So, it's my last semester in college... wait! Did I just say that?!?!
IT'S MY LAST SEMESTER IN COLLEGE!
Wow.
I've started my last semester at USF and it feels surreal. I'm definitely excited, but I'm also sad to leave this part of my life behind. College has been a BLAST! I've made so many friends and experienced the first tastes of adulthood and real responsibility here. I've climbed trees in the middle of the night and gotten breakfast at Andros at 2am here. This is where I developed a love for nursing and caring for people. This is where I cheered my own football team onto... well, just cheered! I learned how to listen for God's voice. I learned how to be a friend. I learned how to learn.
And now... I'm leaving it behind.
This semester, like each at the college of nursing, is overwhelming. Each time I come back to school I'm faced with a never-ending to-do list and only 16 short weeks to complete it. But unlike EVERY previous semester, I decided to try a new approach. I decided to try daily trusting God. Most of us trust God for big things, but not for the daily little things He so wants to bless us with and provide for us. I asked God for opportunities to help me trust Him... BIG mistake!
My life fell apart. Literally. And instead of trying to solve everything in my mind and trust in myself to get through it - I decided to trust God. Afterall, why does God work things together for good, for them that love Him and are called according to His purpose? To conform us to the image of His Son. Why are we to consider trials joy? Because the testing of our faith produces endurance. Why are we to trust in God with all our hearts? Because He alone can make our paths straight.
So, I decided to trust, though it hurt. I decided to thank and praise, though I was anything but thankful.
Once I decided that, and purposed myself to trust, I thought things would get better. And really, they haven't. But my perspective is different.
Only Trust Him
Come, every soul by sin oppressed,
there's mercy with the Lord;
and he will surely give you rest,
by trusting in his Word.
Refrain:
Only trust him, only trust him,
only trust him now.
He will save you, he will save you,
he will save you now.
1.30.2011
1.01.2011
2010: Done and done!
Every year, on this day, people make lists. They list the things that have happened over the past year. They list the things they hope to do in the coming one. Most lists include some amount of weight loss. Some include trips to be taken, places to be visited, and marathons to be run. And, alas, the first day of this new year, I am in the same place. (I, however, am not brave enough to post my resolutions on the world wide web for more accountability than I care to have!)
Instead, how about a synopsis of 2010?
Just like every year, it had 365 days, 8760 hours, 525600 minutes ,and 31536000 seconds, but it boasted unique qualities too...
In 2010:
Mistakes were made. Arguments had. Forgiveness sought. A blog started and updated… not so often. This country left - and returned to with the song "God bless America" sung loudly and proudly. Babies were delivered. Champagne was tried (Ew). 1000+ pictures were taken. Noses were pierced. Cycles proved themselves cyclical. Parents drove hours to pick up their sick college student. TONS of pool hours were logged. Alethia friends were made. Silly Halloween costumes constructed. Howls and screams present at Howl-O-Scream. Sunsets were watched. Clinical hours clocked. Classes skipped. Diet coke drank. Weddings attended and lovely purple dresses worn. Tests were studied for. New guitars received. Noses unpierced. Poems read, laughed at, and smiled about. I love you's spoken. Friends became close. Too many cookies were eaten. Feelings were hurt - worries were had. Love for the NICU was discovered. Spanish-speakers received the gospel. Blessings were received and prayers were answered. Relationships were damaged and restored. Wounds were healed, ripped open, and healed again. Truth was discovered. Fears were confirmed. Peace passed all understanding. Hottub trips taken. Volcanos climbed. Miles run. Lessons learned. Baby showers thrown. Entire families prayed for. Growth happened. Another year: complete.
2010: Done and done!
Instead, how about a synopsis of 2010?
Just like every year, it had 365 days, 8760 hours, 525600 minutes ,and 31536000 seconds, but it boasted unique qualities too...
In 2010:
Mistakes were made. Arguments had. Forgiveness sought. A blog started and updated… not so often. This country left - and returned to with the song "God bless America" sung loudly and proudly. Babies were delivered. Champagne was tried (Ew). 1000+ pictures were taken. Noses were pierced. Cycles proved themselves cyclical. Parents drove hours to pick up their sick college student. TONS of pool hours were logged. Alethia friends were made. Silly Halloween costumes constructed. Howls and screams present at Howl-O-Scream. Sunsets were watched. Clinical hours clocked. Classes skipped. Diet coke drank. Weddings attended and lovely purple dresses worn. Tests were studied for. New guitars received. Noses unpierced. Poems read, laughed at, and smiled about. I love you's spoken. Friends became close. Too many cookies were eaten. Feelings were hurt - worries were had. Love for the NICU was discovered. Spanish-speakers received the gospel. Blessings were received and prayers were answered. Relationships were damaged and restored. Wounds were healed, ripped open, and healed again. Truth was discovered. Fears were confirmed. Peace passed all understanding. Hottub trips taken. Volcanos climbed. Miles run. Lessons learned. Baby showers thrown. Entire families prayed for. Growth happened. Another year: complete.
