here, there, and everywhere

This past weekend we went camping with some friends from Josh's work. We went to Pine Mountain, Georgia. It was so beautiful up there. Fire hot, but still very fun. We went swimming, had some delicious food, made smores, and even had a midnight rave with some glow sticks. I had a really good time. Next time we will know to bring a fan :)

A couple of weeks ago I posted that I had a little to do list of projects that I wanted to get done. Well I got most of it done but when I painted the tv stand it didnt quite turn out the way I wanted it to and now I am a little worried to paint my armoire. I really love the piece of furniture and I just can't imagine ruining it. I am eventually going to paint it but I am so nervous now after the disaster that is the tv stand. good thing i only paid 5 bucks for the thing or i would be so mad. So sometime soon I WILL paint the thing.

My birthday is in 2 1/2 weeks! On July 16th I will be the big double duece. I always get excited about my birthday and it is always a pretty big deal. Last year Josh woke me up with flowers and made me breakfast and then I spent the day with mel and stacie. I bought a tiny little bottle of alcohol just because I could and then poured it down the drain because I don't drink. What a waste of money. haha. That night Josh took me to Sips n Strokes. They made fun of us because it was my 21st birthday and I had a gatorade and josh had a water. we painted this cool picture and we had so much fun.

This year my family is going to Orlando on the week of my birthday so after I get out of class me and Josh will be driving to orlando to stay a few days. We're going to Magic Kingdom,Islands of Adventure, and Busch Gardens. I cannot wait. My dad practically begged Josh to go because they are new BFFs. It is really funny how alike they are. They get along so well and that is one of the things I love about Josh. My family loves him. All of them think he is so great and that super important to me. It will be so much fun to have roller coaster fun with Josh and the fam for my birthday.

A few weeks after my birthday, I GRADUATE! I am a little later than most but only one semester behind isn't bad. I actually graduate on Josh's birthday so it will be a very fun celebratory day. I just have to get through A&P II and Comparative first.

Then the day after I graduate, we start pharmacy school. Not even a day break but I cannot wait. I have worked so hard to get here and it is finally time. Hallelujah!

The next month and half will probably be the busiest of my life but i cannot wait for all of it. I am just enjoying this time in my life.

listen

Dave Barnes
God Gave Me You
10,000 Children
Since You Said I Do
Until You
More Than a Man
Nothing Fancy
I Have And I Always Will

Matt Wertz
Sing My Lonesome Away
With You Tonight
I Will Not Take My Love Away
Over You

Marc Broussard
The Wanderer
The Beauty of Who You Are
Why Should She Wait
Gavin's Song


Three amazing musicians and of course 3 of my favorites. I listed a few of my favorite songs so check them out. If theres no link you just need to download it and listen to it :)

On a heavier note, I got a message from Lauren Huff this morning. She has been having alot of abdominal troubles and they are going to do some more tests. Please send up a few extra prayers for Huffy. Pray for God's healing first of all but also pray for peace for Lauren. I am sure this is a very stressful, worrying time and she needs to feel the arms of Christ around her. Our God is so big.
Here are the Lyrics of a song by Jeremy Camp called The Healing Hand of God:

I have seen the many faces
I fear in the pain
I have watched the tears fall plenty
From heart ache and strain
So if life's journey
Has you weary and afraid
There's rest in the shadow of His wings
I have walked through the valleys
The mountains and plains
I have held the hand of freedom
It washes all my stains
If you feel the weight of many trials
And burdens from this world
There's freedom in the shelter of the Lord.

I have seen the healing hand of God
Reaching out and mending broken hearts
Taste and see the fullness of his peace
And hold on to what's being held out
The healing hand of God

I have touched the scars upon his hands to see if they were real
He has walked the road before me he knows just how i feel
When you feel there is not anyone who understands your pain
Just remember all of Jesus' suffering

Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you
He's near to the broken and confused
By His stripes our spirit is renewed
So enter in the joy prepared for you.

uganda and worry

About a month ago I ordered a Uganda necklace. I ordered one for Stacie for her birthday and one for myself because I liked it. When I went home the next time my mom showed me the picture of our family's compassion child. Her name is Helen Buwala. She is from Uganda. What a God thing. Even though she might not ever know about the uganda necklaces I still thought it was very cool that I now have a reminder to pray for Helen and her family. Just one more way God is preparing my heart to go to Africa (eventually).

There is a lady who taught the women how to make the necklaces, her name is Katie. She has a blog and it is really powerful. Keep her in your prayers for sure. Check it out here

For info about ordering the necklaces go here

I had a pretty discouraged day the other day. The end result of Mammalian really knocked me down. Because I couldn't pull 3 more points, I finished the semester with a 69.5 and no opportunity to round up (i tried). This meant that I have to take mammalian all over again in pharmacy school. I was already worried about how I would do and then this happened. most days I tell myself that God got me in and He will not fail me once I get there. But then there are the days that the enemy gets into my head and tells me that I cannot do it. I feel discouraged, scared, worried, angry, upset, stressed, and the list goes on. It is on these days that I have to run from the devil and back into the refuge of Christ. Like I said...GOD got me in. I didn't get me in. If you know my GPA you would know for sure that I can't take the credit and I think that is how it should be. I can't help but to give Him all the glory for that. I didn't do it alone and I won't be doing it alone for the next 4 years either. Deuteronomy 31:8 says "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." He will do what he promises and I have to trust that always. I cannot be afraid or discouraged. Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose". He called me and He will help me through it. It will not be easy and the enemy will try to bring me down. But Christ is in control and there is so much peace in that knowledge.

change

2 days ago i went to my best friend's wedding. it was so beautiful. it was so much fun and sweet as could be. congratulations ashley and jared mills! after they get back from their honeymoon they're moving super far away to kansas city, missouri. although i am sad that i won't get to see her for quite a while, God has huge plans for them there. it got me thinking about change. everyone hates change. i like change most times but only when i want to change. God has other plans. he wants us to change when it is good for him and most often bad for us. we will try to resist but we have to have faith and know that God is who he says he is and that he will not fail us. 2 corinthians 3:18 says "so all of us that have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. and the Lord--who is the spirit--makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image." we must change to be more and more like Christ. we live in a sinful world and what the world tells us we should do are not what the Lord tells us. so we must change. change our hearts, change our minds, change our actions. change. we can't be just living in the world. we must always be changing to be more like him and show him to the world that so desperately needs him and his love. embrace the change.