Good times, and a little about 'time'

This past weekend I was blessed to have the bestie fly down from DC to spend the weekend with me and us travel to a friends' wedding together. I had so much fun getting to spend time with her, chat, and just hang out. I forsook all homework for this weekend and it was a glorious weekend.

After the wedding a group of old friends went to Starbucks and then dinner together. It was just like old times and we were both sad to have to leave. It just reminds me what a blessing my undergraduate experience at Troy was... and how I am so blessed to have great friends.

As for the homework thing... this summer class is kicking me... And yesterday... I let the devil get me down. Working full time, while doing grad school can do that to you. This summer I am doing my research, and in July I added on another class. Bad idea.

So yesterday, after not being able to finish my homework the past few nights and having an upcoming test... I am stressed to the max. I began to tell God I didn't have time.. there wasn't enout time in the day... and that I am just so weary....

Again, I love being in control... and unfortunately my 'self' likes to take the reigns from God. However, after crying my eyes out at work (of course this would happen during the most emotional time of the month...) my faith was restored. Clint told me not to worry, that in the end, whether or not I had an A or a B in this class didn't matter in the grand scheme. And my devotional for the day was about 'not having time'.

I put WAY too much emphasis on school, and often times left my school and school work define my worth as a human. However, this is not true. God defines who we are and loves us so much!! I need to get my priorities back into place. Even if I don't have time, there is always time for God.

Luke 9:25

For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?

In the BIG picture... God is the only one that matters. If He brings us to it, He will bring us through it. If we choose to let Him have control and let Him lead... then all other things will fall into place.

Now, just because I trust in God and I chose to put Him first yesterday didn't mean I finished my homework last night. I did 4 problems, in 4 hours... then I was so tired I had to call it quits and go to bed. Here's the thing. I didn't pray and spend time with God yesterday afternoon for the sake of God miraculously finishing my homework for me... that isn't the point. The fact is, when you spend time with God your soul and mind and spirit are strengthened.. I was given a peace knowing I did something that truly mattered yesterday afternoon. I spent time with my Father, time with my Maker.. and my soul was given peace and rest. This is what matters... time spent doing what matters most... and the rest will work out. You can't just throw it down, God expects you to be a part of the process. So get up off the couch and get it done! :) Just know, that God will bless you beyond your wildest dreams if only you trust Him and let Him be in control.

This is a daily process, a daily fight agains satan's snares. Pray with my and for me as I pray for each of you!

Lord,

Bless us indeed!! Help us to put away foolish things and make our hearts thirst and long for You like never before! Captivate us Lord, move us to the place that You want us to be. Encourage and strengthen us Father. Give us the courage and the strength to let you be in control dear God! Open our eyes to see how much more life is when you are number one in our lives. Lead us Lord, teach us. Help us to live out our lives for You, knowing that everything else will come into place. I love you and praise you God for what you are doing and what you are going to do. May the glory be all to you Lord. ~Amen.

Side bar: After telling Clint how I wasn't smart enough to handle classes and work, and telling him I was giving up (all before the Lord used Clint and my devo to convict me) Clint was able to make me open my eyes and gain a different perspective. This morning at work Clint handed me this:

 I am a 'smartie' ;)

30 Days

The waiting is almost over... It is hard to believe that is has been almost three months since the tornado.. and and almost three months since I have seen Hunter. I am thankful for the 5 minute phone calls, (sometimes I get a 20 minute call!!), that assure me that he is doing well.

Yesterday's letters said that God has blessed us through this journey. And I could only agree. I am so happy to have gone through this time with Hunter, and I am so glad that he was willing to go through this time with me. I couldn't be happier, and the legacy of letters and memories from this summer filled with old school communication, aka 'snail mail', will be memories and times I will not soon forget.

30 days.. 30 days left until I travel to Arkansas to make the journey to Missouri with Hunter's parents. I was fortunate to have coffee with them on their most recent visit this weekend. The Lord blessed us with beautiful weather and I had a great time sitting outside Starbucks just taking the time to chat. We solidified plans for my coming and I am so thankful to have such a blessed relationship with Hunter's parents!

30 days. When I first started this countdown 76 days ago, I almost felt as if I would never make it to this point. Don't get me wrong, there have been times I was so sad, or worried, and I wasn't sure that I could deal with him being gone. But God has provided and blessed. God has given me the much needed time to focus on my studies while Hunter was away, and has strengthened me and grown me in ways I never thought possible.

