The Long Road Home

New Home

2012-04-18T13:56:00.000-04:00

Nathan and I have started a blog that we will both be writing on so please follow us there.....
Life with Nathan and Julia

Changing Lives Again......

2011-11-26T15:28:00.002-05:00

Ok, so there are a lot of changes happening. All terrifying, but most are in a good way. The following letter was something I put together to send to friends and family that are not around me all the time. Sort of an update on what is happening in my life and everything that is going on.

Dear Friend,

First, please forgive the form like manner of this letter. I am sending this to many people and will be replying more individually to questions and such, but this is the best way for me to get all of the information out quickly.

I need to give a little update on my life and ask for prayer. But first, please note I am not looking for pity, instead I am looking for you to join us in rejoicing in the faithfulness of our Lord. We will need prayer and a lot of encouragement along the way. I am asking that you join us in that. And help remind us of God’s promises when the days are long and the road is tough.

I have struggled for many years with endometriosis, cysts, and other problems. At this point I have had 5 procedures and more than 8 treatment plans. I had a surgery in August of 2011, that found I had severe endometriosis and other very serious problems. After talking with my doctor and my fiancé, Nathan, and spending a lot of time in prayer, we all agreed that the best option for me is to have a total hysterectomy. I know that God has an amazing plan and is going to grow our family through adoption. We have already seen the faithfulness of the Lord in the opportunities and people that are being placed in our lives. I will have the operation on December 6,2011.

Now for GREAT NEWS…..I got engaged on November 12,2011 to Nathan Wyble!! He is a wonderful man that I know will be a great leader and partner throughout this life. I am so thankful for his compassion and tenderness as we go through these trying times. He has been a pillar of comfort, encouragement and strength. We are amazed that almost 10 years ago we met and became close friends and now are engaged. I could not be happier than to have the tremendous blessing of becoming his wife. We will be getting married in just 4 months, on March 17th, 2012. So I will be happily planning a wedding to my best friend while I am in recovery.

I wish I could tell you of all the ways that God has been confirming not only the upcoming surgery, but also our marriage. We are both so amazed at His timing and how everything is working out to be such a blessing.

Thank you for your love and prayer.

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If you are interested in learning about Nathan and I please visit our website. Right now it's about the wedding. After the wedding, it will be more about us and how life is going.
Our Website

You should know....

2011-09-01T20:23:00.000-04:00

I had surgery almost a month ago. Did you know that? It's made me feel more crazy than ever. And made me cry more than ever. I feel like I've been on an emotional roller coaster for the past several weeks. Really they didn't find out anything that we didn't already know....I have endometriosis. SHOCK. Ok, so I did get a little sarcastic post-surgery about the comment, "We found endometriosis." Well, DUH! That's why I came in for surgery. The outlook for (biological) children is pretty bleak, the words "it would take a miracle from the Lord," is what was said. Also not something that shocked me. But it is different to assume things, than to be told them by a Dr.

Before you start commenting about God doing miracles or that I don't have enough faith. (Yes, I have been told I don't have enough faith because I start to share what I've been told.) Please let me get to the second part of being told this. For some reason no one ever lets me get to this second, and by far the most important part.... While it is hard and extremely emotional to think about not being able to have children, I am ok. I know that I serve a mighty God, capable of healing me and/or choosing to allow me to have children. I also know that He is infinitely smarter than I am, and knows in the long run what I will need and the best way for those things to happen. I am grateful that God gave me, at a very young age, the desire to adopt. I have always imagined having what I refer to as a "Rainbow Family," with children of multiple races and backgrounds. I have had several people that I trust, that know me and my heart say after praying for more than a year, that God may be intending for my family to only have adopted children. Let me tell you when someone tells you this, and its not just an acquaintance, but someone you love dearly, you can't help but go before God and surrender.

