It doesn't seem at all possible, but this summer is quickly drawing to an end. I move in to Belmont in less than two weeks, and although I've prepared more than the average college student would, I still feel like I'm forgetting everything. I bought a new super-sized crazy lady planner yesterday, and I've already made good use of that little treasure, I assure you! My room is an organized mess--piles EVERYWHERE. A bathroom pile, a futon full of every piece of clothing I'm taking with me, a bedroom pile, a miscellaneous pile, and the list goes on. I am officially in freak-out mode and I'm sure it would be quite amusing to see me fluttering through all my little piles and flipping through my crazy lady planner. Oh dear. On the other side of things, however, I am beyond ready for college and everything it brings. After a rather solitary summer to myself, I'm ready to make new friends and truly discover Nashville. Nursing school doesn't scare me a bit, and I'm ready to tackle it headfirst. I was thinking the other day about Belmont and I was honestly stressing a little too much about everything (surprise, surprise). I was thinking about the money and the distance and just everything I was unsure about, and I began praying about this upcoming change. I'll tell you, if you've never felt the overwhelming peace and comfort that God provides when you just lay your struggles at His feet...man, you're missing out. Because honestly, I can't afford Belmont. And I'm probably not going to be the smartest one in my nursing program. I'm probably going to forget about a couple assignments, and I'm probably going to feel discouraged a time or two. But you know what? This is exactly what God has called me to do. Belmont is exactly where He has called me to be, and nursing is exactly what I was created to do. He is going to provide the funds. He is going to provide the things I need to succeed in order to carry out His plan for me. If it's His will, He is going to make it work for His glory and His good. And as His instrument, it is my duty to do the very best I can at what He has called me to do. That means working as hard as possible now so that I can provide the very best care in the future. So if you don't hear from me this next semester (or the next four years...), just know it's because my head is buried in care plans and anatomy and I am doing my best to make a killer nurse (figuratively, of course!). I do ask for your prayers during this transition, and I'll never say no to a care package or two! ;)
"The thing about ladies is that they attract everyone, not just gentlemen."
I was talking to a friend of mine the other day about how many young men I considered to be losers had asked me for my number or expressed similar interest in me recently, and this is what he said in response. I just could not understand how as a genuine lady, I was attracting the sort of men I have been instead of the gentlemen I would prefer. This really made me think. Jacqueline Kennedy was the epitome of ladylike poise and grace, and is the model after which I shape those attributes in my own life. She was a true lady, and everyone loved her--everyone. Her kindness and her gracious love for people was so admirable, and her seemingly effortless charm and beauty was absolutely enchanting. A trail of glitter practically followed the woman everywhere she went. I can almost promise you, however, the same could not always be said about her admirers and the people she came in contact with every day. As the type of lady she was, she attracted the attention of everyone, including the ones she no doubt could do without. So as true ladies and women of God, we should be prepared the same thing. People are drawn to that type of woman because of the way she treats others and the love and kindness she shows to them. Her grace and her charm are appealing, and people simply want a part in that. Can you blame them? With that said, however, we as ladies must remember that our hearts are what make us most appealing as women of God. 1 Peter 3:3-4 says,
"Don't be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourself instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." (NLT)
Although Mrs. Kennedy was undoubtedly considered a style icon and was known for her beauty and impeccable style, her heart was the reason people truly loved and admired her. She had such a gracious personality, and truly took up the role of a gentle and quiet spirit. She was powerful in her seemingly silent, yet intentional ways, and did not ever have to compromise her ladylike qualities to accomplish the things she did. She embodied everything it means to be feminine and ladylike, and was a woman adored by many.
