Who am I to judge?

We've all had it done to us. You are at the gas pump minding your own business and then all of the sudden someone sneaks around from the other side of the gas pump and says, "Excuse me..." and starts into their "story." NOW, this is where it gets tricky. The story could be about anything from a flat tire to a lady who is running away from an abusive husband and she needs enough money to get home to her family in Jasper. This is where it gets tricky. What if they ARE ACTUALLY telling you the truth? What if they truly need it? OR... maybe it is a lie. Maybe they are scamming you for money for drugs or alcohol or any other purpose than what they originally asked you for. But, who am I to judge? Is it up to ME to decide if they are lying or telling the truth? Or do I give them what I have and leave it up to God? Now, normally I would have to say no because I never have cash.... but today was different. It was like all the cards fell into place for this lady. I had stopped at a Texaco right by the interstate to get gas and the BOTTOM had just fallen out and it was raining like crazy. I get to the pump and swipe my card and it read ERROR. I went inside and the man told me the satellite was out and I would have to have cash. WELL, I never have cash so I had to drive to the nearest ATM. I get my money out and drive on to a Chevron a little ways down the road. I get out, go inside, and pay for my gas. As soon as I walk back to my truck, this little white car pulls up and these two ladies get out. One sneaks on around the pump to me and tells me this story about her friend whose husband beats her and she needs to drive her to Jasper but they don't have the money. Now she doesn't look scary or out of the ordinary. She looked fairly normal. I had cash this time (because I had to go to the ATM). The only problem was, I only had a $20. So, lucky her gets a $20 (haha this is where it gets good) I pull out of the gas station and pull onto 79 and see this little white car whip out really fast behind me to catch the green light. It was the white car the ladies were driving. They didn't near have time enough to get gas. So I kept an eye on them. As I pulled onto Carson Rd, they did too and turned into ANOTHER gas station! I just laughed out loud and thought... well there went that $20! BUT, I did what I should've done. I tried to help someone in need. I can't guarantee that money went to "good" use, but I did what I felt was right. I have never seen my daddy turn anyone down who asked him for money... so I KNOW that's where I get it from. Help others. Let God be the Judge :) I hope everyone is having a HAPPY MONDAY!

Love,

me

"In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35)

While I'm Waiting...

 One of my friends sent me a song from the movie Fireproof because she said it reminded her of me. The lyrics are powerful and I thought about it today.

I'm waiting

I'm waiting on You, Lord

And I am hopeful

I'm waiting on You, Lord

Though it is painful

But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident

Taking every step in obedience

While I'm waiting

I will serve You

While I'm waiting

I will worship

While I'm waiting

I will not faint

I'll be running the race

Even while I wait

I'm waiting

I'm waiting on You, Lord

And I am peaceful

I'm waiting on You, Lord

Though it's not easy

But faithfully, I will wait

Yes, I will wait

I will serve You while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting

I will serve You while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting

I will serve you while I'm waiting

I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

Many know my story. If you don't, just ask :) Here is the deal, put God FIRST in every relationship you have. Make sure HE is first and build a relationship based on Him. Heartbreak is the worst feeling in the world. A feeling that could've been spared if I would've truly put God first. NOW, having said that, I don't question WHY things happened the way they did. Never would I have known how to love so deeply and take care of someone and learn the power of faith in the face of a nasty disease had I not met and dated one of my best friends Josh Bennefield. Our relationship taught me many things. I don't regret the opportunity I had to share so much of my life with such an amazing person. But God wasn't truly FIRST in our relationship.I know God puts people in your life for a purpose and we go through trials to make us stronger. No one ever said it would be easy. If you sat down and talked to some of the people you consider to be the strongest, I am SURE they have a trial or two they could tell you about that made them the person they are today. Trials make us stronger, they perfect our faith and bring us closer to God. While God is working in my life, and I am learning whatever it is He wants me to learn from this, I will wait. I worry about the future so much sometimes that I forget to live in the present. I painted a little picture today to be able to look at and remind myself, no matter WHAT, it is in God's hands. God is going to take care of me because I am HIS child and I am doing everything in my power to make sure I am staying in HIS will. Friends, enjoy the little things in life. The little things are what keep you going. Tell your husband/wife, or boyfriend/girlfriend you love them. Appreciate them. Love them like they are leaving...and they won't (Good Brad Paisley song ;) Tell them how much they mean to you. Call them just to say hey. Write them a little note just to let them know they are your most favorite person in the world. THESE things are what keep you going. If you love them, don't just assume they know! REMIND THEM... OFTEN and ALWAYS. LV2DAY