However, surrendering does not mean that there is no longer pain. Surrender is entrusting God to care for your problems, and knowing that He will handle them far better than we could imagine. I know that I am young and single. This does not make my heart hurt any less or give me a reason to not be upset. (These things mean waiting more time, until I am married, while this disease takes over more of my body.) So please do not tell me that I should "get over it" or "don't worry about it." It's not that easy. So far I have done what I can, and that is giving it to God. Now is when I need friends and loved ones to understand that my heart is broken at the thought of not having biological children, but I know I can heal. This is a time of mourning, surrender and healing.

I know that God is going to use this part of my life to bring glory to Himself and I pray that I will be sure to praise Him throughout this journey.

I'm not Wonder Woman.

2011-07-30T23:40:00.000-04:00

I moved. I have an awesome job. I have an amazing new boyfriend. I'm moving into an apartment this week. I'm starting Grad School in late August. And I'm having surgery again.

I think this hits the highlights of the summer.

Honestly, I want to blog, I've missed it. I just don't know what to say. There have obviously been a lot of changes since May, but really I don't know how to put it all into blog posts.

I'm a little overwhelmed right now. With getting ready to move from the house I'm in and into an apartment, there is stress. The upcoming surgery doesn't help much either. My job is stressful, but I do love it. Getting ready to start Grad School is terrifying. My roller-coaster emotions and hormones definitely don't help all of this.

But one thing has really been eating at me for a long time. Get ready for this....

I am a little passive-aggressive.

Unfortunately that phrase is over used and loses its meaning, or means "absolutely crazy." Really to me that phrase means, I don't know how to explain my emotions or things that are really bothering me without being "fine" and then snapping.

If I'm being completely honest, I really don't like that part of me. On of the things that my Mom always told me about moving was that you get to start over. I knew that moving back home would be different since they already know me here, but I knew I could at least work on my "passive-aggressive" tendencies. Until recently I thought I was doing really well. But of course I got cocky and it came back to slap me in the face today. I'm slowly learning to wait until I calm down or until I can figure out an appropriate way to express whatever is going on, instead of saying things I don't mean and that I will regret. I would rather be silent than to deeply hurt the people I cherish the most.

All of this really comes down to not trying to do it all and handle it all by myself. I know it's not healthy, but sometimes I forget and try to be Wonder Woman. I'm totally not her. I'm having to learn to trust God with all of this and trust that He has put people in my life to help me through it all.

BOOMER SOONER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-03-29T21:42:00.000-04:00

I've been accepted to OU-Tulsa for their Master of Social Work program!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That means I'm moving to Tulsa!!!!!!!

That means I need a place to live!!!! And a job!!!!

So help a sister out please......send me a message or leave a comment. Any direction would help!!!

Thank you so much for your prayers and support!!!!

Preparing for changes

2011-03-29T16:07:00.000-04:00

I'm going crazy. It's true I really am. And you know what, it's ok. I know it's normal. There is less than one month left in school.....

Digest that one for a minute.....Last month of undergraduate schooling......GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

My brain just can't really wrap around that one.

Then hopefully I'll be moving to Tulsa!!! (Well more specifically Owasso)

More on all this later when I actually know what is going on.

(Tiffany, Chelsea and I at Olive Garden 03/11)

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You know what. Sometimes you take advantage of people and them being in your life. Or maybe you just never consider that your relationship may shift or get turned upside down.

I think it's so cool how something can happen and it's like you've opened your eyes and seen the person for the first time.

That's totally happening to me. And it's overwhelming me. Like for real I almost can't handle it. But totally in a good way. It has just been unexpected and I am praying hard for guidance on how to handle it and how to respond.

I'm trying to be a little slower in response so that I can really talk to and hear from God about what is right for my life and for how I need to serve Him.

(So please pray that I will be guided by the Spirit in how to handle this and that I will not let my heart get ahead of my head and the Lord)

Through this all I've realized that just as I want people to allow me to grow and mature as a person and a Christian, I have to allow the same for others. Things change when years pass, and you can't control that. But you can control how you respond. I pray you are able to respond to changes in your life with kindness, humility and grace.

(Dale, Erin and I New Year's Day)

TULSA.... Here I Come!!!!!

