Returning to real life

This blog is about to take a new direction. But let me give you some back story first.

Last week I returned from a ten day trip called Journey To The Heart. It is a retreat where attendees set aside the distractions of life to focus on pursuing God. Although I wasn't thrilled with the idea and short notice my mother gave me (it required me having to find coworkers to cover the shifts I would be missing and having to find a flight two weeks prior to leaving). I had finished university the week prior so that was one less thing on my plate and my mother had wanted me to attend for several years. I had always managed to be working and in school and never had the opportunity. But I was also ready for a trip somewhere and decided it couldn't be too bad.

I was truly amazed at how life changing it was. This is one of only a few things that I would thoroughly recommend to any person.

As a result of this journey, this blog will recount those lessons that God showed me as I sought to truly pursue Him.

Making a change

We have a young man in our church who is interning with Pastor for the summer. As a Bible major, he is preparing to be a preacher one day. Last Wed. night he brought the message. Although he had no formal outline he shared what he had been learning over the past few months from Ps. 119:9-16.

⁹Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

¹⁰With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

¹¹Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

¹²Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.

¹³With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.

¹⁴I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

¹⁵I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

¹⁶I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

What he shared was his experience of learning to draw closer to God. Having been raised in a Christian family, he had known all the correct things to do, but hadn't allowed them to change his life. But for the past few months he began to immerse himself in Scriptures, allowing it to change him and learning to truly love the Word.

His testimony deeply impacted me because I had been living much the same way for most of my life. I went through phases of trying to get my life on track but nothing ever seemed to stick. That's why I started the Journey, as a way to let God change my life. It certainly hasn't been easy, but like our preacher-boy, I'm learning. Its a daily process of making the decision to allow God to change me.

Kept

I came across this today as I was going through my old emails. A friend sent it to me last year and I thought it was so good it deserved to be my second post of the day!

A Kept Woman               I Am a 'Kept' Woman You see, there were a few times when I thought I would lose my mind, But GOD keptme sane. (Isa. 26:3) There were times when I thought I could go no longer, But the LORD keptme moving. (Gen 28:15) At times, I've wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong, But the LORD keptmy mouth shut... (Psa. 13) Sometimes, I think the money just isn't enough, But GOD has helped me to keepthe lights on, the water on, the car paid, the house paid, etc.. (Matt. 6:25-34) When I thought I would fall, HE keptme up. When I thought I was weak, HE keptme strong! (I Pet. 5:7, Matt.11:28-30)  I could go on and on and on, but I'm sure you hear me! I'm blessed to be 'kept' Do you know a 'kept' woman? If so pass it on to her to let her know she is 'Kept' I'm "Kept"by the Love and Grace of God

the workplace

FYI this post has been in drafts since mid April!
I've had mixed feelings about my job from day 1. While I love being a nurse, there is a lot of drama and chaos that I'd rather not deal with. This usually happens to come from coworkers and patient family members. In the nine months I've been there I can count on one hand the number of patients that have been difficult, and some was due to dementia. The most memorable case though the patient appalogized to me later for being rude. But the work drama has started to wear on me. I did go through a rough patch around the holidays in which I was extremely close to quitting. I've gotten over all that as things don't seem to be quite as crazy. But I still don't feel content at work for the most part. It's a feeling I've tried to shake off but it never seems to go away. And it's slowly started to eat away at me.

Happy Birthday To Me!!

So it's my birthday today...yeah me! I'm turning 24 in exactly one hour. Although I've had many dreams for my life, I never thought I'd be sitting her at this point with my life the way it is. For many years I thought I'd be married by now, after all, most of my friends are. Or at least in a relationship. But God has other plans, the specifics which I am not entirely clear about. But I'm content to wait on His time for everything.
You might now about my involvement with STEP (Skills Training for Emergency Preparedness), a four week girls camp in TX. For the past several years, it has been a big part of my summer. I was a student in 2006, a team leader in 2007, and a group leader in 2009 and 2010. THis year I won't be able to take part in the same capacity. My BSN classes will not finish until Aug. so that will take up a deal of my time. Recently however the coordinator, a fellow student from 2006, asked me and my sister about teaching the class on sibling relationships. It wasn't something that I had considered before (I have been looking into becoming a first-aid/CPR instructor) and at first I wasn't so sure about it. But it seems that maybe God is opening this door to be a part of STEP despite my classes.
So although I'm not sure how it will all work out, I'm going to see what God does. He has given me a few ideas already- turned out to be stick figure drawings!

