So today has been pretty much awesome! I went to church this morning and got to hear one of my best friends, Neal, preach. It is so cool to see him grow in the Lord. I have known him since I was 9th grade. He is now married to my other best friend, Sarah. They are an awesome couple and love the Lord so much!
Neal preached this morning on what the purpose of the church is. He brought out several good points. He used the example of Christmas lights. He plugged in two different sets. The plug represented God and how He is the light source. The first set he plugged in was all lit up and he unscrewed one single light and about half of the lights went out. He said that one person can disconnect from God and take others down with him. The church can still function, but just not as well if it had all members of the body. The second set of lights was plugged in, but none of them lit up. They did not light up because the fuse was taken out. They think they are connected to God, but they are really not. Neal went on to say other things, but I thought it was pretty cool how he brought out that example.
This afternoon I sat at my computer the whole time looking through mission opportunities and filling out applications for the summer. Right now, I am praying about where God is going to lead and take me! It is so exciting!!
Then tonight, I went back to church and heard Neal preach again. After the service, the youth had what they call "SNAC", which stands for Sunday Night After Church. Before we left to go Neal asked what my plans were for the night and I told him that I planned on going to the event and he asked if I would share my testimony. And I said, "Sure!" So, I got to share my testimony with them tonight! It is so amazing how God works in my life and uses me and that is exactly what I told them. I was thankful for the opportunity to be able to share with them.
So, yeah..awesome day!! I am so glad that God is using me and giving opportunities to talk about Him with others.
Grace and Peace.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Slipped
So...yesterday I forgot to blog. I has all intentions on doing so, but most definitely forgot. I fell asleep with my laptop in my lap and in front of the TV at home last night around 9 pm. Totally didn't mean to do that, but so thankful for the sleep I received! :)
Friday started Thanksgiving break for me, praise the Lord! You know, I have some of the most awesome worship experiences in my car rides whether it is just me or I am riding with my roommate Morgan. We jam out and sing to the Lord. Morgan is pretty awesome, by the way. I am so thankful for her being my roommate, sister in Christ, and one of my best friends. I love her!
On my way home I stopped and visited my great-grandmother's grave. She passed away on 10-10-10. I was able to go to the wake, but not the funeral. So, I had not seen her grave yet. It is so awesome to know that she is HOME. A month or two before she passed away I had the opportunity to talk to her about her relationship with God. She was in the hospital at the time with congestive heart failure and I was visiting her. We were talking and all of the sudden she started reaching up to the ceiling and I asked her what she was doing and she said she was trying to get up there. I asked her where "there" was and she said heaven. It was then when I asked her if she knew for sure that she was going to be with the Lord when she died and her response was "Absolutely!" She said that she couldn't wait to go because there would be no concerns or worries about anything. She said that she knew she loved the Lord with all her heart and she had a great relationship with Him. She then asked me about my relationship with God. :) I loved it! She had Alzheimer's and multiple other things going on with her in the last few months of her life. She lived 97 years and was blessed with 3 children and I think 45 grandchildren. I am so glad and blessed to be one of them. :)
Today I got hang out with my mom most of the day. We went to Peterman Station Day Festival and shopped around. We also got our favorite Chinese food. Then, I got to hang out with some awesome people tonight like: Sarah, Neal, Kayla, Ryan, Brittany, Garrett, and John. I love having conversations about our awesome and amazing God!! I am so thankful for times like tonight. We were able to share about what God is doing in each of our lives and how God is working everything for the good. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are able to grow and learn from each other, which is AWESOME! I really needed this tonight and just absolutely love that every conversation had God involved somehow, someway. It is very rare to have that nowadays. I wish I had that group of friends in Livingston and that there was not just a few of them.
Ahhhh..God is so awesome and it is so amazing to see, realize, and know that He is working in your life and is holding your world in His hands. It is also amazing to be at complete peace about everything. There is no stress, concern, worrying, or anything else!! It is an indescribable feeling!! It really and truly is!
Anyways, I am out for the night. Holla!
Friday started Thanksgiving break for me, praise the Lord! You know, I have some of the most awesome worship experiences in my car rides whether it is just me or I am riding with my roommate Morgan. We jam out and sing to the Lord. Morgan is pretty awesome, by the way. I am so thankful for her being my roommate, sister in Christ, and one of my best friends. I love her!
