Goodbyes...

Okay...so it's time for the thing that EVERYONE hates the most. Come on...you know it's true...we ALL hate saying goodbye. So yea...I figured that the best way to say goodbye to everyone is just by writing a little something something in my blog. haha So yea...here goes...

Liz: Wow hun...we have so many crazy and funny memories and I can't possible tell you how much you mean to me. I love you so much! It is going to be so sad when we tomorrow comes and we say our last goodbyes. You have truly made this year interesting. You were like my mom away from home. You kept me company on the weekends and you always kept me in check. I am so thankful to have you as a friend and I just want to tell you that I love you so much and I hope you have a great summer and when you get to that great big public school you have the best time of your life! I love you girl!

Ari: Honey...my parents always told me that when I got to Trevecca I needed to become friends with you. Not sure why but they did. ;) lol You have been a great friend and I am so happy that I got the opportunity to get to know you. You have a great future ahead of you. Always remember that the only limits you have are the ones you make for yourself. You can do and be whatever you choose to be. I love you so much! Thank you for such a great year!

Holly: Sweetie, you really are the model of the South! You have the look and the accent. I am so happy that you walked into my life and we became friends. We have had so many great times together and I know you will make something of yourself! Don't ever give up! With God all things are possible! I love hun!

Colton: Wow...we haven't known each other for a while but getting to know you has been one of the best things this past year. Thank you so much for the great talks at 2am while I was trying to sleep. My body can't thank you enough. haha Please continue to keep Jamie in check while I am gone. She needs someone like you. She is a little messed up in the head! haha Thanks for a great goodbye party. You are an amazing person! I love you! Have a great summer!

Alyse: hahaha...You have truly been a great friend! We have always used each other as "escapes" from our roommates and I can't possibly thank you enough. You have been such a fantastic friend. I am REALLY going to miss you! I wish you and David the best of luck. Also...good luck in the farming business. Please keep in touch! I love you sweetie!

New York: WOW. That is all. :) hahahahahaha Also..."MORE OVALTINE PLEASE!!!!" I love you girl!

and last but not least...

Jamie: You are my best friend. I am going to miss you...all the great times we have had. All the secrets we have shared and all the "we just got closer" moments. Those are memories I will never forget. You have grown so much this year. And because of you I have grown. You have taught me so much and I am so thankful for that. Saying goodbye to you will be the hardest thing I have to do this year. I hope you have a great time at Union. Figure out what you want to do and try not to change your major so much. ;) I love you. I wouldn't be who I am if it weren't for you. You are such a great person and I know that whatever friends you make in the future are very lucky. Everyone always says "Don't change." when they say their goodbyes...but I don't want to say that...I want to say "change. Do what God wants. Let Him change you...He knows what is best." Also, while you are at Union...and something goes wrong (and face it...it's you...something WILL go wrong) always know you can call me. I will always be around to give you my famous "here is what you gotta do" speeches. I will also send you pictures of my "I think you are making a bad decision" look. God has so much in store for you. He is going to use you and it's going to be great. I know this because He is already doing it. He used you to help me. You really have changed my life. I love you. And always remember...don't be stupid! hahahahaha


Okay...that is all I got. If I forgot you then I am really sorry. So many people have helped change me this year that there is no way I could write everyone a message. Just know that I love all of you and I thank you! You will continue to be in my prayers. Be safe! And always trust God. I hope all of you have a great summer!

God Bless,
Olivia Matthews

Heart Pours Out

As most of you know Nashville and the state of Tennessee has been covered with water. It has stormed for the past two nights and has struck fear into the hearts of most Tennesseans. Many people have lost their homes and many have lost their loved ones. This has really dug deep into my heart and my heart pours out to all of them. Right at this moment I am stuck at school and I can hear sirens in the distance of ambulances and boats trying to get to people whose houses have been polluted with the rain that has fallen from the clouded sky. So many homes are destroyed and thousands of people have no where to stay tonight. I hear that there is more rain to come and so many people have began to panic. Nashville has been deemed as a natural disaster area. I just want to encourage everyone to keep the state of Tennessee in your prayers. I know that as I lay in my bed tonight that my heart, soul, and mind will constantly be in prayer for all of these people who have lost everything and are walking around with no hope. Thank you so much for reading this.

