One more thing...

Shout out to Daddy Ray...HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Love you:)

My Identity in Christ

Just finished a Bible study called The Search for Significance by Robert McGee. Great study and would recommend it! So many things I could share, but here's a snid-bid (yes, that's a word in my vocab) called "My Identity in Christ":

"Because of Christ's redemption, I am a new creation of great worth.

I am deeply loved, completely forgiven, fully pleasing, totally accepted by God, and absolutely complete in Christ.

There has never been another person like me in the history of mankind, nor will there ever be. 

God has made me an original."

What appealed to me in these sentences were the adverbs (that's what they're called, right?...OI, don't tell Mrs. Schildkneckt!)...deeply, completely, fully, totally, absolutely...no room for kinda, sorta, maybe, conditionally. That's what's awesome about the Lord & His love for us...there's no in between, no gray...He loves us with a love that is so complete and pure that I can't fathom its depth, but I know it's life-changing!

No excuses...

Okay, so what excuse could I possibly give at this point?!...can't think of a one; so I will simply apologize for my year off from blogging. I've realized that there are folks out there who take the time to read my blog...a shocker but cool nonetheless. And I've also realized how nice it is to emote and write down what I think...and how much I've missed that.

My April resolution for the 2009 year -- continue & keep blogging:) 

It's been a year and I am quickly coming upon my 31st birthday. I wish I could say that a year in my thirties has brought immense wisdom and knowledge...I can say that I keep learning about myself. Life's all about knowing yourself and your place in this world; that is, knowing that you're not the one in control. God continues to bless me & I continue to be amazed that the God of everything still wants to love on me...an astounding and humbling thought!

As I look back on my 30th year, here's what God has done:

~grown me in my role as a nurse practitioner...& continue to learn anew everyday

~taken me professionally to a place where I didn't figure I would & continue to open doors for me in the realm of palliative care...who'd of thunk it

~enabled me to complete a marathon & helped me walk the next day!

~revived my passion for medical missions & allowed me to love on the people of Guatemala

~brought me to the place of desiring to buy/own my first home (& loving it)

~continued contentment in His timing

So there it is! Much more to come later!

Surviving 30...

In case you were concerned, I did survive 30! In fact, it was quite a wonderful weekend:) Thank you to you all for making my day SOOO special...I felt so loved & blessed:) I wanted to share a few photos from the weekend...events include a dinner party on my birthday-day, family party, & weekend with Hannah. If you'd like to see more, visit my facebook page:)

Happy Earth Day

I saw my first ladybug today...it stayed put on my windshield for about a minute before deciding to fly away. I can't help but think of 2 things when I see a ladybug...first, my friend Hannah comes to mind since she's a lover of ladybugs (or ladybird beetles as they are known in Europe) & second, that spring is here. The time for birth, growth, green, & sunshine are here! I was reading a bit about ladybugs...not only are they pretty but they're quite useful in nature. Did you know that the Mall of America releases thousands of ladybugs each spring as a way to keep their indoor gardens beautiful & free from pests? Yeah, neither did I! It leaves to think how cool God our Creator is...He's creative in His design of the little ladies, He's thorough in His work of perfecting every spot, He's smart when it comes to the ladybug's usefulness in society, & if He cares so deeply about the design of a ladybug...then how much more lovely are we in His eyes. We are His craftmanship & workmanship, formed in the image of Himself. Let me never forget that!

So on this Earth Day, take a moment to stop, enjoy the nature around you, give thanks to God for the beauty around you, and maybe even gaze at a ladybug!

The countdown...

Hey ya'll! I'm so sorry for not posting anything since November...is that possible??? Yes, when you're me, it is! I gotta tell ya it's nice to know people actually look at my blog:)

I received a facebook message from my friend today reminding me of my countdown. That's right, folks, 5 days left before I leave my current decade to move into a "wiser" (so I'm told) one. It still takes away my breath (a bit) that I could be at such a moment in life. Now I realize that many folks (i.e. Carolyn) would say, "30 is young, so stop complaining." And yes, I do agree...but come on, throw me a bone here...it's still a big deal!

It's funny how life takes you where you never imagined. I must admit I'm such a girl...I thought I would be experiencing marriage and children at this point in life. And to be honest, it's hard at times to watch those life-changing moments occur around me yet not allow ME to be the participant. Don't get me wrong, I love that those moments and changes are occurring to my dear friends...I love being a part in those joyous times. And I say thank you to my friends who have included me in those special moments.

And then I get up from my stinkin' pity party and see all that my Lord has given to me for NEARLY 30 years. I have been blessed to have a healthy family who displays agape love; a best friend who is experiencing a healthy pregnancy; friends who generously give me the title of "Auntie Sue" to the most precious little ones in this world; 2 cats who greet me no matter what my day held; a group of college friends who allow me to be silly & grow in my knowledge of entertainment/reality TV; friends whom I've met at church who love to give hugs & listen to my desires & actually think I'm funny; an education & job that challenges & fulfills me especially when I look into my patient's eyes; a country that's not perfect by any means but one that is free---a blessing many women do not experience; colleagues & coworkers who have become my mentors; and MOST importantly, a Lord who has saved me, forgiven me and has given me these unworthy blessings.

So, what more could a girl want? I have so much more that I could have dreamt:)

Birthday wishes!

Happy Birthday, Mandy (she's the one wearing the blue towel)! I hope you have a wonderful birthday-day & year to come!