A year in review...

A few weeks ago at Fellowship,the pastor challenged us to write down 3 of the biggest hardships/battles that we faced in 2010 and also 3 of the biggest blessings that God has given to us in 2010. It was hard for me to come up with 3 battles that I had faced. On the other hand it was so easy for me to come up with 3 blessings.

This post is going to be a picture blog of some of my biggest blessings from 2010:

January:

This was just another Jan-term. The biggest blessing from this month had to of been just spending it my best friend and roommate.

February:

This year I applied and was accepted onto the Step Sing Committee. It was a huge honor and I loved every minute of it. I got to serve alongside my roommate, who was the director, and some of my good friends.

Jane and I also took a weekend away from reality and hit up the beach! We took a road trip to Seaside, FL. We spent the whole weekend in prayer and praise. We just needed a break from life and a weekend to praise and worship our Creator and Savior. It was such a wonderful weekend.

March:

The best thing about this month was spring break. I went with 29 other college friends to Port St. Joe, FL. It was absolutely incredible. We spent each night worshipping and grew in relationship with each other during the day. I grew so much in my faith during this trip.

April:

I ran my first half marathon! 13.1 miles. I did it with my best friend Emily Smothers as well as about 20 other Chi Omega's from Samford. This has been one of my goals since high school. Our goal time was to run it in under 2 hours, we finished in 1:59:??. I don't remember exactly the seconds.

May:

Nothing really eventful happened this month. That's kinda sad.

June:

Thanks to Jane, I was able to attend my first medical mission trip to Nicaragua. I worked with a physical therapist, Larry (pictured). During this 2 week trip, God really showed me that medical missions is clearly something that I need to do.

July:

The biggest blessing this month was seeing my sister, Martha Blair get married. She is an absolutely wonderful person and I absolutely love having an official brother!

August:

I went white water rafting for the first time ever with Kairos Nashville. We went to the Ocoee in Chattanooga, TN. I was obsessed with it and wanted to become a rafting guide.

I started sponsoring the sweetest little girl, thanks for World Vision.

Most crazy of all, I started my senior year of college! This is a picture of the senior pledge class in Chi O.

September:

September brought my senior research project which I FINALLY finished in December. The picture is from our poster presentation that we did in November.

October:

My best friend, Becca, got engaged this month. I couldn't have been more blessed to be involved in celebrating as well as being asked to be in her wedding come June 4, 2011!!

November:

I finally got to go to formal with my high school best friend, Andrew. I asked him freshman year of college to attend, but due to scheduling conflicts he couldn't come. We had such a wonderful time.

I ran in the Boulevard Bolt, a 5 mile run Thanksgiving morning, with Jane. This was my first race since July due to an injury. I was so thankful to be able to run again.

December:

I officially started dating my best friend of 7 years, Andrew.

Kara and I FINALLY placed in the cookie making party with our cookie of Michael Jackson.

Overall, this year has been so incredible. I learned many new things about myself as well as learning more about God and His plans for me. I am so excited to see what God has planned for 2011.

Initial step of faith..

Last Sunday, at Fellowship church, in Nashville, the pastor talked about what means to have Abrahamic faith. Most Christians understand that Abraham was known for his faith to God.

A little background information in case you don't know, which is completely fine that is why I am here. This is from Genesis 12:1-4

God told Abraham to "leave your native country, your relatives, and your father's family, and go to the land that I will show you." Basically God told Abraham to leave everything behind, everything Abraham ever knew, and go. Abraham didn't know where he was going or what he was going to do. God told Abraham, " I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you." What did Abraham do? He went, "So Abraham departed as the Lord had instructed."

Abraham didn't know what he was getting into. All he knew was that God called him to do something and he obeyed. Hebrews 11:8 says, "It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going."

What does that have to do with today you might be wondering? ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING! This summer God has been teaching me a little about what it means to live obediently to Him and trust Him with everything. It wasn't until I had to take my GRE for grad school that it really all made sense.

God isn't going to call you into something that He doesn't already have figured out. He knows exactly what is going to happen. There are times we have to be like Abraham and just live by faith. We don't know where God is going to call us, but He tells us to go. I know God has called me to be a physical therapist. When I took my GRE yesterday it didn't seem like I was going to get into grad school. There will be trials during these callings that God gives us. Theses trials are there to help us learn to live by faith. James 1:2-4 tells us that "when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete nothing." A few verses later in verse 12 it says: "God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."

Abraham took that initial step of faith to realize that God really is in control. If God calls us to something, if He promises something, He is going to keep that promise. That is part of who God is. Right now, all I can do is to live in trust and live by faith to know that God will keep up His end of the deal. I have to do my work, but in the end God will come through. He always does.

