The Real B. Davis and P. Sawyer

As many of you saw, my beautiful cousin asked me to stand by her side on the most important day of her life, and to say I am thrilled about it is an understatement. What many people don't know is the relationship that Brandi and I share. So I thought that I would let you all in on one of my most favorite relationships in my life, and what better place to start than the beginning...

Pictured above is me, at the ripe ole' age of almost two months, and that child with those gorgeous locks petting me would be Brandi Suzan Martin. As you can tell, we go waaaay back. Brandi, or my non-cousin as I so affectionately refer to her as, is technically my cousin by marriage. My dad's sister, Aunt Tonya, is married to Uncle Slade, who is Brandi's mom's brother. So while there is none of the same blood running through our veins, Brandi and I are about as close to cousins as non-cousins can get. We have spent a majority of our summers together in Columbia at Tee and Unc's house, attended many of our two shared cousins' birthday parties, and watched each other grow into the people we are today. Luckily, as the years have flown by, Brandi and I have become much more than non-cousins. I am so blessed to call Brandi Martin one of my very best friends. And, while more often than not there is quite a bit of distance between us (she lives in TN, I live in NC), she is someone I know I can always count on, and that is the true marker of a wonderful friend. 

Not only do we share a middle name, but we also share a deep love for One Tree Hill (matched by no other fans in the history of the show), a sassy/sweet attitude about life, and a desire for others to know more about Jesus. While I wouldn't say B and I have a lot in common, I will say that we never run out of things to talk about. Growing up, our conversations were centered around the boys we liked at the time (you know exactly who I'm referring to, B) and the struggles of two teenage girls. Now, while our conversations are still very similar (her talking about Chris, me talking about Al, us talking about the struggles of young adulthood), they are few and far between, which makes me cherish them even more. There are times we go months without talking, but we always seem to pick up right where we left off, and I think that says a lot about the bond Brandi and I share.

One of my favorite memories with Brandi is a fairly recent one. The morning this memory occurred, I had just driven home from Charlotte and went straight to the movies to see The Longest Ride with my sister and my roommate. Now, I'm a sucker for a Nicholas Sparks movie, or any movie that has a love story, so I knew what I was in for when I bought my ticket for this one. However, my emotions were extra strong that day, so I walked out of the movie theatre afterwards with tears still streaming down my face. I couldn't shake the feeling I had after watching that movie, but now I know why. My roommate, sister, and I had just gotten in the car, hadn't even pulled out of the parking lot yet, when Kayla and I got a text from Brandi with a picture of her ENGAGEMENT RING!!! The excitement and emotions were unreal! We both feverishly texted back and asked for details, and that's when she called us. Thinking about that conversation still gets me teary-eyed to this day. Brandi walked us through the sweetest engagement story ever, and, by the end, Kayla and I couldn't even talk because we both we crying so hard. It's such a sweet moment when someone you have grown up with and loved for your whole life calls you and tells you she's going to be a wife! Words can't describe a moment like that. However, Kayla and I were ecstatic for her, and we couldn't wait for June to come so we could see her smiling face on her annual family beach trip, which is where, unbeknownst to us, she asked us both to be her bridesmaids (aka my all-time favorite memory with her).

The future Mrs. Brandi Carter is truly one-of-a-kind. She is smart, loving, and an awesome toenail painter (had to throw that one in there). She is also kind, compassionate, and selfless, which will make her an excellent wife and someday mother. I am so excited to witness this next huge step in her life and am so honored that I was asked to be a part of it. 

Brandi, you will never know the impact you have made on my life. From giving me advice about boys that weren't worth my tears to sending me a prayer journal when I asked Jesus into my heart, you have always been the most thoughtful person I know, and I couldn't ask for a sweeter non-cousin than you. I can't tell you how excited I am for you and Chris as you begin this journey of marriage together. I have been praying over this season of engagement that you're in and will continue to pray over your marriage as you two begin your lives together. Know that I am always here supporting you both and that I am always just a phone call away. You are more like a best friend to me than you are a cousin, but even more than that, you are more like a sister to me than you are a best friend. I am so thankful for the relationship we have always shared! Thank you for everything you do for me, even from a distance! I am SO PUMPED for September 26! I cannot wait to be in Tennessee celebrating your wedding weekend with you! I love you more than you'll ever know, you beautiful bride-to-be!!

