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

Desert Song

This week I bought the new Hillsong United album. The words of this song have resonated within my heart all week long. I can't seem to stop thinking of these words, and what truth they portray. God is with us in every season of life. That is something worth clinging to. (Ecclesiastes 3).

This is my prayer in the desert
And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in the hunger in me
My God is a God who provides

And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames

And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon forged against me shall remain

I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

And this is my prayer in the battle
And triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be empited again

The seed I've received I will sow

Killer Texting

Up until now I have chose to blog about pretty happy and upbeat things going on in my life. Since Justin and I don't have cable, we don't have too many channels to choose from. This morning I came across an episode of Dr. Phil that didn't take much to to catch my attention. I will say that I am not normally a Dr. Phil fan by any means, but this episode is worth watching. 

Texting/talking on the phone while driving is something we are all most likely guilty of. I know I am. I guess my challenge for all of us today is to take a few minutes to watch/read this and let it sink in. 

http://www.drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/4705/?id=4705&showID=1152

Dear Meredith...

Through the years my mom has kept a journal of letters that she has randomly written to me. She gave me this journal two days before my wedding and I finally read it today. Interestingly enough I found a letter she wrote to me on May 27, 1994-exactly 15 years ago today! I want to aspire to do the same things for my kids one day. My parents are absolutely amazing and I could not be more blessed. Here is the letter that she wrote on this exact day 15 years ago...you may want a few tissues. 

Dear Meredith, 

I am watching you sleep on the couch as I write. You fell asleep earlier tonight. Tomorrow is Sat. and you will probably sleep late. You have one more week of school and I'm excited about you being at home with me. We are anxiously awaiting for your Baby Sister to be born. I am about 8 months pregnant now and ready to have this baby. God is helping me to be patient. You seem to be happy about us having a baby but you are also very quiet about it. I think you are old enough to understand this will be a change for us. I hope you will see how much I love you even after she arrives. I love you more and more each day. You are a sweet and loving little girl and I am so proud of you! I am getting sleepy now. I hope we will all sleep good tonight.

I love you,

Mom :)

I can't believe how quickly these past 15 years have flown by. Let this be a reminder to breath in every moment you have with your family and friends. Make the most of every opportunity and don't wish the small, seemingly insignificant moments away, they may end up being some of the most important.

Mrs. Meredith Evans

I've been trying to find the right place and time write my first blog as a married woman. Since the day we said "I Do" nearly a week and a half ago, I have hardly had a moment to catch my breath. Let me first start by saying thank you to all of our friends and family members who made our wedding day so special. Justin and I are richly blessed to have the love and prayers of so many dear people. 

Everyone keeps asking the question, "How have you adjusted to married life?" My response is usually, "I haven't fully adjusted yet; it still doesn't seem real." I feel like I am just on a vacation with this man that I love and not only that, but we get to have sleepovers every night! I have however, began doing some of my wifely duties such as laundry, dishes, making the bed, going to the store, and cooking dinner. YES, I actually made us dinner tonight! (My mom would be proud!) I honestly don't know that a person can make just one adjustment to being married. I believe that there are going to be several adjustments that will be made along the way. Some big, some small. I will say one thing, no matter how big or how small the adjustment-God is faithful. "What God has joined together, let no man separate." I am a firm believer in this.  

Needless to say, married life is fun, exciting, challenging and SO many other things. I will definitely be updating more frequently as noteworthy things come up. But for now, I am going to watch a movie with husband and then head to bed. 

A look inside

Currently I have several thoughts swimming around in this crazy head of mine. In no particular order they are:

-me=married in 3 days

-the book of Job is very encouraging

-Mike should have won the title of Biggest loser. NOT Helen

-my good friend Kayla is in China for the next 3 weeks; I'll miss her at our wedding

-this time next week I'll be in Charleston

-I am so grateful for my family and friends; God has truly blessed me

-I am addicited to reading people's blogs

-Kinetic church is one of my favorite places to be

-Jesus died for me-nothing can compare

-I wish the sun would come out a little more so that it would feel warm enough to go to the pool

-maybe I'll just go tanning instead

-our new apt. is looking super cute

-I most definitely have the pre-wedding jitters, nerves, mixed emotions, butterflies, etc.