On my way home I stopped and visited my great-grandmother's grave. She passed away on 10-10-10. I was able to go to the wake, but not the funeral. So, I had not seen her grave yet. It is so awesome to know that she is HOME. A month or two before she passed away I had the opportunity to talk to her about her relationship with God. She was in the hospital at the time with congestive heart failure and I was visiting her. We were talking and all of the sudden she started reaching up to the ceiling and I asked her what she was doing and she said she was trying to get up there. I asked her where "there" was and she said heaven. It was then when I asked her if she knew for sure that she was going to be with the Lord when she died and her response was "Absolutely!" She said that she couldn't wait to go because there would be no concerns or worries about anything. She said that she knew she loved the Lord with all her heart and she had a great relationship with Him. She then asked me about my relationship with God. :) I loved it! She had Alzheimer's and multiple other things going on with her in the last few months of her life. She lived 97 years and was blessed with 3 children and I think 45 grandchildren. I am so glad and blessed to be one of them. :)
Today I got hang out with my mom most of the day. We went to Peterman Station Day Festival and shopped around. We also got our favorite Chinese food. Then, I got to hang out with some awesome people tonight like: Sarah, Neal, Kayla, Ryan, Brittany, Garrett, and John. I love having conversations about our awesome and amazing God!! I am so thankful for times like tonight. We were able to share about what God is doing in each of our lives and how God is working everything for the good. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are able to grow and learn from each other, which is AWESOME! I really needed this tonight and just absolutely love that every conversation had God involved somehow, someway. It is very rare to have that nowadays. I wish I had that group of friends in Livingston and that there was not just a few of them.
Ahhhh..God is so awesome and it is so amazing to see, realize, and know that He is working in your life and is holding your world in His hands. It is also amazing to be at complete peace about everything. There is no stress, concern, worrying, or anything else!! It is an indescribable feeling!! It really and truly is!
Anyways, I am out for the night. Holla!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
The Hoops
God is so very gracious to me. Really, He is. I deserve none of things that I have or the people I have in my life. I wanted to blog today about this amazing family that has helped me in so many ways. They are a second family to me and I am so happy that they consider me a part of their family. The Hoopers have 3 amazing kids that I love oh so much!! The kids make my heart smile.
The husband is a doctor and he is the one who has been helping me with my heart problem. He is an amazing man of God who runs his household very well. His wife is a stay-at-home mom and she loves her kids dearly. I really look up to the relationship that they have together and hope to one day model what they have together with my husband. God has used the two of them in my life more than they will ever know. They send me scripture just about everyday and they are constantly praying for me. I am also their babysitter, which is awesome by the way! They have a 4 y/o, almost 2 y/o, and a 2 1/2 month old. I am so blessed to be able to spend time with these kids and their parents too. It is awesome to have parents ask you to make sure you pray with their kids and turn on their Christian music before they go to sleep. Also, they have you make sure to read a passage out of the Bible with them before bed. How awesome is that?!? I love being able to be the one to do that with them.
They have had me over for countless meals and asked me to go with them to so many different places just because. I am so glad God allowed me to meet them while at college. And since they are what I consider "young" that help relate to things that are going on in my life and give advice when and when not asked of them and it is always well received. They are very involved in missions, spreading the Gospel, and setting an example for others. God has truly blessed them and I am so glad that they are able to recognize that. They know that they did not make it this far in life without God's help. That is something that people sometimes tend to forget. We forget that God is the reason behind everything we do. It is by His strength and power that we succeed in anything and everything.
"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6
The husband is a doctor and he is the one who has been helping me with my heart problem. He is an amazing man of God who runs his household very well. His wife is a stay-at-home mom and she loves her kids dearly. I really look up to the relationship that they have together and hope to one day model what they have together with my husband. God has used the two of them in my life more than they will ever know. They send me scripture just about everyday and they are constantly praying for me. I am also their babysitter, which is awesome by the way! They have a 4 y/o, almost 2 y/o, and a 2 1/2 month old. I am so blessed to be able to spend time with these kids and their parents too. It is awesome to have parents ask you to make sure you pray with their kids and turn on their Christian music before they go to sleep. Also, they have you make sure to read a passage out of the Bible with them before bed. How awesome is that?!? I love being able to be the one to do that with them.
They have had me over for countless meals and asked me to go with them to so many different places just because. I am so glad God allowed me to meet them while at college. And since they are what I consider "young" that help relate to things that are going on in my life and give advice when and when not asked of them and it is always well received. They are very involved in missions, spreading the Gospel, and setting an example for others. God has truly blessed them and I am so glad that they are able to recognize that. They know that they did not make it this far in life without God's help. That is something that people sometimes tend to forget. We forget that God is the reason behind everything we do. It is by His strength and power that we succeed in anything and everything.