2011-03-08T21:41:00.000-05:00

Last night I applied for a job in Tulsa, OK. And about 11am this morning I found out that I had to go to Tulsa for a test/interview within the week!! WOW!!!

So I've bought a ticket and I get on a plane tomorrow afternoon to head out there!!!

AHHHHH!! Talk about crazy.

So dear friends, I will be out there tomorrow night and leave Sunday morning.

SO... Please pray for me as I make the trip, do the work stuff, and thankfully get some good friend time!!

So scared of getting older......

2011-03-07T21:13:00.000-05:00

So in just a mere 59 days I will graduate from college. Do you know what that means???

I will soon be entering the real world!!!

I am absolutely terrified!!!!!

As of today, I have no job prospects. I have no acceptance letters for Graduate School.

There are no plans. I know God has been working with me on this, but I am so scared. And truthfully I am more afraid of not being able to financially plan than anything else. Finances have always been my biggest concern when it came to me being completely on my own.

But in spite of all of that.......I have had to jump full force into researching multiple "money eaters."

What are "money eaters" you ask?

Cars......Furniture.....Homes

Yeah...... :(

I need a couch. I've actually been looking at a few....

This is one from IKEA.....

I love that this couch is grey (gray)....I'm never quite sure on that spelling....

But I just love that it's a moderate neutral.

This next one is from IKEA as well....just without the lounge part....

I just want something that could last some time, and go with whatever style I want. Even if it changes a lot. So what do you think? How did you make choices about furniture???

As far as homes, I'm just trying to figure out what would be financially in my best interest.

Rent or Own.

Really I can't even talk about cars. It just makes me sick.

Honestly I have about a million different numbers and ideas going through my head.

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Once again, I am unashamedly begging for job help. Preferably in the Tulsa area.

My majors are Psychology and Social Work. I love these fields.

But seriously if you know of a place that is hiring (full-time), then please let me know.

And it doesn't have to be related to Social Work or Psychology, but obviously those are my preferences.

And I really do need housing. Even if I'm renting a room.

An apartment or house would be a blessing.

But I need to eat, sleep and drink coffee.....

Twice in a week...I'm getting better.

2011-03-05T23:16:00.000-05:00

Recently I have been looking more at home stuff. I've been in that kind of mood. I think it's because it may soon be up to me what my home looks like.

My #1 favorite thing right now is stencils for the floor.

I love that this looks like they pasted a delicate lace on the floor. Gah, 2 of my loves in one.

As for baking/cooking.....

This is from Sprinkle Bakes....

...I know they look fantastic don't they. Once I get some time on my hands, and around some people who won't freak out that there is a little alcohol to make the flames...It's not something I could make for church I'm sure.

But fear not...I have a picture of a delicious cake I made....

(I apologize for the terrible lighting. There is only so much you can do with a Blackberry.)

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I received an email asking about how I'm doing, like me, not the things I'm doing or what I'm interested in now...me. It's nice for people to care about you as a person, about your emotions.

I am super emotional these days, I'm trying super hard to hold it in. Most days I succeed. But recently it's been a lot harder. My body is going crazy as we keep searching for the right path of treatment for everything. The blessing is that I am not in as much pain as before, I know part of that is the medicine I'm currently on.

I'm not totally into telling all about the current medications, mostly because they are hard to spell and hard to explain.

I haven't been sleeping, which is dumb. I am not a fan of things to make you sleep, in my experience they leave you with a terrible hangover. I just want to sleep without waking up 10 times a night.

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Again, I ask that if you know of a place that is hiring part-time or full-time in the Tulsa area, please let me know.

Also if you know of a place I could live, please let me know. Like I said before...a place to sleep, eat, and drink coffee...it's all I need.

Moving again?? I sure hope so.... (long, but not heavy post)

2011-03-03T17:12:00.000-05:00

Yeah, I know I'm a little crazy. But I so want to move again. This move though I hope would be the last one for a long while. I'm hoping to get a job and/or get into Grad School in the Tulsa area. It is home, and I miss my home.

