Ahhhhhhh!!!!!

MY BABY SISTER IS ENGAGED!!!!!!!!

♥ ♥ ♥

I can hardly contain my excitement!!!!! And now I don't have too!! haha! I can scream, shout and POST/BLOG all about it!!! haha! I am sooo happy for my sissy!!! Love you Jack!!! So stinkin much!!!! 

Congratulations LUCKY & PATRICK!!!!!

♥ Love you both!! ♥

♥

So, this is random. :) But just came across this picture and I officially take back everything I've ever said about a field or the beach haha THIS is where I'm getting married!!! (someday;)  lol Ahh!! Can you say GORGEOUS!!! And another plus, its in South Carolina ;)

Fun Stuff.

I was going through my ipod and deleting some of my (9,000..no joke) pictures and came across this video from February! I CRACKED UP!!! I have came such a long way in less that an year! LOL! I had shot guns before, but I was waayy younger...w/the exception of hand guns of course. But the 1st time I shot a rifle I was probably 10/12 or so and we have it on film and it knocked me down and knocked my glasses off my face..hahaha! We still laugh at that to this day. So when I was going to shoot my new present for the first time, I was pretty nervous haha. Anyway, so can't believe that THIS girl...shot a deer! LOL! yay for practicing...and for having a Daddy like mine ;)

11.29.11

True victory for the child of God comes when there is still peace in the soul right in the midst of the raging storm-when tragedy strikes and one can still say, "It is well with my soul." This can only happen when you are looking at Jesus instead of your circumstances. -JoyceMeyerQuote.

I took that quote from a blog post I wrote back in September 2010 called "You Are More Than a Conqueror" (if you'd like to go look it up) but this part stood out especially to me tonight and I sooo needed to hear it. Thought some of you might as well. I have realized so sooo much these last few days that satan will try to distract you in ANY WAY POSSIBLE. Don't let him. Look at Jesus instead of your circumstances!!!!!  I have about a million different times a day where I'm 'distracted' by other things and start to lose focus. I start to worry. Get angry. Get jealous. Get sad. Its just so many things, I'm learning, that satan is using to try to get me to focus on anything but Christ. And ya know what? When your focus is on something other than Him, its not on Him.....what I'm trying to say is, not all 'things' are bad things to focus on. But when your main focus isn't on Christ, satan got his way. And that opens up doors for him. That has been such a struggle for me lately! But even if it takes 24098230982034 times a day to lay all these "things" down at His feet and get my mind back on Him...I'll keep on doing it! Bc He has won the victory!!! And I? Am His!!!

In Christ Alone Cover♥

I've posted this video before, I believe last October. 

It is the most beautiful song I believe I've ever heard. 

Listen to those lyrics...

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save

'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory
Sins curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From a lifes first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand
'Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand

I will stand, I will stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground, all other ground
Is sinking sand, is sinking sand
So I stand

wow. every word is like breath to my lungs. so so so true. and how wonderful that truth?! It is my prayer for each of you reading this, to know your Savior. Know that He loves you, He died FOR YOU, He rules over all and has overcome ALL. those sweet words tell of Life. I pray you have this Life.

Yes. Favorite song, ever. 

Amber, if/when you read this. 
This is another MUST for my 'farewell party' ;)

♥

Where the light is

Darkness can't be found

Where the Lord is 

Darkness must be bound

So look in my eyes in the morning
And see the hope there and the soul that still remains
Darkness never stood a chance
Darkness never stood a chance

♥♥♥

These lyrics make me so sooo happy. So true!!

I♥AnthemLights!

My Hope is in You♥

I've heard this song a couple times but this morning on the way to work I REALLY listened to the lyrics and I was blown away. Its as if the words straight from MY heart. Love love LOVE Aaron Shust! 

I meet with You and my soul sings out
As your word throws doubt far away
I sing to You and my heart cries
Holy!
Hallelujah
Father, You're near!

My hope is in You, Lord
All the day long
I won't be shaken by drought or storm
A peace that passes understanding is my song
And I sing
My hope is in You, Lord

I wait for You and my soul finds rest
In my selfishness, You show me grace
I worship You and my heart cries Glory
Hallelujah
Father You're here!