Seeking Him

Hello lovely people! After listening to one of the most spiritually challenging messages last night at Overflow (the college ministry here in Wilmington), I wanted to share some of my thoughts on this ministry that I have come to love... and maybe in another post, after I've pondered it a little more, I'll share my thoughts on the message that really stirred my heart. 

To begin, let me give you a little background on where I was spiritually when I came to college a little over a year and a half ago. I came from the most loving church in the history of churches - probably definitely a little biased in that regard. I started attending my home church, Jennies Branch, when I was 15 and instantly felt like I belonged. Over the course of the three years that followed, I was heartbroken if I ever had to miss a Sunday or a Wednesday at church. I learned so much about God in the three years I consistently went to JBBC. What I didn't realize at the time was how much it would change once I went away to college. I didn't realize that when you're on your own in a big world, you can start to feel very small. I didn't realize just how much I depended on my youth group and youth leaders from home to guide me in my walk with the Lord. That is the one thing I would tell upcoming, Christian college students to be prepared for: once you're in college, your walk with Jesus becomes completely your own and you choose how much you're going to invest in it. 

Cue PC3 Overflow. I heard so many great things about the college ministry in Wilmington before I ever came to UNCW. I decided in my second week of college that I would give it a try... well, let's just say I only tried once. I was so overwhelmed coming from a small, southern baptist church walking into one of the biggest churches I'd ever seen in the midst of a thousand college students. I was so out of my element and could not get past the picture of how church was "supposed" to be in my head. So, I opted out of going for basically an entire year, which ultimately meant I excluded myself from worshiping and learning with other believers for far too long. To say my first year of college was a struggle would be an understatement, and looking back on it now, I know that the reason has a lot to do with stepping away from church. 

Before this year started, I promised myself I would give Overflow a try again, but this time with an open heart and with the picture of how church was supposed to be wiped clean. And man... the Lord has blessed me so much. My walk with Christ has changed so drastically in the past five months, and for the first time in my life, I feel like I'm really getting to know God because I desire to. I credit a lot of that to Overflow because of the way it impacts my life. I have never felt as free to worship the Lord as I do when I'm standing in a room with a thousand other college students who love Him like I do. While we are all in different places in our relationships with God, we come together to praise Him for all that He is doing in this season in our lives. I've seen so many souls saved and lives changed in the time I've been a part of this ministry, and I pray the Lord keeps moving among us. 

In the past five months, I've learned more about who Jesus is and how much He loves me than I could have ever hoped to learn. I am not perfect, but my desire to seek God because I want to, not because someone is telling me to, has changed my life. In the book of Jeremiah, there is a verse that says "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Before this year, I was not seeking the Lord with all my heart. Oh, but what a difference seeking Him with all your heart can make because He is faithful to His promises. I have a long way to go in my relationship with Jesus, but I'm going to keep working at it and seeking Him until He calls me home or comes back and gets me! 

God is the one true King, y'all, and He is awesome! If you don't know Him, seek Him with your whole heart! I promise you'll find Him! If you do know Him and wish you had some people to learn more about Him with, come check out Overflow on Tuesday nights at 7 in Wilmington. We sing praises to the One who is truly worthy and really dissect the Word and figure out how it applies to this crazy college life! I've been so blessed, and I can't thank God enough!

I'm so glad you took the time to read this, and I hope you feel encouraged!

Until next time!

Hello 2015!

Happy New Year, everyone! I'm having a hard time believing the year 2014 even happened because it went by so fast. It felt like every time I blinked, another month had passed. I would like to use that as my excuse for why I gave up on blogging after March, but honestly I just forgot. College life will do that to ya. However, I'm making it a goal (not a resolution) to document my life more in words and pictures this year, and I think this blog is a great place to start. 

I thought a good first post would be to do a recap of the big moments of my seemingly nonexistent 2014 (just following in suit with my other favorite bloggers out there). 

First

At the beginning of the year, I checked an item off my bucket list: Find One Tree Hill filming sights. Living in Wilmington would not be right if I didn't search out the houses and sights from my all-time favorite TV show. Luckily, I had some equally obsessed friends who went along for the ride, and it was an awesome day! There are still a lot more places that I have to see, but that was a great start.

Second

At the end of January, I gained a roommate and a best friend all in one little package. While I knew Brittany for a few months before she became a roomie, I didn't know the depth of our friendship until I was coming home every day to her long stories and overwhelming generosity. Brittany made 326-19 feel like home, and my college life (and just life in general) would not be the same without her. 