"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Challenge
So, my friend Tim and I are challenging each other to blog everyday for the next 30 days. The challenge started yesterday. This should be an interesting and fun ride for the both of us! We are going to be blogging about what God is doing in our lives and teaching us everyday.
Something I just thought about is how cool it is going to be for me because today declares one month before I leave the country. So it will cool to see all the things God is teaching me before I leave. Did you know that I am SUPER pumped about my trip?!?! Words cannot describe my excitement!! :)
Something cool that happened to me today: I got up early this morning to study for my nursing test and I went through all of my notes for a while and then got ready for class. When I stopped studying is when I started stressing= not good. And because my mind was in other places, I lost track of time and was running late..again! (Just a side note: I am usually not late for most things. It has just happened to me the past two days.) And since I realized I was running late there was a lot things I needed to do last minute and was trying to do them all at one time and I was knocking things over and spilling stuff, which led to more stress. Ha! I got to my car and drove to class, got out of my car, gathered my things together, and started on my way to the nursing building. I walk across the street and there is man smiling at everyone and passing out Bibles. Yes, it was a Gideon. I stopped and talked a few seconds with him and get my mind refocused. I so easily forget what life is all about, just like I said yesterday.
I did fail my test, but that is beside the point. As long I am doing what God has called me to do, that is all that matters. We are here for two reasons, to know God and to make Him known. That is it.
Something I just thought about is how cool it is going to be for me because today declares one month before I leave the country. So it will cool to see all the things God is teaching me before I leave. Did you know that I am SUPER pumped about my trip?!?! Words cannot describe my excitement!! :)
Something cool that happened to me today: I got up early this morning to study for my nursing test and I went through all of my notes for a while and then got ready for class. When I stopped studying is when I started stressing= not good. And because my mind was in other places, I lost track of time and was running late..again! (Just a side note: I am usually not late for most things. It has just happened to me the past two days.) And since I realized I was running late there was a lot things I needed to do last minute and was trying to do them all at one time and I was knocking things over and spilling stuff, which led to more stress. Ha! I got to my car and drove to class, got out of my car, gathered my things together, and started on my way to the nursing building. I walk across the street and there is man smiling at everyone and passing out Bibles. Yes, it was a Gideon. I stopped and talked a few seconds with him and get my mind refocused. I so easily forget what life is all about, just like I said yesterday.
I did fail my test, but that is beside the point. As long I am doing what God has called me to do, that is all that matters. We are here for two reasons, to know God and to make Him known. That is it.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
God's Promises
Today has been crazy, awesome, and stressful! It was stressful this morning as I woke up extremely late for class. I did not have time to get a shower. I left for class at the same time I was supposed to be there and it was on my way to class that I realized that I did not have my new power points printed out for class. So, I went to the printers in the computer lab only to find out that I have no money on my card whatsoever. Then, I went to an organization's computer lab that I am a part of that I can print off things for free only to find out that the printer is out of order. I am now making my way back to class and run into one of my friends and he asks what is wrong with me and I tell him about my morning and how I am now 15 minutes late for class. He went on to encourage me. :) Praise the Lord for great friends!
I get to class around 9:20 and my teacher is of course already lecturing and then my heart starts messing up, which is more than likely due to the stress that was building up in me and then I also remember I have not taken my medication. All of this made me realize that this is probably the reason I am getting medicated. haha!
Then, I was able to calm down and start taking notes. But then I realized how long of a day i was going to have today. I had so much studying to do for my test that is tomorrow on the liver. Like I want to learn about the liver?!? Haha! I took notes for a little while, but I needed to get my focus right so I pulled out my Bible and read James 1. Then, I started talking to another friend of mine and he told me that I just needed to relax and suggested I go to Lake LU to just chill. When class got out, I went there and just walked around and talked with God. God put me in my place today on multiple occasions. I am so thankful for that!
While I standing and walking around at the lake, I noticed that the clouds were moving across the sun rather fast. The shadows kept going and coming over my head and I realized how much God really and truly is in control of every single thing in my life!! He is the only one who can move the clouds, make the wind, make the rain fall, and countless other things. It is so awesome to think that He has the WHOLE WORLD in HIS HANDS!!! I do not need to worry, fret, fuss, get angry, get stressed, or anything in my life because He has it all!! The purpose of my life on this earth is for two reasons: 1-To know God 2- To make God known!! Those are the only reasons of why I was placed on this earth. Nothing more and nothing less.
