wedding bells are everywhere

I have noticed a small trend that is occurring within my friend circle! It's called engagement!
I can't believe that most of my friends are about to embark upon a new chapter in their life. It seems like yesterday we were all sitting around talking about how we would never find that special someone. Time flies!
I have been home the past two weekends to celebrate two of my best friends new adventure. I attended Jenni's bachlorette party two weeks ago and this past weekend was a surprise engagement for my best friend Janis! I love to see their faces when they talk about their new life to come. Their eyes get this glow in them and they smile from ear to ear. It makes me so happy to see all my friends excited about a love and not just any love, a real true love! Can't wait till I find mine:)

So Janis, Jenni, Downey, Autumn, Jenny, Julie, Amanda etc.....congratulations on your new chapter that's taking place. I love you all!

Island of Aventure

I haven't been to Disney World since I was a little, little girl. This week I got to be a kid again.

While on a trip to Orlando for a Youth Pastor's Summit we were given free tickets to Universal Studios and Island of Adventure! I felt like I was 9 years old again riding roller coasters till I was a little light headed! Brock, Auny, Kim, Lincoln, Amber, Heather and I made sure to ride all the BIG coasters, some we even rode twice! Word of advice, if any of you ever go to Island of Adventure make sure you ride the HULK. It is one of the best roller coasters ever!!

It was so much fun and I can't wait to go back! Guess it's a good thing I'll be there for three months this summer. YAY

The single face!

My friend Megan is amazing and her thoughts are even more amazing. I wanted to share her blog with you because it made my day!

Recently I went out and saw a couple of friends that I haven't seen in years. It was nice to talk and catch up on each others lives, but the one question that all single people dread is"Are you dating anyone?" When I smiled and replied "No I'm single", each one gave me this sympathetic look and said "Don't worry he's out there."
Well thanks but no thanks. I choose to be single because I want to be. Don't get me wrong, it would be nice for the cuddling aspect and the close bond, but until I figure out what I'm doing with my life, I don't feel it's necessary to muddy up my life and career with a boyfriend. I don't need someone to tell me that prince charming is going to come and sweep me off my feet and make everything better. What I need to do is stay focused and build a decent bank account.
I hate how guys get to be known as studs and bachelors. Their single title is looked upon as "acceptable" and they even have TV shows were desperate women throw themselves at the one lucky bachelor whom they don't even know, how pathetic is that?!!!! What people really should focus on is their own self content, who they want to be and how to improve themselves.
So to all of you that have single friends (especially single girl-friends) please stop with the sad, empathetic looks for their single title. If we wanted a man trust me going to a bar, looking cute, and acting interested isn't hard.

This blog was the highlight of my day...if you agree let me know! I know I do

What an incredible story

In the past two weeks I have come across some amazing stories! Ones that pull at your heart strings. Last night I heard one about God's amazing miracles.
I was in the city with some friends and I was talking to this guy that was a friend of a friend. He is from New Zealand and plays guitar in a band...after I heard some of his back story we began to talk about miracles. He had an amazing story about a miracle that happened in his life.... so I wanted to share it with all of you.
His name is Morgan, so now you can keep him in your prayers. He was diagnosed with a compressed nerve in his right arm which caused his muscles to atrophied, causing a loss in flexibility as well as not being able to stretch his fingers all the way out. When he held out his arms you could see the massive difference between his two forearms. Anyway about a year ago, Morgan had given up hope on finding a doctor that could treat his condition. He had seen a couple doctors in the US but all said that they couldn't diagnose precisely what was wrong. After seeing a doctor in Nashville, TN he was told the only man that could possibly treat his condition was a doctor from India. Knowing that it would be impossible to find this doctor, Morgan decided to carry on with his life the way that he had been. He figured he would never be able to afford finding this doctor.
His band was playing a show in Kansas, and a man in the audience had heard about his condition. He said I have someone that may be able to help. Morgan agreed to see him because he had given up on possibilities. When he arrived at the house of this man he was introduced to none other than the doctor from India. How amazing!
Now the doctor said that he could perform the surgery after looking at Morgan's condition. It would cost around $25, 000. Again another let down...so Morgan began to pray as he had been, "God heal me! I love you and i believe you can heal me." A couple of months went by as he prayed and prayed to God. He was at another show when he picked up a chair and sprained his arm because the muscle was so weak. Morgan got frustrated and called up the doctor from India and said "my arm is getting worse, I have no money and I need this surgery, I need it for free!" GOD moved because that doctor called him back within an hour and told him that he had his surgery set up in three days and it was all paid for! WOW
Morgan's story goes on and on about how God blessed him in his situation of having a crippling condition. God healed Morgan right before his eyes because he loved him and because Morgan believed that He would heal him.
Luke 6:6-10 talks about God healing a man with a crippled hand. There are certain parts of that scripture that speak and move, like God knew what they were thinking and still He performed a miracle in front of them. The man was obedient when God said stand up. I could go on and on! Read it and tell me what God says to you... God helped to heal Morgan, He is waiting for the chance to heal you!

