A Post-It Note from God

As I’ve mentioned here before, this year hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing for me. It’s been wonderful and yet dreadfully hard.

Well about six months ago, maybe longer, I was talking with some friends and we joked about how we wish God wrote post-its because sometimes it’s just so hard to know what to do. Even when you seek the Lord’s direction, it can be unclear and confusing. Usually because He is just telling us to wait… but we’re impatient. At least I am :) Well a couple of months ago I was having a really bad day and I said to my mom, “I either need chocolate, a drink, or a post-it from God”. And she quickly replied, “We have chocolate ice cream in the freezer but it will only fix this for the ten minutes you eat it. You’re not 21 and we’re not exactly the drinking kind, plus a drink wouldn’t solve anything anyway. And unfortunately God is not in the post-it business. He is, however, in the control of the whole entire universe business. So pray about it and have peace. He is in control and He WILL guide you”.  OBV she’s the best mom ever with fabulous, biblical advice. I went to bed that night knowing she was right, but I still shed a few tears because of my own frustrations.

Well last week something really stuck with me from the sermon at church…

On Wednesday night, we were reading from 1 Chronicles 8-12… And in chapter 11 we learn that David was anointed by God to be the King (this is also recorded 1 Samuel 16). The point the Pastor made was the David was anointed King over Israel when he was just a boy, but Saul was still the reigning king. And then years and years pass where David is growing up, and learning from Saul, and then fleeing from Saul. Finally Saul dies and it is then that David is actually made king.
Moral of the Story: David was anointed to be King but had to wait a long time before God’s purpose and role for his life actually became his reality. Sometimes we feel God anointing us with a purpose for our lives, or we feel we are called to do something or have a certain profession – but the does not mean God intends for us to have it right away. God wants us to learn and grow – our own seminary of hard-knocks if you will.
I sat there and kept mulling this over and over in my brain. Mark even nudged my arm to make sure I was listening because he knew that this was exactly what I needed to hear. This really resonated with me because there are things I know I want in life, but it’s ok that right now I cannot have them. I also know that I want to do something for a career that I am passionate about, but I haven’t figured out what that is yet. And that is ok. I truly believe God created me for a purpose and in His time, I will fulfill it.

So I left church Wednesday night and this whole anointing thing kept coming to my mind for the next few days. I was then reading Francine Rivers’ book: A Lineage of Grace and she also brings up this part of David’s life and the period of time before he came to the throne. Rivers has one of the characters tell another character about this time of waiting, patience, growing, and sanctifying to encourage him…

So BAM literally twice in one week I am presented with the same story, the same point, and it’s presented in the same way. I’ve been to Bible college. I sat, listened, and read through an entire semester of the Old Testament and not once did this concept ever cross my mind. I felt like this was God sending a post-it my way. And when I read that specific paragraph in Rivers’ book I started smiling because I knew right then and there that God was hitting me over the head with the same lesson.

Patience. Be patient. God is in control. He created me with strengths and likes and dislikes and weaknesses and flaws. And He is growing me and molding me to be the woman He wants me to be. He has a plan for my life  and in His perfect timing He will show me what that is and will prepare me for it.

I feel like I keep learning this lesson over and over this year, but in different ways. In February God was telling me to slow down, come home, get healthy, and then wait for what was to come next. Then I started working and God kept saying give it time, you can’t be good at something over night, but you can do this. Then I was faced with a very hard decision and some very hard weeks. God said trust. Trust that I am the only one that can turn someone's heart and can open their eyes. Be patient. I do these things in My time frame, not yours. And now He is teaching me again that whatever is it that I’m supposed “to do” in this life could be right around the corner, could be a few years away, or it could be both. And so that’s where I’m at this week. And it’s a good thing.

Thank you Lord for the post-it and for preparing me for the purpose I was created for.

Kindred Spirits

A few posts ago I listed a few of my favorite blogs and promised a Must Read’s page. Well friends, it’s HERE!! So check it out :) And check out the blogs too… If you’re anything like me you’ll spend the next few hours drooling :)

Also I would just like to brag for a minute about my fabulous friends. Ya know when you’re in middle school and girls are catty and vicious? And sometimes it doesn’t stop until high school? And sometimes it never really stops?? Yeah. Same. Being a teenage girl is soo fun!!

But after years and years of turmoil and tears we all eventually find a few friends that we trust and keep close. For me, that happened in college. I had known Kelsey since first grade because we’ve gone to the same church our whole lives and I met Rachel freshman year because we were suitemates. These two girls are true friends.