It is so easy to forget these two things though. I wish it were not this way and that was my focus every second of everyday, but it is not. I am just being honest. You know that it is not your focus either. I am sinner and I tend to forget about things. Like Sunday, I forgot my nursing uniforms for the week at home. I mean, I am nursing student who has clinicals every week. I should not forget things like that, but I did. So, I had to meet my parents in Thomasville to get them. Even though nursing uniforms are nothing in comparison to my relationship with Jesus, I am relating it to how important it is to forget the necessities of our relationship with God. 1-Know Him. 2-Make Him known.
I was thankful for the time I was able to spend there. I then went on to the library to study and ran errands. Then, the rain came down on me out of no where. I got out of my car to send the last of money off for my upcoming mission trip and there was a perfect rainbow. End to end. All the colors. And I just stopped and stood in awe of God. Through all the trials, tribulations, and tests..His promises still remain the same. How awesome is that?!?! God promises never to leave or forsake us, no matter what. He is with you wherever you go, in whatever you do..we so easily forget that. We get so consumed in ourselves that we forget about God. It is not about us at all, it is all about Him! Nothing or no one else, just God!
Today has been fun! It is amazing how God uses the littlest of things to teach us. Thank you Lord!
I get to class around 9:20 and my teacher is of course already lecturing and then my heart starts messing up, which is more than likely due to the stress that was building up in me and then I also remember I have not taken my medication. All of this made me realize that this is probably the reason I am getting medicated. haha!
Then, I was able to calm down and start taking notes. But then I realized how long of a day i was going to have today. I had so much studying to do for my test that is tomorrow on the liver. Like I want to learn about the liver?!? Haha! I took notes for a little while, but I needed to get my focus right so I pulled out my Bible and read James 1. Then, I started talking to another friend of mine and he told me that I just needed to relax and suggested I go to Lake LU to just chill. When class got out, I went there and just walked around and talked with God. God put me in my place today on multiple occasions. I am so thankful for that!
While I standing and walking around at the lake, I noticed that the clouds were moving across the sun rather fast. The shadows kept going and coming over my head and I realized how much God really and truly is in control of every single thing in my life!! He is the only one who can move the clouds, make the wind, make the rain fall, and countless other things. It is so awesome to think that He has the WHOLE WORLD in HIS HANDS!!! I do not need to worry, fret, fuss, get angry, get stressed, or anything in my life because He has it all!! The purpose of my life on this earth is for two reasons: 1-To know God 2- To make God known!! Those are the only reasons of why I was placed on this earth. Nothing more and nothing less.
It is so easy to forget these two things though. I wish it were not this way and that was my focus every second of everyday, but it is not. I am just being honest. You know that it is not your focus either. I am sinner and I tend to forget about things. Like Sunday, I forgot my nursing uniforms for the week at home. I mean, I am nursing student who has clinicals every week. I should not forget things like that, but I did. So, I had to meet my parents in Thomasville to get them. Even though nursing uniforms are nothing in comparison to my relationship with Jesus, I am relating it to how important it is to forget the necessities of our relationship with God. 1-Know Him. 2-Make Him known.
I was thankful for the time I was able to spend there. I then went on to the library to study and ran errands. Then, the rain came down on me out of no where. I got out of my car to send the last of money off for my upcoming mission trip and there was a perfect rainbow. End to end. All the colors. And I just stopped and stood in awe of God. Through all the trials, tribulations, and tests..His promises still remain the same. How awesome is that?!?! God promises never to leave or forsake us, no matter what. He is with you wherever you go, in whatever you do..we so easily forget that. We get so consumed in ourselves that we forget about God. It is not about us at all, it is all about Him! Nothing or no one else, just God!
Today has been fun! It is amazing how God uses the littlest of things to teach us. Thank you Lord!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Healer
You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk me through the fire
And heal all my disease
I trust in You
I trust in You
I believe
You're my Healer
I believe
You are all I need
I believe
You're my portion
I believe
You're more than enough for me
Jesus, You're more than enough for me
Nothing is impossible for you
Nothing is impossible
Nothing is impossible for you
You hold my world in Your hands
"Healer" by Hillsong.
These words are so true.
You calm my raging seas
You walk me through the fire
And heal all my disease
I trust in You
I trust in You
I believe
You're my Healer
I believe
You are all I need
I believe
You're my portion
I believe
You're more than enough for me
Jesus, You're more than enough for me
Nothing is impossible for you
Nothing is impossible
Nothing is impossible for you
You hold my world in Your hands
"Healer" by Hillsong.
These words are so true.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
What would you do?
So, a lot has been and is going on in my life these days. I have been facing trials and going through things that most 20 year olds do not experience.