Craziness

I work for the funniest man in the world!
Brock played the best trick on our friend Jonathan tonight...Go read all about it!

http://www.brockgill.com/blog

Oh I laugh way too much here!!!!!

the sweetest

I received a box full of surprises on Friday! Within that box there was candy, cookies and a card sent by my mom and dad. It makes my day when I receive things from my parents! Also in the box was something special made by my niece! She is such a sweet little girl and I miss her soooo much! I can picture her sitting around my house with my mom making this special piece just for me. Her little fingers placing each bead perfectly on the string, knowing in her mind that this is going to make me so happy and of course it did! Since Summer made me this beautiful necklace, I wanted to share it with all of you!


Thank you Summer and I love you!

Music and Lyrics

Valentine's day was a day full of surprises! More than I had expected...
I had some awesome valentine wishes and then I was whisked away for dinner, chocolate and a movie! OK here are the details...

Brock, Auny, Emily, Stephanie, Corey, Jarrett, Brandon and myself went to dinner at Thai Spice(this amazing Thai restaurant recommended by all). We had so much fun hanging out and talking about the ridiculous holiday. Then we all went to the Cocoa Tree where we met Robbie for some of the best chocolate around(so good I had to send Jen some!) Oh my goodness, Brok and I split this chocolate brownie explosion thing...Too good for words!!!After we had way to much chocolate we ventured over to the movies to meet Group 1 Crew for one of the cutest movies I've seen in a while Music and Lyrics. Pablo laughed through the whole flippin movie...even on the not funny parts. haha

Oh it was such a good night! It goes down as a successful Valentine' s Day!

dreams

Dreams

Crowded streets find, a lonely soul
Desperation, a moment's fate
Shares a glace with, a stranger's eye
She was seeking the same sign

It gives him hope, it gives him faith
That life won't always be this way
To change his world, to seize the day
Dreams don't have to fade away

Hours rush by, a small cafe
Conversations like old friends
Have I known you before today
Has love found us, the strangest place

More than just moments frozen in time
A place where dreams and life collide
Can you believe this truth is alive outside what you see
You are free to break through this time

It gives you(us) hope, it gives you(us) faith
That life won't always be this way
To change the world, to seize the day
Dreams don't have to fade away

~Nathan Angelo

Now I know that most of you are thinking, "She is too obsessed with music!" And I would agree with you. I like to post songs because they can express so much that I can't. This is a new song I found today and of course, when I heard it I was instantly hooked. I love when he says "a place where dreams and life collide." Have you ever had that happen? Your dream basically comes to life and it's so crazy. I have! I have so many dreams and when one up and comes true, it throws me off a little. I don't know whether to embrace it or hesitate a little. This song gives me a little bit of direction when it says "to change the world, to seize day, dreams don't have to fade away." That's going to be my new motto...Change the world, Seize the day..My dreams don't have to go away!!!!!!!! Embrace your dreams

Music

In the last week, I have heard some amazing bands, some new and some old. It has made me think about how much music shapes my life. When I'm sad, I always play a song that relates to how I feel...same with when I am happy. Music helps to shape my feelings. I know that sounds odd but go with me on this... If you put a song in your cd player or on your I pod, how long does it usually stay there? For me it depends on my mood, whats happening in my life and of course how new the song is to me. I love to learn all the words to the song so sometimes cds stay in my player forever! It's like for those 3-4 minutes the songwriter and me connect. I can feel his pain or joy and its almost like he can feel mine. What would this world do with no music? How would some people express their feelings? It's something to ponder on...

My favorites this week:
Matt Wertz-519
Jon Mclaughlin-Industry
The Gabe Dixon Band- All Will Be Well
Matt Woods-Misconception
Dave Barnes-Greyhound
Corey Crowder-April 25th

See if you tell what kind of mood I was in this week:)

Friends Make It Better

I've had a hard time lately with the fact that I can't just drive home to see Mom and Dad or drive up to Chili's to see everyone, but this week some amazing people have helped me to realize that I'm on an adventure. I am on an adventure...and I know that because I'm not comfortable. God never promised he would put us in a comfort zone, he did however promise us His love and that he would take care of us! God has given me some amazing friends help my understand.
It's my true friends that make me smile by just a comment or a phone call. These special people remind me that no matter how far you travel from home, friends will be there! Thanks guys...You make my life happy! Thanks God...you make my life meaningful!!!

