Mia Robertson

And I take a bit of drill. I'm like, I'm freaking out. There's nothing. I cannot see anything wrong with my fingers, but I'm like, I think like they're on fire. So I'm looking it up. Like, why is my finger burning? Like the skin of my fingers are going to fall off. And I look like, If crawfish can have that effect, it said yes because of the spices.

And I take a bit of drill. I'm like, I'm freaking out. There's nothing. I cannot see anything wrong with my fingers, but I'm like, I think like they're on fire. So I'm looking it up. Like, why is my finger burning? Like the skin of my fingers are going to fall off. And I look like, If crawfish can have that effect, it said yes because of the spices.

So until my Benadryl kicked in, I was literally in pain, curled up in a ball. But dad said that story about fire is relating to the spirit.

So until my Benadryl kicked in, I was literally in pain, curled up in a ball. But dad said that story about fire is relating to the spirit.

Yeah, I was ready to get out of the house, I think. You get kind of cooped up in there.

Yeah, I was ready to get out of the house, I think. You get kind of cooped up in there.

That's pretty cool.

That's pretty cool.

Yeah. Not like I don't love spending extra time with you and mom, but I think I needed a change of scenery.

Yeah. Not like I don't love spending extra time with you and mom, but I think I needed a change of scenery.

Yeah, that is.

Yeah, that is.

I could not see that.

I could not see that.

Yeah, a year and a half.

Yeah, a year and a half.

So actually, we used to do like a yearly fundraiser. I think it used to be like poker. Y'all used to have a poker night or something?

So actually, we used to do like a yearly fundraiser. I think it used to be like poker. Y'all used to have a poker night or something?

All for charity.

All for charity.

Oh, yeah.

Oh, yeah.

Yeah, that's what I was going to say.

Yeah, that's what I was going to say.

Yeah, we used to do poker and we used to do other fundraisers. But now the only thing that we do is a monthly newsletter. And that brings in so much money. So we don't really, which is like a good problem to have. But we don't really need to do a bunch of fundraisers anymore because like Miamou has so much money now from people donating. Yeah.

Yeah, we used to do poker and we used to do other fundraisers. But now the only thing that we do is a monthly newsletter. And that brings in so much money. So we don't really, which is like a good problem to have. But we don't really need to do a bunch of fundraisers anymore because like Miamou has so much money now from people donating. Yeah.

Yeah, she left after like three days home with us.

Yeah, she left after like three days home with us.

And so we still do our Miamou Funday, which is like first weekend of October. And so it's March now. So we had that a few months ago. But everyone I've talked to, and I guess you can say this too, that was the best year that we've had.

And so we still do our Miamou Funday, which is like first weekend of October. And so it's March now. So we had that a few months ago. But everyone I've talked to, and I guess you can say this too, that was the best year that we've had.

We had so many people come from my school. We had 12 students come. As volunteers. As volunteers. And we did a color run. And each color represented something different.

We had so many people come from my school. We had 12 students come. As volunteers. As volunteers. And we did a color run. And each color represented something different.

that they like became clothed with on their white shirts so that whenever they left the BMU fun day weekend like they left it was like strength wisdom like things like that that now they like could carry with them throughout the rest of the year yeah because it's a very tough venture as you can attest there's lots of surgeries lots of pain and you're just you feel different you look different so yeah it was a it was a huge success and just to

that they like became clothed with on their white shirts so that whenever they left the BMU fun day weekend like they left it was like strength wisdom like things like that that now they like could carry with them throughout the rest of the year yeah because it's a very tough venture as you can attest there's lots of surgeries lots of pain and you're just you feel different you look different so yeah it was a it was a huge success and just to

She went to the other kids. But we had fun. We watched LSU baseball and ate some crawfish.

She went to the other kids. But we had fun. We watched LSU baseball and ate some crawfish.

So, yeah.

So, yeah.

I think I didn't realize how intense my childhood was until I got older. And an example I've always thought is at Camp Chioka, we have prayer night. And I never asked during prayer night, hey, like I'm having surgery coming up. Like it just didn't feel, it wasn't really a burden on my heart of like, oh, I'm having this surgery. Like, hey, I need prayers. Like I've had a hard life.

I think I didn't realize how intense my childhood was until I got older. And an example I've always thought is at Camp Chioka, we have prayer night. And I never asked during prayer night, hey, like I'm having surgery coming up. Like it just didn't feel, it wasn't really a burden on my heart of like, oh, I'm having this surgery. Like, hey, I need prayers. Like I've had a hard life.

Like that never, that thought never crossed my mind. I never once brought that up. And like now that I'm older, I'm like, I cannot believe I never thought that that was like a big deal. Like, oh, hey, I'm about to have surgery and I can't chew food for a year. Please pray for me. It was like, oh, no, just have another surgery. Like going to Dallas every six weeks. Like it felt like so normal.

Like that never, that thought never crossed my mind. I never once brought that up. And like now that I'm older, I'm like, I cannot believe I never thought that that was like a big deal. Like, oh, hey, I'm about to have surgery and I can't chew food for a year. Please pray for me. It was like, oh, no, just have another surgery. Like going to Dallas every six weeks. Like it felt like so normal.

And so I would like ask for prayer about something else that's like was much smaller. Like, oh, like something about school. Yeah. And so until I had a big surgery, my junior year of high school, now that I was older, like it really affected me. Yeah. And like it made my like, which I guess maybe, I guess you would notice, but like my face changes slightly every time I have surgery.