Almost all of my BFFs are there.....

Like Miss Chelsea Grace...

Mrs. Jillian Casey and her babies...

And a ton of other people that I love dearly and I'm tired of living without.

And I miss my church. At this point in my life I need a church to help me grow, a place where I can work and be encouraged and challenged. I need family, not just a church. But really don't we all need those things all the time?? I think so.

SO if you are reading this and you love me, which I assume you do....Please keep your eyes and ears open for a job for me. Even if I am coming for Grad School I will need a job, and if need be I will have 2 jobs. I will have a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies, concentrating in Psychology and Social Work.

With moving also comes housing....So keep ears and eyes open for that too. I don't need much space, but I need a place to sleep and to eat. and have coffee.

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Ok so I have become one of "those people" that becomes a little obsessed with American Idol. I'm honestly a little ashamed....

But not ashamed enough to not post videos...... So enjoy my new love.

Did you see his teeth. They are perfect. My dad made fun of me for noticing his perfect teeth a few shows ago. But I really do love a good set of teeth. I figure if you take care of your teeth, you're taking care of everything else. It's the family joke that good teeth are my first requirement for a husband..... I wish I could say it isn't true, but it is.

I should be studying...

2011-02-17T11:01:00.000-05:00

I just can't there are to many wonderful wonderful things that I should be doing that do not include studying.

Like...

Reading. I truly love reading books that do not pertain to social work and psychology.

I'm reading this book right now. It's about where my heart is right now, the second book is about what God is calling me to.

Revelations of a Single Woman:Loving the Life I didn't Expect

Who Has Your Heart?

This is my current Bible Study....

Get Uncomfortable

Lately I have been trying to focus on what God is calling me to do and who He is calling me to be. For too long I have abandoned what I know God has called me to because it was hard, it was "easier" to ignore God. Boy oh boy was I wrong. God has called me to live a life that is passionate and compassionate. I know that people may look at what I'm reading and say, "Why are you reading about being single, you're so young?" I know I am young, but being single and living for God is something I struggle with. It is something that I daily have to wake-up and say that I'm going to be ok with, because honestly I want a husband and a family more than anything in the world. But I am to the point in my life that I am not going to sacrifice myself, my faith or my God to get those things. I'd say those are major things obstacles that I have, not conquered, but that God and I beat them more often than I let them win.

Happy Valentine's Day!! (Late)

2011-02-15T23:11:00.001-05:00

So yesterday was one of my favorite days of the year. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Valentine's Day. It just makes me so happy. When I walk into a store and see a sea of red and pink hearts, I just melt.

This is the cake that I made for Grace Baptist's Valentine's Dessert Fellowship.

I was so happy with it!!

So since it's been a while...Her are some other things I love!!!

This gorgeous Inspiration Board is from Elizabeth Ann Designs. I love love love it. One of my favorite things about the dress is that you can see the shoes. I love shoes too so that's why.

Ok, I couldn't find a picture that captured everything I feel about this website....bhldn. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE. If you love antropologie like I do then you will love them too.

One of the prettiest, sweetest weddings EVER.

I didn't put a pic, because truthfully you can't tell everything in one picture. You really have to read about them. I cried this morning looking at their story.

So this weekend, my awesome Mommy and I are going to Antique Week here in Nashville. I'm so very very excited!! I promise I will post pictures right after!!

It's been a while.

2011-02-04T22:55:00.000-05:00

I'm terribly sorry for my inactivity in the past few weeks. There has bee a lot going on.

First of all I'm not Gluten-Free!! YAY!! I also am not having to do the crazy diet that they thought I would have to do. They thought I would have to do one where I couldn't have any acid. Let me give you some time to process what that would mean...Think no tomatoes, lemons, anything with vinegar, etc.

Yeah that was awful for the 2 weeks I was on that. But thankfully I was able to go off of it after a procedure was done to confirm that I didn't have the disorder that needed that.

The great thing is that I got a job. I'm a part-time nanny, watching a little girl. I love it. It pays well and it's a great way for me to make some money and stay busy.

