10 Random Things

1. I really like to curl up on the couch with Minnie and watch movies.

2. The prettiest I have ever felt was my wedding day.

3. I can not stand the sound of forks scraping against a plate.

4. I really like sending people cards/notes.

5. I love reading any book by Nicholas Sparks.

6. I tend to be a a person who gives to much and has a difficult time taking.

7. I absolutely love spending time with my family.

8. If you don't know me that well, you may think I am quiet and shy.

9. I cannot believe I graduate in May.

10. I've been learning a lot lately that things change when you grow up, and that's just life.

That's all for now.

Grown Up Christmas List

After I read my Proverbs 31 devotion this morning, I was encouraged and challenged to make my own "grown up Christmas list." Only this Christmas list would not be one written to Santa asking him for all of the "things" that I hope to get this year; it would be one written to Jesus, asking desperately for His will to be done throughout the coming year. Here are some things I included on my list...

• Health for my friends, my family, and me
• Healing from any past wounds
• Financial stability for everyone
• Growth and perseverance for my church, Kinetic
• Joy that only comes from God
• Job security for everyone
• Motivation to be healthier all year
• Strong marriages for all of my family/friends getting married this year

These are just some of the things that I wish for the year 2010. Most of all I pray that God's perfect will be done in my life and in the lives of those around me.

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in a ll circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." "I Thessalonians 5:16-18

"This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.'" Matthew 6:9-10,

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

Black Friday

Black Friday is the day where my mom and I have started the tradition of getting up early and shopping the day away with each other. Yesterday was that day, but yesterday quickly became so much more. Earlier this week our sweet Copper (11 year old dachshund) started getting sick in the middle of the night and his breathing became very heavy. He continued to have a difficult time breathing through Thanksgiving day and into that night. His breathing was so heavy and quick that my family could visibly see his little heart beating inside his chest. My parents nor Copper got much sleep on Thursday night. My dad had been doing research about Copper's condition and his findings did not seem good. Yesterday morning at 9:00 am my dad was able to take Copper to the vet. What they saw was not promising at all. As it turns out, our sweet boy was experiencing congestive heart failure which was causing a build up of fluid around his lungs. My dad had to leave him at the vet so that they could do some x-rays and also so that they could try and get him stable and comfortable. Around 2:30 yesterday afternoon our family received the devastating phone call. It did not look as though Copper was going to make it much longer, if at all. The vet could've referred us to a specialist where they would have continued to run tests, but the results were very likely to be the same. At the same time, Copper would've continued to suffer physically. As a family, we knew we owed it to Copper to put it to rest and rid him of any discomfort he was experiencing. After all, he gave each one of us 11 years of comfort. When we were sick he laid with us on the couch and watched movies, when we were sad he sat with us while we cried, when we were happy he played and ran around with us, when we were feeling mad he loved us with the same unconditional and unfailing love he always had, and when there was no one else to talk to...he was there. I never could have imagined or prepared myself for how difficult all of this would be. I am sad and I miss him so much. My heart just aches thinking about his sweet face. I look at my sweet little Minnie and feel somewhat frustrated that she is not Copper (and I know this isn't fair, but it's how I feel right now). I love Minnie and I am thankful for her, but it just feels strange right now. My family is sad, each and everyone. We all had special individual bonds with Copper that no one else could understand. I am so glad that Copper is no longer suffering and I am going to try my hardest to cherish and remember all of the fun and happy times we all spent with him over these last 11 years.

Copper-We love you and we miss you dearly. Thank you for being the best brother and the best friend any person could ever ask for. You will be in our hearts forever!

Little Copper Mac McGuirt November 15, 1998-November 27, 2009

Thoughts of Thankfulness

In honor of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, I thought I'd jot down some of the many things I am thankful for...

