I love this!

So once again, college football season is here! And I could not be more excited! This is going to be a great year for the SEC and especially the DAWGS! Sic em! I love Fall.. its my favorite time of year. Its that time of year that you pull out your favorite jeans with a t-shirt, sweatshirt, tennis shoes (my favorite outfits ever) and enjoy the cooling weather. Dont get me wrong.. I love summer! But theres something about Fall weather, the leaves changing, knowing holidays are coming up, and college football! You cant beat it with a stick! Im determind to make this the best Fall semester ever and really enjoy all that it offers. Give me football, cool weekends, holidays and youve made my year! Just the thought of all of it makes me happy.. good thoughts today... good thoughts!

Late Night Thoughts.

Its 2:25 am and I'm sitting awake pondering on alot of things. Dont you love that word: Ponder? the actual definition is "to give deep thought or concentration into something." I knew when I had such a good night last night that God would test me today. He certainly did. You know, its so easy to make a goal to be the servant of God that you should be but you dont take into account how easy it is to be distracted by the little things in life that hinder you from your daily walk with Him. How do you pull your mind away from issues that might cause you pain or frustration? How do you see the first opportunity to pray and let it go before it gets you first? I am at a crossroads in my life where I can see things around me that are tempting (and not always a positive temptation) and/or frustrating but can also look beyond those things to see joy and happiness. While one path looks so inviting, it may not be the best path for myself to take. The phrase "take the road less traveled" comes to mind with this post. There are and will be daily situations that tug on my heart strings simply because they can blow your mind that things and people are not what/who you thought they were. But really... who cares? What will it matter in the end? Its supposed to be about just me and God right? Well then why do we hurt so much when disappointments occur?... That is what Im PONDERING on!

ok so its been a while...

Ok ok, so Ive slacked on the blog. For the past few weeks Ive been dealing with a lot and yes, blogging/writing wouldve let me release some it and it did.... but I chose to delete my previous post(s) because I felt like I didnt need to air that much dirty laundry for all the world to see. Lately, I feel like I've been in a constant struggle with myself. I couldnt figure it out and really have felt depressed. Ive had so much on my mind and didnt know how to clear it or to even figure out what I want... out of my day.. out of my week.. and certainly out of my life. That is... until today. A friend of mine knows I've been struggling but has no clue on specifically what area of my life... he sent me an online sermon tonight in an area that God led him to send to me. Wow.. how God works in mysterious ways. The sermon was exactly what I needed. This guy and his wife sat down and talked to their congregation on "christ-centered relationships." I really thought it was going to be about how you can apply God to your married life and work together as a couple and using God to be happy and overcome anything. ANNNNK! Wrong. It pretty much was the opposite. In todays christian society it is so easy to focus on a "christian marriage." But we often fail to see that marriage and children and a good job and nice house are all blessings that we receive for fufilling our essential purpose... to be a servant of God before all else. Ive lost my focus. Before I can receive any blessings, I have to focus on the fact that this life is short and our relationship with Him now prepares for us for our true life after we've risen to glory with God. The couple teaching the sermon used an illustration about us all being in a huge tank, fighting for oxygen and happiness and love. We fight each other and external sources for it. We dont realize that God supplies each and everyone of us with our own individual oxygen tanks. Whatever we need and desire we can receive through Him but we cant fight and seek elsewhere for those things. We must just rely on God and the fact that He is greater than we will ever be. He can do so much and love us beyond any love we experience while technically living... while making the point that we are not truly "living" until we get to heaven. Ok I know it sounds l ike I'm rambling and I dont mean to.. but that sermon just really blew me away. I have never been able to put it into a perspective like that and I have a peace about my life because I know as long as I focus and God first... all else will fall into place according to His plan... and when it does.. it will be beautiful!

