I just love the life that God is allowing me to live for Him. Seriously, things just keep getting better, and better, and...wait, yes, better. Yesterday, was Sunday (hence why today is Monday) and as usual, I went to give my grandmother her medicine before going to church. She lives in an assisted living center near my house and I have the job of giving her her medicine on Sunday and Tuesday mornings. Along with making sure she swallows all of her pills, I sit with her and just listen. She has alzheimers, so it's sometimes hard for her to remember who I am, but for the most part she knows me. She also has trouble forming proper sentences. I sometimes play 20 questions with her to help her say what she's trying to tell me.
Yesterday, she was sitting up in the foyer as usual - waiting for me. After getting her pills from her room, I came and sat down beside her, and made sure she took her pills properly. Once she had finished, she took my hand, looked up at me and just smiled my favorite smile of hers. When Nanny smiles, her eyes light up, and her smile turns into a happy chuckle. This just made my heart smile. :) When I left, I gave her a hug and told her that I loved her so much. Nanny held me in a hug for a long time - she may almost be 90 years old, but she's incredibly strong for her age - and just smiled at me the whole time. When I left, she looked close to tears when she said, "You know, I . . . I just love you. So, so much. I'm just so . . . proud of you. Pretty. So pretty." Neeeeeeedless to say, I had to try so hard not to cry as I hugged her back. I love my grandmother so much. I feel so blessed to have her in my life. Nanny has had such an huge impact on my life, and I just love her too.
AS IF THE DAY COULD NOT GET ANY BETTER. It did. Church was incredible. I have an amazing church family, and God has really been showing me more and more how important the body of Christ is. After hearing Bro. Kenny preach about Elijah, I went to Humdingers with Georgia, Amy, Katherine, Josh, Uncle J, Paige, and their kids. Ah, dear God, why did you give me such incredible friends?! I'm not complaining, I'm just so thrilled that you love me so much that you would bless me with some of the most amazing people in the world. Uncle J gave me a key to their house yesterday, and I had to try not to cry - again! It was a simple gesture, but it was saying, "Here is a key to your second home." He has been a huge part of my life, and I honestly would not be where I am today without Uncle J, and his sweet family. :)
ANNDD THEN. I hung out with my dear friend, Ms. Kim-kay Gill. I went to her house, met her family, got a tour of her big, gorgeous house, and we goofed off with her camera. :) She bought pirate gear from the Hob Lob on Saturday, and we decided to play a few Disney songs. :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJxz928gZoE < a link to one of our crazy videos. We went to Chili's, walked around Target, and went to see a movie after that.
When I got up this morning, I thought I would be emotionally, physically, and mentally drained from the day before. However, all I felt was joy. Honestly I couldn't wait to open God's word and live another day!
I thought I'd share the passage from my Bible study book that I read:
"I am a God who gives and gives and gives. When I died for you on the cross, I held back NOTHING. I poured out My life like a drink offering. Because giving is inherent in My nature, I search for people who are able to receive in full measure. To increase you intimacy with Me, the two traits you need the most are receptivity and attentiveness. Receptivity is opening up your innermost being to be filled with My abundant riches. Attentiveness is directing you gaze to Me: searching for Me in all your moments. It is possible to stay your mind on Me, as the prophet Isaiah wrote. Through such attentiveness you receive a glorious gift: My perfect Peace." from "Jesus Calling."
Philippians 2:17
Mark 10:15
Isaiah 26:3
( ^^ get a Bible)
So, by the grace of my Savior, I was able to greet Monday with a smiling face :) - which is crazy because according to my school schedule, I'm supposed to be stressed right now. haha.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Needing More Coffee . . .
So, I'm here on the University of Memphis campus - late. . . YET again. The second time this week. I'm studying for a history exam, writing a history paper, writing a sociology paper, and finishing a project for dietetics. *sigh. Needless to say, I'm exhausted. I feel like I've been living on campus this past week. I'm literally running myself into the ground with my homework, and work schedule. After getting dinner (a vanilla milkshake from Burger King) I went to a random couch in the UC and literally passed out for 30 minutes. There could have been an earthquake and I wouldn't have noticed - seriously, I'm running on 3 cups of coffee. AND ALL THE COFFEE PLACES ON CAMPUS ARE CLOSED. Not cool. I feel loopy and my brain is just fried to a lovely crisp.
However, where my sleep and sanity has failed, God has been faithful. :) He's the one that I think of when I feel like I can't go any further. I honestly don't know how I'd be surviving college without Him. I feel like I can hear His voice closer than before, and this thrills my heart. :) Even though I'm dead tired in the morning, I find myself excited to get into His word first thing every morning. He shows me new things everyday, and I can feel myself falling more in love with my Savior every second. It could be just me and my Heavenly Father for the rest of my life - and I would be happy. :) I'd rather have His faithfulness and love than anything else in this world. Sure, we're human, we want relationships, and we want to find "the one," but honestly that isn't going to last for forever. We're not guaranteed a lifelong partner, but we are guaranteed a lifelong Savior. :) I get to hold my Savior's hand as He leads me through this thing called life. His hand is the one that will never leave mine. :) He has blessed me with an amazing family, and incredible friends - and He gave His life for mine. I could never ask for anything more than that.