I am so thankful for what God has blessed me with through Hunter. I pray that the Lord would continue to draw me close to Him over the next 30 days, and then continue to draw me closer beyond that time. What an amazing chapter to add to my journey. God's blessings are definitely better than anything that we could ever imagine!

Decisions

The past two weeks a number of varying decisions have come my way. Through spiritual guidance, consulting of trusted friends, spiritual mentors and my mom ;) action has been taken.

Yesterday, when I was in the final steps of decision number two I realized, either one of these things could happen, and my life would be changed forever (again). These are probably some of the biggest decisions I will ever make, and I am glad to say that they are completely in God's hands.

No matter what, I know that God has a plan. I pray that He will direct my future in the ways that He sees fit. And I pray the he gives me a peace with each decision as it transpires. Lord, bless me indeed.. lead me into the CENTER of Your will. 

In the coming weeks and months, I will know the answers to some of these decisions, and right now don't feel that God wants me to share these ideas with everyone. I just ask for prayer, that God's will be done above all else, and that whatever happens it works for the good of the kingdom work.

I am thankful to be able to open myself to so many opportunities. Many times, as in this time, God calls us to wait. Right now I feel as if I am in a circular room, with doors all around me.. many of which are open. Rather than taking control and trying to figure out what is best for me on my own, I have decided to act in the only way that I can, and now sit, and wait for God to lead me to a specific door.

I love you and praise you Lord. Thank you so much for overflowing my cup with blessings.

Summer Session

Summer session II has officially started. Yesterday I began my new schedule of working, leaving for class, and coming back and working again. I will still have my twice-weekly meetings with my research professor on Monday's and Thursday's too. So... I have expanded my schedule from 6am-3:30pm to 6am-5:30pm... then I get to do my homework... and my research.

Last night I was very diligent, went home, ate dinner and then began working away at the 4 sections of homework that were assigned in today's class. At 9:30pm I finally looked up and knew I couldn't do it anymore... my back was sore from being hunched over my books and I was exhausted. Four hours straight on homework.. and I only got through the first two sections. Hoping that this isn't a sign for the next four weeks.

Since this is a summer course, it lasts for the next four weeks.. and our first test is Friday. Yeah, class started.. YESTERDAY! But anyways. The pressure of a four week class is on, and I am praying I am up for the challenge.

I have been reading and hearing a lot, through bible study, radio and other means about resting in the Lord. How people today in our society just don't rest, or honor the sabbath. I decided after the tornado, at the Women's conference that I would try to make this a spiritual goal of mine. The message Angela Thomas brought was on being weary and worn out, and how God offers us rest.

My schedule and lifestyle isn't conducive to rest. I work, go to school, go to church, maintain a daily bible study, and write letters to my soldier friends. :) Needless to say, there is no room for error in my schedule, and no time for fun either. Good thing I enjoy the life God has given to me. :) We as humans are so focused on time, not having time, gaining time, or using time.. when in reality, God created just enough, if not more than enough for us. We must just focus on how we use that time in order to make the best of it.

Many people may not agree with what I am doing with my life, and many may not understand. However, my motto is "Nothing easy is ever worth it." and I know that through hard work and perseverance I am leading my self to a better life down the road for me and my future family.

I praise God for His grace and blessings to have this opportunity, and I thank Him for it. He has given me infinite mercy in times of trail and He has grown me and blessed me in ways I never thought possible. Praise God!!

It is my prayer today that no matter how 'busy' we are, that we learn to take that time to rest in the Lord. This is going to be a Journey in itself for me. But I believe that God keeps bringing it to mind because it is a necessary changed needed in my life. I pray that you would spend some time self reflecting.. 'for all have sinned..' Compared to the world's standards we are all great people, but that isn't our benchmark. When comparing ourselves to Christ we all fall short. I pray that God would reveal the sin and shortcomings of our lives to us, and to move us and change us and bring us away from those things. I pray for continual growth in His spirit and wisdom. I pray His blessings, grace and mercy upon you. And may all the glory be given to God!

4th of July

What a weekend!

I had a great time at home just spending time with family. I was finally able to rest and just enjoy some time at home. It was truly therapeutic, and I felt like a new person today at work. I did two chapters worth of work for my research while home, so I can say it was a somewhat productive weekend as well.

