One of my most favorite times to pray is at night listening to worship music on my computer with a smelly candle lighting up the room while I lay on the floor.

What am I learning today and in the last few months about Jesus?!

I started reading this book called a Praying Life late this summer. It taught me how to pray all the time. It taught me how weak I am and that I need to call on the spirit moment to moment for HELPPPPPP! It taught me how to ask like I asked for things as a child because GOD LOVES TO PROVIDE FOR HIS CHILDREN!

So I started asking God for where I should live this semester at school  bc my dad doesn't have a job and I did not want him to pay for my rent.. I started praying about a car that was hopefully gas efficient because if I were to live at home in brentwood and travel to Murfreesboro everyday I would need a car that could get me there CHEAP.

I started to see how needy and hopeless I was, although I could probably stress and cry trying figure it all out on my own, I decided to take God's word as truth and believe He would provide if I asked.....

I told one of my bestfriends my prayers (bc i tell her most things) and after we met she talked to my RUF campus minister's wife who talked to my campus minister who talk to a sweet and hospitable family at the church who then offered to let me live with them for my senior year of college rent free!!!

After living with the Pasarillas for three weeks and test driving a lot of too expensive cars, a little 2000 Honda Civic was for sale on craigslist for an extremely reasonable price that I could afford!!! It's great on gas and it really looks brand new considering its 10 years old!!!

God Provides!

so here I am with a place to live in Murfreesboro rent free and a nice car that is gas efficient...

Out of the overflow of my heart toward my gracious heavenly father who hears my prayers.. I want to give my money, time, worries, and dreams to Him who can be trusted!!!

My Day in a Nut Shell.

*I woke up around 9:40am (sleeping in has been hard to do lately so I was pleased with the time I woke up!)

*Got a text around 10am from my dad asking me about my schedule for the day BECAUSE HE WANTED TO LOOK AT A CAR FOR ME!

*12:15 my parents looked at a 2000 Honda Civic!

*Babysat until 1:30pm

* My Parents told me they were serious about this car (FINALLY!!!!)

*Met my parents at cracker barrel @ 2:00pm

*Withdrew all my savings at 3:00pm

*Picked the little baby car up at 4:30pm!!!

*filled up the car and topped it off.. $26.00!!!
It gets over 30miles to the gallon! 5:00pm

*Sitting at home trying to concentrate on school work 9:45pm.. failure!




I HAVE A CARRRRRRRR!

Dad is so happy for me!

For some strange and obnoxious reason I cannot look at any picture in my library before I upload them so I just decided to go ahead and upload whatever random image I clicked on.
This is Emma. I decided and she agreed one day that I would give her a makeover. She was completely overjoyed to have a makeover. She is such a little princess.

Where do I even begin with this summer???

I feel like it's been one huge learning experience...I've been learning about my sin.
Phewwwww..

I prayed God would reveal my sin to me at the beginning of this summer..

He did! I am soooooo thankful because I've grown like a weed! I've learned I can trust God in all aspects with my fear of RELATIONSHIPS, the future, and my everyday!

I've learned that I can call on the Holy Spirit at any point in my day and He is there..

I've seen him answer prayers when I'm vulnerable and when I'm constantly submitting my desires to him!

I have grown in the knowledge of who Jesus was on earth... Holy smokes, He really does blow me away.. His personality was so confident and bold..

This summer has been one of the very best.

I want to hold his feet and sit by Him. I daydream about being with Him..

God is the provider!!! All we have to do is ask! I love that about Him!

Two things:

*I learned RECENTLY to make someone feel guilt about their sin is sin. (Yelling at them and giving them the eyes really isn't ok... God convicts not me)

*I learned how terrible I am at trusting God with people. When I feel in my spirit a restless unsettled peace I should trust it and not reason with it, because He never fails to be right!

A Great Conviction
Yesterday I hung out with my campus Minister. I was trying to tell him about a friend that I wish my campus minister could hang out with so that they could better understand real Christianity. I explained to him that it might be intimidating for this person to hang out with a campus minister or a pastor. He confidently replied, "Oh yeah, we can meet in a coffee shop and I'll smoke a cigarette with them!"
WOAAAAAAHHH!
You see my campus minister doesn't have a habit of smoking cigarettes. He isn't a smoker. He was however, willing to smoke one sacrificing his image in order to show JESUS to someone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

I've never even considered doing that! I want a perfect image more than I care about another person..how truly sad! I pray I would be willing to sacrifice my image!