So, in conclusion, I'm sitting here in the library (taking a break from homework) with a huge smile on my face because my Savior has set my heart racing just thinking about Him. Oh gosh, now I'm tearing up, okay the librarian thinks I'm crazy but oh well. - I need to do more homework, and find some more coffee. . .
However, where my sleep and sanity has failed, God has been faithful. :) He's the one that I think of when I feel like I can't go any further. I honestly don't know how I'd be surviving college without Him. I feel like I can hear His voice closer than before, and this thrills my heart. :) Even though I'm dead tired in the morning, I find myself excited to get into His word first thing every morning. He shows me new things everyday, and I can feel myself falling more in love with my Savior every second. It could be just me and my Heavenly Father for the rest of my life - and I would be happy. :) I'd rather have His faithfulness and love than anything else in this world. Sure, we're human, we want relationships, and we want to find "the one," but honestly that isn't going to last for forever. We're not guaranteed a lifelong partner, but we are guaranteed a lifelong Savior. :) I get to hold my Savior's hand as He leads me through this thing called life. His hand is the one that will never leave mine. :) He has blessed me with an amazing family, and incredible friends - and He gave His life for mine. I could never ask for anything more than that.
So, in conclusion, I'm sitting here in the library (taking a break from homework) with a huge smile on my face because my Savior has set my heart racing just thinking about Him. Oh gosh, now I'm tearing up, okay the librarian thinks I'm crazy but oh well. - I need to do more homework, and find some more coffee. . .
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
It's Already March?!
This year is going by oh so quickly! So much is happening and there's so much I want to do - it's a little crazy. Today, I went to get advised about the fall semester. I LOVE my adviser. She's so friendly, and she remembers the little things about me - like that I work at Hobby Lobby. After picking out my classes, we just sat and talked for awhile. - smile -
I had lunch - as always on Tuesdays and Thursdays - with my dear friend, Ms. Kimberly Gill, in the "Den of Tigers," (as we call it). She always makes me smile, and I'm so God has put friends like her in my life.
This week is so so hectic. My brother is still looking for a car, and my mother's car is not working at the moment. So guess who has the only running car in the family? Me? Yes. We're having to totally rearrange our schedules and figure out how to fix my mom's car, get my brother to and from work, take care of my grandma, get me to and from school and work.... and to the grocery store. It's a wee stressful.
On a lighter note, I ordered my ticket to see Joshua Bell on May 12th! I'm very excited - I've loved his music for years, and I get to see him from the front row.
God has been so good lately! Everyday, I feel like I'm falling more and more in love with Him. When things beyond my control occur, I can see evidence of His hand around me. He'll send me "hugs" exactly when I need them - and sometimes before I need them. A few days ago, I woke up and I wasn't in a great mood. I had my quiet time, and walked outside to my car. When I got outside, I saw that my car was covered in cherry blossom petals (from the tree in my yard). Some people may see this as "annoying" or meaningless - but I love cherry blossoms, and seeing my car covered in them felt like God saying, "Good morning, trust in Me and seek Me today. I love you, and I'm thinking of you." That turned my whole day around, and ended up being one of the best days I've ever had. I'm so thankful to have a God who is attentive not only to my needs, but to my heart as well. :)
I had lunch - as always on Tuesdays and Thursdays - with my dear friend, Ms. Kimberly Gill, in the "Den of Tigers," (as we call it). She always makes me smile, and I'm so God has put friends like her in my life.
This week is so so hectic. My brother is still looking for a car, and my mother's car is not working at the moment. So guess who has the only running car in the family? Me? Yes. We're having to totally rearrange our schedules and figure out how to fix my mom's car, get my brother to and from work, take care of my grandma, get me to and from school and work.... and to the grocery store. It's a wee stressful.
On a lighter note, I ordered my ticket to see Joshua Bell on May 12th! I'm very excited - I've loved his music for years, and I get to see him from the front row.
God has been so good lately! Everyday, I feel like I'm falling more and more in love with Him. When things beyond my control occur, I can see evidence of His hand around me. He'll send me "hugs" exactly when I need them - and sometimes before I need them. A few days ago, I woke up and I wasn't in a great mood. I had my quiet time, and walked outside to my car. When I got outside, I saw that my car was covered in cherry blossom petals (from the tree in my yard). Some people may see this as "annoying" or meaningless - but I love cherry blossoms, and seeing my car covered in them felt like God saying, "Good morning, trust in Me and seek Me today. I love you, and I'm thinking of you." That turned my whole day around, and ended up being one of the best days I've ever had. I'm so thankful to have a God who is attentive not only to my needs, but to my heart as well. :)
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