Love,

me

Thank God for Flat Tires

Started out my Monday BRIGHT and EARLY as I have been for a month or so now at Body Pump at 5 in the AM. After pump, I went home and got ready to go to work. I was meeting my sweet little daddy this morning to get some air the back passenger side tire and when I get out and start walking to the back of my truck... my back DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE has a screw sticking out of it! My daddy automatically turns on the "Daddy-of-a-girl" mode and changes it in 10 seconds flat! haha (Ok... so maybe a little longer but to me it was awesome and fast :) He had a meeting to be at by 8 and he told me he made it with 5 minutes to spare but I am pretty sure he was just trying to make me feel better because I felt SO bad for making him late to his meeting! He is the GREATEST daddy God ever created!!! I know he would've made a great daddy to some boys but.... WOW... he is SO good at being the daddy of 3 girls! I always sit back and try not to let things like a flat tire on a Monday morning (when you have a patient at 8) put me in a bad mood for the day. It makes me sit back and think about events like 9/11. Many people who were supposed to have been in the Trade Towers when they were hit and collapsed weren't because it was their day to get the doughnuts, or they blew a shoe on the way to work and had to stop to get new ones. Something out of the ordinary was thrown into their morning to make them late and HAD THEY NOT been late and things would've gone smoothly like every other morning... they may have been in those buildings and not be here today like so many other men and women who lost their lives on that day. One morning I was running late to work and I got in the traffic to a wreck that I could've been in... but missed because I woke up late that morning. I try to THANK GOD for what seem to be bad starts to my day. Maybe bad starts are a blessing. I Thank God For Flat Tires.

Romans 8:28:

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

Love,

me

Blessed to be an Athlete

ATHLETE. What comes to mind when you think of an athlete? Speed, Agility, Determination, Strength, Practice, Will Power. Athletes are usually very self disciplined and competitive. They have to work hard for their goal. To Win. All I have ever known is sports. Being an athlete has been a huge part of my life. I was a little tomboy who LOVED to play almost any kind of sport (would've played football if they would've let me!). Athletes have a different mindset. When something gets tough and everyone else wants to quit, an athlete uses that toughness to fuel the fire. Turn it into something good. Use it to push yourself harder. If you want to get better at anything in life, you can't quit when the road starts to get a little bumpy you just got drive on until the road smoothes back out again. I am blessed to come from an athletic family. I use the things that I learned all throughout my softball career everyday. The self discipline to get up and workout or the push to better myself everyday in SOME way. The dependability of being 10 minutes early because being on time is being late and if you are late you may as well not even show up. It's being a team player and helping out wherever I am needed. In trials, the discipline and self-determination I have gained from being an athlete allowed me to try to overcome the doubts and fears in my mind and push on through the trial. Trials perfect our faith and bring us closer to God. Thank you Lord for allowing me to be an athlete!

"and not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

Love,

me

*** You are how you train, You are how you LOVE... both deserve your whole heart! ***

My Favorite Blessing

I wanna start adding a "BLESSING" to each blog post. If I don't have something to write one day... I may just post a picture of one of my blessings! My first blessing is my FAMILY. I am the luckiest girl on the planet! My family is awesome! My mom and dad are like 2 teenagers in love. They are each other's best friend and are an amazing example to me of what love is and how christian parents/ a christian couple should act and lead. My dad is the closest to the perfect man you can get and a machine when it comes to work! My mom is the greatest mom God ever created. She is one tough cookie :) My oldest sister, Laura has the SWEETEST little family. She is such a good little hot momma and is so strong. She has a huge heart and is an amazing, spunky little thing and is hands down one of the funniest people I know. I am very proud of her ;) My middle girl, Moni, is my other little momma!. haha She pretty much thinks I am hers. She is one of the most caring, big hearted people you will ever meet (which makes her an amazing nurse). GIRLY LITTLE PRINCESS :) I LOVE MY FAMILY SO BIG!!!!

Love,

me

God blesses us EACH day... THANK HIM FOR IT :)

SO... a little of me :)

RECENT EVENT: BARABARIAN CHALLENGE! Was so fun! Another one in October in Savannah, Georgia! Who's in?!?!

So, I decided to jump on the blog train. I post a lot of things on Facebook and I figured... why not make a blog. My statuses always end up being too long for Facebook to let me post and I have to turn it into a note... so I figured why not start a blog! I am at a point in my life right now that I somewhat feel stuck yet still moving. Almost like one of those cartoons that is running and running but not going anywhere. Certain aspects of my life like my career are moving along and about to start (Praise the LORD for that!). Now, on the issue of BOYS... haha! That one is a blog post in and of itself! I feel like the Lord is still working on me and tweaking some things (or maybe working in the life of whoever the hunk-a-licious guy he has for me) before he reveals it all to me ;) With all the things I have been through in my short life, I have seen God move in so many ways. It is hard to see Him through the storms and see the GOOD come out of tragic events, but each and every time, He is given the glory. The thing I have learned, which has been super hard, is that trials ARE GOOD FOR YOU. They do make you a stronger person. They do give you experience to be able to comfort and console other friends who may go through similar situations. It gives you wisdom (which is SCARY to pray for ;) I came across these verses one day while I was searching for answers for a broken heart over my friend:

^{2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (NAS)}

³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵ For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. ⁶ But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; ⁷ and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.

I knew after reading those verses that God brought me through a similar situation in my life and remembered how it felt through out my trial. I remembered what made me feel better and what only made things worse. I knew that GOD was the one that I relied on and He gave me friends that gave me great words of comfort and helped me so much (AND TO THOSE PEOPLE I LOVE YOU SO MUCH) God gives us things in our lives to better us and to help us make other people better. For my first blog, I just want all to know that God works in mysterious ways. He brings people in and out of our lives for a reason. Although the reason may not be what you originally thought it was going to be, they served a purpose in your story. Trust in God. He sees the big story book. Until the next blog, love today, live today.

"For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline."

Love,

me