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!

A New Beginning...

Well high school has come to an end...and so has summer, which means that it's time to start college. Wow! I can't even believe it myself!!! Haha but anyways, I am attending Lipscomb University in just a few short days to study PreMedical Studies. Yep, that's right, I'm gonna be a doctor!!! I have come over a plethora of emotions these past few weeks, just because I am realizing that I am about to leave my comfort zone of Hendersonville and Portland, and venture off into a whole new world. I know I won't be too for from home, but I won't be about to see my family and friends everday like I have for the past 4 years or so. I have actually gotten to the point to where I am excited about the whole dorm room thing and meeting new people, but not so much about the classes I am taking! They are so hard!!!!! But I know with God on my side, everything will work out!!!! Well that's pretty much it for today!!!!

The end of a storm...

Ya know how there is always a rainbow after the rain? Well that's been on my mind lately. Like, sometimes I will look outside and it will be raining like the sky is falling out, and 10 minutes later, it'll look like nothing even happened. The sun will be shining, and the birds will be out to play. In my opinion, it's just plain wierd.

But as I think about the rain, and the rainbow, I think about my life-and that's how it works. Like things will go really bad and all I can think about is how bad my life is and "why me". But before I know it, God blesses me with something amazing that I could never even fathom, and I think to myself, "was what I went through really so bad?" Of course not. Now I know, and really understand, that there really is a gift waiting for you after every trial and tribulation you go through. And for me, that gift was college. I know that may not sound like a gift at all, but for me it is. I have been waiting 13 years to go to college, and I know my mom wouldn't want it any other way. I've always loved learning, and college is just another step in my life that I can learn about the things that I want to do when I am older. I want to be a medical missionary to Ecuador, with a focus in women. I want to help the Ecuadorian women in any way I can- from delivering their babies to giving them the emotional support they might need. All in all, I just want to help.

This subject has been on my mind a lot, especially in the last couple of months. So that's my thought for the day!

Randomness

Hey guys!! So I have realized...again...that I am really bad about this whole blogging thing. I just do it when I am feeling really stressed out, or if I'm in a really good mood! Well, tonight, I am in a really good mood!
Me and Tyler are back together...again...yay! And I absolutely adore him! He is so wonderful! He was there for me when I thought I had no one to turn to! But yeah, he's amazing! I am so lucky to have such a great guy: in my life.
Mother's Day was on Sunday, and I have to admit, it was really hard, but somehow I managed to get through it. We also had the Baccalureate service at First Baptist that same day. That was also interesting. It was awesome to see Mr.Shelton again for the first time in a good while. His speech was pretty awesome!
So that's all that has happened to me since the last time I wrote! I'll write more another day!

You are the Wind Beneath My Wings...

Hey guys! So I know I haven't posted anything in a long while, so I think it's time to get you updated!
So let's see...I'll start at February.
Alright. So my mom was sick her whole life, and on February 13, three days before my 18th birthday, she lost her battle with her sickness. I have to admit, it is the hardest thing to deal with. My dad left us when I was young, and all I had was my mom. And now she is gone, and I am realizing how much God is like a father to me. He was there at my mom's funeral, holding me close. If I didn't have that relationship with Him, I probably would have lost myself. I know now that it is because of God that I am able to talk about my mother's death. I'm still very emotional, but I realize that the sadness won't go away anytime soon. In fact, it may never go away, but I know I will be able to deal with it. I've also had the best support system anyone could ever ask for. Everyone had been so caring and so generous to me and my family, and I just can't thank them enough-especially my mom's best friend, Brittany. I honestly don't know what I would do without her. She has helped me deal with so much these last few months and I will be eternall grateful.
Now, on to March...Hmmm...Nothing really out of the ordinary happened, other than the fact that I got my nose pierced. It was just like any month. My mom's birthday was on the 21st and we celebrated. My family went to her grave, but I just can't bring myself to go. It's too hard right now. And that brings us to April...we are getting ready for Fine Arts and prom as I speak. It is so stressful! But I know that we will do really good! I just can't wait until it's over!!!

Well, that's the update!!! Hopefully I will keep up with this!!

Finally!!!!

So it's been about 3 months since I've posted a blog! WOW! That's pretty crazy. There's way too much stuff to talk about, so I'll start with school. It start Monday, and it actually wasn't that bad. I kind of enjoyed it! I have Emergency Medical Services 1st block with Coach Anderson. He is amazing! This is my 3rd class of his that I've taken. I love his classes! Then I have Ecology with Coach Bundy. That class is an absolute joke! We never have homework! It's pretty awesome! Then there is band, of course. I don't have much to say about that other than I'm so ready for it to be over, so I can actually have some free time. And then there is 4th block, senior project! Oh my gosh! I love the freedom they give us! We can just leave school everyday afteer band and go to the church for senior project. It's pretty cool, I'm not gonna lie! so my classes are pretty awesome this semester! So, I guess that's it for today! Maybe I'll have time to write tomorrow!

