hope.

Friends! Oh how I have missed blogging!


As always, my only excuse is oh yeah, did I mention I am GRADUATING in less than 6 weeks?! : D It has been a whirlwind of craziness here. Nursing is definitely not getting any easier, however, I love love LOVE it!! And know now that this is what Jesus wants me to do with my life. The pieces are all starting to come together, and I can just feel my heart getting lighter, more free, and even more excited and hopeful for all that God has in store for me. He truly is a God who LOVES to bless His children, and while it is extremely hard to imagine, I know He is even more excited for me to graduate, and to at last see me begin a new journey with all the new things He has waiting for me!

"...the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless!

psalm 84:11

Praise God!

Anyways, i just wanted to leave you all with a little something I have been thinking about recently, in light of all that God is showing me.

I really feel he wants me to encourage y'all never to give up hope. Particularly in a situation that you might think is impossible, or something that remains so dear to your heart, despite people around you saying it will never happen.

Our God is a God who delights, and I repeat delights in giving good things to His children! Even as the flowers are starting to bloom, the trees are filling out with new growth, and that spring scent begins to fill the air, I am reminded of the newness of hope.

You have hope today dear friend, because you have Jesus.

So I encourage you, do not give up! Do not give into the devil's lies that you aren't worth God's blessing, or that your request is impossible for God. Dear friend,  cling to the truth of God's Word:

"...for man, this is impossible. But with God, ALL THINGS are possible!"

i am living proof of this. Jesus did the impossible when He rescued me from my sins and drew me out of the blackness of separation from God.

Friends, that thing that you are thinking of right now...it is possible with Jesus. Believe it. And act upon the promises of God!

spring is here...our beautiful backyard!

At last!!

Well, it's official! I had my first day at the hospital on Friday. I was SUPER nervous, but once again, God showed Himself to me, and gave me peace. I am getting SO excited about being a nurse! I finally feel like I am where I belong. I cannot wait to see how the Lord will use nursing in my life to serve Him, and Lord willing, bring others to know the Savior! *super excited squeal!!* So please keep praying for me! :)

Hahaha, anyways, thought I would share a few pictures. Hope ya'll enjoy them!

Praise the LORD.

Praise the LORD, my soul.

 I will praise the LORD all my life;

I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,

whose hope is in the LORD their God!

:::some side notes:::

*please be praying. i have a dear friend that doesn't know the Lord. This person has really been on my heart for months now, and I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Lord will save this person. So pease join me in praying if ever you think of it!

*and please be lifting this family up too. Kelly was my friend's little sister.

surrender.

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it! I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty." Malachi 3:10-12

are you bringing it all? all before the Lord? and I'm not just talking money. all of yourself?. all of your hopes? all of your desires? What is keeping you from following Jesus? What things do you need to surrender to Him today? What is standing in your way? Throw your worries at His feet! Cast your cares on Him, for HE CARES FOR YOU!

Oh friends, how faithful and loving is our God! He has promised to bless us. Think about how excited parents get on Christmas when they think about their kids reactions to all the gifts! THAT is how our Loving God is towards us! THAT is his heart...to bless His children with good things. T bless us beyond our wildest dreams!!

So trust in Him. Believe in Him. And surrender...surrender it all to Him.



i should be in bed...

yes. im exhausted and should be asleep. it's almost 11, which is actually super late for me. hahah i am such a wimp when it comes to staying up late! but yeah, it was a hard monday. and tomorrow i get to get up at 5 and do it all again! oh joy.

but no, i wanted to post because i don't know, it's these late night moments with just me and Jesus that are so dear to me. i finally decided that the nursing had to be done for the night. all my family is asleep, and no, i'm not staying up to read my Bible or listen to a message ;) I'm here listening to "Red Dirt Road" by Brooks and Dunn. one of my newest country favorites.
I really can't explain how music just speaks to me and how the Lord just encourages me through it. Yes-- even country music makes me think of Him : ) I don't know, maybe it's just because it's the epitome of my dream...to grow up, marry a farm boy, have ten or so kids, have a farm with animals and enormous vegetable gardens, long walks at sunset, blissful summers, and lots of laughter, music and sunshine. I know that sounds cheesy, but it's honestly what I'm holding onto these days. that Jesus knows my desires. My silly dreams. And that yes, He wants me to be happy. He wants me to be free in him, just like how the country songs talk about like speeding down a dirt road with the windows down, your hair blowing in the wind, and the sun shining. you are free. happy. content. peaceful...peacefully in love with Jesus. yeah, that's what i want.
so whether or not my dreams come true, I'm gonna keep hoping. I'm gonna keep going. Believe me, i don't want to. at all.
but i'm not God. and i have to be okay with that. He has a plan and a purpose in store for me that is going to just blow my mind! I can't even begin to imagine His heart for me and how much he loves me and wants me to be happy. and the same goes for you, my dear readers!

so I'm gonna keep going. keep living. keep praying and hoping. and ill keep listening to my country music. because the truth is.... i am free like the songs say.



Feedback?

Hey friends!
Well its a GLORIOUS 75 degree, clear, sunny day here in Chesapeake, and I can honestly say that I have NEVER in my life been so excited to see pollen, yes pollen, covering everything! Because that means spring break, then the final stretch of high school, then graduating (whoot!!), then Hawaii, then new beginnings!!! Ahhhh I could scream I'm so unbelievably excited!!
Please keep praying for me! Pray for strength! Pray for continued favor as I close out this season and step into the next one! I'm honestly starting to feel just a teeny, tiny apprehensive and scared about this whole thing....but only the smallest bit ;)

Anyways, in light of all these changes that are getting ready to take place, I have also been thinking about this blog. I write because it brings me so much joy. I love sitting down and pouring out my heart to an unseen world of readers. I honestly have no idea who even reads what I write, or if anyone really does, but I will keep writing, only  because I truly believe that the Lord has something for me to share. I can never think of these words on my own. I have to pray before I press one key, or I get all jumbled, frustrated, and the words never come out like I want.

That being said, I would also love to hear your thoughts, opinions, and/or suggestions about things that you would like to see on here! More pictures? More inspiring quotes from books I'm reading? More day to day encouragement? I want this to be a means of encouragement. The day it stops bringing glory to God and becomes about me is the day that I'll stop blogging. Cuz this is not about me. This is about Jesus. And all about bringing him glory through the things I share.

So please leave a comment or email me to share your thoughts! Thanks so much : )

i still can't even believe it...

I am the seriously the most blessed girl on the face of this earth. My daddy handed me a little package right as I was in the middle of an emotional breakdown over nursing and feeling just utterly exhausted and stressed. When I opened it, all I could do was cover my face and cry harder.... because it was a MAP OF HAWAII!! Yes!! My two best friends and I are going the week after I graduate!!!! Wooohoooooo!!! What

a loving, generous and kind Father the Lord is! I'm so excited!!!

the fellowship of the unashamed.

The Fellowship of the Unashamed

"I am a part of the fellowship of the Unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit's Power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, love by

patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, back up, let up, or shut up until I've preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until He returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes.

And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear for "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.." (Romans 1:16)

By Dr. Bob Moorehead

Wow!! I heard this in a message this morning and was just SO inspired and encouraged by it! Hope it encourages you too!