A night of laughing

Thursday was the night of laughes! Have you ever tried to do a card trick, a messed up? Well Thursday Matt and I did that over and over.
We were trying to learn this card trick where two cards end up in your hand. (of course, there's a lot of little details to the trick but I would hate to give away my secret:) Well I tried to get this trick all night and the one particular time that I actually got the trick right, I accidentally threw the cards everywhere! I almost fell down I was laughing so hard! Then, Matt tried to do this same trick and well, let's just say I was crying from laughing so hard! Oh my gosh, I love haning out with Brock and those Eleventy boys. They make my life so happy! But they also cause my stomach to hurt from laughing too much.
We had a blast!
Can't wait fo rthe next time they're in town...Matt I'll be working on some new tricks for us to try...haha

Mexican Trivia

We have found a new love on Monday nights...and I know it's probably going to sound somewhat dorky but, we have found Mexican trivia. Now I believe that God has placed two of my favorite things together, Mexican food and competitive trivia. He has definitely done this for a reason...Oh how He blesses me haha!!!
Here's what happens: You must arrive on time or there will be no table for you and you play table verses table in a game of trivia(yes useless knowledge). There is an announcer who askes the questions and plays great music in between.
Last night our team was rather large. We had Brock, Auny, Stephanie, Emily, Kim, Scott, Lyndsey, Edye, Rocoe, River and myself. We had a perfect score throughout the game until the lighting round(whatever that means). People were even booing us because they were jealous of our brilliant minds. Anyway we did end up losing to a table next to us but not without a fight. Of course the question that stumped us was about natural resources...i mean really, who listened in Science class. Obviously not us!!
We had a blast and I think it's going to become a new tradition!

Is It Working?

This morning, as I was sitting in church listening to our visitor for the week, I began to think about my relationship with God. Thoughts were running through my head, like... Is my relationship strong enough? Do I do all the things I am supposed to? Do I spend enough time building my relationship? The answer to everything I thought about was NO! Imagine that, I'm not trying hard enough. I knew that but it never really hit me until today.
Our guest speaker this morning was Phil Joel from the Newsboys. He went through this same thing 6 years ago. He preached a sermon this morning about "Is it working?" Is what we are doing in our life bringing us closer to God and if not what do we do about it. He wrote a song and the lyrics spoke to me. They said something like this "Time alone with you is where you unfold all your mysteries." That is so true. Day after day God longs for an close relationship with me and I disregard it. Well no more! No more will I let the ways of the world distract me from what is truly important. No more will I rush off without spending an ample amount of time with God. No more will I let my Father want a relationship but not receive it. No more....No more! It's time for a change and the time is now...Do you have a close relationship with God?

frustration

Sometimes things seem to pile up on you all at one time. This causes anger, worries and my favorite term frustration. There is only so much one person can handle. After that, the person shuts down and everything seems to get to them. I think I am now it that state of mind. I have so many things running through my head, and all I want to do is talk about them. I want these ideas, feelings and emotions run free so that they are not trapped inside waiting for a day where they snap and I say things that aren't true. I want the chance to be open without judgement and truthful without consequences. I need an outlet, just a moment to get it all together and let go!!! Will that day ever come?

I need syrup

Ok so if you watched Conan last night, you already know that because of the lack of cold weather/snow in New York, there could potentially be a shortage of syrup! Now for some this may not be a big deal but for me, I kinda like maple syrup with my pancakes. So with that said we need to come up with a plan. Conan had a good plan of holding ice near the trees in order for them to drop in temperature. My thought was to bring in snow blowers. If they can make snow on a mountain when it's 60 degrees, I think they could drop the temperature for some trees...just a thought. Do you have any thoughts?

Google me

So many funny things happen when you hang out with Brock, Robbie and the rest of our group. I'll tell you my favorite from this week. It deals with Robbie....You see Robbie was running this race in Memphis yesterday. He is part owner of this motorcross event. A little background info on Robbie is he was a pro rider and has been riding since he was three years old. He has won more races then I can count and is amazing on a bike. He won the Loretta Lynn race back in 1997 which is a big thing. So Robbie was faced with an angry rider during the first part of the race, who was mad about some judgement call made during his race. Robbie was very calm during the whole situation while the guy proceeded to curse and yell. Finally the guy said something like " well that's not how they do it in the Loretta Lynn race." Robbie, after taking enough lip from the guy said "I won that race in 1997. Do you know who I am? Go google me!" and walked off...it was the most awesome phrase ever!! Go Google me...I'm still laughing about it!