Fill me up with Your presence because where You are is where I belong..

"God made us cousins because He knew our mom's couldn't handle us as sisters!"

Some things I'd like to say...

I feel so close to you again lately
...like old times...speaking of old times...

Thanks for helping me birth 11 dead rat babies in biology class

I'm sorry I peed on you when we were younger.




Thanks for always allowing me to do makeovers and hairdos on you and then not being mad when I accidentally hurt you somehow (Everyone knows I'm the one who needed the makeover and hairdo..football helmet!)

Thanks for always making my birthdays soo special! EVERY YEAR!

I loved being in major clubs with you that saved the planet. (adventure girls, that peace girls)

Sorry for always wanting you all to myself (a.k.a never wanting to play with your other friends, or liking your other friends)


I'm so glad we were both really freaked out by nice guys in highschool... It could have been lonely hiding out in the bathroom by myself..

Thanks for being my first room mate in college! (sorry it wasn't what we thought!)

Sadly Lace, you made me into a total weirdo, because you have always laughed at me when I act like a freak....

I just love you lace!

I love you so much! I'm so glad we're cousins and best friends! ;)


No one could ever replace you!

Sisters this blog is for you! :)
The Baby, Middle, and Oldest Sister

Izzy and I = the baby sister:


"Being the youngest of five, you're adored, you're fueled with confidence."
-Martin Short



“Being the third and youngest member of her family to be on the team, she has seen what it takes to succeed. You see that a lot with younger brothers and sisters who had a chance to follow their older (siblings). They kind of learn the valuable lessons and know what to expect. They understand some of the traditions.” - Jim Callahan

Tiffany and Emma the middle sister:

"a middle child is like the peanut butter and jelly in a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or the creamy part in the middle of an oreo." -unknown



"The middle child is in a somewhat precarious position – between the dominating older sibling and the often-pampered youngest sibling. Given that the middle child is positioned between the extremes, he or she may become a negotiator who is friendly, sociable and compliant. However, middle children can often be more rebellious than their siblings, feeling the need to garner some of the spotlight. As a result, middle children will often strive to do things that are unconventional. "



Cortney and Mary = Oldest sister


"The oldest is presumed to be the most responsible out of all your siblings. Parents trust you and they got your back all the way. You've been through life longer than any of your siblings. You know the ways, hows things are done, and how to get around."


"The Oldests typically make good leaders and strive to please others."

I love my sisters sooo much!
Tiff you make me laugh when noone else can. I love that I can laugh at you and you laugh as well. I love making you feel uncomfortable because you look at me funny. (It only makes me want to say more weird things!) I love late nights when we're talking about stuff and you make me laugh really hard, and I also love that while I'm laughing you're really annoyed. You really do look out for me and I love you for it! P.s. I promise I won't tell anyone that you and I used to watch Roseanne every night before we went to bed... You're my bestie.

Cort you make me laugh really hard as well. When you explain your life in highschool eventhough you were really popular (homecoming and prom queen) nothing makes me laugh more. I am soooo thankful that you moved close to me, I mean I feel like without you I'd be in a ditch somewhere blind...I can't believe we're 10 years apart, because I you're my bestfriend.Don't worry I won't tell anyone about all the times you would drive me home from school, when you were in highschool and I was in kindergarden and you would wipe your boogers on your jeans. Don't worry that secret is safe, eventhough I was completely disgusted!

Seriously the two of you make me laugh harder and teach me about Jesus more than anyone in the world.

I love you both..

Last week I invited my niece Emily over for some quality one on one time with me! I'm at my best when I'm one on one!

I took her to see the movie Shrek 3.Well she got bored within the first ten minutes of the movie. I totally understand because it was my grand idea to get to the movies an hour and twenty min before the movie actually started. (Sometimes I struggle with time management! I thought the errands I was going to run would take a lot longer) Poor girl had been sitting at the movie theater nearly 2 hours when the movie started.I tried my best to keep her busy with popcorn and candy....=)

I strive to be "the cool/young/single" aunt!


