"Oh hey there Monday. Oh hey there 6:30 am Eric Church alarm. Oh hey there super sassy attitude."
That's how my Monday morning started.
That picture, that one right up ^^ there, is how I felt before I even let my feet hit the floor. & I'm pretty positive thoughts of "is she serious? her junky butt is sassy every day.." or "today? more like 24/7" & I'm sure some of you are thinking you are glad you aren't around me and my sassyness (is that even a word..?) today. Knowing that I was feeling feisty and sassy from the bottom of my feet to the top of my head, I said a prayer before I even rolled over and did my morning rituals. You know, facebook. twitter. get ready. coffee.
I was just like "Okay God, I'm not praying for patience because that never works out in my favor, just guidance , a controlled temper, and a positive attitude."
You can pray for patience but you better be ready, that's all I'm gonna say.
James 1:12a NLT--God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation
I woke up knowingI would be going non-stop from 9-2 with class and camp. First day of summer camp, and I get to meet the first week kids at 9am; I knew I needed to be smiling and ready to play and have fun. So waking up at 6:30 am with Eric Church singing to me, and getting ready listening to KLove on iHeart Radio, I was just ready to see what this day brings my way.
So shower, attempt to get ready, I have nothing to wear (says the girl whose floor is covverredd with clothes) and I don't get fully dressed and ready until it's about time to walk out the door. Ooopps.
So today was full of firsts.
First day of camp, made a lot of new friends, had lunch with some of those new buddies, and went to Compression for the first time (which is a crazy insane hike and I may or may not have complained a few times on the way up and down)
The super pretty falls, God's handy work.
Of course I had to get a picture for blogging purposes.
How happy I was to be finished with that hike. It kicked my tail & I KNOW tomorrow will be full of complaints of soreness.
Such good company & such a sweet family
So so so so thankful for what God did with my day and my sassy attitude. I had an amazing day full of wonderful things; laughs, smiles, crafts, and good company. If that's just Monday, bring it on rest of the week.
Oh Hendersonville; My hometown, where my roots run deep, where my family has been for decades upon decades and everybody knows everybody & their cousin, and people are what my teacher calls "Carolina Nice"
Okay, so coming home is always exciting (especially when I get to surprise a handful and a half of people, gah I'm so sneaky and I love it), and leaving is NOT. Here lately it has been getting harder and harder. It's 12 am, I should be getting up in 6 or 7 hours and heading back to Boonetown. I know when I go to bed though, that when I wake up it will be time to pack Big Burgundy up (and for all of you who do not know who Big B is, that is my truck. Old Faithful. She is somethin' that is for sure & has cost me more money than any guy I have ever dated. We have a love hate relationship, but I have learned more about cars than I have ever intended thanks to her.) and head towards the higher elevation. Work and school are what keeps me there; only for 6 more months though and I can make it. Every time I come home after being away I fall more and more in love with my home town. Good ole Hendersonville, NC.
Anyways, I am avoiding the bed right now. In these 3 days I got to spend some good quality time with all my Grandparents and some good friends. Tonight I got some amazing family time, some dang good ice cream with some pretty amazing people, and shared a bushel of stories and laughs with some real good company. I could not think of a better way to end my stay. As hard as it makes it for me to actually leave, it keeps me from being bummed out about leaving. It really keeps my mind off of it for a while. Now don't get me wrong, I love my Boonetown life, but there are a load of things pulling me back towards home. So just as January faded into May quicker than I could blink, I'm sure May will fade into December and I will be back here before we know it. And I KNOW by the time January rolls around, some of y'all will be wishin I would take my loud sassy mouth back to Boone, but it's not going to happen. I know God already my has story planned out, but I wouldn't mind digging my roots deeper around this town. Don't ever try tellin Him what's up either, He will clearly let you know who is boss.
This is my one life to love, and I am ready to fully embrace every moment, not just let the time pass me by.
So goodbye sweet, southern, crazy town I call home. Until we meet again.
Sometimes, when we are having the utmost worst days of our lives (or so it seems to us) and there is just NOTHING we think could make us feel better, everything goes wrong, and we just are so flustered we can even explain how we feel. You wake up and it's horrible weather and you had a day full of outside plans, you got into a fight with somebody first thing in the morning, you forgot your school stuff at home, you didn't get enough sleep or you just did not have enough coffee and you are just ready to beat somebody silly, we just want something to go right, just one thing to make it all better. Often, we look to the wrong things for encouragement or to simmer our tempers and heated mouths. And I may or may not be speaking from experience here, because we all know I'm always just a basket full of sunshine and happiness, and never have a temper. (Honestly, I wish I could be a fly on the wall as some of you read this. I'm pretty positive that just gave A LOT of you a good laugh with that one!)