My hope is in You, Lord
All the day long 
I won't be shaken by drought or storm
A peace that passes understanding is my song
And I sing
My hope is in You, Lord

I will wait on You
You are my refuge
I will wait on You
You are my refuge

My hope is in You, Lord
All the day long
I won't be shaken by drought or storm
My hope is in You, Lord
All the day long
I won't be shaken by drought or storm
A peace that passes understanding is my song
And I sing
My hope is in You, Lord
My hope is in You, Lord
Yeah
My hope is in You, Lord 

Prayer Request!!

Repost:

"Hey y'all! I know I have some awesome prayer warriors out there. I'm asking for a huge prayer request this morning. My friends niece, Kinley who is 20 months old was found in a pool yesterday. This sweet little girl is in PICU. Please say a prayer today and put her on your prayer list at church! Thanks"

My friend posted this on FB this morning and I know how many ppl view my blog on a daily basis. Please, take some time to lift this little girl and her family up in your prayers today!! Completely breaks my heart! But I know that in all things, God is in control! So please join me in prayer!!!! Thanks so much! ♥ AW

amazing♥

This was my fb status the other day & I realized I never shared on here...

bc tonight, yet again, I am beyond grateful for God's provision!!!!! 

love love LOVE my life and the amazzzzzing ppl in it ;)

Provision:

 2. the act of providing 

3. what is provided 

4. arrangement made beforehand..... 

Today, I am so so sooo thankful for God's provision!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He provides!!!! And how awesome is it that He not only provides, but that He does it before we even know there's a need!!!!!! WOW. Blown away :)

♥

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, 

do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks to God the Father through him.

 -Colossians 3:17

today's verse on here. had to reshare! ;)

Hope everyone had a WONDERFULLY AMAZING Thanksgiving!!! And that it continues, as is mine, on into the wknd!!!! I am so blessed!! God is so good!! Today was perfection. I went hunting this am with Dad and Daniel and I SHOT MY FIRST DEER!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my goodness, words couldn't express how excited, happy, over joyed I was! And how proud my Dad and Daniel were! haha (Love them!) It was a little um..smaller than I would've liked haha but I actually took a shot at one, AND hit it!! [still on a high, if ya couldn't tell haha] Then I came home and had a wonderful little thanksgiving dinner with my mom, my dad and Lucky (the BEST little sister in the whole wide world!) then my two older sisters (also the best older sisters in the world haha) came over with their families as well as my two aunts and theirs. Got to see my Melly for the first time in AGES!! [Love that girl!!] We weren't expecting everyone, but oh WOW what a wonderfully awesome evening!!! I have THE best family in the whole entire universe! So so glad everyone showed up!!! Sad that I missed my Bubs and lil Michael...but hopefully I'll see them soon! I am so grateful for all the ppl in my life! Don't know where I'd be without them! After everyone left me, Lucky, my aunt and my lil cousins headed to walmart to fight the crazies for some good deals haha And boy did we ever. We walked away with everything that we went after (with help from J.B of course:) plus a ripped shirt and a bloody arm....bahahaha! I LOVE black Friday! Off to bed to get some MUCH needed sleep now! And then lunch tomorrow w/my two Ambers!! Then pictures of baby Gracyn!!!! SO excited!!! Oh and yes, I did get my copy of Longing..thanks to my awesome parents! :) And I finished it already....amazing book. Wonderful msgs of truth, hope and love. But I must say..I was extremely sad when it was over...and VERY verrrry disappointed in the ending. That was a very first for a Karen book. (Hoping Karen turns things around in the last installment coming out in march! haha) but yet again Karen's book resembled my own life so so much. Its almost scary that she does that, every time. One lesson she wanted to portray in the book she said was that "things don't always have the ending we'd hoped for or expected"...that was DEFINITELY true for this book. And ya know what...true for my life! BUT when God's writing our story..the ending is ALWAYS better than we'd ever be able to dream. That. Makes me so sooooo excited!!! :) 


Best. Thanksgiving. Week. Ever!! ;) 
So so so loved and just FULL of soo many blessings all around me!! 
God. Is. SO. Good!!!!!!! 

LOVE my Daddy!!!!!!!!!!!!

November Twenty-Second.

just browsing Karen's site and reading some things that I shouldn't 

have read haha and saw this...and it made me verrrry excited!!! :)

♥♥♥

Bear Rinehart (THE Bear Rinehart:) follows me on Twitter.