So I have this issue with stressing myself out about things that most of the time don't even matter. And when they do matter, nine times out of ten, they are completely out of my control anyway. Even knowing this, I get myself all bent out of shape when things don't happen by my timeframe or when they don't turn out exactly like I think they should. I've been going to a little church here, and a couple of weeks ago, Bro. Todd preached about this, and I swear he knew all about my crazy lady planner and how I get so worked up about things and it was like he was just telling me to get a grip. We talked about all the things that people worry themselves sick about, and he just kept saying "God's got this." So honestly, what are you (and I) worrying about and stressing out over that you honestly believe God cannot handle on His own? If He can take care of the birds He created (Matt. 6:26), how much more do you think He will care for you, His child? Your cares are His cares, and He knows what's troubling your heart. Lay those things down at the cross and stop picking them back up. If you're not willing to let Him carry them for you, quit asking Him to. I've seen a quote several times that I just love that says "Don't ask God to guide your footsteps if you're not willing to move your feet." The same goes for whatever is troubling you. When you turn those things over to God, if you continually keep picking them back up, how are you ever going to receive peace about any of them? Let God take care of it. He's got this.
Matthew 6:25-27“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?"
Most of my adventures here are solo ones since I have yet to find any good, Godly friends. But that is okay--God gave me an independent spirit for a reason! I was off work last Friday and Saturday, so I decided to venture to the nearest "big city." I am only about four miles from the Tennessee state line, and I had been told that Cookeville, TN was a pretty good place to go, so that's where Patsy (my GPS--ha!) and I went! As it turns out, Cookeville IS Conway. It's a college town, and has the same sort of area and atmosphere as UCA does around its campus. It also has a little outdoor strip mall area just like the Commons as well as a Kroger and Wal-Mart. Same restaurants, same stores, same everything. So needless to say, I felt right at home! I had a pretty rough week the week before because I started feeling homesick for the first time, so the familiarity was just what I needed. I stayed there for most of the day just wandering around and relishing in my own little Conway, and it was just heaven. I never thought I would miss the 501 as much as I do, but I'm so thankful to have found somewhere I can go that will make me feel almost as if I were home.
I also started attending Grace Union Baptist Church a couple weeks ago, and so far, I am loving it! It is just like my Granny's church, and it is so precious. Definitely a world apart from FBC, but it is the best they have around here. Everyone is Church of Christ in this area, so there are only two Baptist churches anywhere even remotely close. Grace Union is tiiiiiiny compared to FBC--about 70 people total! The entire sanctuary is about a quarter of the size of the Fellowship Hall, and the choir is just whoever wants to come up and sing every Sunday. But let me tell you, these people love the Lord and they are all so welcoming and down to earth. The pastor is hilarious, but he sure knows how to lay down some scripture and keep you on the edge of the pew for every second of that service. It's a great place to be, and I think it's where I'll stay for the summer.
I love and miss you all dearly, and I'm so blessed to be loved so much by such kind people!
Hey there, everyone! It has been such a crazy couple weeks, but I am back in action. I just got back from orientation at Belmont Friday, and I am here to tell you that there is honestly no better school in this country. Literally everything about that school is so far superior to anything I've ever seen, and I am so incredibly thankful to have the opportunity to attend there this fall. I went this past week to register for classes and such, and it was just the best two days! I met so many new friends and I got to meet my roommate, Grace, finally. This is her! How gorgeous is she?! We get along so well, and I know the next four years is going to be a blast. The first night there, it was mostly music majors who arrived early for their placement tests, so we all just sat around in the lobby while several guys played their guitars and everyone sang. It was such a cool glimpse of what college will be like at Belmont, and I honestly can not wait to be there. Grace and I also met a guy nursing major, which is practically unheard of. His name is Kevin, and he is just the coolest! We are all so excited to be nursing students.
Now the boy thing...
Don't worry--they're just Brian's little boys! :) They came to stay with us for nine days, and they are just precious. Gabe is 5 and Will is 4. I was a little worried about the whole situation before they came, but once I met them, I fell in love like I always do with little ones. They have such different personalities, and it was certainly a challenge getting to know they ways they do things and the way they are, but we had a wonderful time together.
This is Will. He is four years old and he loves Spiderman! He is a cuddler, and would drink a whole pot of coffee if you'd let him. He is the most precious little boy and has the cutest grin you have ever seen.
This is Gabe. He is five and looks absolutely identical to Brian! He loves to play with army men and toy guns, and makes the best sound effects ever. He's super sensitive, but a total sweetheart when he wants to be.
