ASAP

Something very unusual happened to me last week that I must share. I was at the store buying supplies for puppet practice, and I was at the check- out line when I saw this man standing there. He was right beside the door, almost like a greeter. As I paid for the markers and posterboard, I put the change in my purse and headed outside. The man stopped me and handed me a card. He was wearing a black shirt that had white letters on it and said ASAP. I was curious. So I looked at the card, and it had a question that all church-goers have heard in their life: "If you were to die today, would you go to Heaven or Hell?" The man asked me if I had a relationship with Jesus, and I responded to him that I did. Then we started talking about Jesus and what He had done in this man's life. He proceeded to talk about how, as Christians, we need to share our faith with everyone we come in contact with, and how this was his way of speaking to people.

The man then said that he had to leave. As he walked away, I read the back of his shirt. "Always Say A Prayer". That's when it hit me. I can be the one who could change everything in someone's life. As I continue to live my life, I think about this man every day, and what we talked about. Jesus put him in my life to speak a word to me that I needed to hear. I didn't understand it at first, because he didn't talk to the people in line before me. He waited to talk to me- to make sure I heard what he had to say to me.

You see, it's the little things like this man did, that can change the world. As Christians, we are called to spread the Gospel to all nations, starting with our own. If I ever see this man again, I want to let him know how much he has changed me. I'm a shy person, so talking to people in general is a challenge for me. But because of this man, I have been able to be bold about my faith and share it, as we all should!

So, I ask, are you going to be the one who changes everything?

New Year, New Me

Hey guys! It's been a long while since I've written. To be honest, I totally forgot I even had a blog! So anyways, I guess the first thing that is in order is to give an update on my life. Well, I just finished my first semester of college, and boy was it challenging!! My classes were: The Story of Jesus, General Chemistry I, Music Appreciation, College Algebra, Band, General Chemistry Lab, and my english class. I think my favorite class was a tie between band and my Bible class. It was the two classes that I gave my full attention in and really enjoyed the class and got a lot out of it. It was great. I'm not looking forward to this upcoming semester of college. My classes are a lot harder because I'm not only taking my general education classes, but I'm starting to take classes for my major, which I changed from Biology-premed, to Nursing, and I am still pursuing my music minor in the process. Also, I plan on attending TSOM (Tennessee School of Ministry) next year, so that will be a real load of work! But I think I am fully capable of doing it if I put my mind to it!!

So now that you know all about my college life, I'll give you a peek inside of my personal life. I am still trying to come to the fact that my mom is gone-forever. It's really hard when I think about it and know that nothing I do here on earth will bring her back. I really miss her- more than anyone knows.

I am currently single- and loving it. I love not being attached to anyone, and just sort of doing my own thing. It's great. I don't plan on dating for a while.

The only good thing that has come out of my mom passing is the fact that I am a lot closer to my cousin Robbie. When my mom was alive, I never really had the opportunity to get to know her. I'm really glad that we are as close as we are. She is like my big sister and I love it! She took me shopping for my prom dress last year and when she comes and visits on the holidays, we always have fun. I even got to visit her in Texas, and that was definitely an adventure!!! =) Gotta love her!!

So anyways, I promise, I had a purpose for writing this blog. I wanted to make my New Year's Goals. I make them every year and never keep them. But as the start of a new decade, I really think I will stick with these this year:

1. Get healthy- This includes eating right, exercising, and all that jazz.

2. Read my Bible everyday- no matter what.

3. Pray everyday- no matter what.

4. Limit my facebook time to 2 hours a day.

5. Visit with my grandparents more often and talk to them about what's going on in my life.

6. Forgive and ask forgiveness everyone that has hurt me in the past.

7. Make school one of my top priorities.

8. Get a job.

9. Pay off my debt.

10. Make my mom proud of me, no matter what it takes.

I know this looks like one big, impossible list, but I figured that if I worked on one or two things at a time, then everything will work out!! I really hope so. I really just want to be genuinely happy. I haven't been that kind of happy in so long. For so long I've had to put this pretend laugh and this pretend smile for everyone, and I am tired of it. I was to be happy. Really happy. And that is my ultimate goal for this year!

Well, I guess that's enough rambling for today. Hopefully I can write back soon and tell you how this has been going. See ya!