How A Friendship Can Change Your Life Forever

Here's a question for you: do you believe friendships can change your life? Let me give you my answer to that. Yes, I believe friendships can change your life. I believe great things can happen in a friendship. I have living proof of a friendship that has definitely changed my life in quite a dramatic way. The friendship I have with Travis has been quite an adventure for me. It's unlike any other friendship I've had with anyone else. It all started when I first met him. We both attended Liberty University the same year: fall of 2004. We had the same GNED class, but we didn't really know each other then. My second semester after my year-long break we were in University Chorale and got to know each other a bit more. We had lunch together here and there. I suppose it was a casual friendship/acquaintence at the time. When my third semester came along, that was when things really changed. This time, he and I found out that I was part of his sisterdorm. Isn't that something?! Also, we were both in Worship 101 class and TRBC choir. His Celebration Choir joined in with TRBC where we did the Living Christmas Tree performance. At that time, Travis and I would drive together to dinner and rehearsals as well as performance nights. During that time, we grew so close to each other. That was when we became very close friends...so close, it's crazy! I don't think I've been that close to anyone outside my family as I am close to him. He tells me I grew on him. (laughs) I couldn't argue with that. Ever since I left Liberty, I've missed him a lot. I didn't even get to hug him before I left. :( That will change though. I'm making plans to go down to Lynchburg for a few days to get some of my clothes and other things from my friend Salvador's house. Travis and I plan to spend a little time together while I'm down there. :) I can't wait for that to happen. We'll wait and see how this turns out. I have no doubt it'll turn out well. I tell you, I didn't know what was going to happen when I met Travis. If God meant to surprise me, boy did He ever! There's so much Travis does for me; he lifts me up when I'm down, he encourages me so much, he makes me laugh (especially at myself sometimes, lol), and he sticks with me through my hard times. I don't think I could ask God for a better friend. Well, of course there's Jesus. He's there for me all the time. :) Well, that's my description of a friendship that has changed my life.

To Travis: Well, you wanted to know how our friendship has been something for me. I was telling you I'd save it for our next conversation, but evidently, I wrote an entire blog about it. lol I have no doubt this will answer any questions you might've had for me. You truly are amazing, my dear friend. I'm so glad God has brought you into my life. I can't wait to see what happens next on this road of life I travel. Who would've thought? Did you see this coming? Because I sure didn't. You told me you wouldn't change a thing concerning our friendship. Believe me, I wouldn't either. Be blessed and I hope you're feeling better today. I'm still praying for you.:)

Dear Lord, thank you so much for everything. You are such an awesome God. Thank you for giving me talent that I can use to glorify you. Thank you for putting me on this earth to give encouragement to others when they need it. I can only do so much. You are the Great Encourager. Thank you for the great friendship I share with Travis. Keep on blessing him, Lord. Give him strength to do what he needs to do. I thank you for your heavenly angels surrounding him and protecting him wherever he goes. Bless his family, Lord Jesus. Keep them safe and secure. I thank you also for the church building they've moved into last December. I pray for great things to happen in that church. Thank you, Lord. Thank you for blessing me as you have this past Sunday. I pray for so much to happen in this church that has designated me to play keyboard for them. May you work through me as I play. May your presence just fall on me and flow out through me. Thank you so much for everything! You truly are my Inspiration. I love you so much, Jesus. In your Mighty Name I pray, amen. (3:22 pm)