And so I would like ask for prayer about something else that's like was much smaller. Like, oh, like something about school. Yeah. And so until I had a big surgery, my junior year of high school, now that I was older, like it really affected me. Yeah. And like it made my like, which I guess maybe, I guess you would notice, but like my face changes slightly every time I have surgery.

Well, like after like a year of surgery, like my face just looks a little bit different. We know everyone's like, they can still tell that's Mia. Oh, hey, it's Mia. But like slight changes. But the older you get, they say the harder it is to have like major facial surgeries. Because even though it's like, yeah, that's still my face.

Well, like after like a year of surgery, like my face just looks a little bit different. We know everyone's like, they can still tell that's Mia. Oh, hey, it's Mia. But like slight changes. But the older you get, they say the harder it is to have like major facial surgeries. Because even though it's like, yeah, that's still my face.

it looks just a little bit different, which is really hard on you.

it looks just a little bit different, which is really hard on you.

So I didn't realize that until my junior year. I was like, I look different. I sound different. And it was really hard on me.

So I didn't realize that until my junior year. I was like, I look different. I sound different. And it was really hard on me.

Yeah, and I didn't know how they were going to relate yet because I told the stories, and he was like, those are so funny. I was like, that's not really funny.

Yeah, and I didn't know how they were going to relate yet because I told the stories, and he was like, those are so funny. I was like, that's not really funny.

To be honest, I always have one breakdown. And Dad saw it one time. Dad will lock himself in his room, basically, when I have surgery because he cannot see me. And it's not like he's a bad dad. It's just like it's hard for him to see me suffering.

To be honest, I always have one breakdown. And Dad saw it one time. Dad will lock himself in his room, basically, when I have surgery because he cannot see me. And it's not like he's a bad dad. It's just like it's hard for him to see me suffering.

But I always have one, and it's just because... Usually, I mean, anybody's like this when they're hungry. Like you are just at your worst. You're so hungry. And I've eaten the same meal for like three weeks. And all I want is like a cheeseburger or something.

But I always have one, and it's just because... Usually, I mean, anybody's like this when they're hungry. Like you are just at your worst. You're so hungry. And I've eaten the same meal for like three weeks. And all I want is like a cheeseburger or something.

And I'm just so ready for it to be done. And I remember after that surgery I had two years ago or a year and a half ago, they were like, oh, like three weeks, you know, and then you can eat solid food. I was like three weeks. This is the best day of my life. Like it's not like eight or 10 and like three weeks go by and we FaceTime my doctor and he's like, yeah, good to go.

And I'm just so ready for it to be done. And I remember after that surgery I had two years ago or a year and a half ago, they were like, oh, like three weeks, you know, and then you can eat solid food. I was like three weeks. This is the best day of my life. Like it's not like eight or 10 and like three weeks go by and we FaceTime my doctor and he's like, yeah, good to go.

And then my orthodontist calls me. He's like, no, you need to wait six more weeks. And I was like, okay. So they were kind of going back and forth and they're like, no, you need to wait. And I just like lost it. We were watching some like chick flick, me and my mom were on the couch and I just lost it because I just wanted to eat like a burger so bad.

And then my orthodontist calls me. He's like, no, you need to wait six more weeks. And I was like, okay. So they were kind of going back and forth and they're like, no, you need to wait. And I just like lost it. We were watching some like chick flick, me and my mom were on the couch and I just lost it because I just wanted to eat like a burger so bad.

And dad walked out and you were talking to mom and then you like saw me and you were like, and then he just walked back in.

And dad walked out and you were talking to mom and then you like saw me and you were like, and then he just walked back in.

Too much drama.

Too much drama.

Yeah. So it always happens. I just feel like ever since then, ever since my junior year, I've always had like one like day where I just want to like cry.

Yeah. So it always happens. I just feel like ever since then, ever since my junior year, I've always had like one like day where I just want to like cry.

But then I'll pick myself up together and pick, you know, do good and push through. But yeah, I feel like that day, I don't know when it's coming, but I always know like I'm going to have one breakdown. Yeah.

But then I'll pick myself up together and pick, you know, do good and push through. But yeah, I feel like that day, I don't know when it's coming, but I always know like I'm going to have one breakdown. Yeah.

I've got, like, six more months until I'm 22. Yeah, but once you get that close, you are 22. Okay.

I've got, like, six more months until I'm 22. Yeah, but once you get that close, you are 22. Okay.

So I feel like, I feel like that's kind of funny because I feel like I'm not a patient person. But I feel like when it comes to like serious things, like I've gotten to be very okay with like waiting for things. Yeah. But yeah, I think, I don't know if I have to have another surgery. They've always said, oh, you're done. And then I'll come back and I have to have another one.

So I feel like, I feel like that's kind of funny because I feel like I'm not a patient person. But I feel like when it comes to like serious things, like I've gotten to be very okay with like waiting for things. Yeah. But yeah, I think, I don't know if I have to have another surgery. They've always said, oh, you're done. And then I'll come back and I have to have another one.

But I know I don't have to have any major surgeries, which is really nice. So these are just kind of cosmetic surgeries now.

But I know I don't have to have any major surgeries, which is really nice. So these are just kind of cosmetic surgeries now.

It's like scar tissue and things like that. But yeah.

