Australia 2012

Hey Everyone!  It's been a while.  Many of you know I recently returned from an amazing spring break in Australia.  It was a true blessing to have the opportunity to make the trip.  I had such a great time.  I was able to do so much in such a short period of time.  Thanks to our great hosts, Collins and Charlie, I think we accomplished everything on our list, which is hard to believe.  We went to Manly Beach, walked across the Harbour Bridge, touched the Opera House, pet a koala, explored Darling Harbour, relaxed on Bondi Beach and even had the time to appreciate the little things Sydney had to offer such as the parks.  I was even a slight adventurous eater.  I tasted a Crocodile burger and had lamb at a local Indian restaurant.  This was definitely out of the norm for me.  Sometimes it's nice to be out of your comfort zone.

While I was there I also had the opportunity to attend a service at the Hillsong Church in Sydney.  There were so many people there from all over.  The worship was very lively and a lot of fun.  It was so great to see so many people pumped up for God :)  I could never thank Him enough for the experiences I had in Sydney.  God is more than amazing.

Here is photo book I made of the trip.  I tried to put it in some kind of chronological order to try and tell a story.  I think it's safe to say we made some great memories on this trip that I'll never forget.  The best memories are the ones that last a lifetime.

Here is to lifetime memories:

Click here to view this photo book larger

Turn your favorite photos into a photo book at Shutterfly.com.

Finding Rest in a Restless Place

Ahhhh!! I can’t sleep. I feel so restless.  I’ve actually been feeling restless a lot lately.  I used to write in here when I couldn’t sleep at night so I’m giving it a shot.  Here’s to hoping not to fall asleep midsentence or maybe that is what I’m hoping for? I don’t know.   It seems like I don’t know a lot these days.  I don’t know what I want to wear, eat, go or how to spend my time.  I’m just plain restless, but why?

                                             

20 minutes later

I’m starting to feel the stress of the semester, so bad that I had a nightmare the other night about being scolded by a professor for not staying on top of my work. It’s ok to laugh haha its ridiculous I know. Not only am I questioning my decisions on time management but I’m questioning them in other areas of my life as well.  They haven’t been the wisest lately…. I don’t feel like I’m in the right place right now and I’m not talking about a physical place.  I don’t feel like I’m in the same place with God as I was lets just say last April to pick a time period.  Being human, I’m prone to wander and I’m afraid I’ve done just that.  No wonder I feel so restless! 

I think back to last spring and remember how at peace and lighter I felt. I want that again…now if only I could get there. I know I can..I just have to find rest.  Rest in the Lord.

So how do I rest in Him?  Well after thinking about it I think my way of resting in Him is to study His word and occasionally expressing my thoughts here or to a close friend.  In church this past week the pastor talked about finding a quiet or secret place to spend time in prayer with God.  This is something I think I could benefit from.  Just this quiet time I’ve had this evening has been nice.  No distractions just silence with the exception of the washing machine in the background but I can ignore that.  I feel slightly better already, oh the power of prayer. 

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.   Matthew 11:28-29

Tonight I’m praying not to waver from God’s promises and to find rest in Him.  

Your prayers are also appreciated :)

New Years Resolution

Ok so everyone has a New Years Resolution right? Well maybe not.  My older sister asked me a few days before New Years what my resolution was going to be this year.  I had no idea, honestly I hadn't even thought about it.  I don't need to lose weight. I don't want to change my eating habits.  I don't smoke, so no need to quit.  I make good grades...I read my Bible...I could say I want to write more regularly in this blog but I don't think I could stick to it with my crazy schedule.  Why set myself up for failure? haha.  I just couldn't think of anything I really wanted to commit to changing until today.  My lovely roommate shared this blog post with me, I'm Christian, unless you're gay and I loved it and think it's important to share with you all.  I may or may not agree with everything said but I do think its underlying message is an important one, to love everyone especially the people you think its impossible to do so.

I sometimes struggle with this.  Not so much with loving people who are gay because I honestly do but I struggle with loving people who hurt me.  And I mean hurt me so bad that I can't stand the idea of even being around them.  I feel like whenever I'm in their presence I'm just brought down when I know I shouldn't be.  I don't know how I'm supposed to love them when this is how I feel with just the mention of their name but I'm going to work on it.  So my New Years Resolution is decided and it's not just a New Years Resolution but a Life Resolution to love others like Jesus loves me.  I'm going to work hard at opening up my heart and turing the exclusive group of people that I love into an all inclusive group.  This is a life long challenge that I think is worth all of us pursuing.