Missing So Much....But There's A Light at the End of My Tunnel

Today was a good day so far but now, I'm in kind of a sad mood. I miss Liberty University so much. I miss my friends, my college life, food at the rot (yeah, even that), Campus Church on Wednesdays, Convocation three days a week,... Oh, I miss it all! There is also someone at LU I miss very much. I'll give you one guess... (waiting).... all right, I'll tell you. It's my dearest friend Travis. I miss our singing at David's Place on different nights during the week, our fun times hanging out at the clubhouse, discussions about all sorts of things at lunch or dinner at the rot.... yeah, that's what I miss most. I have been singing my worship song "We Live To Praise Your Name" pretty much every day when I walk to work. Every time I sing that song, I hear Travis singing it with me. (sniffs) Gosh! This is the most depressing blog I've ever written! Oh well, I'm just expressing myself. It's just one of those days where I know where I am and I'm wishing I was somewhere else... specifically Liberty U. I'm playing the "Revelation Song" at the moment and the memories just keep on going in my mind. (sighs) I guess I'm just being me... sort of. I have to keep reminding myself that God has me here at home for a reason. I just hope and pray that all will go well here and I get things accomplished. To my friend Travis: I'm always thinking about you and keeping you in my prayers. Remember that. I thank my Heavenly Father for sending you my way. You've stuck with me through my trying times up until the time I had to leave LU. Thank you so much! (Big hug)

Dear Lord, thank you so much for being such a wonderful God. I praise you and I lift up your holy name. May I never forget why I've been put on this earth you created. Thank you also for giving me a chance to get started in making something of myself. I know now why you had me choose Worship and Music Ministry as my major. I love you so much and I praise your name forevermore. In Jesus' Mighty Name I pray, amen. (3:10 pm)

Here's Another Poem

I just thought I'd put up this poem today. One time I did a dance to the song "Reach Out to Me" by Michael W. Smith off of his "This Is Your Time" project. It's all about a person going through struggles in life. I love the combination of praise dancing and poetry. It seems to all blend together wonderfully. Read and be blessed!

Dear Lord, I've wandered away from you

I tried to find my own way

but it seemed when I tried to head down that road

trouble followed every day

I've wandered away from the truth

I couldn't find peace in my life

I tried to fight battles on my own

and fell way deep into strife

I'm asking you now, please help me out

reach your loving arms to me

I've been blinded by my carelessness

open my eyes so I can see

The battle is much tougher than before

Dear God, help me win this fight

so that I'll be forever safe in your arms

and standing under your heavenly light

Written by Tiffany J. Washington - inspired by God!

(1:45 pm)

How Could I Be So Blind?

I have come to a realization today. I was in the kitchen washing the dishes and listening to music on my cd player. A little later I decided to switch cds and I listened to a song I sang with Thomas Road choir called "Cry Holy." I was singing along with it like I usually do since I knew the song so well. Suddenly, I decided to stop singing and start listening. As I listened, I closed my eyes and thought deep thoughts about what the words meant. It became so real to me, I almost cried. One line I especially meditate on goes like this: "When I'm on my face in my darkest night, I cry for a way to Your shining light. And Father, Your grace is greater than sin. Your mercy rains down and heals me again." It also made me think of what it really means to "fall on my knees and cry holy." I literally repented to God for forgetting that. In my time of singing with different choirs, I've gotten to know and love many songs that I have done with them. One thing though; I memorized all the music but how much did I take in the message of the songs themselves? One example: "We are not ashamed. No, we are not ashamed of the Gospel. The truth we will proclaim." What does that mean? It's telling people in the world that we are not ashamed to spread God's Word!! Another example: "Lord, You're holy. Lord, You're holy and we lift You up and magnify Your Name.... Wonderful! Glorious! Holy and Righteous! Victorious! Conquerer! Triuphant and Mighty! Healer, Deliverer, Shield and Defense! Strong Tower and my Best Friend! Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Soon Coming King! Alpha, Omega, Lord of Everything! Holy, holy, holy is Your Name!" What does that mean? It shows how grateful we are to Him and praising Him for all the things He is!!! I hope and pray that I won't forget this. Next time I sing a song in a choir (and I'm sure I will before long), I am going to think on what the song stands for and not just memorize the music.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You so much for having me come to this realization. I know I was going to write a blog about the great weekend I had in NC, but this has thought has taken over. May I never forget how Wonderful You are, how Glorious You are, how Loving You are. I love You so much, my True and Beautiful Inspiration. You never cease to amaze me in my everyday life. In Jesus' Mighty and Matchless Name I pray, amen!(6:58 pm)