I am a Strong, Grounded, and Fruitful Tree

"Blessed are those who trust in the LORD;

the LORD will be their trust.

They are like a tree planted beside the waters

that stretches out its roots to the stream:

It does not fear heat when it comes,

its leaves stay green;

In the year of drought it shows no distress,

but still produces fruit."

-Jeremiah 17:7-8

It has been a transformative year. I have felt beaten down, scorched, and weak. I've seen the Lord trough it all, but my spirit has been too discouraged to see ME anything like He saw me through it all. Through all of it, I now see me, more as He sees me.

On one of those days when I was feeling particularly victimized and defeated, I was blessed to have a session with my Coach, an invaluable member of Team Alison. She impressed upon me that I was making myself sound like a "bag being blown in the wind". She challenged me to visualize myself differently. What image would help me know that I am not easily shaken? I immediately saw a tree. Even in a defeated moment, somewhere inside of me KNEW I was stronger than that. 

The tree became a daily reminder and metaphor  The beginning of this exercise was a tree claiming to be rooted and strong, with branches full of life. In the midst of those first insights, I was reminded of the seasons of a tree, and that this is a season. I knew it was a single branch bringing me down...and yet, one branch can't bring down this tree! This tree is full of blessings and fruit! I am blessed by the world's greatest family and friends, people that would move mountains for me just because they love me. I have a job, I have access to food, shelter, and a gym. I'm known, loved, and a wanted priority. 

"When you pass through waters, I will be with you;

through rivers, you shall not be swept away.

When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned,

nor will flames consume you.

For I, the LORD, am your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your savior.

I give Egypt as ransom for you,

Ethiopia and Seba^* in exchange for you.

Because you are precious in my eyes

and honored, and I love you,

I give people in return for you

and nations in exchange for your life." -Isaiah 43:2-4

A friend sent me verse 2, knowing what I was going through, but not knowing about my tree, and yet, it just added to the layers of my tree! I am precious, honored, and loved by God. I can withstand any heat that comes my way!

As I was calibrating this segment of time with my Coach, I just wanted to celebrate my strength. I said to her, "I feel tired, but not drained," God is watering this tree with fresh living water. I am stronger. I am an overcomer. 

"I have won
and I have lost
I got it right sometimes
But sometimes I did not
Life's been a journey
I've seen joy, I've seen regret
Oh and You have been my God
Through all of it" -Colton Dixon

The Gift of the Present

I am a Quality Time girl (I'll wait for the shock to wear off). I had the most precious weekend of quality time, and it really took me back to my values and to really embracing the present (in time, which is a gift). 

It was the perfect Fall weekend in Athens, GA. If you know Athens and you know me, you know that means football. I had tickets to the game, my first of the season to see my beloved Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium, and for the first time since he saw me as a Redcoat in college, my Dad got to go with me! I met him hours before the game, he was waiting to have lunch with me at his favorite spot downtown -The Grill - home of burgers, fries, and shakes.  It was delightful. It was relaxing. The city was buzzing with Fall, sunny and cool. The leaves were gorgeous and also crunchy underfoot. The red and black filled the streets, so much excitement in the air for game day. 

We took pictures with the iconic Arch, walked through old campus, where he spent his days as a freshman in ROTC 49 years ago, and where I first fell in love with my school 34 years later. 

It's like home, it all comes back to me. We leisurely walked around, killing time so as to not have to sit too early. Then we made it in time for pregame, another sense of home and belonging for me! Seniors are honored, as were veterans.

 We had great seats, that allowed for both sitting and standing. My Dad knows to give me the play-by-play. We high fives, cheered, and just enjoyed the time together, especially once we pulled away and won. I caught up with a longtime friend of mine, and my Dad got to see her too!

Occasionally, Dad had to remind me to pay attention, as I was coordinating after-game logistics. It was a good check to bring me back to the game. 

The game was over and it was time for Dad to head home. We connected with a dear friend of mine with whom I was headed to dinner! Boy I enjoyed that time with my Dad. We both felt that way, and agreed that we need to make it an annual tradition!

One of my dearest friends, Cindy, and I were both in Athens, so dinner was a must. We treked across the tracks (roads were closed) to her car and had a delightful hibachi dinner. I love that I can call her and we can do dinner on short notice! She then handed me off to my other friend with whom I was spending the night! I'm so very rich in blessings!

