Inspiring.

I am currently reading a book called, "You Matter More than You Think" by Dr. Leslie Parrott. And I have found it to be both encouraging and difficult to read. I think that one of the hardest things for a woman to do is realize her own worth. And Leslie explores why...Therein, one might see my dilemma. There's this battle between the desire to make a difference in the world around you and actually allowing yourself to do so.

Does it sound crazy that I believe that women stand in their own way? For instance...the girl in her college ministry, who was a true leader in her youth group before moving some-odd hours away to place she's unfamiliar with, LONGS to be that leader in a group that naturally sees her as the new face. Her desire to make a difference is sometimes so great that her thoughts are dominated by ways to make herself stand-out, to fit into a particular "leader" mold, or to force gifts and talents into her life in order to impact someone. When all along, the simple beauty of who she is is more than enough to lift the spirits of a roommate who is missing home. Or her genuine vulnerability is exactly what her classmate needs to bond with...

You see, we stand in our own way when we do not allow God to use us exactly where we are, exactly the way we are. Comparison can kill a heart and drown a spirit. And its sometimes a woman's foulest enemy.

So the next time you wonder if you are making a difference, chances are that you are impacting far more lives than you even realize. Because you're Super Mom or an Independent Woman? Maybe. But probably because you are simply where you're supposed to be, loving the people you are meant to love. Take joy in that. Use that truth to empower your soul to create an environment that causes the people around you to feel inspired.

So whether you are making sandwiches for your kiddos, or coaching a mom through labor, or fighting cancer, or learning everything you can about your major, or completing one more casefile, or planning your wedding, or teaching children not to kick other children, or simply enjoying a cup of coffee...know that you have all the makings to inspire. My prayer is that you start to believe that. Our world would quickly become a better place if you did.

Vegas, and Finals, and Showers, Oh My!

So this has been a slightly crazy week!

I had an incredible opportunity to go to Las Vegas for a conference through work (All paid for! Which was great!). Im pretty sure we went inside every hotel and ate at most of the restaurants. Ok, maybe Im kinda kidding about the restaurants, but we did consume a large amount of breakfast and seafood! I heart buffets! Ashley, Beth, Lauren and I laughed alot and walked even more...But bottom line, I think everyone should visit Vegas at least once :) If for no other reasons than to see the Bellagio fountain show, The Lion King live (and if you dress up and show up right on time, the ushers will get you some amazing seats!), and eat at Tao at the Venetian! Put it on your to-do list!

So we landed in Birmingham at 7:30 on Thursday night. I immediately dropped off my bags and headed to study with some girls from class because we had our comprehensive final exam Friday morning at 9:00 am! Which I passed! I really can't believe that in a little over a month, I will graduate with my Masters! Gosh, it seems like yesterday that I applied! And yet, it seems like this season of life has lasted forever! So, I am finished with the craziness of this semester. I officially have free time again! I could cry just thinking about the chance to sit at a coffee shop and read a book. For leisure! Or go to church on Sunday morning! Or go to the Botanical Gardens! Or take pictures! Or paint! Or watch a television show at its actual running time! I can't wait to enjoy the little things in life again :)

And last but not least, my sweet friend Robin's baby shower is getting closer and closer!! She is having a baby girl, Reese, in December and I can't wait! Hopefully, I will be an incredibly cool aunt and that the shower will be everything Robin hoped for! Praying for Reese, Rob, and Jared as they get closer to the due date :) Love you guys!


Hope everyone has a great weekend! ROLL TIDE!

Graduation Countdown!

P.S. Only 61 days until Graduation!!

Hallelujah and pass the gravy!

God's Providence

Today I was just overwhelmed by the favor of God. Not because I have been given tremendous amounts of favor today specifically, but just looking back at my life and what God has created it to be, its overwhelming. To think that the God of the universe loves me is enough. But to know for certain that He is creating a life especially for me is simply too much. He has prepared my heart to love people...prepared my hands for a job that I love...prepared my mind to understand the words that He speaks to me through circumstances. And I love Him more every single day because of who He is...and who He is creating me to be.