They have the best advice. They have the best shoulders to cry on.
And they make me laugh like no one else.
They are kindred spirits as Anne of Green Gables would say…
So thanks girls :) I don’t know what I’d do without you!!

Easter Festivities

Yesterday was one fun Easter Sunday!! We went to church, came home to get food ready and opened our Easter baskets, and then headed to my grandparents for Easter Sunday dinner with the extended family. The service at church was definitely the highlight! The sermon and music were incredible! My pastor made a really cool analogy in his sermon. 

He talked about how in life we compare everything to ladders. We have to get good grades to get into a good college, so we climb to the top. A’s are at the top and F’s are at the bottom. We have to climb the corporate ladder because the high salaries and power are at the top. We put our two year olds in Spanish classes, ballet lessons, and music lessons because we want them to be well-rounded and ahead of the curve. All we do in this life is climb, climb, climb. To be the best athlete, the best hostess, the best business partner, the best whatever. But Jesus Christ climbed from the top to the bottom. He left perfection and heaven at the right hand of God. He left holiness to come to earth as a man. And then He died on the cross because He loved us. He died to pay the ransom for our sin. He already climbed the climb. And there’s no way we could ever climb our way to heaven anyways. For that reason we need to lay our ladders down and stop climbing. Jesus is our redeemer. 

The pastor has brought a ladder out onto the stage as he started the analogy and as he  prayed to close the service and laid the ladder down. The worship band came back out as he was praying and started the next song. As they got to the chorus the curtain opened and laying at the base of the cross were lots of ladders. It was such an amazing visual. I almost started crying. It was really powerful. They were singing The Stand by Hillsong and it’s been stuck in my head ever since… It was a great Easter service!

Kayla and I received Easter baskets of sorts :) Sarah lucked out with an outfit in addition to her basket!! HAH! My mom doesn’t stick to conventional rules… and we’re ok with that :) I also got tired of sitting around the house in a skirt so opted for pajama pants. Nice touch, huh?

The Easter Egg Hunt at Nana and Poppop’s was eventful to say the least. The yard was soaking wet from all the rain we’ve had recently. There was total confusion about how many hard-boiled and how many plastic eggs everyone was supposed to find. And then she had prizes for certain things… someone’s egg had rocks in it instead of M&Ms…. someone else’s had a 2010 penny… Yes. She went all out. And I was the luckiest of all. Due to the fact that I’m not feeling 100% better and I’m on antibiotics for strep throat AND Tylenol and Advil Cold & Sinus my basket was left on the front porch. I picked it up, mom insisted on a picture, and then I plopped on the porch swing to watch my cousins traipse around the yard. Quite fun :) 

And then last but certainly not least – Family Picture Time! Every year this is quite the to-do because the sun is always in our eyes or it’s too bright out to smile without squinting. The children all hate it but the mothers insist. This year’s actually isn’t too bad!!

Thankfully we got all the outdoor festivities completed before the rain came. Afterwards everyone relaxed, watched the Flyers game, and ate the candy out of their baskets. Sadly, I haven’t eaten anything yet :( I took one bite of a Take 5 and my throat felt like it was on fire!! I can’t wait to be back to my healthy normal self. Strep throat is no fun. At least I’m out of bed and was able to come along today… It was a really nice Easter!!

Hope you had a great Sunday as well! What was the highlight of your celebration?

He is Risen!

He is risen indeed!

Happy Easter everyone!!! I thought I’d add a few songs that say it way better than I could.

The cross that cost my Lord His life has given me mine.

How He came to pay our ransom 

Through the saving cross He bore 

How He watches o’er His loved ones 

Those He died to make His own 

How for them He’s interceding 

Pleading now before the throne

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 sin’s curse has lost its grip on me. For I am His and He is mine. Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

Jesus has overcome. 

And the grave is overwhelmed. 

The victory is won. 

He is risen from the dead.

Because a sinless Savior died, my sinful soul is counted free. For God, the Just, is satisfied to look on Him and pardon me. Behold him there, the risen Lamb. My perfect, spotless righteousness, The great unchangeable I am, The King of glory and of grace! 