It's like scar tissue and things like that. But yeah.

That's what I'm saying. But I will say, wasn't it whenever I was born they told you I was going to have four surgeries?

That's what I'm saying. But I will say, wasn't it whenever I was born they told you I was going to have four surgeries?

16.

16.

So, well, I think I got like to practice this when I studied abroad. Um, and I was in Costa Rica and Guatemala and Panama, which are not the safest countries. Um, But a lot of things happened where our power would go out for four days and we don't have any AC, we don't have any hot water, and I couldn't contact my family. We were just waiting for these people to fix whatever was wrong.

So, well, I think I got like to practice this when I studied abroad. Um, and I was in Costa Rica and Guatemala and Panama, which are not the safest countries. Um, But a lot of things happened where our power would go out for four days and we don't have any AC, we don't have any hot water, and I couldn't contact my family. We were just waiting for these people to fix whatever was wrong.

And then I was thinking, why would I be stressed about this when there's literally nothing I can do? Yes, our food would go bad and we lost money from that, but I was like, I mean, it's okay. Like it's not the end of the world. And I think all of these years of like practicing doing that, like has made me who I am today.

And then I was thinking, why would I be stressed about this when there's literally nothing I can do? Yes, our food would go bad and we lost money from that, but I was like, I mean, it's okay. Like it's not the end of the world. And I think all of these years of like practicing doing that, like has made me who I am today.

We're like the girls I was with were freaking out about their salmon going bad or freaking out. I'm like, we just, this is a perfect opportunity for us to be unplugged and we get to stay in our room and we just, and we just, made the most of it. And I feel like that was the Lord equipping me with those virtues to help other people.

We're like the girls I was with were freaking out about their salmon going bad or freaking out. I'm like, we just, this is a perfect opportunity for us to be unplugged and we get to stay in our room and we just, and we just, made the most of it. And I feel like that was the Lord equipping me with those virtues to help other people.

Okay.

Okay.

Because some of the people I was abroad with, they didn't really have those virtues. They never had to wait for anything in their life. And so when you're thrown into a country where like not everything's about you. Like you don't get what you get. Like they just, sometimes we'd show up for a trip and the bus driver didn't show up for work that day.

Because some of the people I was abroad with, they didn't really have those virtues. They never had to wait for anything in their life. And so when you're thrown into a country where like not everything's about you. Like you don't get what you get. Like they just, sometimes we'd show up for a trip and the bus driver didn't show up for work that day.

And so we were like, all right, so we're just calling people or hitchhiking. And it's kind of what you have to do. And I think that even though it was kind of a sketchy time, like it really taught me and like was able, I was able to practice everything that the Lord has taught me growing up. So I just feel like like leaning in, it just really takes practice.

And so we were like, all right, so we're just calling people or hitchhiking. And it's kind of what you have to do. And I think that even though it was kind of a sketchy time, like it really taught me and like was able, I was able to practice everything that the Lord has taught me growing up. So I just feel like like leaning in, it just really takes practice.

Like it's not something you can just do the first time. But I feel like it's made me like I have a chill personality.

Like it's not something you can just do the first time. But I feel like it's made me like I have a chill personality.

Because you can't predict everything.

Because you can't predict everything.

But you do that, too.

But you do that, too.

Especially if I have other people. If there's someone else coming to the house...

Especially if I have other people. If there's someone else coming to the house...

That's why I'm doing that. Dad's talking to them for an hour and a half.

That's why I'm doing that. Dad's talking to them for an hour and a half.

You're talking to them about what y'all talk on the podcast. You're talking to them about Jesus.

You're talking to them about what y'all talk on the podcast. You're talking to them about Jesus.

But I think sometimes I think you're nervous that maybe they don't know about Jesus. Yeah. But everyone I'm bringing, the people that were there the other day, I mean, she works for Sadie. And she's like, she's strong. So, I mean, she was good because she was talking. He's just making sure there. He's making sure, which is good.

But I think sometimes I think you're nervous that maybe they don't know about Jesus. Yeah. But everyone I'm bringing, the people that were there the other day, I mean, she works for Sadie. And she's like, she's strong. So, I mean, she was good because she was talking. He's just making sure there. He's making sure, which is good.

ask me like a biblical question because they so they they they're like what do you think so prerequisite that was the word yeah yeah it's but I will I will say one thing that's kind of funny is my friends taught like my college friends are awesome and like it's me and Layla's friends and they will say like Mia you're so much like your dad like we didn't think that you were like a yapper

ask me like a biblical question because they so they they they're like what do you think so prerequisite that was the word yeah yeah it's but I will I will say one thing that's kind of funny is my friends taught like my college friends are awesome and like it's me and Layla's friends and they will say like Mia you're so much like your dad like we didn't think that you were like a yapper

until we met your dad oh and we were like i liked your friends then they're like y'all are just alike and i'm not picking on you because they love coming over and they always talk about like your dad is awesome and like they love you so much but they're like like the fourth or fifth time we've been to the house they're like sometimes like i know that it's okay if i like want to go upstairs yeah like take a shower or something and come back down they're not gonna hurt my feelings

until we met your dad oh and we were like i liked your friends then they're like y'all are just alike and i'm not picking on you because they love coming over and they always talk about like your dad is awesome and like they love you so much but they're like like the fourth or fifth time we've been to the house they're like sometimes like i know that it's okay if i like want to go upstairs yeah like take a shower or something and come back down they're not gonna hurt my feelings

Honestly, I'm trying to think. I don't even know. I think I was trying to find something else for us to do to bond.