• Jesus died on the cross to save my sins & the sins of this world
• My loving husband of 6 months
• Both my family & Justin's family & their constant love & support
• Minnie! (and all of her cuteness)
• Kinetic Church & my church family
• SO MANY AMAZING FRIENDS
• God's Holy Word
• A warm & comfortable place to sleep at night
• Financial stability
• The opportunity to attend college and continue my education
• Clothes to wear everyday
• Water to drink & food to eat
• A safe neighborhood to live in
• Doctors/Nurses
• ALL those who have/are currently/will serve our country

Seriously I could write so many more, but I've got to run get ready! Dinner at the Milam's tonight. :)

WOW...It's Been A While

Dear Anyone Who Reads My Blog (which is probably no one at this point),

I'm sorry I've neglected you for the past two months. Life has been CrAzY with a CAPITAL "C"! Anyway here is what has been going on, current thoughts and wonderings, and any other random stuff I can come up with on this Wednesday morning:

-It is fall-officially & I absolutely love it

-Our church will have it's last week in the AMC theater this Sunday and then we're taking over Cox Mill HS

-Starbucks coffee is so good ANY time of day or night. Seriously.

-My mom and dad celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary yesterday

-This past weekend Justin and I found out what it was like to have 4 kids while babysitting for the Milam's (great form of birth control) ;) :)

-We love their family more than they probably know

-My sis is getting married in less than 4 months

-My other sis just got her permit

-Lots of change going on...but it's good and necessary

-I've missed blogging. I wante to get better at it.

-Minnie is almost one year old! (Justin says she can't have a bday party tho :(

-I prob could've slept for a while this morning, but duty calls

-Do I want to keep my hair short or grow it out? I can't decide.

-I'm ready for the weekend!!!

-I think I need to get off of the computer and head to class...I have a presentation to give today.

Until next time (which will be sooner rather than later-I promise)!

Toodles.

Life Update...

It has been a few weeks since I last posted on my blog, so I figured it was about time for an update on my life (for anyone who cares). Justin and I have been happily married for 2 months now. We have added a new addition to our little family, and her name is Minnie Evans. She is a mini-dachshund and she is 9 months old today! She is so playful and loves meeting new people as well as new dogs. Minnie has been a great addition to our lives. Moving on to more exciting things...Justin is still working at Hook Tire and LOVING every minute of it! Woo Hoo (sarcasm added for fun). He does, however, enjoy his day off during the week and is very thankful to have a job during this difficult time in the life of our economy. As for me, I am still in school at UNC Charlotte and will FINALLY be graduating this coming May! I am excited/nervous to start my student teaching at David Cox Road Elementary (the same elementary school I went to) in January. I am also working part-time hours at the Hickory Grove Daycare. My current job description includes: serving snack, serving (not cooking) lunch, giving people "potty breaks," floating between classrooms, so on and so forth. Justin and I love living at The Tradition apartments and enjoy being so close to everything/everyone we love! We are still heavily involved at Kinetic Church. We can seriously say that this church is our home; I could definitely see us raising our kids there one day. The relationships we have formed since being at Kinetic for the past 3 years have been life changing. We are so blessed to have found such a great place to worship our Lord on Sunday mornings. Well, I think I'm going to take a break for now....I will update again at a later date.

God Bless!

Commitment

God is doing something in my life right now. I can feel it. Not like, "Ouch! I just stubbed my toe!" feeling it, but deep in the depths of my soul I feel it. I've never been more sure of anything in my life the way that I am sure that Jesus Christ came to this earth so that I might have a life of abundance. I long to be in His will and I desperately desire to be guided by His word. However, this is not going to happen if I don't dedicate my entire life to Him. Not just when it's convenient for me and my schedule, but every second of every day living for Jesus and nothing/no one else. He is God in every aspect of my life and my very existence is a result of His infinite love and mercies.

God,

Take my life and mold me into the woman that YOU desire for me to be. Let not my will, but YOURS be done. I prayed to you a few moments ago that you would break me and conquer me. I mean that. It's scary to pray such a big prayer and to ask for such a heavy request, but you are the God of big and heavy things. I pray Lord Jesus that you would bless me, bless me indeed God. I pray this also for Justin and our families. Thank you for providing for our every need even when we take it for granted and look past the things you are doing in our lives-right before our very eyes. I am yours Jesus, always and forever. I commit my life, my soul, my purpose to YOU and YOU alone. I love you!

Amen