I truly believe that God pieces together each moment to create a lifetime full of stories of His grace. I can see that in my life. Not because I'm anything special, but simply because He is so big...and so intimate at the very same time.

He has provided answers when I deserved none. He has offered comfort when I should have been left to fend for myself. And He has been faithful when I struggle to be. I owe my life to this God...who is more than just that. He is my Father. My friend. He is my strength and my portion and therefore, the reason for my existence. I pray to honor Him in my relationships...to love Him when people don't understand...and to always be grateful.


Psalm 73:23-28
Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.
Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

Flat on your face.

Ok I realize that this won't be nearly as funny as it was to witness it first hand, but I must share a story of my family. I arrived at the beach this morning and met my aunts, Jean and Cherie. We chatted in the condo as it rained outside...went to a movie as it continued to downpour...and then ate a yummy dinner at Carraba's, while it continued to rain. Did I mention that it was raining at the beach? And maybe this contributed to the delirium that ensued as the afternoon slipped away. Or maybe its because we haven't all hung out in a couple of months. Whatever it was, it made for a laugh-your-tail-off funny day.

So on to my story. Like a cherry on a Sundae, this topped the day off.

We arrived back at the condo tonight as my parents pulled in...We embraced, laughed a little more and headed across the parking deck to the elevators. I say we, but I mean, we followed behind Jean who was trucking it across the deck, mumbling something about parking on the wrong side and now we have to walk a long way. In her haste, she failed to recognize the bright yellow speed bump on the cement below her feet. Before we knew it, she was flying through the air like a 747. It took what seemed like 10 minutes to actually hit the ground, but when she did, she landed smack on top of our to-go boxes from dinner. PLOP! Taters everywhere. MEANWHILE, in HER attempt to catch her sister, Cherie began to run toward her fallen comrade paying no mind to the SAME SPEED BUMP THAT TOOK HER SISTER OUT! She, too, went out in a blaze of glory on the pavement. Through tearful eyes and shallow breaths, we picked them both up off the ground (fortunately with no injuries other than skinned knees and bruised egos)...Needless to say, we will not be having left-over Chicken Marsala and Filet Bryan for lunch tomorrow.

I love my life.

Waiting.

I think its safe to say that we are almost always waiting. On something...on someone...Whether it be waiting to check-out at Publix...for an eternal Kingdom...or simply for the weekend. (Which in my case right now only means that I will actually get paid for the work I do :).

Like I said, we're waiting. I believe that character is not built upon one's ability to wait. We can all do it. I believe that one's true self is gloriously revealed in the manner in which they wait. Are you tapping your foot? Watching your clock? Or do you FORGET that you are waiting because you are too busy living life to the fullest in the present? My deepest desire is to be described as the latter. To be hopeful of things to come, while being content in the here-and-now.

Here's to building patience. And to the incredible journey that occurs while we wait...


While I'm Waiting- John Waller:
I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, LordAnd I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waitingI will serve You
While I'm waitingI will worship
While I'm waitingI will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

Kaylie: A Social Hazard.

So, I woke up this morning with a sore throat, upper respiratory congestion, a cough, and fatigue. And I immediately thought, "Hello, Yearly Sinus Infection! What took you so long!?" But when I shared these symptoms with my sister (who is in her third year of nursing school), she flipped and persistently, but calmly urged me to get a swine flu swab! Now, we were at lunch at this point, so if I had been inoculated with this potentially deadly strain of the influenza virus, I was putting the entire restaurant at risk and therefore a social hazard. 

Amber leaned back every time I coughed and looked around the restaurant to make sure no one heard it/saw it. Then, I began to get paranoid that maybe I DID have the swine flu! I would have to be quarantined for 7 days! And people would throw tomatoes at my house and put a sign up that said  "Stay away! She's contagious!"...and no one would let me keep their children ever again! Ok clearly, I mildly overreacted. 

To make a long story short (though the clinic visit was not!), I have good news and I have bad news. 

Good news: No swine flu here!

Bad news: I am convinced that I sustained a brain injury from the nasal swab.