2010: Done and done!
12.06.2010
Hard Work
I work pretty hard. At least, I try to. I'm a motivated person and most days I get the job done. But if I've learned one thing about nursing school it's that good grades don't make a good person... or a good nurse.
I studied for finals. I studied hard. I worked hard. And... didn't do as well as I wanted. *sigh* Story of my life...
The sermon on Sunday was in Titus. Maybe I'm weird, but it's one of my favorite books. Yes, all of the commands can be overwhelming, but it's so encouraging also because God gives us specific instructions... no excuses. I wrote down in my journal a list of things God commands me, as a woman: be reverent, a teacher of good, an encourager, a lover of children, a respecter of men, sensible, pure, kind, submissive... Those were just a few that caught my attention. And, as I reflected on my past week, I was glad I hadn't made the desired grades on my finals. What?!?
Yes... I do mean that.
I spent hours studying. I spent hours in study groups, in the library, in my living room... hours! But, I didn't forget other things that were important too: spending time with my brother and sister, worshipping with God's people, a christmas party spent encouraging other believers, biblestudy, praying for a new baby that just arrived, time in God's word...
So what if i didn't make an A? Titus 2 must've gotten in the way.
I studied for finals. I studied hard. I worked hard. And... didn't do as well as I wanted. *sigh* Story of my life...
The sermon on Sunday was in Titus. Maybe I'm weird, but it's one of my favorite books. Yes, all of the commands can be overwhelming, but it's so encouraging also because God gives us specific instructions... no excuses. I wrote down in my journal a list of things God commands me, as a woman: be reverent, a teacher of good, an encourager, a lover of children, a respecter of men, sensible, pure, kind, submissive... Those were just a few that caught my attention. And, as I reflected on my past week, I was glad I hadn't made the desired grades on my finals. What?!?
Yes... I do mean that.
I spent hours studying. I spent hours in study groups, in the library, in my living room... hours! But, I didn't forget other things that were important too: spending time with my brother and sister, worshipping with God's people, a christmas party spent encouraging other believers, biblestudy, praying for a new baby that just arrived, time in God's word...
So what if i didn't make an A? Titus 2 must've gotten in the way.
11.18.2010
All things girly
Tonight is one night I wish my camera weren't broken. I've missed so many photos it makes me sad. Tonight we (my Biblestudy) threw a baby shower for one lovely lady: Johanna! It was so fun to eat girly food, talk about girly things, and then shower this girl with fun things for her new girl! She has two boys - so girly things are newer to her.
It was so nice and refreshing to be able to talk about womanhood and motherhood in it's proper context. Ashlee did a sweet little devotional on the blessing of children and our responsibility to them. It related to those of us who don't have children yet as well. What a blessing!
I'm feeling encouraged and content.
It was so nice and refreshing to be able to talk about womanhood and motherhood in it's proper context. Ashlee did a sweet little devotional on the blessing of children and our responsibility to them. It related to those of us who don't have children yet as well. What a blessing!
I'm feeling encouraged and content.
11.14.2010
Aaden Sage
Two years ago Aaden Sage went to be with jesus.
He entered the world only 48 days prior.
I never met Aaden.
But, I'm thankful I'll get to meet him one day...
Praying for the Proffitt family tonight.
He entered the world only 48 days prior.
I never met Aaden.
But, I'm thankful I'll get to meet him one day...
Praying for the Proffitt family tonight.
11.13.2010
Fe y arrepentimiento
I stayed up later than anticipated last night. No problem, I'll just sleep in, I thought. Well, there is a problem. See, I had planned on joining Alethia (the church I go to in Tampa) in doing some evagelism at 10:30 this morning. I decided not to set my alarm and to just sleep in instead.
God gave me His own wakeup call at 9:30 and I could NOT get back to sleep for anything.
Ok. I'm going...
I met up with the group and we headed just down the street from USF to a very poor neighborhood. And guess what?!?! They were spanish speakers! :D Ever since being in Panama this summer, God has laid spanish speakers on my heart. What a cool opportunity to minister to people with food (meeting immediate needs), but also with the gospel (meeting their eternal need for a savior).
Miguel prayed to receive Christ. Alfonzo heard the gospel. Grober (a fellow believer) was encouraged. And children were fed.
Don't ask me why I love Spanish so much, but I'm thankful God used my love for the language to minister to people today.
Thanks for the wakeup call, Lord. :)
God gave me His own wakeup call at 9:30 and I could NOT get back to sleep for anything.
Ok. I'm going...