 

Hope you all have a wonderful Easter!! And if you like peeps and jelly beans – eat up :) 

I couldn’t pass this up ^^ too stinkin’ cute :)

Baptism

A few days ago I mentioned that I would be getting baptized in Church and that happened this past Sunday. I believe that baptism is a public declaration of one’s faith in Jesus Christ and one’s commitment to a life of service and obedience to God. My Dad is an ordained Pastor and he serves as one of the Worship Leaders. Since he is ordained he was able to baptize me… It was a really special moment for my Dad and I because he has been such an important person in the development of my faith. My best friend Kelsey was also baptized and her dad, who is also a Pastor at church. We do not baptize at infancy, but rather allow parents to dedicate their children as a promise to “train them up in the way they should go”. We believe that individuals later make the decision to follow Christ and at that point can choose to be baptized. At my church someone reads our testimony as we walk from our seat in the sanctuary up onto the stage and into the baptismal pool, so I’ve copied mine below: 

I accepted the Lord as my Savior when I was five years old. I was raised in a Christian home and had been attending church and Sunday school since I was born. My parents had a huge influence in helping to ignite my faith at a young age and continued to do so all through school. In high school, there were many events that caused me to be cynical and I used them as an excuse to justify my lack of commitment to God. I never strayed too far because I knew God was in control but, I did not place much importance in my relationship with Christ. I wanted control of my life and thought I could figure it all out on my own. I graduated from high school in 2009 and began college at Philadelphia Biblical University. I wasn’t too thrilled about leaving home but, I wanted to learn more about God, the Bible, and redemption. I felt that I needed to learn more before I could take the next step. And, learn I did. Not only did God teach me about Himself, he taught me about myself. This past January 1^st, I began to experience some health and emotional problems and decided that coming back home would be the best decision for me. On one hand, I felt like a failure because I withdrew from school but, I knew God wanted me home. I knew that He was demanding control of my life. In my lowest time, I was confused and lost but, I surrendered to God. My anxiety and depression quickly subsided and I felt such a peace about my decision and my future. I have no idea what I want to do or what I’m going to do with my life but, God does. I am trusting in Him wholeheartedly and feel that now is the time for me to get baptized. I can now say without a shadow of a doubt that I am trusting God with my life and I am going to serve Him with my life. 

Here are some pictures… 

 







If you have any questions about my faith, Jesus, Easter, Baptism, or something else- PLEASE feel free to e-mail me or leave a comment!!

Peace

Everyone knows these mean peace…


And the hippie movement was brought back into fashion/pop culture a lot in the past few years. My father hates the peace sign because of what it stood for in the 60’s but my sister’s and I have always thrown it up in pictures. It’s the gangster, celebrity, hippie go-to sign. I guess if Madonna does it, it’s cool?!

For my sister’s 20th and 21st birthday I planned a scavenger hunt of sorts and on her 21st birthday peace signs were really popular. We went a little crazy…

And while that is all good and fun there is a different kind of peace. A peace that comes only from Jesus. A peace that I never felt in my life until a few months ago. Sure, I’d pray right before a test asking the Lord to help me to stay calm and remember the information a studied, I’d take a deep breath, and plunge right in. But that wasn’t this kind of peace.

This peace is complete and utter surrender to the Lord. I no longer worry about what will happen with my future. I don’t fret about going back to college, picking a major, working, etc. I know that God is going to show me everything. He will open doors and close doors. He will guide me. I need to trust Him, serve Him, and love Him. The rest will all fall into place.

Here are a few verses that I have really been holding too lately:

2 Timothy 2:22 - So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those you call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Colossians 3:15 - And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

John 16:33 - I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

These verses are such an encouragement – especially that last one! I have never felt such peace and guidance in my life. And for that I am SO thankful!! I have decided that I want to be baptized, so I’ll be getting baptized this Sunday! I’m sure I’ll post about that sometime next week! 

Hope you all have a great Thursday and I hope these verses encourage your day!

Peace out ;)

Bandwagon Wednesday: Karen Kingsbury

I have always loved to read. Most of all, I love to read stories. When I was in elementary school I loved to read mysteries and I read the Little House books… In middle school I read the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, books by Meg Cabot, and eventually was introduced to the world of Christian Fiction. In high school I was recommended a book by Karen Kingsbury and since that day I have not ever refused a book of hers. I bawl, I laugh, I can’t put them down – they’re that good.

My favorite books by her are about the Baxter Family – The Redemption Series, The First Born Series, and The Sunrise Series. They are phenomenal. And there are so many books. Its like a month long or (depending on your reading speed/free time) summer long movie. I highly recommend them.

For Christmas I got Take Two from her Above the Line Series – my mom didn’t realize it was the second book... I also got a Border’s gift certificate and was able to buy Take One in the Philly Airport before we left for Disney this past January. When I got home I bought Take Three…. and then the semester started and my reading time became non-existent. On Monday when Mark and I were in Barnes & Nobles I stopped by the Christian Fiction section, but they didn’t have many of Karen’s books. I was surprised because they usually have at least one of everything. Then as we were walking out they had a whole table of Christian Fiction 50% off – and there sat Take Four. I was so happy that I found it and SO happy it was on sale!!!