Third

I finished my first year of college - PRAISE! I grew as a student and a person so much in my first year. I learned a lot about myself and about the world, and I am so thankful for this opportunity God has placed in front of me. There were definitely times that I wanted to give up, but I got through it, and I'm that much closer to getting my B.A. in Communication Studies!

Fourth

In May, I found out that my best friend since sixth grade was expecting a little baby! A few weeks after Cynthia told me she was pregnant, she found out she was having a girl!!! And as if all of that didn't already have me overjoyed, Cynthia and Daniel asked me to be sweet Sophia's godmother! After much anticipation, Sophia Lorraine Cox made her arrival into the world on November 13th at a perfect 6 lbs 11 oz. I am absolutely smitten with this precious little girl, and I can't wait to watch her grow. 

Fifth

As if one baby isn't enough to make this girl the happiest in the world, in June my sister Courtney told me (in typical, perfect Courtney-fashion) that she was also pregnant!!! This season of my life has been so sweet, especially with Court. I spent a lot of this past semester focusing on Courtney's pregnancy, i.e calling/texting every day, making solo road trips to VA, dying to find out the gender, planning/attending baby showers, going to ultrasounds. In about a month, give or take, I will have my first little niece who I already love so much. I can't wait to spoil that sweet girl rotten.

Sixth

I celebrated my third anniversary with my handsome boyfriend in August, and although we've only have three anniversary dates (obvi), this past one was probably my favorite. It was super spontaneous, and I enjoyed just spending time with Al. 2014 was an awesome year for our relationship, and we got to do a lot of things we had never done before, including taking our first solo vacation & road trip! I'm so thankful for my man and the endless ways he spoils me!

 

Seventh

In the way of church activities, I had a busy and fun year! I got to co-lead Vacation Bible School at my home church with three of the greatest people. It was one of the most difficult and thrilling experiences of my Christian life so far because it was literally just us four young adults leading a room full of middle and high school students. I also fell in love with the college ministry in Wilmington called Overflow, as well as spent more time getting to know and love my small group girls. And finally, I attended an Apologetics Conference in Charlotte with some people from my home church, and I learned so much about the Word and about who God is. The Lord is always so good to me.

Eighth

In 2014, I got to spend a lot of time with family. I don't know if this has always occurred and I haven't appreciated it as much, or if it was only this year that I got to see my family a lot, but either way I am thankful for it. I spent a lot of time with my Nana while she has been in a nursing home. I was able to see my cousins on my mom's side quite often, as well as one of my cousins on my dad's side. I spent a lot of time with my parents and my sisters. I ended the year with my dad's folks, and I'm incredibly grateful for a year filled with family.

I am so thankful for an incredible year, even though it seemed like a vapor! I'm looking forward to seeing what 2015 holds for me! The Lord has awesome plans, and He is true to His promises! 

Thanks for reading!

Spring Break Plus a Week

I wanted everyone to know that I'm alive and well after my month-long hiatus from blogging. I always have every intention to sit down and write some, then I get busy or forget. I apologize if you're truly interested in my life and are dying to see what's going on (I'm looking at you, Tiffy!) Things have been great lately, and I couldn't ask for more.

Last week was my first college spring break - holla! Spring semester is flying by! I was so thankful spring break came when it did because I was way in over my head with homework and papers. I just needed some time for myself to relax and spend a week with the ones I love - and that's just what I did! I couldn't tell you exactly what I did because it all just runs together. It went by too fast for me. I only remember the highlights of the week, so I'll share those with yall. 

I helped my friend, Lexi, with her yard sale for her mission trip to South Africa. She raised a lot of money, and as always, God was faithful. Be in prayer for her during this special time in her life - she leaves at the end of May. 

I got to spend an evening with the sweet Lillian Willis for her birthday. Lilly and I hadn't spent any time together since this semester started, so I was in need of some time with her. We went to Osaka's for dinner and had Fuzzy Peach for dessert. In between, we had a lot of good conversation and laughs. I'm always thankful for her and her sweet spirit. She always lifts my spirits and helps put things into perspective in my life. 

Al dropped by to have some Peach with us!

I also got to spend time with my friend, Abigail, and her sweet little cousins, Hannah and Zoe. We went to the Boundary House and rode around Sunset Beach for a while after church on Sunday. Those girls never fail to make me laugh. I love having them in my life.

I spent a lot of time with Al (that probably goes without saying). We spend a lot of time together, so I can't really remember all the specifics of what we did. It rained a lot and was mostly cold the whole time I was home, so we spent most of our time inside. Saturday was a beautiful day, so we hung out on the hammock for most of the day - it's the little things that will always be close to my heart. 