weird monday

We got back from Nashville last night and we had a blast! I think I've found my new career... a full-time karoke singer! NOT! Tone deaf and alittle intoxicated is not a good combination! Nashville was a blast! Saturday was my favorite! We got up late but made it to Rainforest Cafe to eat lunch! That was the coolest place ever! I will definitely post pictures later. The whole restaurant looked like a rainforest with sounds effects and moving animals! Very cool! We hung out at Opry Mills until we pulled the fastest clothing change in history to make our 630 (we didnt make it on time but still made it by the way) at the Aquarium Restaurant! And we saw Travis Tritt! Or at least I like to believe it was Travis Tritt. They tried to convince me it wasnt but Im still positive it was! We had a really good time and now I'm just in a sort of weird mood.. Mondays are always a struggle but today is just a little off for me. I'm not in a bad mood just kind of tired or laxidazical (spelling?). Maybe itll pass by tonight. Im going home to see my family. I feel kind of bad. I only really spend time with them every once in a while or when we ahve larger family events to go to. So a little home time will do me good :)

New Look!

So I got the bright idea last night to dye my hair brown! I must say.. I really like it. I usually do like when my hair is darker but this is the first time I've had it really dark and short! Its a little different and takes a little getting used to but I love it! And yes, so does Ben :) Last night and this morning I was thinking about how funny it is to see how God's plan will always prevail! It's kind of funny how we have all of these huge plans for ourself and it rarely happens EXACTLY like you planned. If I think back to 3 years ago, my plan for myself was much much different. I knew I wanted to apply to Nursing school once I finished my core and I came into college hoping to be right in the middle of everything and getting as much experience as I could. I wasnt really concerned with anyone but myself and I had this dream that I would get engaged at the beginning of my junior year, have a long engagement, get married, have kids, and be a nurse. I didnt really have a hunger to see more and do more ... or to see what else was out there. I was in my own little perfect world that involved my hometown and hometown friends and that was about it. Now... my dreams have changed so much. Some of it is still the same but there is much more to the big picture than graduating, getting married, and kids. For me, yes I still plan to graduate, get married, and have kids obviously. But what I really want for myself also is to enjoy the ride! There is so much to experience while you patiently wait for long term goals to happen. And if you dont enjoy whats right in front of you without wishing for more, your long term goals will never mean to you what they could. Its just so funny to me that we all try to plan out our lives in such detail and with little regard as to what goes on in the "here and now" that we forget that God ultimately decides exactly where we are supposed to be. I'm not the same person I was 3 years ago, I'm better... because I'm exactly where God has put me. And I will be a different person 3 years from now. Because every time we face a new adventure or meet someone new we grow because its not always in the perfect little picture we've painted for ourselves. So on that note.. I'm going to start on my next adventure!

First Official Entry!!

It seems like everytime I turn around a new or old friend of mine has started a blog. After much delay, I've decided to do the same. Its a great way to keep up with friends and family and stay connected. I'm hoping this blog will give my family, friends, and loved ones an insight to what's going on in my life on a regular basis! So a quick update is needed to let everyone know what is going on at this very moment!
I am currently starting my Senior year at UWG and the countdown has begun. It seems like I just left my Freshman Orientation to start on this great journey. And now, I only have a year and a half until it's all over. I wont say it will be the end. It wont... it will be the beginning of life and responsibilities. I am counting down to starting the next chapter of my life which will be just as full of surprises and happiness as the last 21 years have been!
I am thoroughly enjoying Nursing school! After a year I've realized that I love PEDS, Labor & Delivery, and Nursery! I do like the ER too but I will hopefully end up at Egleston my first year out! I would love to see Children's Health Care pull out to this area but we will see if that will happen anytime soon!
And for inquiring minds.. yes I do happen to have a love life at the moment.. a great one! Ben has really blessed my life the past few months and I can't wait to see where this goes. He has the most genuine heart, is so understanding, and makes everyday a new adventure!

We are headingto Nashville this weekend and I can't wait! Of course the old married couple-well almost old married couple (Tim and Courtney) will join us and I will certainly post pictures as soon as we get back!
So please enjoy the blog!