Bailey Flanigan was a minor character in the Baxter Family books, was a more prominent character in the Above the Line Series, and now has her own series!!! I have always loved Bailey and will be reading her series next. I can’t wait!!

Karen Kingsbury is a phenomenal author and if you’re in need of new reading material you should definitely try her out. I would recommend Between Sundays, Shades of Blue, and Ocean’s Apart- they’re the stand alones that I’ve read. Between Sundays was the first book I ever read by her and like I said before, I was hooked. The other two (Shades and Oceans) seemed a bit harder to get into… But that may have just been because I read them after the Redemption, First Born, and Sunrise series and was in Baxter withdrawal… There are so many more that I haven’t read… but I have my whole life so I’m in no rush :)

As I mentioned in Monday’s post when referring to the Bachelor – I love happy endings. And the Christian fiction novels that I began reading were all about people meeting, falling in love, trial, blessing, and God’s ordination and control in their lives. They were happy ending books.  The individuals may get married and end up happy, but also have profound life changing experiences that deepen their faith. These books were romantic but also challenging and I loved the stories.  God calls us to “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and be constant in prayer” Romans 12:12. I think that Karen Kingsbury really explores the way that Christians can and do live this out as they face trials in their own lives.

You can find out more about Karen Kingsbury HERE. She is also on Facebook and Twitter.

E-mail me if you have read or do read any of her stuff! I’d love to hear what you think!

My Siesta Season of Life

When I moved home a few weeks ago I didn't fully process the decision I was making. All I knew was that I needed to come home. I needed to be with my family and be home with no stress. I needed to come home for my health, for my sanity, and for my relationships. It just needed to happen - and thankfully, it did. I came home, moved all my things back in, caught up on sleep, and spent time relaxing with my family. Soon after settling at home, I realized a position came open at the company I worked at all through high school, so I applied and hoped for the best. My health issues cleared up almost instantly as they were a result of the stress caused by school and I was experiencing anxiety less and less. I still didn't have all the answers about my future figured out and all of my relationships changed, but I knew I was on the right track.

As I reflected on the days leading up to my move home I questioned why my health, my emotions, and my control spun out of control so fast. I knew it had to be one thing. I knew that God wanted me home and wanted me home immediately. The circumstances surrounding the events of the past two months of my life have made this abundantly clear to me. God's knowledge of me and a plan for my life is something that I no longer doubt. Instead of worrying over what career to choose, whether or not to go back to school, if I got selected for the open position or not, etc. I need to surrender my life to Him.

A few weeks ago I stopped by my grandparents house and it was my Grandpop that reminded me of this. He pointed to the TV and said, "Everything coming out of that boob tube tells us to worry. '8 Things to do to Prepare for Retirement' 'America's Debit is No Longer Ignorable!' 'Don't Forget to Ask Your Doctor if You Would Be Qualified for Treatment' and the list goes on and on. But Christians already have "the secret". Sadly, they choose to listen to the world instead of rejoicing in the Truth. All of the things that are happening to you may seem confusing now, but in ten years when you look back every single thing will make sense. Trust me. All of the decisions that you make on a daily basis are insignificant compared to your willingness to submit to God's timing and trust in God's plan. God has something incredible planned for your life, just trust in Him."

I left my grandparent's house with such peace. And thankfully, I have felt surrounded by that peace ever since. Every once in a while I feel consumed by the weight of the decisions I haven't made or the questions I haven't answered. I called my dad this morning just to help squelch my fears...

I may not have all the answers, but God does.
I may not understand the timing, but God does.
I may not be content with my life, but God has something with my name written all over it.
I may feel like a lost failure, but by trusting and following God I am an obedient child that is never forgotten.

And so with that I will enter into this next phase of my life. The independent struggle is over, the full-time reflecting and resting is coming to a close, and the working and obeying chapter is just beginning.Things will get hard, I will forget to turn to the Lord first, and I will fail - but my savior's arms are always open, welcoming me back. Isn't that something?



I didn't know this post would be so serious when I started typing, but I'm glad I was able to get it all out. It was very therapeutic and will be something I can re-read in times of uncertainty. I am more thankful than ever that I have such supportive, godly, wise parents. They have guided and loved me through everything. Thanks mom and dad - I don't know where I'd be with you :)

Oh, What a day...

Today has been extremely extremely productive... and there were so many things that made me stop, smile, and praise the Lord for His goodness.

1. breakfast at Emma's with friends from school. I have missed the girls so terribly! As much as I know coming home this semester was the right decision, I miss living with them so much it hurts. Catching up over pancakes and french toast was such a good reminder of how wonderful friendship really is...