Mississippi

Over the past three days, I have been in Jackson, MS. What a wonderful little town full of wonderful little people! I feel like I have been on a plane for the majority of the time but the pay off was worth it! We went to Mississippi for a YEC conference. It was amazing as usual. The first night there Brock did a different type of invitation. He preached about how if kids are bored in their churches, it was their fault. It was time for them to step up and realize the ministry is in their hands now...fifteen and sixteen year olds need to grow up and take leadership. If kids are bored because they feel like the old people aren't provided entertainment in the church, then they should rethink some things. First they need to think about what they could be learning from these older people who have been in the faith for over 50 years now...imagine how much we could gain from them! Second, the kids need to learn how to compromise and make the church their church too!
After Brock spoke for a bit, he had the audience close their eyes and asked the question "Who wants to be a leader?" He directed this question towards the young guys in the audience and asked them to stand if they were ready to be a leader in the church and community. About 100 guys stood up (wow). Brock asked them to come to the front as he began the invitation time. He asked the audience if their was anyone who needed prayer to raise there hand. He told the guys standing to begin their leadership then!
These teenage guys then ventured out into the audience with hands on these people in need, praying with them. It was amazing to see this young guys helping people twice their age! Brock's right, the future of ministry lies within the youth's hands! It's time for them to stand up and make difference! I'm excited to see what's to come from these new leaders...

Children and Santa

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. As my four year old niece woke me up this morning, so excited to go downstairs and see what Santa had left, it reminded me of how it felt when I was little. So to all of you reading this, picture this...
You are four or five years old, it's Christmas Eve and Mama and Daddy have told you three times already that it's time for bed. But as usual you're not sleepy because you are too excited about what will happen in the morning. When you finally get into bed and all the lights are out, you just can't sleep. You think about that magical man that is expected to show up at any minute. The one who is suppose to bring you all the things you have been wishing and hoping for. You close your eyes but the slightest noise makes them open. Before you know it, you've fallen asleep and the next thing you know it's morning(well at least in your eyes). It's 5 am and you jump out of bed and run into your parents room whispering "wake up, wake up." The whispering soon becomes louder and louder, until both parents are up. As you walk into the living room, your eyes can hardly look at one, single thing because there is too much to focus on. And that one thing, you know the one that you have been waiting for since October, is sitting there on the fireplace. All in that one moment all your hopes and wishes had come true and you are completely happy!
Let me tell you seeing that this morning was so joyful! But you know what it reminded me of something...Children put all there hopes and wishes into Santa on that one special day of the year. He never lets them down when it comes to what the wish for. They long to see him every chance they get...at the mall, the parades and even at school. They talk about him all the time and when they do get to see him, they confide in him as if they've known each other their whole lives. I wish we could act as they do 365 days of the year putting all our hopes and wishes into Jesus. He is the one we should be so excited to see. How different do you think our lives would be if we confided in Jesus the way children confide in Santa? Just a thought!

So Happy

Have you ever been in the city too long and when you finally come home you realize all the things you miss.
Last night I got home from my aunt's house and I was standing outside at my dog's pen. When I looked up, oh my goodness, the most beautiful sight I had seen in a while was before me. You see I live in the country and there are no city lights around to block the beauty I saw last night. When I looked up, there it was, a sky full of stars. You could see every constellation and when a star shot across the sky, there was no mistaking it! This is one thing that I miss about living at home.
While I was sitting out there with my puppies I realized that sometimes I should stop and look around more. I should take deep breaths and listen to the things around me. It was kind of chilly last night and it reminded me of so many things. High School memories all the way through some of my college days. It was one of those times where you reminisce. I sat there and thought about the things I want in life and the things I have already recieved. I have been truly blessed beyond measure. What a great moment... It was just the perfect ending to a perfect day!!

Hesitation

I always knew that God had a big and indescrible plan for me but I never really knew how it would go or when it would happen. He tends to surprise me everyday with new joys in my life. What I want to know is "How do you know if something was given to you by God."
Now don't get me wrong, I know that the blessings in life are always directly sent from above but sometimes we receive things in our life that we wish for, not what God wants. So if something is placed in front of you and everything about it seems right, do you run with it or do you hesitate in order to make sure it is what He intended. This is where confusion sets in!!
Recently something has been placed in my life that seems so perfect. It's kind of like an answered prayer but it is a selfish prayer on my part. It seems to be wrong timing for the way my life is heading. When I break down, besides the timing, everything thing about this new joy is perfect. So my question is do I run with it or do I hesitate?