Week Three: LaDarius Pugh

Worshiping together at PCC service at Phillips Arena

Where did we meet: Georgia State University, Microeconomics Class

How long have you known each other: A year and a half

LaDarius' best quality: His smile!

The Story: I first met LaDarius in a economics class my Freshman year. I ended up sitting next to a girl who he knew and she introduced the two of us. I had heard so many great things about LaDarius. There were multiple people who I either met at the BCM or church who just could not shut up about how wonderful he was! What was strange was that I just couldn't see it! I didn't know why everyone loved him so much. Isn't that awful!?  (Sorry, La-Day-Day, you know I love you now!)

Since I didn't really realize why everyone loved LaDarius so much I just pushed our friendship aside. I never tried to further our relationship. I never poured into LaDarius or took time to listen to who he really was. I feel so guilty now that I really now who Ladarius is. I was such a brat. Let's be honest, I was your typical college Freshman (at least for my first semester...)!

Fast forward to spring semester of my Freshman year. WOW. I saw it. LaDarius started coming to the BCM more frequently for Ignite so we got to know each other better. I later realized that LaDarius was struggling with the class that we were in together which was why he always seemed to be defeated every time I saw him the previous.

After I learned all of this I got so mad at myself. I was mad because if I had really taken the time to get to know who LaDarius was I could have helped him in the class. Or I could have been praying for him. Imagine, I missed out on an opportunity to PRAY for someone. I missed out on the opportunity to ask our glorious God to help out someone who means so much to me.

I think this is why I have decided to do this New Years Resolution project. I don't want to miss these opportunities anymore. I never want to miss an opportunity to pour into someone's life or pray for them.

LaDarius is such a man of God. He has persevered through so much. LaDarius is always willing to go the extra mile. He serves endlessly. And the great thing is, he expects nothing in return.

This weekend I heard a story about LaDarius. It was a good story. And by "good story" I mean, heart stopping, jaw dropping, story. I don't feel comfortable sharing the story with everyone but just know, it was GOOD. It required LaDarius to put complete trust in the Lord. It required to him to give everything to Him. It required him to be vulnerable.

After hearing the story of what LaDarius did I was completely in awe. It was one of the few moments that I have looked up to one of my peers in their faith.

LaDarius, I love you. I am so sorry that I wasted several months of our friendship. I wouldn't trade our friendship now for anything in the world!

Love,

Sterl.

If you missed the introduction of my New Years Resolution project, here it is:
http://mylifeonthe16thfloor.blogspot.com/2014/01/operation-appreciate-people.html

Week 2: April McClung

How long have you know each other: Almost a year and a half

Where did you meet: The Baptist Collegiate Ministry at Georgia State

My favorite thing about April: She is one of the best listeners I know

The Story: I met April the second week of my college career at Georgia State. I ventured into the BCM not knowing ANYONE. Luckily, I met many of the people who I call my closest friends today, including April. 

During my Freshman year April and I didn't really get close until the end of the of the year. We didn't talk that much but I always new her as the lady who, "sits at the front desk who has a loud laugh" but since this year has started we have become much closer. She can't get rid of me now! She has such a sweet spirit about her. When people ask me to describe April all I can really say is that she is just April. I know that sounds silly but April never falters from her true self. She doesn't change when different people walk in the room or when she meets someone new. April is one of the most steadfast people I know. 

You can always count on April to listen, even if there are 20 screaming college kids in the room. I don't know how she does it! One of the best qualities that I think April has is that she follows in the obedience in the Lord. It's very clear that April doesn't rush things. She waits for the Lord to present her opportunities. She doesn't move without Him. 

April and I regularly bond over our love for southern culture. We both come from small towns so we share the same love for antiques, boys in boots, and sweet tea. 

I hope that you all can meet April one day. She is such a testament to what a Godly woman should look like and act. 

April, I love you! And thank you for inspiring me!

Sterl.

For those of you who missed the introduction on my New Years Resolution project, here it is: 

http://mylifeonthe16thfloor.blogspot.com/2014/01/operation-appreciate-people.html

For those of you who missed the first weeks post, here it is:

http://mylifeonthe16thfloor.blogspot.com/2014/01/week-one-kristen-simonton.html

Week One: Kristen Simonton

(Photograph from Summer 2013)

How long have we known each other: 
Eight Months

Where did you meet: 
At my summer 2013 internship at the Macon Convention and Visitors Bureau

The Story: 
This summer I moved back home to start my first "Big Girl" internship. I had just finished my first year in college at Georgia State and had decided to major in Hospitality Administration. When I came home from school I felt defeated. My grades did not turned out like I wanted. I had always been good at school without little or no work at all. Unfortunately, college was different. All of a sudden my "good" wasn't good enough. I didn't know how else to measure my worth. Lucky for me, God had moved in dramatic ways in my life during that school year. Without all of the hope that God had sewn into me that year I don't know how well I would have been able to dream about my future.

As I was coming home for the summer, I was also confident. I knew God was still working on me. He was giving me the opportunity to start working in a field that I had a passion for, but I was doing it for His purpose. However, I knew the enemy was always close by. Little did I know, God sent me an angel to be with me during my first step into my career future.

Kristen was the first face I saw when I came into the CVB on that May morning. Who knew we would become so close?!

When you first meet Kristen you can sense how professional she is. Kristen is always dressed to impress. She is always rocking a new polish color. And she can always pull together her accessories flawlessly. Heck, she could grace the pages of Vogue!

But, the best thing about Kristen is what you can't see. It's her heart. Call me cheesy, but it's true.

Kristen works her BUTT off. I would use another word, but I am trying to keep this PG. Seriously, Kristen works as though she is owed nothing, but has everything to earn. She is a girl who works to shine the light of Jesus. She is a girl who works to earn her place among the best. And she does! She was recently named one of DMAI's 30 Under 30.

Kristen would just sit and listen to me. REALLY listen. She would listen to my hopes, dreams, aspirations, and Jesus stories. She would also listen to me complain about the copier, labels, mail merge, the mail machine, and Prezi. LORD BLESS HER!

I am humbled by our friendship. I hope that we can someday work together again.

Kristen,

Here's to you! Cheers!

Love,

Sterling

Operation: Appreciate People

Let me reintroduce myself! Just kidding, but it has been quite sometime since I have written a blog post. Actually, I think it was before I even started college. And now I am halfway done! Wowza!

I am starting a new project this year. It came to me in the form of my New Years Resolution. I haven't done a New Years Resolution in quite sometime. I think it is because of my lack of ability to stick to them. But alas, this year I gave in to "resolution fever". My resolution might be a little quirky and strange, but honestly, why does it even matter?! This year I am resolving to APPRECIATE PEOPLE. Not just send them a nice text every once in a while or include them on a "Throwback Thursday" post but REALLY appreciate them.

I want to pour into peoples lives. 

At first I thought I could just do this on a day to day basis. However, I know how I am and I soon realized that I was going to have to give myself some kind of structure. So, I thought this would be the perfect place to highlight everyone who means so much to me. Each week I will be "highlighting" someone who has a special place in my life. I'm still not really sure what the blog posts will include or on what days of the week they will be posted, but I am promising by the end of the year there will be 52, from the heart, transparent posts!

I hope you all will follow along with me and meet all of the amazing people who contribute to my life.

Cheers,

Sterling