Ok, so I got a free trial of Lightroom and I love love love love love it!! Mckmam is giving it away over on her blog at mckmama.com and I am just hoping that one of my many entries will win. Therefore I am blogging in order to get ANOTHER entry! Wish me luck!
So, there's this thing called Picnik.
So, I make my friends look cooler.
And I pretty much don't know what I would do without it.
I imagine I would find some other way to edit my photos.
BUT it's just soooo me!
So, I make my friends look cooler.
And I have way too much fun!
But Picnik rules and....
I am addicted!
I am addicted!
I have started reading this new book that is, to say the least, unsettling. It is called Crzy Love and it is about how we as Christians are supposed to love God our Creator. The question at the beginning of the preface really got to me, it asks When you look at the things in your life, do they reflect passionate, wholehearted love for God? Obviously not because if they did, we wouldn't fail Him as much as we do. I am really excited about this book. I am going through it with a friend of mine and we are trying to read it very slowly in order to really meditate on the meat of it and get the most out of it that God is trying to teach us. If you have never heard of this book, you should look up www.crazylovebook.com and think about reading it. I have a feeling it's going to change my life and that's what I want!
So, lately I have been perplexed as to the reason(s) it is so difficult for me to do the things in life that mke sense. Like, why is it so hard for me to open my heart to the Savior who is my Father and sent His ONLY son to die for me and my pathetic self and all my sins? Why is it so easy for me to go along with my day to day life and get wrapped up in the trivial things and the things that will not last? I know that He is the ONLY thing that is best for me and that He knows better than I do about everything. I know He is in control and I know that without Him I am nothing and can do nothing but with Him I can do all things. So why is it so hard to grasp the idea that He is Lord of all and He deserves our everything? I don’t know but I can say that everytime I come to this bump in the road I get smacked in the face (not literally of course) by God and the reality that my life and all the things in it will flow much more smoothly and I will be happier if I trust in Him and fully rely on Him. Easier said than done, huh?
So, this summer has pretty much been the most up and down summer I can remember ever experiencing. On on hadn there are so many amazing things happening and such happiness in my friends’ lives that I am overcome with happiness and sheer delight for them. On the other hand, (this hand is not a nice hand by the way) I have been dealt many obstacles and tough trials. Early on in the summer, my truck started having fits. Literally, it would start when it wanted to start. So, our mechanic fixed it or so we thought. $314 later, my truck got me home, but no farther. Normally it would be as simple of a fix as taking the truck back over to our mechanic’s house…not so this time around. He and his family were going ona vacation…an almost three week long vacation indeed. So I go without a vehicle for over a month even after spending a buttload of money on it. So, when he returns, he finally gets it fixed and I am able to drive it after spending over $500 total. So, my truck is fixed and I can drive…YAY! Then, sadly, my 96 year old great-grandmother who has been living with us for some time passes away. A very sad time for our family because although we know we will see her again and that she is in heaven and no longer suffering, the last matriarch of out family is no longer with us. Another issue I have been dealing with and sharing plenty on this blog is the Nursing school issue. My heart is completely devoted to going to school to become a nurse and there have been so many things getting in the way and often causing me to doubt. Well, the day I return to work from being gone for the funeral, I am notified by e-mail in a one sentence inconsideration that I was not accepted to the Fall 2009 Nursing program. I should be receiving a letter explaining the reason(s) behind my denial. So, needless to say, I am pretty much done with this summer and ready for my favorite season (Fall) to show it’s beautiful face. The things I mentioned in this post are only the major things that have gone on, there are other things that have been just bumps to add to the difficulty. So while I am super excited that one of my best friends just got engaged and I am going to be her maid of honor and there are so many festivities to take part in and that oy other best friend is about to have her second baby, a little boy, it is not easy for me to put on that “I’m ok” face. My friends are very supportive, and I do have some wonderful friends. I am at the point now where I don’t know what the next step is. Especially regarding school, I feel I have done evertything possible to work my butt off and get my grades back and up and get all of the admissions information in early but nothing helps.