Honestly, I'm trying to think. I don't even know. I think I was trying to find something else for us to do to bond.

No, but like the first two times they like didn't know. And so they just sit there and I'm like, we'll talk for four hours.

No, but like the first two times they like didn't know. And so they just sit there and I'm like, we'll talk for four hours.

Like you gotta like just be like, okay, good night.

Like you gotta like just be like, okay, good night.

Yeah. But most people don't talk as much as we do. And so I do that too. And I don't realize that like, oh, they just are trying not to make me feel bad. Like they're so tired. Yeah. But I'll do it too. So I got that from you and I'm not mad about it. I like that.

Yeah. But most people don't talk as much as we do. And so I do that too. And I don't realize that like, oh, they just are trying not to make me feel bad. Like they're so tired. Yeah. But I'll do it too. So I got that from you and I'm not mad about it. I like that.

No, I'm still working there right now.

No, I'm still working there right now.

We need some bonding. Because we only play cards, but I kind of wanted to be outside.

We need some bonding. Because we only play cards, but I kind of wanted to be outside.

So I found this church. It's honestly like just like White's Ferry Road, which I think is kind of funny because I don't think I saw myself at a church like that, like going to college, especially like Church of Christ. I like had gone to the super big church in Franklin, Tennessee, which I really loved.

So I found this church. It's honestly like just like White's Ferry Road, which I think is kind of funny because I don't think I saw myself at a church like that, like going to college, especially like Church of Christ. I like had gone to the super big church in Franklin, Tennessee, which I really loved.

But I would go in there and I would sit in the service and no one would talk to me, which is totally fine. I just like needed that as a college student going to church by myself. Sermons were awesome. Worship was awesome. But I would leave and I had no friends from that church. And so I really prayed about it. And this was the entire freshman year of college.

But I would go in there and I would sit in the service and no one would talk to me, which is totally fine. I just like needed that as a college student going to church by myself. Sermons were awesome. Worship was awesome. But I would leave and I had no friends from that church. And so I really prayed about it. And this was the entire freshman year of college.

And I was like, I really need a church that kind of just feels like home and feels like a family. Even if it's not the best sermon I've ever heard every single Sunday, it's okay. I just need this community. And so I get on Instagram, and the first Instagram story I see is this guy from my school. And he posted, he said, come to Harpeth Hills tonight.

And I was like, I really need a church that kind of just feels like home and feels like a family. Even if it's not the best sermon I've ever heard every single Sunday, it's okay. I just need this community. And so I get on Instagram, and the first Instagram story I see is this guy from my school. And he posted, he said, come to Harpeth Hills tonight.

And so then I just wanted to go fishing. I couldn't find you. Mom was like, he's out there fishing. And I just ran up and caught up with you. And then I turned out to be pretty good at it.

And so then I just wanted to go fishing. I couldn't find you. Mom was like, he's out there fishing. And I just ran up and caught up with you. And then I turned out to be pretty good at it.

And I was like, all right, I just prayed about it. I'm just going to show up.

And I was like, all right, I just prayed about it. I'm just going to show up.

Maybe that's the answer. And so I show up thinking there's going to be like, you know, 50 people in the college group. There is like six people there. And they're all friends. So I'm like, oh, hey, y'all. Like, I'm Mia. I don't know anyone here. And they're all friends. And we just, we played like a game. I was like, okay, this was really fun. And yeah.

Maybe that's the answer. And so I show up thinking there's going to be like, you know, 50 people in the college group. There is like six people there. And they're all friends. So I'm like, oh, hey, y'all. Like, I'm Mia. I don't know anyone here. And they're all friends. And we just, we played like a game. I was like, okay, this was really fun. And yeah.

The pastor, like the college pastor, his wife, she came and talked to me and we talked for like an hour. And I left that place. I was like, we just played a game because no one showed up tonight. But that was the most I've gotten out of church in like a year, even though we didn't even like really talk about like anything. And so I kept coming back and then.

The pastor, like the college pastor, his wife, she came and talked to me and we talked for like an hour. And I left that place. I was like, we just played a game because no one showed up tonight. But that was the most I've gotten out of church in like a year, even though we didn't even like really talk about like anything. And so I kept coming back and then.

There was still about 10 people there, maybe every single Wednesday night. And it was so good. Like, I just fell in love with this place. Started going on Sundays and I was sitting in there in the acapella service. And you cannot fit another person in there. There was hundreds of people in there and they're all just singing acapella songs. And it brought me back.

There was still about 10 people there, maybe every single Wednesday night. And it was so good. Like, I just fell in love with this place. Started going on Sundays and I was sitting in there in the acapella service. And you cannot fit another person in there. There was hundreds of people in there and they're all just singing acapella songs. And it brought me back.

I was like, I really, really love it here. And then when I went and studied abroad, they sent me mail, which it never made it to me because they don't have addresses in Costa Rica. But I was like, they really care about me. And so they asked me to work for them and be the college intern. For my junior year. And I didn't really know what that looked like. I thought, oh, I guess I'm leading worship.

