Sixty Two!

62 DAYS UNTIL HAITI!

• I might be just a little excited about Haiti being so close yet so far away. I cant believe that I board a plane in roughly 2 months to go spread Gods love with the Haitian people. I couldn't think of a better way to spend a week of my Christmas break!

• I want to say a BIG thank you to everyone who has gave me money for Haiti, came to a fundraiser, or lifted our group up in prayer! God is providing and even providing extra. He is good!

• We now have our flight times which makes everything more real. eeeeek.

• The 2nd 8 weeks of our semester started today. I can already tell I will love OB! On a happy note, I passed my Peds course. Graduation is so close (that terrifies me ) but makes me really happy.

• Job. Jobs. Jobbbbbbbs. That's all I will say :]

• I feel as though I am in a transition period in my life. I am learning things and have some things/people figured out but then again, I know nothing! Who am I kidding? :]

• I am looking for a good devotional book where I can follow along in the bible with scripture but also one that's easy to understand...Any suggestions?

Ramble. That's all I do. Ramble.

Anyways, 62 days until I see this face again! This is baby Robin. He is the son of the pastor that owns the guest house that we stay at. He was only about 2 weeks old when we went to Haiti in January so he will be ONE by the time we get back there! I'm so excited to see him :]

Preshhh.

Amazima- You dont want to miss this!

Busy. A word that I hate but it describes me unfortunately. Just since the beginning of this month I have quit my job, got a new job, and am about to have 2 comprehensive finals (tomorrow...eeek!) Prayers needed for me and my Nursing sistas!

Anyways, enough of me rambling. Now onto the more important stuff. Lately, my heart has been so heavy for my friends, family, fellow bloggers, and Haiti/missions. I feel called to do more than I am currently doing...its just putting things into action that I have the hardest trouble with. As I was reading 2 Timothy 2:11-13 this morning, God spoke to me about my relationship in Him. I was going to sum them up but I think the verses say enough without my own interpretation.

"...If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful- for he cannot deny himself. "

The last part is what I love...even when I am faithless, HE remains faithful. I am the one that runs away. I am the one that has to do things my way (the hard way.) Even in my weaknesses and blemishes, He is still God and wants all of me..not the leftovers. I dont know where God wants me at right now or what He has planned for me in the future, but I do know that its not where I am right now.

Last night I was reading a blog that I follow and her post was about Katie. She is the founder of Amazima Ministries. Her video shook me to the core. I could do nothing but cry as I watched it and feel humbled yet convicted. Shes right. She isnt doing anything spectacular or crazy but simply doing what God instructed us all to do. All.
Love others. Feed the hungry. Give clothes to the poor. Love God. So what am I waiting for? What are you waiting for? It makes me want to drop out of nursing school and catch the next plane to Uganda. This is a glimpse of her everyday life.

'Pins'



I thought I would share a few of my favorite 'pins' from Pinterest. I love this website...almost too much.

There are a few cute sayings, recipes, and DIY stuff. Love. So here we go...



-I dont know how many times I've read this...a lot. I still laugh.)


-I do that...a lot.


-This should be posted in every bathroom in America.



-True!



-LOVE the colors!



-This is crock pot potato soup. I actually made it and it was super easy to make and really delicious.



-I need to make these. They are mini fruit pizzas. YUM!



-How yummo does these look?



-DIY candlesticks/candy holders. I will definitely be making these..one day.



-Its a luggage cabinet! How adorable is this?!



Anyways, on to actual 'blogging'. This weekend was pretty good. I worked (eh), went to a friends house and had some girl time (yippee!), then today was church and Chrysalis formations. Church was awesome and we had some sweet 70's music to go along with our decade theme at church. We know...we are cool. I am so ready for Chrysalis in November that I can hardly stand it! ahh!

Haiti funds are coming right along. God is definitely overseeing this trip and I can already see Him working in mighty ways, He knows our every need and that reassures me!

I hope you all have a great week. My upcoming week will be filled with studying, studying, eating, studying, working, sleeping, and studying...see a trend? 