My semester is going well. I'm glad I'm in my last one. I'm taking Personal Finance, Behavioral Modification, Family Caregiving, US History II, and Intro to Dance.

I'm going to post some pictures later to show you our Christmas and other happenings since then.

I hope you are doing well. I also hope if you're snowed in, as many of my friends are, that you are warm and with family.

Hot Flashes and Baking Don't Mix

2010-12-15T12:15:00.000-05:00

Today I have had many Hot Flashes. I have decided that it is because my Lupron is wearing off. Honestly I'm ready for it to wear off so I can try something else. This whole thing is getting pretty old. I made Banana Muffins, the Hot Flashes made it insane.

Next on the list of things to try....Gluten Free Diet. Yep, that does say "Life Change".

If you know me and have seen me eat, you know that I LOVE bread and all things with tons of gluten in them. Bread, Pasta, Cookies, really thick Soup, Crackers, Cereal. YUM.

Now going Gluten free won't require I give these up completely, it just requires that I change how I eat them, how they are cooked and how often I consume them. I'm actually pretty excited about this because truthfully I really love my veggies and other more natural foods, they just take more work. Work that I won't do unless I have someone else to cook for, or I'm bored (aka avoiding homework).

(My Daddy, who is a diabetic, is considering going Gluten Free with me to help regulate his diabetes a little better.)

I wish you could see my Bookmarks Page, I have somewhere near 100 pages about going Gluten Free and Gluten Free as a treatment for Endo.

So I'm going to share a few with you. I hope you enjoy them.

Gluten Free Diet Foods

This website has easy recipes and how to switch and adjust to being gluten free.

Gluten Free Nashville

Yeah, this is awesome, it has a list of the places Gluten Free people can eat in Nashville. Did you know that there is a Gluten Free Bakery here in Nashville?

Gluten Free Goddess

This blog has a ton of recipes and tips for living Gluten Free.

Gluten Free Registry

This website works to help Gluten Free people find Gluten Free-Friendly Businesses. Awesome right?

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On another note, school is almost over. I am so glad. I am finding that I am terrible at doing this stuff at home by myself. I am not one of those people that could do a degree online by myself. I need human interaction.

I also wish I could find my card reader so that I could share some of my pics from recently.

Snow!!!

2010-12-11T15:38:00.000-05:00

I am so excited!! I love the snow!! I figure that the cold should always be accompanied by snow. It makes me so happy to see it.

For many years I lived in Florida and got so used to the warm winters, and did not have any snow.

In January 2009, I moved from Florida to Kentucky. That was the same year we had the HUGE Ice Storm!!!

Since the rest of today, before the Christmas Play that is, I will be writing papers, I am going to share my pictures from that ice and snow.

This was right outside my dorm.

FYI The guards off of goal posts make fantastic sleds!!!

Plastic Tables also make great sleds.

Plastic college mattresses also make more comfortable sleds for large groups.

No one should ever have to walk up an ice hill. I did it everyday for 2 weeks. Needless to say, I had bruises all over my body from falling.

I watched a very sweet boy propose here in the snow not long before I took this picture. I would have a picture of them, but I forgot about my camera. He laughed, she cried. It was cute.

I pray that you are having a wonderfully snowy Christmas season. And that you are able to enjoy some good coffee/hot cocoa and a fire.

Time consuming...

2010-12-09T13:33:00.000-05:00

Isn't he precious? I know you're jealous, you should be. I've been spending a lot of time with this little man and his Momma. You wanna hear how cool God is? This precious boy's due date is next week, that's right he was early. How early you ask, 6 weeks.

Let me pause for you to take that one in.

Yeah, amazing right. He was born perfect, big and healthy. He was a good size for a full-term baby, but 6 weeks early. God is good.

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This idea of Postcard Journaling sounds awesome. I think I may have to do it. I think it would make a great gift as well.

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Ok so even though I don't even have any prospects for marriage right now, I just cannot stop looking at wedding things. It truly calms me down. I love weddings. Everything about them makes my heart happy. If you want something found about weddings or just want some awesome ideas I am your go-to girl.