The richness kept on giving Sunday. The reason I stayed Saturday night was because I had the neatest opportunity: brunch with my middle school band director and his family. Some people laugh when I say that because they know it's true and how important it is to me. And some people laugh because it's one of those "Only you Alison." But it's true. When I look at the major influences in my life, Denny Turner, Frank Folds, Joe Bader, Adam Heidenreich, and Rudy Wilson are among some of the greatest! So, when Denny Turner invites me to brunch, it's a priority and it's happening! Yes, he taught me 22 years ago, and I couldn't wait!

Have you ever tried parking in Athens? Yeah. Even after all these years, I don't allow enough time. My friend and I took several laps before ending up in the parking garage. We were frazzled from being turned around, and I hated being late. And all of that melted when I walked into this fabulous restaurant and into one of the sweetest, most genuine hugs. I was re-introduced to his sweet wife, and his most respectful and polite "bonus Boys". They warmly received my friend. He held out my chair as I sat. We sat at a cozy table for 6. We had amazing service, amazing conversation, and sweet fellowship. We talked dogs, Dawgs, memories, and dreams! I sought his advice and he looked me Square in the eye, with his glasses perched on his nose, speaking into my life.

What I realized later was that the only time I pulled out my phone was to check us in (because, hello, I'm Alison), and show them a picture.  Like a lot of people, I often get on my phone too much with other people. The extrovert in me is busy being connected as much as I can!

But at that brunch, I didn't want my phone. I wanted to be exactly where I was, in that moment, with those 5 people. 

I also noticed that no one else was on their phone either. It was like this unspoken understanding of presence. We were right there, and there is where we wanted to be. 

Happy place. The ultimate happy place. 

I was sharing my weekend with my new coach, and savoring the experience all over again. She got me thinking about some of my values that were enriched by that weekend. 

God. What about Him? His hand in everything! All blessings flow from Him, from the changing plans to the people He gave me, the provision, the food, the goodness, the fellowship! Praise Him from whom all blessings flow!

Family. It was one of the sweetest times with my Dad. Just Dad and me, enjoying a glorious shared experience. 

Friendship. A most heavenly gift. I feel like the richest girl in the world when I'm spending time with friends I love!

A wanted priority. Feeling this is something I was able to claim for the first time 2 and a half years ago. This weekend, I KNEW I was a wanted priority! My Dad made it happen. My friends came together to make it possible. And I felt cherished and secure!

Take the time to enjoy the present. What does it taste like? What do you hear? What do you see? What are you discovering about what you really want and value?

"The past is history. The future's a mystery. All we have is the present, and that's a gift."

The Wonder Woman Within

Do you enjoy being "called out?" I have a sweet sister in Christ, who has a way of calling me out. We once sat in her car, as I lamented that I was stuck in a job I hated. My biggest excuse was that I had not yet secured my teaching certification in Georgia because the reciprocity from California wasn't as easy as I was led to believe. But Nancy didn't see it that way. She had listened to me tell her in great detail about how much I'd been helping another friend with his life and dreams, and yet I hadn't even finalized my Georgia certification. I took what she said as a challenge, but it would be nearly a year before I would own it, through my experience with The Journey Training.

Once I owned this behavior and other codependent tendencies, I was stronger, freer, and more ME than I'd ever been. But I had to be the one to own it!

There's a story about a chicken taco. I was promised a chicken taco recipe, but had to remind the recipe holder for months to get me the recipe. This coined a new phrase. Calling "chicken taco" was me holding him accountable. Later, after a day of rocking a power pole and high ropes course, this friend came to call me Chicken Taco Wonder Woman. As someone who receives love strongly through words of affirmation, this name gave me a boost in my step. I started feeling like a superhero.

After seeing the new Wonder Woman movie (go see it!), I felt energized. I also joked with a friend who lent me her Wonder Woman costume that she forgot to give me the golden lasso. She answered, "I can't give all my secrets away!" How true. I had to find it for myself.

I recently made a really hard decision to let go of something. I was praised for this because it was a sign that I knew I could do without this thing. I am after all, WONDER WOMAN!

What superpower is within you? Are you ready to show your true identity? What's holding you back? Dig deep and find the superhero within!

Wall Worth the Wait

When you walk into my apartment, your eye immediately catches a wall straight ahead in my living room, next to my balcony. When I was first moving in, my friend Kim was assessing the space. She saw that wall and said, "This wall needs something on it that says, 'Welcome to Alison's world.'" I'm a word person, so I immediately imagined something with a profound quote on it. 

I looked around at several places. Nothing jumped out at me. Kim's word about the significance of that wall stuck with me. I knew, I KNEW I wouldn't compromise. I didn't even want to put something up in the meantime. It would just wait. 

