Tuesday, August 19, 2014

He will make your paths straight.











It is still strange to look at my drivers license and see Arkansas printed across the top of it.
I can't say that I always dreamed of living here. 
I can't say that even a year ago I believed I would be here. 
But isn't that just like God? To work in mysterious ways? To take us somewhere we never dreamed?

God took Abraham to a strange place he didn't know; same with the Israelites after they left Egypt; and same with Joseph and Mary after Jesus was born. 
Sometimes, God calls us certain places without explaining it first. 
Sometimes, he calls us to walk ON the sea before we know we can stand, or THROUGH the sea before it is divided. 

I can't help but feel absolutely peaceful about living here. 
For reasons that aren't absolutely clear, I know this is where we are supposed to be. 
Of course I miss my friends dearly… and I miss my little nephew who is growing fast… but God's plans are far beyond what I could imagine and I would not dare stand in the way. 

So, while we are living in The Fort (thats what they call Fort Smith!), we will live for Jesus. And when HE calls us somewhere else, we will live for Him there too. 

"Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Can you say Road Trip?

















I love road trips. Seriously.
I mean, planes are fun and all, but there is nothing like doing it old school by driving and camping across country.
The first tent is in Arizona.
The second tent is in Colorado (we took a detour through Utah to get there).
The third tent is in Oklahoma.
And the forth tent (which I don't have a picture of), was in Arkansas where our trip ended.

What a trip! Add in some hiking, reading, and Starbucks and we were all set.

However, there are sometimes the unglamorous sides to road trips.

Like what?
-Getting lost…. when you are hungry and it is late and you know you still have to set up your tent before you can go to bed.
-Fighting… about stupid things that I don't even remember now.
-Phone dying… when you need it most!
-Not taking a shower for 5 days.
-Getting the farts and diarrhea because you ate some bad instant rice.

The unglamorous sides of the road trip taught me many lessons though…
-Being positive is a CHOICE, not a feeling
-Love is a CHOICE, not a feeling
-Don't waste time being angry at the one you love the most, it is not worth it.
-Invest in a car phone charger and get a GPS
-Don't let Satan steal your joy.
-Don't eat instant flavored rice you got from a discount grocery store.

Overall, my soul needs to take delight in the Lord FIRST, and then all other things will be that much more delightful. Spending time with Jesus only increases our joy and love… if I am dry in that area, then my whole life will be dry too.

In other words, on a daily basis, don't choose to live in the desert when you could be living with the Lord.

I passed the NCLEX










I love celebrating.
I mean, if I could, I would celebrate everything.
First day of new job? Lets shop. First tooth? Lets eat. You're engaged? Lets party.
So, when I passed the NCLEX, Dakota and I celebrated by going backpacking on Mt Baldy.

Oh, by the way, this is AFTER we were married. Ha, forgot about that.

It was so much fun. Our first backpacking trip with our own stuff and everything.
This was also a post-celebration of me graduating. Cause, with the wedding hype and all we never got to really do that.

What a fun time it was. I know this was just a taste of great adventures to come.

Red Rocks












I am for seriously behind.
This was a day trip that Dakota and I took the day after I got home from Lake Havasu!
Talk about fun. I have wanted to go and explore red rocks for some time and you know what he did…. he took me there! I was extremely happy, I mean, can't you tell by how much I am smiling?

For me, there is absolutely nothing like getting into creation and really enjoying and basking in what the Lord has made. That is what we did.
It was wonderful, spectacular, and memorable.

Thanks baby!! This was a trip I won't forget =)

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

We had more fun.













I went to Lake Havasu for spring break.
And everyone who has been there for spring break says, "WHY? Don't you know why people go there??"
Yes... but then again, I know I went.
I went to watch the sunset, and the sunrise. I went to ride around in a boat, go tubing, and eat good food. I went to spend time with my sister, my brother in-law my nephews, and my best friend.
And you know what?
I remember ALL of it.
I regret NONE of it.
I had an amazing time.

Time spent on the fading things of this world will always leave a dull feeling.
Time spend on things that matter will only leave excitement and rejuvenation.

Goodness, I am so sincerely happy that I have never gone to Lake Havasu for temporary "fun".
Life has so much more to offer.