so back to my birthday! I was able to sleep in late this morning, which actually happens most everyday, so nothing special there. But then I went to get my haircut. My sister started at a new salon so she booked me in. Then I went for Starbucks! Back to the salon for my makeover and picked up a few products. My dad surprised my by bringing me roses- gorgeous coral/yellow ones (which I can dry and add to my bouquet from the wedding!). And now I'm sitting in the bookstore doing some emails and updating my blog! When my sister gets off, us and dad are going out to the driving range for a bit. Then mum has a special dessert event planned!

I don't buy books very often (unless they are for school!) but I got myself a birthday present.
~ Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
The story is based on the book of Hosea but set in 1850 California. It had been recommended by several friends and I finally bought it. Of course it was 50% off plus my member 10% discount!
Redeeming Love

The First Family Wedding

So, my eldest brother got married last weekend. It has been quite the ordeal. First off is because my family does not communicate well. Secondly is because her family doesn't plan well. But in the end it all turned out lovely. And I had a great time meeting the new relatives and making new friends. I drove up a few days before so I could fit all the bridesmaids in their dresses (I had worked with a lady down here to get all 7 made in time!). I had a few minor adjustments to do but would have liked them to fit better. But I didn't have the time to re-fit the entire bodice. And we had flowers, barely. But I'll save my ranting on that one for later! Then my other brother, sister and myself spent the rest of the weekend hanging out with the in-laws, old friends and new friends. It was a total blast. Then I came home to discover that even after taking the week off for the wedding, I had another three days off!!

The couple

All photography rights belong to Christah Cato

Update

Wow, so I've not been as dedicated to my blog as I would have liked this year. Never to worry, after next week, life should be a bit more calmer and I can get back to my goals for 2011 (future update on those).
You see my life has been consumed by three things- work (although I'm supposed to be part time, I always get called in and asked to swap shifts), school (taking three nursing classes to complete my BSN), and wedding preparation (don't worry, it's not me). My eldest brother is getting married Mar. 5. As one of the bridesmaids, and only one with sewing experience, it fell to me to organize getting seven bridesmaid dresses custom made. Thankfully one of my former Hancock's co-workers agreed to sew them if I did all the cutting and measuring. Well it has taken many months, with many hurdles, and we still aren't done. Seeing that my mum is stressing enough for the both of us, I'm actually quite calm.
I'm still my usual procrastinating self, so I'm not yet ahead on my school assignments. I have off work all next week. Mon: getting my hair done as part of my sister's practical interview at a salon (it's free!!- cut, color, style), pack. Tues: driving to Huntsville. Wed: doing final fittings with the other girls. Thurs: My other brother flies in, an overseas friend flies in and my parents drive in. Fri: mani/pedis with the bridal party, rehearsal and dinner. Sat: up early to dress and get pics, noon ceremony, reception (and car sabotage!). Sun: hang with the relatives and guests still in town. Mon: drive home. Tues: back to life.
I can say that I have completed some more of my reading for this year. But I've also added a few other projects to the list that have slowed things down a bit. I'm really hoping to back on track by the end of Mar.
Still have doubts about my summer plans. I have a vacation to CA planned with my sister and some friends from back home (Australia). But the parentals are not on the boat yet. Then I have the four weeks of STEP to think about. Because of my classes, I won't be able to do leadership like in the past. I'm praying about going to work on staff for a while. My BF is soon to become the head cook in the kitchen- my favorite place to work! It would be so amazing if God allowed me to work with her for a few weeks.
We have been having revival this week with Morris Gleiser. I missed the first two days due to work. Last night the focus was on prayer. It was a huge challenge to me as it has always been an area of my spiritual life where I thought I was on track but was deeply wrong. There are countless times that I have told friends and family that I would pray for a situation, only to scarcely even think about it later. So I'm taking it one step at a time. The first is to pray for my BF's grandmother. She has been very sick and is an unbeliever. She knows the truth but has rejected it so many times.
So my prayer goal is to pray for her every day that she would trust Christ as her Savior. It seems like an impossibility, but that is just what God is looking for.

Keep Pressing On!