Mike Dodson (of the DavidCrowderBand) follows me on IG.

And Chris August (my celebrity crush) commented on my photo on IG!!

My mind, has been blown. haha! 

A little random happiness for my life at the moment. 

And I'll take it :)

Chris August♥

Um, yes. That really happened!! haha 

Love love LOVE me some Chris August!!!! 

And this completely made this girl smile BIG. ;)

What it's all about.

[going to apologize if its a little all over the place...i didn't preplan or have a rough draft haha i just sat down and through a heavy heart and teary eyes wrote what God has been doing in me lately. praying it blesses you as you read!!]

Whoa! Today God CONTINUES to use painful situations 

to grow me&my faith/trust in Him!! AND to show me all kinds of truths!!!!!

 LOVE His LOVE!!!!

That was my facebook status this morning. It was because of something that happened to me last night. Something that had me crying my eyes out bc of hurt and confusion. Something that had me a little angry at God. Yes, I said it. Anger. And just to be clear, I think it is ok to feel angry sometimes and it is definitely ok to tell God when you feel that way. He already knows it anyway, so go to Him with it. Anyway, last night I cried for a good hour about this new 'thing' that arose. Until I again, laid it down at God's feet and said "I dont understand, and I don't like it...but I'm trusting You with it and I don't want to hold onto it any longer" This morning God gave me a COMPLETELY different outlook on the situation. He actually used it to help guide me and direct me in a different situation in my life. (Love when He does that!) Anyway, that was my status update. I was thrilled, excited, happy! and wanted to share that. That God could (and does) use the painful for good (yet again!). I was in such a happy 'nothings gonna get me down' mood! However, just a few short hours later and I got a phone call that Daddy was sick and throwing up. The chemo has started affecting him already. My dad, has not thrown up in the past 26yrs I've known him. True story. And to hear that today, broke me. I have heard about chemo and its affects for years. And even talked w/my family about them recently. But to have to live them, nothing could've prepared me for that. I started to sob. And then the sobbing turned to panic. I had trouble breathing thinking of my dad and the strong man that I've always known him to be....sick and throwing up. And thinking of all the 'what ifs' that I could conjure up in my head. Just as I felt I would collapse from the intense pain and fright I called on my Savior to help and to calm me. And almost immediately the hands that felt like they were around my throat were removed. As I went on the rest of the work day there were still some moments I would tear up and I most definitely didn't stop thinking about Dad...but the intense pain and worry was gone. (and if you know me at all, I'm a worrier...that being gone could ONLY have came from God) So I'm here again. Back and forth. Its a constant roller coaster. Bad thing happens, I am broken, God shows me the good in it. I get excited. Bad thing happens, I'm broken again, God shows me the good. Its been a cycle now for months. Too many things to list that have been in this 'cycle'. And though some trials/tests may take longer to see the good, I WILL keep finding good, because my God is in this. In every detail. And I WILL keep praising His name!!!! No matter how many more trials or tests come my way or how much longer this season lasts. Today I was consumed with a newness of life. A sense of THIS IS WHAT ITS ABOUT. Life isn't about us. It isn't about what we have or don't have. It's not about what we can do or can't do or what can be done for us. We are here ONLY bc of a loving God who created us to love us and for us to love Him in return. [which He doesn't force us to do..but leaves us with that choice] We're here to find and know that love....to share that love and to further His kingdom. Want to know God's plan for your life...that's it. Love God first and seek His kingdom and show other's His light so that they may enter the Kingdom too. I had such a realization today that life is life. And God is the only One who never changes. He won't leave you, won't reject you, won't get sick, won't die, won't betray you....you're not guaranteed that with anyone or anything else on this earth. And to KNOW that truth and His amazing unconditional love for you....it's life changing. And to have things being stripped away from you left and right...it's life changing too. You can let it destroy you. Or you can let it reveal even MORE of God's plan. That you absolutely can not hold onto any earthly thing. You can try, but it can be taken from you in the blink of an eye. I have been a Christian for 8yrs and have believed in God and asked Him to 'use me'...today I realized it's not about being used. It's about using what God gives you to be changed for Him...changed in a way that He HAS to shine through you. That there is no more of you left to say 'no' or 'but I want this.." but to just be so emptied out so you can be filled with Him......I want to thank Jake M for writing me about this song earlier today. I came home and watched this video and this girl has it too. She knows what its really all about. I've been told its nice you still have such a strong faith 'inspite of your circumstances'...but in reality, I'm ashamed it took these circumstances to have such strong faith. Listen to the words of this song and be blessed. I'm praying for you all tonight and always!!!!! Love love love you guys!!!

