Dear Friends,

Let me tell you a story of the two people who I think have helped me change my prospective on almost everything. Their names are Adam and Amy Pierce, along with their two sons Reed and Wilkes.
Seven years ago, Adam and Amy looked around at their typical middle class life, feeling like something wasn't quite right. They felt as though they were being called to do something much more than what they were doing.
So lo and behold, God answers their prayers and concerns by showing them a community in Newport, Alabama, which is right outside of Tuscaloosa that was run down, unsafe, yet filled with children.
Adam and Amy decide to sell their house in their safe, "normal" neighborhood and Adam's local business. They move into a rundown looking home in this struggling community. They begin working on the house immediately and slowly transform it into a beautiful home that they have opened up to the neighborhood kids.
In the past 7 years, Adam and Amy have helped, guided, and encouraged so many children in this area. Through their love and compassion, they have guided many lives to Jesus Christ. Just by moving into the neighborhood and opening their doors.
Today, Adam and Amy not only have their house (called "The Brown House"), but they own one across the street (called "The Blue House") which they rent out to male college students who help out with the children.
However, with all the wonderful things they have done, there was still one dream that Adam and Amy had for the area: a community garden. A place where the people could come and plant vegetables and watch them grow, knowing that many people have a hard time affording food.
Groups of college students from Montgomery, Birmingham, and Tuscaloosa came together for the first time to help The Pierces' achieve this goal. We not only had the ground tilled, but we build a fence around it with a lovely gravel pathway leading in, but we also cleaned brush and thorns that surrounded the garden, making it look open and inviting. We raked leaves, picked up trash, made repairs on the blue house, landscaped and planted new flowers, painted, and did major cleaning.
On top of all this, the main road was closed the entire weekend, making the traffic go through the area we were working in - which showed people the amazing work that God was doing in that community. Because of this, the community children were able to raise $260 dollars to buy vegetables for the garden just by selling lemonade for 50 cents. God definitely showered His blessing this weekend.

I know many people will agree with me who has done this type of thing before, but I believe that Adam and Amy have helped me a lot more than I helped them. They have shown me what it TRULY means to be a Christian. What is more Christ-like than giving up their own comforts, moving into a "sketchy" neighborhood, and opening up their home to the children that live near-by? The entire experience has really made me start thinking about my own life. I don't know how or why, but I have realized that I need to surround myself with opportunities to be more like Him- and to show Him to other people.
I learned that true evangelism is not merely standing on the streets telling people that Jesus is Lord. I learned that Christianity isn't just about Bible studies or going to church. True Christianity is simple: taking on and expressing the characteristics of Jesus: loving and opening our arms to those who desperately need Him.





In Love,

Tina Cravens

I really should be going to bed, but I thought I would briefly post.

These past two weeks have been interesting. With hospital visits (yes, gar), classes, Alpha Delta Psi stuff, newspaper stuff, and everything- its been pretty hectic. But (for the most part) good.

I had a weird episode two weeks ago at church. I was very faint, light headed, dizzy- yeah. Almost passed out. Thursday- it happens again.
So, I'm getting worried- thinking I may have low blood sugar or something. I go home Friday (feeling a little woozy still, but over all okay) and go to the Dr. Doc says I have an inner ear infection and that I need to take medication. Okay, doc, says I. I go home. Take meds all weekend and start to feel better.
Get back to school. Monday- busy, hectic day. I am in classes from 8:30 to 4:30. I forget to take my mid-day meds.
Episode III occurs. In class. In front of my teacher. Teacher freaks out. Teacher calls head of security, Chris Mulkey (a friend of mine). Chris Mulkey freaks out. Calls paramedics. Paramedics think it is either my inner ear infection or my blood sugar (a little low, but not too bad-wanted to make sure). Paramedics take me to the hospital. In an ambulance. Friends freak out and drive to the hospital.
I wait 2 hours and am taken back. Get blood sugar tested another 100 times it seems. Blood sugar is fine. Wait longer. Nurse comes in, take your meds, says she. Lets see if this works. Okay, says I. I take my meds. Soon to feel better.
Doc comes in. Doc says that is what it is. DON'T FORGET TO TAKE YOUR MEDS!

That whole hospital experience took 4 hours. Never, ever again, says I. =P


I've been feeling a lot better since then. =) And- I've gotten a lot accomplished. I have:

*- Gotten my 1st article EVER in the newspaper at school.

*- Gotten a 99 on my Book of Acts test.

*- Learned some pretty awesome stuff in Western Cult.

*- Got a 94 on my Feature Writing story.

*- Grown closer to my best friend (on campus) Kevin, despite of speed bumps and
challenges that faced us.

*- Got to witness my dad being appointed a deacon of our hometown
congregation.

*- Connect with people and God on a very personal level.




Spring Break is soon. I'm ready. I'm going on a short mission trip to Tuscaloosa at the end of next week with the church here in Montgomery. We're going to be doing a lot of yard work, painting, etc. For some houses- as well as studies and devos with kids in the community. I'm VERY excited.


God bless. Its almost 4.

Jesus has been my best friend these passed two weeks. I don't think anyone else could've helped me as much as He has through this stressful and trying time.

God is good. Praise Him for His comfort and mercy.

which I am!



Classes are going okay. I am enjoying my Feature Writing, Book of Acts, and Lit classes tremendously. My Western Cult class is okay- just a lot of boring reading, but I'm getting through it. I Algebra. Lets not talk about that. I've got a tutor now, so hopefully that will help.

Chorus. New York trip coming in about a month!!!!!!!!! I'm SOOOOOOOOOOO excited! My parents are going to be flying up for a few days to see us sing in Carnagie Hall along with, hopefully, a couple from church. My friend Brian will, hopefully, also be coming up from Jersey. I'm excited. Its going to be awesome.


We have a HUGE service project coming up for ADPsi. Starting tomorrow, we're going to be setting up booths for donations to build a bench on campus in the memory of my friend T Hollis and Ryne. This project means SO much to me and I'm glad that we're going to be able to do it. I don't think it will take long at all to raise the money. Both T and Ryne touched a lot of lives and its only fitting that we put a memorial of them somewhere on campus. =)

We have a new roommate. Her name is Jessie and she's a sweetheart. She's been having some health problems, though, so I would appreciate it if ya'll could keep her in your prayers. It hasn't been too easy.

Well. I should go. I have an interview with the basketball coach this week and need to work on questions, etc and homework. Ya'll take care!

yeah. I'm going to die this semester...


Schedule:


Monday/Wednesday:

8:30 - Western Culteral Heritage I

10:00 Chapel

10:40 - Book of Acts

12:10- Chorus

1:40 - American Lit II

3:10 - Feature Writing


Tuesday/ Thursday-

8:30- Intermediate Algebra

10:00 - chapel

12:10- Chorus

2-6 - Work



PLUS:


I am now Vice President of ADPsi.

We will be going on 2 chorus trips this semester.

I am trying to write a little on my book here and there.

Plus, keeping a little bit of my social life alive.






Hooray.