So as you go through your day today, think about how you are living in faith and obedience to God. Are you willing to take that initial step into God's journey for you? Is God calling you to go and live by His trust?

Pray. Trust. and Live.

"We should not trust in ourselves but in God." —2 Corinthians 1:9.

Wow, I haven't blogged in such a long time! I am so sorry. Life has just gotten incredibly busy lately. Anyways, God is just continuing to work in my life each and every single day.

Every week at Young Life training Eric talks about a different part of young life in Birmingham. This particular week the spotlight was on Restoration Academy and Capernaum. Capernaum is young life for kids with special needs. When I heard about this, my heart absolutely lit up and I knew this is what I needed to do.
Last semester, Spring 09, I volunteered at the Lakeshore Foundation. It's like an athletic site for people with all different kinds of special needs. I helped out with their track and field team as well as a few swim meets. These kids are the most extraordinary people I have never met. There is nothing like watching a blind kid swim a 200 meter butterfly and win. Or helping a kid in a wheelchair throw a discuss. These kids brought so much joy into my life in just the short time I was there. When I came back to my room after that night of Eric speaking, I knew special kids is my calling. I can't put into words what I was feeling at the time. It was the most exciting, fearful, joyous, peaceful feeling I have ever experienced. I know God is calling me to this. I am so thrilled to watch it all play out.

This past week we had the "scary" talk during training. This talk was suppose to help you realize if God really was calling you to this ministry or if you are doing it for the wrong intentions. I payed close attention to what Eric had to say. I wanted to make sure that this is really what God wants me to do. The whole time I just had this peace come flood inside me. It was the best feeling in the world, I know that this really is what God is calling me to do.

I have my interview this week to become a Young Life leader. So if you would please just continue to pray for that as well as my placing in either a high school or a middle school. I know God will place me in the school in Birmingham that He needs me the most.

Everyday is a struggle. It's hard having to juggle tests, quizzes, homework, Young Life, small group, bible study, tutoring, and Step Sing planning all into one week. At the end of the week I look back and just sigh. I know God is going to get me through whatever He places me in. You just have to have the patience to wait for it all to be over. In the mean time, you pray for God's strength. If you are having a crazy week, just stop and pray. Philippians tells us to "Don't worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for what He has done."
That's my challenge.
Pray.



For other parts of my life...
My family had to put to sleep our 17 year old dog this past weekend. We have had this dog for atleast 14 or 15 years. It was one of the hardest thing to do. He was not doing well and just really needed this. Please pray for my family. I know some people might think, it's just a dog, but this was not just a dog. He was a part of my life for so many years. His name was Buddy.

Protection.

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise.

- 2 Samuel 22:2-45

There is nothing like God's protection.

Yesterday I was driving home from Samford to just visit some family that was in town. I knew there was going to be bad weather once I hit the state line. I didn't know how bad until around mile 20. The weather was raining and then would stop and then it would pour again.

I get around mile 15 or so and it had just stopped raining. I then prayed that God would protect me through this storm. I asked him to put his right hand over my car and to just guide my car. I was going about 73 mph when the bottom fell out again, naturally I stepped on the brake so slow down a bit. When I did my car hydroplaned. I turned my car into the swerve. My car swerved into the right lane, kept on turning and then went into the grass and my trunk hit a rock cliff wall thing. At that time, I kept going and my car then turned again so that the drivers side was up against the wall.

I sat there for a minute and didn't really know what to do. I tried to get out of the drivers side but was unable to open the door. I crawled out of the passengers side and just stood there in shock. Luckily a red truck and an Army hummer stopped to help. I called my mom and the whole family came to Giles Co. to come find me. In the mean time, I had also called 9-1-1 to get checked out. The EMT's took me to the ER to have x-rays on my neck. I layed on that dumb backboard for a good 2.5 hrs.

Anyways, it turns out I have cranial spinal strain. A.k.a. severe whiplash. I have to wear a soft collar for a week.

I know God was truly watching over me. I didn't have a scratch or a bruise anywhere on me. Once you see pictures of the wreck you will have no idea how I only walked away with "whiplash". There wasn't a car in the right lane either so no one else was hurt. I knew God had his hand on my car and guided me safely to the side of the road.

Here's another cool thing:
A family friend called me this morning to check in on me. She told me that yesterday her school had a pep rally. She had to get things done for her class so she didn't attend it. Instead she went to make copies. She started to make copies when the copier started to freak out. It was blinking and saying WARNING DANGER AT LINE 220. She didn't think anything about it at the time. When I told her about my wreck, she asked about what time it had happened. I said around 2:20. She then told me the whole story. Isn't that just so incredible?

God does protect his children. He places His strong right hand on us. As 2 Samuel states, He is my shield and my protection. God was my shield. I didn't get a scratch, the air bags didn't deploy. He deserves all the praise for keeping me safe.