Dear Jamie Marie

I can't tell you how long I have put off writing this letter OR all the times I have started it and torn the paper up and placed it in the trash. Actually, I can. 14 1/2 times. The 1/2 was a rough draft. :) When I left home I never thought I would meet someone like you. Shoot, I never even thought I would be friends with someone like you! But I am so happy that I did. I know you are asking "What does THAT mean??" So let me explain. When I say "someone like you" I mean beautiful, intelligent, confident, and well, preppy. You are just not my cup of tea. ;) Anyways, back to the point, when you read this then that means we are saying our "goodbyes" and going our separate ways. The one thing I want to say in this letter is how blessed I am to have gotten to opportunity to get to know you. I know that our friendship was because of God. I mean think about it...we met at orientation, I thought I would never see you again then BOOM! There you were as my suitemate. Then my roommate! Only God could have made that happen. And all I can say to that is what a great God we have! I have learned so much from you. You taught me not to judge a book by its cover. You and your family also taught me what a true God fearing family is like. I can only hope and pray that when I get older me and my family are just like your. I also learned things like...what your room looks like when you don't clean it, how to be open to nakedness, how to NOT to study, how the simple things matter the most, and most importantly, how to be a best friend.The memories we have together are my most prized possessions. I can honestly say that because of you my freshman year has been incredible. Through many fights, love and tears we have remained best friends. And because of this I know that our friendship can handle anything. Yes, this is goodbye...but after every goodbye there will always be a hello. I will never forget you or your family. I have learned and grown so much because of you guys. All I can say is thank you. I have changed so much this year and it is because of you. I hope and pray that on your journey towards becoming what you want to be that God will bless you. Please remember that you can do anything! Don't limit yourself. You have a lot to learn but don't ever change the fact that God comes first in your life. I will pray for you every night. I hope that when you get to Union you meet someone just like me! :) You need SOMEONE to keep you in line! I love you. Have a great summer and don't give up on what you have learned this past year. I can't wait to see what God has in store for you. God used you to make me who I am. And I know that since I am so great then you will become so much greater. Don't forget me! I will always be around if you need me...plus I have to take my place as maid of honor one day! ;) Well, I guess this is goodbye...stay safe. I love you.

With Love,
Ol'
(Olivia Matthews)

Memories...

Wow, these past two days have been incredible! All of my professors are making speeches about this past year and saying their goodbyes and all of my friends are trying their hardest to soak up every second they have with each other while trying to study for finals. These past few days have been the best and saddest days I have had in a while.

Yesterday morning my human growth and development professor made his goodbye speech. It was so awesome! And even though I found out recently that the story he told was copyrighted (thanks Jamie) it still was very heart warming. This was his speech.

"There once was a famous pianist who was so great at playing the piano that he gave a huge concert. The concert was very high class and very expensive to attend. Well, a woman decided that she wanted to go and take her little boy. He was eight years old and liked playing on the piano but would rather play with his friends instead. The mother dressed him in a suit and tie and took him to the concert in hope to encourage him to become a great pianist when he got older. When they found their seats the little boy sunk down into his seat angry that he was there instead of out playing with his friends. His mom turned around and began talking with some friends. The little boy raised his head and looked on stage. He noticed all the really cool lights and a brand new grand piano with a nice leather seat. He looked up at his mother and noticed she wasn't paying attention to him and climbed out of his seat and headed for the stage. He climbed onto the nice comfy leather stool and began to play the song "Chopsticks" on the piano. The crowd erupted with screams and all the men began yelling "WHO BROUGHT THAT KID HERE? WHERE IS HIS MOTHER? SOMEONE GET HIM! WHAT KIND OF MOTHER DOESN'T WATCH HER KID?" From back stage the great pianist heard the commotion. He looked out from the curtains and noticed the little boy playing. He ran to the stage (not fully dressed) and stood behind the little boy almost over lapping him and began playing a counter melody. After the song was finished the auditorium erupted in applause. After the concert the mother asked the boy what the great pianist was whispering in his ear. The little responded 'Don't stop! Keep going! You are doing great! Keep it up! Don't give up! Don't be afraid!'I told you this story today because this is our last class and you may never see me again after your final. But I want you to know that as I am reading your 'This is my Life' papers that all of your goals are not unreachable. And I want to be that pianist to you. I want to tell you...Don't stop! Keep going! You are doing great! Keep it up! Don't give up! Don't be afraid! And if I can't do that for you then God will."

