June 7th 2010

June 7th.  I can't believe it is ALREADY June 7th....I know Summer hasn't even started but before we know it will be August and I'll be starting school again!
I haven't sat down and blogged in a while and now I've been doing some remodeling on the blog, so tonight I told myself I was going to sit down and type. I've had so much on my mind lately and it's time I release some of it.

I've titled my my Through His Eyes because I've noticed how little I try to see things through God's eyes. I get so caught up in my little, puny life that it becomes all about me. I get worked up, stressed out, worried, grumpy, and fall into the whirlwind of sin that blinds me from viewing this life the way God sees it. If I could only see things through His eyes than maybe I could put things into perspective. About two weeks ago I was reading my Bible and God showed me that through His Word we HAVE that chance, to see things through His eyes. I was amazed, here I am..getting so caught up in myself when God has already given me all that I need through His word. I'm ashamed to admit that I honestly don't read my Bible enough. Sure, I read scripture every day one way or the other but lately I've noticed how little I actually spend with my Savior. It breaks my heart, because I see how it effects everyone around me.

"When I consider your heavens,

the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

which you have set in place,

what is man that you are mindful of him,

the son of man that you care for him?"
Psalm 8: 3 & 4
When I stop and read that verse, I mean really read that verse..I'm almost brought to tears. Through all my mistakes and failures in this world God, who is so huge and mighty, has chosen to relate to MY life. He loves me so much He is Mindful of ME..the creator of the universe actually thinks about me, and not only that but He wants to have a relationship with me.
If I could only remember that every second of every day I would live a life of humble and complete thankfulness to my Lord.

He is so good to us.

Excitement!

I've started updating my blog.. (Thanks to Kayla for ALL her help) I'm pretty excited about it but have a long ways to go! :) Stay tuned for many changes to come!!!!

Reminder

As May slowly sneaks up on me I start to feel the pressure of school start to quickly invade my thoughts, and sadly my attitude. For the last couple semesters I always think.." I will not allow the stress of finishing school make me grumpy to those around me". Well, I'm afraid its already happened. So I need to stop it now and pray, pray, pray, that God will give me Joy to finish this month with a smile. I need to remember that it could be worse and no matter how stressful it gets, there are so many things that give me complete and full Joy.

So this post is to remind of things that bring me Joy so when I start to become self-absorbed into my "world" I can step back and be thankful for all that God has given me.

Sunday Night Bible Study--this has given me a time to fellowship and study God's Word with friends.

                                                 My family as always..even the hairy ones. ;)

   My crazy- and- sometimes- goofy- but -always- amazing -friends......
    If we don't laugh till we cry, it isn't normal. :)

The anticipation of Summer....

With him.

Of course this blog wouldn't be complete without a picture of the newest blessing in my life..this little girl brings me so much joy.
I love you Lylee

For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother's womb.

         I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

       your works are wonderful,

       I know that full well.

          Psalm 139: 13-14

Of course we will all have bad and stressful days, that is always a given. I just want to make sure that once in awhile I step back and remember to Praise God through all times. He has placed me in school for a reason and even though I don't always like it, and I complain way to much...I have a purpose serving His kingdom no matter where I'm at. This can be so hard for me and I'm the first to admit that I fail many times at choosing a good attitude. It's something I struggle with but truly want to defeat because I hate the feeling I get when I know the people I care about and love would rather be with someone else. I want to be encouraging and uplifting. I want God to shine through my relationships and allow me to show His kind of Joy. I know I'm a sinner and will always fail in some areas but I also know that My God is the King of Kings and will lead me every step of this journey. He is my greatest Joy and no matter what the day ahead looks like, one thought of Him or one scripture and I can feel His love over me.

I pray that this upcoming week I can honor Him with my thoughts, actions and speech.

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
Psalm 28:7

Countdown

4 weeks, 4 speeches, 1 presentation, 2 papers, 7 tests, 1 final, and countless hours staring at my computer in a haze before I can finish my second year of college.

Summer has never sounded so amazing.

I look forward to many more sunny days with him.