Oh WOW!!!!

Hey guys,
so it's been over a month since I've written a blog! Holy crap!! I really haven't had that much time. If I'm not at church or work, I'm at home takin care of my mom. But anywho, Ecuador is in 5 days...5 DAYS!!!!! I've been preparing my heart and my mind for this trip and I still don't think it's enough. I am like freaking out about this thing! Actually, it's not even going to Ecuador that I'm worried about- it's the whole plane ride to get there that bothers me. I guess thats what I get for watching Final Destination a week before the trip. I have had nightmares about it every night since. lol. But I think this trip will honestly open our eyes and change our lives tremendously. I hope so. But with that said, I probably won't be able to write until we come back. Wish us luck!!

I FINALLY FOUND IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

A website that has Mexican Train Dominoes online! I've been looking for it forever!!! Yay!

A Great Quote to End a Great Day

"He who has a why to live can bear almost any how"
-Friedrich Nietzshe

Today's Quote

"A woman's heart should be so lost in God that a man needs to seek Him in order to find her"
-anonymous

Boys Are Dumb!

Have you ever gotten really close to a guy and he told you that you were the most beautiful creature, only for him to end up breaking your heart? I really don't know what is wrong with guys these days. It seems like they have absolutely no respect for girls anymore. All they want to do is have sex, and that's just not me.
They think that we are just dying to go out with them, when in reality, it's the other way around. It makes me so mad how some girls just won't stand up for what they believe in. If a guy wants to have sex with you, don't give in. Dump him right then and there. He should be smart enough to know that you are saving yourself and you should be smart enough to not put yourslef in that kind of situation.

Kinda random, but guys are just dumb!!

Randomness...with a purpose

Do you believe you can go your whole life without sinning? Some poeple might say it's impossible, but is it really? About a year ago, Pastor Rick preached a sermon about this very subject. He said one phrase that has stuck with me through all this time. "Live life 5 seconds at a time." That quote has been on my mind a lot lately. It is very possible to go 5 seconds without sinning. So if we would just take life a couple of seconds at a time, we could very well have a sin-free life. "It's easier said than done," is what is going through most of your heads, but it's really not. Ever since Pastor Rick said that one simple line, that's how I have been living my life. I must admit, I don't always have that mindset and I do lose focus, but I always end up on the right track by the end of the day though.
But remember: Always live life 5 seconds at a time.

So that is my randomness with a purpose!

WOW!

I'm so bad about this whole blogging thing. I haven't written in alomost 3 days! But anyways, today has been a pretty laid back day. No school, no work- just relaxing. I believe that everyone needs a break every once in a while. It's been pretty good.

Lately, my mom and I have been car shopping. It's so wierd how you start out with really high standards and then as time goes by, you just want a car that can go backwards and forwards. And that's how I am. I figured that it doesn't really matter what kind of car I get as long as it can take me where I need to go and back home. So we found a car that is very affordable. It's not the most beautiful car I've seen, but I don't even care. It has really good gas mileage and that's all that matters. So I think my mom is going to let me get this car. There is some work that has to be done with it, but it's all good.



So it's time for me to get ready for church tonight. I hope I will be able to keep up with this whole blogging thing!

A Beautiful Day

Happy Easter!! Today has been wonderful! Our little kids had an Easter Egg Hunt this morning, our choir sang many songs, and our drama did a human video. It was absolutely spectacular! To those of you that didn't go, you really missed out on a great service. The message was entitles "Jesus, A Name You Can Trust" and the main scripture was Psalm 9:10. "Those who know your name trust you, O Lord, because you have never deserted those who seek your help" What a powerful verse! Pastor Jenkins also read many other scriptures. Our choir sang one song in particular called 'Calling Out to You'. Paul sang it. The verse talks about how if we would just pray, God will answer our prayers.

"Lord you have told us, and Lord you have promised that if your people would pray, you would hear from heaven and you will send your mercy and touch us with your strong healing hand..."

That was my favorite part in the whole song because it is so true. I love it!

Well once again, I hope everyone has a great Easter!

A Busy Day

Wow. Today has been non-stop running, and this is the only chance I've had to relax. We had choir practice from 10:00am to 2:00pm and then we had a youth event called Spring Fever (which was amazing by the way) and now I have to get ready for work. So much to do and so little time to do it in. Well, that's it for now! Talk to you later!