I met up with the group and we headed just down the street from USF to a very poor neighborhood. And guess what?!?! They were spanish speakers! :D Ever since being in Panama this summer, God has laid spanish speakers on my heart. What a cool opportunity to minister to people with food (meeting immediate needs), but also with the gospel (meeting their eternal need for a savior).
Miguel prayed to receive Christ. Alfonzo heard the gospel. Grober (a fellow believer) was encouraged. And children were fed.
Don't ask me why I love Spanish so much, but I'm thankful God used my love for the language to minister to people today.
Thanks for the wakeup call, Lord. :)
11.12.2010
Thursdays are my favorite day.
Thursdays are my favorite day.
Thursdays always come right when I need them most.
Thursdays are good food, good girlfriends, and good fellowship! =)
My Biblestudy girls are the best!
God is so funny. He keeps sending the same message my way. First, church on Sunday, and then Biblestudy this week.
Ashlee's talk tonight spawned from our discussion last week about evangelism. We studied Colossians 4:1-6 (with an emphasis on 5-6).
A big chunk of our study tonight was about what it means to walk with wisdom. We asked 8 questions, and I found them incredibly helpful.
How do I know if what I'm doing constitutes "walking in wisdom"?
1. Is it beneficial for me personally, or the gospel generally?
2. Will I lose self-control and be lead to sin?
3. Will I do this in front of someone who could fall into sin?
4. Is it a violation of the law? (let's be honest, we don't always consider speeding sinful?)
5. If I fail to do it, would I lose a chance to share the gospel?
6. Am I doing this to help other or to be selfish?
7. Can I do this in a way that glorifies God?
8. Am I following the example of Jesus to help reconcile other's to God? (am I spending time with unbelievers to reach them, or to partake in their sin?)
Being in the "college scene" has desensitized me so much to sin. Dirty jokes, foul language, and sex seem so common - I don't even blink when I hear them/see them/etc. And due to certain circumstances, as well as my own decisions, I've discovered that I spend a good deal of time with non-believers. This results in a change (for the worse) of my morals. The verse "bad company corrupts good morals"? It's true. I've seen it in my life.
So, as I discovered tonight that my life may have lost saltiness to the world around me (see verse 6), I was saddened. But, I was also encouraged. Spurred on to good works and godliness by the lovely, Ashlee. :)
I realize that I am notorious for putting myself in situations that aren't by themselves sinful, but definitely have the opportunity to go in that direction. Because of this, I have had to end certain relationships in my life, and even cancel plans with people (I really hate doing that). But in the end, I realize and take heart in the fact that I will never regret doing what's right, but I will always regret doing what's wrong. And that doing what's wrong will always cost me something.
"Conduct yourselves in a worthy manner… knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold… but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ."
1 Peter 1:17-19
Thursdays always come right when I need them most.
Thursdays are good food, good girlfriends, and good fellowship! =)
My Biblestudy girls are the best!
God is so funny. He keeps sending the same message my way. First, church on Sunday, and then Biblestudy this week.
Ashlee's talk tonight spawned from our discussion last week about evangelism. We studied Colossians 4:1-6 (with an emphasis on 5-6).
A big chunk of our study tonight was about what it means to walk with wisdom. We asked 8 questions, and I found them incredibly helpful.
How do I know if what I'm doing constitutes "walking in wisdom"?
1. Is it beneficial for me personally, or the gospel generally?
2. Will I lose self-control and be lead to sin?
3. Will I do this in front of someone who could fall into sin?
4. Is it a violation of the law? (let's be honest, we don't always consider speeding sinful?)
5. If I fail to do it, would I lose a chance to share the gospel?
6. Am I doing this to help other or to be selfish?
7. Can I do this in a way that glorifies God?
8. Am I following the example of Jesus to help reconcile other's to God? (am I spending time with unbelievers to reach them, or to partake in their sin?)
Being in the "college scene" has desensitized me so much to sin. Dirty jokes, foul language, and sex seem so common - I don't even blink when I hear them/see them/etc. And due to certain circumstances, as well as my own decisions, I've discovered that I spend a good deal of time with non-believers. This results in a change (for the worse) of my morals. The verse "bad company corrupts good morals"? It's true. I've seen it in my life.
So, as I discovered tonight that my life may have lost saltiness to the world around me (see verse 6), I was saddened. But, I was also encouraged. Spurred on to good works and godliness by the lovely, Ashlee. :)
I realize that I am notorious for putting myself in situations that aren't by themselves sinful, but definitely have the opportunity to go in that direction. Because of this, I have had to end certain relationships in my life, and even cancel plans with people (I really hate doing that). But in the end, I realize and take heart in the fact that I will never regret doing what's right, but I will always regret doing what's wrong. And that doing what's wrong will always cost me something.
"Conduct yourselves in a worthy manner… knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold… but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ."
1 Peter 1:17-19
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