In my devotional this morning it says:
Talking about our days, "There are hidden treasures strategically placed along the way. Some of the treasures are trials, designed to shake you free from earth-shackles. Others are blessings that reveal My Presence: sunshine, flowers, birds, friendships, answered prayers."
Colossians 2:2-3 I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself.In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
SO, here are a few simple ideas for you and me both for when we just feel like we are drowning in our bad days.
1. Remember all of the things we are encountering all have a purpose and a hidden message.
2. "When the dog bites, When the bee stings, When I'm feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things, And then I don't feel so bad" Whatever it may be, whatever brings you joy, or puts a smile on your face, remember them; just like the song says. Sometimes, its the smallest of things that can bring you the greatest joy. It just so happens, the things listed in my devotion that reveal His Presence are some of my favorites. Probably some of your favorite things are different from that but still have a way to show you God's Presence. So you may be a bit of a grumpy gills, think of or surround yourself with some of your favorite things; friends, flowers, your favorite worship song or songs, chocolate, or a dang good plate of french fries and a big ole milk shake (aka: my comfort combo, aka: heaven in food form).
3. Romans 15: 2-3a We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.3 For even Christ didn't live to please himself.
If there is just nothing you can do to make yourself feel better, make somebody else feel better.
If you are looking for encouragement, encourage somebody else.
If you are looking for a compliment, compliment somebody else.
If you are having a bad day, make somebody else's day.
Speaking from personal experience, it does work. When I make somebody else smile or build somebody else up I feel a whole heck of a lot better.
4. Pray about it, be thankful for every trial and tribulations, every smile and every ray of sunshine. Even if it is hard to be thankful for the things, they all have a purpose. I am thankful for everything in my life because it has made me who I am. Some of the WORST things that have happened to me have actually been some of the best things to happen to me. So pray for guidance with thankful, trusting hearts.
I'm sure you have noticed, majority of my blog titles come from Psalms and Proverbs. Well, they are my favorite books of the Bible. They are jam-packed FULL of amazing wisdom, and we could ALL use a little wisdom and guidance.
This blog post is going to be a little different today, hope that's okay.
A lot of us, me included, pray for things to go a certain way instead of asking God to do have His will be done. We (me included) get so discouraged when things don't go our way and wonder why instead of trusting. Trusting God is something I know I personally struggle with. I wanted to just share what I read in my devotional today. Maybe many of you on this beautiful May morning have already read this in the devotional Jesus Calling, or you will be reading it later because I know it is such a common book. (mainly because it is so amazing!) I'm just going to type it here because I feel like I should share.
"May 22
When things don't go as you would like, accept the situation immediately. If you indulge in feelings of regret, they can easily spill over the line into resentment. Remember that I am sovereign over your circumstances, and humble yourself under My mighty hand. Rejoice in what I am doing in your life, even though it is beyond your understanding. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In Me you have everything you need, both for this life and for the life yet to come. Don't let the impact of the world shatter your thinking or draw you away from focusing on Me. The ultimate challenge is to keep fixing your eyes on Me, no matter what is going around you. When I am central in your thinking, you are able to view circumstances from My perspective.
1 Peter 5:6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.
John 14:6 Jesus told him,“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."
In Him we have everything we need. For today, tomorrow, and every day to come. How awesome is that?
eve-ry-thing
pronoun: 1 all things. 2. all things of importance.
That is not something we can find in alternatives, or any being we are surrounded by. No significant other, no bottle of alcohol, no drug can give us all things of importance. God knows what is bests for you, and He will do things according to His will not yours. Don't ask Him to do things your way, because there is a fat chance you will see that happen.
Proverbs 19:21 You can make many plans,
but the Lord’s purpose will prevail
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
I won't lie to you, I have walked by this book on my desk for a month and not picked it up. It's not that I didn't have time, or didn't want to read it, I just didn't pick it up. So after cleaning the kitchen this early morning with coffee in hand I thought, GO get your book. So I did. Maybe it was because I needed to focus more on what the message is in this passage, or I needed to read it to feel the urge to blog about it. I write this blog mainly for myself, to get a better understanding of things I have read, or things I've been think about. However, I hope I won't be the only one who benefits from the things I ramble about.
I live in a college town. I am in the middle of a constant battle.
"There's a struggle, it's God and the devil; it's love against the enemy.
Life's a fight of wrong and right that's tearing me apart
Oh but what the cross has done
Yeah the world will try to battle for my heart but the war is already won."
