Dreamality

Wow- did this week fly by or was it just me? I've been so busy preparing for midterms (which start tomorrow) that I feel like there wasn't enough time in the day. Last night, I headed to church ready to hear what God had in store for me. After the service, I stopped by the bookstore and decided to purchase Dreamality, a book I had my eyes on for quite some time now. It is written by my pastor, Bob Coy, and the theme of the book is intersecting heaven's dream with your reality. I picked it up last night and could barely put it down. Even this morning, I read for about an hour. Let me give you a rundown...

Can you remember dreams you had as a child? It wasn't long ago that I remember dreaming of being the very first woman President- now, I want nothing to do with that dream! : ) Instead, I have moved on to pursue a degree in communications, where I will hopefully be able to work as a desktop editor at a magazine or as a graphic designer at an advertising firm. Now, to some of you, that might sound like complete boredom, but to me, that sounds like fun. God gifts us each with unique talents and interests to accomplish our dreams, but the question we have to ask ourselves is "Whose dreams am I settling for?" Is what I'm doing today a dream God had for me, or is this just a dream I've created for myself?

In a well-known passage, Jeremiah 29:11, God says "I know the plans I have for you- plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." God knew and loved us before the earth was ever created- He knew what each and every day would entail. Most importantly, He knows the purpose He has for our lives and our talents- there's a reason we were made the way we are. Our dreams are not meant only to fulfill what we want for ourselves here on earth- they are so much more. God-given dreams allow us to be a part of God's master plan to share with others and glorify Him! We are used as instruments in the very hand of God!

BUT (yes, there is a but), we cannot live a life fully abiding in God if we hold onto our own dreams we have created. In Matthew 10:39, Jesus says, "If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but, if you give up your life for me, you will find it." So many people today are looking for satisfaction through the fulfillment of their self-created dreams- it is a satisfaction they will never find. When God gets a hold of our lives, our dreams pale in comparison to everything He has planned for us. Why would we hold onto a rock, when God wants to give us a diamond? If we don't let go of our own dreams, we miss out on the miraculous plan of God. We can't hold back any longer, we can't continue to live for ourselves. This temporary life is only significant if the impact we make is for God's eternal glory.

So, let me ask you the same question I've been asking myself today: Are you settling in your own dreams or are you living in the fullness of God's dream for you? Honestly, I don't know the answer for myself, but I do know this: God is faithful and capable. And if I put all my trust in Him, He will show me what He wants for my life. "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matthew 7: 7-8) I'm ready to live a life that is beyond my control- and I know God will show me what He wants if I simply ask.

Sallarulo's 5K Run

Starting with a bang- literally!

Sunday started off bright and early for me! After getting ready, I headed to the Miniaci Performing Arts Center on campus at 7:30 to help with the 5K run, benefitting Special Olympics of Broward County. I didn't actually participate in the run, due to a bad back...wow, I sound old when I say that! Instead, I presented sponsorship awards, medals, and handshakes of congratulations to all the excellent athletes that participated. I had the privilege of meeting Miami Dolphins player Jason Smiley, who is soooo tall. It's not often that I find people who intimidate me when it comes to height (I'm about 5'9")...he was an exception! Mr. Don Taft was also there, who is a major supporter for Nova Southeastern and for the Special Olympics in Broward. That morning, he gave the chairty $500,000 to use towards a new sports building! He was just as sweet as he was generous- when I was leaving, I walked over to say goodbye to him. I went to shake his hand, then realized his hands were full of awards and miscellaneous items. After telling him to not worry about it, he insisted on setting everything down and giving me a kiss on the hand : ) Meeting the athletes who participate in Special Olympics was also a treat- they were all so friendly and lovable- definitely inspiring to say the least! Enjoy the pics....DISCLAIMER: Hair was under terrible weather conditions- fog as thick as a forest when I walked out of my dorm. Let's just say, next time, I'll remember to check the weather report before deciding on a hairstyle...how embarrassing!

Okay...this is what my hair looked like when I styled it in my dorm- well, Ken Paves didn't do it, but it looked pretty darn cute! (Work with me here : )

Below, you can see the affects of Florida weather....oh my.

Mr. Don Taft in the middle with Linda Mills, director of special events for the Florida Special Olympics.

I even got a gold medal for helping!

Justin Smiley, #65 for the Miami Dolphins

A "Dramatic" Night

After class yesterday, I headed out to the Boys and Girls Club Performing Arts Center once again...but this time, I wasn't just the emcee for the evening, I was an active participant in the making of the Spring Showcase. It was very exciting to see how the whole process evolves- I kind of came in a few weeks late, but they forgave me : ). The kids have been developing a plot and have learned all the terms necessary to be successful playwrights! I even learned some new vocab myself. We also ran some scripts- lucky me, I was Santa Claus in my group. Needless to say, I definitely should brush up on my acting skills- or get some to begin with! lol. It's great to see how involved the kids are in the actual production- from writing the play, to rehearsing, to acting- they have their work cut out, but I know they'll do a great job! I'll be helping every Tuesday night, so I might even pick up a few tips, too. My favorite part of the night was when I discovered my "Angel Note" on the board. Mrs. Michelle, the director for the club, encourages the students to write positive and motivating notes to each other on the board. When she told me I had one, I was so happy! I didn't see a name on who wrote it, but it said something to this effect: "Chelsea, I am so excitied that you will be helping us this year. You seem like a very nice person. I can't wait to see you more often." What a way to end the night- I love it!

Where the Skies Are So Blue...

First Stop after Gainesville...for some GA Pecans!

Loyal Fans : )

Sydney had quite the fan base!

Some more friends who came from Lake Placid to see Syd compete.

With Miss Alabama's Outstanding Teen

Sydney competed in the Miss Auburn University Pageant

Caylin and Darby made the loooooong road-trip with me!

Ahhhh....finally time to breathe. This weekend was quite the whirlwind! I headed out Thursday night for my Alabama trip. I spent the night in LP then drove to Gainesville Friday morning. About 10 hours later, I arrived in Auburn, AL, our destination for the short weekend! Caylin, Darby, and I all told Sydney we wouldn't be able to make it due to school obligations, but little did she know, we would be in the audience the night of her pageant cheering her on. She was shocked to see us after the pageant was over and immediately ran up to give hugs. Syd didn't end up placing, but she did an amazing job! Since it was part of the America system, there was a talent portion. I'm not being partial, but when she sang "Popular" from the Broadway show Wicked, she sounded just like the CD recording. I couldn't be more proud of someone who is so beautiful inside and out! After the pageant was over, we ate a VERY late dinner (12:00) and stayed up until almost 4:30 catching up with each other. The next day, we went to the Auburn basketball game versus Vanderbilt. The campus is beautiful and the town is quaint and charming- much like Lake Placid, but with more activity, plus better shopping. After dinner out a Niffer's, we enjoyed some quality time playing Apples to Apples, then headed to bed to prepare for the long drive ahead. The weekend went way too fast, but we had a lot of fun (at the expense of some quality z's...I'm still worn out!)

However, I have to say that late nights with girlfriends is always worth it : ).