Goodbye, TDD

Yesterday was my last day at Trinity Drugs. For those of you that don't know, I have been working at the TDD for four years now. I graduated high school with dreams of becoming a pharmacist. I realized very swift like that that was not a job for me...I hate science with a burning passion. Ya'll, I love my job. I love my co-workers. My years at the drug store will forever be cherished and there were definitely tons of unforgettable memories made.

This past summer, I started an etsy shop making graphic t-shirts. I absolutely love it. I get to design my own shirts and create them for people all over the world. I have big hopes and dreams for this shop, so I am going to take this time in my life to work on building up my shop name.

I am also subbing for the remainder of this school year in Lawrence County. (So all you teachers in LC, if you need a sub...I got you!) Since I am almost done with my degree to teach these little elementary school babies, I thought it would be good to get some more experience in the schools as a sub and I have loved every minute of it. These kiddo's will keep you on your toes, that is for sure.

I am so excited to see what God has in store for me during this season of my life. I know it is going to be great!

P.S.: I think I have my dad talked into letting me get goats! AHHH!! :) (stay tuned...) 

Praising Him in the Silence

Why am I here? What is my purpose on this earth? What is God's plan for me?

I find myself asking these questions a lot here lately. I have prayed and prayed for God to take control of my life and lead me in the right direction. I definitely feel like God is preparing me for something big. A big move, a big step, a big change. But, I am not exactly sure what.

I have these quick glimpses of what I think my future may look like. In every glimpse I am surrounded with children. Ya'll...I am so passionate about children. If you know me personally, you know that I have always loved kids, even when I was a kid myself. I know that whatever God's plan is for me, it is to be working with children.

One of the main things that I have been struggling with lately is whether or not I am interpreting God's message correctly. I wonder if I am interpreting His words with an 'earth filled' mind. Am I the only one who wishes God would send down a big, red, flashing sign that says, "HERE IS YOUR PURPOSE!" Because, seriously...that would be nice.

In my devotional, Wholeheartedly, there have been several studies that have spoke to me. Really, this is some good stuff. Here are a few highlights of what I have taken from these lessons.

SILENCE: *God will allow us to have a glimpse of the big plan every once in awhile to strengthen our faith. It has been my prayer that in this silence, in this time of wondering, that God will help me to be still and rejoice because I know that God has a great plan in store. Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage.

FAITHFUL: When I have faith in God and in His plan for my life, I find myself at peace with all the crazy and all the uncertainties. Trusting in God's perfect plan takes away the stress and worry. Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

GUIDE: The Lord will be my guide always, I just have to stay close to Him and His word. *Our job is to listen and obey. The more responsive we are to the Holy Spirit's guiding, the more we will hear what he is saying. Psalm 143:10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Let your spirit lead me on level ground. Isaiah 58:11 The Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong.

OBEY: *To obey is to submit to the command of another and coming from God, the command will always be for our own good. No matter how scary God's plan for me may be, I know that it is for my own good and ultimately for His glory. Luke 11:28 Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.

HOPE: *We need to acknowledge His almighty power and his ability to use us even through our missteps in life. I have often wondered if somewhere along the way I have messed up and did not do something God wanted me to do, because I know that I have messed up a whole lot in this short life I have lived. Is that why I am kind of stuck in this silence? Psalm 138:8 The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; your steadfast love endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. Job 42:2 I know that you can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. (I had to google that word...it means prevented.) Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Ya'll, that last verse. "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand." God will wreck your plans, to fulfill His. No matter how many times you have messed up in this life, God still has a plan for you. You still have a purpose on this earth. Pray, walk closer with God, read His word and that purpose will be revealed to you.

Dependence

My lovely sister gave me a devotional for Christmas called, Wholeheartedly-A Devotional for Singles. I have not completed this devotional yet, but let me tell you...this stuff is GOOD!