-Chris August
Every day there is an encounter with something that challenges my faith, my walk, and my sanity. I have to make choices daily. Normally it isn't hard to make the right decisions and it is really clear which path I should take. However, this age, this town, this time period, it is hard to not make certain choices. You want to feel comfortable and to be happy and you see others happy and comfortable so we try to do what they are doing.
Sometimes that isn't the best option at all.
Most of the time those around us find happiness in money, materials, alcohol, sex, looks, and so on.
Worldly Things.
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Looking a certain way, acting a certain way, or doing things to fit in won't make you happy in the end. The right now happiness isn't always worth it. In 20 (almost 21, how could I let you forget, it's so close) years of my life I have done this a number of times. I see people around me doing it. I still do it now honestly. I have been doing it all week, fighting with body image and imagining what I would look like with other features and so on. This won't make us happy, it doesn't make me happy. When we search for happiness in other people and other things, or try to live our lives like others, we are conforming to the patterns of this world. Eventually, it just tears you down more. I have to remember every day that trusting in the Lord is what I should be doing because He knows what is best for me and you.
Whether you choose to believe that or not; it's your call.
Just sharing from personal experience, don't conform. Don't give in to the worldly desires as hard as it is.
So a note for us all, that we should remember daily; don't give in.
"...Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years"
These past two days I think it has finally sunk in a little bit; I have been attending a university (and a really nice one at that) for 3 years. In the fall I will begin my senior year. No victory laps for this chick, 4 years, that is it. 20 is such a small number. Such a little number. I have 20 pennies in a jar, I have 20 bobby pins spilled out all over the floor, 20 dollars will get me about 5 gallons of gas; I am 20 years old. (20 and some change really, I'll be 21 in 4 months) I feel like I am entirely too young to be almost finished with college. They tell you, "you know the older you get the faster time flies by" and they are NOT lying. Seeing those around you, younger and older, go to prom, graduate high school, leave for college, get married, have babies, graduate college, be deployed, or lose a loved one will really put a perspective on time.
I have had more than a handful of amazing opportunities up here in Boonetown. I have had some of my lowest times in this town and some of my highest. I have met some amazingly, wonderful people in this town. Met quite a few bad ones too, but one bad apple can soil a bushel and we just can't have that. I have one more year in college and 6 months and some change left in Boone... so I will make the best of it. I will miss it, every smile every tear every scrape on my knee (or forehead, ha!), every struggle, every triumph. Change builds character and I am trusting God with everything I have. I know He will watch over me and guide me today, tomorrow, and every step to come. I am thankful for it all.
(plus I am kind of ready to get back to my real home and be with some of those amazing Hendersonville people)
Many thanks to everybody that has prayed for me and supported me and helped me make it this far.
I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and the countdown has begun!
While Boone is ghost town, millions of college students across the nation are beginning their summer vacations, the ground is wet and shades of grey are blocking the sun, I have my first day of Summer School. Luckily, in big girl school (college) going to Summer School doesn't mean your a bad kid.
Oh yeah, and I'm in a good mood.
Waking up with a stuffy nose, an achy body and sore throat, I did what all Americans do when they first roll over in the morning... check my Twitter & Facebook. (Don't you point your fingers and laugh, I know I'm not the only one who does that)
Facebook. Twitter. Coffee. Get Ready That's my morning, in that order. & I text some.. okay A LOT, in the mornings too. I could tell you what people tweet about, or the number one post on my Facebook page, but I cannot tell you jack about what the weather will be like.
Well it just so happens Paula Deen told me on Twitter this morning that it is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day. EXCITING! For those of you that don't know, I make some bangin' chocolate chip cookies. I bake them, put them on plates and pass them along to anyone and everyone that will eat them. So yes, I had class, and yes I went but you better believe as soon as I saw that tweet from Paula, baking became the VERY FIRST thing I would be doing after my class. I haven't baked anything in a hot minute (okay--just to clarify, when I say "hot minute" or "a minute" I do not literally mean a minute, I mean a long while. I say a lot of weird things so just get used to it. I'll try to explain the new ones as I use them.) Also, I only see fit that I use my Paula Deen cook/bake ware to do so.
Oh YEAH--I'm going to have a "squirrel" moment for a second. I made straight A's this semester. I haven't seen that many A's together next to my name since I was knee high.
OKAY--back on topic.
I follow a recipe but I don't really. I just throw some things together and make some cookies. Majority of my money goes to baking supplies. But hey, I need to get all the house wife training and practice I can get. It hasn't helped me at all yet, but maybe later it will pay off!