I remember sitting in early Fall, after another shopping trip of no luck, and thinking "What if someone did a personal canvas?" I put out a call on Facebook, but the Lord whispered a name to me, my friend Lisa Vrooman, a  beautiful artist!  I didn't know what I wanted, but I knew I wanted Lisa to do it. I got ideas from friends, including song lyrics, the infamous monkey bars from 1st Grade, and my purpose statement, which is my life mission. 

In September, I visited Lisa in Nashville and we got to really talking about it. She showed me some of her pieces to see features I liked. We even did a little shopping for inspiration. That's when we came across a framed painting in a store. We both paused and did a double take. It was me. What I saw was me in any city in the world. Lisa and I stared at it for awhile and she could add some artistry to an existing painting. We held onto the idea, and continued to look and ponder. 

The wall sat empty through the Winter. Lisa and I talked a few times. We still liked the image and slated it for January/February. 

When Lisa and I talked again in January, she didn't feel totally comfortable adding to the existing painting. Quite honestly, my heart longed for an original Lisa piece, if she was up for it. We talked about it and what this commission would involve. While Lisa was snowed in and I was iced in, the inspirational juices flowed! I sent her pictures that meant something to me and she incorporated some of her own, taking the inspiration of the original painting we saw, along with our own symbolism. She took buildings from my trip to Italy, her own European trip photos,  a coffee shop for obvious reasons, and other elements inspired by the Holy Spirit, like names for the coffee shop and bookstore. I sent her a picture of myself to inspire her putting me in the painting. 

I assured Lisa's that I would gladly wait for it to be right. She kept me apprised along the way, and we brought our friend Katie in to help with stenciling. 

I asked Lisa about the practicality of having the piece in time for my housewarming. She said that should work, and worked tirelessly to stick to that. After she came down with an illness, I didn't want her to feel like she had to, but to my delighted surprise, they made plans to hand-deliver it from Nashville to Atlanta on the day of my housewarming! Oh I was so excited!! The painting would be unveiled and I would get to see two of my favorite people!!!

Beauty Unveiled

Lisa sent me the progress in stages, up until the final touches. Then, as expected, she gave me my last viewing before it was to arrive in person. Everything I had seen was perfect! 

The moment arrived. Lisa's husband Chris brought this bubble wrapped canvas up my stairs and into my house. I could hardly contain myself. When there was a free moment, Lisa unwrapped the masterpiece. I was overcome. Joy, perfection, fruition. It's everything I wanted, and more! I loved that I could share the moment with other friends present, new and old. It's me. It's right. It's perfect. 

I look into the piece and it brings calm, it brings joy, it brings peace. I'm going to have it forever, and we know God is going to continuously reveal Himself through it!

I (half) joked with Lisa that the only thing missing is my (future) husband. Her response: "I thought of that! He's just around that corner...or in the bookstore...or he owns the coffee shop!" Bottom line? She'll add him later. It's all part of the lifelong revelations of God.  

Trust

God's already worked so much through this painting. I knew from the beginning that I wouldn't compromise on what went on the wall. I WANTED to wait. I trusted Lisa without hesitation, first with her judgement about how to approach it, then with every step of the process. I knew she would make it perfect. Not a shred of doubt. 

If I can wait for the right piece to go on that wall, I can wait on the right thing in other areas of my life. If I can trust Lisa with a masterpiece, shouldn't I trust God that much more? Isn't the Creator of Heaven and Earth worth even greater trust? Isn't He going to paint the best masterpiece on the wall of my life? "For Him who is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ask or imagine." Ephesians 3:20.  It's well worth the wait. 

Like Lisa on Facebook at Lisa Marie Designs

Instagram: LisaMarieDesignsTN

Standing Outside the Fire

When my Coach and friend, Danny Cahill, posted Are you striving, yet just barely surviving? last week, the song Standing Outside the Fire by Garth was immediately in my head. I have loved and sung that song with all my might since I was a child. My love for it magnified on a road trip of the Wests Coast with my friend Christie. We dubbed it our theme song of the trip

Life is not tried, it is merely survived, if you're standing outside the fire. 

Okay, I'll stop singing and explain the connection between Danny's blog post and this song. Stay with me! Danny's post highlights the parable of the talents found in Matthew 25. For Danny personally, he wants to simplify his life in order to be truly faithful over fewer priorities. 

From post to song to Alison's heart. I came to reflect on my own passions, my fires. 