Here are some pictures from the wreck:

My back windshield was completely smashed out. My bumper fell off and was later placed into my back window. The left tail light is still on the side of the road. My front bumper got knocked off on the drivers side.

Trust in God's protection, cause He will deliver. He will be ahead of you in your paths and will never abandon you.

"Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” -Deut. 31:8

Trust in Him.

Life has been so hectic ever since day 1 of classes. We just finished up with Rush and I can't even begin to explain how exhausted and just drained I am.

Anyways, I haven't been able to go to YL club since the first week of school because of rush things. This week was the first week I was able to go. We meet on Tuesday nights. Tuesday came around and I was really challenged with whether to go or not. I know that this is what God wants me to do, but I had a whole things of reasons why I didn't want to go.

1. Monday was bid day, so I didn't get a lot of school work done, so I thought I could use Tuesday night to prepare for my test on Thursday, or work on Physics homework.

2. The biggest flag football game was that night. Chi O vs. ADPi.

3. I didn't have anyone to go with me. I know that might sound kinda cheesy, but I didn't know anyone there. I facebook messaged a few girls who I knew were interested in it and see if they wanted to go together.

4. I was just so SO tired, I could go to bed early.



Those were just excuses not to go. And were clearly defined later as Satan just trying to pull me away from God's plan. Needless to say, every single excuse was worked out.

1. It was just Tuesday, I had the whole rest of the week to get Physics homework done. Studying for my test? I probably wouldn't have studied anyways.

2. The flag football game didn't start till 10:30, so I would have only missed a little of it. (WE DOMINATED BTW)

3. This was my biggest concern. I prayed all day about trying to find someone to go with me. I haven't heard from any of the people I messaged and was getting really worried about it. About a hour before it was time to go, one girl messaged me back and said we could ride together. It was truly an answered prayer.

4. I am in college, going to bed early doesn't exist!



Every single one of my concerns were answered. It was just incredible to really see that this is what God wants me to do. He knows what He is doing and I just have to trust Him.

I am never one to just put myself out there. Going to a place where I knew absolutely no one was way out of my comfort zone. I prayed right before I got out of the car that God would give me peace and just comfort me. I got there and met some really great people. It was just incredible. It made me miss it so much and I am just so happy there.

It just goes to show that if you just trust in God that he will pull you through, if it is according to His plans. It also shows that Satan knows God's plans and he will do ANYTHING to mess it up. He will give you anxiety, stress, lots of work. But just remember to trust in God.

"We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love." -1 John 4:16

A fresh start.

"Let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him." 1 Corinthians 7:17

The beginning of another school year is upon us. This year I know that God is going to be doing some incredible things. At least that is my prayer every morning.

I have finally figured out why God placed me in Birmingham this summer. I was listening to a sermon from my pastor at my home church one Tuesday night. It was about John the Baptist. God completely isolated John the Baptist to prepare him for his ministry. It was in that isolation that John the Baptist learned about his calling and God prepared him for that during this time. This summer I believe I was John the Baptist. Instead of being in the desert, I was in Birmingham. This summer God really worked in my life, you can read more about that in my first journal, and truly spoke to me.

I have had this constant thought about getting involved with Young Life this school year. I don't know if that is my ministry that God has prepared me for. I was active in it all through high school and have many friends who are currently involved with it at other Universities. I've talked to my old leaders about it and a few friends here and at other colleges who are involved. I've come to the conclusion that it's going to be very time consuming. I am not sure about my school work. I am a Junior this year and am approaching all my upper level Science classes. Like I said in the beginning, I know God is going to be doing something amazing this school year. I know he will be working through me to others. I pray for that to happen everyday. I am requesting that you also pray for me. Pray for this decision, my school work, and time management.

My challenge to you is to question yourself: How is God going to use you this school year? How can you live to serve Him?

When it rains, it pours..

"Then the LORD asked Satan, 'Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless- a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. Satan replied to the LORD, 'Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." -Job 1: 8-11

That passage definitely just sets the stage for this past week. Needless to say I didn't lose everything I had, but it was definitely a week of tests... I'll just start of the beginning.

Wednesday, August 5: I was in Birmingham just finished my last test of Physiology and taking a break before starting to study for my final, which was scheduled for Friday. I received a phone call from my sister, "Nancy, when I tell you this don't freak out, let me get all the way through first.." That conversation ended in the news that my 93 year-old grandmother had a massive stroke the night before and was not expected to live much longer. I went immediately to my professor and explained the circumstance, he allowed me to take my final early. Perfect, I had less than 24 hrs to study for a Physiology final. "Lord I know this is in your hands and I know that you have a purpose for this, give me the patience to sit down and study all 20 chapters of information." So I came back and studied like I have never studied before.