The one thing I can hold fast to is that my God is holding me close and He is not going to let me fall. Although I may feel as though He is farther away from me than ever at times, I have faith that He is working the things in my life together for good. Job was tested so much harder than I am and he was still able to praise God and glorify His name. I can only hope that if things get worse and harder times come upon me that I will be like Job and my heart will draw closer to the heart of Christ, where I can truly find comfort.
Ok, I am going to go out on a limb here and try to refrain from blogging about the aforementioned (make that mentioned so many times I can’t stand it anymore) topic and try to give myself and whatever readers who may be doing such a breath of fresh air.
So, what to talk about? My life is kind of revolving around that irritating bug in my ear that I won’t mention…haha.
Ok, how about in case anyone doesn’t know me, I give ya’ll and idea of who I am and what makes me that way.
What were you doing 30 minutes ago?I was checking in patients.
What is your current mood?indifferent and impatient
What are you doing tomorrow?working, like I do every Thursday
Are you too forgiving?One can never be too forgiving.
What was the last thing you put in your mouth?Five gum
Do you want a girlfriend or boyfriend?I want whatever God’s will is, sometimes I think I do want a
boyfriend, but sometimes (a lot) He shows me that He wants me to wait.
Are you wearing makeup?I am. You will rarely catch me without at least mascara on.
How many pillows do you sleep with?one body pillow and one regular pillow
What are you thinking right now?absolutely nothing, when I read the question I could think of NOTHING but the question, lol
Has anyone ever broken your heart?no, I have never given anyone my heart to break.
Have you ever cried and not known what for?yeah, but I found out a few days later, lol
Do you wear make up everyday?yep, but not a lot, just eye makeup
What do you daydream about the most?I never have time to do that anymore, it’s sad I know
If you could run away to any place, where would you go?Australia, but I would be back, I love my friends too much!
What is your favorite song at the moment?right now, I am really enjoying You Are For Me by : Kari Jobe
Where do you go when you just need to get away?to my iPod, or take my camera and drive
Who is the last person you high-fived?Jeremy
What's something you really want right now?to get into…um, nevermind. I cannot mention such things, lol
Where will you be 5 hours from now?Letting the dogs out at my pastor’s house
It's Wednesday night, where are you usually?church, which is where I will be tonight
What would you change about your life right now?I would be more devoted to the God who covers me in grace.
Is there someone you will never forget?many…two come to mind, Garon, one of my best friends who died in a car accident, and Mrs. Hazel, a friend’s mom who was an utterly amazing woman.
Is there something right now that has you worried?not at the moment, this has taken my mind off of
it, now stop reminding me, lol
Does anyone annoy you?very few, but if they annoy me, it’s bad.
Have you ever smoked? When I was younger, I tried it, disgusting!
What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite? Grape I think
Favorite Christmas movie? I like Home Alone and White Christmas
What do you prefer to drink in the morning? water
Favorite hobby? I have too many and not enough time to do them…photography and scrapbooking top the list
Do you wear glasses/contacts? I wear both
Middle name? Marie
Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment: I don’t understand why some people have to be so annoying, I wonder when the burnt popcorn smell from yesterday will go away, and I am so glad to be off work on Friday.
Name 3 drinks you regularly drink daily: water, diet coke and that’s about it
How did you bring in the new year? At Emily’s house with some amazing friends!
What color shirt are you wearing? purple zebra print, one of my favs
Can you whistle? No :O(
Favorite Girl's Name? Emma
Favorite boy's name? Tucker
What vehicle do you drive? a Ford Ranger
What do you have pierced on you?two holes in each ear
Do you blow dry your hair?yes, when I want it straight, I blow dry it and then meticulously straighten it
Who was the last person you cried in front of?my mom
Who knows your secrets?a select few, but I don’t have a lot of secrets. Heather and Emily usually know all
Can you see a stuffed animal from where you're sitting?no I am at work
Has a good friendship ended recently that you wish had not?yes, well not too recently, a couple of friends have drifted away in the last few years, it’s sad but sometimes people come in and out of our lives for a reason.
How old will you be in 4 years?28, sheesh, maybe I’ll be married by then!