In fact I have been browsing for my 2 dear friends. Let me introduce them to you.....

Richard (my bestest boy friend since I was 13) and his awesome girl Katherine (Kat)

She wanted something different in her engagement ring and she got this beauty!

Now I am by no means rushing them, but I can't wait for them to get married. I am hoping that I will be living in Oklahoma by the time this marriage occurs. I want to help and plan and work. I'm so excited. Really by the time it gets here I may need medication.

My mom told me that browsing and marking things for other people was nosey. I have decided that it's not nosey, it's thoughtful. My feelings won't be hurt if they don't like what I have marked for them. But if they do that's awesome. Thankfully Rich and Kat know my feelings about weddings, so I have been told browsing is good.

Here's another picture of them. I just love this one:

So cute right? So if you have some awesome wedding ideas or pictures, please share I promise I will love them and spread them.

You want to see some favorites from past weddings you say? Ok you don't have to twist my arm:

My cousin's candy bar:

The "couches":

No your eyes aren't fooling you, those are hay bales.

There are two benefits to winter weddings:

1. Cheaper Honeymoons

2. You can use Christmas Decor.

I hope you're having a wonderful day. Merry Christmas!!

Just call me June or Jackie...Whichever you please..

2010-12-05T13:42:00.000-05:00

SO..I'm in a Christmas play this year. And I'm the "Mom" which is weird. And I just can't be mean, it's just not like me. I try so hard to be the nicest person I can be and they want me to get "mad"at the kids. When we started rehearsing they all said that I reminded them of "June Cleaver"! I was so excited, that's like the best compliment EVER!! ( I later realized that they didn't mean it as a compliment for this part.) I have also recently been told that my dresses and hats remind my co-teachers of Jackie O!!! OMG For real the two people that I love. Now if someone were to tell me that I remind them of Mother Teresa I could die a happy woman.

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I really want to do something special for New Years this year. I have always wanted to go out to a "fancy" party. While I can't have my own party this year, next year I'm having a "fancy" party at my place, wherever that may be.

The following are all from www.modcloth.com. They have some awesome dresses that my heart longs for. There are many that I can't justify buying, but many that I just might buy...

I'm really loving all the grey this season. ( I also get very confused on which way to spell grey/gray.)

Ok so this isn't quite so "New Years Eve", but I love it.

Crafts and Such....

2010-12-05T00:10:00.000-05:00

I really want to make this wreath from homemade by jill. I think it is so great! And I love that the ornaments can be removed so it can be a year round decoration!!

Wedding Paper Divas featured this cake on their blog a little while ago. I just love all that lace. I mean it just calls out to my house.

Also, because I can't just copy the entire post, you need to check out Erin's post @ Erin Ever After. I love every single thing on this particular post.

Ashley over at Domestic Fashionista made this yummy pie. If only there was a wonderful party for me to take this too...Hmm maybe this and a few other delicious treats are enough of a reason to have a party. I think so...

Back in October Style Me Pretty had this featured on their site. Oh my goodness, how smart is this....Preowned Wedding Dresses. They have some awesome dresses there at a dramatically lower cost. Brilliant.

Ashley (Domestic Fashionista) made this awesome top. I love love love doiles, all of them everywhere. You should check out the rest of her site. I truly have a friend crush on her, she has an awesome house and such creative and frugal ideas.

I hope you have been enjoying this CHRISTmas season!!

I had something else....

2010-12-03T23:37:00.000-05:00

I had something else to post tonight, but my heart is heavy and I can't bear to go on about cookies and homework, when there are more important things happening in my mind.

A dear friend of mine is hurting. You know those best friends that you have that you don't talk to and you need no words to say that you hurt or you want to take their place, or that your heart aches with them? Well it seems as if almost all of my friends that I have that kind of relationship with are hurting or going through things that I have no words for. I love that as I talked to a friend tonight, my noises of "ugh" and "oh" were all she needed to hear to know my heart.