They were such a blast to hang out with, and I think they definitely found a new friend in me. I should have known I would love them! :)
Just a little update from Guntucky (It's an actual show, people. I can't make this crap up.)... Tuesday, mother, Kooper, and I drove almost 9 hours to the absolute middle of nowhere that they call Burkesville. You just thought Vilonia was small and had nothing to do in it. The people at work yesterday told me that what people did for fun around here was drive up and down the "town." (Pop. 12??) UM, OKAY. But as I was saying... this moving thing. The drive wasn't that bad, and Burkesville isn't really THAT bad (I hope), but the month leading up to this was torture. All the goodbyes I thought I would have three months to say ended up having to be shoved into a matter of about 3 weeks, and needless to say, I was an emotional wreck. I'm pretty soft-hearted anyway, but this was a whole new type of emotion that I never really had to deal with before. Saying goodbye to the place I was born in, the things I grew up with, and the people I came to love was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I've had heartbreaks before, but this was nothing like that. I left a piece of my heart there in the 501 Tuesday morning, and I hope to be able to revisit it soon. To all the wonderful people I left, I love you. I miss you. And I'm so grateful for those of you who have contacted me to check on how things are going. I'm doing fine and settling in slowly but surely. There have been several (or embarrassing amounts--I'll never tell) tears, but this is a change that had a lot more behind it that what may have appeared, and I think that is to be expected. I promise to keep you updated and post pictures when I can. For now, here's some fun facts you may not have known about the good 'ol Guntucky!
Chevrolet Corvettes are manufactured in Bowling Green.
The first Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant owned and operated by Colonel Sanders is located in Corbin.
The first American performance of a Beethoven symphony was in Lexington in 1817.
Post-It Notes are manufactured exclusively in Cynthiana. The exact number made annually of these popular notes is a trade secret.
The public saw an electric light for the first time in Louisville. Thomas Edison introduced his incandescent light bulb to crowds at the Southern Exposition in 1883.
My last day of high school was Tuesday, and it was such a glorious feeling to walk out of that place and know I never had to go back unless I just wanted to. High school wasn't awful for me, but it was no walk in the park. I learned my fair share of lessons the hard way, but some of the best days of my life happened there as well. Here's a few things I learned along the way!
It doesn't seem at all possible, but this summer is quickly drawing to an end. I move in to Belmont in less than two weeks, and although I've prepared more than the average college student would, I still feel like I'm forgetting everything. I bought a new super-sized crazy lady planner yesterday, and I've already made good use of that little treasure, I assure you! My room is an organized mess--piles EVERYWHERE. A bathroom pile, a futon full of every piece of clothing I'm taking with me, a bedroom pile, a miscellaneous pile, and the list goes on. I am officially in freak-out mode and I'm sure it would be quite amusing to see me fluttering through all my little piles and flipping through my crazy lady planner. Oh dear. 
On the other side of things, however, I am beyond ready for college and everything it brings. After a rather solitary summer to myself, I'm ready to make new friends and truly discover Nashville. Nursing school doesn't scare me a bit, and I'm ready to tackle it headfirst. I was thinking the other day about Belmont and I was honestly stressing a little too much about everything (surprise, surprise). I was thinking about the money and the distance and just everything I was unsure about, and I began praying about this upcoming change. I'll tell you, if you've never felt the overwhelming peace and comfort that God provides when you just lay your struggles at His feet...man, you're missing out. Because honestly, I can't afford Belmont. And I'm probably not going to be the smartest one in my nursing program. I'm probably going to forget about a couple assignments, and I'm probably going to feel discouraged a time or two. But you know what? This is exactly what God has called me to do. Belmont is exactly where He has called me to be, and nursing is exactly what I was created to do. He is going to provide the funds. He is going to provide the things I need to succeed in order to carry out His plan for me. If it's His will, He is going to make it work for His glory and His good. And as His instrument, it is my duty to do the very best I can at what He has called me to do. That means working as hard as possible now so that I can provide the very best care in the future. So if you don't hear from me this next semester (or the next four years...), just know it's because my head is buried in care plans and anatomy and I am doing my best to make a killer nurse (figuratively, of course!). I do ask for your prayers during this transition, and I'll never say no to a care package or two! ;)
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