Well, I am dipping my feet into the water that is the blogging world. I am new to this whole ball game but I have a pocket full of emotions and a mason jar full of thoughts that have built up over these last 8 days. We all know I can talk for days on end and I've been told I can "talk a brick wall to death," so lets see if I can get it all out in writing.
"He is jealous for me, Love like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy,
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful YOU are,
And how great your affections are for me."
I love that song. I love listening to it over and over again. I love how my Church worships to it. I love how PreChurch worships to it. I love how I worship to it. I am listening to it right now, right this very second as I type this out. Over, and over, and over, and over again.
"If grace is an ocean, we're all sinking.
So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss
and my heart turns violently inside of my chest"
I was hesitant to go home after the semester ended, but I did and good gracious alivedid I feel, see, watch, and hear GOD working in so many ways. As I write this, and as I went through this past week I felt my heart turn violently inside of my chest like I have never felt it before, ever; I'm not just saying that, I mean it. When you wake up at 7 am to drive 2 hours to make it to Church to worship with some amazing people (have I mentioned I LOVE my Church?!) and you are a witness to 20 people being baptized, you can see the Lord beginning his work. I was by no means prepared in anyway for what came my way this week. God is so so good.
I have walked with the Lord since I was a senior in high school after going through a not so pretty chapter of events. You know the whole "God will knock you to your knees, strip away all you have to show you HE is all you need" saying? Well, you better believe he does that. I will never forget that evening that I went with the Living Water Baptist Church youth group (again, I LOVE my Church) to East Henderson High School to hear a message. I could tell that story to you like it was just this morning, but that takes more time and whole lot more talking and typing than I'm up for. It just so happens that good ole country boy, that I have been friends with for as long as I can remember, the one invited me that night to go, is still making an impact on my life today. Reckon I oughta keep him around, he is a dang good friend. Back in high school he invited me to youth, he invited me to that Sunday night service in that high school gym. Now, he has brought into my life a new amazing friend. With her there is never anything NOT to talk about, we are on the path to being roommates, and with her, I will soon begin to call the place where my roots run deep, home again. Through those two, I have made more connections to some amazing people that have golden, Godly hearts. So Caleb Bryan, I owe you and Jess a HUGE thank you. I am sure I am not the only life you two have made an impact on, and I'm sure I won't be the last.
So I keep saying I love my Church (which I do and I wish it wasn't two hours down the mountain) and I am listening to a song over and over again about how God loves us.
love- n. affection; kind feeling; friendship; strong like
This week I have felt love and seen love. The love God has for me and for all of us, the love others have for me, and the love I have for others. In 8 days, I have created new bonds, I have new budding friendships, I laughed, I cried, I had the time of my life, in those short 8 days I have acquired some new friends that I don't want to be without and I loooove them all! I love my old friends. I love my new friends. I love the people that have been in my life for as long as I can remember. I love the people that have just stepped on the Brooke Train. I LOVE that I'm gonna be Skypin like it's my day job! (brooke.nicole24 for all those who want to chat!) You guys are all awesome. I could mention you all by name, but I think you all know who you are. :)
I lived fine before you. Now, I cannot imagine living without you.
What we all have in common is we all have a foundation in the Lord.
Without the Lord, we all have nothing. With the Lord, we have it all.
God provides. He heals. He mends broken relationships. He creates new thriving relationships. He changes lives. He makes you clean, pure, born again, and strong.
God has created in Momma a new person and we have a good relationship. Better late than never and all the best things take time. So 20 years and some change later, we are building a strong Mother Daughter relationship. I was able to share a wonderful Mother's Day with her in these past 8 days.
God has pulled me out of the lowest of lows and opened my eyes to being more than just a fan of Him but being a follower of Him. I learned that in these past 8 days.
You are given this life because you are strong enough to live it, did you know that?
I am thankful for everything that has happened in my life; the good, the bad, and the ugly.
It has made me me.
"You only get just one time around
You only get one shot at this
One change, to find out
The one thing that you don't wanna miss
One day when it's all said and done
I hope you see that it was enough, this
One Ride
One Try
One Life to Love"
-33 Miles One Life to Love
Trusting in the Lord this week has opened my eyes to loving this one life that I have, that HE has given me. He rocked my world in 8 days, I can only imagine what He will be doing in the time to come. You can make as many plans for your life as you want, but you better be ready for Him to twerk them as He sees fit. There are many changes coming my way, and I am ready for them all!
Thank you to those that have made this past week so awesome for me, and one of the hardest times to leave. I look forward to many many many more adventures and laughs when I see you all so very soon!
Trust in the Lordwith all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight
Proverbs 3:5-6
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