Sometimes scripture and prayer are all that can heal a heart. When our words and actions fail, our God NEVER does.

"Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak.Heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony."
Psalm 6:2 NLT

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”John 16:33

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah. Psalm 46:1-3,7

‘Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 2 Tim 1:7 (AMP)

Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail). Psalm 55:22 (AMP)

He only is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be moved. Psalm 62:6 (AMP)

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. 1 Peter 5:7 (AMP)

The Lord is good, a Strength and Stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows (recognizes, has knowledge of, and understands) those who take refuge and trust in Him. Nahum 1:7 (AMP)
“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3

The Lord is good, he will sustain and uphold you, no matter what trials you are facing.

Thanks Ladies and Gents...

2010-11-30T15:12:00.000-05:00

I'd also like to honor some pretty charitable and Godly people (they'll probably be totally embarrassed by this, but I believe that some people need some recognition):

Mrs. Laura Kellow

Isn't she so cute? I think that she is one of the sweetest most Godly women I have ever met. This woman woke up at 5am to take me to the hospital, it had snowed and the roads hadn't been cleared at all. That is love my friends. She also welcomed our Growth Group into her home every Wednesday. We had wonderful talks about Jesus accompanied by tasty desserts. She is constantly encouraging others and striving to serve in the way that she feels the Lord leading. Her husband is a pretty awesome encouraging and Godly man as well. They are just one of the best couples that a person could ask to have in their life.

Miss Laura Barry....Soon to be Mrs. Laura Benninger

She and her fiance, Mr. Wes Benninger, are amazing people. They both have amazing hearts for the Lord. Let me tell you if you are ever in need of prayer, this is the woman you want praying for you. She is 100% passionate for the Lord. And my goodness is she ever an encourager. She has one of the most tender and compassionate spirits that I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing.

Miss Chelsea Grace.

She is one of my closest friends. I love her whole heartedly. I am so proud of her. She has such a pure heart and wants to serve the Lord with everything that she does. She is an education major and I would happily let her teach my children. She like me would like to adopt each child that we come into contact with. Our hearts are so united, that's how we often do not have to speak, we just know.

Sometimes Giving Back is best!!!

2010-11-30T14:53:00.000-05:00

So today I've been thinking about what I want for Christmas. I love giving and getting gifts. I know it sounds so selfish to say that I love getting gifts, but it would be a lie if I said I didn't.

The thing I truly hate though is making a "Christmas List." It is the worst ever. So instead of gifts this year I would rather have people help others. Here are some examples of what I'd love to see....

This necklace supports the National Domestic Violence Hotline!

And it's an awesome gift! Make sure to check out the rest of Sueanne's gorgeous jewelry!

TOMS!

TOMS!! Who doesn't love a good pair of shoes? Here's what would be awesome....

Buy a pair of TOMS, therefore providing a pair of shoes to a child without any, and then give the newly purchased TOMS to a shelter or someone you know that needs a pair of shoes.

The Maas Family

This family is truly living out the scripture that says to care for the orphans. They have adopted several children, most of these children have special needs and are in the process of adopting another child. I tell my parents all the time that I pray that God will bless me with a husband who will seek this type of family with me. Oh what a blessing they have been. I know I will be sending them a card with some cash for adoption assistance in it. They are awesome people.

Sweet M's

100% of Maggie's proceeds go to a family in the process of adopting! What a sweet heart!

World Vision

As an alternative why not give a gift in honor of someone, or ask that people donate in your honor. At World Vision you can chose to give a goat, a cow, mosquito net or even a TB test. So these gifts are incredibly practical for many people around the world. How awesome to know that instead of a gift gathering dust, it would be providing life or health for someone in this world!!

Loving....

2010-11-29T01:29:00.000-05:00

I told you I'd share a few things I'm loving....

Joy the Baker's AWESOME Gluten-Free Granola

Seriously I love everything on her site, I want to move in with her so she can feed me.

My favorite ring-via The Knot

I swear that it is just like the ring that my Great-Grandmother had.