The next day when she went home she was pooped...

I love all of my nieces and nephews. I love being this person in their life. Its a mix between an adult and an older sister.. They've watched me grow up while I'm watching them grow up.

The Ultimate Blogger!
On Sunday I went to hang with the Smiths in Sewanee... My sister Cortney is the ultimate blogger. If you haven't checked her blog out...YOU SHOULD! Its pretty incredible!God's creation left me is aww last time I was in Murfreesboro. This rainbow was a full out half circle.
Then I saw this awesome rain cloud and I couldn't stop starring at how weird it was to see rain

God is showing me who and what my idols are this summer. He is showing me that none of the idols leave me satisfied...When I do try to find satisfaction in my idols I'm left with anxiety. So when I have anxiety it's because I'm relying on other things to fulfill me.



I'm just like ISRAEL!I forget God's promises and worship other things (like freakin facebook!) He is taking me back just like He does with Israel! He wants me all to himself and rightfully so, I'm His creation.

This summer is honestly turning out incredibly.. (My next blog will go more in depth)


God is challenging my PRAYER life for certain people and wisdom is being poured on me from the adults in my life.

SwEEt SuMMer....

(Please turn your volume up before reading the blog, it makes my summer seem a lot more exciting!)

I have two employers this summer:

Mrs. Harriet Thompson(Mema)and Mrs. Billye Ann Locke(Mums)
Both happen to be my grandmothers. I help Mums at night and Mema during the day.

I'm very excited to learn about my grandmothers this summer and spend time with them, but sometimes I get depressed not being around people my own age.
I know God is desiring for me to be completely fulfilled and satisfied in Him and I guess that's something I'll learn even greater this summer.

The BABY KITTIES HAVE GROWN..

and I really want one!
I'm trying to convince my parents I need one!

I FOUND MY CAMERA!
I had checked all over the place for my camera. I retracked all my steps and could not find it. I assumed it fell out of my purse somewhere. Sophie's car was the last place I had it, even though she had checked, I needed to also check. I looked under the seats and then pulled my head up and there it was in between the seat and the middle section.
I literally screamed and jumped up and down!!!!!

Goodbye Molly Tuza. :(

Our last hoo rahh!!!

This morning the friends and I met Molly for breakfast. We had to say goodbye to Molly! Molly is off to New Orleans to do her thing..:) Molly, you're the best!

I'm gonna miss you so much!(esp. on Thursdays)


By the way, I'm in love with baby kitties!

Some of my guy friends (nate and aaron) are helping out a single cat mom in their neighborhood! This makes me soo happy! :)


It's the best story ever. Nate opened the door to take the trash out and the cat came to the door with 'something' in it's mouth.. Nate thought it was a dead mouse or bird, but it was a little kitty. She took it to Nate's room in the back of the house, but Nate wasn't okay with that so she found a box in Aaron's room. She ran in and out six times to bring each kitty to the box.
AWWWW.. I wish it was my house.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Today I woke up with frizzy hair, an oily face, and a little bit of acne (SAWeeT!).

I spent most of the day searching for my missing camera. It's been gone for about 48 hours. I am trying to hold back the rage in me from losing this camera. I mean it's only the fourth camera I've had in two years. I somehow have the worst luck with
cameras.Thinking about it right now makes my blood pressure high. I mean WHERE IS THE
THING?!?!!?!?!!?!??!?! (By the way this is not a time to joke about me losing the 3 before this one, I would look at you angrily and then punch someone!)

DID I MENTION IT'S BEEN RAINING!

This is my granddad's backyard above

This is someone's front yard..yikes! The popo had to go in...

***:) R.I.P. my precious powershot 10.0 cannon camera. You certainly made me feel creative..I'm not giving up on you yet..but I feel lost w.out you.. :(*****

Peace and Blessings :)

My WeEk!!!

Last Saturday, I ran the half marathon in 2 hours 8 min and 46 seconds! My goal was 2 hours and 10 min.!!! I WAS PUMPED and DETERMINED!!!

