A New Beginning

    This week was very interesting. I continue to learn new things in my job, my marriage, and ultimately about myself. I'm beginning to feel like normalcy is becoming a part of my life again. I am also starting to be relaxed instead of on edge every second of the day and I love it. I'm still diligently working to learn how to trust God and not worry at the exact same time. I seem to be unable to do this for more than a few days at a time.

    My gallbladder is better this week than last. However, I'm still having attacks every few days. I went to the specialist this week and he is sending me for a second test. This test will tell us how much my gallbladder is actually functioning and solidify if surgery is the best option. I'm glad because I'm so tired of having attacks every few days. 

   I also made an amazing discovery this week. I'm beginning to get into a routine and I love it. I'm a creature of habit. In my life, nothing seems to go as planned. So, needless to say a routine is wonderful. I work the same hours every week, I have activities I'm involved in and I have time designated to spend with my sweet hubby and awesome family. I love it! 

     I am so thankful that God is transitioning my husband and I into a peaceful part of our life together. The last year has been so difficult. I truly did not know if we would make it through at many points. I am truly thankful to be the child of such an amazing God. I cannot wait to see what he has in store for us next. For now, I will continue to thank him, and keep up the hard work of growing spiritually as the Lord sees fit. I am not perfect but Jesus is more than perfect! Thank you for all the prayers and encouragement! Please keep it up. God is working. 

Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:4-7 NIV

GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS: The Job!

So, after many months of prayer and almost nonstop applications I was hired as a therapist for a local agency. I am so excited that I can barely hold it in. God is truly amazing and I am so glad that he has worked this out for not only me but for my husband, and my family.There have been so many prayers going up for me and I am truly humbled by the support I've received. The job is a great entry level job in my field and it is closed on the weekends, and by 6pm on weekdays so I can spend time with my husband!  Not being able to see my husband and family was a major issue when I worked retail. I cannot wait to begin. I will even be working with children.

Right now I feel like a giant weight has been lifted off my shoulder. I know that soon I will be able to pay our household bills, and I give all the praise to the Lord. Throughout the entire experience of being unemployed I've been learning patience and how to truly trust in God. I am thankful for each of these lessons and the lessons he continues to teach me. God is also working  in the life my husband and I. Each day things improve financially, relationship wise, and I see that nothing is impossible with God. Lord thank you for all your blessings. If you are reading this and do not know my amazing savior, please accept his free gift of salvation and accept a new life with him. He is always there even when times seem dark. I am so thankful that words cannot express. God is in control!

Luke 1:37
For Nothing is impossible with GOD!

Investing Incorrectly

This week I have refrained from blogging because of a strong struggle with a personal storm in my life not related to job searching.I've mentioned it in previous blogs but not in detail. Therefore I am going to continue with this motto here. My husband and I have had a rough week and instead of going to God at first I went to the world. I decided to run my mouth, spend money I really don't need to spend, sometimes just be lazy, and used every outlet I had to try and fix the problem. However, the whole time I was trying to avoid God and in some ways blame him for the situation. However, tonight my mom confronted me! Why is this happening, why are you going places all the time when you have no money? To be honest I was running, trying to escape our problems, trying to for one sec to pretend that they don't exist by going going going ? I am not one to throw away money and honestly I couldn't believe I was doing it in the situation we are in. However,I was. Dinner here,dinner there and an oh this is only 10 dollars. Granted, we only ended up spending about 60 dollars in all that we really didn't need to spend but with gas and all that turned into about a hundred. I cannot believe it. I am so thankful that God has provided us with enough this month to still have money for a date, and our bills through his blessing from our income from the VA.

Tonight, I made a change instead or running, being depressed, and feeling defeated I decided to be honest about how I was feeling and let my mom know. After a short phone conversation with her, I spent an hour playing card games with my hubby,and then we had a devotion time together. This was exactly what GOD wanted. I could already feel the peace creeping in as I read the devotion, and verses off the page. I could feel God in the room. The day started out disappointing and I definitely was not following God with my actions. I cannot believe I was wasting money but I also know it was the devil luring us into a bad situation. Every money situation we have ever been in has not been because we wasted money but because we just never had enough to begin with so this was definitely out of character for me. I am so thankful God has given me a new beginning tonight, and a new outlook. This week has been the hardest week I've experienced in a long time but I know that God is in control of my job search, my marriage, my situation, and everything in general. I am so thankful he woke me up before I spent the money we needed to pay bills. I definitely won't be doing this again!

Tonight, I am so thankful for my husband, my family, my puppies, my home, food, and I'm thankful that God is working. So, tomorrow is a new day and a new opportunity to share the love of Christ and I can't wait.

³³These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

Six Flags, Noah, and Gods blessings!