Upon arriving back to Ttown I discovered my jump drive had been damaged... aka: it was no longer showing up on my computer. I vowed to check it on my work computer today and stressed about the 5 years worth of information stored on the drive.

Since my computer crashed my junior year of college, I have been terribly afraid to save anything to my laptop.... and have since, been saving everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, to my jump drive. Now that I have my mac I am able to save things to my computer without worry, however, I just hadn't done it yet. The ability to move freely with all documents in hand was just too alluring.

Unfortunately, when I inserted the drive into my work computer the results were not good. Nothing... again. My drive was in fact fried and there was nothing I could do about it. Thankfully, by the grace of God, my research professor has been asking me to move all my documents to Google Docs, so that we can work simultaneously. Little did I know this would be a HUGE blessing!! Thanks to this, all my research has been recovered.

This past week I have been diligently working on updating my resume for my boss, and other things. And that was lost as well. Praise be to the Lord, AGAIN, that I am a math person, and seek advice from those better suited at English than I. I had recently emailed my resume to a friend for a quick look of approval.... Yes, I did lose the most recent changes, but I didn't have to start from scratch! I was able to redo my changes today, and get my resume where it needed to go.

The Lord has blessed me so richly with my job. I cannot thank Him enough for it!

Also, Hunter was granted a pass this weekend, and I was so happy for it! He wrote a sweet post on my facebook and we were even able to talk on the phone for about 15 minutes. What a blessing! Have I told you how GREAT my God is??

I start up another round of class tomorrow, while continuing to work on my research. I am nervous about being so busy again... but I seriously just have to put my foot down and do it. This will be the toughest four weeks of my life, adding on this summer class... but I am trusting God to protect, strengthen and provide... in just a year, I will be graduating with my Masters degree! Wow how time flies.

Many decisions and opportunities are crossing my path right now... I pray that God give me the strength and guidance to discern what is His will for my life and my professional career. I only want to do what He has for me... because, I know if I am in His will, I will be truly happy!

Prayers and blessings to each of you! I hope you had a happy and relaxing 4th of July. Praise the Lord for all those who have fought and will fight for our country's freedom.. and Praise the Lord for our founding father's faith in Him.. may He 'draw us close to Him' yet again!

Unforgettable Weekend

What a weekend... I know, it is almost time for another one.. and I am still on last weekend. Last weekend I truly had a blast with a great friend.

Friday I took off work to drive to Hattiesburg, MS to see my friend Lauren. I haven't seen her since my sophomore year in college... when she moved to Oklahoma. But that didn't matter. Lauren was deployed, yesterday, at 14:00. She called me yesterday morning to say good bye before she left for Afghanistan. She will be gone 9 months, if their deployment doesn't get extended. Troops are leaving out of Camp Shelby almost every day... please keep them in your prayers.

So Friday I arrived in Hattiesburg at 11am. I waiting in the lobby of the hotel where Lauren was staying. She came running up to me and without a word we embraced in a hug that lasted forever. We finally stepped back to look at each other and say hello, and then embraced again. It was heartwarming just to see her. To see how good she looked, how happy she was...

I met a friend of hers and we then left to visit Camp Shelby. Lauren gave me a little tour and showed us her 'apartment' in the barracks. We then did something I couldn't believe, and will never forget! Patterson, her friend, had found this place in Pensacola, FL where we could race go carts.Yes, you heard right... Florida! haha I have driven 3 hours to Mississippi, and now we were about to get in a car and drive 4 more hours to Florida! HAHA!

We had a great time racing go carts, and ate a wonderful dinner at Outback. Patterson had never been to Florida... being from Oklahoma I could understand why. And it was a great last hurrah before leaving for Afghanistan. After riding go carts Lauren gave me a bracelet of hers, and asked me to wear it. I told her I would, and that it meant she had to come back and get it from me when she returned. And she said she would. I love my friend, and I pray for her safety... I hope you will pray for all the troops of America. They deserve our support, so that their service for us is not in vain.

GOD bless America!

Desires of your heart

'The Lord will give you the desires of your heart...' This is a phrase we have all heard... so many times. But have we really considered the context of this verse before asking God to give us whatever we want? Let's look at the passage and its surrounding verses for a little more insight (emphasis mine).



Psalm 37: 3-9

3 Trust in the LORD and do good;

Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.