Football. If you know me, you know I bleed red and black. I am passionate about Georgia football. NFL? Not so much. I'm excited the home team is headed to the Super Bowl - RISE UP, Falcons! I attend a Super Bowl party every year, but I don't plan my Sundays around football, like I do Saturdays in the Fall.

Teaching. I'm passionate about teaching, but "I love everything about teaching", said NO TEACHER EVER. There are elements of teaching that stir my heart and soul, they light a fire. For instance, I'm passionate about supporting struggling students and advocating for what they need. 

Fitness. My philosophy on running: my kind of running is at people. I have some friends who are passionate about running, and as I'm passionate about my friends, I sometimes join. On my own, I would rather climb a pole any day of the week!

Danny is passionate about righteousness, which manifests in his politics. I stand on the truths of my values, but prefer not to get mixed up in the political tensions. For example, I'm passionate about the pro-life movement as well as people with disabilities. I will storm the castle for my passions.

Something clicked between reading Danny's blog and singing my beloved song. If you were to tell me I'm not passionate because I'm not passionate about politics, I would be offended. I would never want people to see me as someone who doesn't stand outside the fire. And yet...I'm realizing it's not a bad thing, if I just change my perspective.

You know that phrase "too many cooks in the kitchen". I'm not MEANT for every fire. I tried so hard to get into NFL football (there might have been a guy attached to that motive). It just doesn't get me fired up, except in the last stretch of the season when they're doing well...or when they feature a former Georgia player. I spent so much energy on one struggling student yesterday, and that's exactly how it was supposed to be. That's my fire! I'll testify to, support, pray for, and vote pro-life. I won't get riled up in political debates about it. I'll leave that to Danny and others. My family and friends are among my greatest passions, next to my God. I will get fired up about them. Every time!

Where are you with your fires? Are you trying to fight too many? Are you fighting the right ones?

There's this love that is burning, deep in my soul,

Constantly yearning to get out of control. 

Wanting to fly higher and higher

I can't abide standing outside the fire! 

Ready or Not!

I've thrown surprise parties, I've been to surprise parties, and I've even had people surprise me. Yesterday was the first time I got a surprise party! Not only was I overwhelmed with love and gratitude, but I also learned some stuff along the way!

The day as I knew it had two parts. Part 1 was the Apple Annie Craft fair at my church with my aunt Susan (my sisters and I call her DeDe). The transition was to be picking up my new Christmas tree from my friend Marcia!!!  From there I was having my friend Cindy over to help me decorate my first adult Christmas tree, make Christmas cookies, and watch Christmas movies!!! It was going to be great! 

Yesterday morning my friend Jess texted me inviting me along to her Christmas decorating day. She even said she was going to bring me a wreath! You're thinking this was part of the surprise, right? Nope! That was just got icing the cake! I'm unceasingly blown away by the generosity of those around me. 

DeDe and I were having a nice time at the craft fair, buying some sweet gifts. There were some decorations, but I felt very strongly that I wanted to have my tree be the start and go from there. I didn't want to overdo it. Ha!

It was time to pick out the tree. More generosity. My friend Marcia got a new tree and wanted to let me have her old one! Wow! Abundantly blessed. We get to Marcia's and her daughter helps us get it in the car. I can tell DeDes worried about getting it up the stairs. She says we should wait for Cindy. At one point, Dede pulls Marcia over to the side. I was suspicious but figured it was just that she had lots of decorations for me. Like I said I didn't want to overdo it. 

Next we hit the Dollar Tree. We are moving at a snail's pace. DeDe knew I was irritated. Cindy would be getting there soon! Didn't she get that?

We get to my apartment. Take up the bags. Cindy texts that she's here. Great! I knew DeDe was worried about the tree. The Three of us get the tree upstairs. I see a bag that I've been suspecting. Then DeDe says, "Well it's from your mom and Leigh Anne..". LEIGH ANNE? How does she know Leigh Anne?!!!! Cindy then tells me they're surprising me and that Leigh Anne and her mom are outside!!! They tried to get other friends to come too, but no one else could make it. I am BLOWN AWAY!!!

In come Lil and Leigh Anne with more surprises and decorations. The pictures say so much. Awe and amazement and joy! 

So began ornament crafting, tree assembly, trimming, love, and laughter. Lil was kind enough to get extra supplies and food!

Jess, who like I said knew nothing of this, came by with my beautiful wreath, which added to my merriment!

So what did I learn along the way?