I was like, I really, really love it here. And then when I went and studied abroad, they sent me mail, which it never made it to me because they don't have addresses in Costa Rica. But I was like, they really care about me. And so they asked me to work for them and be the college intern. For my junior year. And I didn't really know what that looked like. I thought, oh, I guess I'm leading worship.

I don't really know what my job is. And so and the guy that offered me the job, he didn't even know I did worship or didn't know I played the piano or anything. He was like, we wanted you to just be now. Oh, now they need interns because now there's 80 people coming to our college group.

I don't really know what my job is. And so and the guy that offered me the job, he didn't even know I did worship or didn't know I played the piano or anything. He was like, we wanted you to just be now. Oh, now they need interns because now there's 80 people coming to our college group.

And I invited my friends and now they all come and now there's like underclassmen coming. And basically there's so many new people coming every week that they need people to like be a friend of them. And I got that from dad. I can talk with anybody, which is why I love that I got that from you because that's really what got me this job. Yeah.

And I invited my friends and now they all come and now there's like underclassmen coming. And basically there's so many new people coming every week that they need people to like be a friend of them. And I got that from dad. I can talk with anybody, which is why I love that I got that from you because that's really what got me this job. Yeah.

Because I can talk to somebody that I've never met and they're my best friend. We're chatting it up. And then my boss figured out I actually sing and play piano. So he was like, oh, okay, well, you can be in charge of that. So now we got 20 people on the worship team that are in college and I scheduled that and that got started because Max Dasher was like, you need to come lead worship with me.

Because I can talk to somebody that I've never met and they're my best friend. We're chatting it up. And then my boss figured out I actually sing and play piano. So he was like, oh, okay, well, you can be in charge of that. So now we got 20 people on the worship team that are in college and I scheduled that and that got started because Max Dasher was like, you need to come lead worship with me.

Yeah. And we started doing that for like weeks in a row and we planned not a single song and we would sit up there and do music for like 30 minutes. And it was spontaneous worship, literally from the Holy Spirit. Like we were singing songs from like the 90s that I like didn't even know I knew the words to, but the Lord put it on my heart.

Yeah. And we started doing that for like weeks in a row and we planned not a single song and we would sit up there and do music for like 30 minutes. And it was spontaneous worship, literally from the Holy Spirit. Like we were singing songs from like the 90s that I like didn't even know I knew the words to, but the Lord put it on my heart.

And so I just fell in love with it, and now there's so many people there. That's awesome. So it's not like a hard job, but I'm just being a light and just trying to connect people with the right people and make our church a home, and I love it.

And so I just fell in love with it, and now there's so many people there. That's awesome. So it's not like a hard job, but I'm just being a light and just trying to connect people with the right people and make our church a home, and I love it.

We caught 10 or 12 in like 30 minutes or less.

We caught 10 or 12 in like 30 minutes or less.

Thank you. Thanks for having me on.

Thank you. Thanks for having me on.

Oh, yeah, I'd never been down there and not caught like a dozen.

Oh, yeah, I'd never been down there and not caught like a dozen.

So I was like, oh, we'll be back in 20 minutes with 10 fish, and we'll cook them up.

So I was like, oh, we'll be back in 20 minutes with 10 fish, and we'll cook them up.

It's like tennis.

It's like tennis.

She's out there playing. The people on the other court were all younger than me. Wow. It's a new thing. I don't know. It's really fun. It's like tennis, but there's a shorter court, and you have different paddles. Ping pong, kind of.

She's out there playing. The people on the other court were all younger than me. Wow. It's a new thing. I don't know. It's really fun. It's like tennis, but there's a shorter court, and you have different paddles. Ping pong, kind of.

I actually have no idea where it came from.

I actually have no idea where it came from.

Yeah, I think I've only been on it once.

Yeah, I think I've only been on it once.

Well, like when it was really just who could serve, like, wherever the wind was blowing, if you were on that side, because no matter how hard you hit it on the other side, it would not go over the net because the wind was blowing towards you. So you would lose the serve every time.

Well, like when it was really just who could serve, like, wherever the wind was blowing, if you were on that side, because no matter how hard you hit it on the other side, it would not go over the net because the wind was blowing towards you. So you would lose the serve every time.

Okay, so we got crawfish the other day.

Okay, so we got crawfish the other day.

Struck out on the fish and mom left. And so we didn't really want to cook. And our fridge is kind of broken.

Struck out on the fish and mom left. And so we didn't really want to cook. And our fridge is kind of broken.

So we got limited room for groceries.

So we got limited room for groceries.

So we got crawfish just because we didn't want to buy groceries.

So we got crawfish just because we didn't want to buy groceries.

And we got eight pounds of crawfish, and we got potatoes and corn, and I don't really eat it. I like it, but with, like, my mouth, it's just not – I can't really bite into a piece of corn.

And we got eight pounds of crawfish, and we got potatoes and corn, and I don't really eat it. I like it, but with, like, my mouth, it's just not – I can't really bite into a piece of corn.

So I only eat the crawfish. Yeah. And we were powering through. It kind of felt like a little bit like we weren't just eating crawfish. It felt like I was, I don't know, like training for the military a little bit. Like we were really.

So I only eat the crawfish. Yeah. And we were powering through. It kind of felt like a little bit like we weren't just eating crawfish. It felt like I was, I don't know, like training for the military a little bit. Like we were really.

Yes, we were like, oh, we're really full. We were like, no, this was like $66. Like we have to eat all the crawfish.