4 Delight yourself in the LORD;

And He will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the LORD,

Trust also in Him, and He will do it.

6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light

And your judgment as the noonday.

7 Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him;

Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,

Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.

8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath;

Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.

9 For evildoers will be cut off,

But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.

WOW. I see so much more here than just, follow Christ and He will give you whatever you want!! I see more a set of instructions, followed by great blessings of the Lord! Here is my take on the passage...

First, we must trust and do good. Through our faith in Christ we must trust Him to be in control while working daily to do what is best and striving toward his will.

Then we must delight have you ever seen those ho-hum, whoa-is-me people? No fun right.. so many people see Christianity as work... just a set of rules to govern life by. However, it is so much more!! Serving Christ is an absolute JOY!! Oh, praise the Lord for the opportunity to serve him!! Thank you Lord! When serving, we should hold our heads high and full of joy; not hanging our heads saying 'look how hard I am working'!

Thirdly, to commit our way to the Lord. His ways are not our ways.. and rather than asking God for a million bucks to solve all of your problems, ask Him to make His desires yours, to give you a heart like His. Seek Him, and in that you will find your ways changing. Now, it isn't wrong for us to ask God to bless us, by all means ask... but don't get mad when the answer is sometimes no.

Fourth, AGAIN, trust in the Lord!! Our heavenly father is just that, a father! He knows what is best for us and cares for us more than we could even begin to explain! After all, He sent his son to die on a cross for US!! Trust Him, give up the control we so desperately hold on to, in reality, we never really are 'in control'. Give it over to God!

Fifth, rest, wow! In our busy lifestyle how often to we forget to rest, to take time to reflect on God's word and it's meaning in our lives? Slow down, "...be still and know that I am God..." Psalm 46:10, stop, think, breathe in this magnificent creation. Take time to rest and worship your Lord!

Sixth, cease from anger, whoa. James 1:19-20 says, This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God." Cease from anger, now, again.. this isn't that getting angry at unrighteousness is wrong, but acting out on that anger in such a way that does not glorify God, is wrong. Pray over those trying situations, ask God to do a work in you and help you to respond in a way that glorifies Him through your actions.

Seventh, do not fret, calm down, relinquish control.. let God handle it and trust Him to take care of your needs. The God who created you so deeply cares for you! He will take care of you!

I believe that if we strive toward each of these principles, then God will grant the desires of our hearts...and our desires will be in line with what He has planned for us. What an amazing word... what an amazing God. Praise Him for His everlasting faithfulness and mercy!

Lord, I pray over those that read this passage today. Open their hearts and eyes anew and fresh to what you have to say to them. Please Lord, change us, mold us and make us like you Lord. Help us to follow in the steps of your word and to seek you diligently each and every day. Bless us indeed Lord, and we give you all the praise and glory! Amen

Father's Day

Father's day weekend was great! I was able to make the trip home Friday night. After a long day of work I was so excited to get out of the car when I finally arrived at Donna's house. 190 miles is no joke. UGH. HAHA!

Friday night was spent hanging out with the fam. Donna and I chilled at her house waiting for Mom and Dad to leave the funeral home. Unfortunately, my dad's half sister died this past week, so our weekend turned from family fun to working around unfortunate circumstances. No matter, we had a great time and celebrated life. So, after the funeral home Donna and I went out to eat with Mom, Dad and some of our Aunts and Uncles. Have you ever had dinner with seven senior citizens? 90% of whom have hearing difficulty??? Oh my gosh... it was hilariously embarrassing. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE was yelling across the table at each other. And my dad, who is one of the worst, ended up being translator and repeating everything for everyone! What a night. Donna and I then went to the new yogurt shop, 32 degrees. I have to say it doesn't beat YoMo in Tuscaloosa, but it is a start for Troy. ;)