First of all, I am in nursing school and working two jobs. Being in nursing school alone is a big deal in it's self. More power to the men and women in school who are married and have families! I do not know how they do it.
Second of all, I am failing nursing school! Ha! Not a part of my plan..but God has the ultimate plan for my life. I am fully and truly at peace and not stressed out anymore about the whole situation. There is reason behind every single thing that happens or does not happen to you in life. So, if you know that God is in control of everything, then why stress? Right?
Third of all, I ended a relationship of 3 and 1/2 years with one of my best friends. Who thought you could ever be at peace and not upset about having to end the relationship with the person you love? This would be a huge deal to most people, but if you know God is in control of everything in your life..why make it a big deal and get upset? I am not saying that this is not a hard thing to deal with because you are now left with all the memories you share together and time you have spent with one another. You are also left thinking, why did God allow us to be together so long just let you end the relationship? There is also the question of why did it take so long to find out that you are not meant to be with one another? If you know you are not supposed to be someone, end it. This was also not a part of my plan for my life. But, I know that I can learn from the things we had in our relationship and use them in the future.
Lastly, I have been having some problems with my heart. It is something that I have had since I was 5 years old and never been given a diagnosis for it. Things have been getting worse and worse with it and my family doctor has been pretty concerned with me and now I will be sent to Birmingham to a new cardiologist and also an electrophysiologist. What has been done so far is that I have been placed on aspirin everyday along with blood pressure medicine. What else is to come of this situation? Only the Lord knows! But, the big thing right now with this is trying to get things fixed before I leave the country in December.
So, all in all God is in control of my life and I have absolutely no doubts in my mind about it!! God is sovereign and Lord of all! My relationship with God has grown and matured in the last few months and you know what??-This is all a part of His wonderful plan for my life! I believe that my relationship has been maturing and growing with God because He is preparing me for my time out of the country and things I will face while I am there. I am learning to trust God more and more with my life. Many of my friendships with other people have grown due to everything going on in my life. All I can do right now is thank God for all the blessings He has given me that I most definitely do not deserve and for amazing grace and mercy.
I thank the Lord for all things are going on in my life. I KNOW HE has a purpose for everything and I am really and truly trying to count it all joy! :)
"But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. Be rejoice insofar as yous hare Christ's sufferings that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed." 1 Peter 4:12-13
First of all, I am in nursing school and working two jobs. Being in nursing school alone is a big deal in it's self. More power to the men and women in school who are married and have families! I do not know how they do it.
Second of all, I am failing nursing school! Ha! Not a part of my plan..but God has the ultimate plan for my life. I am fully and truly at peace and not stressed out anymore about the whole situation. There is reason behind every single thing that happens or does not happen to you in life. So, if you know that God is in control of everything, then why stress? Right?
Third of all, I ended a relationship of 3 and 1/2 years with one of my best friends. Who thought you could ever be at peace and not upset about having to end the relationship with the person you love? This would be a huge deal to most people, but if you know God is in control of everything in your life..why make it a big deal and get upset? I am not saying that this is not a hard thing to deal with because you are now left with all the memories you share together and time you have spent with one another. You are also left thinking, why did God allow us to be together so long just let you end the relationship? There is also the question of why did it take so long to find out that you are not meant to be with one another? If you know you are not supposed to be someone, end it. This was also not a part of my plan for my life. But, I know that I can learn from the things we had in our relationship and use them in the future.
Lastly, I have been having some problems with my heart. It is something that I have had since I was 5 years old and never been given a diagnosis for it. Things have been getting worse and worse with it and my family doctor has been pretty concerned with me and now I will be sent to Birmingham to a new cardiologist and also an electrophysiologist. What has been done so far is that I have been placed on aspirin everyday along with blood pressure medicine. What else is to come of this situation? Only the Lord knows! But, the big thing right now with this is trying to get things fixed before I leave the country in December.
So, all in all God is in control of my life and I have absolutely no doubts in my mind about it!! God is sovereign and Lord of all! My relationship with God has grown and matured in the last few months and you know what??-This is all a part of His wonderful plan for my life! I believe that my relationship has been maturing and growing with God because He is preparing me for my time out of the country and things I will face while I am there. I am learning to trust God more and more with my life. Many of my friendships with other people have grown due to everything going on in my life. All I can do right now is thank God for all the blessings He has given me that I most definitely do not deserve and for amazing grace and mercy.
I thank the Lord for all things are going on in my life. I KNOW HE has a purpose for everything and I am really and truly trying to count it all joy! :)
"But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. Be rejoice insofar as yous hare Christ's sufferings that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed." 1 Peter 4:12-13
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