Yes, we were like, oh, we're really full. We were like, no, this was like $66. Like we have to eat all the crawfish.

Which we also got four butters and corn and potatoes, which cost money. So I think it's like $7 a pound.

Which we also got four butters and corn and potatoes, which cost money. So I think it's like $7 a pound.

Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm.

Yeah, we did. Which I ate probably two and a half of them.

Yeah, we did. Which I ate probably two and a half of them.

Oh, yeah.

Oh, yeah.

Yeah, we ate every one. And the little ones, I think this is what caused my later problem. They were so spicy because I think, I don't know why the little ones were just so much more spicy. But when I was going to bed that night, my fingers were burning and I already took a shower. Yeah.

Yeah, we ate every one. And the little ones, I think this is what caused my later problem. They were so spicy because I think, I don't know why the little ones were just so much more spicy. But when I was going to bed that night, my fingers were burning and I already took a shower. Yeah.

Yeah, it's on my shirt. Like, you're just... You guys went all in there. I told dad, I was like, I could never... This is the most unladylike I ever feel.

Yeah, it's on my shirt. Like, you're just... You guys went all in there. I told dad, I was like, I could never... This is the most unladylike I ever feel.

Because I could never go... That's like the worst first date story, I think. Like, if you're going to eat crawfish on your first date, there's no way a woman would enjoy that because it's just... It makes us look so bad. Because I always leave smelling. I put my hair up. And it's just, it's not good. So I took a shower with cold water at the end because my fingers were burning so bad.

Because I could never go... That's like the worst first date story, I think. Like, if you're going to eat crawfish on your first date, there's no way a woman would enjoy that because it's just... It makes us look so bad. Because I always leave smelling. I put my hair up. And it's just, it's not good. So I took a shower with cold water at the end because my fingers were burning so bad.

And I take a bit of drill. I'm like, I'm freaking out. There's nothing. I cannot see anything wrong with my fingers, but I'm like, I think like they're on fire. So I'm looking it up. Like, why is my finger burning? Like the skin of my fingers are going to fall off. And I look like, If crawfish can have that effect, it said yes because of the spices.

So until my Benadryl kicked in, I was literally in pain, curled up in a ball. But dad said that story about fire is relating to the spirit.

Yeah, I was ready to get out of the house, I think. You get kind of cooped up in there.

That's pretty cool.

Yeah. Not like I don't love spending extra time with you and mom, but I think I needed a change of scenery.

Yeah, that is.

I could not see that.

Yeah, a year and a half.

So actually, we used to do like a yearly fundraiser. I think it used to be like poker. Y'all used to have a poker night or something?

All for charity.

Oh, yeah.

Yeah, that's what I was going to say.

Yeah, we used to do poker and we used to do other fundraisers. But now the only thing that we do is a monthly newsletter. And that brings in so much money. So we don't really, which is like a good problem to have. But we don't really need to do a bunch of fundraisers anymore because like Miamou has so much money now from people donating. Yeah.

Yeah, she left after like three days home with us.

And so we still do our Miamou Funday, which is like first weekend of October. And so it's March now. So we had that a few months ago. But everyone I've talked to, and I guess you can say this too, that was the best year that we've had.

We had so many people come from my school. We had 12 students come. As volunteers. As volunteers. And we did a color run. And each color represented something different.

that they like became clothed with on their white shirts so that whenever they left the BMU fun day weekend like they left it was like strength wisdom like things like that that now they like could carry with them throughout the rest of the year yeah because it's a very tough venture as you can attest there's lots of surgeries lots of pain and you're just you feel different you look different so yeah it was a it was a huge success and just to

She went to the other kids. But we had fun. We watched LSU baseball and ate some crawfish.

So, yeah.

I think I didn't realize how intense my childhood was until I got older. And an example I've always thought is at Camp Chioka, we have prayer night. And I never asked during prayer night, hey, like I'm having surgery coming up. Like it just didn't feel, it wasn't really a burden on my heart of like, oh, I'm having this surgery. Like, hey, I need prayers. Like I've had a hard life.

Like that never, that thought never crossed my mind. I never once brought that up. And like now that I'm older, I'm like, I cannot believe I never thought that that was like a big deal. Like, oh, hey, I'm about to have surgery and I can't chew food for a year. Please pray for me. It was like, oh, no, just have another surgery. Like going to Dallas every six weeks. Like it felt like so normal.

And so I would like ask for prayer about something else that's like was much smaller. Like, oh, like something about school. Yeah. And so until I had a big surgery, my junior year of high school, now that I was older, like it really affected me. Yeah. And like it made my like, which I guess maybe, I guess you would notice, but like my face changes slightly every time I have surgery.

Well, like after like a year of surgery, like my face just looks a little bit different. We know everyone's like, they can still tell that's Mia. Oh, hey, it's Mia. But like slight changes. But the older you get, they say the harder it is to have like major facial surgeries. Because even though it's like, yeah, that's still my face.

it looks just a little bit different, which is really hard on you.

So I didn't realize that until my junior year. I was like, I look different. I sound different. And it was really hard on me.

Yeah, and I didn't know how they were going to relate yet because I told the stories, and he was like, those are so funny. I was like, that's not really funny.

To be honest, I always have one breakdown. And Dad saw it one time. Dad will lock himself in his room, basically, when I have surgery because he cannot see me. And it's not like he's a bad dad. It's just like it's hard for him to see me suffering.