I am trying to apply to Graduate School right now. So I'm checking out the available housing in each area. Some of these places, even with my lack of funds I could buy a house pretty easily. That's insane.

Live Radical, that's what I'm trying to do. Read the book, it will change your life.

Freezer Cooking it's what all the cool kids are doing now.

Mom and I are going to try it, and we're going to do it Gluten Free. Yeah we're that cool.

Since I have no pictures so far, here are some pictures that I love from my personal album...

That's right those are shark house-slippers.

A "screaming tea pot." One of the best gifts ever!

The Sister (4yrs) and I (6yrs) in Galveston,TX.

So I hope you have a blessed day. I will be spending Monday with a dear friend and I will be spoiling her 3 week old son. I'm going to try not to cry tomorrow, but of course no promises about that one.

Christmas' Past

2010-11-27T00:41:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving is still going on here in Tennessee. Do you know what that means? It means that Christmas cannot begin in my home. :(

If you know me at all, you know I LOVE Christmas and everything about it. So I leave you with some Christmas pictures from the past:

Our last picture of the Grandkids with MamaToo and Granddaddy.

First Christmas with my baby sister. I'm the cute one that looks sad.

My first cheesecake. It was SO good!!

The best gift I gave my parents, a blanket that says "The Stewarts"

This was taken on a date night my senior year. It was such a fun night.

I come from a family of crazies.... and we're cool

2010-11-26T01:10:00.000-05:00

That's right. I'll say it. My family is crazy. I love them, but sometimes I can't believe that I came from them. However, other times I totally see it. We truly have a wonderful time together. I love them, they make me crazy, but I wouldn't trade them for the world.

I hope that today, you have had a wonderful and blessed holiday with your family. If you didn't get to be with your family, I hope you got to spend wonderful time with dear friends.

So here are some pictures of the things that have been HUGE blessings this year:

My cousin, Carolyn's wedding. So fun and such a great distraction from all the terrible things happening.

While many did lose their homes in early May, my family was blessed to not have any damage from the flood. This picture was taken just off the entrance to the road we live on.

One of my bestest friends, Chelsea Grace, was able to spend some time with me a few times this year. It was much needed time for both of us!!

This boy just warms my heart. He has taught me so much about loving others and loving God. He is one of the strongest Christians, and greatest prayer warriors that I know.

My awesome parents. They are some of my closest friends, and have been my consistent supporters through everything.

Some that I don't have pictures for :

Vanessa Thomas, a consistent encouragement through this whole endometriosis thing.

My church families. That's right families, I have been blessed to be a part of several church families. Southland Christian Church in Lexington, Grace Baptist Church in Springfield, First Baptist in Hendersonville, and Central Baptist in Owasso.

Even though there have been hard times this year, I know that I am loved and blessed by an amazing God. He has given me many reasons to smile and to be thankful this year.

My blessed memories...

2010-11-24T13:23:00.000-05:00

Today it is grey and rainy. Normally I love this type of weather, but I have many things to do today. Like go see a dear friend and her precious 2 week old baby, who I am truly addicted to.

But as I was planning my day, I remembered that I am helping to get ready for our first family Thanksgiving without MamaToo. So I just wanted to cry. I miss her terribly. In the past few years she had become one of my closest friends. She was just awesome.

From the time I was very young we shared our birthdays together.

We have also spent many days and nights cooking and making wonderful treats.

It often led to a little insanity.

She hates my school's cheer...So we got her a hoodie with it on it. Isn't she cute!

She also always took such a great interest in all of our hobbies and things we liked.

I really hope when I'm a grandmother that I am as interested and as active as she was.

It made me think how blessed I am to have had a relationship with her and my other 3 Grandparents (who are all coming tonight).

Here's my favorite picture with my Granddaddy (MamaToo's husband), we were feeding the cows.

So as you prepare for Thanksgiving, remember the people in your family, and how blessed you are to have them. Even though you don't always, or ever, get a long, they are a blessing. They are a blessing that many people in this world do not have.

God Bless. Happy Thanksgiving!!