Today's study was on dependence. That is not a word that strong-willed, independent girls like myself like to hear. I mean, I have been taught to never have to depend on a man, or anyone for that matter, for anything. My independence, although sometimes pure stubbornness, is something I take pride in.

Ya'll...this devotional titled dependence. This has rocked my world.

When I go through hard times and times of weakness, I typically lock myself in my room and try to come up with solutions for all my problems. When I reach a breaking point in my life and I need to talk to someone, the people I usually turn to are friends and family, co-workers, my notebook, literally anyone who will listen to me rant. The key word in that sentence is 'listen', because I don't need anyone's advice. Hello, I can handle my own problems.

WRONG!

I know that my God is looking at me and shaking His head. 

*Dependence is a beautiful state where the Lord's glory shines. Embrace your need for the Savior and look forward to all that He will do.

I cannot find joy in anything other than my Lord and Savior. I cannot find peace trying to fix all my problems on my own. I cannot find rest in ranting to everyone about my problems. 

I NEED JESUS!!

He is the only one who can fix this crazy, train-wreck that I call my life. I need to fully rely on God and His perfect will for my life. He will totally and completely wreck my plans so that I can fulfill His plans. *When we are faced with uncertainty, we are given the opportunity to experience a dependence on the Father that makes us stronger than our strongest self. Stronger than our strongest self...wow! I don't know about ya'll, but sometimes I feel like I am Rocky and I can take on the world. But when I rely on Jesus for every single thing, I can become even stronger. When I rely on Jesus and lay my problems at His feet, I can feel peace. When I talk to my Father, the single person who will never let me down, I can find rest. God already has a plan for my life that I cannot even begin to comprehend. His great plan is so much better than my measly, little plan for my life. 

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:8-10

My Happiness Jar

In 2015, I started a happiness jar. You know, you write down the things and the moments that make you happy or thankful and they all go into the jar. I started off really good...then I completely dropped the ball. But my jar was full...so that counts for something, right?

Here are the things that were in my jar:

- having a BIG, close family
- friends that go to the same school with the same major
- Jessica & Heather's friendship
- GNO's with the ladies from church
- bonfires
- breakfast with meme and papa
- automatic start on vehicles
- concert dates
- snow days
- holding baby Jase
- manicure & lunch dates with my girls
- watching all of my favorite shows
- OFF DAYS!
- being an aunt
- family vacations
- the little 'moments'

I have started my happiness jar for this year and hope to actually stick with it throughout the whole year.

Do you have your own happiness jar? What are some of the things that make you happy?

Hello New Year // 2016

Ya'll, as I look back on this past year, I realize how fast time flies. 2015 was a year filled with many memories. I am not a believer in New Year resolutions, because lets be honest, who really sticks to those? I know I never have. So instead of resolutions, I have new goals.

2016 is going to be my year. I am making it a priority to focus on myself and my goals. 

I will be healthy. 

Travel more.

Indulge in lots of books. 

Save money.

Surround myself with family and friends.

Rid my life of the toxic things.

Be positive.

Grow closer to God. 

Move out on my own. 

Be successful in school.

GRADUATE!

What are your New Years goals?

2015 Recap

2105 held lots of memories for me. There was a lot of traveling, many concerts, new friends, old friends, heartbreak, a new found love for coffee, and the sweetest blessings. I have learned many things in this year and I am so thankful for every single moment. 

Here is a recap of my favorite memories from 2015. 

This sweet blessing was born in January.

He has his Mal-Mal wrapped around his tiny little finger.

We had super-fun family trip to Disney and celebrated both of the girls birthdays there. 

I turned 21 and celebrated with all of my favorite people. 

Was blessed to teach these little blessings about Jesus. 

(and many more babies that are not pictured.)

A weekend trip to watch the Braves play and see Sam Hunt in concert. 

A spontaneous road trip to Nashville that included lucking up and scoring tickets to the CMA Awards Show.

Road trip to the Smoky Mountains and Dollywood.

Got my first tattoo. 

Christmas with my people. 

What were your favorite memories from 2015?