But I always have one, and it's just because... Usually, I mean, anybody's like this when they're hungry. Like you are just at your worst. You're so hungry. And I've eaten the same meal for like three weeks. And all I want is like a cheeseburger or something.

And I'm just so ready for it to be done. And I remember after that surgery I had two years ago or a year and a half ago, they were like, oh, like three weeks, you know, and then you can eat solid food. I was like three weeks. This is the best day of my life. Like it's not like eight or 10 and like three weeks go by and we FaceTime my doctor and he's like, yeah, good to go.

And then my orthodontist calls me. He's like, no, you need to wait six more weeks. And I was like, okay. So they were kind of going back and forth and they're like, no, you need to wait. And I just like lost it. We were watching some like chick flick, me and my mom were on the couch and I just lost it because I just wanted to eat like a burger so bad.

And dad walked out and you were talking to mom and then you like saw me and you were like, and then he just walked back in.

Too much drama.

Yeah. So it always happens. I just feel like ever since then, ever since my junior year, I've always had like one like day where I just want to like cry.

But then I'll pick myself up together and pick, you know, do good and push through. But yeah, I feel like that day, I don't know when it's coming, but I always know like I'm going to have one breakdown. Yeah.

I've got, like, six more months until I'm 22. Yeah, but once you get that close, you are 22. Okay.

So I feel like, I feel like that's kind of funny because I feel like I'm not a patient person. But I feel like when it comes to like serious things, like I've gotten to be very okay with like waiting for things. Yeah. But yeah, I think, I don't know if I have to have another surgery. They've always said, oh, you're done. And then I'll come back and I have to have another one.

But I know I don't have to have any major surgeries, which is really nice. So these are just kind of cosmetic surgeries now.

It's like scar tissue and things like that. But yeah.

That's what I'm saying. But I will say, wasn't it whenever I was born they told you I was going to have four surgeries?

16.

So, well, I think I got like to practice this when I studied abroad. Um, and I was in Costa Rica and Guatemala and Panama, which are not the safest countries. Um, But a lot of things happened where our power would go out for four days and we don't have any AC, we don't have any hot water, and I couldn't contact my family. We were just waiting for these people to fix whatever was wrong.

And then I was thinking, why would I be stressed about this when there's literally nothing I can do? Yes, our food would go bad and we lost money from that, but I was like, I mean, it's okay. Like it's not the end of the world. And I think all of these years of like practicing doing that, like has made me who I am today.

We're like the girls I was with were freaking out about their salmon going bad or freaking out. I'm like, we just, this is a perfect opportunity for us to be unplugged and we get to stay in our room and we just, and we just, made the most of it. And I feel like that was the Lord equipping me with those virtues to help other people.

Okay.

Because some of the people I was abroad with, they didn't really have those virtues. They never had to wait for anything in their life. And so when you're thrown into a country where like not everything's about you. Like you don't get what you get. Like they just, sometimes we'd show up for a trip and the bus driver didn't show up for work that day.

And so we were like, all right, so we're just calling people or hitchhiking. And it's kind of what you have to do. And I think that even though it was kind of a sketchy time, like it really taught me and like was able, I was able to practice everything that the Lord has taught me growing up. So I just feel like like leaning in, it just really takes practice.

Like it's not something you can just do the first time. But I feel like it's made me like I have a chill personality.

Because you can't predict everything.

But you do that, too.

Especially if I have other people. If there's someone else coming to the house...

That's why I'm doing that. Dad's talking to them for an hour and a half.

You're talking to them about what y'all talk on the podcast. You're talking to them about Jesus.

But I think sometimes I think you're nervous that maybe they don't know about Jesus. Yeah. But everyone I'm bringing, the people that were there the other day, I mean, she works for Sadie. And she's like, she's strong. So, I mean, she was good because she was talking. He's just making sure there. He's making sure, which is good.

ask me like a biblical question because they so they they they're like what do you think so prerequisite that was the word yeah yeah it's but I will I will say one thing that's kind of funny is my friends taught like my college friends are awesome and like it's me and Layla's friends and they will say like Mia you're so much like your dad like we didn't think that you were like a yapper

until we met your dad oh and we were like i liked your friends then they're like y'all are just alike and i'm not picking on you because they love coming over and they always talk about like your dad is awesome and like they love you so much but they're like like the fourth or fifth time we've been to the house they're like sometimes like i know that it's okay if i like want to go upstairs yeah like take a shower or something and come back down they're not gonna hurt my feelings

Honestly, I'm trying to think. I don't even know. I think I was trying to find something else for us to do to bond.

No, but like the first two times they like didn't know. And so they just sit there and I'm like, we'll talk for four hours.

Like you gotta like just be like, okay, good night.

Yeah. But most people don't talk as much as we do. And so I do that too. And I don't realize that like, oh, they just are trying not to make me feel bad. Like they're so tired. Yeah. But I'll do it too. So I got that from you and I'm not mad about it. I like that.

No, I'm still working there right now.

We need some bonding. Because we only play cards, but I kind of wanted to be outside.

So I found this church. It's honestly like just like White's Ferry Road, which I think is kind of funny because I don't think I saw myself at a church like that, like going to college, especially like Church of Christ. I like had gone to the super big church in Franklin, Tennessee, which I really loved.