10 Prayers for My Future Husband

I pray

1. That he continues to grow spiritually through the disciplines of Bible study, prayer, and quiet times. (Proverbs 4:23)


2. That his relationship with God will bear much fruit in his life, and that he will be a man who seeks wisdom and understanding. (Proverbs 3:7, Psalm 112:1)

3. That he would walk humbly with God, and would always be convicted quickly about any sin in his life. (Micah 6:8)

4. That he would have a teachable spirit and a servant’s heart, and that he will listen to God and desire to do His will. (Proverbs 15:33)

5. That the men in his life would encourage his accountability before God, and that he would be a godly influence on his friends and coworkers. (Proverbs 13:20, 27:17)

6. For his strength — physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. (Ephesians 3:16)

7. That he would have a balanced life in regards to work and play, and that he would submit his schedule to You. (Proverbs 16:9)

8. That he would be a man of prayer, seeking God in purposeful ways. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

9. That he will serve God and others with pure motives, and that God would be glorified in everything he does. (Colossians 3:23-24)

10. That he would offer all this dreams to the Lord, and pursue only those that bring God glory, and that count for eternity. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Kelsey and Samantha to the Rescue

This morning I decided to do something I never do...I took out the trash. Haha I’m ok with doing the dishes but I’m terrible about taking out the recycling and trash. But today I thought I’d be helpful and surprise everyone by taking out the trash! Well when I got to the dumpster and threw the trash in something caught my eye that made me take a double look. I thought I saw an orange tabby cat sitting inside with his head stuck in a can. I thought it might be a prop from Halloween and went to check the mail. After I got the mail I had to go back to the dumpster to look again. I took a closer look and yes it was a cat stuck in a can! I could see him breathing but then began to freak out because I wasn’t sure if he was running out of air. So I ran inside up to my roommates room I banged on her door screaming “Kelsey Wake up, Wake up Kelsey!!” She couldn’t really hear me because she was in the shower and later I found out that she just thought I was banging on her door to tell her that there was a gunman loose in Shands (the Hospital where we work and attend class). Yes there was gunman loose but I wasn’t concerned with that at the time. I was scared for this poor cat! I decided to text Kelsey and tell her she takes too long of showers and that a cat was in the dumpster with a can stuck on his head. I then went to my room and waited for her to get out of the shower.


I was too afraid to go rescue the cat myself because I don’t know what I’d do if I reached for him and discovered he was dead. Also, I have short arms and I would need help getting into the dumpster. When she got out of the shower she called me because she thought I was joking with her and trying to hurry her up. For those of you who don’t know Kelsey this girl must love animals more than people. She is forever trying to save their lives...in fact just last week she brought home 2 baby squirrels who had fallen out of a tree..sadly they died but at least she tried. So if you need Kelsey to move just tell her an animal needs to be saved. However, I was not joking! There was a cat stuck in a can that needed to be saved... So we ran out to the dumpster Kelsey (freshly out of the shower) climbed up and reached in for this cat. You could tell he had been stuck for a while because he wasn’t thrashing around but just sitting in the trash stuck. His face was all wet from the olive juice in the can she twisted and turned the can...the poor baby was really stuck :( Finally the can popped off! The cat hesitated for a half a second looked at Kelsey, looked at me and then darted! I’ve never seen a cat move so fast. Kelsey fell to the ground laughing so hard...I was still worried so we went searching for this cat. He was nowhere to be found but I’m guessing he’s ok and very glad to be free :) I asked Kelsey what was so funny and she said just think of what it would have looked like to other people had they been watching. Two college girls dumpster diving and then all of a sudden a cat sky rockets out of the dumpster. I guess it would have been an eyebrow raiser...haha Well anyways I hope the poor kitty has learned his lesson and doesn’t go sticking his head in places where it shouldn’t be. I’m glad I decided to take the trash out today and glad Kelsey has long arms and not afraid to get a little dirty :)



I wish I would have thought to take a picture of this incident.

Purpose

Before I formed you in the womb I knew and approved of you, and before you were born I separated and set you apart, consecrating you; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah 1:5

I feel like God has led me to this piece of scripture tonight and I just want to share it all with you. It’s an awesome verse. He has set each and every one of us apart for a high purpose. He knows our strengths, weaknesses, potential and personalities more than we know it ourselves. He has great plans for each of us and our job is to discover it and walk it. Sometimes I find myself questioning what I’m doing and where I’m going in life. It’s a helpless feeling that is not enjoyed. Instead of questioning I need to find rest in Him. He will help me get where I’m going..I wasn’t created to be strong enough to do it alone.