This really touched me. I am so happy that I have been allowed the opportunity to attend TNU. God has shown me so many things! Anyways, my class is about to start...I will continue my blogging later! Thanks for reading! lol

My Life

So here goes nothing. My life is well...my life. Sometimes I wished certain people will let me live it. I understand that they are looking out for me. I also understand that they might know what is best for me. But let me just drop a little something into your ear. You had to make your mistakes and now I have to make mine. The mistakes I make today will make me who I am tomorrow. Who I am and what I am is my business. No one else. You can think what ever you want about me but in the end I can promise you I am still going to do what I feel is best.

I have realized recently that certain people are worried about my walk with Christ. Well here ya go. Yes, I am a Christian. No, I am not very conservative even though my parents raised me to be. I do what I feel God wants me to do. You may think you know what God wants me to do but don't tell me. That is something I have to figure out for myself. God and I are on speaking terms and even though I may make mistakes and sin God is still there. So I don't need anyone trying to be God and trying to judge me or punish me for things they don't understand.

Now, I have also realized that people are wondering about my sexuality. Those of you who know my past may wonder a lot more. Well, I have three words for you. DOESN'T CONCERN YOU! I have had so much hurt and pain in my life that I don't need you to make it any greater. I think I have had enough to last a life time. I think it increases every new day. If you MUST know if I am a lesbian or not you could at least have enough decency to ask ME instead of talking about me with other people. If you are one of those type of people I promise you you are not in my top 10. So I beg you to at least act human and show some respect. And if you read my last blog I NEVER said I am a LESBIAN! I simply wrote my point of view on it! So go reread it people and GET OVER YOURSELF! YOUR NOT ALWAYS RIGHT!

Okay folks...I think that is all. I know you may read this and get offended and that is not my purpose here. You also may think I am mad. Well you are right. I am ... well..furious. People have really hurt me for no reason. I feel like I have a right to defend myself. But since no one has the guts to confront me then I will defend myself like this. You may comment. I actually would love that. But comment on my facebook page or write me on there. Or you can even text me. That works too. Anyways, I am off.

New Experiment and My Point of View

So yea...I watched this movie right? Well...I LOVED it. Sure, it's not what kids should watch. Actually I would never even let my mom watch it. But hey...I liked it.The name is "Can't Think Straight." It was so real. I think that this movie struck a deeper question within me. Why do people treat homosexuals wrong? They are still human. Just like you. Why is it that "Christians" believe that they shouldn't have the same rights or can't possibly follow the same God. Do people honestly believe that they chose to be that way? Here is something for you, who in this world would chose to have their family reject them or people call them fagots or people act like they have a disease?? Would you? It's not like homosexuals don't know what is going to happen to them if they were to "come out of the closet." I believe that the only way I would sacrifice myself up to so much pain is if I knew that in the end I would be happy. It takes a lot of courage for someone to tell someone they are gay. I admire that courage. If everyone in the world had that much courage we would be in a better place. So you believe God doesn't love gays? Well here is a news flash. You can't POSSIBLY be the "Christian" you say you are because obviously you don't even read His word! God loves EVERYONE. Also, to add on to gays choosing to be that way. If you want to say that then get your story straight! They may choose to live in that life style but they NEVER asked God to give them those feelings. So stop bagging on them! You have no idea what they go through. They don't sit there and point out all of the things they think you do wrong!

Now, to change points here. I was in Human Growth and Development class the other day and we studied sexual orientation. My professor told us something that just REALLY stuck to me. He said "You think you are gay? Fine. You think you are born that way? Okay. Fine. I will not disagree with you. But it is a "Life style." Just like living as a heterosexual. It's like being born right handed. Then one day you fall out of a tree and break your right arm. You then have to learn how to write, eat, and drive with your left hand. You CAN change your life style. You may not like it at first and it may feel weird and not 'normal' but you will adapt. That is the best thing about humans. We adapt." This really got me thinking. Is this true? Can this really happen? Has homosexuals actually been able to do this and live happily? So I have decided to do an experiment. I will keep you posted on the results. Anyways, thanks for reading. There will be more to come!

Reading "To Kill A Mockingbird