Be Encouraged!

Random Writings

This post is completely random thinking from the past few weeks.. :]

• I'm sorry for abandoning my blog the past few weeks. School is in full swing as well as work. I have to say, I am loving this semester so far! It is a lot more laid back then the past semesters and I have a tad more "free" time.
• Funds for Haiti are coming together. God is definitely providing! I have been blessed with so many generous, loving people in my life. A little over 100 days left until we take off! AHH!
• I know I've said it before, but I cant wait to see the sweet kiddos at Mrs. Dorothy's Rescue. Every time I see their sweet faces, my heart just melts!
• I have been slacking this week as far as my bible study, quiet time, and bible reading. I have no excuses. God has been and continues to be so, so good to me. His timing has been perfect lately (as always) and He never ceases to amaze me.
• I am reading the book, Not a fan by Kyle Idleman. It is a superb book so far and its very easy to understand. The point of the book is to get you to become a follower, not a fan. I am loving it and God is really opening my eyes and teaching me how to become a follower.
• I am really excited this year for fall and winter. I mention this because normally I'm not. I hate cold weather and I wish it was 95 degrees year round! But for once, I'm ready for pumpkin carving, apple cider, and cold weather.
• I am addicted to Pinterest! Its a online cork board basically and you can "pin" anything you like! It has a lot of good recipes that I've found (and used), super cute craft and DIY ideas, adorable outfits and much, much more!
• This next week should be pretty chill. We don't have class (our teacher is at a conference)so I'm working ahead on all my assignments now so that I can have a little bit of down time. Yay!
• I'm done boring you with useless information that will fill your head :]



First day of Peds with my ladies!



Our first clinical...We were having a little too much fun ;]



Be Encouraged!

Summer is coming to a close...

Its that time again. The time when school is about to start, sleeping in will be no more, and I basically will have no life. Strangely, I'm looking forward to it. This semester is supposed to be our "easiest" semester...if there is such a thing in Nursing School.

On another note, I am still preparing for Haiti. I turn in my first payment next week and then bigger payments will follow. As I look back at pictures, I get so excited to go back. It's been a little over 7 months since I returned from Haiti and it feels like sooo much longer. I know that God has something huge in store for myself and for our group in Haiti. I cant wait to see what all it is.The Haiti countdown will begin soon...very soon. :]

Ive had mixed feelings about this summer. I was so busy and always on the go so I didnt really get to enjoy my break, Although, the down time that I did have was fantastic. One of my favorite moments of the summer was when I got to spend a week with my best friend in Illinois and watch her graduate. I was a very proud best friend!

• Summer really started when I passed 2nd Semester (Med-Surg)! It was a tough semester but Im so glad Im done with it and moved on!

 

This was before our huge comprehensive final.eeek.



• My birthday was in May and these two awesome girls threw me my own little surprise party. It was complete with a yummy cake, gifts, and a scavenger hunt to find them. They are the bomb!



My girls

• YAC! My sweet, precious, awesome friends attended YAC and Im pretty sure they loved it. God has truly blessed me with these two!



"Our God's Not Dead"

• As I said earlier, I loved getting to go to IL and see Kayla. God has blessed me so much through her and we will always be close even if we do live 8 hours away...which I hate. She is the definition of a true friend. I love her sooo much! (Now I just have to convince her to move back to KY! )






 





 





Graduation day!

• For the past 2 years, our BR (Baskin Robbins) girls group has went to Kings Island. Its always so much fun to spend the day with these girls. We still call it our "Annual BR Kings Island trip" even though only Tori still works there. Anna Marie, our mommy, moved to Washington, DC. Im still sad and miss her very much! :[ Dez went back to Berea College and I switched jobs. Tor Tor is still going strong at good ol BR.



Each year we have taken a cake..I'm not really sure why but it gets better every year!