But I would go in there and I would sit in the service and no one would talk to me, which is totally fine. I just like needed that as a college student going to church by myself. Sermons were awesome. Worship was awesome. But I would leave and I had no friends from that church. And so I really prayed about it. And this was the entire freshman year of college.

And I was like, I really need a church that kind of just feels like home and feels like a family. Even if it's not the best sermon I've ever heard every single Sunday, it's okay. I just need this community. And so I get on Instagram, and the first Instagram story I see is this guy from my school. And he posted, he said, come to Harpeth Hills tonight.

And so then I just wanted to go fishing. I couldn't find you. Mom was like, he's out there fishing. And I just ran up and caught up with you. And then I turned out to be pretty good at it.

And I was like, all right, I just prayed about it. I'm just going to show up.

Maybe that's the answer. And so I show up thinking there's going to be like, you know, 50 people in the college group. There is like six people there. And they're all friends. So I'm like, oh, hey, y'all. Like, I'm Mia. I don't know anyone here. And they're all friends. And we just, we played like a game. I was like, okay, this was really fun. And yeah.

The pastor, like the college pastor, his wife, she came and talked to me and we talked for like an hour. And I left that place. I was like, we just played a game because no one showed up tonight. But that was the most I've gotten out of church in like a year, even though we didn't even like really talk about like anything. And so I kept coming back and then.

There was still about 10 people there, maybe every single Wednesday night. And it was so good. Like, I just fell in love with this place. Started going on Sundays and I was sitting in there in the acapella service. And you cannot fit another person in there. There was hundreds of people in there and they're all just singing acapella songs. And it brought me back.

I was like, I really, really love it here. And then when I went and studied abroad, they sent me mail, which it never made it to me because they don't have addresses in Costa Rica. But I was like, they really care about me. And so they asked me to work for them and be the college intern. For my junior year. And I didn't really know what that looked like. I thought, oh, I guess I'm leading worship.

I don't really know what my job is. And so and the guy that offered me the job, he didn't even know I did worship or didn't know I played the piano or anything. He was like, we wanted you to just be now. Oh, now they need interns because now there's 80 people coming to our college group.

And I invited my friends and now they all come and now there's like underclassmen coming. And basically there's so many new people coming every week that they need people to like be a friend of them. And I got that from dad. I can talk with anybody, which is why I love that I got that from you because that's really what got me this job. Yeah.

Because I can talk to somebody that I've never met and they're my best friend. We're chatting it up. And then my boss figured out I actually sing and play piano. So he was like, oh, okay, well, you can be in charge of that. So now we got 20 people on the worship team that are in college and I scheduled that and that got started because Max Dasher was like, you need to come lead worship with me.

Yeah. And we started doing that for like weeks in a row and we planned not a single song and we would sit up there and do music for like 30 minutes. And it was spontaneous worship, literally from the Holy Spirit. Like we were singing songs from like the 90s that I like didn't even know I knew the words to, but the Lord put it on my heart.

And so I just fell in love with it, and now there's so many people there. That's awesome. So it's not like a hard job, but I'm just being a light and just trying to connect people with the right people and make our church a home, and I love it.

We caught 10 or 12 in like 30 minutes or less.

Thank you. Thanks for having me on.

Oh, yeah, I'd never been down there and not caught like a dozen.

So I was like, oh, we'll be back in 20 minutes with 10 fish, and we'll cook them up.

It's like tennis.

She's out there playing. The people on the other court were all younger than me. Wow. It's a new thing. I don't know. It's really fun. It's like tennis, but there's a shorter court, and you have different paddles. Ping pong, kind of.

I actually have no idea where it came from.

Yeah, I think I've only been on it once.

Well, like when it was really just who could serve, like, wherever the wind was blowing, if you were on that side, because no matter how hard you hit it on the other side, it would not go over the net because the wind was blowing towards you. So you would lose the serve every time.

Okay, so we got crawfish the other day.

Struck out on the fish and mom left. And so we didn't really want to cook. And our fridge is kind of broken.

So we got limited room for groceries.

So we got crawfish just because we didn't want to buy groceries.

And we got eight pounds of crawfish, and we got potatoes and corn, and I don't really eat it. I like it, but with, like, my mouth, it's just not – I can't really bite into a piece of corn.

So I only eat the crawfish. Yeah. And we were powering through. It kind of felt like a little bit like we weren't just eating crawfish. It felt like I was, I don't know, like training for the military a little bit. Like we were really.

Yes, we were like, oh, we're really full. We were like, no, this was like $66. Like we have to eat all the crawfish.

Which we also got four butters and corn and potatoes, which cost money. So I think it's like $7 a pound.

Mm-hmm.

Yeah, we did. Which I ate probably two and a half of them.

Oh, yeah.

Yeah, we ate every one. And the little ones, I think this is what caused my later problem. They were so spicy because I think, I don't know why the little ones were just so much more spicy. But when I was going to bed that night, my fingers were burning and I already took a shower. Yeah.

Yeah, it's on my shirt. Like, you're just... You guys went all in there. I told dad, I was like, I could never... This is the most unladylike I ever feel.

Because I could never go... That's like the worst first date story, I think. Like, if you're going to eat crawfish on your first date, there's no way a woman would enjoy that because it's just... It makes us look so bad. Because I always leave smelling. I put my hair up. And it's just, it's not good. So I took a shower with cold water at the end because my fingers were burning so bad.