Do you still talk to your friends from elementary school?some of them, especially since that amazing creation Facebook came into my life
What is the last beverage you had?water, water, cool clear water
When was the last time you smiled?I smile almost all the time.
Does it bother you when people spell/type your name incorrectly?not really, but it does bother me when they call me Christine…so many people do it, but I don’t say anything most of the time so I guess it doesn’t bother me too much
Have you ever lost a close friend?unfortunately yes, God took Garon Neal Shaver home three years ago. He died in a car accident about 1 mile away from home.
What age were your parents when they had you?mom was 23, dad was 22
Some of my favorites are…anything zebra print, the smell of my Melt Away Stress lotion, strawberries, tickling babies and making them laugh, an amazingly awesome photograph, American Idol, praise and worship music, Facebook, Jesus – He’s by far the best ever!
Things that are definitely NOT my favorites would be…turnips, hard rock screaming music, rude people, people who reek of cigarette smoke, pop-ups, hiccups.
So, what to talk about? My life is kind of revolving around that irritating bug in my ear that I won’t mention…haha.
Ok, how about in case anyone doesn’t know me, I give ya’ll and idea of who I am and what makes me that way.
What were you doing 30 minutes ago?I was checking in patients.
What is your current mood?indifferent and impatient
What are you doing tomorrow?working, like I do every Thursday
Are you too forgiving?One can never be too forgiving.
What was the last thing you put in your mouth?Five gum
Do you want a girlfriend or boyfriend?I want whatever God’s will is, sometimes I think I do want a
boyfriend, but sometimes (a lot) He shows me that He wants me to wait.
Are you wearing makeup?I am. You will rarely catch me without at least mascara on.
How many pillows do you sleep with?one body pillow and one regular pillow
What are you thinking right now?absolutely nothing, when I read the question I could think of NOTHING but the question, lol
Has anyone ever broken your heart?no, I have never given anyone my heart to break.
Have you ever cried and not known what for?yeah, but I found out a few days later, lol
Do you wear make up everyday?yep, but not a lot, just eye makeup
What do you daydream about the most?I never have time to do that anymore, it’s sad I know
If you could run away to any place, where would you go?Australia, but I would be back, I love my friends too much!
What is your favorite song at the moment?right now, I am really enjoying You Are For Me by : Kari Jobe
Where do you go when you just need to get away?to my iPod, or take my camera and drive
Who is the last person you high-fived?Jeremy
What's something you really want right now?to get into…um, nevermind. I cannot mention such things, lol
Where will you be 5 hours from now?Letting the dogs out at my pastor’s house
It's Wednesday night, where are you usually?church, which is where I will be tonight
What would you change about your life right now?I would be more devoted to the God who covers me in grace.
Is there someone you will never forget?many…two come to mind, Garon, one of my best friends who died in a car accident, and Mrs. Hazel, a friend’s mom who was an utterly amazing woman.
Is there something right now that has you worried?not at the moment, this has taken my mind off of
it, now stop reminding me, lol
Does anyone annoy you?very few, but if they annoy me, it’s bad.
Have you ever smoked? When I was younger, I tried it, disgusting!
What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite? Grape I think
Favorite Christmas movie? I like Home Alone and White Christmas
What do you prefer to drink in the morning? water
Favorite hobby? I have too many and not enough time to do them…photography and scrapbooking top the list
Do you wear glasses/contacts? I wear both
Middle name? Marie
Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment: I don’t understand why some people have to be so annoying, I wonder when the burnt popcorn smell from yesterday will go away, and I am so glad to be off work on Friday.
Name 3 drinks you regularly drink daily: water, diet coke and that’s about it
How did you bring in the new year? At Emily’s house with some amazing friends!
What color shirt are you wearing? purple zebra print, one of my favs
Can you whistle? No :O(
Favorite Girl's Name? Emma
Favorite boy's name? Tucker
What vehicle do you drive? a Ford Ranger
What do you have pierced on you?two holes in each ear
Do you blow dry your hair?yes, when I want it straight, I blow dry it and then meticulously straighten it
Who was the last person you cried in front of?my mom
Who knows your secrets?a select few, but I don’t have a lot of secrets. Heather and Emily usually know all
Can you see a stuffed animal from where you're sitting?no I am at work
Has a good friendship ended recently that you wish had not?yes, well not too recently, a couple of friends have drifted away in the last few years, it’s sad but sometimes people come in and out of our lives for a reason.