Thursday, August 6: I took my Physiology final that morning, packed up my little Ford Focus and headed back to Nashville, for what I thought would be the start of my two weeks of summer. I arrived 3 hours later, threw everything that was in dorm into my room and headed straight to the hospital to see my grandmother. I probably started to go to the hospital about 4 times and every time I would receive a phone call to head back home, all for different reasons. At this point I was beyond my patience level. I was mad, angry, heart broken, way beyond my limits. When I finally made it back to the hospital I made it just in time to find out that the doctor was moving my grandmother to Hospice. I also had just received a call from a guy that I was interested in saying that He didn't think we need to text/talk anymore. Perfect. I cried my heart out to God. The whole time just trying to rationalize that everything was in God's hands and that I needed to trust Him wholeheartedly.

Friday, August 7: I get woken up at 3 am by my mother, "Nancy, grandmother has passed away." Well, who can sleep knowing that their last grandparent is no longer with them? So I turned on the news hoping to distract my mind off the idea that my grandmother was not here on earth anymore. I finally fell asleep around 5:30 and woke up around 8. When I woke up I had a note on my door with a list of places my mom needed me to go. So I got ready and went out to tackle my to-do list made by my mother. It was just one thing after another. Once again my patience was tested and tested and tested. I thought it would never end. I finally made it home, only to find out I had more places to run. I literally drove around all of Nashville: Bellevue, Green Hills, Brentwood (twice), back to Green Hills! Ah!

Saturday, August 8: Woke up and went for a morning run, which was so desperately needed. I finally got a relaxing day. I went to the pool with my sister, Martha Blair, and her fiancee, Justin. It was perfect. No places to go, no to-do lists, no errands to run.

Sunday, August 9: This was truly the thunderstorm of it all! Church with a family of 4 girls is just an adventure in its self. Then you throw in my mother and it's truly an adventure that not many people would want to travel. My mother wanted to get to church early to ensure that she had a seat. So I volunteered to drive her, back to Brentwood. I get there and receive a text from my cousin saying she had seats for my family. So my mom and I try to find them in this massive church & well it just doesn't happen. We FINALLY find them and my mom got mad cause she thought they had not saved enough seats and she wanted to sit with her girls. So we leave the service to go back upstairs, where we were to begin with, to find my sisters. My little sister, had just had her wisdom teeth out a few weeks before and took a pain pill right before church. So the whole service she was knocked out. My sisters & I decided it would not be good to tell my mom that Sarah had taken this medicine and I was to get my mom out before she noticed something was wrong with Sarah. Little did we know that something really was wrong with Sarah. I got a phone call from one of my older sisters saying they were calling an ambulance because Sarah was unresponsive. Well today is the visitation for my grandmother so my mom and I were already headed to the funeral home at this point. We arrived there dropped off the jewelry and then headed to Vanderbilt Hospital to meet up with the rest of the family. I am beyond stressed at this point. The word patience just kept running through my mind the whole day. I trusted in God. Anyways, my little sister ended up being fine and we all arrived back to the funeral home later that day.

Monday, August 10: Funeral morning. We got up early and headed to the funeral home. Just funerals in general are so tiring. We headed out to Murfreesboro to the grave site. This day was not too bad. I got to see my beat friend, Andrew, on his Birthday. I got to catch up with a few friends as well. I relearned how to ride a bike! That was exciting.

Tuesday, August 11: Not a bad day at all!! Spent the whole day at the pool, just a little too much sun and went to Kairos that night! Man, it was so powerful! God is truly working there, it was so packed. We sat on the stairs, there were people sitting in the floor. It was so amazing to see how much it has grown!

Wednesday, August 12: what another crazy day!! Took Martha Blair to the airport and on my way home I get a call from Sarah, the youngest, saying she had just gotten in a car wreck. So on to the next location. I arrived there and she seemed fine, but my mom wanted me to take her to the doctor just to make sure. The day before she had hurt her wrist in volleyball, so when the doctor was checking her, the doctor touched her wrist and Sarah yelled. So the doctor wanted to x-ray it. So back to Vanderbilt we go to get her wrist x-rayed. It was not broken. I have had my fair share of hospitals and doctors to last me awhile.

Wow, this is one long post!! I am so sorry about that. I can relate to Job in some ways. I feel like my patience and my trust in God was definitely tested this past week. I got angry with God at times this past week. I questioned why, how, and what. I don't know why He did all these crazy things. I know that this summer has been one big test.

What to get out of this? Keep seeking God, good and bad. He does everything for a reason. Only He can be glorified with our actions. Even when it seems like it's been raining for days and days, God still gets the glory. All we can do is just trust God with everything.

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."
Seek after God today & everything, in every situation.