-today is Tallyn's birthday!

-I desire to follow God whole-heartedly until the day that I die

-I don't like talking/thinking about death

-I need to take a shower and begin my day

-Thanks for listening.

Mom

I am going to attempt to write this without crying, but these days there is just no telling. This post is dedicated to my mom in honor of mother's day-along with every other day of the year that she is still my mom. I hardly even know where to begin. I want to be just like her when I have children. She is the most kind hearted person you will ever meet. Through all of life's ups and downs she has stuck by me, no matter what. The sacrifices she has made throughout the years up unitl now have done with a completely selfless and humble heart. My mom has done so much of the hard work throughout this wedding planning process and has helped me to have the least amount of stress possible. Words nor gifts could ever repay my mom for all of the things she has done for me. She is an angel and I believe that God gave her to me for a very specific purpose. The most amazing thing about my sweet mom is that she loves her Jesus more than anything! She puts Him first and strives to be like Him. She has taught me that even when the world around me is dark, and things may seem to crashing all around me, Jesus will always be there. He will NEVER leave my side. So, with tears welling in my eyes...I want to say thank you to a woman who has made all the difference in her little girl's life. I love you mom!

Simple Living

Take a moment to read this. It will help put things into perspective; which is something we all could use once in a while. The website, gratefulness.org was shown to me by Justin's grandmother last summer. I don't visit it as often as I should or would like, however, there are so many encouraging and reassuring things found throughout this site. I read this particular post this morning and thought it would be a great way to start the day. Enjoy!

http://www.gratefulness.org/t/simple.htm

The Ultimate Showdown

If you are a Biggest Loser fan (which you should be) you have the opportunity to vote for who will compete with Tara and Helen in the finale next Tuesday!! All you have to do is visit http://www.nbc.com/The_Biggest_Loser/vote/register.shtml to vote!!!! You only have until tomorrow night!

The endless search...

So as of today I think I have applied for somewhere between 5-10 jobs. Seriously, is anyone out there hiring?! I am beginning to get a little discouraged/frustrated. (If you haven't noticed, Satan knows our weaknesses and it is in those moments that he will try and bring us down even further). This is how I've felt today. I really wanted to have a job by the time we get back from our honeymoon. As of right now, things aren't looking so hot. But I do know that God has a plan for me (Jeremiah 29:11) and He is probably teaching me some patience right now. It has been such a blessing to not have to work this past semester so that I could focus on school and wedding planning. But now, it's back to reality. My wifely duties are about to begin. I am not going to let this endless search feel like a tunnel with no light at the end of it. I will not, I repeat, WILL not give up. God can use me anywhere-and the same goes for you-as long as we choose to be obedient. Satan, you can try all you want to bring me down today, but it's just not going to happen!! I will choose Jesus. He wins, you lose. Thanks anyway.

He Has My Heart

I've been dealing with several emotions over the past several weeks. You see, I am getting married in 12 days...wow, I can't believe it's that close! These emotions stem from excited, happy, giddy, cheerful allllll the way down to nervous, scared, sad, and anxious. It's every little girl's dream to one day fall in love and marry her prince charming. Right? Well, have no doubt about it, I definitely found my prince. I should be exstatic right!? I mean, who really finds their prince at age 19 and actually falls in love and ends up becoming his bride? To be honest, as much as I do love my prince with all of my heart; I believe I would much rather be the bride of a king. Not because of the fancy "title" or the recognition that comes along with being the bride of a rich and powerful king. But because that king, my king-Jesus-has my heart. I mean He has my whole-entire heart! He had it long before I was even a thought in my sweet parent's minds, and He will have it long after I leave this earth. Sure, I fell in love with the man of my dreams at age 19; and yes, I cannot wait to become his bride very soon. But my king, He fell in love with me long before. In fact, I do believe that my king gave me my prince. Not only I am the bride of a prince named Justin, but I am a bride of a king named Jesus.