I’m just out of my first wave of exams in Graduate school. Entering these exams I experienced quite a bit of anxiety. I felt unprepared and frustrated. I was on edge and even snapped a few times at fellow classmates. (Sorry guys!) Thank God I know they love me. I knew my peers shared the some of the same feelings. I overheard several of them saying things along the lines (I give up. I’m going to fail out. So much for audiology. Etc.) Many of us were questioning audiology as our future. Yes we are overdramatic first years, but I hear that’s normal. Haha However, after receiving two tests back I’m happy to report that I made A’s on both. So how come I felt so unprepared? I had little faith in myself. I was doubtful and questioned God’s plans for me.

God has created each of us with specific purpose and when we discover this we will feel a sense of purpose and become confident. I’m still struggling/working on this but I think I’m on the right track. I’m not going to fail out, I can do this. I know in my heart at this point in my life this is what I’m supposed to be working towards. It’s not always going to be smooth sailing but it’ll all work out in the end.

If you’re feeling like you’re headed in the wrong direction or at a standstill in your life I assure you it is ok. It’s not too late to get up and walk in the path God has intended for you. You won’t strike out at 3 chances God is the God of even the millionth chance :)

The Grass is Never Greener on the Other side

UF update:


I’m still enjoying it here in Gainesville. I like the fact that I see all of the same faces in all of my classes. It makes getting to know your classmates a lot easier. I’ve also started to hang out with a few outside of class for lunch and night outings which is fun. Even though the reading is still a lot to handle at times the classes are starting to overlap making it seem almost easier that undergrad. I hope it stays this way. So all in all, things are going smoothly.



Switching gears, yesterday I was thinking about the saying “the grass is always greener on the other side” and I just couldn’t see that statement as being true. Well unless if you’re standing in our dog pen back home where the dogs have successfully dug out all of the grass in their vicinity leaving only mud to roll around in. But besides that I couldn’t really think of anything. However, if you don’t take the saying so literally and really think about it, the grass is never greener on the other side. Never. Temptation is always leaving us wanting more and sometimes it makes us greedy or envy what others have. This isn’t good and honestly makes me feel really crappy when it’s happening to me.



For those of you who know me well, you know I drive this lovely or not so lovely anymore, 2002 red Chevrolet cavalier, also known as the Tinkerbell or bumper car (I often park using the tap method) oops haha. Well anyways I received this car in 2004 as an early graduation gift. I was told if I graduated in the top 5 of my class I could keep the car with no car payments however if my grades were to slip I’d have to pick up the payments after graduation. Thankfully I graduated in the top of my class and had no payments. It was nice having a car I didn’t have to pay for..it was like my nice little green pasture. However, in 2008 my parents helped my sister get a new car. A nice car...one with automatic locks and power windows. Let’s just say I was a little more than jealous. I was no longer happy with my car that worked fine but was starting show its age. I had a perfectly fine car but was left want more..wanting a new car, one like hers. You see I was starting to look at my green pasture as the inside of the dog pen..I felt like if I got a new car I’d be in a greener pasture. But here is the thing, when my sister received her nice little car she also received a nice little, or not so little, car payment to go along with it. I don’t know what you think about that but to me it’d fry my grass.



Looking back, I’m so glad that I didn’t go out and get a new car like hers. I’m more than grateful not to have a car payment right now when I can hardly afford my groceries. Graduate school not only keeps me from working full time but it comes with a nice tuition bill as well. God provides us with not what we want but what we need. My car may not be as pretty or run as smoothly as it once did but it hasn’t ever broken down which is a blessing. (I hope I’m not jinxing myself in sharing this). When I finish school I’m sure I’ll get a new car but for now what I got is what I need.



Wanting more and wanting what other’s have can be difficult temptations to fight but if you don’t you’re ultimately relying on possessions to make you happier and this is like eating salt when you’re dying of thirst. It just doesn’t make sense. You’re never going to be satisfied. Wanting one nice thing leads to wanting 2,then 3, and so on... And besides none of this matters in the long run. “we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it” 1 timothy 6:7. Instead of wanting more, be grateful for what you do have. God is faithful and He provides.



The grass is green enough for me right here :) Thankful to be a student with no car payment!!