finally went and spent the night at the beach this past week! That's the one thing I've been dying to do all summer, so we squeezed it in just in time. I love the beach :] I really never get tired of it. It's always different and I love the sound of the waves and the sea breeze and looking for pretty shells and treasures. Ahhhhh :]

One of our many new friends. This little cranky's name was Elmer :]

Lightning was a little more shy.

Me and my sisters with a giant sand castle.

See?

I'm struggling.

Please pray.

Love yall.

Hi! Remember me?

It has been over 3 months since my last blog post. 3 months!!! That means that I have not posted once since I moved away from Brenham. What a disgrace. A lot has been going on! I always think summer will be my time to relax, but it just seems to be even more hectic. I haven't even gotten to go to the beach, which was one of the only things I wanted to do :[ I've got a few weeks left, hopefully something will work out...

I feel like there's too much that's happened to even try and catch up. Fortunately, I think pretty much everyone who reads my blog is my friend on Facebook, so yall can't have fallen out of the loop too terribly much. I will say that my Columbus camps went amazingly well, as did my classes I've been teaching at the Studio, and I'm even more confident that I want to stick with dance. Unfortunately, the easiest way for me to do that is become a middle school language arts/social studies teacher, then take high school certification tests. Middle school... blech :/ That was the last thing I would have considered when it came to education. Please be praying for me to be content with where I've been placed and make the best of it. If I really commit myself to it, I don't think it would be that bad.

I move to College Station the 23rd! Hopefully I'll get back to posting more regularly after I get into my routine...

Thanks, Blinn College. It's been a blast.

I am officially through with Blinn College!
I was rejoicing in this thought as I walked to my car after my last final this morning, reveling in the freedom from this school and the excitement of moving onto "big girl college," when all of a sudden... a bird pooped on me. SPLAT! Right on my shoulder.

Good riddance to you too, Blinn College! Thanks for kicking me on the way out.



:] It's summer!

The product of a "boring" Friday night in.

Guess it wasn't so bad after all :]

Big girl college

I got my A&M acceptance letter today :] As Casey told Braelyn, "Miss Erica gets to go to big girl college now!"

Congratulations, John!

I'm so proud of you and all your hard work. Can't wait till next year! :]

Whoop!

Yay, yay, yay!

This is my last official week of school at Blinn College!
I got my check from the Rockdale tryouts last night and it was almost double what I was expecting!
I'm getting baptized Sunday! (and my dad might even come!)

And my new favorite... I have a dance job up here this summer!!! :]
I went to Columbus HS Friday to help teach their tryout routine. Their director emailed me today and said that I was so helpful and wanted to know if I would be interested in coming up this summer to teach them a high kick clinic. Kicks!!! My favorite!!! When I was up there Friday she was telling me about this vision she has for a field kick to "Sweet Child of Mine" that she's so excited about. She's really into it and wants to base a lot of their routines off of it and that's what she wants me to choreograph and teach at their clinic! She is entrusting her routine that she is counting on being her pride and joy to me! Just another reason for me to be up here this summer :] Yay, yay, yay!

Testimony night at 1302

Last night John, Rob and I gave our testimonies at college bible study. I was nervous, but I actually think it went really well. I wasn't super satisfied with mine. It wasn't bad or anything, I just think I could've done better. I feel like I got all the background knowledge out there, but didn't really get the good points across as strongly as I wanted to. Rob and John were both incredible. They completely blew me away with their open honesty and passion. Plus they both closed with super amazing bible verses. I closed with "So... I guess that's it!" Thanks for the memo guys! :[

I felt kind of disatisfied the rest of the night. I felt like my story had been so shallow compared to the other guys and compared to how I know it really is. When I was doing my prayer time before bed I just kept praying that somehow I had honored God and touched someone with my story. My phone went off while I was praying and when I checked it before I got in bed it was a facebook message from one of my fellow college students. They told me that my testimony had blown them away and hearing me talk about the situation with my parents had made them feel like it was okay to talk about theirs. I shared some words of encouragement I've come by during the past year and a half (my favorite concept is that even if our daddies suck, we have a Father who will NEVER leave us or lie to us) and it was so nice to feel like I was giving someone hope in a situation that I know sucks so bad. God is so good for allowing me to see the good works he is doing through me and for positioning me to help someone I may never have even known I had so much in common with.