Saturday afternoon, we celebrated dad's 55th birthday by giving him a party and a new bike! I can't believe dad is 55!! 

 

Sunday night, I had to move back home because my house in Murfreesboro was broken into for the second time (I had nothing in the house of value, it was all with me). Kaycee, my dad, and I were all in favor of us moving out ASAP. I found out about the break in on  Saturday, got out of my lease saturday, and moved out on Sunday.. 

(My closet at home)

Monday, I went to visit Mema in the NHC (nursing home)..We went with a few others to sing some hymns. I cried watching Mema and the other elderly people sing.. I can't imagine being that age...

I finally finished classes. 

I turned in four papers, presented three presentations, and had 4 tests all in two weeks.

In my child development 2 class I made a 130/130 on my profile paper.

My teacher brought my graded paper to me and told me she made a copy, because she loves good examples..

(This has never happened to me!! I texted everyone in my family to let them know, hahaha)

Today, Cort and I spent a lot of time trying to take it easy by shopping at T.J. Maxx (you should go!) 

Cort asked me to watch Izzy while she tried on clothes. I did watch her, but I was unsuccessful in making her put on her shoes. She really enjoyed hiding and running from me in the store while I pleaded with her to put on her shoes...

I love the little rascal!

I've had a pretty GREAT/ Successful week!

He opened my eyes and allowed me to choose Him! =)

He chose me,a filthy sinner!

The creator of the universe picked me!

He wanted me!

He saw me and chose me

to be set apart!

WHY ME!?!?!??!

All I can say is Your GRACE for me is more than I can fathom..

I LOVE YOU..

Thank you for opening my eyes Father God!!!!

His GRACE overwhelms me...

In response to Romans chapter 9, I'm completely humbled ....(read the chapter before going on....)

God's Sovereign Choice ROMANS 9:10-28

 ¹⁰Not only that, but Rebekah's children had one and the same father, our father Isaac. ¹¹Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God's purpose in election might stand: ¹²not by works but by him who calls—she was told, "The older will serve the younger."^[d] ¹³Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."^{[e] ¹⁴What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! ¹⁵For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,  and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."^[f] ¹⁶It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. ¹⁷For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."^[g] ¹⁸Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.¹⁹One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?" ²⁰But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' ^[h] ²¹Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?²²What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? ²³What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory— ²⁴even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? ²⁵As he says in Hosea:  "I will call them 'my people' who are not my people;  and I will call her 'my loved one' who is not my loved one,"^[i] ²⁶and,  "It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' they will be called 'sons of the living God.' ^{²⁷Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved. ²⁸For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality."}}

Father, why did you pick to open my eyes? Why do you love me so much?! I feel so incredibly humbled to have my eyes opened to YOU!!! I have done nothing to deserve You.

I spend so much time processing and analyzing my future...I love to hear other women's story so I can play their role and know exactly how my life will turn out (sarcasm and...haha..this is a dumb thing to do)
I have so many expectations for what should happen with the man I'm gonna marry. How he should act? What he is interested in? What his relationship with God should look like? Really none of that stuff is that bad to think about...I really just can't imagine that process without Jesus...
Ahhh...Thank you Jesus that you know my heart!
I know nothing about who I am going to marry except HE LOVES JESUS.. Don't look at that and think Cop out...
My heart is so excited just thinking about how much knowledge of the word and wisdom he might have from His walk and love for Jesus.
I mean I could go on...and on..and on... about how this excites me.
So yes, I have big expectations for this man to know the Bible and know it well and of course know Jesus and know Him so well!!

I'm praying for him wherever the devil he is! :)

With 18 hours of school Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and being involved in an accountability group on Monday nights, FCA on Tuesdays, RUF on Tuesdays, church on Wednesdays, Bible study on Fridays, church on sunday, and many other appointments with girls throughout my week.. I literally feel like I'm on a rocket ship to learning about Jesus. It's simply the greatest blessing to be single and in college right now. I realize I will never have this kind of season again...

Although, I am one who loves to look deep into the future, I cannot rush these days of singleness. It is truly a gift! Oh man, He is romancing me! He is! I love it!

I love you Jesus..
Please meet me today and fill me up with your Holy Spirit!