Last Friday, I went to Six Flags as a chaperone for the youth. I had 4 amazing youth in my group throughout the day. We rode roller coasters, regular rides and even saw a show. It was a ton of fun to see how many different personalities are represented in the youth. Each one has a different gift and a different need. I love working with them. On Saturday I spent the day resting and recuperating from the whip lash, and exhaustion from the day before. Ashton joined me on the trip and was exhausted as well. I think we all were.

Sunday morning at church we discussed how to trust God with money,and trusting him to provide. I had no idea that God was preparing me for a rough week. So many things have gone wrong, tears have been shed, and frustration was back full force after over a week of peace. Last night, my devotion was about how Noah trusted ,obeyed, and built the ark. The world was going crazy and he stepped out in faith. God provided. Yesterday we received some unpleasant  financial news that made me feel extremely defeated. God is telling me he is still in control no matter what the circumstances.

This week has been difficult but God is still in control. I am blessed to have a home, a wonderful husband, a great family, food to eat, and so much more. I guess I needed a reminder.Thank you Lord for always having it under control. This post is all over the place today but I am so thankful to have a new day to praise the Lord.

 Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him.
Genesis 6:22

This is no time to Panic!

For the past couple of weeks I feel like God is asking me to wait. However, while I'm waiting he already has ministry opportunities, family time, and blessings for me each day. I really feel like God wants me to be active in Bellview, as an adult, now that I have returned to my home church.Therefore, I've joined the choir and started working with the youth group when I can. I am not sharing this to brag.I am literally so excited that God is using me I can barely stand it. It is great to be back at my home church.

God has already allowed me to help with an event called Mystery Monday and this week we are going to Six Flags with the youth for a day trip.I am really interested to see what God has in store for these great teens.

The job search continues but with a little progress. It is June and as I've said before new jobs are available everyday. I am searching vigorously for the job that God has planned for me. However, I've decided to enjoy every free minute God has given me. I  try to use each day as an opportunity  to do something with family, my husband, my church,  my friends, relax or to run necessary errands. Basically, I've decided that being unemployed does not mean I need to be a hermit or  punish myself. I have not done anything wrong to be unemployed. I feel like this is an important lesson for me because I am extremely hard on myself regarding my lack of employment. However, I am beginning to realize more and more than God definitely has a job for me but it will be revealed in his time.  For now, he has a job for me to do.He has also provided me with an amazing husband, family, friends, and church to be there for me in my time of need.

I am extremely thankful and I am truly blessed.I have a meal to eat each day, my bills are paid (Whether I like having help or not), my husband and have been married almost 4 years, I'm seizure free, I have a bachelors degree, and most importantly I have Jesus with me every step of this journey. I am so thankful ! That thought leads me to this. I pray that someone out there as you read this realizes that Jesus is always with you. Even when the world seems hopeless and life is upside down. Call on him, accept his salvation, let him know that you need him and begin a wonderful new journey with him. I am so glad I did! :)

Verses of the day:
1 Timothy 4:12
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

	1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Memorial Day Week Blessings

       This week has been a blessing. On Sunday at church we discussed investing in Others as part of the Sunday School lesson. The lesson was about how when Saul became Paul he took on a new life and the old one was left behind. However, many people doubted if he really changed and many were still terrified of him. This lesson has been in the back of my mind all week as I've continued my bible study and seeking God as to what he has planned for me next!
 On Monday, we had our memorial cook out and the whole family attended. I also invited Kelly over for the festivities. We swam, relaxed in the pool, ate hamburgers and home made ice cream. It was a great day. Throughout the rest of the week God has really been speaking to me about how he has plans to use me to help a great deal of people and I just need to be patient and wait on his time. He has also used my daily bible study to allow me an insight into what he has planned. He has also opened the opportunity for me to sing in the choir and work with the youth in the mean time. God also placed a man in my dad;s path who is assisting me with my job search. My dad had to go on a business trip this week and during a long layover God allowed him to meet a career service specialist from a local college. After, a short conversation he offered to help me with my job search. Aden, also received his eligibility letter from Veteran's affairs for his GI Bill benefits this week, and has another appointment to help with his medicines next week. The job sites are booming more than ever since the beginning of June and I am filled with Faith that things are looking up. God is amazing and I am very thankful for his plan for my life. I am also thankful for the my husband's support and the support of my family and friends during this time. God is in control! I just have to keep the faith one day at a time.

Hebrews 11:1
 ¹ Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 

Jesus gives great gifts

The past few days I have really been in a state of reflection. I honestly didn't know what started it or what God's purpose for my sudden constant need to just think consistently without stopping (even when I sleep) was until yesterday. As everyone knows from previous blog entries I have experienced a great deal in my short 23 years on this planet. In the last few days God has been reminding me of all the blessings as I have in my life and have experienced. In fact, it feels like a giant hug from God and I must say it is a quite amazing feeling.

