There is more to life than a lizard in the wall.

I was in the shower when I saw a lizard. There is more to life than lizards in the wall. Both of those two statements sound like great titles for books but unfortunately, and fortunately, they are actually real life statements coming from yours truly.

Gillespie has had this little problem of an infestation of these baby lizards. They are pink and speckled. I first encountered the little guys when Kim said, hey you wanta go catch a lizard for someone. I said, ok and found myself in a room of three girls all standing far away from a chair and pointing. One was on the verge of hyper ventilating. I was like where is it, and then I realized it was only about two inches long. So since my mom raised me quite well, and trained me in the art of lizard catching, I said I need a cup and a piece of paper. The little guy was caught and set free and is now roaming around campus. Hopefully he hasn't been stepped on.

My second encounter occurred in the shower. Well, my quad mate was about to take a shower and kinda squealed and said, Come get it! But alas, i was too slow. I decided the little guy climbed back into a hole in the wall.

My third encounter occurred when I was in the shower and saw him emerge. Then I watched him squeeze into the little hole again. If you would like to know why I simply watched him, you must read on.

You see, I grew up in the South. Yes, South Carolina is quite southern and we have creatures. Particularly roaches (but we also have lizards and skinks), or more kindly referred to as Palmetto Bugs. I just call them roaches. I have also mastered the art of disposing of roaches. I'm pretty good. You just need a good shoe, a piece of paper, and a toilet (they must be flushed otherwise they fake you out and aren't really dead). See, I told you I was an expert.

I think everyone in the South has a roach story. I will never forget the infestation in Caldwell, I heard there were like 50 of them. Boy did some of my friends go at it with the Roach Spray...we may have lost a few brain cells from that one. My all-time favorite roach story was when my dad had a roach on his shirt. If you did not know, roaches do fly. Sometimes they can even make people dance. That's all I'll say about that story, if you want the whole thing, I shall be happy to share with you this tale in person!

So back to my reasoning of "there is more to life than a lizard in the wall." You see, since I grew up with lizards in the house (yes, we had a friend come over and as they walked out the front door they pointed out to us that there was a lizard on our wall) and plenty of roaches (yes, if dad's around, I always let him get rid of them!) I got to the point where I was lazy, apathetic, or merciful (I'm not quite sure which) but for whatever reason, I would just let roaches go. I would see one, and say huh, there's a roach and leave. Or ya know, turn on the light and see it run, turn off the light and go to the other room. So with this philosophy, I watched the lizard come out and go back into the wall. No screaming, no squealing and its gone. And life goes on.

Now for that more to life.....

God has given me the privilege to catch up with friends. One of my favorite parts about college is all the people you meet. Sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming as there are so many people I would just like to sit and listen to and catch up with. My friends and I joke about how we would love school if we could just take out that whole academic side. Don't worry I know, and have experienced, the benefits of both academic and social life at college.

God has also blessed me and allowed me to be a part of an amazing dance piece. What a blessing to work with choreographer Aaron Chen. Last night, we finished learning the choreography and are supposed to perform next Saturday. So here's some of the wisdom he shared

-its not about the performance, its not about who comes. its about praising Jesus
.....Emily's conclusion: I want to dance for an "Audience of One."

-your only comfort is the cross of Christ
.....conclusion: your grace is enough. God is enough. The cross, I boast in the cross (Galations 6:14).

-you are sacrificing your time tonight. He sacrificed His life for you, for forever. The bruises and the pain, oh yes its all worth it.
....conclusion: for my Savior, I can do this!

-its great to praise with your dance but there's a time when you need to use your voice. imagine the Israelites surrounding Jericho. the walls didn't come down until they shouted. God would give them the town, if they shouted. What if we cried out for the town of Jackson, what if that oppression just fell?
....conclusion: God is asking if I trust His power to do that miracle. Girl, you gotta learn to shout! practice shouts in the car? This may need to happen.

-It's like my little girl who cries, daddy, daddy, look at me! daddy, look. Scrambling for my attention until she is right in front of me. God says, yes daughter, what do you want? What do you need? I'm here.
....conclusion: Audience of One. I can't put words to the incredible depth and vastness of God's love for His kids (Ephesians 3:18-19). So often, He is right there. Making Daddy proud tonight, that's all that matters.

There's more to life than a lizard in the wall.