Giving Thanks...

Today is Thanksgiving and I have sooo much to be thankful for...So, while I'm at work, I thought I would write some of them down. In my life, I have found it so incredibly heart-healthy to chronicle God's faithfulness. To have something tangible to look back on when times get hard, or the road narrows. In those times, when my heart knows He is good, my mind finds it easier to believe when there's evidence of His hand. This is just such evidence. Happy Thanksgiving, all. You are loved.

I am thankful:
*That I know the Creator of my heart.
*For a family that I would choose to love even if I wasn't related to them.
*For friends that truly love me just the way I am.
*To be living out my passion.
*For the gift of song...for the love of music and art.
*That God has protected my heart more times than I can count.
*For Southern food and tradition.
*For the hard times, because they have made me grateful for the good ones.
*That I am healthy.
*For the hope of things to come: marriage, a family, eternity with my King.
*For the ability to communicate...with my voice...with my life...the love of Jesus Christ.
*For people to look up to and for people who look up to me. Both offer accountability and joy.
*For coffee.
*That my home is a safe place...not just for me, but for other people.
*For my sister. She is my best friend and urges courage out of me that I could not do alone.
*For the Word. Living and active...Guiding my heart and directing my path.
*For the courage to create things!
*For being able to see real love lived out among the married couples I know.
*That one day I will get to live that out as well.
*For transparent conversations spent lying on the living room floor.
*That I am right where I am doing life with the people I love.
*For seasons' change.
*For good books.
*For new babies and for the families that will raise them in a God-loving/God-fearing home.
*For paint. And for what I can do with it.
*For people who aren't afraid to love hard.
*That real Love crosses language barriers.
*For freedom and for those willing to fight for it.
*For a Way to love the way I was meant to.





1 Chronicles 29:11-13:
"Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: "Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. 11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 13 And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name."

Jesus te ama.

I was reunited tonight with some truly amazing women. Women I served with on the mission field of Iquitos, Peru this summer...We shared our latest struggles and joys...our past adventures together...and what the future holds for each of us. It didn't take very long for us to start spilling our hearts. And hearing the excitement in their voices as they spoke of God and His plans, my heart was revitalized. Not that I don't have truly incredible friends that love the Lord with all their heart, because I do (and am deeply grateful)...But because with these girls, I share a very unique bond. We share Peru. And what God did in each of our hearts there is only magnified as we commune.

Julie, my roommate on the trip and dear friend, made a fantastic video documenting our journey. And I sat on my couch tonight with tears in my eyes as I watched. For several reasons... 1. I was overwhelmed at simply seeing some of those precious faces again. 2. My heart was overjoyed. Because I was witnessing all over again what it was like to care about nothing but the gospel of Jesus Christ. Being out of your comfort zone with nothing but the faith that God will speak and move through you will do that to a person. 3. Lastly, I was so moved because I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the mission of Christ's gospel will ALWAYS be present in my life. And unless I am physically unable to make the trip every year, I will hit the ground running the race in Peru summer after summer. Because the people there need Christ. And the ones that already know and love Him refresh my spirit in ways that I am sure they are unaware of.

So I praise God tonight. For opening my eyes to the beauty of His gospel. For saving my sick and dying soul. And for giving me the strength, and passion, and ability to go and tell that story. Boldly and sincerely.

Thank you Peru for teaching my heart what love looks like...In a way that I will be forever changed by experiencing. See you again in July. In the meantime, know that Jesus te ama.

Luke 10:2: "...And He said to them, The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."

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.