2. calling my mother at work for the zillionth time today, talking for three straight minutes, and then realizing the only person I am talking to is myself - I later found out she hung up because her boss came to the front desk to find her talking on the phone with me for the third time today :)

3. a woman at the doctor's office complementing me on my boots, blazer, and scarf. I told her where I got the boots cause she wanted a pair and then said it was so nice "to meet a nice person, because you just don't meet nice people anymore" - seriously made my day!!

4. spending a few hours with the two kids I nannied this past summer, their new puppy (Chase Mutley - obv HUGE Phillies fans) that is so well behaved and so lovable, and their wonderful mother who has been a friend and mentor to me since my freshman year of high school. She is the MOH in her sister's wedding so we shared wedding-drama and our shower secrets... Here's the kids with my younger sister at Castle Park this past August...

Even though the bright sunshine was deceiving and it's quite chilly outside, today felt like one of those days when you know things are about to change. They're gonna get better. Even if that just means you can roll your windows down in addition to rocking your new sunglasses :) It's great when there is so much goodness in a day that you can't help but smile!!

OH and I almost forgot: DUKE beat Clemson 70-59 last night. It was senior night AKA no more home games, no more Kyle Singler, no more Nolan Smith :( BUT this Saturday they play against UNC... it's gonna be epic. (ps. I have a serious crush on Nolan - but Mark approves - and it'll only last until the end of the month soo I don't think we have anything to be too worried about)

L-O, L-O, L-O, L-O-V-E

Throwback to Ashley Simpson!! Sing it with me :) I really used to think that song was awesome... now not so much. And that leads me to today. Today has consisted of a mix of things I love and things I opposite-of-love. Sooo we'll start with the bad news first...

The Things I Opposite-of-Love:
getting out of the shower - cold everything
people who forget they are in America - walk on the right side of the road/sidewalk please!!
traffic - sometimes i am soooo thankful i don't have a car this semester, i might run people down
really cute shoes that hurt - my feet are too sensitive... why cant sneakers look like stilettos?
dog hair - i love the dog... i hate the hair. all. over. me.


The Things I love:
opening my eyes and seeing the sun rise through my window - nature displays the beauty of God
getting out of bed and putting on my quilted robe - best christmas present ever
peppermint mocha creamer - from my momma
sudoku - especially during American History... we  covered the Civil War in 75 minutes?!?
GLEE - gleegleegleegleeglee. i was meant to be on that show...
Cheesy Crust in the cafe - the pizza might be lame, but the crust was to die for!!
White Peppermint Mochas - starbucks is genius. even better when i dont pay.
Day Dreaming - planning the layout of my dream house is one of my all time favorite things
Great News - finding out from my sister that she and her fiance are one step closer to setting their wedding date
Thursday Night Football - Eagles and cuddling with my boy. best ending to a day ever.
my boy - he is my best friend

all in all it's been a wonderful day. and im glad my loves outnumber my opposites.
What did you love about your day?

My Default vs My Calling

Lately I have been feeling very lost and confused inside my own life. I've been longing for home and for things that are not in God's plan for my life at this time. I get so frustrated because I want to be content with where I am but struggle to find things to be excited and joyful about. All I tend to see are the negative things... and that is SO not me!
Yesterday in Chapel the Provost of my school said, "the human default is complaining," during his sermon. That hit me really, really hard. I realized that I complain about my situation because I am not thrilled with it. I complain because I have "nothing to wear" in my closet, because the friends that I live with are "on my last nerve", because the food in the cafeteria "is so much worst than last year" (actually debatable), because that professor is "completely unqualified to teach", because because because. I complain because it is the human default. It is not, however, my calling. Instead of complaining, I need to thank God for the numerous ways he blesses me every single day. And so, here is my list of things that struck me as blessings today:

1. My boyfriend's house which he fondly calls "The North Pole" from Black Friday until mid-January.

Tonight I had dinner at their house and after we finished eating everyone sat together in the living room to watch Rudolph. It was such a perfect moment.

2.  White Peppermint Mochas from Starbucks

My older sister had to come down to school today for an appointment (she is student teaching this semester and is living at home) and she surprised me at work with coffee. I had no idea she was coming and the drink hit the spot on this rainy day.

3. Making plans to have dates with friends.

My dear friend Mary and I are going to the Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission Thrift Store on Friday and then are going to her apartment to look through fashion magazines and have a heart-to-heart. She has been such a HUGE encouragement to me since I met her last fall.


Reflecting on God's blessings in my life is such an incredible way to end my day. Thank you Lord for all of your provision, guidance, and blessing in my life.
-R


1 Thessalonians 5:18 
 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.