My FAVORITE!!!!!!

LONGING - DEFINED

 BY: Danelle Townsend

     LONGING is defined in many ways throughout this novel and that is what makes it multidimensional and beautiful. There is Bailey's story, Cody's story, Brandon's story and Cheyenne's story; but they all are just part of the deeper story. The true story that Karen writes is the story of our God longing for us. We are pursued by God "like a dying man in a desert" because there is no real life without Him.    

     Bailey Flanigan wants an undivided heart.  There are two men in her life, one embodies mostly her past and one her present. . .but which one should accompany her in her future days?  She is LONGING to figure out the path to take. . . .and knows that only by prayer and time will that answer become clear. 

       Brandon Paul. How beautiful has it been to watch him grow from a party boy to a honest man of God? He loves Bailey.  His character grows in amazing ways throughout this book. He begins to understand that there is so much more than this small vapor of a life. He doesn't just talk it, he walks it. You want to cheer for him and cry for him all at once. 

         Cody Coleman continues to tug your heartstrings.  He loves Bailey too.  Cody walks through a time in this book that is both challenging and heartbreaking. Yet it is through the slices of the broken that Light shines best.  God in all circumstances. Romans 8:28 is exemplified. How can you not want this military hero, motivating coach and rehabilitated child of God to end up with Bailey? 

         Sweet Cheyenne shows beauty and bravery that left me speechless. She speaks wisdom and loves deeply. You may be surprised by where this story takes her. . . . . 

          As I read this book I continued to fall more deeply in love with these wonderful characters.  I also realized that what causes my heart to soar and break the most is the desire to see those pursued by love to return it. We don't want anyone to love and end up empty handed. We are made in His image. . pursuers that are constantly being pursued. God desperately desiring us to say, "Yes, I pick you! You are the love of my life."  And so I somehow want Cody and Brandon to "win" Bailey's heart. I want Cheyenne to "win" too. 

          But even more than that God is working in all of these characters' lives to bring others to Him. They shine brightly. They are living lives that point to Him. 

          God pursuing each character and each character answering the call. 

          So this book is so much more than you think. More than the romance, the walks, the talks.

          It is Him in all. 

          "First. . come here.. . . God is with us. Whatever this is, whatever's coming. . He's already gone before us. He won't leave us now. " -LONGING

          The future uncertain. The present the gift.

          And I am so blessed to be given the gift of reviewing this beautiful book. God's hand guiding Karen's with every word.

          A love story that won't disappoint. It is a love story within THE love story.

          Yes indeed, you will love it.

           I promise.

**this made me cry!! haha I'm such a sap! Cant imagine how the actual book will make me feel!! :)

Ahhhh!!!!

An early review for LONGING...

LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! And soooo can not WAIT to read this book! :)

LONGING began strong and ended strong  therefore I couldn’t put LONGING down until I read the very last page. Im a mom of six children. Often I feel just like Jenny Flanagan. I thought I had Jenny all figured out but I was wrong.  Jenny inspired me to voice my opinion less to my children and allow God to be God. I applaud Jenny for suppressing her opinions when I know in my heart she wanted to speak up more then once telling Bailey exactly what she thought. Thanks Jenny for showing me how to let God be God.  The one pivotal place in LONGING Jenny did speak up and probably wondered if was a good idea...I  am so glad she did speak up:)... especially because of the way it all played out.  God always has life under control.  Jenny's and Jim's life time of prayers for their very precious daughter were answered.    

As parents we can’t help having our OWN hopes and dreams for our children allowing us to forget God is THE AUTHOR of their life story.  God entrusted our children to us parents as precious gifts. He wants us to stand in the balcony of their lives and cheer them on.     

♥

I need a vacation.