Courtney and I were SO SO SO excited about seeing Taylor Swift this summer. We ordered our tickets back in March and the concert was scheduled for July 2nd. We get to Louisville, eat, and then come to find out that the concert is cancelled! T.Swift had laryngitis and cancelled all her shows for that week. We were super bummed but will be going to see her October 7th!

• This summer I had to take a summer class which happened to be Medical Microbiology. It was interesting to say the least. It was all June and July but it went by really fast! Here is our big CU group.

• Girls day! I was waiting for this weekend all summer! I love our little group. We have too much fun and dont act normal...ever. I dont know how I would get through school with out them, honestly.                                                    





 



Frozen Yogurt- Our favorite!



• Last but not least, orientation. Yes, Nursing Orientation is the last bit of summer that I had left. It was a long but great day. I am ready to start 3rd semester (OB and Peds)!

That is basically my summer in a nutshell. Im sad to see summer leave because I love the break from school, the sun, and super hot weather. I know this semester has a lot in store for me so I am ready to get it started! God is going to do BIG things, Im sure of it.

Be Encouraged!

He Provides

  

Summer is almost over!! :[ I’m super sad but at the same time I'm so ready to get into a routine (you all know how I love schedules) and start my 3rd semester of Nursing School which begins on August 30th.

  So my last post was about preparing for Haiti and the biggest thing for any trip is the money it takes to actually get there. My first payment is due the first week of September and guess what? IT's COVERED! I have my first payment of $150.00. Not only do I have that, but I also have money to put toward the next payment! God is SO good and always provides in His time. I have to say, the past few weeks I have put the Haiti payments in God's hands but I was still a little anxious. I have been reading in Matthew over the course of a few weeks and one thing I was reading was in ch.8 and 9. In these chapters Jesus heals two demon possessed men, calms a storm, heals a paralytic, and heals the blind and mute. It occurred to me that if God could do all these miracles that He could definitely provide the money I needed. God has no limits or boundaries set on what he can do. I know that sometimes, I put limits on what I think God can do. As I was reading on in Matthew, I came to Ch. 17:20-21. It talks about how we have such little faith. But God says to us if we just have faith like a mustard seed then we can move mountains. A mustard seed is tiny! A little bit of faith goes a long way. He goes on to say how nothing will be impossible for us as long as we have faith. I was lacking faith! It also says in Ch. 19 vs. 26 that with God, all things are possible. Do you think that maybe God was telling me that He's got this? Shew, I am stubborn at times.

  That’s what God has been teaching me over the past few weeks. Faith and trusting in His timing. What has He been teaching you?

On another note, I am really excited for this upcoming weekend and the weeks to come. Our Nursing girls "group" will be reunited! Girl talk, frozen yogurt, and hiking! :] I’m sure the details from this weekend will make another post. Have a great week and Be Encouraged.

My girls!



The planning begins...

It's that time again to start planning for my 2nd trip to Haiti! I received an email earlier today explaining some of our first details for the trip. I am already feeling overwhelmed but I know that God will take care of everything. The first line of business on the email was passports. I already have mine from my first trip to Haiti so that was one weight lifted off of my shoulders. Next came the money deadlines. :/ Our first deposit of $150.00 is due September 2nd. Yes, that’s less than 1 month away. While I want to freak out, I know that God provided the money last time and He will do the same again. Our team of 30, as of now, will begin having meetings soon to discuss required immunizations, airline tickets, deposit dates, supplies, etc. We work through a missionary team called MSI (Mission Support International) and our fearless leader through MSI is Mr. Ken Bolin. He really knows what he is doing and is a great leader. He led up our group last time and I can’t wait for another trip with him.

Our airline tickets cost between $750-$850. That money is due October 3rd. Yes, It seems so soon to me but I have to put my trust in God...if not, I will surely go crazy!!

So now, I am trying to think of a lot of fundraising ideas or just a few big money makers. If any of you all have any ideas, I’m ready and willing to listen! Help Us Help Haiti!

I hope you all have had a great summer so far. I know mine has been crazy and fast paced but still a good break none the less.  Be Encouraged!


At one of the clinics- They were enjoying some candy we brought :]