Saturday I was able to sleep until 7am!!! This, my friends, is a big deal!! I was so excited and my body appreciated the sleep too! Mom and I then lounged around, looked at coupons and got some things ready for Sunday dinner. My Aunt June came to visit and gather some fresh vegetables from our garden. It was so great getting to spend time with her... she means the world to me. I then had lunch with Mom and Dad and left to hang out with the bestie, Stephanie. We had a great time just catching up and chatting. We were up to no good after her boyfriend Bobby returned from ring shopping. We plundered his truck to find the ring... and find it we did! Don't worry! Stephanie didn't look, but she asked me to, so that we could make sure it wasn't just earrings. HAHA! After the relationships we have been through in the past, she needed the affirmation that the ring was real... and that is what I gave her. Boy, it is beautiful. *Side Note* I have decided through my past experience that I do not want to know about ring shopping or the idea of marriage in a young man's mind. I want to be totally and completely surprised. Never in my life would I have ever agreed to go through Bobby's truck.. but, this is Steff, and we have a special bond. It was an afternoon filled with excitement and I am so happy for her to have found that one true love. Those two are perfect for each other!! Saturday night I went out to eat with Mom and Dad and my second family. :) They, of course, had lots of questions about Hunter.. and I can't wait to bring him home for him to meet the family and friends.


Dad and his girls!

Sunday I went to church with my parents and then we were joined by my sisters and a few other family members for a wonderful father's day lunch. We then played with my niece, and opened Dad's presents. As I was packing and the rest of the family was heading to their respective homes, I got the phone call of a lifetime.. after missing the first one (I was DEVASTATED!!) Hunter was able to call again!!! They got a four hour pass on father's day!! After he had called and talked to his family he called me. We talked for a little over an hour.. and it was great!! It was so good to hear his voice, listen to his laugh and get a chance to actually TALK about what he had been up to. We laughed about how we are doing so many things backwards. I met his family without him, and this week my family will most likely meet his, without having even met their son. HAHA! I then made the drive home, unpacked, washed a few dishes and had dinner with Hannah and her family. It was a fun filled fast paced weekend. As are all my weekends spent traveling home... But I had a great time with my family and friends!

Fitness goals

So... yesterday I went to the student rec on campus.. with the idea to get a little work done in the fitness department. I received a letter from Hunter about two weeks ago talking out his PT test and his recent run times. Hunter was a track athlete in high school, and his brother even ran track for Alabama.

His recent run time was 12:48, that is 12 minutes and 48 seconds... He ran two MILES in this time... WOW. So, naturally.. ever since we started talking, and I had my 5k stint last fall.. He wants me to run with him. Haha, no way. He runs almost twice as fast as I do.

Therefore, I must work on it... and get better. When he gets back from basic and AIT, I don't want to be miserably embarrassed. So... yesterday I began. I did 20 minutes on the elliptical, unfortunately, I was only able to make a distance of 1.55 miles, but my back is definitely soar from the arm workout. :) Hooray for progress! I then did 20 minutes on the stationary bike, for a distance of 9.0 miles. I was playing with my ipod and phone and what shocked to see the total distance. Hopefully after working up considerable distance and resistance I will have the endurance to actually run a few miles. :)

So, here is my workout goal.. hopefully I will stick to it!!

Blessings

This past year has been one of the most intense transformations of my life. A relationship I thought was forever, ended.. I graduated college, my friends graduated, all of us moved away.. I got my first real job, and started graduate school. Through this time I have lived through the most intense depression I have ever known. A friend of mine one told me, full of love and concern, 'Keri, you must seek out help for this...". It wasn't until that moment that I realized I had sank deeper than ever before. Me, being the stubborn person I am, believe that all things are possible through Christ. and I didn't need the professional help that my friend so greatly desired for me. I am happy to say, that even though life isn't perfect... and I am definitely still working each day at it... things are so much better than before. I am rising up out of my dark pit, God is teaching me.. and I am trying my best to learn everything He has for me. Now, sometimes I do get down, as well all do. But I can tell, even when I feel that I can't dig myself out of this hole I have laid in.. God is pulling me out.. and life is grand.

This is a beautiful song of growth... I love it so much.. please take time to listen to Laura Story's song Blessings. Through many tears, many sleepless nights, raindrops and storms that I couldn't even imagine... This song speaks to my soul. Praise God for His healing, mercy and grace!

We pray for blessings

We pray for peace

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep

We pray for healing, for prosperity

We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while, You hear each spoken need

Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You’re near

What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom

Your voice to hear

And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near

We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love

As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

All the while, You hear each desperate plea

And long that we'd have faith to believe

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You’re near

And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us

When darkness seems to win

We know the pain reminds this heart

That this is not, this is not our home

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

And what if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You’re near

What if my greatest disappointments

Or the aching of this life

Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy

And what if trials of this life

The rain, the storms, the hardest nights

Are Your mercies in disguise