How old will you be in 4 years?28, sheesh, maybe I’ll be married by then!
Do you still talk to your friends from elementary school?some of them, especially since that amazing creation Facebook came into my life
What is the last beverage you had?water, water, cool clear water
When was the last time you smiled?I smile almost all the time.
Does it bother you when people spell/type your name incorrectly?not really, but it does bother me when they call me Christine…so many people do it, but I don’t say anything most of the time so I guess it doesn’t bother me too much
Have you ever lost a close friend?unfortunately yes, God took Garon Neal Shaver home three years ago. He died in a car accident about 1 mile away from home.
What age were your parents when they had you?mom was 23, dad was 22
Some of my favorites are…anything zebra print, the smell of my Melt Away Stress lotion, strawberries, tickling babies and making them laugh, an amazingly awesome photograph, American Idol, praise and worship music, Facebook, Jesus – He’s by far the best ever!
Things that are definitely NOT my favorites would be…turnips, hard rock screaming music, rude people, people who reek of cigarette smoke, pop-ups, hiccups.
I have been putting of posting for a while because I was hoping my next blog would be an exciting one that was focused on my acceptance into Baptist College of Health Sciences Nursing program. Many of my posts consisted of my ramblings on and on about how stressed and frustrated that the process is taking so incredibly long. I had a good feeling that it was coming and I would know sooner than later. Unfortunately, they STILL have not made a decision on me yet. But, I still have hope, rather, I still have FAITH that God in His amazingly perfect timing, is still writing my story and has something amazing in store. Why should I worry? Why should I fret? I say that I have this faith and that I know my all-knowing and all-powerful God WILL come through for me, but still I worry. What is worry but doubt coming to fruition and rearing it's ugly head? So, I guess if nothing else, my Father above is showing me to have more faith in Him even when...especially when... it seems like there is no end to the obstacles placed before me. "There's always gonna be another mountain, I'm always gonna wanna make it move!"
Well, all of my documents are finally in at Baptist now so all there is to do at this point is wait for a response to find out whether or not I am in. I have put it in God's hands now, I am trying to trust Him and not focus on the what ifs and the maybes of all my situations. That goes for the fact that I do not, nor will I have my truck to drive for at least two weeks. I guess it's a good thing I will save money on gas for two weeks. Oh well, I know it will work out and I will have a way to get somewhere is I absolutely have to. It is just a slight inconvenience to feel like I am in high school again bumming rides off people. Maybe I will appreciate what I have better now. Whatever it is, I will survive!
I know it has been a long time, but I am getting back into this and hopefully will stay with it this time. So, currently I am working for a Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon’s Office full-time. I have been saving up money and have applied to Nursing schools and am waiting to hear back. This whole getting out of Nursing school and trying to go back has been an unwanted fiasco. It seems that there is always some obstacle I must hurdle in order to pursue God’s calling on my life. I really would like to get into Baptist College of Health Sciences. I applied early and got all of my documents turned in months ahead of time. I took the entrance exam and passed it with flying colors. Everything seemed to be going smoothly. Then for some reason the admissions officer has not been able to get in touch with the dean of Nursing at Liberty, where I was previously. He has said he has tried multiple times to get in touch with her to no avail. She says he has not tried to get in touch with her. So I proceeded to make sure they both had each other’s e-mail addresses and phone numbers correct. Now the dean is on vacation so there is more wait time. The deadline for all application information was Monday, June 1, 2009. Granted I had everything turned in, but I am just freaking out waiting to know if this inability to communicate is going to cost me admission. If it does, I am sure I will live through it, but I have no clue what the next step would be. It seems as though it is one complication after another. I have even thought for an inkling of a second that maybe I should go another direction but I have prayed about it and I know that this is what God wants me to do. I meet all of the requirements and have many classes that should transfer. All I can do now is have faith that God is working this out in His timing and that my efforts are not in vain.