More photo shoots and laughter with one of my favorite little ladies...

And Praising God for his beautiful Creation...

For with You is the fountain of Life; in Your Light we see Light.
Psalm 36:9

20

In 4 minutes I will no longer be a teen. I simply don't know where all the time went.

I miss blogging, but simply don't have enough time in my day! Now it's time to go to bed, so I can wake up and enjoy the start of a new year! :)

Happy Birthday to me!

And so it begins...

I can't believe we are coming to the end of January! My spring semester has started and I finished my first full week of classes. It felt weird, nice, exciting, uneasy, and exhausting to be back in a classroom after being in Texas for so long. I realized that I DO enjoy sitting in class and learning all new information but the part I dread is coming home to a pile of homework knowing the real work ALWAYS begins outside of the classroom.
Today I was reminded how self-absorbed I can be though...I have started to get overwhelmed with homework, and trying to find a job and as I was reading the newest caringbridge update on Jordan God humbled me and I knew right away how selfish I was being. I have always been a big complainer but I need to remember that there are SO many people with REAL struggles and the things in my life seem so small compared to them. Jordan is spending his 18th birthday in a hospital bed, and yet I sit here and complain to God that I have "too much on my plate". I guess I was just frustrated because it always feels like just when I want to do better in life, my flesh wins out!

So, for the POSITIVES! God has given me SO many blessings! Class has started, and though that comes with hours upon hours of studying and homework..God has given me the ability to get it all done and I am healthy and able to have such good education. I think I am going to like my classes this semester, I am taking Medical Terminology, Body Structure and Oral Communications. I love my medical classes and I look forward to further studying the human body. God created amazing beings and there is so much to learn from his creation.

Kevin comes home in March! :D I wish I could portray HOW happy that makes me!!!!! I can't wait to have him home and do what "normal" couples would do! Let me just smile again! :)


I have been in Wisconsin for a couple weeks and though the transition was harder than expected, I do have peace that I am where God wants me to be. I am so thankful for my time in Texas but I am excited to continue my life here.


So, I know my blogging will get less and less because my fingers will be exercised enough with all the typing I'll be doing. I am thankful that God has reminded me of the life He has given me and though most days I feel like I am failing miserably at being the person He wants, I know that His love is forever..and his grace really is sufficient.

I'm listening to Chris Tomlin...

"My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace"

Welcome 2010!

I know it's been a while since I've blogged but the month of December seemed to come and go in literally a blink of an eye. I don't even know where to begin or how to explain what a whirlwind it's been. I am now back in the frozen tundra of WI and it's been nuts being home. My experience in TX was one that I will never forget. I made new friends, and shared memories that I will cherish forever. I am completely convinced that everyone needs a time in their life where they can step out of that comfort zone and experience new things. Spending time in Texas was a time for me to be with my family and allow God to do new things in my life. That is exactly what happened. I was reminded once again how blessed I truly am and God just spilled his love and mercy on me.

My grandparents are two of the most amazing people I know and I am blessed to have two people that love me that much, they opened up their home and I will never be able to fully express in words how grateful I am to them, my Aunt and Uncle and everyone else in Texas who made me feel welcomed. The love they have for me is overwhelming.

2009 was full of excitement, heartbreak, change, memories, friends, new relationships, failures, new friendships, and lots and lots of searching for God's all surpassing peace and forgiveness.
I have come to realize that life is an everyday new challenge and we must Seek the Face of God every moment if we are to live a truly happy life. He is our all in all and even in all of my failures and screw ups, He always has me in the palm of His hands.
I look forward to this upcoming year and to watch as God works in the lives of others and myself, it is so exciting to watch as His will is revealed!
A few exciting things that will be happening in 2010!

Starting a new semester and working hard at school.
Kevin coming HOME! :)
Grant and Ericha welcoming Lilah in March!!!
Spending time with the people that are most important to me.

I pray God guides me in Wisdom as I begin to start a new year! We never know what life may bring, but we can be prepared to trust all wonderful Jesus every step of the way!