1. Don't be so quick to rush the moment. I was getting frustrated with DeDe when she was trying to stall to bless me!

2. It's okay to overdo it sometimes! Um, Alison, you overdo it a lot! You're right, but I don't always receive others overdoing it for me!

3. "But I don't have food to serve them!" This is what I thought as the reality of yesterday's surprise set in. Hey! That's ok. See, I've been dying to have a housewarming party. But I've been waiting for it to be JUST RIGHT. First I needed to get settled. Then I needed stuff on the walls. Now I want my balcony set up. You know what? I can't wait for it to be totally ready. There will always be something. Yesterday was perfectly warmed!!! It was the tree trimming, housewarming with people that I love dearly! So incredibly blessed and grateful. 

Yes, there will be more gatherings, ready or not! That's the whole point of me living here!

Traditions

If you've ever been to a college football game, especially in the SEC, you know it's steeped in tradition. So am I!

I took some friends to their first University of Georgia football game in Athens! We were all excited! I told them about the Dawg Walk before the game. That's when the Redcoat Vand makes two lines and plays while the team runs through the tunnel of people.  As we walked up to the stadium during pre-game, I stopped them to listen to the Battle Hymn, a trumpet solo played in the Upper Deck, for all of the 92,000 fans during pre-game - a moment that still gives me goosebumps. 

Traffic and the need for food kept us from those moments this time, but those moments still filled the air and electrified the city of Athens, just like they always do!

The weather was PERFECT weather for a Fall football game! Chilly and sunny with beautiful colors on the trees!

4th Quarter begins : Bulldog style! A stadium full of hands fly into the air, holding up 4 fingers. The fans drifting into boredom or food and beverage comas become alert. You can hear the finest band in the land playing "Krypton", the Superman fanfare. The crowd is PUMPED! One of my friends says, "What are we doing?" In an impatient moment, I respond with, "Just hold out a 4 in the Superman pose!" Well, that didn't clear things up at all! I explained it to her later. 

A Traditional nomad for Thanksgiving...

One of my favorite vocabulary words I learned in school was nomad: a person with no permanent home who moves place to place. I connected it with some of my family in the military. I've been a nomad for Thanksgiving for the last 4 years, since I moved cross country, back to Georgia, and my parents are in San Diego. For the last 3 Thanksgivings, I've gone to a different house. I've been abundantly blessed to have friends and family welcome me into their homes and to enjoy their traditions. I've felt like part of the family, been allowed to share my pumpkin pie (with only one hiccup). I've played in an annual

Kickball game. I've even gone to the same friend's house for weekend leftovers! 

Despite the beautiful gifts, I haven't had the opportunity to cook with my mom while watching the Parade. I have been Black Friday  shopping, but it wasn't the same. 

Only 1 of the 3 years were there Turkey Notes. WHAT'S A TURKEY NOTE? Excellent question. 

Turkey Notes go back to when my mom had Thanksgiving as a kid. Her parents and her 7 brothers and sister would each read a little note for them around the table. Back then, in its purest form, Turkey Notes read like "Turkey Red, Turkey Blue. Turkey says I love you. As the kids grew and evolved, so did the Turkey Notes. Quick poems grew into satirical verses. Content centers around that personality or an event that the person experienced that year. I've had Notes about tv shows I've loved, my weight loss journey, and even my Facebook activity. I've written some stellar ones too!

Anyone who comes to our family Thanksgiving gets a Turkey Note. You're part of the family! I once had the guy I was dating over for Thanksgiving, and to this day, he still talks about his Turkey Notes with gratitude. 

For both of the Thanksgivings in the last few years where I was at a friend's house, I've considered bringing Turkey Notes to the table. In both cases, there were too many people I didn't know to write a Turkey Note for each person. That didn't stop my family from sending me one!

Whether it is missing the Dawg Walk at a Georgia Game or not having Turkey Notes around the table, it doesn't diminish those experiences! I've made new memories! I get to do life with the best people, as messy as it is sometimes! The thing about traditions that I've been reminded of this week is that while they are an important part of us and our history, we have to focus on the gifts we are receiving in that moment! I wouldn't trade the experiences of sharing the Georgia Game Day experience with those ladies. I wouldn't trade the friendships that so lovingly opened their Thanksgivings to me! I'm hopeful for the Thanksgivings to come and the traditions I will start with my own family one day! There are plenty of tailgates and Turkey Notes in my future. And if you come to my family Thanksgiving, you too will get a Turkey Note. 

Speaking of Turkey Notes, time to go write some! Have a blessed, abundant, and grateful Thanksgiving!