An Ode to Ya'll

While complaining on how I feel unaccepted by the people around me, I forgot to praise those who do accept me. This is an open letter, or an {ode} to those who are my best friends in the entire world. You all are what keep me grounded, sane, loved and remind me I am loved.

Dear Morgan, 

Currently listening to Dave Matthew as I type your letter (The Space Between)

Where can I even begin on our journey of friendship? Oh yes, Notre Dame soccer camp of '08. You have been my go to, my heart and soul. I cannot thank you enough for our friendship that endures distance and so many memories. Between Myspace comments, to road trips to horror houses in the middle of nowhere to supporting each other's dreams. I love you, and the woman I have watched you become. You are a great friend, a great mother to Roberto, and a sister I've been blessed with. Though we may have our differences, we will always be there for each other - time has proved our friendship is for life. Thank you, for you being you. My poofy haired, eccentric Blair to my Serena. Love you forever. 

Dear Sarah, 

BEAR

I hated your guts, I truly did - because you were my competition on the soccer team. But who knew being forced to playing on the same scrimmage team would end up making us both dance in the middle of a game as Beyonce's single lady dance? - I surely didn't know that would be the driving factor into you coming into my life. You're my PIC, my fun and sunshine in life. You are always down for an adventure or a Miley Cyrus sing-a-long. We are completely opposite, but that's what's beautiful about our friendship. I can't thank you enough for encouraging me to put Sriracha on everything I eat (especially Mac-n-cheese and pizza). I love break out dance sessions with you, living with you and becoming your family. No matter where life takes us, I will always be here for you, and love you. I am blessed to have a friend like you in life, and for life,

Dear Carl, 

European adventures for life

Carly Ann, you're my little sister, first and foremost. I'm glad we became friends in art class (hopefully not scared of me anymore). We have been on many adventures together - in nessy, in europe,and the drunk tank of Churchill Downs. Life with you has been fun and well worth the tears over rice and goat cheese. Thank you for being the older one in the relationship and taking care of me. Your maturity, and grace is inspiring, and your drive to out do anyone is admirable. Don't ever stop shooting for the stars, and never let anyone tell you, you can't. You're an amazing friend and you're going to do amazing things in life, and I am so happy I get to experience your personal growth and watch you enjoy your new family in Kappa Delta and your college life. Mad dawg & Yung Carl 4lyfe. 

Dear Aidyn, 

My baby sis

You may not believe me now, but I love you more than anything my sweet baby sister. God truly graced my life with such a caring and loving little sister. Yes we may want to kill each other 99.9 percent of the time, but I love that .1 percent of the time where we laugh together. I have {secretly} loved watching you grow up. You are a beautiful person inside and out. Aidz you are funny, and so compassionate to everyone and that is something I admire you for. I may not be nice {100 percent of the time} but I do love hanging out and watching vines and annoying mom and dad with you. Never stop being yourself, or laughing at short jokes - because they will come the rest of your life.

Dear Walker, 

An oldie but goody 

We have literally been through it all. Friends, to boyfriend and girlfriend to hating each other to being friends again. you understand me better than anyone (other than the people above). I can't thank you enough for being the only person who can tolerate the ugly Madison cry & listening to me cry on the phone. Or thank you enough for late night drives and jams while getting Wendy's Frosties, or just hanging out. We are completely opposite and different people than what we started off as, but I am blessed to have grown up with you. You are an amazing man Bub, and I love that we are there for each other always. We may get on each others nerves, or go days without talking but I know as long as I have you in my life, I can do anything. Thanks for being rational for me, and reminding me I'm crazy. Life with you in it makes me smile, thank you for the past eight years of friendship and then some.

Without you all in my life, I wouldn't be the person I am today. Thank you all for supporting me in life, and being there for laughter, hardship, and life in general. "When I count my blessings, I count {ya'll} twice." I have so much love for you all in my heart. 

-M

Persecution

This is ME

Through my fall semester of my junior year I have came across many personal convictions, many social persecutions. I have never felt more alone and more scared to be myself in public. Though I have my family and friends, I don't feel completely understood and completely able to open up and speak about myself, my opinions, and ideas until I made this blog. 

I have struggled to find a church community here in Bowling Green, I have struggled to make new friends outside of my sorority, and who am I kidding even inside my sorority. Being 20 is harder than what people give it credit for. You're not {20-fun} and you're not a child and expected to know what you want to do with your life. Honestly, the only thing I know at 20, is that I am scared to death of not finding a job after college, not being able to live out my dreams, and for the most part scared of not being able to connect and make friends. 

Lately the friends I do have been walking away because my political beliefs, my moral compass, and my belief and undying love for Jesus. { 2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.}  - And at this moment in my life, this verse is very alive, day in and day out. 

I am especially tested in one of my college courses, Government and Ethics. no it's not about ethics inside the U.S. government, because we know there isn't much there. It is about ethical behavior, and moral justifications of actions within ideals and the Constitution. And in class we are going over if the Constitution is color-blind; and if it should be, and why. And a girl in class goes: "this class will be interesting Wednesday" and another classmate asks her why, and she said: "because of opinions of the other side of the classroom." Myself and one other right-winged student sit next to each other. A class of 22 students, and only two are conservative. To say I hate this class is an understatement. I sit there in class now in silence because if I say anything I am persecuted, but yet I tolerate my classmates and show them respect in the hour and 20 minutes I am forced to sit there. But if only the left could practice what they preach - tolerance. 

{Romans 14:1-4 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.  One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.  Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.}

I am trying to be okay in knowing no matter where I go I am going to be treated differently, I am not going to make friends easily. I am going to struggle my whole life with convictions and persecutions. And I need to be okay with that. 

The beauty of the world and the life we live is, that we coexist. I love thy neighbor whether he is Atheist, Jewish, Muslim, gay, or anything else. I don't let your beliefs and who you are prevent me from being friends with you. I know deep down in my heart, I am loyal and accepting of others - but  people don't dig to that level because they're scared of the word Christian, or conservative and don't want to take the time to get to know me. But just know, I will always love and support those who I call friend.

-M