Visionary Love, Dream Sex

When I went to College Station with my cousin a couple of weeks ago, she was telling me to check out this podcast she'd started listening to. Its out of the Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC and the title of the series is "Visionary Love, Dream Sex." It goes through Song of Solomon. I listened to it a lot on the bus ride to Daytona and its actually really good. The guy's teaching style really reminds me of Casey. Just thought I'd pass it along and see what yall thought.

P.S. I'm listening to it right now and he just said his wife told him "Even if you have to go out and work at WalMart, I'll still love you!" heh :]

Mission accomplished :]

Thanks for humoring me dear.

I love you :]

Even if I have to drive through floods, I'm on the right path!

Okay, so maybe it wasn't that bad, but it sure felt like it!

I woke up early this morning to drive to Rockdale to judge their high school dance team try-outs. It had just started to rain when I was leaving, so I was hoping the drive wouldn't be that bad. WRONG!!! First of all, I am extremely paranoid of driving in the rain. I have had 2 little fishtailing accidents and I am scarred for life. I panic when I'm riding with people and their cars do it (John has lost his arm circulation due to this fact many a time). So I was driving and it started raining... and then it started raining harder... and harder... and then I couldn't see. I am not kidding you, folks! I was so scared and just wanted to pull over, but couldn't even see next to me to tell if there was a guard rail or a ditch or anything. All I could see was the faint, white dotted line so I followed it veryyyyyyyyyy slowly. Finally it let up a little bit, but then I hit this town that was flooding. I could see the water splashing up on my windows as I drove through. Oh and P.S. one of my windshield wipers quit working. Thank God it was the one on the passenger side! And of course during the entire 60 mile drive my car is randomly swerving and sliding and I felt like I was going to throw up my heart. It was in my throat the whole time and I don't know how I got my hands ungripped from the wheel when I finally got there.

SO, needless to say I was not in the best of moods when I got to the try-outs. Well, my attitude did a 180 as soon as the first group started their auditions. I loved it! I don't know why really. I mean, it's not like I got to do anything particularly fun. And the team has a new director, so they're in a transition stage where they're going through a lot of re-building. I just LOVE dance team! I don't know what I was thinking. Maybe I'm ready to be done with being on a team, but there's no way I'm ready to have that out of my life. That's what I know and what I love. I had this opportunity today (they even took my information so I can help them again next year), I'm teaching several classes at a studio this summer, and the company I work for is willing to let me teach camps this summer even though I can't attend the mandatory staff retreat. I just feel like everything is pointing me down this path and I absolutely could not be more excited :]

Dance isn't through with me yet!

I've been thinking about it for a few weeks and I have finally come to a conclusion... I am changing my major. Well, kind of. I'm still going to do education, but rather than elementary I want to switch to being a high school dance director. That was always what I wanted to do, but for some reason I've been making excuses and talking myself out of it. I don't know why, but I'm not going to anymore. Especially after doing all my observations here in Brenham, I've realized that as much as I love kids, that's not really what I want to do all day, every day. I think I just loved it so much in high school because I was assigned to an amazing teacher with a great classroom. But now I realize that that is definitely not the norm in public schools. I was an officer for 2 years in high school, I work (worked?) for a dance company, and I have had some experience teaching in studios (I'm teaching 2 classes this summer so I'll have even more!). I know technique, I know how to choreograph, I know companies for costumes, camps, competitions... I really feel like I know what I'm doing! Especially after being on the team here the past 2 years, I've had a lot of time to think about what I would do differently if I was in charge. I feel much more confident about this route and much more excited :]

Go BC!!!

We got 3rd in Daytona, with the highest rank and score Blinn has ever gotten. Yay Dream Team! :]

Congrats to cheer for getting 2nd and breaking their records as well!

Feel free to check out our performances on varsitywired.com.

Just click on videos and search Blinn.

Nationals preview

We leave for Daytona tomorrow. This was just our showoff performance on campus tonight.

I'll be back to report on Sunday :]

Wish us luck and have a happy Easter!

So its not bluebonnets...

but its progress :]