Two days ago, my mom and I were having one of our infamous and sometimes too frequent "things are going to improve" conversations when I began to feel, in a matter of speaking, strange. I didn't feel sick or depressed just different. It was very odd. One of my best friends, Michelle, and I were talking on facebook about the fact I still do not have a job and I am not able to relax because of it. I trust that God will find me one but I feel like I'm constantly experiencing feelings similar to a cat on a hot tin roof. After each of these conversations I prayed that God would give me a Peace and that I would be able to rest while I wait for his timing. Today I realize this is what has been happening.

Yesterday, Aden  and I invited, mama, daddy, Nick, and Ashton over for dinner. This was the first dinner my family has ever eaten at my house because we've lived in NC our entire FOUR (Can't believe how time flies) years of marriage. Therefore, my mother and I both counted it as a sweet experience. Ashton and I baked the cake, and cleaned the house. Aden cooked roast, potatoes, green bean casserole, and rolls. Mama made Sweet tea(yummy) and macaroni and cheese. My mama also brought Aden and I gifts from the Lord. God used Mrs. Martha Gillen. She gave me a lovely devotion that is about Getting to Know God each day. She also gave me a prayer journal that has huge pages. She does not have any idea what is truly going on with us right now but God prompted her to bring these gifts. She also bought Aden a 40 days with Jesus book, and a beautiful card. The gift basket was complete with a beautiful green dish towel(which I needed) a coffee mug, and a cd from the Tabernacle choir. All of these items relate to things I need, my relationship with God, or things I relate to peaceful moments.God again provided! The meal together was fantastic. We scheduled the meal for 5:15 and by 5:30 my family was seated at OUR dinner table eating and enjoying time together. My brother had to live about 15 minutes later to go to his summer job for 3rd shift but he was able to eat with us for a little while. While preparing for the meal, Ashton and I took a break for about 2 hours to go swimming. We giggled, laughed and  got our tan on. We then returned to play Dance central and to make sure everything was ready prior to this family feast. After the meal my mom, dad, cousin, Aden and I went into the living room for another adventure with Dance Central and giggled over a few funny youtube videos. It was an amazing night. Last night I did not sleep very well at all because of the weather and the fact that too much good "human food" made my puppies a little sickly. I definitely learned my lesson about that one.

However, after a long night and a few trips around the house in the middle of the night I woke up at 10 am and promptly began laundry. Aden and I spent the morning together enjoying each others company and discussing (not worrying) over what needed to be done. Then, at about 12pm I received a phone call from my best friend unexpectedly to let me know she would be stopping by later in the afternoon to bring me my Graduation present. My mom also called and offered to help me complete the office I've been working on for the last few days, and Ashton showed up shortly after to spend time with me as well. By 2pm the house was booming with laughter and my favorite girls were all there. Aden, was quietly playing a game and cracking jokes, as well as sneaking a few kisses while no one was looking :). At 3:30 my mom and cousin had completed the  rest of my office and sat down to visit with Victoria. My present was a scented candle from bath and body works that I gleefully describe as the smell of heaven in a can. At 4pm Victoria left to go get ready for her brothers graduation and mom left to wait for daddy to get home. Ashton left because she was needed at home and Aden and I had Jack in the box cheeseburgers for dinner. By this time I was very tired and laid down under the fan in our room for a short nap. After an hour of rest I went to visit my Aunt Pam and watched 2 movies with Pam and Ashton. On my way home I realized something I haven't worried in 2 days! THATS A BIG DEAL! 2 whole days of peace, pure distraction, and relaxation. I realized that God has truly allowed me peace even when I apply for a job each day.


In my life, Worrying has come naturally to me. It is very much like breathing. I do not like for things to be out of order in any case. This mentality has a lot to do with the fact that when I had epilepsy I never knew when a seizure would come and developed a sense of fear of things that I cannot control. God has been working with me on this for the last several years, especially the worrying part.Therefore Jesus has attached a verse about this to me as a means of encouragement. Jeremiah 29:11 has follows me around everywhere I go. When anonymous people send me verses they send this verse. We received picture frames with verses for highschool graduation from the church and mine was the only one with that particular verse and there are tons more instances. Its amazing how it tags along everywhere I go and always shows up at the most perfect moments. GOD really does give great gifts. I am so thankful for the Peace of the last few days, for my husband, my friends, my family, my house, my sweet puppies, and so much more. I have already started using my prayer journal and new devotion, as well as my new bible the church gave me for graduation. I can't wait to see what he has in store for me next.

My favorite Verse:

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

 Jeremiah 29:11