I also got to hang out with my little sister, Lauren, a lot during spring break. Be in prayer for her, as well, because she has her first solo dance competition this Saturday. I've seen the dance, and it's absolutely beautiful. My heart is always so full of joy when I watch her dance - it brings tears to my eyes. She's going to do great, I just know it. 

My friend, Casey, and I went to lunch one day at Mexican. She goes to UNCW also, but we don't get to see each other a lot because of our schedules. I'm glad we were able to get together over break. We had a lot to catch up on. I'm lucky to have a great friend like her.

I got to spend a whole bunch of quality time with my family over break. My mom, Kayla, and I went to visit my Nana on Friday. She's a silly woman, but I love her to death. On Saturday, Daddy, Mom, Kayla, and I went down to Myrtle Beach to eat and shop. I love those times with them because they're few and far between. 

Lastly, my friend Ashley and I hung out on Sunday in between church services. Ashley and I have an interesting history, and I never imagined I'd be sitting at her house, laughing for hours on Sundays. She's one of my best friends, and I'm glad I was able to see her while I was home. 

That basically sums up my spring break. It was a wonderful week, full of love, laughter, and relaxation. This week has been not as relaxing because I've had a lot of work to do. It's almost over though, and I got all the work done that was due. It's almost the weekend - hallelujah! 

I hope you enjoyed this short recap of my spring break! There's no telling when I'll post again, but I hope you guys have a safe and happy weekend! 

XOXO,

Morg

P.S. MY BIRTHDAY IS ONE WEEK FROM TOMORROW! WHOOP WHOOP! 

My Favorite Part of Christmas Break

Let me begin this post by saying... if you have ever gotten to know me even the slightest bit you know I have a great love for two things: Jesus and One Tree Hill. Jesus is my favorite part of every day, but my favorite part of Christmas break had a lot to do with the latter. 

I fell in love with One Tree Hill when I was a freshman in high school. I was basically a loner at that point in my life, so I stayed home every weekend, curled up in my bed watching Breakfast in Bed on SoapNet (which is no longer a channel). One Tree Hill happened to be a show that aired during that time on the weekends, and after one episode I was hooked. 

Clearly, I got VERY hooked. I now have every season! I treasure them <3

I've seen every episode at least three times, no shame. For those of you who don't know anything about One Tree Hill (bless your souls), it was filmed in Wilmington, where I am now attending college. It has always been a dream of mine to meet the cast of OTH go see the places it was filmed. Well, since going off to college, all my sweet friends have jumped on the One Tree Hill train. I feel like my friend Abby was the first to text me about it. Then Sav and Summer. They're all addicted now, btw. I had several friends who were watching it at the same time I was, so there have been a few of us dying to go on this One Tree Hill adventure for years. 

Well people, you best believe it happened over Christmas break! It was kind of a last minute decision. My friends Casey, Summer, Savannah, and myself all decided that we needed to get together before going back for spring semester and go on a One Tree Hill hunt through the streets of Wilmington. It was literally one of the best days of my life - definitely one of the best days I'd had in a long time. We were like little kids on Christmas with each place we found. As soon as we recognized one, we all freaked out and jumped out of the car to take pictures. Some places were a little sketchy - as most of you know downtown Wilmington to be. But some of the bigger houses were SO nice. I will not apologize for the heap of pictures you are about to see...

                                                               

  

            

I know these pictures probably have little to no meaning to you unless you're a fan, but we were over the moon about every place we found. Every place had a special meaning, and we were so grateful that we got to experience it. And my friends can vouch for this... I promise you I said about 15 times before we left that church that that is the place I'm getting married. Mark my words, friends. It was beautiful.

I'm so thankful for the sweet friends (with good taste in television) that God has blessed me with. I'm so glad we got to share this day together. It was my absolute favorite part about Christmas break and a wonderful memory I'll always cherish. Love you Sum, Sav, and Case!

Well that is all for now, frands. Until next time... I will leave you with an inspirational quote from this lovely show:

"Make a wish, and place it in your heart. Anything you want. Everything you want. Do you have it? Good. Now believe it can come true. You never know where the next miracle's gonna come from - the next smile, the next wish come true. But if you believe that it's right around the corner, and you open your heart to the possibility of it, the certainty of it, you just might get the thing you're wishing for. The world is full of magic, you just have to believe in it. So make your wish. Do you have it? Good. Now believe in it... with all your heart." -OTH Cast