But then I remember, you cant escape LIFE just by going to the beach. Asking for prayers for my family. I know I ask a lot...Dad starts chemo and radiation treatments tomorrow. And we're not handling it all so well. But I'm remembering over and over and OVER again to just lay it down at His feet and TRUST. Trust Him to handle it FOR us. Trust Him to work it ALL out for our good. It's more than believing IN God...you have to BELIEVE Him. (had that msg sent to me twice by two different ppl this wk...you tell me God wasn't wanting me to sink that in:) But its so so true. You can't just believe in God...Satan believes IN God. You have to BELIEVE God. And all of His promises. I'm not just believing His promises tonight, I'm claiming them...calling them into existence. Thank you once more for the prayers. Praying for all my readers and followers tonight. Love you guys!!!! Pray you have a blessed week! ♥AW

Update..

Dad didn't start treatments yesterday...they've put it off until Monday. As aggravating as that makes me I have to remember that God is in every detail of this... They did do some more blood work, run some more tests and did more xrays yesterday though so he will be ready to start Monday. I've had ppl flooding me with kind loving words and ppl telling me their own personal stories and praying for me and my family and I can't describe what it is doing in my heart! This season in my life is the most extreme of hardness that I've ever experienced but I can already see and feel God working...and that helps the hope in my heart swell. Thank you all and know that I'm praying for each person who reads my blog/posts whether you read daily or just stumbled across it. And want you to know one thing...the God who holds the universe loves you. He loves not like we love...but with an amazing unconditional love. And those hands that hold the universe? They're holding you too. Don't ever forget that.



I also want to wish a happy birthday to a dear friend...praying for him today. Knowing that we could go 100 yrs w out speaking and he'd still be my best friend. Thanking God that no matter where our paths are today, he allowed us to meet..and thankful for the time we had. Praying for God's blessings to flood over him!!! And over his family &loved ones. Pray w/ me? Thanks in advance...I know some of you will!! Ive got some awesome prayer warriors for friends/followers!!! :) Love you guys!!!

Update on Daddy...

Dad starts treatments tomorrow..please be praying for him!! And for us as a family!! Prayers for him as he's about to start this rough rough process...but also for us as a family as we go through it mentally and emotionally w/him as well. To say I'm scared out of my mind is an understatement...but I KNOW in the very depths of my heart that my Savior is still (and will always be) in control!!! And I know, though I can't see it or understand, that He DOES have a plan in all of this. I am grateful that Dad is finally getting some help [praying it finally eases the pain!] but also finding it all very hard to take it. I could NEVER express to you how much your prayers and amazingly touching sweet words mean to me!!! Thanks again in advance! Love you guys!!

Whoa...Heavy heart tonight!

"Loving people unconditionally is a very big challenge, 

but God commands us to! He enables us to do what

 He has called us to do" -JoyceMeyer

God DOES command this of us. And if Jesus can show LOVE to those who hated and hurt Him (even) as He was being crucified (Luke23:34) Then who am I not to forgive and love those who say or do things to hurt me (intentional or not)??? We are all loved the same in His eyes ya know! :) Besides, if Jesus can forgive ME of all I've done against Him...I don't have a foot to stand on saying I cant forgive anyone else for ANYTHING done to me.

♥

My little cousin says to me, after watching the 'Kisses from Katie' video... 

"You should get you an orphan"..."you'd be good at it"....

hahaha Someday Peyton, someday :)

♥

When God wants to do something, it gets done. One way or another. With your cooperation or without. Even when it seems hopeless and seems there is NO way...HE will MAKE a way. His promises never change, hold on to them! Soak that in tonight...I know I needed to :)

Quote♥

It is always more rewarding to restore 

a relationship than to replace it.

-Rick Warren ♥

Whose way? His way! :)

What do you do when the thing God is calling you to is harder and WAY more painful than you'd ever imagine....and involves patience, strength and trust. Things which you feel you've been depleted of long ago. But the way the others in the world would tell you to go (and the way you want to go most days) seems quicker. Easier. Less stressful. Less painful. And sounds and looks a WHOLE lot better. I'm currently in this situation, and though I know the answer is easy..GOD'S WAY IS THE ONLY WAY! It's still really hard some days. So pray for me? As I claim His patience. His strength. And trust His love!!!! And know that in the end, will have my mind blown by His goodness and His plan!